Here is a video that my bible study leader made from the trip to Mexico:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tqpvWkkRjE&fmt=6
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Anger
One of the other 2nd graders gave a note to one of my 2nd graders that said, "Do you want to have sex with me?" Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I was so upset when I found that out. I'm just going to take all of my students home and put them in a box and not take them out until they are back in my classroom. The world is too messed up out there and there is so much that I don't understand about their lives. It makes me want to be a positive influence in their lives that much more.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
It's Good News
I got to Bible study this evening and the person who was supposed to lead couldn't make it so I did it. Usually I would spend a few hours and days worrying about it, but for some reason today I felt like I could trust God to say what He wanted to say. I was amazed by how the Holy Spirit used me. I learned so much tonight in the passage we read and everyone else felt like they learned a lot, too.
God really opened my eyes up to something tonight in Romans 10:14-15, which is:
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'”
Paul is talking to the church in Rome about spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Usually when I think about sharing the gospel, I think of inviting people to church. But I had a huge realization that I need to share the good news that Jesus Christ loves us so much that he died for us and saves us from our sins and gives us life and peace and joy. And that's not the same as "Jesus wants you to go to church where the pastor might tell you the good news." I feel like I can't even put into words how much of a change in thought this is for me. It's way easier for some reason to invite someone to church than to tell them how great Jesus is. But so much more meaningful to share the real good news. I feel scared but hopeful.
God really opened my eyes up to something tonight in Romans 10:14-15, which is:
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'”
Paul is talking to the church in Rome about spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Usually when I think about sharing the gospel, I think of inviting people to church. But I had a huge realization that I need to share the good news that Jesus Christ loves us so much that he died for us and saves us from our sins and gives us life and peace and joy. And that's not the same as "Jesus wants you to go to church where the pastor might tell you the good news." I feel like I can't even put into words how much of a change in thought this is for me. It's way easier for some reason to invite someone to church than to tell them how great Jesus is. But so much more meaningful to share the real good news. I feel scared but hopeful.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Mexico
This weekend I went to Ensenada with 14 other people from my church to build a school for orphans. It's an ongoing project through Azusa Pacific that teams from the U.S. help complete whenever they can. We flew down to San Diego and then stuffed into a van to cross the border. I didn't feel like I was in Mexico since we were out in a fairly rural area by ourselves.
I had a great time. I love work projects where I can get dirty and it was nice to get to know people better and be with them for three days straight.
Friday and Saturday I scraped walls and taped walls and primed walls and painted walls. On Sunday I learned how to grout, which I thought was fun, although it lead to a few blisters. As I was grouting, I was thinking about the body of Christ (aka Christians) and how in the Bible it says that we are all a different part of the body. God has made us unique and we have skills for the jobs he has given us and we should appreciate the skills and differences of other people. This trip was such a picture of that. I came on the trip knowing pretty much nothing about building, but was able to learn from other people. And there were so many people skilled in different ways -- people who knew how to tile floors, hang doors, install lights, do plumbing, paint, cook, clean, build walls. And if everyone hadn't been there, we wouldn't have got it all done. It's the same way with life. We can't do everything by ourselves. God has created each of us to fill a piece of the puzzle and we are meant to be all working together.
When I got home this morning, I thought about fellowship. I didn't fully appreciate the fellowship of the trip until I woke up this morning and felt so empty without a bunch of people around me to sit by, laugh with, talk to, be with.
I had a great time. I love work projects where I can get dirty and it was nice to get to know people better and be with them for three days straight.
Friday and Saturday I scraped walls and taped walls and primed walls and painted walls. On Sunday I learned how to grout, which I thought was fun, although it lead to a few blisters. As I was grouting, I was thinking about the body of Christ (aka Christians) and how in the Bible it says that we are all a different part of the body. God has made us unique and we have skills for the jobs he has given us and we should appreciate the skills and differences of other people. This trip was such a picture of that. I came on the trip knowing pretty much nothing about building, but was able to learn from other people. And there were so many people skilled in different ways -- people who knew how to tile floors, hang doors, install lights, do plumbing, paint, cook, clean, build walls. And if everyone hadn't been there, we wouldn't have got it all done. It's the same way with life. We can't do everything by ourselves. God has created each of us to fill a piece of the puzzle and we are meant to be all working together.
When I got home this morning, I thought about fellowship. I didn't fully appreciate the fellowship of the trip until I woke up this morning and felt so empty without a bunch of people around me to sit by, laugh with, talk to, be with.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Back to School Night
This went sooooo much better than last year. I had things that I actually wanted to say to the parents and when they asked me questions, I knew the answers because I actually know what 2nd graders learn. Hooray!
