Stones in the River

When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.”

So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” -- Joshua 4

I can truly say that this has been one of the most eventful years of my life.  I always thought I would write a story of my graduation. Yet, I didn't think that it would have so many details-not like these.  It all began in 1990, but for time sake, I am going to skip some years.

The only way for me to complete this degree and have the flexibility to finish was to work as a substitute teacher. This is the year I believe God had the greatest sense of humor with me. Spiritual Comedy Central, starring...me! I was hired at a school in DC as a substitute teacher. But of course, a sub is only called when you need them. So I truly was not expecting to work more than a couple of days a week. The school started on Tuesday. I got a call that night asking if I could work for the next three days. They asked me if I wanted to teach math or Spanish. Backdrop:  I tutored during the summer and I had to take a test.  I did well in English, but not as well in math. So I told the school director, ‘Spanish’. The three days ended and she asked me if I could come back the next week. Another week passed and I was asked to come back the next week. And the next...and the next. I began making lesson plans with no curriculum or materials. Luckily, my oldest son was in his second year of Spanish. So guess who's first year Spanish textbook I was using? Uh huh, yeah!


Well, I didn't really...


 After inquiring, I was eventually told that the school had not hired a Spanish teacher. What did that mean? I was the full time Spanish teacher. Do I speak Spanish? (How do you say 'no' in Spanish?) But what else did that mean? I suddenly had a full time job. The Bible says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. -- 2 Corinthians 12:9.  Guess what my weakness was? SPANISH!!!!!

Time has passed.  I graduated from Howard University.  And I am beginning to accept the fact that maybe this has been God’s plan all along. It was His plan to show His power in my weakness. And to show what it means to never give up.

God wrote this story for me to remember and for others to hear.  Especially my boys.  God used me to create a 'No Excuse Zone' in my house. I'm positive they'll have many challenges come their way. But they and their children can always say that I never gave up.  They will come to their Jordan River, see the waters, and see how difficult it may be to cross.  But I have set up a very large stone in the middle of that river to remind them that they too can cross.

Be blessed.  I am NOS...

Technology or the Ancients

     Every Saturday morning my son goes to learn the game of chess.  He's beginning to understand the basics of the game.  He plays against other players who are also learning.  Its fun for him.

     But away from the Saturday morning ritual is the Wii, Xbox, Playstation, Kindle Fire, iPhones, and any other device that can stimulate the mind. (We don't have all of those, but you understand the point).

Which is better? The Ancients or the now?  Games that began in the 600's or the 2000's? 

I don't know if I have the answers.  I'm sure both have their advantages. Lend me your thoughts...

I am NOS...

Be Ready for Anything

As you may know, I teach. I have seen the peace of a school as well as the chaos.  Today, I saw the chaos! That chaos is called a bomb threat! Yes, you read it correctly.  Let's paint the picture.

I had just taken my very lively 7th grade students downstairs for lunch.  We were having hamburgers. Just as my students got in line, the fire alarm goes off. All the teachers were looking around. Why? Because usually we get a heads up as to when a fire alarm drill is to happen.  Guess what? No alert. We race all the kids out the building as quickly as possible.  The students found it as another drill, but teachers found it as a call for heightened awareness. It's about 40 degrees outside.  The wind is blowing around 20 miles an hour. The air was dry. And all of the students were outside...with no coats...for close to an hour. I felt so bad for them, especially the little ones. We were out so long that we actually had to walk to another school and wait there. At least there was heat and some comfort.

We never would have known what to do if we did not have practice fire drills earlier in the year. Although we were cold, we were prepared.

We live in a world where unfortunately anything can 'pop off' at any time. Do your children know what to do if something were to happen? Do they know where to go? Prepare them by coming up with an escape plan in your house if there's a fire. Prep them with a Metro fare card if they have to take the train home if there's an emergency at school. Give them the tools and wisdom they need to maintain a level head in case of an emergency.  My boys have shown this maturity a couple of times.  I remember a time when my family was in an accident. As they drove in the ambulance, Kai called me on the phone, told me where they were going, and gave me solid details. My anxiety quickly turned to a calm.

Trust me...I still have to do some of these things I write to you now about, but its on the radar.  If you read the Bible, there is a passage that comes to mind.  Matthew 25:1-13 speaks of ladies who had to be prepared for when the bridegroom came. Take a look at it. I just want you and I to be prepared...

I'm NOS...