Remember Who is in the Boat

This morning, my bible study had me in Matthew 8:23-27.  This is when Jesus and his disciples get into a boat to cross the sea.  Suddenly there was a violent storm and the disciples woke Jesus up to ask him to save them.  They feared they would die.  Jesus the replies "ye of little faith" and rebukes the storm and it ended immediately.

This is one of those stories that I feel never gets enough credit when it comes to the storm on the sea stories.  Everyone talks about when Peter walked on water, but rarely preach about the incident.  But I feel there is a major lesson in this short narrative. 

Don't forget who is in the boat with you!

At this point, the disciples had seen Jesus perform several miracles.  But when the storm began, they still feared they were going to die.  They forgot who was in the boat with them.  They were following the Son of God.  A few of them, although fearful, remembered that Jesus was on the boat with them.  They knew that if they woke him up, he would be able to do something.  They had seen him do great things already...but he needed to be awake.

"Ye of little faith"

I think the disciples knew that when they woke Jesus up that He would save them from the storm.  I believe that is why they woke Him up in the first place.  So I always wondered why Jesus said this to his disciples.  But when you think about it.  Jesus was asleep.  during a violent storm. On a boat.  He wanted his disciples to have faith that everything was going to be okay, without having them wake him up.  But their faith was new, so he did what they asked him to do.  He calmed the storm.

What this means for me...

I have accepted Christ and he now lives in me.  I want to have the kind of faith where I don't have to wake Him up and handle it...I want to have the faith that even in those times I might not feel Him there, He is still working miracles in my life.  I give everything to him, so I don't have to worry about it.

Remember who is in our boat!

My First Step to the New Me

I finally did it.

Yesterday I joined a gym.

Kim, one of the girls in my bible study, is a trainer there and has been asking me for months to come and check it out.  So yesterday, I got in my car and decided to do just that.  I fell in love with the staff and the facility.  It wasn't a hard decision by the end of the tour.

I have been on this platform for the last three years.  Knowing that I needed to do something to change my life, but not willing to take that first step to doing it.  I think its because deep down I felt like if I admitted to needing to change is was a way of telling me that I have been failing me.  I was scared of how other people would see me and treat me when (and if) I finally started down this road.  Well I am starting and I am starting in a big way.

Kim is leading a spinning class this morning, and I will be one of the first on the bikes.  I have heard that spinning is a great cardio workout and will get me started in a good direction.  My goal is to go to the gym everyday for the next 3 months.  Even if it is just to get on the treadmill and walk for 45 min, I will be at the gym.  There is a spinning class three nights a week and I plan on attending at least one a week.  Kim is going to train me one night a week and help me through this change.

Now I know that it is customary at this point to throw in a 'before' picture to see where I started as compared to where I will end up.  However, I do not want to show a before until I have an after to go along beside it.  So stay tuned, this journey is about to get crazy.  But its a good one to get started on.

Struggles...

I have not posted on here in awhile.  I remember when I first started this blog.  Everyday (or at least once a week) I was posting things about my life.  Then the 'new' wore off and it became a chore to get on the blog and share about my ideas and lesson learned.  I want to get better about blogging, but I don't want to just write.  I want to share what is going on in my head.  So I need to share what I have been struggling with lately.

Lately I have felt that something in my life is missing.  I get up, go to work, come home for dinner and then I go to sleep.  Then I wake up and do it all aver again.  Day after day, week after week.  The only exceptions have been on Sundays.  I felt lost.  I felt alone.  I was deep.  Then I read Psalm 13:1-4 and it put everything I was feeling into words.

"How long, O Lord, will you forget me?  Forever?  How long will you hide your face from me?  How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?  How long will my enemy triumph over me?  Look at me and answer, O Lord my God.  Give light to my eyes or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, "I have over come him," and my foes will rejoice."

I was broken.  It was like this passage was in here just for me.  I went searching, and I found a bible study that my church was having.  The title "Stuck".  If there was one word that described me at this time in my life, that was it.  So I went to check it out.  It was exact ally what I needed.

