First Day of the Last Year of Junior High

Designing Women

Okay, I admit, I stole that title from an episode of Designing Women, my favorite comedy show back in the '80's. The episode was about when Charlene went into the hospital to have her baby girl on "The First Day of the Last Decade of the 20th Century" aka: Jan. 1, 1990. If you ever get the opportunity to see an (early) episode of Designing Women, take the half hour and watch it. It was one of those shows we ladies would talk about in the office the morning after it was on.

Being this is the end of August, I'm positive I'm the one millionth blogger writing about the first day of school. It's relevant to everyone whether it's your child starting school for the first time or your older one going back for another year. Just about everyone is connected to the start of school in some way. Even before we had our daughter, the start of school affected me because traffic was always a mess that first morning and I would have to plan on leaving a little earlier for work. It also meant longer lines at Walmart and Kroger the evening of the first day of school. No parent has EVER had all the required supplies on that first day of school. So, you see, even if you don't have a child, grandchild, neighbor or relative that is school age, you're affected by the start of the school year in some way.

Anna--first day of 8th grade

Today was Anna's first day back to school, her final year of junior high. She is the "Big Dawg on Campus" this year. It was so evident that she, and her friends, were now the "seniors" at her school, that it was almost palpable on registration day. She and her friends were squealing and hugging and ya knowing and OMGing all over the place. "Did you get Mrs. Palakinkadoodle for Math?" "Ewwwww, she's horrible!" "I've got Mr. Bigglethorp for History 2nd period. I'm soooooooo glad! He's easy!" "I have Mr. Bigglethorp for 2nd period History, too! (simultaneous scream) Ahhhhhhh!" "I'm soooooo glad I don't have to ride the bus this year." ...And so on. The poor newbie 7th graders walked around like lost little sheep, marveling at all the cool 8th graders. And my daughter was having the time of her life.

As I sat back and watched the controlled hysteria, I couldn't help but smile. These kids were carefree. They were all just reveling in the joy of seeing each other again after being apart for 2 1/2 months. Remember those days? Seeing it happening with my daughter brought me right back to that time in my life. Faces would light up whenever a friend was spotted. All was right with their world. Oh, to have life be that simple again.

I sometimes wonder if we will have that feeling when we get to Heaven. Will it be like our first day back at school as we feel the comfort of seeing familiar faces? Will we recognize the loved ones that went on before us and squeal with delight at seeing them again? Or will we be consumed by the nearness of God on the throne and Christ to His right? Will we simply be in awe and not have that need to reconnect with loved ones but rather just be filled with the warmth of knowing we are surrounded by all consuming love? Whatever it is like, we know that it will be more glorious than anything we could ever possibly imagine.

I love this song by Mercy Me and I find myself humming or singing it and reflecting on the questions it asks. What will Heaven be like? This song expresses some of my own thoughts/questions, only in a much more melodic way. I hope it blesses you like it has blessed me. ~nJoy!

I Can Only Imagine

I can only imagine

What it will be like When I walk By Your side

I can only imagine

What my eyes will see When Your face is before me

I can only imagine I can only imagine

[Chorus]:

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel

Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence, to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine I can only imagine

I can only imagine When that day comes

When I find myself standing in the Son

I can only imagine

When all I will do Is forever

Forever worship You

I can only imagine I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel

Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence, to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine, yeahh I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel

Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence, to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine, yeahhh I can only imagine

I can only imagine, yeah

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

When all I will do Is forever

Forever worship you

I can only imagine

A Patriotic Night

Through the generosity of thousands of Americans, the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund has awarded $2.5 million in scholarships to the sons and daughters of American heroes in the last several years.

What a wonderful weekend! We were fortunate to be given tickets to Sean Hannity's Freedom Alliance Concert last Christmas as a present. We had four great seats at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, Texas. It was a WOW for all of us. My daughter, husband and I were supposed to go with my husband's brother but he couldn't make it. We told our friend, Ursula, that we had an extra ticket. She and her family were already going but she said she'd ask around. She found a young college student friend from church who is a student at A&M who wanted to go so he was able to join us.

