I am watching my friend’s 2-yr-old boy today so she can substitute teach. Her plan is to sub once a week so she can keep her seniority standing in the school and grab a few extra bucks, and I told her I’d watch her little munchkin so she can do that. Anyways – when she dropped him off I asked her what subject she was teaching today.
“Technical Education at the high school” she replied.
“Computer stuff?” I asked.
“Yes.” She answered. I laughed because she and I commiserate over computer woes all the time – losing documents when the computer crashes, frustration over dropped connections, you know the stuff!
I asked, “So what are you teaching…proper anger management when the computer doesn’t do what it is supposed to do?”
She laughed and said, “The really ironic thing is that I was trying to sign up to sub for middle-school English but I pushed the wrong button on the computer screen.”
Isn’t that great!? I hope you and she both have a technically-problem-free day! 
~kp
Irony – Here’s A Laugh October 3, 2008
God’s Smile September 29, 2008
As I cleaned the kitchen yesterday, doing mundane tasks I do every day, I suddenly heard my kids calling me from the back yard. I went out to join them and Kacey points to the sky and says, “Look Mom, a rainbow!”
Sure enough, there was a rainbow directly above our house. Funny thing is, it wasn’t shaped like a typical rainbow – it was upside down and looked like a smile in the sky.
A sweet reminder that God is watching what I am doing and smiling down on me, even in the mundane, day-to-day stuff I do!
~kp
“Sssh! She’s coming!” September 27, 2008
I have 3 very playful little ones. Lately, they love to hide then jump out to “scare me.” Rarely is it ever a real scare, because they just aren’t too good at hiding! They giggle… Body parts can always be seen sticking out from whatever they are hiding behind… And inevitably they talk to each other loudly while waiting for their unsuspecting victim (me!) to come strolling down the hallway.
This morning as I was finishing my shower and about to exit the bathroom, I could hear much laughing from the other side of the door. “Sssh, she’s coming! Hide! Hide!” And they hid. When I opened the door, my two boys jumped out and yelled “surprise!” and I feigned extreme surprise and laughed along with them.
“Are we good hiders Mommie?” My Bennie asked.
I smiled and assured him that yes, he was a good hider.
It made me think – they really do think they are “hiding” from me, even though they are completely exposed most of the time. I know there are times I don’t want to admit the truth of a matter and actually try and “hide” a feeling, a thought, a bad attitude from God. I forget that just as I can so easily spot my little ones trying to hide out in the open; my heart, mind and soul are exposed to Him. He sees through the denial, the lies, the hurt and wants me to come out and run to Him.
Have a great day!
~kp
Dodge Ball September 20, 2008
This week is Taelyn’s first week in Karate. He is very excited and cannot wait to go back. On the first day of karate class, the kids played a new game, well, new to Taelyn anyway. They played Dodge ball. The idea; One person stands in the middle of the room and throws the ball at all the little ones running wildly around the room. Should one get hit with the ball, they are automatically out of the game.
Lately, I’ve found myself playing a game of spiritual dodge ball with the enemy. Between start-ups, school, sports, ministry and just getting back into a routine again, I have had little time to sit still long enough to read my bible or pray. My spiritual tank is running on empty. While I am running wildly around the room, the enemy knows exactly where to throw the ball at me, so he can take me out of the game.
I wonder; Is anyone else going through a dodge ball season?
~dl
20 Years Later…. September 12, 2008
My 20 year High School reunion is this weekend. I am sad to say that I won’t be able to make it… expensive flights, lots to do and three little ones to look after… but as I think about 20 years ago and laugh hysterically at the pictures that old friends are posting on Facebook here are my thoughts…
10. The o-zone was probably done-in single-handedly in the 80’s by the hundreds of cans of aerosol hairspray used to keep up our bangs.
9. Pictures of people stuffed into a phone booth are still funny, 20 years later.
8. Even though fashion styles circulate back through every so often…acid wash jeans should never make a re-appearance!
7. Leg warmers SHOULD!
6. Secretly I still like to bop around to the Bangles, Depeche Mode and, dare I say it, Janet Jackson.
5. I still don’t know all the words to “We Didn’t Start the Fire” even though I think I do.
4. 20 years later, even people that you didn’t hang out with can still become your “friends” thanks to facebook! And they all look GREAT!
3. Things that break up the friendships of 16 year old girls can be easily forgotten.
2. When a whole school rallies for a cause, memories are made.
and the # 1 thing I have realized in reflecting on my 20 year H.S. reunion…
1. God was right there – even though I didn’t notice him at the time.
Peace.
~kp
Blessed To Be A Blessing September 1, 2008
Our sermon at church this week was all about paying our God given blessings forward. If you become a hoarder of the blessings then there can not be a ripple effect. I found myself nodding in agreement several times but also knowing that I myself have often been selfish with my blessings. Arriving home shortly afterwards I received the sad news we have been expecting for days now. Our dear friend and precious father figure, Ernie, has gone home to see Jesus.
