2011 in Review

Dear friends,

  

This has been a wonderful year for JournEzine and we want to thank you for your prayer and your participation.

  

We just closed our 6th Annual Christmas Story Contest with some wonderful entries.  You can view a PDF of the entries HERE.  Thanks and congratulations to all of those who entered.

  

You might have noticed that JournEzine has a new format this year.  We now publish daily and send updates from our feedburner (sign up on our main page) or Follow us on Twitter.  

JournEzine is rich with diversity with our "Focus on Israel", "World News" and "Going Global" sections in addition to the general publication.  We are pleased to announce and welcome Laury Hubrich to our staff this year.  Laury heads the "Daily Manna" section of JournEzine where a diverse selection of authors contribute to a daily devotion/reflection/teaching.  Please watch our Daily Manna section for Vlogs, video teaching, articles, poetry and more!  We are blessed to be able to welcome Laury as our newest editor.  Feel free to contact her atJournEzine2@yahoo.com.    Please continue to pray for this ministry as we embark upon 2012.  Look for our new section of Testimonies to be launched in January!    Part of our calling at JournEzine is to encourage and edify and also to provide avenue for others to use their God-given gifts.  As always, JournEzine  welcomes your submissions of original work in the form of art, music, video, articles, stories, poetry and more!    JournEzine wishes each of you a blessed 2012! God bless, Jeanice McDade Managing Editor This has been a portion of my 2011.  A good bit and portion.  I can't wait to see how God uses Journezine in 2012!

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And in this Corner...

I shared this devotional on JournEzine today and wanted to make sure I put it here on my blog too.  I'm having fun editing the Emagazine but it's lots of work!  Anyway, here is my post:

Every year at this time, Santa Claus enters our vocabulary. We warn our children they better be good for goodness sake! I must admit I used that on my kids to get them to eat their vegetables and clean their rooms for as long as I possibly could. Santa had a good run in our house until they were old enough to realize that he just wasn't real and they were being played by a mama that wanted them to mind, is all. Smart kids.

I wonder why we do this? Do you wonder that too? Do we talk to our children about Jesus as much as we do about Santa Claus? Ouch. I'm sorry if that hurt. I mean, honestly. How many times do we sit around together watching movies about Jesus? Okay. Now how many movies and cartoons about Santa have we watched this season already? And the channels will still have them on after Christmas too and we will watch them. We all seem to be suckers for Santa.

Maybe it's his giving spirit and joy he spreads to everyone in the land? -- Ummm... I thought it was Jesus' birth that heralded in that joy, right?

Luke 2: ¹⁰Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

The baby didn't come bearing physical presents.  He didn't come with a sword.  He DID come to change the world though, and nothing was ever the same after His birth.  He came to live His life on earth as a common man and experience everything just like us.  He taught His followers about God and how to walk a faith-filled life and when it was time for Him to go back to Heaven, Jesus died for all of our sins.

Phil. 2:⁸And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.⁹Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name…

Santa didn't do any of those things.  Even if he were real, why would we spend so much time exalting a fat old man in a red suit?  He's a good guy.  He gives us hope in the human race.  He makes us smile.  He helps us remember to give to others.  I know all that but is it really worth confusing our kids?  I watched one Christmas movie where the kids were praying to Santa.

I talked with an 18 year old who still believes in Santa.  Granted, she's a special needs child but she's a thinker.  She told me, "Yes, I'm a Christian and I believe in God and Jesus.  Of course I believe in Santa!"  You see, I just think somewhere along the way, our kid's theology is getting messed up.  Confused.  It's clear to us.  Santa is fun.  I love Christmas movies as much as anyone, probably more.  I love trying to figure out how in the world Santa could get to all those houses in one evening.  Yes, I admit it.  I still ponder that.  But let's don't confuse our kids for the sake of our childhood memories and traditions.

The line needs to be drawn.   I'm not saying we should outlaw Santa.  I'm not a Grinch, after all.  Let's just be careful to keep things in perspective.  Try to talk about Jesus' birth and the real reason for CHRISTmas much much more than Santa Claus.  That's all I'm saying.