I realized going through the study with my small group, that I was stuck in many aspects of my life.  I started to peel back layers of my heart and some were hard to deal with.  I had to bring to the forefront things that for a long time I was trying to forget.  This is where my stuck places were centered around, and I finally asked for the Lord to take it from me.  One of my group members, Jill, gave me a whole new outlook on my past.  She said that the bible says that He will never give us more than we can handle.  She said that she counts it an honor that God looked at her and said "She is strong enough for what I am about to give her."  I never thought about it like that.  That God looked at me and thought,"Amanda is strong enough to handle what is about to happen" I was finally able to let go, and I am finally free.  My small group helped me with it.  I went back to Psalm 13, this time focusing on verse 5:

"But I trust in your unfailing love, my heart rejoices in your salvation.  I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me."

I don't look back anymore.  I am going to trust in His unfailing love and rejoice in the salvation that I have been given through His son.  I am not Stuck anymore.  I am ready to see what else the Lord has in store for me.

Another Year at TMS...

It never fails, but a school year just sneaks up on you and before you know it, you are three weeks in wondering how you got there.

August 27, 2012 started like any other day.  I got up, showered, and drove to school anticipating a new year at Texas Middle School.  The day was all about learning names (which makes kids camp seem like a snap when I have twice as many names to learn, but I did it) and reminding our eighth graders of the expectations and rule.  So needless to say, the first day of school always seems to drag on.

The rest of the first week seemed to be just the same.  Our school is big on relationship building and expectations in the first week, so that leaves little room for teaching.  I felt as if I would die if I didn't get to start math.  I was ready for it, but were my kids.

The first unit in our curriculum covers comparing and ordering rational numbers and then goes into expressing numbers in scientific notation.  This was getting into my wheel house.  I love teaching scientific notation.  When I was in school I hated it.  Trying to remember which way mad the exponent positive and which way made it negative was exhausting.  So I thought that I would teach my students the powers of ten and how they relate to sic not.  The started picking it up so fast.

Along with finally getting to start 'teaching', I have been getting to know my students over the last few weeks.  My 3rd period class is my smallest and I love when they come to the room.  There are two that are real characters, Eric and Kameron.  Yesterday morning, I saw Kameron coming down the hall way and he was wearing a shirt that said, "I Ain't Even Mad".  I thought that was great.  I told him I loved his shirt and he thanked me as he walked by.  About 20 min. later Eric came down the hall wearing a shirt that said "You Mad Bro?"  I cracked up thinking about Kameron.  I told Eric that Kameron was wearing a shirt that answered his question.  He said, "Yeah I know"  (and I thought girls were the only ones that planned wardrobes together).

When they finally showed up for class a couple hours later, I had to get a picture of them.

All and all, this year has started out rather well.  Can't wait to see what the future holds.

I Feel Like a Grown-Up

Today I did something that made me feel like an adult.

I BOUGHT MY FIRST CAR!!!!!

When I was hired last year to be a teacher, I knew that I wanted to buy a car.  I have been driving my grandmother's car for the last 10 years and I was ready for a change.  I also knew that I needed to save up a little something so that I would be able to buy said car.

So over the last 12 months, I have been doing research.  Going to website after website to look at what was available.  Heading to dealership after dealership taking countless test drives.  It was exhausting.

After awhile, I was able to narrow it down.  I wanted a small SUV.  But then I had to compare the Toyota Rav-4, the Chevy Equinox, the Ford Excape, and a few others.  The more I looked, the more I started falling in love with the Equinox.

So today, I became the proud new owner of a 2012 Chevy Equinox.

I am excited and really do feel all grown up!

And They're Off...(My Experience at DFW Airport)

Yesterday, I left the beautiful Northwest to return to Texarkana.  Now normally, this trek is very uneventful.  But that was before we hit Dallas with thunderstorms rolling through.

My flight from Seattle was delayed when it was diverted around the storm south and then came back up to DFW.  This little diversion added about an hour and a half to our flight time.  Right before we landed , we were told we were coming in to C28, and then we were given our connecting gates for our next flights.  "Texarkana B4", came over the intercom.

Once I disembarked from the plane, I grabbed a bite to eat thinking, "I have 2 hours and all I have to do is take the tram around to B4 when I am ready to go."  After eating a delicious dinner from T.G.I.Friday's, I made my way to my gate.  When I got there, there was an announcement that our gate had been changed to B7.  I had passed B7 on the way to B4 so it was just a short walk back.  Once I arrived at B7, the announcement came that our flight was leaving from B9.  Another quick stroll and I arrived at B9 only to be told that I needed to go to B35.  This was no short walk however and that meant another ride on the tram.  On the tram, I met a group of people who were all stating their various levels of frustration of the migration that we were all on.  We sat at gate B35 for an hour and were then told once again that we needed to change gates.  This time we were to go to B21.  One good thing for us, our pilots and flight attendant were with us at B35, so they were now in our migration pack.  It must have been amusing for others at the airport watching our herd coming down the terminal.  As soon as we hit B21, the pilots got word that were were now going to be leaving from B15, so we followed them.  And finally got confirmation that we were really going to leave from B15.

