Tuesday, November 17, 2009

real students, finally.

Today I taught some real kids.

Our lesson went well; I am generally pleased. There were obviously things we need to improve on and do better at, but overall we did a good job and I am proud of my fellow team-15-mates and all of our hard work.

Today I was reminded of the many many reasons I seriously enjoy middle schoolers, and today I felt at home and in my element. PtL, I love teaching. Can't wait to student teach next fall as Mrs. Brown and can't wait to have my own classroom so soon!

Real life is on the horizon, and I like what I see so far.

"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Prov 16:3

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Rise Above

"Wont let Satan [blowing sound] it out, I'm gonna let it shine!"
Just a couple things- teaching pretend middle schoolers who are actually my college-aged peers is not as easy as it sounds. [Schoolers...not a word] I digress. I love love my Block I friends and especially my lab-mates, but am about ready to be with some real students.
Once upon a blog post I am pretty sure I wrote about rising above your (or my for that matter) circumstances. I have been (and most definitely still am) feeling pressure and pull from a million (like 7) different directions for the past semester (I really think this may be the most challenging semester yet busyness-wise), and have been letting my stress and frustration(s) get my down. Gosh, but what am I doing? I have an awesome and blessing-filled life worth living to the fullest, despite my current state of busyness and stress. [Also, removing the term "stress" from my vocabulary. Use it too much.]

So, on that note, and really that note is about a week old but I am just now posting about it, I am turning over a new leaf, or perhaps just turning back a few pages in my journal that is life and remembering how awesome it is to fall in the arms of a loving Savior and resting in the comfort and joy that is His love.

God is so good.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Totally Typical?

Today as I sat in the drive-through of Starbucks and prayed for/thought about the victims of that shooting in Texas (as many details as I know) I realized a couple things:

1. I really like gourmet coffee drinks and coffee shops. I wish I had more time/money to waste on enjoying that little hobby.

2. I love doing things for other people. I got up and ready a little quicker today so I could go get donuts and drinks for some people at work and it made me feel useful. It is good to feel appreciated and to do things for others. About halfway through last year I committed to (try to) be more generous and do more for others, essentially to serve more, and, while it is challenging not to keep my wants and needs at the forefront of my thoughts, it sure does feel right to move those aside.

3. I almost began to judge myself and the inumerable others who have been "praying" for those hurting people in Texas (or Kenya, or New Orleans, or NYC, or wherever the most recent pain may be), and think down on us for believing we can make any sort of impact from here (or there or anywhere). Almost. I almost let myself condemn for it taking such occasions to remind people (and me) to pray for someone other than themself. But then I remembered, hold on, we are praying, we are lifting up those hurting people to our awesome and mighty God for healing, we are putting our own needs aside and remembering the needs of those around us, in close proximity or not. So I guess I am glad people turn to God for help and healing in their deep times of need, and for the needs of others. I am not mad, or judgmental, or condemning, but grateful that the first instinct of so many is to look to Him for answers. So Praise the Lord, and thank you God for your never wavering faithfulness to your people.

4. While I am "ready" for the cooler weather to set back in, I have to say another PtL for the glorious display of beauty outside today.


"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!" Phil 2:5-8