Teaching, School, Friends, Kids, Bunny, and Thoughts About Life

Teaching Update
I am still enjoying teaching and getting to know the students. (Gift #715)  I've also been substitute teaching in the mornings before my class about once a week, so I am becoming more familiar with the rhetoric school in general and meeting more students.  So far, I've subbed for Greek 1 & 2, European Literature, and Classical Literature, and I am scheduled to sub for Pre-Calculus and Calculus, so I feel like I should be earning another degree in the process.  

One of my goals is to go see every student participate in his/her sport, fine art, or other area of giftedness.  This week, I attended my first ever varsity volleyball game to see one of my students play.  The opponent was a private school from my hometown where one of my closest childhood friends teaches and where many of my home town friends' kids attend.  So who do you pull for when your kids' school plays your home town?  Go Knights!

The next day while substitute teaching in Greek 1 & 2, I recognized several of the juniors as volleyball players I had watched play the previous evening, so it was a great way to connect with them.  That same morning I came across the volleyball player in my class who I had specifically come to the game to see. I didn't know if she had noticed me at the game, for I did not draw attention to myself and had to sneak out early to get my son to Tae Kwon Do, but she had seen me and thanked me profusely for coming to her game.  Her smile was so big as she thanked me that I was warmed to know that such a simple act communicated love and care to her so profoundly. (Gift #716)  Note to self:  It's the little things that mean so much, so do them!

I continue to be impressed with my students.  The ladies work really hard.  Many of them had joined the class expecting it to be the "slow" math class students take in lieu of Calculus and were not happy when 12 of the brightest math students in the school transferred into the class after deciding to take both Calculus and Statistics.  At first they were intimidated, but now they are speaking up as much as anyone and showing confidence stemming from mastery of the subject. (Gift #717) I'm so proud of them!

The gentleman (they aren't just "guys" or "dudes", for these male students are true gentlemen) in the class are always so kind to me, offering to help carry some of my bags to class most days.  I borrow a classroom at the school and have no office, so I must lug texts and supplies for 4 subjects (I tutor trig, Algebra 1, and Algebra 2 after my stats class), computer equipment, purse, and bagged lunch to school, so I need either a luggage dolly or all the manly help I can get.  I had my first observation last week, and when they saw the principal walk into the classroom to observe me, they snapped into the school's militaristic postures (which I do not enforce every day because I did not get the adult sized tables and chairs for the classroom that I wanted, and these tall and lanky seniors must squeeze into middle schooler sized desks) and into full attention at once.  They made every effort to participate, standing when answering or asking questions, and doing their best to show how much they have learned.  (Gift #718)  After school that day, one student made the effort to come find me and encourage me, assuring me that I did a great job teaching that day.  Who does that these days?  He wasn't sucking up, for he already has a A+ average and needs no favors.  I wish I could adopt the boys in my class or at least make one my son-in-law. :-)   Just when I was convinced liberal feminism had completely removed all chivalry and masculinity from the younger generations, I encounter these fine strong men who are rugged and handsome, brave and honest, respectful and kind, smart and full of faith. (Gift #719)  Jesus Christ in the heart of a student truly makes all the difference.  I am so refreshed at that school.  As long as I am in that bubble, I have renewed hope for the future of America.  (Gift #720)

All this praise does not suggest that the students have not tried to test me.  The project proposals some of them submitted were sub-par, and I let them know I had discussed their proposals with their English teacher for whom they would never submit such lame work.  They must have been thinking that this is a math class where grammar and professionalism do not count.  After clarifying my expectations, however, they blew me away with their projects. (Gift #721)   They put in the effort and began treating this class as if they were executives for a Fortune 500 company. 

Teaching is given me a stronger sense of purpose (Gift #722) and some of the community I craved as a stay-at-home mom. (Gift #723)  I'm still working on finding the right balance, but I feel so blessed to be there.  After having worked for salaries 10x higher, I am doing my best to remember that I am called to this career as ministry, not for income.  After all, the job offer was not worded as a job offer at all.  It was termed a "ministry offer", for we will never be truly effective if we view it only as a job.  God has provided all our family really needs through my husband's job (Gift #724), but the world tries to convince us that our worth is a reflection of our income.  God will never ask me how much money I made, for He is more interested in how I am using what He has provided to invest in eternity, and those students' souls are eternal.  Dear Lord, please guide my every effort and please bring fruit out of my labor that lasts forever.

Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

My dear husband, observing his wife pouring over math problems today, asked, "Are you a teacher or a student?" He smiled as he knew my answer would be a truth everyone, regardless of profession, must eventually realize, "Always both!" Daily I am reminded of how much I still need to learn and how I am teaching others unaware through my words and actions, be they careless or thoughtful.

School Pictures
While I was enjoying looking at all my friends' back-to-school pics on Facebook, our school, which started the year a few weeks earlier on a modified year-round-schedule, has already returned school picture prints.  When I opened the envelope, I gasped in surprise and proclaimed, "Oh my!  I look like a 40-something teacher.  How can that be?"  And my blunt husband reminded me that I am a 40-something teacher.  There's nothing quite like a photograph to burst your bubble with a dose of reality. But I still feel so young at heart!   These photographers move quickly and only give you one shot, so I think she snapped the photo before I had finished transitioning into a full smile.  Perhaps that is why my smile looks odd.  The kids' pics were not overly flattering either, especially compared to last year's school photos.  Of course, what camera can truly capture all the beauty I see in them anyway?

