Well, technically for me it is the second week of school because teachers get to go back a whole week earlier than the kids. But the first week with kids is a first in itself and it's never boring.
I have really good kids this year, which is great because I also had really good kids last year and I was hoping it wasn't just a fluke. The grades I teach are mostly 6-8th, but I do have 2 9-12th grade classes as well.
We've already had 3 fights and I had to take a kid's electronic device away. But really, I have good kids. There isn't near the attitude problem I've seen other years and almost everybody follows the little rules like "come prepared" and "when I say clean up time, I mean it" that help make the classroom run smoothly.
I also already have my first funny teaching story of the year. Since most of my classes in the afternoon are for the same grade, there are a few kids I have from lunch until it's time to go home. This is rare in secondary schools but not all that rare for a district as small as ours is. Anyway, one of those kids that I have all afternoon is a 7th grade Asian boy. He is pretty cool, and I can already tell he will make my year interesting.
Well, he comes into my room right after lunch and holds his hand in a fist over my desk. I just stare at it for a while, wondering what he wants me to do with it. Does he want a fist bump? I mean, come on, say something. But I am SO glad I didn't put my hand under his because I guess he just got tired of waiting because BOOM, he opens his hand and a live cricket falls onto my desk.
I squeal like a girl and the whole room laughs at me. I begin to yell at the boy, "Get that cricket out of here right now. Outside! Out!" I'm not really mad, even though I really don't like insects. (If he'd put it in my hand, it'd be a different story). So I'm laughing a little along with the class.
"But he's my friend!" the boy cries. "You don't like my friend?"
"No I do NOT like your friend!" I say back. "He cannot come into my classroom!"
"What if you and my friend were the last two people on Earth?" he asks.
"We'd be living on opposite sides of the Earth, then," I reply.
After that, class went on as normal, but when the bell rang, the boy left the room. I stay at my desk but when I see him walking back in with something in his hand, I say to him, "If you bring another cricket into this classroom, you'll go straight to the office." At which point he makes a 180 and walks back outside.
Because while I wasn't really angry, I also don't need that kind of thing to become a habit. ;)
Other than that, this week was pretty normal. It's been very busy and exhausting trying to get back into the swing of things but I love my purpose and I love ministering to my students, so let's run!
Oh, and for all of you who might be thinking of teaching or new to teaching, some tips for the first week of school:
1) You will want to go to bed before the sun goes down. Let yourself. Every night you can. Summer hours no longer apply.
2) Throat lozenges or some equivalent should be in stock for the hoarse and somewhat painful throat after you talk for 6 hours on the first day explaining all the rules to each class.
3) There is only one chance to make a first impression. Have a positive attitude on the first day. Be excited and the kids will spark off of your excitement. :)
4) Remember, even when things go wrong, the kids will forgive you. (Forgive them, too.)
5) You have purpose and it's only just beginning. There are 175 more days for you to make a difference. Let every one of them count!
Teaching is so legit.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Sunday, August 17, 2014
The Human Experience
So if you've never read the book The Giver by Lois Lowry, I recommend you check it out. It is super prophetic and awesome and it spawned a super prophetic and awesome movie with the same name.
Anyway, I got to see the movie today and without giving too many spoilers away, I will try to tell what it meant to me.
Firstly, the story is set in a futuristic world where people have given up certain things like emotions, color, animals, etc. in order to lead lives free from pain or inconvenience. There are only a couple of people who retain the ability to have these things via memories of the past, and one of them in our protagonist. The story is much bigger (and more amazing) than that, but I want you to actually read the book, so I shall say no more about it.
But I was watching the movie today (opening weekend!) and during the movie they showed clips of the modern (20th-21st century) world from various locations. We saw wars and rumors of wars, dances, weddings, prayers, Christmases, and hunting trips where innocent elephants were poached for their ivory tusks. There were just so many clips of everyday life: the big and the small. And in it was such a mixture of beautiful and horrible things.
And I saw that the world was beautiful. Sometimes it's easy to forget that. Horrible things happen every day to people I know and in places far away but still the world is beautiful. The human experience is beautiful.
