Monday, January 28, 2008
This Week
So, this week promises to be a tough one. But, as I was reading this morning, God's promises are unchanging and he is the faithful God.
This is my last week of basketball and for some reason our AD wants to squeeze as many games in as possible. So...Monday we play at home. Tuesday we play over an hour away. Thursday we play another hour away. And finally, on Saturday we have our conference tournament. To top all of that, last week one of my favorite player's mother died of cancer. My player was adopted, an only child, and the light of her mother's eyes. Her mother was our greatest fan. Of course I'd like to think she was OUR greatest fan, but she was actually her daughter's greatest supporter and she loved to watch her play.
The funeral is tomorrow and tonight her entire family will be at the gym to watch her play. It's what her mom would have wanted. Tomorrow our team will attend the funeral and then load the bus to play in Salina. Tough week? Yes...emotionally and physically for everyone. But Hannah has been strong and a true example to me of what endurance truly means. Before her mother died she told the school counselor that "what will be, will be." What wisdom from such a young girl. I do not know her walk with the Lord. I know she attends and is active in church. I pray that she can continue to seek and find the God of peace. I also pray and hope that the young ladies that watch her will learn from her and begin to seek out the promise that is ours if we only trust in the great and holy Savior.
This is my last week of basketball and for some reason our AD wants to squeeze as many games in as possible. So...Monday we play at home. Tuesday we play over an hour away. Thursday we play another hour away. And finally, on Saturday we have our conference tournament. To top all of that, last week one of my favorite player's mother died of cancer. My player was adopted, an only child, and the light of her mother's eyes. Her mother was our greatest fan. Of course I'd like to think she was OUR greatest fan, but she was actually her daughter's greatest supporter and she loved to watch her play.
The funeral is tomorrow and tonight her entire family will be at the gym to watch her play. It's what her mom would have wanted. Tomorrow our team will attend the funeral and then load the bus to play in Salina. Tough week? Yes...emotionally and physically for everyone. But Hannah has been strong and a true example to me of what endurance truly means. Before her mother died she told the school counselor that "what will be, will be." What wisdom from such a young girl. I do not know her walk with the Lord. I know she attends and is active in church. I pray that she can continue to seek and find the God of peace. I also pray and hope that the young ladies that watch her will learn from her and begin to seek out the promise that is ours if we only trust in the great and holy Savior.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Student Quotes of the Day
"There are cars in Africa?"
"What about the Disney Channel? It's pretty well known around the world, isn't it?"
"What about the Disney Channel? It's pretty well known around the world, isn't it?"
A Picture or Two
Okay...so I wanted to put an entire slide show on here for you all. However, those of us who are new have a few things to figure out yet. Someday I hope to get a slide show...so be patient. You're lucky I found the pictures on CD.
More to come!
More to come!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Grammar...Why?
Why? Why do I do it to myself? Why? I sat here at my desk for almost 25 minutes staring at the wall. Why do I do this? I know that 25 minutes is not enough time to solve the problems of the world...the problems of mankind...nor the problems of Hutchinson Middle School. But, surely it is enough time to solve the problems of English in room 407. Nope. Nada. Nothing. What could be that bad? What requires more time than a mere lunch period to solve? And in such a fun-loving room? One word...grammar.
I've thought about putting a "help wanted" ad in the newspaper. It would read as follows: "Help wanted: educated adults to pose as 8th graders and who have experience in acting. Job would require acting like 8th graders who care about grammar and are eager to learn so teacher feels effective." I later thought better of it because I realized it would simply benefit my pride and selfish motives. Me. So...back to the drawing board to see how to motivate and teach the real thing. By the way...did you all know that a car was a noun? I thought so...
I've thought about putting a "help wanted" ad in the newspaper. It would read as follows: "Help wanted: educated adults to pose as 8th graders and who have experience in acting. Job would require acting like 8th graders who care about grammar and are eager to learn so teacher feels effective." I later thought better of it because I realized it would simply benefit my pride and selfish motives. Me. So...back to the drawing board to see how to motivate and teach the real thing. By the way...did you all know that a car was a noun? I thought so...