So, six gate changes and an hour late, we all finally departed from DFW and headed east to Texarkana.  I met my grandparents at the airport and they took me home and I crawled into my bed at around 11:30.  Another trip finished.

The Un-Writen Rule Broken

Yesterday, I got to hang out with my wonderful friend Samantha Fine and her mother Sarah.  We went to Seattle with no set plans.  We went to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch.  Since it started out as a nice day, we went to Alki Beach in West Seattle.  After driving up hill, we found a viewing point with an amazing view of the Seattle Sky Line.  From there, our adventure took us across the Ballard Bridge and then into the U-District.  We decided to turn back around and head into the Seattle Center again and we drove right past the Space Needle.  We kept driving, just trying to think of something to do.

That is when we passed SafeCo Field.  I remembered looking at their schedule the other day and they were in town.  I suggested a game and Sam and Sarah were on board.  So we found somewhere to turn around.  Found great parking right in front of the field for an awesome price and headed to the ticket sales window.  We got a good price for seats in the bleachers in center field.

After sitting for about an hour, I realized that my shorts were not going to cut it any longer.  I wasn't at a Ranger game, where game time temps are in the upper 90's.  I was in Seattle.  I decided to explore before the game started and see if I could find a decently priced pair of sweatpants.  As I started my journey for warmth, I ran into the Mariner Moose.  I don't know what they call him, but I did get a great picture.

After the picture, I continued on my journey and found the team store.  After getting the pair of sweats that were on sale, I walked back to the bleachers.  On my way I grabbed a hot dog, some garlic fries and a drink.  I was set for game time.

As the game was starting, a group of Orioles fans came in and were setting behind us.  Some how, we got into a great conversation.  As the game sped along (the first 5 innings in an hour) the guy right behind me asked if any of the Mariners had gotten on base.  I turned around and said no, but we don't want to talk about it (that unwritten rule about how you don't talk about perfect games or no-hitters while they are happening).  So we ignored it.  The Orioles opened up in the top of the 6th and scored four runs.  Chen was pitching great and went 1-2-3 again in the bottom of the 6th.  

As the Orioles took the field in the bottom of the 7th and got the first out, you could feel that something special might just happen.  That is when the un-written rule was broken.  One of the other guys behind me finally caught on to what was happening and said, "I have never been to a perfect game before that would be awesome."  I slumped my head in disgust.  On the very next pitch, Wells hit a home run.  Perfect game and no-hitter gone with one swing of the bat.

The Mariners rallied in the bottom of the 8th to tie the game.  However, the Orioles scored in their half of the 9th and held Seattle in the bottom of the inning to win the game.

It would have been nice to see a Perfect Game.  But I still had a great day in Seattle with Sam and Sarah.

Courage and Risk

This morning, I got the privilege of attending my first worship service at First Baptist Church Port Orchard. Pastor Jamie's message was unique this morning, he did a review of the first half of the year's sermon series in his church. 

Before I get into the part that really got me, I need to explain some things. Ever since my first summer in the northwest in 2004, I felt that this is where God gave me a heart for. I love the people, the culture, and the beauty of all I have seen while being here. I always feel like I am coming home when I make the treck up here, and always feel like I am leaving a part of my heart when I return to Texarkana.

 At the end of his review, Jamie hit Acts 1:8 "you will be filled with power when the Holy Spirit comes down on you". He mentioned that is impossible to fulfill the calling God has for your life without th Spirit and that by feeding yourself everyday, you will be able to better discern the His will for you. Then he went on to explain two characteristics about the early Christians.

 1. They had Courage.
         They had no safeguards for their lives.
 2. They took risks.
         It is easy to be brave, but not always risky. Sometimes God's will requires us to to walk away from safety and be dangerous. 

Right now I know I am courageous, but I am not sure how risky I am. Sometimes I feel as though I am stuck in that safeness, not willing to give up safety for the risk that it would take to go. It is a hard place to be. I am praying for faith to know when to move. I am praying for God to provide.

