Something similar to this is happening right now, outside my window…and it's been happening all day.  There's a gigantic hole in the street, due to what I'm pretty sure was a water main break overnight, last night.  Water here.  Water there.  Water everywhere.  

Check it out!  

While many things about our city and economy can be ultimately depressing, I just watched a short clip on the place I get to spend my days (5 days a week, at least)…in Hamtramck, MI.  There's a definite aspect of the news story that is NOT heartwarming…but there is a ray of hope.  I like rays of hope. 🙂

This tiny place, on the East side of Detroit, was featured on 20/20 recently, and you can watch the 6 minute video to see where I work!  Well, you can't see the school building, but you can see something else that is the unfortunate picturesque view of the environment that my kids live in. 

I cried.  I cried because of the people featured in the story…they're looking to see transformation happen.  I cried because I will only be in Hamtramck, 5 days a week, for a few more months.  I've become attached to the kids and families of that little place.

Check it out here.

Is it okay for a teacher to LOVE recess?  Because I do:)

I've been reading this book lately, and it's definitely been a great read so far.  Much of it was summed up to me by a good friend, through a discussion about what God's will actually is.  What an interesting topic, and so many are wondering about many of the same thoughts I was wondering about. 

Perhaps one day I'll decide to write about my findings in this book, but for now you could check it out for yourself (at least check out the reviews on Amazon).  It's a thick one, but intriguing enough that time seems to fly.  I'm definitely enjoying the thought-provoking discussions it brings about nowadays. 🙂

This is the 3rd week of a 21 day Daniel Fast that several people in my church family are experiencing together.  It's been an awesome couple of weeks, going through this with a good portion of my friends, and keeping each other accountable to what we've put our word out to do.  Together we've been experimenting with a few new dishes (can't wait to try the tofu/vegetarian pad thai this Thursday at Lifegroup!) and discussing the blessings and challenges of walking through something like this. 

It seems that the toughest things for people to have given up are coffee, meat and sugar (of any kind:)…I've heard a lot about cheese too.  One of my friends has been lamenting over coffee the entire time.  It's definitely been a difficult thing for her to let go of.  At one point she said, "If at the end of this thing, I love Jesus more than coffee, then this will be a good thing!"  Someone responded to her and said, "Wait a second, you haven't had coffee this entire time so far?"  "No," she said.  "Well, it does seem like you already do love Jesus more than coffee!  Otherwise, don't you think you would've broken down already?" (cue the small smile on your face, with a short nod)

We just don't see things the way we could sometimes, huh?

And in that case, I've also accomplished one of my goals, and I can say with all honesty, "I love Jesus more than chocolate." :)  We all have our own goals, right? 😉

One time in college I ate too much popcorn.  It wasn't one night, or one day, but it was one season of my 
life when popcorn tasted so good to me.  It must've run into a Christmas season because I recall eating a ton of the tri-popcorn tin my parents got from someone that year.  It was just too much.  Way too much.  I lost a taste for popcorn and didn't have any for years.  The thought, sound and smell of it disgusted me.  I keep hoping something similar happens to me with chocolate, but it's a no-go so far. :)  A few years ago I decided that I would try to renew my taste for popcorn again after buying a cool popcorn maker at a thrift store (it was still in its wrapping).  I've been able to eat it now and then, but I haven't craved it or really desired it since that one season back in college.

The other night I savored some popcorn that a friend of mine made with real popcorn kernels, in a pot, on the stove.  I know, I know.  This is how popcorn "used" to be made, "back in the day", or perhaps there are some people who have just preferred it that way anyway, to the typically used machines or bags in a microwave.  Popcorn was definitely enjoyed the other night-more than it had been in years.  So I decided to try out this "old"-"new" way of making it for myself, and let's just say that I've made it twice in the last 27 hours.  The stuff's good, and it's especially good with the sea salt, over regular table salt. 

So here I sit, enjoying popcorn once again.  (Life has its complications…indulge me one of the simplicities:)

Wow.  Check out this article on CNN.

Nope, I'm not talking about the current Halloween season.  I'm talking about the fact that I just updated my "status" on Facebook, and within the minute, 1 person texted me about it and another person commented on my status on the site.

Neither person creeps me out, and in general, Facebook doesn't creep me out, but the fact that seconds after I write something, it's all over the place blows my mind a little…So weird. lol

My bestest friend from growing up, Jennifer, just had her baby girl last night!  (Good timing, Anna Marie:)

Here's one of her first pix!  I sure do wish I could meet her sometime soon…