This teacher is truly a genius! As the late Adrian Rogers said, “You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.” An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had recently failed an entire class.

That class had insisted that Obama’s socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.

The professor then said, “OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama’s plan”. All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A. After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.

As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little. The second test average was a D! No one was happy.

When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F. The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.

All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed. Could not be any simpler than that.

Luke 8:40-56

“⁴⁰Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. ⁴¹Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house ⁴²because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

   As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. ⁴³And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. ⁴⁴She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

 ⁴⁵“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
      When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”

 ⁴⁶But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”

 ⁴⁷Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. ⁴⁸Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

 ⁴⁹While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher any more.”

 ⁵⁰Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”

 ⁵¹When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. ⁵²Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”

 ⁵³They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. ⁵⁴But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” ⁵⁵Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. ⁵⁶Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.”

Faith to be healed.  Even when we walk through the darkest times, when we have heavy burdens.  When we are the most broken.  All that we need to do is touch the hem of his garment.  Reach out to Jesus.  He will restore us.  Not always give us exactly what we WANT, but he will give us what we need.  He will sustain us and make us whole. 

My heart has been broken.  I could search for all kinds of things to make it better.  To gloss it over.  To put a bandaid to heal the wound.  But, only Jesus will heal my broken heart. 

I am so thankful for the promise, that if I have the faith of the woman who reached out to touch his garment in the crowd… he cares enough to heal even me.

This song has spoken to my heart….

A Time for Everything    ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

What a mourning time it has been.  But, God knows what to give us to help us grieve and heal. 

We are on a trip to Warm Springs, GA for the purpose of gathering information and making virtual field trip for our students.  But my head is not totally here.  Sure, we’ve seen and talked to some awesome people.  Learned so much about FDR, and finding it interesting what parts of the story are “just not talked about.”

In the midst of this trip.  God reached down and gave me a gift.  I was given the gift to laugh.  Not necessarily with my teammates, although they would have laughed with me if they had known how to.  Like I said, my head is not here.  My head is in Northern Maine.  My body just couldn’t be with my head right now.  That is ok.  There is a time when you CAN run home when you need to.  This just wasn’t my time to travel home.  I am really at peace with that.  I know that Holly would have understood.  I know that God understands. 

The gift that I was given, was time with a dear old friend.  Andrea Nichols “just so happens” to live less than 2 hours from Warm Springs, GA.  Now, I don’t believe that this trip was scheduled by accident on the weekend of such grief.  I don’t believe that it is timed wrong.  I know that God’s perfect timing, allowed healing for me and Andrea, who could not be among the massses at State Road Church.  Instead over pizza and in the hotel lobby, we laughed, we cried, we shared, we hugged.  God gave us the gift of friendship that lasts the years, the miles, the tears, the children, the divorces. 

Thank you God, for giving me my own personal “calling hours.”  I really needed it.

Karen and Andrea

My heart is heavy this early morning.  I just don’t understand.  How is Holly gone?  A woman so full of life.  My friend for so many years.  Holly Sue will always be a legend.  After all, she sure was in her own time. 

Holly had a confidence that surpassed most teens.  She had something that drew you to her.  In my opinion, the thing that drew you to her, was her sincere love of our Lord.  Holly was always ready to laugh, smile, joke, sing, or cry with you.  We spent many years growing up together. 

I was so looking forward to her coming to NC in April. 

Holly grew a tail back in the 80’s.  A tail.  I can remember cutting it off and burning it on my patio …. burning it was not a good idea.  That is the only time I ever burned hair.

We took Chemistry together at UMPI.  I hated chemistry.  I fumbled through chemistry.  She understood it.  Held my hand.  We got through it.  She was a brilliant mind.

