Blessed

"Sometimes in the business of day to day life, you just have to step back and remember how blessed you are."

So true, Barb, so true.

11.1.11

I am officially hired at CHCA as a Preschool Aide!

Thank you Lord. You always guide my steps.

Words from Abe Lincoln

I saw this quote on Sarah's blog about her son's first day of school. What a good reminder of my responsibility as a teacher.

"World, take my child by the hand- he starts school today!

It is all going to be strange and new to him for a while, and I wish you would sort of treat him gently. You see, up to now, he has been the king of the roost. He has been the boss of the backyard. I have always been around to repair his wounds, and I have always been handy to soothe his feelings.

But now things are going to be different. This morning he is going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand and start on a great adventure that probably will include tragedy, sorrow and hurt.

To live in this world will require faith and love and courage. So, World, I wish you would sort of take him by his young hand and teach him the things he will have to know. Teach him –but gently, if you can.

He will have to learn, I know, that all people are not just –that all men and women are not true. Teach him that for every scoundrel, there is a hero; that for every enemy, there is a friend. Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest people to beat.

Teach him the wonder of books. Give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky and the flowers on green hill. Teach him that it is far more honourable to fail than to cheat. Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong.

Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone else is getting on the bandwagon. Teach him to listen to others, but to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and to take only the good that comes through.

Teach him never to put a price tag on his heart and soul. Teach him to close his ears on the howling mob- and to stand and fight if he thinks he is right. Teach him gently, World, but do not coddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

This is a big order, World, but see what you can do. He's such a fine litttle fellow."

~Abe Lincoln

HOPE

I walked into devotions Tuesday morning, my mind heavy with a seemingly hopeless situation. Little did I know that I would be sitting at Jesus' feet as He reminded me that with Him, there is always hope. I'm always amazed when God speaks directly to the need of my heart. Sometimes, I forget that He sees the beginning from the end, that He knows me more intimately than anyone else.

"O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O LORD, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain it." Psalm 139:1-6 NASB

Susan shared so beautifully how hope is like an action verb and faith the noun. Our faith is grounded in who God is; our hope is that joyful expectancy that He will be true to His character. Faith is like the roots of a plant while hope is the stem through which the faith flows. She gave the following acronym:

   H - Holding

   O - On

   P- Praying

   E- Expectantly

She then showed us the video of a song by Gungor "Beautiful Things." I've heard the song before, but I heard it in a new way that morning, and it has been in my mind the last few days. Yes - I don't understand everything in my life right now. At times, I feel rather hopeless as if I've done all I can do, but then God reminds me of what He can and is doing. And He makes things new. My hope is in Him.

Jesus, keep making me new.

Teacher (Tē’chƏr) n.

1. person who makes all other occupations possible

2. touches lives forever

3. makes the world a better place

4. puts the stars within our reach

*From "The Lakeside Collection" Christmas 2011 catalog. 

Script from a mug.

Reflection on Day 25, Wednesday, September 28, 2011

I copied what I typed in my journal today because today was just too fun. :) And, no, my journals are not usually this long!

Today was just simply a lovely day. :) Actually, the last two days have been lovely. So many awesome things happened that I think I’ll recount them.

• Today was “See You at the Pole” day. It was just so awesome seeing all the grades holding hands in big circles and hearing voices, adults and children, praying to God. Teaching school in a Christian school is such an amazing opportunity. Wow! 
• Upon returning to the classroom, P’s mom came in with two big boxes of doughnuts and cartons of orange juice…and she had some zebra iced ones. So GOOD! 
•  Then we had a fire drill where D and A were fighting over who would be the last student to leave the classroom. Silly kids – don’t they realize that the building could be burning down?! ;) 
•  After the fire drill, Mrs. Tate, the assistant principal, read the kiddos her favorite children’s book called Stephanie’s Ponytail. She was just lovely with the kids. And it never ceases to amaze me of the power of a great book! 
•  After that I began my science lesson which literally lasted about all day! Some days are just like that! We finished up our big book on the life cycle of monarch butterflies. Then we began working on our butterfly books answering “before/after” questions, number life cycle pictures, and writing about the chrysalis stage. After lunch, we were finishing up the book when dear L was ever so patiently yet urgently raising/waving her hand. When I called on her, she excitedly said that some of our butterflies had come out of their chrysalis!! (I knew that actually, but was waiting until a little later on in the lesson to show them, but I’m learning that you have to take the “teaching” moment when it comes!) :) So, we observed and marveled over the new butterflies! We observed them at different times throughout the afternoon. Let’s see, we also had another whole group time where J shared with us some more info about butterflies that he had read in a book. It was so awesome seeing him sitting in the rocking chair sharing about the cool things he had learned yet knowing that he is one of the lowest readers in the class. Wow, all I’m saying, is watch out world, because when reading clicks with Joshua, there will be no stopping him! After observing butterflies (some more) the kiddos wrote about it in their Butterfly Journal. It has been SO fun seeing the cycle happen in “real life!” Oh – Ms. Preston also finished reading Charlie the Caterpillar to the kids. See? Today was practically all science! 
•  We finished the day with some math – working with counters, crayons, and five frames. How fun. :)

