I can only imagine . . .

The women's locker rooms at the Y are getting new tile this week.  We can still go in through the pool doors and shower, but the doorways are covered with plywood into the actual locker area.  All week, I've been the only one in there after my shower and I've listened to the conversations the men are having while they work.  Until today . . . 

My friend Carla and I were in there talking about nothing and everything at high volume so we could hear each other over our showers.  I can only imagine what the workers thought . . .

"I'm taking an extra long shower today because I have to shave my legs."

"So who actually is Tim's (the new aquatic's director) supervisor?"

"We leave for the cabin tomorrow . . . "

Obviously, these were all Carla's loud comments.  You can only imagine what mine were . . .

Thankful Thursday!

On this Thursday, and I'm sure every Thursday that it doesn't rain this summer and I'm free, I'm thankful for our Thursday morning Bible study in the park.

It's a very laid back study with a very lovely group of women of a variety of ages who love Jesus.  We circle up in our lawn chairs at Aronson Park here in Lakeville.  Those with kids bring them and (hopefully) they play while we study God's Word.  I love it!   

And tomorrow's shower will be . . .

Last night while I was drinking (an uncapped) bottle of ICE, Sam came upstairs and unintentionally scared me.  I somehow hit the bottle and got a free and sticky Grapefruit ICE shower!

Today while having lunch with my friend Jana, Sam called and in the process of answering my phone, Jana's Diet Coke flew across the table and gave me another shower, leaving me wetter and colder and stickier than the ICE shower the day before.

I can't wait to see what tomorrow's shower will be because we all know these things happen in threes . . .  

The Owners of the Run-Away Three Wheeler

Sam was able to meet Adam and Melissa last night, the owners of the run-away three-wheeler that went free wheelin' down our street yesterday afternoon, when they stopped by to claim their Tesla-want-to-be (self-driving, you know!).  He said they were a very sweet couple who quickly offered to replace Micah's sign.  She thanked them by baking them some Uniquely Me Chocolate Chip Cookies today!

Run-Away Three-Wheeler!

As Sam was driving up the hill today on his way to Home Depot, he saw a three-wheeler coming down the street WITHOUT a driver!  That crazy thing missed every mailbox, two cars parked on the street, and Sam's truck but nailed Micah's brand new sign advertising "Uniquely Me Bakery" that's out in our front yard.  Two neighborhood kids came running down the street with the seat to the three-wheeler.  It wasn't their three-wheeler, but somewhere on it's journey, it had lost it's seat!

Sam called 911 to report a "wandering three-wheeler".  An officer stopped by and made a report, but until someone reports a missing three-wheeler, it's right by our garage . . . with the keys in our house!

We're hoping to get Micah's sign replaced.  

Roe v. Wade

As I sit here, pondering what to write, I realize that I'm still somewhat shocked and in disbelief, at the overturning of Roe v. Wade.  We received two different e-mails yesterday informing us of this decision that I want to share here.  The first is from our adoption agency's executive director:

While the mission of New Life has always been one of tangible, practical support (and not political), it seems appropriate to both acknowledge and celebrate that this is a victory for protecting the most vulnerable. We believe that every life is created in the image of God, and every life matters – both born and unborn. This is why we exist.

As we pause to thank God and to celebrate that fewer lives will be lost to abortion, I believe this news should also propel us into action. Because life decisions need support. 

While we don’t fully know the impact this ruling will have, here is what we anticipate:

• Abortion will continue to be legal in Minnesota and may be expanded
• Unplanned pregnancies will still happen
• Women, men, families, and children will still need support
• We may see an increase in women seeking abortion from other states
• Our mission remains the same – to provide our clients with holistic, life-affirming support

The truth is, our work is only beginning. I believe this is the pro-life community’s opportunity to show the world that we truly DO care for women and their children, as we have all along. To show that we aren’t as they accuse us: simply pro-birth. We are pro-women and pro-families, and we’re in it for the long haul.

