brand new teacher

Faithful

2011-01-02T09:13:00.000-08:00

Isn't it interesting how God uses the unexpected to truly impact your life?

There have been events in the last 3 months of my life that I do not understand. Things I have struggled with greatly. Things that have brought worry to my heart. I am usually one of those people that go to sleep the minute my head hits the pillow. No thinking, no worrying, no concerns...just sleep. In the last few months, this has not been the case. It's been harder for me to sleep as things are running around in my head.

But I've found encouragement and the strength to carry on each week. The strange thing is where I've found this push to continue. It's been in the material I'm teaching for Sunday School. It's been in the curriculum I teach in Bible class to my kindergarteners. It's been in the lessons I study for for AWANA. Usually, I'll find it in my Bible study, my devotions, my pastor's sermons. Some "grown-up" place. This time it's been in all the little places of my life.

In Sunday School, we are going through Desiring God's curriculum entitled "A Study for Children on the Promises of God." Each week the promise we study has been such an encouragement. We looked at the promise that "God hears our prayers" when, even though I've been walking with Him for a very long time, I was struggling with that fact. When I was wondering how I was going to make it financially, the promise we studied was "God will provide for your needs." I've been really struggling with the fact that I am still single over the past weeks and months, but we studied the promise that "God will not withhold any good thing" and I was encouraged, convicted and blessed. When looking at the sin in my life and the battles with the flesh I have daily, God spoke to me when studying his promise that "He is slow to anger." This coming week is going to be hectic, busy, and crazy. I will be tired and weak. But the lesson I am teaching this morning is "God will give you strength." How appropriate. How sweet God is to give me nuggets of encouragement each Sunday morning that will not just help the kids in my class, but also help me as I begin a new week for Him.

He is faithful. He shows His faithfulness to each person in a different way. A way that will resonate with them individually. He formed us. He loves us. He died for us. He doesn't just promise these good things I've mentioned here. He promises life abundant; He promises life eternal. He is good.

Praying the Lord's Prayer

2010-12-26T22:09:00.000-08:00

I know it's almost been a month since I blogged last. Sad times! It's been a crazy and busy and fun and interesting month. I'll blog about that next. I've been meaning to get back to prayer though. It's fallen off my radar a bit in the midst of a hectic December. Sad, since that means I have not even been taking my own advice. Always room for improvement.

Like I wrote before, Martin Luther prayed through the Lord's Prayer regularly. As I read the prayers he had written for each section, certain parts stood out to me. Since it was not my book, I copied them down and would like to share a few with you.

Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors
Luther broke this into two parts.
-Asking for God's mercy in this
"Do not look upon how good or how wicked we have been but only upon the infinite compassion, which You have bestowed upon us in Christ, Your dear Son."
We definitely do not deserve God's forgiveness. We deserve His wrath and hell. But in His mercy, He has bestowed righteousness on me through His Son, Jesus Christ if we ask for it. He has freely given compassion. It reminds me of Ps. 103:13. "As a father shows compassion on His children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him."
-For our enemies
"We are not helped by (our enemies) ruin; we would much rather that they be saved with us. Amen"
God has forgiven me much. In light of that, how can I wish for and pray for my enemy's destruction. I can pray that God confuse my enemy and stop his plans, but at the same time, I must long for his salvation.

You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain
"I have not only failed to invoke, extol and honor His holy name, but have also been ungrateful for such gifts and have, by swearing, lying and betraying, misused them in the pursuit of shame and sin."
God has given me gifts to be used for His glory. However, it is so easy to be ungrateful and in that attitude pursue shame and sin with those very gifts. Instead of honoring and extoling His holy name, we bring shame to His name.

On the Amen
"Finally, mark this, that you must always speak the amen firmly. Never doubt that God in His mercy will surely hear you and say yes to your prayers. Never think that you are kneeling or standing alone, rather think that the whole of Christendom, all devout Christians, are standing there beside you and you are standing among them in a common, united petition, that God cannot disdain. Do not leave your prayer without having said or thought, 'Very well, God has heard my prayer; this I know as a certainty and a truth.' That is what amen means."
How encouraging is that! Especially if we are praying through the Lord's prayer. We know for certain that all points in the Lords prayer line up with God's will for us. Of course He will say yes to them. Many times I feel that God couldn't possibly be listening to me. I'm so insignificant. However, He is listening. He does care. He wants to give me the desires of my heart when I'm delighting in Him. He is a good God and I need to firmly trust and not doubt my Lord.

So there are some thoughts and quotes on praying the Lord's Prayer from Luther's perspective. I hope they are encouraging to you. He also talks about praying through the Ten Commandments, the Apostle's Creed and the Psalms. Next time, I will share my notes from those.

A Simple Way to Pray

2010-11-27T10:00:00.000-08:00

Continuing on the theme of prayer...

One of the friends that I had a conversation with about prayer lent me a book he thought I might find helpful. It is entitled A Simple Way to Pray by Dr. Archie Parrish. It is written on a letter that Martin Luther originally wrote to his barber who asked him for a simple way to pray that the average person could use. Luther shows him how to pray by using The Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments and the Apostle's Creed. As I read it, I am finding so many good and useful things that I'd like to remember. However, this book does not belong to me, so I'm writing them down in a little notebook. I thought, though, that I would share them here as well, as they might be an encouragement to anyone who might happen along in this little corner of cyberspace.

Dr. Parrish begins the book by introducing Luther to the readers. Here is a quote that stood out to me.

Luther prayed four hours a day. Helmut Thieliche wrote, "Luther prayed this much, not despite his busy life, but because only so could he accomplish his gigantic labors... To work without praying and without listening means only to grow and spread oneself upward without striking roots and without creating an equivalent in the earth. A person who works this way is living unnaturally."

After Luther is introduced, then begins the letter written to his barber. This is what Luther has to say about putting prayer off until later.

Guard yourself carefully against those false, deluding ideas that tell you 'Wait a little while. I will pray in an hour; first I must attend to this or that.' Such thoughts get you away from prayer into other affairs which so hold your attention and involve you that nothing come of prayer for that day.

How often does that happen in our lives? We think that writing that grocery list or doing the laundry needs to get done first and then we'll pray. Or I know many times I tell myself that I'm just going to check Facebook real fast and then I'll pray. But before I know it, 25 minutes have gone by, I know what everyone's status updates are and I've seen their new pictures, but I have not talked to my sweet Jesus. And then I go out and face the world without that solid foundation of prayer that is so essential.

My desire and my goal is to spend time with God--reading His Word, talking to Him in a deep and intimate way--before I go about my daily business. I encourage you, oh reader, to do the same. Join me in making prayer a priority in our lives.

Prayer thoughts

2010-11-26T22:17:00.000-08:00

So in the last week I've had 3 good conversations with 2 friends about prayer. I taught a few Sunday School lessons on prayer. I'm doing this Bible study on The Holiness of God by R. C. Sproul and we keep touching on how we need to pray more. Prayer is also a discipline I've been trying to work on for the last few months. So prayer has been on my mind a lot lately.

Here's the thing, though. I don't know why praying is so hard. I mean, you are talking to your heavenly Father who loves and cares for you infinitely more than any human being could. Yet we want to hash out our life problems--and the world's problems even--with every person we come in contact with. At least I know that's how I am. I could just come to the Lord and share with Him. He knows even before I ask what I need, what the solution is, and how He is going to meet that need. He is sovereign--totally in control and totally just and holy in His answers to my prayers. I can trust Him for that. Yet I don't go to Him as I should.

Well, in one of those conversations that I mentioned before, I remembered a quote about prayer that I read some time ago. It was in a book by Max Lucado called Just Like Jesus. He was telling of a man who said that he was in constant communication with the Lord. He just kept a running conversation with God as He went about his business. I thought that was an interesting concept. In looking for that quote (I wrote it down somewhere, but who knows where :P ), I found another quote for that same book. I don't know if this is the same guy as before, but it's pretty amazing. It fits in with this whole thing because I've also been thinking a lot about God's holiness and the fact that God in His holiness cannot accept the filth of our lives. Even in prayer, we need to confess and make things right with Him. Here is the quote.

I have tasted a thrill in fellowship with God which has made anything discordant with God disgusting. This afternoon, the possession of God has caught me up with such sheer joy that I thought I never had known anything like it. God was so close and so amazingly lovely that I felt like melting all over with a strange blissful contentment. Having had this experience which comes to me now several times a week, the thrill of filth repels, for I know its power to drag me from God. And after an hour of close friendship with God, my soul feels clean, as new fallen snow. (bold mine) --from the journal of Frank Laubach as quoted in Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado

Have you "tasted a thrill in fellowship with God" lately? Just taking the time to slow down and talk to God can be a challenge. And then actually sitting still and quieting all other voices and thoughts is difficult and definitely takes work. But in the last few weeks, I've found it to be rewarding.

My new space

2010-08-09T12:25:00.000-07:00

I've been dying to personalize my room since I moved into my new apartment. Today was that day. I was able to put some things together that made it a little more homey.

First there is the frame. My bestest friend gave me this frame when she moved out of her apartment before she got married. This is a great time to point out the difference between Joni and myself.

This is what Joni had in the frame hanging in her apartment. Hawaii, surfing, beach. That is what Joni is all about.

But this is what I put in the fame. Pretty pinks over a bridge, flower blossoms and an English cottage. Opposites totally attract, even in friendship. I'm so glad too!

I also built myself a bookshelf from Bed, Bath and Beyond. In the end, here is the new space beside my bed. I think it's so nice! :)

My Bestest Friend

2010-07-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

She got married!

Update on my spring/summer dream list

2010-07-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

Here is my list from a year ago...

1. The Getty Museum Done!! With Peter a few times and with Jen, Nancy and another sweet girl whose name escapes me right now. Fun!
2. The Getty Museum-Malibu Not yet
3. See the wildflowers blooming Does spring in Seattle count? I don't think so. Next year...
4. Go to San Diego Going in October!
5. Mission San Juan Capistrano/Del Not yet
6. Nixon Library (re-visit) Not yet
7. Reagon Library Well my wet-blanket friend Gabe went and sent me pictures. But I still haven't made it...
8. Hearst Castle (re-visit) Maybe sometime this year
9. Santa Barbara Zoo No, not yet...
10. Pismo Beach/Carpinteria Pismo Beach, yes!! It was fun!
11. Santa Maria (re-visit) Thanks to Kevin and Dini, I have a place to stay whenever I need one. And I've taken them up on that a few times. Love it!
12. Los Angeles Music Center I went with students, but that doesn't count.
13. Nethercut Museum Nope
14. San Francisco Hopefully soon....

So it looks like I have some traveling ahead of me sometime. Lots of it. Gotta get going on these things. Once again, if there is a place on this list you'd like to visit, please let me know and I'll join you!

NavClassics: Born to Reproduce

2010-07-30T09:28:00.000-07:00

This chapter, also by Mr. Trotman, focuses on spiritual reproduction. Once we have come to Christ, it is our duty to reproduce spiritually. Just like God calls us to reproduce physically, we are to have spiritual children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so on. This can easily happen within weeks or months of conversion. He referred to a secretary at Navs who had only been a christian for a few months, but had spiritual great-grandchildren. She had shared with some friends who had come to faith, and they in turn had shared with others who had also gotten saved. Trotman points out that we need to produce reproducers. We need to feed and nurture these new converts so they can go out and share their risen Savior as well.

