Truth.

"If a doctor, lawyer, or dentist had 40 people in his office at one

time, all of whom had different needs, and some of whom didn't

want to be there and were causing trouble, and the doctor,

lawyer, or dentist, without assistance, had to treat them all with

professional excellence for nine months, then he might have

some conception of the classroom teacher's job."

Dream came true.

It's pretty much official. I am a 4th grade teacher. I'm REALLY a 4th grade teacher. I will have my own classroom. I will have my own students - beautiful, handsome 4th grade students. I am a 4th grade teacher but I can't seem to wrap my head around it quite yet. When I found out the news I couldn't help but fall to my knees, head on the ground, in complete and utter thankfulness. I wasn't expecting to find out the day of my interview whether or not I would become apart of this school, but I did. What a sweet, sweet God I serve! Thank you, Father. Thank you for making my dreams come true. Thank you. However, I feel like "thank you" doesn't give what I'm feeling justice..

My prayer for the school, for the students, and for my 4th grade classroom.

Lord, please let Your sweet, gentle Spirit be thick in this school. Surround the students of all ages with love and compassion through the teachers and faculty. Lord please let your Spirit reign heavy in my classroom - Father that I would be quick to fall to my knees at the end of the day, continually surrendering to Your will, Your guidance, Your help. Father please prepare my student's hearts for this next year. Prepare them, Father. Lord, You reign. Please reign in this school. Thy will be done. Amen.

A Piece of Chocolate.

Today my teacher handed out a piece of chocolate to each student in the class while whispering, "This is from Ms. Teddy..." Immediately after she whispered these words I heard one, "Thank you, Ms. Teddy!" after another. So sweet. After the thank you's about 6 six of my students ran up to give me a hug - just for bringing them one little piece of chocolate! For about 30 seconds they were about to lose their mind...all over a piece of chocolate. I kind of loved it. For a few split seconds their faces lit up. For a few split seconds I hope they realized how much I care for them and more importantly, how much the God of the Universe delights in their being. If only I could get across to them how Loved they truly are...more than just a yummy piece of chocolate...so much more...

Lord please use me. Please, Lord. I ask that Your Holy Spirit be thick in this 4th grade classroom. Lord, please. Use me. Father I pray Your desires would become my heart's desires. Father I will claim You each morning as Lord over my life. I will glorify Your Name and will share Your love with my students - now and forever. Let it be.

A Thankful Heart

Lord, let my heart continually bring You praise. Father let my core being be filled with thanks. Thanks in all circumstances.

Thankful for...

• Hugs (random hugs) from 4th graders
• My sweet Mama and Daddy
• Worship at 5:30 am before school
• A 20 minute car-ride in the mornings
• Waves from students I don't teach

"But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you..." (Jonah 1:9)

Ladies and Gentlemen

Well, I decided today that my students will be "Ladies and Gentlemen" once they step into my classroom. As a class, I will address them as ladies and gentlemen and they will be expected to act accordingly. They will be required to say "Please" and "Thank You" as well as "Yes Mam" or "No Mam."

My classroom will be a classroom of etiquette. My students will know what I expect and I will not accept anything less.

One day this will be real life.

Gotta have your classroom rules...these will be mine :)

Gotta know your ABC's...

GOTTA be organized...

Gotta have a place to sit...

Gotta know your classmates (I'm going to take pictures of each student and clothespin them in a frame like this one...)

Gotta know what day of the week it is...

Gotta be kind to others...

Sweet Moments

A week of thanks. A week of learning to look for the sweet moments, the moments filled with the Lord's Presence, the moments where I am learning and disciplining my self to recognize God in the midst of craziness.

I am thankful for these moments:

• 9 year olds that have lots of bottled up energy - What did I do? I told them to do as many jumping jacks as they could in 1 minute. What did they do? They jumped so hard that half of my students ended up on the floor, "exhausted" and in desperate need of a drink of water...

• Watching students wave to one another in the hallway...that's just sweet...

• Hard, hard workers

• Excitement over FRACTIONS (of all things...)

• Friends who are willing to dress up as "colonists" to come visit my class :) Sweet, sweet friends...

