Teacher Diaries: The Case of the Uncompleted To Do List

Teacher Diaries: The Case of the Uncompleted To Do List

As I come to the end of my first week back of teaching after a one year break, I am amazed, tired, exhilarated, and hopeful about the upcoming year! So far I am amazed by the budding relationships that have already developed between myself and the students, the student's strong interest in learning, the camaraderie among the teachers, and the welcoming staff. I have met some very interesting, engaging, people who seem to have a genuine zest for life. I have met real people who have the wow factor. The people in this small town are also so friendly and inviting. I'm really excited about the future and excited to share just a little of what I experience with you'll.

August 25, 2015

She looked at her class.
"Raise your hand if you would like to share your answer for number one with the class," she said, raising her hand. 
She was amazed when she saw about fifteen eager hands go up in the air. She was shocked by their excitement and eagerness to participate. This was going to be an amazing year she thought.


August 27,2015

A mounting list threatened to swallow her under. She looked over her long To Do list, wondering if it would all dwindle away soon.She looked it over to find she had about fifteen more things to complete. She walked swiftly to the media center and dropped off a stack of papers and decorations to be laminated. Then she went to the office to pick up a pack of paper for the copier machine that had run out of paper. Next she went to the copier machine and started making copies. She walked quickly to her room, unlocked the door, and completed her PDP plan, as Tim Janis played softly in the background. Then she zoomed back to the copy machine to check on her copies and found out she had made fifty or so copies of work packets for the sub folder that had the answers marked already. 

At the end of the day, she realized that the list was just a list and that she would finish it all in time. Stressing and trying to finish it all in a week was not the answer. She had finished half of the things on her list, but the other half would be complete in time. She relaxed. It was okay to have an uncompleted list, as long as she was working towards completing it, one day at a time. And it would all be completed by God's grace. 

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phillipians 4:13



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Being A Lady

Thoughts on being a lady and rights,I think Catherine Marshall said it best .....

“I’d never thought much about being a girl until two years ago, when I learned from a man what a wonderful thing it is to be a woman. Until that Sunday morning, I considered myself lucky to be living in the 19th century. The century of progress and emancipation. The century when, supposedly, we women came into our own. But I’d forgotten that the emancipation of women really began with Christianity. When a girl, a very young girl, received the greatest honor in history. She was chosen to be the mother of the Savior of the world. And when her son grew up and began to teach His way of life, He ushered woman into a new place in human relations. He accorded her a dignity she’d never known before, and crowned her with such glory, that down through the ages, she was revered, protected and loved. Men wanted to think of her as different from themselves. Better… made of finer, more delicate clay.

“It remained for the 20th century, the century of progress, to pull her down from her throne. She wanted equality. For 1900 years, she had not been equal. She had been superior. To stand equal with men, naturally she had to step down. Now, being equal with men, she has won all their “rights and privileges.” The right to get drunk. The right to swear. The right to smoke. The right to work like a man. To think like a man. To act like a man. We’ve won all this, but how can we feel so triumphant, when men no longer feel as romantic about us, as they did about our grandmothers? When we’ve lost something sweet and mysterious? Something as, as hard to describe as the haunting wistful fragrance of violets?

“Of course, these aren’t my original thoughts. They’re the thoughts I heard that Sunday morning. But from them, some thought of my own were born. And the conclusion reached, that somewhere along the line, we women got off the track.
“Poets have become immortal by remembering on paper a girl’s smile. But I’ve never read a poem rhapsodizing over a girl’s giggles at a smutty joke. Or I’ve never heard a man brag that his sweetheart or his wife could drink just as much as he, and become just as intoxicated. I’ve never heard a man say that a girl’s mouth was prettier with a cigarette hanging out of it, or that her hair smelled divinely of stale tobacco.
I’m afraid that’s all I have to say."

This was her first speech and yet she said it all.Did anyone else receive  the Happy Women's Equality Day Banner when they signed in?On Aug 26, 1920, women achieved the right to vote in the US.Yes, this is truly a good thing,but what about all the other rights that are in progression now? As a lady in this age should I be proud that baring my body will give me fame instead of shame? Should I be proud that I can abort my child if I don't want it? Should I be proud that some men see women as sexual objects instead of women full of grace,purity and class? Should I be proud that employers expect  me to work just like a man ?I think not. Please don't get me wrong,I am very proud of the rights that I have with value and merit,but not the sinful rights offered to women  today.However, first and foremost I want to be the Godly woman that God wants me to be.Women God loves you and wants the best for you,you're so much more than value yourself to be!God Bless!