The line up is in this picture above. (Anyone know how I can move pictures to other areas in my post? So far they will only go at the top. Thanks for any help! Joy)

The show started with Lee Greenwood who has such a wonderful excitement for this country and uses his music to relay that excitement. He moves like a 20 something, though I'm pretty sure he's at least twice that since he's been in showbiz for over 30 years. He, of course, sang "Proud to be an American", which was just one of many of his patriotic songs. He was on fire.

Next up was Charlie Daniels, who I had seen over 25 years ago in Chicago. He is fabulous! He uses the fiddle (not to be called a violin when it's played like this!) like it's an extension of his arm. You can even see the marks on the fiddle from the beating it takes whenever he plays it. He is a true master. My husband mentioned that the man playing the piano looked quite old. I laughed out loud. There wasn't anybody under 55 in the entire band which, I suspect, has a median age of 68! Having said that, I don't think you could find a better, more professional, talented or experienced band anywhere. Again I say WOW!

The big surprise was when Sean Hannity came out and sang "Devil Went Down to Georgia" with the band. The boy has got beat! Of course, this particular song isn't sung but rather rapped (before we called it rap) and he had it down pat. I have listened to the song over the years and it is very fast-moving with about 70 words per second so I imagine memorizing it was a bear to do. He got a standing "O" for that one and he definitely deserved it.

In between the music acts, Sean Hannity came out and spoke to the crowd (a full house, by the way). Col. Oliver North (Ret.) was there to the delight of everyone in the crowd. What a patriot! On the big screens between acts, soldiers from the Houston area stationed in Iraq & Afghanistan were shown saying "hi" to their loved ones. That was so great. At one point, Sean brought out three families to talk to their loved ones LIVE in Iraq. The sound delay made it funny so help with the profound feeling of that big lump in your throat. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Gov. Rick Perry also spoke.

The third musician up was Michael W. Smith. He didn't come with a band or any special effects. He simply sat at the electric piano and sang his songs. I followed MWS since his beginnings in the early '80's. He is an amazingly talented man but more than that, he is a devote man of God. He pours his God-filled heart into his music and blesses everyone. He spoke of being at the White House a few weeks after 9/11. He said that Pres. Bush said to him, "W---that's what he calls me---you need to write a song about what happened." He said he was put on the spot and told the president that he would do his best. A few months later as he looked at the large US flag in his yard, this song came to him:

There She Stands

When the night Seems to say

All hope is lost Gone away

But I know I'm not alone

By the light She stands

There she waves Faithful friend

Shimmering stars Westward wind

Show the way Carry me

To the place She stands

Just when you think it might be over

Just when you think the fight is gone

Someone will risk his life to raise her

There she stands

There she flies

Clear blue skies Reminds us with red

Of those that died Washed in white

By the grave In their strength

She stands

When evil calls itself a martyr

When all your hopes come crashing down

Someone will pull her from the rubble

There she stands

We've seen her flying torn and tattered

We've seen her stand the test of time

And through it all the fools have fallen

There she stands By the dawn's Early light

And through the fight

She stands

What a wonderful song. He played his other songs but he accompanied this one with a video that went perfectly with the words.

Last up was Billy Ray Cyrus. I have to admit, I didn't know what to expect. My teenager is a big fan of his daughter, Miley Cyrus, and we've all watched hours upon hours of the show Hannah Montana, the show they star in on The Disney Channel. I remember his days of "Achy Breaky Heart" and how he was teased (unfairly, in my opinion) over that song. I purchased his album back then and really like his voice and his style. However, it seemed that the "cool" country folk and the late night guys decided it was better to tear down than lift up. BRC was a bit late coming out and there was no explanation offered. However, once he hit the stage, he turned it up several notches. He sang three times as long as the other entertainers. He sang his "Some Gave All"--an older song of his that I've always loved. Most of the crowd was on their feet. Veterans were the first to their feet. My husband is a Vietnam vet and does NOT stand up for many things other than the National Anthem. He was on his feet first! Billy Ray did a fabulous tribute to our military with this song and I wish he had more support. He talks very little during his concert, preferring to do his music. That's fine with me. Still, he could have talked as much as he wanted to this crowd because they loved him. Of course, he couldn't get away without doing Achy Breaky and that's what he finished with. Sean came out at the end and both men threw out souvenir footballs and beach balls.