 The time may soon arrive when I need to get a little risky.

Top 10 Things I Learned at Kids Camp 2012

This year was my fifth year to be given the opportunity to serve at OBA Kids Camp.  In honor of that, I would like to share with you the top ten things I have learned in my 5 years at Camp Kursa.

10.  "Rise and Shine" will never be a good way to be summoned to get out of bed in the mornings.

9.  Becoming a belly flop champion does not come without and immense amount of pain.

8.  A ladder can always bring out the competitor in grown men.  And then cause them to be jealous and take said ladder out of the competition.

7.  No matter the outside temperature and humidity, you better not forget to wear your jacket to campfire.

6.  Make sure you pack your fiber supplements.

5.  Don't call Aubrey Beard sweetheart...she does not like it.

4.  No matter how warm the water is, swimming in 60 degree weather is pneumonia waiting to happen.

3.  Don't worry about the rules to the Cabin Challenges, because they will be changed halfway through the challenge.

2.  The "Throw-up Song" can make any cabin the stars of skit night (especially when accompanied by interpretive dance).

1.  Never get on Mike Jarret's bad side, you will pay. (Just ask Pastor Dan, Pastor Mike, and Pastor Jim)

My First Black Friday

My First Black Friday

There once was a time when I thought that those who ventured out on the wee hours of the morning on that Friday after Thanksgiving were insane. Why did they go out while most of us were still sleeping out our turkey comas? Was anything really worth waiting in line for those doors to be unlocked?

Well Thursday morning, I woke up and went downstairs. The paper was massive, all those catalogs beckoning shoppers to doorbuster deals that looked so enticing.

I pulled out the three that caught my eye. JC Penny had a great luggage set on sell for $39.00 (original price valued at $200). Bealls had a pair of gloves that are sensor touch so I can use my phone without taking my gloves off. And then there were some books on sell at Books-a-Million that I wanted to look at (even though I have a kindle).

My Plan:

1. Get some sleep and go when ever I wake up.

2. Hit JC Penny first, they opened the earliest and I knew I had to get there fast if I wanted the luggage.

3. Bealls would be next, because it was also at the mall.

4. Then hit BAM, if I was still in the mood.

So I was set, I went to sleep late because I was watching a movie. However, I woke up at 5:00. I got up and got dressed. Penny's had only been open for an hour, I had a chance. I got in my car and headed over. I luckily got a great parking spot as someone else (one of those aforementioned insane people) was just leaving.

I asked a sales person where the luggage was, showing a picture from that catalog. He walked me right to them, and they not only still had it, but I had my choice of colors. I was so excited.

That meant it was time for Bealls. As a drove around to the other side of the mall ( as the mall doesn't open until 9) I noticed a line formed outside. When I pulled out the catalog, I noticed they didn't open until 6 and I had like 5 min, so I got in line. Guess that make me one of the insane. When the doors opened I knew exactly where to go. I got the gloves and went to get in line. That is when the best Black Friday experience comes. I was in line at the cashier and I was the one who made the line start to curve. As I was standing there, ladies started joining behind me. That is when I noticed a woman had gotten on the other side of the line and intended to cut in line. I didn't mind, I was only getting the gloves. But the older lady behind me did mind and she says something about it. And then this other woman (a large black woman) starts getting an attitude back at her and it almost went to blows. I was almost in the middle of one of those things that would have made the morning news. But I did get the gloves.

On my way to BAM, I stopped into Sears, just to look at the electronics. I met a former classmate from college, and we got to talking. I told him I wanted to look at the tvs. So he showed them to me. And I got one (not on my list, but a major want). He told me about some that were on sale, but not out on the floor. Thank goodness for old friends.

I never made it to BAM, but I had a very great morning and was home before 7.

Call me Insane.

The "Joy" of Being Sick

As with every change of the weather here in Texas, those nasty little bugs are starting to go around. Working with kids, it is just bound to happen that one of those bugs will find me. In past years, if I got sick I was able to just stay at home and not worry about going to work or even getting out of bed for that matter. But now that I am an official teacher and with that only a limited number of days a year to miss school, I have to fight through what I am feeling and try to make it one day at a time.

