I am 2.5 days away from finishing my first year of teaching. CRAZY! I have been so busy these last few weeks. Ok, I've been busy all year, but especially these last few weeks. God is good though. Here's some updates:
I am teaching one session of summer school. 8 days. It will be good. I'm looking forward to it.
My Shepherd group on Sundays has grown to 14 girls!
Tammi and I combined our small groups for the summer. We are doing "a summer of prayer" and I am SO excited!!!
Free Food Mondays is still doing well. We continue to have a a great turn out each week. God is blessing this ministry.
We got a cat..... (and I kinda like it... who knew!)
My girls back home all graduated! I've been their small group leader since they were in 7th grade! Now they are all going to college! I'm so proud of them!
Summer is almost here and I am ready for a tan!
I've decided to grow my hair back out. I've enjoyed my adult haircut, but I miss ponytails and simplicity.
I'm starting to enjoy running. I still hate it more than I love it, but my heart (or head?) is slowly changing...
I miss my family... a lot.
2.5 more days! Then maybe a reflection on my year... maybe. :)
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
I pledge allegiance
Every morning at 7:15 AM the school bell rings. I close the door after checking every one's ID as they enter the classroom, reminding them to tuck in their shirts and turn their phones off. The familiar voice of our principal comes over the loud speaker, and we all rise to pledge our allegiance. The students stand, facing the small and pathetic representations of our state and country that are attached to the white board. Some actually look at the flag while others stare at the floor, yawn, or make a face at their friend across the room. On a good day, one or two students may be awake enough to mumble through the pledges, but it means nothing to them. It is just a part of their daily routine, a routine that began years ago on their very first day of school. Now, 13 or so years later, it's no different then brushing their teeth. When did we stop teaching the purpose of this routine? The magnitude of this action; to pledge allegiance to something is anything but routine. It's a commitment, a lifestyle.
According to dictionary.com to pledge allegiance is to solemnly promise the loyalty of a citizen to his or her government. I'll be the first to admit that I fall short of this. I complain along with everyone else about all the mistakes our government is making, certain I have the solution. It's not my fault, I didn't vote for them. When I pledge allegiance, I'm really just promising my loyalty to those in our government who I voted for, leaving me the right to complain about our leaders who I feel are unfit for the role...
My parents raised me better than this. They taught me to have respect for those in authority, even when I disagree with the choices they make. I may not have voted for you, but you were elected and I will support every decision you make because I have pledged my allegiance to this country and its government. I will do my part if you do yours, for I can not pledge my allegiance to a country who does not fight for the values it was founded upon. One Nation UNDER GOD, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL. When you take that oath, you are pledging your allegiance to these values, promising to defend them at all costs.
One Nation under God- This is the core of our country. As Derek Webb wrote, "My first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man.My first allegiance is not to democracy or blood, it's to a King and a Kingdom." We are to seek God in every decision, keeping Him the CENTER of our nation. Instead, we have taken Him out of the schools and to even speak of Him could cost you your job.
Indivisible- We spend more time trying to obtain the majority, planning for the NEXT election, rather then focus on the here and now. Instead of fighting and defending bills that represent the values we were founded upon, we waste time gossiping and complaining about the red and blue. What happened to the UNITED States of America? I often feel like the Divided States of America is a more appropriate name. Over the last several years the few times I have felt united was during a tragedy like 9/11, Hurricane Katrine and Ike, or the shooting at Virginia Tech. Shouldn't I feel that we are united every single day?
With Liberty- I teach the required speech credit students in Texas must take to graduate from high school. I teach them about the 1st Amendment and their right to freedom of speech, and yet I'm not allowed to share my faith with them. How is this liberty? How is this free? What would Patrick Henry have to say about this? Would he choose our weakened concept of liberty or would he choose death?
Justice for all- I feel so much pride in our country when I hear stories of our troops fighting for justice, or the stories of rescue missions taking place on enemy territory. We fight for the beaten, abandoned, and abused. The jobless, homeless, sick, and the old. However, we draw the line at the unborn. They have no voice, no rights, no choice. How is this just?
I DO pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, because I am a part of that republic. For I believe in a Nation that is one under God, indivisible and united, not just in name but in what we stand for, with liberty and justice for every single being. This is what I pledge to, and as long as our leaders can pledge to this as well they will continue to have my support and respect.