One time we were house sitting for Jaye and Kori Ellis when they lived on the grounds at Nomacca back in the late 80’s.  It was winter time, probably during the Christmas vacation.  I think that Jaye and Kori had gone to see Buck and Elizabeth or something.  The phone rang.  A man on the other end of the phone identified himself as Franklin Thompson.  He told us that while Jaye had been out and about he had been exposed to some chemical like PCB’s or something.  Our immediate worries were for his legs.  Well, as “Franklin” spoke to Holly on the phone and got all of our personal information, name, address, phone number, age, we got pretty scared.  He assured us that someone would be contacting our parents as we spoke on the phone.  He told us that we were not allowed to leave the trailer.  That we could endanger someone if certain levels of this chemical was in our body.  That we had been exposed because of traces being on Jaye’s shoes.  It was pretty believable.  The man went on to say that someone would be coming to pick up hair samples.  The hair samples had to be taken from the scalp area.  He wanted it from the crown on our head.  He told us that we could cut it off.. or the “picker upper” could cut it off.  We decided that if we did it ourselves, then we could at least try to lift some hair, and camouflage what would become our bald spot.  So, Holly cut a big hunk out of the back of my hair, all the way to the scalp.  Luckily, I was wearing it long in those days and could cover the spot.  We put it in a baggie.  I got ready to cut her hair.  The man then broke his story… told us it was a prank.  We cried.  We felt violated.  The worst part was fresh tire tracks in the snow outside of their house.  Nobody else had a reason to be on that road.  We were terrified.  We felt violated.  We called the police.  We left Jaye and Kori’s house.  A few weeks later, there was an article in the paper, “Man Gets Women to Cut Off Their Hair.”  We were not alone.  This had been done repeatedly to others.  I didn’t feel SOOOO stupid, with my bald spot any more.  We didn’t talk about the incident all that much over the years.  Somehow, now that she’s gone… I can’t help but remembering lots of things with Holly.

I can remember the times of uncontrolled silliness… the sleepovers… the working together… the sharing the toothbrushes at camp.  (Why we shared toothbrushes… I don’t remember.  I don’t think I’d share with my hubby today, but we sure did do that.  Ick!)

Friday nights at the Youth Center.  Choir tour.  Camp.  So many wonderful memories.

One day Sherri and I were at the Dobson’s.  For some reason Lisa was on a bicycle I think.  She took a nasty spill and gashed her leg on a culvert down on the corner.  I don’t know if any of us were “drivers” at the time, but I do remember someone, I think Sherri, stayed with Lisa, put pressure on the leg.  The rest of us RAN – if you remember, Holly didn’t sweat… she glistened – back up to get the car in the yard.  We drove it down the road to get Lisa and Sherri…. and brought her back up to the house.  I remember that my legs felt like rubber… because, to this day… I don’t run.

Campfires.  Singing harmony.  Christmas Carolling and promising ourselves that we would NOT go up the stairs to MFX very fast and every time we got there, we’d start singing, but have trouble breathing because inevitably, we were all out of breath and end up laughing about it later.

Singing to Linwood at the top of PI’s skyscraper… and he’d cry.  He’d put us on speaker phone to whoever he was talking to.  So many memories.

When I went through my divorce, Holly and Lisa – there may have been others – took me out to eat.  I miss the closeness of this extended family.

But, here is the good news.  I love my family.  I love my extended family.  I love my church family.  But, what provides the love that we’ve got is our God.  Through dark times.  Through happy times.  We know that we will one day all be together.  Singing God’s praises.  The harmonies will be wonderful.  And, for those from the 80’s, Philip Humphrey will be holding a steady beat.  I can hardly wait for that day!

I’ll miss you until then Holly.

~Laren Kouise  

(a name that only Holly used)

I had a conversation last week that troubled me.  It troubled me for a variety of reasons, but mostly because the conversation was with someone who has no belief in God.  I have stewed about it.  Wondering exactly how a person could put themselves in such an elevated state… you know… good enough to be GOOD without the help of THE ONE WHO IS GOOD.  The God who has saved me is goodness through and through.  He chose me to save.  How humbling is that thought. 

The God of the universe chose me.  Praise Him! 

Now, I don’t think I’m better than this other person.  I don’t think that for a minute, but I do think that I am a very blessed person to have the heritage that I do.  A heritage of a Christian upbringing.  Oh, we didn’t do it all right, but that is not necessary to be Christian.  What is necessary is to have a personal relationship with Him. 

So, all of that thinking brought me back to being a little girl, way up in Northern Maine.  What are my earliest memories?  Now, my memories before breaking my knee in 1983 are extremely spotty.  I don’t know why really, but I do know that it just is.  Maybe I was put to sleep for too long a time.  Maybe it has nothing to do with it… but at any rate, I don’t remember lots of details of my childhood.  Yes, I know.  It is weird. 

Well, as I was stewing on the way to school this morning, my Mother called me.  She wanted me to know that a dear old friend and neighbor had passed away last night.  Bill Karnes died.  It is sad to know that I will not hear his robust laugh.  I won’t get the chance to hear him play the trumpet or sing with Diane and his girls.  I will not receive another forward in my email from him encouraging me to do the right thing.  I always smiled when I got his emails.  They always seemed to come at just the right time. 

So, then I got to thinking again.  You know, one of the few memories I have takes me back to Mapleton Elementary School sometime after the “new school” was built.  That had to be sometime in the late 70’s.  I remember we were in the little area where Mr. Rand would have his weekly meetings with all of the kids.  I remember on one occasion, Mr. Karnes played his trumpet for us.  He played ”Stand Up Stand Up For Jesus.”  I remember that he made us all stand up and told us how important it was to do that in our lives.  (This week, I continue to Stand Up for Jesus, just like Mr. Karnes told us to do.)

