Feets of Hope

On Saturday one of my students, with help from others, put on a 5K to raise money for a camp that helps abused children. I was so proud of her, and we had a great time running it. The course was a cross country course rather than a road race, so that was interesting. I realized I am glad I didn't run cross country in high school. :)

The posse.

Me pretending to be a real runner by stopping my time.

Chris almost winning first place. Long story. He's too nice.

Not Your Typical Fruit Salad

I called to find out what we could bring to the Easter dinner we were invited to... and fruit salad was the answer. Suuurrreee, let me head to the kitchen and whip up some good ole fruit salad.

Yeah right. Fruit salad? I have no idea how to make fruit salad.

In fact, I don't even eat fruit salad.

So, this is my idea of a  fruit salad (adapted from all recipes).

It's more of a dessert.

Layered Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

About a cup or two of your 5 or 6 favorite fruits--> it depends on how big your bowl is as to how much fruit you want to use (we used frozen blueberries and peaches, but the rest were fresh)

1 eight ounce package of low fat cream cheese

1 eight ounce tub of whipped cream

1/2 cup of powdered sugar

1/4 cup pecans or almonds

Cute glass bowl :)

Cut up your fruit

Layer in the glass dish

Mix the sugar and cream cheese until smooth

Fold in powdered sugar

Spoon over the fruit

Add nuts

Like I said, this is not your typical fruit salad.

It's better.

Seriously.

And prettier.

Not an Easter Post.

I know it's Easter. I know I am suppose to be celebrating the Resurrection of our Savior, and I am, I promise. I have never been so excited for Easter. I feel like I finally realize everything Jesus did for me.

But that's not what is on my heart right now.

It's more of the problems with the church. Why today seemed like the day I wanted to share how I feel, I'm not sure. But that's okay.

Chris and I were drinking coffee and spending time in the word while listening to the Casting Crowns station on Pandora when this song came on:

If you haven't heard it, you really should pay attention. These are the lyrics that stopped me in my tracks as I was having my quiet time this morning. And apparently Chris too.

"Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

Or does anybody even know she's going down today

Under the shadow of our steeple

With all the lost and lonely people

Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me

Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

If judgment looms under every steeple

If lofty glances from lofty people

Can't see past her scarlet letter

And we've never even met her"

Chris and I are in the process of switching churches. We both grew up Lutheran, so when we moved, we stayed Lutheran. It was easy. We loved the church we found and we made instant friends who have become more like family. It has been such a blessing. But we soon realized there was no one our age, and that wasn't going to change. We needed fellowship with peers. We also weren't being pushed spiritually. And...well... we saw the ugly side of the church. And yes, I know there is an ugly side to every church.

Like so many churches, it was the presentation that was important. It was the flowers on the altar, the organ, the parking lot, etc. Church became about the potlucks, the dinners, the cakes, the trips- the social part in general. Church family judged rather than loved. A hoodie and jeans became unworthy to wear to church. Gossip consumed conversation. Gossip about other members kept us from loving.  I say us because I took part, and still find it a struggle not to. There was no room, or time left to worship. We saw ourselves and others becoming Marthas. I do not want to be a Martha. And worse, we saw the typical "Christian" by the worlds standards. We were letting ourselves become comfortable with going and doing, rather than bowing and praising.

We began to forget the people. The suffering. The stories. The service. The worship. The repentance.

The church has become side tracked.

I could go on with things I noticed, but that's not important. What's important is that we worship in a place where the girl in the song would not go unnoticed. That we worship in a place that she would be accepted. Where each member reaches out and loves. Where we serve because we want to love on others. Where Christ is the absolute center of worship. Where the goal of the church is to bring others to know Christ. Where we are pushed. Where we are held accountable.

I want to make it clear that I am not upset with our old church. I am grateful for everything we learned, and especially the people. Many of whom we will be celebrating Easter with. They became family. It was our first church as a married couple. There are wonderful people there, many of whom are ready and willing to serve.

But I want more. I want to serve constantly. I want to make it a mission to bring others to Christ. I want to "Go and make disciples". And I want my church family to come along.

Matthew 22: 37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

Prom.

I chaperoned prom last Saturday. Two of my colleagues and I got dressed up, went to dinner, and then headed to the dance.

It was...ummm.... awkward. There's no better word. Maybe eye-opening? I'll go with both.

After saying hi to our lovely students, who truly did look great (I loved seeing how dresses have changed since my prom 6 years ago), we found seats near the dance floor and made ourselves comfortable.

Without realizing it, we all crossed our arms, developed glares, and were intently watching our students. We looked like teachers.

For the first time, I felt like a teacher. I turned and looked at my posse (as my Principal calls us), and just started laughing. How did it take me two years to realize I was a teacher? And why at prom did I suddenly come to this realization? Probably from quotes like this:

"Are they really dancing like that?"
"They don't know what dancing is."
"They aren't even facing each other."
"Where are his hands? Can you see his hands? We need to see his hands."
"Why would her mother let her walk out in that?"
"They must have no discipline at their house."
"These kids need to realize there is more to life than fitting in."
"They are a couple? Why in the world?"
"Why are they not facing each other? Is it because they are being so inappropriate that they can't make eye contact?"
"Do we need to let her parents know what she's doing?"
"He better move his hands right now...."
"That's the same move they've done all night. Even I can dance better than that."
"Do we need to show them how to dance."
"I can't see in the middle of the floor. Do we need to go make sure they're ok?"

That's all I can remember right now. It was odd. But hey, at least now I know I'm a teacher.

A picture of my senior prom. Just for kicks. I don't even know who some of these people are...

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

We won! We won!

For the first time in 10 years, the high school I teach at won 1st place in the writing competition! Woohoo!

Way to kick butt!

"God told her anything is possible, so she lived her life believing it with all her heart."

So true. And such a good reminder when it seems nothing is going as I had hoped. :)

From the calendar: It's been a while.

"Sit quietly. Breathe deeply. Hope steadily. God is working on your behalf this very moment."

A Little Thankfulness

I recently started the "Reading the Bible in One Year" program, which consists of an Old testament, New Testament, and Psalm every day. I had planned on doing a 90 day reading plan this summer, but I need something now, so I decided on this. Chris is doing the 90 day plan- which is intense.

This is today's Psalm. I read it after reading a few of the miracles Jesus performs in Luke. It is such a wonderful reminder to be thankful for all that God has given us, and to praise his name. The bolded parts are the ones that jumped out at me. We have such an amazing Heavenly Father who would put the world in our hands. How awesome!

Psalm 8:1-9
1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:

7 all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Crossroads of Indiana Half Marathon

Whelp, half marathon #2 is DONE! Yay! Here are some pics:

I was ridiculously excited. It was a bit sad.

Chris was not so excited. In fact, before the race he asked, "How did I let you talk me into this again?"

Not flattering, but I had to show you what this course was like. It was filled with hills. It was miserable.

2:11 Finish Time

:) I am so grateful for a husband who will run with me.

Overall, we had a blast! Chris beat his time from the first half marathon by about 4 minutes. I was well on my way to beating mine, but I was worn out by running against the wind (25MPH wind to be exact) and up hill. I couldn't mentally push myself to keep running that pace, so I slowed down. Maybe next time, right? I have my next half marathon picked out, but I can't tell you until Chris tells me where I am living next year... :) But I guarantee it will have no hills.