Anyone who knows me well can tell you that I tend to be a bit of a worry wart. I am really learning more about trusting in God and having faith that He hears my prayers and He knows my heart. I have been praying that my mind's attention and heart's affection would be focused on Him. It is during these times that I feel a comfort and peace that I know can only come from Him. There is so much freedom in realizing that everything is in His hands!
I like to compare scripture in my NIV Bible to The Message translation and the following verses really spoke to me:
"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers - don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when time comes." - Matthew 6:28-34 (MSG)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
All Growed Up
As I was getting ready for work yesterday morning I started thinking about the fact that I am getting older (I will be turning 30 in 2 years, which I used to consider super-old). Here are the top 10 reasons (in no particular order) that I know I am getting older:
10. In conversations with friends, we now use words like infrastructure.
9. When writing down my students' birthdays, I realized that most of them were born the year before I graduated high school. Earlier this year when we were discussing the events of September 11, they had no recollection of that day because most of them were 3!
8. I have now reached the point in my life where I no longer color my hair for fun or for something different, but now out of necessity.
7. I get very excited when I can be in bed, lights out by 8:30 p.m.
6. When I hear mention of eggs I no longer think of scrambled with cheese or fried. No, now I hear an odd ticking noise. What's that, you ask. Oh nothing, just my biological clock picking up speed.
5. "Where two or more are gathered" ... pluck them! I have now plucked, bleached, and shaved ares of my body that I am pretty sure were never meant to be plucked, bleached, or shaved.
4. Every once in a while I will reference something from childhood and get a blank stare from someone a few years younger than me who has no clue what I am talking about (such as, but not limited to the following: Caboodles, trapper keepers, Crystal Clear Pepsi, the Barbie RV, slap bracelets, hypercolor t-shirts, Fraggle Rock...)
3. I have been around long enough that fashion is starting to cycle back around, such as Converse shoes, flats reminiscent of Sam and Libby, tapered jeans (now referred to as "skinny jeans"), Duck Head length shorts (now referred to as "bermuda shorts")...
2. I now check food labels for the nutrition information, specifically fiber.
1. I have replaced baby oil and other sure to bake your skin products for actual sunscreen.
10. In conversations with friends, we now use words like infrastructure.
9. When writing down my students' birthdays, I realized that most of them were born the year before I graduated high school. Earlier this year when we were discussing the events of September 11, they had no recollection of that day because most of them were 3!
8. I have now reached the point in my life where I no longer color my hair for fun or for something different, but now out of necessity.
7. I get very excited when I can be in bed, lights out by 8:30 p.m.
6. When I hear mention of eggs I no longer think of scrambled with cheese or fried. No, now I hear an odd ticking noise. What's that, you ask. Oh nothing, just my biological clock picking up speed.
5. "Where two or more are gathered" ... pluck them! I have now plucked, bleached, and shaved ares of my body that I am pretty sure were never meant to be plucked, bleached, or shaved.
4. Every once in a while I will reference something from childhood and get a blank stare from someone a few years younger than me who has no clue what I am talking about (such as, but not limited to the following: Caboodles, trapper keepers, Crystal Clear Pepsi, the Barbie RV, slap bracelets, hypercolor t-shirts, Fraggle Rock...)
3. I have been around long enough that fashion is starting to cycle back around, such as Converse shoes, flats reminiscent of Sam and Libby, tapered jeans (now referred to as "skinny jeans"), Duck Head length shorts (now referred to as "bermuda shorts")...
2. I now check food labels for the nutrition information, specifically fiber.
1. I have replaced baby oil and other sure to bake your skin products for actual sunscreen.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Nobody Knows the Scruggles I've Seen
Several years ago I was in a meeting with a student's parent. We were discussing how she was having a hard time in reading and asked if she was reading any at home. Here was the response we got from her dad: "She has always scruggled in reading and we have been trying to get her to read more at home. I have told her that she should be reading anytime she can, since she scruggles so much in this area. Like when she goes number two, she should have a book with her." My response in my mind was: "Umm, did he just say scruggle? Oh gosh now he is talking about "going number two." DonotgiggleDonotgiggle, Okay, he definitely just said scruggle again."
This was the first time I had ever heard someone replace str- with scr-, but it would not be the last. My sister and I have kept a running tally and so far, here is what we have heard: scraddle, scretcher, scread eagle, scraight, screet, scrawberry... I know there are more, but this is all I can remember for now.
This was the first time I had ever heard someone replace str- with scr-, but it would not be the last. My sister and I have kept a running tally and so far, here is what we have heard: scraddle, scretcher, scread eagle, scraight, screet, scrawberry... I know there are more, but this is all I can remember for now.
Oops I Did It Again...
True confessions... I have had a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich for dinner the past two nights (with a side of hashbrowns) and it has officially rocked my world. And while I am confessing, I also had chocolate chip pancakes for dinner Monday night. I probably would have had breakfast Tuesday night, too, but Newk's unfortunately did not have french toast or waffles on the menu. This is one of the benefits of living by myself... it is all about me, therefore if I want to eat spoonfuls of peanut butter covered in chocolate chips, nobody is there to make me feel bad about it!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Movie Madness
So, I just finished reading The Lightning Thief with my class and (naively) suggested that we all go see the movie together when it comes out in February. They cheered in sheer delight at the idea of spending time with me outside of school (who wouldn't) and I patted myself on the back for being such a great teacher. Fast forward 24 hours to when I started to get questions like this:
Will we get to go during school? Uhm... No. It will probably be on a Saturday afternoon (preferably after happy hour).
Are you going to take us on a school bus? Hmmm... No (but now I do know that my special ed. teacher could handle that with her mad bus driving skills.)
Will you buy us all popcorn? Bahahaha... No, but feel free to sponsor me. I would also like some Sour Patch Kids and a large Diet Coke while you are up.
My mom offered to chaperone... That was so nice of her, but we won't need chaperones since ALL of your parents will be coming. NO drop-offs!
In all seriousness, I am really looking forward to seeing the movie and can't wait to see how many of my kids end up coming. I will keep you posted!
Will we get to go during school? Uhm... No. It will probably be on a Saturday afternoon (preferably after happy hour).
Are you going to take us on a school bus? Hmmm... No (but now I do know that my special ed. teacher could handle that with her mad bus driving skills.)
Will you buy us all popcorn? Bahahaha... No, but feel free to sponsor me. I would also like some Sour Patch Kids and a large Diet Coke while you are up.
My mom offered to chaperone... That was so nice of her, but we won't need chaperones since ALL of your parents will be coming. NO drop-offs!
In all seriousness, I am really looking forward to seeing the movie and can't wait to see how many of my kids end up coming. I will keep you posted!
MyTunes
If you know me, you know that I LOVE music. Here is a sample of what I am listening to right now:
Casting Crowns - Until the Whole World Hears
Kari Jobe - Kari Jobe
Hillsong United - This Is Our God
Needtobreathe - The Outsiders
Wicked Soundtrack
Colbie Caillat - Breakthrough
Carrie Underwood - Play On
(Please note that I actually own all of these CD's. I do not own an IPOD because it is my understanding that most people who purchase one, plan to use it while they are exercising, and let's face it... I just don't have that need. Besides, if and when I do return to working out at Curves I cannot have in earbuds or I will miss the robot lady's voice telling me to "Change Stations" every 30 seconds.)
Casting Crowns - Until the Whole World Hears
Kari Jobe - Kari Jobe
Hillsong United - This Is Our God
Needtobreathe - The Outsiders
Wicked Soundtrack
Colbie Caillat - Breakthrough
Carrie Underwood - Play On
(Please note that I actually own all of these CD's. I do not own an IPOD because it is my understanding that most people who purchase one, plan to use it while they are exercising, and let's face it... I just don't have that need. Besides, if and when I do return to working out at Curves I cannot have in earbuds or I will miss the robot lady's voice telling me to "Change Stations" every 30 seconds.)
Useless Information
Today I learned that the capybara is the world's largest rodent. It is like a guinea pig on steroids. They can grow to be 3 1/4 - 4 1/4 feet!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Lesson for Today
I had dinner with a friend tonight and it was great to talk through some things God is teaching me right now. I am really trying to understand more about what it means to be obedient and dependent on God; what it means to completely trust in Him. I am having a hard time hearing God's voice, but we talked about the cliche saying that "actions speak louder than words" and how that really is true with God. He speaks to us through His word and through the words of others. So, even when I can't actually hear his deep voice (because in my mind He has a deep, grandpa-ish voice) I know that He is speaking to me in other ways... I just have to listen. God also speaks to me alot through music. Here are a few lines from a very random song (that I have not heard in years) that God has been bringing to mind lately:
"Let me know that you hear me, let me feel your touch, let me know that you love me, and let that be enough."
"Let me know that you hear me, let me feel your touch, let me know that you love me, and let that be enough."
As if you care...
As if you care what I am thinking... I am lettin ya know! Where did my idea to blog come from? No clue. What do I hope to do with this blog? Maybe make you laugh, maybe vent, maybe tell you what I am learning... not sure. I will get back to you on that. Where did the name for my blog come from? Everything else I wanted to use was taken, such as, but not limited to the following... findmeaman, tall=closertoheaven, bigfoot, eatnpnutbuttr, and merlot. Actually, I felt like these 4 words (learn, laugh, live, and love) really sum up my goals in life and whatever I share with you on here will most likely fall into one of these categories. Hope you enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
