Guidance

I recieved the below in an email today from Noelle. It was a forward. Normally, with forwards I either delate them or scan over them quickly then delate. However, this one caught my attention and I thought I would share it with you.

Dancing With God When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other. My eyes drew back to the word Guidance. When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i". "God, "u" and "i" dance." God, you, and I dance. As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead. My prayer for you today is that God's blessings and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday. May you abide in God, as God abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.

Congratulations Taylor and Casey!

Congratulations to my cuz Taylor Scott and Casey Henley!

They just got engaged yesterday in Gatlinburg, TN. The wedding date hasn't been set yet, but will be within the year. I'm so happy for you both. Taylor, I have always thought of you as a brother and I am proud of the person you have become. Casey, you got a great guy there! I wish you both the best of happiness!

Weekend

This weekend my parents and Papa came to visit. They got here yesterday afternoon about 4:00. I was still at school working and Kevin meet them at the house. Papa and my dad had never seen the cows, and since they are in Williston, they drove to see the cows, then came to my school. They both had never seen my school. Papa said that I needed a new school, he even told Mrs. Selvey, the principal, that they needed a new school. Which they had tried this past year to get a new one, but the town doesn't want their taxes raised or the heritage of the 3rd oldest school in SC toren down. So I guess they sacrifice heritage over their health. Anyway, my mom had prepared dinner a chicken casserole and sweet potato souffle for dinner. Yummy! We had a nice evening visiting, but all were ready for bed pretty early. Saturday, we awoke to a cloudy day and by the early afternoon, the rain came and lasted for awhile. After the rain cleared up we showed Papa the "big" town of Barnwell, and around the circle, he had not seen that before. Then, my mom had brought some pansies for me to plant so we worked on that, while the men watched some football. They didn't stay tonight and headed back home about 5. They are still traveling and should be home around 8. It was a nice visit. My dad hadn't been down since Mother's Day and Papa hadn't been down since this time last year...I think. I like having visitors. It's just Kevin and I, and Abby of course, most of the time and it's fun to entertain family and friends for a change. It gives me something to look forward to. Now, Kevin's watching the Carolina game, of course and I'm getting ready to do some school work.

My dad brought a new toy for Abby. It was a tennis ball with a tail attached that squeaked. In about 10 minutes Abby had the two separated. We took the ball away from her, because she's not allowed to have one in the house. She loved playing with the tail part and making it squeak. But then she tore a hole in it and the squeak part came out. Then she just wanted to play with it, which we couldn't allow her to do that because it was just plastic. So, I guess for Christmas, Santa will have to bring Abby a toy that squeaks. We didn't know she would enjoy a toy like that so much.

Blog Signature

I have noticed on other blogs, that people have their name or "signature" after their posting. I have always thought that was a neat thing. So, I decided to find out how to do that. After about two hours of searching, I came across the easy way, finally, to create my signature and for it to show each time I want to post something. I was very proud of myself for figuring it out. :0)

Encouraging Words

With the times that our economy are going through, still and all the stress that I have dealt with at my work and Kevin at his work these past few months....I felt some encouraging words were needed. This morning while the preacher was preaching, I was focusing on something else. Yes, I should have been paying attention, but you know sometimes you have other things on your mind that it's hard to. I started looking through my Bible to find verses that talk about encouraging one another. I came across a few and thought I would share them with you.

The first verse that I have for you actually came to me Thursday afternoon. I had to get the oil changed in my car. While I was waiting, they had several of the The Journey daily devotional books in the waiting area. I picked one up that had some titles that interested me and started reading.

" Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as in fact you are doing"
1 Thessalonians 5:11

"But encourage one another daily as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."
Hebrews 3:13

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."
Hebrews 10:36

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
Hebrews 12:11

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."
James 1:2-3

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor with Jesus Christ is revealed."
1 Peter 1:6-7

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
Philippians 4:11

This is what I consider my life verse, this came to me spring of 2001 in my freshman year at NGC and I have held on to it since in all different situations.

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves full to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
1 Corinthians 15:58

I hope that at least one of these verses will encourage you this week.

Animal Habitat Projects

Check out the animal habitat projects that my students turned in on Thursday. You can find them on our class website, on the class picture page. They did a great job!
http://jpmccormick.weebly.com/class-pictures.html

Mushroom Tree

There's always something new to photograph around here. I was letting Abby out to use the bathroom, when I noticed two unique mushrooms growing from the tree right in front of our porch. So I had to grab my camera and get a few shots. Which for some reason, we have a lot of mushrooms that grow in our yard. And I mean, these mushrooms are not your little ones, they are huge. Normally they are either white or brown, never orange.