 

I loved what I highlighted - our work is only beginning.  "Dear Father, show us where we go now and what we need to do next."  This next bit is from our pastor, Tony Manning:

 

Would you join me in praying through the following items as we enter a new era of the pro-life movement?

1. There could potentially be hundreds of thousands of newborn babies born each year that will need a new home. We've prayed for the demise of abortion, now we must proactively pray for the hope of adoption. Babies cannot survive on their own, they are going to need foster parents and adoptive parents. The church needs to be on the front-line of this movement. 
2. There are women within our families, our communities, and our church that have personally experienced abortion that we need to love, encourage, and remind them of the love and forgiveness of their Heavenly Father. The shed blood of Jesus covers a multitude of sins and His grace is a salve to the wounded soul. 
3. There are people in our families, our communities, and our church that have differing opinions and views on abortion. They are not our enemies. We need to love them, converse with them, and show them the love of Jesus in very real and practical ways. We should aim for reconciliation not proving to be right. We can celebrate and give God praise for the recent ruling, but let's do so with a humble spirit. 

Amen and amen!

 

Summer Party!

Speaking of Neighbor Nancy . . . she, along with her husband, Tom, and daughter, Mary, hosted a neighborhood get-together last night at Ritter Farm Park here in Lakeville.

We had a lovely time eating way too much delicious food prepared by Nancy and talking with friends we had not seen in way too long . . . 

Thankful Thursday!

Thankful Thursday didn't happen until Friday of this week.  Sam and I have spent most of our waking hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday out in the back yard mulching.  Back when Sam worked as a landscaper, long before I ever met him, he was told that your mulch lasts much longer if you turn it over every year and pick out the things that don't belong in it - dried leaves, sticks, weeds, deer poop, dead frogs . . . you know, just the basic non-mulch items.

So this week, we turned over the mulch . . . and I am ever so thankful to say that by noon on Friday, we were DONE!  

The back yard now looks pretty fantastic, but you know that's a job that never ends!  Especially when I stopped by Neighbor Nancy's house this afternoon and she said, "Would you like some astilbe?  It's white." 

A project for next week . . . and I know just where it'll go! 

Ollie

 

This is Ollie, Matt's girlfriend's dog, chilling out in Lake Marion yesterday.  He spent the weekend with us.

 

From 2007 to Today . . .

We were in Liberia with Mercy Ships in 2007 for the maiden outreach of the Africa Mercy:

This summer, we welcome the Global Mercy to the fleet!  Oh, that we could have been there once again . . .
 

The Week's Been Long . . .

I just want to be brutally honest and say that I am so glad this week's WSA class is over!  The students were pretty much okay and for the most part, did well.  The co-workers, however, needed more leadership and direction than I was able to give as I was busy teaching certification classes.

I had to confess to our aquatics director last night that I had lost it on them as they had chosen NOT to wear their swimsuits in the pool in order to teach swimming!?!  They asked me to watch their students so they could go change into their swimsuits for the last twenty minutes of class to which I responded with, "No, there's not enough time left."  Indecision has been their biggest time waster all week - that and STUPID planning . . .     

Thankful Thursday!

This particular Thursday, I am so thankful that Sam caught the hacking of our checking account Tuesday night BEFORE we permanently lost any funds!  I was equally thankful for the four different Finance Offices and staff at Districts 196, 194, and 191 and the Y who helped us with redoing all of our direct deposits.  I was thankful that Sam was able to contact most/all of our automatic withdrawals while I was able to contact most of the missionaries we support to let them know what had happened.  And, we're both thankful that we were able to open an account at a NEW and DIFFERENT financial institution!

Water Safety Aide Class

I walked into Falcon Ridge this morning fully expecting to teach the Water Safety Aide (WSA) class for ISD 196, but "blessed are the flexible".

Since I'm the only staff with current, like 2022 ASHI (American Safety and Health Institute) teaching certification, I'm now teaching CPR Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings this week and then the WSA class every afternoon.  What a zoo!  And this new CPR stuff, we were all laughing so hard!  It's not our "normal"!  Maybe that's why we're all Red Cross fans! 

