I Can Almost Taste It!

Yesterday when I got home I had a package waiting at the door. Getting mail, especially packages, is always fun, but this was a very exciting package. It was my study book for the board exam...I am not necessarily excited about the book and the studying that goes with it but I am excited about the fact that it means graduation is in 4 months!!! I received multiple emails today with information about graduation and all the hoopla that goes with it. Every time I received another email, I got even more excited and I feel like my chest is going to explode with excitement just typing about it right now. I have been in school for the last 21 years of my life and I am so glad to finally be finished! I am a little nervous about entering the "real world" but my excitement to be out of school far outweighs that apprehension. I love the profession of pharmacy and I can't wait to be an official pharmacist. I definitely won't be needing any happy pills on May 29...in fact, people around me may wish I had some chill pills.

We Are Not Home Yet

Tuesday night we went to a TV taping of Max Lucado's Easter Special "His Name Is Jesus" with Steven Curtis Chapman and Mandisa. I love the way Max can paint a picture with words and to hear him tell his version of the Easter story was amazing. We went to the taping of the Casting Crowns Christmas special with Max Lucado in October and it was pretty incredible as well.

Tuesday night there was an interview portion where Max talked to Steven about his family. SCC told about his struggle with the loss of his 5 year old daughter Maria. His testimony is such an inspiration to me and I pray that his story will give hope to many people who watch that broadcast. It reminded me that I am not guaranteed my next breath which is a blessing because this isn't our home and I can't wait to meet my Savior but it is a little scary because I wonder...have I been a vessel allowing Jesus to shine through me in every opportunity? have I spoken words of peace, love, and hope to people I come in contact with everyday? have I shared the Good News that has given me hope with everyone I possibly can? have I lived a life that is pleasing to my Father? will He say 'well done' when I breathe my last breath? I know I haven't done my best and that frustrates and disappoints me, but I know that He has enough grace and mercy to cover me everyday and my gratefulness for His goodness makes me strive to bring Him glory.

James 1:22 " Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT IT SAYS."

Predators

We went to our first Predators game Monday night. We got there a little late and as soon as we sat down a fight broke out on the ice between two players. I expected the referees to skate on over there and break it up but instead they just surrounded the two guys and watched. We were very confused because neither of us had ever been to a hockey game and knew nothing about the sport (the only hockey we had watched was the Mighty Ducks movies growing up and Joey Gladstone on Full House)! So anyway, they continue throwing punches until one of the guys ended up on the ground (see picture below) and the referees sent them to the penalty box. Needless to say, we were the dreaded friends that asked the people we went with 20 questions throughout the whole game but we had a lot of fun and it was an exciting sport to watch.

YAY!

My preceptor must have read my blog and felt bad for me because when I got home on Friday I had an email from her saying that since Monday was a school holiday I didn't have to come in. YAY! It has been a wonderful day off so far. My sweet husband made me breakfast in bed, then we went to the gym together. We are going to meet his sister and her kids to enjoy the day off with them. I could get used to this life.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

It is like 19 degrees right now and the wind is bitter! Tonight it is supposed to drop into single digits with a wind chill of some degrees below zero...pretty crazy, huh? Well, not as crazy as schools letting out tomorrow because it is cold!!!!!!! Yes, you read that right. Many of the schools in middle Tennessee are closed tomorrow simply because of the cold temperatures. There are NO snow or ice warnings, it is JUST COLD! I am having trouble believing that it is just a cold thing...I think some administrators are taking advantage of the holiday on Monday and giving everyone a 4 day weekend just for the fun of it. CRAZY! All of you enjoying your 4 day weekend can bring me lunch ALL four days while I am at work...ugh!...but I am not bitter or jealous. hhummpf!

Please Read and PRAY!!

Please click on the link to my sister-in-law's blog and pray!!!!

FRONT PAGE NEWS!!

I am so proud of my sweet husband! There are two pictures on the front page of The Lebanon Democrat today...one is of the presidential meeting with George H.W. Bush, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter and the other picture is of E.J.!!! If you ask E.J. about his recent election he will humbly respond and act like it is no big deal, but I think it is a pretty big deal that a teacher in his second year of teaching in the subject matter would be elected to a statewide position. The following is the article that accompanies his picture:

Wilson teacher takes leadership role in Tennessee's physical education

Though he's only been teaching in Wilson County for a short time, now he has the opportunity to affect the physical education curriculum for students across the state.

Elliot (E.J.) Wood, who has been teaching fourth through eighth grade PE at Watertown Elementary for the past two years has been elected to the executive board of the Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD) as vice-president elect of physical education.

Wilson County Coordinated School Health Director Charles Whitlock said the school system is very proud of Wood.

"To my knowledge, this is the first time in a long time that someone from Wilson County has actually held a leaderhsip position in the organization. We're really pleased that EJ has taken that initiative," he said.

"He's going to be on the front edge as far as anything new (with) health and physical education or recreation. He's also going to be one of the guiding members for policy on the state level," Whitlock said, noting that the State Department of Education seeks TAHPERD's insight before making changes to health, PE, or fitness programs.

"He's got a voice where most people don't."

Whitlock described TAHPERD as "is a not-for-profit professional association of individuals in the allied fields of health education, physical education, recreation and dance. While most members are employed in public or private education, individuals representing interests in government and private agencies, business, and health care provision are increasing their voice in membership."

Wood will serve as the vice-president elect in 2009, act as the vice-president in 2010 and past vice-president of physical education in 2011.

"It's a three-year committment. You help the outgoing vice president, serve as VP the next year and then serve as a resource to the incoming the following year," Whitlock said.

"He's going to be a jack of all trades."

Wood, who coaches Watertown Middle School's baseball team, also taught in Memphis for three years and is a graduate of Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn.

He said his success can be attributed to having great instructors.

"I came from a very good physical education department. I think that had a lot to do with why I enjoy what I do, and why I've had some success in doing that," he said.

Wood said that while he'll be doing a lot of committee work in his first year - helping with conventions and trying to do some needs assessments to see what type of training activities need to be done with PE courses - he also has some immediate goals locally.

"I don't feel there's a big draw to our organization from Wilson County specifically, so that's one thing immediately I hope to impact. To encourage all our Wilson County educators - wellness, health, PE, everything - to attend at least the conference," he said.

"Advocacy is one big thing the organization promotes, just in the profession. So I would hope to be a better educator because of TAHPERD and promote, either by better legislation or professional development, the profession as a whole."