Complaints

It absolutely boggles my mind the things people will complain about!  (Am I really complaining about complaining? Yes!  Yes, I am! lol)

My husband was recently recognized for perfect attendance at his place of employment.  This is a rare occasion for him because he is a volunteer fire fighter and is sometimes late for work because he is at a fire scene.  The state of Indiana has a law that prohibits employers from penalizing volunteer fire fighters for being late when they are at a scene.  They may not leave work to go to a call, but they may be late.  His employer has never penalized him but he has never qualified for the PERFECT attendance award due to his excused tardiness.  This time it just so happened none of the calls he went to required him to be late to work.  Yay!  So he got a certificate, a small monetary award AND a reserved parking spot.  Mind you, he works third shift (roughly 8:00 pm to 6:00 am).  There are very few employees that work third shift so getting a good parking spot has never been an issue for him.  So, when they asked him where he would like his reserved spot he chose one for our son to use.  (We should have seen this was going to be a problem!  A father trying to do something nice for his son!  Watch out!)  Our son also works at the same place but he works the day shift at which time it can be difficult to find a spot to park.

A little back ground on our son, Jimmy.  He will be 23 at the end of this week.  He is employed full time but it is through a temp agency.  (This is confusing to me because he has been there for about a year now.  Not sure when a years employment became temporary, but I digress.) He lives on his own and pays his own bills, including automobile and renters insurance.  The vehicle he drives is in my husband's name.  Jimmy usually gets to work pretty early anyway. (I had a tendency to be late a lot when he was a kid and he now has an aversion to tardiness.)

Well, as I am sure you may have guessed, someone complained.  A guy is upset that my son is able to have a reserved spot.  I'm guessing because he feels my son doesn't deserve it.  My husband earned the spot and we feel he has a right to use it as he wants.  A reserved spot isn't beneficial to someone on third shift so if they aren't going to replace the "perk" with something more useful he should be able to use it any way he wants.  It is his spot, his son and his vehicle.  However, since this guy complained my husband now no longer has a reserved spot, it now becomes a regular parking space.  The funny thing is my son will still probably get to park there because he gets there early enough any way.

I guess my point is ....  was this something so serious that the guy really needed to complain about it?  What does he get out of taking something away from someone else?  He isn't the only one that I have seen do this so I wonder what makes people do this?  Are they just so unhappy in their own lives that they can't stand to see someone benefit from anything?  I guess I should pray for this man. Something has happened or NOT happened in his life to make him this way.  I often find it easy to pray for people who have done ME wrong, but I must confess that this is a little harder.  My husband just wanted to do something nice for his son.  My son has overcome many challenges in his life and deserves a little bit of goodness.  I'm very frustrated that someone wants to rain on their parade.  I pray for the ability to pray for this man!

Ok... I'm done complaining now.  =)

Angie

Money

MONEY!  I feel like it is a necessary evil!  We must have it, but it causes a lot of frustration.  Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a materialistic person and I don't care that much about money.  I know I need it for necessities and to survive in this world but, I will probably never have a lot of it and that is okay with me!

There have been times in my life when I had VERY LITTLE of it.  I have been on government assistance several times throughout my life and I have learned a little something.

1. The "system" does not care if you ever get off of it.  (I realize I am generalizing but, this has been my experience.)
2. There are people who really want to help those in need.
3. There are people that want NOTHING to do with you if you have no money.
4. I will put my pride aside to support my children.

Each of the things I have listed may someday be their own blog posts.

Currently I am very blessed.  My husband has a job that pays him well.  I have a job in which I get paid to do what I LOVE and what God has called me to do!  We don't have a lot compared to some but we have enough for us.  Our home and vehicles are modest and they are what we can afford.  I still have times in which money is tight, but I am no longer on government assistance and haven't been for quite some time.  I even try to help others in need when I can.

Yesterday I was reminded of the hold money has on us.  I have been teaching Summer School to help offset the cost of a surgery I will have to have in a few weeks.  Yesterday was payday and we were all made aware of a payroll mistake that affected everyone in our school corporation, including all working with the Summer School program.  I received a paystub that had one amount but a smaller amount was actually deposited in my account.  I was informed that the correct amount would be deposited on Monday and the incorrect amount would be withdrawn a few days after that.  (I know... what a mess!)  My family was not greatly affected because I have a husband that is employed and I did get paid something.  However!!!!  Several people, like my assistant, NEEDED the money!  Her husband has been out of the country and for nine months and she is supporting their 15 month old daughter.  She needed to pay bills such as day care.  She received NO MONEY AT ALL!  She was told her pay would be deposited on Monday.  This outraged me!  I then realized that most of the people who received no money were support staff (custodians, secretaries, assistants, etc).  These are commonly the people who need every penny they have earned WHEN they have been told they will be paid.  

I have realized that those who have never been without cannot, or don't want to, realize that not everyone is as fortunate as they are!  I cannot believe that they felt it was okay to make her wait three days for the money she has worked for.  I am sure if she owed them money they would not be so patient.  

