This school and district are COMPLETELY different from my school in Houston, and I am having to learn how to swim all over again. The grade level is the same. The subjects are the same. Teaching is the same. So what could be different? EVERYTHING else. Planning lessons, how to make copies, guided reading, workshop model of instruction, new stories (aka: different curriculum), how to communicate with parents, the involvement of parents, assigned duties and the duty schedule, handling the grade level website, dismissal procedures, assessments and assessment schedules, the assortment of technology, the overwhelming use of technology through the building, the learning of all sorts of technology, heck even how to schedule an assessment (yep, it's through technology!)...EV. ER. Y. THING.
And, I'm LOVING it! I really like my team. I'm enjoying my students and their parents. I'm overwhelmed with change and feel like I'm struggling to learn the ropes, but I'm enjoying my environment!
Monday, September 10, 2012
Sunday, September 09, 2012
God's Provision
I wrote earlier about trusting in myself for my daily needs instead of the One who created me.
This has been a tough summer of lessons.
1. Transition is hard.
2. Starting a new job is difficult.
3. Moving away from a beloved city, and all those that live there, had heartbreaking moments.
4. Finding a new church...well, let's just say I have a softened heart for the visitor and pray I will remember my experiences for a long time.
5. Going without a paycheck is humbling.
I had to learn to trust God for my needs each day. I clearly remember one evening, about a month ago, when I was getting in my car in my parents' driveway. After my monthly car payment, I had $14 in my checking account. I had just paid August rent out of my savings account. To put it mildly, I was broke. I almost asked Mom for money. I didn't have the words formed. But my mouth was opening and for "some" reason, I simply said "Have a good night" and drove home. That night, a friend called me and offered to cover my rent and car payment. The Lord provided rent and car payment! The LORD closed my mouth and provided. The LORD! Not me. Not me having to ask. HIM! Praise His Holy Name! God used several friends through finances, encouraging phone calls, emails, and working hands, to pay my bills and get my classroom ready. God knows what I need. Knew what I needed. Provided for it before I needed it. That is who He is. I forgot that and am blessed that He is patient with me.
This has been a tough summer of lessons.
1. Transition is hard.
2. Starting a new job is difficult.
3. Moving away from a beloved city, and all those that live there, had heartbreaking moments.
4. Finding a new church...well, let's just say I have a softened heart for the visitor and pray I will remember my experiences for a long time.
5. Going without a paycheck is humbling.
I had to learn to trust God for my needs each day. I clearly remember one evening, about a month ago, when I was getting in my car in my parents' driveway. After my monthly car payment, I had $14 in my checking account. I had just paid August rent out of my savings account. To put it mildly, I was broke. I almost asked Mom for money. I didn't have the words formed. But my mouth was opening and for "some" reason, I simply said "Have a good night" and drove home. That night, a friend called me and offered to cover my rent and car payment. The Lord provided rent and car payment! The LORD closed my mouth and provided. The LORD! Not me. Not me having to ask. HIM! Praise His Holy Name! God used several friends through finances, encouraging phone calls, emails, and working hands, to pay my bills and get my classroom ready. God knows what I need. Knew what I needed. Provided for it before I needed it. That is who He is. I forgot that and am blessed that He is patient with me.
Thursday, August 09, 2012
Does God have a husband for me?
A friend and I were talking on the phone the other day and our conversation was reminiscent of so many others.
We're single. And, lemme tell ya, that can cause some awkward conversations.
"Oh, HI so-and-so-younger-woman-I-haven't-seen-in-a-long-time-but-used-to-teach-in-Sunday-School, How are you!? Are you married yet? Gasp! No? Well, why not? What are those men thinking?"
How are we supposed to reply to that?
Even better is when they start giving platitudes. "Well, when you stop looking, is when you'll find him." or "I know it's hard, but you will enjoy the blessing so much more later." or "Look at all the things you've been able to do because you're NOT married." or "I'm sure he's out there somewhere. God must still be working on him, because you're great!" (Really?)
I just love when a friend who's been married, divorced and married again tries to give encouragement. It's a little hard to take seeing as how they've gotten to have TWO men and I just want one committed man. (I'm not trying to be disrespectful to the pain of divorce. It sucks. I've walked through it with close friends. I know it sucks. I'm just describing the flash of pain on the part of a single.)
