I’m not a complainer. I really dislike hearing other people go on-and-on about situations that are totally out of their control (or mine)! Either do something about it or speak your peace {briefly} and get on with it!

However, there is one item that has hit me over the head these last few weeks and it is driving me crazy. In polling other parents, I’ve found that it’s universal. With that said, I’ve decided to approach the subject here and hope that I save someone some frustration.

I’m talking about those Parent “Will You Help” Forms. They are coming home in droves these days. Everyone is needing help with props; help with costumes; help with field trips; help with fundraisers; help with …. you name it.

In about 95% of the cases, I will offer to help. If it’s a field trip or another important activity that takes place during the day, Don and I (one or both) will take off of work to attend. {Vacation days, mind you!}

If it’s a build, sew, bake, support, etc., activity – I’m in! The only way I will not help is if I don’t have the skill needed or if I’m scheduled to be out-of-town. When it comes to parental participation, I’m a sure thing!

Here’s the aggrevation …

I get a form (many times several forms, because people send them home over and over) and a million emails begging for help for just one event. Then, after I respond via form AND via email … I never get called to help.

URGH!

I’m not one of those people that HAS to help. I’m perfectly content to sit in a chair and enjoy whatever the event is. But, I get frustrated when I’m bombarded with desperate cries for help and then never hear a word after I say that I’d be happy to assist.

If you are running an event and you solicit for volunteers, I hope that you get all the help you need. But, please, have the courtesy to respond to everyone that volunteers. A simple “Thanks for volunteering. I think we’re all set. If we begin to run short or have people drop off, I’ll give you a call.”

That acknowledges that you at least got my information. I’m totally fine with that. But, people are rearraging schedules in advance – thinking that they’ll be needed. To never say a word, as an organizer, is rude.

Let’s all be courteous of other people’s time. In the long-run, it will make people more willing to help and keeps the lines of communication open throughout the entire planning process.

This past Sunday, Dr. Ed Young (Pastor of Second Baptist Church – Houston) delivered one of the most powerful messages that I’ve ever heard.

Kudos to a pastor that has the boldness to speak on the faults of our government. Democrats and Republicans alike should hear this message. It takes no prisoners, but speaks the truth.

Click on the following link to see a video of this amazing message – A Broken Washington (The first couple of minutes celebrates the Katy HS football team! Go Tigers!!!)

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will HEAL THEIR LAND.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

Many of you know that Don and I have a long history with the Marching Arts. He still teaches competitive drumline and I, after teaching color guard fulltime for 18 years, now just dabble in it on occasion.

Last weekend, I began seeing many Facebook posts from former students saying things like “Pray for Hodge”. I finally put enough information together to know that he was a Page High School student that played in the drumline, but couldn’t ever get any additional information.

Today, almost by accident, I found a link to his CaringBridge site. CaringBridge is the most incredible website for conveying hospital information. Parents and family members can update friends around the world of breaking information and there is a place for photos. It’s such an amazing way for people to stay on top of current patient news without crowding the waiting room … which can sometimes be a problem.

Today, as I was looking at Matt Hodge’s CaringBridge site which is written and updated by his dad, I was able to see Matt’s picture. In his snapshot, I saw hundreds of drummers that I’ve taught before. His accident could have happened to anyone and it could have been one of my former students.

The thing that struck me more than anything else was … he was someone’s son. That could be my child laying in that hospital bed one day and I would be begging people to drop to their knees and pray for his health to be restored.

That’s what I’m asking you to do today. Pray for Matt Hodge.

Last week, I wrote on being intentional when you pray for your child. Tim Hodge, Matt’s father, tells of several things that students are doing to be intentional about remembering to pray for Matt. I wanted to do something myself, and I didn’t have to go far before I knew what it would be.

Tim Hodge works for BigIdea. Yes, the same BigIdea that does VeggieTales. He’s been a longitme writer/director for them. Every night as he’s drifting off to sleep, my son Avery listens to the VeggieTales CD “Boyz in the Sink – Live from Paducah!” I bought this CD because I used to live in Paducah … now I know that God is using this CD, that my son treasures, as a reminder for me pray for someone else’s little boy.

