Well I'm relaxing on my bed on freshly washed sheets (which doesn't happen as often as it should for this broke student) after a long day of teaching, ultimate frisbee, and volleyball reflecting on the greatness of our Lord. There are a lot of ways that the Lords speaks to me, but one of the consistent ways throughout my life is through nature. When I get a chance to get out into the fresh air, trees, mountains of the ocean around me, and God's splendor on display. He has immaculately displayed His power, creativity, and attention to detail through all that surrounds us. The sunsets here are always phenomenal, but sadly, I noticed the other day that sometimes people can too easily get used to beauty. I've learned to just slow down sometimes and take in moments. Take a deep breath, smile, and really soak in all that is around you. Whether it is the beauty of the people you are with, the multicolored sunset over the ocean, or a bee on a flower. There is so much around us that if we slow down and soak them in, can bring life and joy to us. They point out God's character, and how much He loves us and has lavished good gifts upon us.
This last week we have been teaching the kids in the preschool about the uniqueness of our bodies. How we are all made in God's image but that we are all different, and special in the way we are made. Today I got to teach a lesson by myself. It was a wonderful experience, that had a couple bumps, but that is part of the fun of dealing with 4 year olds. I was teaching about how God is with us everywhere we go and that He knows our names. To me, getting to see the little spark in their eyes when they make the connection that God knows who they are and knows their names and loves them is like honey to a bee. It what I constantly work for, it makes the hours of lesson planning worth it. Knowing that those kids will go home and have even a tiny bit more of understanding of who God is, and knowing I get to be just a small part of that journey is a blessing and honor to me as a teacher in training.
I want to leave you with a final little video to make you smile. Don't forget to slow down, enjoy life, and even look at the world as if you were 4 again. Innocent and full of wonder.
http://youtu.be/to7uIG8KYhg
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
intimacy.
take a listen to this song, and really let it speak to your soul.
http://youtu.be/74VBbjq3GD4
Lately, the Lord has been teaching me a lot about intimacy. and deepening my relationship with Him. He has been reminding me that even as there is so much uncertainty, and that sometimes I don't know what it is going on, or what is my nest step, that I can rely on Him, and the truths of His word. That He will always love me, and that will never fail. He is always there, even when I can't see Him or feel Him, because I relationship with Christ isn't always about a feeling, but rather it is about grounding myself, and allowing my roots to grow deep in who He is and who He says I am. Col. 2:7 "Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."
These past two weeks have been filled with many amazing encounters with the Lord. Some fierce spiritual warfare, a lot of tears, and a lot of love in my classroom. Us 10 girls, and 2 staff have really been through a lot lately, and have been bonding together to have deeper intimacy with the Lord, and to seek Him out everyday. Last week we had a time of response to the Lord that was so beautiful and God really challenged me to surrender my perfect plan back to Him, and to trust the greatness of His plan. That it is far better than mine, and that His timing is perfect. That for now He may be having to take out good things in my life, only to make way for better things. He promised that if I lean on Him in this desert season, that it wont last forever, but that we will make it out together. Song of Solomon 8:5 "Who is that coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved?"
May the Lord meet you and bless you this week. Below are a few very special photos from these past couple weeks.
http://youtu.be/74VBbjq3GD4
Lately, the Lord has been teaching me a lot about intimacy. and deepening my relationship with Him. He has been reminding me that even as there is so much uncertainty, and that sometimes I don't know what it is going on, or what is my nest step, that I can rely on Him, and the truths of His word. That He will always love me, and that will never fail. He is always there, even when I can't see Him or feel Him, because I relationship with Christ isn't always about a feeling, but rather it is about grounding myself, and allowing my roots to grow deep in who He is and who He says I am. Col. 2:7 "Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."
