In case you don't know (or forgot), I want to spend the rest of my life (at least at the moment!) in school. That's right... I LOVE it. One reason is because of who makes it up--the kids! Last week was VBS and this week I have been teaching 8-4 each day at King Scholar Academy, an enrichment day camp for grades 3-6. I taught a class called "Fairy Tale Fun" where we read original stories, worked on summarizing and paraphrasing, put the Big Bad Wolf on trial in a real courtroom debate, wrote fairy tale characters letters (and received responses), wrote cinquains and acrostics with fairy tale characters' names, and did a culminating project where we chose a fairy tale and retold it in some way. One group performed "Little Red, Riding in the Hood." It was classic. Anyway, it has been a blessing for many reasons, one of which being that it affirmed my calling for grades 7-12. Ha! Really, though, I definitely prefer the kind of content and less disciplinary issues that accompany secondary ed... but this week has been fun hanging out with a different age group.
One student, who came last year when I taught French there, decided that he would join us at the "teacher table" during lunch each day. He plopped his tray on the table, said "Hey, guys" in the most adorable voice possible, and began conversing with us like a little man. He continued this trend for the rest of the week. Today, when I asked what he wanted to be when he grows up, he said, "Probably an inventor." If there is ever a kid who can do it, this one can, so we continued talking until the conversation involved the idea of a time machine. We were talking about places we would or wouldn't go, and I told him if he ever found a solution to make one, I'd buy one from him. This student's seven-year old response is priceless and holds so much truth: "Miss Allison, I could never make one. Nobody can get in God's way, you know... He can't be stopped." How refreshing and affirming it was to hear a third grader already attuned to the nature of our Heavenly Father. Students speak truth so often and are many times unheard; we're too busy, too annoyed, or too stubborn. How precious are these kids in the sight of the Lord!
6.22.2007
6.11.2007
What do you have?
Over the past couple days, I have been spending lots of time in 2 Kings. I confess that I am intimidated by the Old Testament many days, but this year I decided to spend more time there. I have been so enriched by that! Anyway, 2 Kings 4 begins with a story about the widow's oil....and when I began reading, I remembered reading it before, but it is so interesting to see God's sovereignty as He leads us to Scripture that is so intensely personal and applicable and relevant to His children at this present time!
If you aren't familiar with the story, the widow is left with her husband's debts, and creditors are threatening to come, bringing the possibility of her sons being sold as slaves. She calls on Elisha, the chief prophet, for a word from the Lord. Elisha then asks such a poignant question--"What do you have?" The woman begins by saying she has nothing and then remembers she does have something-- a little oil. Pause: If this were me, I am sure I would park on the "nothing" for quite a while, dramatize the severity of my situation, and do anything and everything to elicit self-pity. However, this widow doesn't stay there. She remembers something she does have, oil, and although her cupboards may be bare and her purse empty, she recognizes what she already has. Elisha works from there and tells her to go ask for jars...and adds a sweet side-note: "Don't ask for just a few." Second pause: I hate asking people for help. I mean, I HAAAATE it...and I hate to feel like I am in people's way. I don't know if I would let my timidity and stubbornness be put aside to ask for jars -- and MANY jars at that!
By faith, she and her sons will knock on people's doors and ask for EVERY jar they may have-- likely not knowing the purpose for this. By faith, the community lends their jars freely and unquestionably. By faith, Elisha speaks God's word that God can and does take what we have -- as insignificant as a little oil in a bare kitchen may seem -- and multiple it. Perhaps in His sovereignty, He has given or left us with something that He desires for us to offer before lavishing a bigger miracle on us. The widow and her sons fill every single jar with oil. That little bit of oil somehow does not stop flowing until the last jar is filled to the brim...and then they receive a word that they claim as truth and as sufficient: to pay the debts AND have enough left to live on--all from that little bit of oil, dozens of jars, and tremendous faith!
