{Monday Must-Haves}

I love my Camelbak. I take it with me everywhere!! It is so handy with its attachment capabilities on the top. It is spill-proof, easy to drink from, and you don’t have to turn it up to drink! And let’s face it, it’s just fun to drink out of. I drink so much more water than I used to. My old Camelbak didn’t have the handy straw and bite valve, so I had to unscrew the top every time I wanted a drink. Needless to say, this one is much more convenient. Also, I have a tendency to crunch ice (which people find irritating) so now I don’t have the temptation to do that. Just another added utility I guess. AND they just came out with a new one that has a built in filtration system! So, you can filtrate your tap water on the go. Pretty nifty…although I don’t mind drinking tap water so it’s not worth the added cost. Anyway, I got one for my mom for Christmas and she loves it too! They’re great and make a good gift for under $15.

{Childlike Faith}

As you probably know, I am a K4 teacher’s assistant at Cornerstone School. I have the privilege of spending my days with 18 incredible children and one amazing teacher, who I learn from daily. I also have the honor of teaching them about the Bible. This week, as I was briefly telling them about the season of Lent (to set the stage for the fast approaching Easter holiday), I realized a couple of things. First, I realized how numb I have become to the stories and miracles of Jesus’ life. Second, I had a strong desire to have them understand these are not just “stories.”

It is a blessing to grow up in a Christian family, but it can also be a curse if we become so familiar with the Bible that we see it as fiction…rather than actual events that occurred. It’s hard for me, as an adult, to put myself in another’s shoes to understand customs and culture from another time, and studies show that level of thinking isn’t attained in most children until the age of 9 or 10. This caused me to question if my teaching them these stories would do more harm than good, as if I am desensitizing them to the life of Jesus. THEN I was reminded that it isn’t logical anyway. It’s not easy to believe these stories. They’re incredible miracles that require faith to believe. And who better to have faith than these children? When I told them we celebrate Easter because Jesus died and then became alive again, you should have seen the look on their faces! It was one of shock, amazement, and probably a little confusion…but not disbelief. They believed it! No questions asked…literally. Teaching children these stories has been an incredible inspiration and faith builder for me. We are called to have faith like these children. Mark 10:15 actually says, “I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I like to over-think things. However, faith is not about having all the facts and making sense of things in your head. It’s about simply believing that Jesus is who He said He was. I believe He was…and is. So, when I begin to question everything, I just need to stop and rest in that truth.

{Monday Must-Haves}

I am starting a new thing, and I’m calling it “Monday Must-Haves”. Every Monday I will share something I am passionate about and that makes life easier or more enjoyable for me. Maybe you will find new ideas for you, or maybe you can just share in my appreciation for these items.

* * * * * * * * * *

First up (drum roll, please) is my main man, Tony. Tony Chachere’s that is. I LOVE him…I mean, it. Tonys can be used on just about anything!! Pizza, eggs, soup, pasta, vegetables, sandwiches, chicken, fish. I could go on and on. My favorite thing to do is to slice sweet potatoes, place on baking sheet covered with parchment paper, sprinkle a little Tonys and garlic salt, and bake on 400 for about 12-15 minutes. It’s cheap, quick, easy clean up, and SOOO good!

Tonys should be a staple in every kitchen. It’s about $1.50 at Wal-Mart for a container large enough to last years. You don’t have an excuse NOT to own it. I actually bought a friend some as a St. Patrick’s Day present because she didn’t have any. I guess you could say I’m a fan. Anyway, buy it. You won’t be sorry. And no, I am not getting paid by the makers to write this…although I think I should as much as I endorse it.

{Waiting for Superman}

I just watched the documentary “Waiting for Superman”, which is about the education system in America. It is such an emotional, disheartening, motivating, depressing, and inspiring film. After watching it I felt helpless to do anything about it, but motivated to try…and furious at our messed up politics. At least some states have charter schools! Alabama doesn’t even that option. Thank God for schools like Cornerstone (and I’m not just saying that because I work there). I applaud people, like Geoffrey Canada, who have the time, energy, influence, and know-how to create schools like he did. I wish there were a million more like him.

I have seen (somewhat) the disadvantage students have in lower-income families/areas, which is why I have such a desire to teach those kids. The film, however, neglected one very important aspect of why so many students are unsuccessful, which is a lack of support from home. The parents/guardians of the children who are accepted into charter schools, private schools, etc., care enough to apply! So many parents don’t even care enough to take their kids to school regularly! How do we reach those kids?? How do we change their future?? They are the ones who really suffer in the long run. They are probably the ones who drop out or end up in jail. Obviously, this is not research based…it’s simply my opinion based on my limited experience. But it does make sense. Teachers are important, don’t me wrong, but they are not the only important factor in determining a child’s success in life. Children have a number of teachers over the years, and they will not all be “teacher of the year” material, but parents have the ability to supplement their child’s learning. There are innumerable studies that have been done to prove children from stable and involved families have a higher rate of success. Just pick a book by James Dobson and you will have all the statistics you need. I realize money, divorce and other aspects play into this, but simply taking interest in a child’s life is monumental.

