Too Hot to Spit!

Too hot to spit!  That's a saying my Dad used to use once in awhile.  I mostly remember him saying that when we were hauling hay.  And he was right.  It would be so hot and dusty out there that it would just dry the spit right out of ya!  Yep, I was spitless!  In any case, sure wish it would SNOW!  Now, I'm not just saying that, I really mean it.  I do not like summer and I love the winter!  Of course, fall is my most favorite time of the year.

As I mentioned before, I'm teaching an Efficient Studies class for Montcalm Community College.  Oral presentations began today.  Most of the students were very nervous, but they did well.  I'm not sure just what there is about the fact that you have to stand in front of someone and talk that makes our bones rattle and our teeth shake ... no, I think that's our teeth rattle and our bones shake ... well, no matter, you get the picture!

After class, I returned to my car and it was sweltering in there.  I had grabbed a partial bag of large marshmallows to bring along for a snack and had forgotten them in the car.  Well, I could have easily stirred in some rice krispies and had treats!  Those puppies were almost melted to a goo!  I had some errands to do in Greenville.  I cranked up the AC in the car to as high as it would go.  I got cooled off some, but the marshmallows were a hopeless story.  I didn't toss them though.  I brought them home and put them back in the cupboard.  When they cool down, I'll be able to heat them up again and really make those treats ... maybe this weekend for the kids.

You know, before I retired, I talked with the Lord about whether or not this was His plan for me.  I found peace in my decision, so moved forward with the plan.  As the day of no return (the last date to say I would or would not retire) approached, I started really fretting about income.  After all, I was only 59 and unable to draw social security for a few more years.  Also, I did not receive a pension from the college.  I do have a small pension available from Gibson's but am trying not to touch that until I'm 62 as it will take a big cut out of it and it's not that big to begin with.  Anyhow, as I was saying, I was really getting nervous about how we'd pay our bills.

Let me back up just a bit.  A couple of weeks prior to that point, I was asked to teach in the spring semester (January through May) and declined.  After all, I was retiring.  That meant staying at home, watching grandkids, reading and crocheting.  Well, all at once I got to thinking about my conversation with the Lord and the peace He gave me.  I realized that I didn't need to fret or be concerned about finances as He would provide.  Then it hit me like a ton of bricks (ever been hit by a ton of bricks?) ... He would provide but he wasn't going to dump dollar bills into my lap; I was going to have to put feet to the fire by actually doing something!  And what do I do best?  Speak and teach!  So, I backpedaled and said that, yes, I'd take that teaching job.  And God continues to bless and provide!  He is so good and so gracious.

I "like" a few different Christian sites on Facebook.  One is called Girlfriends in God.  The writer typically includes a prayer and it is always just exactly what is on my heart and what I want to say to God, but am never able to say as eloquently or as succinctly.  Here is today's prayer:

"Father, thank You for life and the special plan You have for me. Honestly, it is hard for me to understand and really believe that I am special to You. To think that You know me and love me just as I am really rocks my world, but I do want to see myself through Your eyes – no more and no less. Please help me." ~ Mary Southerland

Well, that's it for tonight.  C u again tomorrow!  (I have fits when my students use that text-language!)  Til we meet again,

Leslie