Let’s all join together to lift up this entire family!

Note to self … don’t update your WordPress version in the middle of a segment piece! Sorry about the delay of this post!

It seems like yesterday to me. December 1, 1997. I lived in Paducah, KY, and was watching the morning news before I headed out to start my day. I remember the confusion in the anchors voice as they said that emergency crews were on their way to Heath High School, but they hadn’t confirmed the reason yet. To make a long story short, it was one of the first deadly school shootings. And, it was practically in my back yard.

Today, life is a different world. We’ve since had 9/11 and the thought of going into a public building without anyone every questioning you is a distant memory. People are taught by society to think that other citizens are “bad until proven safe”.

PRAY FOR YOUR CHILD’S SAFETY AT SCHOOL

I trust the adults that in charge of my child at school. I trust that every possible safety precaution has been taken and that their crisis plans are top-notch, but I know that nothing is 100% and there is a level of trust that I have to take over what man can do.

I’m praying

• That my child’s school will have a hedge of protection that nothing man can think up could ever get through
• That the children in our district are respectful of security features that are there to protect them
• For the administrators that are held in control of safety for their meetings and preparations to be through

I’ve enjoyed this series a lot and hope that you will continue to pray for your child in a new way. I’m praying for all of us as parents that we can continue to support our kids so that this is the best school year ever!

As parents, we hold the role of major influencer in our children’s lives. With my children the ages that they are now, they mimic and imitate everything that they see us do. This is especially true between myself and my daughter. She LONGS to be a “grown-up”. I see her play out my adult life when she plays with her dolls. She speaks to them in the same language that I speak to her. It certainly keeps me in check!

Now, with both kids in school, I know that my time as being hip and cool is most likely coming to a close. That, to me, is why today’s topic is so important.

PRAY FOR YOUR CHILD’S FRIENDS

When looking at the school day, my kids are with their friends and their teacher more waking hours of the day than they are with me. If you for one minute think that you shouldn’t be praying for these people or that they don’t have a tremendous amount of influence on your child, stop and ponder it for a moment. It’s amazing when you put it in perspective.

I’m praying

• That my children are drawn to others that are kindhearted, full of life, and show much mercy
• That my children’s friends have families that are rooted in good
• That my children’s friends are ones that we can keep in touch for years to come
• That my children’s friends are good influences on my them (and vice versa!)
• That my children’s friends are supportive of differences in other students & embrace that

What do you pray for in a friend for your child?

Tomorrow – Praying for School Safety

Recently I came across a book that I absolutely love. It’s entitled “Praying the Scriptures for Your Children” by Jodie Berndt. It is a wonderful resource for really learning how to pray for your child specifically.

I believe that there is “plain English” and then there’s “churchy English”. This is written in plain English and is so quick to read. Each chapter is based on a certain topic that you pray for your child. Examples are Praying for Your Child’s Faith, Praying for Your Child’s Future, etc. Then each of those topics are broken down again into more specific things like Salvation or Spiritual Protection or Wisdom. At the end of each chapter, there are prayers and scripture references that you can use when praying for your child. It’s so helpful and is a really valuable tool.

TODAY – PRAY FOR YOUR CHILD

Each child in this world is different. It only takes the birth of your second child to become ever so aware of that. The older my kids get and the more each personality emerges, the more I sense that I need to pray for them specifically based on their individual gifts and talents, and based on where they are at that point in their development.

I’d challenge you to make a list of specific things that your child needs you to lift up for them. For example, my son, Avery, is touching the edge of coming into the Tween scene. He knows what’s cool and what’s not, yet he really likes and enjoys some things that aren’t considered cool by the bigger kids. (i.e. Playhouse Disney) I’m praying for him to be able to enjoy the things he loves without worrying about what others might think.

I won’t be listing the prayers for each specific child on my site, but here are some that things that I’ll pray for pertaining to both children.

I’m praying

• For my children to be able to light someone’s day each day of school
• For my children to love the concepts that they are learning this year and be able to absorb them and use them in context
• For my children to begin to learn organizational and time management skills that will serve them for the rest of their life
• For my children to be respectful to everyone – child or adult – and learn why that is important
• For my children to have fun being kids and enjoy all of the cool things that come with being a first-grader and a kindergartener
• For my children to know that they are loved unconditionally and that their home is a safe place where they can talk to us about anything that they hear or see at school

What prayers do you have for your child this year? Share them and let’s pray together for our kids!