Anyway, that's some back story. I've always had a glimmer of something. Not something I can really put my hands on, but...something. That I may not get married. The Lord may not have a husband planned for me. When I tell people that, they typically react with surprise and more platitudes. "Oh, Alyssa, you can't know that! I'm sure He has someone for you! The desire of your heart is to get married and you will be a great mom some day!"
With that kind of reaction, I've learned not to mention my glimmer of something very often.
Yes, I would love to have a man pursue me. Yes, I would love to be found worthy of a man's pursuits. Yes, I crave to be found cherishable and valuable in the eyes of a brother in Christ. So cherishable and valuable that he wants to be with me for life.
Yes, scripture tells us in Psalms 37: 3-4
3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
And so often, people quote these scriptures when they want something. I have done it. I have learned over the years though, that the Lord wants me to want HIM. My purpose on this Earth is to glorify HIM. He wants the desires of my heart to be to glorify HIM and Him alone.
We're single. And, lemme tell ya, that can cause some awkward conversations.
"Oh, HI so-and-so-younger-woman-I-haven't-seen-in-a-long-time-but-used-to-teach-in-Sunday-School, How are you!? Are you married yet? Gasp! No? Well, why not? What are those men thinking?"
How are we supposed to reply to that?
Even better is when they start giving platitudes. "Well, when you stop looking, is when you'll find him." or "I know it's hard, but you will enjoy the blessing so much more later." or "Look at all the things you've been able to do because you're NOT married." or "I'm sure he's out there somewhere. God must still be working on him, because you're great!" (Really?)
I just love when a friend who's been married, divorced and married again tries to give encouragement. It's a little hard to take seeing as how they've gotten to have TWO men and I just want one committed man. (I'm not trying to be disrespectful to the pain of divorce. It sucks. I've walked through it with close friends. I know it sucks. I'm just describing the flash of pain on the part of a single.)
Anyway, that's some back story. I've always had a glimmer of something. Not something I can really put my hands on, but...something. That I may not get married. The Lord may not have a husband planned for me. When I tell people that, they typically react with surprise and more platitudes. "Oh, Alyssa, you can't know that! I'm sure He has someone for you! The desire of your heart is to get married and you will be a great mom some day!"
With that kind of reaction, I've learned not to mention my glimmer of something very often.
Yes, I would love to have a man pursue me. Yes, I would love to be found worthy of a man's pursuits. Yes, I crave to be found cherishable and valuable in the eyes of a brother in Christ. So cherishable and valuable that he wants to be with me for life.
Yes, scripture tells us in Psalms 37: 3-4
3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
Romans 15:5-7
New International Version (NIV)
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
My prayer is that the desires of my heart will be to glorify Jesus Christ alone. Yes, I'd love to be married. Yes, I'd love to birth children and be a stay at home mom someday. Yes, these are desires knitted in my heart deeply. But, I am content with Christ. I look to Him for my joy. I seek Him for peace and contentment.
Being content with where Christ has me right now, means I can live life now and not think I have to wait to live life once I have a husband. I am free to serve Christ now, with whatever He calls me to do, because I'm not in constant waiting for what might be in the wings.
I'm challenging all my single friends...well, really any friends, to join me in this prayer. Are you content with where Christ has you right now? If not, start praying for Christ to show you Himself in an even bigger way.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
My prayer is that the desires of my heart will be to glorify Jesus Christ alone. Yes, I'd love to be married. Yes, I'd love to birth children and be a stay at home mom someday. Yes, these are desires knitted in my heart deeply. But, I am content with Christ. I look to Him for my joy. I seek Him for peace and contentment.
Being content with where Christ has me right now, means I can live life now and not think I have to wait to live life once I have a husband. I am free to serve Christ now, with whatever He calls me to do, because I'm not in constant waiting for what might be in the wings.
I'm challenging all my single friends...well, really any friends, to join me in this prayer. Are you content with where Christ has you right now? If not, start praying for Christ to show you Himself in an even bigger way.
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
My eyes have been on the wrong prize
I've been thinking about this post for awhile. I hope I get all the words right.
I've realized recently that I have a lot to learn. Don't get me wrong. This is not a new phenomenon. But, hey, we all need to be reminded occasionally, right?
