In the teacup of life...

Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape

I found this quote and used it for my SS Teacher's Email today....

I really needed it more than them. I have mental plans of what needs to get done each day, each week, sometimes each hour. What really gets done?? What I don't plan on having to get done.

So I can either rant, stew, chew, cuss, and fuss
Or be flexible
Cause it doesn't look like my life is going to change in a snap

(and I am not talking about snap crackle and pop either)

Good news is .....

I am 1/2 way done with what I have to get done for General Conference
My girls left for school with clean clothes on today
Joe the fat Daschund had food and water when I last looked
Tonight John's Jeep gets fixed

See there are four good things in a row
So take that you little organized perfectionist voice in my head

(really I am not nuts you have that voice too)

Love you bloggy buddies!

CN


and BTW the quote did not have on the teacup ride of life...I just like that ride at Disney so I had to add that

So if dogs look like their owners.... Sept 19,07

Am I a 400 lb long hair Daschund?
Or is Joe a ____ lb Pentecostal Diva??

Look at this gallery of people and how they look like their dogs. Who do you hang out with? Changed yet? Have they? Whose moving first? It had better not be you....

I can hang out with whomever I choose
Really?
Checked your attitude lately?
Your spirit?
Has anything rubbed off on you?

Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.




So not only am I the keeper of my heart...
I am the keeper of my children's heart...
That is why they can't just hang out with anyone
Who are you letting into your home?
Who are your influencers?
Who is talking to you on the phone?
Are you becoming negative, hurtful, scornful because of them?

Guard your heart
Guard your precious babies hearts

After all when you release them back to HIM you want them to soar!!

---------------------------

And BTW Peeps I know I am not a Pentecostal Diva....just trying to add some humor to a serious blog

I Cor. 15:52 - Date September 17 2007

KJV
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

One day we are going to be out of here.
You better check your bags and see if you have any baggage that might hold you back...

It's not worth it
That angry thought
That judging spirit
That quick hurtful glance
That unforgiving way

Release it
So that YOU can be released

Cause when HE comes...all I want to leave behind on this earth are my sneakers!

I'm Just Saying- September 15th

I hate it when the announcer on the radio says....

In a world where you think you are safe....you are not
Join us at channel 97 tonight at 11:59 pm
to find out why what you are eating
right now can kill you and your children....

I look from car to car...is anyone else putting down their breakfast bars in fright?
Is it me?
Is it the oatmeal cookie breakfast crumble surprise?
Will it kill me?

I hit the radio-
what else am I supposed to eat in traffic?
A bowl of oatmeal?
A saucer of cream of wheat?

Those that can stay up until 11:59 and watch the news know that it is
a Remote Indian Restaurant in the back side of the dessert who found two roaches walking
outside of the restaurant

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH so I will not die?
I might as well take bacon grease and rub it all over my face...and then eat fatback....
Whew- that was a close call!

Help my 6 year old is reading.... 15 Sep 2007

So It’s 9:09 PM and I am chuckling ever so quietly to myself. I am sitting here at my kitchen table with a zillion things to do…and what am I doing?? I have a HUGE fresh cup of diet coke on my left- and my laptop in front of me. Yes I am blogging.

This has been one of the crazier weeks of my life. Really you say….. crazier than working at a Sardine plant with no arms- Yes I quickly say…and really…..who works at sardine plants anyway…and people with no arms can do a lot now a days.
I have come to realize that it does not matter for the masses (all one of you who reads these blogs) if I have blogged lately but I am missing my free blogging therapy.


MK Ministries
This has been quite a crazy MKM week. WE have been updating our data base- begging people to email yes/no over the pizza bash. Getting new banners made, printing a zillion (that is larger than 200) t-shirts, working on a 30 second commercial for GC, trying to update the website with SOM pictures and blah blah blah you get the point…. I am Up to my hot sticks in work (and my hair has been so nasty lately every piece of hair would stand up and applaud for a little attention).
Movie Review:
In a time where most Pentecostal ladies look their best. UPCI pictures presents “Cylinda Nickel the girl who brought the classy hair-do women to an all time low”. Now showing in Beta and VHS in video stores around the country (all two copies)
My co-workers stand out of their offices when I walk in and say – A pony tail again- Wow let’s move it up a notch Cylinda (okay they really don’t but if they weren’t working so HARD in their offices they would)


The Girls:
Who said believe a six year old when she says she has her homework done…has never lived with Emma. From the time Seanna was born at 2 minutes old she was responsible. She came out of the womb with a daytimer and has organized my life. She would set her own alarm for changing diapers etc… You get the picture (okay before you called the child welfare department that was a little joke-e-joke)…..