So that was my day. Ms. Preston even squeezed in a “life-talk” about their futures, college, and praying about what God wants them to be when they grow up. She is so cool. She told me today, “I think we should knock down that wall and we could team teach next year.” :) She builds me up so much. I think, maybe, I can do this teaching thing. :)

Being a Student Teacher:

• means that your brain NEVER stops thinking...about everything!
• means using A LOT of paper...for everything!
• means talking about your daily classroom happenings...to everyone!

I think I'm a bit obsessed...and I LOVE IT! :D

Happy Fall Friday

Today marks the first day of fall - a wondrous, delightful season. 

I finished my fourth week of student teaching. It's hard to believe that I'm a third of the way finished. I love that there is never a dull day. :) After school, I drove over to work and walked over to my bank to deposit some checks. Some day, I think it would be lovely to live where I could walk to the bank and post office like I do when I go to work. Back at work, my coworker fixed me a delicious caramel macchiatto! I think I need to invest in an espresso machine and bottles of flavoring! I met two friends at a lovely little Mexican restaurant for dinner. It brought back some wonderful memories of my time spent in Mexico. And my taco al pastor was very good. Oh! and we had fresh squeezed orange juice. Yum! We enjoyed perusing Hobby Lobby; I could spend hours in that store! And a trip to Big Lots connected me with some very cute and cheap post-it notes and stationary things. I'm such a teacher. ;) I think I'll finish the evening by lighting my fall candle and reading some of The Hobbit. 

Friends, I hope you have a blessed autumn. :)

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." 

Albert Camus

Contented

A mug of apple cider with a cinnamon stick immerged...

Working on tomorrow's lesson plans...

Reflecting in my journal about the last few days in the classroom...

I really feel like I could be an educator the rest of my life and be perfectly contented.

Today was a FIRST!

Today, I received my first apple from a student!! :) His mom said that he was at Panera Bread, and he wanted to get his two "teashers" apples. So sweet! He brought it all the way up to the front of the classroom as I was starting class. Loved it! Oh, and it was an apple and a yummy muffin. Totally made my day. :)

Peace, Help, Hope

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock." 

Isaiah 26:3 ESV

I'm making the choice to "stay" or "still" my mind on God. I will trust in Him forever. He is the everlasting God: steadfast, strong. I know He has guided my life up to this moment, so I will trust in His guidance for tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. And I want to enjoy this journey - to find joy in the little moments.

"How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God."

Psalm 146:5 NASB 

 

Secret

I found this quote on this blog and wanted to share it.

"Maybe this is the true secret to being fulfilled and content.
Living in the moment with God, defined by His truth
and with no unrealistic expectations for others or things to fill me up.
Not reaching back for what was lost in my yesterdays.
And not reaching for what I hope will be my tomorrow.
But living fully with what is right in front of me.
And truly seeing the gift of this moment."
-Lysa TerKeurst, Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl 

(italics, bold, underlining - mine)

Wow - good stuff, huh?

"Plan B"

"Plan A is always my first choice.

You know, the one where

Everything works out to be

Happily ever after.

But more often than not,

I find myself dealing with 

The upside-down,

Inside-out version

Where nothing goes as it should.

