More pics.... :D

Jeremy and I



My mom and I


Jeremy (my bro.)

New Portraits

Glory- almost 4



My folks.....




Levi- 20 months

Early morning/midnight sleeplessness...

I have been thinking a lot lately about just why I want to teach.... I have a paper due in August on this topic for part of my application into the Elementary Education program at Emmaus. Anyway as I was playing with Glory earlier today I started thinking about it some more. We were playing playdough and I casually threw in a lesson on fractions teaching her 1/2's and 1/4's. She loved it and had no idea that we were doing math... This is why I want to teach- children are like little dry sponges, soaking up every little bit of knowledge that you send their way.

But saying that- why do most children hate school by time they are in upper elementary school? I remember when school became a drudgery for me- and I hadn't been in it that long... So is the problem our teachers? Or our children? Or our parents? Why are some of our children graduating from High school and not able to hold down a steady job or even read or do simple math? And does the National Government have too much control of what goes on in the classroom? Why can't learning be fun anymore? What happens to the child to make them hate going to school- when they loved learning as pre-schoolers? Is there a magic answer to all of these questions? I know people have been striving towards the best means of educating their children ever since education began but why have we gone downhill instead of bettering ourselves? I don't know...

Well y'all now know what fills my head at 3am and causes me not to be able to sleep.... so now that its all here on my screen it will have left my brain and perhaps I will be able to sleep....?

"No Daddy- Me do it!"

Have you ever watched a preschool age child for any length of time? If you have you will notice a common phrase- "me do it" or something to that connotation. As an adult I often physically supervise and help when needed to make sure that said young child doesn't get hurt or too frustrated. In the same way my Saviour Jesus helps me. Matthew 11:28-30 states, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Have you ever seen a yoke? A yoke is, "a device for joining together a pair of draft animals, esp. oxen, usually consisting of a crosspiece with two bow-shaped pieces, each enclosing the head of an animal." Jesus is saying here that He is willing and very able to join together with me, as a Christian, in a team effort for a common goal. Think also of II Corinthians 6:1a ," We then, as workers together with Him..."

Thus stated, am I acting like a three year old? Am I telling Jesus, "no, me do it!"? Am I sharing my burden? See, even as I type this I realize that I haven't let go completely- I still see it as My burden... Father, please unclench my fingers and make me let go...

Indescribable- Chris Tomlin

Here is a song that I have really enjoyed lately....the lyrics are amazing! Enjoy!

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea

Creation's revealing Your majesty

From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring

Every creature unique in the song that it sings

All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.

You are amazing God

All powerful, untameable,

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go

Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow

Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light

Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night

None can fathom

(Chorus)

You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same

You are amazing God

You are amazing God

Am I walking worthy?

"That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto His kingdom and glory."

I Thess. 2: 12

Have you ever had one of your good friends start dating someone and think to yourself, "What IS she thinking??!! She deserves such a better guy than That!!" My dear friends, what do people think when they see your life in response to Christ? Since the Church is the Bride of Christ we are very much connected to Him. I know we as sinful mankind can never truly deserve Christ's love but are we a cheating girlfriend? Who or what are we putting in front of our Lord? When non-believers see our lives are they intrigued or disappointed that we can't live what we preach? Lord- give me the endurance to keep my walk pure and worthy of You in this sinful world!

SPRING!!!

Hello All! Sorry its been so long- I don't know where the last month went! :P Well Spring is here in Iowa! You wouldn't know it by the temperature.... but that's what they keep telling me! I only have one more month here at Emmaus before this summer! I'm kinda sad... I will really miss those that won't be coming back next fall! Well to catch y'all up on my life... the main event since I have posted was the Dubuque Chorale that I sing in had its performance. It was so much fun! We sang accompanied by the Dubuque Symphony- performing Beethoven's Ninth, a couple of Handel pieces, and a Haydn piece! SOOOO much fun!!! Well I haven't had time to take photos of spring yet... but when I get a chance I will! I will try to do a better job of blogging this month!!