Class Party.

It was just another typical day in our classroom. Wait, no actually, it wasn't. My students were being abnormally quiet/productive/studious. I decided they had earned a "class point" for their good behavior.

Dumb, dumb, dumb idea.

You see, I wasn't paying attention when I awarded them this glorious class point. If I, in that split second before I opened my big mouth, had had the insight to look at the whiteboard, I would have realized the class had earned 49 points.

And so they earned magical number 50.

Cheers broke out. I got really nervous. Festive noises usually means someone has discovered a new bodily function in the first grade.

Thus, I give you the following conversation. I tried to remember it word for word because it was just too ridiculous.

____________________________________________________

Me: OH guys, you have successfully earned 50 class points! Good job, so you've earned a class party.

'Jimmy': That is a MIRACLE.

Me: Does anyone have an idea of how we could spend our points and what we should do for our class party? Raise your hand, please.

Jimmy: Let's buy a Harp Seal!!

(for the record, we have been doing a study unit on polar regions)

'Hank': Let's buy a Wii!!!

Me: Does anyone have an idea we can actually do? These are class points, not dollars.

'Pat': I LOVE LLAMAS!!! Let's go to the Llama farm in Walla, Walla!

Me: Again, this is a class party guys, not a field trip.

Jimmy: Ice-Cream!

Pat: I LOVE Ice-Cream!

Hank: A Slip-N-Slide!!

----Much Laughter----

Pat: A Slip-N-Slide with ice-cream at the end of it!!

----Much Laughter, Lots of Clapping----

Me: I think maybe I should just come up with ideas for the class party and then we'll vote on it tomorrow.

Jimmy: (whispering to Hank) Do you think Seals like ice-cream?

10 Things I learned From Parent/Teacher Conferences

1) The mute kid's parents are also mute. Crap.

2) Happy, healthy marriages tend to produce happy, healthy kids.

Go figure.

3) My left hand is bare and all the recently divorced dads are noticing. No, we don't have end-of-the-year parent volunteer sign-ups. No, your kid did not in fact mention that you went to WSU back in 1997 for a couple of semesters. Actually, I was 9 at the time sir.

4) The kid who always has seventeen time outs in the day to "re-think about his choices" has 4 younger siblings. Perfect. Job Security. And gray hair. Hopefully for someone else.

5) Oh, your child has been telling you I haven't assigned homework for the last 5 weeks?? That's false. Your child is a very sweet, very pathological liar.

6) ADD is in fact, hereditary.

7) Report cards are a foreign language all of their own. And I can now read and translate this language upside down. In a soothing, comforting manner.

8) Hard conversations are hard. No matter what. Trying to explain to a Mom with 9 kids that her son needs to repeat the first grade is like trying to keep the titanic afloat with a piece of duct tape. The issue is bigger, and goes deeper than I'm qualified, trained and mentally capable of going.

9) Your kid is getting a Wii if this conference goes well?! What in the sam hill...

10) I understand my students a thousand times better than I did at the start of this week. And, I need a glass of wine.

The Song-Singer and the Princess

Once upon a time, in a land very near to here, lived a princess. She was born when the first golden rays of sunshine tumbled over the hilltops. The Song-Singer, the One who sings everything into motion had prepared a beautiful kingdom for the baby princess. In this kingdom was everything the princess could ever want or need. All her dreams lived in this kingdom.

The Song-Singer created her for his own happiness. She brought the Song-Singer such big, big joy. He had a special song that he sang, a special song for the baby princess. He loved to sing the special song, just for her.

From the very day she was born the princess had an enemy. He was mean, he was nasty. He would sneak up behind her and whisper lies, lies meant to hurt. The Song-Singer would sing over the baby princess and His beautiful voice would call to the princess and she would turn her face once more to the Song-Singer. The Song-Singer's voice would blow away the lies, until those lies were no more. The lies were drowned out by the beautiful song of the Song-Singer.

Day after day, night after night the Song-Singer sang over the princess. But one day, the terrible Enemy whispered a little lie into the princess' ear. The Song-Singer was singing over her still, but the princess turned her ear ever so slightly towards the whisper of the Enemy. The princess was just curious, that's all. She could still hear the Song-Singer's voice, for it was strong and it was beautiful.

But the Enemy was whispering about her. The Enemy whispered, "Don't listen to the Song-Singer. Sing your own song, over yourself. A better song, maybe."

That was the lie.

She turned her ear a little bit more towards the Enemy. The Song-Singer would never stop singing and loving. He was the Song-Singer.