Before I began, a school board member and a district office worker came to watch (yikes!) and then while I was giving my spiel the superintendent of the district came to watch (double yikes!) and then my principal joined (triple yikes!). It was okay, though. I tried my best to ignore them and focus on the parents.
Before I began, a school board member and a district office worker came to watch (yikes!) and then while I was giving my spiel the superintendent of the district came to watch (double yikes!) and then my principal joined (triple yikes!). It was okay, though. I tried my best to ignore them and focus on the parents.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Thankful.
My class is wonderful. And so is Joanne's mom for helping me figure out centers. My students were silent and did their work for the whole hour. Lovely.
Yesterday was "Worship in the Park" and it was a perfect day as my church had a big BBQ and worship in Central Park. And I got 2nd place in the hula hoop contest. :)
Yesterday was "Worship in the Park" and it was a perfect day as my church had a big BBQ and worship in Central Park. And I got 2nd place in the hula hoop contest. :)
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
For I am Convinced
that neither death
nor life
nor angels
nor demons
nor things present
nor things to come
nor height
nor depth
nor any other created thing
will be able to separate me from the LOVE of God.
And that gives me hope and life.
That whatever happens this year, if unexpected things happen, if I turn down the wrong road, or anything else, still God will be there with unfailing love.
I had such a good weekend on this past holiday weekend. It was perfect.
Friday night Ashley's parents came into town so of course we went to dinner and played games.
Saturday morning I had a good talk with my parents. I think I said a lot of what I had been thinking about my future and hopes and dreams that were on my heart that I had never really put into words all at once. After living through so many blessings from God and my life taking turns I never expected... moving to Santa Clara, going to Africa, having a great job, meeting great people, I'm excited to see where life is going to take me and I am glad my parents are there with me, even if not in the same city.
Saturday I spent the entire day by the pool at Ashley's apartment playing games. It definitely felt like vacation.
Sunday I taught my first Sunday School lesson. I'm going to be teaching grades 2-5 in the mornings, maybe every other week. I'm pretty sure it's where God wants me to be serving in the church right now. I'll admit I had a negative attitude about spending my day off teaching, but it's a need that I have the skills for and I think it is going to be a good thing.
Sunday afternoon I went to lunch with Ashley's family again. Then I went back to church for the evening service, where we had a potluck during church, trying our best to replicate the church in the book of Acts. Then I went to Sharon and Jerry's for swimming!
Monday Fion and I went to Vasona Park in Los Gatos. Such a lovely day! We walked around and then went on the paddle boats. Fun! Then I went to a big get-together at Sharon's again where all the guys have a LAN party and all the girls swim in the pool and make food for the guys. So stereotypical, but fun! I mostly hung out with little kids. It was so fun having them babble on at me and hang on me to get "waterski" rides in the pool.
nor life
nor angels
nor demons
nor things present
nor things to come
nor height
nor depth
nor any other created thing
will be able to separate me from the LOVE of God.
And that gives me hope and life.
That whatever happens this year, if unexpected things happen, if I turn down the wrong road, or anything else, still God will be there with unfailing love.
I had such a good weekend on this past holiday weekend. It was perfect.
Friday night Ashley's parents came into town so of course we went to dinner and played games.
Saturday morning I had a good talk with my parents. I think I said a lot of what I had been thinking about my future and hopes and dreams that were on my heart that I had never really put into words all at once. After living through so many blessings from God and my life taking turns I never expected... moving to Santa Clara, going to Africa, having a great job, meeting great people, I'm excited to see where life is going to take me and I am glad my parents are there with me, even if not in the same city.
Saturday I spent the entire day by the pool at Ashley's apartment playing games. It definitely felt like vacation.
Sunday I taught my first Sunday School lesson. I'm going to be teaching grades 2-5 in the mornings, maybe every other week. I'm pretty sure it's where God wants me to be serving in the church right now. I'll admit I had a negative attitude about spending my day off teaching, but it's a need that I have the skills for and I think it is going to be a good thing.
Sunday afternoon I went to lunch with Ashley's family again. Then I went back to church for the evening service, where we had a potluck during church, trying our best to replicate the church in the book of Acts. Then I went to Sharon and Jerry's for swimming!
Monday Fion and I went to Vasona Park in Los Gatos. Such a lovely day! We walked around and then went on the paddle boats. Fun! Then I went to a big get-together at Sharon's again where all the guys have a LAN party and all the girls swim in the pool and make food for the guys. So stereotypical, but fun! I mostly hung out with little kids. It was so fun having them babble on at me and hang on me to get "waterski" rides in the pool.
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