Next 2012: Day 1

May 26, 2012

4:30 AM and my alarms (yes I set several) went off. Lindsay and I rolled out of our beds sleepily, but excitedly in order to get ready, eat breakfast, pray, and be ready to leave for the airport by 5:30. Lindsay had spent the night the night before so that both of our families did not have to have a member get up at the same crazy hour. Around 7:00 AM our plane took off, and after a layover in Atlanta (during which we met up with Suzanne who had the same connecting flight as us, we finally landed in Orlando, Florida! We met Mrs. Reinicke, one of our other roommates, and spent some time in the airport getting lunch at Chick-fil-a and exploring some of the shops.

 There were several neat shops in the Orlando airport including a Harley Davidson which had a motorcycle in the front on which you could take pictures. We had some fun with this, and a nice man offered to take a picture of all three of us (Mrs. Reinicke was reading and watching the luggage).

Then we found the shuttle, purchased our shuttle tickets, and headed for our hotel. Rosen Shingle Creek. It was nice that we arrived so early since we had plenty of time to get checked in to both the hotel and the conference, relax, explore, and eat dinner. Finally the first session began! It started with worship led by Bob and Devon Kauflin and the Na Band (they all led worship the whole weekend, and did an awesome job). Jeff Purswell gave the first message of the conference. It was titled "The Church + The Purpose of God", and his main point was that, "God's Eternal purpose is to dwell among a people He has made His own." One of the main things that stuck out to me in this sermon was when he talked about how, "He longs to fellowship with you. Do you think of God that way?" The rest of the night included checking out the nice hot tub and pool, and a late-night snack at the 24 hr shop inside the hotel/convention center. By the time we went to by the time I went to bed I had been awake (except for perhaps a little dozing on the plane) for over twenty hours!

Note: All the messages from Next 2012 (as well as previous years) are available for free at www.thisisnext.org/resources

This and That

I have finally finished my practicum hours! I would have been done a little bit earlier if not for SOL testing at the school taking up quite a bit of time on the schedule. It feels good to have that behind me and done! It was a pretty stressful semester, but it is basically done now;  I just have to copy and submit the papers and such for the practicum and write a short journal sort of thing, but none of that takes very long and I will probably be turning everything in tomorrow or Friday.

This Saturday, bright and early, I will be leaving VA and heading to Orlando for the Next conference (used to be called New Attitude until a couple years ago). This is the last year they will be doing this conference! I am really excited for the conference though sad it will not be held again. Every year I have gone (this will be my 5th year!) has been simply amazing, and I hope that this year is the same. If you think of it, please be praying for this conference, that the Lord would touch each and every heart there.

Rancho 3M Video I Made

I figured out how to create a video slide show complete with music! Here is one I created with some pictures from my trips to Rancho 3M in 2007 and 2011. They include pictures of us, the kids, and even some projects we did. As an update on fund-raising for this year's trip; I have received $300 out of the needed $750! I am very grateful. We have met the first deadline; the next one is the beginning of June and by then I will need $250 more, and the final deadline is late June I believe ($200 each due). Alexandra needs a bit less than that. Even if you cannot support us financially please be praying; prayer is free, and God has no limits! We could also use prayer for safety,that nothing would prevent our going, for the situation in Mexico, and for the Ranch itself, and that we would be able to be a huge blessing to them! Enjoy the video!

Teaching Day

Last Friday was my day to plan and teach at the ODU Child Study Center for a classroom of 4, 5, and 6 year old children. I had to plan and prepare for each of the centers as well as plan and teach the lesson and read the stories during their circle times. The unit for the week (which the head teacher had already chosen) was Olivia, a series of children's books about a pig. I chose to read the books "Olivia Saves the Circus" and "Olivia and the School Carnival" so my theme for the day was Circus!

 

 For my math center I found an idea online; jumping off of that idea I created math snow cones (or ice cream cones) by cutting out triangular shapes as well as circles out of construction paper. On the "cones" I wrote various math problems, and on the ice (or ice cream), aka the circular shapes, I wrote solutions. The students' job was to match the math problem to the correct answer. They had little pigs as well as mini animal shaped erasures available to use as counters if the needed/wanted them.

 For the fine motor center, the students created finger puppets by cutting out circus characters and coloring them. The teacher working with that table taped the strips of paper on the back to create the loop to put their fingers in.