According to dictionary.com to pledge allegiance is to solemnly promise the loyalty of a citizen to his or her government. I'll be the first to admit that I fall short of this. I complain along with everyone else about all the mistakes our government is making, certain I have the solution. It's not my fault, I didn't vote for them. When I pledge allegiance, I'm really just promising my loyalty to those in our government who I voted for, leaving me the right to complain about our leaders who I feel are unfit for the role...
My parents raised me better than this. They taught me to have respect for those in authority, even when I disagree with the choices they make. I may not have voted for you, but you were elected and I will support every decision you make because I have pledged my allegiance to this country and its government. I will do my part if you do yours, for I can not pledge my allegiance to a country who does not fight for the values it was founded upon. One Nation UNDER GOD, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL. When you take that oath, you are pledging your allegiance to these values, promising to defend them at all costs.
One Nation under God- This is the core of our country. As Derek Webb wrote, "My first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man.My first allegiance is not to democracy or blood, it's to a King and a Kingdom." We are to seek God in every decision, keeping Him the CENTER of our nation. Instead, we have taken Him out of the schools and to even speak of Him could cost you your job.
Indivisible- We spend more time trying to obtain the majority, planning for the NEXT election, rather then focus on the here and now. Instead of fighting and defending bills that represent the values we were founded upon, we waste time gossiping and complaining about the red and blue. What happened to the UNITED States of America? I often feel like the Divided States of America is a more appropriate name. Over the last several years the few times I have felt united was during a tragedy like 9/11, Hurricane Katrine and Ike, or the shooting at Virginia Tech. Shouldn't I feel that we are united every single day?
With Liberty- I teach the required speech credit students in Texas must take to graduate from high school. I teach them about the 1st Amendment and their right to freedom of speech, and yet I'm not allowed to share my faith with them. How is this liberty? How is this free? What would Patrick Henry have to say about this? Would he choose our weakened concept of liberty or would he choose death?
Justice for all- I feel so much pride in our country when I hear stories of our troops fighting for justice, or the stories of rescue missions taking place on enemy territory. We fight for the beaten, abandoned, and abused. The jobless, homeless, sick, and the old. However, we draw the line at the unborn. They have no voice, no rights, no choice. How is this just?
I DO pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, because I am a part of that republic. For I believe in a Nation that is one under God, indivisible and united, not just in name but in what we stand for, with liberty and justice for every single being. This is what I pledge to, and as long as our leaders can pledge to this as well they will continue to have my support and respect.
Friday, May 8, 2009
keep the comment questions coming! This is fun!
Beate- I sure would love to travel to Norway, but if I'm going to spend that much money on a flight I want to be there for a while. I only have a limited amount of time this summer... maybe next summer! As far as tips for teaching go... I'm still trying to figure that one out! Praying for my students daily and asking for patience has helped greatly!!
Julie!!!- I'm going to be spending 10 days with the Botacio family (Aylen and her mother worked at Cresta Del Mar each summer with us). During those 10 days Aylen and I will be taking a long bus ride to Costa Rica to spend 3 days with Robert & Nina and help them with a camp they are doing. If there is anyone you want me to take something to or bring something back from please let me know!! I'll be in Tyler in June, and leaving for Panama July 15!!
Julie!!!- I'm going to be spending 10 days with the Botacio family (Aylen and her mother worked at Cresta Del Mar each summer with us). During those 10 days Aylen and I will be taking a long bus ride to Costa Rica to spend 3 days with Robert & Nina and help them with a camp they are doing. If there is anyone you want me to take something to or bring something back from please let me know!! I'll be in Tyler in June, and leaving for Panama July 15!!
and so.
so today, i felt like blogging but didn't know what to blog about... and i got this idea.
leave a comment and tell me what to blog about. if no one leaves a comment, then i guess its safe to assume i'm blogging to an audienceless cyber world.
make it interesting. or entertaining. i like both.
comment away blog stalkers!
leave a comment and tell me what to blog about. if no one leaves a comment, then i guess its safe to assume i'm blogging to an audienceless cyber world.
make it interesting. or entertaining. i like both.
comment away blog stalkers!
Monday, May 4, 2009
24.
Yes friends, it is true. Only 24 days left of school. TAKS is over and I'm still alive. Praise the Lord. I will graduate from my certification course May 16th and will officially be a State of Texas Standard Certified Teacher. Thats a mouth full!
This past week I realized something. I've had a challenging year. Teaching has been much harder and demanding than I would have expected. However, despite all the ups and downs, I love my job. I really do! God has blessed me greatly. The school I work at is incredible and my students are wonderful. Of course it's a challenge, but I think that is one of the things that I appreciate so much about it. God has provided me with a wonderful job and I love it! He is so faithful!
