Cross the Border

A week managed to slide by since my last meeting of cyber minds. Such a short amount of time, yet so much transpired. I'll turn back time to last week, and move forward from there. It's a beautiful day, so just get a frosty one, and kick back in your favorite seating device.

Last week, in the middle of class, one of my strong students just broke down crying at his desk. This is wildly out of character for this little fella, so I asked him to come outside for a moment. I asked him what was wrong and what I could do to help him. He said that the pastor had prayed with him at church the Sunday before, and ever since he had felt a strange feeling inside. My mind began to race. Should I pray with him? How do I handle this? Is he Christian or another religion I am not aware of? What should I say? What am I legally allowed to say? Will I loose my job if I ask if he feels the Lord calling him to be one of His own? I took about thirty seconds to process. I had a similar occurrence when I taught in San Angelo. The beauty there was that in a private Christian school, you can share the Word, pray, and share in the beautiful experience of a child giving their life to the Lord. It was truly a day I will never forget. In the middle of bible class one day, she asked to speak with me outside. She said she had felt this pull for a long time and wanted to pray and make things right in her heart. I could not, however, very well have a similar instance in a public school where prayer is not even legal. I talked to this student and reassured him that he could always talk to his parents and to respond to that feeling in his heart. I have never had such a strong 'my hands are tied' moment. I continue to pray that the Lord is speaking to his heart and that he will respond to the call. It really makes you think about the very morals on which this country was founded. I find it unbelievable that the simple act of prayer may not be expressed within the walls of the buildings that take a part in shaping America's students into the basic human beings they will become. For some of these kids, we are the only positive influence they have during their day...food for thought.

Yesterday, I really felt like I was on the other side of the border willing my Expedition to careen itself back onto Texas soil. Allow me to explain. Everyday I see this guy peddling for Dixie on his Huffy from Kingsville to the cut-off to Premont. That's about a thirty mile round trip hike...on a Huffy. I decided, that's it, I must find out if he is training for some kind of race- because if he is, I am donating out of shear admiration of his dedication. I busted a U on the highway and pulled off to the shoulder to wait for him to approach. There was no standing water or anything, nonetheless, this soft ground got the better of me. Background information is needed here. A few months ago, we thought my Expedition would be retired to the rust ridden junkyard of the south due to persistent strange noises emitting from the front end. Come to find out, it was the spider gears. The very gears that permit the four wheel drive. Now I will continue...Like a ding bat, I felt the car start to slip. I had no choice but to go for gold. I floored it. Well, first I made sure no cars were coming, then I floored it. I cut the wheel left and right, and burned out. I managed to come to a thrashing halt as one side of the tires flung themselves back onto the asphalt portion of the shoulder of the road. The biker guy slowed down as all this took place- in his mind probably deducing some sort of psychosis state was behind the wheel. After I managed to "park", I got out and asked if he was training for some kind of race. Turns out, he just does it for personal fitness. If I had that bike, I'd have to rig up some kind of plywood seat cushioned with memory foam strapped onto that tiny banana shaped excuse for a butt-holder. Hats off to all you riders, because those seats scream irritation...

On a racing note, my sister got drawn to run the New York marathon in November. We are super proud of her accomplishment, and can't wait to see her sail through the streets of New York! Go Shelly go!

In hindsight, as we navigate the many situations of daily life, may we be aware of who God may put in our paths to lead to Him, and how we might be used for His greater good. However, we must first be available and willing to answer the call. And might we all stay on the paved roadways to avoid being bogged down by just another one of life's tiny fascinations- South Texas sand.

OMG- Stuck Times Three!

Rain keeps falling on my head...Today marks the third day in a row of torrential downpours. I love the rain, however, on my drive home today I couldn't help but wonder if another tow trip lied in the cards for the Wade and me. The thought left my mind and I became engrossed in the radio. We went over to Fal and ate at our favorite restaurant there. We are such an old codger couple. We always time it just right so that the Wheel is on during our meal, and if anyone is sitting at our normal table, the earth slips on its axis. When we got home, Wade, being the gentleman that he is, tried to pull right up next to the sidewalk to let me out so I wouldn't get my boots wet. I've worn my boots so thin that the sole is starting to separate causing water to leak in, so I appreciated this gallant effort. No sooner could I turn around to check if my eyes were deceiving me, I heard spinning tires. It was like a slow motion moment- I put down my bags and started waving my hands frantically in a 'STOP' motion, all the while being poured on from the clouds above. This is in the front yard a few feet from our front door, mind you. Not to mention that this did not occur in the ranch truck or Wade's truck. This is my truck! That's like wearing your Sunday clothes and going to roll in the mud! It's our 'good' car. Wade fired up old whitey and backed right up to the truck. In idle with the e-brake on he squeegeed it right out of the rut, which is saying something, because that truck was buried to the frame...in our front yard. Rad.

