Just a post before bed time...

Well, I was headed to bed-it seems the times I am about to climb under my covers and go off to the wonderful land of sugar plum fairies, my dream wedding, meeting prince charming, eating cotton candy, or swimming in a large much of delicious coffee is when my mind starts racing! There has been a lot going on over the past couple of years, a battle on the inside that I feel black and blue over, a battle I am tired of fighting, and think I have come to the point I am putting the boxing gloves away and giving it to the Lord. I have to say giving things to the Lord is something that is hard for me to do...sometimes I think I can win this on my own, but in the end I can't.

Over the past several years I have been praying and seeking the Lord's guidance whether or not to move from the area I am in now or to quit teaching all together. I have to admit...I am not confident when it comes to teaching, sometimes I feel that there is someone better and more adequate to do my job. But then I look into the eyes of the students I stand in front of every single day, from 8-3 five times a week, their sweet words, their sweet and thoughtful expressions of love--from hugs, pictures, flowers (more like weeds), songs, and even using grass as confetti while singing a "we love you" song to the tune of Happy Birthday. All these expressions of love helps me know I am where the Lord wants me to be. The times a student comes to me and simple says "I love you" means the world to me. I look at my life and think that there isn't anything else I want to do except teaching my students about God, reading, math, science, and social studies. Telling them stories about me when I was a kid, reading books to them, and laughing with them on the playground in the classroom brings me more joy than looking up in the night sky and seeing the starts, or drinking coffee, or eating chocolate. I am very thankful the Lord has allowed me to be a teacher--this is His Will for my life-and this is what I am meant to do. Someday, I still hope some dashing young man on a white horse (well in my dreams at least) will waltz into my life and sweep me off my feet. But, for now I am going to be a single, carefree, Christian young lady who loves teaching and loves being around "her kids." 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS!

Weight Loss Journey

Yes this is the same person....the picture on the left was taken October 2012, I was at 180 pounds...not super heavy, but not at a weight I wanted to be at. The picture on right is from October 2013, 15 pounds gone, longer hair (which will be cut in June--i think), and looking so much slimmer....I was one chubby monkey last year...I am very proud of myself and the weight loss journey I've been on since April 2013. It has been a lot of hard work, and I want to lose even more by June--like 10 more pounds at least. I would LOVE to be at my high-school/pre-college weight (135 lbs) but first the goal of getting down to 150---15 more pounds give or take a little to go. The holiday season has been tough, because I have a sweet tooth and been craving soda--but after the new year I shall get back to eating healthy again.

Five Minute Friday: Together

Greetings from my blog! I hope everyone is having a  fantastic Friday! I am joining Lisa-Jo and other bloggers from around the world for Five Minute Friday. A time where bloggers can come together and write for five minutes. Todays topic is TOGETHER.

Begin

Following Christ is much like a three-legged race. This came to me today watching my students do three legged races today during our fun day. If a three legged racer gets ahead of his partner they stumble and fall. This is how the Christian life is, and serving Christ. If I get ahead of where Christ wants me I can stumble and fall in my Christian life. If I walk directly with Christ I will be exactly where He wants me to be. I might still stumble and fall, and when I do Christ is always there with me to help me up, and help me get back to where I need to be to finish the race.

Done

Fall (according to Kindergarten)

It is amazing what gets done in class when your kids are being well behaved. You get things done, and get to do extra fun learning activities. Today we had time to write a "spider web" story--with the topic being "fall."
I am trying to do a writing activity or two with my kids this year. I was surprised at some of my kids answers! 

Here is the spider web story they wrote:

Starbucks Friday

Almost two weeks without Starbucks.....having coffee only ONCE this week...yes I was craving some. It worked out for my to get some Starbucks today! (yay me!)

I admit...I got a Viente and enjoyed every single drop of my Pumpkin Spice Frappuchino

Can't wait to dig into this!!! 

Five Minute Friday: Ordinary

It is amazing how God uses ORDINARY people to serve Him. He chose some simple fisherman to be his apostles. He told a lady at the well about Christ. He healed ordinary, poor sick lepers. He raised the dead and healed the sick. These people didn't live in mansions, have nice horses (or donkeys)--they lived simply. But yet GOD still used them. I want to be like these people--an ordinary person that God can use for Him to serve Him.

I am an ORDINARY single girl full of life serving the Lord. I hope though I am making an EXTRAORDINARY impact to those around me and making a difference. 

Five Minute Friday: TRUE

***repost from July 2010***

A few years ago I read a fantastic book by Elizabeth George called, "Loving God with All Your Mind." It focused on the passage in Philippians 4:8

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

This passage has really been a huge part of my life--my way of life and my thinking. Many times I have to stop and focus on what is true in the here and now. Its not always easy....but yet its Biblical, Here is the post from a few years ago....

 So far Elizabeth George’s book has been a huge blessing to me. It has opened my mind and heart to things that I need to work on in my life. In the first section she talked about Philippians 4:8. The main thrust of this verse she pointed out was “Am I thinking on what is true?” Meaning, am I focusing on Christ and His Word. Am I focusing on the NOW and not the past or the future?
I have to admit many times I haven’t. My mind seems to get ahead of myself and I keep asking “what if questions.” Elizabeth George said,

“Every time you hold your thoughts up against God’s standards on what is true and what is real…and then choose to ‘think on these things,’ you are loving God with all your mind. With His help, His Word, and His Spirit, you can triumph over negative emotions, damaging thoughts, and destructive attitude” (George 23).

How true that is. I know many times I will get frustrated when my mind is not focused on what Christ wants me to focus on. When my mind is not focused on Christ I am not loving God with all my mind. Every time I start having the wrong thoughts I am not loving God with all my mind. When I think of the “what if this was different” I am not loving God with all my mind. In my Christian life to focus on Christ and to love God with all my mind--I need to think “what is true and real about God?” “What does the Bible say?” The Bible is what is true not my thoughts, not my feelings, not even my emotions. If I use my thoughts, feelings, and emotions those will not help me train my thoughts. What I need to focus on is God’s Word.