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.***
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
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 comesswiftly 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...
Visit Peggy for more daybook entries!
(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
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...
Visit Peggy for more daybook entries!
Monday, January 17, 2011
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.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, January 10, 2011
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."
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."
Saturday, January 1, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, December 31, 2010
2010 Awards (And Other Memories)
LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD (longest friend)
Kayla Hartmann (as always)
MOST UNDERSTANDING FRIEND
Pete. It may only be because, in working with him, he has become the friend I talk to most consistently.
HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR
The 2010 Lifeteen Leadership Conference
LOW POINT OF THE YEAR
Wow. There have kind of been a lot.
Student teaching was hard - not really a low, just hard.
The whole job search/I-have-no-idea-what-I'm-supposed-to-do-with-my-life phase wasn't that great.
Graduating and leaving Benedictine was a difficult transition.
The summer was a hard time of desolation, in which God took many comforts away so that I would trust Him more.
Teaching isn't easy. Again, not necessarily a "low," but difficult nonetheless.
BEST HOLIDAY
I'm going to go with my brother's wedding. I know it isn't really a "holiday," but it was a great family gathering and celebration.
BEST SONG FOR 2010
Lifted High by Andy Needham
BEST MOVIE WATCHED
Rather than watching a lot of movies, I watched a lot of NCIS. I really enjoy watching NCIS.
BEST BOOK READ
The Splendor of the Church by Henri DeLubac
ALL AROUND GREAT FRIEND TO HAVE
Sarah Daz. End. Of. Story.
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Lion's Choice. No joke.
BEST PROFESSOR
Dr. Blosser. Always. And still.
BEST DECISION MADE THIS YEAR
To go to the Holy Land.
MOST STUPID IDEA
Not trusting people who are clearly worthy of my trust.
BIGGEST CHANGE
Graduating college.
Getting a job.
Buying a car.
...it's been a big year for change.
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION
To be fully given. First to God. Then to those He places in my life so that I may give of myself more and more.
Kayla Hartmann (as always)
MOST UNDERSTANDING FRIEND
Pete. It may only be because, in working with him, he has become the friend I talk to most consistently.
HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR
The 2010 Lifeteen Leadership Conference
LOW POINT OF THE YEAR
Wow. There have kind of been a lot.
Student teaching was hard - not really a low, just hard.
The whole job search/I-have-no-idea-what-I'm-supposed-to-do-with-my-life phase wasn't that great.
Graduating and leaving Benedictine was a difficult transition.
The summer was a hard time of desolation, in which God took many comforts away so that I would trust Him more.
Teaching isn't easy. Again, not necessarily a "low," but difficult nonetheless.
BEST HOLIDAY
I'm going to go with my brother's wedding. I know it isn't really a "holiday," but it was a great family gathering and celebration.
BEST SONG FOR 2010
Lifted High by Andy Needham
BEST MOVIE WATCHED
Rather than watching a lot of movies, I watched a lot of NCIS. I really enjoy watching NCIS.
BEST BOOK READ
The Splendor of the Church by Henri DeLubac
ALL AROUND GREAT FRIEND TO HAVE
Sarah Daz. End. Of. Story.
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Lion's Choice. No joke.
BEST PROFESSOR
Dr. Blosser. Always. And still.
BEST DECISION MADE THIS YEAR
To go to the Holy Land.
MOST STUPID IDEA
Not trusting people who are clearly worthy of my trust.
BIGGEST CHANGE
Graduating college.
Getting a job.
Buying a car.
...it's been a big year for change.
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION
To be fully given. First to God. Then to those He places in my life so that I may give of myself more and more.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
What Will You Do With Your Time Off?
Ha! That's an easy one...
1.) NOT wear make-up.
2.) Wear jeans and a t-shirt as much as possible.
3.) Clean my room!
4.) Clean and ORGANIZE the office.
5.) Hit up daily mass...daily - that's one commitment that will be difficult.
