Cling to the Right Thing

Phil 2:14 "Do all things without grumbling or questioning."

I've always heard this verse with the word complaining instead of questioning. I was thrown off when I read it this morning. But when I think about the word complaining it really is questioning. When we complain we are questioning God's plan. Ouch! I'm continually telling my students that God has a plan and His plan is perfect. That is an easy thing to say and not as easy to live by.

Complaining = questioning

So how do we live out Phil 2:14? Well, we have to continue reading.

Verse 16 says "holding fast to the word of life..." 

If we cling to Scripture the grumbling and questioning will diminish because our eyes will be in the right place. When we grumble and question then our focus is definitely on ourselves. "I'm not happy" "I want this" "Why can't I have (you fill in the blank)?" These things are essentially telling God that His plan isn't good enough. If God can create the entire universe in 6 days wouldn't you think that His plan for you and me is thought out and perfect in His eyes? Sometimes I just want to smack myself on the head and say, "Come on, think Jamie!" This should be so obvious, but we/I so easily forget. That is why clinging to scripture is so important.

{Day 13 - Animals}

The 2nd title of this post is "Gus Gus."

And there is no picture...you will understand why in a minute.

A week or so ago my mom and I discovered a mouse in the house. She saw it and I heard it run along the baseboard behind me. You should have seen how fast I moved across the living room. My feet did not touch the ground for a few hours after that. I'm creeped out enough by mice in cages that ones around the house like that make me shiver all over. My pastor here left a mousetrap for me in my mailbox at school because he heard our story. Still dreading the idea of using it. But I really don't want mice in the house all winter. (more shivers!) Mom and I named it Gus Gus.

Well, Friday morning I got up a little early and decided to make my coffee and breakfast before I read my Bible. For some reason it seems cozier to read my Bible with my coffee. I needed to wash the pan that I heat my water in so I went to the sink. There was dirty water left in the sink from the night before, which is unusual because my grandma is really into having a super clean sink. I stuck my hand in the dirty water, pulled the plug and as I was taking my hand out saw something floating. Praise the Lord I did not touch it!! Yes, low and behold Gus Gus drowned in the sink. (I'm shivering again!) I was completely grossed out and almost screamed! My hand had been in that water! I turned the water on super hot and dumped a bunch of dish soap on my hand and scrubbed hard. So nasty!
Disposing of the mouse was so hard, but I knew I had to be brave and do it. Ugh! It was already on a plate that was in the sink so I dumped it in the garbage can. Yuck yuck yuck!! Then I filled the sink with super hot water, dish soap, and bleach. I hope I never have to do that again.

Everyone keeps telling me that where there is one mouse there are more. So I have to be brave today and set the trap from my pastor. So not looking forward to catching anything.

{Day 12 - Friends}

God has been so good in blessing me with wonderful friendships. I'm reminded of how much God cares for me when I think back on the friendships I've had over the years. There have been seasons in my life where God has placed the exact friend that I needed right then to encourage me and point me to Christ. One of the things I'm the most thankful for in my friendships is that even though I'm not the best at long distant friendships we are able to pick up where we left off when we do talk or see each other.
I have to say that the friendship I'm the most thankful for is from my sister. Growing up we got along ok. We didn't fight all the time like some siblings, but we weren't super close. What's funny is that when I went away to college our friendship clicked. I love my sister so much. I'm so proud of the amazing woman she has become. I love talking with her, shopping with her, watching Doctor Who with her, and our random usies (is that how you spell it?).
Julie, you challenge me to walk closer to the Lord, make me laugh, and bring so much joy to my life. You are beautiful on the inside and out. You are my best friend! I love you!

{Day 11 - Make up}

I don't wear a ton of make-up. In fact today I was a little lazy and only put on eye liner and mascara. My other make-up is pretty basic and a little goes a long way. My sister got me into Sephora make-up so it is a good thing a little goes a long way. What's funny is that at the moment I'm more excited about what I use to take off my make-up. A cousin here in Wisconsin (there are many of those around here) got me hooked on Norwex. I co-hosted a party with her so got a bunch of free stuff. They have a make-up removing cloth that is amazing! It takes my eye make-up off really fast. I hate using oily eye make-up remover so this cloth is wonderful. I'm totally sold on it.

{Day 10 - Something you hate}

Chalk is totally comes with my job. When I first started teaching I loved chalk! Now... I can't stand it. I'll only use I if I absolutely have to. This is all of the chalk I have in my classroom, and after I took this picture I threw it away. Ha!

Here are my top 3 reasons why I greatly dislike (aka hate) chalk:

1. It gets everywhere - gotta love it when you realize that you have chalk dust on your pants and you don't know how long it has been there! 
2. It dries out your hands - I want to wash my hands every time I touch the stuff! 
3. I lose my voice when I use it on a regular basis - true story! When I first started teaching I would lose my voice by the end of each week. It took me a long time to realize that it wasn't from talking too much. It was from the chalk! The year they put a white board in my room I didn't lose my voice once. Crazy! 

In my current classroom I have a white board as well as chalkboards. Instead of using chalk I use chalk pens. True it takes me longer to clean it off, but it is SO worth it! 

{Day 9 - Love}

First real snow fall today! I loved how soft the snowfall was as I walked to school this morning. It was beautiful! It snowed for several hours this morning and the ground was completely covered. This California girl is pretty excited about the snow. I love my eskimo coat too! There are so many people who are dreading this winter because of how bad last winter was. I'm praying that I don't lose my joy over the snow. Growing up in CA I haven't had a lot of snow experience. And I totally have a winter bucket list started. :) A few people have even mentioned the possibility of a snow-day tomorrow! Can you tell I'm a little excited about it all?! 

(Wow, I completely rambled in this post! Obviously I'm a little excited) 

{Day 8 - Smell}

This is my current favorite smell. I've been diffusing it in my classroom for the last several days. I love that I can smell it as I'm walking in the hallway toward my classroom. Hoping that it helps my students and I not get sick too much as the weather is getting colder. We'll see if it makes a difference. It couldn't hurt to try. 

Generally I'm one who loves burning candles, and I still do. But the smell from the diffuser is even better than the candles. I'll still burn candles because it has a cozy feel, but the essential oils definitely work better than the candles. 

{Day 7 - Somewhere you've been}

I really love traveling. Near or far I'd go anywhere. Even a quick road trip is enough to help my travel bug. I'd have to say though that going to New York City was a pretty fun trip. I went there with my college choir. It was so incredible. Had fun in Central Park and went to see Mary Poppins on Broadway. My choir also sang in Carnegie Hall. That was pretty incredible! I'd love to go back someday. I think it would be fun to see everything decorated for Christmas. Who knows. Maybe someday! 

{Day 6 - Shoes}

I love my boots! And I love the fact that it is cool enough to wear them! I'm going to try to remember this feeling because I may change my tune in a few months. Did I mention that we had snow flurries a few days ago?! I was just as excited as my kiddos at school.