Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Leap!
Happy Leap Day! Today I spent the day in a 4th grade classroom for my first day of my practicum. I enjoyed the time, and it seems like the teacher is good which is always nice. Immediately afterwords I had to go to ODU for class which made for a long, tiring day. On top of all this, I have a icky cold/cough, but overall I am doing pretty well. I am excited that spring break is next week! I will still have practicum and work, but at least I will not have classes; it will be nice to have that time to relax a bit more, and maybe even work ahead on some homework (not sure if that will happen or not haha).
Friday, February 24, 2012
Waiting and Perfect Timing
Dave Harvey's book, called "Rescuing Ambition", is a really great book that I would highly recommend. I read it a while ago, and even wrote down some quotes that really stuck out to me. A lot of them have to do with waiting. That is, waiting for the things that we are hoping and praying for in our lives. These quotes were really encouraging to me as I often struggle with being impatient about certain things that I want to happen in my life, or even worrying that they will never come to pass. I thought I would share the quotes (even more than I wrote down in my journal) here; maybe they can encourage some of you as well.
"How we live when ambitions are delayed significantly shapes who we become. God uses the wait to teach us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. Wait isn't a popular word. We like it about as much as a toddler does But waiting is a tool God often uses. Scripture is full of waiting -- we're taught to wait for God to act (Ps. 25:3; 27:14; 37:7; 130:5; Isa. 49:23; Hos. 12:6), to wait for our adoption as sons (Rom. 8:23), to wait for the return of the Lord and his righteousness (1 Cor. 1:7; Gal. 5:5; Titus 2:13). We're to wait in faith, knowing that Isaiah's words are true: "From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him" (Isa. 64:4)...Yet waiting is a strange thing. God's purposes are not a bus stop where we just sit, waiting for the right option to come by. No, we keep walking while we wait, and we wait while we walk...Reach your hand into a river and grab a handful of rocks. You can tell the ones that have been recently deposited and those that have been there for a long time, waiting. The new arrivals are rough with edges and sharp points. The other rocks are smooth; time and water have worn away their rough exterior, revealing a polished, beautiful stone. For us waiting has the same effect.God purifies our ambitions by delaying their fulfillment. An ambition with a waiting sign is an ambition being smoothed in a riverbed of God's activity. The rough edges--the selfishness in our ambitions--become smooth. The ambition is purified. The dull exterior starts to shine" (p. 71-72).
"Perhaps in reading this you’re becoming aware of impatience toward God and his timing in your life. But is God’s timing not perfect? Are his ways not perfect? Is his will not perfect? Is his character not perfect? And hasn’t all this perfection been displayed for us in the cross? Who are we to question God in impatience when he has so perfectly displayed his love for us in the shedding of his Son’s blood on the cross?" (p. 73)
"How we live when ambitions are delayed significantly shapes who we become. God uses the wait to teach us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. Wait isn't a popular word. We like it about as much as a toddler does But waiting is a tool God often uses. Scripture is full of waiting -- we're taught to wait for God to act (Ps. 25:3; 27:14; 37:7; 130:5; Isa. 49:23; Hos. 12:6), to wait for our adoption as sons (Rom. 8:23), to wait for the return of the Lord and his righteousness (1 Cor. 1:7; Gal. 5:5; Titus 2:13). We're to wait in faith, knowing that Isaiah's words are true: "From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him" (Isa. 64:4)...Yet waiting is a strange thing. God's purposes are not a bus stop where we just sit, waiting for the right option to come by. No, we keep walking while we wait, and we wait while we walk...Reach your hand into a river and grab a handful of rocks. You can tell the ones that have been recently deposited and those that have been there for a long time, waiting. The new arrivals are rough with edges and sharp points. The other rocks are smooth; time and water have worn away their rough exterior, revealing a polished, beautiful stone. For us waiting has the same effect.God purifies our ambitions by delaying their fulfillment. An ambition with a waiting sign is an ambition being smoothed in a riverbed of God's activity. The rough edges--the selfishness in our ambitions--become smooth. The ambition is purified. The dull exterior starts to shine" (p. 71-72).
