I have always heard of people saying that they were changed more on a mission trip than they feel like they changed other people...
As I come up to the end of my journey as a student and am about to enter into the world of teaching, I have come to realize what God is trying to teach me as I teach 9 and 10 year olds. I knew that teaching was my location where God wanted me to bring him glory, but didn't realize how much I would learn about love myself. When something is innate, it typically sticks with you for the rest of your life, right? I mean you are born with it! I have felt like I have the congenital birth defect of getting irritable easily and annoyed with people. Yes, I am admitting this out in the open! The last year has been a time of tremendous growth, but the past few months I feel like I have conquered a trait and overpowered it with the love of God! I have been able to love people in a different way. I have been able to love them with God's love. About a year ago, I learned how to finally fully accept God's love. I thought I had previously done so until that beautiful day in March when it hit me! It was wonderful! I felt like I could conquer the world with love! I am now learning how to love every child which has overflowed to every person as if they were my own child... as they are God's child. I strive, in Christ, in my ability to edify and encourage people whenever they cross my path! I was at Sam's today and I felt as if God's love was radiating from me! I want to be the one who gives a warm smile that shows someone they're worth it! I remember going through times not feeling like I was worth it and I don't want anybody to ever go through that again! Whether a smile or a word from me is temporary relief or eternal, I pray that they see it's God.
Something neat that happened today is that I encouraged somebody just by being my obedience to God. I was video taped about God's wisdom and it was shown at church in January. Today my mom was talking to somebody in the nursery and he was talking about his wife wanting to become a teacher. He asked her if she saw the video of a young girl talking about whether or not she wanted to go to public school or private school and just asking for God's wisdom in her decisions. My mom said, "That was my daughter!" He told my mom that the video inspired his wife to really persevere in her ambitions. I thought that was so neat!! Even if that video was merely to help one person it was so worth it!! Maybe I will be able to meet her and encourage her face to face.
My challenge for you is to start asking God to take control of your tongue on a daily basis. It's amazing what He will do!!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
A whirlwind away... and God is continuing to prove His faithfulness!
Wow! Done with Kindergarten and on to 4th grade!
I ended up having a BLAST in Kindergarten, but was reaffirmed after my first day in 4th grade that I am an older grade kind of person. Just the other day, one student was right behind me while I was helping another student. When I was done and turned around, I was accidentally tripped! I said, "(Student's name)!! You almost tripped me in front of the whole class!!" The student replied and arms held out, "I would have caught you like Prince Charming!" I then told the student to go to the bathroom which was the reason for standing right next to me. The student then proceeded to reenact the potential scene while repeating "I would have caught you like Prince Charming" and gracefully falling to the ground with a hand at the forehead and eyes closed. I must admit, it was quite hilarious!!! 4th grade is so much different yet has many similarities to Kindergarten!
God has also continued to show His faithfulness and His plan for me. I have passed both of my certification exams and had my district interview last week. All I have to do now is wait until May when they start to hire new teachers. *HUGE SIGH* It feels soooo goood to have tests done and The Teacher Work Sample!!! PTL!
Currently I am in Upstate New York for spring break. I knew this wasn't going to be the "fun vacation" New York often is, because my mom and I really thought we would be burying my grandma while we were here. I brought a nice black shirt and black shoes! Her boyfriend whom she stays with said that these past 2 days have been awesome. She hasn't felt this good in a long time! Of course she is trying to take advantage of it and wear herself out by cleaning up after my uncle who is 50 and needs to learn how to do his own dishes. He told her she needed to do them herself. So with chips somehow all over the floor in the living room, dishes crusted with food for who knows how long, and purple rubber gloves, my mom and I attached the kitchen! We proceeded to sing songs while we cleaned to lighten the mood. I had had to physically take my grandma's hands out of the soapy water and sit her down to get her to stop!! She shouldn't be doing that.
Yesterday I got to go on my traditional hike with my cousin Kyle! I SAW A GLACIER! Well, he said it was a glacier, I guess technically a glacier is a huge block of ice, right? What does a little "I've only seen snow twice in my life" Texan know about snow terms?! Okay okay, I know you want to see the pictures...
These pictures I think are BEAUTIFUL! One of them you can tell that the small waterfall is FROZEN! How cool! This is at Toughanak (sp?) Falls. So beautiful!
Anyway, I feel like this has been a lot of babbling and random saying so I am going to go. Enjoy the pictures!!
Lindsey
I ended up having a BLAST in Kindergarten, but was reaffirmed after my first day in 4th grade that I am an older grade kind of person. Just the other day, one student was right behind me while I was helping another student. When I was done and turned around, I was accidentally tripped! I said, "(Student's name)!! You almost tripped me in front of the whole class!!" The student replied and arms held out, "I would have caught you like Prince Charming!" I then told the student to go to the bathroom which was the reason for standing right next to me. The student then proceeded to reenact the potential scene while repeating "I would have caught you like Prince Charming" and gracefully falling to the ground with a hand at the forehead and eyes closed. I must admit, it was quite hilarious!!! 4th grade is so much different yet has many similarities to Kindergarten!