Because the bad cannot mar the good. It cannot change it, cannot erase it, cannot nullify it. It can only exist apart from it and one day it shall be no more. What Yahweh created is still there, underneath all the wreckage that was put upon this world by the curse that came when Adam sinned. But since Yahshua came and took away the curse, creation awaits the redemption. And when all the grease and grime and muck on the surface is washed away, underneath will be all that Yahweh created, unsullied and whole. Because the bad couldn't touch it, not really.
And the bad is disappearing. No, it wouldn't look that way at first as Babylon self-destructs but that's what Babylon is supposed to do. It can do nothing else. And so as Babylon dies, even though it looks like things are getting worse, we know that things are getting better because the death of Babylon is the cleaning of the grease and grime of the world. Once Babylon is dead, Yahweh's Kingdom will still remain underneath it all. The good. The beautiful.
The world is beautiful. The human experience in its entirety is beautiful because nothing can change that beauty. Nothing can affect or alter it in any way. The beauty of knowing Yahweh and experiencing His presence and partnering with Him in stewarding creation is unending and eternal. And I, for one, am grateful.
Anyway, I got to see the movie today and without giving too many spoilers away, I will try to tell what it meant to me.
Firstly, the story is set in a futuristic world where people have given up certain things like emotions, color, animals, etc. in order to lead lives free from pain or inconvenience. There are only a couple of people who retain the ability to have these things via memories of the past, and one of them in our protagonist. The story is much bigger (and more amazing) than that, but I want you to actually read the book, so I shall say no more about it.
But I was watching the movie today (opening weekend!) and during the movie they showed clips of the modern (20th-21st century) world from various locations. We saw wars and rumors of wars, dances, weddings, prayers, Christmases, and hunting trips where innocent elephants were poached for their ivory tusks. There were just so many clips of everyday life: the big and the small. And in it was such a mixture of beautiful and horrible things.
And I saw that the world was beautiful. Sometimes it's easy to forget that. Horrible things happen every day to people I know and in places far away but still the world is beautiful. The human experience is beautiful.
Because the bad cannot mar the good. It cannot change it, cannot erase it, cannot nullify it. It can only exist apart from it and one day it shall be no more. What Yahweh created is still there, underneath all the wreckage that was put upon this world by the curse that came when Adam sinned. But since Yahshua came and took away the curse, creation awaits the redemption. And when all the grease and grime and muck on the surface is washed away, underneath will be all that Yahweh created, unsullied and whole. Because the bad couldn't touch it, not really.
And the bad is disappearing. No, it wouldn't look that way at first as Babylon self-destructs but that's what Babylon is supposed to do. It can do nothing else. And so as Babylon dies, even though it looks like things are getting worse, we know that things are getting better because the death of Babylon is the cleaning of the grease and grime of the world. Once Babylon is dead, Yahweh's Kingdom will still remain underneath it all. The good. The beautiful.
The world is beautiful. The human experience in its entirety is beautiful because nothing can change that beauty. Nothing can affect or alter it in any way. The beauty of knowing Yahweh and experiencing His presence and partnering with Him in stewarding creation is unending and eternal. And I, for one, am grateful.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Keepin' It Real
Well, I'm going to be real here. I'm having a bit of a walking out thing.
You see, the enemy thinks he can use the same old tactics against me and they're going to get me to cower down and be afraid and doubt myself. But they won't work anymore.
It's the beginning of a new school year, and I'd forgotten how the enemy can try to put fear in there. You know what I mean, that nagging "something is wrong, you need to fix it, why do you suck?" feeling that comes in the night before you're supposed to get up and go out there and defeat the enemy and fulfill your purpose and bring Yahweh's Kingdom to earth. AKA, that feeling I get at night during the first few days of school.
But see, the enemy needs to know this, so here I post it on the world wide web: you cannot stop me! Because nothing is wrong, I don't have anything to fix, and I'm awesome! And I'm stable and steady in faith. So I'll say again what I've said at the beginning of every school year in some way or another: I'm not giving up so quit trying to make me!
And, to be honest, all this pressure just reminds me how important my purpose is. After all, the enemy wouldn't be spending so much time trying to keep me out of my school if I weren't meant to be there. He's scared now!
