There Is A Time...

This past week marked an odd experience in the career of any teacher, and I prayerfully hope I never have to experience it again in the future. We found out that on Saturday, March 26, one of our first graders, the daughter of one of our second grade teachers, died mysteriously in her home on the couch after complaining of abdominal pain and laying down to try and sleep it off. http://madyson-williams.memory-of.com/photos.aspx On Thursday, the day of her funeral, we had our own memorial ceremony at the end of the school day. I unfortunately didn't get to attend because some of our students had to stay in because of behavior, but my students came in crying and emotional like I never though possible. Most of them didn't know Maddie or Mrs. Williams well, but for me to say that my homeroom is usually heartless is an understatement. They typically laugh at anything which borders on emotion or heartwarming. (For example, I showed a video of "The Little Match Girl" at Christmas to all the classes....my homeroom laughed when the little girl freezes to death at the end. The other classes all cried like normal human beings, but not my kiddos!) But they were uncharacteristically moved by compassion and sadness for Maddie's family. We played a song by Mandisa over the loudspeaker called "He is With You" based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Though being a science teacher I often get the open-ended questions which I can answer with "because God made it that way," I had an unusual opportunity to share His word, and I was going to take it. If the state of Texas wants to start getting rid of teachers, I'd rather give PAISD a good reason to let me go than to have them have to fish for it! My students loved the song and having noticed that I was singing along, asked if I knew who sang it, etc. I opened the discussion quietly with, "Did any of you know that the lyrics of that song are based on a book from the Bible?" A few said yes, but most shook their heads. So I told them that they are words that come from the 3rd chapter of Ecclesiastes. I have one little boy who keeps a Bible in his desk to read during D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read) so he can ask me questions about the Bible , and he immediately pulled his out of his desk so he could look it up. The other kids kept asking if they could read it when he was finished, so I asked them if they would like me to read it aloud to the class. All of them nodded eagerly and said yes, so I had one of the kids get the Bible off my desk so I could read it. After reading, the conversation proceeded to my translating the meaning from NIV to more kid-friendly language and ultimately ended with me sharing the gospel and the ABCs of accepting Christ. That lasted for 20 minutes until the bell rang (to which all my kids went, "Awww..."). Then the kids that come to my room to wait for the bus wandered in and the discussion continued for another 45 minutes! What an amazing gift for me in the midst of a year of my life filled with doubt, anger, and anxiety! The verses in Ecclesiastes had me thinking about God's purpose in Maddie's death. First, I know very clearly from his word in Eccl. 3:2 - [There is] a time to die. Second, many times an early and humanly unexplainable death is sometimes God's way of saving an innocent child from a horrible attack by those who follow Satan and his ways. A dear coworker shared a story similar to this which helped speak this truth to me, and I am so blessed by her open heart! Third, going back to Eccl. 3:7 and using the words of Mordecai from Esther, "[There is] a time to be silent and a time to speak" and "If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise...from another place...And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?" I only claim royalty for myself because I am the daughter of the Most High and the King of Kings, but let me say that I knew in my heart He opened up the door for me to share His Word and His Truths with my students that day, which would have not been the case in the moment had He not chosen to take Maddie. My heart cries for the difficulties ahead for her family, but what a time for Him it was! I was blessed with the time to speak and not be silent! Though I may never know what seed He planted during those times, He was clearly at work in the third grade. My two coworkers both had the same blessed opportunity I did, though they shared different scripture, the outcome of His was the same. We all agreed - let us face the wrath of the state of Texas, because to have remained silent would have been far worse! For all of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 click below: http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Ecc&c=3&v=1&t=KJV#top

Getting ready for grad school

Well, the process has officially started...I'm getting ready for grad school! I've been looking into the online program at Abilene Christian for several years, but had to wait for the two years of teaching requirement to pass. Although it still hasn't passed, my A-M-A-Z-I-N-G advisor, Robin, passed my resume on to the dean of admissions, and he okayed my student teaching and aide experience to count as part of that requirement. So I just have to have a great Statement of Purpose and references, and I should be in! I've been debating about doing the Digital Learning program versus the Special Education program, but the more I think about it, the more my heart is in it for Special Education. They also offer a certification for the Digital Learning, so I may opt for that after the MEd. Who knows what God has in store at this point! If I've re-learned anything, it's that God is always in control.

Hard to Argue with Child-like Logic....

