Readers of my blog

To my readers, Last Thursday my mother passed away. I am trying to process that right now and will get back to writing blogs later. This is what a fellow blogger and friend from another country wrote when I talked to him:
of course just take the time you need to focus on your feeling and take care of your family. A blog is meant to support you, not to be a burden. If you don't feel like blogging currently, it's totally fine. You can explain what happened in a week or two, when everything has settled a bit - I'm sure your audience will understand it

Thank you. GBYD

Why I Never Wear A Watch

Why I never wear a watch…

I don’t wear a watch for reasons that might not make sense to some. Not because of my lack of appointments, quite the contrary.

My epiphany came as I was taking my 10 month old daughter for a walk, her in the stroller and myself on foot. (Although sometimes I wanted to trade positions, but that’s another story)

We were on our way to visit my grandmother in the assisted living residence that was her home at the time. As we walked, I started talking to God.

“Father, I thank you for things that I have faced in my life.

I have had so many things that could have turned me from following you,

I have made some wrong choices, but You have always been there….”

The prayer went on as I made different turns and walked a straightway.

“… I had an accident that almost took my life. I am still trying

to heal from that. Some parts will never heal, I know that Lord,

but You help me to deal with my shortcomings…”

A railroad track had to be negotiated at this point. Angela rode in silence, looking around before drifting off to sleep.

The sun was warm and the birds sang as our goal of the senior home drew closer.

“… I was with my friend when her parents separated.

I sat with another friend when her sister died and lived through many things that

 I was able to observe first hand. Are you preparing me for something,

Lord?”

It was then that  I thought of my Aunt who had lost her daughter in a car accident. My cousins were in the car headed home from the mall. A car pulled from a side street at the exact time that they were passing. The details are a bit unclear to me now, but my younger cousin was taken to the hospital where she later died.

As I remembered this tragedy, and my Aunt dealing with this forever loss, I continued.

            

“… Father, the loss of a child is the hardest…”

 I looked toward Angela, sleeping in the stroller, and noticed my arm was no longer accompanied by my beautiful, white gold, elegant watch. I looked around for a moment and saw nothing on the ground.

What I did see, was my sweet child that trusted me as she rode, oblivious to my thoughts of loss. I smiled, as a tear made its journey down my face. I have an idea what the loss of a child can do to a parent.  

“…. Thank you that I have never lost a child.”

If I were to give human qualities to Your loss, as you sent your only son to earth to die for my sins, I would think a feeling of complete sacrifice.

Understand it or not, this is why I don’t wear a watch. I realized that the things of this world are just things.  It is HOW we deal with what plagues our lives that makes the difference.

                              “… Thank you for letting me see so many

things in this life. Thank you, God, for never

 leaving me. Help me show others your love.”

We arrived at my grandmother’s place.  Angela woke up and I smiled at her, then looked for a clock on the wall. Who needs a watch?!

“…  In Jesus Name, Amen.”

Angela Harvala receives Milken Educator Award

This is my daughter. She is the one I refer to in my "Just be Real" Blog. I had no idea that this was going to happen. So proud of the way she is geared toward excellence.

Princeton teacher Angela Harvala receives $25,000 Milken Educator Award

Posted by: Kim McGuire Updated: October 30, 2014 - 4:12 PM

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Most teachers don't show up for work expecting to be handed $25,000.

Neither did Angela Harvala, a fifth-grade teacher in Princeton. But that's exactly what happened Thursday.

In a surprise ceremony, Harvala was awarded the National Milken Educator Award, a prize frequently referred to as the "Oscars for Teachers." With it, comes a $25,000 cash prize and acknowledgement that she's one of the best teachers in the nation.

"We have so many amazing teachers here it would be nice to recognize each one of them because they work so hard," Harvala said as she accepted the award.

A self-described "data geek", Harvala was singled out for the prize due to her commitment to trying to individualizeing education by gathering information about each of her students, and knowing their learning preferences and their home life.

At Princeton's North Elementary, she developed a "Catch Up Club" where students can get assistance with completing assignments on time. She also leads a girls iEmpower group after school.