Ready for the big game

Kevin and Abby are ready for the big game tonight. It was cloudy all day today and started raining about 3:00. I have taken the day off today, by doing nothing. Abby and I slept in until 10:00 this morning which is late for me. I am normally up between 8:30-9:00 on even Saturdays. I used to always sleep until 10 or later, but not anymore. My body is so used to being up by 6:00 every school day, that I just don't sleep that late any more. But we have gotten caught up on our rest today. I watched tv movies until sometime this afternoon, then I have just played around on the computer. Now, Kevin's ready to watch football for the evening and I guess I'll work on grading papers and homework after fixing supper, whatever that will be. It has been a relaxing day and most definitely a day that you didn't want to venture outside unless you had to.

Update on Us

Yes, I realized it has been a little while since I have blogged, but I have been so very busy. Here's what's been going on with us.

2 WEEKS AGO:

I had computer trouble. I have a virus protector called "Windows Defender", well there is a virus called "Windows PC Defender". It got downloaded into my computer. Monday-Friday night, I spent an hour or more on the phone with my dad trying to download things to get it out of my computer, but the virus wouldn't allow me to do anything without something popping up. It wanted to you purchase it, but it was a scam to get your money. Finally, Friday night, my dad was like, okay let's download something and we will just have to pay for it. So we downloaded Spy Hunter, yes it worked, but then my computer wouldn't allow me to get back on the Internet to finish it. Finally, finally Saturday morning after working with it for 3 hours, I was able to get on line and we got it out of there. Then last week, I was on my computer, on line, and the stupid virus thing popped up again. This time I read it very carefully, and thankfully it didn't download again. So be careful! It was a mess. I thought I was going to lose everything on my computer.

LAST WEEKEND:

We went to visit my parents last weekend in Greer. This was the first time I had been home since the 2nd week in July and for Kevin the first time since Easter. Yes, it had been that long. My parents were having a yard sale and asked us to help. After school on Friday, we headed up. Friday night, we worked getting things ready for the sale. (We have always had yard sales, as far as I can remember, normally we have one in the fall and one in spring and do very well.) Saturday morning, it was very foggy and there was a mist, so we had to wait until about 7:00 or so before we could put things outside the garage, because the mist would get them wet. This was Kevin's first experience with a yard sale, and I think he would do it again. We made over $600! However, that was divided among my dad, my mom, Kevin and I, and my aunt Susan came up. But we were all very pleased with the outcome. What was left that we didn't think would sale, we boxed it up and off to Goodwill it went. Some clothes that we thought would sale, we boxed them to save for later. Our experience is that you take whatever you have to sale and try to sale it in at least 2 different yard sales, if it doesn't sale by then, off it goes.

BABY SHOWER:

After the yard sale, my mom and I had a baby shower to attend. My good, childhood friend, Rhett Harter, his wife Jodi, is having a baby girl, due December 15th. The funny thing is that the lady given it, used to live by me when I was little on one side and then Rhett lived on the other side. And she had a daughter, Alex, who was born July 1st (which was my original due date) and then I was born July 6th (her original due date) so Peggy and my mom were in the hospital at the same time. Crazy have small this world is. You cannot talk about my childhood without mentioning these too people, especially Rhett. He was my best friend. He would play Barbies, and house with me but then I would play army men and build forts and stuff with him. But Peggy had been friends with Jodi's mom for a long time. So it was fun to see old friends, even though Alex couldn't be there. I know that Jodi has about 2 more months to go, but man, she looks great! I hope to look that good pregnant when it comes my time. I have only meet Jodi a few times, but she is the nicest, friendliest, humble, person. She made my mom and I feel right at home. Rhett, you got a good one there! Oh, and the baby name is "Addison Grace Harter" and I think she will probably be called "Addi or Addi Grace". Rhett and Jodi married in December like around the 17th I think, so it will be interesting to see if Addi comes before their anniversary or after. They will have been married for 5 years in December. They live in Charleston, so they are not too far from us.

Rhett and me at my wedding. I thought I had a picture of the 4 of us, but I couldn't find it on my computer.

Jodi and I at her shower.

This is Alex, she got married this past May at the Citadel.

