The three girls-Sarah, Mom & me
Mom & Zak
Dad & his little girls
The amazing Knight kids :)
And our weekend adventure wouldn't be complete without an adorable picture of my 2 favorite guys-Eli & Micah :)
Monday, September 29, 2008
September Sacramento Trip
Ok, so not this past weekend, but the weekend before that (the 19th-21st), my family and I made a trip up to Sacramento to celebrate my great-uncle's 50th Wedding Anniversary. It's a definite rarity to find couples that can reach an anniversary of 50 years or more. Having parents who have been married for almost 30 years and see other godly couples live a life honoring to God through their marriage, I'm that much more encouraged that whenever I "tie the knot" that I too could one day attain a life honored to God through my own marriage. Anyway, to make a long story short, here are a few pictures of that weekend that my family took to remember the event. And since I love pictures (taking them and being in them), my family went along with me and cooperated in capturing this special occasion! :)
The three girls-Sarah, Mom & me
Mom & Zak
Dad & his little girls
The amazing Knight kids :)
And our weekend adventure wouldn't be complete without an adorable picture of my 2 favorite guys-Eli & Micah :)
The three girls-Sarah, Mom & me
Mom & Zak
Dad & his little girls
The amazing Knight kids :)
And our weekend adventure wouldn't be complete without an adorable picture of my 2 favorite guys-Eli & Micah :)
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
teacher update #1
well, it's been a week and a day since i started teaching 4th grade. so let me update you with my kids, the struggles and the blessings of being a 4th grade teacher for the first time...
my kids:
i have 11 students who are incredible. it's interesting to see the different dynamics of the group. from my one super speedy student who finishes like 10 minutes after i assign classwork to my one student who takes 3 days to complete one assignment, with all the others in between. all are great, but some are a little more than what i'd like to handle some days. it's amazing to see that as i've never been a woman of patience, the fact that i love working with kids is still somewhat of an oxymoron. but, i guess that's why God puts that desire in my heart, to teach me the thing i need the most, patience with others as you love them :)
the struggles:
as some of the kids are a little more difficult than others, i struggle with my ability to teach them in a manner in which they understand the assignments. but then i know some are just slow workers, which causes me to become easily frustrated that they aren't where i think they should be academically. again, another area where i see God is using these kids to love them for who they are, their strengths and their weaknesses. the greatest thing God has used from our textbooks to teach me something came from our science reading the other day. reading about how God created us to be curious and to have the desire to help others, while recognizing that everything in creation is unique and an individual, i'm reminded of my that much is true of my students. God created each of those amazing children with their personalities, as different as they are, none being the same, but all the more reason to love them and to love God for making us all different and who He wanted us to be. so as frustrated as i've been, i've been learning the many blessings within those struggles...which lead me to,
the blessings:
i couldn't have asked for a better 1st class to teach. these kids have pure hearts with great intentions of making this year fun for me. they may keep me on my toes, but they sure do keep me laughing everyday. and if you know me at all, i love to laugh and to make others laugh. :) further than my kids, i've had the privilege of working with some of the greatest teachers ever! with their wisdom, guidance, love, care and nurturing qualities, i've been amazed at how God uses the simple things others do for me that make me appreciate them and God everyday. and beyond the kids and teachers, i couldn't asked for a better family or friends, who have supported me these past few weeks. from when i was completely nervous of my 1st day, to being scared of meeting the parents, or even questioning my ability to do this job, i wouldn't be as sane as i am now withouth them. it was especially nice when my family sent flowers, candy and gifts to me on the first day! :) the past few weeks have been great as they love and encourage me with words of affirmation, reminding me that God has blessed me with every ability to do this job and to do it well. and we can't forget all the prayers they said for me too. ;) so thanks to all of you who have encouraged, supported and prayed for me as i journey into this new season of my life...i truly do appreciate it and i don't know if i could say it enough, but thank you for who you are to me and the relationship we have!
so all in all, it's been an interesting 1st week for me, but i wouldn't have traded it for anything. sure it gets rough and to the point of wanting to pull my hair out, but at the end of the day i'm grateful for the opportunity to serve these kids and to ultimately serve my God, in helping these kids become who God wants them to be, while in the process of me becoming who God wants me to be :) funny how God uses me to teach them, but yet he uses those kids everyday to teach me!
