Update

Wow, it has been a long time since, I've posted and I'm sorry about that!

A lot has happened since March. I finished the school year, went home for the summer to watch my brother get married and spend time with my family. I took another online master's class, and started a new school year, which is where I'll begin. 

It has been a rocky start to the year to say the least. I really believe God is trying to get my attention right off the bat this year and show me how much I need Him. I came back from the summer about a week early, and enjoyed some time back on the island without any real responsibilities, which was nice. However, once in-service started I got really sick, and it has been a slow road to recovery. About a month later, I found out that one of my close friends from college was killed in a car accident. That just threw me for a whole other loop and caused me to think about many things. Through it all God has been faithful by reminding me Who He is, and that I can only make it through with His strength alone, not my own. I have been forced to just give EVERYTHING over to the Lord

Despite the craziness of my life outside of school, things at school have been going very well. I have a class of 24 students, 12 boys and 12 girls. So far they have turned out to be a good class that listens well and follows directions. We also have a new teacher on our first grade team, which has turned out to be a really good thing, and I am excited to see how we can make this a great year for first grade together. 

Through all of this, though, and with the Harvest theme of the year being Faith Alone and going through the book of Galatians, God is teaching me not to fear man, or compare myself to others, but to live my life completely for an audience of One, and not worry about what others may think of me. This has been a humbling lesson to learn to say the least, and I feel like I still have a long ways to go before I actually learn it. 

Galatians 1:10 "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Wow! What a rebuke! If I am only trying to please my bosses, parents, other teachers, and everyone else around me, then I am not His servant and am failing to do the job that He has called me to do! I need to be focused on Christ and Christ alone, and seek only His approval. 

Here are a few pictures of my classroom and my life so far this year. 

All ready for parent orientation.

Getting acquainted with where things are in the classroom.

On our way to lunch.

Visit from Johnny Appleseed on Apple Day!!

One of my students made Johnny Appleseed using graham crackers, apples, marshmallows, and raisins. Pretty creative!

Enjoying the new playground! 

Showing off their artwork of an activity we did on learning how to write sentences.

 Working hard to count and make combinations for 4, 5, and 6.

Buddy reading

Just one of my many wonderful gifts for my birthday. 

And of course, I have to end with a beautiful sunset picture! This was from our view from the pool on Labor Day. A great way to end a relaxing day!

Isaiah 40:29-31 

"He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Patience

Have you ever thought, "I am being patient" but inside really you wanted to just explode? Outside you were calm, you thought you were using a quiet, gentle voice, but at any second if you weren't careful everything boiling up inside would just come out. Well today was one of those days. It seemed like no matter how calm I was or what I tried to do the kids just would not listen, and as the day went on it got more and more frustrating. 

Then I began to wonder, what really is patience? Was I being patient? Or is patience having a calm and quiet spirit, and not letting things phase you? If that is the case, wow! Patience is much harder than I ever thought it was!

So I began to search the Scriptures for verses about patience. Here are some that I found.
(I found it interesting that the NIV used the word patient and the ESV used slow to anger so I wrote both of them out.) 

Proverbs 14:29
"Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly." (NIV)

"Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly." (ESV)

Am I quick or hasty tempered with my kids? If I'm honest, I have to say, yes, sometimes I am unfortunately.


Proverbs 16:32
"Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city." (NIV)

"Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city." (ESV)

Am I being slow to anger and exercising self-control when my students disobey for the 3rd time in the last 5 minutes? Or do I all of a sudden lash out and react harshly out of anger?


Psalm 37:7
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes." (NIV)

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!" (ESV)

It may seem like the students are succeeding in their ways sometimes. However, I need to remember that yes, I am the teacher, and yes they should obey me, but my main concern should be that they obey God. If I am displaying Christlikeness in my attitude and the way I handle each situation that may arise in the day, and I am doing the task He has called me to the best of my ability to His glory, then I can leave the rest up to God and not worry or fret about it.  


When my students aren't listening and obeying, and everything they do seems to "rub me the wrong way" and get on my nerves, not only am I reminded that that is the way I treat God so many times. I also need to remember that if I am patient I am displaying to my kids part of who God is. God is loving. God is patient. God is forgiving. He wants to see us succeed, so no matter how many times we fail Him, He is always there ready to pick me up and help me try again. I need to show this kind of patience to my kids. If my focus truly is on God, and Who He is, I don't think I will feel frustrated...but then, is God frustrated with me, or just sad and disappointed?

Sadly, I think as teachers, it is easy to have selfish motives when correcting students, instead of truly desiring to help them focus on God and Who He is.

These are just some of the thoughts that have been rolling around in my head this evening. I don't feel like I have learned this lesson or even really figured it out. But God is patient and loving and wants me to be patient too.

Here is a view (and maybe a video clip) of the calm, still, quiet ocean, and the sunset, God allowed me to enjoy after a rough day and a good run (2 different days, same place).

Update

Wow, I am really failing at this monthly blog post update! :( So sorry!

Since October I started and finished my first masters class, went home for Christmas break, and jumped full swing into second semester. 

My masters class was called Perspectives on Character Education. It was really good, but there was sooo much reading, and a very time consuming class!

Two days after the class finished I went home for Christmas. It was great to be home and to see my immediate family, grandparents, and some extended family! God even blessed me with a dusting of snow!!!!

Christmas Day Dinner

Decorating Gingerbread Houses with my siblings - minus Stefan :( 

Warming up by the fire! 

 SNOW!!! 

Before I went home my kids had their annual Christmas play. I was very proud of how well they did! Always one of my favorite times of the year!

So, there is a quick update. Since I am not taking a class this semester I don't have an excuse, and will try to update more often. 

Today at school we celebrated Valentine's Day, and next Friday is President's Day where students dress up like a president. I will try to take pictures of some of the things we did then and post again soon.

With Valentine's Day just around the corner I have been reflecting on God's love for me, and how I ought to love those around me. As a first grade teacher I admit there are many days where that is really hard, especially towards particular students. But then I am reminded that God does not love us based off of how much we love Him back, how much we obey or are easy to get along with. Nor does He love us based on how much time we spend with Him. His love is unconditional! I am so thankful for this truth!

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. ... We love because he first loved us. ... And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother." 

1 John 4:7, 19, 21