Where Common Sense Ends

Been Gone Been Busy

2005-06-10T21:20:00.000-04:00

We are finally back from our trip. It really was fabulous.

Since we have been home we have not sat still. It seems that summer is even busier for us than the school year. It is a good busy though. We spend most of our time ministering to our youth rather than having to be at the office all day. We welcome this time of the year.

It's been hard the past two days. A young man in the incoming senior class passed away. It was a terrible accident at work that claimed his life. We had only met him a few times but he seemed like a great kid.

A lot of our kids have been majorly impacted by this. Most of them are in the band and he was a trumpeter. They have all been numb. Some have actually shown their emotions but most are pretty quiet.

It is breaking my heart as well. This takes me back to all the people I lost in high school and how hard it was then. I wasn't even as close to those people as these kids are. As I keep losing people in my life, close or not, I am reminded how short and unknown life is. I want to shout from the mountain tops how important it is to have Christ and you just can't wait...

What God Has For Us

2005-05-24T09:12:00.000-04:00

So far, so good. God is really working in our group and preparing the hearts of those around us. We have had our problems but nothing major. I was starting to think I should have stayed home because it's hard with Jolie, trying to watch out for the kids and do what it is we have come up here to do. I prayed the entire way up on Sunday. I needed God to give me a peace since I wasn't going to be able to go back home. He is faithful. He did.

Our experiences have been overwhelming. Sunday we could see the Spirit moving across the churches as we sang. It was so powerful I could barely keep myself from crying much less finish singing. I have never been able to keep myself composed when God moves that strongly.

Yesterday was no different. Our group split into to smaller groups to do different projects. The group I was in went to a ball field. We handed out bottled water, balloon animals, painted faces, and made snowcones. It was so much fun. The kids were great. We didn't have to get on to anyone for just sitting around. They were very willing to do whatever we asked.

One of the most awesome things that happened was something that God planned that we didn't know about. When we got there the man in charge of the team organizations came to us and asked if we would be willing to help him out. They have a game for mentally and physically challenged students. They don't keep score or play by the official rules. They just let the kids hit the ball and run bases. Usually there are volunteers who help the kids but they didn't make it. They asked us to instead. It was fabulous. The youth had a great time. I am so touched by these students that I cried when I found out about this opportunity. I am still tearing up now just thinking about it.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for us today.

Please Pray for Us

2005-05-22T04:25:00.000-04:00

We leave in a few minutes to go on our choir tour/mission trip. It should be quite the adventure since we are taking Jolie with us. I am sure we will have a wonderful time. Our students are ready. Well, at least 90% of them are. It's that last 10% that need the prayer, not that all of us don't.

I am ready to be on the road. Unitl we return, may road of life be kind or at least have little bumps.

Episode III

2005-05-20T16:19:00.000-04:00

Oh yeah, we went to see it. I thought it was awesome.

Of course, as always, I cried. I held it together until the end. When Anakin said he hated Obi Wan and he replied that he love him cause he was like his brother, I lost it. I finished the movie wiping my eyes with my shirt since I forgot my tissues in the car and those theatre napkins will eat the skin right of your face if it is not coated in the grease from their popcorn.

It fulfilled all of my expectations and tied every thing together. We were still talking about the little details long after we left to go home. You know he was going to turn bad but you just gotta feel sorry for the guy. I mean could he have been messed up anymore?

We didn't go to the 12:01 show though. When you have a 2 year old it's just not that easy. Not to mention Al had to be up at 5 something to go to a Bible study. We did go in the afternoon on the first day, however, so I still feel like a loyal fan. We had no lines to stand in since we ordered our tickets two weeks ago and we got there an hour early.

The only thing that is bad is that Jolie won't be able to see it for a long time. It would just be to scary for her. She will have to stick to the other 5 for now. She currently watches at least one of them per day when we are home. She is the coolest little kid.

We will be having a Star Wars marathon when this one comes out on DVD though. We will probably have one before then as well since we have some students who have never even seen the first ones. A few don't even know much of the story. It doesn't make me feel old though, I wasn't even born until after the second one was out.

Worried?

2005-05-18T11:05:00.000-04:00

In an article I just read, it stated that this year would be another rough hurricane season. It was disturbing that this year could be as bad as last.