• A teacher who is wonderful, helpful, and in love with the Lord

Eyes Lit Up

I have the honor and privilege of student teaching in a small classroom - a classroom of 11 unique, bubbly, knit together perfectly, wonderfully made 4th graders. For the most part, they are all friends and accepting of one another. However, there is one student who does not have many friends and is interested in different things - and in a small classroom, it is noticeably evident. This student is different, not part of the "norm" of the rest of the class. While the rest of the class plays tag during recess, he plays by himself, in his own little world, as he fights off bad guys to protect his Pokemon friends.

Last Friday, 5 of our students had a field trip and were out the entire day, leaving my teacher and I with a whopping 6 students. If you aren't familiar with the game of tag, it's not that fun or exciting to play with only 6 people - especially when you're used to playing with 11. Therefore, I decided to play tag along with the class. Before I started playing I begged this student who normally does his own thing, to join us in playing tag. He said he didn't want to and would rather play his game. I told him that was fine but wanted to make sure he was having fun. A few minutes later I asked him again - are you sure you don't want to join us? He declined my offer. However, a few seconds later he came up to me and said this - "Ms. Teddy. I don't want to play tag but I would like someone to play my game with me." Well...my heart about ripped in a million pieces and I immediately told him I would love to play with him. He proceeded to explain to me what was going on in his Pokemon game and the different bad guys I needed to fight off. I told him I was excited to play with him and asked if it was alright if I helped him fight off the bad guys while also playing tag with the rest of the class. He was okay with that.

As I played two games at once, I noticed how excited this student was now that he had someone to play with. His eyes lit up. He felt a part of something. He was not alone. He had a friend. He felt welcome.

Later on during recess he began playing tag with the rest of the class - eyes still beaming with joy. This is the 2nd time throughout the entire school year that he has played with the entire class during recess. I'm expectant for the 3rd...

Garment of Praise.

Sick and tired of being sick and tired...BUT I will put on a garment of praise and thankfulness...

"A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort. Obsessed people know that true joy doesn't depend on circumstances or environment; it is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated, a gift that ultimately comes from God (James 1:2-4)"

-"Crazy Love" by Francis Chan

Matthew 6:33

Verse to be memorized...

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Matthew 6:33

Lord, let this reign true in my heart, that I would always, always, always seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, striving to bring glory to Your sweet Name in everything I do.

Amen.

Excitement.

This morning I woke up excited to spend time with the Lord. Lately, I've been really tired in the mornings and focused on having my lessons completely ready for the day, rather than focusing on the honor and privilege it is to spend intimate time with the God of the universe.

Today was different. I woke up expectant. I woke up feeling honored that the God of the universe can't wait to spend that "quiet time" with me. The God of the UNIVERSE can't wait to spend time with me? Lord, thank you for wanting to be with me, for calling me Your beloved and never ceasing to fail. I love you with my whole heart. How can I love You more? I want to love You more. Lord I pray to trade my selfish desires for a heart that relies completely on being led by Your Holy Spirit.

Let it be.

The Choices You Make.

"Life's about the choices you make" - This quote reigns in my classroom and our students know it by heart.

My choice, my portion, is in the Lord. I choose to cast out feelings of defeat, I choose to praise, I choose to be thankful, I CHOOSE to delight in weakness. I will delight in weakness. Lord, I am crying out to You, Father. Thank you for making me weak, for pruning me into the teacher and lady You desire. Lord, I will choose to delight in weakness.

Today I left school feeling defeated. I am a very soft spoken person and until this semester it has never occurred to me that it would become somewhat of a frustration. I have lost my voice at least three times over the past two semesters. No big deal, right? However, it's an extreme weakness when you teach all day and kids are loud and can't hear you, and when you go on a field trip and kids are acting a fool and you try to call their name and they don't even know you are talking. Lord, I choose to be thankful. I choose to delight in weakness. These feelings of defeat left me wandering why I am choosing the teaching profession when my voice is so soft. Why? Lord, I cast out these feelings of defeat. You have already won, You've got the victory. You have called me to teach. You have called me to teach. You have called me to teach. You love me. I am Your beloved. You delight in who I am and the teacher I am learning to be. I am a continual learner. On my own I am nothing. With You, I am all You have called me to be. I am called to teach.

