1000 gifts #13

121.  cool air to alleviate warm van

122.  praying family and friends

123.  hearing Mother arrived safely in Seattle

124.  loan of 48 Days to the Job You Love (author is Dan Miller)

125.  flute lessons

126.  anticipation of a workshop on teaching inductive Bible study to children

127.  freedom from ties that so easily bind

128.  songs that point to Jesus

129.  husband who loves the Lord

130.  husband who protects me

Things Heard in the Classroom

Toward the beginning of the school year, I was subbing in 6th grade.  We were reading a story which was an excerpt from A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  In the day's reading the little girl (who has not had food for several days) finds a coin & purchases six hot cross buns.  As she's getting ready to eat them she notices another little girl who is hungry and gives her all but one.  The teacher's manual said to discuss sacrificial giving.

I asked the children "Do you know what it means to sacrificially give?"

A student answered "10%".  Can you tell they have heard sermons on tithing?

I replied, "Yes we are to give 10% but sometimes 10% is not a sacrificial gift.  What if you were to receive $1,000,000.  10% of that would be $100,000.  That would leave you with $900,000.  That would not be a hardship."

To bring it to their level, I asked "what if you were to receive $45?  The local computer game store is running a sale on games.  They are $5/piece.  You have 9 games you want.  You need to tithe from the $45 which doesn't leave you with enough to purchase 9 games.  That would be giving sacrificial...only being able to purchase 8 games."

"Nine games is too many."

"Let's say you receive a basketball for your birthday.  You go outside to shoot some baskets when the little neighbor from across the road comes over.  You know his family doesn't have a lot of money.  He asks you if he can play with you.  You really want to use the ball first.  But you know you should share with him.  If you let him use the ball first that would be giving sacrificially because you would be sacrificing your chance to play with your new ball first."

"We don't play outside.  It's too hot & our parents are scared that someone will take us."  (When I'm relating this story to John, he reminds me that they have just purchased 8 computer games.  Of course they don't want to be outside!)

"There is a little old lady that lives across the street from you.  You have volunteered to wash her windows or mow her lawn.  You enjoy spending time with her and look forward to the day she selects.  But when the time comes to complete that chore, your favorite show is on TV.  You have to go and help her because you have promised but you are going to miss your show.  Going to help your neighbor right then would be sacrificial giving because you are not able to watch your favorite show."

"We'd just DVR the program to watch later."

With that I gave up trying to make sure the children understood sacrificial giving.  I left the classroom that day wondering if we are raising the next generation to not know the joy of giving (our time, talents, money) even though it may 'deprive' us of something we want.

1000 Gifts #12

111.  knowing exact location of a Wal-mart to get out & stretch legs

112.  beautiful weather for traveling

113.  peace (for me)

114.  confidence the Lord knows what He is doing

115.  Pal's tea that lasted the whole trip

116.  Big Red chewing gum

117.  sunglasses

118.  reading glasses

119.  freebies from Pilot Travel Center

120.  cell phone signal in "land of nowhere"

Things Heard in the Classroom

One thing I have noticed in my subbing careers is that the younger students aren't sure whether you know how to teach (if it's your first time subbing in their classroom).  A few Fridays ago I subbed for Miss P's class.  The 2nd graders didn't know whether I knew how to teach.  Yes, I had been their sub for music, library and computer but never a WHOLE day.  Did I know what I was doing?  So to dispel anymore anxiety than had already been expressed, I announced to the class that Miss P had left her plans for me.  I would just follow them.  They had nothing to fear.  As I'm making that announcement to the children, I hold up the 2-3 sheets left for the children to see.  "Oh yes," one boy exclaimed.  "The torture list."

1000 gifts #11

It has been a while since I have posted my 1000 gifts.  I have kept track of them in my book but posting them, I have failed.  So these go back several months.  I have relived the thankfulness as I have posted them there.