I don't care how many we have or how bad they are as long as they stay out in the Atlantic or Pacific. (Which I now know that some do come from that direction toward the U) Last year I wanted them to go to other states or countries until I realized that people living in those places are either precious to me or to people I care about. Needless to say I would rather the storms just stay out at sea.

The thought makes me want to roll my eyes though. I am concerned since we had to deal with three of the four that hit Florida. I am ready to run out and buy supplies with the knowledge that if I spend all that money and time that we will probably be passed over. What a relief that would be.

As I write all of this I am reminded of how blessed we were to have been spared the total destruction of the storms. All that happened was a loss of power and some leaking through the roof that we knew needed to be replaced when we bought the house. We had a friend that lost almost everything.

O.k. this is so ironic. The news just flashed that T. S. Adrian has developed in the Pacific. I promise I was writing this blog before I had that information. It's not even June 1st yet!!!!!!!!!

I DO CARE

2005-05-16T19:18:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, I asked the girls in my AMP group if they cared. I wanted to know if they cared about where people go. Heaven or Hell? Of course, because they are really quick to catch on they said they cared even before I had finished explaining what I was asking.

(By the way, AMP groups are Accountability/Ministry/proclamation groups. It's one of our classes that help accomplish the five purposes of the church: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism.)

That got me to thinking. Do I care? The obvious answer is yes. Of course, I care, but as I thought even more about it, I realized that in order to care I need to be doing more to share Christ. Sure I work with students and am very aware of what I act like in public but I don't usually share my faith. It's not that I am scared or shy, it's just that I don't realize my opportunities until it is too late.

Well, I know it's not to late. I have the opportunity to share here and now. I don't know who is reading this nor do I know if you have a personal relationship with Christ. I know you didn't find this site by accident. There are no accidents, only occasions God has made available for believers to share their faith.

DO YOU HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST? I am not asking if you go to church or are a good person. I am asking if you have ever realized that Christ died on the cross to pay for your sins. I am asking if you have asked Him to forgive you of your sins and to be your Lord and savior.

It doesn't cost anything. It's free. He did it because He loves you and everyone He created. Yes, He created every living being on the earth, even those who have passed away and are yet to be born.

You can accept Him right here, right now. You don't have to get yourself right. He doesn't care what condition you are in and believe me there is no condition you could be in that you don't need Him. Please don't put it off. You are not promised tomorrow. You aren't even promised the time you have left in this day.

All you have to do is ask Him to come into your life. Pray to Him and tell Him your need for Him. The prayer won't save you but your authenticity will. You have to mean it.

Now, don't be fooled. You won't be perfect. Your desires to sin won't go way. You will still be tempted. BUT! Yes, there is a but... You will have joy. Real Joy. (Not happiness, that is not promised to us either.) You will be fulfilled. You will be complete. Christ is better than any drug, bottle or "ideal."

I am not a Bibical scholar. I have only been a Christian for eleven years. However, I know what happened in my life. I know that Christ has transformed me. If you do want more information go to got life.

If you have asked Christ into your life right now, please let someone know. Whether it be me or someone in your area. Find someone who is a Bible believing born again Christian to tell. They can help you learn more about being a disciple of Christ. You can also visit the Purpose Driven Life site.

I DID IT! I DID IT!

2005-05-14T23:06:00.000-04:00

I finally did it. I deleted the other site. I'm free of the Bill Gates conspiracy. (Refer to Al's site for more info.)

I don't think anyone cares. No one seems to be reading my site anyways. Maybe it's because I don't talk about anything interesting. Maybe they are all mad that I haven't linked to their sites yet. I blame Al for that. (I doubt he's even reading this.) He still hasn't helped me update this stupid unsuable site. At this point all I do is post blogs and comment on others. Last time I tried to do it myself I deleted a title and all the stuff in the section.

Really, I am not all that worried about it. I just enjoy writting out all the random, strange things that come into my head. You know so far they haven't been that random or strange. Maybe that has something to do with... At least I can express myself.

I love you Alfie.

I Can't Believe It

2005-05-14T21:50:00.000-04:00

Today was so long for a Saturday. We have run errands, delievered food and been to a good bye party. I am exhausted. The worst part is that I used to be able to go all day and all night with out even yawning. Now, I can't make it past 9:30. If I don't get up before 9 or so in the morning I feel like I have wasted my entire day.