People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." - Luke 18:15-17

On few occasions, I am reminded why I chose to do what I do. Most of you know the struggles I went through to make the leap to teaching, and most of you know the extreme measures God used to get me here because I was fighting His Will for my life - out of nothing but pure fear of change and unknowns.

Anyway, after a long prayer time this morning asking for a renewed spirit during a difficult time at my campus, I showed up a few minutes late and frustrated with myself for not being better prepared....blah, blah, blah, the usual. I knew my science material very well so I wasn't overly concerned, but I still like to feel over prepared (not that that EVER happens). Consider it a flaw in my OCD personality.

Either way, today's science lesson was the conclusion of our lab on natural resources which fed into determining which resources are renewable and which are nonrenewable. After finishing our lab, I started one of the programs I use called EduSmart which is an interactive teacher's aide program (would be great for a SmartBoard if we had them.) It starts off showing 5 different types of renewable resources: oxygen, soil, fresh water, animals, and plants. (Our definition of a renewable resources is any natural resource that the earth can make more of almost as fast as it can be used up.) Per our discussions, I start asking students to think of things that could be made of animals and plants or something that needs oxygen, soil and water, and where the oxygen comes from, etc.

In my morning class, very unexpectedly, one of my "trouble" students raises his hand and says that he thing people are made of a natural resource. I assumed his logic was based on the fact that we eat plants and animals so we must be made of them. I fully expected to have to correct that by saying our bodies use those things to get energy and nutrients which we'll talk about in the 5th six weeks. But his answer truly caught me off guard.

Intrigued, I asked why he though people were made of natural resources. His response was this, "Well, God made people out of soil, which is dirt, and soil is a natural resource. So we have to be made from a natural resource."

Someone tell me how to argue with that!?!? I could do little to argue. I said, "Well, I guess we are made of at least one natural resource then aren't we. It's a good thing God made the soil for us then isn't it?" The whole class agreed, and we continued our lesson.

But it hit me hard. The child-like faith Jesus mentions in Luke and Mark was right there. So simplistic in it's design is the faith of a child. It's still very pure without all of the mess we bring into our minds as adults, twisting and turning faith till it fits our own version of "logic". We manipulate faith if we aren't capable. But as children, their minds can't do that yet. They simply relate to the beauty of what they know.

How I needed that small reminder of what it is to have pure faith! In a time of transition, where so much rides of my faith in Him and His plan for my life, I can only hope to survive by living the on un"adult"erated faith like that of a child!

A Post About Nothing

Haha...so it's been since August, and I still have 'blogger's block.' There is literally nothing exciting that I can post here. Nederland is still Nederland - boring, dull, slow, etc., etc. The good news is that I'm praying about my move at the end of the school year. I'm applying to my usuals in San Antonio and also in the Clear Creek, Friendswood, League City area - hoping now that I've got some experience under my belt I might be able to get on somewhere outside Jefferson County.

I can say the last few months has been a huge growing experience for me personally. I know a lot more about what I want - but even more about what I DON'T want for myself and my future, though unfortunately it usually takes a mistake or two for me to realize those life altering revelations. God is so good; however, He never lets me suffer long and is true to His promise that I'll never have to go through more than I can handle.

Someone very dear to me said recently, "When it comes to life, all anyone needs is love." (Not quoting the song or Moulin Rouge, by the way.) That person was recently removed from their job, and was told flat out, "Love isn't enough anymore." I'm frightened by that statement, but see that dark thought hovering over this area like a thick fog waiting to descend. Perhaps it's my obvious and life-long disdain for the area I must always call my birth-place, but it seems so many people are desperate for something here and fill that need with something else that feeds the darkness. There is no room for love here anymore; I just never thought I'd hear someone say it!

More than ever I'm desperate to leave; knowing this time, I won't be coming back. It won't be long before I can move Mom (I hope) and turn my back on this place for good. I can only keep filling out job applications and continue praying for God's will to coincide with my desperation to be free of this place.

My Summer Endeth

Tomorrow marks the end of my summer vacation, since I've been asked to attend a week-long training for my new role as a 3rd grade Math/Science enhancement teacher (basically reteaching hands-on what they are learning in their Math/Science classes where the new subjects are introduced).

I have to say I'm looking forward to the school year - even if it means I no longer get to sleep in and have limited responsibility. I'm nervous about having more students and more responsibility, but I know it will be fun. I just hope I don't let the administration down since they have so much faith in me. It's scary!

I've been browsing the web for helps and implore my teacher-friends to give me ANYTHING you can for math and science intervention teaching. I've got some ideas that work in my head, but who knows what will happen when I actually get in the classroom! Prayers are welcomed - for the teachers and the students!