So, seriously, run, enemy. You should be afraid! Run because I'm coming in the power and might of Yahweh my God! I'm going to keep going and I'm going to keep bringing Yahweh's Kingdom to a place that's never seen it before. Run because I'm running. I run with endurance the race set before me (Heb. 12:1).
And all shall see and know that the hand of YAHWEH has DONE THIS THING! AMEN!
You see, the enemy thinks he can use the same old tactics against me and they're going to get me to cower down and be afraid and doubt myself. But they won't work anymore.
It's the beginning of a new school year, and I'd forgotten how the enemy can try to put fear in there. You know what I mean, that nagging "something is wrong, you need to fix it, why do you suck?" feeling that comes in the night before you're supposed to get up and go out there and defeat the enemy and fulfill your purpose and bring Yahweh's Kingdom to earth. AKA, that feeling I get at night during the first few days of school.
But see, the enemy needs to know this, so here I post it on the world wide web: you cannot stop me! Because nothing is wrong, I don't have anything to fix, and I'm awesome! And I'm stable and steady in faith. So I'll say again what I've said at the beginning of every school year in some way or another: I'm not giving up so quit trying to make me!
And, to be honest, all this pressure just reminds me how important my purpose is. After all, the enemy wouldn't be spending so much time trying to keep me out of my school if I weren't meant to be there. He's scared now!
So, seriously, run, enemy. You should be afraid! Run because I'm coming in the power and might of Yahweh my God! I'm going to keep going and I'm going to keep bringing Yahweh's Kingdom to a place that's never seen it before. Run because I'm running. I run with endurance the race set before me (Heb. 12:1).
And all shall see and know that the hand of YAHWEH has DONE THIS THING! AMEN!
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Summer 2014
Well, it's that time of year again. No, not that one, the OTHER one. The time for my annual end of summer blog post! I've already written an end of summer journal entry, so that explains why this year's end of summer blog post is on the actual last day of summer...
I love being a teacher for so many different reasons, but one of them is that my life has built in thresholds and seasons. Summer and the school year are so vastly different that I cannot help but change and grow through these different times, and I love it!
At every threshold, I feel like there is a good opportunity to stop and take stock of where you are and where you've come from so that you are completely ready for the dimension you're about to step into. It is also always helpful to build up your faith by reminding yourself of how Yahweh has been faithful in the past dimensions so you know He's just going to keep being faithful in the new one!
This summer has been truly amazing. I think it's been the best summer yet! I've really gotten to know who I am since I came into the Kingdom, but now I'm starting to see where I fit in relation to others, to Yahweh's Kingdom and plan for the world, and to my ecclesia. I've been able to minister to people this summer in ways I have never been able to minister before and I've also had that quintessential summer relaxation.
For the first time, I got to see the ecclesia that sent out our apostle. They are one giant 14 hour drive away, so it's not an opportunity that comes along all that often. There is also a beach near this ecclesia, and I got to enjoy some ocean time (and get a lovely tan)! But the best part was seeing where we come from and realizing that I am part of something so huge. There is a big responsibility to carry on what they've started to the next generation so that Yahweh's Kingdom can be perpetuated eternally, but I am not burdened by this responsibility because Yahweh has promised that He is faithful and merciful to those who love Him and keep His ways up to 1,000 generations (Deut. 7:9) and He is faithful to do what He has called you to.
After this gigantic trip, I came home and continued my summer and the excitement thereof. I have never had so many opportunities to hang out with people. I was afraid I'd be sitting home alone all summer bored... but Yahweh had better, and it was great! As I said, I got to minister to people in new ways by offering a creative writing class that was led by the Spirit to some really awesome people who have amazing anointings in writing. I also got to experience the physical and spiritual benefits of Praise Moves, a Christian alternative to yoga that was offered by a friend at ecclesia. And then there were the random movie nights, sleepovers, splash parks, and lunches with people I love and can both impart to and draw blessings from.
Throughout all of this, I have learned that not only do I have a unique place in the world, but I have one that matters and one that fits. It is the first time in my life I have a place that I fit in, and it is good. I also have realized that I have things to offer people. There are graces and anointings in me that people need and will not get if I don't take my place.
