Overheard This Week… (April 26-30)

I’ve had a lot of people mention that they love my status updates on Facebook. I’ve downloaded a Firefox add-on that allows me to update my twitter status from work (which echoes over to my FB status). Therefore I’m able to immediately jot down the absolutely crazy things my students say at work. I hate that I might lose these hilarious quotes, so I’ll begin updating my blog with the fun comments. Enjoy!

"Mrs. Rodgers, how did everything look back in the day? When you were little was it gray outside like in the pictures?"

"How old were you when color tv was invented? Was that real cool?"

(seriously, I’m going to start getting a complex about this! They know my age… how old do they think that really is?!)

"I can barely remember when Bush flew those planes into the World Trade Center."

From a student who is a very talented sketch-artist: "I've decided not to be an architect because my heavy metal band is gonna make it big."

Spoken loudly by a female student: "Mrs Rodgers, can I step out in the hall? I have a wedgie."

(This was shortened to meet the 140-character limit for Twitter. Here’s the whole conversation.) Two male students were talking about Florida. Student says “I always wanted to visit that country.” I blurted in: “Country? What are you talking about? Florida is part of the US.” Student: "What are those smaller things in the US? Like little countries?" ME: "You mean, STATES?" Student: "Yeah, those things. I always forget what they’re called."

a heart for orphans

The Lord is constantly pricking my heart with love for the unloved. I’m still selfish, greedy, and completely focused on ME, but in small ways He’s opening up my sinful heart to love others.

One of the most specific ways that’s happening is with the orphaned here in the US and around the world. It seems every time I look around I find a friend or friend-of-a-friend who is adopting internationally. I am grateful that Bronce and I both have the desire to open our lives and our home to children not born naturally as Rodgers.

We got an amazing glimpse of that when our dear friends and neighbors in Nashville adopted two incredible little boys a few years ago. In God’s perfect plan and beautiful irony, the boys are the spitting image of their brown-haired, blue-eyed parents. They didn’t set out looking for children that resembled themselves, but they have a striking family. Here’s the six of us together a few months ago:

Man, I love those kids. And their hilarious parents. Oh, the trouble Bronce and Jason have created over the years with fireworks and sidewalk chalk. But I digress…

Bronce and I have watched as many of our friends have struggled with infertility and the pressures that brings to a marriage. We don’t know if that’s the path the Lord has marked for us, but we’re grateful that before that season of our lives even begins we already know that we have plans to adopt. Like our beautiful friends in Nashville, we would love to adopt multiple children – to keep a family of siblings intact, if possible.

But regardless we know that God has some kids out there who need our special blend of order and chaos – children who will thrive in a home filled with an organized dad and a procrastinating mom, with laughter and emotions and fantastically awesome grandparents nearby. I know the Lord is growing these two selfish “adults” into people who will love and care for His needy babies.

Anyway, these early morning ramblings were brought on due to a blog I just read. A friend posted the link to this website, which tells of the horrors of a children’s prison in Africa. It’s a reminder to me that the Lord loves these children more than any adult around them ever can or will. And it’s a call to pray, however the Spirit leads you.

Kampiringisa

“Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the Lord; exult before him! Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.” Psalm 68:4-5