So When Seanna says yes….I did my homework…She has done her homework and extra just to be perfect for the next day. Having said that Emma is the exact opposite….So you would think when she says Yes, Momma I did my homework I would run to the hills crying and knowing I would be up all night….but no…sometimes ignoring is my policy. That is until I got the “note” from Emma’s teacher. Please help Emma with her homework. She has 3 diff. things every night she needs to be doing and now she is two weeks behind. Who knew….? Do you mean as a parent you expect me to open my child’s backpack ?. SO We have been catching up on EMMA’S Homework.
Let me tell you- This is not fun. For Emma to read the following sentence- would take 5 minutes
The Dog Ran Fast.

After about 10 minutes of this I was ready to shove a graham cracker in my eye so that I had an excuse to go to the emergency room. I resisted the urge to yell at the top of my lungs- The word is THE …HOW HARD IS IT???? The – Three simple letters. T H E. She stops every two breaths to comment about how cute her friends are….how she loves my outfit…how she didn’t know that I had gold flip flops…

All the while John sits by and laughs and laugh and laughs at my pain. I now understand why he is so eager to do the dishes after dinner so that I can have “QUALITY” time with Emma to do her school work with her.

Please call 911- I am experiencing Grahmcracker-in-the eye-tis!

This person has my heart.Sept 10th

This person...has my Heart...

I love this
How often have your been to a store and they can't help you because they are talking to each other

They are on a personal phone call

They are too busy

Well this person took matters into their own hands

How about you....
Who is waiting on you
Who needs you to look at them while they are speaking
Who needs you to really listen to them
Who needs you to ask questions and really listen to the answers
Who needs your hug
Your assurance
Your ministry
Your annointing
Your passion

But they slipped out of your life because they were tired of waiting on you

God Help me today to focus
Focus on the ones in my life
That just need my attention
Just need a little nod of approval
A quick smile
A ministering word

Don't make them wait
Even if I am tired or hurting or sore or challenged
Help me to always
Serve

DO- September 7th

Caterpillars practice with leaves before they can fly?
Do they see their potential??

Probably not....

Do You? (see your potential - not fly with leaves silly)
God Does
He sees you are how you will be
He applauds you today for tomorrows accomplishments
He is so proud of you he has your picture front and center on his fridge

Hooray it's Friday- From September 7th

What doth hinder me from doing my 1000 things I am behind on???
Nothing
I don't have to work tomorrow
Wait- I do
I have to get Kids Church Ready, Curtains sewn for a puppet stage, Grandparents Day Presentation Done, Deliver literature to teachers, Kids in Prayer Done, Then there is the laundry, the house cleaning, the grocery shopping, going to Target to get supplies....But wait

I
still
don't
have
to
go
to
work


So while I am sitting at my desk
I am doing my happy dance
No commuting for me until Monday

And I just looked out in the parking lot and my car was doing the happy spin as well

Have a great weekend Blog Buddies!!

I will talk to you on Monday!!

"Talkies" "Drainers" and "Life Givers"

Why all the talk and so little communication?

We give each other five second greetings

How are you

Fine

How are you?

Fine

We pray that they don’t say….. well okay

Because that would require further questions, and feigned listening

And then another comment

How are you

Hot outside

Wow can you believe this drought we are going through

New hairdo?

No one cares enough to really listen to your responses anyway

I am amazed by this

True Listeners- are Life Givers:

My father always taught my brother and I to ask questions in conversations.

He made it clear that if we were good listeners the person will walk away going – Wow

She was the most interesting person in the world- when really they were talking about themselves the whole time- people want a safe harbor- a person that they can talk to.

My Pastor’s Wife- Sister Watts- is excellent at bringing out the best in others….

She should be “A Closer”

You know the person that they call into the interrogation room

That can get anyone to talk

She has a knack for making people feel at home- with her-

Do you know why? She actually asks questions and listens- she listens with her eyes, ears, her face, and her expressions.

Some times you are ministering to others- just by listening to them!