God has also continued to show His faithfulness and His plan for me. I have passed both of my certification exams and had my district interview last week. All I have to do now is wait until May when they start to hire new teachers. *HUGE SIGH* It feels soooo goood to have tests done and The Teacher Work Sample!!! PTL!
Currently I am in Upstate New York for spring break. I knew this wasn't going to be the "fun vacation" New York often is, because my mom and I really thought we would be burying my grandma while we were here. I brought a nice black shirt and black shoes! Her boyfriend whom she stays with said that these past 2 days have been awesome. She hasn't felt this good in a long time! Of course she is trying to take advantage of it and wear herself out by cleaning up after my uncle who is 50 and needs to learn how to do his own dishes. He told her she needed to do them herself. So with chips somehow all over the floor in the living room, dishes crusted with food for who knows how long, and purple rubber gloves, my mom and I attached the kitchen! We proceeded to sing songs while we cleaned to lighten the mood. I had had to physically take my grandma's hands out of the soapy water and sit her down to get her to stop!! She shouldn't be doing that.
Yesterday I got to go on my traditional hike with my cousin Kyle! I SAW A GLACIER! Well, he said it was a glacier, I guess technically a glacier is a huge block of ice, right? What does a little "I've only seen snow twice in my life" Texan know about snow terms?! Okay okay, I know you want to see the pictures...
These pictures I think are BEAUTIFUL! One of them you can tell that the small waterfall is FROZEN! How cool! This is at Toughanak (sp?) Falls. So beautiful!
Anyway, I feel like this has been a lot of babbling and random saying so I am going to go. Enjoy the pictures!!
Lindsey
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
3 weeks in...
Wow! Has it already been 3 weeks I have been student teaching for those precious little people?! I am starting to teach more and more as I learn the art of teaching 5 year olds! And yes.. I mean it when I say art! You have to not only teach them, but keep them on task and entertained simultaneously! You have to play policeman, counselor, nurse, and so on all in one day. When I come home, they have worn me out 110%! I do love what I am doing and look forward to going to school daily. I already have their Valentines' ready to go!
The one thing I am not so excited about is that these precious little people like to touch everything and cough/snot in their hands and now MY nose is raw and red from blowing it 10000 times today! Such is life! This too shall pass... (Pauses to blow now) It is not to the point of nose-blowing pain!
One thing I have been relying heavily on is God. I too often go through the frustrations of not reading my Bible or spending time with Him because I am super tired, can't wake up early enough, or my mind is racing and thinking about a million other things. Well, Sunday night I decided that this was no good! Last spring I would get up at 4:45AM just so I could ready my Bible before having to be in Conroe at 7:30. I thought I could do this now! So, I am making it a habit to pray every night that the Lord would wake me up with a clear and sound mind so I can start off my day spending time with Him. I know for a fact my days are better and more joyful when I do so, so why is it still so hard sometimes?! It is the carnal nature and the weary flesh that can bring you down.
I was reading yesterday morning and I am in the book of Acts. Paul's journey was amazing and the things he went through! He KNEW what he had coming:
"And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me." -Acts 20:22&23
Paul faced many beatings and imprisonment but would still have the strength to just get up and move on! BUT! He also goes to say this... (I hope and pray that I will have this same attitude!):
"But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." =Acts 20:24
All he wanted was to testify grace. Read Romans.. it's all about grace. Paul made his body his slave and endured things because his fear and love of the Lord surpassed any of his physical feelings.
If you ever came to the point where you were to endure something so painful, what would you do?
The one thing I am not so excited about is that these precious little people like to touch everything and cough/snot in their hands and now MY nose is raw and red from blowing it 10000 times today! Such is life! This too shall pass... (Pauses to blow now) It is not to the point of nose-blowing pain!
One thing I have been relying heavily on is God. I too often go through the frustrations of not reading my Bible or spending time with Him because I am super tired, can't wake up early enough, or my mind is racing and thinking about a million other things. Well, Sunday night I decided that this was no good! Last spring I would get up at 4:45AM just so I could ready my Bible before having to be in Conroe at 7:30. I thought I could do this now! So, I am making it a habit to pray every night that the Lord would wake me up with a clear and sound mind so I can start off my day spending time with Him. I know for a fact my days are better and more joyful when I do so, so why is it still so hard sometimes?! It is the carnal nature and the weary flesh that can bring you down.
I was reading yesterday morning and I am in the book of Acts. Paul's journey was amazing and the things he went through! He KNEW what he had coming:
"And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me." -Acts 20:22&23
Paul faced many beatings and imprisonment but would still have the strength to just get up and move on! BUT! He also goes to say this... (I hope and pray that I will have this same attitude!):
"But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." =Acts 20:24
All he wanted was to testify grace. Read Romans.. it's all about grace. Paul made his body his slave and endured things because his fear and love of the Lord surpassed any of his physical feelings.
If you ever came to the point where you were to endure something so painful, what would you do?
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Streeeeetttcchhh!