I remember when the Karnes family moved into our neighborhood on the Hughes Rd. in Mapleton.  I remember that I used to “cat sit.”  I don’t know where they had gone, probably down to Lakeside Campground, but the cat needed to be fed.  One time I felt particularly sad for the poor old cat, and I brought her home with me.  At least I think the cat was a she…  and I let her “play” at my house.  Then the cat (maybe her name was Smokey…. but maybe not… remember, my memories are sketchy…)  crawled in, under the cabinets and I couldn’t get her out.  Dad had to do SOMETHING to get her out.  I remember being told, “DO NOT BRING THE CAT HOME WITH YOU AGAIN.”  And, I didn’t.

I remember when Jennifer got ready to go to India on a Misson Trip…. now, that was the first time I ever heard of anyone going on a short term mission trip.  I remember having some kind of get together at Mac and Claudene Brown’s house for the neighborhood and it had something to do with Jennifer’s trip.  OR at least I thought it did.  I remember her wrapping that big ol’ piece of cloth around her into a sari.

I remember both Karnes girls being Miss Mapleton… and I remember being proud when I got to follow in their footsteps.

I rememer when Greg Whitaker was born.  Boy, he was a roly poly one, (and I know that didn’t seem to stick as he grew up…) but I remember thinking how he looked EXACTLY like Bill.  That resemblence did fade away ast Greg grew up… but I always was impressed by how much Bill loved that baby (and the rest of the boys as they were born…)  What a blessing to see him enjoy them!

I used to love to quilt with Diane, and I can see one of her pieces from my bed.  It hangs in my hallway, right next to a picture of my house on Hughes Rd.  It is a precious piece to me!

I don’t know where I’m going…just been doing a lot of thinking… but I do know this.  Bill Karnes made a difference in my life.  For that, I am thankful! 

I can’t wait until we all get to heaven, to hear Bill and Diane make music together.  To hear the trumpet.  To see the smile.  To hear the laugh.  Sounds so very sweet to me. 

So… my friend with no hope… this is why I have the hope of a Lord and Savior who has saved me.  You see, this life is NOT long enough.  Eternity with Christ and my Christian family.  Well, lets just say… I’m looking forward to it!

Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)

  ⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

So… I’m thinking on those things… just like the passage says.

The happenings in my family have definately been a God thing.  There are changes that I am seeing that I have cried, fussed, sniped, nagged, fought, and tried to force to happen.  For the last several years I have hoped for them to happen.  They didn’t happen.  I couldn’t make them happen.  I couldn’t force my way.  The way that I was trying to force was wrong.  It couldn’t and wouldn’t be done – just because I said so.

But, lately I am seeing the changes happen.  I am seeing things the make my jaw drop.  God is the only one who could change things.  I couldn’t.  It wasn’t my job.  The things that I had hoped for.  They were really much smaller than what God is doing. 

Now – before you go thinking that I’m saying my life is perfect… that we have no problems, worries, issues… that is not true.  Those things are right there.  Still in the mix.  But, in the midst of the turmoil of life… God has given me …

Ephesians 3:20 (New International Version)

 ²⁰Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

… more than I ever imagined. 

Truly God is good.  He knows the best timing.  He knows exactly what to do when.  AND … he doesn’t need me to try to do his work in my way… in my time.  Instead, I need to focus on Him and let things get done in his way.  Because… after all it is more than I ever dreamed of.

Thank you God!

There was one more group song… but my camera took a header… sorry Emily!

It has occurred to me over and over through the fall and early part of the winter… that life changes in an instant.  Sometimes the changes are for the good.  Sometimes life becomes more challenging.  Sometimes it just brings pain.  But whatever the circumstance… life has changed.  Never to be the same as it was.

My job this year has been a good change.  A busy change.  A good challenge.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of a new grade level.  After all… I now have a full set from grade 6 -12.  Grade 7 is a fine place to be.  The best part of my job this year, is the team that I get to work with.  They are a group of motivated, innovative teachers who are not afraid to try something a little different while riding herd on the group.  Thanks Kim, Randy, and Amanda for a great almost 1/2 a year on Team Tsunami.  I’ve loved it!

