Failed Test

Friday William started to run a fever - and he's still running a fever. So, I took him to the doctor today. Until this morning I really thought he had strep. The neighbor boy next door had strep late last week. But when William woke up this morning his throat was much better. But with the fever still hanging around, I still took in to see the doctor.

They went ahead and did a a test for flu and for strep.

He failed the flu test. Or tather positive for B strain.

Poor thing  - yuck! I don't think any of the kids have ever had the flu. For the last eight years we gotten the vaccine. It's somewhere around 70-90% effective.  I guess William fell in that 10-30%.

My prayer is that he gets better soon - and that the rest of us stay healthy.

Maybe, Maybe Not

Earlie today I had some great thoughts concerning a blog post.  But I didn't write it down...now I'm tried and ready for bed.

So....maybe I'll have something exciting or excellent to say tomorrow.

Or not.

Working.....Or Not

Part of mine and Drew's marriage contract (not that we actually have anything in writing, mind you) is that when the kids start school, I would work - at least part time.  And I have.  I taught pre-school for two years and substitute taught for the three years in Guam. But even before we even left Guam last year, I told Drew not to except me to work until the New Year. I knew I needed some time to get us all settled into our new life. And I have. And it's now the New Year.

So. Back to work.

In the last weeks I have turned in my paperwork to sub at the kids' schools here - even had my fingerprints done last week.  This week I picked up the "sub card" that shows my fingerprints have come back cleared (Yeah! I'm not wanted for any crimes!).  Yesterday while I was at both school (middle school for an awards ceremony and the elementary to have lunch with Ben - he had a rough morning) I told the front office that I was eligible to sub.

I really thought it was take a few weeks before they started to call me.  With it already being mid-year, I figured they already have their favorites. And so, I was surprised to get a call from the middle school asking if I could work half-day today.

Sure! Yes! I really didn't have anything exciting planned today......other then clean a few bathrooms and maybe do some baking.

I was surprised again when the phone ranged at 7:15 asking if I could come in right away. The teacher I was to sub for needed to be gone all day.

I rushed to get Ben ready and out the door (trying not to yell too much when I found  him at the computer playing solitaire with no socks or shoes on nor his teeth or hair done....well....maybe I yelled some..a lot....) then myself ready and out the door.

The teacher needed to go home to take care of his baby - who was running a fever and so not allowed at child-care.

It turned out to be a great teacher to sub for -easy classes - easy lesson plans.  I was enjoying myself - a great way to ease back into work.

Then during fourth hour I looked up to see the secretary of the school at the door with the thermometer and William not looking so good.

100.3 - just enough to earn him a ticket home.  I finished out the class hour while the front office called in another sub. For this sub.

A nasty cold, two strains of the flu, a stomach bug, and strep are going around the neighborhood and schools. Not sure which one we have at the moment. I'm personally voting for anything but strep.

That's the nastiest thing.

I really just had to laugh! I'm not at all surprised that this is how my first day to work in over seven months.  I'm leaning toward God saying I should just say being a "kept woman".

Life is easier that way.

Oh, and let's not forget that Drew is out of town. Which. Of course, he is. That's how military families work, you know. All is well and right until the military member leaves....but Drew will be back tomorrow. I have already warn him to pick up some extra vitamin C on his way home....or a gas mask.

Our Past

A friend sent me and some other friends a message on facebook the other day asking about how much of our past  - our past as in before being a Christian - should we share.  She had a conversation with fellow believer about "does deep or graphic testimony encourage non-believers or fence-riders to engage in or continue to engage in sinful behavior by reinforcing the fact that our Father forgives even the worst of us?"  ( The sitting being in private or church Bible study/fellowship, etc.)

I think the simple answer is yes and no.


The real question is the Holy Spirit saying? There are some seekers/new believers that need to know that God really did forgive you for this behavior and that sin. And not only did He forgave you, but you have moved on into a deeper relationship with the Lord.

But there are some that will see that sin in your past life and that's all they will see. Another friend once shared how she shared once that she use to cuss a lot.  One lady continually brought it up as time went on. It was like she could now only see my friend as how she was in the past - not what and where God had brought her to now.

I am convinced that we women share too much too soon. I have been amazed over the years at how personal the conversation can quickly become with women!  We need to guard our hearts.

Last week in Bible study we studied Hezekiah when he showed the Babylonians all that he had. He was so flattered that this new & up-in-coming world power was interested in him, that he throw away common sense and showed them all his treasures as well as what was in the temple - military items as well. We, too, shouldn't let "flattery" (attention, friendship, etc) get the best of us.

This is where praying without ceasing comes in - if we have that consistent, open communication with the Lord, the Holy Spirit will give us the words that need to be said at that moment.

I don't think at all we should ever lie or cover-up what we use to be, but I do think there is a time & a place for to share our past sins.