"Perhaps in reading this you’re becoming aware of impatience toward God and his timing in your life. But is God’s timing not perfect? Are his ways not perfect? Is his will not perfect? Is his character not perfect? And hasn’t all this perfection been displayed for us in the cross? Who are we to question God in impatience when he has so perfectly displayed his love for us in the shedding of his Son’s blood on the cross?" (p. 73)
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
To Next...but how?
I am hoping to attend Next this year (after all it is the very last one!); however, I am running into problems when it comes to transportation....neither me nor any of the girls I have talked about traveling with has a vehicle that can withstand such a long trip (to Orlando), and flying is expensive. If any of you have any ideas on options (or even a mini-van or something that we could possibly borrow), or have space in your group please let me know! :) I am looking to be part of a group of responsible drivers who will obey speed limit laws! :)
Friday, February 17, 2012
Grad School and Decisions
Grad school is going pretty well. However, it can be pretty stressful (especially when you struggle with procrastination like I do haha). Thankfully all of my teachers are pretty good, and nothing is too difficult it's simply a matter of getting it all done. My practicum hasn't started yet; in fact, I haven't even been placed yet for the public school portion. Half of my hours will be done at the Child Study Center at ODU, and that starts several weeks from now. I am stressed about adding all that extra work to what I already have, but God will give me the strength I need, when I need it!
Originally the plan was to finish up my classes this summer, and do student teaching in the fall. Then I would be finished with my Master's degree in December! However, I have been reconsidering this. I am concerned that it might be a bit too much to take 4 classes (one of which is only 1 credit but still) in the summer, take 3 certification tests by the end of summer, and start student teaching. In addition I have a comprehensive exam I am required to take during student teaching. Because of all this, I am considering taking only the 1 credit class and the tests this summer, finish the other classes in the fall, and student teach in the spring. If I do it this way, I will graduate in May 2013. I still have not decided for sure and for certain yet, so prayers (and advice if you have any) for wisdom would be appreciated!
This year is the very last year that SGM will be having the Next conference. I am planning to go, but sad that it will be the last one. I was extremely blessed to win a contest for which the prize was free registration! I am looking forward to this conference; I have been to four so far (this will be my fifth), and have been so blessed and encouraged at each one. This year the theme/main topic is the Church. Here is a quote from their website:
"The image of a foot split from the body is alarming, and it should be. But do you have the same response to seeing a believer split from the body of Christ? Scripture wants us to see danger and wasted potential in that image. Every Christian needs and has a vital part to play in the local church. Because without the church, we’re essentially, well, you get it. So what’s your part? Join us for three days in Orlando as we focus on God’s plan for the body of Christ, and what it means to play your part."
Originally the plan was to finish up my classes this summer, and do student teaching in the fall. Then I would be finished with my Master's degree in December! However, I have been reconsidering this. I am concerned that it might be a bit too much to take 4 classes (one of which is only 1 credit but still) in the summer, take 3 certification tests by the end of summer, and start student teaching. In addition I have a comprehensive exam I am required to take during student teaching. Because of all this, I am considering taking only the 1 credit class and the tests this summer, finish the other classes in the fall, and student teach in the spring. If I do it this way, I will graduate in May 2013. I still have not decided for sure and for certain yet, so prayers (and advice if you have any) for wisdom would be appreciated!
This year is the very last year that SGM will be having the Next conference. I am planning to go, but sad that it will be the last one. I was extremely blessed to win a contest for which the prize was free registration! I am looking forward to this conference; I have been to four so far (this will be my fifth), and have been so blessed and encouraged at each one. This year the theme/main topic is the Church. Here is a quote from their website:
"The image of a foot split from the body is alarming, and it should be. But do you have the same response to seeing a believer split from the body of Christ? Scripture wants us to see danger and wasted potential in that image. Every Christian needs and has a vital part to play in the local church. Because without the church, we’re essentially, well, you get it. So what’s your part? Join us for three days in Orlando as we focus on God’s plan for the body of Christ, and what it means to play your part."
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Valentine's Day
On Valentine's Day, my dad surprised each of my sisters and I by blessing us with our own bouquets of flowers. I had some fun taking artsy looking photos of mine (though I am by no means a photographer). I decided to share some of them here just for fun. Enjoy
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