"Angela exemplifies the dedication and commitment that teachers bring to their classrooms every day in Minnesota," said Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius. "It is an honor for me to be a part of honoring Angela’s remarkable achievements as a world-class educator, and to acknowledge the positive impact she has on her students."

Unlike most teaching awards, the Milken Awards have no formal nomination or application process. Instead, teachers are nominated by a panel appointed by each state's department of education.

Since its inception in 1987, 43 Minnesota educators have been awarded the prize.

You can see Harvala's reaction here.

Photo courtesy of Milken Family Foundation

Don't Push Your Religion On Me

AH-CHEW

“God bless you”

“I have told you before, DON’T PUSH YOUR RELIGION ON ME!”

“Oh, I thought you sneezed.”

“I don’t go through your line when I come here. I get sick of it!”

“But . . . I am not working today. I just heard you sneeze and was offering . . .”

“I don’t want to hear it” He walks toward the front of the store.

“I apologize, sir, I thought . . .” I really did hear him sneeze, so I offered a blessing. I was not wearing my work uniform. I was not at my register. And I did not say “God bless your day” which I say when at my register and working. I usually say it other places as well, but  this time, it was a sneeze response.

Free speech comes at a cost sometimes.

If I expect to be able to say my salutation upon leaving a situation, I am equally expected to allow retorts such as this one.

                      Have you ever heard someone say “bless you” when someone else sneezes?

                      In my mind, it is just common courtesy.  

The gentleman may have had a really rough day. He could have been looking for a ‘fight’ and there I was.

                     God could have had me there, right then, as this man sneezed, to respond as I did.  

                     He may have lashed out at me instead of punching a guy who walked too close to

                     his car as he was leaving.

Did God use me, knowing that I would pray for the man in place of arguing or fighting?

We are to build each other up and encourage.*

Another thought;

Could it be TS

In my research of brain disorders, I have found a Syndrome that many have heard of, known as Tourettes Syndrome (TS).  According to National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke,                               "many with TS experience additional neurobehavioral problems including inattention,                                          hyperactivity and impulsivity, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms such as intrusive                                            thoughts/worries and repetitive behaviors.

I am not giving him an excuse for lashing out, it’s just a thought that I might need to give him a little leeway.

I am also not suggesting that when someone sneezes, we should retort with a blessing. I just hope that, if we do, we can all keep in mind the possibility of other extenuating circumstances.

If you have questions regarding brain disorders, I have found the internet to be quite helpful. (Although not every site is as reliable as it should be, the following ones seem accurate)

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/index.htm

For more information on neurological disorders or research programs funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, contact the Institute's Brain Resources and Information Network (BRAIN) at:

BRAIN
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda, MD 20824
(800) 352-9424
http://www.ninds.nih.gov

Information also is available from the following organizations:

Tourette Syndrome Association 42-40 Bell Boulevard Suite 205 Bayside, NY   11361-2820 ts@tsa-usa.org http://tsa-usa.org  Tel: 718-224-2999 888-4-TOURET (486-8738) Fax: 718-279-9596

"Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet," NINDS. Publication date January 2012.

NIH Publication No. 12-2163 

Publicaciones en Español

• Síndrome de Tourette
  
  

Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.

Last updated April 16, 2014

*In reference to the Biblical phrase;

Ephesians 4:29-32New Century Version (NCV)

²⁹ When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.³⁰ And do not make the Holy Spirit sad. The Spirit is God’s proof that you belong to him. God gave you the Spirit to show that God will make you free when the final day comes.³¹ Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. ³² Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.

New Century Version (NCV)

The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 byThomas Nelson, Inc.

GBYD

Although my 21 day Intentional Blogging Challenge is complete, there are a few assignments that I am a bit late in posting. On day 21, having our 'class' come to an end, our leader Jeff Goins, took this day to tell us to write something controversial. Pick a fight, he said, make a stand and show your passion. So many of you know my situation at work, and most all of you are supportive of my conviction. So I chose to write about . . .

                                                       GBYD

Good Morning, Have a nice day, Thanks for shopping with us, God bless your day.

These are all greetings or farewells that are said as people leave my place of employment. Can you guess which one corporate does not want said anymore?

It seems like the mere mention of the name of God makes some uncomfortable.