I also wrote about this on the Joe blog.  It was called, Bad Theology.  I hope you will read that also.  I shared a website I found that was most appalling.   

Merry CHRISTmas to you and yours!

Laury

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Flash Mobs

There is something about a flash mob that makes a person smile, you know? Especially at Christmas time. Someone shared this video on FB. I can't imagine being out shopping and then one person starts to sing and then the person beside you begins and soon, the whole place is filled with song. Can you imagine? I would LOVE to be a part of a mob scene like that.

I wonder if that's how it all started in Bethlehem?

The star. Look at that!

The shepherds and wisemen... all lending their voices to worship the newborn King.

The angels singing. Wow! Unbelievable!  The first Christmas flash mob was angelic. Who knew!

Isn't that the way it should be with our faith? One person, let's say you, shares what Christmas really means. Do you realize that many don't know. Honestly. I work with teens that wouldn't have a clue what the true meaning of Christmas is. Think about this: if it were all about Santa Claus, wouldn't it be a big let-down once you were older and found out...you know...that he's not for real? The only reason we celebrate Christmas at all is because Jesus was born. There would be no Christmas without Christ.

Maybe that's why flash mobs are so very cool. People who don't even know the true meaning and Christians alike, all stop. They point. They smile. They tap their feet. They sing along. They hug. In this video, you'll see how the whole atmosphere of the mall changes dramatically because of a shared event with a life-changing message. My life changed when I finally understood the true message of the Christ Child and all that it meant. Love came down from Heaven and nothing was ever the same again!

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Free2Be Me...

My Blog has been getting ignored lately.  I've been busy with other blogs.  I'm editing at JournEzine, Daily Manna for Jeanice McDade.  I gather up devotions from authors or find them from blogs or websites and edit them and place them in the site.  It's pretty time-consuming but I love it!  It's a good fit for me because when I don't really feel like doing anything else, I can edit or browse the net or look for pictures to go with posts.  There is always something for me to do.  I like corresponding with our authors too.  They are a great bunch of people. I love when I ask people to write for us and they are thrilled to do it too.  That's fun.

I hope all of you read JournEzine.  There's so much to it that I don't even have time to explore.  Also, right now there's a Christmas Story Contest going on.  Here's the link if you're interested in submitting.  http://www.journezine.com/journezine-sixth-annual-christmas-story-contest-2/ 

I was looking at my awesome blog tonight because I miss it and because Mari changed my commenting area. I tend to get tired of the way things look but I've had the very same header for a long time now and I'm not tired of it.  It's perfect.  It's me.  Mari's a great blog designer.  She helped me figure out exactly what I wanted.  I have to tell you, it was kind of painful.  It was like a therapy session.  Weird, right?  I believe God used her to get to me.  There is so much more there than meets the eye.  More than anyone can know.  Anyone that knows me, really knows me, will kind of get my header.  And as you read my blog, you will come to understand it too.  If you're wanting your blog redesigned, Mari's your woman! 

I have so much I'm supposed to be doing, such as book reviews, but what am I doing?  I'm writing about things I'm doing and should be doing.  This is the last of my Thanksgiving break.  It's been wonderful having all our kids home.  Now it's time to get back to a routine again.  Monday's coming quickly.  Way quick.  Too quick.  And another day will find me Free2Be me in Christ.

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Posted on Joe Today

My thoughts about faith are on Joe Blog today:  Bumper Faith Living.  I don't know how theologically sound it is, but it is straight from my heart and life.  :)  I hope you'll follow me over there and share your thoughts too.

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Posting today at...

I posted on the Joe blog today.  It must have come from a place of deep fatigue:)  I hope you will go and read it.  See you there!

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Y Here? Y Now?

My Y post today is something that has been on my mind, probably for most of my life.  Y am I here?  Y was I born in this time?  Y was I born in this place?  I also write about it in much more detail over at the Joe blog today.  I hope you'll go read it too:)

Have you ever wondered that?  For all the complaining we sometimes do (sad to say) there are places who have it so much worse than us, even in our own United States, even.  I went on a mission trip  to West Virginia a couple of years ago, and there were houses there with dirt floors still.  I met people who were poor to the extreme.