2nd Grade

5th Grade

40ish Statistics Teacher

Senior Service Practicum
I love the missions mindedness of our school. (Gift #725)  Seniors take an elective missions course their first semester called "Senior Service Practicum" and some Spanish classes before traveling to Costa Rica in November for service and ministry.  The students take 55 extra pieces of luggage which we fill with gifts for the children they will be serving.  Our daughter and two other school friends got together and made 53 sock dolls for the children our seniors will be serving.  Some were really cute.  Others were quite strange and reminded my husband of voodoo dolls.  We hope the gift will convey a more positive message than voodoo.  My daughter attempted to make a horse doll, but it looked more like a caterpillar (legs too short and too many legs - ha ha).  She begged me to make a doll with her, so despite my ineptitude and fear of all things crafty,  I finally made a pathetic looking doll.  She's finding that teaching me anything crafty is like trying to teach a walrus to play the piano.  But she thanked me profusely, and I was reminded once again how important it is to carve out time to do what she wants to do with her.  (Gift #726)  It only takes a few minutes to make a huge impact.  Why do I fail to do this simple thing so often when it makes such a difference?

Princess Kiss Bible Study
One of my favorite new things for my daughter and me this year is our mother/daughter Bible study group with other girls from our school and their moms. (Gift #727)  This "coming of age" study group is a 2-year commitment to help guide our precious girls in and through adolescence God's way.  We are using The Princess and the Kiss study guide to direct us.  We meet once or twice a month in group members' homes for food, fellowship, crafts, prayer, and Bible study.  Our first kick-off meeting was held this month.  I am so excited for this opportunity to invest into my daughter's heart and into our relationship, and we both love the potential for developing life long friendships with the other girls and moms in the group.

She Misses Muffin
With school and gymnastics, our daughter has to spend 13-14 hours a day away from her beloved bunny several times a week. As soon as she comes home from gymnastics each night, she rushes into the "bunny playground" for bunny cuddles.

Speaking of our bunny, she's been going through puberty and has been quite wild at times.  Her furry coat is either molting into a different colored adult coat or she is changing her coat color in preparation for autumn.  I have heard that sable rabbits may change their colors their entire lives.

The Drama Queen
My daughter continues to amuse us with her dramatics.  Last month, I noticed that she had either matured or was taking a more passive aggressive approach with her "keep out" signs for her door.  Apparently, that approach did not work because I saw a new sign this month written in angry font with poor handwriting and misspellings indicating that she was quite upset when she wrote it.  PSA: Always knock before entering the actress' dressing room!

The Thoughts of  Child
7-year-old: "Mom, would you rather live knowing that someday there will be no more death, crying or pain, or would you prefer not knowing that some day it will be that way?"

Me: "You tell me first.  Which would you prefer?"

7-year-old: "Oh I definitely prefer living with that hope and assurance."

Me: "Then tell others how they can receive that promise and live with that wonderful guarantee as well."

What my little one taught me that night night:  Too often adults underestimate the depths of a child's thoughts. God works through children to give us eternal perspective and/or propel us to action when needed. (Gift #728)

"‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” - Revelation 21:4

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My son has been wanting a lava lamp for his room, but when we went to the store, they only had pink and purple ones, not manly colors to match his room. So, of course, his sister then begged for one, and I braced myself for the bickering that would ensue at the mere mention of her getting what he had been wanting. But instead, my thoughtful boy said, "The package says that the lamp soothes, unwinds, calms and relaxes, so I think you should buy her one to help her with her temper." If the lamp can do that, then I'm buying one for every room in the house!  His peacemaker mentality is a gift in our home! (Gift #729)

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The advantage of having an inquisitive child is that he figures out how to make a lot of cool things all by himself (programming robots at age 4, fixing things that break in the house, and so forth) which has kept him occupied while I would be homeschooling his sister or working from home. The disadvantage is the destruction he leaves behind. During a 60 second stroll outside one evening, he realized he could make perfume out of pressed flower petals, so now he wants to decapitate all our lovely flowers to make perfume he plans to sell. Some wish money grew on trees while is is scheming ways to make money from my plants.

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When we were homeschooling, our passionate child delivered many theatrical performances over the devastating cruelty of being made to do school work before she could go outside and play. She's motivated by being around other people, so she rarely ever gave me her very best effort at home. When we sent her to school instead of homeschooling, she was surrounded by lots of new friends and worked much harder doing what she called "easier" work, but she wailed and moaned dramatically about the "picky" grading so much that she stopped caring about her grades at all choosing instead to care more about her friends and how she could encourage them in their academic pursuits. This year, she has even more new friends and is trained to always give her best so that school work no longer feels like drudgery, but this evening she wailed, moaned, lamented and collapsed onto the floor because.....wait for it... she made a 97 on a test when her goal was apparently to only make 100s. You can take a drama queen out of any given situation, but I'm not sure you can take the drama out of our princess. She really does love her school, but our dear child is clearly born for the stage.

