Wordless Wednesday

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A Season for Wise Management

There’s an opportune time to do things, 

a right time for everything on the earth:

...A right time to plant and another to reap.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 

Kyle, March 2014

It's baseball season.  That means there is daily practices, weekend field work days, and at least 3 evening games a week.  Last night, Kyle got home from practice just in time for dinner, and announced that he had "tons" of homework this week.  So, on his one night at home this week, he locked himself away in his room to work on a 3-5 page paper and some calculus homework.  He took advantage of the time he had to squeeze in work that isn't even due until Friday.  I'm impressed.

Balancing work and play, planning ahead, and being disciplined are sometimes things others don't learn until they are adults.  I still find that its hard to always make the right choices.  I'm proud of my boy, but pray that as baseball season gets busier and busier, he can maintain his energy to do everything well.  

So far, he's my all-star player!

Lord, each day is a gift, and I pray that Alyssa and Kyle can use each minute and hour in the best ways they can.  Help them both to discern when it's best to work or play, and figure out whats expected of them ahead of time.  When it's time for them to rest, I pray that their bodies and minds are refreshed, and when it's time to work, that they do it to the best of their abilities.  Lord, in this busy season, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle do their best and are rewarded for their hard work.

With All Your Might

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Today, a new semester begins for Kyle.  He closed out the last semester with a 4.2 GPA and we are so proud of him. I pray that he works as hard this semester!

Work at it with all your might, Kyle!

Lord, as the new week and semester begins, push Kyle to be and do his best.  Instill in him a strong work ethic and remind him that you are pleased with his efforts.  Help Kyle to see the rewards of working hard and being disciplined in every area of his life.  Thank you, Father, for such a precious son.  You have made him smart, able, and confident and they are all gifts that will bring him success. 


 

An Additional "Thankful Thursday"

A text conversation with Kyle today...

Yeah God!!

 

Thankful Thursday

"I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!"  Deuteronomy 32:3

This week Kyle was invited to the Sweethearts Dance.

*  Kyle attended a big baseball camp this last weekend. He spent almost 30 hours in four days being taught, stretched, and observed.

*  We are 3/4 the way through finals week and Kyle's done a great job!  Tuesday, he got a 87% on his calculus final and ended the semester with 95%.  By tomorrow, we may just be able to celebrate a straight "A" semester!  Yahoo for Kyle!

*  A facetime call from Lyss was a treat.  It's good to see her happy and enjoying her new apartment and new semester.  Ken's headed today to see her...so jealous.

*  Ken would like to add that the Denver Broncos won and are going to the Superbowl.  I had two very happy boys in my house on Sunday!

 It's been a blessed week!

Thank you, Lord, for your continual presence and work in our lives.  You shower us with blessing and I delight in the ways I see you.  I love you, precious Savior!

And just on a funny note...Mac thinks this is a pretty great toy! (not a great picture because he kept moving!  Ha!)

Finals Week!

"Listen to instruction and do your best to learn."  Proverbs 23:12 (CEV)

Kyle (2009)

It's finals week around here!  Today is a test in calculus and Kyle's been studying hard.  I pray that whatever he's learned over the last semester, and all that he has studied this weekend, can be applied to his big tests this week.

Kyle's been doing his best to learn and we're sure proud of him!

Lord, I pray for Kyle today.  Help him to apply the things he has learned and keep his head on straight when the questions seem hard.  You have made Kyle smart and gifted and he can do much with you by his side.  Give Kyle success as he works hard this week, dear Jesus!

 

End of Semester Finals

"I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens."  Ecclesiastes 1:13

Let the end-of-semester finals begin. 

This week both Alyssa and Kyle need to have "minds of steel" as they study and take these tests that challenge what they've learned this semester.  I pray that they can easily bring to mind the things that they have been learned so far in the school year..

Applying their smarts is what they will need in the coming days for sure!

