Fort Scott Tribune: Columns: Patty LaRoche

We are never out of sight of Jesus (03/19/10)
If Jesus Came To Your House by Lois Blanchard Eades If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two-- If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do. Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored guest, And all the food you'd serve to Him would be the very best, And you would keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there-- That serving Him in your own home is joy beyond compare.. ...

Thank God for the good old days (03/12/10)
"Come out, come out, wherever you are!" If you were of the Wally and Beaver era, that phrase probably connotes memories of nightly, neighborhood free-for-alls, bruised knees, and sweaty bodies. I wonder how many of the video generation have witnessed, first-hand, the challenges of avoiding capture by landing on base before being plastered by Mean Jimmy... unless, of course, he's one of the freaky video aliens they're shooting to another galaxy to save their planet...

Rejection makes for good company (03/05/10)
Rejection. If you have felt its sting -- and who hasn't -- you're in good company. Thomas Edison was called "too stupid to learn" by his teacher. Abraham Lincoln failed at two businesses and lost six elections. Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper because he "had no imagination." The first African American Academy Award Winner for Best Actor, Sidney Poitier, was told after his first audition by the casting director, "Why don't you stop wasting people's time and go out and become a dishwasher or something?" Michael Jordan, cut from his high school basketball team, went home, locked himself in his room, and cried. ...

It's the (thought) intent that counts (02/26/10)
"Honey, come in here. I have a surprise for you." Dave sounds excited. It is the day before Valentine's Day, so I know he's up to something. A few weeks previous, he had measured my wrist. Sort of a dead giveaway that a bracelet was coming, but I don't let on that I have figured out his secret...

Adam and Eve: The blame game begins (02/19/10)
If you're ever looking for a party idea, how about an evening of "The Blame Game"? You know how it works. Someone accuses you of doing something and then you come up with as many excuses as possible to prove you're not responsible. Party favors go to the one with the best answers...

'To love others as Jesus loves us' (02/12/10)
Socrates once said, "The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be." Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were as nice and loving every day as we try to be on Valentine's Day? If we couldn't wait to make someone else smile, if hearts were shared and not broken, and if it were all about the OTHER person instead of about us?...

Despite insecurities, all are 'wonderfully made' (02/05/10)
My physical psyche, if there is such a thing, has had a tough couple of weeks. It started when three students said my hair looked the best they'd ever seen it -- after I had come inside from a tsunami-type wind storm. Made me wonder what it looks like when I actually comb it...

Temptations, unless dealt with, return with vengeance (01/22/10)
Several years ago, when our sons were small and my mother lived with us, we gave Adam a sweet, affectionate kitten as a birthday gift. Adam named him "Grenade" or some such endearing term, and for the first few days the furry little bundle never touched the ground. He was carried -- or stuffed into a camouflage backpack and toted -- everywhere Adam went...

God can be found in the most unexpected places (01/08/10)
It's called the Dump Ministry, and it is literally that. A group of volunteers make food for the dozens of Mexicans who spend their days scrounging through the Mazatlan dump for recyclable materials. On Christmas Eve, Dave, our son-in-law Randy, and I joined 40 others for the Vineyards Church mission trip there. We met in the morning to prepare sandwiches and fill plastic water bottles before we boarded the bus for the hour-long trip...

Instant gratification causes good deed to backfire (12/31/09)
Seven from my family are here in Mazatlan, Mexico, for Christmas break, and yesterday we were invited by our local friends, Francis and Rudy, to be part of their Christmas Eve celebration. We were to join about 30 adults, mostly employees of the resort next to where we are staying, to deliver toys to children in an impoverished neighborhood and an orphanage. All we needed to bring was lots of candy. Thanks to Sam's, that was no problem...

St. Mary's Christmas program serves as reminder of 'the reason for the season' (12/24/09)
This Christmas season I was blessed, not because my house was all gussied up with festive garland and twinkling lights, not because I was able to squeeze in a nail appointment to get me through the holidays, and not because, for once, not one of the gifts I received dealt with counting fat or calories. My Christmas was blessed because of a group of elementary school children who helped me see "the reason for the season."...

'There's always an excuse not to help'2 (12/18/09)
Services for Christopher B. Berry, 29, Houston, formerly of Tyler, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Zion CME Church. Burial will be in Johnson Cemetery under direction of Brooks-Sterling & Garrett Funeral Directors, Tyler. Mr. Berry died Nov. 10, 2009, in Houston. He was born April 20, 1980, in Gladewater. He attended Chapel Hill High School, Fort Scott Community College and Southern University. He was a member of Mount Zion CME Church...

