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)