I choose to delight in weakness. It is my choice and I choose to be thankful.

Amen.

Beloved

You're My Beloved
You're My Bride
To sing over you is My delight
Come away with Me My love

You're Beautiful to Me
So beautiful to Me

Under My mercy
Come and wait
Till we are standing face to face
I see no stain on you
My child

You're Beautiful to Me
So Beautiful to Me

I sing over you My song of peace
Cast all your cares down at My feet
Come and find your rest in Me

I'll breathe My life inside of you
I'll bear you up on eagle's wings
And hide you in the shadow of My strength
I'll take you to My quiet waters
I'll restore your soul
Come rest in Me and be made whole

You're My beloved
You're My Bride
To sing over you is my delight
Come away with me my love

"My Beloved" - Kari Jobe

Lord, that my students, friends, family...would know and believe they are called Your beloved.

Amen.

Dreams.

My dream is to start my own school. It's a big dream. Lord if you want to use me in this process, go for it. I am Yours. I want to be used solely for Your purpose. My dream for this school would be that it would double as an orphanage. That children would be able to live, learn, dream, be encouraged, and be filled by Your Presence.

This dream started when I realized so many children are living in dysfunctional families, have been left by their parents, are living in poverty, and have been stripped of encouragement and purpose. Many students in my classroom now fit these categories and it absolutely breaks my heart and brings me to tears I can't control. Even if it has been a hard day at school, I still want to take them home with me. They are precious in God's eyes, so precious and pure. Why are they having to suffer from circumstances they have no control over, at such a young age? Why was I blessed to grow up in a functional, loving home? Why was I not in their shoes when I was 8 years old? I don't know the answers to these questions, nor do I want to know the answers, but I do know many Truths. I know God has called me to love these children, I know God is faithful, I know God is huge and can work miracles, I know God is present in that classroom. I feel His Presence every second of the day. I know He is for those sweet children. I know He is.

Lord, use the heck out of me. Please Lord. I am asking You to use me, no matter the circumstances, no matter how hard it may be. My purpose is to spread Your kingdom and I know You will provide all the steps and guidance in order to fulfill this purpose. I know You will. I just know it.

"Embrace Your Place"

Embrace: to receive gladly or eagerly, accept willingly

This morning I listened to another sermon from Elevation Church in Charlotte. I was encouraged. He is the most Loving being on the planet, and He loves me, Lauren Elizabeth Teddy, with an everlasting, graceful love. I am not deserving, yet He continues to love me and pour out His fragrant blessing over my life. Lord, THANK YOU!! You are so sweet to me. I love YOU.

Back to the sermon. The sermon is titled, "Embrace Your Place." Christine Caine spoke at Elevation all the way from Hillsong church in Australia. She explained the power in embracing your place - while your place may be dry, arid, hard, exciting, fruitful, joyous, etc - embrace every bit of it. Receive gladly and eagerly, accept willingly the place the Lord has ordained. She talked about the importance of staying in this place, to keep turning up for God because He is a preparer. It's more than what you see at the moment, it's about who HE is and what HE wants to do on the Earth, I am but a puppet in His sweet puppet show. He is preparing me for what He has ALREADY prepared. Crazy. Lord thank you for preparation, for daily building me up in Your Spirit, for teaching me new things each day, for loving me, for waiting for me every morning, for taking delight in my being still, while I am bowed down at Your feet waiting to hear Your whisper. Lord I want to hear more of Your whispers, more of Your Voice. Lord that Your voice would be so loud above my own. Father lead me, Father send me. Not my will, but YOUR will be done. In Jesus' name.

"When you embrace your place, you are irreplaceable."

Be encouraged.

We also had our first girls campaigners today for YoungLife. While no one came, it was the absolute sweetest time of surrender. My beautiful friends and I prayed the entire time we would have had campaigners, praying for surrender and belief over the girls we love. Lord use us to love these girls to Your kingdom. Father, send us. I love prayer. I am most content bowing my head, speaking with the God of the universe. Lord, thank you. After prayer we blasted a whole lotta praise music. We danced and jumped around. We were both giddy and giggly. Lord thank you. The whole time we were dancing around I kept thinking of our Father's desire for childlike faith. Dancing around, giddy and giggly is just a glimpse of childlike faith. Lord teach us more about childlike faith. Father, please teach us more.