101.  a pastor who preaches God's Word

102.  friends who share their love with us

103.  Salsaritas for lunch with friends after church

104.  anticipated short trip to get brother-in-law for his 15 day leave

105.  persimmon picking

106.  safety in traveling to get said brother-in-law

107.  GPS unit that got us there and back

108.  a comfortable van

109.  short nap before turning around and heading back home

110.  safety in reaching an out of town interview

Things Heard in the Classroom

I have had the privilege of substituting at a local private school this year.  While the elementary grades are the preferred grades, I have accepted almost any position offered.  While the high school students do say some things that make the substitute smile, the elementary aged children really put that smile on your face.  From time to time, I hope to share some of the things heard in the classroom.

A few weeks ago, we went to eat at a local restaurant after church.  While in the restaurant, a little boy kept running around the restaurant.  Upon seeing me, he stopped & came over to say hello.  I talked to him and asked him how school was going.  I have substituted for his third grade class before.  The lady who appeared to be in charge looked like she was a little nervous with him running around & ended up sitting him at the table with his older brother and parents.  His brother came over to the table and said, "I thought that's who you were".  We ended up talking for quite a while.  The restaurant is owned by his grandparents.  He told us, "this is my restaurant."

The next day I was subbing for the older brother's 4th grade class.  I asked him some questions about the restaurant.  His grandparents have owned it for 20 years.  "That's longer than I've been alive," was his response.  Then he said, "Did you have the famous?"  Before I could answer, he asked what I had had to eat.  "The beef liver", I replied.  He made kind of a face and then like a very polite gentleman said, "I have heard that that's very good.  But have you had the famous?"  So I asked him what the famous was.  It's the fried chicken (which is what John had had to eat).  According to him his grandfather does everything from scratch...including killing the chickens.  While I was relating this to John, we had to laugh a little.  As fast as that chicken was going, I don't think his grandfather could have killed and prepared all those chickens.  We figure he heard his grandfather joking with someone else that he had gotten up early that morning to kill the chicken.  

The next week, I spoke to his younger brother about the restaurant.  He said, "my grandfather owns the restaurant.  He's a very nice man."  

If you're ever in the area ask us if we can go get some of 'the famous' together.  I know two boys who will make you feel right at home in their restaurant.

Happy New Year 2012!

It is this time of year I always wonder if I will ever remember to write the new year, 2012, instead of the past year, 2011. It seems like just yesterday I was having to learn to write that.

How would I define 2011 – if such a thing can be done?

2011 started out with a big move. We moved in with my parents for about 5-6 months. We moved off the camp property. As you all know this is a horrible time to get a job(s). And since we weren't currently employed, no one was really wanting to rent a home to us. I am very thankful that my parents allowed us to live with them for a while. We were able to get some much needed rest. I had not had much rest for several years.

2011 was a year of waiting. Waiting to see which direction the Lord would move us. And as we all know waiting is so hard. So what does one do while one waits?

One studies God's Word. I love the Precept method of Bible study. Precept teaches one to study the Bible inductively. One learns to ask the 5 W's (who, what, when, where, why) and the H (how) questions. We were involved in a study on Tuesday evenings. Oh the riches one learns when one explores the plumb line of God's Word.

This spring I lamented to my mother that I had never learned to make a pie crust. So she and I had a pie making day. I made a blueberry pie (with the store bought pie filling). My mother made a rhubarb custard pie. I have to admit my mother's was much more delicious than mine. Since then I have attempted to make at least 2 other pies...both lemon meringue.

During the summer another lady & I were able to lead a children's Bible study on Thursday evenings. We taught the children to ask the who, what, when, where, why & how questions. We spent 6 weeks studying Genesis 1&2. It was wonderful to see the excitement of little eyes as they saw for themselves what God's Word says.

This fall I felt ready to get back out in the work field. Some of my confidence had returned. I didn't feel ready to have a full-time outside the home job but wanted to get to know others. Through a lady from our Sunday School class, I accepted a substituting position. I have thoroughly enjoyed using my teaching license again. Most of the classrooms have the white dry erase boards. The first room I was in had a small chalkboard. As I walked into the room and was greeted by the smell of chalk, I almost cried. It felt as if I had come home. I have enjoyed getting to know the students and look forward to knowing I will be spending the day(s) with them again. The other teachers have made me feel very welcome. I have no problem asking them for help if needed.

What does 2012 hold? I do not know. But I can say one thing for sure: the Lord is here in 2012. He knows what is going to happen. He will prepare, guide, equip me for every situation in which I find myself.