Let Your Shine Down on Me

Decisions and such things of life

UGH! I think if my head could blow up, it would've already happened a long time ago. God is working in my life daily. I think I had asked him for a challenge, and He's been giving them to me and He's not stopping. Everyday I have had to make decisions. These aren't the typical, "Do I eat salad or fries today?" decisions. These are major life changing decisions and they're showing up in every part of my life. How do I pay for school? Where should I teach at? Who do I spend extra time praying for? How do I balance school, church, friends, and most importantly, God? I'm not saying these are bad things I have to decide on, it's just that I desperately want to follow God's plan for my life and not my own.

With the new part of our church being finished soon, and a new semester starting up again, I'm looking forward to see what God has in store for  the children's ministry. I will soon be teaching preschool again and I am stoked! Last night I got to hang out with some pretty fun four and five year olds. They fed me 70 million pizzas (that they charged me $600 for), examined my throat for a live rabbit, and fed me mustard flavored ice cream. Then I barfed all over them. Mwwwwahhh. (They laughed really hard!)

I've also been reading a great deal of love stories. My One year has been taking me through Genesis. I've read about how precious wives (and finding wives) were to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I've read about the love and respect they've had for each other, and all the flaws they encountered. In addition, I've been reading Eric and Leslie Ludy's "When God writes your love story" and it is really a great read!

So now it's back to reading history, health education, and psychology.

Dig those Fruits and Veggies!

So, it's really late and I should be sleeping, or reading. BUT! I was reading my educational health book and I got this great idea! It requires some extra financial digging on the part of the teacher, but if it works, it'll be so worth it. I was reading about how kids today don't get the proper amount of fruits and vegetables, and in class on Friday we were talking about how most kids throw away their oranges at lunch time. We also discussed how teachers now have to incorporate health and movement into their days because it's being taken away or not offered at all. Okay so here's the idea:

1) Each day offer a different vegetable or fruit. Keep it small at first, so they can try it.
2) Discuss what it's called, how to spell it, pronounce it etc.
3) Talk about where it comes from, how it grows, etc.
4) Talk about which parts of the body eating that fruit or vegetable will help to stay strong. (i.e. cantaloupe has Vitamin A and C and is good for the eyes and immune system)
5) Have the kids keep a nutrition journal, with a page for each item. Something like this:

Name of Food:

(Picture drawn and/or actual picture)

____(Name of food) helps my body to stay strong
(Picture of body, circle which parts are affected)

If the kids try it, they can get a sticker placed on the corner of each page, and at the end write about which one is their favorite.

Of course, this can all be modified depending on the grade, time, and effort of the kids. 

Friday the 13th of January, 2012

So, life has been full and busy lately. There's so much to write about and so much to be thankful for. I realized that my blog posts have been filled with a bunch of random things that have nothing to do with each other. Yeah, well you should get used to that. My life is full of random exciting interests, laughs, wisdom and everything else about life. So okay, here goes nothing.

A commercial that made me laugh really hard. 

A year full of blessings

So we're in the second week of January and I currently know 4 families that are expecting this year, and one that is adopting. Life is so precious, and to recognize that each child is a true gift from God is so important. Congratulations to all the families that will be blessed with a new child this year.

My aunt had sent me a picture of my four month old cousin. I put it on my desk, along with my aunt's card. She's so precious-her smile reminds me of new life, of happiness, and even peace. (She's a very delightful baby!)

"If I was brave I'd write a letter to the President"

After thinking about the upcoming presidential elections and hearing about education in all my classes (duh!), I listened to a Hawk Nelson song. I really feel in my heart that writing a letter to the president would be an interesting thing for me to do. I really have concerns about education, and I really want answers. I know that I probably won't get much of a response, but I want my voice to be heard and I want the problems we see in schools to be fixed. I wrote the above lyric on my facebook status and was told, "He's just like you, so you have nothing to be afraid of; be respectful but state your reasons." I really want to make sure I have every fact "right" and that it sounds professional before I send it though.

