And so it begins...again...

I have a love/hate relationship with this time of the year. The time of year where I have to get up early, where I am on a schedule that I have little say in, where I have to find the strength and energy and sanity to do my job when I am sapped dry of strength and energy and sanity from doing my job, and the constant running of my mind of ideas, checklists of work to be done, and children who need some extra help. The time of year where I have to leave behind the luxuries of lazy summer days to face the hustle and bustle of teaching!

Despite it all,  I LOVE my job! Those hated things above are rarely a game changer for me. Really it's just the transition from not being on a set schedule to being on a set schedule that gets me. Once I am in the routine I feel much better, especially when I know we have days off throughout the year to help restore that whole sanity part;). 

Even when my little kiddos decide to take their bright minds to another planet for a time during class and have not a clue what has been going on around them for the past 10 minutes. I love my job! Or when they are so delightfully telling me a story at lunch as they chew their food and I try to stomach my own food. I wouldn't trade it for a thing! 

I just finished up my first week of school for my fourth time. I can definitely say I had a great week and was reminded again that God's timing and placement in my life are always right on target! 

For teachers, January is not the New Year. August is. And I love this time of the year despite all of its craziness because I get a fresh start. It is the perfect time to change things that didn't go so well last year, to evaluate my personal teaching style and how I can improve it for the benefit of my students, and to learn from the mistakes and successes of the past.

For me personally this year, my challenge is to be less and allow Christ to be more in my life. Lately God has been constantly bringing to light times where I am being a bit selfish. Whether it is simply me taking the time to stop and have a conversation with someone when I know I have a mountain of papers to check or me reigning in my frustration when that child who took the first flight to a far off universe hasn't a clue what to do on the worksheet I just thoroughly explained, I see much room for improvement. My heart is to be more like Christ in handling the simplest of things. The things where most people would say that they completely understand why I was in a hurry or why I got a little frustrated that I had to repeat everything I just went over.  I hope to one day look different than the world in how I live my life, and this year my goal is to be aware of how I handle little things in my day to day that may not be life altering to the casual eye. Maybe as the Lord teaches me to handle these little  day to day moments a little better, He is preparing me to handle bigger things that life is sure to throw my way. Not just school either but life in general...family, friends, church,etc.  And maybe...just maybe someone will see how the Lord has taught me to handle life differently than the world and will want to know more about the beauty of life lived for Him. 

Missing...

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder..."

I have never agreed with this quote more than I have these past 6 weeks! I remember thinking 6 weeks is nothing and wondered why everyone was making it seem like I was going for this terribly long time. After all, I went away to college and spent a few summers off on missions. But I have never been so homesick as I was this summer. I mean, looking back the time has gone quickly. I can't believe it is almost over, and I know this week will fly by and creep by all at the same time.

Being away and missing the things and people of my day to day life has in a strange way been a very sweet thing. Difficult but sweet all the same. I appreciate things so much more! Love people so much more! And I am so thankful the Lord has given me these 6 weeks to see the beauty of my day to day life back home and the abundant blessings I have there!!

I have had a wonderful summer and I look forward to my last week here and seeing what the Lord still has in store for us! I can't wait to tell you all about my summer soon! God is too good to me!!

These new friends will be missed!! 

Women

This post is an attempt to give you a glimpse into my summer thus far. I will be honest. I have yet to fully process my summer, so it is just a quick overview of what I have been up to this summer and a bit of what God is teaching me. Words seem to fail me as I try to write about what I have done this summer.

I have taken on a bit of a role this summer that is new for me...women...
Children are my sweet place...I am usually pretty comfortable when you throw me into a room of children. This summer I was hoping for a change of pace and I got it. I am bringing groups of 11th and 12th grade girls to three different ministries in New Orleans that minister specifically to women.

My sites range from prayer walking around Bourbon street for a ministry that goes into the strip clubs to love on the women working there to sitting alongside women in rehab and being an ear to hear their stories and their struggles as they seek to get their lives right. To say this is a step out of my comfort zone might be an understatement, but I am thankful for the opportunity to get uncomfortable and allow God to stretch me.

It's weird that my heart doesn't really hurt for them in the way I thought it would. I mean it does, but as I sit and hear stories of how God is bringing them out of these lives, out of bondage, out of depression and out of a life void of hope and joy, all I can do is be excited for them. Excited that they have found hope and joy and forgiveness and restoration and satisfaction in Christ alone!