6.) Hang out with friends.
7.) Catch up with AYM paper work.
8.) Write Christmas Thank-You Notes.
9.) Go see Harry Potter.
10.) Have McDonalds for breakfast (probably more than once).
11.) Have a SOCIAL LIFE.
12.) Get ALL of my school papers graded and organized.
13.) Get a week-ahead in reading group plans.
14.) Have long conversations with friends near and far.
15.) REST!
1.) NOT wear make-up.
2.) Wear jeans and a t-shirt as much as possible.
3.) Clean my room!
4.) Clean and ORGANIZE the office.
5.) Hit up daily mass...daily - that's one commitment that will be difficult.
6.) Hang out with friends.
7.) Catch up with AYM paper work.
8.) Write Christmas Thank-You Notes.
9.) Go see Harry Potter.
10.) Have McDonalds for breakfast (probably more than once).
11.) Have a SOCIAL LIFE.
12.) Get ALL of my school papers graded and organized.
13.) Get a week-ahead in reading group plans.
14.) Have long conversations with friends near and far.
15.) REST!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Daybook: On a Day That Makes Me Worry I May Soon Have No Voice
To read a wonderful quote by St. John of the Cross (on his feast day) and my short reflection click here. To read Elizabeth's thoughts on the same quote (which I first read on her blog) click here.
FOR TODAY
(December 14, 2010)
Outside my window... C-O-L-D! There is still snow on the grass, which makes me smile and my students crazy. It is dark, which it seems to always be when I am home (since I leave before the sun comes up and am home for about an hour of daylight in the evening. There is more "winter weather" coming!
I am thinking... that I am more in-tune with my friends and the needs of those around me when my prayer life is consistent and intentional. I should get that straightened out in my life...
I am thankful for... Cell phones. My best friends (who are much too far away) seem less far because of them.
I am wearing... PJ'S and I'm wrapped in a warm quilt!
I am creating... nothing really comes to mind...
I am going... to bed very, very soon. I sense sickness at the doorstep, and I would prefer NOT to let him in.
I am reading... To Know Christ Jesus ... some. I'm thinking of picking up Searching for and Maintaining Peace again. I really wish I could find my Advent/Christmas In Conversation with God; I think it would really help with the kind of prayer life mentioned above.
I am hoping... that certain honesty can be made manifest in a holy and God-glorifying way.
I am hearing... myself cough. Yuck.
Around the classroom...Santa Brain. The. End.
One of my favorite things... this time, it is a person. A person who just so happens to be named Sarah, but I prefer "Daz" or "Dazzer" or "Dazzers" or "Dazzerbelle"
Visit Peggy for more daybook entries!
FOR TODAY
(December 14, 2010)
Outside my window... C-O-L-D! There is still snow on the grass, which makes me smile and my students crazy. It is dark, which it seems to always be when I am home (since I leave before the sun comes up and am home for about an hour of daylight in the evening. There is more "winter weather" coming!
I am thinking... that I am more in-tune with my friends and the needs of those around me when my prayer life is consistent and intentional. I should get that straightened out in my life...
I am thankful for... Cell phones. My best friends (who are much too far away) seem less far because of them.
I am wearing... PJ'S and I'm wrapped in a warm quilt!
I am creating... nothing really comes to mind...
I am going... to bed very, very soon. I sense sickness at the doorstep, and I would prefer NOT to let him in.
I am reading... To Know Christ Jesus ... some. I'm thinking of picking up Searching for and Maintaining Peace again. I really wish I could find my Advent/Christmas In Conversation with God; I think it would really help with the kind of prayer life mentioned above.
I am hoping... that certain honesty can be made manifest in a holy and God-glorifying way.
I am hearing... myself cough. Yuck.
Around the classroom...Santa Brain. The. End.