                       

                  I understand that if I were to jump on the register conveyor belt and start preaching, maybe it would be frowned upon.

But I am not doing that. I could be saying the many things that run through my head as they yell at & hit their kids or buy cigarettes and alcohol using an EBT card for their groceries.

I don’t say anything, though, because everybody has their own reasons for doing the things they do.

One of my friends asked, “Well, what if someone were to say Satan damn your day?”

I looked at him and said I would pray for that person but I really do not think that would be said as a positive sentiment. But anyway, I would be loving as I can be and perhaps see if he were struggling with anything that would cause him to wish this on someone.

What I would actually do, probably, is brush it off with a smile and a laugh, but I would still pray for them.

I am well aware that there are some that put up with me, because I do not “shove God down their throat” or go any further than the salutation I would give by saying “Have a nice day”.

I have had people p’shaw the comment and others that say that is just what they wanted to hear. Maybe they are even overwhelmed at me. It rolls off my tongue as I hand them their change.

There are more people that like it and say it helps them than I ever thought would even notice. My manager told me he has gotten far more complements than a disgruntled attitude.

It was suggested to me that I might shorten it to "Blessings on your day" or "Have a blessed day" which I tried, but I cannot and will not purposefully leave the Name of God out of anything. I could say it is a habit, that it just comes out naturally, but I say God because God is what I mean.

Many have told me that it gives the company a good reputation, to which I would like to believe, but there are probably some that say the opposite. 

So many people come to my checkout lane purposefully so that they can hear the blessing. (Although I don’t have a clerical collar.) Some even try to “beat” me in saying it.

Example one: A teller from the bank across the street came over to talk to me. She said there was a customer of hers that had a huge problem with a large amount of money. She was distraught and needed to get something to eat, so she came over to pick up something at the store. When she came back to the bank, she was in tears, good tears. She told the teller that my comment made her day.

I don’t want to take the credit; it was God speaking through me. And maybe she was searching for something so she would find it anywhere. But my feeling is that God brought her to my lane, God gave me the words, and God gave us the compassion in our eyes and attitude.

Example two: A lady came to my lane saying “I need to get my day blessed”

There are many more examples of the way God has used the comment.

So why are they asking me to stop? Is it because it could offend someone? Will the lady that wants to hear it be offended when or if I don’t say it?

Are you bothered when you hear the name of God proclaimed?

This will be a battle in my mind. We are to obey the authorities, true.  I have read that in the bible, but I also read that we are to be bold proclaiming the name of God.

So if I don't tell people to repent, as we all should, why can't I wish them a good day, the best way I can?

Please tell me what you think, whichever view you have, and . . .

God Bless Your Day 

Susie Larson

I have been so deeply touched by this woman's conviction that I wish to share her words with you tonight. Thank you Susie.

Susie Larson

1 hr · 

End of Day Blessing (Speak this one over yourself): I am deeply loved, divinely appointed, abundantly equipped, and profoundly cherished by God. No enemy plan, scheme, or obstacle can keep me from God's highest and best will for me. As I follow the voice of my Savior, I see the invisible, accomplish the impossible, and love the unlovable. I am a living-breathing miracle because Jesus Christ lives in me! Amen.

Unlike

Uniquely the same; or just Exactly different.

Posted on October 28, 2014 by SherylAnne54

The Measure of Existence

It’s not that I feel like I’m different. I feel that other people have issues of their own. I am feeling that others that have had a head trauma or a TBI suffer the same thing that I am, but maybe in different ways.

There are others that have not experienced any head trauma who could be feeling the same type thing, but I don’t know that they are plagued with the same feeling.

I don’t know because I can’t say I know exactly how they feel. And I wonder, truly, if anyone else can.

I know that there are many people out there that have made a living from the study of TBI’s. Doctors, Psychiatrists, therapists, and many others have studied the issue. But who is to say that they haven’t persuaded the outcome by their “professional” findings. Have they been persuaded by those that preceded them in studies?

Maybe everyone has been born with a head stigma and everyone is unique and no one is the same. Maybe God created us to be uniquely the same; or just exactly different.

Maybe it is how we react to our own situation. Maybe this is our true measure of existence.