No faking it when it comes to God's family (12/11/09)
Last weekend Dave and I rented the movie "The Changeling," a true story about a single mother's unending quest for her young son who mysteriously disappears. Five months after the boy's disappearance, the mother, Christine, is introduced to a boy who pretends to be her son. ...

God's special blessing came to thankful leper (12/04/09)
I cannot imagine hearing the diagnosis "Unclean." The priest would declare it, should he observe a raw patch of flesh or white bumps or red marks or discolored hair on his patient. The prescription? Immediate isolation. There would be no soothing ointments or salves, not even an affectionate good-bye from one's family. ...

Choosing to live a life of thanks-Living like Paul (11/26/09)
Yesterday was Thanksgiving, but I wasn't...not nearly as much as I should have been. Thanks-giving, I mean. I was tired, already stressing over the upcoming Christmas preparations, mad at myself for putting off -- for yet another year -- buying presents ahead of time, and frustrated over my lack of discipline at the buffet table...

Lessons in authority carry heavy importance in life (11/20/09)
My sister-in-law Susan handed me a cell phone ad that ran in a local newspaper. Titled "Perfect for Back to School," it showed a student texting while hiding her hand-held phone under her classroom desk. It should have been labeled "Defying Authority In One Easy Step." Sadly, this advice is being conveyed to our youth in more ways than just a newspaper ad. It often comes directly from parents...

Tugboats deserve some recognition too (11/13/09)
"You know why I love tugboats? Because they are the little guy helping the big guy. That's all they do is help the big guy." Six of us were on our annual "girls week out" trip, and Keller was looking out our condominium's window watching the boats at the nearby wharf. At the time I didn't pay her comment much heed, but for the past few weeks I've seen that principle in action at the high school where we are in the middle of musical performances...

Just one dust-bunny away from being swept away (11/06/09)
Two weeks ago Dave's coaching friends with the Toronto Blue Jays were fired. Even his boss, the head of minor league operations and another whom Dave really respects, was let go. Phone calls started early Wednesday afternoon, and when I got home from school, Dave was still talking to his buddies. Apparently the Jays were "cleaning house." I told Dave he was just one dust-bunny away from being wiped away...

No advanced notice before call to Heaven (10/30/09)
Dave and I were talking on the phone early yesterday morning. I was relaxing, having a cup of coffee, when I heard a whirling noise above my house. A helicopter apparently was landing on my roof. Even for me, this was not normal. The engine noise continued, but by then it was somewhere over my pond...and then in my front yard... ...

Extending love to another isn't always easy (10/23/09)
The Pittsburgh Pirates were playing baseball against the Houston Astros this past summer, and as Adam, our son, got out of a cab for this final game of their first series against each other, he noticed a homeless man staring at him. He looked familiar. Crossing the lane of traffic, Adam approached the man. As he neared, he realized it was Steven, a former FSCC teammate who played when my husband coached the team. Steven was everyone's favorite while he was here...

A reminder on how to be a better comforter (10/16/09)
In 1980, at the age of 32, Linda Mae Richardson was diagnosed with malignant melanoma which had already metastasized into her lymph system. Her doctors indicated that her prognosis was very poor. During the next year, her husband, two sons (ages 9 and 11), family, and friends rallied to support her as she had two surgeries removing 50 malignant lymph nodes, followed by chemotherapy and cobalt radiation treatments...

Lessons in humiliation and apologies (10/09/09)
Last week's column was about Max, the head of our Kansas Thespian organization, and his repentant apology to the state representatives when he mistakenly read the wrong names as winners. It took little time for me to be personally tested on Max's example...

One true apology teaches a life lesson (10/02/09)
"It's hard to step on someone's toes when you're washing them." I'm not sure who said that, but I witnessed that wisdom in action when I attended a Thespian conference in Salina last weekend. Kansas drama students had come to give speeches, hoping that we theater directors would vote for them to represent our organization in Wichita at the state gathering in January. ...

Comparisons can be harmful, follow only God (09/25/09)
There is a story about two brothers who were so mean that the entire town in which they lived feared them. People knew them as thieves and liars and murderers. One day one of the brothers died. The other brother went to the local pastor and asked a favor: "Reverend, I know you are always looking for money for your church. ...

Anchor Story: God is the rock that holds all together (09/18/09)
Several years ago, Chip Gross asked Dave and me to watch his boat, docked at Fort Scott Lake, while he was out of town. We were to check on it every few days, just to be sure it had not been stolen. The first couple of trips were uneventful, but the third venture, following a night of high winds, was a different story -- the boat was missing. The ropes were dangling from the dock's hooks, but there was no boat...