So many of the songs we sing in worship speak right to the lives of these women. If I could gather them all and fill our evening worship services with these broken women, I would because I would love for them to have these words of encouragement and hope sung over them! And then to hear their voices raise to the Father proclaiming life made new in Him...

"I am new"
I am not who I was
I am being remade I am new
Dead to the old man I'm coming alive
I am new

Forgiven beloved
Hidden in Christ
Made in the image of the Giver of Life
Righteous and holy
Reborn and remade
Accepted and worthy this is our new name


I believe if we could all just see our worth in Christ, we would so easily leave the things of this world behind and walk more confidently in His ways, in the things He desires for us. Not settling for anything less! My prayer  for all women (myself included), is that we see ourselves as Christ sees us...worthy and beautiful! 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Being available...

I have always loved mission trips and have always had a heart for the nations, but I never felt called to international missions long term. (I'm sure my mom and grandmother breath a sigh or relief at that statement;).  My heart has always been here at home, well wherever home has been at different seasons of my life. I love to be a part of my community. Which is why I love my church home now because it is a huge part of their heart as well!

Friday morning I went for a run...now Friday morning is garbage pick up around these parts so my nice morning fresh air was not fresh for long! Whew you would think I would remember from week to week:/ Anyways I was thankful for a small glimpse at a servant's heart that morning as I watched an older man walk to his neighbors homes and bring the trash cans up from the end of the driveways. Such a simple gesture. But such a sweet display of how to think of others.

I have recently read a story about a lady whose family asked the garbage truck men what their favorite cold drink was. During the hot months, the family left a cooler out at the end of the drive for the men to enjoy a refreshing drink. I can only imagine what that simple gesture meant to them as they surely feel overlooked and under appreciated.

These two simple gestures just serve to remind me and challenge me to see that there are always opportunities to display love and care to those around us if only we will be available and intentional. I pray I will have eyes that see the opportunities in front of me, the discernment to hear the voice of the Lord calling me to action, and the boldness to act! It's too easy to get comfortable at home, to only do ministry when it is organized through the church, and to be a bit selfish with our time and energy. Lord may I not fall into these traps and miss out on the opportunity to serve those You have placed in my life.

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:8-9 (emphasis my own)

His Word never fails...

Every morning I am faced with a challenge...beat the school traffic! Well really I don't mind sitting in traffic. I am usually not in a hurry to get somewhere. I purposefully allow a few extra minutes, so that I can take my time. (Unless I am ready to get home and rest or eat...then watch out;)). But since the new high school has opened and traffic has challenged me to walk out the door about 15 minutes earlier than before, I have come to enjoy some quiet moments in my classroom before the stampede of little sneakers hits the halls. I am disappointed if I miss this time because it has become a precious time that I depend on to start my day right. It's time reserved for my Love. The One who has and will always hold my heart. The One who knows just what I need to start my day.

Over the past few weeks I have been hit hard with the fact that I struggle to keep up with Scripture and Bible studies. You see I am a simple simple girl! I take things best in small, tiny doses. So lately I have been overwhelmed with the feeling that I will never really be able to grasp all of the Scriptures and truly understand them. Then there is remembering everything that I read...the list goes on. I usually can't read a big chunk of Scripture and truly wrap my head around it to where I can store the little treasure in the depths of my heart. And usually I need to read the same verse 10 times in an attempt to get it all (much of that is due to my overactive, wandering mind). Then I fall into the comparison trap of all the over beautiful women of God that I am so blessed to know, and I am left feeling like a I'm-never-going-to-get-this-how-in-the-world-do-they-do-it Christian gal. I am left feeling discouraged in my walk with the Lord. (Little side-note the comparison trap is one Satan loves to see us fall into. I need to work on praying that God will protect my heart from allowing those thoughts to creep in and take root.)

But then I was overcome with the beauty of the Scriptures! That they are God's words. His love letter to His beloved daughter. Straight to my heart! And that part of the beauty of God is the mystery of God. The fact that He is so grand and big and marvelous that no one will ever be able to wrap their minds around all that He is. I find hope and encouragement in knowing that this journey with the Lord is one that will always have me in a place of humility, awe, and growth. And though I may not ever read the whole Bible in a year and actually have any clue what I read, I am learning that my walk with my Lord may be more of a quiet stroll through Scriptures as He unveils His beauty and mystery to me in a way that He knows my heart can understand. In a way my heart needs. In gentleness. With purpose. In love. In beauty. Oh His beautiful, powerful, unchanging words!


