April 28, 2007
This past week I feel like it has been a full out wrestling with God moment. Not so much in the Jacob sense. It is more like I am fully entangled with life, my desires, and his. At the moment I cannot tell where one ends and the other begins. This like week I really wanted to take a big step and finish my masters in one year. I was on cloud nine at the thought. It would mean I could go on the mission field in one year! Then I taught the next day and nearly cried. I thought about leaving my school, my coworkers, my friends, and all the work I've put into teaching these last two years. These thoughts were over whelming. So now I am in the midst of discerning what is my will and what is God's. Usually these decisions are made through prayer and fasting. Life has been so busy, however, that I've let my normal personal time with God falter, much less the extra time I normally spend when such decisions play on my mind.
On the lighter side, spring is here and my anticipation of summer is rising. Thursday night I walked downtown at 9:00 at night and it was perfect. It was warm with dusk just approaching. I relished the moment deeply. In addition the leaves have finally unfolded and the quaking aspen in our bake yard is shimmering in the spring breezes. It is at moments like these that I remember that God always gives some seed of joy during any time. You just have to look for it, nuture it, and watch it grow!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Monday, April 16, 2007
I'm excited to announce that my parents made it home from Kenya! You can really pray for Kenya right now and the missionaries that are there. The threat of being taxed excessively is still heavy on every one's hearts. In addition the exchange rate has continued to drop making it a very tight and difficult time for our missionaries there. In addition, the politically situation is still difficult and it sounds as if there is a continuously rising tension between the African people and white people.
Being a teacher, the shootings today struck a very deep cord in side of me. We practice for such things at our school, and I couldn't help but think about what I would do.I kept thinking about how I could protect them if such a thing happened in our school. When you work with such a variety of kids and people, you know it could happen. You see the severely troubled kids; you understand their psychology, and you know exactly how something like this could happen in any school.
What do you tell five year olds when something like this happens? It's inevitable that they will know about it and want to talk about it tomorrow. It is especially hard when you can't throw God in the mix. I have the promise that he works all things together for good for those who believe in him. So many of them have no such promise. May God open doors to share such things. Even five year olds need to know that someone is in control and loves them no matter what.
My apologies for no pics! Salt Lake was awesome but it was such a whirlwind trip that I didn't take a single picture.
Being a teacher, the shootings today struck a very deep cord in side of me. We practice for such things at our school, and I couldn't help but think about what I would do.I kept thinking about how I could protect them if such a thing happened in our school. When you work with such a variety of kids and people, you know it could happen. You see the severely troubled kids; you understand their psychology, and you know exactly how something like this could happen in any school.
What do you tell five year olds when something like this happens? It's inevitable that they will know about it and want to talk about it tomorrow. It is especially hard when you can't throw God in the mix. I have the promise that he works all things together for good for those who believe in him. So many of them have no such promise. May God open doors to share such things. Even five year olds need to know that someone is in control and loves them no matter what.
My apologies for no pics! Salt Lake was awesome but it was such a whirlwind trip that I didn't take a single picture.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
April 12
Always a humbling moment. Today I punished a student without get all sides of the story. I called Dad to explain what had happened since I had sent the child to the ever dreaded principle's office. I felt like I was nine and getting a lecture from my parents when he very gently, but calmly ask, "Were the other kids punished? Did they participate in anyway?" Thankfully the parent was calm and even, but I feel horrible that he was overpunished.
Thankfully God is always forgiving. I'm glad he gives us slack and never punishes too harshly.
I'll try have some pics posted over the next few days. Saturday I'm leaving for a wirlwind trip to see my sis in Salt Lake and then to Moab. I feel rather silly making such an impulsive trip. Especially since I have a paper due on Tuesday (hence the midnight blog) I get itchy feet rather easily though and I am very ready to get out of town and see Moab!
The best part of my day today? Telling stories to the kids. They love to hear stories about when I was little and the things my sis and I did. They even like to hear what is going on in my life now. You never saw so many girls smile when I told them I got to be Cinderella last week and dance until Midnight (I went to fundraiser/ Prom night that a local charity put on). I now have a student who has a full time behavior interventionist however. I'm very grateful to have him, but enjoy it more when it is just me in the kids. Then I can tell stories, instruct in moral virtues without anyone thinking I'm crazy.