Tomorrow … Praying for Your Child’s Friends

I’ve never done a series before, but I’m launching one today.

This past Mother’s Day, our pastor’s wife brought the message in our church. One phrase that she said has not left my mind … “If you, as a mother, are not praying for your child – chances are good that no one else is either.”

I have always prayed for my children, but that statement made me wonder “am I praying for them like I should?”

School started today in our area. I am focusing my next 5 days of prayer on this school year. Do you have a child in school? Please, join me. If you have a child younger than school-aged, pray now for what will happen in the future!

TODAY – PRAY FOR YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER.

Our family was blessed last year with a great teacher. I can tell you first hand that having a wonderful leader in charge of your child is nothing short of a God-send. I work with someone who had quite the opposite experience and I felt for the family all year. A below-par teacher impacts the entire family … not just the child.

Matthew 18:10 says “See that you do not look down on any of these little ones …” That is a prayer that I have for my children’s teacher this year.

I’m praying …

• For our teacher to be patient, kind and respectful
• For our teacher to be treated with patience, kindness, and respect by the parents and children in her classroom
• For our teacher to be able to instill a desire for lifelong learning in my child
• For our teacher to see the goodness and innocence in every child
• For our teacher to have her needs taken care of so that she can come to school each day without the stresses of life wearing her down.
• For our teacher to have an open relationship with us so that she feels comfortable communicating with our family throughout the year.
• For our teacher to truly enjoy each day that she has with her class this year. I’m praying that this would be THE year that she never forgets!

What prayers do you have for your child’s teacher? Share them here and let’s all spend time covering these men and women in prayer.

One year ago today, many of us stayed glued to our computers as we heard of the tragedy surrounding Steven Curtis Chapman’s family. In the blink of an eye and in a horrible accident, their precious little Maria was gone. I know that I, for one, will never forget that day.

During that time, I pondered why God would let a tragedy strike such a remarkable family? I wondered what I would do if such a horrendous thing were to happen to me? I hoped that my faith would be as strong as theirs and that I would rest in the assurance that my child was back with her Father.

I have followed the Chapman’s on their journey. I read the People magazine article and watched the Larry King interview. I prayed for the family to experience nothing but joy as their oldest daughter, Emily, was married, and hoped for a spirit of thanksgiving as they married off their son, Caleb, a few weeks back.

I know that this family will never forget sweet little Maria. What family could. From the videos that the Chapman’s have shared, she looks like a spunky little girl full of laughter and smiles. But, I will tell you, my heart hurt this morning as I read Mary Beth Chapman’s post “A Mother’s Heart”. This woman has endured what no mother should have too, and anyone with a child of their own can not read her words and fail to feel her pain.

I urge you to read her post. I can’t help but believe that her truth is a help to many other women dealing with this same loss.

I also urge you to commit to pray for this family. Mary Beth gives several points in her post of specifics that we can pray for.

The Chapman family has helped bring thousands to Christ. Let’s help make sure that they are lifted up to complete the work that lays ahead for them!

Can you stand how cute these little praisers are?

(If the video doesn’t load for you, go here to see it directly!)

My little horse is closest to the center and my cowboy is the closest to the center with the red bandanna.

I had a great time serving in this ministry and know that the blessings and lessons that my children receive will be with them for years and years to come!

Tonight is the closing program for the WAM Jr. program at Second Baptist Church. This is Avery’s second year to be involved. Since February, Piper has been involved and I joined as a “helper”.

Avery has the opening line of the program … too cute. I’m hoping he doesn’t clam up, although he’s becoming less shy. I’m sure he’ll be fine. The Kindergarten kids are dressing as farmers.

Piper will be on the front row. (A definite advantage to being short!) Her class will be costumed as horses. I may just die at the “preciousness”. She’ll think she’s the coolest horse that’s ever lived.

Videos and pictures will be posted! Wish us luck