Time to Rest or Invest?

Ten weeks ago I spent 4 days in the hospital with what fortunately turned out to be a very unusual migraine. I had had the headache for about 3 weeks. It was really just more annoying than anything else, however, I had noticed some tingling in my hands and feet which apparently can be typical of migraines. Things became a little more alarming when, while working with a student, I began stuttering at school. By the time I left school that day I was not able to complete any words without any a stutter. I had never experienced anything like this and was very worried. Praise the Lord that 2 CTs and EEG later my doctor and a neurologist determined I had a very unusual and prolonged migraine. I learned a lot about migraine headaches over the next couple of weeks. I also learned that stuttering along with a migraine is an indication of stress and exhaustion.

My life had become increasingly full, too full. I love, love, love my job and can never imagine doing anything else, however, my job can have some very stressful days. One thing that I had not allowed myself to do everyday was rest. I was leaving school and trying to do too many other things in the afternoon, starting school work way too late at night, getting 4 or so hours of sleep and back up at 5:00 to do it all over again. Over commitment has always been a struggle for me. I do not like to let anyone down and never want to say, “no,” to anybody who asks me to do something. Well, that has changed in the last 10 weeks. I have forced myself to slow down and cut a few things out. I have even given myself a bedtime, yep like when you were in elementary school bedtime. I have to admit now…I love it! I feel like a normal person again.

One thing that I took a break from was our church choir. I love being a part of the choir but in these first couple of months since being in the hospital and starting antiseizure medicine to prevent migraines I have been limiting myself on activities during the week. I started out doing nothing after school, added Bible Study/small group, and am excited to now be back at choir! Our devotion at the end of choir tonight was about knowing when it is time to Rest v. Invest. We all have times in our lives that we need to invest in others. Investing in the lives of others and being a part of serving others is so important. We were created for fellowship and God created the bonds of friendship that allow us to depend on each other. He also created burdens in our hearts for particular ministry areas and services to allow us to invest. At the same time, we all have time that we need to rest. There are times in our lives when we need to take a break. Set limits and stick to them. Taking the time to just rest allows us to be renewed and refreshed. I am so happy to have come to a point my life that I am recognizing the times in my life that I need to rest. I find myself being a better teacher, daughter, sister, and friend when I am investing a reasonable amount of time and not letting my “invest” affect my rest.

Blythe and me during a Christmas By Candlelight performance as a part of the choir

What I Love About Sundays

Monday through Friday is hectic. I am up early, at work by 7:15, and somehow everyday after work gets filled with something. Now that Spring is here, Saturdays are usually just as full as every other day of the week with baseball games, weddings, showers, errands that didn't happen during the week, etc. Sundays are different though. Sundays are a little more laid back and relaxed. I love Sundays and would love to share some of my favorite things about Sundays...

This is my Kindergarten Sunday School class. Mom and I teach Sunday School every other. They are so much fun!

This morning we learned about Jesus' disciples. In our story, Jesus' disciples had been fishing all night and not caught any fish. Jesus was standing on the shore early in the morning (they did not recognize him) and told the men to cast their net on the right side of the boat. When they obeyed Jesus, the men caught over 150 fish! We ate fish sticks for our snack this morning. Yes, that's right, we ate fish sticks during 8 o'clock Sunday School. I couldn't believe it when some of the kids said they had never had fish sticks. I loved fish sticks when I was little...Friday nights were fish sticks, french fries and watching "Full House" on TGIF. The fish sticks snack were a success, everybody got seconds.

I love being a part of the GAP class! I have a great group of friends who I enjoy getting to see every Sunday (and sometimes a little more often).

Supper Club!

More GAP friends!


Now that Spring is here, the weather is too beautiful to stay inside on Sunday afternoons. I decided to take Cody to Aldridge Gardens, however, when we got over there I saw a "No Pets Allowed" sign. I was so disappointed. Cody and I did enjoy a some time outside though by Star Lake. While I wrote in my journal and did a lesson from my Bible study, Cody enjoyed laying in the sun, watching the ducks and being petted by every little girl who walked by and said, "Oh! What a cute puppy!" He loves attention....

This is another important part of my Sunday afternoons:

The Sunday paper!

I love getting the Sunday paper! Dawn is a reporter for The Birmingham News. I read the Sunday paper in a certain order: Front Page, Lifestyle, Sports Sections, Comics, John Archibald's column, the sale papers and of course anything written by my sister...look for her byline, she's really good!

Most Sundays are not all rest...there's always some lesson planning that goes into every weekend. Sunday nights are my times to finish up plans for the next week and make my color coded school to do list of all the things that need to get done Monday through Friday!

Happy Sunday!

All Things Have Been Made New

Why do you seek for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!

Luke 24:5-6

I love holidays! All holidays…New Years to Christmas, any day to celebrate is good with me. Easter is especially wonderful for what it represents, newness of life brought through Christ’s sacrifice. Knowing that we serve a God who has overcome death and brought us new life is overwhelming and humbling at the same time. Spring is my absolute favorite time of year. I love watching flowers bloom. I love going outside to find the unexpected warmth after a season of bitter cold.

We had a wonderful Easter celebration this year. My and mom I are teaching Kindergarten Sunday School this month. I love to listen to Kindergarteners. They tell stories in such an innocent way:

Boy 1: We have Easter because Jesus rose from the dead after the bad guys killed him on the cross in Heaven
Boy (very distressed) 2: In Heaven? Oh no! I thought there weren’t going to be any bad guys in Heaven…
Don’t worry, we did make the needed corrections during our story time.

Cody was pretty excited about the Beggin' Strips the Easter Bunny brought him this year!

After church our family went to Dawn’s house for Easter lunch. Now, I love my sister (let's be real, of the 3 Kent children she has the most book smarts...Kevin has all the common sense...and I just make things interesting). Dawn is a great host, but I must admit I was a little concerned when she mentioned Stuffed Pork Tenderloin as her main course. I was even more concerned when I noticed a "tweet" from her on Saturday mentioning looking for kitchen twine. I mean, what’s wrong with ham, mashed potatoes, corn (you know the usual….the foods that aren’t easily messed up)? I am happy to admit that I was wrong. Dawn is the next Ina Garten (Paula Deen doesn’t seem gourmet enough for this, even though I think she’s amazing).

It's all about the presentation!

Our menu also included:

Strawberry-Avocado Salad…I’m sure this was delicious. I didn’t try because I don’t eat anything that’s green. I fully admit to having the eating habits of a 12 year old.

Roasted Potatoes with Bacon and Rosemary

Homemade Pound Cake with Ice Cream and Strawberries

My mom still makes each of Easter baskets…It’s one of the many reasons we love her!

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

Matthew 28:5-7