Rebash, Re-living

I decided that this year I would try to change myself in a few ways. Well, normally I'm super introverted. I hate parties with crowds of people and loud music. However, tonight my school threw a New Year's party (since we weren't around here for new year's). I had an awesome time. I danced and felt pretty and wasn't self-conscious about who was watching me dance. I felt pretty, I had fun, and I got to dance with my friends (at least until it got TOO crowded) I'm really proud that I took that extra step to do something new, and that my friends pushed me to go.

My hair courtesy of my lovely roommate :) 

A Little Bit of Everything!

Thanks Ty for making me smile :)

(Also check out him singing "Just Beyond the Clouds")

Some really awesome videos on teaching techniques from Teachertipster.com. The Bubble blowing video was posted on Third Grade Gridiron's blog.

My current "Start of the new semester" song

Heartache, Abram's gift, teaching, a day with Megan

Heartache
The first week of the new year has been a difficult one for so many people I know. Cancer, fatal accidents, spiritual warfare, sickness and tears for lost souls have been on the hearts of many. However, God is still working despite these difficulties. One friend of mine worked it out so that she could register for classes that start next week. Others have been encouraged by good friends and positive outlooks.

Abram's gift
*I really thought Genesis would be a major bore to read through, but so far it has given me a lot of thought about creation, life lessons, and love.*January 6th's passage is from Genesis 13:5-15:21. Abram and Lot and their neighbors live in a plentiful land, but there isn't enough land for everyone to live fairly and equally. The followers of both men started arguing about who should live where. Abram tells Lot to pick anywhere he wants to live-ANYWHERE!, knowing he might get the short end of the stick. Abram was willing to take the least, telling Lot that they especially shouldn;t argue because they are family. Abram moved to a piece of land where danger was everywhere. But God saw what had happened and gave rich land to Abram "as far as you can see" What a rich blessing! What are we willing to give up no matter what? Even if we don't always become rewarded, are we willing to take the shorter end for someone else's sake?

(To quote a co-worker's facebook status:)
Every sixty seconds you spend angry, upset or mad, is a full minute of happiness you'll never get back.
Teaching
I'm so excited for future teaching plans. Now that I am almost a junior, I am starting to plan the actual "going into schools" stuff. I'm really looking forward to a possible observation opportunity in May. I'm really hoping it all works out.

A Day with Megan

I got to spend time with a dear friend of mine today. We used to work together, but since we don't (she has an actual job now), I hadn't seen her in 2 years. I love that she is always smiling and has a radiant personality. Although I didn't take pictures of her and me together, she took one of us. We watched a movie and played a long game of Disney Trivial Pursuit. (I'm still not the Disney Expert I thought I was) But here is a nice picture she took of me and my cousin. :D

What awaits me...

Monday. It all starts again on Monday. I can hardly wait! A brand new semester. A new chance to try harder in school. A chance to prove to myself I can accomplish everything I set my heart to.

Maybe.

I always tell myself the same thing. "Try harder next time, Deanna. This is your chance. Meet more people. Step out of your comfort zone." Do I actually do that? 

A Little Bit.

But it's never enough. I tell myself to take giant strides, but I am never satisfied with the small steps. 

Recently...

I've been taking those small steps. I stood up for myself. I gave a professional appearance to people helping me fulfill my teaching dream. I talked to people I didn't know. 

Things I'm excited about

1. Possibly getting to observe a classroom at my "cousins" school in Indiana. 
2. Starting a new semester
3. Learning how to write lesson plans (finally!)

Things I'm nervous about

1. My Spring semester being so busy that I overwork myself and suck at everything!
2. Not passing my Praxis exam
3. Not getting into the teacher Education Program
4. Getting a terrible placement for May Term
5. Having to work the icky job again
6. Not having enough money to pay for the semester, the praxis, May term or books. 

God, I ask You for peace. I know You can work above my fears, above my struggles and above my dreams. I thank You for being loving, patient and understanding. 

Love always, Deanna