OKLAHOMA

Today Oklahoma is celebrating 100 years of statehood. To honor our grand old state (which technically is not as old as other states), we watched the musical "Oklahoma." I love this movie. It's hardly historically accurate but it's fun. What made my day is hearing my students sing along with the movie. The movie facts may not be accurate but there are aspects that represent our grand old state.

On another amazing note, I must applaud my students. They have genuine hearts. This week they collected money for Invisible Children. I highly recommend reading more about it. Check out http://www.invisiblechildren.com/. But to put it simply part of what the organization does is raise money for schools in northern Uganda. In the 7th grade class alone they brought in over $500. I know this may not seem like a great amount. But when you consider that the majority of the kids don't have money and the money was mainly in change (i.e. pennies galore), you know it has impacted them in a great way. Even now tears come to my eyes as I think about how many of them asked what more they could do. They want to bring more money in and have more fundraisers. They would also really like to write letters to the students in Uganda. I am going to do my best to help make it possible for them. You never know what fire is burning in the hearts of young people. Most of the time they just need the opportunity to see beyond themselves.

In the end I must simply say Happy Birthday Oklahoma!!!!

Home

I am so blessed. Most people no matter who they are have a place they call home. For me home is more than one place. Home is where I am right now. I love having a place of serenity, safe, full of warmth and fellowship, where I serve the Lord. Home is also where my family is. My folks live only a few hours away where I spent most of my growing up years. Most of my extended family live in a few states away. In all those places they are home to me. Not because of where they are but because of who is there and the memories that go along with the people. There is a family here that I lived with for 9 months. I find myself hanging out with them because they are like family to me. I love my family and friends. I love the fellowship that I have with them. Even when I visit friends far away there is a since of home. So I truly believe that "home is where the heart is". What fills your heart should fill your home.

This weekend I was reading in Lamentations 3:22-26
"The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul,
Therefore I have hope in Him.
The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the person who seeks Him.
It is good that he waits silently
For the salvation of the Lord."

Oh how my heart cries out and I shout these words to the Lord. GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS. He is my portion!!! If you look up the meaning of the word portion you will find that in some translations it says inheritance. But the definition means so much more. In short, God is enough. Oh that I would truly know that my God is enough for me, that He is my all in all. So this is simply my prayer that wherever I am, my home would know the fullness of God. As I wait for Him may I know that He is enough for me, my portion. That my home will be wherever my heart is. AMEN!