Friday, April 27, 2012

Future Unknown

There are many times during your life that are frustrating.  It may be situations that you are in with your job, things at home, your children, or just people making you mad in general.  After a very long week, I often think about the path that led me to 2012.  I have lived around the world, loved and lost, loved and lived, had to wonderful children, turned 30, and am now a principal of a school.  I NEVER would have imagined this as my path 10 years ago.
Tonight on my drive home from the 6th grade retreat, I was pondering the thought of being created in God's image.  Within the creation of love was a plan for me.  I don't know exactly what the next year will hold for me, but I'm okay with letting God guide me.  I can't say that I have enjoyed everything along the path this year, but I know that along every road are bumps.  Some are little pebbles and some are big ass potholes! 
Where ever He may lead me.......I will go.  I will accept.   I will let go and let God. 
I know, I am not perfect.  I make mistakes and am in a position that every move I made is under a microscope.  My professors always told me that being a principal will be a lonely job.  You will have the weight on your shoulders and some days, someone will throw you 5 more pounds to see if you can handle it and then laugh when you fall.
Well, I have news for everyone who doesn't know me..... I have God on my side.  I'm not afraid of harsh words, I'm not afraid to do what is best for my school and the children in it, I'm not afraid to ask difficult questions, because I have God on my side.  I wouldn't be here if it wasn't part of the plan.  I'm not afraid of a challenge and I'm not afraid to put the time and effort into anything that is an investment in my family, my school, and faith community. 
So next time you try and knock me down, remember who's on my side.  Veggie Tales always said, "God is bigger than the boogie man....."

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Nothing to say...

I guess the title of this blog is a big fat lie.  I do have a lot I would like to say, but there are really no words to describe the last two months in my life.  I have seen life in all stages and can clearly see that life is so short and such a mystery.  All you can do is enjoy the ride and surround yourself with loving, caring people.

I'm not angry that God decided to call home three special people in my life in such a short time.  I'm a person that tries to look at the glass half full.  I figure I have two options:  get busy living or get busy dying.  I chose to live until it is my time to go.  I learned that from the three people that were all ready called home.

Grandma Ruley-  I have NEVER in my whole life met a woman who knew what she wanted and had the personality and the grace to go after it.  Even when she found out that she only had weeks, the rule was "no tears."  It was telling family to cherish each other and put faith and family first.  Although, I only knew her since I have been with my husband, she never treated me as anything but family.  She could talk on the phone for hours, and loved to plan a party.  Tomorrow will be the two month anniversary of her journey home. 

Grandpa Ruley passed away today.  Two months was the longest they had ever been without each other.  We joked that Grandma needed someone to boss around in Heaven.  What a great, fun guy.  I see a lot of Grandma Joe's character traits when I look at my husband.  I always knew that he was proud of Adam and he always had the GREATEST sense of humor.  We just celebrated his 87th birthday last Sunday, complete with fried chicken and polka in Oxford Junction.  If there is one thing we loved about Grandpa, it was his stash of Juicy Fruit and his obsession with Betty Boop.  My son has his trait of always having his tongue sticking out of the corner of his mouth when he's thinking.  It will remind me of him everyday. 

Grandma Nellie Stender was my Grandma.  She passed on March 25th of this year, too.  There is a lot I could say about that day, but I cannot put into words the experience from that day.  I will cherish her final days and our final words to each other for the rest of my life.  It is a personal experience that made me really step back and look at everything I have and my own journey with my faith and family.  I miss her so much.  I still look at the empty bed when I visit Grandpa at the care center and it seems surreal. 

A lot of people would be angry if they lost so many people in a short time.  I cannot be angry.  It is humbling to know that life is really not in your control.  We must cherish every moment we walk on this earth.  My advice to everyone: make time for the ones you love.  You can't get time back.  There is not time to be angry.  Celebrate, laugh, and live, because you never know when you or someone you love will get the call "home."