He was Song and Love itself.

"Ill just listen to this little Enemy and his little lie for just one minute. The Song-Singer will never stop singing over me, of course," said the princess to herself. So, the princess turned her whole head towards the Enemy. She could still hear the Song-Singer and His beautiful song, although it was a little quieter than before. The Enemy looked like everything the princess wanted to be. But she couldn't quite hear the whisper he was now whispering.

So the princess turned her body towards the Enemy. Now she could hear the whisper better. "The Song-Singer will keep singing His song, even while I listen to this little lie for just one minute."

But just then the Enemy took a step backwards.

"I want to hear that whisper," said the princess, "the Song-Singer won't even notice if I listen to the Enemy." S0, the princess took one step towards the Enemy, to hear his little whisper lie.

And do you know what that little Enemy did?

He took another step backwards, smiling his nasty little grin. The princess followed him. She could still hear the voice of the Song-Singer, although his voice was muffled and she couldn't quite hear all the words anymore.

So one step after another, the Princess walked away from the Song-Singer and followed the Enemy. One step after another, the little Enemy lead her farther and farther away from the Song-Singer.

Until one day, the princess couldn't hear the Song-Singer's voice anymore. The Enemy had lead her so far away from the beautiful voice of the Song-Singer that now all she could hear was the whisper of the Enemy.

The princess looked all around her. She wasn't in the kingdom the Song-Singer had made for her anymore. She was in a kingdom full of things from the Enemy's whisper. Things that had sounded good in the whisper. But these things could not compare to the kingdom and song of the Song-Singer. Everything looked fake and crumbling down. All the things the princess had thought sounded so wonderful, didn't seem so wonderful now.

The princess tried to listen to hear the beautiful voice of the Song-Singer, but all she could hear was the whisper she had been listening to for so long. The princess covered her ears with her hands to try to block out the sound of the Enemy's whisper. All she could hear was that horrible whisper lie. No matter how tightly she covered her ears. She was a captive in the kingdom of the Enemy.

A tear slid down her cheek.

"What have I done? I can't hear the Song-Singer's song anymore. All I hear is the whisper, all I hear is the lie. I don't even know the way back to the Song-Singer," she cried.

The princess fell to her knees. She was tired of that terrible Enemy and his lies and his whisper. Why, oh why had she ever listened to that Enemy in the first place?

"Please, Song-Singer, where ever you are, show me how to get to you," the princess sobbed.

The princess opened her tear filled eyes and through the blur of her hot tears saw the most beautiful feet (if feet can be beautiful!) The princess looked up into the kindest, strongest eyes she had ever looked into. These eyes smiled at her, twinkled. These eyes were familiar, like she had seen them before, somehow.

"Do I know you?" asked the princess as she sniffled in her nose.

The kind, strong eyes belonged to kind, strong man. This kind, strong man smiled big. And then he laughed and squatted down in front of the princess. His hands were rough but gentle as he reached up and dried the princess' tears. The princess was certain she saw a sliver in one of this kind man's fingers.

"I came here to rescue you, Princess." The man with the kind smile had a deep, strong voice.

"Oh. How did you know I needed to be rescued?" asked the princess as one last sniffle snuffled in her nose.

The man with the kind smile grew serious. His voice was deep and strong as he answered.

"My Father sent me."

"Your father? Who is your father? And how does your father know I needed to be rescued?" the princess wrinkled her nose like one does when one has a lot of questions.

The man with the kind eyes and the kind smile, smiled again.

"My Father is the Great Song-Singer. And the Great Song-Singer knows everything about you princess. The Song-Singer sent me to save you so you could hear his beautiful song once more."

"He knows... everything?" squeaked the princess. If the Song-Singer knew everything, then He knew the princess had stopped listening to His beautiful song and had listened to the whisper of the Enemy. He would know she had followed the Enemy. He would know she didn't know how to get back to His kingdom on her own. her cheeks became pink, like cheeks do when we get embarrassed.

"Yes, He knows everything and loves you still. He is still singing the beautiful song He sings over you in His kingdom. He never stopped singing over you. He watched you walk away. His heart broke. And that's when He asked me to leave His kingdom and come rescue you," explained the kind, strong man.

The princess thought about this for a little minute.

"Why did He send you, His son?" she couldn't help but ask.

"Because I am the Rescuer Prince. Its my job to rescue all those who want to know the Song-Singer. I was sent here to save you, because you are the Song-Singer's princess, whom He loves."

