Memory Making

If you have read more than one of my posts, you now at least know some of my present.  This blog will flash back a little bit, to about 1996.  That is the year that J was born.  At the time, I was teaching at Matthews Elementary School.  I had a lovely class of 2nd-5th graders. My own class taught in a portable and decorated my way.  (If you are reading this as a public school teacher you will know this isn't the case so much any more for Special Ed). Talk about variety. Lesson planning was a challenge for sure.

I taught at Matthews for two years until the hubs and I decided it would be beneficial to our two boys if I stayed at  home with them.  I still loved my job.  This change was something we felt called to do.  At the time, hubs was a teacher as well, so the salary thing was going to be an issue.  I had to find something to supplement, and I chose Creative Memories consultant.  Scrapbooking was already a hobby, and it was about to be a career (of sorts). 

My days as a CM consultant lasted 3 years. I made a little bit, but we also had some extra money from my retirement fund.  It turned out to be a bit more lucrative for me to work part time at a day care and take my boys with me.  A win-win.  I got paid to be around the kiddos.

Even though the consultant career was a wash, the hobby never left.  I still scrapbook to this day, the old fashioned way, the 90's way.  Die cuts and stickers and pretty colored paper, and photos cropped with scissors instead of Photo Shop.  I write on my pages in my own handwriting and use acid free pens of course. 

I tried digital scrapbooking.  I even have two digital books printed out.  At a recent Creative Memories event, I won software for digital scrapping.  I loaded it up.  I tried it out and even made some pretty cute pages.  There is only one problem.  Since I have been doing this since 1995, most of my books are not digital.  In fact, there are twenty-five of them.  When I made my cute digital pages, I realized that they belong in  a scrapbook that I am only halfway through.  I can't switch in the middle, ya know.  That just wouldn't work.  So I am sticking with the slow method some might call it, or the twentieth century method.  It isn't easy.  I used to be able to go to "Crops" once a month.  Attendance has dwindled so much that now those are only offered twice  a year, and this year the date is NHS homecoming.  I won't make that one.  So I keep my supplies set up in my room and do a page (or ten) when I have the chance.  It isn't the same as competing with fellow scrappers to get pages done but it works.

I finished Scott's books this summer.  Though I may have a handful of pictures to add, I am finished with his books.  They chronicle his school years from Kindergarten through Twelfth.  I wrapped them and handed them over.  I sort of expected him to spend hours pouring through them but he didn't.  Maybe because except for the 9th-12th book they have been sitting in the house for perusal anytime.  :-).  I did get a hearty thank you.  It felt really great to finish them.  Now I will have more time for James (I'm currently at 6th grade)  and Hannah (I think I am at 2nd grade).  Not to mention countless vacations.  I'll stay busy.  I'll stay entertained.  I'll have the memories.  I'll have Hobby Lobby close by.  I'll have my consultant to order scrapbooks from.  I'll be happy. 

Empty Spaces and Amazing Grace

I think the mist has finally cleared from my eyes enough to complete this post.  Most of you who might be reading this already know that I/we took this guy to begin his Freshman year at Auburn University on Saturday. 

This event is by far one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  Our family is very tight knit.  I  teach school at the same high school Scott graduated from.  I always knew where he was going, and even what was on the lunch menu for the day.  I've been involved in our church youth events enough to know what was going on at church as well. 

Guess what?  He went to/visited  a new church on Sunday.  I had to ask what he had for lunch.  I have only met his room mate for about 30 minutes.    I certainly hope I never have to meet any of his teachers :-).   Control lost.

There is an empty bedroom in the house.  There is an empty chair at the family dinner table.  There is an empty parking spot in front of the house.  In six days there will be an empty seat in the van because yes, Scott enjoyed riding to school with me.  There is an empty chair in our row at church.  Emptiness.  There is an empty space in my heart. 

The physical spaces will remain empty; however, God can fill the space in my heart.  Amazing Grace.  It is our song of renewal this month at church.  I couldn't sing it Sunday...too many tears.  Guess what else...Chris Tomlin's version  (of Amazing Grace) was on the radio as I drove home.  More tears.  Sheesh.

So what does Amazing Grace have to do with Scott beginning a new chapter of life as some have called it?    Comfort.  Peace.  Joy.  Fullness.  A reminder of what God did for me.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.
The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.

My job is almost complete. I say almost because there will be visits...and many discussions yet to come I'm sure.   Lowell and I have trained Scott.  He belongs to God.  My influence is fading.  Only God's remains.  Control lost.  What an awesome thought. 


I'll close with a link to Chris Tomlin's Amazing Grace. 

By Bread Alone

Matthew 4:4  Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Deuteronomy 8:3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.


Last week our church youth went on a local mission trip to Lincoln Village in Huntsville, AL.  The Village has quite a story, and you can check it out here.  I was most affected, however, by our time at the Manna House soup kitchen. 
I'm not quite sure what I expected.  Well, take that back.  I envisioned all of us standing behind a counter pouring soup into a bowl with a smile on our faces and offering a hot meal.  I figured we would help make the soup before hand.  After all, we were to volunteer from 3PM-7PM. 

I found nothing like that.  No soup anywhere.  Instead fresh produce, fresh eggs, sandwiches made with care, sweet breakfast treats, bagels, and desserts.  Even cat food and dog food by request for the family pet.

It was about to storm when we arrived.  Faye, bless her heart, was so concerned that those who came would have to stand in the rain that she put us to work immediately clearing a place inside for everyone to stand in line.  It was a short downpour, but almost everyone made it inside.  Men and women made their way through an assembly line.  They were given fresh fruit and vegetables, clothing if needed, sandwiches (balogna or peanut butter), and sweets for dessert.  About four of our girls spent their time cutting cakes and putting them on plates to serve.  They were nasty and sticky messes when they finished.  I spent my time bagging bread and bagels. 

For roughly 3 hours, the bread supply just kept coming.  I know some of it was from Panera, and some from The Mill Bakery in Huntsville, but just as soon as I thought surely there is no more bread, I was given another bag of bagels to sort through and individually bag.  Three young men from Huntsville High School were also helping me.  Problem is they got it wrong.  They were mixing the loaves of bread in with the bagels.  A lovely lady tried so hard to explain to them their mistake.  She was mute.  Yes, that is right.  She used only her hands to try to explain to us our mistake.  I finally got what she was telling us.  I don't even know her name, but I was so touched by her hard work.  Obviously needy herself, she was giving her time at Manna House.  I could tell she had been there many times before.  She knew exactly what to do.  God Bless her!!!

Because I was working with the bread, the verse "Man can not live by bread alone" kept popping into my head.  At the end of the assembly line for food, a few volunteers were praying with individuals before they left the kitchen.  I listened in on  a few prayers.  God, please continue to bless (insert name)'s family.  Thank you for providing for them today.  Please help (insert name) to find a job.  Thank you for providing Jesus as our savior.  And so on.  That completes the verse; "but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."  Matthew 4:4

After standing for four hours in not the most comfortable shoes, I was sore.  I thought surely I would sleep soundly that night, but my muscles were aching.  The volunteers at Manna House do this three nights a week.  They feed about 2000.  I am not sure if that is daily or weekly, but it is amazing. 

Thank you, volunteers of Manna House, for your ministry.  I hope to visit our local soup kitchen soon.