"Soul-winners are not soul-winners because of what they know, but because of the Person they know, how well they know Him, and how much they long for others to know Him."

NavClassics: The Need of the Hour

2010-07-17T09:18:00.000-07:00

The Navigators was started by a man named Dawson Trotman. He was in the military and began a ministry that focuses on evangelism, bringing people to the Lord and then discipling them so they can go out and bring the gospel to those around them. He wrote a series of little articles and those, along with some articles by other men in Navs, have been published by NavPress. I just finished the first article, so I thought I'd blog about each one as I finish them.

The Need of the Hour points out the fact that many people say they would evangelize if they had the right materials...or more time...or better transportation. Trotman points out that the disciples were commanded to bring the gospel to the world, and they didn't have any of this. They just had to go out and do it. Many people today say that these earthly things are the need of the hour. However, Trotman states that the true need of the hour is to believe that God is reigning on high (Is. 52:7), and that He will not be hindered by what we do not have. Jeremiah 33:3 says, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which though knowest not." Trotman and his buddies started praying for the LA area, then expanded it to the west coast, to the nation and finally to the world, asking the Lord to give them souls in these places. As a result, Trotman was able to start The Navigators, which has missionaries in all 50 states and numerous countries around the world.

Is my vision for what God can do that big? I don't even pray that God would give me souls in Lomita. I'm so confined to my immediate circle. I need to start to expand my horizons and begin to desire that God save souls all over the world. But I also need to pray that the Lord would send me opportunities right were I am. In another book I'm reading, Personal Evangelism and the Gospel, Mark Dever points out that many times we don't even ask God to give us souls right where we are. If we can't have an impact for Christ where He placed us, how can we have an impact for Him in other areas? I need to be faithful to what He has given me now.

What about you? Are you sharing Christ with those around you? Do you believe in the great God you serve? That He can show you great and mighty things?

The Liberty of Obedience by Elisabeth Elliot

2010-07-08T23:54:00.000-07:00

This book is one of my prized possessions. I was named after Elisabeth Elliot. She's always been a hero of mine. About 10 years ago, my mom saw her at a convention. Mom bought me this book and asked her to autograph it. So it's pretty special in that regard. However, I never actually read it until now...sad, I know. It really blessed me.

Elisabeth was a missionary to the Auca tribe, the people who had killed her husband Jim not too long before. The Lord called her to go with her young daughter into that tribe, learn the language and begin to share the gospel with them. Because of this many of them came to know Christ, even those who killed her husband.

As she sat in the tribe, learning the language, there were some things that she began to wrestle with. What would Christianity look like in the life of one of these natives? The more she got to know them, the less barbaric they became. They were normal people who lived extremely simple lives out in the middle of this jungle. What would holiness look like for them? In her culture back home, Christianity many times took on the form of "Don't drink, don't smoke, be modest, follow the rules!" But how would one be modest when one doesn't wear clothes in the first place? Elisabeth came to the conclusion that it has to do with obedience. It has to do with obeying what God has put before us. Christ dined with prostitutes and tax collectors. To the Pharisees, it was horribly offensive! But the appearance of evil is not always evil. The Bible says to abstain from the appearance of evil, but an act that may appear wrong to some may actually be right.

"Decisions must be made in the integrity of the heart before God--with an unselfish attention to our brother's good and the glory of God."

The Bible does not give us a simple formula for every issue. But we need to be mature and able to discern what God would have us do. His Word is the authority. It's not about tradition or pleasing men.

"For the Love of God is broader,
Than the measure of man's mind';
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind.

But we make His love too narrow,
By false limits of our own
And we magnify it's strictness
With a zeal He will not own."

by Frederick W. Faber

De Vez en Cuando: From Time to Time by Rick Johnson

2010-07-02T10:12:00.000-07:00

I finished my first book this morning. Yay! Here are some quotes that blessed me.

"When Jesus said, "Follow Me," he was inviting the multitude to start a life of faith, to walk by faith, to live by faith and to finish by faith."

"When Jesus called individuals after Himself, to follow Him, they walked with Him, not so much after Him. We would do well to draw a bit closer to the Lord, to not be so given to the insignificant values and pursuits of this life at the expense of the greater things."

It was a good book. Great insights into the life of a missionary. I recommend it. :)

Resolved Challenges

2010-06-30T12:30:00.000-07:00

I just got back from the annual highlight of my year. Resolved! It was on Jesus Christ this year and boy, was it good! I am ashamed to say that I was not excited about that topic because in my arrogance, it didn't seem like there was much more to learn on that subject. How wrong I was! And how awful it is that I thought that! My desire for the coming year is to KNOW Christ. I want to try to understand as much as I can about Him and His amazing life, His amazing love and His amazing grace. I am excited about what God will show me as I study Him.

Another challenge that was issued at this conference was to read more. Now I love to read, but it's usually the fluff that does not matter. I looked through my book case and here are the books that I have bought and never finished.
Books to Read

1. De Vez e Cuando: From Time to Time
2. Idols of the Heart
3. The patterns of God's Truth
4. Reclaiming the Future of Christian Education
5. Foundations of Christian School Education
6. Standing Strong
7. Teaching Redemptively
8. Love Your God with All Your Mind
9. Right Thinking in a World Gone Wrong
10. Darwin on Trial
11. The Vanishing Conscience
12. The Rich Single Life
13. I'm Torn Between Two Masters
14. Worldliness
15. Desiring God
16. Spectacular Sins
17. Culture Shift
18. Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ
19. The Hour that Changes the World
20. Respectable Sins
21. The Liberty of Obedience
22. NavClassics
23. The Gospel and Personal Evangelism

Yep, 23 books here in my bookcase that I have either never finished or never read at all. And that is just the books here with me at the apartment. How many more do I have at my parent's house that have a similar story. How shameful! A bunch of us were talking about it during one of the breaks and my pastor pointed out that it all has to do with discipline. And how true that is! It is all about discipline in my life and oh how I lack that. May the Lord help me to be more disciplined as I seek to grow in Him.

The other thing that I am trying to do this summer is memorize Psalm 103. A few friends and I get together and pray each week, and my friend read this Psalm as we were preparing to come before Christ with our requests. It struck me in a new way when he read it. Then we were singing at Resolved and we sang a song based on this Psalm. John Martin, who was leading the song service, also read Psalm 103 before we sang it and I decided I wanted to commit that to memory.

So these are my personal challenges that I have brought away from Resolved this year. Would you keep me accountable? I know I cannot do these things on my own, and so I come to you for encouragement and help. If you went to Resolved, what did you learn? What are your personal challenges? If not, what are you learning right now in your walk with Christ?

Last night

2010-04-07T16:40:00.000-07:00

Last night, I was at my friend Amy's house celebrating life. Life? Yes, life. The life of a man named Mike that we all loved and dearly miss now. It was good to get together and see how we have all grown and where we are now 3 years after he went to be with Jesus. A lot has gone down with this special group, but as I was telling my mom today, we are a family. We are a special family that have a few things in common--we were all influence greatly by this man, and we are all passionate about serving Jesus. We were truly blessed to know Mike and I can't wait to join him up with our dear sweet Savior.

And the funny story--Mike's nieces and nephew were there also. They are 8, 6, 4 and 2. Soooo fun! Well the 6 year old was running around and she kept saying that she wished she had her magic meatball. Oh her magic meatball is soooo much fun. She wished she had it. So I asked what her magic meatball did. Why was it so fun? "Well," she said, "you ask it questions and it gives you answers." hahaha tooooo funny!

I'm back!

2010-04-06T22:22:00.000-07:00

Ok, so since I last blogged, lots and lots of things have occurred.

1. My best friend Joni is getting married!!! And I get to be a bridesmaid once again! Yeah! The kinda sad part...she's moving to Hawaii. I will miss her tons, but I get to have a great place to visit! I'm way excited to see how God answered so many prayers in her life. It's a great encouragement.

2. I moved! I moved out of my house and into an apartment with my two roomies! I have my own room and it's way exciting. God has been so good and faithful to provide in these times.

3. I went to Seattle to quilt with my two tantes (aunts) and my grandma that I love. We had a wonderful day of shopping at the big quilt expo and then got a whole quilt pieced and sandwiched in one day. It was great!!! So fun! It was a great time of making memories and bonding with my familia.

4. Did I mention that I moved??? Oh my! I can't wait to have people over! It's gonna be so fun!

So that is the major part of what has happened. So some it may seem like little, but to me, it is a lot. Moving out of my parents house for the first time and sleeping in a different room after 21 years in the same room is a huge change. It's been disorienting and confusing at times. But I'm getting used to it and learning to lean on the Lord in so many new and different ways. I'm thankful for the opportunity.

Ok, I'd better go now. I'll be posting more about my grand adventure sooooonnnn!!!!

2009-12-22T09:13:00.000-08:00

Hi blog! It's nice to see you again. It's been ever so long since we spoke last. My how much has gone by.

Haha...it has been a while since I've been on here. School and life have just been a little overwhelming, so I just haven't had the time. But here I am now.

It feels like a Saturday morning, but it's really a Tuesday morning. I'm on Christmas break and am sooooo excited about it. But I've learned that now that I'm getting "older" I can't sleep in! Well actually I am since I woke up at 8 and usually have to get up at 5. But I'm used to the sleeping until 10. :) But it's ok because the Lord showed me some things this morning and has been over the last week or so that I want to share.

I've been reading through Psalms for a while now, and have made it to Psalm 78. It is a recounting of Israel's history and it points out their well known cycle--good with God, turn to other gods, God warns, God judges, Israel returns to God. At the beginning of the chapter, it tells the people to share the goodness of God with the children. Which is what I get to do everyday in my job. But it caused me to stop and think about how often I actually share God's goodness with my little ones. I need to do it every day, all day. They need to know clearly. It will shape their lives.

This is just one thing I learned from this Psalm though. I'll be sharing more soon. :)

Thankful on Nov 6-8

2009-11-08T08:58:00.000-08:00

I'm not doing so well at getting on here each day this time around. I'll work on it this next week and see if I can do a little better.

Three things I'm thankful for are....

1. My family. I came home on Friday and there was no one to talk to. My dad was studying for something at work and no one else was home. And I was lonely. But then mom and Julie came home and eventually Peter did too and things were happy again. I love them. Yesterday, Julie, Peter and I went to breakfast. While there, we talked about how in just a few more weeks, Becky and Grace will be there too and we would all be together again. We can wait... III can't wait!

2. My best friend. Yesterday, Joni and I got together for coffee. Actually she get's a kids hot chocolate and I get coffee. And Starbucks has their Christmas cups out now with their holiday drinks!! Oh happy day! So we sat and talked and shared and she gave me this bomb necklace as an early birthday present. I like her. She's a good gal!

3. My extended family. My aunt and uncle from Washington--see pics from trip to their house from last summer--came in to town yesterday. They're going on a cruise tomorrow and are staying here for a few days first. It's good to see them again! And today we are having a bbq with them and both grandmas (crazy and normal) and my other uncle. It will be fun!