SATURDAY NIGHT:

After the baby shower, we had a quick trip to the mall, I had to pick up some things. Then we headed home. My Papa, Keith, Felicia, and Emily were coming over to eat pizza. (Just about anytime we get together we eat pizza.) My mom, Felicia, and I were in the garage talking about the yard sale, when all of a sudden we heard this loud bang and crunch sound. I ran out of the garage, and this car was backing out of our driveway and they had hit the mailbox across the street. Well, I started up the driveway to get a better look. They sped up the street 3 houses, then the passenger got out of the car, took a baseball bat to another neighbors mailbox and knocked it off, then hopped by in the car. It happened so fast. I start yelling, about what they did. Keith and Felicia hop in the car and try to find them to get the license plate number, I was too far away to see it, but it was still daylight when they came by. I mean,the car was green, 4 door, the guy had a white t-shirt, blue jeans, dark, short hair, was tan, average built, I could see all that, except the license plate. Some people have a lot of nerve. So that was our excitement for that evening.

SUNDAY:

Sunday morning I get up and find out that my mom was up all night sick. My dad said that she was vomiting, etc. and passed out a few times on him. So, after Kevin woke up, we got ready and left. As the week has gone on, by Tuesday, my dad had the Swine Flu and on Wednesday my mom had it. However, my mom continued to work all week with it. Most people coming into the office had the flu and just about all the doctors and nurses had it, so there was no point to stay home, especially when they are short handed and have all these sick people. My dad is better, my mom isn't yet, but she's tried to do too much as usual.

KEVIN:

Kevin is doing fine, just working like always. His work has slowed down some, but still works til dark most days. He is ready for a vacation, but there's not a break insight anytime soon. Within the next few months I think we will be losing birds and it will be clean out time again. So maybe he will get a break then.

ABBY:

Abby is just as happy and hyper as ever! She's a spoiled little poochy. I think she has been getting cold at night, because lately she is sleeping in the middle of Kevin and I and she's getting as close as she can. Sometimes she even gets under the covers.

JILL and SCHOOL:

Well, we finally have our security system in place at school. They found 2 of the cameras that were stolen, they were sold on the street for $5.00. And the arrested 3 of the guys that were involved in all the break ins. They were about 17 yrs. and all 3 went to Kelly Edwards. Go figure! But maybe now, things will be better.

School has been a challenge this year, a real challenge. I am working harder than I have in years. I get to school about 6:40 every morning. I have kids by 7:30 and keep them until 2:45-3:00. Then I am staying at school until about 5:30-6:00 or later every day. Last night, I was at school until 7:00 and the day before too. Kevin was with me last night, but the night before, half the teachers were still there working. I have started taking a class for renew credit and for graduate credit through Winthrop University, it's every Monday and Tuesday 3:30-6:30. I will be done by the middle of November. When I come home, I am still working either grading papers, doing lesson plans, etc. Then my whole weekend is spent grading papers, doing lesson plans. This week, at the faculty meeting we were informed that our lesson plans now have to be turned in by the time we leave on Friday (yes, that will free up my weekend some) however, we have to have them typed in this certain format and include all this stuff, yeah 14 lessons to have on there and plan for and for one week I have 5 pages for my lesson plans. School has been in for 8 full weeks now, and I'm not happy at all. I'm very frustrated and stressed, my class....not the best. I feel like I am going through my first year again, which was the year from you know where, was not good. Many tears, and many I don't want to go to school this year. Parents, kids, everything that is expected and asked of us, just too much this year. I have wanted to quit every week. *However, I'm not the only one. And my grade is not the only one, K-5th and 6th-8th all feel the same way. The instructional coach we have is the same for the elementary school and middle school. And she tells us that our concerns or complaints are the same as the middle school. Then, "hello", something has got to give or else not only are the bad teachers going to be leaving, but the good ones as well. I'm trying to take each day and be positive about it, but it's very, very hard. Kevin and I have had many long talks about me quitting teaching. I've been doing this for 5 years, and the rewards are not worth all that we are put through. I'm really struggling with what to do. I'm there for this year,but I'm praying for some guidance with this and if I need to go back next year or what to do. *If you could keep that in your prayers. But there's not point in pretending school is okay this year, because it's not, and I hope it will be better, some days are, but out of this past week I had two okay days-Monday and Friday, the rest were bad. And the when they throw this lesson plans stuff on you, you just wonder how much more you can take. There is a breaking point and it's coming soon, if we don't get help.

Soooo, as you can see I haven't had the time to blog about last weekend or what's going on with us. Now, I'm getting ready to clean house and then grade papers.