I know what it is.

I just don't know how to find it.

It's time.

I'm missing time.

I'm missing the hours of reading and thinking and writing....that have been replaced with lesson plans, early rising, after-school meetings, and all the other "mom" stuff that somehow has to squeeze itself into the midst of all of the "work" stuff.

I know lots of us live with this constant struggle of juggling all our responsibilities.

Tonight, I'm realizing that I still have so much to learn about the art of keeping so many different parts of life running smoothly.

I've heard this analogy about life and juggling.  While tossing all kinds of different balls into the air, we have to remember that some of the balls are made of crystal.  They are priceless and must be handled with great care.  Drop a crystal ball and life is changed forever.

Lord, help me balance my life and time in such way that in juggling my roles as a mom, wife, teacher, friend, and on and on, I can keep safe those crystal balls that matter most.

Lord, redeem my time.

I miss You.

In Brian D. McLaren's book "A Search for What Makes Sense:  Finding Faith," he says, "Where there is absolute certainty, there can be no room for faith."

I love that sentence!

I don't know about your life, but my life is full of questions when I look back and when I look forward.

If not for my deep belief in the promise of more than this life, I would spend many days filled with regret, fear, and anxiety.

We've had a busy weekend here, and I'm just now able to share about Olivia's trip to Louisville.

She did such a good job speaking, and the kids all did the skit beautifully!!

I'll get the videos loaded to Youtube soon, but for now I'll share pictures.

Olivia did not win state chaplain, however.  She was beat by number two on the ballot.  A girl whose campaign centered all around Scooby-Doo with very cute costumes and props.  I was so proud of Olivia, though, because I felt her campaign was truly about being a light for Jesus and in the end when she learned that she had lost, she said, 'It wasn't meant to be.  God has other plans."

I am so thankful that we named Olivia.......Olivia Faith-Pallavi (Pallavi was her given name in India, and it means "new leaves or new beginning")  Olivia's faith amazes me!

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

Thankfully, my teacher's meeting ended in time for me to say bye to Olivia and her friends as they left for the BETA Convention!! This refrigerator box is going to be open and used as a replica of Olivia's school locker during the skit!   See the Scripture on the front!! :)

One of Olivia's teachers was even telling me that the students decided that Joshua 1:9 had to be on the locker too.....see the heart in the corner?!? 

That was Nick's favorite verse!

During the skit, they turn the locker around and there is a huge switch on the other side.  See Olivia's initials..O.N.  

The slogan for Olivia's campaign is

"Turn it O.N. for Olivia Nischan!"

One of the boys came up with that idea when they were talking about her being a "light" at school. 

Here's Olivia with one of her favorite teachers!    

I snapped a few photos of some of Olivia's friends as they were heading to the bus.  Evan brought his Bible to read on the way.  I love this boy so much! :) 

Here's my last view of Olivia and her friend Sarah as they were pulling out.......

I'll be driving to Louisville tomorrow right after school to watch their performance.  I'll videotape her speech and the skit and share them with you this weekend!! 

Thanks for keeping all of these kids in your prayers as they step out to SHINE FOR JESUS at the Kentucky BETA Convention!!!

Yesterday Tim took Olivia to the dentist for the big event of letting go of two years of braces!!!

No more food getting stuck in the metal!  No more sore gums and tongue!

Her first look in the mirror!!    Olivia leaves today for the BETA Convention in Louisville where she will be speaking in front of about 12,000 middle school students.

She is running for KY State Chaplain!!

Her suit is ironed and ready to go!

This is the front and back of the t-shirt that all of the kids from her school will be wearing for the campaign day tomorrow!!!

Olivia places a Scripture on her locker every day and the kids really do see her as a "light" in the school!  They are singing, 'This Little Light of Mine" after she speaks and the kids do their skit!

I love how God uses even a school club to reach out to the world!!

Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your

light shine before others,

that they may see your

good deeds and glorify

your Father in heaven.

Praying we can all shine for Him today too,

I took a deep breath as I pulled into the parking lot of the school where I teach.