Thankful on Nov 5

2009-11-05T22:45:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for my little class of kingergarteners. After last year, where unhappiness and discord abounded, this fun, sweet and excited group of 4 and 5 year olds is so nice! I am so happy! I think I found my place...and that is a great feeling. I love that they are funny and silly. I love that they are so earnest about the things that are important to them. I love that they say things that make me laugh. I love it when they are goofing off--I have to correct them of course, but sometimes it's so hard to do it with a straight face!!! :) I'm thankful God gave me kindergarten this year. It's good...

Thankful on Nov 4

2009-11-05T06:18:00.000-08:00

Like I said, I'm catching up here. Yesterday I was thankful for friends who love music as much as I do. I had a friend send me a long list of music to look at that he loves and thinks I might like too. I was excited. I can't wait to get a good look at them and buy some. I had another friend remind me that he can always play the piano for me at church whenever I need a break. I like that too. And I'm thankful for him and his offer and his love for music. It's a true blessing!

Thankful on Nov 3

2009-11-05T06:16:00.000-08:00

I'm late posting here. Sorry!

On Nov 3, I was thankful for cell phones. I got to talk to Grace all the way in Michigan and it was nice. I'm thankful for them...even when they don't work too well. Like mine right now :p I need a new one!

Thankful on Nov 2

2009-11-02T20:35:00.001-08:00

Today I am thankful for the amazing gift of salvation. I was saved when I was very young, and I'm so thankful for that. But you know how there are some people that you pray for for a very long time? The people that you long to see come to Christ, but you wonder if it will ever happen. Today I'm thankful that it does happen.

I remember the day that my neighbors moved in. I was very sad because my friends that had been living there were gone. A couple moved in and they seemed nice enough. As we continued to grow, we got to know Jesse and Stella more. They were so sweet and neighborly. Always more than willing to stand outside and talk...especially Jesse. Oh the conversations we've had. :)

They were also unsaved. Very nice but not part of the family of God. So we've been praying for them. We've prayed for their salvation for years and years. We've witnessed to them. We've invited them to church. We've shared the gospel with them. All to no avail.

Until now. Today, Stella called my mom just to say hi and to tell her thank you for being such a good friend. And she was so excited because she had wanted a personal one-on-one relationship with Jesus and so she asked Him in her heart.

WOOOOOOOOW!!!!!!!!!! How unexpected was that! My mom went through the gospel with her to make sure she understood that we aren't saved by works but by faith. (Eph 2:8-9) She got that and oh, she was just so excited about it. She said everyone says that she talks too much--she's normally a pretty quiet person. They say she talks about Jesus way too much. But she and my mom decided that it was just because they are feeling guilty. :)

How neat is it to see the excitement of a rescued soul. I'm thankful for salvation today!

Now we need to pray for Jesse. He's heard the gospel, but he says he's too bad for Jesus to save him. We all know that's not true. Let's pray for his soul. May the Lord save him too!

Thankful on Nov 1

2009-11-01T08:12:00.000-08:00

Today I'm thankful for my church. It is a beautiful Sunday morning and I'm so excited to go and be with the people that are my brothers and sisters in the Lord. I've grown up around them. Some of them knew me before I was born. :) Some of them I've know since I was a teenager. Some of them I've only known for a year. No matter what, they are so willing to invest in my life and share in my joys and sorrows. They prayed for me to get a new job and look at me now! They've been my faithful friends, and I'm so thankful for all of them!

Out of bondage

2009-09-24T06:15:00.000-07:00

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

The Galatians were believing that circumcision could save them. However, Paul had preached the true gospel to them before. Here they were going back to the law and trying to keep it. Earlier in chapter 3, Paul calls them foolish, asking who had bewitched them. They knew Christ had died for their sins, but here they were trying to earn their salvation again. Now he calls this work a yoke of slavery. Someone who is trying to pay for their sins themselves really is in slavery. You are yoked to your sins as you try to pay for them. But it's never ending. Many times I am more than happy to grab my sins and hold on tight as I feel guilty for them and feel regret over them and try to reason with God about them. Yes I should feel guilt and regret. But at the same time, I need to lay them down at the foot of the cross where Christ payed for them. If I keep coming back and trying to pick them up again, then Christ died for nothing and His grace means nothing in my life. But NO!! He has set me free. He has released me from needing to pay for those ugly, nasty sins. I need to live in the freedom He died to give me. What about you? Do you struggle with this too? If so, I encourage you to let Jesus pay for your sins. It's a whole lot easier! :)

Pray for the Murphys

2009-09-22T22:25:00.000-07:00

I've been following this blog for a while. Almost 3 years ago, Ian Murphy was in a bad car accident and has been in a coma ever since. But comas are strange things, and his brain has slowly been waking up and he's been able to do more and more.

Well a month ago, his dad had major seizures and was diagnosed with brain cancer. He had surgery and started chemo.

Exactly 4 weeks later, Ian started having seizures. They don't know why.

Then his dad started having seizures again and they found that the tumor was growing again. He's having surgery again, but the doctor gives it a two-thirds chance that it will be successful.

Please pray for this family. They have been through so much, but their witness is amazing. Visit their blog, read and lift them up to the Lord.

Meals for Manipur Fundraiser Update

2009-09-07T10:33:00.000-07:00

Well on Saturday, we got together and collected lots of recyclables. It was a greatly successful day! Thank you to all who donated and who came out to help with the drive. It was great to see everyone sorting and stomping on cans!

That day with the recycling and the donations given by those who had nothing for the drive, we collected a grand total of $337.78.

Our church itself raised $855.00.

So total, we are able to send $1192.78 to our dear brothers and sisters in Manipur, India.

However, we need to continue to pray for the church there. They are still living in desperate times and need to be continually lifted up before the Lord.

Thanks to all for your help!!!!

Do Hard Things!!!! :)

This and that

2009-09-07T09:08:00.000-07:00

Things have been pretty busy around here lately. But I've been makin' it! :) Here are some things that I've enjoyed.

--I started teaching kindergarten. There have been a few laugh out loud moments already. One was when one of my students insisted that Jesus was God's last name. haha!!! Or when they continually ask if it's bed time or snack time. Constantly!! It's fun. It's busy. It's way cool!!

--I just bought 2 pairs of aerosole shoes. I've had 3 people tell me that they are the most amazingly comfortable shoes ever. One of my friends who teaches with me wears them all the time and loves them. I'm still recovering from the blisters I got on the first day of school from my new Payless shoes. Thought I'd give these and these a try.

--I love this post on Kristen Leigh. It's just so sweet!

--The can drive went amazingly well. I'll post more on that a little later.

--My mom found my Bible after it's been missing for about 8 months. I'm way excited to have it in my hands again. It's such a comfortable Bible. Something that is so nice to study out of.

--Both of my grandmas are still alive. I call one my normal grandma and the other my crazy grandma. Why? Because one is normal and one is crazy. Well this wonderful Labor Day morning, when I was so looking forward to sleeping in, the phone rang at 6am. It was crazy grandma who is in a convalescent home right now recovering from a bladder infection ect... She is not happy to be there. My mom answered the phone and this is what I heard...
"Hello? What's the matter? (in a slightly concerned tone) What's the matter? (in a slightly irritated tone) No they are not holding you hostage!!! You're at a convalescent home! No, do not call 911! You didn't want to go to Marlora (another convalescent home) so they took you there. If you act like a mental patient, they'll treat you like one. The last time you called 911 the firemen told them to unplug your phone because you were tying up the phone lines. Just lay there, take your medication, drink lots of water and get better. Can't you turn on the TV? If you would put in your hearing aids you would be able to hear it. Just lay there, take your medication, drink lots of water and get better. Who is the man? Does he work there? I don't know who he is. Just lay there, take your medication, drink lots of water and get better. No do not call the police. You are just in a convalescent home..."
And it continued from there. It was quite comical. But I do ask you to pray for crazy grandma to get better soon because things are always kinda crazy when she's sick.

--We just finished BBCs North and South. What a good story! If you have Netflix, I highly recommend getting it. And if you get that and like it, you should also try Bleak House, which was amazing. It was my favorite. My second favorite has been Little Dorrit. Such good, good stories! They are worth your time. Good clean stories.

Well that's all my misc. for now. Have a good Labor Day!!!

Meals for Manipur Fundraiser

2009-08-26T21:48:00.001-07:00

We are going to be raising money to send to our brothers and sisters in Manipur, India. If you remember, in my previous post, I explained what is happening in that region of India. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are starving to death because the rats in their villages are eating their crops. Here are the details:

Bring your cans, glass and plastic bottles, and even your newspapers to our church.
We will bring them to the recycling facilities that afternoon and ALL proceeds will be sent to Manipur, India. We are sending it through the IFCA.

Where: Grace Baptist Church
1502 McDonald Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90744

Date: September 5, 2009

Time: 10am-1pm

We would love for as many churches as possible to get involved. Please let me know if your church would like to participate. If you have any questions, please e-mail me or just leave a comment here.

New Computer

2009-08-17T19:42:00.000-07:00

Here it is!

And it's really cool cuz the keyboard glows. It's amazing! God was so good to let me have this. So fun!

A Rebelutionary Idea

2009-08-06T15:07:00.000-07:00

In church this last Sunday, my pastor brought to our church's attention the fact that our brothers and sisters in Christ in India are starving. You see, about every 50 years, a certain species of bamboo in India flowers. This blossoming brings out the rats who love to eat the blooms. Once they are done with the blooms, they race on to the fields, destroying crops. This increase in food also causes them to reproduce more rapidly, bringing on more problems because in India they worship rats and refuse to exterminate them. However, within a few months, this usually dies down because the flowering season for the bamboo is short. This time, though, the flowering season has lasted 13 months, causing the problem to be even worse. There has been no harvest for these people in over a year. They are eating whatever they can get their hands on.

Our church belongs to the IFCA, and on August 23 the IFCA churches are taking up a special offering to send to a church in India. This money will be used to buy rice for these families that have nothing.

Now to my idea. I thought it would be great if we could do a fundraiser to raise more money to send to these people. The thoughts that have run through my head have been a car wash (maybe even at several different locations on the same day) or a recycling drive. Or both. Because of the timing of things right now, I'm not sure that I could get this together before August 23, but maybe soon after. I'm sure the church in India would be more than glad to receive a gift whenever we can get it to them.

To be honest, I actually have butterflies in my stomach as I write. For two reasons.
1) I'm 27 and therefore I don't fit the Rebelutionary definition.
2) Will it work?
But I'm gonna try to do this anyway.

So my question to you is...do you want to help? Do you have any ideas? I'll be trying to formulate this plan over the next few days, so if you have advise, ideas or a desire to be part of it, please let me know!

But most importantly, PRAY!!! Pray for our brothers and sisters in India. Pray for this idea and what may come of it. Pray that the Lord will be glorified in all.

The Big Surprise

2009-08-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, my sister Becky was so homesick she didn't know what to do with herself. She was pretty unhappy. And then my other sister Grace told me she wanted to come home. And I thought..."Hmmmm." So I called Becky to find out what she was thinking. Well, she wanted to surprise my parents. I thought it was a grand idea. So we got to work.

We decided what days she wanted to be here. And then one morning while my mom was still asleep, Becky (who was driving from PA to NJ at the time) called me and I got on-line and we bought her tickets.