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This drama queen believes in prayer, though and now more than ever.  She was dreading a somewhat painful dental procedure scheduled for this afternoon, so she prayed this morning and on the way to the dental office after school for God to be with her and to help her get through the procedure or (better yet in her mind) that He would remove her from the trial completely. The pediatric dentist working that day was different from the one who prescribed the treatment, and before I had a chance to ask but after she had a chance to reevaluate my daughter's teeth, she had the integrity to admit that the procedure was not necessary. Trial eliminated! Not only did this caring dentist do what was right in God's sight, but God used her to strengthen my daughter's faith! (Gift #730)

Another 40-Year Birthday Party?
In the past few weeks, I have been to three 40th birthday parties.  Two were successful surprise parties.  This past week, we celebrated the birthday of one of my closest friends since the year my husband and I got engaged.  Our crazy small group ladies met for dinner at a Mexican restaurant where she got serenaded and embarrassed.  We laughed and reminisced and had a great time.  After the dinner, the dear birthday girl sat in my car in the parking lot as we talked life for hours.  It was her birthday, but taking the time to share with me was a present to me.  (Gift #731) How I cherish her friendship!  God is going to be using that family of hers mightily over the next 40 years!  I can see it unfolding already!

Speaking of our life class, we had our annual end of summer celebration last weekend.  46 adults and over 50 kids registered to attend.  We got there late because I kept waiting for my husband to get home from work (on a Saturday no less), but I finally gave up on him and arrived an hour late, just in time to grab a few nibbles from the leftovers.  It was an enormous potluck, and we're sad we did not get there in time to eat while it was hot.  The party is hosted at an enormous park/picnic area in a horse friendly community, so the kids had a blast on all the playground equipment while I gazed dreamily at the horses.

After dinner, all the families took over the adjoining swim club.  Last year, I traveled back in time in my mind and played like an 8-year old on the diving board turning every flip and diving stunt I knew.  I also ended up having to see a doctor later that week for swimmer's ear, so I stayed dry this time.  I also wanted to keep my attention on watching my two kids since my husband wasn't there to help.  My daughter, the gymnast, filled in the gap for me on the diving board, however,  with all sorts of impressive flips and spins.

The fathers all competed in their annual splash contest as the kids sat  close together along the edges of the pool feeling the spray and judging the splashes.  It was so refreshing to watch the kids cheering on their dads when the dads are usually cheering on their kids instead.  It was a memory I suspect those kids will keep with them for a long time. (Gift #732)

Thoughts About Life

One of my favorite aspects of our new residence has been how quickly I can bike to the lake via the wooded asphalt trail that runs along the river behind our neighborhood.  However, I have not been able to bike those trails for the past few weeks because the creek flooded resulting in the destruction of much of the greenway.  Large sections were missing, while other sections had been pushed up into sharp ridges. As I pondered the irony of how something so beautiful, refreshing, and absolutely essential to life as water could rip through asphalt so powerfully, I considered how many other wonderful, life sustaining or life enhancing factors (food, self confidence, money, power, relationships, medicine, sex, etc.) can also cause tremendous damage when allowed to cross their God given boundaries. (Jeremiah 5:22, Psalm 74:17) Oh that our generation and those that come after us would learn to respect and appreciate those established limits which are always for our greater good. With sufficient resources, our town did repair/repave the trail I love so much (Gift #733), but the damage created when we willfully exceed boundaries in other areas cannot be undone...at least not without the precious blood of the Son. A few pics of the lake taken with my low budget Android phone from my bike are shown below.

This last pic is for my husband (note the sailboat) and the kids who like ducks.

August Amusements

From the cute little things that kids say to celebrating milestones with friends, spending time with those we love provides far more entertainment for me than anything the entertainment industry can produce. (Gift #707)  Could it be that the people in my life are a primary reason why I have had little to no desire to turn on the TV since I was a tween?  Why zone out watching imaginary people live imaginary lives when I can be relishing the one and only real life God gave me with real people who have eternal souls?

One of our small group members is turning 40 this month, so her husband threw her an early surprise party (it had to be early to surprise this lady) with some help from family.  Her husband's brother married my childhood next door neighbor who likes to tell everyone that I babysat her as a child which is a fact that makes me feel old.  So, it was such a pleasure to see Amanda there and the fruit of all her party preparations labor. (Gift #708)  The party was a blast, and the guest of honor was totally surprised (Gift #709).  She said it was the best time she's had since their wedding reception.

This birthday girl is always cracking jokes, so she received plenty of prank gifts for her birthday that evening.  I think this one was my favorite since there are three loved ones in my life who cannot get together without bursting into so much laughter that "tears" run down their legs.

We have had a lot of rain this month, which is a blessing for the plants and grass.  The kids' newly planted roses put forth a lot of buds right after the rain as an encouragement that colorful surprises and great beauty often follow dreary seasons of life. (Gift #710)

 

While shopping with the kids this past weekend, my son saw this sign...

... and said, "Why would anyone want to rescue underwear?"

Ba-ha-ha...I'm still laughing over that one. (Gift #711)

His school teacher is a lover of dogs, so I knew I better correct him quickly, so I took the kids over there to see the boxers that needed homes.  The kids were much more interested in these cats.  I don't like cats.  Why do they always favor the cats?

