Coach

There are people that come into our lives that inspire us to be great. I believe that friendships are ordained by God because only He knows exactly who we need in our life, the exact moment we need them. Most of the time we are completely oblivious to the impact people are making on us until years later, if we ever realize it at all. Recently I have been very aware of the people in my life and the impact and influence they have made on me. Maybe it's because things are changing in regard to a friendship that I value very much that I began to think through the high value I place on my friendships with people.

Change is scary but this is a good change. It's a necessary change. It's an exciting change. It's a move in the right direction and I am excited to see how it all plays out. BUT it's a hard change because our daily interactions will be very different. My "hiding" place on the other side of the school will be no more. One of my trusted sounding boards will now be across town. I do know that this friend isn't really going anywhere. When I think about things rationally, proximity is really the only thing that is changing.

I am going to borrow some lyrics from my favorite musical to try to describe our unique friendship.

"I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today, Because I knew you..."

The only line I would change is, "Well, I don't know if I believe that's true." I would change it to say, "Well I DO know that because I believe that's true."

I have learned a lot from this friend. There are countless reasons why this friendship is so valuable to me. I have grown both personally and professionally as a result. He has been a sounding board during a rather challenging school year. He has provided wisdom. He has become a mentor and a dear friend. He offers good advice, a different perspective and speaks from years of experience of working with people. He has helped me process. He has reminded me time and time again that having high expectations is a GOOD thing. He laughs at my randomness, deals with my numerous opinions and allows me the opportunity to be creative and gives me the freedom to learn and to grow.

He's not a fan of purple but he puts up with this mess of a kid that loves all things purple and all things associated with K-State.

It is an honor to have Coach Guzman as a mentor and friend.

2 students, 4 years (8 semesters) . . . wow

It is WEIRD to think that these two rugrats won't be walking into my classroom again in August.

I have had the privilege of being their teacher every semester that they have been in high school. It seems strange to say but I am SO proud of them. I have enjoyed watching them grow up and mature over the course of the past four years. We have laughed (A LOT) together and even shed a few tears. We have had countless discussions about life, girls, relationships, college decisions, sports, you name it, we have probably talked about it. They give me a hard time about loving K-State so much, but all that purple paid off in the end when Alex decided to enroll at the finest institution in the land.

They put up with the crazy things that I dream up.
"Hey, guys. I have this trophy, let's take a class picture."

They demonstrated their "decorating" skills last year on my birthday.

They challenge my creativity. They sometimes refer to me as, "Miss Call me crazy." They laugh at my randomness, wonder about the strange sayings that I say ALL the time, deal with my craziness and have actually learned a few things along the way. They surprise me on a daily basis. They show up with a "big fluffy pink heart" because through it all they know that I do sincerely heart them with a big fluffy pink heart.

They have allowed me the opportunity to be involved in their life and for that I am grateful.

I am a better teacher because of Alex & Jake.

may day

Dan the man

there once was a man named Dan

Dan likes squirrels, gnomes and

onions that have not been in the refrigerator.

(photo borrowed from facebook)

he traveled to the great state of KS to visit his friend Lucas

Lucas brought Dan to Indianapolis (street)

(on a Monday)

There was food.

(and even some fire)

Hippirate met Stewie

and Dan told a story about a stuttering turtle

there was a captive audience, who continued to laugh

(and laugh, and laugh, and laugh)

and finally the story ended.

with a very good moral.

MNGP's defined

Definition of MNGP: Monday Night Gal Pals

Background: It started with a house on Indianapolis street, a desire to invest in women and a need to learn how to cook. So I get the idea to invite these girls over, we'll eat together, we'll share life together and then see what happens.

It began in the summer under the name of Monday meals at my house. The menu was always different, though taco salad became the favorite and LOTS of diet coke was the norm.

We hang out. (sometimes, yes watching ridiculous television)

We laugh A LOT. (and sometimes cry)

We circle the wagons

and pray together.

We process life together.

We walk through life WITH each other.

We face it together.

the hard stuff.

the good stuff.

the life changing, holy moly God, what are you up to stuff.

And we will continue to meet together.

Most Mondays.

These girls are dear. I love the time we spend together. Monday's are rather strange when they are not sitting in my living room. I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for each of us as we scatter about the globe for a couple of months this summer. In August we will all reunite and how sweet it will be. Our time together is precious. They each encourage my heart in a unique way. Time with them is refreshing. I am grateful for the opportunity to be involved in their lives. My cup overflows.

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with JOY."

(we need an updated pic with you Vic!)

bliss

Definition of BLISS:

1: complete happiness

Examples of BLISS:

raw unedited processing

laughter

living room full of heart sisters (MNGP's)

learning together

living life together

being real

being vulnerable

truth

His Word

late nights

ice cream

apple pie (soup)

Haiti talk

journals read

big hearts

generosity

my cup overflows

Time

In 2 months from today I will be embarking on another adventure.

About this time (give or take a few hours) in 2 months, I will be on a plane for more than half a day, flying across an ocean that I have only seen from California and from a cruise ship in Alaska. My passport will gain a new stamp and I will spend time in a new place, among new people, with an eager and expectant heart.

Time is a funny thing. At times, time seems to drag on and on and on. At other times, time seems to go by so fast we would give anything for it to S.L.O.W. down.

Rainy, dreary days give me plenty of time to think. Time to be grateful. Time to look back. Time to look forward. Time to dream.