Thursday, January 27, 2011
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 :)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
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...
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
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!
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!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
"...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.
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.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, January 7, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
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
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
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