One of my favorite things... this time, it is a person. A person who just so happens to be named Sarah, but I prefer "Daz" or "Dazzer" or "Dazzers" or "Dazzerbelle"
Visit Peggy for more daybook entries!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
How Easily I Forget
I allowed myself to get lost in blog world this morning. I let a blog I check daily lead me to a blog I've never read, which lead me to another blog I'd never read, where I saw a comment by a blog I had only read once before...as I said, lost in blog world. While there I was reminded of something so easily forgotten. I was reminded that genuine openness and honesty in sharing truly inspire.
This blog has been relatively quiet. I've been busy, my students have "Santa-Brain" (today's snow probably won't help that situation tomorrow), and the St. Andrew novena has me reflecting on this liturgical season with a frequency that seems constant. However, I love writing. I love articulating what is going on inside of me. And without ever ignoring humility or failing to give all glory to God, I believe that by sharing here others may be inspired.
Thus I write today.
Givenness. I'm told by my computer that it is not a word. Fine. I'm using it anyway. God calls me to be fully given. Fully given to Him, to my family, to my students, to those around me.
Givenness. He calls me to it.
Given. I am not.
I am not fully given to my family because most encounters with them are a rushed change of clothes, a quick grabbing of food, and a run out the door to the next thing on my schedule. I am called to slow down, to give.
I am not fully given to my students because I am afraid of losing the rest of myself in loving them. I worry that if I give fully, I'll become consumed and miss other opportunities. They are so undeserving of such mistreatment on my part. I am called to give.
I am not fully given to my friends because (1) I don't see them much in social situations, (2) some of them live in different states and communication is hard, and (3) I am afraid of the cost of love. I dread the consequences (which though hard, will only make friendships stronger, holier, and more reflective of God's love for us) of total honesty and accountability.
I am not fully given to God. Though I discern in prayer and He grants many graces, I do not fully know His plan for me. While I trust that it is good, I do not fully surrender. Abandoning myself completely to His holy, divine will is scary because odds are my own vision is not His, and His will be harder (and much, much better - but that does not provide me with the immediate comfort it should). Fully giving myself to Him is the only way for me to be happy. But can I say yes to the suffering that is the cost of such love? Perhaps a better question is WILL I say yes to the suffering that is the cost of such love?
Givennes. To be fully given.
That is my prayer.
This blog has been relatively quiet. I've been busy, my students have "Santa-Brain" (today's snow probably won't help that situation tomorrow), and the St. Andrew novena has me reflecting on this liturgical season with a frequency that seems constant. However, I love writing. I love articulating what is going on inside of me. And without ever ignoring humility or failing to give all glory to God, I believe that by sharing here others may be inspired.
Thus I write today.
Givenness. I'm told by my computer that it is not a word. Fine. I'm using it anyway. God calls me to be fully given. Fully given to Him, to my family, to my students, to those around me.
Givenness. He calls me to it.
Given. I am not.
I am not fully given to my family because most encounters with them are a rushed change of clothes, a quick grabbing of food, and a run out the door to the next thing on my schedule. I am called to slow down, to give.
I am not fully given to my students because I am afraid of losing the rest of myself in loving them. I worry that if I give fully, I'll become consumed and miss other opportunities. They are so undeserving of such mistreatment on my part. I am called to give.
I am not fully given to my friends because (1) I don't see them much in social situations, (2) some of them live in different states and communication is hard, and (3) I am afraid of the cost of love. I dread the consequences (which though hard, will only make friendships stronger, holier, and more reflective of God's love for us) of total honesty and accountability.
I am not fully given to God. Though I discern in prayer and He grants many graces, I do not fully know His plan for me. While I trust that it is good, I do not fully surrender. Abandoning myself completely to His holy, divine will is scary because odds are my own vision is not His, and His will be harder (and much, much better - but that does not provide me with the immediate comfort it should). Fully giving myself to Him is the only way for me to be happy. But can I say yes to the suffering that is the cost of such love? Perhaps a better question is WILL I say yes to the suffering that is the cost of such love?
Givennes. To be fully given.
That is my prayer.
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