My summer is quickly filling up. Here is the summer schedule so far...
JUNE:
June 5- Last day of school
June 6- Teacher work day (ON A SATURDAY!?)
June 7- Cousin Will's graduation
June 9-13 Houston Mission project with youth group
June 16-17 SIOP training for work
June 18-20 Family fishing trip
June 21- Fathers Day/Baptism
June 22-25 ESL Training
June 26-? Home for a few days
JULY:
July 8-July 12 Youth Camp
July 15-24 PANAMA!!
July 30-? Home for a few days.
Summer? What summer? haha. At least it is full of fun things.
This past week I realized something. I've had a challenging year. Teaching has been much harder and demanding than I would have expected. However, despite all the ups and downs, I love my job. I really do! God has blessed me greatly. The school I work at is incredible and my students are wonderful. Of course it's a challenge, but I think that is one of the things that I appreciate so much about it. God has provided me with a wonderful job and I love it! He is so faithful!
My summer is quickly filling up. Here is the summer schedule so far...
JUNE:
June 5- Last day of school
June 6- Teacher work day (ON A SATURDAY!?)
June 7- Cousin Will's graduation
June 9-13 Houston Mission project with youth group
June 16-17 SIOP training for work
June 18-20 Family fishing trip
June 21- Fathers Day/Baptism
June 22-25 ESL Training
June 26-? Home for a few days
JULY:
July 8-July 12 Youth Camp
July 15-24 PANAMA!!
July 30-? Home for a few days.
Summer? What summer? haha. At least it is full of fun things.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
be prepared!
So I can't take credit for this one... all the credit goes to the Andrew Minchew:
"'swine flu' is the past tense of 'pigs fly'. Do you know how much crazy stuff is supposed to happen when pigs fly? HUNKER DOWN!"
I'm pretty sure my response to a passed note in 5th grade questioning "will you be my girlfriend" was "when pigs fly"....... I sure hope he doesn't remember this! :)
"'swine flu' is the past tense of 'pigs fly'. Do you know how much crazy stuff is supposed to happen when pigs fly? HUNKER DOWN!"
I'm pretty sure my response to a passed note in 5th grade questioning "will you be my girlfriend" was "when pigs fly"....... I sure hope he doesn't remember this! :)
Monday, April 27, 2009
so THATS why i feel sick....
So I was out sick Friday, and am here but not feeling real well today. My students are convinced I have the swine flu. Now you would think that this would make them paranoid and what not, but they think it's awesome. To quote one of my students, "Dude Miss, how cool would it be if you were one of the 20 confirmed cases! And we know you!" Me-oh-my.
So this past weekend I got to go home and meet my beautiful new nephew- Joshua James Holt. I started calling him "JJ" but my sister (his mother) said that was "gay-gay" but, in the defense of anyone named JJ, know that I personally think that name is charming. However, to appease my sister.... Gator it is. (For those of you who don't know, when my sister found out she was expecting, Isaiah on his own started calling the baby Alligator. It stuck.) He is sooo precious. I'm glad I got to see him while he is still at the "all I do is eat, poop, and sleep" stage. In a month when I go home again he will look so different. I loved snuggling with him. It amazes me that someone can hold something so beautiful and fragile and still not believe in God.
It was very refreshing being home, I just wish I could have stayed longer. I always have such mixed emotions about home. My heart longs to be home, but at the same time I am so happy with life here. I really am torn between two wonderful places.
Things at school are crazy right now. We have the dreaded TAKS tests this week. After that, only FIVE MORE WEEKS OF SCHOOL!!!! Holla! The month of May is going to be super busy.
-May 15th I am taking the day off for a friends graduation here in Houston. The graduation is at 9 am so I get the whole day!! Hooray!!
-May 21-25 I'm going with the debate team to..... NEW YORK!!!!!! I'm so excited. NYC has been one of my "must sees" for so many years. Hooray for marking places of my list!
-May 29 I am taking that day off for my dear sweet small groups HS graduation back home! Can't believe my girls (who were in 7th grade when I started working with them) are all graduating and moving off to college! Makes me feel old! It will be nice to be home again for a few days so soon!