The princess smiled shyly. She liked this Rescuer Prince. He was good, and He was kind. His voice was very familiar to. It was just like the Great Song-Singer's, if the Song-Singer talked just like a man.

"Okay, well I think I'm ready to be rescued," the princess decided.

The Rescuer Prince nodded his head in agreement.

"Do you trust me?" asked the Rescuer Prince. The princess thought for another little moment, and then in a quiet spot in her heart she knew the answer. Something in her heart told her she needed to trust this Rescuer Prince.

"Yes, I trust you, Rescuer Prince. I trust you to save me and help me get back to the Great Song-Singer."

The Rescuer Prince smiled and put His strong hand on her shoulder.

"Okay, my Princess. Here's the plan. The Song-singer made up this plan. I am going to take your place. I am going to trade your life for mine. I am the only way to the Song-Singer. There is no other way, I MUST take your place." The Rescuer Prince's voice broke, and His voice became deeper still. A tear slid down the corner of one eye, and then the corner of the other.

The princess stood very still. What kind of Rescuer Prince was this? What kind of son was he? Why would he trade his life for mine, thought the princess.

"Because, the Song-Singer loves you and wants you to know His beautiful voice. He made you to sing His beautiful song with Him, " said the Rescuer Prince quietly.

The princess looked up quickly, this Rescuer Prince knew her thoughts! The Rescuer Prince smiled kindly, as His tears dried. His eyes seemed stronger now. The Rescuer Prince pointed to a hilltop far away. The princess squinted and could barely make out a cross.

"There is where I am going to trade my life for yours. On that cross. A cross on top of a hill. For the whole world to see." The Rescuer Prince stood tall.

"I must go now Princess, but before I do, please know this. There are more people just like you who need to know how to get back to the Song-Singer's kingdom."

The princess nodded her head up and down.

"Tell everyone you meet on your way back to the Song-Singer's kingdom about Me. I came to rescue you, but the Song-Singer has sent Me to rescue all people everywhere, so that anyone can go to the Song-Singer's kingdom and sing with Him forever."

The princess nodded again, but a little thought was stuck in her brain.

"Okay, I will. But what if no one believes me? What if no one believes that You rescued me and that you are the Son of the Song-Singer, what if no one believes you are a Rescuer Prince?" The princess' questions came out in a tumbled rush.

The Rescuer Prince smiled a big, big smile. His eyes looked right into the wide eyes of the princess.

"Do you trust Me princess?"

She nodded slowly, and then she nodded quickly.

"And do you remember how beautiful the Song-Singer's voice was?"asked the Rescue Prince.

The princess nodded again. She did remember.

"Everyone has a memory of the Song-Singer's Voice written on their hearts. When the Song-Singer sang everything into motion, His beautiful voice left an imprint on every heart of every human being. His beautiful song is worth everything. Being with the Song-Singer is worth everything. Nothing can compare to the beauty of the Song-Singer and His song. But you must tell people how they can get to the Song-Singer's kingdom. You must tell them about how I am the Rescuer Prince sent by the Song-Singer to take their place on that cross over there. Tell them how they can be free from the whisper of the Enemy. I love you Princess, but I must go now. This is my choice. Never forget, I did this for you. Because the Song-Singer and I love you."

The Princess nodded. The Rescuer Prince turned to walk away.

"But what if I need help? How will I know where to go or how to tell people about you?" she asked.

The Rescuer Prince turned around and replied, "The Helper is in your heart now. It lives there. The Helper will guide you. It knows the rescue plan and it also knows the Song of the Great Song-Singer. When you trusted me, the Helper came to live in your heart, forever and ever, so you are never, ever alone."

The Rescuer Prince smiled his kind, strong smile.

"The Helper is that still, quiet voice in your heart. Its always trustworthy. You can always call on the Helper and you will hear the Song-Singer's voice."

Just then, a small, faint echo of something spoke into the princess' heart. It was the faint echo of the Song-Singer's voice. The sound was amazing, and achingly familiar to the princess. This faint echo was so beautiful the Princess thought her smile would stretch off her face. The Rescuer Prince walked away and faded into the distance until He was too small to see. But the princess knew where He had gone. She knew because the faint echo in her heart told her so. The Helper, whose Voice was the echo of the Song-Singer's told her. She had been rescued. The Great Song-Singer was still singing over her. She could hear His song in her heart now.