Y am I so blessed to be born here in the U.S. in Central Illinois with a fair amount of money to keep me fed and clothed with a roof over my head?  Y wasn't I born in Africa?  Y wasn't I born a different into a different race?

Y wasn't I born into a different period of time?  I could have just as easily been born in the 1800's or maybe during the time Jesus walked on earth.  Can you imagine?  Y now?

Take some time to enjoy this video by Chris Rice and a young guy named Bobby:) Be sure to check out the other Y posts at Peej's blog and see you next week for the very last letter...Z!

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X Marks the Spot!

I'm a little late for AzZ post this week.  Go see Peej's blog for other 'on time' X posts.  And now, my post that has been on my heart all week but I've been squishing it down because I had no time or energy to write it.

X marks the spot.  Actually, not on a pirate map, though.  It marks the place on my heart from all the times it's been touched this week.

I've been missing church lately.  When school starts, I get slammed down physically, emotionally, and mentally.  Because of that, it's hard for me to get there.  With harvest  full force the last couple of months, Jim hasn't gone, and with no kids at home, I've been staying in bed asleep.  You know, the longer you don't do something, the harder it is to start doing it?  It is true.  Last Sunday, honestly, I could have gone.  I didn't feel quite as bad as normal.

Complacency hit me.

I was pretty safe in my bed.  I was secure knowing the extra sleep would help me get through my work week better.  I was placing my trust in myself instead of placing it in God.  What I needed more than anything was to get my gas tank filled up with the Word at church.  I needed to be around Christian friends and family.  I needed the hugs and back poundings (even though they make me wince.)  I needed that physical contact.  I needed corporate worship no matter how I felt.  I've gone to church barely able to walk before.  I've held onto Jim's arm.  I've wilted onto his shoulder.  I've sat through worship.  I've done what I've had to do.  I've been present or maybe not so present.  I've been there.  Complacency beat me this time.

Anyway, tuggings right at the heart are drawing me back.  One tug at a time.  One FB writer friend shared some verses from Psalms with me on my wall.  It was very timely and she had no idea what was going on.  Well, she will  now:)  A close friend from church who keeps me accountable, texted me last Sunday to check on me.  Another close friend asked me out of the blue if I went to church that day.  I had to admit, no, I didn't.  It made me feel good to know that she reached out of herself and her own hard circumstances to hold me accountable.

One morning, as I was getting ready for school, a FB PM popped up from my pastor.  He wanted to encourage me in the Lord.  He knows I have health problems and I hadn't been there in a while.  That really meant lots because our church is so big.

You see, X marks the spot right to my heart.  People reached out to me, each in his/her own way, and drew me in.  God used them to draw out the complacency.  It was like an antibiotic for my soul.  I am so very grateful for them.

So, X marks the spot.  God used lots of people, more than I wrote about here, to touch my heart.  I'll be sitting in church this week, no matter how I feel.  You can count on that.  And now I'll be ready to be hit hard by the old trouble-maker himself.  I might need some prayer.  Yikes!  Anyway, X marks the spot.

I'm trying to Nano my way to 50,000 words this month.  I can use some prayer for that too.  Until next week for the letter....ummm...Y - See ya!

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The Pirate Queen

The Pirate Queen, by Patricia Hickman, is one of the best books I've read in awhile.  It's published by Waterbrook Press and I read it on the Nook Color.

This book hits on many topics such as: love, marriage, adultery and forgiveness.  It also includes:  coming to know Jesus in an intimate way, standing up for those who are unable to, and relationships with family and friends.

This would make an awesome Hallmark movie.  I wouldn't be surprised to see it there one of these days. Just watch and see!

The main character in The Pirate Queen, Saphora, had her bags packed, ready to leave her husband, when her husband came home and uttered the words, "I'm dying."  All their lives changed at that point - for the better.

The book is about love and forgiveness and is beautifully written.  It's real.  Not watered down fluff.  Awesome, awesome, awesome! I was sad when the book ended.