For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any double edged sword penetrating as far as joints and marrow and soul and spirit and is a discerner of the thought and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Who would have thought...

Who would have thought I would ever be saying this....lately, like within the past 6 months or so, I have been wanting a puppy. Well actually a dog, I would want to adopt a dog, and preferably one that is somewhat trained. At least potty trained.

I used to say, I will get a dog when I get married and my husband and children insist on having a family dog. Mostly because then I could say, "ok we will get one if you will clean up his messes". Then I could reap the benefits of having the pup and pass off the messy part as a little chore;).

But things change and I secretly look at cute pictures of pups every now and then. I am not sure that it would be a healthy thing for me to do though. I fear that I would be one of those crazy people who would talk to their pup. (that's you isn't it??) And then I fear I would be a terrible mother because I just can't see myself taking 1,000 pictures a day of this precious fur ball and showing them off to all who will entertain my rants of how cute they are (Katie;)). I mean I can't even remember to take pictures of people most of the time.

But I do see a dog coming into my life sooner than later. I always imagined it would be much later in life...for my kiddos. But don't worry mom not too soon...I'll work on getting my own place first!;)

So why the change of heart?? I love to snuggle!!! Especially when I am tired and have had a rough day. I also want a running buddy! And well I just want a buddy to come home to at the end of a long tiring day :)

Not to mention if I can't figure out this whole boy/dating/husband thing, I will be living on my own and will need a guard dog. On a side note...I will never be a crazy cat lady. Here's why...I was watching NCIS tonight and there was the scene that every girl fears in a scary movie. You know the scene...the one where she is in the shower and steams up the bathroom, pulls back the curtain and some crazy guy is waiting for her. Well in this scene the creeper walks right by the cat and the cat does NOTHING!!

But again getting a dog is a ways off! I need to work on supporting myself before I can think of taking care of anything else:) So if a precious golden retriever or sweet snuggly dog who loves to run happens to come along and desperately needs a home...well you better not tell me because I might have a hard time saying no!

Morning's Moments

Today is a quiet, reflecting, take in the world around you kind of day for me. So far (and it's only 9:00AM) here are some random moments of the day...

*Walk in to Starbucks and the guy behind the counter asks me if I am on my way to church...Sure it is Sunday morning and a reasonable question except for the fact that when I am wearing the outfit I am this morning, people usually ask me if I am going running (not exactly church attire)...ok maybe only I find this funny...

*A mother and daughter just walked in. She was a mini...well actually a younger version of her mother...they were the same height. I like when a child looks almost exactly like their parent.

*Oh to just slow down and take in the world around you...I love it! To appreciate the beautiful sunny skies or the child standing on her head in her father's lap or the sweet elderly couple enjoying breakfast together.

*Ever since I conquered my third half marathon, all I want to do is shop for running gear and plan the next race. I am currently fighting the urge to look at Nike.com, disney.com, garmin.com, well you get the idea.


I have had a weird past couple of weeks. Like mixtures of good and bad days all in the same day. The kind of days where when people ask you how things are going, you can't quite decide what your answer should be. I guess I just have a lot on the mind (what's new, right?...I think too much about too much). Well this morning I was reading, and I came across a verse that the Lord often reminds me of in my quiet moments before my students rush the hallways. "Let your gentleness be made known to all." Philippians 4:5

I must confess this has not been the theme verse of my life lately. I have let my circumstances, my raw emotions, and feelings dictate my out pouring of gentleness. It's a tough place to be, letting circumstances control your attitude and actions, because life's circumstances are sure to disappoint. Things can change in a moments time. All may be right in your world, but something is bound to come crashing down and destroy those perfect circumstances. Not to mention the people that we unleash our raw emotions on 9 times out of 10 have no part in whatever it is that is making your heart ache or turning your world upside down, but boy do they often reap the "benefits" from it all.

Ultimately it comes down to one thing. I allow the shouts of the world, the frustrations building up inside me, to consume my thoughts instead of God's gentle voice whispering to my heart His truths. So as life is sure to throw me all kinds of curve balls this week I will find ways to rejoice and praise God. I will look for God's hand in all circumstances, good or bad, and seek his perspective in every situation, eager to see what He is working out for His glory and my good.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near." Philippians 4:4-5