The princess turned around. She was going back to the Song-Singer's kingdom someday. But before then, she needed to tell as many people in THIS kingdom about the Great Song-Singer, and His Son, the Rescuer Prince.

And so she did.

The end.

A Hill to Die Upon

Our real problem, then, is not our strength today; it is rather the vital necessity of action today to ensure our strength tomorrow.
-Dwight D. Eisenhower

We are all in a battle. Of the worst kind. We cannot always see the action swirling around us. The hits come and the devastation is made worse because we never saw the danger coming. We rarely employ strategy but instead rely on a half-hearted attempt to defend ourselves with the worst of weaponry. Bombs are going off around us and our system becomes numb. Pain is no longer shocking--and we can't make out the horizon because the cloud of smoke is choking us. We hear Satan's mocking voice as he gloats in our seeming defeat. In a last gasp, we hear an odd sound. A war cry the likes of which sends shivers down a weathered general's back. Christ blazes in with a state-of-the-art tank called the Holy Spirit and the authority of God Almighty. No longer does the heart accept defeat, no longer does Satan have a hold. Christ saves the day with his bloody sacrifice and we are set free from any and all bondage.

The battle will rage tomorrow and the result will always be the same. Christ conquered death. He won.

But what really, are we fighting for?

___________________________________________________

We are fighting for our lives. We are fighting for our children's lives. We are fighting for our friendships and our marriages. We are fighting for incomparable joy and our livelihoods. We are fighting for our futures.

And we have to decide, is there a hill upon which we must die? Is this battle worth our lives? Is it worth the time, the money, the energy, the loss of reputation, the painful stretching one endures during transformation?

Is the battle for our spiritual lives important enough that we'd risk everything for? Where you get your next breath from matters. Who have you given your allegiance to? What are you holding back? What is keeping you from rallying the spirit within, and charging hell or high water up the hill?

Because on top of the hill, is a cross, upon which Jesus decided you were worth dying for.

____________________________________________________

I appreciate watching World War II documentaries. Do I love watching them? No. I do not love learning about war. But I appreciate the stories and truths that can be learned from those who have fought or are fighting. I have watched all of Band of Brothers, and now The Pacific (I realize I'm not HBO's usual demographic!). In a sort of weird way, I would much rather watch an episode of one of those miniseries than any current modern day television show. Where does a gracious heart grow from?

From realizing all that has been given to you. All that you have been entrusted with. All the sacrifices made on your behalf. So many members of my generation take our carefree lives for granted. I am one of those, for sure. That's one of the reasons why I'd rather watch one of those documentaries than anything on Bravo. I was watching an episode of The Pacific with a few guy friends this past weekend and reflected upon this upcoming Veterans Day. I have so much to be thankful for. So many good men who laid down there lives for mine.

So today, I thank any soldier who has ever died to save my physical life, and I thank Jesus Christ for dying to save my eternal soul. I owe all to soldiers and Jesus. Soldiers for charging up hills to meet the enemy in every earthly war, and Christ for signing up to die for my sins on Calvary's Hill.

For the glory of Him alone,

Kaley Dawn

The Tree Who Helped Save the World

This is a children's story I recently wrote on my way to class and finished up this past weekend.

Its sort of along the lines of the Giving Tree...but a little bit different ;)

Enjoy.

                 The Tree Who Helped Save the World.

This is the story of a tree who helped save the world. It wasn't the
tallest or strongest tree. It did not have the longest branches or the best leaves. But this tree knew it's purpose. This tree was going to someday help save the world. It was planted by a simple farmer for a simple purpose; to help save the world.

When this tree was just a seed, God told this tree it's purpose. This tree was going to help save the world.

From the very beginning of time God had a plan for this very special
tree. He whispered into the tree's heart; "You are my tree. I have
made you and I have created you. I have a plan for you. Plans to
prosper you and show you the deepest depths of my love. You are the
tree who will help save the world."

"Life will not be easy, life will not be safe. But this life I am
giving you will be good. Because you are my very special tree who will someday help save the world."

So this little tree grew and grew and grew. The days became longer and then the days became shorter. Autumn came, and so did a long cold winter. God kept whispering to the little tree, "You are my very special tree. I love you, don't you ever forget. Keep growing strong. I will be here for you Until the very day you help save the world. And every day after, I will be here for you."

Spring came and the sun came out. Summer followed. All the while the
tree grew and grew. Many autumns came and the tree endured many long,very cold winters. Spring always came and summer always followed. God explained to the little tree that he had designed seasons of life. Seasons to grow, seasons to rest. Seasons where the sun shines, and seasons where we only see clouds.