My children are growing.  My oldest bonus son, Jeremiah is now 20.  Imagine that… 20!  I know I haven’t raised him, but I have loved him for 10 years now.  Anna is 15 11/12… in a few short weeks she will turn 16.  She has her drivers permit, is a 10th grader and is working hard to (perhaps) become the valedictorian of her graduating class.  Emily is 13 1/2 and tall… skinny… beautiful.  She is leaving middle school in a few months.  Unbelievable.  Gideon, my younger bonus son is 9 and in 4th grade.  Seems he was just a baby.  Isaac, my baby is 7 1/2.  2nd grade.  Reading and I can’t believe that he is growing so fast.  It won’t be long and he’ll join me at GFMS.

Jeremiah is becoming a father in June.  This is something that Tony and I have wanted for him (and all of the children — someday…) and we love him, even though we are concerned about him.  Tony and I have talked at length about different options that Jeremiah has.  But, we recognize that this is not something that we can decide FOR him.  Instead, we are trying to stand by, love him and hope that he makes the best decisions in a somewhat potentially difficult situation.  No matter what happens from here out.  Jeremiah’s life changed (and therefore ours) changed instantly when his baby was conceived.  It is now our job to give him love, even when it might not look like it to him, that will be supportive and hopefully thought provoking.  After all… there is nothing that any of the children can do to make us stop loving them.

We have lost several people from our lives this year.  Mostly friends who fought disease and some friends to tragic accidents.  Life can never go back to what it was, when our friends were with us.  Life has changed.  It will never be the same.  It has struck me that there are lessons that I should be learning form all of the events of 2009. 

So, that begs the question.  What have I learned? 

I hope that I’ve learned to love deeply and let people know how much they mean to me.  Somehow, I bet I have fallen short.  So, if you’re reading this… know that I care.  I love you.  Family, Friends…. you get the picture.

I am learning to be closer to my savior this year.  I know I still fall way short, but I stand in awe of the fact that I Jesus died for me.  He knew me.  He knows me.  I am loved… even when I fall short. 

I have learned to accept change, even when I fight it sometimes.  I have learned to better stand on my own two feet.  I have learned that my husband loves me more than I could imagine.  We’ve been together nearly 10 years now.  Doesn’t seem possible.  How did I get so lucky to have  a man love me the way that Tony does?

So, all that to say.  Life has changed.  It will change.  What doesn’t change is the one who is in control.  I will try even harder in 2010 to lean on Him.  For He is the one who began this good work in me.  He will be faithful to complete it… through joys, struggles… triumphs and failures. 

Life is good!

We are already nearly to midterm of the first quarter.  1/8 of the way through the school year.  Doesn’t seem possible to be ticking off the time so quickly.  I am really enjoying my job change to the 7th grade.  I have a great team that I am working on.  Life is good.

Our students do present some challenges when it comes to academic diversity, but I know I am just exactly where I need to be this year.  I have lots and lots and lots of planning that needs to be done to develop this new curriculum.  I am excited about the way that I can experess some creativity as I develop this 7th grade curriculum!  This will be fun!

Isaac is having a great year in 2nd grade.  Emily is finding success in 8th grade, and Anna is doing a much better job juggling all of the different classes both high school and college.  I hope that we do get in our groove.  Find our way to enjoy, learn, live, and love.

I have spent some time contemplating a masters program next fall.  BUT, I don’t think that I can make the decision at this time to jump into it with both feet.  I keep thinking that I need to do the program, just in case, we have to relocate to a state where a masters degree is a necessity.  I have to rely on God, know that when the time is right, He’ll direct my paths to do the program if I ever need to do it.  Quite frankly, I would spend the difference in pay with no problem, but would we be better off?  I am not convinced.  I need to keep my focus on my family, on my hubby, on my kids.  They are growing so fast… I just want to enjoy them.

Today was day 1 out of 180.  It was a good day.  We have some really good kids.  We will have our ups and downs as the year goes on… but if we can keep the focus that these kids are given to us for a reason the we will have a good year.  I am excited about the challenge of a new curriculum.  I am excited about the challenge of a new team. 

I have felt so very lost with the loss of my “old team.”  I am happy for David and Lynne that they are beginning a new chapter called retirement, but I so loved working with them.  I just don’t know what I’d do without my Shippy Ship living next door to me.  I never imagined that I’d be so lost without him when he retired.  Losing Lynne was no easier, and I certainly don’t get to see her like I would like to.  We were a motley crew for sure, but we were good together.  I’m sad those days are gone. 

This morning my only remaining teammate came to find me.  Cam hugged on me and told me that it didn’t really hit him that my old room is no longer my room until just this morning.  I miss my old room.  I miss my old routine.  BUT, I’m excited about the future that is ahead of me.  I’m excited about my new teammates.  I’m excited about my new students. 

Change is hard.  But, change is good.  I will try to remind myself of that often.