Friday, August 31, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Tuesday Ramblings
1. Today is Erin Gerlt's birthday. (Insert loud cheering here!) And in the Lord's wisdom, it just so happens that her family is picking up and moving to Pennsylvania for awhile and on their way, they are stopping in Louisville. We get to see her ON her birthday, which is really fun. The "We Know and Love the Gerlts" Kentucky crew, and there are lots of us, will enjoy a yummy dinner at Jason's Deli to celebrate and love on some Gerlts. Wish you could come. If you can't, head by their site and comment a birthday greeting!
2. We have met all of our neighbors, but our visits are seldom and brief. Sad, huh? Everyone is so busy and working on different schedules. However, we have some new neighbors that we're bonding with quite well. We love David and Leslie from California! Leslie's pregnant, too, so we'll have a baby close by! Check their blog out here. Looking forward to getting to know them (and our other neighbors) more during our time in Louisville.
3. I feel as if this heavy, complaining attitude prevails in school settings. Kids get whiny and so do teachers. I've been talking a lot with Dustin about how to have joy. Attitudes really are contagious, right? "I'm stressed out" attitudes or "I'm tired" or "That's not fair" or more pointed attacks on authorities over us. It so dishonors God when I praise Him in the mornings or at church and then grumble, even if it's ugly sin that just stays in my heart. Eventually it will come out, right? So, I'm trying to go on the offense and plan how to maintain a Christ-honoring attitude. Yes, teachers are tired, but so are mothers and pastors and the terminally ill and the persecuted. Surely, we can do more than just commiserate with each other. So, pray for me. I need it. I'm selfish. Even on the "great" days, I want to get MY things done, worry about MY class, get on to my home. Pray that I will have patience, an encouraging word for others, a heart of gratitude, etc.
4. Sweet Dustin had an incredibly high fever yesterday, but he's doing better now. I was a little sick on Friday. Being sick is also a way to be put in our place. We are created. We are human and feeble. Dustin prayed last night at dinner that God would use our weaknesses to make us more dependent on Him. Amen!
5. Along those lines, I'm learning how to deal patiently and lovingly not only with students, but with parents. In private school settings, parents are paying, so they are very involved. Wonderful, right? Well, yes... but pray for wisdom! I have parents who have concerns that class is too challenging and those who think it's too easy. So many needs, e-mails, phone calls, etc. Pray for me to demonstrate salty, fitting, grace-filled, appropriate answers. Just pray for wisdom overall.
5. Joey's in Israel!
6. That's it for now. Until next Tuesday, here's an often-mentioned quote, once given to me by Sarah Dodson.
2. We have met all of our neighbors, but our visits are seldom and brief. Sad, huh? Everyone is so busy and working on different schedules. However, we have some new neighbors that we're bonding with quite well. We love David and Leslie from California! Leslie's pregnant, too, so we'll have a baby close by! Check their blog out here. Looking forward to getting to know them (and our other neighbors) more during our time in Louisville.
3. I feel as if this heavy, complaining attitude prevails in school settings. Kids get whiny and so do teachers. I've been talking a lot with Dustin about how to have joy. Attitudes really are contagious, right? "I'm stressed out" attitudes or "I'm tired" or "That's not fair" or more pointed attacks on authorities over us. It so dishonors God when I praise Him in the mornings or at church and then grumble, even if it's ugly sin that just stays in my heart. Eventually it will come out, right? So, I'm trying to go on the offense and plan how to maintain a Christ-honoring attitude. Yes, teachers are tired, but so are mothers and pastors and the terminally ill and the persecuted. Surely, we can do more than just commiserate with each other. So, pray for me. I need it. I'm selfish. Even on the "great" days, I want to get MY things done, worry about MY class, get on to my home. Pray that I will have patience, an encouraging word for others, a heart of gratitude, etc.
4. Sweet Dustin had an incredibly high fever yesterday, but he's doing better now. I was a little sick on Friday. Being sick is also a way to be put in our place. We are created. We are human and feeble. Dustin prayed last night at dinner that God would use our weaknesses to make us more dependent on Him. Amen!