My point is…how do we reach the unreached? How do we truly serve the ones who NEED it?? I definitely don’t know, but I do know where I would start. I would do away with tenure!!! As a teacher, I would rather have the extra incentive to do my job well. As a future parent (one day), I don’t want my child to have a veteran teacher collecting a paycheck who doesn’t do their job. AND as an American citizen, I want our education system to prepare individuals for the responsibilities of life…and truly value the idea of learning!

I will get off my soapbox now. Thanks for listening. If you disagree with what I’ve said, I’m sorry. If you have anything to add, please comment.

{Much Needed Time Off}

Spring break has been amazing thus far! I enjoyed 3 days of bliss on the most beautiful beach (pictured in previous post). The water was turquoise, the sand was silky, and the weather was perfect!! So perfect, that I didn’t even feel myself getting burnt. I’m still hurting three days later (sorry, Mom). I got to sleep in, read, run, eat a lot of yummy food, and just enjoy God’s beautiful creation!

After leaving the beach I got to spend a day hanging out with my cousin, her husband, and the cutest two-week-old I’ve ever seen (pictured below). They are such a precious family!

Annie

I returned to Birmingham and am enjoying a week no responsibilities. Last night was spent hanging out with friends at Jackson’s and tonight will be spent having a girl’s night eating Mexican. Hopefully the rest of the week will be filled with more social gatherings and I can make up for my lack of social life the past couple of months.

I think I’m really going to enjoy the work schedule of a teacher. By the way, I’m looking for a part-time job this summer in Birmingham, so if you know of something let me know! Right now I’m thinking Starbucks might be fun (and allow me to save money since I frequent it almost daily)!

Spring Break!

Just a quick update before I head out of town for Spring Break...

I will be leaving my computer behind with the hope of being able to relax and enjoy a vacation, but I didn’t want to leave my blog with my last update being so melancholy. I am looking forward to three days in the sun with some good books, my ipod, and my best friend. (Maybe I’ll even return with a tan.) So…goodbye Birmingham, with your cold weather, traffic, and busy people and hello 30A, with your sun, sand, and The Red Bar. I’ve missed you!

{Known}

As the dew falls on the blade

You have touched all this fragile frame

And as a mother knows her baby’s face

You know me, You know me

As the summer air within my chest

I have breathed You deep down into my breast

And as You know the hairs upon my head

Every thought and every word I’ve said

Every thought and every word I’ve said

Savior, You have known me as I am

Healer, You have known me as I was

As I will be in the morning, in the evening

You have known me, yeah, You know me

Oh, and as the exhilaration of autumn’s bite

Oh, You have brought these tired bones to brilliant life

And as the swallow knows, she knows the sky

This is how it is with You and I

Oh, this is how it is with You and I

From the fall of my heart to the resurrection of my soul

You know me, God, and You know my ways

In my rising and my sitting down

You see me as I am, oh, see me as I am

And as a lover knows his beloved’s heart

All the shapes and curves of her even in the dark

Oh, You have formed me in my inward parts

And You know me, You know me, yes

Savior, You, You have known me as I am

Oh, healer, You have known me as I was

As I will be in the morning, in the evening

You have known

I know you are probably tired of me posting lyrics to music, but others just seem to be able to verbalize my emotions better than I am able. Sorry. I love this song for many reasons, but I especially love it because it is a reminder to me that God knows me. He made me! He knows what I desire. He knows what I actually need now and what I just think I need, and everything will come to be in His perfect timing. I really just need to rest in that truth.

Perhaps one of my biggest struggles in life is trying to jump ahead to the next step instead of just being content with the here and now. I wish I took after my mother in that aspect. She truly grasps the idea of living in the present. She makes the most of everyday and never wishes her life away. I’m sad to say that sometimes I feel like my life hasn’t started yet because I’m not married or have a career or have children. The list of “nexts” could go on and on. Yes, life may be uncertain. Yes, life may not seem fair. And yes, life may be hard at times, but that’s just life. It’s not made to fulfill me. True fulfillment will only come when I am presented with the true desire of my heart…Heaven and being in the presence of my Creator. I wasn’t made for this life, which means none of it will satisfy. I know these things in my head, but I do wish they would truly resonate with me.

I want to fully trust that God will provide my every need. Why is that I can be so sure of this truth in some aspects of my life but not in others? Perhaps because I have seen Him faithful in those things; however, faith is not seeing but believing He can and will. I know I learned a song about this as a child based on Hebrews 11:1. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.” I am ashamed of what little faith I have as an adult.

That’s enough of my rambling though! Here are some of the scripture verses that give me encouragement:

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

”Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:1-5

and my personal favorite…

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

{Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss}

In case you missed it, Wednesday (March 2nd) was Read Across America Day, which promotes reading and celebrates the life of Dr. Seuss. We had a great time celebrating in our class with a birthday party, costumes, a door decorating contest, and, of course, lots of Dr. Seuss books being read. It was a really fun (and somewhat chaotic) day!! It was even better when we found out we WON the door contest! Well…we had a three-way tie, which means we get a popsicle party! Heck yes. I hope you did something fun to celebrate the day too!

Our fantastically decorated door!!

Jan Scott and Me

Our class. Aren't we cute?!