On Tuesday night I started feeling it. By Wednesday, my cold was full blown and getting worse. However, since this week was the last in this grading period, I had to go to school. Each day it was a struggle to stay on top of my kids to get all their work finished and corrected. But i made it. At 5:00 on Friday I was going home, grades finalized and no planning needed to be done.

That is when the worst hit. Last night I was up every two hours, coughing up a lung and not being able to swallow anything. I was miserable. And because I couldn't sleep, I started to read. I rarely get to read anymore because of school and it was a pleasure to get to do that this morning. I fell asleep reading and had one of the best dreams I had head in a while.

Maybe it was the book, or maybe the medicine that I am taking, but I have had a Joy being sick!

Let's Go Rangers!!!

You would only have to spend like 3 seconds with me to know that I am a huge sports fan. Not just a sports fan, but a Dallas Sports Fan. Rangers, Cowboys, Mavericks, Stars, I love them all. This past spring we saw the first NBA Championship to the Big-D, and tonight, the Rangers have once again given us hope of our first ever MLB Championship.

I have been a Ranger fan for as long as I can remember. I really started following them at the age of seven when, in July of 1994 Kenny Rodgers pitched a perfect game because a rookie right fielder laid out to rob a hit from the first hitter of the top of the ninth. The Rangers made it to the post-season for the first time in 1996, 1998, and 1999. Each time they faced the Yankees in the first round and were shut down. Last year, we made it all the way. Only to be shut down by the Giants when they got there.

This year just feels different. With Cruz, Beltre, Young, Hamilton, Napoli and many many more, the line-up is hard to navigate through. Then there are Wilson, Feldman, Ogando, Feliz and a few more arms that have been lights out on the mound.

This is our Year...

LET'S GO RANGERS!!!!

Another Day in this Wild and Crazy Week

So is get to add another day to this wild week that I have already had.

Friday morning at about 2am, I woke up with excruciating paint in my lower back and abdomen. I didn't know what was wrong. I was scared that after the fall I had on Wednesday morning, the doctors had missed something.

After I started trowing up at 3:00, I told my grandparents that I wanted to go somewhere. I was scared and in so much pain. So we headed to the ER. I had to email my principal and the teachers on my team at school to let them know I wouldn't be at school and where my sub stuff was. Then we were off.

After 3 hours, they told me that the pain was from a kidney stone that was trying to pass. I have four of them, three are still in the top of my right kidney and that one was probably knocked loose during the fall I had on Wednesday morning.

I spent all day yesterday sleeping, and with the pain med they have me on, the dreams I was having were crazy.

I can't wait to get this week behind me and start anew, but until this stone passes, the pain will be a reminder of the week that was.

How a Shower Curtain Saved my Life

If you were to ask my grandparents, they would probably tell you that I am a very accident proved person. I am also very sickly. I get hurt and get sick often. Therefore if you know me, the following story isn't that out of the ordinary. But for those of you that don't know me, you are in for a treat.

Yesterday morning I woke up at 4:45 so that I could get in the shower. Why so early you may ask? Well, my grandmother and I both work at the same school, me as a teacher and her in the office as a secretary. That means we both have to get up and ready to go to school in the mornings using the same shower. So I got in the shower.

Being a girl, I thought that it was time for me to shave my legs again (I wanted to wear my favorite dress and jeans jacket, which meant I needed smooth legs). Leg up, stroke, leg down, rinse razor, repeat. The first few strokes went just as planned. Then came the fourth rotation. Leg up, then another leg starts to come up and I began to fall. I was thinking to my self, "Be ready, this is going to hurt!" As I began to fall, I grabbed behind me. The shower curtain was what my hands found. The entire curtain and rod came down (Even the part that was attached to the wall). I landed on my back while my left side slammed into the sink and toilet.

Knowing that my grandmother was awake and reading the paper in the living room, and that my grandfather had probably heard and woke up, I grabbed a towel to cover up. I was so embarrassed, I didn't even think about what was hurting. The first thing my grandmother asked was if I was alive, and if I could move. I said, "I don't know." She stepped back out of the bathroom and let me get myself up and somewhat dressed so her and my grandpa could come in. I was worried about the curtain rod, they were worried about me.

I went to school because we were giving an all day test and I knew that I wouldn't have much to do other than facilitate. As the day wore on, all those little nicks started to make themselves known. I was hurting all over. My shoulder was killing me and my back was not far behind. I went to the doctor after school was over. He said nothing was broken or torn, just really swollen and really bruised. After looking at the X-ray of my back, he said that I have arthritis in my lower back, which is probably why it started hurting after I fell. His last words," Go home and thank your shower curtain, it probably saved your life."

