BOOKS before Boys!

Good morning and HAPPY MONDAY! I am so exhausted this morning. I got to work super early because if I would have "snoozed" (that's a funny word) at all, I would have never gotten up. The 1st snooze woulda turned into the 2nd to the 3rd to the 4th, so instead I rise and shined at 5:45 this morning... Lord keep me! While I'm talking to You also... can you make my baby better? Thank you for blessing me with Jules who I know will love and care her back to good health, but if you could put a rush job on it so she'll be perfect for Wicked at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday? (whoop whoop!) Is that asking too much? Thank You either way, I know she'll be fine.

Speaking of my sweet Ikaia... and the topic for today "How important do you think education is?" Well... not to brag but my daughter is the smartest girl in the world. And I'm not just saying that cause she's mine, it's fact! lol.  Seriously though, I think education is very important... but who would say otherwise? A fool! And I'm not just talking about school and college or book smarts. I mean knowing things... reading books, watching things other than Spongebob and reality TV. I mean making it a point to learn something new everyday. being knowledgeable and wise...Very important! Do you ever just watch The History Channel or A&E or anything other than stupid people doing stupid things? There is this quote that I've loved ever since Herr Williams' German/Latin class 7th grade, "Knowledge is Power". There is another one; "The more you know, the farther you'll go", both saying the same things... education is important and having knowledge of things will take you far. How can you hold a meaningful conversation if you don't know anything? You can't. And its sad that people do it... a whole lot of talking but not really saying anything. I'd like to think I don't have this problem. I'm either talking alot or not talking at all. But I'm not shy or quiet, I just usually only talk when I have something to say (and every once in awhile, I got LOTS!).  
Even the Bible has a strong view on how God feels about education (wisdom/knowledge) and the lack thereof...

"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."~Proverbs 18:2
"A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating." ~Proverbs 18:6 lol
"Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding." ~Proverbs 10:23
"The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace."~ Proverbs 3:35
"Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead" ~Proverbs 15:21
“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?"~Proverbs 1:22

And I could go on and on... trust! It makes me proud to see how much Ikaia wants to soak in every bit of education she can. She could read before Kindergarten, she gets straight A's, Nature is her favorite thing to watch, she can have a ball at the museum (truthfully, they kinda bore me) but Ikaia, on a good day she'll pick up a book before she'll watch TV, she is amazed by all things factual. Ask her how a plant reproduces and she'll use the technical terms and tell you. Or ask her about dog breeds or bugs or animals... *smile* she can go on and on forever gladly. I am just so proud of her passion for knowledge and understanding. And I am proud of myself for instilling this in her and sometimes enforcing the importance of it when she tends to forget. I have to remember she's only 11 and the right thing to do is not always going to be her first choice. But it is my JOB to cultivate her habits. Homework before TV, study before playing, good grades before rewards, BOOKs before BOYS. Thankfully I haven't YET had much resistance with her and prioritizing her education, but I am realistic and I know the tougher times are ahead. Hopefully prayer and good direction will keep her on the right path. If only I had taken it more seriously when I was younger. Don't get me wrong, I did well in school. I am beyond smart (toot, toot!) but I didn't focus or prioritize. I know it's not too late but right now, Ikaia is the priority. And it is my job to "train her in the way that she should go, and even when she is old she will not depart from it." ~Proverbs 22:6. Lest I forget to mention the most important knowledge one should have... Knowledge of God's word. I am not here to force my belief or opinion on anyone, but neither will I deny my own. So how important is education? In this case... its Life or Death!

Knowledge is Power? well...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BRv9wGf5pk  "I've got the Power!" lol

Your peace of Tam for the day... enjoy your week!