I received my last pay check from HISD on June 20. It was 3.5 paychecks all in one lump sum. If I had received them as individual paychecks, I would have received the 3rd one on August 1.
Moving is expensive. Can I get an "Amen!"?
I receive my first paycheck from Frisco ISD on September 15. For those of you doing the math, that means I'm missing two paychecks. And for those of you checking a calendar for today's date, that means I'm out of money. As in, I don't have funds for September's rent or car payment. I can pay this month's car insurance, but won't have finances for next month's car insurance.
Throughout all of this, I have realized I have trusted myself for my finances. Wow! That's an eye opening and convicting thought. Yuck! Believe you, me. I've had several conversations with myself about this. "What a minute, Alyssa! You mean, you haven't been trusting the Lord to provide for you daily?! You know better than that."
I'm right.
I do know better than that.
I'm not sure when my mindset started to slide, but I began to trust in my bank account and not in the One who created me and my needs. I began to think I was hot stuff, and did not give credit to the One who deserves ALL credit. I'm humbled to realize I became arrogant. I'm sickened to think that I began to take my "American" way of life for granted. I've been out of this country. I've seen the way most of the world lives. We, here in America, we're the weird ones. We're NOT normal. I began to think I was better. I can't excuse that. I'm not okay with that, even. But, in looking back, I realize that was my mindset.
I have no idea where groceries are going to come from, how rent is going to be paid, or how I will safely drive my car. I don't have an inkling how the car payment will get paid, or the electricity bill or how I will have gas in my car. And, right now, I'm not okay with that. I'm working to trust...but I'm not there yet. I'm working to believe in Him for all of my needs, but I'm struggling with how much change that means He's asking of me.
And that's the bottom line, isn't it? He wants change. And change is hard. He wants all of my trust. And I didn't think I was, but apparently I'm giving that grudgingly. I'm praying for a heart change. And I'm asking Him to provide that heart change. Once He provides that, and I know He will, then I will no longer need to worry about finances, because my changed heart will know He will take care of it.
I've realized recently that I have a lot to learn. Don't get me wrong. This is not a new phenomenon. But, hey, we all need to be reminded occasionally, right?
I received my last pay check from HISD on June 20. It was 3.5 paychecks all in one lump sum. If I had received them as individual paychecks, I would have received the 3rd one on August 1.
Moving is expensive. Can I get an "Amen!"?
I receive my first paycheck from Frisco ISD on September 15. For those of you doing the math, that means I'm missing two paychecks. And for those of you checking a calendar for today's date, that means I'm out of money. As in, I don't have funds for September's rent or car payment. I can pay this month's car insurance, but won't have finances for next month's car insurance.
Throughout all of this, I have realized I have trusted myself for my finances. Wow! That's an eye opening and convicting thought. Yuck! Believe you, me. I've had several conversations with myself about this. "What a minute, Alyssa! You mean, you haven't been trusting the Lord to provide for you daily?! You know better than that."
I'm right.
I do know better than that.
I'm not sure when my mindset started to slide, but I began to trust in my bank account and not in the One who created me and my needs. I began to think I was hot stuff, and did not give credit to the One who deserves ALL credit. I'm humbled to realize I became arrogant. I'm sickened to think that I began to take my "American" way of life for granted. I've been out of this country. I've seen the way most of the world lives. We, here in America, we're the weird ones. We're NOT normal. I began to think I was better. I can't excuse that. I'm not okay with that, even. But, in looking back, I realize that was my mindset.
I have no idea where groceries are going to come from, how rent is going to be paid, or how I will safely drive my car. I don't have an inkling how the car payment will get paid, or the electricity bill or how I will have gas in my car. And, right now, I'm not okay with that. I'm working to trust...but I'm not there yet. I'm working to believe in Him for all of my needs, but I'm struggling with how much change that means He's asking of me.
And that's the bottom line, isn't it? He wants change. And change is hard. He wants all of my trust. And I didn't think I was, but apparently I'm giving that grudgingly. I'm praying for a heart change. And I'm asking Him to provide that heart change. Once He provides that, and I know He will, then I will no longer need to worry about finances, because my changed heart will know He will take care of it.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
We break radio silence to bring you...
