Don't let the difficulties of the present moments overshadow the reality of God's promises. God's promises still stand. And God's promises are stronger than our failures.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Life Changes...And Changes Again

On Friday we left the mission where we've volunteered for the last two months.
We've volunteered there three summers as well as making week long trips with our church a couple of times.  But time marches on, we've gotten a bit older, and we've decide that we need to switch the months we work and come when it's a bit cooler.  Since my husband works outside all day this move is one that needs to happen.

We got back home to the same heat but at least he won't be outside all day.  And the view off our deck makes us feel cooler, even if we aren't!

I retired from the school business in 2003 - I can't believe it's been that long!  But next week I'm going back to work.  I have a lifetime teaching license but didn't really expect to ever use it.  There's a small school district near my home that needs a high school counselor for the first semester.  When they called to ask me about it my first reaction was "no way!"  But the more I thought about it and the  more I prayed about it I knew this was one of those times when God has plans that He made without consulting me.  :)  I'm already excited about working with kids again and knowing that it will just be until Christmas probably makes that even better.  I was a school counselor for many years but that was a long time ago...I just hope that I won't have too many "senior moments" and that my past knowledge will be remembered when it's needed.  Anyway, it's back to school for me!

                                                                            (Google Image)


On a similar note I want to say to those of you who still have word verification on your blog...I apologize for leaving fewer comments.  That new number thing that Google has added gets darker and fuzzier every day and I just can't read it good enough to get it typed in.  I know my eyes aren't the best but I don't think that's the problem - I think they're deliberately making it difficult to read to discourage spammers.  I'm still reading.  But if I don't get it in one try, I don't try again to comment.  Anybody else having that problem?

32 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Good to have you home and good luck in your next chapter in life. As far as the word verification - found this just in being a bit 'senior' myself - you don't even have to type in those numbers??? - just the word code and the comment goes right thru. Try it next time.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Glad you are home safe and sound. A new path for you how exciting!
I have so much touble, that like you I try a few times then I give up. Thanks to Sharon, I did not know you did not have to type in the numbers. I will try that next time.

Helen said...

Congratulations on going back to work for a few months. I'm sure you will enjoy it...knowing it's just for a short time will add to the enjoyment.

I too dislike and have a bit of trouble with the anti-spam word verifications. I get frustrated when I've composed a comment, put my thought into it and POOF...it's gone cause I couldn't read the jumble well enough.

Catherine said...

Word verification is a hassle. And that fuzzy stuff drives me crazy. I agree with Helen. I like leaving comments but the verification is a turn off for me, especially during the blog hops. Lots of blogs to visit and comment on. When I stopped the verification spammers were a very small issue. On another note, congratulations on your counseling work!

Loris said...

Sounds like an interesting fall line up :-) It will good to see how God uses you.
As to the verification...yes, it is troublesome for me. I can't even read the letters very easily. I took the verification off my blog comments and haven't had any spam, etc. I'm leaving fewer comments on the blogs that use it.

Mommarock said...

some of them do seem impossible to read, so I hit the recycle the word option to get a different one to try to find one that it atleast legible to try to read before I type it in on occasion. They really ARE hard to read, and I have my glasses ON.

Michelle said...

Congratulations on your new adventure. Those students have a huge blessings with you being there. Have fun!

Dora, the Quilter said...

Thank you for your efforts for UMCOR. Yes, winter in LA would probably be better.
I too intensely dislike the illegibility of word verification. I too try once or twice and give up. I strongly suspect many bloggers do not realize it's on their own blogs. I took it off several months ago when they went to the squiggly letters--I dislike it even more now because most of the numbers are so illegible I have to guess at them.

Ray and Jeanne said...

Glad you are home safe and sound! Thank you for your work at UMCOR. Best of luck heading back to school - DH went back to counseling a couple of years ago to cover the maternity leave of his replacement. (Did that make sense?!) Anyway he loved it but he was ready to retire again when her leave was over!
Oh, I agree that the verification is getting harder to read every day. ~Jeanne

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

What a blessing you will be for those kids.
It sounds like a fun challenge.

Needled Mom said...

You will enjoy a job that has a time limit on it and the kids will appreciate it too.

I have figured out on that word verification that you do not need to type the number at all - just the word does it.

paulette said...

Yup I hate that number/word verification thing too!! HATE it!! Hey, congratulations on going back to school!! I'm sure it will be fun...and if not, it's only until Christmas!! They obviously know a good thing when they have it!
P

Vivian said...