These past two weeks have been filled with many amazing encounters with the Lord. Some fierce spiritual warfare, a lot of tears, and a lot of love in my classroom. Us 10 girls, and 2 staff have really been through a lot lately, and have been bonding together to have deeper intimacy with the Lord, and to seek Him out everyday. Last week we had a time of response to the Lord that was so beautiful and God really challenged me to surrender my perfect plan back to Him, and to trust the greatness of His plan. That it is far better than mine, and that His timing is perfect. That for now He may be having to take out good things in my life, only to make way for better things. He promised that if I lean on Him in this desert season, that it wont last forever, but that we will make it out together. Song of Solomon 8:5 "Who is that coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved?"
May the Lord meet you and bless you this week. Below are a few very special photos from these past couple weeks.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Michicant
Well, I have now officially finished the first part of my quarter of methods, and I'm still not entirely sure I have words to describe these last 4 weeks. I felt like I needed to write something though. My days consisted of class beginning at 8am and going until around 7:30 pm, with approximately 2 hours off for meals. and then doing more homework in the evenings or trying to maintain the somewhat of a social life I had. Every Friday I would have 2 tests, followed by 7 write ups and an essay due.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that it was actually the Montessori methods that I learned, so if anyone knows those, they are pretty intense. Needless to say, by the end of the week I was exhausted. I'm still so thankful to the Lord for weekends off, and a great friend who would buy me ice cream when my brain felt like it was going to explode. These four weeks have been extremely challenging, but incredibly rewarding. I had never viewed education quite like it was presented before. Allowing the child such freedom in what they learn, but also presenting it in a manner with a lot of order. It can be pretty difficult to explain, and I'm pretty tired so I wont go into much detail, but I really learned a lot.
Today was the beginning of part II. Biblical curriculum. I'm so excited and blessed to be learning this. This curriculum is clearly anointed, and has endless potential. I mean how often do you get to teach 3 year olds how to hear the voice of God, and the creation story? Incredible. I know that the Lord is going to be doing some serious heart work on me through it all as He has already begun. However, through the stretching and pain I constantly remind myself the end result is so worth it.
As many of you know these past 4 months have been filled with many challenges for me. These challenges have been continuing as I'm currently working through a new thing with the Lord, and trusting for His peace and comfort. But I heard a great quote today, "An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it's going to launch you into something great."
So I'm trusting that God is taking a great big windup for something amazing.
I could really use your prayer though. The days can be tough, and sometimes trusting God's plan is a little like Langley weather, you don't really know what's going to happen, and you can go from sun to rain in a matter of seconds. Please pray for peace, comfort, energy, and especially direction. Keep praying for the Lord to release finances because those are certainly tight, and most importantly just pray that God continues to meet me, and I can hear Him and experience Him.
Many blessings.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that it was actually the Montessori methods that I learned, so if anyone knows those, they are pretty intense. Needless to say, by the end of the week I was exhausted. I'm still so thankful to the Lord for weekends off, and a great friend who would buy me ice cream when my brain felt like it was going to explode. These four weeks have been extremely challenging, but incredibly rewarding. I had never viewed education quite like it was presented before. Allowing the child such freedom in what they learn, but also presenting it in a manner with a lot of order. It can be pretty difficult to explain, and I'm pretty tired so I wont go into much detail, but I really learned a lot.
Today was the beginning of part II. Biblical curriculum. I'm so excited and blessed to be learning this. This curriculum is clearly anointed, and has endless potential. I mean how often do you get to teach 3 year olds how to hear the voice of God, and the creation story? Incredible. I know that the Lord is going to be doing some serious heart work on me through it all as He has already begun. However, through the stretching and pain I constantly remind myself the end result is so worth it.
As many of you know these past 4 months have been filled with many challenges for me. These challenges have been continuing as I'm currently working through a new thing with the Lord, and trusting for His peace and comfort. But I heard a great quote today, "An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it's going to launch you into something great."
So I'm trusting that God is taking a great big windup for something amazing.
I could really use your prayer though. The days can be tough, and sometimes trusting God's plan is a little like Langley weather, you don't really know what's going to happen, and you can go from sun to rain in a matter of seconds. Please pray for peace, comfort, energy, and especially direction. Keep praying for the Lord to release finances because those are certainly tight, and most importantly just pray that God continues to meet me, and I can hear Him and experience Him.
Many blessings.
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