End of the School Year Thoughts

It doesn't feel like it should be the end of the school year. We only have a week and a half left of school and it just doesn't seem like it to me. Maybe I'm in denial. I'm actually really sad to let my 2nd graders move up to 3rd grade. They have been the sweetest class. But at least I'll have my 1st graders for another year. That is the silver lining. God has been so good to me this year. I love my kiddos. Sure we've had ups and downs, but overall they are such a good group. Between the 2 grades I have 3 sets of siblings which in some cases would cause problems. Not with this group!
What I'm most looking forward once school is out is my parents coming for a month. I'm in desperate need of some family time. I've been missing my family a lot lately. I need a hug from my mom and to curl up next to my dad on the couch watching a movie.

Condemnation vs. Conviction

       The day I finish this Bible study will be a very sad day for me. I'm not sure that I have ever been as impacted by a Bible study as I have been by this one. I've never had this great desire to deepen my walk with the Lord as I have in the last few weeks. Thankful that the Lord took a hold of my heart the way He did and opened by ears to hear Him calling to me.
       I'm wondering if I can even put into words what I've come away with from today's lesson. This week's section is about the character of God and today's lesson was entitled "Loving." As a child I was told over and over again that God is love. He does not just love. He is love. I've heard and memorized 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 many times I'm sure. Sometimes when you hear a verse so much you become dull to it's meaning. In this passage God gives us a list of what love is and what it isn't. And since God is love it is what He is and isn't. 

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

       I've highlighted in red what love is and in green what love isn't. I've always thought of these verses and telling me how I should or shouldn't act. And while that is true it is also a reminder of what is truly of God. God is never cause us to feel any of those green highlighted words. He will always move us towards the red words. 

This is all a good point, but it isn't totally what the lesson was about, so let me get back on track. 

       The lesson was really focusing on guilt. Pricilla talked about for a time she really struggled with guilty over poor choices she made in college. While I don't feel like I've made any major, life altering poor choices in my life I have things that I struggle with feeling guilty over. Things that if I tried to explain them to you they would sounds silly and unimportant, but in my head I still feel guilty over them. Things that could go from elementary school all the way to a week ago. I try letting go of them because I know the Lord has forgiven me, but still every once in a while they come back to mind. And at the most random times too. "His {God's} goal is never to bring guilt and condemnation by continually reminding me of my past sins but rather bring healing and obedience by turning my attention to my future with Him."

"Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold I will do something new." Is. 43:18-19

       How often do I dwell on the past when I can be thinking on my future with Christ? Far too often! God isn't looking down on me bringing my sins to mind to condemn me. That is the work of the Enemy. "You will know condemnation because it brings guilt and offer no clear means of relief. On the other hand, the Holy Spirit brings conviction that always provides a road map out and away from a specific sin. His aim is always to lovingly steer us in the direction of His grace." He gives grace and love despite what we have done because to the very core He is love. Isn't that so amazing?! 

"The purpose of the voice of condemnation is to push you away from His presence -- that which is the very source of your victory. The purpose of the voice of conviction is to press you into the face of Christ." -- Bob Sorge

       This last quote really resounded with me tonight. As those thoughts of guilt creep into my mind I need to be aware and think "Is this drawing me closer to Christ? Or is this guilt pushing me away from Him?" Listen to God's voice, it will bring conviction and encouragement...not condemnation and guilt.  

Aahhhh! My brain is so on overload right now! But in a good way. :)  

Feeling so blessed!

I'm so thankful for the people God has put in my life! Recently I've noticed how surrounded (both local and long distance) I am by people who encourage me in my walk with the Lord. People who share what they are learning and get excited with me over what I am learning. My list of books to read is growing because of recommendations by these friends and I've felt so encouraged lately to dive deeper into Scripture. God is so good!

Bring on the Chapstick!

It's beginning to be that time of year again.
The time of year when I have a chapstick everywhere. My purse, desk, bathroom, nightstand, and pocket of every coat I could possibly wear. I should buy stock in chapstick. Once it starts getting cool and dry here my lips dry out. Now my problem is that I need to find all of the ones I had last year and put them where I need them. Hmmm...what purse did I use last year?
On a completely different note, I have been feeling so thankful lately. All summer long I feel like I was having a pity party about friends. 2 years ago I moved away from my close friends and over the last year 2 of my closest friends in Wisconsin moved away. And I was really feeling sorry for myself. But you know what, just this week God has been showing me how incredibly blessed I am. I really do have so many friends here. It's different now, because I don't have one super close friend that I hang out with almost all week, but I have friends! A couple friends have been so great and started inviting me to go and do things with their families or even just hang out with them in the evenings. I had that in California, but hadn't had here until now. So thankful for these friendships! God is so good to me!

