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.

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!

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! 

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.

St. Andrew Christmas Novena

You actually need to go here to read this post. I posted it to the AYM blog so that it could be more easily accessed.

While Reviewing for a Social Studies Test

Me: What does the government do with our tax money?

Student: They give it to the lazy people who don't work.

Me: (Well, I really just laughed. I couldn't help it.)

Student: What? That's what my mom said!

Daybook: Because I Want to Blog Without too Much Thinking

FOR TODAY
(November 17, 2010)

Outside my window... it is very dark. Though it is not late, not even 8:00. Also, the weather has settled into a chilly state over the past few days. I'm happy with it for now.

I am thinking... about how God, in wisdom and perfect love, does things that I am far from understanding, but which cause me to smile.

I am thankful for... Grace. Tonight, the 2nd graders at my Parish make their First Reconciliation. My 2nd graders will participate in the Sacrament for the first time at the end of this month. I'm so excited for the flowing of grace!

I am wearing... Jeans, T-shirt, Benedictine Hoodie.

I am creating... new personal commitments.

I am going... to a senior retreat tomorrow night. I'm leading a 30-minute session (three times). Prayers please.

I am reading... hmmm... I honestly think I've been picking up a new book each time I sit down to read.

I am hoping... that I'm able to cling to grace instead of self.

I am hearing... mom and dad talking about free shipping.
 
Around the classroom..."Take out a piece of paper. Open your science books to page 128. There has been far too much talking today. It has taken too long to get your attention. Too many of you have been talking and not listening while I'm teaching. So, you are going to start with the word desert and copy every word from this page and the next, in complete silence, until I tell you that you can stop." It only took me 62 school days to become "one of those" teachers. :-(

One of my favorite things... when I can trustingly smile at God even while knowing that this thing He has going on might just hurt a whole lot.

Visit Peggy for more daybook entries!

Hosanna's Song

One post that I have been meaning to write will (if it ever materializes) discuss my thoughts on preparing students for their first participation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This post regards a semi-related topic. I've often found myself wondering about that time between Baptism and the Age of Reason, a time when we are technically not impeded by sin.  The following is a little something on the more poetic and lyrical side than is typical of my writing.  It is a reflection on that easily forgotten time in each of lives. I've called it, Hosanna's Song.

There was a time

When my heart beat perfectly for You

And in that time

I was free to joyfully love You

There was a peace

My mind cannot remember

And in that peace

Your voice became my only song

The Sacrament that cleansed me gave me grace beyond compare. The love within the waters washed me clean. And as I grew and lived and sinned my heart became scarred. Now I’m longing for the grace to live in Your love alone once more.

My soul sang Hallelujah, hosanna on high. The saints and angels joined, our chorus rang high. My heart cried out all glory to the Holy One. Hallelujah. Hosanna was my song.

There was a place

Where only You could dwell

And in that place

True happiness was found

There was a love

Pure and undefiled

And through that love

I embraced life as Your child

The Sacrament that cleansed me gave me grace beyond compare. The love within the waters washed me clean. And as I grew and lived and sinned my heart became scarred. Now I’m longing for the grace to live in Your love alone once more.

My soul sang Hallelujah, hosanna on high. The saints and angels joined, our chorus rang high. My heart cried out all glory to the Holy One. Hallelujah. Hosanna was my song.

The Church joins in the chorus now. His praises She sings. All voices join together, His triumph reigns. And as we bow to worship Him our souls rejoice and know the beauty of Hosanna’s song and Hallelujah’s call. Hosanna, Hallelujah. Hosanna, Hallelujah. Hosanna Hallelujah is our song.

As I said, it is quite different what you usually read here.  I do hope that it leads you to some form of reflection; it does me, but it is an expression of me; it may not have the same effect on you.

Ah. The Minds of the Young

Question on a Science assignment: Why do different plants have different stems?
Student Answer: I think it is because God made them different.

Now, that was NOT the science answer I was looking for, but how can I argue with that?

Student: Do you have a boyfriend?
Me: No.
Student: Oh. So you're going to die alone.

Student 1 (on her birthday): Yay! I'm special.
Student 2: I hate to tell you this, but everyone has a birthday.

Hell and Moles

Student: Miss Hunter, how did Satan end up in hell?

Me: Well at one point he was up in Heaven with God and all the other angels. God gave all the angels a choice to love Him or not, just like He gives us. Satan chose not to love God, so he was sent out of Heaven.

Student: Oh, I see. Have moles ever been to hell? You know, they can dig pretty deep.