Eight weeks of being homebound had torn away a lot of my self-confidence, and the thought of walking into my school carrying a pillow to sit on didn't help much either.

As I walked from the parking lot to the school, I began hearing, "Hi, Mrs. Nischan," from student after student as they were getting off of school buses.

  My heart grew a little lighter.

Entering the building, our assistant principal said, "Get over here," as he gave him a welcoming hug..........

In my classroom, a stack of notes from cards and teachers covered my desk, and I was overwhelmed with love as teachers came by my room to say welcome back and hug me.As I thought of how each person's act alone may have seemed insignificant to them, I read the front of a notebook our principal had left for me as a Christmas gift...........

I smiled as I thought of how each student and each teacher had made a difference in my first day back at work ,and I was reminded that I have the choice to be that "ONE PERSON" to someone else with every step I take in life.

So do you.

Today, I pray that as you venture here and there that you will remember that, yes, you are only one person, but YOU have the power to make a SIGNIFICANT difference in the lives of those you touch.

Thank you for praying for me yesterday.

I love you all so much!

Tonight, I'll share the funny memories of yesterday!

God bless each of you in a very special and unique way,

The Nick Note Giveaway Winners,

chosen randomly by Olivia and Evan, are........

KIM BUSH

DANA FRANKS

and

LISA (lisahs@mrtc.com)

Please email me at tammynischan@yahoo.com with a mailing address!  Kim, I think I'll save some postage and deliver yours!

I wish I could give a set to each of you!

There's good news, though!

I just received an email and was asked to review Sheila Walsh's newest book as well as one other book by another author, and they are sending me five copies of EACH book to give away!!!!!!

So we will be having a BIG GIVEAWAY very soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love you all!

I'm heading back to work in the morning, so please keep me in your prayers.  It will be a big change after the past couple months of being home.

Thankful for the promise that God is with us wherever we go!

JOHN 6:48-50

I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died.

But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die.

Today as we took communion something happened.

The bread came by.

We took.

We ate.

Thank you, God, for the gift of Your Son. 

The juice passed by.

Our pew was missed.

We gently looked back and whispered, "We didn't get the juice."

As the communion tray was passed back up to us.....

We took.

We drank.

I thought for a minute, "Why did that happen? What is God saying to us?"

And then I knew.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Lord, for the gift of Your Son's blood.

We need it.  As the juice almost passed over us, we couldn't be silent.  Communion wasn't complete without the juice, and God's plan isn't complete without the blood.

I was thankful today for almost missing the juice.

It reminded me of the most important part of God's plan.

I'm so thankful Jesus came, but I am even more thankful that He was willing to die for me and for you.

Thankful for the blood of Jesus!

"What can wash away my sins?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus!  What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! Oh, precious is the flow-that makes me white as snow!  No other fount I know!  Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

Below is a list of the eight wilderness mentalities that Joyce Meyer shares about in her life-changing book, Battlefield of the Mind, in case you want to print them out to place somewhere in your house as a reminder of some negative ways of thinking that can DESTROY you...........

If you long to live a life empowered by God, avoid these thought patterns:

1.  My future is determined by my past and my present.

2.  I don't want the responsibility.

3.  I can't take it if things are too hard!

4.  I can't help it - I'm just addicted.

5.  Don't make me wait - I want it now!

6.  It's not my fault!

7.  My life is so miserable.

8.  I don't deserve God's blessings.

9.  Why shouldn't I be jealous?

10.  I'm doing it my way!

Don't faint, but I am finally wrapping up this book study TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I read the last four chapters this morning and then realized I had reached the final page of the book, I felt a sense of urgency to share the closing chapters with you and, at the same time, make a commitment to God to print out the wilderness mentalities and hang them in my bathroom as a reminder of things the devil loves to whisper in my ear......

In his attempt to steal, kill, and destroy.

Chapter 22: My Life is Miserable-I feel sorry for myself because my life is so wretched.

