The Wrong Direction was Right

I've been reading the story of Joseph. A young man's life goes in the wrong direction. What could be worse than being sold into slavery at the age of 17 by your own brothers?

Reuben, the oldest, gives us a glimpse into Joseph's horror, when he recounted the incident...years later. "Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen." Genesis 42:21. Joseph cried and pleaded with his brothers as he was shackled by the Midianite merchants and taken away.

And even after "right living" he was thrown into jail for something he didn't do. And it was not a short jail term. Then...the one friend who had a chance to get him out---forgot about him.

But God knew.

God knew the outcome.

It's hard to believe Joseph's words...later in life. I'm sure these words did not come easy.
"Don't be distressed, and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you........it was not you who sent me here, but God." Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept.

And I don't think Joseph could have said these forgiving words earlier in life..when he was living with Potiphar or in prison. I think he had some hindsight at this point. And perhaps some maturity.

All this to say...ONLY GOD KNOWS what's going on in our lives...or why things happen. This story gives us every reason to trust Him.

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In my post "The Bases are Covered" I shared about my own son, and about his new job. So far he still has the job. Oh...and one more update...I decided not to go back to college. I know I made the right decision. I still plan on taking a class or two.

Have a nice day!

Should I Go Back to College?

I've been wondering if I should go back to College and get a BA degree. I have an AA degree in Humanities. Some of my completed classes, however, don't carry over. (Because I received my AA degree a long time ago.) So I have quite a few classes I would need to take...just to complete my GE (General Ed).

First, I thought my goal might be a teaching credential. In my current job, I work alongside teachers who make twice, if not three times as much as I do. But to get a credential, I would have to...beef up my GE by taking the following mandatory classes:

Pass 3 Algebra classes including College Algebra. (I'm Algebraic challenged)
Take biology, government, speech, critical thinking/rhetoric essays, and Psychology.
Okay...after my GE is done—I have to take all the other courses required for my major. After 3 or 4 years of doing that...then I have to get my credential and also pass the CBEST and any other teacher tests. Then I have to take CLAD.

Now I know it is always noble of a person to go back to college and complete it. And I know that I will not run into any acquaintances that will tell me to "forget it". OF COURSE it would be nice to complete my education. But do I really want to live like a recluse enslaved to homework, for the next eight years? Yes I know there are fast-tracks---but I have to work...and I don't do well under the pressure.

I would probably emerge from school somewhere in my 60's. Now that's okay...but I'm not sure if I would want to take over a classroom at that age.

After much prayer, thought and deliberation...I've decided to..... I DON'T KNOW!

I think I'll take one of the classes that I need to take...to get my feet wet....for personal enrichment. Then I'll just take things one day at a time. I also have an application in to work as an Administrative Assistant at a Christian College. If I get that...I may take it. Then all this will go by the way side. (However I hear that the FT permanent employees are eligible to take one free class a semester.) Hmm.

I have been seeking the Lord about all of this…but I can’t get a clear answer. It seems to be leaning toward—that he doesn’t want me to get all wrapped up in school. But I’m not sure. My head is as clear as mud.

If I went to school, I’d have less time for people. I’d have to push away people, phone calls, and even family…just for survival. It would be such a me-centered existence. And for what? Do I really want to take on a classroom of 33 students when its all over?

I do love to tutor, and work with small groups of students. I just wish I could make a better income doing this.

So…have any of you gone back to school, late in life…like at age 52?

Excitement in the Email Box

It's 11:46 p.m. and I should be asleep. I have to face 20 kids tomorrow at the crack of dawn. But I am so excited because GUESS WHAT. I submitted an article to Chicken Soup for the Soul and I just received an email that I've made the first cut. They sent me a contract and would like to use my story in an upcoming book. "Teens Talk Middle School". The book will be coming out in November of this year. Although I had to sign a contract...my piece has not been purchased yet. But I'm very optimistic.

They asked for my "bio". I had to write it tonight very quickly. After some hesitation...I wrote on the bottom..."visit her blog at ......" They suggested we put our emails if we wanted...but I think the blog is better. But then I wondered...do I really want my blog address going into a Chicken Soup book? Oh well...you only live once. Maybe I'll get some interesting visitors.

Goodnight!

Summer is Here

Just checking in...I'm feeling to hot to blog. We've been trying to save money by not using the air conditioner.

My summer school job started today. I'm working with 4th through 6th grade students. Today we discussed trantulas. Tomorrow we read about black widows, and the next day we discuss snakes. (My word...I can't believe this curriculum.) But the kids seem interested. The boys especially. They are fascinated about how trantulas kill their prey. Uggg!

My youngest son is taking government/economics at the high school.
My oldest son is working 9 hours every day at the wheel repair shop.
My husband is mixing the music for an upcoming movie.

I'm trying to keep the yard alive...in this heat. (not to mention laundry, cooking, housework, errands, and today I had a wonderful time at the DMV trying to get a "green sticker" for my dirt bike.)

