Snowy Days and Monday Always Get Me...OUT OF SCHOOL!

Addie is in her "Crash Test Dummy" mode!

 With nothing on the ground when I went to bed, I was pleasantly surprised to find 3" of fresh powder on the ground when Tom woke me up at 3:00 AM to "show me the snow."  I promptly went back to sleep and remained that way until the wild things pounced on me about 7:45. 

The day was spent procrastinating, eating, sledding, and laughing, and a good time was had by all.

Tonight, Drew is in Chattanooga with a FOOT of snow.  Chelcie is hanging out at her home away from home, being an "independent woman," and Addie and Sam are cheering on the Ducks with our best Alaskan friends and soccer buddies.

As for me and my two husbands, we just devoured some scrumptious spaghetti, fresh bread, and are settled in for a little BCS Championship Football Game:  Ducks vs. Tigers. 

Not exactly the most fascinating post of my blogging career, but it's about the journey anyway, right?

Don't be fooled.  Sam is up to no good!

Only two of 'em are mine...well, three in all.  The tall one's mine too.

Missing Part II

As this day winds down, I am so grateful that I didn't miss this email from Sam's PE teacher.  It speaks for itself.  Thank you, Lord again and some more!!!

Hi Amy !

It's Roie Talley from Lotts !  I just wanted to send you a little note to say what a fine young man Sam is !  He has ALWAYS been a perfect gentleman, a great kid, and a friendly & kind boy.....but today he really shined !!!!

We were playing a game in PE and at one point during the game, both Sam and another boy on his team had a goal scored against them that I didn't notice.  They both came up to me and admitted that the goal was scored on THEIR team, not the other team, knowing that this goal would put their team behind.  HOW'S THAT FOR HONESTY !!???!!??

I was SO proud of the 2 of them that I stopped the game & let the other children know that these boys were a wonderful example to follow.  We rewarded them with a little sticker, and WOW it really snowballed.  The other kids started playing fair & being totally honest....a teacher's dream-come-true!

When he gets home, please give him an extra hug, and one from me too !  We are so proud of him.  You & your husband have really raised some great kids!!!!  Keep up the good work !

Hope this made your day, as Sam made mine !

Missing

Have you ever thought much about that word?  Missing.  It is one powerful little word.  It can bring to mind all sorts of connotations.  Missing what?  Missing home?  Missing someone special?  Missing a foul shot?  Missing piece to a puzzle?  In the fabulous book I'm reading right now (Cutting for Stone), Missing is the name of a hospital in Ethiopia, the setting for the story.   I hope I don't miss the point.

Tonight, I find myself missing my friend Rick Campbell who passed away this afternoon.  In tribute to Rick, I have to share the impact that he had on me.  Back in 2001, just after Addie was born, we started visiting a new church called WestLake that was meeting in the gym at Lotts Elementary School.  Tom and the pastor had hit it off when they chaperoned a fourth grade field trip to a Smokeys' baseball game.Chelcie and the pastor daughter, Ashley, were good friends in Ms. Crossley's 4th grade class.

Pastor Rick aka "Ashley's dad" soon became a regular fixture in my life.  He needed someone to run the children's ministry in this new church and he was convinced that I was the one to take on the challenge.  No way it's for me, I told him repeatedly, but he would not take no for an answer.  Finally, the Holy Spirit of God, speaking through Rick Campbell, convinced me that leading this ministry was something I needed to do.  I accepted the position while protesting and declaring loudly that I was not "a church worker!" and "you don't even know me!"  etc., etc. Persistent doesn't even come close to describing Rick's boisterous and jovial personality.  He would not quit.

My three years at WestLake were filled with challenge, heartbreak, celebration, and the cultivation of many treasured friendships.  When a church "train wreck" occurred that led Rick and his family away from WestLake, I stayed to help pick up the pieces, but it never felt the same.  No one was as transparent with me as Rick had been.  No one poured spiritual truths into my life the way Rick had.  No one put his hand on my shoulder and told me that God had a plan to use me in a powerful way like Rick did.