I can't help but stop to think of all the what-ifs here. What if she HAD stopped at "nothing"? What if they didn't feel right asking for jars? What if the community questioned and didn't give? What if Elisha didn't speak his convictions? What if the woman refused to begin filling the jars because she knew a couple tablespoons were inadequate? What if she refused to ask for help from Elisha in the first place? And then I think... Isn't that so much like our Father in Heaven?! Isn't it so much like Him that He initiates relationship but waits for us to make the decision and to pursue a life with Him, instead of our never doing anything? Isn't it so much like our God not to want us to stop after one, two, twelve jars...but to chase more than we know are even out there? Isn't it so much like the Lord to keep the oil flowing to the brim and THEN give us enough to live on?
His word is real. Fresh. Personal. Thank You, Father.
If you aren't familiar with the story, the widow is left with her husband's debts, and creditors are threatening to come, bringing the possibility of her sons being sold as slaves. She calls on Elisha, the chief prophet, for a word from the Lord. Elisha then asks such a poignant question--"What do you have?" The woman begins by saying she has nothing and then remembers she does have something-- a little oil. Pause: If this were me, I am sure I would park on the "nothing" for quite a while, dramatize the severity of my situation, and do anything and everything to elicit self-pity. However, this widow doesn't stay there. She remembers something she does have, oil, and although her cupboards may be bare and her purse empty, she recognizes what she already has. Elisha works from there and tells her to go ask for jars...and adds a sweet side-note: "Don't ask for just a few." Second pause: I hate asking people for help. I mean, I HAAAATE it...and I hate to feel like I am in people's way. I don't know if I would let my timidity and stubbornness be put aside to ask for jars -- and MANY jars at that!
By faith, she and her sons will knock on people's doors and ask for EVERY jar they may have-- likely not knowing the purpose for this. By faith, the community lends their jars freely and unquestionably. By faith, Elisha speaks God's word that God can and does take what we have -- as insignificant as a little oil in a bare kitchen may seem -- and multiple it. Perhaps in His sovereignty, He has given or left us with something that He desires for us to offer before lavishing a bigger miracle on us. The widow and her sons fill every single jar with oil. That little bit of oil somehow does not stop flowing until the last jar is filled to the brim...and then they receive a word that they claim as truth and as sufficient: to pay the debts AND have enough left to live on--all from that little bit of oil, dozens of jars, and tremendous faith!
I can't help but stop to think of all the what-ifs here. What if she HAD stopped at "nothing"? What if they didn't feel right asking for jars? What if the community questioned and didn't give? What if Elisha didn't speak his convictions? What if the woman refused to begin filling the jars because she knew a couple tablespoons were inadequate? What if she refused to ask for help from Elisha in the first place? And then I think... Isn't that so much like our Father in Heaven?! Isn't it so much like Him that He initiates relationship but waits for us to make the decision and to pursue a life with Him, instead of our never doing anything? Isn't it so much like our God not to want us to stop after one, two, twelve jars...but to chase more than we know are even out there? Isn't it so much like the Lord to keep the oil flowing to the brim and THEN give us enough to live on?
His word is real. Fresh. Personal. Thank You, Father.
6.01.2007
So much CHANGE!
It seems like I constantly rationalize my lack of posts, but this is the first time in a few months I've gotten to sit down and write in hopes of being somewhat coherent! Since February I completed my first student teaching placement in 9-12 English and French, which was the most tiring and most affirming placement possible. I was nervous about the unfamiliar school district, taking on six classes of students with two subjects, and the drive each day. The Lord was - unsurprisingly! - so faithful to affirm my calling each day. At the end of the placement, the students really wowed me and showered me so many expressions of kindness. One class knew that in my future classroom I wanted small dry erase boards for each student, and on my last day my mentor handed me 28 white boards. The students began asking me questions about them and asked me to grab a bucket from across the room. This class always seemed to request the strangest things, so I had no clue what to expect. As I walked around the room, they FILLED my bucket with a couple dozen dry erase markers and each told me something they learned or appreciated from the months I had been there. I was blown away! My Father in heaven has humbled me so much these past several months.