Putting the puzzle pieces together (09/11/09)
This past week auditions for our high school musical were held, and decisions made by me broke some hearts. As a high school theater director, my initial job is to select a play that will show off our students' talents. This year I chose "Crazy For You," and after ordering the script, reading it umpteen jillion times, and understanding the incredible talent it required, I realized I was "Crazy For Picking It." It needed serious tap dancers, boys and girls alike, who could also sing and act...

A bad hair day leads to a revelation (09/04/09)
I was having a bad hair day. No matter how much gel, goop, and glop I added, it refused to cooperate. My flip had flopped, my bounce had boomeranged, and neither curling iron nor straight iron made a difference. Since I would be giving a speech in a few hours to a large group of cancer survivors in Hesston, Kansas, this was not the day to have my hair misbehave. My job was to "encourage the women and make them laugh." I never intended the comedic part to come from my hair...

Take time to appreciate God's awesome power (08/28/09)
"Be still and know that I am God." Sounds so simple, doesn't it? But how, exactly, do we DO it? How do we quiet our thoughts long enough to concentrate on how awesome our God is? Society is no help. Just go to a professional baseball game and you will know what I mean. No longer do you see grandpas with their grandsons watching nine-inning games, sharing a box of cracker jacks and a Coke. Too old-fashioned, I guess...

Heckling from the peanut gallery (08/21/09)
We had front row seats to (what was supposed to be) an exciting baseball game between two rival teams. The stands were full of supporting fans, half for our side, and half for the evil enemy. Everything was fine until the opposing pitcher threw the first pitch of the game. "Ball one!" shouted the umpire. Perfect call. Clearly missed home plate...

'There are many parts, but only one body' (07/10/09)
I attended my first symphony a few months ago. It was opening night at the new Ellis Performing Arts Center, and the event was wonderful. The musicians and conductor made it all look so simple. I knew otherwise. Years ago I substitute taught for a middle-school orchestra class in Houston, Texas. ...

'It takes a village' (06/26/09)
"It takes a village." That's our new motto. Last week seven of us, all college pledge class sorority sisters from the late 60's, went on our annual vacation to Palm Beach, Florida. This was a perfect choice for this group of almost-senior-citizens whose logo is the pink flamingo. Embarrassing to our kids. All the more fun for us...

Extraordinary Fathers emulate God (06/19/09)
A Sunday school class of first-graders was asked to draw a picture of God. When the pastor stopped by to inspect their work, the children were happy to show him their drawings. One child had drawn God in the form of a brightly colored rainbow. Another had drawn the face of an old man coming out of billowing clouds. ...

Courtesy makes the world a better place (06/12/09)
We live in a world where courtesy seems to be in short supply. A few weekends ago I was in Steamboat Springs, Colo., where I had spent three days helping my oldest son, Jeff, move into his condominium (a story I'll save for later). At our farewell lunch at a local Mexican restaurant, the waitress commented on how kind we were to her, and she thanked us for being so nice. ...

Seize the Moment: Serve one another (06/05/09)
Erma Bombeck was one of my favorite writers. When she was dying of cancer she scripted what would be considered some of her best advice which she titled "If I Had My Life To Live Over." This is what she wrote: "I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. ...

God is mercy, grace (05/29/09)
When Jon (not his real name) came to me right before report cards were issued and asked what he could do to raise his grade, I was flabbergasted. "Mrs. LaRoche, why do I have an F in your class?" he asked. "Well, Jon, perhaps it's because you rarely did any of the assignments and you didn't study for the tests. You have a 13 percent in my class," I answered. Jon appeared dumbfounded. "Well, is there anything I can do to get extra credit?" (He was serious)...

Prepare for the quick return of the Lord (05/22/09)
I volunteer for the high school softball team. Basically that means I am in charge of bandaids, nacho cheese for the concession stand, and encouragement for the ones who make errors or strike out. It has been a frustrating spring for our girls; due to the number of rainouts, the postponements, cancellations, and rescheduling nightmares have kept our Activities Director busy and our athletes disappointed...

Trying circumstance calls for trusting God (05/15/09)
Dave's nightly phone call from spring training at the beginning of April ended with alarming news: Andy, our son, was really sick. His baseball team's trainer had tried four times the day before to insert an I.V. and couldn't because Andy was so dehydrated...