"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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What?

This has been my day.  See it?  Can you imagine hearing it in a newly freshman-y bass voice?  And it goes up at the end.  What?

And the - Huh?  Even when the kid knows what's going on.  It was funny at first and then it got to be a little bit irritating.

Huh?  Huh?  Huh?  Huh?  

Huh?  Huh?  Huh?  

Huh?  

Huh?  Huh?

Irritating, isn't it?  

Ha ha!  Anyway, just thought I'd share a piece of my day with all of you for my A2z.  W is the letter.  WHAT is my whine:)  I just threw HUH in there for good measure.  Go to Peej's blog for more SANER W posts.  See you next week for X then Y & Z.  And yes, I said more saner:)  It's just one of them there days.

Say WHAT?  

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Nose Dive

I'm posting today at the Joe blog.  I've been in a slump but I know it's time to pull up before I crash.  I don't want you all having to visit me at a crash site.  That wouldn't be good at all.

"Israel, put your hope in the LORD, 

 for with the LORD is unfailing love 

and with him is full redemption."

Hope to be up and flying soon!

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JourneZine post today!

I am posting at JourneZine today.  

Hope you will follow me there!

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Victory or Vaporization?

Today is the end of my seven week stint.  It remains to be seen how it will play out.  Anyone want to write the conclusion for me?  I can give you a scenario.  I have a cold.  I'm run down.  The kids are excited about their teacher coming back because it gives them some ray of hope that maybe she doesn't get grouchy like I do.  Ha ha!  Good luck there, kiddos!

Will this be a day of victory or will the kids vaporize me? Will adults win out or will students prevail?   Will see you at the same bat time - same bat channel:)

And you can see other, much better V posts at Peej's blog, but you better hurry in case they are vaporized too!  You never know about this day.  You just never know!

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Under a Week!

Last week I talked about the Tontos in my life.  I certainly depend on them.  God put each and every one in my path for just the right time to speak just the right word.  He continues to do that.  Tonight I had a friend call me.  She always lifts me up and speaks into my life.  She usually challenges me too.  That part isn't always so pleasant.  HAHA:)  But it is so very needed, you know?  That's a true friend.

Sometimes a friend doesn't even have to say a word, just sitting beside you is enough - just like Charlie Brown and Snoopy over there.  I love that picture:)

Sometimes God puts us all alone so we have to cling to Him.  I experienced that a couple weeks ago as I got in the van to drive to school.  It was pea soup.  Just horrible.  I had no idea it was bad out until I got going.  I couldn't call anyone or text.  There was NO WAY my hands could let go of that steering wheel.  All of my senses had to focus on the road.  I was scared.  It was just me and God.  God and me.  When I got onto the main road, I realized just how bad it was.  A car went by and I didn't see it until it was right on me.  Talk about scared.  It was one of those days you just pray and then gun it.  Scary.  Anyway, some days, God wants it like that.  He reminds us that HE is all we need.  He is always but He also gives us others.  He is so awesome!

Okay, let me turn away from spiritual for a bit:)  Today isn't T day.  It's U and I was having trouble with U.  Well, not with U personally.  Ummm...U know what I mean.  Shut up:)  Ugh.  Haha.  Okay.  All I could think about was underwear and I'm certainly NOT going to write about underwear!  Not about granny panties or tightie whities!  Nope!  Not going there!!!  See me not going there?

Okay!  Now then. Seriously.  I will go here.  Right now I'm kind of in a bad spot.  I'm with some people who have experienced things that I can't even imagine.  I feel at a loss how to help.  I'm at the end of my rope.  I hear that's where God is though.  Just waiting to catch me when I fall.  I can't say anything more here.  If you ask me personally I'll tell you but just suffice it to say - I would really appreciate your prayers!

I have UNDER a week - see?  That's where the U comes in.  And I'm pretty happy for the UNDER a week business.  I will have fulfilled a commitment that God laid on my heart, partially anyway.  I'll still be there but not in the same capacity.  It will be very freeing to let go of the responsibility.

