Bread for the World (Hunger Justice Leader) and Board of Missions Annual Dinner

I've been wondering......

and asking God, "what is my purpose...what do you want me to do...where do you want me to go?" and I've tried to search my soul and listen for the answers. I know God has given me talents. I want to use them for His glory and praise!

A couple of days ago, Rev. L sent me information from Bread for the World about an opportunity to become a Hunger Justice Leader. I read the email and replied, "I'll think about it."

When God has something for you, for His glory, it stays in the forefront of your mind and attention. I have not been able to ignore, or excuse this issue. It seems the past four days everywhere I look, everywhere I go, there are signs of God confirming to me that I need to pay attention to this Hunger Justice Leader application.

Last night, Mom and I were guests with other members of FUMC-Joshua to the Metropolitan Board of Mission Annual Dinner at the Will Rogers Center in Fort Worth. It was an amazing event, and I'm very privileged to be a part of this community of fellowship and service of mission. While the mission group names were announced, God was whispering in my ear, "pay attention to their purpose." I recognized Burleson's Harvest House and Crowley's House of Hope. They both provide food, clothing, school supplies, educational programs, and financial assistance to individuals and families in need.

This youth group performed and they were AWESOME. They sang "Sanctuary" and "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High." I talked with two of the girls, who were very sweet. We need more of these young people in our schools mentoring the younger ones!!!! 

Mission groups went to the stage to be recognized for their good service.

Bro. Bob Holloway, Fort Worth District Superintendent

Group from FUMC-Joshua (L-R): Charlotte, Tonya, Claudia, Bob R., Bob W., Marty, Nicole, Lou, and Rev. Lara

I am so glad I was able to attend this event with other members of the church. I am humbled by the servant hearts of all those in ministries throughout the Metroplex and who are blessed by our church's porportionments. I know it's money to a good cause, but when you see their faces it makes all the difference. After this dinner, I am convinced that God wants me to submit my application to become a Hunger Justice Leader and bring hunger advocacy to my church and local community. Here I am, Lord.

And, to further affirm my involvement, the message in my fortune cookie today at lunch with friends says: "Your ability to love will help a child in need." God will use even a cookie from the local Chinese restaurant to get my attention!!!!

I am incredibly blessed......and I believe to whom much is given, much is expected. I am excited about this opportunity. Prayers are appreciated!!!!

Peace and love,
Nicole

Charmin or no Charmin......that is the question

I will admit my incredible "spoiled-ness" when required, and this is one of those instances. I am partial to Charmin's ultra-soft toilet paper, very partial. I don't know about you, but I have strict requirements when it comes to sensitive areas such as this - no pun intended!!!

I went to Walmart this afternoon because the pantry was so bare you could see the shelf liners and bare walls......it has been more than two weeks since I bought groceries. I also realized I was low on toilet paper. When there are less than four rolls left, it's time to restock.

I know Charmin is a "premium" brand and I've honestly never given much thought about the price until Kevin and I tightened our budget and became more conscious of our spending. One package of 12 "mega" Charmin ultra-soft rolls is $13.98, or $1.17 each. Each mega roll is equivalent to four regular rolls.

Now to a disturbing realization, if I had driven another 10-15 minutes to Sam's Club, I could have purchased a package of 36 "big" rolls (equivalent to 72 regular rolls) for $17.38, or $0.48 each.

It's blistering cold, and extremely windy outside.......so I'll savor these mega rolls in the cabinet and head to Sam's next time. Only problem is, I hardly believe there's a chance in Tumbuktu that I'll walk into Sam's for toilet paper and leave with just one item. Yeah, freakin', right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And so the days of my life continue, thankfully. Happy Valentine's Day everybody. Kevin and I are enjoying a quiet, peaceful evening together watching funny videos and Olympic events. We don't get into the commercial holiday though, I believe flowers are over-rated and it's pretty useless to get him a card because, well, "he just wasn't raised like that." I'll accept that reality and just know that he loves me very much.

Peace and love,
Nicole

Vancouver 2010

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!