It's at this point that the real test

Of my character comes in...

Do I sink or do I swim?

Do I wallow in self-pity

And play the victim

Or simply shift gears

And make the best of the situation?

The choice is mine. After all...

Life is about

How you handle Plan B.

- Suzy Toronto

I don't think it was mere coincidence that I read this poem on a card that I was filing at work. I thought how true this little poem is. I guess the last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind - for lack of a better phrase, I've been dealing with "Plan B." Of course, there are questions...confusion...the unknown, but I'm leaning hard on my heavenly Father. I rest in the refuge of His character - the fact that He really is in control of my life. Not just the "big picture" but the daily details. I'm learning to be quiet - not that it's easy, but it's necessary. I'm learning to give God my thoughts, to give Him my worry, my questions, instead of spouting off to any passerby. I'm learning to be thankful for the small and the big - for just about anything really. I've really been given way more than I deserve, and I don't want to forget that. I'm learning that His grace is enough - I can completely rest in God's care for me.

I know this sounds really weird, but part of me is excited to see how God is going to work - in the situation and apart from it. See, that's what is so amazing about my God - He is a "forward-looking" God. He is working out things according to His purpose and His plan. That means that the season I'm going through right now will not be wasted, but He will somehow use it for my good, as long as I allow Him to. And by God's help, He can do with me what He wishes. I'm His.

Rain

Here I am - blogging a month after I said I was back to blogging. Somehow life has a way of just happening and blogging falls to the wayside. But I have been living life, which I'd rather do than put all my efforts in having a daily blog. Some people can do it, and that's great, but I'm still working on that discipline. :)

I may have said this before, but rainy days soothe my soul. Today has been one of those days and it has been lovely.

"Rain is grace; rain is the sky descending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life."
-John Updike

 

"Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet."

-Roger Miller

I've been learning how important our thoughts are, for our thoughts direct our actions and behaviors if we allow them too. I'm realizing the importance that Scripture plays in the "renewing of our minds." We must constantly be feeding ourselves God's truth so that we begin to think as God does.

I'm so thankful for God's blessings. I deeply wanted to return again to Mexico this summer for band camp, but did not have the money on hand to buy a ticket. I felt impressed to send out 20 appeal letters and leave it in God's hands and with His people. I had nine people respond which resulted in $550 and I bought a plane ticket for $556.91 and they still had seats on the flights that my two friends are on so we'll be able to fly back together. Why do I ever doubt God? He is amazing!

You know, we can trust Him. With everything. I remember listening to a chapel service by Mr. Aaron Profitt and he said something that I hope I never forget. It went something like this, "If we can trust God to save our soul from hell, then we can trust Him for everything else too." And we should. And I am.

As I sat out on the front porch watching the rain fall, I was reminded of a very familiar psalm. 

 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 

  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (Ps. 23 KJV)

Back to My Blog

I'm officially back to blogging. :) I think I'm my only reader, but that is ok.

I've nearly finished up my last semester of classes at GBS, and what a jam-packed semester it has been. But I've experienced so much growth even in all the busyness. Perhaps sometime, I'll take the time to explain.

God has been so FAITHFUL to me. And He has given me so much PEACE. Peace that I don't even understand. 

Here are a couple verses that I've been memorizing recently, that have been a good companion to me this semester:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6-7 NASB

"The Lord is good. A stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him." Nahum 1:7 NASB

God's word is so powerful, so real, so alive. It is my life-long goal to learn it, follow it's principles, and allow it to change me.

Well, it's another wonderful rainy day. I find rain so peaceful, so calming. I really haven't minded the days and days of rain that we've had.

Well...I need to take a shower and then work on my sewing. Yes, I did say sewing. Believe it or not, but I have learned how to sew! :) And the cow just jumped over the moon. ;)

Balance

I sit sipping from a warm mug of vanilla chamomile tea (with a nice helping of honey), and I think.

This semester has caused me to be rather introspective at times. It seems as if I am always thinking.

Thinking. Thinking. Thinking.

I told someone tonight, "That's why I'm so busy, I love doing too many things."

And yet there always seems to be the endless list of possibilities in which I could partake. Church activities, flute recital, trip to New York, trip to Israel, cleaning jobs...not to mention all the things that need to be done.