Always a humbling moment. Today I punished a student without get all sides of the story. I called Dad to explain what had happened since I had sent the child to the ever dreaded principle's office. I felt like I was nine and getting a lecture from my parents when he very gently, but calmly ask, "Were the other kids punished? Did they participate in anyway?" Thankfully the parent was calm and even, but I feel horrible that he was overpunished.
Thankfully God is always forgiving. I'm glad he gives us slack and never punishes too harshly.
I'll try have some pics posted over the next few days. Saturday I'm leaving for a wirlwind trip to see my sis in Salt Lake and then to Moab. I feel rather silly making such an impulsive trip. Especially since I have a paper due on Tuesday (hence the midnight blog) I get itchy feet rather easily though and I am very ready to get out of town and see Moab!
The best part of my day today? Telling stories to the kids. They love to hear stories about when I was little and the things my sis and I did. They even like to hear what is going on in my life now. You never saw so many girls smile when I told them I got to be Cinderella last week and dance until Midnight (I went to fundraiser/ Prom night that a local charity put on). I now have a student who has a full time behavior interventionist however. I'm very grateful to have him, but enjoy it more when it is just me in the kids. Then I can tell stories, instruct in moral virtues without anyone thinking I'm crazy.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
April 8, 2007
I'm back! I finally had a moment to sit down and figure out my password (ooops) so I could start blogging again.
Today was amazing. I spent sometime reflecting by the waters of the Snake River. The day was beautiful and the water so soothing to watch as it trinkled by. It was akin to being in the midst of God's soul...it was hard to imagine than anything or any problem existed outside of my peaceful moment. It also made me crave summers brevity and bliss!
This week has been great. However, I am a little bitter about the fact my parents are in Africa without me! :) I would love to be with them, preparing to go back permanently. It is hard to think about teaching and going to school for another three years when I'm ready to be back overseas now. Yet, part of the reason I'm getting my masters is to be prepared to go to closed countries if God calls me there.. and I don't want my impatience to interfer with that opportunity. All in God's timing though.
Thanksfully, God has given me some amazing opportunities here in Boise to keep me busy. I've finally gotten a T.A. position. It's unpaid, but I'll have the chance to help out with a short publication. I'm very excited about the possibility of writing...I don't have my name in a journal, but this could be even better. :)
In the mean time I feel like God has given me some amazing responsibilities here. Two of my kids have parents in jail, another just lost her Mom, and another little boy is about to loose his grandmother. These kids need such prayer. I find myself constantly wishing to take them home and help heel their wounds...than frantically praying that no such thing would happen when I think about the responsibility!
God is awesome and I am so thankful for the savior and everything he has done. What an amazing sacrifice for such a crazy being as me! I'm so thankful that God has the ultimate plan and holds us so closely to his heart. So close that he gave the very dearest thing he had, his son.
Have a Great Easter!
I'm back! I finally had a moment to sit down and figure out my password (ooops) so I could start blogging again.
Today was amazing. I spent sometime reflecting by the waters of the Snake River. The day was beautiful and the water so soothing to watch as it trinkled by. It was akin to being in the midst of God's soul...it was hard to imagine than anything or any problem existed outside of my peaceful moment. It also made me crave summers brevity and bliss!
This week has been great. However, I am a little bitter about the fact my parents are in Africa without me! :) I would love to be with them, preparing to go back permanently. It is hard to think about teaching and going to school for another three years when I'm ready to be back overseas now. Yet, part of the reason I'm getting my masters is to be prepared to go to closed countries if God calls me there.. and I don't want my impatience to interfer with that opportunity. All in God's timing though.
Thanksfully, God has given me some amazing opportunities here in Boise to keep me busy. I've finally gotten a T.A. position. It's unpaid, but I'll have the chance to help out with a short publication. I'm very excited about the possibility of writing...I don't have my name in a journal, but this could be even better. :)
In the mean time I feel like God has given me some amazing responsibilities here. Two of my kids have parents in jail, another just lost her Mom, and another little boy is about to loose his grandmother. These kids need such prayer. I find myself constantly wishing to take them home and help heel their wounds...than frantically praying that no such thing would happen when I think about the responsibility!
God is awesome and I am so thankful for the savior and everything he has done. What an amazing sacrifice for such a crazy being as me! I'm so thankful that God has the ultimate plan and holds us so closely to his heart. So close that he gave the very dearest thing he had, his son.
Have a Great Easter!
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