The entire show lasted nearly 4 hours. It passed by so quickly that it was hard to believe it was that long. And we're talking four hours in Houston's heat. It was 111 degrees on the marque on the way there and down to a balmy 98 degrees on the way home! We're hardy stock here in Texas.

If you are able to go to this show, please do. It will definitely bless you and put the pride back in your heart. N-Joy

Doe, A Deer....

We moved back to the Houston area from Ohio last summer. Our criteria for moving back revolved around these two things: 1) to live outside of Harris County, where the crime and taxes are high, and 2) live close enough to our church so we could easily get there for the many activities and services. We were able to find some land north of Houston and built our home here.

The nicest thing about where we live is that we are close enough to enjoy all the benefits of a big city but are far enough out in the "boondocks" to enjoy the wildlife. Our favorite wildlife to enjoy is the many deer that stop by daily for a drink of water or some food. We keep both in our yard, close to the woods behind our house, so that we have visitors all day long.

Lately, we have been visited by a doe and three fawn. We've checked and most does have just one baby at a time and at the most, twins. These three little babies have kept us in awe. We've come to the conclusion that the mamas must take turns looking after the little ones and these babies have possibly two or three different mommies. They differ in size ever so slightly so we're fairly sure this is the case.

Every time these beautiful creatures enter our yard, we stop everything and watch them. They've become accustomed to us and hardly give us a glance and go about their business. I'm in awe of their beauty and can't help but hear this old hymn as I watch them.

As the Deer

As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after You.

You alone are my heart's desire and I long to worship You.

[Chorus]

You alone are my strength, my shield, to You alone may my spirit yield.

You alone are my hearts desire and I long to worship You.

I want You more than gold and silver, only You can satisfy.

You alone are the real joy Giver and the apple of my eye.

(Chorus)

You're my friend and You are my brother, even though You are a King.

I love You more than any other, so much more than anything.

(Chorus)

Today, as you go about your daily activities, take a moment to look around and see the many blessings God has put there for you to...n-Joy!

Have a blessed day!

Firsts

Firsts are always exciting. And when you reach a certain age, you begin to realize that you don't have many "firsts" anymore.

There were plenty of great "firsts" when I was younger: first time I rode my bicycle without the training wheels, the first time I rode on a school bus, first time I mowed the lawn, first time I fell off my bicycle and skinned my knees, first time I ever held a baby...lots of firsts. As I've grown older, the "firsts" have become fewer and fewer.

I remember in my twenties when I "first" realized that my "firsts" were dwindling. I was a bit sad about it at the time. Seems silly now that I'm well into my forties to think that I thought my twenties were the end of my "firsts," but at the time, I remember thinking "I need to have a "first."

When I was about 22, a friend of mine was about to open his "first" restaurant. He had invited friends and family to stop by the day before the grand opening to celebrate. As everyone was sitting at a small group of tables talking and listening to music, I began to look around the room. Everything was pristine. There were no stains on the table clothes, no cigarette burns in the carpet, no finger smudges on the jukebox. That's when I got the bright idea that I wanted to be the first person to sit at every booth and every table.

I quietly slipped away from the group and began sitting in every chair and booth in the room. I was about one third of the way through the room, and thinking I was pretty clever to have thought of this, when someone noticed me. I looked up to see everyone staring at me, smiling that nervous smile that says "she looks normal but what in the world is she doing...and is she dangerous?" My friend, the new owner, shouted over the loud music and asked me what in the world I was doing. Without breaking my rhythm I replied, "I'm sitting in every one of your chairs. I want to be the first."

When I had accomplished my goal of sitting everywhere there was a seat, I rejoined the group. Sure, I got some razzing, but it didn't bother me. I had made my own first and I was happy. I even heard a couple of people say they wish they had thought of that.

Okay, so that wasn't the greatest story every told. It was no Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk or first man on the moon, but it leads me to this: This is my first ever blog and at the ripe 'ol age of 47, it feels pretty good to have a first.

I don't know where this will take me. I don't know how often I will post. I don't even know what I'll post. I just know that I want to be an encouragement to whomever happens to stumble upon my little blog. I want everyone who spends a few minutes with me and my thoughts to feel a little better than they did before they read it.

So, here's to firsts! And to those willing to join me on this, my FIRST blog!

Happy First Day!

N-Joy!