5. Along those lines, I'm learning how to deal patiently and lovingly not only with students, but with parents. In private school settings, parents are paying, so they are very involved. Wonderful, right? Well, yes... but pray for wisdom! I have parents who have concerns that class is too challenging and those who think it's too easy. So many needs, e-mails, phone calls, etc. Pray for me to demonstrate salty, fitting, grace-filled, appropriate answers. Just pray for wisdom overall.
5. Joey's in Israel!
6. That's it for now. Until next Tuesday, here's an often-mentioned quote, once given to me by Sarah Dodson.
"I have a great need for Christ. I have a great Christ for my need."- Charles Spurgeon
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
What's Up
Hello from my teeny, tiny but wonderful lunch break. I thought I'd post a quick one.
1. School is well underway. I'm still getting to know my class. They are great! Some have unique needs, so my work will be cut out for me. It is very stretching for me as a teacher to slow down, assign tasks in managable steps, etc. to ensure that no child is left behind or lost. In MANY ways the school year is going incredibly smoothly compared to prior years. However, it still requires great discipline to get to bed on time, get up on time, keep papers graded, stay organized, etc. Always a sanctifying time. I have to really stay on top of things to manage home and school, spend plenty of time with Dustin, stay involved in church, etc. However, I have a wonderful job and I'm so thankful. It's a unique season, but the Lord is so gracious. Besides, it is neat to remember that taking on this job (during this season) is helpful to my husband. He can have some more time to focus on seminary. He's such a help, too. So many evenings I come home and he has my dinner ingredients laid out, the laundry started, classical music on and a hug waiting for me. He's the best. This is great and allows me to come home and be able to work on dinner and the home and still make it to book study or Wednesday church. Pray for balance and energy for both of us! I'm sure every reader can relate as most people we know are on a tight schedule! May the Lord grant ALL of us perseverance, joy, discipline, etc.
2. Dustin's classes are going great! He's reading a ton and learning SO much in his new classes. I'll tell you all more about them soon, if he doesn't beat me to it.
3. Joey came in town this past weekend. What a fun surprise. She called early on in the week explaining that she had a flight planned to visit a friend in Chicago. It fell through, so she was wondering if she could change her ticket to Louisville. OF COURSE. We were thrilled. We had a great weekend and even headed out to Huber's Farm where we ran into the Plevans and had a splendid time. We picked rasberries, blackberries and grapes. Pictures pending... It was sister weekend, because Cara is in town to visit the Bebees, so that was super fun.
4. I somehow popped my jaw today (talking too much!) and it really hurts when I eat or open my mouth too wide. Any ideas? Laura?
5. Baby Dr. Peppers are great.
6. I think I'll only blog on Tuesdays unless something special or profound is worthy to be shared.
7. I took on a paid position after school called Staff Care. I watch about 50 staff kids in this huge gym. I give them about 30 balls, the studious ones head to the corner and do homework, and I just stand in the middle with a whistle while mass chaos reigns. Not too shabby though.
Until then!
1. School is well underway. I'm still getting to know my class. They are great! Some have unique needs, so my work will be cut out for me. It is very stretching for me as a teacher to slow down, assign tasks in managable steps, etc. to ensure that no child is left behind or lost. In MANY ways the school year is going incredibly smoothly compared to prior years. However, it still requires great discipline to get to bed on time, get up on time, keep papers graded, stay organized, etc. Always a sanctifying time. I have to really stay on top of things to manage home and school, spend plenty of time with Dustin, stay involved in church, etc. However, I have a wonderful job and I'm so thankful. It's a unique season, but the Lord is so gracious. Besides, it is neat to remember that taking on this job (during this season) is helpful to my husband. He can have some more time to focus on seminary. He's such a help, too. So many evenings I come home and he has my dinner ingredients laid out, the laundry started, classical music on and a hug waiting for me. He's the best. This is great and allows me to come home and be able to work on dinner and the home and still make it to book study or Wednesday church. Pray for balance and energy for both of us! I'm sure every reader can relate as most people we know are on a tight schedule! May the Lord grant ALL of us perseverance, joy, discipline, etc.