Wow! God is faithfully molding me, shaping me, and stretching me in ways that are in and out of my comfort zone! I am not sure where this adventure is going to end up, but I have no doubts that it is going to continue for the rest of my life as I walk faithfully in obedience with God. The exciting news? God is never boring! Though I get scared and wrestle with the idea if it is my carnal or spiritual nature speaking with me, I am trusting that I am doing the best I can to follow God whole heartedly and accordance with his will in my life. I have been praying daily that I would walk directly in the footsteps that He has put out for me.
Two weeks ago I was proposed the idea of being video taped talking to God about wisdom and decision making. My thought was me?! First of all, I don't like to be video taped especially for something that is going to be shown in church and secondly... me talking about wisdom? I am the most fickle person ever! All in all, I was supposed to go through my natural thought process for decision making. Of course I was all over the place in the video convinced that I was "the worst tapee ever!" Nonetheless, when God wants you to do something, he will bless it. I told the pastor "yes" when asked to do the video because I felt as if God really wanted me to do it. When he described what he wanted, I knew it was for me to do. It was one of those things where God may have used that for other people, but he definitely used it to minister to me.
So the last 3 days of last week were my first days as a student teacher in Kindergarten! Wow! Kindergarten?! Those children are so sweet and I have never received so many hugs in 3 days before. I had one student come up and tell me that their dog was becoming overweight, but she didn't want t say the "F" word, so he was getting overweight. So sweet! She didn't want to call her dog "fat"... I am learning as well as the kids that I am in authority and a teacher for them. They try to ask me questions to see how I will answer and if it will be different than their teacher, but I have quickly taught them that me and the teacher are one and make the same decisions. I am welcomed daily and am sad that we have a holiday tomorrow.. hopefully I will be productive as I have to get things ready and decided on what I am going to teach.
I am consistently going to try to view God in my life as "in the seat next to me" and always with me as He is living in my life.
...always
Two weeks ago I was proposed the idea of being video taped talking to God about wisdom and decision making. My thought was me?! First of all, I don't like to be video taped especially for something that is going to be shown in church and secondly... me talking about wisdom? I am the most fickle person ever! All in all, I was supposed to go through my natural thought process for decision making. Of course I was all over the place in the video convinced that I was "the worst tapee ever!" Nonetheless, when God wants you to do something, he will bless it. I told the pastor "yes" when asked to do the video because I felt as if God really wanted me to do it. When he described what he wanted, I knew it was for me to do. It was one of those things where God may have used that for other people, but he definitely used it to minister to me.
So the last 3 days of last week were my first days as a student teacher in Kindergarten! Wow! Kindergarten?! Those children are so sweet and I have never received so many hugs in 3 days before. I had one student come up and tell me that their dog was becoming overweight, but she didn't want t say the "F" word, so he was getting overweight. So sweet! She didn't want to call her dog "fat"... I am learning as well as the kids that I am in authority and a teacher for them. They try to ask me questions to see how I will answer and if it will be different than their teacher, but I have quickly taught them that me and the teacher are one and make the same decisions. I am welcomed daily and am sad that we have a holiday tomorrow.. hopefully I will be productive as I have to get things ready and decided on what I am going to teach.
I am consistently going to try to view God in my life as "in the seat next to me" and always with me as He is living in my life.
...always
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Direct Connection with God
So today I was driving on I-45 and I saw a bumper sticker that said "pray to the rosary" with something I don't recall after it. Why would you pray to the rosary when you can pray DIRECTLY to God? Why wouldn't I want to pray directly to the Creator of the world? Why would you pray for beads on a string? I am so grateful to God for all that He has been doing currently in my life.
I have been praying desperately that I would be a blessing to people and that they would know it would be because of the Lord. I also have been praying that the Lord would have my tongue 100%. I have seen all three, yes it turns out to three, of these things so strong lately. God has been using my talents and capabilities to show people Him! He has done this in school and in church. Not with just my talents, but with what I am currently going through in life. The tongue has worked in two ways: with the positive things I say and the times where I hold my tongue. I never regret "Grrr.. I should have said this" because I know that if I didn't, then it was not meant to be said. As silly as it may sound, I have peace about leaving things out now when I used to not.
Anyway, tomorrow is my first day of student teaching! I am stoke, elated, euphoric! I will be with sweet little kindergardeners. I am sure they will stretch me in MANY ways!
New Blogger & Experimentee in the Kitchen!
Wow! I have a blog now! This was so I can keep up with my fellow student-teaching girls! Like it? Anyway... I guess I am all about new things today! I have also been experimenting in the kitchen! I found some recipes on the 24 hour fitness website (yes... I have been working out again) and I have attempted 2. Attempt #1 was Baked Sweet Potato Fries and guess what, ladies?! NO FAT! They are also VERY yummy! Well, the ones that weren't burnt... I am going to try again because I just made a few for testers. My mom will get a nice surprise when she arrives home! I also made some artichoke dip. YUM! I have yet to try it because it requires 2 hours in the fridge. 30 minutes to go!
.love.
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