For the language center I had created a word search using some various circus and carnival related words which the students had to find and circle.

For the art center (not pictured) the student used markers to draw/color a clown. I had strips of paper which said "Clowns are part of the circus" for them to glue onto their drawing.

For the first (and longest) circle time I talked to them about the circus showing them some pictures and various toys as visuals. We sang a "Let's Go to the Circus" song towards the very beginning. I also read "Olivia Saves the Circus." The students got to walk a "tightrope" (tape on the carpet), count horses, participate in talking about the circus, etc. All this and more was part of the first circle time.

At the last circle time at the end of the day I asked about what each of our 5 senses might find at the circus (What might you see/smell/taste/feel/hear at the circus?). I showed them the book we were going to read ("Olivia and the School Carnival") and briefly stated some differences and similarities between a circus and a carnival before reading the book. We then attempted to play a circus themed Simon Says (without including the "Simon says..." part) and changed to a charades sort of game, but this did not work out quite well as the kids were somewhat distracted and many were being picked up by this time.

All in all, I think that the day went pretty well. The students are so sweet, and it is neat to see how much they enjoy learning and contributing their own thoughts, ideas, memories, etc. I have two more teaching days that I have to do at the Child Study Center. I will try to remember to take and post some pictures of those centers as well.

He is risen!

"Let no one caught in sin remain

Inside the lie of inward shame

We fix our eyes upon the cross

And run to him who showed great love

And bled for us

Freely you bled, for us

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave!

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with him again

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave!

Beneath the weight of all our sin

You bow to none but heavens will

No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown

No burden great can hold you down

In strength you reign

Forever let your church proclaim

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with him again

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave

Oh death! Where is your sting?

Oh hell! Where is your victory?

Oh Church! Come stand in the light!

The glory of God has defeated the night!

Oh death! Where is your sting?

Oh hell! Where is your victory?

Oh Church! Come stand in the light!

Our God is not dead, he's alive! he's alive!

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with him again

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave"

So much to do. So little time

Spring is here! I have been enjoying the nicer weather and the gorgeous flowers. Not enjoying the congestion, scratchy throat, and itchy eyes, but thankfully those are only minor.

This semester has been crazy busy. These last few weeks seem especially so; I have lots of homework assignments, four weeks to go in the Child Study Center, a little less than 25 hours to finish in my public school practicum (including 3 hours of teaching), taxes to file, and all the miscellaneous errands that come up. It's been pretty stressful to say the least especially since I am struggling a lot with procrastination. Coffee has been pretty frequently appearing in my life.

If you think of it, prayers would be much appreciated for me to handle the stress (or better yet for it to go down) and finish out these weeks (and beyond) well. I could also use prayer that I would make better use of my time and stop procrastinating all the time.

Really looking forward to summer. Planning on not taking any classes, but just taking a break and completing at least some of the state testing I have to have for my teaching license. I am also attending the Next conference and planning on going on a missions trip to Rancho 3M in Mexico (see my earlier post if you are interested in more information or in learning how you can support me in prayer or financially for the missions trip).

Rancho 3M

Hello everyone, this summer, for about a week, my sister Alexandra and I are planning on going to the Rancho 3M orphanage in Guadalupe, Mexico with the group from our church. While there we will be doing various projects around the "ranch" that are needed for its upkeep and improvement. Past projects have included painting, bathroom renovation, fencing, and much more. We also like to spend time with the children giving them some much needed attention and showing them the love of Jesus. This is a Christian run orphanage and school, and our church has a good relationship with them, and has gone on many of these trips. The ranch relies a lot on short term missions trips (such as ours) for getting these projects done as well as ministering to these kids (as much as the staff adores them, there are many kids and only so many staff members so the time we are able to spend with the kids is very valuable).

 Please, please, please be praying for Alexandra, me, and the rest of the people on the team. Please be praying that whoever the Lord wants on the trip will be there, and that He will keep us all safe from harm. Please also be praying for Rancho 3M and the children and staff who are there. I will probably be creating a "group" that you can join if you would like to keep you updated on the trip details as well as posting some specific prayer requests

In addition, while the trip is not as expensive as some missions trips can be, it will be somewhat costly. The costs, including airfare, will be a total of $750 per person due in various increments at various dates. The first payment of $200 each is due on April 15, $300 each on June 3, and the rest on June 24. There also could be some miscellaneous costs such as luggage fees. If you would like to help us financially it would be greatly appreciated. You may hand it to me in person or send me a message and I will give you my address. If you would like your donation to be tax deductible either make a check out to Sovereign Grace Church with "Mission Fund" on the memo line or include the adult donor's name with cash if you choose to use that form.

