encouraged...

Teaching is going well. Wednesday was one of those horrible days where I came home wondering why on earth I wanted to be a teacher, but ever since then things have been going really well. I had a wonderful compliment from the media specialist (librarian) this morning, saying that the class comes in much quieter and calmer with me than with their regular teacher. (As he said, Mr. Sherman has a very high noise threshhold.) I was glad to hear that because it makes me think I'm doing something right! The media specialist is such a nice older gentleman. He even volunteered to write a letter of recommendation for me! That's awefully nice.

This week I did a lot of things different in the class, and I'm glad to say it worked out well. And I think the kids are starting to adjust to the fact that I have different expectations of them than they are used to. Also, I'm learning to try different things. If what I "usually" do doesn't seem to be effective, I've been trying to find what works. It's usually little things, but they really do make a difference. I'm also getting used to what the "survival stage" of teaching feels like! It's not always fun, but you get through it eventually. I think starting off with my own class will be much smoother than taking over someone else's. Speaking of which, if you want something to pray for, pray that I can get a permanent teaching position for the fall. Whatever happens, I want what God has planned for me above all else. I know He has big things in store!

On a totally seperate note, I absolutely love living in downtown St. Augustine. Rob and I went on a walk Wednesday evening after my long day, to be away from people for a while, as I require lots of "recharge" time which I haven't gotten much of this week. Anyway, it was wonderful. I love this town. We strolled St. George Street for a bit, had some Kilwin's, and hung out at the park for a while. Where else would I have all that available to me in walking distance of my house? After we're married, Rob and I want to get an apartment downtown for a year or so, if we can find a place. There's lots of cool places, but being downtown, their prices are sometimes a little high. I'm sure it'll all work out, though.

Veronica's boyfriend Jeff is staying with us this week. He a nice guy. He made a really great dinner for all of us on Tuesday night for Marilyn's birthday. It's been nice getting to know him a little. I think he's here until Sunday morning.

Anyway, my kids are done in the computer lab now, so I have to finish up this post. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. (I love teaching... we get MLK Day off!) Later!

Marilyn was feeling old on her 20th birthday today (cry me a river), so we planned a special "you can't feel old after this" activity for her. We wrapped her in toilet paper and sent her running down the middle of our street singing Happy Birthday to herself in French at the top of her lungs. It was great. Krissy then burned the toilet paper uncomfortably close to my car.


running... 

Marilyn at 20 

fish weep about radient men...

Magnetic poetry rocks.

Anyway, for the real post, there's often times in my life when God "whispers" stuff to me, but I don't really realize that it's Him and not just me until He has a reason to speak a lot louder to me. The topic right now is 1 Corinthians 13. I kept thinking about it (as in the actual chapter) recently, but over the past several days I've been even more convicted about the actual issues discussed therein. Chapter 13 is "the love chapter." The huge, convicting part of it is the "love is not self-seeking" part. God keeps reminding me of how important it is to love people, and the whole "don't be selfish" part of that is the hardest part. Last Thursday night I gave a testimony at Fusion (to our group of 18) about how God's been teaching me that our lives as Christians and as Leaders can't be lived for ourselves. We have to live for Him primarily, and furthermore He calls us to live in a way that benifits others. We are called to look out for the best interest of others above and beyond living for our own pleasure. That's tough! I'm selfish! It's a battle against my nature to live for other people.

This weekend God kept speaking to me about chapter 13. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Serious stuff. I'm trying to learn.