I'm 38!!!!!!WOW!!!!

Yes that's right. The less than 250LBS of chocolate will be 38 on January 9, 2009. I was actually born at 6:10 in the morning. 2 years and the chocolate guy will be 40. Where have the years gone, is my question today.

I have lived so far a pretty good life. I have been to South America, Canada, and several states in the US. I have own two houses and a condo. I have paid for 2 cars in full. I have friends in almost every state. I am living near all of my family. Again, I have lived a pretty good life so far. I still have to ask the question-"How did these years go by so fast".

My early years I was living in a city called East Point, Georgia. This is where I have many fond memories and the church located there has played a major part to my life. I really don't have many childhood friends that live there today. Just the church where I was baptized into Christ. I went back last sunday and drove around a bit. I can't believe the time has gone by sooo fast.

My favorite birthday so far has to my 30th where I was thrown my first birthday party with hats, balloons, cakes, and presents. It was very good. Clinton and Belinda Bunch from Dallas Texas and their family threw me a bash. It was fun, and I still remember it today. I think I celebrated my 30th for 6 months. So many people wanted me to celebrate that birthday. It was great! Who knows maybe 38 will be special as well.

38 has made me look inward a lot at my life. I bought a G1 phone on Sunday. Sounds selfish, but if you really know me I don't buy for myself. I am enjoying it. I don't feel guilty. My old phone fell in the toilet on Sunday. Just imagine the sell clerk dropping the phone when I told her what happen. It was funny. Still don't have the sim card, so if I had your cell you might call me so I will have it again. I get to start over. I had about 125 numbers in my cell phone. Now, I must start over and find new friends. HA!

I am looking forward to my 38. I'll post more soon.

Birthday!

My 1st post of the year comes on my birthday. I am 37 today. In 3 years I will be 40. I have had so many great times in the past making fun of those turning 40. It will be my turn soon. 37 did not mean anything to me until college. Many of my college professor were in their late 3o's. Now I am there!. Today, was different. I woke up and said to myself, you are nearing 40. I guess that could be depressing. I got up to make sure I got my car tags. In Georgia, they expired on your birthday. I got to school early, so I could leave to go take care of my car tag. Anyway, not too many people knew that it was. Those on my facebook did. I got many emails before 9am. They were great! I heard from people I have not heard from in a while. We celebrated during my last class in which one of the students brought cupcakes. I am blessed today to be working at my almater and have such thoughtful students. I really do love them, and I can tell they love me. At 37, my thinking today is changing. We prayed in every class, I just prayed differently. It sounded like an old person prayer. One student reminded me of what I said about long prayers. He asked if I did not pray this morning before school. Question I ask of those long sunday morning prayer people. Yes, I am older. Today, I am in a play called Big River. I will be playing Jim the runaway slave. I taught our 5 and 6 year olds tonight. They were hyper. It did not help that I brought bubbles. We were celebrating my birthday. You got to have bubbles. What a birthday party. Bubbles! I typed tonight being thankful and grateful.

Ruth Shaw died. A very special lady passed away last Saturday. I called her my grandma shaw. She is another special person who have gone on around the beginning of the year Last year, I lost my stepdad Robert Cook, and my spiritual dad Carl Mitchell. Now I have Ruth Shaw to remember each year. These are special people. It causes you to think about where you are going in life. Time goes by so fast. Ruth Shaw was a wonderful cook, and a wonderful lady.

If you have not told your family how much you love them. You need to stop reading and do so. The older I get, Family has become more and more important to me. Go and live for the savior!

Been Reading!

Reading to me can be fun. Only if I get to read what I like. The giving tree is my all time favorite book to read. I know it is elementary, but I like that book. So far, I have read 2 books on this break, and I am in the office today looking for more. I have been waiting for years to get the hunger to read. Well, it has come. Right before turning 37(January 9th)(Not too early to start shopping for my present). Anyway, the two books I have read and reread are The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, and The Unchurched. Both revealed a lot to me as a christian, and a christian educator. We as Christians have a lot of work to do. Also, do you see yourself as a team player. I struggled with this answer, because I am so much wanting to be a team player. I also want it my way. As a leader, you want to be a team player. Many people over my 36 years of life have counted on me to lead. I wonder as I look back and reflect, was I a team player. I highly reccommend both books. Caution for th Dysfuncitons- there are cuss words in it. I wish that was not in the book.

I'm getting better!

I have returned from a few days in Washington DC with about 160+ seventh graders. I had 7 to kiddos to look after the whole time. I can honestly say that this year experience was a whole lot better than last year. I gave these 7 students candy. They were great! They behaved well, which made my job a lot easier. I say, I am getting better, because I actually enjoyed being with these 7 kids. They were with me the whole time. That is from Tuesday evening till Saturday morning 6am. You may not be proud, but I am. We toured Washington dc so fast, I would like to take a trip in the summer.

_______________________________________________

Spent Saturday after I woke up with one of my nephews who turned 15 last week. We enjoyed some quality time together and rehashing his goals. He is one special kid. I thought my childhood was bad, he is a trooper. Hopefully next weekend we will go for his learner's permit( one of his goals for 15)

Church Consultant: Is there such a job? Every time I attend somewhere I am critiquing the service and asking the question "are they seeker friendly" Today, I was at North Atlanta, and I sat in the back and again said to myself, roll up your sleeves and get to work. I attended an afternoon service at a black church, and could say the same thing. Both places excited me about their outreach to the community. I volunteered to help tutor, serve on the Serving day, and help with Audio/AV. I think I might get a chance to lead worship every now and then. Hopefully this week I will know definitely. Keep in prayer for all churches as they continue to have an effect on our world.

______________________________________________

Another Great Day!

Today is my mom's 61st birthday. I took the day off to spend with her. It was another great day! We went to have lunch with 2 of the 3 sisters. We ate at my mom's favorite(mine too) Mary Mac Tea room downtown Atlanta. We went to a thrift store(another favorite of my moms) where she really did not buy anything(strange for my mom) I later discovered can't buy if you don't have money. So, we went to Bath and Body works! My sister's had to remind me that not everyone is made of money( I know this, they think I don't) So, my tradition with my mom is for us to get the best deal. Well, they had the Buy 3 and get one free! You should have seen the smile. After taking my sister back to her home, I picked up my nephews to take to my mom's house for her birthday. We enjoyed laughing and I enjoyed watching my mom laugh. We have not had the best of times as I have had to implement budget in order for her to live on her own. We had a great day!


___________________________________________________

Random Question: Any thoughts on Single parents with children? Or a single person with children? I guess they are both the same. Any thoughts?