That my friends is how a shower curtain saved my life!

Ten Years Later and it Still Hits Hard...

I walked into the school on just another Tuesday that morning. A few of my friends and I had missed a Spanish quiz and had gone to Senor Hoof's room to make it up. We started 15 min before 8 and I was almost finished when Senor Hoof ran into the room and told us to go ahead and turn the quiz in, we would be able to finish it later. He went straight to the television and turned it on.

I really wasn't sure what I was looking at when the screen faded into a crisp picture of the NY skyline. Then one by one, my classmates and I noticed the smoke billowing from one of the World Trade Center towers. We were dumb struck almost. As more students filed in for class to begin, the news anchors were just as dumb founded as we were, trying to make since of the picture we were seeing. Then we saw a dark figure, that looked like a large plane, fly in the shot from the right of the screen and a huge explosion rocked the second WTC tower. There was screaming, shouting and chaos going on all around me and I was frozen in all my emotions. Fear, anger, and grief were running though my veins. about ten minutes later the word terrorism was being mentioned, and we couldn't believe it. My classmates and I had been alive for the Pan Am flight 103 bombing in 1988, WTC bombing of 1993, and the OKC Bombing 1995, but this was the first time we were really old enough to understand what was going on. None of us said a word after the initial shock of seeing the plane hit, we just watched.

After about 20 minutes, Senor Hoof said we needed to get to work. He told us that probably nothing else would happen. About 15 min before the class was scheduled to end, the principal walked in and handed a memo to Senor Hoof. As he read it silently to himself, you could see the disbelief in his face. Then he started to read:

"Students and Teachers, as you have probably heard by now, the United States has suffered a great tragedy this Tuesday morning. Three planes have hit the WTC towers 1 and 2 and the Pentagon. Just moments ago, both towers fell. There is no telling the loss of life that has occurred this morning. As much as this news will affect all of you in different ways, there is no cause for alarm here. We will keep you updated on events throughout the day. May God Bless America"

I was crying before he finished reading the letter. I thought there would be more attacks that day. We didn't know what to think. The rest of the day was eerie. The hallways were silent all day. We tried to hurry from class to class, so that we could still watch the news as it was unfolding. President Bush spoke from Barksdale that afternoon (which is less that an hour away). On the band field shortly after his speech, we could have sworn those fighter jets scrambling in the sky were leading Air Force One to its undisclosed location. I went to Softball practice that evening still in a daze. September 11, 2001 will be a day I will never forget.

Ten years later, and I can still see those images. I can still see the football player that sat in front of me trying to hide his tears as they replayed the second plane hit. Ten years ago the United States was united under a banner of hope and sorrow for those lost in this horrendous tragedy that happened on our watch. So many times, I wonder where that America went. Have we forgotten the unity that occurred, or have we, like those after the 1993 bombing, just gotten so far removed from the tragedy that we no longer sense the urgency that is still prevalent today?

As I remember my experiences, the emotions still hit hard. The fear, the anger and the sorrow are all still so raw for me. The tears running down my face right now (that make it rather difficult to pen my last few words) show those emotions rather well.

Have the last ten year changed you life? Because they sure did change mine!

Week One Down...

So my very first week as an official teacher has come and gone, and it has been a rather interesting one to say the least.

After the first day fireworks that I experienced, the rest of the week almost went off without a hitch. I have a great group of students. There is only one class right now that is trying as hard as they can to test the waters. It's like no matter what I do, they are not going to do what I ask of them. I don't want to react...I want to be proactive with this group, but that is becoming rather difficult.

Friday night we had a welcome back to school dance. I went to help out and had a good time. Let me just say that i went "Low, low, low, low, low, low, low, low" and then it was hard to get back up. Some of my students were excited to see me there. And the entire night went without a hitch and every student was picked up on time.

Hoping that this week is just as great as my last one!!!

A Very Peculiar First Day

Too say that this day went off without a hitch would almost be a lie.

Today was my first official day as an 8th grade math teacher at TMS. I was a little nervous about actually having my own classroom, but I was also excited and ready. My classes are amazing. I can't wait to see how we are all going to mesh this year. There are very strong personalities, and very humbles personalities. After having each student fill out a 'Get to Know You' questionnaire, I realized that I have some very unique individuals in my classes.

