A Sunday School Teacher's Influence

The summer after I completed the 5th grade, my family began attending a Bible Church in Salina, Kansas. The number of miles that my parents drove to do this doubled--compared to our previous drives to church-- but they considered it an investment in their daughters. My sisters and I just loved the Sunday School in this new church. We would try to learn our Bible verses, study our lesson, and never miss--so that we could get a "perfect attendance pin". Each Sunday School teacher is remembered and deeply appreciated by us. Today the teacher I had (and then my sister's after me) in the 6th grade is celebrating her 88th birthday--Caryl Tucker! Sunday after Sunday she prepared and taught us. From that small basement classroom she influenced many young girls for the Lord. What she and her family need to celebrate on this special day is the exciting reality that her influence and that of other faithful teachers "keeps on going". Now her 6th grade students have children of their own and indirectly she has influenced them as well. Her influence is not only stateside but has been taken to other countries--Mexico, Turkey, and East Asia. As I think of Caryl, I'm taken by how she has always treasured God's Word. Qualities such as Faithful, Steadfast, Consistent come to my mind. This treasured teacher not only influenced 6th grade girls but she has her own children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who are living examples of her influence as well. So on this special day I simply wanted to say thanks to Caryl and the many other Sunday School teachers who week by week invest in teaching God's Word to students and remind you that your efforts are not in vain. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARYL!! My sisters and I love YOU!

Sisters and Nieces Fun Friday!

For several years my sisters and I have been wanting to schedule a fun outting that would work for everyone's schedule! Recently we were able to enjoy this. Donneta, Laurel, and I met in Abilene--our home town early one morning. We were so happy that niece, Anna, and a little later in the morning, niece, Marci, could join us. (We missed niece, Shawnee, but Arkansas is a little far to travel for a day.) We began in a store called the Cypress Bridge that had beautiful fall decorations! We must have spent a couple of hours there before venturing on to other special stores. It was so special to walk down the streets of my hometown and try to "remember" what stores had been there in "years gone by". I pointed out to everyone the steps that used to lead to a basement barber shop where our dad would get his hair cut. The window was still there that Donneta and I would knock on to wave to him as he was in the barber's chair! We went to the drug store and Laurel treated us to the soda fountain that was really unchanged from years gone by. Donneta treated us to lunch at a wonderful deli called, "The Dish" and the sandwiches were delicious! Walking up and down these streets brought back so many treasured memories. We wished that our mom could join us for these events but she is always with us in our hearts. After more shopping, laughing, and getting tired legs and feet the day came to a close. Before leaving Abilene, we stopped at Sonic and then went to the cemetery and put fall flowers on our dad's grave. Enroute back to Wichita I drove by the farmhouse where I grew up and where in the depths of my heart will always resonate as "home". We saw a sign in Abilene that said, "Home is where your story begins." I am so thankful for this beginning.

Encouraged by Others!

Over the last couple of years, I have been inspired by the Neir--extended family as they have engaged in competition--jogging, biking, and swimming. I have also had a wonderful example in the discipline my husband has demonstrated over the last couple of years as he has lost a lot of weight and is so methodical in going the the YMCA to exercise. I also thought of my mother (now in a wheelchair) who when she was my present age could run a mile in 10 minutes and outrun me--even though she was almost twice my age.

SO--with these examples, a sign at the YMCA posted late last July caught my attention. The sign said that the Y would help prepare members for Wichita's Half-Marathon coming up in late September. I thought about it for about a week and then decided to give it a try. The 7 weeks of training with Stephanie and Matt (Y employess) went very fast. They were so kind to me and encouraged me as did Tim. No one made fun of my slow ways!

Two weeks ago I completed the half marathon! Stephanie, the wonderful trainer from the Y, stayed about 6 to 10 feet ahead of me the whole way so that I would keep going. She was wonderful as she could have gone so much faster, but instead focused on helping me. When we were just about finished, one of the men on bikes said, "Your family is waiting for you at the finish line and they are proud of you!" What a wonderful site to see Tim and the 3 boys as I crossed the finish line! I was so happy and then I started to cry. The photo is one that Tim took of Stephanie and me.

I want to keep working on getting better (faster) as I have a long way to go to be able to do what my mom could do when she was my age. Yesterday, I ran in a 5K and had fun with that. Tim got a special watch for me that helped me "keep pushing" myself and I finished 26 sec. sooner than my goal--though my times are still very slow. Tim surprised me by cheering for me along the way. That helped as when I would see him I would speed up so he wouldn't realize how "normally slow" I am.

Anyway, this has been a lot of fun. I am thankful for friends and family who have been both an example and an encouragement to me.