Facebook Posted Thoughts: Pain, Poems, & Prayer

 Hope is defined as wanting something to happen or to be the case. Then when that hope is dashed it can make you feel disappointed, discouraged, heartsick, or even lead to grief. It can also lead to becoming aggravated, frustration, anger, or even lead to great bitterness. I get it all. I have been going through these roller coaster of emotions the past 2 years trying to get answers to why the sinus infection just keeps returning boring a hole into my brain while pulsating so hard it feels like my eye socket is going to explode. After the last surgery, I was elated to finally hope this was the last of this vicious journey. Nope, the weeks have turned into another infection.

So, now the doctor is sending my alien form of bacterial infection to a lab that grows it in a petri dish and then tests which anti-biotic or whatever kills off mutated gook. I imagine the scene in Alien when the pod is closed and then it slowly opens, jumps out, and attaches itself to the guy's helmet. Scary on all levels when I was a kid. That is what I envision happening behind my right eye when I just can’t take the solar flares of pain anymore. Another round of antibiotics while I wait and dare to hope this lab will be able to find the answer to finally heal. I am so over this.

To get up everyday and push forward is not easy, but you have to keep living. My hope was to feel amazing to be able to tackle all the engagements I have planned along with keeping up with the demands of work. To my great dismay, that is not the case. But, I say no to crawling into a hole hoping to feel better. I am going to live. I heard it is mind over matter, but I think it is more than just willpower. It is the heart and mind over the physical body. Not sure why but all this has brought up thoughts of one of my favorite poets.

I taught this poem, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” by Robert Frost to my students, but I don’t think I even understood it until lately as I reflect on the word which ends with the iconic lines: "The woods are lovely, dark and deep, / But I have promises to keep, / And miles to go before I sleep, / And miles to go before I sleep". These lines signify life's obligations and journey before rest, a common theme of responsibilities, duties, and commitments. A sense of perseverance to overcome all obstacles to reach the satisfaction of the journey being over.

Robert Frost also wrote the poem called “The Road Not Taken.” "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference". This one can be read by someone making a decision on which way to go. Taking the easy way is not always the best way to go. Or a reflection of one’s life looking back on the journey. The hard road can be more satisfying in the end.

Not sure why these popped in my head except that being sick can certainly make you reflect on so many things in my own life. Thank God that I have been blessed with 54 years so far and I pray for many more to come even with the frustration of needing medical healing in a big way. But so do many others who are way worse than me. I lift us all up in prayer for healing not just in our physical bodies, but in our hearts, minds, and souls.

We are only here for a blip of time on this Earth, but what a joy it will be to be in heaven where there will be no pain or suffering. May peace wrap around you like a warm blanket comforting you in a way that there is no other way to explain it but that it is from God in all His mercy.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God" (2 Corinthians 1: 3-4).

Psalm 28:7, which states, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me".

Blessings,
dreamsdontfade.com

Here is a song to remind you that Jesus is “More Than Able.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKIZFnODbb4&list=RDqKIZFnODbb4&start_radio=1

Facebook Posted Thoughts: School Board, Jan. 16th Religious Freedom Day, & more

 1/11/2026

Are you ever receptive to a person screaming at you or lecturing you like the person owns you? Do you think this is an effective way to persuade the other side to align with your own thinking? I think not. There were 2 in the audience of the 1st school board working session of the year. It was a long night but I understand the process of changing leadership takes time. Also building bylaws all the school board members have to follow can get intense with so many different personalities and the wide variety of experiences.

The only thing I disagreed with was the rule about social media. Basically, the trustees would not be able to use their 1st amendment right on their personal posts on social media even if they stated, “this is my personal view and I am not representing myself as a trustee.” I would not sign that document that restricts or even silences a trustee’s personal position on their own personal accounts even if I disagreed with that opinion.

