Sunday, August 31, 2008

Flood/Disaster Relief

I went with the youth group from church today to help victims of flooding in our area. It was so sad to see the "guts" of someones home being pulled out and piled in a giant trash container to be hauled away. Carefully planted flowers and vegetables mangled by whatever the flood dragged through. Peoples whole winter supply of firewood washed a block over into other peoples yards. It was so sad. What is also sad is that we did not see any other church groups out helping people. People in our community have had their lives turned upside down and people should be helping them. There are too many "Sunday Christians". Live your faith, show people the practical love of Jesus. Don't wait to be asked. Even if it turns out that you can't do anything, people will know that you care.

Disappointment

What do you do when people disappoint you? Right now I have a list so long it is making my heart and my head hurt. I am sure I disappoint people very day. I know I have disappointed people plenty of times in my life. I wish people had been more honest with me when I was making choices that hurt people. Does that mean that the people in my life want to know if I am disappointed with them??? I don't know. Is being disappointed a way of judging people? I know that judgment belongs to the Lord and not to me. I have always appreciated the fact that God did not put me in charge of judging others, since I wouldn't have a leg to stand on. I think sometimes disappointment is justified, as in when your child does something you would have sworn that they would never do......

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Getting in the swing of things and other ramblings...

I am glad to be getting back in the swing of things. It was frustrating to have to stay home yesterday. It is hard to get into a rhythm of the school schedule when you have to start and stop at the beginning. I wish that they didn't go back to school till after Labor Day, then they could go to school a while before having a day off. I am not complaining about having yesterday off. Watching people in my neighborhood and down Rocky River Road have to try to save their belongings while having their homes invaded by nasty flood waters and by nasty critters trying to escape flood waters certainly helped me keep my perspective on that! Today was the first day for me to pick up a friend's child after school. I don't know the family very well, but he seems like a great kid and I am enjoying listening to he and Cory attempt to do homework while getting to know each other. I am letting them be way sillier and not really get any work done than I normally would when there is homework to do, but I know it is important for them to "bond". From what I know of the family, I would love for Cory and "J" to become good friends. I work with "J's" older brother, who is the ripe old age of 17 and has already finished high school. He is a wonderful Christian young man. I tease him that if I could, I would freeze him until Jessie is old enough to date. Yes, he is that great!! Well, I need to see about supper and see if these boys can't focus a little on their homework...

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

No school, floodwaters etc.

Well it is the 3rd day of school...and it is cancelled! Tropical storm Fay has dumped a lot of rain on us and they are saying we will get more. I don't think my home is in danger, but we rode through the neighborhood, and that is not the case for all of my neighbors. It won't take too much more till some of them are looking at water in their homes. The kids wanted to ride down Rocky River Road to see how bad Rocky River is flooded. We have lived here for 10 years and this is the worst flooding we have seen. There are houses that are completely surrounded by water and I am sure there are some already flooded, but we didn't venture too far from home. My kids warmed my heart by coming to me and announcing that they had discussed it and decided that we should open our home to anyone who needed a place to stay because of the flooding and bad weather. I am so thankful for everyone who has had a hand in raising them this far. I am so thankful we have a church home that provides opportunities for even our young children to participate in mission work and see from an early age that life is not all about them.

First day of school


Well, a little late for me to post, but here is our annual Back to School picture. Both kids were up and ready early. They both had a great day and are excited about school, even though Cory would never admit it. I had a good day too. I went to the BTS breakfast at Cracker Barrel with a bunch of people from church. I had a good time and then I ran errands. It was nice to go to grocery shopping without the kids. Bless their hearts! They are usually good, but it is just an endless volley or words between them and me....will you buy...no, can I have...no, don't we NEED...no, no, no...!

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Fun Day

Today was a fun day! We started off by going to Jessie's 4-H leader's house to learn how to can tomatoes and to make plum jam. It was really fun and I learned alot too! Jennifer also made salsa. She was going to can it too, but we ate too much, so she sent it home with us. I am such a country girl "wanna be". Jennifer took us out on the "gator" riding on some trails around their house and it was the best!
The kids and I then went to Discount Furniture Outlet in Kannapolis, (my Daddy manages the store)and had free hotdogs and I took a free square dancing lesson from the dancers that were there to help Daddy promote the store. It was really fun. It was also fun to see Brandon,April and April's mom and grandmom there too.

That reminds me, April's shower was great last night. She is so sweet and was genuinely happy just to have people there. I don't think I have ever enjoyed watching an adult open gifts more. She is such a great role model for the girls in our church. The sweetness of her spirit just overflows and the joy of her heart is a blessing to all who know her!

Friday, August 22, 2008

Back to School, teachers and a busy day

Well, we have both Open Houses out of the way. We met the kids teachers and it feels like we are on the way to a good school year. Today we are going to finish our BTS shopping, now that we know the specifics for their particular classes. Cory seems most excited about his Social Studies teacher. Her room is WAY COOL. It looks like a museum of African/Asian art/artifacts and he heard she sometimes wears clothes representing the countries they are studying. I really liked what she had to say about her teaching methods and her belief that the kids would learn not only about how "different" other cultures seem to us, but how alike we really are as people. Jessie's teacher did her undergrad at my alma mater (Go 49er's) and she is 4 classes away from completing her master's at UNCC as well. She seemed perky and excited to be there, so we were excited too. Jessie could barely contain herself, as her best school friend, Bailey, is in her class again this year.
After our shopping, we get to have lunch with Brian, YEA! Later this afternoon I am going to help get ready for a wedding shower for our sweet April who will be marrying our worship pastor,Brandon, in October. Busy fun day ahead.....

Thursday, August 21, 2008


A picture of Jessie....

and Baby

Thanks Cory



Thanks to Cory for naming my blog for me. don't worry, I am not one of those people that gives themselves a nickname. Our pastor, Jimmy, calls me Leighbeau. From there we got our e-mail address, leighbeau@aol.com and from there Cory came up with the name for the blog.

My First Post!

Okay...here is my very first post ever. I don't really know why I just spent 45 minutes of my life creating a blog. I can't imagine why anyone would want to know what I am thinking all the time, but I am still very excited about the whole thing, for some unknown reason.