Unexpected Words of Love

An old friend from the past, from my private Christian High School contacted me from out of the blue. After looking at my pictures, she told me that my family was beautiful, and that I looked happy! She mentioned that she had a friend like me. I wanted to know how she was able to NOT be judgmental towards me. I know this gal as a Godly woman. I was so very moved by her words, that I just had to put them on here:




Hi!
Two years ago I actually graduated with a Theology degree from Bethel Seminary.
It was a great experience - very freeing.
I have always been a person to ask questions and doubt and wonder about things...
In the evangelical world I felt rebellious,
but at Seminary I felt validated - that it was okay to not have everything figured out.
I also learned at Seminary that I really don't know much at all... and it is okay!
What a relief that I don't have to have all the answers!
In many ways I feel that the evangelical church is almost cultish.
We have all the answers and know the "absolute truth" etc..
While the church is so busy debating and pointing fingers at people, we have in many ways forgotten to actually look at the life Christ modeled and lived while on earth..
The past few years I have worked really closely in social justice areas.
I was a relief worker and really care about the poor.. the needy.. the outcasts - the forgotten.
In that time what I have found is a community of people who care
and feel the same way that I do...
but about 99.9% of them are not from the evangelical church.
They are people of all kinds of backgrounds and religious beliefs and lifestyles.
What I found is that when we all come together and work to love others
while loving each other we actually serve God in a really cool way.
I can't help but think the people I hang with must be the same
kinds of groupies Jesus hung with.
The Pharisees, Saduccess, zealots and essenneses
where too busy trying to protect themselves from "those people",
when in fact Jesus lived right in the midst of them.

The cool part is that I am learning more from them - then I could ever teach.
I just really am tired of the whole us and them thing.
I think all humans are created in the image of God and loved by God
and because God shows me grace everyday, I should do the same.
I know there are some scriptures that speak against homosexuality..
and there are other areas (like the gospels) where nothing is said.
I have also heard numerous passages on women in the church completely
misused and used out of context... in order to oppress and put down women.
I really don't know what I believe on the issue to tell you the truth..

but all I do know is that I am not going to judge anyone
no matter what issue it is that they are dealing with.

I just want to love and treat people with the dignity that they deserve.
That whole "love the sinner hate the sin" has been such a joke.
I don't know of hardly any evangelical Christians that actually do that.
And if they aren't being judgemental they are just plain avoiding.

Great to hear from you! Have a great day! Keep in touch!

Take care;

Days

Not much to say
Filling up space
time ticks by

another day
come and gone
what did I do to make a difference?

Monday comes
whether you want it to or not
back to work

SAME, SAME, SAME

Chloe's Car

This is a super tiny picture...
but Chloe got a new car this morning.
She is VERY excited about it.

Home Improvement

The boys use wide open spaces....

FINALLY!!!!

After months and months of talking, looking, comparing,
hemming, hawing............
The new car has been purchased.
We spent 4 hours on Saturday at the dealer.
Today she picked it up at the dealer.
It's a Glacier Blue 2008 Honda CR-V.
It has 48 miles on it....and it's a super fun
little car.
I am excited for Angela to have her new car!!

Testing

As a Language Arts teacher, I particularly feel
the crunch for the students in our school to do well
on the MCA tests. (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment)
Our students took the reading portion
of the test yesterday and today.
We worked so hard this year on
reading strategy interventions for our students.
Our school was on the AYP list.
This means we did NOT make adequate yearly progress.
No Child Left Behind, in theory,
is a good thing. Hold schools and teachers accountable
for students learning.
The problem comes in when a school is penalized
for special education students
not passing the test. (HELLO...they are special education for a reason!),
or if English is not
a students primary language.
Let's hold these kids to the standard as well.
It's asinine! So, if these kids can't pass the test,
then the government begins to
put the screws to the schools that aren't passing.
This is no problem to affluent, white schools......
Anybody else....you're SCREWED!!!!
SO, we teachers bust our butts trying to do
everything to help these kids.
We give and give and give.
We try everything we can think of.
We sweat blood trying
to get our kids to pass.
Not only do we have to teach all the curriculum
that we are held to teach by the state standards,
we are also running a zillion mini-lessons to
try to catch up the kids who are in 6th grade
reading at the 1st grade level.
These kids are NOT our special education kids........
How do kids get to 6th grade without being able to read???
We all want to help these kids. I
want more than anything to make a difference in the lives
of my students.
I want them to fall in LOVE with reading.
I really do.
The fact that my students come in so far below grade level,
and it is my job to get my kids to pass a
6th grade test.....it is just overwhelming at times.
SO, now my students have all taken the test.
I have given them all the tools I know how.
NOW...I just have to wait until the test results come back.
In August we can find out how we did.
AUGUST!!!
It's almost let down to have worked so hard all year....
and now the test is done.
Have I done my job to the best of my ability?
Was there something else I should have done?
Did I reach all my students?
Did they use specific details from the text to support their answers?
Was everybody feeling well?
Was this a day that they would test well?
It's a snapshot of ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF MY STUDENTS!!!
It's the snapshot that my job is based on!
I love my job......
I hate standardized tests~~

Little Girl Sings

This brought a smile to my face!!
Who knew this about Simon?

Luke in DC

Luke got back from Washington D.C. on Friday night.
He had the most AMAZING time.
He did a great job at being away from home for the first time.

He ended up with a full-blown migraine on Saturday morning.
His first!
He ended up throwing up and sleeping the entire day in a dark room.
Welcome Home.
Today he was all better.

I'm glad he had a great time, and I'm glad
he is back home again.

01. Michael Johns - Dream On

I am so upset about Michael being eliminated last night.
I put a LOT of energy into this show.
He was supposed to win. He got the Chris Daughtry treatment!!
I will miss you Michael.

My Fox 9 Idol Chatter

As many of you know I watch American Idol with one eye, and type online with Jason Matheson.
Tonight Jason used my online comments on the news.
I realize it's not much.....but to me it's a big deal.
I was so pumped:
ksimonson: Kristy Lee Cook needs to go home. She belongs in a karaoke bar, not on the American Idol stage.
Jason liked my comment and used it.

Have I just completely solidified that I am a MAJOR ONLINE DORK????
INDEED!

Mariah Carey - The Star Spangled Banner @ 2002 Superbowl

AMAZING!!!
In preparation for my trip to the state capitol building tomorrow!

Find Your Wings - Mark Harris

As I am reflecting on my kids growing up, I wanted to share a song that is so special to me. I found this song when Seth was graduating. We incorporated this into his Graduation Video.
It makes me cry every time I hear it.

More Letting Go

I just got back from the airport.
We went to drop Luke off.
He is leaving today and coming back on Friday.
He is going to Washington D.C. with school.

How exciting it is to watch your kids get their wings
and use them.
It's so bizarre too!
Seth living in Georgia.
Chloe in the 4th quarter of her Sophomore year.
Luke is almost done with 7th grade; going to DC.

Parenting
so amazingly rewarding
what a privilege
how humbling

Spring?

After our ridiculous snow storm on Monday this past week, Seth and Ashley were unable to get out of town on Tuesday morning as was the plan.
SO, we got a bonus night of card playing on Tuesday night.
We really enjoy playing games together!!!'
(Even though some of us are better sports than others.)
(I'm just tellin'!!)

It's actually hard to believe that we got all that snow on Monday.
Thursday, Friday and today have all been gorgeous days.
In fact, today we are supposed to get into the mid 60's!
How's that for life in Minnesota??
On Monday we were making huge snowmen, on Saturday we are taking long walks and working in the yard in shorts and t-shirts.

Spring has SPRUNG!!!!