"Hi, Mrs. Zupke!"

School hasn't even been out for forty-eight hours yet and it happened today - while we were hiding out in Apple Valley of all places!  A little voice chirped, "Hi, Mrs. Zupke!" at the Target check-out while two beaming parents looked at Mrs. Zupke!  

Praise God that school hasn't been out any longer than forty-eight hours because I was able to respond with "Hey, Zeke!" to one of my second graders!

"Walk for Life"

It started to sprinkle as we drove over to Normandale Lake in Bloomington this morning for New Life Family Services "Walk for Life".  Fortunately, it was just a sprinkle and it ended by the time we got there because we had left rain coats and umbrellas at home - in spite of the weather forecast!

The walk started off with a drum roll and right off the bat, we recognized two people walking in "Run for the Unreached" t-shirts that we had at home.  We began what ended up being a 2.1 mile conversation about adoption, allergies, Antioch and more!  

Thanks to the generosity of friends, together we were able to raise $725.00 for New Life!  

A sad picture of our drummers!

Sam and I at the beginning . . .

 

Thankful Thursday!

Today, I'm thankful for the third grader on the playground.  She was often found wandering alone, not quite fitting in anywhere, so I'd take a minute or two to talk with her, about her swimming and taekwando and her little sister and her grandma.  Today, she came running up to me with a card and said, "Don't open it until you go home."  So I thanked her for it, gave her a hug good-bye, and opened the card when I got home.  It had a note from both her and her mother, sharing that I was her very favorite teacher at OHE and thanking me for talking with her at recess.  It also had a very generous gift card.  Just being Jesus with skin on . . .

Today, I'm thankful for two different fifth grade boys.  One I helped with math.  We talked earlier this week about our favorite Jolly Rancher flavors.  Mine were watermelon and green apple.  He met me when I came outside for recess today and said, "I've got something for you."  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of Jolly Ranchers, all watermelon or green apple flavored.  I thanked him with a smile on my face.  Just being Jesus with skin on . . . 

The other boy I helped with math and reading WHENEVER he was in school.  I also told him every day he attended school, how nice it was to see him and how much I wished he would come EVERY day.  He reached into his backpack and gave me a felt bookmark that his mom made.  It was beautiful.  What a sweet gift!  Just being Jesus with skin on . . .     

Today I'm thankful for Jen and Stacy, fellow tutors who picked me up on the way to the end of the year staff party.  It was so nice to get some extra social time without any children interrupting us!  

Today I'm also thankful that it was the LAST.DAY.OF.SCHOOL.  I love my job, but I'm looking forward to SUMMER!

"Mrs. Zupke!"

"I'm bleeding!"

I have seen a lot of bloody messes, from fishhooks stuck in scalps to sticks stuck in legs to the after-affect of barbed wire, but today's bloody face was a winner!  It was like fountain coming out of Aubrey's nose!  Absolutely amazing! 

Janet and Caitlyn

Janet, who is retiring after teaching for thirty-three years, was looking for someone(s) to share her vast book collection with.

Caitlyn, who just graduated with Micah from NCU, was looking for books for her new classroom.

Micah, Caitlyn, Janet and I loaded Micah and Caitlyn's cars with books yesterday afternoon!  And I know two very happy people . . . 

Janet had three more sets of shelves equally packed . . .

And this was AFTER she had give over 300 books away!

 

How To Make A Teacher Happy . . .

 WAY ONE:  When your daughter bakes cookies, bring in one that's still warm and give it to one of your favorite teachers.  Even better is when said teacher eats in front of the entire class saying how good it is!

WAY TWO:  Bring in cookies for the three teachers your daughter met at "Family Fun Night.  That brought three more smiles!