To my followers, fans, friends and family ~ Finally!
I have a gmail for blog responses and blog reader's emails alone. No one else will see your address but I need to start building my email list so that I have a place to send all the free gifts that I am giving... ok ok you got me. I am not sure, at the present time, what I will be sending, but I am compiling my Biblically  Based Personal Prayers for Ourselves & Others, that I will be giving out and YOU get to say what my next idea is. 
savedforapurpose54@gmail.com

Just Be Real

I have found that, for me, the best way to learn something is to teach it. I first learned this to be the case, when I taught grade school children bible stories. I worked as a representative of Child Evangelism, in the public school system. I needed to have my class as an after school program.

We met in one of the classrooms.

 Children from first grade through fifth grade would gather to sing songs, play games, and do a craft sometimes. I told the students a bible story finishing by asking if there was anyone who wanted to ask Jesus into their hearts.  In a private area, I prayed with each child that responded as my helper continued to sing with the others.

 I have a bible that each person wrote their name in after we prayed. We called this group “the Happy Day Club”, a pre-determined name given by the Child Evangelism Organization. When my son was three or four, he would go with me to the school where my first grade daughter would come and bring her friends.

But the main point of this story is to recall the way we learn and influence others.

I had heard the stories that I taught, as a child in Sunday school. The characters were familiar and the outcome was predicted. But it was the retelling of each, in the way that I felt kids could learn it best, that sealed it in my head.

One of the most valuable parts of this experience

 is one I learned years later.

We have no idea of the influence we have in our children’s lives at times. Yes, both my children at a young age came forward to accept Jesus (and write their names in my bible). Were they watching my example? Could others have been looking at their example?

I am not sure, but what I do know is sixteen years after Angela, my daughter, came with her first grade friends to Happy Day Club, she started teaching a classroom of fifth graders. She is a sought after educator who values the children’s lives.

Angela had many teachers, I know, but when I watch her lead these fifth graders to grasp concepts, I wonder if I had an influence in Happy Day Club.

“I may not be a smart (wo)man . . .”

A quote taken from a familiar movie is what I think of, but don’t utter, when I am the one instructing others. I go into the time of teaching, knowing that I could never do it on my own. I know the truth in God is Love. (So I do know what love is . . . just sayin’.)

A thorn in the flesh. . . . My lot in life

The first part of this phrase is commonly attributed to the apostle Paul, signifying his need of God’s grace. So that he didn’t get too “full of himself” as he shared the greatness of the message that he had been given, he had a ‘disability’ of some kind. This made it more obvious that he relied on God.

So I will follow suite, thank you Paul, and instead of wondering why I have been given this weakness, I will rejoice that I am relying on God to get my thoughts straight and my tongue untied.

This is me

I have shared some of my shortcomings with you, although there are many more issues that I haven’t shared, . . . yet. I trust that won’t make any of you turn around running, but that you might share something with me. We can laugh together and cry together. We will see that we all need each other.

So come with me on this venture of life, and let’s just be real.

Confession Time

Confession Time:

This was an assignment in our blogging challenge course.  Admit to something, confess something, and really lay it on the line. Right!

I am to tell of something that might in turn incriminate me. Get down to the nitty-gritty. While I would have no problem talking about my MANY mistakes, I DO have a problem with self putdowns. I have had almost my whole life.

I suffer from low self-esteem, which I am making an effort to rectify at the request of family and close friends. So essentially, by confessing something, it could put me into the situation of self-putdowns again.

 However, we all make mistakes, so it would be abnormal for me to come across as though I had nothing                    to confess.

So here goes:

I have trouble spelling.

                                I KNOW . . . I am a writer. I am supposed to have the spelling and grammar issues down. But, alas, were it not for the wonderful tool we dubbed ‘Spell Check’ my posts would all be atrocious. (And yes, I used spell check for that one).

My loving husband, who works with numbers and designs, comes to my rescue quite often as well. There are many times when I will be in the midst of an epic tale, & suddenly, out of the near silence of my typing, I question, “How do you spell _____?”

*sigh*       ~F7~

That is my confession. With one ‘f’ and two‘s’. Isn’t the age of computer spell check a wonderful time to be alive? (No matter what my sixth grade spelling teacher says)