Like I said, my classes were amazing and I had an awesome first day of school, at least is was until I went to leave.

At 4:30 I headed to my car, but my things in the back seat and got in the drivers seat. I put my key in the ignition and it went "ch ch ch ch ch ch ch" but didn't start. So I turned the key again "ch ch ch ch ch' was the sound I heard, yet again it wouldn't start. SO I got out of the sauna and called my grandfather. He asked me what it was doing and I said "ch ch ch ch ch ch" but it wont start. Some how our communication was misinterpreted because he thought automatically that the battery was out. However, that was not the case.

He stood there and looked under the hood for awhile (really just looked, we had no clue what to do). He asked me how much gas I had. I knew that I had over a quarter of a tank, but he went and got gas anyway to put in the tank. That wasn't the problem either.

So we went home. He kept saying over and over again, "Some how fuel isn't getting to your engine" So he called a tow truck. After relaying the make and model of my car on the phone, to guy says "I know exactly what's wrong, meet me at your car in 5 minutes"

Drum Roll........................................

It was my anti theft system. It turned itself on which disables the fuel injector. No fuel, no start. 10 minutes later he had the car running. Any my grandfather and I were perplexed.

What a way to end a great day!

A Whirlwind of Information

On July 19, 2011 I was offered a wonderful opportunity. I was given a position to teach 8th grade mat at Texas Middle School.

Since that day I have been on information overload. Workshops for math, instructional services, Aware, TEAMS/Gradebook, Instructional Technology, IEP's and ARDS, Orientation, Benefits, and many more. Not to mention those workshops that all the teachers go to during our campus instructional planning the next week.

Any down time I have between all those workshops is spent getting my classroom together. Bulletin boards, student desks, teacher desks, rules, procedures, making sure each student will be able to see the board...it is so overwhelming.

I made a comment to my grandmother yesterday that I never want to be a first year teacher in another district for the rest of my life...there is just too much to learn. Hopefully all those notes and handouts will be repeatedly reread and looked over (because I won't remember everything).

I have a great team and a great mentor teacher.

Bring on those kids!!!!!

Back to the Heart of Worship

I read somewhere that if you hear a song 20 times, you stop thinking about the words. The book went on to say that this is affecting our worship to God. I would have to agree. I go to church and the music starts. Usually I don't even have to look at the screens, the words are already coming out. The melodies and harmonies are finding their way through my vocal chords. Then my mind starts to wander "What am I going to do after church today? What will the students be like tomorrow? Man I hope I get that job. Etc." Is that what my worship looks like to God. Can you even consider that worship? Even though I am singing the song, the words are not coming from my heart.

Yesterday I decided to do something about it. I grabbed a notebook and wrote the very words that you have read so far. I decided that I really needed to think about the way I worship. I have started writing down the words that I sing all the time and then figuring out if I really want to pledge that to the Lord of all.

I want to get back to the heart of worship. I don't want to go through the motions anymore. I want to worship in Spirit and in Truth.

A Night Of Greenbeans

Kids' Camp ended a little over a week ago. Usually this is the last time that I get to see all my friends from the Northwest. I say goodbye to all the kids, the counselors, the staff, and usually there are hopes for seeing each other again in a year when we all converge on the Latvian Camp we call home for a week.

Luckily for me, the 'year' came rather quickly. As I was starting on my journey home on July 4 through the air, another journey had already begun by land. Pastor Jamie, Kim, Chelsea, and Phoebe were on vacation. The Greenings were headed to my neck of the woods.

We ate dinner at Two Senoritas in Mt. Pleasant. It was here that I heard first hand of the upcoming Light Bulb Apocalypse. We had a great visit, a lot of laughs. Somehow we decided that we were going to go to a movie. This was great for me, I have a rule that I have to spent more time in a place then the time it takes to drive there and back. On the way to the movie, we had to stop and get coffee for Jamie's mom's house. We stopped at Super 1 (apparently our first mistake) where they didn't have the 'classic roast' so we got Colombian, but we did grab a package of light bulbs (which made our mistake not seem as bad). On the way to the Movie Theater I learned a new meaning for 'Cheese'. Then we watched Car's 2 (which I loved again).

So now it's another year before I get to hang out with the Greenings again. But until then, last night will have to hold me over until then.