But the best thing of all was being told twice this summer by my apostle that I'm doing good. I'm where I'm supposed to be and on the right path and carrying on the Kingdom as Yahweh has promised. And just as my apostle and his apostle were not afraid to lay everything down to build a foundation for Yahweh's Kingdom that they will one day turn over to my generation, I am not afraid to lay everything down to build Yahweh's Kingdom and one day hand it over to the next generation.
But then, I am a teacher and I have the privilege of being part of preparing the next generation to receive the Kingdom of Yahweh into the Earth. And so as the school year begins, I look forward to doing just that and receiving all that Yahweh has for me in the new season just as I have taken hold of everything that Yahweh hid for me in this dimension.
So goodbye, Summer 2014! And HalleluYah! Praise Yahweh for this season! Hello 2014-2015 school year. You are blessed and I will receive everything from this dimension that Yahweh has hidden for me and also help others to find the special treasures that Yahweh has hidden just for them. It's going to be the best school year yet!
I love being a teacher for so many different reasons, but one of them is that my life has built in thresholds and seasons. Summer and the school year are so vastly different that I cannot help but change and grow through these different times, and I love it!
At every threshold, I feel like there is a good opportunity to stop and take stock of where you are and where you've come from so that you are completely ready for the dimension you're about to step into. It is also always helpful to build up your faith by reminding yourself of how Yahweh has been faithful in the past dimensions so you know He's just going to keep being faithful in the new one!
This summer has been truly amazing. I think it's been the best summer yet! I've really gotten to know who I am since I came into the Kingdom, but now I'm starting to see where I fit in relation to others, to Yahweh's Kingdom and plan for the world, and to my ecclesia. I've been able to minister to people this summer in ways I have never been able to minister before and I've also had that quintessential summer relaxation.
For the first time, I got to see the ecclesia that sent out our apostle. They are one giant 14 hour drive away, so it's not an opportunity that comes along all that often. There is also a beach near this ecclesia, and I got to enjoy some ocean time (and get a lovely tan)! But the best part was seeing where we come from and realizing that I am part of something so huge. There is a big responsibility to carry on what they've started to the next generation so that Yahweh's Kingdom can be perpetuated eternally, but I am not burdened by this responsibility because Yahweh has promised that He is faithful and merciful to those who love Him and keep His ways up to 1,000 generations (Deut. 7:9) and He is faithful to do what He has called you to.
After this gigantic trip, I came home and continued my summer and the excitement thereof. I have never had so many opportunities to hang out with people. I was afraid I'd be sitting home alone all summer bored... but Yahweh had better, and it was great! As I said, I got to minister to people in new ways by offering a creative writing class that was led by the Spirit to some really awesome people who have amazing anointings in writing. I also got to experience the physical and spiritual benefits of Praise Moves, a Christian alternative to yoga that was offered by a friend at ecclesia. And then there were the random movie nights, sleepovers, splash parks, and lunches with people I love and can both impart to and draw blessings from.
Throughout all of this, I have learned that not only do I have a unique place in the world, but I have one that matters and one that fits. It is the first time in my life I have a place that I fit in, and it is good. I also have realized that I have things to offer people. There are graces and anointings in me that people need and will not get if I don't take my place.
But the best thing of all was being told twice this summer by my apostle that I'm doing good. I'm where I'm supposed to be and on the right path and carrying on the Kingdom as Yahweh has promised. And just as my apostle and his apostle were not afraid to lay everything down to build a foundation for Yahweh's Kingdom that they will one day turn over to my generation, I am not afraid to lay everything down to build Yahweh's Kingdom and one day hand it over to the next generation.
But then, I am a teacher and I have the privilege of being part of preparing the next generation to receive the Kingdom of Yahweh into the Earth. And so as the school year begins, I look forward to doing just that and receiving all that Yahweh has for me in the new season just as I have taken hold of everything that Yahweh hid for me in this dimension.
So goodbye, Summer 2014! And HalleluYah! Praise Yahweh for this season! Hello 2014-2015 school year. You are blessed and I will receive everything from this dimension that Yahweh has hidden for me and also help others to find the special treasures that Yahweh has hidden just for them. It's going to be the best school year yet!
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