And I miss him.  I miss the fact that there are so many people in the world today who need those words whispered (or shouted) into their ears - people are aimlessly meandering through their days as their days turn into weeks; the weeks to months; months to years.  Before they know it, they look around and life has passed them by.  This will NOT happen to me!  In honor of people like Rick who invested themselves in me, I owe it to him and others to invest MYSELF in the lives of others.  This is an opportunity I will not be "missing."

Ummm, missing.  I hope the meteorologists aren't missing the forecast for tonight because that would disappoint a lot of east Tennessee students and teachers.  Sorry, parents, it doesn't sound like you'll be missing your kids tomorrow 'cause they should be HOME with you!

Tom and I went to the 9PM game last night with Suzanne and Grant.  I've missed her so much! The game was late, but  I didn't miss my sleep (got an hour late this morning - Thanks Dr. Mc!)  AND the VOLS didn't miss many three pointers! They dominated!

Our seats were fabulous!  We were worried we might miss the tip-off, but we arrived just in time! 

I miss SUMMER!

These are my CHAMPIONS!  Boy, did I miss them over the long break!  They said they missed me too.

I wonder if my birds have missed having their feeder full...

Here are the champions preparing snowballs to throw at each other.  Thankfully, most of them missed!

Can ANY teacher forbid children from enjoying the snow?  (I love the two kids who have BOTH hands lifted in the air) - Don't miss these moments.

My pictures tonight have a theme.  Missing.  Surprised, aren't you, beloved reader?

The Heavenly Pillow Fight

My backyard, January 5, 2011 - Counting my blessings!

This is Grandmom and Papaw's house - just a few doors up the street - another blessing!

Not a great day for a picnic, but our Christmas tree seems right at home.

I love the contrasting colors in this picture!

This is what I found when I arrived home from school today.  Three kids hiding in the closet - So wonderful to hear the laughter of 3/4 of my kids (Drew was working) There are three of 'em under there.. Look closely!

Back porch

Front porch

Reach (Up) to Teach Them in 2011

Dreaming Big in 2011 - Five Goals and Ideas for Building a Dream
 
1. I know that God created me for a specific reason.  He has a purpose and a plan designed especially for me.  I feel pretty sure I know what His calling for me is, but I don't know exactly what it will look like when He's finished with me.  Jeremiah 29:11 promises me that "God knows the plans He has for AMY CRAWFORD, plans to prosper AMY CRAWFORD, and not to harm AMY CRAWFORD - Plans to give AMY CRAWFORD a hope and a future..."   Yee-haw!  That verse alone gets be fired up and ready to run into the game without spending time on the practice field.  God is getting me ready.  He uses challenges, difficulties, and even unexpected blessings to prepare me for what He's got in store for me.  I will take comfort in knowing that I am a tool in His hand.  I will seek and follow His leading in my life. 

2. In 2011, I'm going to look for divine appointments.  I will listen with ears that EXPECT to hear that "still, small voice" and I will see with eyes that LOOK for opportunities to serve Him.  This verse from one of my favorite praise songs sums it up:

These hands are yours (These hands don't need to be spending time on Facebook)
Teach them to serve (Opportunities are everywhere!)
As you please and I'll reach out (When I reach out, I will push my limits so that the greatest of God will be revealed)
Desperate to see all the greatness of God (I AM desperate to see all the greatness of God)
May my soul rest assured in you (No need to worry, stress, or be anxious.  It's not about me anyway)

And so, in 2011, I am desperate to see all the greatness of God each and every day!   

3. Shhh!  I will be a quiet servant, not calling attention to myself and as a result, I will experience joy and fulfillment like I've never known!
Start each day with other people in mind.  Lose the selfishness.  Live out Mark 9:35 "Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”  
 
4. At least once a week, I will take stock of things that I am grateful for in my life.  I will develop at "attitude of gratitude" and because I have tangible proof that God's "got my back" my faith will increase, fear will diminish, and I will be able to look back and see that God is at work in my life.

