Saturday, December 31, 2011
Christmas via Bozeman
Some of my favorite pictures on my camera from the past week...
Christmas 2011 was a sweet and smashing success.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Firm Voice
Considering this is my first time as a professional teacher I feel as if I learn something new everyday about myself, teaching, my kids...it's a lot of learning.
Today I learned the power of my firm voice.
In my three short months as a pre-school teacher I have found with in me a voice I've only ever heard once or twice in my life.
It is this deep, firm, low, eye-contact accompanied voice that is very serious and tinted with anger.
Yes, anger.
I'm telling you, it's a whole new voice.
It is not a voice I ever used in my customer service years at Starbucks.
Nor did I this voice in my years as an administrative assistant.
...I did use it once or twice as a sister...
But never in the workplace, until now.
I talked to a friend at work about it. There is a part of me that is not comfortable with being angry and using such a firm voice. She encouraged me and said some of it is a strength rising up from inside that the Lord is loosening.
I like it. It reminds me that I'm the one in charge.
It reminds me that I am the teacher.
Which reminds me that I'm the one to care for, love and teach these kids. And sometimes that requires me doing things I'm not always "comfortable" doing, like using my firm voice.
There have been so many times the past three months I think "I DON"T WANT TO" in regards to some of my responsibilities. It's in these moments humility and grace come hand in hand and teach me that it's not my job to make my life easier but to respect and honor God in the place He's put me. Which right now is working with these awesome kids.
Sweet.
Today I learned the power of my firm voice.
In my three short months as a pre-school teacher I have found with in me a voice I've only ever heard once or twice in my life.
It is this deep, firm, low, eye-contact accompanied voice that is very serious and tinted with anger.
Yes, anger.
I'm telling you, it's a whole new voice.
It is not a voice I ever used in my customer service years at Starbucks.
Nor did I this voice in my years as an administrative assistant.
...I did use it once or twice as a sister...
But never in the workplace, until now.
I talked to a friend at work about it. There is a part of me that is not comfortable with being angry and using such a firm voice. She encouraged me and said some of it is a strength rising up from inside that the Lord is loosening.
I like it. It reminds me that I'm the one in charge.
It reminds me that I am the teacher.
Which reminds me that I'm the one to care for, love and teach these kids. And sometimes that requires me doing things I'm not always "comfortable" doing, like using my firm voice.
There have been so many times the past three months I think "I DON"T WANT TO" in regards to some of my responsibilities. It's in these moments humility and grace come hand in hand and teach me that it's not my job to make my life easier but to respect and honor God in the place He's put me. Which right now is working with these awesome kids.
Sweet.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Power and the Glory
I realize I've been gone for awhile.
I had no idea how long I'd been gone until I logged on yesterday and began to read all my friends blogs. I think it's been 29 days. Which means yes, I've not been on all month.
With that aside, I've been thinking a lot this past week about the power and glory of God.
I've been working my way through Hebrews in the New Testament and was struck with the pictures it paints in chapter 12 about the power of God.
I thought "Man, I wish I could see the power and glory of God in my life"
And then this happened...
my handsome nephew was born on November 16th. Over Thanksgiving I was able to hold him...
his beautiful big sister
and his handsome (even when pouty) big brother.
It was special to get to see him go from being in a hospital in cords to being in my arms at his house with no medical experts...just me, my sister and brother-in-law.
Baby safe at home with dad, mom & dog.
Now, I'm yet to be a full biblical research on the power and glory of God.
But in the past week of my life I've seen His power and glory in some very personal ways.
I had no idea how long I'd been gone until I logged on yesterday and began to read all my friends blogs. I think it's been 29 days. Which means yes, I've not been on all month.
With that aside, I've been thinking a lot this past week about the power and glory of God.
I've been working my way through Hebrews in the New Testament and was struck with the pictures it paints in chapter 12 about the power of God.
I thought "Man, I wish I could see the power and glory of God in my life"
And then this happened...
my handsome nephew was born on November 16th. Over Thanksgiving I was able to hold him...
his beautiful big sister
and his handsome (even when pouty) big brother.
During the trip I was also able to see my other nephew born a mere 5 days later on November 21st after 35 hours of labor. Not suprisingly, the little man had "transitional issues" and was kept in the hospital for another 5 days.
Baby safe at home with dad, mom & dog.
Now, I'm yet to be a full biblical research on the power and glory of God.
But in the past week of my life I've seen His power and glory in some very personal ways.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Happy Reformation Day
In honor of Reformation Day all the kids in my class dressed up in costumes, we walked the halls of our school and asked for candy and ending the day with a party in the gym.
Isn't that what today is about?
:)
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Chicago Weekend
As one who claims to love living in the city my transition to living back in Chicago has not come with out bumps. There are days I longer for the quiet and ease of the suburbs. Target is more accessible in the suburbs, as is quiet streets for early morning runs.
This weekend I have felt like a Chicagoan, and enjoyed it. I began with a Saturday morning run through neighborhoods filled with old houses. After the run I picked up a coffee at a local (non Starbucks) place as well as a Chicago Arts paper (with dreams of maybe going to play...but in reality just loving feeling in the know). With my hair wet from my shower, hot Thai coffee in hand and a paper tucked under my arm I walked into my Saturday morning CPR training ready to save lives. :)
Saturday night consisted of an unofficial Roomie Date night. I'd like to say we had a lovely evening. We went to a local BBQ place for dinner. Not knowing what we were getting into, we pub on our cute earrings and jeans and headed to eat.
The experience ended up being very casual and delicious! But since we were still dressed up we decided to end the evening with dessert at yet another Chicago landmark....
Margie's Candies. I'd never heard of it, but the shop has been around FOREVER! OK, over 75 years. It was such a trip. They are known for their ice cream. I tried my first cheesecake ice cream...delicious!
And this morning as I was walking home from church at the Abbey Pub, I felt like this weekend was complete and full of Chicago city moments.
This weekend I have felt like a Chicagoan, and enjoyed it. I began with a Saturday morning run through neighborhoods filled with old houses. After the run I picked up a coffee at a local (non Starbucks) place as well as a Chicago Arts paper (with dreams of maybe going to play...but in reality just loving feeling in the know). With my hair wet from my shower, hot Thai coffee in hand and a paper tucked under my arm I walked into my Saturday morning CPR training ready to save lives. :)
Saturday night consisted of an unofficial Roomie Date night. I'd like to say we had a lovely evening. We went to a local BBQ place for dinner. Not knowing what we were getting into, we pub on our cute earrings and jeans and headed to eat.
And this morning as I was walking home from church at the Abbey Pub, I felt like this weekend was complete and full of Chicago city moments.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
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