Weekends are for:

• eating LaRosa's and drinking Coke 
• playing the piano
• falling asleep on the couch
• sleeping in
• listening to Bluegrass
• eating biscuits and gravy
• grading papers / getting caught up
• laughing around the table with family
• noticing those little purple and yellow flowers in the green grass
• shopping at Meijer
• listening to the Selah channel on Pandora
• being quiet
• drinking good coffee
• stepping back, getting some perspective (Hindsight's 20/20.)
• picking a yellow bouquet
• thinking about that good man of mine
• thanking God for His ever-present faithful goodness

Easter 2013

"Five years from now you will be pretty much the same as you are today except for two things: the books you read and the people you get close to." - Charles Jones

Interesting quote that I think has a lot of truth to it.

So, I've been reading Ben-Hur: A Tale of Christ and have been thoroughly enjoying it. Maybe it's due in part that my copy is dated 1908...I love an old book. :)

"To redeem the race -- I do not mean to destroy it -- to redeem the race, he must make himself once more manifest; HE MUST COME IN PERSON" (Ben-Hur).

"By-and-by the moon came up. And as the three tall white figures sped, with soundless tread, through the opalescent light, they appeared like spectres flying from hateful shadows. Suddenly, in the air before them, not farther up than a low hill-top, flared a lambent flame; as they looked at it, the apparition contracted into a focus of dazzling lustre. Their hearts beat fast; their souls thrilled; and they shouted as with one voice, "The Star! the Star! God is with us!" (Ben-Hur).

 

"...and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all...but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord" (Portions of 1 Corinthians 15, emphasis mine).

Now, some people who I'm blessed to "get close to." :)

My Spring break started with a trip to Indiana to attend Lucas' graduate piano recital. What a fabulous performance by a gifted musician! God is doing great things with that man. :) I was so happy to be in the audience and to be with him for the weekend. I treasure our time spent together.

Later in the week, I reconnected with my good friend Katie. She is my dear friend who's going to be a wonderful mommy soon. I admire her heart and am so proud of her.

And Easter was happily spent with the fam. :) Thankful...thankful.

Another Week Has Come and Gone

Last Saturday, we lost an hour. This Sunday, I gained an hour! Somehow amidst hitting my snooze about 4 times, I set the time up an hour. As I was frantically getting ready for church this morning, Mom mozies (sp?!) out of her room and says, "Honey it's only 7:30!" And sure enough, it was. So my stressed morning has now become deliciously relaxed. :) And I have time to update my blog.

Let's start with last Saturday. I judged at the ACSI Speech Meet. I got to see my cooperating teacher from my student teaching, several teacher friends, and a couple former students. It was simply great being back at that school. The judging was fun and painless, and all of my 2nd graders received Superior! I was proud. Even though the day before, I had forgotten to have them do a run-through earlier in the day, so they had to do it at dismissal time. Dismissal time in my classroom is akin to absolute chaos. The poor dears. But it must not have damaged them too much, because they all got Superior.

Then I was off to the other side of town to attend my best friend in high school's baby shower. We picked up right where we'd left up which entails her laughing at my silly remarks. :) It was great to see her and her family again. I also got to catch up with a couple other classmates who I hadn't seen since graduation. One's having a baby and one's working on her master's degree. It was neat talking about the past and future and acknowledging that God's been working in it all.

After the shower, I went home, took a nap, and then got ready to head to Music Hall with the fam. The Chieftains were playing with the Pops, and we were so excited to go. It was a really, really neat night of music! It was such a fun time of being together.

On Sunday, we experienced God in such a powerful way. I love seeing God work, and He used various people Sunday morning to be His hands and feet. I don't think I'll ever forget seeing Kevin, addicted to drugs, make his way to the altar, and pray and cry. After receiving Christ, seeing him hug his mom and sister and step dad, clinging to them as if he was apologizing with all he had in him. And then seeing him stand and mutter, "I don't know what to say...," and looking to the ceiling, his 6-foot frame stretched tall, then looking back at his uncle, our pastor, "but thank you." Wow. It will forever be etched in my memory. Say a prayer for Kevin, please? I'm sure the road ahead will not be easy, but God is powerful.