Now, for the latest breaking news. I'M GOING BACK TO PANAMA THIS SUMMER!!!!!!!! I know. You are probably just as excited as I am :) God is so faithful. Through out all my different plans and what not for this summer, my hearts desire has consistently been to go and visit my friends in Panama. However, with it not being a mission trip, I just could not finance it. Flights are just too much these days. Last week, I was sitting at my desk and the Lord laid it on my heart to call my mom and express to her how badly I wanted to go back to Panama. When I called her she said, "Hannah. Dad has TONS of frequent flier points. I'm sure he would love to help!" And she was right. With in 24 hours I had booked my FREE flight to Panama. I leave July 15 for 10 wonderful days in my beloved Panama. I'll be staying with Aylen's family while I'm there. It is going to be so different this time because it's not a mission trip, and I'll once again be back in a Spanish speaking home! I get to see all my wonderful friends, and there is a chance that I might get to go to Costa Rica for a few days while I'm there to visit some missionaries that used to live in Panama and help them with a camp they are putting on. GOD IS SO GOOD!
I feel like that phrase, "God is so good" has been a constant phrase for me in the last few weeks. Well, last few months actually. I'm sure if you read my blogs faithfully you see that. It's a lot to convey all at once. Take me out to coffee and I'd be blessed to share with you.
I'm reading Crazy Love again. That book blesses me. My small group is beginning to study Romans. I am looking forward to this. I feel like it is a very applicable book of the Bible for me right now. You can look forward to blogs on my reflections of what I'm learning :)
With that said, the bell is about to ring and in will walk my wonderful 7th period.
So this past weekend I got to go home and meet my beautiful new nephew- Joshua James Holt. I started calling him "JJ" but my sister (his mother) said that was "gay-gay" but, in the defense of anyone named JJ, know that I personally think that name is charming. However, to appease my sister.... Gator it is. (For those of you who don't know, when my sister found out she was expecting, Isaiah on his own started calling the baby Alligator. It stuck.) He is sooo precious. I'm glad I got to see him while he is still at the "all I do is eat, poop, and sleep" stage. In a month when I go home again he will look so different. I loved snuggling with him. It amazes me that someone can hold something so beautiful and fragile and still not believe in God.
It was very refreshing being home, I just wish I could have stayed longer. I always have such mixed emotions about home. My heart longs to be home, but at the same time I am so happy with life here. I really am torn between two wonderful places.
Things at school are crazy right now. We have the dreaded TAKS tests this week. After that, only FIVE MORE WEEKS OF SCHOOL!!!! Holla! The month of May is going to be super busy.
-May 15th I am taking the day off for a friends graduation here in Houston. The graduation is at 9 am so I get the whole day!! Hooray!!
-May 21-25 I'm going with the debate team to..... NEW YORK!!!!!! I'm so excited. NYC has been one of my "must sees" for so many years. Hooray for marking places of my list!
-May 29 I am taking that day off for my dear sweet small groups HS graduation back home! Can't believe my girls (who were in 7th grade when I started working with them) are all graduating and moving off to college! Makes me feel old! It will be nice to be home again for a few days so soon!
Now, for the latest breaking news. I'M GOING BACK TO PANAMA THIS SUMMER!!!!!!!! I know. You are probably just as excited as I am :) God is so faithful. Through out all my different plans and what not for this summer, my hearts desire has consistently been to go and visit my friends in Panama. However, with it not being a mission trip, I just could not finance it. Flights are just too much these days. Last week, I was sitting at my desk and the Lord laid it on my heart to call my mom and express to her how badly I wanted to go back to Panama. When I called her she said, "Hannah. Dad has TONS of frequent flier points. I'm sure he would love to help!" And she was right. With in 24 hours I had booked my FREE flight to Panama. I leave July 15 for 10 wonderful days in my beloved Panama. I'll be staying with Aylen's family while I'm there. It is going to be so different this time because it's not a mission trip, and I'll once again be back in a Spanish speaking home! I get to see all my wonderful friends, and there is a chance that I might get to go to Costa Rica for a few days while I'm there to visit some missionaries that used to live in Panama and help them with a camp they are putting on. GOD IS SO GOOD!
I feel like that phrase, "God is so good" has been a constant phrase for me in the last few weeks. Well, last few months actually. I'm sure if you read my blogs faithfully you see that. It's a lot to convey all at once. Take me out to coffee and I'd be blessed to share with you.
I'm reading Crazy Love again. That book blesses me. My small group is beginning to study Romans. I am looking forward to this. I feel like it is a very applicable book of the Bible for me right now. You can look forward to blogs on my reflections of what I'm learning :)
With that said, the bell is about to ring and in will walk my wonderful 7th period.
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