Whether you donate financially or not, please continue to support us and the rest of the team in prayers both before and during our trip. If you like to learn more about Rancho 3M their website is http://www.rancho3m.com/ and they also have a facebook page which they update pretty regularly.
Thanks for reading and for your prayers!

Psalm 25

"To You O LORD, I lift up my soul.

O my God, in You I trust;

let me not be put to shame;

let not my enemies exult for me.

Indeed, none who wait for You shall be put to shame;

they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous

Make me to know Your ways, O LORD;

teach me Your paths.

Lead me in your truth and teach me,

for You are the God of my salvation;

for You I wait all the day long.

Remember Your mercy, O LORD, and Your steadfast love,

for they have been from of old.

Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;

according to Your steadfast love remember me,

for the sake of Your goodness, O LORD!

Good and upright is the LORD;

therefore He instructs sinners in the way.

He leads the humble in what is right,

and teaches the humble His way.

All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,

for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.

For Your name's sake, O LORD,

pardon my guilt, for it is great.

Who is the man who fears the LORD?

Him will He instruct in the way that he should choose.

His soul shall abide in well-being,

and His offspring shall inherit the land.
The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear Him, 

and He makes known to them His covenant.

My eyes are ever toward the LORD,

for He will pluck my feet out of the net

Turn to me and be gracious to me,

for I am lonely and afflicted.

The troubles of my heart are enlarged;

bring me out of my distresses.

Consider my affliction and my trouble,

and forgive all my sins

Consider how many are my foes, 

and with what violent hatred they hate me.

Oh guard my soul, and deliver me!

Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You

May integrity and uprightness preserve me,

for I wait for You.

Redeem Israel, O God,

out of all his troubles"

Great Moments

One of my classes this semester includes a practicum. I have to complete 75 hours in a public school and 75 hours in the Child Study Center at ODU. My ODU teacher requires that we give out at least one "Great Moment" certificate (simple half-sheets of paper with "Great Moment" on it underneath which it says "_____ had a great moment today" and space to write about what it was the student did that was great. Last week or so I gave one to this one girl in the 4th grade classroom I am in. A few minutes later she handed me a folded piece of paper that, on the outside, said "To: Miss Morrison From: her (I'm not going to share her name for privacy reasons). On the inside was this....

Friend of God

I was singing "You are Holy" the other day. I love the chorus, and one particular thing stuck out to me this time. Here is what it says (this is the woman's part):

"You are Lord of Lords

You are King of Kings

You are mighty God

Lord of everything

You're Emmanuel

You're the Great I Am

You're the Prince of Peace

Who is the Lamb

You're the living God

You're my saving grace

You will reign forever

You are ancient of days

You are Alpha, Omega, beginning and end

You're my Savior, Messiah, Redeemer, and friend"

Isn't it amazing how with all the things that are true about God (Lord of Lords, King of Kings, mighty God, Lord of everything, Great I Am, beginning and end, etc) that one of the descriptions of Him is FRIEND! He is so vastly greater then us, and yet He is willing to call us friends!

In John 15:15 Jesus says, "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you"

Bald Eagle Sighting

The other day I was leaving Cafe Moka after having had coffee with my friend Laura. As I was waiting to pull out onto the main road, I saw a big bird flying around, and I noticed that it had a white tail. I couldn't see his head, but I wondered if it was a bald eagle. Then he (or she) landed on a telephone pole, and I saw that it WAS a Bald Eagle! It was a really neat experience. I took some pictures from the car; they did not come out very well, but here are some if you would like to see.

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). 

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)

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! :)

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."

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

When the Going Get's Tough; Despair vs Trust

How amazing is it that when reading the Bible, some passage that you've read time and time again can stick out to you in a new and different way upon reading it again? God's Word is truly "living and active" (Hebrews 4:12). The other day I was reading in Exodus about Moses and Aaron going and appealing to Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Not only did Pharaoh not let them go, but he made their work harder;

"The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen, 'You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as in the past; let them go and gather straw for themselves. But the number of bricks that they made in the past you shall impose on them, you shall by no means reduce it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, 'Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God,' Let heavier work be laid on the men that they may labor at it and pay no regard to lying words'" Exodus 5:6-9

This made their work much harder, and they were not able to complete the quotas, and thus, "...the foremen of the people of Israel, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them were beaten and were asked, 'Why have you not done all your task of making bricks today and yesterday ,as in the past?'"(5:14). They appealed to Pharaoh, but to no avail (5:15-18).