Tuesday, we had a forty minute lock-down at school. Selfish or not, I was glad my kids were in music, and I happened to be observing in 4th grade, so I got to see how a master teacher handled the situation. Long story short, a suspicious character had left his car and was walking through the neighborhood. The police came and arrested him because of other charges on his record. And the rest of the day carried on as normal.

Thursday night, I got to be with my sweet boyfriend, who took time out of his spring break to come see me (and his sister :). Since we live hours apart, those times together are very special. Unfortunately, there are no pictures, because my camera's battery became "exhausted." That's really what it says. Haha! Pictures or not, the memories remain. I'm very thankful to be dating such an amazing, godly guy. So blessed.

Friday was Picture Day and Walk-a-thon Kick off. That evening, I met up with Rochelle and we ate Chipotle and then went to a nearby Christian school's high school musical. It was a new musical that the director had written. It was based on the story of Ruth set in Kansas during the "Dustbowl" years. It was really well done, and I nearly cried a couple of times. :) At intermission, I ran into the Simmons, parents of my grade school friends. It was so good to see them and talk with them! I had to run Rochelle back to her car during intermission, because she was dog-sitting. I went back and enjoyed the rest of the play. Then Rachelle, who had been playing in the orchestra, and I drove over to IHOP, drank hot tea and ate a crepe, and had a good chat. She's such a neat girl. Funny that we were bitter enemies in grade school, but now she's a dear friend and kindred spirit.

Saturday was the normal cleaning and school work. And now we're back to Sunday. One day last week, it had been especially dreary and rainy, but that evening the sun had broken through and was streaming through the window. The quiet moment reminded me of the verse in Lamentations 3:22-26:  


Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,

Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the Lord.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm back from church and doing some final edits. Pastor and his family are out of town so Bro. Miles was our speaker today. As always, I thoroughly enjoy hearing him preach. Today he spoke about Jesus stepping into our world. One point he made really made me think. We often fight against the ordinary, the common place. We strive to make ourselves unique, special...to stand out in some way. But Jesus specifically chose the ordinary. He was so ordinary and human and homely that even His own brothers scoffed at His claims to be the Messiah. So when we choose to serve others in those small, ordinary ways, we are being like Christ. Also, when someone studies the life of Jesus and his encounters with other people, every person who acknowledges their need and comes to Jesus, always received help and their need was met. Jesus didn't come to condemn, but to seek and save.

Thankful for Jesus today.

Couple more things...we had as snow day a week and a half ago. I wanted to share some of those pictures...it was gorgeous. And a couple weeks ago, my student T.J. came carrying in this HUGE wrapped card with a bow on it. He had made this gigantic card for me...I think it was a peace offering for an incident we had the week before. ;-) I just loved it. Sweet boy. ;)

Impending Snow Day

What to do with stacks (and I mean STACKS) of papers to grade and check, and an impending snow storm happening outside? Blog, of course! :) This blog is in faith believing that we'll have a snow day tomorrow - even though that means trying to catch up on another missed day of school.

Let's see. I need to focus on what went well today, otherwise, I'll just complain. And that is counterproductive in so many ways.

• I was able to sleep in a bit, due to no morning meetings this week.
• Excited kids bringing in their snacks for the Spanish party
• Getting some tests graded during my prep break
• About 16 out of the 20 did great on their group time during math (and I think they understood what they were doing).
• One student who changed his attitude eventually thereby avoiding a meltdown. It's the little things!
• We got the bulk of math done before lunch time. I think I might try to do that everyday...math in the morning...so then it's out of the way.
• A solid group of students who faithfully do what they are supposed to do. I so appreciate their faithfulness.
• All those prayer requests before lunch...they know God hears and answers prayer. Lord, help me to so reliant on You.
• Even though one student struggled with attitude and motivation this afternoon, and even though he wasn't paying attention to the story we were reading together, he WAS reading and was into what he was reading ("I read 3 stories!"). ;)
• A good after-school work session with my student. We started on cursive and he can successfully write several letters, and he had a good attitude and was cooperative.
• My one student's sweet hugs and helpfulness.
• All those pencils, erasers, and trash - my daily pick-up - reminds me that I have the opportunity to influence real living people who seem to leave messes everyday. ;)

Well, after listing all that out, the day was pretty good after all. :) And "God has all that I need" - have to remember that!