How did I get to feel this old.? (I am only 24.) Maybe it's having a kid, or maybe it's just not getting enough rest. I still don't know when I grew up. It seems like yesterday we were in high school just begging to drive the car to the movies. Then we were in college praying we would pass the test we didn't study for the night before when we were at the mall or the movies. (Unfortunately, for Al and others that hasn't changed regardless of responsibility.)

Now, we have children to care for and house payments to make. Somewhere in there we grew up. Well, some of us just grew older not up. I still feel like I am fifteen trying to pretend like I am ready for adulthood. It doesn't matter, I wouldn't change it for the world.

Out of Town

2005-05-09T15:10:00.000-04:00

Ok, so we went out of town to see my family. I didn't realize how much my brother and husband are alike. They annoyed me and picked on me the whole time. So the saying that you marry someone like you father is not true. I married someone just like my brother.

Anyways, I have also realized how much my personality has become like Al as well. Just this morning we were watching Sesame Street as we always do around ten. The letter of the day was 0. (zero) So my question was is that really a number since there is nothing there to be counted. We are at his parents house right now, by the way. So his mom looks at me and tells me that, that was an Al question. The funny thing is that he said he was thinking the same thing but did not get it out of his mouth fast enough.

You know come to think of it. I tend to think the goverment or some shadow government is secretly observing us right now.

I have also turned into my mom. That's scary, especially if you have met her. She is the absent minded professors assistant. Ha, ha, ha! I love my mom. For example, I called my sister in law when we crossed the TN state line to let her know "the Tennessee sign had just welcomed me to the state." Then I proceeded to laugh like her as well. It's that wheezing body giggle that looks alot like convulsions. Oh, my, I think I need a nap or an asprin...

Just Kidding

2005-05-03T23:01:00.000-04:00

O.k. so I was just kidding about closing this site. I thought it was April first then Al pointed out it was now May. Well, no, but in my attempt to go somewhere I could actually work on my own and not depend on my wonderful husband for his internet intelligence was squashed.

While it was easy to navigate and update, it limited the comments to only those who were signed up through the site. I have more friends than that. (I hope!?!) I didn't want to force everyone into yet another screen name and profile, especially since you never can get every site to accept your favorite nickname in its original form. No, I am not a bitter zipwax610.

Anyways, I apologize to all of you who have been on a roadkill hunt to find my current site. I love you.

It really all goes with the title of my site...

I have Moved

2005-04-29T13:59:00.000-04:00

I have moved my blog:

http://spaces.msn.com/members/commonsenseends/

I found it to be easier for me. (I don't know enough web site language to keep this one up.) Check it out.

I will probably delete this one in about two weeks.

Can't Remember

2005-04-26T15:50:00.000-04:00

Why is it that I have these great ideas and yet as soon as I sit down to type they all go away. That is the theme of my last few months. Oh, well, they probably weren't all that great anyways.

I do know it is nice just to be able to ramble and rant. I don't have to worry about anyone not wanting to hear my voice or listen to me anymore. All they have to do is not read my messages. I do realize I am still accountable for the things I say though. That will never escape me. I wish more people would be accountable for what they say and do.

How do you know me?

2005-04-25T23:18:00.000-04:00

Pick one from each pair that you think describes me the best & leave it in the comments.

Then copy this and post it in your own journal to see how your friends view you.

* dominant or submissive
* concrete or abstract
* logical or intuitive
* social or loner
* chocolate or vanilla
* cute or sophisticated
* kitten or puppy
* warm flannel sheets or sleek satin
* leader or follower
* quiet or talkative
* spontaneous or planned
* teddy bear or porcelain doll
* hiking or window shopping
* water or soda
* passive or aggressive
* bare foot or shoes
* jeans or slacks
* tender or rough
* aware or dreamy
* nerd or sporty
* formal or laid back

Why do I even try?

2005-04-25T22:34:00.000-04:00

I don't understand this computer stuff. That's probably why the electric current that runs through my body shorts out everything I touch. It's my lot in lfe to be behind the times in all the latest gadgets and gizmoes. I long to know how to opporate my laptop and to know what I am doing on this site.

Well, really I don't care. I just pretend, with confidence, that I know what I am doing and go on with my life.