4 day school week

Yesterday while I was standing outside waiting for my kids to come out of school, the principle came out and we had a little chat. He wanted to know my opinion on a 4 day week for school. Nevada, as many states are going through some major budget cuts and they are trying to figure out the best way to deal with these cuts. He explained to me that by switching to a 4 day school week, that they would be able to save 2 teachers spots with the money that they would save on transportation and electricity and such.

I'm not really sure how I feel about it. For one thing, a 4 day week would add 75 minutes to each school day. I know that for Zachary, he is already tired by the end of a school day, and adding an extra hour at the end of the day, might not be the best thing for him. Not only that, but it seems like we are already cramming a lot in after school between homework and sports and dinner and getting ready for bed.

The principle also told me that they would be teaming up with the Magic Carpet Day Care for parents that work Monday through Friday. parents would still be able to drop their kids off at school on Fridays, but it would be day care, not school. It seems like such a waste for the kids that will have to do that. I know that this aspect really isn't the schools problem, but I'm not convinced that it's a good idea. The reality is that Parents do have to work Monday through Friday and now on Fridays they won't be learning or spending time with their families. Like I said. What a waste.

I guess, now that I am really sitting down to think about it, I don't like the idea at all! However, the alternative is that people loose jobs, and class sizes get bigger. Maybe there just isn't a good solution.

My husband is heading for prison

We wanted to be prepared for the rumors that the mine that Joe works for is going to shut down or lay off soon, so a few months ago, Joe applied at the prison here in Ely. We didn't hear anything until a few days ago when we got an e-mail saying that his application had be reviewed and accepted and they would send him via mail a date for a physical test and interview. He has this test on the 25th and an interview to follow if he passes the physical part.

If I remember correctly, he has to run a mile in 17 min. and do some timed push-ups and sit-ups. We are headed to the local football field on Tuesday for a little bit of training, and just to see if he can do it. It should be interesting to say the least. I've never seen Joe run! I know they do make it fairly easy though, and I'm sure he can do it.

He is not allowed to wear any blue to this interview, which I know is gang related but I find highly amusing since he won't be around any prisoners that day.

We are both just a little bit excited about the whole thing. For one thing it will be a change of pace for Joe, and he needs that. And for another thing, once he has some experience we could put in for a transfer and head back to Vegas or California. It's really a great opportunity during this economic crisis since it is one of the more stable jobs out there, unlike his current occupation which has been one of the hardest hit industries.

In response to: A brief word on discipleship vs. legalism

I fully and completely agree that as followers of Christ, we are called into a lifetime of discipleship, of walking in the way with Jesus, seeking righteousness, holiness, Christ-likeness throughout our lifetime.

However, as far as discipleship goes I do not think that you can disciple to every person in the same way, which may be the problem with legalism.

When I used the example of the beach in response to this blog, it was a generalization of many things that Christians could see as causing another to stumble and to me seemed just as outrageous as the Superbowl discussion. (Not that I think that the discussion it's self was outrageous)

I think that if any one person feels like an event such as the Superbowl is not honoring to Christ, than he/she should absolutely not partake in the festivities. You should most certainly do what you believe God wants you to do in your life.

A little background: I am married, but spiritually single. In my life I am continually made fun of by my own husband for my beliefs and often what I take a stand on. One of the nicknames that Joe has given me is Flanders. (The Jesus freak on The Simpsons) I have been told that I am brainwashing my children simply because I take them to church and celebrate advent and things like that. I was not allowed to enroll my children in a Christian pre-school. In my situation, I have learned to pick my battles carefully while maintaining my core values and beliefs. Only God knows my struggles in this everyday situation and only those whom are in the same situation as I am can truly understand.

In my case, it would be more of a discipleship for me to sit down and enjoy the game despite whatever negativity there may be, than to refuse to watch it and have my husband look at me like a crazy person and think to himself that he doesn't want any part of my God that will not even allow me to watch a football game.

I guess my point is simply that you do what you believe God wants you to do. If you believe that God cannot use the Superbowl as a time of discipleship in your life, than by all means skip it! But if you can see how God could use even the Superbowl as a time to witness, even if it is just through a gentle and quiet spirit, than He will give you that opportunity. I don't think that this is a subject that you can generalize for all Christians. I have a tendency to look at things how Joe would see them, and spend my time doing studies on how to be the happy wife of an unsaved husband. So I guess my opinions are often from this perspective and the will of God through prayer in my own life and experience, which I am fully aware is different from many.

For those that are using Superbowl Sunday to help the homeless, that is an amazing ministry and I am glad that God is using those women in that ministry. One of my major ministries is Joe, and although it may not seem as important to some, I believe that I can be the hands and feet of Jesus in my own home.

And on a personal note to Dan. The George Knight comment was meant to be light hearted and funny. I hope you didn't take me seriously.

United Methodists

I've been attending the United Methodist Church in Ely. This past Sunday, the pastor decided to do a healing service where anyone that needed healing of any kind could come to the front of the church and have the pastor lay hands on them and pray for them. I've been through this myself more than once and it has always been an extremely personal, emotional and spiritual experience. However, in the United Methodist Church they do not pray from their hearts and the whole thing seemed a little weird. I did not participate in this service, and I am not trying to tell you how the ones who did felt. The pastor prayed the same prayer, which she read from a sheet of paper, for every person. I know that this is just how the Methodists do things since all of our prayers throughout any service are printed in the bulletin, but it's not something that I think that I will ever get used to. To me, Christianity is about having a personal relationship with God. He doesn't expect everything to be scripted and allows you to share your whole heart. The Methodists, take the personal out of your relationship with God.
I am certainly glad that I have a church to go to in Ely and that my kids are going to Sunday school. I just don't understand the ways of the Methodists.

Yuck!

Yesterday Joe came home very proud with this story:

At the mine, there aren't any bathrooms anywhere near where we are working, so sometimes we have to poop in a bucket. This was one of those days. "that's disgusting" I said. "And then what do you do with the bucket?" I asked foolishly. I put a bag in the bucket before hand, and then when I was done, I took the bag and threw it down one of the blast holes so that when they blast, my poop will fly into the air!

Seriously. What is wrong with boys.