So how do I do it? How can I effectively live life now when my schedule is so tight that I really don't have the time to "stop and smell the roses?"

Is there a danger of becoming overly prepared to the point that you never do what you are preparing for because there is always more preparation that can be done?

Dad gave me some wisdom tonight. He said it would be helpful if I walked to church in the bitter cold because I would be getting exercise, but it would hardly be practical. Sometimes it is hard to decipher between preparation/helpfulness and practicality/reality.

I think of the often quoted phrase, "Jesus doesn't call the qualified, but qualifies the called." I know that this doesn't give us excuse to become spiritual, lazy "bums," but I think that perhaps I'm striving to become qualified instead of following His calling. I'm trying to get ready for that big "day" when I'm finally on my own - in the "real" world; and I think I'm missing it.

It's so interesting that the word NOW keeps popping up in my head. I've claimed it as my 2011 word - the NOW year. I'm trying to learn that just because I am preparing for my future calling doesn't mean that God doesn't have a calling for me right NOW. And He does. Everyday, I interact with real, living, breathing people - some fellow believers, some not. And they probably aren't going to be in my life in that moment for which I'm "getting all prepared for." God has placed them in my life, NOW.

So what will I do?

"I'm sorry, but I happen to be in a time of preparation, and I don't have time to listen to your problems, or give counsel, or go out for a cheeseburger. My future is too important than you right now."

Lord, help.

Dear Father,

I know that You are trying to teach me some very important lessons right now. Lessons in priority. Lessons in balance. Lessons in servanthood. Lessons in your Kingdom work. Lessons in how to truly love. Lord, help me to not leave the people you have place in my life NOW by the wayside as casualties of my schedule. I want to be sensitive to Your Spirit...sensitive to Your voice that says that someone is more important than my To-Do list. But may I not slack - but continue to prepare well - but yet be willing to work, give, love, not only in my future, but NOW. Thank you Father for being my teacher.

NOW

Ok...this post is going to take me less than ten minutes, because I have other things to do, but I want to document my thoughts, because I'm afraid I'll forget them!

This is my "last" semester at GBS. "Last" because I will student-teach in the Fall of 2011, so this is my "last" of classes. Honestly, I'm so sad!! I don't want it to be over yet! Honestly, I wish I could take back the first several semesters. I would have studied and learned more. I would have saved more money. I would have practiced harder. I would have built better mentoring relationships with my awesome professors. I would have worried less. I would have not cared so much of how people think. I would have bought a big study Bible and put my Drs. Brown notes in it from my very first Bible class.

Yeah, so looking back, I have some regrets. Some things I wish I could reclaim. But I can't, so I'm not going to cry over the past, but learn for the present and the future.

I occasionally check a blog, and they had heard of an idea of coming up with one word to describe 2011. I've been thinking about this, and my word is NOW. It kind of sums up what God has been teaching me. It is so easy to get into the mindset, especially through HS and college, that I am preparing for my future. "Real life" is still "out there." I really don't need to be serious now (making habits, making wise choices, being serious about doing what's right). I'll do that when I graduate or when I get married or when I get a "real" job. Well, God and others are showing me that life is NOW. Reality is NOW. And my future is inseparably tied to my choices NOW.

NOW is the time to mature in my relationship to God.
NOW is the time to really hide God's word in my heart that I might not sin.
NOW is the time to really love people. Unselfishly. Like God loves.
NOW is the time to practice, and practice hard.
NOW is the time to minister, really minister.
NOW is the time to pray and fast and intercede.
NOW is the time to read good books and surround myself with good influences.
NOW is the time to develop healthy eating and exercise habits.
NOW is the time to develop self-discipline. To stop doing unnecessary things.
NOW is the time to spend with those you love.
NOW is the time to learn what you would like to learn.
NOW is the time to think positive and stop complaining.
NOW is the time to always make your bed in the morning.
NOW is the time to do your best at whatever your hand finds to do.
NOW is the time to just breathe and enjoy God's beautiful nature.
NOW is the time to LIVE!

This is how I'm feeling. I'm tired of running in the same mediocre jog. I'm ready to run - to learn all I can, to live all I can, and to love all I can.

NOW