Education

It's been FOREVER since I've written! I'm not a big fan of Mediacom (in case you were wondering who is responsible for my delay in postings!) However, they ASSURE me that my internet/phone/and cable/on-demand are going to work fantastic from now on. Yeah... we'll see. Boy, I sound SO cynical!
Life here has been good... just trying to get the invitations done, the flowers ready and stuff like that. My kids are pretty cute... they never cease to amaze me. Of course, after this week, neither do the parents! What happened to parents like mine that supported the teacher? When I was in school, if I got in trouble at school, I KNEW there would be trouble at home. Now? Oh no! Now it's like the teacher is in constant defense mode of every action he/she takes. It's like the child is ALWAYS right, and the teacher better be able to provide evidence otherwise. I actually had a parent tell me that her child was honest and told me she did wrong, so the parent wasn't sure why the child had to sit out of recess and have a consequence for her action. Are you kidding me?!? So to all of you who actually read this... please support your child's teacher. And if you don't have kids... yet... please remember this and me when you do. Haha!!

Hungry?

"We're too busy asking what God can do FOR us. Instead, we should be seeking what God can do IN us, that He may be able to then do abundant things THROUGH us."

My what a difference a few prepositions can make... I've been chewing on this for several days... and it applies to so many aspects of life. Maybe you should chew on it for awhile too...

Broken glasses...

Ask and you shall receive. On Sunday I prayed for God to show me my wretchedness that I might see Him better, and grow more in Him as He developed all parts of me... the result? One seriously tough spiritual week for me! Monday and Tuesday I was very convicted of my pride. Wednesday and Thursday I was convicted about not going the extra mile as a servant, and only doing what I have to do, not all that I can do. Thursday and Friday I also fell into a gossip pit. All of this made me wonder: Is this a heavy attack from Satan, or, (an even scarier thought) is this just what/who I really am/have been lately, and God finally removed my pride-filled glasses so that I may see myself and my wretchedness? God sure does answer prayer! But this morning in my quiet time I just thanked God for showing me my wretchedness. I want to become more and more disciplined in the Lord, and grow all of my spiritual muscles, not just the ones that are fun/easy to develop. So, my prayer is that God helps me to turn my ear in tune with His Holy Spirit that I may hear His promptings and act accordingly, instead of in my flesh. It has made me have a more grateful attitude as I have once again been reminded just how much I NEED my Jesus.

AHH!!

Sadness!! I haven't posted in WAY TOO LONG!!! My apologies for those who actually read this! ;-) Things are going pretty well in life right now. I FINALLY feel like I'm getting into the swing of things at school. Which, let me tell you... is a relief and an answer to prayer! Speaking of prayer... I've been working REALLY hard to get up and have my quiet time in the morning before school, because otherwise it gets shoved aside some nights... and that's not cool. So far, Jesus has been waking me up every morning. It's just the getting out of bed that I don't like. Once I'm actually praying/reading/journaling... I LOVE IT!!!! Let's see... what else... well, so far I've surprised myself with how avid of a football fan I've become! The Hurricanes are 4-0 so far this season, with our toughest opponent this Friday... eeek!!! I'm proud to say that I'm the crazy lady who yells and screams at the top of her lungs through the entire game! What's nice is that my mother-in-law does the same thing right next to me =) There's strength in numbers!! Other than that, nothing much new and/or exciting is going on... just living life the best I can!

Ugg...

I'm worn out. Please say a prayer for me. I'm hoping to spend some relaxing time with Jesus this weekend... I need a Spirit refresher!!

Fear...

Whew! I know it's been awhile since I've posted on here... but it's been a hectic week, and it's only Tuesday! I am SO thankful that God takes care of us. Monday was really a tough day for me in the classroom, but after much prayer on the elliptical machine yesterday, today went much more smoothly. Thanks Jesus. I'm starting to get used to the pace of my first grade friends, and that's helping A LOT. I'm really excited about the fact that I can teach in a school where I can talk about God. I'm really trying to make the best of it, and show them Jesus as much as I can. Today we during our devotion time we drew something that we were VERY afraid of on our white boards. I read them 1st John 4:18, and we talked about how Jesus loves us with a perfect love and what it means for fear to be cast out. We declared to our boards that "We have a perfect love and are not afraid!" Then we erased those fears as fast as you could blink! Watching over my kids shoulders I saw some of what they were afraid of... frogs, the dark, monsters under the bed.... and it got me thinking. At first I wanted to be able to tell them that those were fears that would soon go away, and that as they grew older "real" fears would follow... fears about jobs, money, sickness, love, etc. But then again... is my fear as a 25 year old greater than the fear of a 5 year old? Not to Jesus. His love is perfect enough for all of them.

Rest...

God is SO good. Yesterday after the first half day of school I took a 4 hour nap. I went to bed around 11 and woke up at 7. I ate some breakfast... and took another 2 hour nap. I feel really rested for the first time in a LONG time... I needed that Jesus, so thanks! I worked some at school today, and I'm going back tomorrow to work some more, but I'm thankful for the rest I've gotten so I can tackle this next week head on! I only have 14 little ones, but they can be a hand full! Teaching is going to be great birth control... lol!! I'm off to enjoy the evening on the couch, snuggled up next to my honey, who helped me in my classroom all afternoon and then took me out for Chinese. What a sweetie. I LOVE HIM!!