You are good, SO GOOD!

Amen.

"Dig Some Ditches"

What up snow day! I am beyond thankful for a day of rest. Last night I prayed my heart out for snow to fall, Lord willing. THANK YOU JESUS!! You are so sweet. I woke up this morning blown away at the fact that school was canceled. Thank you, Lord. Thank you for rest, for the blessing of a snow day, just when You know I need it :)

I am all caught up on school work, ready for the rest of the week! Since I had time to spare today I listened to a sermon from Elevation Church in Charlotte. Pastor Furtick's theme for this sermon was "Get back, Dig Some Ditches." He talked about spiritual momentum and utilizing natural means to kick-start supernatural results. He based his sermon on 2Kings3 where the Lord told Elisha to, "make this valley full of ditches." After Elisha dug a few ditches, the Lord filled them with water and blessed those ditches, but FIRST Elisha had to dig. Pastor Furtick left his listeners with a thought, "What ditches is the Lord calling you to dig? This is Jesus we're talking about, dig deeper, He wants to bless you in a huge way!" While digging these ditches will be hard work, they will be blessed in a huge way, so the world could see who He is, so His Kingdom would be spread.

Lord reveal the ditches you are calling me to dig. I kept thinking about both YoungLife and my future as I listened to this sermon. Digging ditches in YoungLife would mean being where our high schoolers are, making Campaigners consistent, loving them to the Kingdom, being present in their lives. Digging ditches toward my teaching career could mean meeting with the principal at my school, getting to know him well and being willing to apply to any K-6 teaching position in North Carolina. Lord, continue to reveal the ditches needing to be dug. Lord I want to see you work in huge ways. I believe You are working in huge ways. Father use me, Lord send me to wherever you like. I am willing, Lord please send me. Lord that I would be a temple for You, that Your Holy Spirit would radiate, that my desire for You would increase. Lord that I would "let go and let You." Father I am willing, please send me. Reveal Your path. If it's a narrow path, let it be, but I pray I would follow. I let loose my own desires and ask You would fill my heart with Yours. Father that You would use me in spreading Your Kingdom, that Your Kingdom would be the main motivation of my heart. Father strip me of selfishness. Lord, you're so sweet. I love you so much. Thank You for filling my heart with joy and painting a smile on my face. I love you, Lord. I want more of You, Father.

1Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Always be joyful. Always keep on praying. NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1Thessalonians 5:16-18

Lord let the truth of Your Word reign in my heart...

I really am at a lost for words today. Hard things are happening at school. It breaks my heart, absolutely breaks my heart to hear some of the things my students have to deal with. Lord, use me. Please use me to love my students, to lean in and recognize them as beautifully and wonderfully made. Father cover my 4th grade classroom with Your Presence. Lord, let it be rich. Let it be thick. Let it be noticeably different. Father surround my students with a love and peace that transcends all.

Lord I ask for strength. Lord use me to love all I come in contact with. I can't do it on my own, I don't have the strength. Lord, I will access Your strength.

Dem Franchize Boyz - Rock Wit It Lean Wit It (squeaky clean)

Lean with it, rock with it

Alright Dem Franchise Boys, I see you. I see you with your "Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It" lyrics.

(Side note: I had the privilege of seeing Dem Franchise Boys in real life. They came to our high school and had a concert in our cafeteria, yep...in our cafeteria. High schoolers were crowded around them in a circle, doing their thing, leanin' and rockin' in their white tees. I just stood in the back watching)

Okay, on the real. I was just reading along this morning and the commonly heard verse, Proverbs 3:5-6, reminded me of this song. Why, you might ask? Probably because it has the word "lean" in it. Kinda funny to me, maybe not to you...that's okay. I'll think it's funny, you can choose otherwise.