Well we had this great plan that we were going to take my parents out to dinner for their 30th anniversary (which was a few weeks ago) on Thursday and then show up with Becky. Big surprise. Lots of crying. We told our parents we wanted to take them out and they said no! My cousins were going to be here from Wisconsin, so we had to go to my grandma's that night. Hmmmm.....

So I talked to Becky and she said that she just wanted to walk in the house and surprise mom, and then run out and greet dad when he got home to surprise him.

And that is what we did. I picked her up from the airport on Thursday after work. We went to lunch and then we went home. My mom thought it was me and then she took a good look and couldn't really believe he eyes. She cried and laughed just like she should. It was happy. Then we went to go get our toes done. (Leilani, my toes are soooo pretty!!!) And then we got home to wait for my dad. He drove up and she ran out and....well he couldn't believe his eyes either.

I love surprises! Especially when they work out so well like this one did. And I'm sooooo happy to have Becky home for a little while. It's nice to have the whole family together again.

Under construction

2009-07-26T22:09:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what I'm doing here. But I wanted a new look. It looks a little crazy. I'll be working on it though, so don't worry. Any suggestions?

The Rebelution Was Good!

2009-07-26T15:56:00.000-07:00

I went to this yesterday.
I was greatly challenged. One of my pet peeves is when people expect teenagers to have the attitude, be disrespectful, unhelpful and lazy. When the words, "Well you know, he's a teenager; you should expect that" come for an adult's mouth, it hurts me just a little. The reason is that the Bible never gives them that excuse. Up until about 100 years ago, children that age never had that excuse. No, we are called to live holy lives, whether we are 15 or 45. This is the message that Alex and Brett Harris are spreading to their generation. They need to do hard things. Young people need to rebel against the low expectations that society has for them and rise to the potential that God has instilled in them.

I would say more, but the Harris boys explain it much better on their blog. Click here to read about the Rebelution. I highly suggest that you also click on the links in this article to read about the myth of adolescence. They have also written a book called Do Hard Things that challenges young people in this same way.

I went to this conference not as a teenager, but as a sister, friend and teacher of teenagers. Lord willing, I may someday also have a teenager of my own. My desire is to challenge the young people around me to Do Hard Things. During the conference, the twins' father, Greg Harris, spoke to the parents, asking them to encourage their children to pursue their talents and to do what the Lord lays on their hearts to do. I'm not a parent, but I can still encourage the young people around me to live up to their potential, to serve the Lord with all of their talents and abilities. I'll be praying about this and thinking about ways to serve my little brothers and sisters in Christ in this way. I'll be sharing in the future here on Brand New Teacher because maybe it will give my readers some ideas to serve in their own ways.

Happy

2009-07-12T16:33:00.000-07:00

Here are some things that made me smile, may have given me goose-bumps even, or maybe even made me tear up a little...and all just today!

*Hearing our church sing--I am sick again, so I couldn't sing today. But it was a good thing because I got to hear our church sing out together to praise God. So cool!

*Seeing my little sis and her boyfriend teasing each other in the back seat of my car---I was their chauffeur. :)

*Eating at In-n-Out for the 3rd time in 1.5 weeks--not so sure it is good for the waist, but good for the taste buds!

*Hearing about Papua New Guinea from our friend Amber--she is here on an 11 hr layover on her way back to Michigan.

*Hearing that Leilani got her hair cut--she's been wanting it to happen for a while now.

That's all I can think of right now off the top of my head. :)

Too funny

2009-07-02T09:24:00.000-07:00

Can you translate? They don't quite say the same thing.

The Project

2009-06-29T14:04:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a project for quite some time now. Hopefully it will be finished soon. It is a special quilt that I have the privilege of making. After my friend Mike went to see Jesus, his wife gave me a bunch of his shirts, wanting a quilt to be made out of them. I was way excited to do this for her, but that was about a year or more ago. I finally started on it and I'm getting it done. :) Here are some photos of the process. I'll show you the whole thing when it's finally finished (which hopefully will be by the end of July).

You have to have the right tools. Rotary cutter, rulers, mat, pencil and fabric.

Sometimes it's easier to sew a bunch of things at the same time and then cut them apart later.

I sewed two squares together twice diagonally through the center (two dark lines). Then I cut them apart on the center line and you have two squares made of two different fabrics.

You must press things a lot! It's very important...

Grams helped a little too.

I put all of the pieces where I wanted them. The next step would be to sew them all together.

Adding on to it a little more.

This is the center part of the quilt all sewed together. The red is the border that will go around the center and then I have 9-patches that will go around that. It's gonna be really big!!! :)

I can't wait for it to be finished so I can see the whole thing together. Now I just have to get back over to Grams to work on it some more! :)

**Thanks to Ms. Amy for letting me share this!

Catch Up Time

2009-06-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

Wow! It's been almost a month! Sad times... Well I'm back. I've been sick the last few days, so life has been pretty low key for me. My throat is still feeling pretty yucky, so that gave me time to get these pictures uploaded and ready to share with you. So here is what I've been doing for the past few months.......

First of all, school is OUT!!! I hung in there and loved them till the bitter end. And then I sent them out the door. :) With a hug of course...really! Here is some of their artwork that was up behind my desk. I had to take everything down, pack it up and take it home cuz I kinda didn't know if I would have a job next year. Turns out I will, but not the same one I had this last year. More details on that when things are finalized.

My lovely SmartBoard. Those things are GREAT!

Then my mom graduated her last baby this year. Yes, my baby sister Julie is a high school graduate now. Congrats to her of course. But we had a graduation party for my mom. It's quite an accomplishment. So we did it up good with flowers and balloons...and a goofy looking brother.

And a Wii!!! She sure was happy! And we were too...we like the Wii.

Somewhere in all of this stuff, Peter and I went to a Celtic Women concert. It was amazing!!! I love them.

And then a week later, a few people from church and I went to see Third Day at the Nokia Live Club. We got to stand way close...as you can see. And I caught a pick that they threw out into the crowd. It was really good music and a very fun night.

I've also gone to the beach a few times. Here I just went to watch the sunset at Torrance Beach. I love the way the sun shines off the windows in the houses on the hill. Such beauty.

And I also love when there is just a speck of the sun left in the sky. If you click on this to make it bigger, you'll see just that little speck left. That's my favorite part of the sunset.

Then we went to Resolved. Unfortunately, I'm not used to having a camera, so this is the only picture it took there. Fortunately it has at least 3 good things in it. First of all, my good friend Astrid looking beautiful as always. Second, her camera who's name I cannot remember right now. This was the camera's last trip to Resolved...she's a bit old. But we love her. And third, the strange carpet at the Palm Springs Convention Center. When you walk through the lobby, in your peripheral vision, it looks like the ground is moving and it kinda makes you dizzy. But it's way cool.

And last but definitely not least, I cleaned our room. Here are the before and after pictures.

Before

After

There is much more I've been doing, but that's for my post tomorrow. Or Monday. Not sure if I'll blog on a Saturday that is going to be way busy. Bye for now.

The Difference

2009-05-28T15:20:00.000-07:00

As of today I have 13 days of school left. And boy, am I happy about it. I've been counting the days down since about day 60. And now I only have 13, one of which I will be in Palm Springs at Resolved. :) It sure is a great feeling to be so close to being done.

But wait. As I was driving home the other day, thinking about this joyous news, I was greatly convicted. And I was reminded of something. As a woman who is single, I have read many books about dating and singleness and waiting, ect... And I remember reading in some book somewhere that as a single Christian, I should not be dwelling that "goal" of marriage because that is not where I am at now. There is much to be done during the wait. True... But that definitely does not only relate to singles and marriage.

As I drove home, the Lord reminded me that while I may only have 13 or 9 or 3 days left of school, that is also how many days left that I have to make a difference in the lives of these children. I've said before that I have a hard class. I will be glad not to have to deal with drama every day. But these are little hurting people that need someone to love them. The Lord chose to use me to love them. I have 13 days left to wipe their tears and talk with them and let them know that somebody really does care about them.

As of today, I have 13 days to make a difference in their lives.

My Dancing

2009-05-12T23:00:00.000-07:00

This is from Chris. It will make you laugh. It is a scene that totally played out just like this in his living room. Hilarious.

Click here to watch me dance.

The Blood Song

2009-05-08T23:29:00.001-07:00

This is adorable. Some day I'm gonna have a little girl like her. I love this!

Let him ask

2009-04-28T06:26:00.000-07:00

Prayer is hard for any Christian. It's true. It seems even harder for me. haha I have this way of thinking in general, though. All growing up and even now, I'd rather not ask for something than be told no. I don't like rejection. I don't like being told "no" or "wait." So I just don't ask. There is a fear that I won't get what I want. (how sinfully selfish is that????)

I was thinking about it last night and realized that the way I am with my earthly dad...and others (just don't ask) is the way that I am with God (just don't ask). I'd rather not ask then be left hanging. There have been somethings in life that I do ask for. With my earthly dad...and others...if I can see an easy way to get it already and the giving won't be too hard, then I'll ask for it. If I see the chocolate cake on the counter and I know my dad's in a good mood, then I'll ask for a piece. Same with God. If it is something that is pretty easy for me to see the answer to, I'll pray for it. Then I'll ask for it. Less chance for rejection.

But that's not the way my dad works all the time. Sometimes he may have a trick up his sleeve. I have to just ask for it. That's not the way God works either. My pastor has been preaching on Matt. 7...you know the ask, seek, knock part? At the end of that section, he says something to the effect of if your earthly father knows how to give you good things, how much more does your heavenly Father know how to give you good things? It's true. I have to trust and believe that He wants to bless me...even though, like we learned at church this last week, I don't deserve His blessing.

So James said, "Let him ask in faith, with no doubting." I doubt. But there is no reason to. I have two stories to back this up. A friend of mine has been praying for something for a long time, faithfully. God answered her prayer this week. After almost a year and a half of praying. And how many other people do I know that have prayed for things for an even longer time? And my grandma. She had God answer a prayer for her in a really neat and unexpected way this week. She was pretty excited about it. I was too :) Because God showed me yet again that he does answer prayer.

So I will go into my day slightly late for work, but praying and expecting answers. Remembering all the times God has already answered. He is good!

Old Lady Hits Car With Purse

2009-04-13T10:19:00.001-07:00

Just for fun

2 years

2009-04-05T22:28:00.001-07:00

Early Monday morning, it will be 2 years since Mike had his first glimpse of Jesus. It will have been 2 years since his faith became sight. As hard as it's been for Amy, Whit and Judy, and Ed and Jodi and the rest of us, I'm so glad for Mike. He is experiencing his dream right now. And he will be for all eternity. I sang this song in church today. I think it was fitting.

Arrived

Watching and waiting our whole life through
For the moment when we arrive in Glory.
We’ll be standing before His emerald throne.
O what a day it will be!

All tears are gone and suffering ceased.
Perfect new life with no earthly strife
For we’ve finished the race, run to His embrace
O what a day it will be!

When we’ve arrived, stunned and surprised,
All things resolved in the blink of an eye;
No more distractions, no sin left to fight.
The first glimpse of Jesus and faith becomes sight.

Feel the ground shake, hear thunder roll.
See blinding light and seraphim flight.
All amazed we will fall, yet the Father will call,
“Stand, I have made you my own.”