Monday, January 14, 2008
China
Last night was our first meeting with the crew going to China. Now, more than ever I am excited for this trip. Brian's devotional last night was over 2 Cor. 4:1. He talked about so many good things, but my favorite is that because of God's great mercy we do not lose heart. It's not us who plan this trip...it's not even us in control of the paperwork. There will be disappointments or anxiety or even doubt at times, but God gave us a ministry of reflecting Christ's glory in our lives...and we do not lose heart. I love it!
Right now we have five confirmed...two trying to work out other details...and one who initially told us he wasn't coming, but has since emailed to ask if it is too late to commit. I can't describe the excitement we have as we embark on this adventure. The details of what we will be doing are still unclear. We have a few contacts there and are still waiting to hear from others. Initially we were going to do a sports camp and teach character/moral values through that venue. That idea is still a possibility, but right now we are also inquiring about possible orphanage visits as well as community service projects. Right now God is the limit. We told the group last night that this trip will be an adventure because even "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." But God's plans are never altered. I am giddy with anticipation of what God will do and how He will do it. I am sure this journey will be a roller coaster. I will probably not be flying high with excitement every day...but the anticipation will remain.
Thanks for all the encouragement! And yes...wedding pics are on their way to being uploaded! Don't abandon hope! :0
Right now we have five confirmed...two trying to work out other details...and one who initially told us he wasn't coming, but has since emailed to ask if it is too late to commit. I can't describe the excitement we have as we embark on this adventure. The details of what we will be doing are still unclear. We have a few contacts there and are still waiting to hear from others. Initially we were going to do a sports camp and teach character/moral values through that venue. That idea is still a possibility, but right now we are also inquiring about possible orphanage visits as well as community service projects. Right now God is the limit. We told the group last night that this trip will be an adventure because even "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." But God's plans are never altered. I am giddy with anticipation of what God will do and how He will do it. I am sure this journey will be a roller coaster. I will probably not be flying high with excitement every day...but the anticipation will remain.
Thanks for all the encouragement! And yes...wedding pics are on their way to being uploaded! Don't abandon hope! :0
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
God's Twists
Sometimes I think that what we consider twists in our plans are often God's smiles. He knows exactly what we need...often our expectations are not even close to what He has planned for us. My life seems to be picture perfect of this reality. Expectations I had in college definitely didn't end up coming to fruition. Expectations I had after college didn't meet my initial standards. And expectations of living and teaching in Turkey were not even close to my journaled anticipations. No...in fact in each of these experiences or time frames of my life, my expectations were exceeded by God's great vision and mercy. And in each twist and turn I believe God was smiling because I was growing.
Now, we have another twist that I was not expecting. I have dreamed of serving with my husband in some form of multi-cultural ministry since I started dreaming of a husband. So, when we were asked to lead a group from Sterling College this summer I was elated. Of course, my first question was "where do we get to go?" In truth, my heart hit a bump in the road when he said, "China." I have never desired to go to China...in fact I've always wanted to go to every other continent...but not Asia. However, after prayer and consideration, Brian and I have decided that this is a door we walk through until God closes it. I have a feeling God won't close it...and even now as I've been doing research and we've begun planning the details of the trip, my heart begins to skip in anticipation of how God will use this trip in so many people's lives. I can honestly say, "Lord, send me to China if you so will."
I'm sure as we go through the planning process there will be ups and downs and all-arounds which will result in twists and smiles, even if forced. Brian and I covet any prayers that our friends can give as we begin this adventure.
Now, we have another twist that I was not expecting. I have dreamed of serving with my husband in some form of multi-cultural ministry since I started dreaming of a husband. So, when we were asked to lead a group from Sterling College this summer I was elated. Of course, my first question was "where do we get to go?" In truth, my heart hit a bump in the road when he said, "China." I have never desired to go to China...in fact I've always wanted to go to every other continent...but not Asia. However, after prayer and consideration, Brian and I have decided that this is a door we walk through until God closes it. I have a feeling God won't close it...and even now as I've been doing research and we've begun planning the details of the trip, my heart begins to skip in anticipation of how God will use this trip in so many people's lives. I can honestly say, "Lord, send me to China if you so will."