Gotta go. My son needs my computer for homework. (His computer broke.)

Have a nice summer evening. I'm stepping out to look at the Big Dipper tonight before I go to bed. I would love to move my bed outside. In the old days they DID move their beds outside in the summer!

The Bases are Covered

When our son moved back in my husband gave him two weeks to get a job or he would have to leave home, again. Since it usually takes our son months and months to get a job, I worried. But I felt I should support my husband. Deep down I knew he was right. (C. needs strong motivation to get a job.) My husband said he needed my support on this.

A few days before "kick-out day", I felt uncomfortable with our decision. Our son (C.) had no transportation except the bus and an old bike. I knew he would never make it.

I pictured him on the street...sleeping by the curb...lost...alone...and angry as hell. (sorry--but the word fits)

So I prayed about it and went and told my husband I felt uncomfortable about our decision. This caused a lot of stress between us. But my word! How can you expect a mother to kick out her own flesh and blood. I pictured him walking the street, with no car...no friends—just the shoes on his feet. How would that help him...especially if the plan entailed him not coming back unless he had a job. Who would hire a unshowered, unshaved, homeless person for a job?

In the end, I told my husband I would support him. I knew I should. But I cringed inside. "Okay God." I'll do this. "You sure expect a lot out of me!"

So as I began to get my mind wrapped around the idea of ousting my son to the street....as I worked on my faith....as my heart pounded while I did my chores....as I endured a few more terse words between husband and wife....

C. bounded in the kitchen door. "Mom! You've got to pray for me!"
I was speechless, as I haven't heard any spiritual words from my son in years.
"I might have a job! I just have to update my resume," he said sitting down at the computer. "How do you spell ______? Is the printer working? I have to hurry...I told him I'd be right back!"

"Do you want me to drive you back?"

"No. It's only a few blocks away. I can even WALK there."

After a few minutes he ran out the door. Later he came back and had the biggest smile on his face. I haven't seen him this happy in a long time.

"I got a job...and I start the day after tomorrow."
He walked up to his brother. "Give me a high five. I got a job!"

It's a place that repairs wheels. Apparently he was riding his bike home and decided on the spur of the moment to swing in and ask if they needed any welding done. The man said that he could use a little welding, but could C. do other things? One thing lead to the next...and he got the job.

As I look back, I see things clearly. I didn't need to worry--and go to my husband and try to change our plan. I didn't have to put my husband and I through so much stress. I didn't need to step out and try to manipulate events to protect my son. God had the bases covered.

And I suppose, that if C. was kicked out to the street---GOD WOULD HAVE THE BASES COVERED.

Often times, so many of us begin to fear...and try to manipulate events...but God has already been walking through our future events...and sorting them out ahead of us.

So, dear friends...rest...trust...breathe...trust some more....struggle....trust some more...and keep remembering. God has your bases covered!

Please pray for C. as he has trouble keeping jobs longer than 2 months. He also is in debt and needs to earn money to get out of debt. But I must remember... God knows about all of this. He has the bases covered!

A Day with DAD

All pictures can be clicked on to enlarge.

With my dad at the Griffith Park Observatory

It's near the Hollywood sign. (You will notice California is experiencing a drought.)

The observatory was built on the top of a hill in 1935 and has been a beloved icon of Los Angeles. Admission is free...because Mr. Griffith wanted everyone to be able to glimpse into the heavens. (Dad, Mom and I standing in front.)

We're lining up to go into a 300 seat Planetarium theater. It was an awesome show. We learned about our universe and tracked the planets through the skies. That's Los Angeles in the background.


Hills flowing into the city of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles is hazy today. (click to enlarge)

Who's car is this? The keys were left in it! Dad gave me a run down on how to drive a car like this...describing all the pedals.

We got to the zoo about an hour before closing. When we asked about the giraffes we were sent clear to the back of the zoo which was up a hill. We finally made it! I took 22 pictures of giraffes for my dad! Hooves, faces, tails...


This lion is sound asleep with his foot up in the air. There's another lion next to him if you look carefully.

Here are some giraffes. (My dad is building a very large giraffe in his garage).

That's a real giraffe there--looking at me.

We had a great day!

The reason I haven't posted for awhile is because I've been busy writing an article for Chicken Soup for the Soul. The deadline is tomorrow. They are collecting stories from the elementary school years. I've never been published in Chicken Soup...but if this story flies it will be $200. Tomorrow is my monthly writers critique group...so I'll take the story for an edit.

Have a good weekend!

Are You Ready to Go?

Are you ready to go?


It's Father's day—one week early! My dad and I are going to the Griffith Park Observatory. Mom is coming too! We've been wanting to go for years. Then Dad wants to stop at the zoo so he can view the giraffes. (In relation to his latest project)

I'm bringing my camera.

Good-bye!