2. Dustin's classes are going great! He's reading a ton and learning SO much in his new classes. I'll tell you all more about them soon, if he doesn't beat me to it.
3. Joey came in town this past weekend. What a fun surprise. She called early on in the week explaining that she had a flight planned to visit a friend in Chicago. It fell through, so she was wondering if she could change her ticket to Louisville. OF COURSE. We were thrilled. We had a great weekend and even headed out to Huber's Farm where we ran into the Plevans and had a splendid time. We picked rasberries, blackberries and grapes. Pictures pending... It was sister weekend, because Cara is in town to visit the Bebees, so that was super fun.
4. I somehow popped my jaw today (talking too much!) and it really hurts when I eat or open my mouth too wide. Any ideas? Laura?
5. Baby Dr. Peppers are great.
6. I think I'll only blog on Tuesdays unless something special or profound is worthy to be shared.
7. I took on a paid position after school called Staff Care. I watch about 50 staff kids in this huge gym. I give them about 30 balls, the studious ones head to the corner and do homework, and I just stand in the middle with a whistle while mass chaos reigns. Not too shabby though.
Until then!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Early to bed, early to rise.
Not as excited about blogging these days for some reason. Hmm. I'll try one as I work on eating my afternoon snack. Yea for green apples (not pink lady though, Erin). School starts tomorrow! I'll finally get to meet my new kids. I've had 4 "old kids" come by and see me which was really fun. Things are going really well at school so far this semester. We finally came to our senses and are attempting team planning, which is delightful. Instead of planning all subjects and getting premature grey hair, I will now just be responsible for 1 or 2. I know! It's thrilling!
My main subject to plan for the team is Bible and I will assist with S.S. and Science which rotate by semester. There you have it. It's wonderful. And, our Bible curriculum is vague at best, so there's a lot of freedom to tweak. Feeling more efficient and prepared with 1 1/2 years of teaching under my belt now. Send new teacher friends my way, because I have about a dozen major "Why didn't anyone tell me?" things I can share if it could help. Got the new hair cut for the new year; good idea, Mayci. Frugal Idea #301: Go to the local hair design school. Cut/Style for $14 + tip, BUT be prepared to wait awhile and it's somewhat of a gamble. My stylist did a great job, but it's like Priceline, Laura Cozart, you just never know what you're going to get!
Dustin's helping some guys move their stuff in his truck, and then we'll have tacos. I love tacos. Happy Taco Tuesday, Laura and crew. Okay, so I told you I wasn't really good at "The Blog" these days.
Pray for a smooth start to school. Should be a great year! Bed time's in a few hours. Farewell, summer.
Oh, and this is what I'm reading:
I have no idea how to change my sidebar without my husband.
My main subject to plan for the team is Bible and I will assist with S.S. and Science which rotate by semester. There you have it. It's wonderful. And, our Bible curriculum is vague at best, so there's a lot of freedom to tweak. Feeling more efficient and prepared with 1 1/2 years of teaching under my belt now. Send new teacher friends my way, because I have about a dozen major "Why didn't anyone tell me?" things I can share if it could help. Got the new hair cut for the new year; good idea, Mayci. Frugal Idea #301: Go to the local hair design school. Cut/Style for $14 + tip, BUT be prepared to wait awhile and it's somewhat of a gamble. My stylist did a great job, but it's like Priceline, Laura Cozart, you just never know what you're going to get!
Dustin's helping some guys move their stuff in his truck, and then we'll have tacos. I love tacos. Happy Taco Tuesday, Laura and crew. Okay, so I told you I wasn't really good at "The Blog" these days.
Pray for a smooth start to school. Should be a great year! Bed time's in a few hours. Farewell, summer.
Oh, and this is what I'm reading:
I have no idea how to change my sidebar without my husband.
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