I'd love to say that I never battle with this wilderness mentality, but I would be lying.  I often look back and question why certain things had to happen in my life journey.  I look forward and feel overwhelmed about full-time work and juggling my kids' schedules.  Having a pity party is not difficult for me.  My prayer today is that I will learn from the Israelites' mistakes and determine to trust God NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES MAY BE AROUND ME.

Chapter 23: I Don't Deserve God's Blessing because I am Not Worthy

I think the devil loves to beat us up with this thought.  He knows that God created us in His image and that He loves us with an everlasting love, so he tries daily to bring about situations in our life that cause us to feel like failures, disappointments, mistakes, etc.  Decide today to turn to Ephesians 1:4 and copy this verse onto an index card and carry it with you wherever you go!

 For he chose us in him before the creation of

the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

In love  he predestined us for adoption to

sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance

with his pleasure and will-

Chapter 24:  Why shouldn't I be jealous and envious when everyone is better off than I am?

Well, first I don't think we can even imagine how much worse our lives could be.  We can look at pictures of other countries, we can even visit them on mission trips, but until we have lived in utter poverty and persecution, we have no idea what "worse" really is.  Secondly, I have to tell myself time and time again that God uses each of us RIGHT WHERE WE'RE AT and with exactly the gifts He has given us.  Maybe your gift is cooking.  Maybe, like me, it is not.  Maybe your gift is sending cards.  Maybe it is singing.  Whatever it is, USE IT and allow God to bless others through you!!! :)  And stop looking around..LOOK UP!!!!!!  I want to live my life LOOKING UP!!!!!!!!!!!

Chapter 25:  I'm going to do it my way or not at all.

God has taken me down some painfully winding roads in order to teach me to let go of control.  There is something very freeing about reaching that point of total surrender where you can look at a situation and feel powerless yet KNOW THAT YOU ARE BEING HELD IN THE HANDS OF THE ALMIGHTY, ALL-POWERFUL GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have so much to learn about being exactly the person God longs for me to be, but PRAISE GOD I'm not who I use to be.

If you make a choice today to walk out of the wilderness way of thinking , I believe you will start to see big results in your life!

I  will post all 8 wilderness mentalities this evening in case anyone wants to copy them and print them out for their bathroom wall too!

Together, we will walk towards the Promised Land!

Thankful, so thankful, for each of you!

Love,

It's been way too long since I've had a give-away !!

Since Tim and I both used one of Nick's cards today as our Valentine to each other, I thought it would be fun to share a few sets with you!If you would like to enter the drawing for a set of Nick cards, please just click on the words "Precious Comments" and leave your email address.

If you have trouble posting a comment, try posting anonymously and giving me your name in the comment box.

If you still have trouble, please email me at tammynischan@yahoo.com.

I've had some friends sharing that they have had trouble leaving a comment lately.

I will have a drawing on Sunday afternoon to give away three sets of Nick's Notecards (envelopes are included). The artwork on each of these cards was created and titled by Nick using WordArt on the computer.  He spent hours creating each image, and I can still see his sweet face as he studied the screen making sure each curve and color was exactly the way he wanted it.  Nick's title for each image is located on the back of the card.

Thank you for allowing me to continue to share Nick with you,

Oil played such an important role in Old Testament history.  My daily Bible reading is taking me through the exodus of the Israelites and the setting up of the tabernacle in the wilderness. Over and over again oil is required for purifying of priests and preparation of sacrifices.

I walked out into our driveway Saturday, and this was the oil spot left after one of our cars backed out!

Seeing this oil spot, reminded me of the last time Nick was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  He had been anointed with oil by our elders on three different occasions during the previous few years, and his first words after hearing the news of his diganosis were,

"Tell the elders to save their oil for their cars."

It broke my heart in one sense and made me smile in another.  Nick had such peace with God's journey for his life.  I didn't, but Nick sure did!

When I saw a heart of oil that had fallen from our car this weekend, I knew that God was once again using oil.  This time, though, He was using it to send a Valentine wish from Nick to our family!

I had to share the message with you today!