Just trust

Being real with you, this afternoon/evening was a struggle for me. 

Lots of anxiety and over-thinking going on. So here I am vegging on my couch watching DWTS and surfing the net. (Do people still say that? Am I old?) 

I've calmed down some, but still have a certain situation on my mind and I came across this on Lysa Terkurst's Facebook page. 

Sometimes God has to lean in close to my heart full of questions and gently whisper, “You don’t have to have all of the answers, Lysa. You just need to trust.”
Maybe your heart needs that reminder tonight too.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

Thankful for people willing to be used by God to encourage others and direct them to Him. I needed it tonight.  And thankful that God knows me and knows my heart. He provides what I need to hear when I need to hear it. 

Looking Up

       This snowman in my yard started melting the other day. It almost hit 40 degrees so everything was melting. I laughed when I saw it. It is looking perfectly up to the sky. 

       Is it possible that a snowman could be an example of how we should be living? It is so easy to be constantly looking all around us when we really need to be looking up. The world influences us in so many ways. I don't know about you, but I get sucked into those influences very easily. 

       Like my snowman we need to look up. Look to Christ. He is the best influence we could ever have. Look up. Watch for His return. 

       Are you eagerly waiting for Christ to return or are you focused on what is around you? 

Good Reminder

Feeling Thankful

Just feeling very blessed and thankful today.
God has done so many great things for me that I couldn't even name them all.

I know it sounds funny, but I'm actually thankful that I'm feeling thankful. I've been complaining a lot lately about things...mostly mice. But things could be far worse. And even an annoying thing like mice in my kitchen is something God is using to teach me something.

Do you ever have those weeks where it feels like you are complaining about everything? I've been frustrated by those kinds of people before and I DO NOT want to become one. I'd much rather have a heart of thankfulness than of complaining and griping.

How do we get out of the pit of complaining? (it sure is an easy pit to fall into!)

1. Keep Scripture close at hand. As a kid I went to Awana and memorized God's Word weekly. And actually I memorized it in school every week as well. But I was totally one of those kids that memorized it the night before it was due and forgot it by the time the test was over. I have to say it wasn't until I was an adult that I realized how important it is to have God's Word memorized. I do love using my verse cards, but it is much more convenient to have the verses memorized. I don't always have the cards with me. And when the verses are memorized God brings them to mind and just the right moment. 
2. Remember what you are thankful for. When you find yourself complaining stop yourself and name 2 things you are thankful for. This take a bit of time to become a habit, but keep at it and it will. There are times when I have to make myself do this. I let myself get into a terrible mood and it is hard to think of the things I am thankful for. But once I get my focus on the positive and what God is doing the bad mood starts to fade away. 
3. Pray about it. Ask God to help you stop complaining. It is easy to forget to bring a little thing like that before the Lord. We have to remember that when we are weak He is strong. 

These are all things I know, but sometimes I have to remind myself. 

God's Word

I'm super thankful for this packet of cards. They have seen me through a lot of stuff in my life. Every card is full of truth from God's Word. I made this ring of Scripture cards when I was in college, but I really started using it and adding more cards my first year of teaching. For a while I was in a good habit of carrying it around with me, but sometimes I fall out of that habit. Yesterday I came across them and decided I needed to try keeping them with me again. It is so helpful to have God's Word in my hands easily. I work at memorizing these verses and God brings them to mind at just the right time.  

Just last night I was praying through some 'what if's' I was struggling with. God brought to mind Psalm 118. I love that every other line is "His steadfast love endures forever." After some time praying and giving my 'what if's' to God I made a list of them and wrote this phrase after each one. What a relief to know I can say that phrase after every worry I can come up with. No matter what gets thrown my way God's steadfast love endures forever. Even if something is hard or makes me feel uncomfortable God's love is still there and it is better than anything I can think up. 

{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!

A little late, but worth it

Well, homesickness finally hit. The week before I started at work was a hard week. I was missing my family and friends a lot and struggling with living with my grandparents. It seemed like my independence had been taken a way to a certain degree. I'm not used to not having my own car and going places when I wanted to. Suddenly I was being told I couldn't go places because I wasn't allowed to have the car. There were about 4 days that were a huge struggle.
But, God knew exactly what I needed. Surprise, surprise. The Thursday of that week I joined my new church family on a camping trip. I was a little nervous about the camping part, because let's be honest I'm not much of a camper. But my mom's cousin invited me to sleep in her camper with her family so I thought I could handle it. It was the weekend I totally needed. I went 4-wheeling, canoeing, played games, fellowshipped, and enjoyed a warm campfire. But I have to say the highlight was the quiet mornings on the dock with my Bible and my coffee. Right away the first morning in my quiet time I was reminded of how God was taking care of me and listening to my cry. Psalm 116 was the next chapter in my Bible reading and it was exactly what I needed to hear.