So here she is. Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Before I read God's word I try to remember to pray before. To pray new meaning would come to words I've read hundreds of times, that I would learn something I didn't know yesterday. Well, God is good, He is a Provider of wisdom, and He is faithful. Today I gained a better understanding and refreshment of the word "lean." I feel like it's a commonly used word and for me, I have not put much thought into it's true meaning. Ole Mister Webster explains the word "lean" as meaning this: "to rest against or on something for support; to depend or rely."

"Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and LEAN NOT on your own understanding..." This morning the Lord helped me realize how I am to rest against, depend, and rely on NONE of my own understanding, none of the world's understanding, etc...I am to lean on HIS understanding. I am to learn from His Word, to listen to His sweet voice, and to act.

Lord help me to lean on Your understanding, that I would come to You hungry for more of your direction and guidance. Lord make it known to me when I am going on my own wayward path. Lord thank you for ordaining my steps, I pray I would walk it out as you wish.

Also, Father - thank you for snow day numero dos :)

Provider

Father God - Thank You for ALWAYS providing! You are good. So good. I can't get over it. Thank you for showering today with blessings...I pray I would receive all You have in store. Thank you for today, Father :)

Things I love about today:

1. WHAT UP SNOW DAY! (Shout out to my girl on YouTube "Jessica's Daily Affirmation")

I love snow days, I love snow, I love watching movies, I love catching up on homework, I love soup, I love hot tea, I love my whole LIFE! I can do anything good, I can do anything great, yeah..yeah...

2. Last semester as I finished up interning, I made each of my kids a bookmark and bought them a class book. Well, because the high country enjoys becoming a snow globe and because I have started student teaching, I haven't been able to make it out to Ashe County to give them their gifts. So, this morning I went to the store to ship my gifts. I got to the store around 8 am and they weren't open BUT the sweet man who works there let me come in anyways. He was the nicest man and I am so thankful for him! It turned out that they only took cash or check, neither of which I had, so he even let me run to get cash before he left! I offered to give him a little extra money for being willing to open for me AND let me go get cash, but he would not accept the offer. Lord, please bless this sweet man. I pray his store would prosper and Your Presence would be recognizably thick. Thank you for blessing me this morning through this man's genuine heart.

3. My roommate and I are going to make 7-layer dip and chocolate chip cookies. Yum.

4. We have team time tonight, and I love my YoungLife team so much!

5. I found an artist, Craig Duncan, who plays instrumental bluegrass hymns...3 things I love all in ONE CD...

Someday...

Someday I'll have my own classroom...

1. I want to put a hammock up in the "reading area." However, only students who have earned the right to sit in the hammock will have the privilege of reading in it

2. I would like to buy each of my students their own "Writer's Notebook." Every morning they will have a prompt/idea/topic to respond to in their notebook. After lunch they may free-write.

3. I want to play music in the mornings while they're writing...or as the day permits.

4. I would like to have a special "Student of the Week." This student may read in the hammock if behavior allows, share things they like/don't like, reign as line leader for the week, become the teacher's assistant for the week, etc...

5. I hope my classroom becomes a safeguard for students where they are comfortable being themselves, where they allow walls to fall, where they learn to respect one another, and most importantly, learn to make someone else's day better by doing something genuinely nice for someone else.

6. Random acts of kindness will definitely be emphasized.

7. Students will set goals for themselves every few months. They will be attached to their desks so they are reminded daily of how they want to improve both academically and non-academically.

Father God - Thank you for planning my steps, for whispering guidance and direction in me deciding to be a teacher. Lord use the heck out of me now, and forever-more in the classroom. Amen.

You Are Good - Israel & New Breed with Lyrics

True that, double true.

Learning

Things I loved about today:

1. 2 hour delay

2. We had a substitute today and she left right as the kids left. Therefore, I was alone in the classroom and the Holy Spirit led me to pray over every desk. Lord I pray these students would be changed and would know Your love which surpasses all understanding. I pray believing they will see more of a glimpse of You at the end of each day.

3. My students listened to me!!! YES :)

4. I'm learning to be a teacher...and it's fun...it's SO fun!

Dave Matthews Band - Everyday (Live In New York)

"...come and dance with Me..."