A Retro and Real Sunday

Sunday Confessions

Tonight, I wanted to talk about the impact of the word of God received today. Firstly I want to say that God is real and his word is like a good meal it leaves you full and satisfied. Sundays are of day of honor,worship,learning,growth and a time to be retrospective.
This Sunday:

1)Firstly, I learned that being in God's will is more important than anything.
2)That God can use anyone and anyone change and they'll humble themselves before God
and ask for his help.
3)That we can be a victim of our past or a conquerer of our future. I choose to be a conquerer!
4) Correction is to help us not to hurt us.
5)God didn't save us so we could sit back and relax until he comes back,but so that we can help save others.
6)Last but not least God has a future and a plan for you, all you have to do is accept it.

Hope you're blessed by some of my Sunday thoughts and wisdom. May you have a wonderful Monday and remember always put God first,church and God's word is awesome!


Written and Photo By Yours Truly!

Teacher Diaries

Week 1

August 17, 2015
As she drove down the road, the tune of Newsboys in the background, excitement bubbled within her. After a year of yearning to be in the classroom, she couldn't believe that she would soon be signing papers that would officially give her the chance to teach again and be a part of children's lives.

4 Days Earlier
She loved the small town feel of the town, as she drove towards the school. She made a left turn and pulled up alongside the sidewalk, and put the SUV in park. As she walked to the main entrance, she looked up at the stately, three story, brick building. When she entered the main office, a pungent smell seeped into her nostrils. 
"Hi, are you the new 6th grade teacher?" The secretary queried.
"Yes," she said.
"Nice to meet you. I'll go back and tell the principal that you're here," she said, walking towards the Principal's office.
As she waited, she took a seat, looking at the burgundy carpeted floors and wooden desk.
"You can go on back," the secretary said.
As she walked towards the principal's office, she looked straight on.

***

She tapped her pen on the desk as the lady provided her with the proper forms to sign. She signed the forms, a smile on her lips.
"Congratulations," the lady said, handing her a copy of her clearance form.
She smiled, praising God as she walked back her SUV. Her heart's desire was finally a beautiful fulfillment.

August 18, 2015
She felt the piercing feeling of fear at her core as she laid in her bed. This change was starting to feel overwhelming. With such a new start, at a new school, and new location she started to feel like she couldn't move forward. During her devotion time she felt led to read Joshua 1:9. As she read the words, she allowed them to sink in. "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." She felt the icy feeling of fear dissolve, as courage began to swell up in her heart and mind. She could move forward in this because God was with her. He had confirmed that He had brought her to this very place.

August 19, 2015
During open house, she met many wonderful students.
"Hi!" she exclaimed when a student walked in, her family behind her. "Welcome. My name is Ms. Williams. What is your name?" she asked, shaking her hand.
"-------."
"Nice to meet you," Ms Williams said as the young lady stood, still shaking Ms. Williams' hand, a smile on her face.
"This is actually who will be in your class," her mom said, stepping up and introducing her younger daughter.

After meeting her and all of her students, she was so excited to see the students again on Monday. She felt like open house was a prelude to the first day of school. This year was going to be a good year, she thought.

August 20, 2015
Caught in the bustle of preparing for the first day of class, she stopped and took a deep breathe at her desk. Then she let it out. She was surprised at how a simple breath allowed her to release stress and continue with preparing. Excitement bubbled up inside of her at the thought of meeting her students.

August 21, 2015
She tapped her foot as the cool air blew softly on her skin from the rattling air conditioner. She rubbed her arms, the chill bumps lumpy under her fingers.
She looked at the facilitator at the front of the room as she explained how to set up a canva account. The computer lab had a welcoming feel. She was excited to be on her way to preparing for the first day of class for her students. She would complete everything in time, by God's precious grace.

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My Top 5 Christian Movies from the 80s and 90s

My Top 5 Christian Movies from the 80s and 90s

If you're like me and you enjoy christian films from the 80s and 90s, these films will bring hope and joy to your heart. So I compiled a list of christian movies from the early 80s and 90s that will encourage you in your christian walk and inspire you to grow as well.

Geronimo

This is an amazing film about a guy who lost his sister and stops attending church and serving the Lord. When he is encouraged to be a camp counselor, he meets at risk kids who ultimately change his outlook and his life. This movie will definitely inspire you to walk in your calling and be all that you can be for the Lord.

Second Glance

Second Glance is about a young christian man who becomes discouraged because he starts to feel like his classmates who are sinners are having all of the fun and that he is not having an impact for the cause of Christ. So he wishes that he had never become a believer. His prayer is granted, and he learns just how much of an impact he is truly having on the people around him on a daily basis. This film really encourages you to not become weary in well doing because in due time you shall reap if you faint not (Gal. 6:9). And that your labor is NOT in vain. (1 Cor. 15:58) This is definitely a must see!

Pamela's Prayer

Pamela's Prayer is based on a true story, about a young lady who determines in her heart that she is going to remain pure until marriage, but at one point she is tested while she is in high school. This movie really encourages you to remain pure while you're waiting for the spouse that God has for you.

