Random Thoughts...

Today in 2nd Grade we took a field trip to downtown Raleigh where we visited the Capitol Building, Legislative Building and History Museum, and.... Krispy Kreme :) Unfortunately, I forgot my camera...so I don't have any pictures. But, it was great fun. The weather was perfect for walking around downtown... and of course the time with the kids provided some good entertainment (and blog material)... here's some highlights...
(keep in mind...I rode there and back with one of the other teachers and 4 boys - who, by the way, think they can rap - - fun times...really!)

Teacher: So, boys, tell me what you want to be when you grow up...
Boy #1: I want to be a vegetarian.
Teacher: ummm I think you mean veternarian...
Boy #1: oh, yeah, that's it.
Boy #2: What's a veternarian?
Me: it is a doctor who takes care of animals
Boy #1: And they make lots of money!
Boy #2: I want to be a bounty hunter!
me and other teacher: a bounty hunter?!....okay....
Boy #2: but if I can't be that, I want to work at the State Fair! .... in one of the food stands, yeah, I want to work in the Lemonade Stand at the State Fair or be a bounty hunter.

Christmas break starts tomorrow afternoon. I'm looking forward to the time off... but, you know, I think I might miss these guys :)

In other news...

• Ava is now quite mobile...There are some adorable pictures of my neice on Joy & Dan's blog

• Last weekend the single guys in my church put on a great Christmas dinner party! There are pictures from the evening and a video on Melissa's blog of a skit that they did... Matt has the script on his site. (my snowflake happened to win an honorable mention in the snowflake contest....according to the judge it was a mediocre snowflake, but was placed well) They also said they wouldn't mind throwing rocks in my car windshield... but that problem has sinced been solved. In all seriousness... it was a great evening... I echo everything Missy said! I really appreciate you guys :)
  

Christmas time is here...happiness and cheer...

This past week has been filled with Christmas decorating, shopping, Christmas programs at school, and now to finish it off I am heading out tonight to see the Nutcracker ballet with my friend Jaime! Tomorrow starts a new week...Christmas baking and a few Christmas parties.

I've been listening to a lot of Christmas music and I've been thinking about the lyrics of "Good Christian Men Rejoice. They are so true! I especially like these last two verses:

Good Christian men, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss: Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened the heavenly door, and man is blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!

Good Christian men, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave: Peace! Peace! Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all, to gain His everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!

Hope you have a joyful weekend... He has opened the heavenly door, and man is blessed forevermore...Christ was born to save!

My last blog post included an obituary for Cheryl Stolldorf and encouragement from my pastor. We lived next door to the Stolldorfs for 10 years after both of our families moved to Raleigh to start a church. Her daughter Terri is one of my very good friends. I sat and listened Monday as family and friends shared memories they had of Cheryl, what they had learned from her, and how she had affected their lives. Many memories and things I admired about her have flooded my mind over the last few days... here are a few of them...

-- I still remember the first time I met the Stolldorfs when we visited them in Richmond... Cheryl made us the best waffles I've ever had.

-- Almost every Christmas Eve when we lived next door to them, the Stolldorfs would come over (or we'd go over there) and Cheryl would leave us a plate of her homemade cinniman rolls for Christmas morning.

-- Countless meals, youth group parties, church events, and just times of hanging out at their house... she always made us feel welcome!

-- When our church had a men's retreat and our dad's were gone, Cheryl would invite us over for milkshakes, popcorn, and a movie!

-- Cheryl was an example to me in the way she cared for her family and her home. Her house was always neat and clean and ready for visitors (planned or unexpected!).

Please keep the Stolldorfs in your prayers, as well as my friend Jeanie and her family (Jeanie also lost her mom this fall), and any others you know who have lost family members. The holidays are an especially hard time when you have lost someone you love.

In Light of That Day

Cheryl Lynn Stolldorf, 47, of Cary, passed from death to life on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at Wake Medical Center. Raised in Pennsylvania, Cheryl trusted in Christ at a young age. She attended Penn State University, where she met and married Dan Stolldorf. They had three children. In all circumstances, her life was marked by tireless service and loving devotion to her family, her church, and her Lord.

She is survived by her husband of 26 years; her daughter and son-in- law, Terri, and Vance Whitaker; her son, A.J. Stolldorf; her daughter, Allison Stolldorf; her grandson, Isaac Whitaker; as well as her parents and four sisters.

A visitation will be held at Apex Funeral Home from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, December 10, 2006.

The funeral will be held 1 p.m. on Monday, December 11, 2006 at King's Park International Church (www.kpic.org).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the persecuted church through the Voice of the Martyrs at 1-800-747-0085.

Arrangements are entrusted to Apex Funeral Home, 550 W. Williams St. (Hwy 55), Apex, and condolences may be made to www.apexfuneral.com
News & Observer, 12/08/06


Let us all be comforted with the knowledge that at the instant of her death, she passed into the presence of her Savior. We will mourn, but we will do so, not as those who have no hope in death. We will mourn in hope—the hope of eternal life and the hope of the resurrection of the body at the return of the Lord. Be comforted by God’s wonderful provision made possible by the death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This gospel hope is sure and steadfast and will never fade away. May we who live on in the flesh take this opportunity to reflect upon nearness of eternity and determine to live our lives in light of that day.
-Phil Sasser