1I love the Lord, because he has heard

my voice and my pleas for mercy.

2Because he inclined his ear to me,

therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The snares of death encompassed me;

the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;

I suffered distress and anguish.

4Then I called on the name of the Lord:

“O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”

5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;

our God is merciful.

6The Lord preserves the simple;

when I was brought low, he saved me.

7Return, O my soul, to your rest;

for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

8For you have delivered my soul from death,

my eyes from tears,

my feet from stumbling;

9I will walk before the Lord

in the land of the living.

Hard Morning

Had a hard morning this morning.

Very thankful for:

• good distractions (which included an unsuccessful trip to the dmv -- it isn't often that you say you are thankful for a trip to the dmv!)
• a quick nap to help change a bad mood (let's just say it wasn't me that needed the nap and the mood change)  
• my own room to go and be alone for a while
• God's Word which reminds me that He is my strength and my song 
• knowing that I get to talk with my sister tonight -- I need some Carmenita time :) {thats my nickname for my sister...long story}

laugh, cry, and harmonize

I definitely cried last night during our last song.
For the past year and a half I've been so blessed to sing with this girl and her brothers. We've laughed, cried, and harmonized with each other. I feel like they are part of my family.
This is where I dislike change. Its not so much the location change, but the people change. I'm going to miss those three so so much. Thankfully I know I will keep in touch with them and see them when I come to visit. I'm so happy that the Lord gave me the joy of leading worship with them. I was encouraged by each of them every week we sang together. They challenged me to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus as we praise His name. I'm excited to see how God continues to grow each of them closer to Him. I know that God is going to do amazing things in them and through them!

Label: Encouraging

As I've posted before, the last month or so has been full of some discouragement at work. I've had times when I've felt trampled over on a number of occasions. But in the last few weeks God has brought a lot of encouragement into my life. I'm so thankful that He hears our prayers and comes to our rescue. As a result of this hard time I've started a new label in my email account. (I'm kinda a crazy email labeler. If I save it it gets a label and leaves my inbox) My new label is "encouraging." For those times when I need to read something encouraging I can just pop into that file and remember the people God has put into my life and see how they have pointed me to Christ. God has truly blessed me with the people He has put in my life. So many godly people who point me to Christ.

Happy Mother's Day!

I'm so thankful for the wonderful mom that God gave to me. I'm told on a regular basis how much like my mom I am. It is such a wonderful compliment. I love spending time with her. She is a great listener and gives great advice. I love that I can talk to her about anything. I especially love how she encourages me in my walk with the Lord. 

Love you Mom! 

Remembering

Memorial Day 2012

Growing up I always remember Memorial Day weekend. One of the things we did as a family was help put flags up in the Santa Rosa Memorial Cemetery. We actually did it as a fundraiser for the Marching Band up until a few years ago. As a kid I remember it being a fun thing to do almost like a scavenger hunt. We'd have to find all of the grave stones that said the person had been a part of the military and then put a flag in the ground by it. It sounds a little terrible to say it was like a scavenger hunt, but as a little kid that is what it was. On Saturday morning we would put all the flags up and then Monday afternoon we'd walk through and take them down. 

It wasn't until this year that I actually attended the ceremony held on Memorial Day. It was such a neat experience. There were a couple hundred people there and there were flags everywhere. It was such a great time of honoring those who have served our country and fought for our freedom. 

While I was there I was reminded that my own grandfather served in the army. I don't know what rank he was or where he went, but I know that he worked to make a difference for our country. I'm so thankful for the people who are willing to risk their lives for my freedom and safety. 

Today = Ugh

I had a rough afternoon. 

My sister texted this to me...

Romans 12:12 Let your hope make you glad, be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.

I've very thankful for the godly people around me who remind me that it isn't as bad as I think it is and point me to Christ.  God is good all the time. 

I'm trying to look at the positive and learn from the negative.

Very Thankful 1-5

Last year for the month of November I posted something I was thankful for every day. It was such a blessing to me. I was reminded daily of all God has given to me. Some days it was easier to see what I was thankful for that day and other days it was harder. But it made me find the good things from those harder days and not just dwell on negative things.
It is hard to believe that November is here and we are 5 days into it! Time flies when you are having fun (and when you are busy most of the time). So I'm starting out the month playing a little catch up. Ha! I'm not too surprised at this.


1. My Salvation - I'm so thankful that God sent His Son to earth so many years ago. Jesus did for me what no one else could ever do. He provided a way for me to spend eternity for Him in Heaven. I don't deserve this at all. But I've been forgiven. Thank you, Lord!