Underestimating the power of prayer (05/01/09)
"Just." In most instances when it is used as an adverb it is such an unobtrusive word, isn't it? "I just arrived." Or, "Your timing is just right." Or, "He just missed the bus." Of course, such unobtrusive uses of the word "just" are not always the case. A recent conversation clearly brought that reality home to me...

Even in silence, God is always working (04/17/09)
Two brothers, age 8 and 10, were always playing pranks and getting into mischief. Their parents, beside themselves with anxiety, decided to send the boys to talk with the pastor of the church, a God-fearing, no-nonsense preacher. The eight-year old had the first appointment. ...

Easter egg hunt; God's greatest gift to all (04/10/09)
I had spent weeks organizing an Easter potluck/pool party/egghunt for church families who had no relatives in the Houston area where we lived. Dave was away coaching baseball, but the invited group included several of our sons' friends, so the three of them were actually cooperating by just hiding the colored eggs instead of smashing them on each others' heads or throwing them at passing cars. This was considered excellent behavior in our home...

Mother's story is a reminder to count your blessings (04/03/09)
Early in February, Andy, our youngest, called home, a rare event indeed. The conversation went something like this: "Mom, I'll be coming home next Tuesday." "Andy, that's great. Where are you?" "I'm in L.A. Our lease is up and I'm bringing some stuff home."...

Encouragers: Lighting up others keeps flame going (03/27/09)
Someone once said, "A candle loses nothing if it helps to light another." Encouragers know that. They look for ways to recognize others who are disheartened or just having a "blah day" and find ways to cheer them up. The high school where I teach, the church that I attend, the retreats where I speak, the grocery store where I shop ... ...

Listening: Most important part of communicating (03/20/09)
Two weeks ago I flew to Florida to see my husband and two of our sons who are all in the middle of baseball's spring training. It was an early morning flight and going on three hours' sleep is never fun, so I was grateful to find an available window seat where I could lay my head and catch up on my sleep. ...

Learning to cope through life; God will provide (03/13/09)
Cope. Interesting word, isn't it? Merriam's Dictionary defines it as "to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties." I would like to share with you the story of one woman whose life is a testimony to how, with the help of God, we can cope with problems that might seem insurmountable...

No bail out: Jesus is the perfect picture of giving (03/06/09)
Two summers ago I flew to Pennsylvania to babysit my grandkids, Drake and Montana, when their parents went on a baseball roadtrip together. One morning, after we made cupcakes, I read to the kids a children's version of the Good Samaritan parable. Towards the end of the story... ...

Violence doesn't honor God, all sins are created equal (02/27/09)
They have been called "zealots," "fanatics," "rebels," and even "nuts." They have been listed as a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Obsessed with helping the world see the error of its ways and unscathed by what others say about them, they speak up at public forums, college plays, and even funerals. Allow me to introduce you to the radical followers of Fred Phelps, pastor of Topeka's Westboro Baptist Church...

Food, fuses and a fire: God's mysterious work (02/20/09)
This was intended to be a wonderful evening. There were no students in the detention room I monitor after school; I had time to drive to Sekan and get some papers printed for a speech I would be giving in a couple of weeks; and even though this article was due, I had an entire evening to compose my draft. I wasn't sure what my topic would be, but I had a couple of ideas and knew that God is good and He is in control and He would give me words to write...

Saint Valentine's legacy, Valentine's celebrations (02/13/09)
Once upon a time (as the legend goes) Rome's Emperor Claudius II, a vicious (not-to-mention insane) warrior, tried to figure out why his young men refused to go to battle. When it was determined that they did not want to leave their wives, families, and girlfriends, the emperor's answer was simple: pass a law to cancel all the marriages and engagements...

God sees value in everyone: He knits us cell by cell (02/06/09)
The administration at the high school where I teach not only seeks to support our strategies to meet No Child Left Behind's mandates, but it also strongly encourages the teachers and para-professionals to "come alongside" the students, to know them beyond their G.P.A. and school activities and to give them a safe place to hang. Times have certainly changed!...

God shows each person has purpose (01/30/09)
Kelli Toll is a jogaholic. A committed, never-say-die jogaholic. A few years ago I happened to mention to her that I was thinking about taking up her sport. "Terrific," she replied. "I'll be by your house at 5 in the morning and we'll run together."...

Learning through missteps, God's unconditional love (01/23/09)
I begin this writing journey with high expectations, hoping that stories of my life experiences, the lessons I have learned not without occasional emotional bumps and bruises, will encourage you to look at life with a sense of humor and a renewed appreciation for how God is molding you...

Patty LaRoche
Patty LaRoche: Face to Face