I thought about Ernie in relation to the message I had just heard. Here was a man who lived a modest life. Financially not a rich man, but he gave out of the abundance of what “he” had. Spiritually, he has been a rich blessing to my family. He has displayed remarkable Godly character. His wisdom served me in so many ways which ultimately served my family, my friends and my church. He shared the grace (undeserved merit or favor) God had given him with those who most of us would not be prepared to do so with.
Even before I knew Ernie he had already impacted my life. I saw a husband who loved his wife, a father who loved his daughters, a grandfather who prayed for his grandchildren. He was a role model for those of us who now need to step up and fill his place in serving our church. In his humility he would likely say he had little to give, but when I think of those who preceded him in heaven I wonder if they would say; “I wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t shared what God had given him ~ the Good News.”
My thoughts concluded as I heard the song by Mercy Me “I Can Only Imagine.” How timely and appropriate. Ernie is no longer wondering how he will behave when he sees Jesus. He knows exactly what he’ll do. Yesterday our Ernie received the ultimate reward and one that he can claim all to himself ~ Jesus.
Ernie, you will be greatly missed, but we are praising God today. You were blessed to be a blessing. Thank-you God, for sharing Ernie with us.
We love you Ernie!
~dl
I Didn’t Notice! August 24, 2008
This morning, Kelly (my husband) asked our middle son to clean up the kitchen and to do so before he left the house. After making this request, we ourselves left for the morning. We commented to each other, that neither of us had much hope that the job would get done.
We arrived back home just shortly after noon. Walking through the garage and into our back door, we noticed immediately the kitchen was still a mess. We were both disappointed, but as you likely guessed, not at all surprised.
We began carrying in our groceries. Making our way back and forth through the garage several times, we muttered beneath our breath. On the last trip through, we both stopped short. Neither one of us had noticed how clean the garage was. You’ll never guess who cleaned it.
It made me sad to note how often we expect our children to fail, and then we fail ourselves by not noticing the good that they do.
Follow the example of a wise parent; Anticipate good things from your kids (you won’t be disappointed.) Our Heavenly Father does not anticipate failure ~ He knows the exact number of tries until we will get it right. Neither does he miss it when any of us do something good.
~dl
Do I Know You? August 24, 2008
I was gripped with emotion today, as I sat listening to this weeks Sermon.
Our Pastor gave a compelling message; To us who are believers in the Gospel of Christ, we are to “Love God with all our hearts and love each other as ourselves.” Our Pastor shared how we are so often wrapped up in our own lives, and that we fail to notice “people.” Or worse; We stereo type people and based on perception from a distance, we decide whether we want to know them or not. YES, even in church.
Not a new message, however, I felt God impressing it on my heart with a bit of a different twist.
My passion is to share God’s good news with people. I feel a sense of urgency to let them know that Jesus loves them and He wants to share in their lives. Not a bad thing of course, however, what I don’t often do, is take the time to get to “Know” YOU! The person I’m sharing that good news with. I mean really know you. On a deeper level.
As much as we want you to know God’s message of hope and love ~ in this venue, it is easy for us to remain anonymous isn’t it?
Do we know you? If not, (or even if we do) email us, leave a comment on our podcasts or blogs, join our chats in the connection zONE, or join our Facebook group; It would be an honor to get to know you!
~dl
The Last Minute August 21, 2008
Well, it is done!
On Tuesday morning, For the Sake of One released two new bible studies; “Adventure Awaits” and “Sabbath ~ A Gift from God.”
We were working right down to the very last minute, in order to publish these online studies, on time! As I drove to Kim’s house on Monday, I passed a sign that read; “If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would ever get done.” I chuckled because that is so typical in my life. I’m grateful this week for the last minute.
Simultaneously;
I thought about how we often won’t know when the last minute has arrived. There are somethings much too important to save for the last minute. Let’s take our decision for Christ as an example. Sure, we know he’s there and he’s waited this long for us, what difference does it make if we wait awhile? Or what about sharing Christ with a friend, or spending time with a loved one?
Don’t save the important stuff for too long. One day we will run out of last minutes.
~dl
Peace among the chaos August 15, 2008
Donna and I have been preparing like crazy to get our 2 on-line Bible studies ready for release on Tuesday (Aug 19th). We are looking forward to being able to offer these unique and fun style of on-line learning courses.
As such, there has been just a bit more laundry piled up, a few more dishes in the sink, less toys in the toy bins because there are more toys on the floor, and more clutter that I am normally ok with.
I looked around my house this morning and rather than feeling that overwhelming sense of “how did it get to this point?” I felt completely at peace about my ‘mess.’ Those of you who know me well will understand that this is unusual for me! Being at “peace among chaos” is not typical for me. But I am. And I am thrilled.
May you find peace among the chaos of your day today!
~kp