 I need to recap from my weekend! We finally scooted out the door around 2:30 Friday afternoon. The kids kept hugging me and telling me good-bye and that they'd miss me. Love their hearts. After a bank stop, we were on the road. The drive was great and Mom and I enjoyed listening to The Horse and the Boy. We made a mad-dash into Wal-mart to buy a few last minute things and change clothes, and we were at Dunbar with ten minutes to spare. Walking down to the basement and seeing my brother all dressed in his suit in that hallway, where my friends and I were year after year, was a might emotional. The service was anointed by God. I cried and cried. God's faithfulness is so real back then, when I was in choir, and now in my present life. I loved chatting with Mrs. Miller and some of my friends. And seeing the bus. And hearing the laughter. Ok...so I was a bit jealous. ;)

Then we went to Marty and Tammy's and ate food, drank coffee, and laughed and laughed. I love, love being with my family! Then, Leanna and I drove to her apartment, talked and laughed some more, ate more food, and loved on her dog. :)

Saturday we slept in, enjoyed a leisurely breakfast with more coffee, and got ready for our tea. It was such a lovely little tea. The bright sunshine coming through the window and the snow softly falling. So lovely! I bought some raspberry tea leaves and I need to find a recipe for lavender scones (so yummy!). Then we were off to a thrift shop, the cupcake shop (to see Emily), and ANTIQUE SHOPS! :-) I found some great old books which makes me so happy inside. :) We went back to eat hamburgers at the house and then we were off on our way back home. I was so tired and I admit that I was glad to turn the wheel over to Mom. All in all, it was a lovely weekend being with family!

And now, two days of the week are done, and the snow is already piling up, so it looks like I'll be able to get caught up from my grading. *Note to self* When you give 9 tests in a week, set aside several hours to grade everything!

God continues to teach me to find joy in the little moments and that even if my world is not ideal (students talking, not paying attention, bored) there are always blessings to find. I also need to be open to new (better) ideas, but understand that I don't need to try to make my ideas, methods, practices better all at once. It's a journey, and I choose joy!

God, help me to remain joyful in the thought that You have given me all that I need. Help me rest in that. Give me wisdom to make effective changes. Help me to show patience and longsuffering. You are my example.

The Pond and Ducks and other Thoughts

These 3-day weekends are nice, but they throw off my groove a bit. (I've got to buy that movie. ;) Today was very sunny, but still cold. I fed the fire all day long, but Mom and I took a break and enjoyed a walk at the park. And I'm trying to keep up with my goal to take more pictures of my life. Pictures = Memories. :) And hearing birds sing and seeing ducks swim mean one thing - spring is coming SOON. :) I got lesson plans done, newsletter done, grading done, and filing done. Bring on the last 4 weeks before Spring Break! :) How has this year gone so quickly?! 

I made more oyster crackers tonight...haha. They haven't made it to the trash yet. ;) And I made banana bread. And listened to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and watched about half of the movie. C.S. Lewis was a genius. I'm reading Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm and enjoying it so far. There's just something about reading an old, musty, stained, hardback book. I love it!

I really am thankful for these quiet, calm days. I think back to last year when my weekends were filled with worry, anxiety, and dread for the coming week. Not. Fun. Although I don't want to completely brush those memories aside, I am thankful for God's peace and for these easier, calmer days. 

I'm still such a work in progress. Sometimes I feel like for every two steps forward, I take three steps backward. Oh the battle that happens in our mind. No wonder, Paul wrote to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Rom 12:2) and to think on things that are "true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report" (Phil. 4:8). God as well as Satan know the power of our thoughts. 

Lord, thank you for continuing to work on me. For not giving up when I give in. Lord help my thoughts to be filled with praise and thanks. Lord, help me to understand that dwelling on "what ifs" is not trusting You or others. Help me to remember, remember, remember. You are good all the time. All the time, You are good.

