Pastor Muri's Suggested New Year's Resolutions for Christians

These are sort of paraphrased. As I went through them I thought of a specific area in my life to which I can apply each resolution. That was exciting! Lots of cool stuff to work on this year.

1. Spend less; give more
2. Serve and make a difference in the church
3. Do a Red Book study with someone
4. Read through the entire Bible
5. Pray with more frequency and fervor
6. Reduce the amount of frenzy in my life
7. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude
8. Master a new skill
9. Expand my circle of friends
10.Read some good books and reduce use of electronics

Big Family Christmas

Family Christmas

We met at T & A's on the 18th for dinner and gifts. The house was cozy and the dog was crazy! (no picture of him, sorry)

Youth After Church (in other words, YAC)

I've now been serving in my church youth group for a year and a half. The time has past quickly and I have been blessed beyond measure. Part of our youth ministry is what we call our yac's, or "youth after church". Different families in the church host the teens after Sunday night church and provide food for them. Sometimes, like last night, it's a bonfire with games in the dark scary woods (no thank you!). Other times it might be inside playing games or at someone's pool or singing with the guys' and their guitars or just a fun night of laughing and chatting with each other. Last night Eden was taking lots of pictures as usual, and Liz wanted one with me. She shouted, "Who wants a picture with Lindsey?!" And all these kids here...about half our group...came running over all excited to be in the picture. It was so sweet! My smile is so huge because it made my heart swell with the love they were showing for me, one of the bossy adults they have to put up with. =) Thank God for amazing teens and the privilege of being their friend and mentor!

Dig Pink

To show our support for breast cancer awareness/research our school is having a Dig Pink day. Everyone is wearing pink! At the volleyball games tonight the girls will be wearing pink socks and jerseys, too. Admission fees will be donated to breast cancer research. Recently our 1st/2nd grade teacher was diagnosed with breast cancer. We are honored to support her by wearing pink today and giving money to help fund research. Dig Pink!

Math Rocks

This school year I once again have the privilege of being the 2nd grade and 4th grade math teacher!! So far it has been just as good as or even better than last year, if that's possible. I have six second grade students and seven fourth grade students. Both classes are fun and bright. Within a week or so my second graders were writing "Math Rocks" all over their papers. My fourth graders leave with happy "Thank You!"'s and "That was fun!!" Phew, cause sometimes the lessons or activities seem to be a flop. If the kids are enjoying class and learning, then I am pleased. Today the second graders had a pattern to design and color after their test. I pulled out my bags and boxes of crayons....I have tons! Charlie (yes, my Charlie, as in Charlie and Sydney, they're in my math class this year=) was impressed with the amount and said to me, "You are a prepared woman!" That brought a smile to my face, for certain. If you check out our school's new website and find me under "Contact...Faculty" you will see that I have been given the title of "Math Specialist." I had to laugh when I first saw that. I'm not sure how special I am, but I sure think math is special! It seems that my young scholars agree with me. Let's hope I can keep that positive, excited attitude going through the next few years!

The Last Month or So

July 1 - welcomed my newest nephew into the world, Miles James
July 4th weekend - spent it in Indiana with the Pattens
July 8 thru 17 - went to South Dakota with the senior high youth group from Lakeshore, saw things like Mt Rushmore, the Badlands, Needles Highway, Harney Peak, Wind Cave National Park
July 22 thru 25 - Julie Muse came from Wisconsin to visit and we went to the beach (swam in HUGE waves on a red flag day) and to Kirby Grill (for the first time!) plus other fun stuff
July 30 thru August 14 - Sadie sitting at the lake house while Anhalts are in Togo
August 1 thru 7 - Coast Guard week; danced in the street Tuesday night with Josh, parade and craft show with mom, fireworks with Kristin

And in between all those dates I've been babysitting the twins of course, hangin' out with Kristin alot, got to see Kristen McCracken (well, DeHaven now!) while she's home from Georgia, had a few of the senior high girls over for a sleepover, tested several new students for the upcoming school year, etc. Good times! Summer's been fantastic and I can't wait for school to start!