I do realize that this was a mistake made.  I do NOT, for one second, believe that anyone did this on purpose.  Mistakes happen...  But when they are made, they need to be fixed in a reasonable manner for the people affected.  I really don't feel that it is reasonable for anyone that has worked for a paycheck and is in need of the money to have to wait three days for their pay.  Even a partial amount would have been better than NOTHING.

I saw that once people realized that their pay was okay, they left without another thought for those that got nothing.  Some people were actually given live checks to take to their bank, while some got nothing.  It makes me sick that those in charge did not do SOMETHING!  I offered my assistant some money to hold her over but she would not accept it.  She said she had family that would help her out.  I pray that this Monday she will be given the money owed to her and I will be contacting anyone who will listen if she is not paid.  I'm just a teacher and really have no pull with anyone but, I can't just sit back and see people treated unfairly!  

I praise God that He has blessed me and my family with everything we need.  I pray that He guides those that are in need and provides for them.  I pray for those involved in the mistake and that people will forgive them and not hold grudges.  I pray that those in charge will have a change in heart and do what it takes to ensure EVERYONE is taken care of. 

Acts 20:35

The Message (MSG)

^33-35 “I’ve never, as you so well know, had any taste for wealth or fashion. With these bare hands I took care of my own basic needs and those who worked with me. In everything I’ve done, I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You’ll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.’”

Luke 6:38

The Message (MSG)

^37-38 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”

Proverbs 19:17

The Message (MSG)

¹⁷ Mercy to the needy is a loan to God,
    and God pays back those loans in full.

Angie

The Men in My Life

Yesterday was Father's Day and it got me thinking about the men in my life.  Neither of my grandfathers were alive at the time of my birth so I don't know what they were like.  Neither of my grandmothers remarried once their husbands died so I guess they thought they were irreplaceable.

Even my own father was not around when I was born.  He was in Vietnam.  The Red Cross sent him a telegram telling him he was the father of a new baby...BOY!  Oops!  He wrote my mom a letter telling her he was so happy to have a son.  She had to write back and break the news to him that I was a girl.  I was finally able to meet him when I was about nine months old and we didn't get along too well.  I was pretty much spoiled because my mother and I were living with my aunt and uncle and my mom didn't want me to cry and bother them so she held me all the time.  I quickly realized he was the boss and we got along pretty well after that.  I became daddy's little girl!  Until I became a teenager...  Those were VERY rough years and a blog post for another time.  Now that I am an adult we get along pretty well.  We don't agree on everything but we accept that and move on.  He is so helpful to me and my family that I will NEVER be able to repay him.

My husband is the MOST important man in my life!  He is the father of my two younger children and is a gift to me from God!  It isn't easy to get close to Eric, but I am so glad that I did.  I trust him with my life!  I know that when he is around, nothing will harm me or our kids.  He never had a great example when he was growing up of what a good husband and father should be.  He never met his biological father until he was 21 and his step father did the best he knew how, but was so consumed with Eric's mom and her mental illness that it took all he had to keep her happy.  Eric and I got married as teenagers.  He was eighteen and I was nineteen so we basically grew up together.  We had a very rough seven or eight years but now things are BETTER THAN EVER!  He has become the best father I know and loves his children (including my oldest son) with all his being.  I thank God for him on a daily basis!

My oldest son's father is a great guy.  We only communicate when it has to do with our son as he lives quite a distance away and our lives have just gone separate ways.  He is and always has been a great father to our son.

My oldest son, Anthony, is an amazing and positive young man.  Sadly, he has made several mistakes and is now paying for them.  He has grown more this past year, while in jail, than he has his previous adult years.  I am so very proud of the way he is taking responsibility for his mistakes and fixing them.  I regret not being their for him when he was younger, but am grateful that we have a relationship now.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for him.

My youngest son, Jimmy, is such a blessing to me.  We are very close and he has the biggest heart of anyone I know.  He loves his family so much and I love watching him interact with his dad and grandparents!  Recently he and his girlfriend broke up.  She has a little girl that is not Jimmy's but he has insisted on continuing a relationships with the little girl.  He loves her as his own.  Her biological father is not really in the picture and Jimmy has really stepped up as a positive male role model in her life.  I worry that this situation will end up badly and they will be torn apart when her mom gets married or if her father gets his act together some day.  I have had to give this situation over to God and trust that He has complete control over all of this.  One thing is for sure...  Jimmy will be a great father one day!

So, as I reflect on the men in my life, I realize I have a lot to be thankful for!  God has truly blessed me!

Angie

Summer Vacation is Here... Isn't It?

All teachers and students look forward to Summer Vacation for several reasons.

• Sleeping in...
• Rest...
• Do what We Want to do...

The beginning of my summer has not really had the first two.  I am teaching ESL Summer School and have the pre k kids!!  A big difference from my 5th graders!  So... no sleeping in or rest for me quite yet.  But... I am doing what I want to do!  