Lest I give the impression that my son is lacking wisdom because of his cute boxer comment, let it be said that he does seem to be learning what matters most in life as evidenced by some of his whiny remarks made during dinner last week. (Gift #712) He said, "I wish we never moved here because:

1) This new house is bigger which means I have more chores.
[Whatever you think you own really owns you!]

2) My best friend lived there and I miss him so much.
[Good friends are not easily replaced.]

3) This house has sidewalks instead of ditches."
[Some of our best memories are made and most profound life lessons are learned in the ditches of life.]

His older sister knows her stuff, too.  She has begun helping me answer some of his seemingly unending questions.   When confronted with the term "disco" in a computer game, he asked what that could be.  His sister replied, "Disco was an era way back in Mom and Dad's day when people wore Afros and shiny suits, pointed their fingers, rocked their hips back and forth and shouted, 'Uh-huh!'" 

How that child amuses me with her expressive descriptions! (Gift #713)

She may know about disco, but she still has a lot to learn about salad bars. She recently learned one lesson the hard way.  She discovered at the birthday party that the brightly colored shiny "candies" on the salad bar were actually beets.

We all got to see life through a child's eyes the other day when friends came to visit.  Their son had never seen a refrigerator with the water/ice dispenser on the outside of the door before. He had seen soda fountains, however, so with excited eyes, he asked, "So which type of soda comes out when you press the [lever]?

Our bunny continues to amuse and irritate me to no end.  Litter training is not going well, and her pee is bright orange, not light yellow like her predecessor. She has ruined the carpet in the fitness room and is confined to that area until she can master the litter box.  It's all a game to her.  She knows if she poops on the carpet while I'm in the room with her letting her exercise, I'll open the door, run to the bathroom for poop scoop supplies, and run back.  When she wants out of the room, I think she deliberately poops on the carpet and then runs to the door with the hope that she can escape when I go get the cleaning supplies.  Stinker.

Reenacting "The Great Escape" so she can poop on my carpet

She isn't much help as a workout buddy either.  When I'm feeling the full force of Friday fatigue and need her to pep me up, she just lays there like she's plum worn out.

 
On a less entertaining note, is anyone troubled about the events taking place overseas?  I know God is on the throne and that He commands us not to let our hearts be troubled but rather to fix our trust in Him, and I do trust Him.  Still...watching evil manifested so violently shakes the spirit at the core, reminding us how desperately the world needs Jesus.  We have friends serving in the Ukraine and in areas overrun by the war path of ISIS.  World events hit home when your faithful friends and their many young children are in the war path.  So we pray, asking the Lord to protect them knowing full well that martyrdom may be God's plan for them, for there is no safer place than in His very presence forever.  In light of all the genocide, such horrific, violent, ghastly persecution of our brothers & sisters under the hands of evil ISIS, the promise given in Galatians 1:4 seems sweeter than ever.

"[The Lord Jesus Christ] gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father" (Galatians 1:4)  - AMEN (Gift #714)

And as I see our nation's leaders and a large number of deceived Americans are siding with Hamas instead of Israel, this verse keeps coming to my mind:

"...As you have done to Israel, so it will be done to you. All your evil deeds will fall back on your own heads." (Obadiah 1:15) 

To God's chosen people of Israel, please understand that we lowly citizens cannot stop our leaders from their foolish negligence, but please know that a large number of Americans love you, respect you, and pray for you. As for me and my household, we will always stand for Israel.

 

Back to school for the kids while their Mom begins teaching 12th graders

Back-to-School Day (aka "Meet the Teacher" Day) for us was on August 1.  After spending most of that day there meeting my kids' teachers and then meeting my students, I was anxious about beginning a new profession/ministry as a teacher of 12th graders the following Monday, but I was also very excited for I felt specifically called to work with 12th graders. I wanted to reach that age and help equip them to stand firm in the faith while statistics say that 70% leave the faith when they go to college.

Our kids were less than excited about donning their uniforms once again and resuming one of the four positions at any given time during their school day.  They were not looking forward to all the work (at least this school has a no homework policy - Gift #690), all the testing, and the limited time available to actually talk with their friends.  While the Rhetoric school where I work is less nit picky and more focused on fostering a lifelong love of learning, the Phonics and Grammar schools put heavy emphasis on training in discipline to always give one's best.  Thankfully, both of our kids have funny, entertaining teachers who balance out all the structure and discipline with fun hilarity and sweet prizes. (Gift #691)  Like her mom, our daughter will work diligently if chocolate is the prize.

Our daughter is moving into the tween phase, so I was not surprised by her facial expression when I asked her after school how her first day went (see photo below at far left).  When I begged her to smile for the camera, she gave me the look shown in the middle photo below.  Thankfully, she did eventually give me a real smile.  She was frustrated with her teacher assignment because she wanted to be in the class with the class pet, a guinea pig, which was the same class all her friends from last year were in, and she does aspire to be a vet.  However, this year will provide her an opportunity to meet more people at the school and make new friends, so I think her attitude is much better now as she is making new friends (Gift #692).

Our son loves his teacher as I knew he would.  She has the same dry wit he's accustomed to hearing from his mama, so he feels right at home in her class.  She does a great job (all the teachers do really), but she was our first choice.  He doesn't have any of his old friends in his new class either, but he's making new friends and adjusting beautifully (Gift #693).