A few more autumns came and a few more winters passed. The tree
just kept growing and growing.

One day God whispered to the tree, "You are ready my very special
tree. I have prepared you for just a time as this. Now my little
special tree, it is time to help save the world."

The tree smiled big, the way we smile when we know we are doing
something right. Then the tree said to the Lord, "Much has been given to me, and much I must give back. Now, now I will help save the world."

So this very special tree laid down the only thing he had--his life,
for the whole world. The simple farmer cut down the tree and made the tree into the most beautiful cross.

And on this very special cross made from the very special tree, a man named Jesus laid down HIS life so that all the people ever made could be free from sin and know how much God loved them.

This was God's very special plan all along. He planted a seed which
grew into a very special tree that became the Cross. And on this Cross died Jesus, the man who saved the world.

Stuff [Pullman] Christians Like

Yep. Its happened. I've copied the famous book and website. Only I've spun it Pullman-style. Enjoy. Or don't, you are the one who clicked the link though.... ;)

If you are offended by any of this satire, I recommend '

a) not being my friend on Fbook &

b) not reading anything I ever write, ever, ever again. Perfect.

**Note: If you are born after the year 1990, some of these references might be over your head. Sorry about that.

Stuff [Pullman] Christians Like:

1) Running.

Alone. Or with a partner. Marathons, half marathons or the recreational 5k. It doesn't matter, you are running it. You've ran on that path that parallels Grand, and its been awesome. Or not. And then you run around Pullman and you run the hills. And you kind of want to die on Stadium. But you keep running because its good for you and there are SO many comparisons to the Christian life that go along with running. You fill that ipod up with worship music and go. Or, like me, you fill your 'pod with pop hits from about a year ago and go like crazy. Soon you start sub-conciously guilt tripping your non-running friends by nonchalantly mentioning how often/how much you ran this week. You feel closer to God as you pump those arms and charge up that hill. Good job you health nuts, wave at your lazy friends at the Rec and get that oh-so-spiritual-runner's high.

2) Pumpkin Spice Latte's @ Starbucks.

I don't like coffee so this one's a little foreign to me but evrrrahbody I know who drinks that poison drink loves this Pumpkiny nonsense. So cheers to fall and everything autumn. And thanks Starbucks for inventing one more addiction, like we needed it.

3) Mark Driscoll and/or Rob Bell.

I find that like Twilight, there are kind of two teams. Only there are no "Team Driscoll" T-shirts. 'Cause that's idolizing and we don't do that stuff 'round here. There's the Mars Hill Junkies who admire everything that comes from this holy hipster factory in Seattle. I admit, I'm one of those.

And then there's the other side who admire/love Rob Bell 'cause he writes cool stuff and has fancy books with awesome pictures in them.

Sometimes there are people who like both. These individuals also have trouble deciding which hair products to buy because everything looks great. Anyway...

4) Shopko.

Okay, no one actually LIKES Shopko but until super obnoxious Wallyworld opens October 27th across from Safeway, its all we got. But admit it, you buy a lot of your ish at Shopko and you therefore appreciate it. Barely. The alternative is driving all the way to the "Palouse Mall" in Moscow. Another real classy place.

5) Palouse Treasures.

Speaking of classy places. This place has it all--cheap furniture, outstanding Halloween costumes, Christmas decor, and the occasional random item that will make your life complete for 29 cents. Customer service isn't bad, just ring the bell. Or stand there awkwardly until someone comes to help you. Your choice.

6) Coffee Shops.

Starbucks.

Daily Grind.

One World in Moscow. *Cough*amyloncon*

Cafe Moro.

Zoe's Underground.

And so many more. You've hit them all up. Study time, yea right. You enjoy the free wireless and cool coffee shop vibe. Plus, God gives out bonus points to anyone who reads their Bible in public at a coffee shop. Or so I've been told. Guys, you've met a girl there for "coffee"...need I say more? :)

Daily Grind and Starbucks are my two favs. I sit in Sbux for approximately 12.7 seconds before someone I know walks through the door. Its great. I go to Daily Grind when I actually need to study. I hole myself up in that very back room with the couch and hide from the world for hours at a time. I've had some pretty spectacular Qiuet times at DG. Don't even get me started about PEANUT BUTTER FROSTS. Peanut Butter Frosts > just about anything else.

7) Judging all the Pagans at Football and Basketball Games.