One of Dave Matthews' songs, "Everyday", is one of my favorites...BUT remixed with the line, "Hani, hani, come and dance with me" makes it 200 times better. I'm guilty of jamming out to this song when it comes on in the car. I was just listening to it and I had a little bit of a revelation. Here she is. All the Lord wants is for us to come and dance with Him, to be lead by Him, to follow Him, to trust Him, to want Him, to feel Him, to love Him. All He wants is for us to give him a little lovin'. It's not hard to show your friends or your family a little lovin' so why should it be hard to show God - the Creator of the universe, who formed us BEFORE we were born, the lover of our souls - a little lovin'?

Today was day quatro of student teaching. My teacher was out so there was a substitute in the room. The morning was great, the afternoon was crazy. I know there will be a lot of crazy days and I am learning to love them. I choose to say I love them because "when I am weak, HE is strong." Lord I ask for your Light to fill my heart, that I would learn to discipline out of Love, out of Your Love. Lord I am weak. I have a hard time with classroom management, with being stern. Lord I pray for wisdom and creativity in disciplining. You say, "ask and you shall receive," Lord I am asking Your will be done and I am asking for wisdom and creativity. Lord I pray believing You will show me ways to Love as You Love while also disciplining these students so they can strive to be the absolute best they can be. Lord I will love on You in the midst of trouble, in the midst of chaos. Lord I pray I would be constantly seeking Your face with my whole heart. Father God, I will come to Your feet in the morning and lay my head down at night in Your Presence. I will give You lovin'. I will. Father thank you for being so sweet to me, for loving me beyond my understanding. Thank you! I will sing Your praises higher and higher. Amen.

Miss Teddy...weird...

Well. It's official. At school my name is no longer "Lauren" or "Miss Lauren" or "Ted" or any other inappropriate name some people like to call me. My name is now, "Miss Teddy." Kinda weird. Kinda grown up. I'm kinda caught off guard when students refer to me as Miss Teddy. I guess I have to get used to it!

Today was my third day of student teaching. I am so thankful. I really am so thankful. My teacher is beyond wonderful and the 4th graders are just cool. I feel like they are getting to know me and feel more comfortable around me which makes my heart happy. For instance, today one of the girls asked me if I would show her how to wear her headband like I wear mine. My heart about melted. She is sweet and loves all things girly. Another boy asked me to help him with his math...and then when I finished helping him he told me thank you! Seeing these kids light up with joy when they figure out the right answer to something is amazing. Don't make fun of me but...my eyes started tearing up when I was helping one of the students. I was sitting next to him, looking at him as if I was looking at Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is so evident in these students. They are awesome. The power of the Holy Spirit within them is awesome. My prayer is that I would love these students with a heart as close to the Lord's as possible. Lord help me to press into your guidance and direction throughout the school day. I pray every pat on the back or high five given to these students would be filled with the power of Your Holy Spirit. Lord fill that 4th grade classroom. Lord fill that sweet school! Overpower that school with Your Love, Your perfect, flawless, powerful Love. Let it be.

Things I loved about today:

1. My teacher begins the day with her own moment of silence :) This is going to happen in my classroom...mark my words.

2. After lunch students are to sit down - heads down - eyes and mouths shut. She does this to give them a chance to calm down and get ready to learn for the rest of the day.

3. One of the girls asked me to sit with her at lunch today, so sweet.

4. We had a 2 hour delay because of the weather, therefore, I spent a good hour or so in the Word, praying, enjoying His presence. So thankful.

Picturesque.

I am so thankful. Thankful for rest. I was supposed to start student teaching Monday of this week but the mountains decided to become winter wonderland instead. Therefore, I have not gone to school at all this week. I have been provided with rest, reassurance, and fellowship instead. How sweet. God is so sweet to me and I am so thankful!