Facebook Post

On facebook you never know what will get a lot of comments....other than if you say it's birthday or anniversary - then you can guarantee lots of well wishes. I thought I had just asked an innocent question:  "What do you think of Oprah's new network and do you have any favorite shows?"

Apparently, not such an innocent question.

Several friends had opinions...a few referred her to the anti-Christ. Two dear friends made a point that they were venting about Oprah - not judging me.  Did I feel judged?

Maybe.  After a few comments,  my thoughts were running along the lines of "Wow, I wonder what they think of me."  But that was brief.  Because while I pray that I never give anyone pause to doubt my sincerity and love for Christ or reason to stumble in their walk, I also refuse to live by other's expectations.  I've tried that. It only causes me grief - not others - just me.

So. Back to Oprah. Yes, I do watch her.  And yes, I have found some interesting new shows on her OWN network. (I'm especially looking forward to Lisa Ling's "Our America" a documentary about us - Americans because I have enjoyed Lisa Ling since her Channel One days.) I have also found some shows that I will not be watching such as "In the Bedroom". I'm sure you can guess why.

But what do I think of Oprah herself?  It's a mixed bag. In the past I have, also, jokingly referred to her as the anti-Christ.  There's no doubt the power she holds not just in America, but ,also, the world.  I am very firm in my belief that without her platform and help, Barrack Obama would have had a harder time becoming president. And yes, I agree that at times she has promoted religions and lifestyles that are inconsistent with the Biblical views I hold.

On the other hand, she is an excellent interviewer.  I enjoy that part of her show.  Many days I don't watch - not enough time in my day or her subject matter doesn't interest me.  I have watched her off and on probably the whole twenty-five years she has been on the air. When we first moved to Guam, her show was not on at all. I was admittedly upset. The last year we were in Guam one station showed it - but it was at the 5 o'clock hour - absolutely the worse time for a mom trying to get dinner on the table.

I, also, agree with some of my fellow Christians in the old adage of "junk in/junk out".  Allowing "junk" into my heart and head doesn't help me become more Christ like. Knowing the political and spiritual point of view of a celebrity makes me not want to watch them - this seems to be the same with several of my friends based on their comments on my facebook post about Oprah.

The question,then,is "what's junk?" I personally can't stand to watch most of reality TV - The Bachelor, Dancing with the Stars, The Real Housewives, the new show Joan and Melissa, and well....too many to list. But I love Amazing Race, Top Chef, and Survivor - but should I be watching them? Are any of them promoting Christ? One friend hates Survivor because of the way the contestants are dressed - or rather not dressed. The same could be said about Dancing with the Stars - they don't wear modest clothing, either. I love - LOVE-  the show Big Bang Theory. But I will freely admit that they don't push one Christian virtue. In fact several characters seem obsessed with sleeping with any girl they can.

What about the music I listen to? I listen to Christian music at least 90% of the time, but there are days I want to rock out with Bon Jovi or Kelly Clarkson or get my county on with Toby Keith or Lady Antebellum.

What about some of the movies that are out? Should  I only watch "wholesome movies? Only G or PG? I know of few people who had that standard in their life, then had a problem when The Passion of Christ came out b/c it was rated R.

The books I read? Are they promoting Christ or not?

While I see we all have different points of view entertainment, we should not judge each other.  In the end we will only have to answer to God Himself.  I do believe that through the Holy Spirit, He will convict us when we allow something harmful to our relationship with Him come into our lives.  But that may be different for me than for you. And that is one thing I LOVE about my Lord!

My relationship with Him is personal. With me. Different from your relationship with Him. There's no "one size fits all" here. What bothers you, may not bother me. What hinders me, may not hinder you.  He meets me where I'm at. He loves me where I'm at - whether I'm watching Oprah or Billy Graham. He. just. loves. me.

Not For Me

The other night I watched five minutes of the new show "Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?"  It's a reality show about the comedian Joan Rivers moving into her daughter's house.

Within that five minutes they also showed a trailer for an upcoming show.

It's amazing how in five minutes I can be disgusted, offended, nauseated, replused, and sicken.

These two ladies have no respect for each other at all - it's quite sad to see what poeple will do to make money and to stay famous.

I won't be watching anymore.

Power

The other day Drew and I were watching Piers Morgan's interview of Ricky Gervais. I was struck by several things. First Mr. Gervais said he is an atheist.  While he went to church with his parents growing up, at around eight years old he realized that religion was for the rich - not the poor family he was apart of.  I found that very sad. At the age of eight, he can to the conclusion that his parents were only bringing him to church to teach him morality so he would not die in a bar room fight.

But later in the interview he used the name of Jesus as a cuss word.

Why?

Why do atheist use the name of Jesus to cuss?  Not Mohammad or any of the number of Hindu gods. But no. People use the name of Jesus. 

Maybe somewhere deep inside they realize that it's the only name that has power.