Physical healing seems to be our most fervent prayer when someone is sick, but what indescribable joy comes when we deeply believe that spiritual healing is what matters most.

Read closely these words from James.  Healing comes when our sins are forgiven!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

James 5:13-16

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Praying you feel His anointing today!

Have a beautiful Valentine's Day and know that God loves you passionately!

  (Google Images)

Watching the scenes play out in Egypt over the past two weeks has been very moving.

It's been especially moving to watch thousands chant for freedom in Egypt while at the same time reading in Exodus about Pharoah's refusal to free the Israelites from slavery.  Time after time his heart was hardened as Moses came to Him pleading for the release of God's people..

Today, Egypt is free from a dictator after 18 days of heavy protesting.

Years ago, after ten horrible plagues, the Israelites were freed from Pharoah's power.

Today as I was reading in Exdous, I was struck by something  The Israelites had only been experiencing their new found freedom for a short time when Moses was called up to the top of Mt. Sinai to receive words from God. 

In no time at all, the Israelites gave up on him and turned to Aaron saying, "We don't know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.  Make us some gods who can lead us."

I wonder what would have happened if they had turned to God at that time instead of turning to Aaron?

I hope the Egyptians turn to God now and not to another human being or a false god as they learn to walk in freedom.

We have all been offered freedom in Christ  Yet, how often do we turn to other people and things when we need guidance and direction?

I am guilty every day.  And in my guilt I find myself slipping into feelings of bondage when Jesus is right there all along......

offering the same freedom He gave me on the day I became His.

My prayer today is that all of us can walk in the freedom Jesus offers and, like the Egyptians, realize that as Christians we should be chanting everyday,

WE ARE FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Galatians 5:1

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Thankful,

I spread out my hands to you;

I'd love to say that I don't often feel like I've come up short as a mom, wife, or friend, but it seems like daily I turn around and SOMEHOW I've let someone down....

Forms filled out for graduation, gown and announcements ordered, check written, but "Where's the special envelope that was with the order form, Mom?" is the "thank you" of the morning....

Supplies purchased, ideas shared, poster completed for school project, but then the last-minute question comes, "Can you help me make a model real quick, Mom?" when there's no time left to do one more thing.......

Dishes done, coffee made, laundry started, but then I lose my cool because the morning has started with so many ugly emotions........

Like good ole' Charlie Brown, the sense of measuring up seems like an allusive dream.

I'm having a Charlie Brown - kind-of morning.

I watch this video and connect on so many levels........

But then I remember who I'm trying to please......REALLY...and I have to smile!

I remember that in the end my audience is very small.

The One who searches my heart, even when its ugly, still chooses to love me with His perfect love that, unlike Lucy's, "keeps no record (or slideshow or instant replays) of my wrongs." (I Cor. 13)

I think of Jesus' words to the disciples, and I grin imagining what Jesus might have said if the Peanuts' characters would have been around during His time on earth,

"In this world you will have Lucys.......

But take heart! I have overcome the world."

I read Theodore Roosevelt's words from a speech he gave in 1910 entitled, '"The Man in the Arena," and I realize that it is not about victory in this world as much as it is about TRYING......and I smile again. I will never be the perfect mom, wife, or friend. I will continue to come up short....misplacing envelopes, not being able to pull together last-minute requests, losing my cool, and the list goes on and on.....but I will die trying to be the best person I could be. And I hope that those who love me will stand over my grave and remember that, yes, I wasn't perfect, but I tried.

I'll close with Mr. Roosevelt's famous words........

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

Daring Greatly,

Reuters/Ag O Globo/Genilson Araujo

I just read an article about the fire that is overtaking an area of Rio De Janeiro today.

Thousands of people have spent the last year preparing for their annual Carnival and are now watching their dreams go up in flames.

Tears, questions, fear, disappointment, defeat, agony......

They're feeling it all today as millions of dollars and hundreds of hours of their lives seem wasted.

But as I read the article, I was struck by the ending quote of Roberto Szaniecki, the theme developer for Portela group as he hugged friends.