Welcome home and welcome back to the teaching world.

Well I am just over 50 and I can't read those word verifications either. Not sure why they have to be fuzzy and the letters have to run together.

FabricFascination said...

"the more I prayed about it I knew this was one of those times when God has plans that He made without consulting me"

Love that comment!

Instead of word verification, I choose to verify comments on my blogs. I figure it is less aggravating for the commenter that way. Or at least I hope it is.

Julie Fukuda said...

I can't think of anything better than working with kids. It might be nice to get paid too. Almost all I do is volunteer.
When blogger changed over to that word thing, I was shocked to see it on my blog. I called my son and asked him to look at your comment section and set mine up that way.
I give up after two tries.

Carol said...

I am so with you on the word verification...the numbers are usually so fuzzy and sometimes the letters are so squished together that I have no clue what they are...and OMG when I read blogs on my IPad, the auto correct kicks in and I have to fight to get the comment on. There really should be an easier way. I'm excited for your new chapter...lucky kids to have you there until Christmas. ENJOY!

Belinda said...

Congratulations on your new position! I hope you have a great time until it's over.

Yes, I really have trouble reading those new word verification things. I wish there was a better way to prevent spam. I got something once that was disturbing and started using the verification, but then decided to just refuse anonymous comments instead and so far I haven't had anything else. I hope I don't ever have to start using that again.

Jenny said...

I've had the same problem with the word verification. I always try twice though. I've noticed that the second choice is usually a bit clearer. If I can't get it after that I don't try again.

Good luck with your new job!

Little Penpen said...

Congrats! on going back to school. How fun...especially, since it is temporary. Enjoy!!

Anne said...

Glad you and your husband were able to work the situation out to your advantage.

How wonderful that you responded to the need for a school counselor. Such a a crucial requirement at all schools. I am certain you'll be a blessing to the students and the staff.

As for the word verification, I find that if I quickly glance and just type what I think I see without pausing to scrutinize the fuzzy, squeezed-together code, I usually get it right the first time.

Terry said...

Welcome home! I don't like the word verification either. It's a real pain.

Sharon Dawn said...

Congratulations on being asked to help at the school...long enough to appreciate working and remember why you retired!!!

I wondered if they actually wanted the exact code or were just seeing if you can type to post comments??? I always feel like I am being tested when it comes up and I try to figure it out to pass...argh!

Good luck with your upcoming fall adventure!

Sharon Dawn said...

Congratulations on being asked to help at the school...long enough to appreciate working and remember why you retired!!!

I wondered if they actually wanted the exact code or were just seeing if you can type to post comments??? I always feel like I am being tested when it comes up and I try to figure it out to pass...argh!

Good luck with your upcoming fall adventure!

Truffle queen said...

Hi Marlene! Job well done! The mission is so fortunate to have you! YEAH UMCOR - aren't they the bestest!! I'm sure you'll do a great job on your new adventure! It may be that some of the students just need a shoulder to "cry on" and the Good Lord put you there for them! HE always knows best - we just don't always know it!! You're the best!

Truffle queen said...

I forgot to mention that I, too, hate the new word verification! Where it says "try another word" or whatever - I keep hitting that until I can read it! lol

Quiltgal said...

Glad to hear you are home safely.

nanny said...

Lucky for those kids to have you....

Know what you mean about the word verification! It's just too hard to read.

Sandy D said...

Welcome home.I too like your comment about God not consulting you.I will remember that one.Sometines I have to almost stand on my head at the computer(that is quite a sight) to see the word verification number.LOL

KatieQ said...

Welcome home! I'm sure you are being called to that school because there is someone there who needs you. God may not even let you know exactly who it was after your time there is through. I'm glad you opened your heart to this decision.

Di said...

Isn't it funny how God sometimes makes those plans without consulting us, Marlene :-)) I'm sure you will do well, and it's nice to know it's for a limited time.

I took word verification off my blog some time ago, only to discover that a few months later Blogger had sneakily restored it! I've removed it again, but I unless someone complains I won't know if Blogger has been naughty again. Yes, I get spammers, but they don't get past my blog moderation where I simply hit the Delete button.

Purple Pam said...

You will do great back at school. Yes, I am having lots of trouble reading all of the Google word and number things. It is not just you. Glad you are home safe and sound.

ytsmom said...

I dislike the verification also, but it is better than the first change. It takes me several tries sometimes!