Daybook: A Week of Fall Weather!

FOR TODAY
(September 26, 2010)

Outside my window... there is misty rain and cool temperatures.  I've had tea, but I did not have it walking around a park, which, in my opinion, means that I have not enjoyed the weather to the fullest potential.

I am thinking... that God's timing is really, really important.  Our relationships, decisions, and peace depend upon our ability to wait (or react) to the ways God reveals His timing.  For me, in one situation, the time is coming.  It is nearly upon me. I am oh so ready for it to pass.

I am thankful for... days that go well without me trying too hard.  Moments when God's presence gives me the kind of peace that overcomes. Surprise conversations with old, yet unforgotten, friends.

I am wearing... Jeans, a green shirt, a gray sweater, and blue argyle socks.  My hair is down and straightened, and there is no make-up on my face.

I am creating... lessons, a talk, and virtue - step by step.

I am going... to spend as much of my time as I can preparing.  When I prepare well, I live well.  Thus, I will plan my lessons, my youth group talk, and my spirit and emotions for meaningful conversation and prayer.

I am reading... I've been picking up Frank Sheed's To Know Christ Jesus again in recent days. I never finished it when I first began a couple years ago.  It makes for just the right amount reflection before I fall asleep at night.

I am hoping... that I surrender well. Everyday. In all things.

I am hearing... NCIS
 
Around the classroom...I have science plans for the next 3 weeks set.  We have some fun religion activities coming up in the next few weeks.  I also have some seasonal reading activities in the works.  Also, I will look my students in the eye when they talk to me, even in those moments when they interrupt my working.

One of my favorite things... tea.

I am growing ... up. I'm becoming more and more of an adult...for better or first worse. 

Visit Peggy for more daybook entries!

On Bringing Others to Christ

I wrote a short little blurb here. Enjoy!

Daybook: The Beginning Part of a Long Week

FOR TODAY
(September 20, 2010)

Outside my window... it is dark.  That combined with how tired I am make it seem very, very late. It's not even 8:30.

I am thinking... about what my life would look like if I really gave 100%.  I'm thinking that because I've started thinking that God is calling me to just that. 100%, all the time.  My initial response to that: wow, I'm already tired even as it is. That hasn't stopped God from calling. I've become quite dissatisfied when I catch myself giving less.

I am thankful for... the many, many gifts God has given to me and the little ways He has allowed me to recognize them lately. Also, the providential way that, though we far apart, my friends and I continue to live parallel spiritual lives. This allows us to be great comfort and encouragement to each other.

I am wearing... Pajama pants and my undershirt from school today.  My hair is down and my teeth are brushed. I'm laying in bed.  There is still make-up on my face.

I am creating... lessons and promises.

I am going... to be at school for too long tomorrow. However, Wednesday is the first day of Fall.  I have lots of classroom decorating to do.

I am reading... A lot of teacher's manuals, an A to Z Mystery book as a classroom read aloud, and a lot about the Blessed Mother in preparation for a youth group night to come at the beginning of October.

I am hoping... that God continues to bless me with an abundance of recognizable gifts... and that I learn to surrender wholly, including surrender to the fact that in order to live the life to which I am called, I must be willing to suffer.

I am hearing... fans blowing in the room

Around the classroom...it's ITBS week. It's funny because though I'm not an advocate of standardized testing, there are elements of this week that are able to look more like my vision for my classroom than anything else has so far.

One of my favorite things... getting enough sleep.

I am growing ... closer to God. Hopefully.

Visit Peggy for more daybook entries!

Sprinkled With Grace

Note: This blog post is published without proofreading.  That may prove to be disastorous. However, I am tired. 5:30 comes very early.

This morning did not get off to a good start. I woke up tired. The process of dragging myself out of bed was not fun. I was behind schedule at every turn.  I did not make it out of the house until almost 7, which is a whole 15 (20 on a good morning) minutes late. I could not the deadbolt to lock, so I frustratedly gave up, only locking the knob itself. I had trouble backing out and ran over a whole lot of the grass.  I was just in a bad mood.  I was not looking forward to the day.

Then as I was turning on to the highway, Joy FM began playing Matt Maher's Hold Us Together. I took the opportunity to rock out to it. Just as I was becoming frustrated with the extra traffic, another great sing-a-long song game on. God's grace was blessing me through the radio station.

Normally if I'm a few minutes behind schedule, the traffic in Festus is horrendous and makes me even later to school.  This was something I was upset about in the rush to get out the door.  However, today there was no traffic at all. I made it through Festus without problem: another sprinkle.

I had been struggling with getting a social studies disc to work in the computer.  I was desperate to get something off of it copied before school.  When I asked Jenny is she happened to have any copied, she revealed that she had a book of blackline masters from the company.  I was so happy to learn that: another sprinkle.

Since it was a Wednesday morning, I took my class to mass. I was able to get lunch count done before we left without any problems, and we were able to leave on time: another sprinkle. My kids were well behaved during mass, and I actually to focus some this time around: another sprinkle.

At this point, I found it very easy to smile.

During my first prep of the day, I realized that I did not have the science performance assessment I had planned prepped yet, and I didn't have the materials I needed.  However, the prep didn't take long, and my make-shift plan B turned out to be even better than plan A: another sprinkle.

I got my first pay check, and everyone was excited for me.  They even took my picture.  I felt like I was part of the community: sprinkle, sprinkle, sprinkle.

During my second prep, I was actually able to sit down and grade papers: big sprinkle there.

By the time I got to adoration on my home, I could not wait to see Jesus.  Being able to tell Him "thank you" was just what I wanted: another sprinkle.

When I got home, there was left over spaghetti to eat for dinner: sprinkle.  When I turned on the T.V. NCIS was on: sprinkle. When the episode ended I learned they were doing back-to-back episodes: sprinkle.

Then my mom and went shopping for a dress for her to wear to my brother's wedding. This was kind of a dreaded task for her (and me too I suppose).  We managed to find something: sprinkle, that was on sale: sprinkle, and we found shoes to match: sprinkle.

I so wanted to be able to share joy with you.  After a summer of suffering and struggling to express it here in a way that was real and yet not depressing, it is a testament to God's glory to be able to share joy.

God is good!

I'm Not Happy...

... with how long it has been since my last blog.  However, I sit here tonight uninspired.

Thus, silence.

Still.

Something I Learned While Buying a Car

While deciding what king of car to purchase, I was worried about my future, trying to decide which car would be best in the long wrong based on a myriad of "what ifs."  Finally, I just had to stop.  I had to learn that what I really believe is that God gives us the wisdom now to make the decisions that will be best for us in the future regardless of how much time we spend worrying about the what-ifs.  If we honestly seek His will for our lives, He doesn't let what He has not yet chosen to reveal to us be hurt or ruined by the decision we make now.  So, I had to learn to approach Him with I do know about my life and listen for His guidance.

Now, I have to trust in His faithfulness rather than constantly doubt.

On How to Let the Light of Christ Shine Through Me...

I first have to believe that His grace is enough- its power is bigger than my weakness. Then I have to understand that whatever I reveal of His glory and holiness is not about me at all. It's about Him and those to whom the glory is revealed. I am that which fades. He is God who lasts. I must never believe I am a worthless vessel. What vessel of God could possibly be worthless? Only he who turns and runs away, neither trusting in who God is nor in who God created him be. The one who fears does not reveal; the one who trusts, against all odds, outward signs, and internal feelings, reveals more than he can even contain.