Just 40 Days

Today begins two weeks of standardize testing in my computer lab.  This session will include all students in Grades 2-8!  The tests can last more than one hour.  Can you imagine taking an hour long test on the computer when you are seven years old? I don't know about you, but I never liked the pressure of a standardized test.  It always seemed like the results would decide my future.  I guess they did.  I don't remember many of the tests from K-12 but I do remember taking the NTE.  (National Teachers Exam)  I was 36 years old and I hadn't taken a standardized test for 18 years!  I was terrified. I pray that all of the students testing are able to relax, stay focused and remember all that they know during this Spring's testing period.

Every Sunday at Mass, we are all encouraged to turn and share the peace of Christ with each other.  In fact, this happens at every Mass, not just on Sunday.  This ritual of sharing is very generous and can be very powerful...or is it? I often attend Mass alone and sometimes find myself choosing a seat far away from others.  I do this so to avoid the awkwardness I feel at the sign of peace.  I found a blog with similar feelings to my own.   What do you think?

I have a Women's Devotional Bible that I refer to when I am struggling with something.  As of late, I'm becoming less and less disciplined.   Weigh In To Win contest. Those of you who know me, can remember that seven years ago, I won the opportunity to lose weight while WTOL followed me around for nine months during their At the end of the contest, my weight was 150-160 pounds.  I kept within that range for nearly five years.  Then I had a house fire, turned 50, battled with unemployment...I know...excuses - Bottom line is, somewhere along the line, I lose my sense of self discipline, trading it in for self indulgence.  I'm closer to 200 now :( So as I look into the index/topics my bible, I found 1 Corinthians 9:24  (St. Paul is one of my favorites!)  I will leave you with this: Do you not know that those who run in race all run, but only one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may win.  Everyone who competes in the games ...

Have you ever had one of those days when all the little things begin to stick together and somehow become a big thing?  Near the end of the school day yesterday, I was almost in tears.  Honestly, nothing big happened.  It was a little of this and a little of that and lets just say, my last class of students nearly sent me over the edge. I'm pretty sure there wasn't a full moon.  But something surely was up with those kids.  Turns out, they had a substitute teacher, there was an afternoon assembly, and it IS the last class of the week.  Fortunately, not all of my happiness was squashed out of me.  My littlest granddaughter came in to visit at the end of the day and there is just something about babies.  They make everyone smile and smiles are contagious!  Be sure to use your smile today!

Yesterday, as I was writing this blog about trusting my gut...my gut was wondering where my son and granddaughter were.  They were usually home by then and were not.  I thought about them two or three more times after that.  Then my phone rang...the person on the other line was asking me where I was, and why haven't I picked up my granddaughter yet! I could not believe I forgot!  I was embarrassed.  I felt bad for my granddaughter and even worse for the adults who were caring for her an hour past their time. I ran from the house, jumped in the car and was on my way.  Did I mention how awful I felt?  I prayed...Dear God, please let me have 'green' lights all the way.  (That would take 5 minutes off a 20 minute trip!)  Can you believe it...I had green lights all the way there and most of the way back.  My granddaughter and her caretakers survived and all is well. I learned, never to forget my kids...or grandkids.  I hope my son...

I am the technology director at a large Catholic parish and school.  I try to keep my network simple and functional, while providing the parishioners with what they need. Today, while trying to increase wifi access near the sanctuary, I somehow lost connection to...Emmaus.  This caused me to remember the story from Luke 24. Jesus said:  Oh foolish ones, how slow of heart to believe...  Have you ever questioned your faith? (I hope so.)  Has your 'gut' ever told you to do something but you ignored it --- only to find out later that you should've listened to it? I like to think that everyday, I'm given the chance to grow more into the woman I am meant to be.  I am lucky to be able to trust my gut...at least in areas of technology, which allows me to do good work at my job.  I find that I don't question my faith as much as I question my religious beliefs.  I believe that asking questions, stumbling, and making mistakes is all part of growing....

I heard  Crystal Bowersox's  Holy Toledo song today during my cardio workout at the YMCA. The chorus: How do I get to heaven from here, is still playing in my head. Haven't we all wondered about heaven?  In Matthew 19-24, Jesus tells us how hard it is to get in.  I too have wondered: will I go to heaven?  I think that I'm a good person. And I remember learning about good works in my Catholic education. The song, Holy Toledo,  also mentions this in the 1st verse: "I know I should do something good." So now I ponder...is the world a better place because I'm in it?  Did I make someone's life easier?  Did I laugh with , listen to , or share with another? What good have I done today?  What good have you done?