Welcome to another edition of Halloween on Sloan Creek! This year’s theme: “Candy Swap.” Yup, that’s right. We have now reached the point where there are more than a handful of children in the neighborhood. And all of us were out in force tonight. However, the amount of candy in everyone’s candy dishes outside never seemed to diminish. Why? Because we were all “regifting.” Trick or treat, go home and dump out your candy in your community candy bowl, and move on. Yikes. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to play this game as we entered the contest a little late. So the Speer household is up to our collective candy eyeballs in candy. And the holiday candy parade has only begun…

On to a more pleasant note, we had a wonderful Halloween this year. I admit being a little stressed, wanting so badly to trick-or-treat the whole neighborhood AND attend a carnival. Wednesdays are busy days for me anyway, but somehow I managed to get quite a bit of housework done (which always puts me in a happy place) amidst the busyness. My mom showed up at about 4:30 to visit with us before heading over to the carnival at First Baptist Allen. Their carnival started at 5:30 and we were there by about 5:40. The whole thing (except for the food and the preschool play area) was outside in the parking lot. There were several inflatables, plus really cool games with prizes. Crisana won a chocolate cheese kiss cake at the cake walk and Trey won a DVD in the door prize drawings. The whole atmosphere was so fun and organized. I loved seeing all the seniors and youth involved in running booths, and everyone seemed to be having a really good time. We’ll definitely go back next year.

Mom left about 6:40 to go home before it got too dark and we bumped into some old PCBC friends as we were heading out, so we didn’t get home until about 7:00 to trick-or-treat in the neighborhood. We got started and visited all of Phase 1 and all but the very back end of Phase 2 before it was time to head home. We got to see lots of other kids and families trick-or-treating in the neighborhood, and revisit many neighbors, some of who are brand-new to the development. We came home to way too much candy left in our basket outside, and overflowing bags of our own. But we had a great time…the kids were happy, and our tummies were full. Read the rest of this entry »

Well, I totally missed it last week, so you’re getting this final installment a week late.  But hey, who’s counting, right?

Last week was the last week of class for the 5 Love Languages of Children.   Our topic for the night was the love language of Acts of Service.  The authors made a great point that parenting is a service-oriented vocation.  We are constantly serving our children.  When our children are young - infants, toddlers, and even preschoolers, we use all 5 love languages constantly, out of necessity.  But as our children grow older, we continue to serve them, even if we don’t use the other languages.  We cook them dinner, we make their beds, we help them with their homework, we teach them how to ride a bike, we teach them how to drive a car, we provide transportation to school and parties and other events…the list is endless.  We might not use the other 4 languages, but we are absolutely compelled to serve our children.  As children grow up and leave home to start families of their own, we are still called upon to serve in various capacities.

The ultimate goal for us as parents, however, is not to be tied in bondage or slavery to our children.  Rather, by serving them, our hope is for them to learn how to serve others.  As our children have their needs met by us, they can then in turn meet the needs of others.  We must serve with an attitude of gratitude, not of resentment.  We must find joy in doing things for and with our children that will build their self-confidence and yes, their independence.

The very first class I took in college once I changed my major to education was (seriously) ED101: Introduction to Teaching.  No joke.  But something that we discussed my very first day in class somehow made its way deep into my psyche and I’ve never been able to forget it:  “The goal of education is to teach children to go away.”  No, not leave-me-alone go away.  Rather the you-can-do-it-on-your-own-now,-you-don’t-need-me go away.  The job of a teacher is to take students from a state of dependence to a place of independence.  As parents, our job is no different.  Our ultimate goal is to move our children along a continuum, starting from the place of complete and utter dependence on us to a place where they are secure, strong, smart, self-sufficient individuals who can find their place and purpose in this world.

Daunting, you bet.  But unlike teachers, we have more than 9-10 months out of one calendar year.  We have 18 years, minimum.  May we be diligent to redeem the time, for the years will fly by.  God help us.  No, really.

I should have posted this on Sunday, but we ended up selling popcorn and visiting with neighbors a little too late.

When I resigned my position at Prairie Creek, I did so with the heartfelt desire and honest commitment to follow God wherever He might choose to lead me and my family.  Though my heart was full of faith and trust in God’s ultimate goodness, that kind of selfless abandon can be a bit frightening.  I know that God’s ultimate plan is good, and that He will protect me in whatever I face…but I like it when life is comfortable, and established, and….well…KNOWN.  But God’s plans don’t always match up with our plans, and soon our family found ourselves at - dare I say it - a “Cross”-roads.  Would we lay down OUR desires and pick up HIS cross and follow Him?

God’s plan became painfully clear to us within a short time after my resignation.  We prayed, and talked, and searched, but His leading was inescapable.  Therefore, we began the sad process of announcing to our friends and church family that we would be leaving Prairie Creek.  This past Sunday was our last Sunday to worship there as fully-involved members.  And though we don’t intend to let our friendships slip away, things will be different.  We won’t see some people as often as we’d like.  For some, a yearly Christmas card may be all the contact we have.  We will rely on “the grapevine” to keep us informed of news and happenings.  We will no longer be part of that inner circle we have thrived on for over a decade.  And that’s hard.

But with that sadness comes great anticipation.  I know that God has led us here for a reason.  I know He has a purpose and a plan for our lives.  I know that He has ministry opportunities in store for us.  I know that this is His plan, His will.  And I know that I’d rather be concerned with pleasing Him and doing what He wants than in worrying about what anyone else thinks.

