Picking Up the Towel

I am part of a women's study at my church on Thursday evenings.  This past week, we were studying John 13.  This is the chapter Jesus celebrates the Passover with His disciples the last time before going to the cross.  The most impressionable part of the chapter is the washing if His disciples' feet.  Trish Dietz gave the message Thursday evening and focused on the concept of picking up the towel (as Christ girded himself and went to wash the disciples' feet) in whatever season we find ourselves in.

This really convicted me.  I feel like the area I have been most unwilling to pick up the towel in is work.  I work in a public school - specifically junior high.  Frankly, to be honest, I really do love waht I do.  I believe in making a difference, and I believe the public school needs Christians to step up to do the right thing.

The part that I struggle with is the "unjustness" (is that a word?) that goes on.  People are not treated equally.  A part in me screams out, that's not fair, that's not right!  Then I am reminded of the fact that life (here on earth) is NOT fair.  I'm also reminded that absolutely NOTHING Christ went through was fair.

I was really ashamed that I wavered between whether or not I was beginning to hate being at work.  I guess what it comes down to is that it is a very big struggle for a Christian to keep doing the right thing day after day when everything around her screams otherwise.

I came home after study upset about work, and at the same time, upset at the way I felt.  Yes, the things that happen at work aren't right, aren't fair.  I could really rationalize out my anger.  But then, I started thinking about how my reactions would be affecting others around me.  Our memory verse what that Jesus gave us a commandment to love one another, even as He has loved us, so we should love one another, AND others would know we were His followers, if we have love for one another.  Now, my negativity at work really isn't helping anyone.  Even when I simply say that what they are doing, or how I'm being treated isn't right.  I am reminded that everything that I seem to be going through right now is temperal.

SO, this weekend I am working on a new determination.  I want to be an example at work - and that's very hard.  But I am determined.  There are so many people at work that need God is in their life (students included).  If I give up, if I pitch in the towel, that says I have no devotion.

Christ, in His ultimate display of humility, washed EVERY SINGLE disciples' feet - Even Judas Iscariot.  How much more should I be showing humility to those around me?  How much MORE do I need to be serving - the difficult coworker, the disrespectful student?  Maybe their lives are so much worse off outside of work, and they need to be shown some humility at work.  Maybe that is why they are the way they are.

Concluding my long blog, :), I would just like you guys to pray for me.  I don't like coming home frustrated with work.  It's not fair to the kids or to my wonderful husband - who's trying to be patient with me.  It's been a rough month pretty much.  I am thankful I have a job currently, and I want my attitude to reflect that.  So, pray that I would be picking up the towel more, especially at work.

Why I Would LOVE to Stay Home

Here some pictures of my beautiful kids.  I miss them SO much when I'm at work.

 Her shirt and PJ pants say it all - Monkey Princess!

Yes, THOSE are teeth - SIX of 'em!

It's Me - The SaraLee Wannabe!

So recently I developed an interest in bread makers.  It all started with wanting to be more healthy and save money.  I like home-cooked meals.  I know what went into them and I truly believe working harder on them makes them taste that much better.  My wonderful husband got me this toy for my birthday and I love it!  My starting set of ingredients costed me like $15, and I've made 4 loaves so far.  Isn't that fantastic?!?  Sure beats the $2 a week I spend on bread, and it tastes SO much better!

 Mommy and The Prince  (Had to include this one)

 The Ingredients

 My New BFF "Oster"

 Oster In Action                                                                                      Voila!  What a Beauty!

 Yummy!

Doesn't it look beautiful?

 Handy Bread Slicer Tray

The Awesome Bread Knife

Our Princess :)

Going Ga-Ga over Scrapbooking

I was very blessed by my family and awesome friend, Nicole, with a bunch of cool scrapbooking stuff!!!  I've had scrapbooking odds and ends floating around our past 3 apartments that have needed to seriously have a home.  I got a little carry tote a few years back, but my papers were getting ruined (it wasn't meant for papers, just hardware stuff).  I was so excited to get more scrapbooking supplies in the mail from my great friend, and even more thrilled when I got the awesome storage tote (below) from my parents.  Between all I got between Christmas (Tim got me a BUNCH of papers and cool scissors) and for my birthday (and what I already owned), I think everything (for the most part) has a home!!! The little brown and blue tote was what I use to have to try to make everything fit in.  The very stylish white/black and red trim bag is what my parents got me!  All the fun stuff that's inside has come from Tim, Nicole, and my parents.  Yay for scrapbooking!