WAY THREE:  Tell your supervisor that you are glad that she's your supervisor and that you're staying with her because you volunteered in the classroom of the teacher who could have been your supervisor had you moved buildings and that your current supervisor is a MUCH MORE better choice!

CPR with Attitude!

I walked in to the Y yesterday with less than a stellar attitude to teach my Adult CPR class, mainly because I had one student who was unable to get the pre-class blended learning portion on her e-mail address.  She not only contacted me multiple times, but my supervisor, front desk staff and office staff!  It wasn't us!  

Fortunately, she supplied me with an e-mail address on Thursday that worked, she completed her on-line portion and showed up for class thirty minutes early!  I'm sure she had questions for me, but I needed to go find the tests.  I finally contacted my supervisor at home.  They were in a place I would have NEVER looked, but I was finally ready to go five minutes before class started!

Once class started, all was well and we had a fun morning!

   

I'm a Super Star!

 Someone at school cut out a variety of red, white and blue stars and then let the students write messages on them for the staff.  Here are some of the stars I received:

"Thank you for helping us with lunch and recess.  You are very kind.  P.S.  You are my favorite lunch and recess teacher."  B, 3rd grade

"Thank you, Mrs. Zupke, for helping me with math, and my story works text.  You helped with writing too."  A, 5th grade

"Dear Mrs. Zupke, Thank you for everything like reading or the things you do for my sister, too."  L, 5th grade

"Thank you for being very kind hearted and awesome.  There's no teacher that I've ever met who's been so kind and loyal to everyone, and I love your smile and every time I see you I feel happy." F, 3rd grade

"Thanks for helping me this year with reading and some math and I will go to your daughter's bakery."  K, 5th grade  

"Thank you for always being there for us at recess and someone to talk to at recess."  B, 3rd grade 

Thankful Thursday!

I can not tell you how thankful I was this morning when I walked into the clinic for labs, to be able to say, "Yes, you are drawing labs for three different doctors at ONE time:  Dr. Jain, Dr. Lee and Dr. Monteguedo."  I was even more thankful to discover that the labs the doctors ordered only required four little vials of blood!

Walk for Life

 

If by chance, we missed sending you this note on Tuesday, and you'd like to support us as we do our adoption agency's "Walk for Life" a week from Saturday, that would be wonderful!

 

"Sam and I decided this morning that we wanted to do New Life Family Services “Walk for Life” on June 11 at Normandale Lake Park in Bloomington.  In the past, Micah, Matt and I have walked it, and all four of us have volunteered at it, but this will be the first time that just Sam and I have done it together.  If you would like to support either of us, that would be wonderful!  We'd appreciate that, especially since it was twenty-five years ago this year we adopted Matt from New Life!  Below are the links to our fundraising pages.  

Sam

https://page.fundeasy.com/5692345

Margo

https://page.fundeasy.com/5692362"

 

I Should Wear Duct Tape!

Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m., I received an e-mail from our principal, offering me one of our two 5 hour tutor positions, but it was a busy morning and I didn't respond.

He was waiting for me when I went outside for fifth grade recess:

"Did you get my e-mail this morning?"

"I saw you sent one, but I decided to get groceries rather than read e-mails."

"I want to offer you a five hour tutor position."

"Excellent.  I accept, but you know what I really want to say?"

I got a questioning look, so I proceeded.  "Eastview (the other location I was willing to go to) is only a mile from my house and with the price of gas it would be much closer to work, plus I've probably volunteered more hours at Eastview than I've worked at OHE (Matt went to Eastview K-4 and Micah K-1), so I wouldn't get lost there (the buildings are the same exact layout, but flip-flopped), and I know most of the staff, plus Kim Ritchie is still the school nurse!"  He is now looking at me with a totally shocked/surprised look. "But I accept.  I want to work at OHE."

Now, if I could just keep my mouth shut, that would be good, but I had to say, "You just wanted to beat Tabor (the Eastview principal) to the punch!"  To which he laughed and I FINALLY shut up! 

And I now have a 5 hour/day tutor position rather than 4.75.