"I've cried a lot over this, and now it's time to think about what can be saved,"  "But I want to make this clear: we're going to get out there. We've got a Carnival to put on."

Grande Rio also lost much of its infrastructure: workshop machinery, the metal structure of the floats and computers. But the group will make an appearance, in spite of the blow, he said.

"There are a lot of people who spend the year dreaming and working for this, for their moment to go out there and shine," he said. "You can't take that away from them. The material things are gone, but we still have a samba to sing."

As I read those closing words, I had to smile.

Roberto gets it.

Material things come and go.

The song we have in our hearts is always there to sing.

So when our dreams seem to go up in smoke, they really don't......

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of music!

You keep us singing even through our tears!

Something happened last Thursday.........

A revelation of sorts in my heart.

I've been working on a retreat that is coming up in a couple of weeks where I am speaking on authentic relationships with God and with our friends.

Struggling at times with the right words, the right stories, the right direction, I've found myself second-guessing so many things that have happened in my life.

Thursday, my eyes had reached their limit. I couldn't look at a computer screen anymore. I asked God to please show up while I was cleaning...............

And He did.

As I swept the kitchen floor, a song came on that I had never heard before. I felt as if God had just played my life story through music.

And I believe He played your life story too.

I've listened to the song at least 40 times since then.

I'll share it with you soon, but I'm still processing all that it means to me, and I'm thankful for this time to soak it in.

So, this morning as I transition from a busy weekend of kids at home, and friends stopping by to have gnome pictures taken (I'll share that on another day, too! If we're Facebook friends, you already know what I'm talking about) and a Super Bowl party at our house last night, I'm diving back into my study.

But before I could begin, I thought of all of you and thought of what every day should begin with......... a time of thanks.

And I headed to my living room to share another room of thanksgiving with you.

Thank you, first, for sharing life with me. Won't Heaven be great when all of our praise and thanks will be going straight to His throne without ceasing?!?!??!!

I love company.......Thank you, Lord, for friends, family, and neighbors.....Africa, India, Russia, Mexico, India, Amish country.......God you are everywhere......Thank you for souvenirs to remind us.

Grandma's oil lamp.....As I cooked lunch yesterday, I thought of all the meals her hands prepared for Grandpa, for us, for friends...Thank you for her never-ending inspiration. She burns deep within me. Men on the moon.....Who would have ever dreamed it possible? Thank you for the memory Tim's parents kept safe in their boxes of memories and then shared with us to share with our kids...Thank you for men and women who risk their lives to do unheard of things for mankind....help me be willing to take "one small step" towards whatever You desire from me.

Joy........Thank you for bringing it through even small snowmen.

Cards from fellow teachers sharing messages of love and arriving on just the right day!

Photographs that can never be taken again.......thank you. Little boy memories.......thank you!

Faith......lost without it, living by it, thankful for it.

Ziggy.......a high school graduation gift that has somehow survived for 28 years!!!!!!!! Thank you. He makes me smile. I've always loved Ziggy! I'm not sure why!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh........Thank you for the reminder.

Yes it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Olivia's friends..........thank you!

Gifts from Nick's funeral that remind me of the love that surrounds us.

A plant that keeps growing....reminding me of how long it's been since I touched Nick....but reminding me that life continues..even for Nick!

It really is a wonderful life! Mostly because it's followed by something more wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Only God gives the ability to do this when life is tough. Thank you for the gift of laughter!

Too many to count. Thank you!

Yes, Kandi, I saw you watching me snap photos! I'm thankful for you, too!

Beth Moore!!! The book of Revelation! Christine for sharing with me!! Thank you for all three!

In my kitchen but seen from the living room! Thank you for this moment!

A verse I have clung to for years! Thank you! A gift from mom when all five kids were small and life seemed too crazy....the words got me through many stressful days. Thank you!

So, today, as you venture into yet another week of life here on earth, I hope you'll take time to look around and count your blessings! They are everywhere you look!

So much love from me to you,