It was my first big speaking event last night. I was on the stage with one of my most admired people. Tim Barton, the son of David Barton (founder of Wallbuilders) are both renowned American history experts. Since I was a speaker, I was able to sit in the green room and chat with him. His knowledge is just as brilliant as his father. Two books I would highly recommend:
Setting the Record Straight: American History in Black & White by David Barton (book review will be posted to my blog)
The American Story by both David and Tim Barton
Check out their Wallbuilders site:

“In recent years, the foundation of our great nation has been seriously attacked and undermined. Our secular culture has revised our nation’s true history. Religious freedom is under attack, and many Americans remain ignorant of the Christian cornerstone of our country. But the truth remains. We were built on a firm foundation; therefore, we share the hope of our history and future.” https://wallbuilders.com/about-us/

So, back to what I stated during public comment at the school board meeting. So, did you know that January 16th is Religious Freedom Day. The Proclamation began in 1993 with President Bush and has continued to this year. I read President Obama’s quote from the Guidebook.
Attebery Google Site
(see my site for the booklet listed under the Biblical Educational Rights tab)

“The freedom of speech can take different forms. It includes what students say to other people as well as their freedom to speak to God in prayer; it includes what they write in school assignments or the words they give to a friend either by speaking or in writing.”

Know your Religious Rights:
Students:
-Students can express their faith in their class work and homework
-Students can pray, read their Bible or other religious texts, and talk about their faith
-Students can pass out religious literature
-Students can wear clothing with religious messages
-Students can organize groups and religious clubs, and announce their clubs
-Students can be excused from school for religious reasons
-Students can attend off-site religious instruction and have their religious exercise accommodated during the school day
-Students can express their faith at school events and graduations

To our Jewish families and friends, SB96 passed that designates January 27th as “International Holocaust Remembrance Day” in the State of Nevada. Curriculum and Instructional Services Division has developed and will deploy a curriculum that ties into International Holocaust Remembrance Day for secondary school students. If you want this remembrance in middle and/or elementary then you have time to speak up.

Here are a couple scriptures reassuring you to stand in truth. John 14:6 states that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.” Don’t water down or alter His word.

David Barton reminded us to read Proverbs 6:16-19 which lists things God hates. He spoke about the truth that the Bible speaks of what God hates more than even the references to His love. This hammers home that Christians are not to be tolerant, nice, silent, or apathetic. We are to love what God loves and to hate what God hates. You can love the human but not the actions such as indoctrinating our kids.

“So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

Prayers for each of you and your path this new year. Hope God leads you in amazing ways of grace and conquering the giants in your life. May He help you overcome and come out stronger on the other side.

dreamsdontfade.com (I changed the look of my blog again. Hopefully easier to read and navigate. Classical Education posts-I only have 2 more units left to go)

This song is another powerful Christian Battle Song, “Speak to the Mountain.”

I’m a child of the King,
And I’m done with the lies.
So devil, get out of my life
Jesus is my Savior,
My strength, my victory
And every single mountain
Will move in Jesus’ name!

I’m not living by my feelings,
I’m standing on His truth.
My God is still the Miracle-Worker
Every word He speaks is proof.

I won’t bow down to the shadows,
I won’t tremble at the fight.
I lift the sword of Scripture
and watch darkness run and hide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRwd4k4Tuc8&list=RDXRwd4k4Tuc8&start_radio=1

What Does God Say About Israel? Jack Hibbs and Amir Tsarfati

 Happy New Year. Here is one of the best videos I have watched regarding Israel. When Amir Tsarfati speaks I just want to hear what he has to say. What a gifted speaker and so much knowledge. I am no expert and listening to this one is better than me just writing it out. I am tempted to listen again and try to write it all out, but so many truth bombs that it would take me days to write it out. I wanted to share the video because he explains everything so well that I can even understand it. The layers of Bible prophecy, Earthly timeline, Jews, Gentiles, and the end times. So much packed into an hour. Check out the video and learn more than you knew yesterday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1ezTDkszcU