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.

rain, planes, and Handel's Messiah...

First of all let me just say; I'm LOVING the cold weather and rain! It's finally starting to feel like Christmas here in Southern California.
It has been a busy few couple of weeks. On top of Christmas shopping (which is finished), apartment and roommate seeking (which is still ongoing), and teaching, I have performed in 3 showings of a Christmas play/tea, assisted in 2 showings of our school's Christmas play, flew up to Northern California to hear Handel's Messiah at U.C. Davis, flew back down 2 days later, and managed finish one book and read half of another. All this is the last 15 days!
Needless to say, I am looking forward to spending the rest of my 2 weeks off relaxing and sleeping in. Not to mention having a wonderful Christmas with my sister and the rest of my family.
Merry Christmas everyone!!

Happy Birthday Andy

Happy 20th Birthday Bro! Can't believe how you've grown up!!

Things I love about my church...

Yes another sappy post about changes, but this is new and difficult and on my mind so I need a way to express it. And since I don't think many people read this blog, this seems to be the place to do just that. So if you are one of the few that do, my apologies; bear with me. 5 things I like about my church:

1) Bible-based
So many churches these days have watered down the Gospel in order to increase the size of their congregation. Northpoint has kept the Bible the foundation of everything they say and do, despite how full or empty the seats may be. That takes courage and faith.

2) mission minded
I love that they are committed to sending people out into not only the world but also where they live and work as stewards of the Gospel to bring others into a relationship with Christ. "Is Corona a better place because our church is here?"

3) Continued learning
This isn't just for students. As Christians we should never stop learning about our faith and our Lord. This is a focus and area where we continue to grow as a congregation and I am so thankful.
4) Christian living
Not only is the preaching Biblical, but the congregation is challenged to live what they say they believe on a weekly basis. It is impossible to claim Christ, but live like the world."The longer we live, the more we should be like where we are going."

5) Christian love
This goes beyond loving those that are loving toward you. That costs you nothing. Christians are to love everyone as Christ loves. This of course is not the same as loving or approving of sin, but someone once said that "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care"

almost relieved....

Now that the news of my parents leaving our church has come out I feel like I can almost breath again. At least now it's not a secret that has to be kept: no more being careful about what I say and to whom it is said. But it's not over yet. Everything is happening so fast that I feel like my thoughts and emotions are still trying to catch up. Thanks to those who have been supportive and understanding in this period of transition.

more sadness...

When it rains, it pours. Not only has life in the Hegg household been a little stressful , but a few days ago I came home to find my 3 frogs- Ferdinand, Isabella, and the baby which I hadn't even named yet, belly up on the bottom of the tank. The two named frogs were only a few months old, and the unnamed was a few days... Cause of death is undetermined, but it is most likely the new one was sickly and shared what he had with the others.
The only bright side, Fuzzle, the betta, is still alive and seems to have fought off whatever it was that killed the other three. I think he misses having tank mates though.
The flushing took place shortly after finding them. They will be missed. I haven't decided yet if I am going to replace them and what I am going to tell my 1st graders who were fond of them.
Rest in peace little guys

A Watery Grave

Thankful...

I couldn't sleep so I thought I would get a jump start on thinking about what I am thankful for this year- I find it's helpful to write out the things I'm thankful for so that Thanksgiving doesn't just go by as another holiday to get lots of calories and enjoy time off of work. I want the day to actually be used the way it was meant to be used; spending time giving thanks. So in no particular order and without further ado:

Things to be thankful for:

• Family- always supportive and there when I need them

• Health- so many people in the world are sick and don't have the medicine they need. I feel I take my health and the ability to get medicine and/or see the doctor whenever I need to for granted

• Food- Unlike billions of people around the world, I have the luxury of opening up a full pantry and refrigerator and choosing something to eat.
• One out of every eight children under the age of twelve in the U.S. goes to bed hungry every night.

• The World Health Organization estimates that one-third of the world is well-fed, one-third is under-fed one-third is starving- Since you've started reading this blog, at least 200 people have died of starvation. Over 4 million will die this year.

• In the Asian, African and Latin American countries, well over 500 million people are living in what the World Bank has called "absolute poverty" (http://library.thinkquest.org/C002291/high/present/stats.ht

• 
  

• Clothes- I may not have the latest fashions and trends, but I have clean clothes to wear every day and for that I am thankful!

• True friends- Not the ones that are just around when it's convenient, but ones that help you through the bad times and love you in spite of your faults.

• Shelter- I have a warm bed to sleep in and a roof over my head.
  

• A Job- Although it's tough at times, and people can be exhausting, it's a job. It may not be perfect, but God provided exactly what I needed at exactly the right time.

• Christ- Without Him, I am nothing. His saving grace has made me who I am and I am so thankful that He chose me before the foundations of the Earth.

• Freedom- America is a land of freedoms. I can go to church and worship without fear, go to work without being oppressed or punished. I have freedom of speech, freedom to write my thoughts and feelings...

• Heroes- Men and women who think enough of our freedoms and country to risk their lives so that we can continue to live this way.
  

I'm sure there is so much more, but as it is already after 2 a.m. my mind is a little blurry. Don't forget to think of all the things you have to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Even if it hasn't been the best year, there is always something. And don't forget to tell the people in your life you are thankful for them. Not in a hokey or forced way, but a sincere thanks.


"We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers"
~1st Thessalonians 1:2~

"We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater"
~2nd Thessalonians 1:3~

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service." ~1st Timothy 1:12~