I'm sure as we go through the planning process there will be ups and downs and all-arounds which will result in twists and smiles, even if forced. Brian and I covet any prayers that our friends can give as we begin this adventure.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Morning Mercies
I suppose that we all need daily reminders of God's great mercy and love. Today I was reminded of God's character and His attention to beauty. Each day I fight the urge to complain and grumble as I drive...this year has been a tough year of teaching and during my commute it is a morning struggle to pray and praise rather than grumble and groan. Today God opened my eyes to see the gift that He gives me every morning. Today, after five months of driving the same route every morning I finally saw God's artwork.
If you have never seen a Kansas sunset...you should. I am sure there are beautiful sunsets all over the world, but here in the state of rolling hills the sunsets are absolutely resplendant. My feeble attempts to capture these moments have failed as I have deleted picture after picture because a snapshot cannot compare to the reality. In Kansas, if there is anything more beautiful than a sunset, it is the sunrise. Few people are out early enough to experience this, but because of my 25-30 minute commute, I get to see the sun rise every winter morning. Unfortunately, I have not seen it everymorning, but this week I have been struck by the magnificent, rich, deep, and vast colors that greet me on my drive to school. Yesterday brought tears to my eyes and today...well, it was bigger and more beautiful than yesterday. In the forefront of the landscape was a field of snow. The purity of the snow was speckeled with the brown remains of milo stalks. Some might see this brown stalk poking out as a defilement of the white, pure snow. But in reality, the snow is a covering that protects the farmground and nourishes it in the spring to prepare it for planting...a sweet sight to a farmer. Just beyond this is a silhouette of a wind break. Peaking out from the top of the evergreen trees is a gigantic barn reaching above to observe the beauty of the colors in the backdrop. Imagine every shade of pink and red, accented with light yellow and burnt orange splashed against a blue sky. It grows wider, taller, larger until the colors are spreading the eastern sky stretching as far as it can reach in an attempt to touch the west with its beauty.
Just as a snapshot cannot catch the beauty of this picture, so words cannot explain what God gave me this morning. However, I pray that my drive and my time would be better spent basking in the mercies of God...not the petty circumstances in which I find myself. His mercies are truly new every morning to me...I just need to open my eyes and see them.
If you have never seen a Kansas sunset...you should. I am sure there are beautiful sunsets all over the world, but here in the state of rolling hills the sunsets are absolutely resplendant. My feeble attempts to capture these moments have failed as I have deleted picture after picture because a snapshot cannot compare to the reality. In Kansas, if there is anything more beautiful than a sunset, it is the sunrise. Few people are out early enough to experience this, but because of my 25-30 minute commute, I get to see the sun rise every winter morning. Unfortunately, I have not seen it everymorning, but this week I have been struck by the magnificent, rich, deep, and vast colors that greet me on my drive to school. Yesterday brought tears to my eyes and today...well, it was bigger and more beautiful than yesterday. In the forefront of the landscape was a field of snow. The purity of the snow was speckeled with the brown remains of milo stalks. Some might see this brown stalk poking out as a defilement of the white, pure snow. But in reality, the snow is a covering that protects the farmground and nourishes it in the spring to prepare it for planting...a sweet sight to a farmer. Just beyond this is a silhouette of a wind break. Peaking out from the top of the evergreen trees is a gigantic barn reaching above to observe the beauty of the colors in the backdrop. Imagine every shade of pink and red, accented with light yellow and burnt orange splashed against a blue sky. It grows wider, taller, larger until the colors are spreading the eastern sky stretching as far as it can reach in an attempt to touch the west with its beauty.
Just as a snapshot cannot catch the beauty of this picture, so words cannot explain what God gave me this morning. However, I pray that my drive and my time would be better spent basking in the mercies of God...not the petty circumstances in which I find myself. His mercies are truly new every morning to me...I just need to open my eyes and see them.
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