Snow Day

I love unexpected surprises. Like a snow day on a Friday! How fun! :) I slept in several hours, and then Mom made breakfast with homemade biscuits. Yum! Then I headed to school to do lesson plans, take down some winter stuff, and do a bulletin board. A week from tomorrow is our first Spring open house, so all that needs done anyway. Steve, the music teacher, declared he and I to be workaholics. Haha. I listened to The Magician's Nephew which gives me a yearning to read the books! I've only read The Silver Chair. *Gasp! I know! I practiced on the grand at school which leaves me feeling somewhat frustrated with the Liszt piece that I once had beautifully memorized. Ah...inconsistency will destroy everything. Came home and made Oyster Crackers, ate some with mom's chili, and then had to throw them all away when mom dropped her soup bowl on her plate and the plate shattered into a million pieces. Poor mom...it's kinda funny actually. ;) And now I'm missing this kiddo who's on choir tour. Oh, those tours were some of the highlights of my life. Being with so many like-minded friends, singing, ministering, laughing, living life together. Great memories. I'm praying that this will be a great trip for Andrew...that God will meet him in a special way. I love this picture of us at Chipotle. I had just declared that I was going to take more pictures of my life, and he was so happy to take this one with a whole crowd of people looking on. ;-) Haha...good times. Well, I think I'll go dust my room (how do things get so dusty?!) and finish listening to The Magician's Nephew. And then, I should go to bed early. That would be so wise. :)

Life is Full not with Possessions, but with People

I'm enjoying a quiet day on my day off. I'm listening to Ann's blog and drinking coffee and listing gifts. So many, many gifts.

There's always a bit of a let-down when something you've been waiting for, working towards has already come and past. Time just goes so fast! But the sweet memories stretch the time, keep it close to your heart. Bring a smile to your face. And a longing inside for the next time, when we can be together again.

Relationships are so special. So vital. How did I ever think that I could be an island? That I could make it on my own? That it is safer somehow? No, God knows best. He knows we need each other. He knows life is richer with relationships. That all relationships are are just a picture, a scale model of our real relationship with God.

I am going to start taking more pictures. I always regret the fact after it's past. But I do have a few, and I want to list some gifts I wrote in my journal throughout the weekend. Remembering...cherishing...

- seeing him on the corner waiting for me
- seeing candlelight and a rose through the open door
- the lovely meal he prepared for me (such an act of service!)
- walking around his "life"
- another Starbucks together
- being with his mom and dad, talking and laughing
- closing my eyes and still hearing his voice :)
- having him drive me in mom and dad's car
- that lovely, sweet epistle! Wow!!
- that lovely sweet peace, you really can't understand it!
- Your (God's) great great faithfulness
- chatting with Grandpa and Grandma Mills
- seeing the house and those aqua blue countertops
- our chilly, brisk walk with his dad
- looking and laughing - so much!
- hearing his dad preach, overcome with emotion about God's love
- those beautiful words of the song The Love of God sung so worshipfully
- Sunday dinner - with family - what a blessing!
- that cup of coffee Mrs. Ryder brought me just when I needed it
- discussing family trees - all because two people fell in love
- sitting close looking at books of years past
- the beautiful sunset over the open field
- the quiet trip back...reflecting on the past, talking about the future, savoring the last minutes together
- $30 worth of gas...going above and beyond
-seeing him waving at the corner
- a life rich not with possessions, but people!
- ticking off the miles talking with Brenda and Leanna, rejoicing that God is growing them, molding them

Matthew 23:37-39 (NASB) "And He said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' "




Father, Thank you for this weekend. Thank you for Lucas, for the treasure he is. For allowing us to be a part of each other's lives. Thank you for his family. For how they've shaped him and helped him become the man he is. Thank you for your work in our lives - for "Spirit-help." We are your workmanship...and You are our faithful, loving Creator. Lord, help me to love You and as an out-flowing of that love, to love the people you've placed in my life. Especially the children. Oh, God, help me love them. To be Jesus' hands and feet. To show your joy - abundant joy. To live soft and slow. To wait on You. To wait with You. Lord, as I read this weekend, I want to abide in Your love. Place your joy in me, so that my joy may be full. I want to bear much fruit, so keep me close to You, the vine-my life source. Without You I am nothing. Thank You Father for Your love. For loving me first.

There's No Time Like the Present

to blog...that is.

So I keep sitting around (I mean grading papers) thinking "I need to blog! I don't have time to blog! When will I have time to blog?!"

So, I'm blogging right now. It might be rough. It certainly won't be perfect, but I will blog.

Because blogging helps me remember. And remembering is nearly a commandment. It is! Read Moses' speech to the children of Israel! Remember who brought you out of Egypt! Remember who took care of you in the desert! Remember who caused your shoes not to wear out! (My paraphrase.)

So I'm blogging to remember.