Soooo...I will continue to trust God and give Him full control.  And I will keep breathing.  Keep breathing... I might need to be reminded of that if you see me around.  Keep breathing...Keep swimming...Maybe even remind me to let go of the rope if you see me hanging for dear life and the ground is like a foot under me:)

Now go on over the Peej's blog to see the other U posts.  I betcha no one had the nerve to write about Underwear!  I just betcha!  See you next week if not before!

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Tonto?

Today is Tuesday which makes a very good day to celebrate the letter T.  Go on over to Peej's blog to see more T posts!

Yesterday as I was driving to school, I was praying for a certain friend.  She's a fighter of injustices and is very upset right now at how some things are going.  I don't know details.  She just asked me to pray so that's what I was doing.  God knows it all.  He doesn't need me to know anything more than I do.

Funny thing is, I described her as the Lone Ranger to God.  I prayed that she wouldn't feel that way.  Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto at his side.  This friend has God, of course.  The Holy Spirit is constantly filling her, giving her the words to say whenever she speaks - but sometimes we need a Tonto.  I'm not sure if she has one but I hope she does.

No one ever remembers Lucy without Ethel or Fred without Barney.  We were made to work together.  Be a team.  Hold each other up.  Be accountable.  Once in a while, sing the other's praises and then turn the tables and the other do the same.  It's not a one-way street.

There wouldn't have been a Lone Ranger without Tonto.  Tonto was the right-hand man.  Lucy wouldn't have been nearly as funny without Ethel at her side.  I'm sure we all would turn off the television sets without the crazy DUO.  Can't have one without the other.

There are Tontos in our husbands, wives, friends...  God gave us each other for a purpose, to meet needs in different ways, in ways that others can't.  Amazing ways.  I am so grateful for the many God has put in my life.  I wouldn't be able to make it without my Tontos.  And in turn, I am a Tonto to many.


Look a moment into your friendships.  Do you acknowledge the Tontos there?  Do you see maybe you are taking advantage and now it's time to be Tonto yourself?  Just for a bit at least?  October is Pastor Appreciation month.  This is an excellent time to encourage and build up our Lone Rangers/Tontos Pastors.  Many times, especially in small churches, they are both rolled up into one - sad to say.

I'm in an awesome church where the leadership all works together as one.  There is NO one Lone Ranger but they all take turns being Lone Rangers/Tontos.  Since this is my blog, I will take the time to appreciate my pastors at First Christian Church: Greg Taylor, Kent Hickerson, Ernie Harvey, and Adam Brucker -- all great men of God - truly!

AND, thank you, my loyal a2z readers, for encouraging me in this meme journey.  Until we meet again - 

"Hi Yo Silver, away!"

And a fun song to leave on...

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Saving Grace

I've just finished reading Saving Grace, by Annie Jones.  I received the book from Blogging for Books, Waterbrook Multnomah.  It's the second in the Prayer Tree series.  I didn't read the first so it's a stand-alone book but I did feel I missed out on a bit.  As in real life, the characters had lives before this book came into being, so I guess it makes sense that life happened that I didn't need to know about.  Yes?  But the author does a good job in explaining things that needs explaining as things play out.

As the title suggests, the book revolves, sort of, around saving Grace, an old woman in the town who everyone stays away from and is scared of because of silly gossip.  A group of very good women friends bond together through various antics, life moments, and prayers, and make a big difference in this woman, Grace's life.  In saving Grace, they tie together their friendships for the long haul.

The book really is good.  It took a bit to get into it but once I got each character figured out, I was truly hooked.  I highly recommend it.  It's a fun read plus it reminds us to not get sucked into gossip but reach out to people and get to know them.  They just might surprise you!

You can find this book at Christianbook.com or Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Blogging For Books review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Silliness

Hey hey hey!  It's a2z day. Hop on over to Peej's blog where you'll see lots of S posts.  Soooo, S is the letter.  My days through the week are filled with silliness.

What can I say?  I work with high school kids.  Very special high school kids.  I can come to school feeling very bad and they make me forget.  They make me laugh.  

Real belly-laughs.

A cheerful heart is good 

medicine, 

but a crushed

spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter  

 and your lips with shouts of joy.