Lord, you have given Alyssa and Kyle strong minds and the ability to become wise with knowledge and experiences.   Please help them to apply their minds whenever they are called to.  You have made them intelligent, but may they use those smarts to serve you in amazing ways.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle always give you the glory, for the things they have learned, and for how they have used the things you have taught them.  Lord, thank you for being with our children when the tasks seem hard and overwhelming.  Be Alyssa and Kyle's strength through each test this week, especially when they'd much rather be thinking of Christmas break. 
 

Praying for Our Teachers

Another school week begins!  Ready, set, go!  It's a good day to pray for the teachers that influence our kid's lives.  Below is a list of suggestions from Mom's In Prayer International.

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Pray for the teachers at your school

That they will consider each child as a special individual—not just as “their class” or “their job”; that they will have a zeal to make a difference for good in each life

That they will not grow weary in well doing, particularly near the end of the year; that their commitment to excellence and discipline will not wane

That God will prepare the teachers’ hearts for good relationships with your children

That positions at your school will be filled by men and women with godly principles
and values

That those teachers going through difficult personal problems will seek God

That Christian teachers will be salt and light, demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit in
their lives

That substitute teachers will be able to control classrooms and be a welcome and positive influence in your school.


Lord, I pray that this is a wonderful week of learning for Alyssa and Kyle.  I pray for the teachers that you have placed in their lives and ask that you watch over their influence and relationships.  May Alyssa and Kyle's teachers not grow weary in doing good, but continue to press on and use the gifts you have given them to teach.  Our schools and teachers are a gift from you and I give you thanks for each teacher you have placed in my kids lives.  Today, may learning be abundant and rich in Alyssa and Kyle's lives!

 

A New Week Begins

 But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned 

 the flames will not set you ablaze. 

For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

Isaiah 43:1-3

Lord, be with Alyssa and Kyle today as they begin a new school week.  Be close to them at school as they struggle through hard lessons and are slow to understand.  Help them to ask questions, work through questions, and work hard in doing their work.  Be present with Alyssa and Kyle, Lord, as they face interactions of all kinds.  Be in their words, thoughts, and actions.  Bring people into their worlds who give encouragement, hope, and wisdom.  Whatever your plan is for Alyssa and Kyle this week, we trust you and look for your abiding presence.  

 

Do Your Best

"Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work.” Colossians 3:22-25 (The Message)

It's Monday...let the school week begin!

I'm praying that my kids work hard and do their best.

Here's to a a great week!

Lord, I thank you for our dear children, and the work you are doing in their lives.  You are good, and I trust you to continue to carry onto completion the adults you are wanting them to be.  Teach Alyssa and Kyle to do what they are told by their earthly masters...parents and teachers alike. I pray that they don't just do the minimum that will get them by, but that they will do their best. May they work from the heart for their real Master, you God, confident that they'll get paid in full when they come into your inheritance. I pray that Alyssa and Kyle always keep in mind that the ultimate Master they are serving is You, and that the sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Oh Lord, being a follower of you doesn't cover up bad work.  Today is Monday, and I pray that it's the beginning of a wonderful week.  Thank you, Lord, for hearing my prayer!
 

Just Another Monday

"Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge."  Proverbs 23:12

Another school week is about to begin. 

Tests,
lectures,
papers,
quizzes,
and dialogs!

Ready or not, here it comes! 

Lord, go before Alyssa and Kyle as they head off to school today. Watch over their every step and guide their decisions.  As they listen to teachers, help them to apply their hearts to instruction and tune their ears to wisdom.  Help Alyssa and Kyle to find joy in the things they are learning, and find it useful to who they want to become in the future.  Put teachers in their path to encourage and build them up, helping them to fall in love with learning.  This is the beginning of a new week and I pray it's a good one from beginning to end.  Amen!

 

A New School Year Begins

I'mmmmmmmmm baaaaaaaaaaaaack!  Let the school year begin. It's time to get on my knees in prayer! 

Today, my son walks through the school doors as a Junior in high school.  I remember his first day of kindergarten like it was just yesterday (sniff-sniff), with his little back pack, new red t-shirt, and all the school supplies a 5 year old could ever need.  Today, he's got his car keys, a new binder, and fancy mechanical pencil.  Still, no matter the age difference, I am praying for God to be with Kyle on his first day of school!

