I've just not had much to say, so I haven't blogged.

Well, maybe that's not accurate...I've had a LOT to say, but very little of it has been positive, so I have chosen not to blog. There. That's about right.

The best thing that has happened in the past MANY days is that Kristen came home for a weekend. She's already more mature. More appreciative. More beautiful. We had a fantastic time shopping for dorm supplies, replacing her broken phone, going to the KV band contest, sharing yummo family meals, and going to church. Ryan--and Nick, too--really enjoyed having Sis home!

She'll be home in another month for her fall break, which will also be Ryan's birthday. :) He's already put it on his calendar. 

"We are strangers...we are aliens....we are not of this world."  Lyrics by Petra

When I heard this song for the first time, I was 16 or 17. This guy I was dating was really into a new genre called Christian rock, and he asked me to go to a Petra concert in South Bend with another couple. Since I don't like going to concerts if I don't know the music, the guy gave me a cassette (ha) of Petra's latest album and said these songs would be included on the concert.

These words came back to me tonight for a reason. 

It's so easy to get caught up in what WE want to do. Our families. Our friends. Our hobbies. Our organizations. Our gossip. Our indulgences.

Yet, God calls us to do things that confound the worldly. Love one another. Turn the other cheek. Pray for our enemies.

Today I was faced with several situations that made me want to scream. God knows the situations and the people involved, but I admit that I fumed for a time (I wanted to throw things)...and then I was just sad. 

Instead, I've prayed God would release that anger and allow me to rise above it--not be defined by it.

Dear Indiana State Department of Education:

My daughter is a college student this year, and I just sent her a care pack. It was full of little items that I hope will make her next week a little brighter.  

IN DOE, I think you should give each diligent teacher a care pack. The contents should include the following:

a.  A PAT ON THE BACK. Not every teacher is lazy. Or stupid. Or evil.

b.  REASONABLE STEPS. Progress is made one step at a time. Trying to take every step as if it were a standing long jump is ridiculous and potentially harmful. Remember that parents and students must buy into this situation, too...and administrators can make or break the deal with their leadership.

c. REAL TEACHERS IN LEADERSHIP. In your commissions and conferences and committees, how many REAL teachers do you have? People who have worked in rural schools? People who have worked with disadvantaged kids? People who have taught more than 5 years in the trenches?  People who have a love of kids and content, have given family time and personal time for years upon end to complete what was necessary to help the kids learn? OH WAIT, those REAL TEACHERS aren't on the commissions because they don't want to take time away from their classrooms. (People who taught the minimum, became principals and superintendents quickly, and hopped onto state committees don't count.)

d. ANXIETY/DEPRESSION MEDS. Yeah, good teachers are increasingly more stressed out. Some of the best teachers I have ever known and have had the privilege of serving next to are considering leaving the profession. At the very least, send some blood pressure meds.

e.  PROTEIN SHAKES FOR OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION FRIENDS. They're working especially hard and are staying at school late at night. They need something to get through the dinner hour since they're not spending it with their families or pets.

f. A HANDSHAKE, NOT A SLAP. Oh, the irony.  Slap teachers around to "make them behave" and "do their job," institute all types of new rules and procedures. Have them fill out all types of paperwork to assure the public that they have the requisite knowledge.   Yes! That will make the situation better. Yet, if we were to employ those same techniques in the classroom, we would have limited success. Probably no success. Don't treat us poorly--no need to slap. Extend your hand; let's be partners in this challenging job.  We do need higher expectations, but we don't need a climate of fear or dread.  PS. If you have teachers who are not getting the job done--why not deal with those on an individual basis? 

g. A GOLD STAR.  Just because.