Then I came across these verses: "The foreman of the people of Israel saw that they were in trouble when they said, 'You shall by no means reduce your number of bricks, your daily task each day.' They met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them as they came out from Pharaoh; and they said to them, 'The LORD look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us'" Exodus 5:20-21

It is quite easy to be critical of these Israelites; however, as I was reading this I was struck by a thought. How many times do we hope and pray to God for something, only to find the situation seems to stay the same or even grow worse? How often in those situations are we tempted to despair and think that God is not helping us or not working in the situation? Maybe we even wonder if He cares. However, even though the Isrealites despaired at what appeared to be a worsening situation, God was at work! He was in the process of delivering them from slavery! We know this because we have the whole story set before us in the Bible, but they did not know what was to come. We can learn from them to take hope, no matter our situation; even if it seems to be unchanging or even growing worse we can have faith that God IS working. It may or may not work out the way we think we want it to, but God is in control, He IS doing a work whether we notice it or not, and He made a promise to us:

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Therefore we should not despair in our bad situations, but rather trust God, and continue to pray and to wait.

And so it begins...

Tomorrow is my first day of graduate school! My class tomorrow is "The Child and the Family." In addition to that I am also taking; Advanced Classroom Management (Practicum), Advanced Child Development Theory, and Reading to Learn Across Curriculum (this one is online). I am looking forward to the classes, but nervous about getting all my practicum hours in! I will be doing half of those at the ODU Child Study Center working with young children, and half in an elementary school (don't know which one yet) in a 4th, 5th , or 6th grade classroom. Should be fun at least. On top of this I am still working part time at my job. Here's to a crazy semester! It will probably be my last "real" semester; if all goes as planned, I will take four classes this summer and be student teaching in the fall, graduating next December (2012).

The New Year and the Old

I had a great time bringing in the New Year with friends at the Hulme's house. Then today, on New Year's Day got to celebrate by worshiping the one who gave this new year and gives us each new day! This past year has been a good year for the most part, though at times stressful especially in the area of school. I wanted to share a few of the highlights from 2011.

Martin Wedding: This was probably my favorite event of the entire year; seeing one of my best friends go from Kaitlin Richards to Kaitlin Martin as she married Drew, the love of her life. Even better, I got to take part in her special day as a bridesmaid!

Mexico: I also got to travel with a team to Rancho 3M in Mexico. It was a hard week; though it was cooler than other years since we went earlier in the year instead of mid-summer it was still very dry and there was lots of work to be done. It was still a very good time, and I so much enjoyed the children as well as getting to know the people on the team a little bit better. God was gracious and protected us all despite the risk of danger in that part of the world.

Next: Later in that same month (May) I was able to go to the Next conference in Orlando. I carpooled with several other people from my care group and it was a long, but fun drive. The conference was amazing and I also enjoyed the fellowship with friends, and making new friends!

Graduation and Christmas; I graduated from undergrad this December, and this Christmas was our first year to get a Christmas tree! You can read more about those in the post below this one.

White wedding; As one of the last events of 2011, I was able to attend Brittany's wedding whom we have known for many, many years. It was a sweet wedding, and I am very happy for her and her new husband as they begin their life together.

So what is to come in 2012? I do not know for sure, but I am looking forward to finding out!

Graduation and Christmas!

I am now an ODU alumnus (well I will "officially" be one when all the processing goes through in the next few weeks). Graduation was a fun (although cold) day, and it was really neat to be participating in a college graduation! In January I will begin the Masters program for Elementary Education, and, if all goes as planned, I will graduate with my Masters degree about a year from now!

This Christmas was an especially exciting one for us because we got our very first Christmas tree! It is a Fraser Fir and smelled so nice when we brought it in and opened it up in the living room

Christmas came and went much to fast for me. It is hard to believe that it came and is gone already! It was a nice time, however, spent with family and a beautiful Christmas Eve service at Sovereign Grace Church. This is also the last week of 2011! I wonder about all the plans God has in store for me in 2012.