Our dear friend and music minister at PCBC wrote a beautiful arrangement of the old hymn, “I Have Decided.” As a 9-year-old in Miami, I remember singing this hymn with the church congregation as we trekked from the classroom at MCS across the street to “Lake Laguna” where I was baptized.  The song, symbolic of my decision to turn from a life of sin and begin a new life committed to following God, was a confirmation of my heart’s desire.  In much the same way, this past Sunday I sensed a new commitment burning in my heart as I sang - or rather, tried to sing - the words of this song.  It was my prayer, my fervent desire, my earnest plea to God:  “I have decided…I have DECIDED…I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS.”  Please don’t forget me, God.  Please hear my honest cry to You.  Please carry me through the hurt and sadness of goodbye and the fear of the unknown to a place of unspeakable joy and peace as I find my purpose and direction in You.

My dear PCBC friends, you will always be in my heart.  I hope and pray the best for you.  I anticipate hearing great things about what God is doing through you.  May your hearts continue to burn with a holy passion for Him.  I love you.

What a time to be a New England professional sports team fan!  Woot!

The New England Patriots remain undefeated following a 52-7 PASTING of the Redskins.  Quit yer whinin’ ol’ ’skinny.  The Pats couldn’t HELP but run up the score when you TURN THE BALL OVER inside the red zone.  Sheesh.  I do admit feeling a little sorry for my pal Joe Gibbs over there on the sidelines…kinda like watching Tom Landry at the end of his glorious career.  So sad.  But that moment fleeted on by when the Pats scored yet another TD.   Almost to the halfway point and still wondering who will be the one that fells the mighty Brady.

But the BIG NEWS of the day is this:

The Red Sox are World Series Champs!!

It’s a glorious day in Red Sox Nation.  Twice in this decade, after nearly a century-long drought, the Bosox have brought glory to Beantown.  And, like last time, they did it in dramatic fashion, winning 7 straight to clinch the pennant and the title.  I still think 2004 represents the mightiest and most satisfying collapse of any professional team in my book.  Watching the Yankees crumble after posting a 3-0 lead in the ALCS and having the Sox win 8 straight was unforgettable.  But this was still pretty good too.  For all the talk about the Rockies being on fire, about how hard it was to play and win in Coors Field, about how it would be tough for the Sox to adjust…the Rockies showed nothin’.  Their bats had nothin’.  Their pitchers had nothin’.

Now, let’s see if we can sprinkle this magic champion dust over the Celtics and Bruins.

It’s late, I’m tired, and I’m not going to make this long… (big sigh of relief from my 4 loyal readers)

But I just had to celebrate, ‘cuz…

THE SOX ARE IN THE WORLD SERIES!!  THE SOX WON THE PENNANT!

Woot!

“What I did on my October vacation, Days 3 & 4″
By Debbi Speer

I swam. With my family. On the beach. And in the pool. We walked on the beach. yada yada yada.
Then we saw some sea turtles. Then we swam some more. Oh, and we ate a lot too.
The end.

If you want more details, please unfold… Read the rest of this entry »

“What I did on my October Vacation”

by Debbi Speer

What I did on my October vacation was to get into a car and drive a really, really, REALLY long way to the beach.

The end.

Not good enough? Okay, I’ll give details, but remember: YOU ASKED FOR IT.

Read the rest of this entry »

The day, it was Tuesday, the shows carried on,

But alas, I could not watch because I was gone.

Girls’ Night Out I attended, gathered at Scotty P’s

Where I munched on fries and a burger with cheese.

Wednesday was church: dinner, class, and a song

Which, unfortunately, keeps me out late and too long,

So I end up heading home and just going to bed

And thinking “I’ll just catch up on Thursday instead.”

But Thursday was spent catching up on some study

For the Friday morning group with my neighborhood buddy.

And Friday was bunco, an event that is nice

As we eat, talk, and laugh, all while rolling the dice.

Saturday’s plans were prepping and packing,

And making sure that nothing was lacking

For our family jaunt to the warm Texas coast

(it’s our turn in the condo, though we don’t like to boast).

Journeyman, WAT, DWTS, and more

Are patiently waiting, in the DVR stored,

Until we return and are able to see

What we’ve missed while playing in South Padree.

You will receive, I promise, at that future time,

A full recap done (of all shows) in Seussian rhyme.

No kidding!  No lying!  No mirrors or smoke!

Just lots of tetrameter from this blog will be spoke!

Until then, fare thee well, my fellow blog friends…

Good night, sleep tight, until the long dark night ends.

We are nearly done with the class based on the book, The 5 Love Languages of Children, and I have dearly loved teaching this class. Much to my surprise (and to a certain extent, delight), most of the attendees have been teachers. I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of adapting the course content to make it relevant for these teachers - and in so doing I have gained new insight that I hope will help me not only personally as a parent dealing with my own children, but also as a professional educator.

There are only two languages left to discuss, and this week’s topic is the love language of gifts. As presented in the book, a child whose love language is gifts will cherish and treasure those tangible gifts that they receive, whether they be presents for Christmas, birthdays, or other celebrations; souvenirs or mementos picked up on family travels; or those “just because” presents for no special reason at all. The point these authors make is that even everyday objects can become gifts if we take the time to make the presentation special. The authors also caution to be sure that we as parents and significant adults recognize the difference between gifts and rewards as well as the dangers of an overabundance of gifts. Read the rest of this entry »

The week of hai-cap has since passed us by,

So now a new format of recap we try.

From our friend RC whose blog now looks sweeter

Came the suggestion of using a Suessian meter!

“Can I do that?” I thought.  “Can I figure it out,

Can I rhyme with enough style so that there’s no doubt

That I am the queen of all recappers?  And what’s more, can I go

On in this meter to recap EVERY show?

I can! And I must!  I will do this with glee,

And  outrhyme, out-meter, OUT-BLOG  ol’ RC!

Even if, even if, EVEN IF he doesn’t  see

The same shows I do on the prime-time TV!”

Our week begins with a plethora of shows,

Which I will now summarize, from opening to close. Read the rest of this entry »