I've Never Thought About

I am sitting in the airport in Killeen, TX. This regional airport is known as the Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport. We are just on the other side of Ft. Hood. I have never served in the military, although I did consider going to the AirForce at one point. I must confess that the only reason I considered it was because I wanted to pay for college. However, when I realized that there would be lots of time outdoors, I realized this was not a good fit for me.

Well, the reason I'm in this airport is because I'm on my way home from a 3-day training for teachers called Capturing Kids' Hearts. It was an amazing training from start to finish and was held on a real TX ranch in Salado, TX (don't ask where it is, 'cause I don't really know). There are lots of take-aways that I could share from this week, but there is one thing I've never thought about....those who teach in a military base town. Wow, what an awesome responsibility!

There were 14 teachers and staff members from the Killeen school district at the training. One teacher spoke about the highs and lows of teaching children whose parents are in the military. Can you imagine celebrating with one child whose dad just returned home and grieving with a child whose mom will never return home all in the same day? Many of these teachers are military spouses. They are a dedicated group, who despite their own uncertainty in life, give selflessly to their students.

So, my new heroes are teachers in military communities like Killeen-Fort Hood. They are forever etched in my heart and lifted in my prayers! Prior to this week they were a group I've never thought about. Now they are a group I'll never forget!

Friendship

This week's entry is about friendship. The older I get, the more I value my friendships. It is amazing how God can expand your heart day-by-day, week-by-week, year-after-year to make room for new friends. I am also fascinated how different friends take on different roles in your life without you consciously deciding what role they should fill.

Exhibit A: Karen-I have known Karen since 1993. We met when I was this young, optimistic, first year teacher. Who knew that she would become the friend who always manages to convince me that I can do anything (a role once occupied by my mother).

Exhibit B: Pinky-My girlfriend who I can contact at the most random moments about the most random things, and she totally gets it! If we lived in the same city we'd hangout all the time (with hubbies included of course). I would never miss a chick-flick if she were around.

Exhibit C: Christy-I'm convinced God moved her to Memphis just for me! I walked into her office one day and announced to her that we were gonna be friends. I just knew. What would I have done if she didn't agree? Good thing I didn't have to find out. She just gets me!

What I am most amazed about this friendship thing, is that I get to live the rest of my life with my best friend. If you had told me when I was 12 that my BFF would be my husband and not one of my girlfriends, I would have said that was a crazy thought. However, as I consider the sister-friends that God has given to me, I realized that my hubby is all of that and more. He believes in me (and tells me so), he understands my random moments (and doesn't seem to mind them), and he just gets me (and I am more me with him than anyone else).

So, I guess I'm blessed. I have amazing girlfriends, not all named here. I have an amazing husband who is my best friend. How does one girl get to be so lucky?

I encourage everyone to take time this week to celebrate their friends. Let them know how much they mean to you and why! They are truly gifts from God. Treat them as such!

What a week!

I sit here at my desk at the end of a work week. This time last week a whirlwind swept into my life like the snow storm that swooped up Dorothy, the Diana Ross Dorothy, in The Wiz. As I reflect back on what I asked God for as I began my 2010 Lenten journey - draw me closer, make me more disciplined, I'm reminded that I must be careful about what I ask. I have found myself in a new role professionally (one that I've fought long enough). I, have been assigned to lead. Let's be clear, I know that I have been a leader in that past. As a Resident Assistant in college, I led. As a teacher, I led. As Dean of Students, I led. As a professor, I led. But now I am leading the work of developing new teachers for 4 years and the staff that has to get the work done. It's the staff thing that I had to ask God about. Is this really what He intendend? And I could picture a smirk on God's face as He responded, "ABSOLUTELY". And so I sit here at the end of the first week in my new role feeling pretty good about the things I accomplished (with a lot of help from God) and all I can say is...I guess it's not that bad!

Why Now?

I have thought about blogging for some time now. But why now? It is the day before Lent, and I am looking to renew many things about myself over the next 40 days. That's the first reason. The second reason for this blog is linked to the number 40. There are 591 days until my 40th birthday - 10/01/11. 40 is also significant because my mom was 40 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. I plan to make the most of the last months as a thirty-something (remember that show?) following God's lead all the way. I invite you to take the journey with me.

The first 40 days of this journey is all about God and me! I am actively chasing Him to Resurrection Sunday! I am excited about what I will discover along the way.

Along this journey I am pursuing a weight loss goal...40 x 40. This loss is not purely about vanity (although I'd be lying if I didn't acknowledge a twinge of that), it's mostly about health. I do love myself - every pound, every curve, every bulge, but I can be better! I am taking control of my health before it takes control of me.

Finally, I must say that I probably won't blog daily. I will strive for a weekly update on where we are along the journey! Thanks for coming along!