I don't really have that much time to scrap with having 2 kiddos running around and all - well, one runs, and the other is on the verge of crawling.  But I so enjoy it - very therapeutic.  There is also nothing like getting a homemade card.  Totally beats the generic store ones, and looks hundreds times better - and the thought that has gone into it definitely is priceless.  Maybe when I get REALLLY good, I'll post some projects.  Right now, I'm just trying to keep up with the kids' stuff.  I haven't even STARTED Nathan's book yet.  Tim got me two sets for the kids pictures, so I'll try to post those in the future (some months down the road).  :)

Still Needing Boxtops

Hi guys!!!  Happy Friday!  Just wanted to let you all know that our school is still in need of boxtops!!!  Our school will be collecting up until Feb. 19th.  If you use products that contain Boxtops of 'em, we'd very much appreciate those boxtops.  Every boxtop is 10 cents for our school!  If you have any and don't see me on a regular basis, go ahead and mail 'em to the my school.

Arinda Fanning
c/o Citrus Hills Intermediate
3211 S. Main Street
Corona, CA 92882

Thank you so much guys!  Hope your Friday is off to a great start!

The Weekend is HERE!

Ya-Hooo!!!!  Life is definitely good when payday falls on a Friday!  Ok, drum roll please!!!  We have been on our new budget for almost 4 weeks now, and we have money in the bank, and money is savings!  Isn't that fantastic?!?  It is so very tempting to go out and spend the extra money on things I've just decided we did not need at the time.  But, hey, we went 4 weeks without, I guess they are not that important after all.  My big splurge were some PJ's for Nathan when I went to Target to stock up on diapers.  Great deal by there by the way if you need diapers.  Tomorrow's the last day.

This week was qutie the work-week.  I, for one, did not enjoy work very much.  We had a stressful staff meeting Tuesday.  Everyone is on edge about their jobs.  The students were difficult.  Makes my job extremely difficult when I try as hard as I can to reach them, and just hit a brick wall.  I definitely welcomed the weekend, for me, AND for the students.  Hopefully, next week will be better.

The kids are great, as always!  Natty loves gymnastics!  She is more into the social-factor though.  She loves being able to run around and be with kids her age.  She knows ALL capital letters now.  She can also count up to six (she can also count up to 5 in mandarin).  She knows the numbers 2 and 6.  She also knows quite a few colors (black, blue, pink, red, yellow, green).

Nathan is doing great!  He has 6 teeth, the 6th one breaking through this past week.  He is SO close to crawling.  Doesn't look like he'll do Natty's commando-crawl, but that's ok.  It's so cute to watch him get on his hands and knees, then start inching backwards.  He is also very close to sitting himself up.  He can sit by himself if you place him on the floor.  He's also gotten pretty good at entertaining himself.  He is starting to like his cereal (finally!) and some fruits.  He eats like a champ.  He likes apples, bananas, and pears.  :)

Tim and I are good.  We don't like our work schedules very much, but it's the cost we gladly pay for not placing our kids in daycare at this point.  Tim started teaching his FIRST college course a few weeks ago.  I think he's doing fabulous.  We also celebrated his "29th" birthday last week.  :)

Well, that's an update into our lives.  Hope you guys are off to a great weekend!

Wish List

Well, I've been sheepishly thinking about what I'd like for my birthday.  :)  The older people get the less they want to celebrate their birthdays.  I, however, LOVE birthdays.  I love having fun and making a big deal, and making people feel special.  I love shopping for presents, and wrapping them.  Anyhow, I've been thinking about things I'd like, and tried to come with ones that would help our family save money as well.

#1.  Bread Maker - this one's REALLY cool.  I have to spend $2-3 a week on bread.  I would LOVE to be able to make my own bread.  This ones from Target.

#2 Scrapbook cart - my scrapbooking stuff is EVERYWHERE.  It's hard living in an apartment because I can't just have my own craftsroom.  I would LOVE something kinda like this.

#3  SHOES - I desperate need a new pair of work shoes.  Aren't these cute??!

#4  Sweaters!

#5 Jacket

#6  Food Chopper - I love these!  Had one a while back and busted it.  Such a time-saver!

#7  Casserole Dishes - Since Tim and I are on the go so much, it's nice to have breakfast to munch on in the morning.  Aiming for something quick and easy, I've been trying to make a breakfast casserole at the beginning of the week, so we have something the rest of the week to munch on before going to work.  I would LOVE some of these though, they have LIDS!

Oh well, that's the list.  :)  I really don't care if I actually get anything from it, but it's fun to shop around and look.  :)  Anyways, back to watching Fringe with the Hubby.  :)