Despite some technical difficulties in my class,  I had a great first day (Gift #694)! My class became quite popular, so I have continued to add students.  The class is now over 2.5 times larger than it was in the beginning.  God must have plans to really display his power, because He is entrusting a lot of students into my care, and I don't know what I'm doing!

I have just completed my second week of teaching and will be administering my first major unit test tomorrow.  I have also already added two tutoring students for this semester in a subject I haven't tutored yet, trig, so I feel like I am getting into the full swing of things now.  I have recorded some of my thoughts on teaching and personal discoveries thus far below.

God has given me a teacher's heart.  Who knew?  Teaching energizes and exhilarates me!  The word most often used by students and other teachers to describe my teaching is "passionate".  I feel greatly privileged to have this opportunity to impact students' hearts, and I am trying my best to be faithful.  I have an inner drive to give them my best that has me working a crazy number of hours for considerably less pay than I could make babysitting as a 12-year-old.  Minimum wage would be about a huge pay increase at this point.   Clearly, this drive is from God.  (Gift #695)

The photo below was taken at a friend's surprise birthday party for her 40th.  The photographer captured my expression as I was answering a dear friend's question, "So, how do you like teaching?"  I can't remember when I've smiled that brightly, and I was bone tired...severely sleep deprived after a full week of nightly insomnia.

 

Teaching is a LOT of work (as noted above). Granted, I am working more than I probably need to and pray I will find the right balance, but the work is never done.  It keeps me up all night as my mind races over new ideas to reach the students' hearts through the lessons.  And some of the material I am teaching I haven't seen in over 20 years.  Other material I have never seen.  I have to study all the time.  There is a literal math genius in my class who asks me tough questions, but I'm thankful for him because if he ever misses a problem, then I know I better recheck my answer key. (I write the questions and the answers, so it helps to have a 2nd eye looking over my answers.)  There is no text either, so I am writing one as I do my own learning, and that makes me nervous. I guess God sent the genius into my classroom to make sure I don't lead them astray!  The primary teaching manual for this school upon which we are evaluated is The Seven Laws of Teaching.  The first law is that the "teacher must know the lesson or truth to be taught."  That is the toughest law for me, so I am studying diligently for the students' sakes.

I'm loving so many aspects of my newest "vocation/ministry", but the best part is getting to pray for and with my students in the classroom and privately after class when there is a specific or personal need.  (Gift #696)  Not only does prayer infuse the power of the Almighty into the lives of students, but it also shows them that they are loved and valued. As the politicians battle over the Common Core standards and what will replace those standards in NC, let them not forget to give teachers time and freedom for the greatest standard of all, love. 

The way God is revealing Himself and His truths through such an unlikely subject as statistics has me in awe (Gift #697)!  It's as if He is writing the curriculum, not me, to impart truths about himself in the midst of the academic lesson. His power is manifest in our weakness! God's hand in all of this is so obvious to me it overwhelms me.  Will the students see it too?

  
Right up at the top of my "best part of teaching" list is the opportunity to teach valuable life lessons to students at a time when they most need to be reminded.  (Gift #698)  As God opens His truth to me through the lesson planning, I am able to weave those truths into the academic lessons, but only by His revelation and equipping.    For example, the theme for our first week of class was taken from Colossians 2:4 as I stressed the importance of knowing how to read statistical displays with wisdom and discernment so as not to be deceived.  That week, I showed the students two graphs I pulled directly from recent media posts representing the exact same data from the U.S. Health Dept.  One graph was used to support abortion while the other conveyed a pro-life message.  The students were taught how to analyze the graph and look for the flaws in one or the other to discern the truth.  The 12th graders loved it, and I was pleased that they did in fact discover that the pro-life graph was a more accurate representation of the truth while the pro-choice one distorted the title, truncated the time line and left off important information to slant the information to support their viewpoint.  The students left feeling wiser and more alert to the lies of the evil one all around them. 

“I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.”    (Colossians 2:4)

The following week, God gave me a burden to warn the students about the folly of materialism and of making anything the world offers an idol in their hearts.  So I translated Matthew 6:19-20 into a series of investment graphs (homes, cars, checking/savings, stocks, etc.) without labels, and asked the students to choose which investment they wanted.  Many showed rapid returns and fast growth followed by an eventual plummet to zero value.  The graph the students chose showed very little gain in value at the beginning but exponential growth at almost a vertical slope after the point the other investments tanked with an arrow at the end indicating no end point.  It's returns increased forever.  Then I introduced the verse from Matthew and let them compare/contrast different worldly treasures vs. eternal ones.  I showed them an image I created of a gray heart stuffed with nice homes, expensive cars, multiple advanced diplomas, a corporate ladder, and all the things the world offers but does not satisfy.  The Ferrari inside the gray heart did have a fish sticker on the back as a symbol of  the tendency that is so common in private Christian schools  of thinking a Christian label will make them feel better about worshiping worldly things.  That fish sticker doesn't make them a true follower a Christ.  It only makes them a hypocrite.  Then I showed them a graphic I created of a clean white heart filled with spiritual treasures with all worldly things outside of the heart.  Christians can possess earthly things, but they must stay outside of the heart.  Once we feel like we would not be content with whatever earthly thing we treasure, we are no longer satisfied in Christ alone.  We cannot serve both God and mammon.  