5.  Putting off action is killing my dreams.  Reach Them to Teach Them is not in the place it needs to be due to my procrastinatic (yes, that's my made-up word) leadership style.  I am the founder and director of an incredible organization that is staffed by talented, gifted, and very busy volunteers who have many options when it comes to volunteering their time, and yet, they've deemed our dream worthy.  With this position comes a responsibility for me to step up and take action TODAY, not tomorrow, not when I feel like it...NOW!  My first step begins now with small steps toward the mountain.  I know that if I keep taking those small steps and others come along beside me, and I commit our decisions and direction to fervent prayer, then God Himself will direct our paths.  SO...here we go!  2011 is the year for me to take giant steps of faith by taking small steps right now.  My hand is reaching up for Yours, Daddy....Lead me where You'd have me go.

Goal Setting vs. Resolutions

I hate failure.  I detest the feeling that I could have, but didn't.  For this reason, I've determined NOT to set resolutions, but rather goals.  Goals are targets.  Things you shoot for-just ask Addie, my little soccer star.  I will set my 2011 goals in the following areas, and I challenge you set some too.  Care to share?

1. spiritual- This can include spending some time in reflective thought, getting involved in a church or Life group, praying, talking to your family about what they believe, etc.

In 2011, I'm going to feed my soul as well as my body.  You'll find me at NorthStar Church on Sunday mornings.  I'll get ready for school by listening (and singing LOUDLY) to some praise music on my way out to the Locker Room, and I'll dig deeper into the "treasure book" that God sent for me. 

2. personal- This can be anything that YOU want to improve about you. Do you want to have more friends? Do you want to get involved in our community? What do you need to do to make that happen?

I want to be bolder.  To fear-LESS.  To chase lions.  To "go for it!" I want to be used up completely in my pursuit of my Savior and I want my "self" to become less and less each and every day. 

3. physical-How do you want to improve or maintain your health? Exercise and diet are obvious areas, but what about what you put into your mind?  Cut down on Cokes.  Walk as much as possible and run a little every now and then.  Keep an eye on that scale so my mid-40's body doesn't take on a life of its own (any more than it already has!)

4. professional- My job is to be an "effective teacher".  What is this exactly and how I can I work toward that end?  Be a student first, a teacher second.  Learn my subject(s) well.  Don't hold back.  If I see a need, don't hesitate, use what I have to meet that need and DO NOT BE LAZY!

5. intellectual- How can you improve your mind? What kinds of things interest you? How can you feed your mind? Read novels, poetry, articles, etc.  Listen to good stuff - podcasts, lectures, sermons, music...Watch.  Pay attention. 

6. relational- Do you want to keep in touch with friends more often?  Do you want to get to know them better? How can you improve your relationships with other people in your life?  Give the best of myself to those that matter most.  Don't put family on the back burner to chase a dream.  Keep family first and trust God to multiply the hours in my day to be more productive in less time.

Say, "Cheeeeesy Pictures!"

This is what happens when you don't use a flash...Dollywood on Wednesday, Dec. 29 with the Keeners!  Brrrrrr!

The Boy Crawfords went to Nashville for The Game.  Love that Sam is wearing his new PJ pants.

Yeah, it's the highlight of my New Year's Eve - A fresh, new, 8 lb. bag of the "good stuff!"

Sam and I are working our way through Book 1 - This is my "Oops! I almost forgot to take my 1st picture of the New Year" picture.  Thanks Addie!

NorthStar Church - January 2, 2011 - The "Bubble" Church

Chelcie, Addie, and I walked/ran (sorta) Lakeshore on Monday, followed by a reward trip to Long's.

Drew and Daddy put up the tire swing.  Sam has a new reading spot.  Just wish it was warmer-Brrrr!

I've committed to taking 365 pictures this year.  A MINIMUM of one picture per day.  No set guidelines.  Just a visual documentation of the day.  Rather than post one picture every day, I'll group them.  Some of them will likely be attempts at creativity.  Others will be attempts at keeping my commitment.  I hope that some of them will capture the "essence" of the day or serve as a sort of time capsule.  Here are my Daily Pictures for December 30-January 3rd.  Say, "Cheeeeeeese!"