Dear Precious Savior,
Thank you for the new school year that is about to begin.
Thank you for teachers who have made preparations.
Thank you for new classes,
amazing things to learn,
opportunities to grow,
friends that will challenge and encourage,
and for the surprises along thew way.

Keep Kyle safe from home to school and back again.
Walk beside him as he drives into the school parking lot ready to face the day.
Use your calming presence to instill in him 
strength, 
confidence, 
and courage
to work hard,
make wise choices,
and find you in the daily-ness of being a student.

When Kyle has doubts, may he seek your face.
And when he walks in fear, I pray that he calls to you,
and hears your voice giving him assurance.

I pray, dear Jesus, that school gives Kyle
the practical wisdom he needs for life,
the discipline to be a successful man,
and the training to do whatever it is you've made him to do.

Lord, today is the first day of an important year, 
and I ask that you keep Kyle safely protected in your hands. 

Amen.

 

Exam Central

"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."  Proverbs 14:23

It's the last week of school for Kyle...
and finals are in full swing. 

What more could I say?

Lord,be with each student as they work hard and finish off this school year.  Help Kyle to learn that hard work brings a profit and will give him success, pride and confidence for the future.  Today, when it's easy to procrastinate or get discouraged, I pray that you strengthen up Kyle and give him the courage to work hard and do his best.  Thank you, for the success and learning that has been found this school year.  To you be the praise and glory!

 
 

Monday's Misery or Majesty?

"Do not be anxious about anything..."  Philippians 4:6a

Kyle's first day of school (2008).

It's Monday.  The beginning of a new school week is upon us. 
Tests.
Papers.
Relationships.
Homework.
So many expectations some weeks.

"But in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  Philippians 4:6b

Anxious moments give opportunities to pray and seek Him.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:7

Peace.
Patience.
Trust.
Strength.
Joy.

School doesn't have to be all that bad!  I'm praying for Alyssa and Kyle to have a blessed week!

Lord, we welcome a new week and all that it holds.  School has the opportunity to be stressful and crazy, but it also can hold joy and delight.  Open Kyle's mind (Alyssa is on summer break as of today) to the gift of learning.  May he strive to do his best and find great satisfaction in all his work, and in moments of anxiousness, come to you in prayer.  You, precious Savior, walk with Alyssa and Kyle day by day and I pray that they meet you in their comings and goings and enjoy your peace that passes all understanding.  Thank you for this Monday, and for a new week of learning. 

 

Praying for our Teachers

Alyssa and her teacher (2006)

God of Love--Thank you for every teacher who notices a child's special gift. Thank you for teachers who are listeners and gentle guides. Thank you for teachers who expect much and love enough to demand more. Thank you for the special teacher each one of us remembers.

God of Mercy--Sustain teachers who give everything they have and feel abandoned when society expects too much. Strengthen teachers who assume the blame for so many problems beyond their control. Help exhausted teachers rest.

God of Strength--Encourage teachers to care and inspire them to nourish. Motivate teachers to keep on learning for the fun of it and to make learning fun for children.

We wonder at teachers who know how to quiet a class of five-year-olds or help fourth grade girls be empathetic. We admire teachers who enjoy middle school writers, or teach physics or math or civics. We cannot even imagine how to help every single student achieve adequate yearly progress. Bless the people who are expected to accomplish these miracles and who know how to comfort children when miracles don't happen.

God of Justice--help our nation find a way to steward our vast wealth to support teachers in their special calling, wherever they teach and whatever the race or religion or gender or wealth of the children.
 
We pray these things in the name of our great Teacher, Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Spring Break is Over

"Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them."  Daniel 10:12

Spring break has come to a close.  I don't know who is more sad, my kids or myself.  It's been a great week of hanging together and taking life a little bit slower.  Kyle's done a little fishing (picture above from Easter afternoon), we've slept in a little, went to a movie, U-Swirl (frozen yogurt), and watched a few baseball games.  It's been a pretty good week, I must say.