“The acid test of materialism is not how much I have or don’t have but my preoccupation and concern over it.” - Chip Ingram

That earthly treasure has then displaced God in our hearts.  I talked about how much potential I saw in that room to either stuff their hearts with lots of material wealth and academic degrees.  Or they could choose instead to use whatever earthly things God gives them (wealth, education, or experience) as tools to help change the world for eternity.  I reminded them that they are seniors, so the choice will soon be entirely theirs.  Would they fill their hearts with things that rot, or invest in that which lasts forever?

Matthew 6:19-20 (NIV)

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

We joke around a lot in my class.  We have fun, and I try to instill a life long love of learning by building enthusiasm mixed with hilarity in the classroom.  But during that presentation I was serious, and every eye was transfixed.  They were listening.  (Gift #699) That was not what they expected to hear from the spunky new teacher. One at risk student (and I mean AT RISK!) finally broke the silence.  She said, "I always knew the teachers here really care about us, but you just showed us how much."

That one statement was the best gift I could receive all year. (Gift #700)  If only they knew that many of the teachers work there for incomes below poverty level simply because they care about these students and want to invest into their hearts and souls.  Academics are secondary.

Next week we are studying statistical position....variance, standard deviation and z-scores.  So our theme and Bible verse will be from Deuteronomy 5:32-33.  We will discuss the findings that 70% of students leave the church after high school and list those factors that pull students away from being centered in Christ.  We will discuss divergent forces such as humanism, postmodernism, me-ism/ entitlement mentality, materialism, social pressures, and the deception of this world that will pull and tug at their hearts to make them deviate from God's central plan for their lives.  They will measure their own variance and standard deviation and be reminded how to stay centered in Christ.  I pray that message will be received with as much attention as last week's.  Each week, I wait with expectation for God to reveal his message for the following week, and I already have the message for week 4.  (Gift #701)  There is no greater than joy that seeing God at work in and around you, manifesting His strength in our weakness. (Gift #702)

Deuteronomy 5:32-33 (NIV)

32 So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. 33 Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

While I love all these aspects of teaching, I do not love the way lesson planning has begun to take over my life. So on August 7,  I prayed for balance.  During my planning time that day, friends we haven't seen in 9 months dropped by unexpectedly. Helping the mom get started with homeschooling and watching our two girls reconnect was the gift of perspective I needed to restore balance. I may have lost 3.5 hours of planning time, but I gained the gift of rekindled friendship. (Gift #703)  As my high school classmates and I are grieving the untimely death of one of our beloved friends/fellow alumni this past week, we consider how much we would give to have one more chance to reconnect and spend time with her.  Her visit reminded me to cherish the people God brings into my life. (Gift #704)

Reconnecting with a friend

My children seem to like having me there at their school with them (Gift #705), except when I need to stay later and they get bored waiting for me. As proof of my daughter's delight over my new job, that right-brained child who cannot organize her room to save her life, sneaked into my office with my label maker one afternoon and labeled my notebooks for me. I guess there are worse things she could have called me than "Mrs. Math Lady."

Teaching has reminded me that the best way to overcome materialism or any other sort of idolatry is to serve and to give....lavishly out of love for Christ!  (Gift #706)

3x7 Positive Things Week

A friend challenged me through social media to post three positive things every day for seven days.  While many social media games and challenges I write off as being a total waste of time, counting God's gifts has proven to be life transforming, so I took the challenge.  I went on a treasure hunt seeking out God's gifts, and here is a compilation of my positive things that week.  My husband seems to be the dominant theme through all of these with sleep coming in second.  I guess we all know now what don't get enough of these days.

Day 1/7 of 3 Positive Things

1) I'm celebrating the fact that we survived our family's first ever swim team experience and the fact that swim meets are officially OVER! Glory! (Gift #658)

2) Skype is a marvelous gift which enables my husband to look the kids straight into their eyes and then firmly tell them, "Go straight to bed and don't give your mother any grief!" and because it makes him feel closer to us all when he travels. (Gift #659)

3) Accidentally stumbling upon an old box of letters my husband and I exchanged during our long distance dating years while cleaning out some old files today reminded me how distance has strengthened our relationship.  Limited communication is more thoughtful and focused on substance of greater value. (Gift #660)

Day 2/7 of 3 Positive Things

1) I got to sleep in really late this morning after staying up too late last night. (Gift #661)
2) My beloved will be flying home soon!  (Gift #662)
3) My daughter is in an exceptionally good mood today perhaps because of the words she scribbled on her mirror when I wasn't looking.  (Gift #663)

Speaking of scribbling words....

I found the following note taped to her door recently and wonder if she's maturing from her former days of posting angry "Keep Out!" signs or if she's just using a passive approach now. :-)

An aside:
While listening to an adventure series CD about an Israeli and an Egyptian, my 7-year-old asked me about the Arab-Israeli conflict that has persisted since the days of Isaac and Ishmael. I explained that another battle is taking place right now, and that previously, when Israel would be under attack, America might send troops to help defend them, but our current administration doesn't want to help Israel. He replied, "Well..they will still be okay because God is fighting for them. God will always protect Israel."