After that placement, I headed to middle school language arts. Wow... I didn't remember teachers having to deal with so many more disciplinary issues at that level, but it was awesome to have that experience! It's sad to see so many students -- many girls! -- who feel hopeless and are unsure of how to deal with conflict, so they express it through violence or physical aggression and defensiveness. I had many more incidents of fighting, Internet bullying, and drama that we all remember from being twelve. One statement I tried to reinforce to my students is, "This is only for a SEASON. Whatever you are experiencing, doubting, questioning... it is a season and by the grace of God is temporary!!" I also had a really wonderful mentor with whom I was able to share the gospel and hopefully plant some seeds in a hurting family. The Lord certainly was sovereign in that placement as well!
On May 5, I graduated from King College. For the first time in almost 30 years, it poured the rain on graduation day, which isn't significant except for the fact that graduation is held outside on the college oval each year, with no alternate plan! It was still the most perfect day. It was so nice to hear family and friends acknowledge that our Father was glorified in the events, speeches, and planning for that day. I thank God each day that I was able to go to a school which was so edifying for my faith. He is so good. I came home that day to my own bed, not so much sad as excited. I am so excited for the day when I will have that interview that is assuring and walk into a classroom that I can call my own. I am even MORE excited about the day, only 40 some away, when I will walk down the aisle to meet my best friend to walk throughout life as his ministry partner and wife.
So, as we've struggled through so many issues the last several weeks during last minute wedding planning, house hunting, job searching, and stress relieving, God has again and again and again proven Himself more than enough! After some really discouraging days of rough apartments and others way out of our budget, He provided a really great one at an affordable rent price and in a fantastic location. He has given me some great contacts through school districts that may help in leading to a job. His people have showered us abundantly with an amazing church shower and a Pampered Chef shower where we were truly blown away... pictures to come. :) He provided an extra ticket to Living Proof Live with Beth Moore in Boone where I was able to enjoy a last event with my home church gals before heading to Scott's new workplace and our new church body.... He provided a message through Beth that I desperately needed in a season where the change seemed overwhelming.
All I can say is that I am thankful. He is too good for words.
After that placement, I headed to middle school language arts. Wow... I didn't remember teachers having to deal with so many more disciplinary issues at that level, but it was awesome to have that experience! It's sad to see so many students -- many girls! -- who feel hopeless and are unsure of how to deal with conflict, so they express it through violence or physical aggression and defensiveness. I had many more incidents of fighting, Internet bullying, and drama that we all remember from being twelve. One statement I tried to reinforce to my students is, "This is only for a SEASON. Whatever you are experiencing, doubting, questioning... it is a season and by the grace of God is temporary!!" I also had a really wonderful mentor with whom I was able to share the gospel and hopefully plant some seeds in a hurting family. The Lord certainly was sovereign in that placement as well!
On May 5, I graduated from King College. For the first time in almost 30 years, it poured the rain on graduation day, which isn't significant except for the fact that graduation is held outside on the college oval each year, with no alternate plan! It was still the most perfect day. It was so nice to hear family and friends acknowledge that our Father was glorified in the events, speeches, and planning for that day. I thank God each day that I was able to go to a school which was so edifying for my faith. He is so good. I came home that day to my own bed, not so much sad as excited. I am so excited for the day when I will have that interview that is assuring and walk into a classroom that I can call my own. I am even MORE excited about the day, only 40 some away, when I will walk down the aisle to meet my best friend to walk throughout life as his ministry partner and wife.
So, as we've struggled through so many issues the last several weeks during last minute wedding planning, house hunting, job searching, and stress relieving, God has again and again and again proven Himself more than enough! After some really discouraging days of rough apartments and others way out of our budget, He provided a really great one at an affordable rent price and in a fantastic location. He has given me some great contacts through school districts that may help in leading to a job. His people have showered us abundantly with an amazing church shower and a Pampered Chef shower where we were truly blown away... pictures to come. :) He provided an extra ticket to Living Proof Live with Beth Moore in Boone where I was able to enjoy a last event with my home church gals before heading to Scott's new workplace and our new church body.... He provided a message through Beth that I desperately needed in a season where the change seemed overwhelming.
All I can say is that I am thankful. He is too good for words.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)