2. Working at a Christian school - I have the wonderful blessing of teaching at the school I attended for all of my elementary, junior high, and high school education. I'll be the first one to tell you that when I graduated I didn't really want to leave. So to many people it isn't a surprise that I am back. I love teaching there. The best thing is that I am able to share the Gospel with my class. Everyday we spend time talking about the Lord, praying and worshiping Him. It is such a wonderful blessing. Chapel times are especially great as we sing and hear a message. The chorus of children's voices is sweet and I'm able to worship my Savior along with them. It is great.

3. Thursday was a rough day at work for me. By the end of the day I was exhausted, frustrated and ready to cry. When all of my kids were picked up in the car line I started to make my way back to my classroom and I spotted my dad. I'm so thankful that my dad and I work at the same place. Because of a "little" rearranging of school offices this year I get to run into him a lot more. Thursday it was especially nice to see him because I really needed a hug. I love my dad so much! He gave me a big hug and asked me what was going on. It was wonderful.

4. Fridays - For someone who works 5 days a week Fridays are wonderful days. I love remembering that it is Friday when I wake up in the morning. I can dress a little more relaxed at work and it is almost the weekend. But it is also a time when I usually have time to catch up on work in my classroom. I spent over an hour yesterday just working at organizing things in my classroom. I'm nowhere near done, but it felt good to do it.

5. I have to say that this morning I'm very thankful for the heater I have in my apartment. It is nice to have a warm place to be on a chilly morning. I realize that it is colder in many places of the world right now, but to this California girl it is pretty cool here.

Well, I'm glad to have started this back up for this month. I am feeling so blessed already!

Back 2 School - And Loving It!

I've been waiting to post about school starting because my dad has some pictures on his camera that I wanted to post. Obviously it is taking me a while to get them (my fault, not his). So here is my back to school post minus the pictures from the first day of school.

_________________________

A few shots around my classroom. 

It is official!
I LOVE teaching!!
       I've been teaching for just over 2 weeks and I love, love, love it! It is challenging, but it is my class. Oh yes!
       I started the day with several of my students greeting me with "Hello, New Teacher!" There was a little bit of chaos as we got into the room and about 5 minutes later I shooed the parents out of the room. Phew! I really didn't want to start with them in there. The parents make me nervous.
       About half way through the first day I realized that I didn't plan enough for us to do. This resulted in a few games and an extra recess. The kids thought this was great! It made me nervous. One boy who was sick on the first day was sad because he had missed the best day "they didn't do any work and they had 3 recesses!" is what he told his dad. I laughed and said, "Yep, it won't be like that for long."
       I was on cloud nine the entire first week (and really, I still am). My voice started going on the second day. By the end of the week I sounded terrible. I think my voice is almost back to normal. By the end of the day it is a little scratchy.
       I feel so blessed to be teaching third grade this year. I have great students. There are a few challenging ones, but I'm working at helping them and trying to not get frustrated with them. (sometimes that is easier said than done) One thing I like about this group of kids is their sense of humor. They know how to laugh. Sometime they laugh at the wrong times, but we are working on that. Not only does this class have a great sense of humor they also love to learn. They are just soaking up everything I give them! It is great!
       One of my favorite things to do in class is read aloud after lunch. I've always loved doing this. I give the kids the option of coloring while I read. Half of them just sit there and listen, which makes me love them even more!

I just feel so blessed!

       I can tell you right now that I am going to have some fun stories throughout the school year. I'm being good and writing them down in a book so I don't forget them. Maybe you'll see a book of my teaching memoirs in a bookstore someday. If so, it will all make you laugh. They say hilarious things!

Feeling Blessed

Just in the last week I've felt so blessed.
God is so good and has blessed me wonderful friends and family.

A few weeks ago a co-worker of mine heard me say something about my car window not rolling up or down. Not long after he asked me if I wanted him to fix it for me. He ordered the part and installed it last weekend. It only cost me 50 bucks! I can't even imagine how much it would have cost me if I had taken it in to my mechanic.

And then...today my school computer got fixed!  I honestly wonder what my problem is with the computers at work. I always break them. Actually I really think they just die on me.
Well I've been having issues with this one since I moved my stuff from my art room. Unfortunately our computer guy is busy and hasn't had time to fix it. Well I was talking with a few co-workers this afternoon and they felt bad that my computer still wasn't working. As I was sitting in my room working after school one of my co-workers sent her husband down to take a look at my computer. Then while he was figuring it out another co-worker's husband showed up. Between the two of them they discovered that when the computer was moved to my classroom the high school guys plugged one of the cords into the wrong place.

Those are just two examples of how God has blessed me in the last week. I've also had several people praying for me this week because they knew school was starting. And my family and close friends have been such great encouragements to me. God is so good.