Awesome new addiction...

So my friend Emilee showed me a website called Etsy which is a place for people who make their own products to sell them. I found some really cute stuff and even bought a few things... I may need to get a summer job if I keep this up!

Amazing faith...

I came across this video through someone else's blog and wanted to post it here because it is such a testimony to faith. Please watch the video and join hundreds of people who are praying for the healing of this little girl.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ese3zYZ-NA4


Ellen :)

surviving year 1

As I start the summer I don't think I have more to be thankful for than this summer. It is only by God's strength and mercy that I survived this truly trying year of teaching. Many may complain about tough years but those close to me know how difficult it really has been. At the beginning of the year I honestly did not think I would make it to the end. Looking back now I can't believe how much I've learned along the way. God has showed me how to be patient when children were trying to get a rise out of me, how to explain something multiple times and in many new ways to help a student who "just doesn't get it" and how to really make a difference in a kid's life. All the praise and glory really goes to the Lord because I would not have made it if it were only up to me.
I pray that He will continue to give me strength as I look forward to the next year and another class of young minds to shape.

Happy Birthday to the greatest DAD!

Dad-

Today's your special day. I hope you know how much I love and appreciate you. Here are just a few things I love about you.

1) Your committment to the Word of God

2) Your committment to Mom and your family

3) Your passion for your job

4) The way you zone out when you are watching a big game (even if we are standing there yelling to get your attention)

5) Your "Jonie" stories you used to tell us before bed when we were kids

6) The "twinkle lights" you put in our rooms at Christmas

7) Teaching me how to say my ABC's, tie my shoes, ride my "daddy's girl" bike, and so much more.

8) Teaching me to stand up for myself

9) Always being on my side

10) Loving me most :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Ode to a Mom...

Today I am especially thankful for my mom. I am thankful for:

1) The way she raised me

2) The way she loves my dad.
3) Staying home with us when we were little
4) Her wonderful sense of humor
5) Her sensitivity
6) Her care and concern for people
7) Putting up with me (even when I was a pill at times)
8) Lending her shoulder for me to cry on and an ear to listen to my problems
9) Her yearning to learn more and more about God each day
10) Giving me godly advice

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Spiritual Batter Eaters...

Tonight, in the middle of what would seem like an ordinary task, I found myself turning to Spiritual thought. I suppose this is a good thing, since we are to "pray without ceasing" and "continually fix our eyes on Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our Faith". But since I'm no theologian, excuse me if this seems a little corny...
First, a little background. A friend of mine challenged me about a week ago to a "biggest loser" competition. The goal: to lose 10 lbs. in a month. Of course there was a prize for the winner(s). So, like all women on a diet, it starts out easy, but eventually (sometimes sooner rather than later) turn into an uphill battle. Every dessert becomes first a temptation, then a taste, and before you know it you've GAINED weight on your diet. That's not supposed to happen! Now this in and of itself could lend to several Spiritual analogies, but this is not where my insight came.
Today I found myself rushing home from work to get to the grocery store. Today marks 2 years that the love of my life and I have been together. I decided I would attempt to make his favorite cake, chocolate cake with cherries in the middle, topped with chocolate- coffee frosting. Remembering that I was on a diet, I told myself that on this special occasion I would have just a small piece of the dessert to celebrate.
As I was making the cake, I reminisced about baking with my mom when I was younger. One of my favorite things was when my mom would give my brother and me each a "batter beater" to lick when she was done mixing the ingredients together. As I thought about this I found myself still cleaning out the mixing bowl and taking tastes here and there. Then I remembered that evil "d" word... DIET.
We all have those big things we are waiting for: a new job, a promotion, marriage, kids, whatever. Those are the "cakes" in life. We know that when they come, it's going to be great. God promises that he will work all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. And God does bless us with so much. but just as I was too impatient to wait for that slice of cake, too often we are impatient with God when it comes to waiting for His blessings. Instead we would rather take the lesser tastes of goodness. In the end, those "batter beaters" never satisfy us.

Easter Vacation

Let me start by saying I am so glad that my workplace calls it EASTER vacation. (Not Spring break) I have been able to take the last week off for Easter vacation and it has been WONDERFUL! Sleeping in (some mornings at least), doing a little bit of much needed Spring cleaning, working out, starting a "biggest loser" competition, teaching two adorable children for 2 days, seeing my parents' new house, celebrating Easter, and, of course, hanging out with Luke. I'd say I was productive this week. It was a much needed break. Now begins the count-down to the end of the year: 8 weeks and counting!

Great is Thy faithfulness

Although things aren't peachy-keen, the dreaded meeting with the difficult parent went over as smoothly as can be expected. I was very thankful to have the support of my principal and other staff. I am trying to take the advice of these and others who have advised me to learn from what has happened, not take anything personally, and move on. There is definitely a lot to be learned- but the biggest lesson is something I already knew: God is faithful to answer our prayers, even in the little things.



Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Refrain

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Refrain

Discouraged

"why should I feel discouraged? And why should the shadows fall? Why should my heart feel lonely and long for Heaven and home? When Jesus is my comfort. A constant friend is He. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches over me."

Lately I have been so discouraged by my job. I feel like no matter what I do someone is going to dislike it. If I change the way I do something to please one person, two more jump on my back. I thought that by working in a Christian environment I would at least have the spiritual encouragement. However, I sometimes feel that working in a Christian school makes some parents feel they have more of a right to tell me how to run my class!
What happened to "Let no one look down on you because you are young." ? Just because I am only 24 and in my first year of teaching doesn't mean I don't know what I'm doing. Last time I checked a California Teaching Credential was good for something. I can't change my age or the fact that this is my first year so why should parents use that as an excuse to jump all over me?
I guess if I can get through this year, I will be able to make it through almost anything. I just wish the parents would cut me some slack.

Transition...

It's been a while since I last blogged about life's changes. Despite many tears, the transition time has gone over pretty smoothly. A family in the church has graciously let me rent out a room in their house for very cheap- a definite blessing. I can't say it's not weird to think about going to church and listening to someone else preach after hearing my dad for most of the 15 years he has pastored here. I have had to program myself to not turn and go "home" -(or my former home) and have only purposefully driven past once to see the dark windows and locked doors. Transition takes time... how much time? Change is hard- so when does it get easier? I guess all things considered it has only been a few weeks since we moved and only about 2 months since I first heard the news... Transitions are, well, a stirring of emotions.

A house is not a home...

well I have officially lost my house. My parents have moved out and I've seen the empty rooms to prove it. No, I'm not living under the main street bridge (for which I am thankful) but it's still not home. Funny how so many things are tied to a building.
As I said goodbye to the home I have been living in for the past 15 years, I thought back on all the fun times and good memories: Christmases around the tree where my dad read the first chapter of Luke before any presents could be opened, my mom in the kitchen or having one of her many "mario dates" (on Nintendo 64), my sister's room so stuffed with clothes you couldn't see the floor and Abby drawing one of her many floor plans, Andy drumming away in the garage... so many good memories...
It's weird to think that someone else will be making their own memories in that house now. But I'm thankful that at least the memories will still be ours to remember and share.