What wisdom flows from the lips of that 7-year-old!  (Gift #664)

Then the next day, the first headline I saw in the news was the following:

"According to an article in the Jewish Telegraph, a terrorist in Gaza was asked why they couldn't aim their rockets more effectively. In response he said, "We do aim them, but their God changes their path in mid-air.” (Sid Roth)

What my son had just said the night before by faith was actually happening for real which only served to increase his faith!

 Day 3/7 of 3 Positive Things

1) My husband is back from his business trip. All his people and even the bunny rejoiced!   (Gift #665)

 I've never seen that bunny skid across the hard wood floors as eagerly as she did when she heard him walk through the door at 1:00 am that night.

What's that?  Has my favorite head scratcher finally come home?

 
2) We are so thankful that our 7-year-old's dentist found a problem early which should prevent him from spending a few extra YEARS in braces, and that now there are laser options that if successful, will prevent him from having to wear an appliance for the next 4 years.  (Gift #666)


3) It's been such a blessing to actually see my son growing in both faith and wisdom as mentioned above in the aside.  (Gift #667)


Update on the oral surgery:
My little boy endured some significant oral laser surgery that did not go as well as we had hoped. When he came out, I asked him how it went. He said the worst part was the doctor's breath, and I feel certain this doctor does not have bad breath! He got the bravest patient award. (Gift #668) Now let's see if he keeps the award through round #2 when they will hopefully finish the job started but unfortunately not finished today.

Day 4/7 of 3 Positive Things:

1) A few clicks on my laptop plus a five minute trip to the library to fetch requested books for my kids bought the kids some exciting adventures and me an entire afternoon of peace and quiet. (Gift #669)

2) My wise counselors/faithful friends are a gift because they are always available and willing to speak truth in love from an eternal perspective. (Gift #670)

3) Our daises began blooming just as my favorite spring flowers stopped putting forth buds which serves as a reminder that we should not dwell too much on closed doors as seasons change, for new blossoms are all around us if we'll merely look away from our losses to the new gifts God has for us.  (Gift #671)

 Day 5/7 of 3 Positive Things:

1) My devoted husband's long standing tradition of spoiling us by cooking a hearty brunch for all of us every Saturday is a blessing in my book. He even went a step further this morning by deep cleaning the kitchen for me. Be still my beating heart!  (Gift #672)

2) I got over 8.5 hours of sound, uninterrupted sleep last night. Those who knew me 15 years ago would consider that a miracle!  (Gift #673)

3) In a world of so much war, conflict, hatred, and uncertainty, we can find peace and stability through God's word which never fails. His promises have always been and always will be fulfilled. The wisdom we need not just in matters of faith and doctrine, but also with regard to various questions about history, math, science, philosophy, morality, parenting, marriage, public policy, international diplomacy, etc. can all be found in that same wonderful, inerrant book. (Gift #674)

Day 6/7 of 3 Positive Things:

1) I loved waking up to the sweet melody of my husband's voice this morning instead of to the shrieks of the alarm clock (Gift #675) 

2) A dreaded trip to the mall to buy school shoes for the kids was made ever so much sweeter when we bumped into awesome church friends at the Food Court. (Gift #676)

3) Our wonderful, authentic church where the whole truth is proclaimed in a timely manner and loving, supportive, relationships nurture, equip, and edify is a rare gift I try not to take for granted.  (Gift #677)

Day 7/7 of 3 Positive Things:

1) I am so thankful for my mom who drove up to spoil the kids all day while I went to my first day of orientation for a new job. She even brought us clothes, home baked goodies, and something for the house. (Gift #678)

Staff photo taken at the beginning of orientation that day

2) I feel so privileged to be working with such intelligent, talented, like minded people who share a common vision for ministry and a similar dry wit.  The vision at this school of sowing into the lives of students so as to make strong disciples of Christ (love trumps academics every time) is so consistent with my own that I have felt great confirmation in this ministry calling.  To God be the Glory! (Gift #679) 

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to work at a classical, Christian school.  Through that model of education and through the dedication of the ministers who serve in these schools, we can penetrate the darkness and bring common sense and common decency back to society.  

"If you follow nature, the education you give will succeed without giving you trouble or perplexity; especially if you do not insist upon acquirements precocious or over-extensive." - Plato 

 3) Three of my all time favorite gifts are pictured (in silly form) below: (#680)

Overjoyed to have his dad cutting his hair

Always the entertainer!

So this picture isn't silly, but when he looks at me this way, I feel silly inside.

A few other recent positive things not listed above include:

• I was an avid runner for 20+ years. After enduring plebe summer at the USNA where running was used as a form of cruel and unusual punishment, my husband was obviously not interested in joining me in this running hobby. Just under four years ago, I ran my best 1/2 marathon ever, but that run helped me realize how much damage high intensity, long distance running was doing to my body, so I quit running cold turkey. Then today....MY HUSBAND invited ME to go running with HIM! It was awesome! #ModernDayMiracle #HappyGirl (Gift #681)

•  As I have been ramping up to start a new job, my husband has been helping me out with meals.  The sight of him preparing dinner while teaching the kids turned me into mush.  How I love the way he supports me! (Gift #682)

•  Our 7-year-old has such an inquisitive mind.  I love it when he comes up with ideas for random experiments he wants to do to satisfy his scientific curiosity.  I used his last experiment as an opportunity to teach him the scientific method. (Gift #683)

The effects of freezing temperatures on 3 different food dyes.