You count the number of times the guy behind you says the F word. And then you roll your eyes at your very ethical friend next to you. 'Cause this guy is just *such* a sinner. FACT: We're all sinners and he's a Coug. Doesn't make him any less obnoxious but Jesus died for the guy who only speaks in expletives too. I'm the worst at this, trust me.

8) Dance Parties.

Right now a Lady Gaga song just started playing in your mind. Perfect. You have had the most fun at dance parties, and to be honest, at one point during Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" you really just let go and belted it. I think part of this can be attributed to Matt Ogurkow. His love for Backstreet Boys and N*Sync was infamous. In the best way possible of course.

Basically, you've let loose to Chris Brown's "Forever" way before that YouTube video came out and then the Office redid it. You've also worn something absolutely ridiculous to a dance party. My worst/best was a pair of little boy's tie-dye chonies. Worn on the OUTSIDE of my jeans, thank you very much.

9) Camp Sanders. Wooten too, but mostly Sanders.

I've made all my major life decisions at a Campus Crusade retreat or conference. No joke. I think Camp Sanders is my personal fav. though because there is always this excited anticipation for the school year that is just starting. Dino nuggets are the best. Hands down. Nutritionally pointless however. Giant, outrageous, face melting camp fires. Everybody-Cries-Their-Eyes-Out Saturday nights. Busting out your flannel (for those of you who don't wear it all the time like yours truely) or just busting out your crew neck sweatshirt over and over again all weekend. Super cold showers. No matter how early you get up. Man time. Whatever THAT entails. That half an hour where you get real with the Lord and He gets real with you. Jackpot.

10) The Doughnuts at Real Life.

'nuff said.

11) Wearing a Completely Non-Sexual Halloween Costume.

Because Pullman turns into Victoria's Secret on Halloween, we Christians try to counter-act all the sensualness by wearing a funny costume that is completely unattractive. This one actually might just be me...yea, I think this one is just me but whatevs, I'm the one writing this. I can say whatever the heck I want.

12) "Meeting" People at the Cub.

Its centrally located. And you can be obscure enough if your friend that you are supposedly meeting doesn't show up 10 minutes early like you. You like to people watch too, while you are waiting. Turn in any direction and someone is having a super intense convo. And hey, didn't that guy walk by two times already? Dude, find a place and wait it out, you look ridiculous wandering around making awkward eye contact with every single person in this joint.

13) Tyrone Wells.

He's from Spokane. He's legit, and getting more famous. He's got that super cool vibe that you can study too or picture yourself in a movie with his soundtrack playing. Okay, that last part is definitely just me.

14) The Karate Kids at the halftime of Cougar Basketball Games.

I'm signing up my future children for Karate for sure. These kids kick butt, literally. When the little girl punches the bigger boy in the you-know-where, its just about the best thing you've ever witnessed.

15) Experiencing all of God's wonderful weather, in ONE day.

It snowed in the morning. Hailed a little too if we are honest. Then it rained, and then the sun came out. And now its almost 80 and your eighteen layers of clothes are clinging to your sweaty back because you are trudging back home to change out of your snow boots. The girl with the UGG boots and shorty shorts walks by with her Homecoming sweatshirt on, and you are suddenly regretting wearing your long underwear when a tankini would have been ideal.

16) Swing Dancing.

Its wholesome. Like a cold glass of 2% milk. Its a good, clean (somewhat sweaty) fun time that only costs 5 bucks. Driving to Moscow and back with your friends is half the fun. Learning to dance is tough at first but once you're good--you're golden. Cowboy boots, jeans with the buckle. Meeting all the U of I students. Watching other people make fools of themselves, what's not to love? Nothing. Everything about swing dancing is awesome. Join the fun.

All It Took

I was recently discussing with a good friend my singleness. I talked about how surprisingly happy I am, how I love the ways God is currently stretching and molding my heart and how I love learning to be a teacher. We laughed at some funny stories of dates gone wrong, bad set-ups, and how awkward I can be when I don't know where I stand with someone.

This friend asked me, "Kaley, what would it take to win your heart?"

My mind sobered up. Such a loaded question. I had no idea really.... a long list of character traits, qualities and things I am attracted to entered my mind. But the Holy Spirit whispered into my heart. And my heart sighed that happy, soul-deep, freely shown sigh of utter content.

And in a quiet voice I replied, "All it took was a couple of nails and a wooden cross."

And you, who were dead in your trespass and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgive us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

-Col. 2:13

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Matt. 6:21