While at School of Missions there is a great Missionary that has been friends with John and I and my parents for many years. He has a great way of just letting you exhale in his presence and be yourself. I began to talk to him (after he asked- and really wanted to know) about my burden for MKs. As I began to tell him how the Lord has opened this up in stages- I began to share things with him from my heart that were so dear to me I began to weep as I talked to him. By his listening to me- and being available and genuine concern and openness with me- I heard the words pour out of my heart that I hadn’t even admitted to myself. He brought fresh life to my burden, my calling, my life- by actually having an interest in listening to me.

Talkies:

There is a category of people I call talkies- People that just want to talk and talk and talk and don’t stop for air….

This happens quite a bit at a church setting-in fact I just was observing this recently…

One lady is being caught by a “talkie”

Another one trying to run away from a “talkie”

In fact if I have a watch on you can time the “talkie”

Because they don’t realize the glazed over look in other peoples eyes mean they checked out of the conversation a long time ago- that they are frantically look for anyone to make eye contact with to break free!

Drainers:

Unfortunately in this world there are also people who I call drainers…

People that will zap the life out of you

It is all about them talking, talking, and talking

About you listening, listening, listening

They walk away feeling light as a feather because they have dumped all of their issues on you-and you have already heard that same story 4 times J

Guard your time

You only have one life

Drainers want to fill it with their words

In teaching a class recently I was telling them- it takes so little to be above average-

To be a good listener

To care for others

To send a note of concern

To give an encouraging smile

To open up you heart to others- even when you may get rejected

Your Choice:

So today it is your choice…are you going to be a “talkie” a “drainer” or a life giver? A true listener inspires others to new heights in the Lord. A life giver encourages others burdens, dreams, visions, and lets them know that they can make it, they can do it.

Some of you have been crying out for the Lord to use you in a mighty way. Start where you are- invest in others. Investing is coming along side a person and saying I believe in this vision and I believe in you- I can’t wait to see what doors the LORD is going to continue to open up in you! As you do this- you will see the Lord bringing you into a new plain. A place that HE has desired to be with you- to sup. Because listening is a concentration- an effort…but a true listener also knows the voice, the whispering, and the calling of the Lord in their life! So today- Listen.

Now that your read the sane account of the Killer Bees.....

Here are the thoughts that were really going through my head.

...Yell killer bees and see where the kids end up
...How man exactly have bitten me- I am feeling woosey
...Is my heart pounding because I am freaking out or because my throat is getting ready to close
...Am I feeling this venom going into my body because that is normal or have I developed an allergy to this.
...One girl only weighs 50 lbs what are the chances of them picking her up and flying away with her.

See how weird my brain is? All of this was inside my head while I am smiling at the kids telling them we are all fine- and going to get out of her in a second.

Great "Fun Day" Cylinda- SOM part 2

School of Missions part two-

So they did it- They earned their fun day. I had secretly planned adding spiritual impact to their day.

They started out by having Sister Varnell doing their morning devotions. They worked on a craft and at 10:15 headed to the playground/park by the water. They had an hour to swing, slide, climb, explore- go crazy.

Then we were heading to the woods to follow the trail to the amphitheatre that they did not know existed. I was so excited. I could just see their faces and we came to the final area where you can see the amphitheatre and hear their squeals of delight to find this hidden area with a complete stage. What they didn’t know is that this was going to be their final commitment service and their big send off. A service of commitment to HIM- to each other- to their families, and to their country of service. Little did I know this would never happen.

The trail started out rough. The girls saw a sign that warned against ticks and poison ivy. I told them the standard "if there is three (as in leaves) let it be" that they would be fine- let’s keep moving. Finally, after stopping for them to use the restroom, we were getting close to the area. They saw it. There were steps made out of logs to get you down into that area- we all clamored ready to get into that special spot. Little did we know that someone had stepped on a hornets next – or yellow jacket- or wasp what ever you may want to call it. I discovered this as I hear screaming and feel needles in my feet and look down to find my skirt covered in yellow and black hornets. I yell for Thad (a boy that I knew was highly allergic to run down the path away from us). I tried to remain calm as I was bitten twice on my feet (yes I was wearing flip flops) and once on my wrist. I kept telling myself remain calm with the kids and keep smiling- you don’t panic they won’t panic. Who am I kidding?

I saw another boy get bitten on his neck. I asked if he was allergic and he said no. Three of the five girls (who are in panic mode) all start crying- this is the worst day ever. I look down and Seanna has them flying under her shirt. She had three sticking to her so I take my watch off (like every Mother would) and try to bat them off of her. I drop my watch and tell her let’s run. Emma is now crying and screaming pointing at my skirt. I am still covered with them. My skirt is a glow of black and yellow. I yell for Brother Cruz (thank God I thought to bring him along) to hit them off of my skirt. He says he does not have anything to hit them with- I am like anything just get them off of me.