I got my dual license in English as a Second Language for two reasons: to help me get a job once I graduated and to help students who live here in the US but don't speak English yet.  One of my biggest pet peeves is to hear someone complain about people in our country that don't speak English.  What they don't realize is... it isn't easy.  ESPECIALLY  when the people they are trying to communicate with are being impatient and rude because they don't speak perfect English yet.  (And let's be honest...  I know many people born and raised in the good ole U. S. of A. that speak far from perfect English!)  By teaching children how to speak English I pray that they will not have to endure the hatred and rude comments of ignorant people.  These children did not CHOOSE to come to the US but may spend their entire lives here.  I want them to grow up and be successful!  Which is my prayer for all the students I come in contact with, regardless of their first language.

So... my "true" summer vacation will have to wait a few weeks but it is all worth it!

Angie

Welcome Home

This past Fall I experienced being an empty nester!  My daughter went off to college and my son moved out all in the same week!  It was tough!  And now that the school year is winding down, my daughter is home for the summer!  Yay!  This mommy has been looking forward to this day for a long time!

But... there are challenges that I will face having her home for the summer!  I was reminded of this yesterday when she finally arrived home!  We had done most of the packing and moving the day before on Friday! (I still don't understand how she accumulated so much stuff!)  She had decided to stay all night with a friend from her speech team so that she could watch her graduate on Saturday.  The graduation was at 2:30 pm so we knew Bri wouldn't be home for a while.  My husband and I cleaned as we anxiously awaited her arrival.  She got home and after a few minutes of hugs she said she was going to Indianapolis (about an hour away) to visit with high school friends!  That is when I began pouting!  What really got my goat was that she was leaving to go visit people who have proven, more than once, that they are NOT true friends.  Some are teens who do NOT make good choices and she was choosing to leave her loving parents to go visit with THEM!  I even suggested she go visit another friend who has proven time and again to be a TRUE friend and is a godly, Christian young lady.

I let her know my feelings and how disappointed I was in her choice, but told her it was her choice to make.  Once she left I stewed and pouted some more!  Then I remember... God is in control!  He gave us both free will!  She has to make choices AND so do I.  Ouch!  I realized that pouting was not the way to handle this.  I gave my concerns to God and prayed that He would watch over her and that she would make wise choices with Him on her mind as she was gone.

I know this is not the last time this summer she is going to do something to hurt my feelings or make me worry.  I can let it consume me and make me into an emotional mess or I can give it COMPLETELY to God.  I will always be her parent and will not stop from guiding her and giving her my opinions on how to be a godly young woman.  It is up to her to listen and make the choices that God would have her to make.

I am choosing to be a godly mother, to welcome her, and to create a home that she will want to spend time at.  Pray for me...

Angie

Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are

God Wants to Use ME?!?!?!

I have noticed something lately.  In the past month or so people have contacted me for advice or have opened up to me about struggles they are having.  They are coming to.... ME!?!?!  Are they crazy?  I really don't know why they chose me.  I am such a disorganized, messed up, emotional person!  They have been coming to me about medical issues, relationship conflicts, career/financial concerns, parenting issues, marital problems, and conflicts with other Christians. Each time I did my best to give suggestions or just comfort and encourage these people.  Each time I reflected and prayed that I had said the right things.  After about the third time I realized God was in fact using ME!  WOW!  I then began praying hard that I was saying what HE wanted me to say!  I also began asking God why these people were coming to me.  There are so many more qualified people than me.  My own children don't listen to me, but these people, ranging in ages from 20 to 40+, were coming to me.  God showed me these truths:

1. He often uses normal people
2. These people know I am a Christian 
3. They can trust me to keep their confidence
4. I won't judge them but I will speak Biblical truth out of love
5. I've been through similar struggles
6. They have seen how I handle challenging times
7. I'm a disorganized, messed up, emotional person (which I guess makes me approachable)

This has been a very humbling time!  I feel so blessed that God is able and willing to use me.  It feels so good to be used by God.  The leader of my Bible Study group recently commented that all of us in the group enjoy being used by God.  This is so true!  It is also a bit overwhelming because I don't want to say anything that is not God lead.  I also don't want to take any of the credit... to God be ALL the glory!  This leads me to the aha moment I had!  He uses me because I am.... willing.  

I pray that Christians that my children and husband come in contact with will also be willing to advise and encourage them!  I pray they will look to God as they speak to them.  God can use any of us.  We only need to be willing.  He will guide us with what to do and say.  Our paths do not cross by accident, God appoints each meeting.

Here are some ordinary people God used:

• Peter and John (healing a man) Acts 3: 1-8
• Ananias (restored Saul's sight) Acts 22: 12-13
• Noah (built the arc) Genesis 6 - 9
• Sarah (gave birth to Isaac in her advanced age) Genesis 21:2
• Joseph (became second in charge in Egypt)  Genesis 41:37-44
• Moses (delivered people from Pharaoh) Exodus
• Rahab (a prostitute who saved Joshua's spies) Joshua 2

If God can use me, He can use you too!