Job 8:21

A happy heart 

makes the 

face cheerful

Proverbs 15:13

Sooooo, I'm just here to say, I have one of the best jobs around. Yes I do! We have our ups and downs. I have to yell at them at times, yes I do. ergh:( But, for the most part, we have a blast! The funny thing is, their lives aren't perfect.  They have disabilities that make life hard yet they keep on.

I have one kid that tells me the scores of the games from the night before.  He can tell me who is playing Sunday night football.  He will tell me who is in what position in Nascar.  Honestly, I don't care, but he does so I try to act interested:)

They are like square pegs trying to fit in round holes.  They squeeze and squeeze.  They don't quite make it BUT they have fun trying.  I'm proud of our high school population.  I've never seen them make fun of our kids.  But it's a small town and they've all grown up together.  They know each other and their strengths and weaknesses.  That's kind of a cool thing in a weird creepy kind of way.  

It's awesome to enjoy your job, but you know what?  I don't consider it a job.  It's my ministry and I'm loving it.  This is where God has me for now and I will do the very best I can in His Name and for His glory.  I hope and pray that when these kids see me, they will see a bit of Jesus reflected through me.  That's my prayer. 

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100 Words

Jan Ackerson has a very unusual blog.  She writes each post in only 100 words.  I thought I would try my hand.  It's not as easy as it looks.  Mine is below but make sure you go take a look at Jan's blog called, One Hundred Words.  She's also hosting a writing contest right now too.  It's over the 26th so you better hurry to get in on that!

8:00-3:25

I brace myself for the onslaught of noise that will soon regal my senses from the moment the students enter until I can legally send them home.  I pick out their individual voices as they come down the hallway, just as a mother knows her own child’s voice on the playground.

My name, along with a poke on my arm, in case I’m suddenly hearing-impaired, starts each of their sentences and my day. 

“Mrs. Huuubrich, tttthe Bbbears wwwwoon.”

“Mrs. Hubrich, Dougie thinks he’s the boss of me...” 

I hand out hugs, admonishments, and high-fives from 8:00-3:25.  

Welcome to my world!

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Jewels of Encouragement - Holy holy holy!

I'm posting at Jewels of Encouragement.  

I hope you'll take some time to follow me there. 

 It's just a click of the button to the left.  

See you soon - I hope!

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Really Great Unfinisher is Finishing!!!

R is for Finishing?  Well, no.  R is for sliding into a REALLY great finish with the a2z meme with Patty over at Ordinary People.  Ha!  But I have nine weeks left.  Rats!  But I am managing to keep up in a REALLY busy time in my life right now.  I knew I'd pull that out of the hat.

I sent out a plea to Jan Ackerson one day for a good book to read with my class at school.  She not only gave me the title, but she sent me the copies too!  Awesome woman, she is!  The kids R loving and hating it at the same time.

Joey is a boy with MAJOR problems.  He has ADHD and his medicine works in the mornings but wears off by the afternoons.  He has an interesting home life, to say the least, which doesn't help his situation at all.  He loves to entertain his classmates.  One day, he learned he could swallow his key then fish it back up his throat.

Now, the author, Jack Gantos, is awesome at describing exactly what is happening and what it looks like.  The girls are grossed out and covering their ears and the boys are giggling.  Today I offered extra credit to one kid if he comes in with a key covered in spaghetti.  He said that would be perfect because he's eating spaghetti tonight at home.  SCORE!  (He did it!  See the picture?  Touchdown!)

Anyway, poor Joey, he tries so very hard to be good but he can't quite do it.  All of us can relate to this book because in our class, we all try hard to be good.  Yes, even me.

You know what I LOVE about Joey Swallowed The Key?  It's hard for me to take it out of the kid's hands.  They, as in the girls who make me think they are so grossed out by it all, want to know what's next, and that, my blogger friends, is a major accomplishment.

I will quote the famous Joey when he hasn't taken his meds,

"Can I get back 
to you on that?"



Sounds like a good ending to me.  Keep on reading! 


 Until next week....  
See ya!

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