Ignorance is Bliss.  :)

This is a phrase that is sure to get a little laugh from Amy & David and my parents, as it is one we came to use often on each other when we were growing up at home & wanted to take a "jab" at someone in the family for being a little clueless.  But for the past couple of days, it's had a little different meaning to me, but one that still makes me want to smile when I think of it.  And so I thought I'd share it with you.

On Sunday, a man gave his testimony in our Sunday School class.  He and his wife have been coming to our church for several months now, but not many of us in the class have taken the time to get to know them well up until now.  His story was very interesting, as he told how his family was religious when he was growing up, but not sincerely Christian.  Then, when he was older, he made the choice to reject religion & try to become an atheist.  During that time, he humorously described how he sought peace in philosophies and art and music.  He further explained how he had developed an utter disdain for Christians & truly considered Christian people to be ignorant.  He said that he, like so many others in the world, viewed Christians as simple-minded & weak, always in need of something to hold onto.  He went on to tell of how he embraced drugs & alcohol, living for himself and living for the moment.  Then, finally, through unique circumstances, met Christ, who had all long, been waiting for him.

As I listened, God brought to my mind those familiar three little words.  Ignorance is bliss.  And I thought to myself how ignorant I really am!  If I had met this guy on the street a few years ago, before he met Christ, he would've thought I was ignorant!  It's a hilarious thought that just makes me want to praise God.  Once again, I think of how spoiled rotten I am (for those of you who wonder if I am aware--yes I am).  Then I thank God for yet another reminder of His mercy toward me.  I've had such a wonderful life.  The path of my life has been like a beautifully paved walk lined with fragrant flowers.  I can't bring myself to even mention the minor bumps in the road I've encountered.  I've been so ignorant!  I'm ignorant of what it's like to be enslaved to so many terrible traps that Satan tries to use.  Thank God I don't know what it means to be addicted to any kind of drug or know what it's like to be tempted by alcohol.  I have no idea why God has blessed me so much & prevented me from falling into pits along the way.  I know that much of it is due to my parents praying for me throughout my entire life.  It's so much more than I deserve.  I can only thank the Lord. And I thank my parents, too.

Update:

Sorry to keep you wondering about the winner of the contest!  I have actually extended the deadline with the kids due to a few "snags".  Plus, as of right now, I am having a hard time choosing because they have all done pretty well.  I will post the results soon...

Thank you, Mr. School Superintendent!

Last night, before church, we found out that we were getting an unexpected winter break for the rest of the week, due to so many people being sick in our county.  And I have to admit I wasn't nearly as excited as the kids were, at first.  I had to break my lunch date with my husband & forget about the other things I was planning to accomplish today.  We just had a break on Monday for President's Day, and my "rainy day" resources are almost all used up!

So, I was asking the Lord for help this morning with ideas for motivating them to live peaceably together & have fun at the same time.  

So, that's why they're now all competing to "Win a Date with Mom".  All of their faces lit up a little when I told them the rules:  the person who is the most helpful, best behaved, and most kind by the end of the day tomorrow will get to go out with me (all by themselves).  

It's going pretty well so far.  There were a couple of moments when things started to get tense with one person (I won't mention his name:) ), but so far, so good.  I'll try to remember to announce the winner on here &  maybe a picture of the two of us on our date after it's all over.  It's anyone's game at this point.  We still have a day & a half left!  Just don't be too surprised if the winner turns out to be Dave!

Love is in the Air...

(mingled with cigarette smoke)

We are two days away from my second favorite holiday of the year.  I love Valentine's Day.  All my heart decor & Valentine garb has been out for a couple of weeks now.  And the kids & I spent the night designing & constructing the annual Valentine boxes for school.  My lip still quivers when I think back to Grant's 2nd grade Valentine box that was made into a rocket, complete with a little astronaut and a conversation heart glued on that read "You Send Me".  It was unforgettable.  

But anyway--in preparation for this year, I've been thinking of all the ways we're going to celebrate.  I have some special little Valentine gifts for all the kids in my Bible Club at the TN School for the Deaf, and even though I was very busy today, I made time in my schedule to stop at a drugstore & pick up some Valentine candy for them as well.  I went in the store, Lily & Lola in tow, taking care to pick a type of candy that I thought the kids would enjoy.  It really wasn't convenient, but I didn't mind because I know it's for my ministry.

So, after a few minutes, Lola decided she didn't want to be there anymore & Lily got tired of helping me hold some things, so we went to the register where I saw Her.  This woman was standing there, blocking the counter where I was supposed to be.  I heard a cashier telling her to step back & wait as they tried to resolve the problem she had, but the woman never moved.   Meanwhile, as I stepped closer to her, my nose almost burned with the smell of cigarette smoke, and then she coughed in our direction.  I waited for her to step aside, but when she didn't, I was forced to squeeze up beside her to reach the cash register.  I began to think about how we were going to smell & what germs we were probably being exposed to that very second, and my frustration began to escalate.  Lola began crying, and I was just dying to get out of there & away from this woman who was so getting on my nerves.  And then she looked at me, smiled, & with a raspy voice, commented on how I had my hands full, but was doing a great job handling it all.  It was then that I finally saw her.  She was a person. She was a soul for whom Christ died.  I was struck with the awareness of my hypocrisy.  I was so busy doing "good", sacrificing for my ministry, that I was ready to trample whatever got in the way. 

Why do I so often say I care about groups of people, yet forget that individuals make up those groups?  I even notice other Christians I know doing this same thing, even risking losing their testimony over ridiculous things, yet sometimes I do the same things.  

So, as of today, I've added something else to the list of ways to celebrate Valentine's Day:  Love. 

Disney World 2008

We just spent 5 days at the "happiest place on earth" & had a great time, as usual.  Most of you know I am such a fan of Disney World and have made some great memories there throughout my life!  I was Lola's age the first time I went & I'm glad my parents were able to take me & Amy & David several times as we were growing up. Out of 773 pictures, I picked out a few for this slideshow.  I'd love to post some pics of our past trips someday, but that would take time that I don't have right now.   I think every family needs to go at least once together & maybe these pictures will inspire you!