Blessings, Basketball, and Birthdays

Well, to start I want to say how grateful I am to have such wonderful friends and family. I have felt loved and appreciated by so many this year. As for the reference to basketball, I was able to go with several of my students and players from my team to an ODU girls' game today. It was lots of fun and a good memory for a birthday.

Finally, I would like to wish two special people a very Happy Birthday today.

My grandmother had a birthday today too. I love being able to share a birthday with her. Sadly, she lives in TX so we usually can't share it in person. She is the sweetest lady and a wonderful grandmother. I love you, Mema!

The other birthday wish is for my dear friend Sommer. I wish her many blessings in the coming year. Happy Birthday, Friend! I miss you!

Aging...almost gracefully

I saw this quote and wanted to share it, partly because I love Lucy and partly because getting older has been on my mind a bit more as the end of this month approaches.

The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age. Lucille Ball

I doubt I'm the only one who becomes introspective because of birthdays. This year's isn't a milestone by any means, yet it does bring me that much closer to one. So I start dwelling on the choices I've made and, of course, on my future plans too. Am I where I expected I'd be at this point in my life? To be honest, no, but then again my ways are not His ways. I have realized though more so than ever how precious time is. The years do go by faster as you get older.

So here's to birthdays and the reminder that they bring.

A Presidential Respite

I've never been more thankful that Washington and Lincoln were born in February. We have Monday off for President's day, and I am so excited that I'll be able to sleep in! It is that point in the school year where the students (AND teachers) are so weary of school but spring break is still a month a way, which of course feels like it's a year away. Thankfully we have this weekend to catch up a bit in order to stick it out until April.

Not only will we have a break on Monday, but after tomorrow I'll be done with basketball season. Yes, of course I love coaching but having back my Saturdays and afternoons will be nice. Things have been hard to juggle.

To celebrate this new freedom in my schedule I'm going car shopping. The one I've been driving has finally started giving out. I could put more money in it and keep it on the road, but I'd rather just put the money toward a newer car with fewer problems to worry about. So be looking for pictures of my new ride sometime in the near future.

Happy President's Day! I know I'm happy!

Hymn Meditations

I Could Not Do Without Thee
Frances Havergal, 1873

I could not do without Thee
O Savior of the lost,
Whose precious blood redeemed me
At such tremendous cost.
Thy righteousness, thy pardon
Thy precious blood, must be
My only hope and comfort,
My glory and my plea.

I could not do without Thee,
I cannot stand alone,
I have no strength or goodness,
No wisdom of my own;
But Thou, beloved Savior,
Art all in all to me,
And weakness will be power
If leaning hard on Thee.

I could not do without Thee,
For, oh, the way is long,
And I am often weary,
And sigh replaces song:
How could I do without Thee?
I do not know the way;
Thou knowest, and Thou leadest,
And wilt not let me stray.

I could not do without Thee,
O Jesus, Savior dear;
E’en when my eyes are holden,
I know that Thou art near.
How dreary and how lonely
This changeful life would be,
Without the sweet communion,
The secret rest with Thee!

I could not do without Thee;
No other friend can read
The spirit’s strange deep longings,
Interpreting its need;
No human heart could enter
Each dim recess of mine,
And soothe, and hush, and calm it,
O blessèd Lord, but Thine.

I could not do without Thee,
For years are fleeting fast,
And soon in solemn loneness
The river must be passed;
But Thou wilt never leave me,
And though the waves roll high,
I know Thou wilt be near me,
And whisper, “It is I.”