Gold Through the Fire

This is a wonderful movie about a young teenager who escapes from Russia because of religious persecution, but he finds that when he arrives in America he is still rejected in a different way for his faith. He gets discouraged and allows distractions to pull him away from his devotion to God, but he abandons the American Dream in favor of serving the Lord wholeheartedly, no matter what the costs. This movie is very heart touching and relatable and reminds us that we will be persecuted for the cause of Christ, and suffer trials and tribulations and we can start to feel like we are being condemned and that we are alone, but we have victory in Jesus, and trials help us to become more and more like Christ.

Never Ashamed

Never Ashamed is a heartwarming film about a reckless teenager who finds God at summer camp, but when he returns home he struggles with how he should deal with old friends and is afraid to share his faith at school. He looks for christian fellowship, but only finds worldly christians who pull him away from Christ instead of closer to Him. Eventually he learns to share his faith and fellowship with true christians who seek to meet the needs of others and not themselves. This movie really addresses issues that still exist in the church today and encourages Christians to share their faith unashamedly.

You can find all of these great movies on www.pureflix.com

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Shopping Carts: An Analogy (The Case of the Wayward Shopping Cart)

Shopping Carts: An Analogy

The Case of the Wayward Shopping Cart

After she walked into the entrance of Walmart, she discarded the first shopping cart that she picked in favor of another one. As she pulled it out and started pushing it inside the entrance of Walmart, past the fruits and vegetables section, she found that it was a wayward shopping cart. Oh no! She thought. How am I going to push this thing around? The thought raced through her mind, Why don't you get another one? But she was too far gone and didn't see the point in turning back now. As she pushed it past the frozen food aisle, it began to swerve to the left, then the right, at its own accord. She struggled to push it in the right direction. As she pushed it down the clearance aisle in search of deals, it swerved to the right and crashed in the aisle, causing five or six mugs to crash onto the floor. She stooped down to pick up the mugs. By the end of her shopping adventure, although she was tired and gladly pushed the cart into it's proper place, she was thrilled to that she had chosen that wayward cart, as it had taught her some very valuable lessons by the end of the ride.

Have you ever chosen a shopping cart while shopping, only to find that it is wayward? Happens to me all the time, but this time God opened my eyes to a important truth. Wayward is defined as, "difficult to control or predict because of unusual or perverse behavior." In our walk as christians, God wants us to relinquish our will to Him. He wants to lead us in our everyday walk. When we pull our own way it can only end in disaster. Romans 8:14 says, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." So everyday we should strive to be obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. But if we become proud and start to go our own way, we will fall into the trouble for Proverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." In the narrative above, when my basket went crashing into the aisle it was because although I was steering it in the right direction (which the Holy Spirit does) it chose to move in it's own direction which caused it to wreak havoc. We can wreak havoc in our lives when we ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit. So with each new day we should strive to obey the Spirit because we have a wonderful Father who only wants the best for us and leads us into green pastures (Psalm 23:2) but if we disobey we can't reap the benefits and have the overwhelming joy that He wants to bless us with.

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The Man of My Dreams

Diaries of a Single Girl #2

Many girls think they need a man to complete them and make them feel special. They think they need the love of a man to increase their value in worth. The truth is their right we do need a man. I don't have much experience with dating and men but I do have a lot of experience with the man were all looking for. The truth is the man of our dreams is not always the one we spend our time searching for. Oftentimes, he's right under our nose and we miss him over and over again. We go searching throughout the ends of the earth from Paris to Russia to the U.S. We suffer a dozen heartbreaks and go in a million different directions.

In the end we find ourselves lost, broken, hurt and bitter. Is this how love is supposed to feel? Is this the journey weren't supposed to take to find love? Absolutely not, oftentimes women miss the love of a man, because their compass is off. What is the right direction to seek for the man that will give us everything we need? Well the answer is in knowing who that man is because then everything will become clear. The identity of the man we seek is Jesus Christ. Yes,  deep down  we are all seeking after God first. We may desire a man as well,but our overall, overwhelming desire first is a desire for God.

He is the path and road that leads to the fulfillment of all our needs including our future spouse. A lot of people mix up their male priorities. They say I'll find the guy first then God, but this is not efficient. Our relationship with a guy can't even be whole without God being at the head. Our need and desires for affirmation, value, confidence and love is found in God.

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17

God holds the key to your worth and happiness. Put him first and everything you desire and long for will be fulfilled.
 

Be encouraged, for" Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."1 Corinthians 2:9

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You Are Loved

If you're looking for love look up it's where it's always been. One of my hobbies is short films.I made this last Valentine's Day and I thought I'd share it with you guys. Even though it's not Valentine's Day we all need to be reminded that we are loved.I want you to know wherever you are whoever you are. God Loves You! You are so precious and God's wants the best for you!

Directed by and Starring: