The last few weeks have seemed to fly by. I have been spending countless hours in my classroom moving furniture, organizing, prepping pacing guides, moving furniture again, writing welcome back letters, making a cozy reading nook, leveling books, moving furniture yet again and trying to make sure everything is ready and welcoming to the precious little ones that will fill the room with laughter and joy shortly. I have been easing myself into waking up to an alarm....(such an annoying sound) and showering and getting out of my pajamas before 1 or 2 in the afternoon. (Before I hear it from some of my family members... just because I am in my pajamas it does not mean I am getting anything done. I just have no where to go and no one will see me so why dirty more clothes if I don't have to :) It is all about amounts of laundry, people! :) )
In the process of getting classroom land in order I have let some other things in my life slide...just a smidge. My house is a little messier, my phone has more voicemails than normal, my meals are sporadic and few and far between (especially healthy ones), my husband is feeling lonely while he watches his guilty-pleasure of a show (which shall go unnamed for his sake) by himself while I spend hours on the computer researching new school ideas and my time with friends is almost non-existent. I find that this always seems to happen around this time of year and I realize it just a little too late. The part about this time of year that I love though, is the realization that I also always get... that I am blessed.
Even though my house doesn't have everything in its place and even though I may have not returned some phone calls and even though I may have lacked in quality friend time... when I realize all of this my friends and husband are still there waiting and willing to start right back where we left off. They are not mad at me, but instead understanding and loving. This however does not give me the right to "walk all over them" but instead gives me something to strive for and to better myself. I am so thankful for the patience that my friends have for me. The patience that my husband has for me. The patience that God has for me. A level of patience and understanding that I strive for each day. Thank you to those of you that have waited patiently for me to dig myself out of my pile of boxes and school mindset. Today I am thankful for patient friends and family. ten thousand reasons
Friday, August 17, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Forever and For Always
Today's post will be shared through pictures.
Three years ago today I married my best friend.
I love you, babe! Looking forward to many more years together, you make me the happiest girl around and you inspire me to be a better person. I am truly blessed. Ten thousands reasons for my heart to praise!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
ten thousand reasons
The title of this blog comes from one of my favorite songs.
Take a listen:
10,000 Reasons By: Matt Redman
Each day we are being blessed with so many things that we take for granted. Why is it that it isn't until something tragic hits our family or someone close to us that we begin to notice those small things that help us get through the day? Why the wait? From all directions and at every moment God is sending numerous things our way to make us smile and to remind us that He is in control and that He loves us unconditionally, even when we may not feel like it. This blog is my trillioninth attempt at helping me focus on all of those little and big blessings that He sends my way and reminding myself to praise Him for each one. In the good, the bad and the ugly He is near and I want my soul to be singing like never before, worshipping His Holy name!
Today I am thankful for family. For family that can paint a garage together in silence and still enjoy each others company. For family that can take a tubing adventure down a river and share millions of laughs together. For family that cares enough to hash things out when they need to be, instead of giving up or brushing things under the rug. For family that can celebrate 80 amazing years with a Grandfather that is the cornerstone. For family that can share in the joy of growing up from mile and miles away, due to technology. For family that can share in sorrows and pain at some of the lowest times. For family that can share in celebrations of new beginnings and new addresses. And lastly, for family that to the world isn't family at all, but by my standards is just as special and loved as all the rest. I am thankful to be born into an amazing, God loving family, to have married into a rock solid, unconditional loving family and to be accepted into a family of friends through small group, college, church and relationships. Today family gives me ten thousand reasons for my heart to praise.
These are just a few of the lovely faces of those that I lovingly call "Family!"
Take a listen:
10,000 Reasons By: Matt Redman
Each day we are being blessed with so many things that we take for granted. Why is it that it isn't until something tragic hits our family or someone close to us that we begin to notice those small things that help us get through the day? Why the wait? From all directions and at every moment God is sending numerous things our way to make us smile and to remind us that He is in control and that He loves us unconditionally, even when we may not feel like it. This blog is my trillioninth attempt at helping me focus on all of those little and big blessings that He sends my way and reminding myself to praise Him for each one. In the good, the bad and the ugly He is near and I want my soul to be singing like never before, worshipping His Holy name!
Today I am thankful for family. For family that can paint a garage together in silence and still enjoy each others company. For family that can take a tubing adventure down a river and share millions of laughs together. For family that cares enough to hash things out when they need to be, instead of giving up or brushing things under the rug. For family that can celebrate 80 amazing years with a Grandfather that is the cornerstone. For family that can share in the joy of growing up from mile and miles away, due to technology. For family that can share in sorrows and pain at some of the lowest times. For family that can share in celebrations of new beginnings and new addresses. And lastly, for family that to the world isn't family at all, but by my standards is just as special and loved as all the rest. I am thankful to be born into an amazing, God loving family, to have married into a rock solid, unconditional loving family and to be accepted into a family of friends through small group, college, church and relationships. Today family gives me ten thousand reasons for my heart to praise.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
A Box of Crayons
A new school year is right around the corner. I almost feel giddy about the thoughts of freshly sharpened pencils, bright new folders, the smell of brand new pack of crayons, clean backpacks, shiny new tennis shoes squeaking on the freshly waxed floor, sweating slightly but not caring because you are donning your new Fall clothes, lockers slamming as hesitant little ones are ushered into a new environment by just as apprehensive parents and knowing that a fresh start has come once again. A new school year is always ushered in with so much excitement and apprehension. It always comes with a clean slate (I mean, really clean) and a breath of fresh air.... a sense of rejuvenation, really.
As I prep for a new classroom full of Kindergarteners that are eager to learn and are hanging on your every word, I cannot help but think of a parallel between my relationship with Christ. Those precious little children are nervous, unsure of what to expect. They are at a new school, with a new schedule, new rules and expectations and new friends to make. And yet, their smiles fill the room and they are eager to see what it is in store for them this year. They quickly place all of their trust in my hands and without reservation hang on my every word.
This is how Christ is calling me to be with Him. He is calling me to step out of my comfort zone, to allow myself to be stretched and molded by him and to quickly let go of all my reservations and hang on His every word that He speaks directly to me and through His book, the bible. He longs for me to be willing to let go of every other person or thing that I place my contentment in and let him fill the gaping hole in my heart that is only a perfect fit for Him. He longs for me to welcome Him into my life each morning, just as I do each morning as my students trickle into my room, knowing just how important that simple "Good morning" is to make them feel like they belong today. Just as my children look for me to be their guide throughout the day and place all of their trust in me, God longs for me to do the same with Him.
As I prepare for this new school year, God has laid it on my heart to remind myself each day to be His freshly opend box of crayons. When you first open a box each crayon is perfectly sharpened and shaped. There is no evidence of wear and tear and no evidence of use. But as soon as you touch that perfectly sharpened tip to a piece of bright, white paper the crayon is forever changed. As God guides my path each day I am shaped and molded into the person that He has called me to be. And soon that white piece of paper is filled with a beautiful picture and I must find a new piece to continue on. God wants to remind me that each new day is a fresh start and a clean slate. He wants to use me in great ways each day and uses me as His vessel to touch the lives of others.
Crayons by themselves are nothing, they are pretty to look at, but beyond that they have no purpose on thier own. It is not until they are placed into the hand of the creator that they can create a beautiful masterpiece. And each color is used in a different way, for a different purpose to create one unified masterpiece. Without the hand of my Creator I am nothing and it is not until I allow myself to be completely used by Him that a beautiful masterpiece can unfold. God has equipped me with many different gifts and passions, but it is not until I allow myself to be fully used by Him can I glorify Him to the best of my abilities.
Each and every day I realize how blessed that I truly am and how much I have to be thankful for. Today I am reminded of the blessing of my job and my co-workers. Today I allowed God to speak to me through the eyes of a Kindergartener have found ten thousand reasons to rejoice and praise Him.
As I prep for a new classroom full of Kindergarteners that are eager to learn and are hanging on your every word, I cannot help but think of a parallel between my relationship with Christ. Those precious little children are nervous, unsure of what to expect. They are at a new school, with a new schedule, new rules and expectations and new friends to make. And yet, their smiles fill the room and they are eager to see what it is in store for them this year. They quickly place all of their trust in my hands and without reservation hang on my every word.
This is how Christ is calling me to be with Him. He is calling me to step out of my comfort zone, to allow myself to be stretched and molded by him and to quickly let go of all my reservations and hang on His every word that He speaks directly to me and through His book, the bible. He longs for me to be willing to let go of every other person or thing that I place my contentment in and let him fill the gaping hole in my heart that is only a perfect fit for Him. He longs for me to welcome Him into my life each morning, just as I do each morning as my students trickle into my room, knowing just how important that simple "Good morning" is to make them feel like they belong today. Just as my children look for me to be their guide throughout the day and place all of their trust in me, God longs for me to do the same with Him.
As I prepare for this new school year, God has laid it on my heart to remind myself each day to be His freshly opend box of crayons. When you first open a box each crayon is perfectly sharpened and shaped. There is no evidence of wear and tear and no evidence of use. But as soon as you touch that perfectly sharpened tip to a piece of bright, white paper the crayon is forever changed. As God guides my path each day I am shaped and molded into the person that He has called me to be. And soon that white piece of paper is filled with a beautiful picture and I must find a new piece to continue on. God wants to remind me that each new day is a fresh start and a clean slate. He wants to use me in great ways each day and uses me as His vessel to touch the lives of others.
Crayons by themselves are nothing, they are pretty to look at, but beyond that they have no purpose on thier own. It is not until they are placed into the hand of the creator that they can create a beautiful masterpiece. And each color is used in a different way, for a different purpose to create one unified masterpiece. Without the hand of my Creator I am nothing and it is not until I allow myself to be completely used by Him that a beautiful masterpiece can unfold. God has equipped me with many different gifts and passions, but it is not until I allow myself to be fully used by Him can I glorify Him to the best of my abilities.
Each and every day I realize how blessed that I truly am and how much I have to be thankful for. Today I am reminded of the blessing of my job and my co-workers. Today I allowed God to speak to me through the eyes of a Kindergartener have found ten thousand reasons to rejoice and praise Him.
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