my kids:
i have 11 students who are incredible. it's interesting to see the different dynamics of the group. from my one super speedy student who finishes like 10 minutes after i assign classwork to my one student who takes 3 days to complete one assignment, with all the others in between. all are great, but some are a little more than what i'd like to handle some days. it's amazing to see that as i've never been a woman of patience, the fact that i love working with kids is still somewhat of an oxymoron. but, i guess that's why God puts that desire in my heart, to teach me the thing i need the most, patience with others as you love them :)
the struggles:
as some of the kids are a little more difficult than others, i struggle with my ability to teach them in a manner in which they understand the assignments. but then i know some are just slow workers, which causes me to become easily frustrated that they aren't where i think they should be academically. again, another area where i see God is using these kids to love them for who they are, their strengths and their weaknesses. the greatest thing God has used from our textbooks to teach me something came from our science reading the other day. reading about how God created us to be curious and to have the desire to help others, while recognizing that everything in creation is unique and an individual, i'm reminded of my that much is true of my students. God created each of those amazing children with their personalities, as different as they are, none being the same, but all the more reason to love them and to love God for making us all different and who He wanted us to be. so as frustrated as i've been, i've been learning the many blessings within those struggles...which lead me to,
the blessings:
i couldn't have asked for a better 1st class to teach. these kids have pure hearts with great intentions of making this year fun for me. they may keep me on my toes, but they sure do keep me laughing everyday. and if you know me at all, i love to laugh and to make others laugh. :) further than my kids, i've had the privilege of working with some of the greatest teachers ever! with their wisdom, guidance, love, care and nurturing qualities, i've been amazed at how God uses the simple things others do for me that make me appreciate them and God everyday. and beyond the kids and teachers, i couldn't asked for a better family or friends, who have supported me these past few weeks. from when i was completely nervous of my 1st day, to being scared of meeting the parents, or even questioning my ability to do this job, i wouldn't be as sane as i am now withouth them. it was especially nice when my family sent flowers, candy and gifts to me on the first day! :) the past few weeks have been great as they love and encourage me with words of affirmation, reminding me that God has blessed me with every ability to do this job and to do it well. and we can't forget all the prayers they said for me too. ;) so thanks to all of you who have encouraged, supported and prayed for me as i journey into this new season of my life...i truly do appreciate it and i don't know if i could say it enough, but thank you for who you are to me and the relationship we have!
so all in all, it's been an interesting 1st week for me, but i wouldn't have traded it for anything. sure it gets rough and to the point of wanting to pull my hair out, but at the end of the day i'm grateful for the opportunity to serve these kids and to ultimately serve my God, in helping these kids become who God wants them to be, while in the process of me becoming who God wants me to be :) funny how God uses me to teach them, but yet he uses those kids everyday to teach me!
Monday, September 1, 2008
tomorrow...
this year has been full of so many changes and growth beyond what i was prepared for. ending a relationship, turning 23, graduating college, having a job right after college and then quitting it 2 months later, serving in children's ministry at a satellite church, returning back to our rialto campus to serve with the kids, and now this....teaching!
and tomorrow is the big day!!
it will be my first day of teaching 4th grade! and as excited as i may be for that day to finally get here, i'm scared and nervous of how i will do in this new setting of my life. there is always the pressure of measuring up to the previous teacher (who retired, but everyone loved) and the added pressure of the parent's expectations of me. i know God has put me in this position for a reason and i'm so incredibly blessed by this opportunity, but i still wonder and worry how i'll do.
if i've learned anything from what God has been teaching me within this past year, it's to be confident in who God made me to be and the gifts in which he's given me. i know full well that i'm more than capable to do this job. working as a volunteer in my church's children's ministry and having worked at a summer camp as a counselor, i know God has been training and preparing me for this amazing blessing of being able to teach kids everyday in a Christian environment. so why worry then? :)
i guess tomorrow will tell...but if i know anything at all, i'm gonna be myself and have fun, trusting that God is gonna use me tomorrow and everyday this year!
and tomorrow is the big day!!
it will be my first day of teaching 4th grade! and as excited as i may be for that day to finally get here, i'm scared and nervous of how i will do in this new setting of my life. there is always the pressure of measuring up to the previous teacher (who retired, but everyone loved) and the added pressure of the parent's expectations of me. i know God has put me in this position for a reason and i'm so incredibly blessed by this opportunity, but i still wonder and worry how i'll do.
if i've learned anything from what God has been teaching me within this past year, it's to be confident in who God made me to be and the gifts in which he's given me. i know full well that i'm more than capable to do this job. working as a volunteer in my church's children's ministry and having worked at a summer camp as a counselor, i know God has been training and preparing me for this amazing blessing of being able to teach kids everyday in a Christian environment. so why worry then? :)
i guess tomorrow will tell...but if i know anything at all, i'm gonna be myself and have fun, trusting that God is gonna use me tomorrow and everyday this year!
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