A choir with angels, martyrs and saints
Sing in His praise with no end to the day,
Shouting, “Holy, holy, holy!” to almighty God;
O what a song that will be!

When we’ve arrived, stunned and surprised,
All things resolved in the blink of an eye;
No more distractions, no sin left to fight.
The first glimpse of Jesus and faith becomes sight.
©2008 Resolved Music. All right reserved. International Copyright Secured.

Catching up

2009-03-31T21:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a pictorial update on my life. The high lights and main events.

First of all, my car passed 50,000 miles. I took a picture of it one mile later.

Next, here is that surprise for Becky and Grace a.k.a. that fun thing I've been working on. I think it turned out very cute. They are those paper albums from Creative Memories. Such fun!

Then, we went on two field trips. Here is the first one. You can appreciate my wonderful picture taking skills in the fact that I got no one's face full on. This is bad if you are taking pics for good memories. It is good if you are a teacher and want to legally prove that you went on a field trip to the Los Angeles Music Center.

And then a mere 5 days later we went on yet another field trip, this time to the West Basin Municipal Water District water recycling facility AND to the Manhattan Beach Pier Aquarium. Here is the water that looks like gross sewage but really is not and actually doesn't smell that bad.Here is the scary eel I caught looking at me at the aquarium. It kinda freaked me out. And as I was trying to take it's picture, it continued staring at me while opening it's mouth wider and wider. Needless to say, I was unsettled by the guy.

Then a short two days later, we had an open house for the community. My classroom was SO clean that I just had to take a picture...well actually a few pictures. Ahhh..... The first three are the view from my desk and the last is the scariest. It is my desk. Yikes!! It's actually worse right now. But report cards are coming up...it's a good excuse.

Hope you enjoyed a look into my craziness. And may you never meet an eel like the one I met.

Laura Story - Grace

2009-03-28T11:18:00.001-07:00

As I have been struggling to be faithful in my personal relationship with Christ, I realize how unfocused on Christ I really am. There is so much around me that I focus on instead of the One who gave His life for me. That is a pretty discouraging thought. But God has been giving me the grace to seek His face more faithfully and I am so thankful for that. I am reminded of Mike always saying that God's grace is sufficient for everything. He was so right. I found this song on Pandora--this website where you can make your own personal radio stations. This song has played at least 2 times a day for the last 3 days. It's become the song in my heart and I wanted to share it with you.

Please pray

2009-03-24T05:56:00.001-07:00

My dear friend, Amy, has to say a final good-bye to her doggie today. She has been through so much already, and it is hard to have to see her say one more good-bye. Pray for her at 9am. It will be so hard.

Also on prayer... I thank those of you who have been praying about my quiet time. It has been a true struggle for me these past months (like since September!) to spend quality time with God every day. I've been sharing with friends and church family and asking for prayer. I've had 3 friends in the last few days come along side me with encouragement, scripture and a good early wake-up call. Thanks for your faithfulness to me! Please pray that I continue seeking Him.

Spring/Summer Dream List

2009-03-22T14:54:00.000-07:00

I have decided that there are a few places I need to go around SoCal. There are way too many beautiful towns and little (and big) museums that I have never gone to (or that I have gone to but it was so long ago I can't remember much). One reason for this is because I was not homeschooled. My bro and sisters were and they went on some amazing field trips while I sat at school (not that this is a bad thing). Oh well. It's time to make up for lost times. So here is my list. I will keep you posted on my trips as I take them. It'll be fun!!!

1. The Getty Museum
2. The Getty Museum-Malibu
3. See the wildflowers blooming
4. Go to San Diego
5. Mission San Juan Capistrano/Del Mar
6. Nixon Library (re-visit)
7. Reagan Library
8. Hearst Castle (re-visit)
9. Santa Barbara Zoo
10. Pismo Beach/Carpinteria
11. Santa Maria (re-visit)
12. Los Angeles Music Center
13. Nethercut Museum
14. San Francisco

If any of these sound like fun to you and you would like to tag along, let me know! We'll plan it!!

Taste and see

2009-03-18T21:40:00.000-07:00

My students are memorizing Psalm 34:8-9. It starts out, "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good." We do serve a good God. They were wondering how we could taste that God was good. I tried to explain, but I'm not sure it was understood. haha But it has been a good reminder for me every day to remember how good God is. To taste it and see it. To look around me and see how faithful and merciful He is when I definitely do not deserve it. Praise God for the cross!

Well, I'm not counting or anything, but we only have 56 more days of school left. And tomorrow is a field trip. And that is just so cool! But first thing tomorrow, I'm going to get up and drive on over to the Long Beach Airport at dawn to take pictures of Air Force One. Yeah... Our lovely president is here in SoCal dispelling all fears and he brought this really cool airplane with him. Way exciting...the plane, that is... We'll see if Peter and I actually make it out there. haha It'll be fun. Then I'll go to Starbucks and onward to school to prepare for the Music Center field trip. Yeah!

For those of you who are wondering, I am still walking/running. Actually more walking than running. But we did actually run for a while yesterday and today. I really enjoy doing that. I feel so much better! And I'm getting skinnier again. :)

Oh and soon, I'll post pictures of my special project I was working on for my sisters. They have recieved it by now, so I can post it. They were really cool.

Last random thing....
So in preparation for my up and coming new vocation as a wedding planner/florist/musician/ect... with Amy, I follow a few wedding photography blogs to get ideas and see pretty things. I went to one that I often frequent and saw this new post. It's a very pretty wedding and there are some extremely cute pictures...and stories. For example, their first kiss. So cute! You should read it.

Walking, walking

2009-03-10T22:05:00.000-07:00

Kerrie and I started walking today. Our friend Kristy joined us too. We walked down by the beach between the Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach piers. It's 2 miles between those piers. But then we parked at least a half mile (if not more) past the first pier and up the hill from it too. By the time we were done, we walked at least 5 miles. Needless to say, we got our workout. And I'm pretty excited cuz as all of you know...I'm short. But these two ladies are very much taller than I am. And I kept up with them and was even ahead of them for a while too. And when we did our little running sprint for a few feet, I was totally ready to keep going, but they wanted to stop. Which is totally fine. But I'm excited cuz I think I can totally run this 5K coming up in April. Oh yeah baby...I'm gonna run it!

Now for my blistered feet....ouch!

PS Sorry you got sick Lani-loo!

Oh my, oh my

2009-03-05T22:41:00.000-08:00

Random post here...

I am very sick of being sick! Coughing and hacking is not my favorite. But hey! At least I am on my feet and not flat on my back in bed.

Today was a pretty long day, but really neat too. The long part was teaching and parent/teacher conferences. The neat part is that our school is having a fundraiser through Barnes & Noble, so we spent a few hours at our local bookstore and the proceeds of things bought this weekend (if you mention our school name) go to our school. It was pretty fun. And then after, I was sooo hungry and Ms. Kerrie was too, so we got to spend some quality time in the Starbucks cafe with some quality food. I'm so glad I get to work with her!!! God is sooo good! This is us on the 100th day of school. She bought cool glasses that were 100s and we wore them that day to celebrate. :) How fun was that! My kids said something about me looking weird. haha

Oh and I found this picture today. I love my nails...oh and that's Leilani's ring on my finger. Don't let Chris see!! haha I think I need a manicure again..... Maybe soon. We'll see. I really liked that flower.........hmmm... And you can vaguely see my toes in the background. How cool!And I will leave you with with these words from a song about our Lord off the Sovereign Grace Psalms CD that has been an encouragement to me...

Glorious and mighty,
You're awesome in beauty,
Greatly to be praised!

What a great God we serve!!!

Again and again

2009-02-27T22:44:00.000-08:00

This week has not been nice. I've been yelled at...and I mean YYYEEELLLLLLLLLLLLED at...at least 4 times in the last week all by people under the age of 13. And my instinct is to get huffy and puffy and...yeah, you know. But instead, it has reminded me of something far greater. How many times have I YYYYYYEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLED at God and been disrespectful and disobedient right to His face. Yet He forgives. He welcomes back. He is patient. He loves me. I am not saying that I excuse the behavior of the afore mentioned pre-teens. But it's a good reminder.

I watched the movie Fireproof at church tonight. This came up yet again. Good reminders. Good thoughts. Thanks Lord!

And if you've seen my facebook status....it's true. I am NOT going to get sick!

Astrocamp

2009-02-22T16:19:00.000-08:00

Well I learned a few things.
1) I could live in the snow if I needed to.
2) It's nice when other people discipline your students.

The snow was cold, yes. But in all reality, it was pretty. I wouldn't choose to live there, but if I had too, I could. It wouldn't kill me. Although the thought of driving in it scares me. Here are some pictures.

So cool!

2009-02-20T07:24:00.000-08:00

I just read this article. I was so blessed. God is so faithful and good. Even in the face of our grave and desperate sinful state.

Happy Birthday Mali!

2009-02-20T07:16:00.000-08:00

It's been a year today since I bought my car. What a blessing it has been and what fun I've had with it. I am so thankful the Lord provided for me in this way. So Happy Birthday Mali!! (Hey Mom, I think I just named my car. haha)

**I was going to post a picture, but it's not working for some reason. I'll post it later....

I'm back!!!

2009-02-20T07:15:00.000-08:00

I survived Astrocamp. Praise God! I'll be posting pictures later. Whew!!

Oh and my class has a new class song. "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. haha They all know all the words. It's so funny!!

I'm going

2009-02-15T23:18:00.000-08:00

to Astrocamp tomorrow. You can pray for me, Peter and my students.

Oh and my mom has a blog now. How cool is that! She's the blog in my Blog list that is titled "Beam me up"...so like my mom!! haha

Beautiful Trees

2009-02-10T21:31:00.001-08:00

There are these trees that flower in the middle of February. I love them. love love love love them. Every year, i love them. So this year I have a camera and I decided to go and photograph them. There is this one little service road at Cal State (my good old alma mater) that is lined with them. You know in Anne of Green Gables how she talks about the White Way to Delight? yeah this is the city version of it. Did I mention that I LOVE it??? So I took a chance and ran down there on Saturday. Most of these trees around town have turned from white to green already, so I was praying that these would still be blooming. They were!!! And this girl offered me the last 26 minutes on her meter, so I got to park for free too!!!!! They are just sooo pretty.........

His Forever

2009-02-08T23:03:00.000-08:00

I have a song I listen to that gets me through. It's called His Forever by Sovereign Grace. I was thinking about it and Valentine's Day and all it's craziness (I had another word for there and I can't remember it!!! erggg) And after today at my various church services, I realized that I don't have to be anyone's forever, but I get to be His Forever. That's big to a single gal's heart. It makes me happy.

His Forever

Jesus, friend of sinners
Loved me ’ere I knew Him
Drew me with His cords of love
Tightly bound me to Him
’Round my heart still closely twined
The ties that none can sever
For I am His and He is mine
Forever and forever

Jesus, friend of sinners
A crown of thorns You wore for me
Bruised for my transgressions
Pierced for my iniquities
The wrath of God that I deserved
Was poured out on the Innocent
He took my place, my soul to save
Now I am His forever

Jesus, friend of sinners
I love to tell the story
Redeeming love has been my theme
And will be when in glory
Not death nor life nor anything
Can ever separate me
O love that will not let me go
Yes, I am His forever

© 2003 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP).