I've actually posted more recently than I had thought.
The Lord is putting me through the ringer lately. From ALL angles of life.
I'll go into that in more detail later.
For now, I wanted to share a blog post that really spoke to me today. Pete Wilson is the pastor of CrossPoint Church in Nashville. I have followed his blog for a couple of years now. He ranges from humorous to challenging; real life to dreams; spiritual to funny...sometimes all in the same post!
A tweet from Dr. Tony Evans this morning said something along the lines of "It's not about your pain. What the purpose?" That rocked my world today, too.
I think you can see a theme.
I just want to share.
The Lord is putting me through the ringer lately. From ALL angles of life.
I'll go into that in more detail later.
For now, I wanted to share a blog post that really spoke to me today. Pete Wilson is the pastor of CrossPoint Church in Nashville. I have followed his blog for a couple of years now. He ranges from humorous to challenging; real life to dreams; spiritual to funny...sometimes all in the same post!
A tweet from Dr. Tony Evans this morning said something along the lines of "It's not about your pain. What the purpose?" That rocked my world today, too.
I think you can see a theme.
I just want to share.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Books for High Schoolers (or adults)
I was cleaning out my parents' attic earlier this week and decided to let go of many books from my high school English classes. If you're interested let me know. These are free or only the cost of shipping (if you're far enough away for that.)
Cliffs Notes:
Moby Dick
Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man
Lord of the Flies
Brave New World & Brave New World Revisited
Novels:
Brave New World
Lord of the Flies
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Moby Dick
A Farewell to Arms
The Great Gatsby
The Catcher in the Rye
The Scarlet Letter
One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest
Tender is the Night
The Old Man and the Sea
Of Mice and Men
My Name is Asher Lev
The Gift of Asher Lev
Anna Karenina
A Man for All Seasons
The Notebook
Cliffs Notes:
Moby Dick
Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man
Lord of the Flies
Brave New World & Brave New World Revisited
Novels:
Brave New World
Lord of the Flies
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Moby Dick
A Farewell to Arms
The Great Gatsby
The Catcher in the Rye
The Scarlet Letter
One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest
Tender is the Night
The Old Man and the Sea
Of Mice and Men
My Name is Asher Lev
The Gift of Asher Lev
Anna Karenina
A Man for All Seasons
The Notebook
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Showing Hospitality
I'm a Christian fiction reader. I have a few authors I read as favorites and truly enjoy reading their stories over and over again. The characters become friends and the stories weave in and out in a slightly unreal, but full of life, way.
I'm currently about half way through one of these books. The pastor of the small church is teaching on hospitality. One of the characters has some commitments that keep her from showing hospitality, but she wants to be an obedient follower of Christ and works to do as much as she can.
For some reason today, this particular part of the story arrested my attention. How often do I show hospitality? How often does my group of friends assume everyone coming to an event should bring something? Is it cultural? Financial? Are we trying to make everyone feel a part?
How often do I feel conviction and instead of focusing on the feeling, I actually focus on changing? I know it's not as often as I should.
I enjoy showing hospitality, but I have learned that it makes people uncomfortable. They want to bring a bottle of wine or the dessert or "no big deal, I just threw the salad together."
Is this hospitality?
I looked up some verses in Scripture that talk about the command to show hospitality.
These verses are from I Peter 4.
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
I want to be obedient in this. I want to show hospitality.
I'm currently about half way through one of these books. The pastor of the small church is teaching on hospitality. One of the characters has some commitments that keep her from showing hospitality, but she wants to be an obedient follower of Christ and works to do as much as she can.
For some reason today, this particular part of the story arrested my attention. How often do I show hospitality? How often does my group of friends assume everyone coming to an event should bring something? Is it cultural? Financial? Are we trying to make everyone feel a part?
How often do I feel conviction and instead of focusing on the feeling, I actually focus on changing? I know it's not as often as I should.
I enjoy showing hospitality, but I have learned that it makes people uncomfortable. They want to bring a bottle of wine or the dessert or "no big deal, I just threw the salad together."
Is this hospitality?
I looked up some verses in Scripture that talk about the command to show hospitality.
These verses are from I Peter 4.
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
I want to be obedient in this. I want to show hospitality.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
