Seven Things I Love About Early Morning Runs

1. The darkness and silence helps create my very favorite time of the day. It is often the only silence in my day…and I cherish it enough to lose an extra an hour of sleep.

2. There is so much less traffic is on the road and on the track in the early hours…and I prefer to run in solitude. If I had my druthers, I’d never see a single person ; however, I am learning to enjoy greeting the same people on the road each morning….kind of like a silent accountability group.

3. I can plan my day, organize my thoughts, and prepare my heart for the circumstances that will undoubtedly arise. If I miss a morning run, my entire day seems a bit out of kilter.

4. It is cooler….much cooler in the mornings.

5. Listening to my Ipod makes me VERY VERY happy ! To watch the sun rise to the voice of Josh Groban starts my day with a smile on my face…geek, I am.

6. I can still get home in time to spend a few minutes watching each of our girls sleep before I must wake them for the day.

7. Even if I do nothing else all day, I’ve accomplished one thing before 6 AM.

A Night to Remember

Have you EVER seen a better looking group of kids...I mean young adults? me neither

As I watched these kids enjoy dressing up, figure out "date" etiquette and laugh all night, I couldn't help but wonder what they will be like during graduation in a few more years. They are a tight knit group. They are a joy. I will only have them two more times...and then they will be finished with middle school forever. Hummmm...MAYBE if they all fail English, I could keep them a while longer....or maybe I'll just bribe them with jolly ranchers to come visit me every now and then!

No Goodbyes

Where has the time gone? This month has been the busiest one ever! We continue to miss Jon, but happy that he is resting well in Tennessee.

We are on the merry-go-round of “end of the year” places to be and people to see. We are saying goodbye to our superintendent, school counselor, and two of our principals with numerous dinners, parties, dedications, etc. The 8th grade banquet created an opportunity for the students to dress up and enjoy reflecting on their time together before moving up to high school. Concerts for all ages have provided entertainment a few nights this past week. Last night was a sports’ banquet and tonight will begin the week of countdown for the seniors with baccalaureate. Along with exams this week, we have three award programs, closing chapel, graduation and many, many goodbyes. As busy as it all sounds, we will be sad when this year is over. And especially sad to see so many leave for furlough, transfer or graduation. I am sure tears will flow.

Over the last year, we’ve said goodbye too many times, and now it is time to say it again to many who are leaving Hillcrest and Nigeria. Saying goodbye doesn’t get easier with practice. Perhaps the more experience you have at it, the harder it becomes because you know how much it will hurt. The deeper the love, the stronger the pain. However, even with the hurts of saying goodbye, I can say, “I’d do it all over again!” I never want to forsake the joys of love because I was too scared of the goodbye. Instead of “goodbye”-it will be “until next time”…..no goodbyes.

May 06 I LOVE MY BIRTHDAY

But I despise the hype. After losing one of my brothers at a much too early age, each year I am so thankful when my birthday comes around…another year with those I love dearly. But I don’t like the (often artificial) hype of birthdays. The older I get, the more private I become. My sweet girls, their friends and my students helped make the day very special. Homemade hummus, many hugs, beautiful handmade cards, a meal of milkshakes and fries, some cakes, and my favorite movie-the perfect gifts! Then, they saved the best for last-we went away for a day of MUCH needed relaxation, out of Jos. As I watched my children play, talk, and just enjoy the day without phones, school work, or other obligations I realized just how blessed I am. Jon was safely in the states recovering. I am so thankful he didn’t have to have surgery and that he was ok. We have three girls who are as different as points on a triangle, each experiencing different things in life. Sitting out on a rock, I prayed for each of them…prayed that the trials they are each facing today will become tomorrow’s testimony. Prayed that they will learn that life isn’t about how many years you live, but how you live those years.

A Letter to My Class

I lost it. Just flat out lost it with one of my classes on Friday. They have such passion for life….and passion for each other….and passion for talking to each other about their passion for life…IN MY CLASS! I was so upset. Not at them,…but at what they have done to me. (Don’t take that wrong…just keep reading.) See, I thought this would be easy: come to Nigeria, teach for two years, do what I was called to do, and go back home. I even counted the cost of going without certain conveniences. No big deal---lose a bit of weight, learn to go without a daily shower, who really needs electricity? All was going as planned. Until….until I fell in love. Forgot to factor that in…didn’t even occur to me that it would happen at all. No forewarning. And I like things planned…

So…Class of 2011-
I will not apologize. I am not sorry. I admit it. I love you all. I don’t know why and I don’t understand how it happened. But I look forward to watching you continue to grow—as a class and individually. Sometimes I catch a glimpse of what I think you’ll be like in a few years and it makes me smile. I will miss you more than you’ll know next year when you are in high school. There…I admitted it! Now, about class: I am glad you are passionate about life. I am glad you are passionate about each other….just simmer your passion down IN MY CLASS!

Love,
Mrs. Parker

Matters of the Heart

I was in Kenya when I got the news. Jon emailed me his symptoms. He had been having chest pains, shortness of breath, and he said his legs and feet were three times the normal size. By the time I arrived home, he was very tired, was not sleeping well and his blood pressure was rising. However, the deciding factor for me to know something was really wrong was when the high school kids came over to play soccer and he chose to sleep on the couch! If you know Jon at all, you would be worried then too.

Ten days ago Jon was medi-vac’d out of the country. He spent a week in London and went through many procedures and tests. The doctors believe a virus has attacked his heart. We pray there will be no permanent damage. He has been flown on to the states to rest and recover until the middle of July. Hopefully he will be able to get off the heart medication soon.

Why?

April 12
Last night I arrived from Kenya. Jon informed me about our sweet friend and fellow missionary’s unexpected death a few days before. I am in shock. He was such an inspiration to me. Just a week or so before we had spent a long hot day in Bauchi together. I loved hearing his stories, observing his laid back personality, and watching his love for others. In my grief I have asked why. I have no answer, but I know he is rejoicing to be home, with those he loves. The Lord gives and takes away. Sometimes at the same time.

Coming Soon

Many posts to upload tonight.
Thank you for your many emails....we are updating tonight, IF eletricity cooperates!

Blessed Be Your Name

Blogging from Nairobi, Kenya!
WOW! I am in a beautiful area of Africa... green, clean and full of wildlife! (Photos to be posted when I get back home.) As we drove through the Rift Valley area, I became a wee bit homesick for mountains, trees and cooler weather.I am very tired from long meetings, but my spirit is refreshed. This week I was reminded of one of my favorite songs. May I never cease to praise our Father, both in the good times and those that test me in many ways. May we praise Him when He gives....and praise Him when He takes away!
Blessed Be His Name!!!

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name

The Bucket and Growing Up

Not for the weak of stomach.

I spent lots of time studying her little face this week. Naomi was as sick as she has ever been....ever. I prayed and prayed as I held her head while she was sick into bucket after bucket. I cried out to God to heal her when she asked me why God let her be sick. She could barely walk after the first day but got better after we started malaria treatment. Unfortunately, her fever would spike and she would be horribly sick at night. Finally, she turned the corner and began to smile once again. Then it was over as quickly as it came. Praise the Lord!

While she was asleep in my arms this week, I studied her often. She is growing up. Quickly. She is very self sufficient and enjoys a life full of adventure (and coffee!) She is the most independent 10 year old I know but still loves to cuddle every night. Precious. (And I especially love to cuddle when there isn't a puke bucket between us!)