PS I love, love, love that last verse. Redeeming love has been my theme. Amazing!

Blessings

2009-02-04T22:25:00.000-08:00

I have the coolest grandma. We were learning about quilts at school, so I asked her if she would come share hers with us. She also wanted to check out these kids that were giving me so much grief. Perfect opportunity! So she came on over and did a wonderful job sharing her beautiful quilts. I am so blessed to have a grandma like her!

Anne and I

2009-01-31T18:55:00.000-08:00

For those of you who have read the Anne books, there is this part in Anne of Windy Poplars where she has a bad head cold and is sitting on her bed grading papers. I can totally identify with her today. Except my grading is on-line. Slight difference there. :)

A whole lot more of the wedding pictures

2009-01-29T19:59:00.000-08:00

This is a very long post, but it's all of the poiniant pictures that I thought should be shared with all. Julie took all of the pictures in this post. She is a gifted photographer and I'm proud to call her my little sis. Anyhow, enjoy!

Joel and I...everyone says he was still taller than me, but I wonder.............

See those shoes??? OUCH!!!!!Armando and Ely...that girl stole the bouquet right out of my hand!Amy and the Marine cousin, Jimmy. Isn't she beautiful????Ms. Jennifer and the "hot" cousin EricThe handsome guys

The beautiful girls

The fabulous bride

Isn't Julie a great photographer??? She takes amazing pictures!

Can you see the pain on my face??? I thought I was gonna fall over. I was seriously considering how embarrassing that would be.

She couldn't get the ring on his finger. haha

Our dear friend Adam reading scripture

The pastor talked about my favorite bollywood movie that Leilani introduced me to. made me laugh.... hahaha

There! An actual smile on my face.

Isn't she gorgeous?

Still happy! Imagine that!

See the poor guy's hand all bandaged up? He's doing ok though, which is good!

How cute is that!

Aw! They're married now!Fun bubblesSee that guy in the background on the left? He and his friends are hilarious.Pretty cake. Amy and I made that fun curvy thing. She did most of it, but I helped wrap it in lace. :)

Yessssss Hello Kitty and He-man (or however you spell it)

Adam and Astrid

Here we come

I changed into flips. Leilani changed into pink chucks. Oh btw, the guys got to wear black chucks for the wedding. hmmmm...... It was cute, in a guy kind of way. haha I'll stop now.

Amy's pretty earring that she let me borrow

Chris and the ladies...1, 2, and 3 (I'm 2)

Fabulous friends. I'm sad that we didn't get one of Amy, Leilani, Astrid and me. We should have.

That's my glamour pose. It kinda worked. haha Hey you can only kinda see the tan line!

Some pics and a bonus

2009-01-29T06:10:00.000-08:00

The pastor had said something funny...isn't that the greatest picture? haha

Well here are a few pictures. I have many more, so I'll post them later today.

And the bonus... Go here. I am that Elisabeth. How cool is that!!! (Not about what was written...that was honest and from the heart and I heartily recommend the book. But I'm on a fairly popular website. :D)

Back from the big wedding

2009-01-25T19:26:00.000-08:00

and boy was it fun! I'll post pictures as soon as I figure out how to charge my camera. And as soon as I steal some pictures from Julie...haha

Pray for Chris

2009-01-19T22:15:00.000-08:00

My dear friend Chris, who's wedding I'm going to be in on Saturday, cut himself badly and is going into surgery tomorrow to try to fix the nerve damage. Pray for him and for dear Leilani who must be worried.

Oh and I got it....
It is purple. But it does the job! Yeah!!!!

I'm back!!!

2009-01-19T13:57:00.000-08:00

I was on another blog and saw that my blog had not been updated in 2 weeks. I realized there was a problem, so here I am. I hope you all had a great Christmas and have had a Happy New Year so far. I sure did!

I have to go get my hair cut soon, but let me let you know what amazing thing has already happened today. I went to a teacher store that was having a sale and I got well over $100 of stuff for less than $60!!!! Yeehaw!!! I got some books, posters, prizes...all kinds of stuff! It was great...Praise the Lord!

And then now, I'm going to go shopping for a camera! Finally... So I must go search on-line now. I'll let you know how it goes.

Grace's stomach is talking...haha

2009-01-03T21:19:00.000-08:00

Well I'm back from the crazy Christmas season that it was. I'm fighting sickness and I really hope I'm winning...(Please Lord!! Help me to stay well!!!!!!) I'm dreading work. The helicopter is circling our neighborhood. I love my life! I spent the night looking at wedding pictures of random people for the fun of it...though I'm not sure how smart that was. But such good ideas! Flowers, pictures that are just cool to have taken at you wedding. It's for when Amy and I start our own business. haha

Ok enough randomness. It's the new year. I have so much to do and all that stuff. So here are my goals.
~~Not to get stressed as much. God is in control. I am not. If I can get that through my head then I think my life would be more enjoyable. Any suggestions on how to do that???
~~To run the 5K in April (or whenever it is) in memory of Mike. This means I have to start running again now. Keep me accountable... Oh there's something else that goes along with this but I'll save it for later. :)
~~To read through the Old Testament and actually get something out of it every day. To read my Bible every day. It has been really hard for me to do this now that I have this job. The drive is so much longer so I have to leave earlier and I just can't get up at 4am. So pray for discipline to read during other times of the day.
~~To learn flower arranging. I've always wanted to do it and have taught myself some, but I need to take the classes and just do it.
~~To finish my quilt and Amy's and Judy's and Ed's. I've got work to do!!!

There. We'll see how much I actually get done.

So back to fighting sickness and I just remembered I have a Bride magazine to look at. More fun ideas!!! And don't worry---for those of you wondering and getting all excited---there's no guy on the horizon at all. I'm just passing the time. :P

Oh and remember that thing I was going to get back to later? I am watching the movie Return to Me for the second time today (third time all around). Have you ever seen it? It all comes down to organ donation and the effect it has on others...as well as being a very cute chick flick. The 5K that I want to run is put on by Donate Life. It's an important thing people. I just thought you should think about it.

Hope you had a Merry Christmas. Hope you have a wonderful 2009. May God be glorified in it all. And may you forgive me for the randomness that you just read.

brand new teacher

2008-12-28T13:39:00.001-08:00

crazy

2008-12-21T22:51:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been well over a week since I last posted. This for a number of different reasons, but I realized how bad it was when my sister asked what was wrong with me...not blogging in over a week!!! Oh my. So I decided to get on here and tell you what's up.

first of all, no caps in this post. sorry if that bugs anyone. (yeah leilani!)

now, this last week has not been the best. it has consisted of crying in front of my principal and other staff members, 2 flat tires, grandma in the hospital and bad days at school. not my favorite. good things that happened...and things for which i am joyful. grace came home, we had an adorable christmas play at school, and we got out for 2 whole weeks. i can't tell you how happy i am about those things.

so instead of going on and on about things, i am going to ask you to pray.

1) grandma m. (crazy grandma to some of you) is going in for open heart surgery tomorrow morning. pray that all goes well and she is able to recover well...she's in her 80s, so this should be interesting.
2) grace's friend from school is staying with us over christmas. we are so excited to have him. but he is arriving tomorrow, the same day grandma is in surgery, and we don't want him to feel uncomfortable about anything and we really want him to have a good time.
3) becky is coming home on tuesday. yeah! pray she is safe.
4) i need to buy 2 new tires. the tires on this fabulous new car of mine are about $200 each. that means i need $400 for 2 tires. wow! pray that i have enough money for them.
5) i'm really struggling at work. i had an extremely hard week, but i know God has put me there for a reason. there is only one way this year is going to turn around and that is if God does it. either He intervenes or i have 6 months of trials ahead of me. pray that the Lord works a miracle in the hearts of my students and brings harmony and peace to my classroom. i am disheartened and dis-everythingelse. i feel like crying just writing this. i do covet your prayers here.
6) pray that we are all able to focus on the Christ-child during this time. He came with hope, with a future, not just for jews but for gentiles (me) also. i don't know why. He didn't have to. but He chose to. may we remember that and focus on Him.

needless to say, i'm out of the midnite scrapper's challenge. sad! i'm working on getting a camera (thanks to those who gave me $$$ for my b-day!!!!). i have enough saved up so maybe in the next few weeks i'll get it...and i'll be ready for the next challenge. --sidenote--you know the last camera i had was stolen out of my baggage in Brazil in april 2000. amazing!

thanks for your prayers. how can i pray for you?

2008-12-12T23:41:00.000-08:00

My dad printed up this picture for me after my horrible day last week. He didn't have time to go buy some, so he found me some other ones. Isn't he sweet. I LOVE red tulips!!!

Choosing Joy Dec 12

2008-12-12T23:37:00.000-08:00

Tonight Peter and I sang at a banquet. Love the people there. We did a retreat for them this summer. Fun times. And then I went to go leave, got in the car, started backing up and hmmm....something just wasn't right. Yep...I had a flat tire. Where do you find the joy in that? It comes when a brother in Christ that I don't even know says not to call AAA cuz it would just be easier and probably faster if he did it. So he got down on his hands and knees, in his dress clothes, to change my tire. While his wife waited inside talking to my pastor's wife. I was blessed. It brought me joy.

RED!!!!!

2008-12-12T07:54:00.000-08:00

Choosing Joy Dec 11

2008-12-11T23:17:00.000-08:00

Today is my birthday. And in usual circumstances you can usually find joy on that one day of the year. Some are "sticks in the mud" and refuse to enjoy it. I on the other hand don the tiara and sash and parade around all day (literally and during a parent conference even...haha). It was a great day and I send out a huge thank you to all who wished me a happy day.

The best part however were the special gifts from my little Bargas friends. Man, I'm tearing up all ready. Here is joy. Opening up a gift from a 4 year old friend and pulling out a play camera that is the favorite toy of the household. Or getting a Cinderella figure and a bouncy-ball from another friend. Or a special piece of paper that says I love you in red marker. Or a special card with a hand-drawn Cinderella on it. These are so sweet and so precious. Whenever they ask for the best gift ever received on those survey things, I'll always have an answer. It was the little things that look like nothing to the untrained eye, but are everything to the one to whom they were given. Those little girls filled my heart with pure joy with gifts given from the heart. I am so blessed to call them my friends.

Choosing Joy Dec 10

2008-12-10T23:11:00.000-08:00

There is this lovely thing in life called coffee. Not only does it wake me up in the morning, but it also wakes me up in the morning. Oh yeah, and it tastes and smells soooo good! That is one thing that definitely brings me much joy in my day. Every once in a while, I forget my coffee cup at school and so the next day I have to get out the spare and use that one. That happened last night, so this morning I had 2 coffee mugs on my desk. And you'll never guess what.....yep, I grabbed the old cup that still had yesterday's coffee in it and took a nice long disgusting swig. EEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWW!!!!!! It made me so sad! But then I grabbed the right cup and....oh the joy of nice, fresh and very warm coffee. I was happy again... :)

Choosing Joy Dec 9

2008-12-09T21:39:00.000-08:00

I try to refrain from posting on this subject because a lot of times it's down right annoying to hear about this. But I figured if I am posting on choosing joy in every day, then there's no way to get around it because it's a choice I have to make multiple times a week. Well actually, pretty much every day. And that is choosing joy in singleness.