On a more serious note, I had the second meeting of my bible study on Monday night. I felt like I inhaled a fresh breath of air for my heart and soul. I am slowly, sometimes tearfully, finding my way to a better person. The title of it, "Breaking Free", is truly a great study. I am reacquainting myself with scriptures that became a little dusty for me over the years, and I am reacquainting myself with the feeling of warmth and reassurance in my soul that only comes when the feeling of God's presence permeates your core. I am excited about this journey and about discovering so much more about myself and the Word. In order to break free, you have to be willing to give up a few things that may have, without you knowing, held you back.

Hopefully this event will be the only getting stuck episode that we can add to our repertoire, and maybe we can all grow closer to the person God wants us to be a little more each day.

Grace Around Us

Yesterday we celebrated Easter with my parents at our little Baptist Church here in Premont. As we took the Lord's Supper, I thought about when I accepted Christ. I was young, and we lived in Iraan, TX. As I looked around the congregation of predominantly older folks, I began to wonder how they felt when their own children accepted Christ. Then my thoughts moved toward my niece and nephew. When we got home from church, my niece called to say that she had 'felt the tug' in church that morning and made her profession of faith. What a wonderful experience. I imagined the pride and joyful spirits my sister and brother-in-law must have felt at the moment. Watching the person you created experience such a kindred moment with our Lord. Knowing that her name is now written in the Lamb's Book of Life and no matter what trials and snares her future may hold, she is forever steadfast in His arms. As we talk about starting a family and see many of our friends continuing theirs, I feel that this particular moment in parenthood must rank amongst the top moments. I am so excited for her as she moves forward in her faith and begins her journey of Christianity. May we all strive to set strong examples in our daily life. We never know who might be watching and what might spark someone's decision to follow Him. We called to congratulate her and give her our best. Perhaps the biggest congratulation of all came in the party in the skies we are not yet privy to attend until our name is called up yonder.

In the essence of this, I was reminded of the utter importance of family. I so enjoyed the time spent with my parents this weekend. The simple joys of visiting, cooking, talking, relaxing, and just enjoying being with each other. I always cry when family leaves. There's really no exception. It just feels like a piece of my heart is traveling hundreds of miles away. Yesterday marked the 19th anniversary of Wade's mom passing. Though I still have the physical presence of my parents here on earth to love and support me through any time, I know that his mom is here with us in spirit. I found myself wondering how I could love someone I never knew, only knew of? I know that so many wonderful qualities that Wade possesses are a reflection of her. Wade loves with no boundaries, cares unceasingly, and finds the good in trying situations. He is truly an amazing person that's grown into the man that I know put a smile on his mom's face yesterday.

My heart overflows with gratefulness for my family. I am so thankful for family- here and those watching over from above.

Good Friday

Apparently, I have no immunity to the myriad illnesses circulating in this South Texas air. Not more than two months ago, I found myself in this same predicament. I felt it coming on Thursday and thought to myself, this can't be happening?! I just got over this crud not too long ago. My parents are coming down for Easter weekend, and Wade's family is coming down next week for his birthday, so a sickness just won't do. I did not have to work yesterday as we were released from duty in honor of Good Friday. I woke up yesterday at 5:30 with a sick affinity to be the first one at the walk-in clinic door. This could have something to do with the fact that the average wait time of my previous experiences was at least three hours. I just didn't find that prudent yesterday. I threw on my glad rags and hauled myself over to the clinic. I wheeled into the parking lot at ten of seven. Like clockwork, cars started slowly creeping in to the parking lot to stake their claim. I lost all regard for what my next move might look like. I got out of my car and stood right in front of the door, determined to be first to sign in and make a clean getaway! I couldn't help but hear 'Eye of the Tiger' in my mind. I felt like Rocky preparing for a big fight. My plan worked. I was out of there by 7:30. I am now taking another bout of antibiotics and cough syrup in hopes that I caught it early enough for it to make a quick exit of my system...one can hope.

When I arrived home mid morning, Wade and I went over to Corpus to get our eye exams. I have to have mine every year to get contacts,however, Wade hasn't had one in years. It never fails that the person slightly off kilter with their attitude will be the one to help Wade. Expect no less in this case. He wanted to try and wear contacts in order to correct his blurry vision. Learning to wear contacts is difficult, more so I think at a later age. The lady kept sighing at him and telling him that's not the way you do it...and Ding! Ding! Ding! Here we go...it was like participating in the ski jump, everything went down hill until the grand finale of soaring down the hill at cat like speeds until the finish line, a.k.a. the truck. The contact situation clearly would not work, so we ambled next door to look at the glasses. The line was quite long, but we decided to stick it out. Of course by the time it was our turn, she called the insurance company to verify the amount of coverage, and their office had closed. Isn't this about par. Now the analogy would be somewhat comparable to an avalanche. I kind of wanted to melt into the floor.

In the midst of it all, I am reminded of the importance of this weekend. The sacrifice of our Lord to face trial and tribulation and pay the ultimate price for our sins. What a glorious day tomorrow represents. He is risen and alive to save us from ourselves. I will leave you with the chorus of a song called 'Lead me to the Cross':

Lead me to the cross where Your love poured out,
Bring me to my knees, Lord, I lay me down
Rid me of myself, I belong to You,
Oh, lead me, lead me to the cross.

Wishing you all a wonderful Easter weekend.