• When the house got quiet recently, I got suspicious. I went to investigate, and my daughter was writing a song.  I love that she has found a positive, less hyper outlet for her creative, dramatic, compassionate bent.  (Gift #684) The tune is rather catchy, too. While I don't think she's ever been bullied or teased like the person in her song, she has been the first one to reach out to those who are. Here are lyrics she just emailed me:

More Then That

You were picked on
Nobody cared
Nobody liked you
You were really kinda scared
You weren't very strong,
Your ability was low.
You were the biggest nerd in school
And that wasn't really cool

But no, no, no

They didn't really know
What you felt,
They didn't really know,
What you were,
They made you feel abandoned
Really quite saddened
But they didn't know,
You're worth more then that! that, that
You're worth more then that! that, that
You're worth more then a million bucks
But they can't see, that that.

The next day at school
You really tried to be cool.
But every time, every way
They talked bad in your face.
Don't let them treat you
Like they're gonna beat you
You're worth more then anything
Like a priceless piece

But no, no, no.

They didn't really know,
What you felt,
They didn't really know,
What you were.
They made you feel abandoned
Really quite saddened,
But they didn't know,
You're worth more then that! that, that
You're more then that! that, that.
You're worth more then a million bucks,
But they can't see, that that.

And no one can deny
You're worth every dime,
And I can see you face to face,
And I've never seen anyone more amazing,
How they didn't like you,
I don't understand.
You're worth more then anything,
And that's a fact!
YEAH!

They didn't really know,
What you felt,
They didn't really know,
What you were,
They made you feel abandoned
Really quite saddened,
But they didn't know,
You're worth more then that! that, that
You're worth more then that! that, that
You're worth more then a million bucks,
But they can't see, that, that.

          (Copyright:  Blog Author's 10-year-old daughter)

• I am so thankful for a college friend who exudes Christ's love, joy, and peace through any circumstance and just makes everyone around her feel loved and want to know Jesus better.  (Gift #685) She celebrated her 40th birthday yesterday, and we had the privilege of being part of her huge surprise birthday party.  It was like a mini college reunion!  (Gift #686)

• I am also thankful that our daughter is growing in discernment as she navigates the deception of this world.  (Gift #687)  Here is a funny example from this morning:

As I was thumbing through the paper I said, "Here's an article on how to be a great teacher. Maybe I should read that one."  And my wise daughter said, "That's the media, Mom. You know you can't trust anything they say."

When a friend learned that I had given up a job I had been wanting to do for years (in the health and fitness industry with a ministry focus) to teach 12th grade statistics at our kids' school (I often said teaching would be the last thing I would ever do), he punned, "What are the odds (ha ha) of that?"  So I replied, "The odds are zero unless you are 100% called by God and at least 50% crazy."

After investing every waking minute last week (and I only slept 3 hours some nights) preparing to teach 12th graders during orientation by day and lesson planning by night, I finally can say with conviction that I am called to do this job. (Gift #688)  It is undoubtedly the hardest job I have ever had, but I am clearly doing this job because of His calling.  And praise God for His promise to equip the called!  (Gift #689)  I teach my first class tomorrow.

Once an engineer, analyst, project manager, corporate ladder climber, and management consultant, I am now a high school teacher.  Who would have ever imagined?  But then again, I spent the past ten years as a stay-at-home mom, homeschooling for five of those years, so never say never!  If this year goes well, God will get the glory because I have never been so far out of my comfort zone vocationally or ministerially.

At the end of last week, the word got out that I would be teaching this class and that students could take two math classes, Calculus and Stats, instead of Calculus and Greek 2.  My class roster literally doubled overnight.  Now I will be teaching to two groups: those who love math and expect me to fully equip them to take the AP exam and those who do not like math at all.  I have so many ideas for this class that I cannot turn my brain off at night to sleep.  Please use me, Lord, and still my anxious thoughts to hear your voice! 

Last few weeks of swim team

Here are a few glimpses of her last two meets from her first season of swim team.  The breast stroke was her best stroke from the beginning, but she really improved her times on the other strokes during the course of the season.

I love the way she always looks intently around to make sure I'm watching her before her next event.  It's as if she's saying, "You better be looking, Mom, because you don't want to miss that I'm about to do!

Look how much she's changed, how far she's come, and how many people she has touched with her love and friendship. (Gift #657)

Here's how her brother endured the 5-6 hour meets

The Little Princess

Our daughter had the privilege of performing in a fabulous play based on the classic novel, The Little Princess, through a summer drama camp offered through her school. The play was a fundraiser for the drama team to go to London next summer.  The professionalism and relentless effort put into this play by the students at that school was impressive indeed.  It was also a great opportunity for our daughter to meet other creative drama queens and kings of all ages at the school. (Gift #655)

 I thoroughly enjoyed both productions of the show.  She played the role of Ermengarde, the main character's best friend, so she had a lot of lines to memorize. She was thrilled to have Nana and Pops, Grandma Susan, her parents and brother all come support her during her shows. (Gift #656)  We celebrated at the eatery of her choice after each show.  She chose Dairy Queen both nights.

Enjoying a blizzard (dessert 1st) at the DQ after show #1

Flowers from Grandma Susan

Full Cast