We all know the bitter old maids who are mad at the world because they didn't get what they wanted. You know, I understand where they are coming from. It's hard to go through life alone in that way. Especially when all you ever really wanted was to get married, stay home and take care of your babies (and that is what all of your friends are doing). God created women with the desire to nest, to make their home, to be a help-meet to their husbands. It's inside of us! And when it doesn't happen by the time we were planning for it to happen (because we do plan these things, you see), then it can be very discouraging and depressing. And that is where the choice comes in. Am I going to succumb to the sin of self-pity because I didn't get what I wanted, or am I going to choose joy because I am a daughter of the King of kings?

You know, I'm turning 27 this week. So the question of "So why are YOU still single???" comes up more and more. How do you answer that??? Without the bitter and cynical (and sinful) comments Well, in her book on singleness, Carolyn McCulley suggested you answer, "So I can bless you." Wow!! Here in this time of singleness, there are joys in serving and blessing others (I love babysitting my pastor's girls!), joys in helping, joys in special relationships that would be impossible if one was married, joys in seeing others who have also been faithful in their singleness get married. There are joys all around and I'm so thankful for them.

I was telling a friend about a wedding I'm going to be in in January. He asked how I new the bride and groom. Upon finding out that I was good friends with the groom first, then met the bride, he asked if I was ok with it all. "Well of course I am!!!!," was the routine response that fell from my lips. He looked at me for a while and said, "Really??" I was happy to say that yes, really. But it made me think. He kind of expected me to be bitter because I don't have THAT yet. How sad! Yes, joy may be hard to find in those lonely times when you can't seem to stop the tears from falling. And those times can come often and hit hard. But joy is always there for the choosing...because I am His Forever.

***P.S. Carolyn McCulley's book Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye: Trusting God With a Hope Deferred is an excellent book and was a huge encouragement to me. I usually hate those "Single Woman" kind of books because they are more depressing than helpful. This was just the opposite. I highly recommend it!

RED!!!!!

2008-12-09T21:29:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad to post pictures of red this week because I LOVE the color red!!! Absolutely love it. Half of my clothes are red. My purse is red (thanks leilani). My wallet is red (thanks joni). I love red!!! And this is what popped in my head immediately when I knew I was posting on red today.
And they are such fun pics I couldn't choose one. So....
And how about me in a red shirt (ignore the sweat in the armpits. hahahaha it was hard work!) picking red cherries...
Just reminds me of Christmas in the summertime. The red and green together.....
Happy red to you!!!

Choosing Joy Dec 8

2008-12-08T23:40:00.000-08:00

Update***

This has to be quick as my computer is running out of battery quickly and I also have to wake up in like 5 hours...haha! So...

Today was a blessing. I fought for joy today and the Lord blessed me. As usual :) The kids were better. Some trouble here and there, but better. And my brother was able to hang out with me today too. He works with me now and after work I had to take the hour-long trip to the chiropractor (yeehaw!!!). He went with me and then we went shopping for a Christmas tree for my classroom and decorations. And it was so fun! For a few years, he has been working weird hours and hanging with some weird people. But he's hanging around here again, and spending tonight with him brought me such joy! God is good to answer prayers. Thanks to those who lifted me up today! You win a star in your crown :D

Help

2008-12-08T07:57:00.000-08:00

I woke up today with the very clear realization that choosing joy today is going to be not of myself, but of the Lord. As it is right now, choosing joy seems as hard as moving the mountains I see from my classroom window. But I know that with faith we CAN move mountains. So I am coming here to ask you all to pray for me today. Pray that I choose joy. Pray that the Spirit impresses joy upon my heart. Those who were with me yesterday and last night can tell you that I seriously have no desire to be here today. But I am. For a reason.

I'll update you later.

Sister love

2008-12-07T08:27:00.000-08:00

Choosing Joy Dec 6

2008-12-07T08:24:00.000-08:00

I babysat my pastor's kiddos again. We went down to the Lane Victory in San Pedro. It was free to get on the ship and look around. It's an old WWII ship with guns and everything. Just walking around there with my brother and the girls was so much fun. Those girlies are such a joy!

God's Love

2008-12-05T22:54:00.001-08:00

I actually saw this in the sky earlier this week and thought, "Wow! God loves us so much He put a smile in the sky to remind us." I thought it was so cool! And then I found a picture of it!!!
See a bigger, clearer version here.

Choosing Joy Dec 5

2008-12-05T22:40:00.000-08:00

It was a long, hard day at work today. And some things went on that left me more discouraged than encouraged. But then on the LONG drive home....

I saw a Christmas tree tied to the top of someone's car for the first time this year... And that brought me a smile. Joy!

And then on the way home I listened to this song about 4 times. Just the title brings me such joy!

HIS FOREVER

Jesus, friend of sinners
Loved me ere I knew him
Drew me with his cords of love
Tightly bound me to him
Round my heart still closely twined
The ties that none can sever
For I am his and he is mine
Forever and forever

Jesus, friend of sinners
A crown of thorns you wore for me
Bruised for my transgressions
Pierced for my iniquities
The wrath of God that I deserved
Was poured out on the innocent
He took my place, my soul to save
Now I am his forever

Jesus, friend of sinners
I love to tell the story
Redeeming love has been my theme
And will be when in glory
Not death nor life nor anything
Can ever separate me
O love that will not let me go
Yes I am his forever

*** Sovereign Grace Music

Choosing Joy Dec 4

2008-12-04T10:12:00.000-08:00

I have a funny feeling that choosing joy for the next 2 weeks is going to come straight from school. Because that's what I have to do each day. Choose to be overwhelmed and frustrated and angry and.....yeah, you get it. Or choose to find joy in the little things I see each day. For example, I just came out of one of the most frustrating math classes of the century. Disrespectful sixth grade girls yelling that THEY DONT UNDERSTAND IT!!!! YOU ARE SO UNFAIR!!!!!! And it all stems from the fact that they discovered that the 5th grade knows something they don't know yet. Oh the shock and hurt to the pride!!! But instead of clenching my teeth and roaring back at them in anger................I.will.choose.joy. Because haha, my 5th graders actually remember this said information from yesterday! SCORE!!!!! I love it when they get it!

Part 2
The challenge for this month from my Midnite Scrapping friend is to Choose Joy...which is what the above piece was about. So you will be reading about joy here at Brand New Teacher...and there's more! She also challenged us to post pictures a few times a week according to themes she has given us. Therefore, I'm really hoping for the money for that camera for my birthday next week...haha This week's theme is love. So here is what I came up with...

I love all the people in this picture. This group of people is bound by love for each other and for the Lord. We support and uphold each other through thick and thin. These people represent love to me. (This was my b-day dinner 2 years ago. They all came out in the middle of Christmas shopping season to a shopping center in the middle of a downpour. So sweet!! Gotta love 'em!)

Choosing Joy Dec 3

2008-12-03T22:43:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my class was awful. Disrespectful, rude, mean...just awful! I came home brooding about it, dreading going in today. Wondering what would happen today...if I could get through the day. My mom informed me that liking them and being liked was not an option this year. That put me into further despair and disappointment....NO JOY Friends. (Though my mom is totally correct!)

So I went in today asking the Lord for a good day. Please something nice happen. They were pretty good in the morning. A few blow-ups, but relatively quiet. Just one person in major defiance of rules. And it is that time of year--you know the time of year when there is a Christmas program to practice for every other day. Oh wow! But my class is singing Mary Did You Know...a very difficult song to sing, I must say. We went across to the church to practice with the piano.

I had them gather around the piano. I started playing the song. They started singing.....

and there was the joy... The joy of hearing children's voices singing this wonderful song about the sweet baby Jesus. I got goose-bumps.

The rest of the day went pretty well. I chose to see the joy in teaching. Because it is all to serve the Lord. These kids may be mean and spiteful and disrespectful. But I'm putting seeds for Jesus in their hearts and minds every day, all day. That is joy right there.

Thankful on Nov 30

2008-11-30T20:52:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for this challenge that was given to me. To actually write down what I am thankful for for a whole month. It has been good to look at my life and show how much I have and how much God has blessed me. It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and forget what life is really all about. I am thankful to be challenged to stop and put these things down so I can see them. Yesterday, I read through all of my November posts and was happy to see what God has given me. He is so good. And I don't deserve it! That's the amazing part!

Thankful on Nov 29

2008-11-29T21:47:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful that my family can just hang out with each other and be cool with it. We had a great family day together today. Such fun! Good memories. I'm glad we don't hate each other or fight all the live long day. We can have harmony and fellowship with each other and be perfectly content with our little group. I am so thankful for that!

Thankful on Nov 28

2008-11-28T22:42:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for the written Word of God. How many people are in the world today that do not have a Bible that they can hold. They do not have a Bible that they can read for themselves either because they are too poor to buy one or because there is no Bible in their language. And here I am in the US with 4 ESVs (the little one, the bigger one, the journal one and the study one), at least 4 KJVs if not more (my little one, my bigger one, my one from Peter and my one from Mike and Amy), and 1 NIV (from the Clarks). Wow!! About 9 Bibles. But do I take the time to dig deep each day? Do I spend time tucking it away in my memory? Do I treasure and revere it? Not as much as I wish I could say I do. There are many days when I don't even pick it up. Or if I do, I just read quickly to get it over with. Praise God that I have it. May I use it to the best of my ability. I know I must learn it and study it more. What about you?

Thankful on Nov 27

2008-11-27T21:56:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for my family and friends. We had a greeat day at my Grandma's house with our friends the Callenders. So thankful for them...and the good food too :)

Thankful on Nov 26

2008-11-26T13:52:00.001-08:00

Today I am thankful that our CDs are finally in and that whole process is over. It has been long and drawn out and very difficult. If it were not for my pastor, we would still be stuck fighting with the graphic design for the cover. Oh my!!! But it is in.....and if you want one, they are $10 +shipping and handling. Yeah!!!!!

Christmas time!!!!

2008-11-26T11:02:00.000-08:00

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper (the mess is so much fun!)

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real, real, real!!!

3. When do you put up the tree? Growing up it always magically appeared on my birthday, but now we do it sometime around my birthday. this year it is Dec 15 cuz grace will be home.

4. When do you take the tree down? sometime after Becky's birthday but before the city comes and picks the trees up for free

5. Do you like eggnog? yes

6. Favorite gift received as a child? umm....can't remember. sad huh?

7. Hardest person to buy for? lots of people--i'm not a good gift buyer

8. Easiest person to buy for? grace

9. Do you have a nativity scene? yes

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? um...i could say it, but it might hurt someone's feelings... :)

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas...hahahaha

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? when i find a gift that works for someone

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? probably

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Grandma's 7-Layer Salad yummmmmm!!!

16. Lights on the tree? well, yeah...duh!

17. Favorite Christmas song? Oh Holy Night

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? either home or Grandmas. this year home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? no I was deprived of that education as a child

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? haha....a new angel with the old angel somewhere in the room glaring at the new angel. it's a long story.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? For a long time it was Christmas afternoon and it was torture! But now that Grandma M. lives here, Christmas morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? umm...i like it all

23. What theme or color are you using? red and green

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? the salads!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? a camera

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!!!