Last week was a monumental day - the 100th day of school! One of my girls was saddened that the ceiling wasn't covered in balloons (oops). I'll have to do that on the last day of school. They were all asking, "Ms. Smith! What are we doing fun for the 100th day of school?!" Mustering my most cheery voice, "Why, we're doing SCHOOL! Won't that be fun?!" Hahaha....But at the end of the day, they were quite happy about their 100 piece trail mix snacks they got to make. What fun. 100 days. Oh my goodness. Lord, you've been so incredibly faithful. Here are a few pictures...I know they're starred out, but the web is scary these days.

The next biggest things are my formal observation on Thursday (thankfully Dana knows me and loves me and I don't need to be too worried). Next Thursday is Valentine's Day for you, but it's Bring-your-Parent-to-School Day for me (and Valentine's Day, I guess). No, you did not just hear me groan. Let's just say it's not the easiest day out of the year. After we have "school" and the parents leave, then we are PARTYING! I'm thinking a calm movie and a snack? Lol..

That leads me to February 15, 2013. After school, I'm heading on a road trip to see one very special, amazing, fabulous man. You're right! Who else could I be talking about?! Lucas!! I guess it's high time that I let little blogdom know that the very same Lucas is dating lil ole me! :-) In all seriousness, I'm super grateful for our relationship. I'm thankful for our journey...for all that we've learned over the years. God's been so faithful to lead and guide both of us, and I'm so excited to be walking this part of the journey with him. He's working so hard on his master's degree, teaching over 20 students, and doing countless other things and making me feel like one special gal. He's tops and I want the world to know. :-) And I get to see him in 10 days!! I love this picture of us on MLKJ Day. :-) (And no "stars" needed on this picture! ;-)

Well, mom's given me orders to get to bed, so I must obey. She's such a good mom, but why in the world does she think I need sleep? Hahaha....oh boy.

A thought from Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts... (God has used this wonderful mama to change my life...)

" 'The work we do is only our love for Jesus in action,' writes Mother Teresa. 'If we pray the work...if we do it to Jesus, if we do it for Jesus, if we do it with Jesus...that's what makes us content.' That is what makes us content - the contented, deep joy is always in the touching of Christ - in whatever skin He comes to us in." - Ann

Lord, help me to do my work, teach my kids, grade my papers to You, for You, and with You. Be my joy!

Second Grade Prayers

I was just checking some Bible papers from last week, and just needed to record some precious prayers the students wrote. We had been talking about Nehemiah's perseverance in rebuilding Jerusalem's wall even amidst discouragement and negative peer pressure. The last lessons were on the armor of God. The following are the unedited prayers sent up to God. :)

"O God help me put on your armor. and stay with you not get divoword (devoured) by satan." - Kaitlyn

"Dear God help me to follow you and trust you" - Sahil

"Dear God help me to follow you and help me to do the right thing even when no one is looking at me" - Tolu

"Dear God, help me to obey your word. Help me to put on your armor and help me to stand strong faced with negative peer pressure." - Michelle

"Dear God Help me wear your armer and help me to be strong Amen." - Miya

"Dear God, I want to put on your armor." - Ella K.

"Dear God i wount you to help me sai no to wout the deavel saises." Haley

"Dear god I weill pra to you" - Ryan

"Dear God, Help me to follow you all the time. Amen" - Ally

"Dear God help me to be peer pressure." - Emma (I think she wants to be good peer pressure.) :)

"Dear God please help me to do the right thing" - Lance

"God will you help me to be a good girl and to have a pet." - Ava (Might as well ask for a pet, while we're at it.) ;)

"Dear God help me be good agents (against) the devil with the shield of faith." - T.J.

"Dear God pleas keep me saf" - Jacob

"Help me not to lie but to obey" - Justin

"O Lord, please help me to wear the armor of God and lisen to good peer pressure and not bad peer pressure amen" Lucy

These little prayers bring me so much joy. I'm so thankful I get to see God work every day in our little classroom. What a true honor and privilege to share His word every day with my students. His Word is alive!!

NOW is better.

I happened across of picture of me and a couple friends from about three years ago. It's amazing how different I feel from that person back then. In the words of my friend, "Now is infinitely better." That is encouraging. I want to keep growing, maturing, peeling back the layers, becoming better than who I once was. More like Christ.

Romans 8:28-29 ESV
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."