Satin's Lair

Yesterday, as an intro to the novel The Giver, I had students get into groups and design their perfect world (the book is about a utopian society).  On their posters groups had to brainstorm various aspects of their world--government, punishment, technology, marriage, family structure, etc.  A group of boys decided to create "Satan's World" as their "paradise" claiming to want to go against the norm.  Luckily none of the content was actually satanic...the extent of their "satanism" was "totalitarian rule (by an actually very cute red devil figure they drew)," "school 365 days a year," and "immediate death penalty for any transgressions."

I admit this was slightly disturbing, but when they presented their world to the class, I noticed that, by the grace of God, they had spelled the words incorrectly and their planet actually became, "SATIN'S WORLD." 

Now I'm just wondering if I need to reintroduce weekly spelling tests... 

GOD can do it!

At the beginning of the year (a mere three weeks ago, I realize) I dedicated this year to God, telling him that I would trust that He would take care of me.  I did this because I realized how full my plate was.  On top of my work (which is already more than a full time job, as many teachers can attest), I had youth group and New Life, was starting grad school, got involved as a part of the EMPOWER conference planning committee, and was asked to help revise the curriculum that was used on E-Camp, our short term missions trip to Korea last summer.  All of this was way too much for me to handle alone, and I knew that.  So I thought that trusting in God would ensure my success in all of these responsibilities. 

Well, no surprise when three weeks go by and I'm at my wit's end trying to stay afloat.  Sunday afternoon I got a call from the founder of E-Camp, Pastor Peter.  He was in town from LA and wanted to meet up.  I thought he had called to ask me to begin the curriculum revisions, and being as wiped as I was on Sunday, I was tempted to just give up (part of me, as my attitude would have told you, already did by then).  Being given a little time to pray before meeting up with Pastor Peter, I asked God why He'd given me so much.  Later that night, seeing Pastor Peter was so great.  He has this amazing gift of encouraging people and making them feel genuinely inspired, equipped, and able.  And not only did he re-energize me and remind me of my long term vision, but he also had the greatest news ever--CTS and E-Camp had generated enough funds to HIRE a full-time professional curriculum director for the revisions!  Despite how I had JUST complained about how God had given me too much and lacked the faith to believe it would all be taken care of, He still took care of the situation and reminded me that he WAS in control and would carry me through, if I just believed and let him. 

I think I'll be revisiting Too Busy Not to Pray once again.... 

Urbana 06

Reading everyone's entries, I realize I ought to also share my experiences from Urbana (the last 2 days we made it after our youth group winter retreat).  However, I would do a disservice by writing anything less than its true impact.  So, I will simply say that God is so amazing in how He opens doors and uses EVERYTHING as a means to get His message across.  Even my going to Urbana was a miracle in itself.  I am so grateful He loves me...for who I am and what He's made me. 

In fact, I am so excited (first time, really) about how God wants to use me, both this year and long term.  I'm ready, Lord.  And being with 22,000 people all at one place for the purpose of praising God and answering His call for them?  SOOOOOOO Awesome!!!!!

just a glimpse of what we experienced there...

ask me about it~ i'd love to share!

Farewell to my beautiful car...it's been a great 2 years... 

  Funny how the front Acura emblem is still intact... 

  sigh...

 (just wondering; why don't they put in matching airbags?  It's funny to me that all four of them are different colors...)

Oh well...at least this means a new car for Nancy...any suggestions?

Oh, and totally off topic...I was just reminded today that I need to bake some amazing cookies for a holiday cookie exchange I'm a part of at school... if anyone has a really good cookie recipe s/he's willing to share...   

 Thank you, Lord:

-that I had faith in you the entire time

-that I did not see the other car long enough to be afraid as she ran into me

-that because it was an old green light, all the other cars had passed through and there was no more oncoming traffic remaining (or any traffic, for that matter) when I swerved through four lanes at 50 mph

-that I had my seatbelt on, and I didn't hit any of the 4 airbags that deployed in my car

-that I just missed the median that divides about 90% of Palatine Expressway

-that I did not flip over as I hopped the divider between the expressway and the the feeder lane

-that the semi I hit was standing still

-that I hit the truck in the "best" place possible--a little to the left, and I would have hit the driver; a little to the right, I would have wedged myself completely underneath the truck

-that the other car's driver was not hurt

-that there were witnesses to testify

-that You provided both friends AND family almost instantly and with perfect timing...Wayne and Hannah, just happening to be on their way to church when it happened; my dad having gone through the same spot just 15 minutes earlier on his way to a golf outing; Do Sung, who came right away despite service about to begin and then stayed with me the WHOLE time the ENTIRE DAY ...

-that despite 13 x-rays and a CATscan, I have nothing more that superficial wounds and muscle pain

-that I get two days off from work (i do miss my kids, but hey, vacation is vacation), making "Thanksgiving Break" an entire week for me

-AND ESPECIALLY..................................................................................................... that You use everything and anything for Your glory...my dad, the nonbeliever, shared about how he was so thankful to "my and my mom's God" for protecting me and honoring our faith in Him.  Dad said that given how the accident occurred, he truly considered what happened nothing short of a miracle.  And I think THAT is the real miracle.  PRAISE GOD.  And yes, I am alive and well, thank you.   

If you notice, I hit the truck where the triangular truck stand was (the legs that hold the back part of the truck when it's not attached to the front driver part)...had I missed that, I would have slid INTO the the bottom of the truck. Sigh.  Poor car...

  The car that hit me.  She turned INTO me from the feeder lane, trying to turn left onto Wheeling--when it had been my green for the last few minutes (I guess you'd have to know Palatine traffic patterns to know what I'm talking about, but it wasn't as though she was trying to run and last minute yellow on her lane...it had been red while my lane was green for awhile.  And again, thank goodness for that, otherwise there would've been cars in all the other lanes that I would have run into!)...

Attn: Teachers--afterschool homework tutor wanted!

Lakeview Church (old Lakeview in Niles) is looking to hire a certified teacher up to four days a week (as little as twice a week) for an afterschool homework help program it is starting this fall.  Along with 2 TAs, you would help up to 15 kids with their homework from 4:30-6 or 6:30.  Pay comparable to that of Lakeview summer school (translate: good money, paid in cash). Email or call me with questions or for more info.

And by the way, thank you for all your support with this summer's missions!  It was great...more info and pix to come~

Yay, for a great summer...new school year starts Monday .  Wow...it's the third year...