Thankful on Nov 25

2008-11-25T18:53:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for my mom. Hmmm.... The reason I left this post until the end of the month is that I have a hard time expressing all that my mom is to me. Let's see....

She grew me in her tummy. She cared for me after I was born. She fed me, bathed me, clothed me. She taught me to talk. She taught me to walk. She taught me to say "Please" and "Thank you." She protected me. She trained me. She spanked me when I needed it. She kissed my boo-boos (and there were a rediculus amount of them haha). She taught me to write my name. She helped me understand subtraction. She helped me memorize the Bible. She helped me with my spelling words. She came in the rain to help in my classroom in kindergarten. She taught me that the girls at school who say they aren't my friend anymore were never my friend in the first place. She taught me never to walk away from her while she is talking to me. She taught me not to do a half-way job...ever!! She taught me to be responsible. She taught me to serve others. She drove me to school. She drove me to work. She forced me to drive. She forced me into junior college. She waits for my stories of school every day. She gives me advice on my class and what I should do when they are...well, yeah, she gives me advice. :) She teaches me every day about being a good wife who loves and serves her husband. She teaches me how to be a good mommy so that someday, if the Lord gives me the chance, I can follow in her footsteps.

But most importantly, she prays for me. She prayed that I would grow up to love the Lord. She prayed that I would grow up to serve Him. She prayed for me when the drama of high school happened. She prayed for me as I went out into the big unknown world of Cerritos College. She prayed as I stood up to my professors at CSULB. She prayed that I would get a job. She prayed as I struggled through my first year teaching. She prays as I struggle through my second year teaching. She prays when awkward guy situations are going on. She prays when weird friend things are going on. She is my prayer warrior. And I am thankful for that.

She is also one of my bestest friends in the whole world. She has no problem showing me where I am wrong. I usually don't want to hear about it, but then I realize she is right. We love to go to the bookstore together, get coffee and then browse the books....we don't buy anything really, but browse. We shop together. We see movies together. We hang out together. She is a really fun mom! My friends all love her. She is their mom too.

She takes karate and can kick your butt. She sings weird songs and calls different appliances by the wrong name. She laughs. And then we laugh. Our house is goofy and silly and fun becuase of my mommy. It is all because of her and her love for us and her love for our Lord. And I am so thankful for her.

PS Grace wrote another good post about my mom here.

Thankful on Nov 24

2008-11-24T21:25:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for my friends. I'm thankful that God has put so many wonderful people in my life to keep me real. For example.....

My 3 homies--Amy, Astrid and Leilani. These girls watch my back. They are there for me in anything and everything. We have cried together, we have laughed more than enough together. For a while, Amy would call me at 5:15am to make sure I was up for my Bible time and then I would call Leilani at 6:30 to make sure she was up. Leilani and I always had to watch it because we'd start chatting and then be late for work. haha fun times!!! For probably over a year, I would call Astrid every morning on the way to work and pray for her. Amy has been an excellent example to me of true godly faithfulness in the face of adversity. I love these girls like they are my sisters. We have sleep overs....that is sooooo much fun! We sit up late and watch Enchanted or they sign me up on wacky sites like eHarmony. haha That's another story though.....

My dearest Astrid

Chillin on a Mexican beach with Amy
At Joel and Ashley's wedding. Hey, I get to be in Leilani's wedding in January!!! Yeah!

Kerrie--Kerrie and I met in college. I remember sitting next to the tall blonde thinking how much like me she was. Before long, you couldn't separate us. If we were not together, people in our classes wondered what was wrong. :) We did tons of group projects together. Once we stayed up all night to get a project done in time and were on the phone with each other most of the time. I sang at her wedding. We graduated together. And now we work together and are with each other all day long :) again.... I am thankful for her!It was twin day at school...do we look related???

Wendy--Wendy is my pastor's wife, and I'm glad to say that I count her as one of my very close friends. She is not afraid to tell me like it is...and I am so thankful for that. She has pointed out so many different areas in my life that I need to surrender to the Lord and just plainly work on. She has challenged me to be happy in any state that I am in...i.e. singleness. haha She is a wonderful example of a godly wife and a wonderful caring mother. I am blessed to have her as a friend and a mentor.

Me, Mama and Miss Wendy

My sisters--I already posted on them too, but they are most definitely my friends...and some of my closest friends at that. I love them tons!Becky made that cake!!! From scratch!!!!!!! The things you learn in college

Joni--I have already posted about Joni, but I'll say once more that she is my true kindred spirit. I love her to death and then some more.I really need to get another pic of me and Joni on my computer to put on this here blog!

And now I have new friends that I am making like Laura at church....she's my tiara twin. :) And Nancy from FFBC...we still need to get together. God has truly blessed me with godly friends that stick with me even when I go a little (or a lot) crazy. I am thankful for you alllll!!!!!

PS I have one other really good friend, but I will post about that tomorrow...... Come back and see who it is :)

Thankful on Nov 23

2008-11-23T16:17:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful that the Lord protected my sister Grace. She and some friends were in a car accident today and got pretty banged up. But praise the Lord, they are all still alive and not seriously injured. Car accidents are pretty touchy for Grace and I since we lost our friend Mike in one last year. I think that fact shook her up more than anything else. But God is always good, and in His goodness this time, He protected the girls. Grace's knee is pretty bruised, her friend broke some ribs and another girl probably has a concussion. The drivers in both cars are fine. Pray for them. They are all scared. You know...I knew something was wrong when all Baldwin phones rang in church one after another. It was interesting :)

Thankful on Nov 22

2008-11-22T23:33:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for indoor plumbing. I can't imagine how people did it in the olden days. I probably would have been able to deal with it since there wouldn't have been any other choice, but as of right now, I know it would be a huge stretch for me. Hauling water, freezing in the outhouse. Not my idea of a good time. So I'm thankful for my bathroom, for my kitchen, for my washing machine too. God is good to have allowed the minds of those who invented these instruments of easy to be so creative and to allow their success. Today I have not been feeling very well, so I've really been thankful :) haha!!!!!

Thankful on Nov 21

2008-11-21T15:20:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for......
school getting out for a whole week!!!! I have to go to conferences next week on Monday and Tuesday, but no kiddos for a while! Yeehaw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thankful on Nov 20

2008-11-20T23:03:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for my super goofy, crazy, zany, gullible, exciting, fun-loving, fuzzy-headed, sunburned but loving, caring, considerate, compassionate, God-loving, sweet, friendly, funny, huggable, unbelieveably great brother. He's my favorite brother in the whole wide world. He has mastered the art of living in a house of girls. He loves people like no one else I know. He treats kids in a way like no one else I know. :) He's a great teacher. He's a great worker. He is honest. He is trust-worthy. He has a great sense of humor. He laughs with me. He cries with me. He protects me fiercely. He teases me. He tickles me. He makes my day. He annoys me too. I don't know what I'd do without my little brother, Peter.

Love ya man! I'm thankful for you!!! And I'm so proud of you. Keep up the good work!!!!!!

Thankful on Nov 19

2008-11-19T22:23:00.001-08:00

Today I am thankful for chocolate. Dark chocolate. That is what got me through my day today. I love Dove dark chocolate. So creamy and yummy. I'm so glad God created the wonderful stuff. And they all say dark chocolate is healthy too. Can't go wrong!!!

Funny

2008-11-19T16:26:00.000-08:00

"If you are single or if your son has ADD or you just wanna go for a cruise. Then come to Kansas"
--a quote by my student in his report on Kansas

Sounds like a great invite to me!

The Renewed Life is the Key to the Christ in Me

2008-11-19T06:08:00.001-08:00

Yeah!!! I thought this was gone forever from YouTube. But it's back. This is my ultimate goal in Christian music ministry. If only I could uniformly walk around the stage with the rest of the band like these guys do. haha!!!!!

Thankful on Nov 18

2008-11-18T22:35:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for my Daddy. My dad is the hardest working person I know. For as long as I can remember, he has gotten up at around 4:00 am, gotten dressed and headed off to work for the day. He works extremely hard all day long, dealing with lots of stress and other nonsense, to provide for us. Then he comes home and spends time with us, talking and enjoying our company. He has sacrificed so much for his family. He has given so much of himself to us. And I am thankful.

My dad has always made me feel like a lady. From the time I was a little girl to now as an adult, he has made sure that I know that I am special (and he is always telling me I'm beautiful--isn't that nice of him?) He has always taken me on dates and treated me so well. He does that with all of my sisters. He brings us flowers on different occasions. He is constantly thinking about us, praying for us, coming up with advice for us.

He treats my mom like a queen. Well, she is a queen. He brings her flowers just cuz he loves her. When we go to the store, we always buy her some kind of chocolate. We were never allowed to speak badly of my mom. He wouldn't stand for it.

To him, we are his world. He has spent most of his life pouring himself and God and Scripture into us. He has disciplined us with love. He has taught us to work hard. To live lives that please God.

Daddy, I am so thankful for you. And I love you!

Thankful on Nov 17 but posted on the 18th

2008-11-18T05:08:00.000-08:00

I didn't get around to this yesterday...I was really tired. But this is what I was thankful for yesterday.

Today I'm thankful for Gethsemane Baptist Church. I never actually attended that church as a member, but I attended the school there from K-12 grade. My kindergarten graduation to my high school graduation. The people at that church poured their lives and time into me. And I am so thankful for it.

Yesterday I went to Mrs. Ramirez' funeral. It was at a different church, but half of the people there were from Gethsemane at one point or another. It was so good to see those people again. I only got to actually talk to two. But I got to see everyone else and that was good enough for me. By the time I left, I was thankful for Mrs. Ramirez who got me that job at GBCS after I graduated and then trained me to work in an office efficiently. I was thankful for Mrs. Weldon who taught me Algebra in a way I could understand it. I was thankful for Mrs. Morales who taught me in 8th grade and has been continuing to teach me as an adult through her blog to be a woman who serves God. I was thankful for Mrs. Alba, who took me under her wing and taught me what a good teacher was and what a godly woman looked like. I was thankful for Mrs. Davidson who still remembered that I wanted to be a teacher. I was thankful for Pastor Smith who lead our school and that church in such a God-centered manner. I was thankful for Mrs. McMahon who taught me to play the piano. I was thankful for Mrs. Eskelsen, who gave advice and a hug whenever needed.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many many more people from that church that touched my life. I am sooo thankful for them.

Thankful on Nov 16

2008-11-16T16:52:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful that we didn't buy that house in Corona a few years ago. It would be a very bad situation right now if we did. But God in His mercy (at the time we couldn't figure it out) closed that door. So we are still here in the ghetto of North Long Beach where the only thing that will burn our house down is the next riot or my bad cooking. :)

And I'm thankful that my dad's friend Dave's house didn't burn down last night. His neighbor's house did, as well as several other houses in his neighborhood. But God spared Dave's house.

Thankful on Nov 15

2008-11-15T22:43:00.000-08:00

Today I'm thankful for my church family. We had Mona's memorial service today, and a whole bunch of families from church that didn't necessarily know Mona showed up to be a loving support and witness to Mona's family. I'm so thankful for church family that is willing to give up their Saturday evening to be a blessing.