But school starts back tomorrow.  Lyssa has one more month of college and Kyle two more months of his sophomore year.  My prayer is that as they head back to "work" they will set their minds to gain understanding in all their learning.  It's easy to let spring take hold of our minds and we start going slack in our efforts.  It will take discipline and determination!  Go, kids, go!

Alyssa and Kyle, I pray that you go back to school and finish this year well!

Lord, you have blessed us with a week of rest and time together.  My heart is full of thanksgiving.  Today, my kids go back to the work of learning.  Be with them in their comings and goings, precious Savior.  Help Alyssa and Kyle set their mind to gain understanding as they enter the classroom.  Give them the courage and ambition to work hard, do well, and learn all that they can in the coming weeks.  Learning is a gift from you and I pray that Alyssa and Kyle find great joy from gaining wisdom!  Thank you, Lord, for hearing my prayer!

 

Back to School Day

 Kyle's (3rd from the right) first grade friends (2004)

A Student's Prayer

by St. Thomas Aquinas 

Creator of all things,
true source of light and wisdom,
origin of all being,
graciously let a ray of your light penetrate
the darkness of my understanding.

Take from me the double darkness
in which I have been born,
an obscurity of sin and ignorance. 

Give me a keen understanding,
a retentive memory, and
the ability to grasp things
correctly and fundamentally. 

Grant me the talent
of being exact in my explanations
and the ability to express myself
with thoroughness and charm.

Point out the beginning,
direct the progress,
and help in the completion.

I ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

Back to School

"Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you."  Proverbs 4:6

Christmas break came and went way too quickly this year.  On January 2, Kyle was out the door to school at 5:45 am to start the day with a baseball workout, and then  returned home at 4:30 pm after a second workout.  School came too early in more than one way. 

I'm praying that today is filled with joy as Kyle attends school.  Though he is grumbling at the schedule that comes with being back to school (especially with his college aged sister still hanging out for another week and is sleeping in), I am hoping that God does a change in his heart and that he finds an unusual excitement as he gets back into the swing of things.

I want my kids to find a love for learning, and have something spark a great interest that may even lead them into the future God has planned just for them.  Learning, wisdom, and a good education can bring a lot of work, but it can also bring abundant joy.

May it be so today...even though it means our Christmas break has come to an end.

Lord, your wisdom is of greatest worth, and I pray that my kids will always grow in the knowledge of you.  At the same time, may they find great joy in gaining knowledge at school, and in their reading, writing, history class, and even math.  May they find classes that ignite their passion for learning, and teachers that encourage them to strive better and deeper in their classes.  Today, Kyle will need strength to get back into the swing of routine.  Lord, be with Kyle in every moment, reminding him that you are God, and you have made him for this day, and this day for him!  Thank you, dear Father.

 

Apply that Mind, Kid!

"I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens."  Ecclesiastes 1:13

Let the college finals begin. 

My prayer for this week is that my dear daughter will remember, and can easily bring to mind, the things that she has been learning these last few months in her classes. Applying her mind will be the ticket for sure (and maybe a good nights sleep...ha!).

Lord, you have given our kids strong minds and the ability to become wise with knowledge and experiences.  You deserve all the praise and thanks for their lives.  Please help them to apply their minds whenever they are called to and fall in love with learning.  You have made them intelligent, but may they use those smarts to serve you in amazing ways.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle always give you the glory, for the things they have learned, and for how they have used the things you have taught them.  Lord, thank you for being with our children when the tasks seem hard and overwhelming.  Especially be Alyssa's strength, help, and wisdom this week as she takes finals.

 

School Days

 Kyle's (3rd from the right) first grade friends 2004

A Student's Prayer

by St. Thomas Aquinas 

Creator of all things,
true source of light and wisdom,
origin of all being,
graciously let a ray of your light penetrate
the darkness of my understanding.

Take from me the double darkness
in which I have been born,
an obscurity of sin and ignorance. 

Give me a keen understanding,
a retentive memory, and
the ability to grasp things
correctly and fundamentally. 

Grant me the talent
of being exact in my explanations
and the ability to express myself
with thoroughness and charm.

Point out the beginning,
direct the progress,
and help in the completion.

I ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.