I’m contemplating a good banner makeover on my blog, but can’t seem to make any mental progress. Gradient again, maybe with a Fall-ish flavor? Photo of ME rather than clip art chick and my hands holding a bible? Cathedral pics? Computer images? Halloween stuff? George Bush photos? Sea urchins? Cats? Aliens?!

My mind is all aflutter.

Your thoughts?

It’s me, ITCM. Yes, that’s right… I’m calling out to you Mister. Here I am volunteering as a catechist for the 5th year in a row wondering why you are putting me to the test once again this year. Just when I think, “Hey! This year will be a piece of cake! I can teach 2 classes simultaneously without a scratch!” *BAM* Nope.

Let me explain.

The first week in teaching 3rd & 5th grade classes had me fooled. Every CCD’er in attendance was on absolute best behavior leaving me to think I’d have the easiest year ever. But the next week? New students. Which is all well and good, except for the fact that one has physical limitations of which I’m completely out of my element in handling inside a classroom environment and another involving a testosterone-pumped dude who demands the run of the classroom by rolling around on a 4-wheeled chair. Excuse me???

Not one to give up easily, I’m finding myself equipped with bribe material in the way of Halloween candy on a regular basis. It is working so far. Smarties. Skittles. Dum-Dum lollipops. Hershey’s Kisses & Hugs. You name it. But I can’t help but feel like I’m in ‘cheater mode’ here, God. Not only that, but this whole setup is making me wonder if ALL CCD classes endure these kinds of challenges, which actually makes me thankful for being that proverbial ‘fly on the wall’ during my own kids’ experience in the classroom.

All I know is… I’m already experiencing CCD-itis.

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve actually been trying to ‘Remember to keep holy the LORD’S Day.’ Why now after all of these years of cramming all kinds of housework, shopping, consulting, bill paying, etc. in over the weekend? Well, let’s just say that after standing up in front of two CCD classes, I was beginning to feel a wee bit hypocritical by not recognizing that ‘day of rest’ business. And I figure that if Hobby Lobby and an entire country can recognize Sunday Sabbath, then so can I. *hmph*

So that means now I’m cramming all of my housework, shopping, consulting, bill paying, etc. in during the rest of the week, leaving Sunday wide open for rest and relaxation. And you know what? It’s amazing how much more refreshed I’m feeling on Monday. God really was onto something when He issued those Commandments… although, now I’m left wondering how long this ‘day of rest’ plan will continue.

One more reason to move to Italy.