Today I decided to drive to Wal-Mart. While I was sitting in my car to wait for it to heat up I saw the most beautiful, perfect, flawless snowflake. I always thought those paper snowflakes in the store were pretend, that real snowflakes really don't look as perfect as these do. I was mistaken! The snowflakes I saw today looked just like paper, just like the clip-art on the computer, just like the stickers that fill the shelves of Wal-Mart during winter time. I was blown away. I tried to take a picture on my phone but you can't see them. As I looked at these perfect snowflakes I was reminded of His creation. I almost cried when I thought of this! He has perfectly designed every bit of creation. God created those perfect snowflakes to entrance us with His beauty. I can't even put into words how happy I was to see that flawless snowflake. Maybe that sounds silly but I don't really care. I am so thankful for those sweet snowflakes. They served as a great reminder for me. They reminded me that I am hidden in Christ. When God looks down on me, He sees how much I love Him. I want to love Him more. Lord, show me how to love You more. I want more. God that you would use me to spread Your Glory in immense ways.

Tomorrow I am going to school. Finally. It's an optional teacher workday but as a student teacher I am required to go. I am nervous, anxious, a little scared. Lord I trade these feelings of fear for feelings of confidence. Your heart is not one of fear. Lord I cast fear out of my heart. I am excited to finally meet my teacher, to get to know her, and begin to understand how I am to Love her. Lord I pray I would serve her, that Your Light would shine.

Lord, thank you for always being with me, for comforting me even when I am to blind to see.

Let it be.

Rise Above

"Rise above through God's word and God's purpose." Pastor Steven Furtick - Elevation Church

I just listened to a sermon from Elevation Church in Charlotte and was so encouraged. Yesterday I left all my student teaching meetings feeling overwhelmed and nervous for this new season. These feelings are not of the Lord. HE promises peace that transcends all understanding! Pastor Furtick used Luke 2:14 as the backbone of his message - "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." I've heard this verse millions of times as Christmas season begins but God provided me with a new understanding. Pastor Furtick translated this verse as this: "When I give God the highest Glory, He gives me His deepest peace." Am I giving God the HIGHEST Glory? My answer. Nope. If I was giving Him the highest Glory, the highest praise, I would not be feeling overwhelmed or defeated. Lord I choose to RISE ABOVE circumstance, to climb up the tree like Zacchaeus, and to rise above to seek YOU in the highest of places. Lord I leave these feelings of being overwhelmed and nervous and trade them for Your deepest peace. You are above my circumstances. You are higher and You are mighty to save. Lord I pray I would cling to Your promises, to Your word, and to Your purpose. Lord that I would be aligned with Your perspective. You are my highest priority. You are Lord. You are the lover of my soul and I will rise above. I have the responsibility of carrying Your Glory and I ask to be held accountable daily. I will carry Your Glory to school, to my family, to friends, to strangers on the street. I will carry Your Glory and I WILL give you the highest praise. Lord, You deserve nothing less. Let it be.

Matthew 28:20

After sitting through meetings all day long I am anxious to begin student teaching. This is what I'm doing. This is where I am. A senior and about to begin student teaching. WHAT?! I can remember being little, playing in my room, teaching my stuffed animals that were seated neatly on my carpet...and now...I'm a real teacher. What the heck? Time has flown.

I will be the first to admit that I am a little bit scared, nervous, anxious, overwhelmed. This is a new season and I am excited to learn. I know God is going to teach me each day to rely on His strength, to cast all my burdens on Him, to dwell at His feet, to enjoy Who He is. Who is HE? He is good. He is perfect. He is a comforter. He is a TEACHER. He is a TEACHER and I am a student. "Isn't that ironic, don't ya think?" Ironic, yet way cool. I am a student to a Teacher who can do immeasurably more than I could ever in a million years ask. He allows me to speak directly to Him. What a privilege, what an honor!! I am overwhelmed at the thought of knowing that a God who created the universe and numbered the stars allows me to talk directly to Him. What would it look like if my thoughts, my actions, were aligned with the Holy Spirit. Lord I ask to be more like You. I ask that you would change any offensive way in me so that I may become more like You. I want to be aligned with Your perspective, Your Holy Spirit. I pray for discipline, patience, and obedience to You. I pray to daily take up Your cross to serve You. I pray to spread Your Glory, somehow, to all I come in contact with. I pray to rely constantly on You, to press in for more of Your Presence.

Most of all I pray my students now, and in the future, would always see You in my heart. ALWAYS. I pray You would use the heck out of me. Lord that I would be so quick to answer You, to be so obedient to Your lead. Lord, here I am, please use me now and forever more.

I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20