Dear God,

(A letter written by a Five Star student after summer camp this summer)

Dear God,
I can't lie, life sucks. Things have a way of falling apart all at once and leave us stranded with no way home. There's times that I feel like I have nothing, like I can't go on. I've been beat down, haunted and convinced that I am nothing, I have nothing and I will amount to nothing. But that no longer gets to me! Today I say no more, and give all my heartache and pain to you. Today I let it all go. Today I say no more pain. No more cutting. No more endless nights on the bathroom floor wondering why I'm here. No more believing that I am not strong. No more letting people break me down. No more being scared of future. I'm done being hurt. I'm done being scared. Today I will stand and walk in your word, and grace and know I can make a difference. I should not be scared. I will be strong. Today I take my life back and I'm living it the way I want. Here I am. I'm done being scared and I will not give up. The future is unknown and the unknown is scary, but I will no longer be afraid. I will do good. I will no longer fear my destiny and obstacles, but embrace them with courage, faith, and positivity. I am strong.... 7/22/09

Phase Autobiography by a Five Star student

Five Star Changed my Life
Courage, respect, responsibility, integrity and sacrifice are traits I never really thought about until I became involved in an after-school club called Five Star. It is a social group whose aim is to build self-esteem and teach life lessons to young people. Since being in that club, I think about these valuable traits on a daily basis.
At the beginning I wasn't sure if I would like Five Star, but I decided to do it because my friends were joining. After meeting our coaches and listening to the goals of the club, I became very excited about participating because I really wanted to work on becoming a more caring person. Wednesdays now became my favorite day of each week because of Five Star.
My favorite part of Five Star was going on a day trip to Camp Manowe and trying new things that related to the goals of the club. A few things we did that were related with the goals were: we went on a high ropes course to show courage, we gave up things we didn't need to charity for sacrifice, and helped clean up the camp for responsibility. I had a great time helping out the community and it taught me a lot on how little things can make a big difference.
During the eight week course of the club, my view on courage, respect, responsibility, integrity and sacrifice changed. I try to put myself in an others shoes, and think about how I would like to be treated. I try to help out people who are not as fortunate as me. I try to show as much respect to others as I possibly can. I was taught how to improve these skills every Wednesday in my favorite after-school club, Five Star.

The Opposite Poem by Jalen Maust

I am happy when I am cuddling with my mom. But I am sad when I am not cuddling with my mom.
I laugh when my dad tickles me. But I cry when my dad gives me a spanking.
I am energetic when we are going to the mall. But I am tired when it is night time.
I am brave when someone is in trouble. But I am scared when vampires are under my bed.
I am helpful when someone drops their books. But I am lazy when I am silly.

Jalen Maust, 1st grade

Attitude

By Charles Swindoll

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change the past..... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...
I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it."

My Precious Cameron turns 8 yrs. old

At Cameron's Birthday Party last night, we did a little game I call, "8 Questions for our 8 year old"
This was his response to a few questions:
1. Favorite Food? for dessert- Carrot Souvle,
for regular food - salad or turkey sandwich
2. Favorite Subject in school? Writing Workshop
3. Favorite Sport? Basketball and Soccer
4. What I want to be when I grow up? 1. Artist 2. Archeologist 3. Soldier/Army
5. If I had $500, what would I do with it? Get a laptop computer
6. Favorite Hobby/Activity? Art and Recess
7. Favorite Super-hero? Spiderman
8. Favorite Animal? Dog

It is amazing to think I have been praying for this little guy for at least 9 years now. His life is in God's hands. His past, present and future are marked out by God Almighty.
This is one of my daily prayers for Cameron:
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Cameron, I love you. I am honored to be your mom. God has entrusted you to me and Daddy. God has entrusted you with many gifts, many talents and great ability. You are gifted. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are chosen and set apart. Great days are ahead. I believe in you. I love you. love, Mom

Laughter is good

At this point in life, I really want and need to laugh. I am trying to find things that make me laugh. It is good medicine. I have enjoyed some very funny 'you-tube' videos recently. My friends on facebook post some that they think are funny and so yesterday I watched some and then Justin wanted to see what I was watching and then all the sudden we have three kids on our laps and we are all five watching 'you tube' video clips. Laughter is fun. When I first got into facebook, I thought it was weird and maybe even stupid. But, it only took me about 3 days to really like it. I love to hear what is going on with my friends or even my long ago friends who I haven't seen in years. I seldom get on facebook without laughing or at least smiling big. So it is good medicine for my soul.
Also, church this morning was great. I laughed, I cried, I laughed some more.
There are certain people who can always make me laugh. I love to be around people like that. When we lived in Caro, Lane and Brook Walker were those people. They were so fun! And in Mt. Pleasant, Ryan Stockton always had something funny to say. Chris and Heather Cerbins were also very funny!
I am so thankful for all the fun, funny, even crazy people, they keep all the rest of us serious people from being too serious.
Even just now, as I am writing this, My little Miah made me laugh. BIG TIME. Here's what happened.
Justin and I are sitting reading and typing. He says, "Ew gross- look at that." I see a very used Q-tip on the floor next to wall and the dresser. It was definitely sat there on purpose. I just vacuumed the floor yesterday, so I know that it hasn't been there for long. I tell him that. We call for Miah. She says "no, I didn't put that there, I don't know how it got there. I don't know" So I say "what would you do with a q-tip after you use it?" she says, "I would put it in the trash." I say, "What if someone was in the bathroom and you couldn't get to the trash, then what would you do?" She thought about it and said, "I would take it to the trash in the kitchen."
So just as she was leaving and we were calling Jalen in, Miah says "oh, I don't think I put that there, I might have, but I don't remember." I say, "You might have?" she says, "Yeah, I might have, I don't remember."

It was so funny, we had her pick it up and throw it away, since she 'might' have. LOL

Trying to put a song on my blog.....

Fun Visit with Friends from 'back in the day'

A couple weeks ago now, I was lucky enough to take a short trip up to Holland, Michigan to hang out with some amazing friends. The bummer was that our whole group couldn't be there, but five of us were able to make it. My two boys didn't come (they had school) and Jody's son Austin was also missing (at school). But, otherwise there were 15 kids there ages 10 - 1.
I had a great, great time. Most of these girls were apart of a 'group of us' from when I went to CMU, and then after I got married and quit college, but stayed connected with them for many years to come. So Basically from when I was 18 till 25. So we have many great memories together, Sunday nights, many weddings and showers, Christmas break trips, etc.
I think of these girls often, and I often wish we lived in the same neighborhood and that our kids could all be best friends. But, then I remember that we are all married, and all following God on the path He has for us.
So for now, I will be thankful for, and treasure their friendship, even from afar.