We all finally head up the trail with them following us. We made it so much quicker back to the cars than to the path. I could feel the venom moving up my body…as I kept telling my self don’t panic just get the kids back to the activity center. We head back to the main building and walk into the hall and some are still flying out of my skirt. There were two in another boy’s shirt. I thanked the Lord that outside of me only one little boy got bit- and he was not allergic. I got medicine for him and took three Benadryl.

At lunch I heard one of the boys tell his Father- This is the worst day ever. In my head I am thinking way to go Cylinda- glad they waited all week for this. After lunch we head down to the lake area and they took out the paddle boats and got to go down a massive water slide- Another first for most of them. They did this all afternoon. They were the happiest little bunch I had seen. I was rejoicing to put my feet in the rushing cold chlorinated water as it came down into the receiving pool at the end of the slide.

Dinner was a different story. I purposely lingered behind the same boy when he greeted his Dad (ever the secret agent that I am)…Dad you won’t believe it- This was the best day ever- guess what I did.

I limped to my seat happy and grateful for waterslides and paddleboats- they had a way of making an insane day fun!!

School of Missions

School of Missions….

So I arrive at School of Mission on Tuesday August 21^st- at 1:30 PM. I get my keys for our room- head to my classroom- Gabe Reese (who taught the toddlers) and Brother Cruz (who did recreation) were life savers- They helped me decorate for the next 4 hours. 5:30 is dinner and the room is done. We head to dinner and then they dismiss the students with their teachers. As we walk over from the dining hall to the Activities Center I realize- Wow- This will be a diff. year. I had 8 boys and 5 girls- ages 6-12…

As you know if you have taught the first time for them to be together as a group is often one of the more challenging ones. There was head thumping- hitting- hat throwing, screaming etc. I quickly got them to the room- with Gabe and Brother Cruz going with us. I gave them an overview- Explained my rules…and since it was so hard for them to listen made up an instant rule.

They were going to have the chance to earn a “fun day” this is a day where we would scrap the usual whole days lessons (all 11 hours) and do nothing but fun. If I counted to four and they were still not paying attention- they would get 1 mark on the board. If they had accrued 5 they would not have the fun day.

After this brief class was over I had two worried girls come up to me. This is not going to work.- they worried. We have never seen such bad boys before in my life etc etc. I said no- this is perfect. The guys are great- they are getting to know each other and will be fine by tomorrow. (I silently prayed that was the case)

You know what? They DID great. They were smart, fun, witty, creative, wild, crazy, and most of all sensitive to God.

They all became level 5 special agents

They made robots, sail boats, Frisbees, rockets, climbed the climbing wall and on and on

They sang songs

They ate Snacks

They learned about the power of prayer

They worked on their notebooks

They played kickball (many for the first time)

They played with a parachute (again many for the first time)

They cried together

They prayed together

They laughed together

They realized they were not alone in this

Yes- they are alone in their country- but there were others in other countries facing the same thing.

-One young man from Bangladesh is the only Christian in his school-

-Some are only children and have no friends

-Another boy lives in a very hard country that is by majority Muslims- They had snipers sitting on the neighbor’s roof looking out for him and his family.

I smiled as many days the adults would say at breakfast, or lunch, or dinner- this is your free time- you don’t have to sit with them- I want to sit with them. I only have a short period of time to be with them, invest in them, help them, learn from them, and laugh with them, to be a friend, listen to their little stories, and laugh at their jokes.

At the end of 8 days and over 88 hours of teaching- the Dry Erase Board only had four marks on it- They did it- They had earned their free day. What lay in store for all of us on that free day- Was un-expected!! See the next blog!!

Why do people have to be so gross??

So I am sitting in traffic this morning...and next to me is a huge septic truck that has a huge logo- We are #1 at #2. I am like- Okay sipping a diet coke here people- No breakfast yet in the stomach.

How many ways can you spell gross.

Then all I can think about is that truck is filled with it- First gag
They pump it all day- Second gag

I try to think happy thoughts-
Like about my brother and sister in laws little tiny puppy.
As soon as I could get a break in traffic I leaped ahead of him and told myself don't look back.

Now....aren't you glad I share these things with you
Hope you don't have a muffin in your hand!