The World Famous San Diego Zoo

It was everything I'd dreamed it would be and more!

Though our day started out rough with a nail in the front passenger tire of our rental car, we did eventually trade out the car and make it to the zoo. Poor Hilary had to listen to me squeal and take a million pictures at the entrance before we even made it into the zoo :) I was so excited to finally see the zoo's sign that I'd seen when I was a little girl, I think I might have hyperventilated a bit.

First of all, the zoo is beyond huge! And of course, I wanted to see everything; it was so hard to decide what to see first. However, what we saw first was most unexpected - a peacock, not in a cage, but sitting freely on top of the ticket booth making a very loud and obnoxious squawk (which Hilary can immitate perfectly, by the way.) Apparently there are three or four of these Indian peacocks that wander the zoo freely making their highly annoying and LOUD "may-awe, may-awe" noise. (Again, ask Hil :) We ran into these guys several times: one was eating a Skittle, another was trying to sneak into the gift shop by the entrance - but the best was the one posing with his plummage open for everyone. I mean, literally posing. Wherever the groups of cameras were, he would slowly circle around to face them. Like he knew he was beautiful and wanted to make sure everyone got a great shot! I took a few pictures standing next to him.

We got lost amidst the monkeys several times en route to the tigers and hippos. Sadly, the tiger was hiding from us, but we did see the pygmy hippos, and I so wanted to hug them :)



My favorites? Hmmmm...that's tough. Of course I love the elephants. The ones at the Zoo are the older elephants, and from what I could see they were all Asian elephants. You could look at their faces and tell they were older, but still adorable! I wanted to play with them so bad! The zookeeper even got one of them (Mary) to trumpet for us! We watched them eat and play for a while. Then we moved on to the giraffes.

I think the giraffes enjoyed the crowd that they ensue as well - at least the seemed to look at the camera it was pointed at them. Unless there was food involved. One of the zookeepers came out and fed them "giraffee snacks" while we were there. Apparently Thursdays - Sundays there are certain times that you can go and feed the giraffes for $3 or so. Darn that we went on Wednesday! Anyway, we still got to watch them line up fore cookies, which is hilarious considering their size.

The pandas! Apparently, the SDZ is one of the few zoos which has a successful giant panda conservation program, since several have been born at the facility since 1987 when they began the program. We got toe see baby Yun Zi who will turn one on August 5 this year. He is currently only 48 pounds and unbelievable adorable. He's still very uncertain of himself and is extremely curious. He loves to climb the trees in the exhibit and will do just about anything for a red apple, just like his mamma. We saw three of the adult females and this adorable little guy :)

I only took about a million photos - ok, 724, but who's counting? So clearly I can't post them all. Needless to say, I hope that I can go back to the SDZ some day! It was so worth the trip and to know that there are places doing so much to protect our endangered animals.



My last on the list of favorites has to be the meerkats. They run around like crazy and get the greatest looks on their faces. Both the zoo and the Wild Animal Park had a meerkat manor, but we spent more time at the one in the zoo. These guys are hams for the camera. Several of them would stop and look at me while I took a picture, then scurry off after I put the camera down. Can't say they aren't used to being adorable!

Snorkeling in La Jolla

La Jolla is such a fun place! Small college town, on the beach no less, with lots of young people running around in swimsuits and wetsuits. Hil and I snorkeled with San Diego Bike and Kayak Tours - basically we rented snorkeling gear and walked down the street to the beach where a guide (with very nice abs) showed us where to snorkel if we wanted to see certain things. Our plan was to snorkel with leopard sharks, who use the shallow waters of La Jolla cove during their summer mating season, and we saw plenty of them, plus some shovelnose guitar fish and a few others I don't know the names of. One fish kept following me and getting really close to my camera! It looked like he was trying to smile for it! The leopard sharks are very shy, so they made underwater photography more difficult than it already was (there was a glare so it was hard to tell what I was shooting.)



The water was also very cold. Make that VERY cold. Considering the outside temperature was under 70 degrees, the water had to be at least in the 60s. It was soon very clear why we were in full wetsuits! We snorkeled for a few hours before I looked up to ask Hilary where she wanted to swim to - only to discover her lips were turning blue! Needless to say we headed for shore.



It's no wonder people choose that little cove as a vacation spot though. I could have spent a weekend there easy just hanging out by the beach and snorkeling and kayaking around the cove.