I don't know about you, but I love watching the Olympics! It doesn't matter whether summer or winter, I love the experience, the thrill, and especially the inspirational stories of athletes and their journey to the top of their sport. It's really amazing. Is there any better way to show pride in your country's spirit than to cheer for the best athletes? Of course not!!!

I missed the Opening Ceremonies for the Beijing Games in 2008, but I am definitely watching tonight's Opening Ceremony, especially since we have a 55-inch LCD HDTV!!!!

Athletes I'll be watching: Lindsey Vonn (alpine skier), Shaun White (snowboarder), Apolo Ohno (speed skater), and Chad Hedrick (speed skater). I loved watching Apolo Ohno on "Dancing With the Stars" and Chad Hedrick is a Texas boy. Kevin and I watched an amazing TV series with Shaun White. It was incredible to watch him train at a private half-pipe snowboarding facility in Colorado. The Rocky Mountains are so majestic. It's definitely a place on my "have to visit before I die" list!

And the "We Are The World" re-make is incredible, Celine Dion is always a favorite of mine, along with Jennifer Hudson - amazing vocals and incredibly blessed!!!


On a sad note: my thoughts and prayers go to the Olympic luger who was fatally injured during a training run in Vancourver. See the full story here, http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-features/news/newsid=412058.html#luger+seriously+hurt+crash?__source=msnhomepage>1=39003

Doggy-Daycare.........COUNTRY STYLE!!!!!

Rev. L is in San Antonio tonight, so I have the pleasure of keeping her two beloved Yorkies, Sophie and Peanut. They are adorable and total snuggle bunnies. And, they are sound asleep on the couch - I think it's time for bed!!!

New tutoring job is going well. I have met both groups of students (one group on Monday and Wednesday, another group on Tuesday and Thursday). I'll have a total of 44 students and I have, on average, three students each one-hour class period. We've done our introductions, expectations, and goal-setting session, now it's time to begin the lessons and get busy! I'm looking forward to it. These kids are more-than-capable of success, I just pray that I fulfill my purpose and responsibilities to them. This, to me, is more than passing the TAKS test, I want to give them knowledge and strategies that will help them succeed outside of the classroom. They're very intelligent students that do poorly on test; but who can blame them? Even this summer I had test anxiety for my certiciation exam, I get nervous for tests too!!!!

Is there something wrong with this?

Kevin had to replace the water-stopper-thing (no, I don't know what it's called!!!) on the toilet in the second bathroom and when the tank lid was off, I noticed the stamp on the inside. I laughed because I could not help myself.........isn't this an oxymoron?!?!?!

You're HIRED!!!!

Drum roll please............I'm hired!

I'm overflowing with excitement.Starting this Monday, February 8, 2010 I am the eighth grade reading tutor at Hughes Middle School in Burleson. It's officially official! I signed the stack of paperwork with human resources earlier this afternoon and received my employee badge too. I will be tutoring eighth grade students who have scored low on previous TAKS tests in reading, or who are currently below-average in their language arts and reading classes.

Am I excited? Yes!
Am I overjoyed? Yes!
Am I thankful? YES!!!!!!!!

I know this position will include many challenges, but I'm confident that I will learn how to work with these students and we will have high expectations for each other. I'm learning right alongside them, it's going to be our journey together! We'll have approximately eight weeks to review previously learned reading skills and polish their test-taking strategies before the TAKS test begins in April. It's very important that these students perform well, moving on to high school rests on their performance.

I am also confident that this position will increase my probability of landing a full-time teaching position in a nearby school district, possibly even Burleson ISD. God is teaching me patience, so I must be patient. It's a lovely virtue.

UrbanDictionary.com

A Nicole is someone who is omnipotent.

A Nicole is gorgeous, intelligent, mysterious, witty, hilarious, out-going, creative and seductive, yet she is also tough, street-smart, experienced, brave, enduring, and mainly a wonderful mother.

Nothing and nobody can compare to a Nicole in any aspect.

Mess with a Nicole, or her family, and you will regret ever being born.