Daybook: When a Snow Storm is Coming

FOR TODAY
(January 31, 2011)

Outside my window... there is ice. Apparently. School was dismissed at 1:15 today because of weather conditions. There is supposed to be more ice throughout the night, with snow on top of that ALL DAY tomorrow. I'm predicting 2 snow days, would be fine with 1, and am hoping for none.
 
I am thinking... that I have a lot to learn. And there are so many ways I need to grow. I'm fairly certain that there are enumerable lessons in trust coming my way.

I am thankful for... the patient, loving, compassionate, and holy people I am so very blessed to call my friends.

I am wearing... PJ's all the way! Woot!

I am creating... what I'm sure will one day be comical memories. One day. Not today. Although tomorrow does look kind of promising.

I am going... to praise God in my prayers. Really, honestly, and genuinely praise Him. Because He is oh so good and so worthy.

I am reading... lately, my own blog posts. It's been kind of weird.

I am hoping... that someday being honest with people doesn't make me feel quite so physically ill.

I am hearing... the sounds of friends voices -phone call after phone call today. It's been really great.
 
Around the classroom...Catholic Schools' Week, friends. Catholic Schools' Week. Although the excitement may be thwarted by this weather that has been predicted.

One of my favorite things... the moment right after vulnerable conversation. Not the moments before. Not the moments in the midst of them. The moment after. When they are over. And God's grace and peace are able to overcome my fears.

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The Dangers of Moral Relativism: 2nd Grade Style

Me: Many years ago, our government made a law that says that babies inside their mom's bellies are not human. Many people in our country believe that you are not really a person until after you are born. This means that many people do not love babies inside their moms as much as they should.  But God has taught us through the Church that the moment a baby starts being inside its mother, that baby is a human life that is loved by God and should be loved by us.

Student: Why is it so bad that some people don't believe it?

Me: It's bad because it isn't the truth.

Student: But why can't a person just believe whatever he wants to? Nobody else has to believe it, just him.

Me: It's a problem because it teaches other people that it's okay to believe what is wrong. It's never just about one person believing something. Plus, it's the government's responsibility to take care of everyone in the country.  When they teach people that it's okay to believe things that aren't true, they aren't doing a very good job of taking care of people, are they?

Student: No. They aren't. I wish that governor would listen to all those people telling him he is wrong.

*** Just to clarify, we were not talking about one SPECIFIC governor. My students are second graders, fine distinctions are still difficult.***

Daybook: A Few Days Before the Pro-Life Trip to D.C.

FOR TODAY
(January 18, 2011)

Outside my window... Today started out warmer than I had anticipated; it has since gotten colder again. There is a lot of snow in the forecast for the next couple of days. Normally, I've been excited by the possibility of a snow day. However, now that there is only 1 more built into the schedule, the excitement is waning. Time will tell what will happen...time will tell.
 
I am thinking... that for all the times God has to wait on me, I shouldn't be quite so antsy and annoying when He asks me to wait on Him.

I am thankful for... the blessing of living in a world where dreams can (and do!) come true. Also, I'm thankful that, of all the burdens my faith brings, I am able to practice it openly and outwardly without fear of death. Though there are many ways that God is shunned from our society, His people are free to love Him and live their lives in accord with His Divine Will.  That is blessing that generations before us did not have. And I am grateful.

I am wearing... Kakki (sp?) pants, green shirt with brown sweater on top, and brown dress socks.

I am creating... perfectly formed, to the point, ill-intentioned thoughts that will (God willing) never become words actually spoken. But I'm sure thinking them. ...like I said, I need to wait better...

I am going... to watch NCIS tonight! Also, I leave Friday evening for the March for Life!

I am reading... In Conversation with God -some days. I've begun Come Meet Jesus-sort of. To Know Christ Jesus is closest to my bed and often picked up at night. My old journals - each entry brings back memories, lots and lots of memories.

I am hoping... that resolution comes swiftly in God's time in a way that makes me feel better grow in holiness. ;-)

I am hearing... my computer. It sounds like it is working hard for some reason.
 
Around the classroom...The SmartBoard is up but not running. We are beginning our class mission this week ("Read to Feed"). I'm busy making sub plans for those days that I'll be in D.C.

One of my favorite things... being able to fall asleep. Too many late nights texting lately...

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A Prayer

Sometimes it seems I'm waiting on You. Other times I know You're waiting on me. My heart longs to understand, but I know Your timing means everything. When I'm surrounded by Your Spirit Lord, the vastness of Your will embraces me. And in that moment, I am free. I'm free to wait; I'm free to act; I'm free to love; I'm free to trust. I'm free to be.

This One Made Me Laugh...

Again with the old journal entries...

The apostles were waiting for Jesus. It wasn't that they were doing anything wrong; it's just that they weren't doing anything. They locked themselves in a room. Then Jesus came and gave them the Holy Spirit. He gives me the Holy Spirit now so that when I feel like all I'm doing is waiting for Jesus, I don't have to lock myself in a room.

I can honestly say I have no idea what that means. But I like it and (as the title of this post indicates) it makes me laugh.

My Life on Repeat

I don't know when I wrote the following (there was no date). I found it while reading through old journals from college. It is uncanny how very similar this entry is to the words I prayed in adoration today.

A piece of my then and my now...

Lord Jesus, sometimes I think I know what Your Spirit is prompting me to do. Other times I am sure that I don't have a clue. I sit before You now at neither extreme. I'm unsure of Your plan for me, but I do not feel completely lost. I know what I want, but I'm afraid to ask for it. I'm afraid that You might give it to me and that I will somehow loose sight of You in the process.

It reminds me of my favorite St. Faustina quote...

"Let all my desires, even the holiest, noblest, and most beautiful, take always the last place, and Your holy will, the very first."

It's Official...

...from a prepping stand-point, my Christmas Break is over.

Before Christmas, I had my students create their own fill-in-the-blank mini-books. Here is page 4 of a sweet little girl's book. (The underlined portion is what she wrote. Not underlined = the provided prompt.)


This holiday is important because it is Jesus' birthday for crying out loud!

Good to know she gets it. I hope she always remembers it.