Part of the Life of a Teacher

So...

It is just before 9pm, and I am eating dinner.  Although I often eat later than some people, I try to finish eating before 8pm.  Today is an exception.

This morning I was thinking that I would be able to leave school early because I didn't have much to do, then I would pick up a few groceries and head home to cook dinner.  You have to understand that I don't actually cook that often - I usually reheat leftovers from the freezer.

It ended up being a busy day at school - not because of any specific thing, but probably because other than recesses, I don't have a break on Fridays.  There were also a few random things that I ended up needing to do today - like analyzing placement tests that my new student took.  I also had to do some extra photocopying and finding papers because I am getting another new student on Monday.  This included a trip to another building to find a couple more chairs for my room.

I think it was around 5pm that I actually started my daily grading and planning - so I didn't leave school until after 6pm.  The trip to the grocery store still happened.  Thankfully I had a short list, though I did have to add a stop at Walmart because I needed a balloon for science.

I got home about an hour later and had to unload my stuff and put groceries away.  I snacked a little while I did so, and then decided I was still going to cook something - even though I knew it had to bake an hour after some prep.  Since I wasn't too hungry after my snack I decided to wait until it was finished.  Hence I am just finishing my supper.

I did make a new batch of muffins while my dinner was in the oven.  And, in case you were wondering, there is a difference between mild and medium rotel.

In a few minutes I will eat a fresh muffin, until then I have some clean-up to do.  Then I need to convince my body it is not three hours earlier than it actually is so that I will go to bed.

Moment from today

This afternoon, during a discussion filled with questions and answers, I had one student raise her hand. She had more of a statement than a question, wanting to make sure that I knew it wasn't Bible class.

You see, we had started our Social Studies lesson, which mentioned Philadelphia and the meaning of the name.  Which brought to mind Revelation and the letters to the 7 churches, so I mentioned it to the students.  They were surprised to know that there was also a Philadelphia during Bible times.

From there they asked a whole variety of questions and we talked about the Old and New Testament, the different covenants, the law and grace, the languages in which the Bible was written, the fact that there are many languages in the world without any Bibles (which tied in to a missionary visitor we had share at school a few weeks ago), how Jesus could be from the line of Judah and still be an Israelite if Judah and Israel were two different countries, the fact that a number of men in the Bible had multiple wives, and a variety of other things.

The students seemed genuinely curious, but even if they were simply trying to get me off topic, I would gladly take the extra time to answer their questions about the Bible.  So, when the one girl let reminded me it wasn't Bible class I told her I knew.  I also told her that we can't separate God and the Bible out of the rest of life, they are an important part of all of life.

The students were surprised when it was recess time, not realizing that we had been discussing the Bible (instead of Socials) for almost half an hour.  It was a great discussion and one that I will remember for a long time.

Christmas Music

I turned on Christmas music this evening.

I was feeling somewhat discouraged/sad after reading a few things.  Christmas music seemed like just what I needed.  Partly it was because I love Christmas music and it can be sentimental.  More importantly, I needed to remember the truth and the hope of Christmas.  No matter what is going on in the world, my hope is secure in Jesus, the Savior who came at Christmas over 2000 years ago.  This is something worth celebrating any day! - even if it isn't 'Christmas season'.

A Good Run

I went running today.

The weather was cool, I was home earlier than all of last week, and I needed a shower anyway.

I smelled woodsmoke from someone's fire and apples as I ran past someone's apple tree.

Running here makes me feel like a wuss because there are hills - whereas in Texas and Louisiana where I used to run it was flat.  It doesn't help that I live at the top of a hill, so no matter which way I go, I have to finish by going up hill.

The part that really made my run good was that I saw 5 or more deer.  I slowed down - even though I was going downhill - to let them cross the road in front of me.  When I came back down the road later I saw one again.  I'm not sure if it was another one or the same one.  I am not sure when, if ever, I have been that close to deer.  It reminds me of having a bear cross the road in front of dad and I while we were biking one summer.  Even stranger was the day I had an alligator cross the road in front of me while I was driving.

I am thankful for a healthy body, a beautiful area in which to live, and the variety of God's creation.

It's Official - I live in Washington

As of this weekend, my Washington residence is official.

• I received my WA driver's license in the mail.
• A neighbor helped me put my WA license plates on the car (which included drilling a couple of holes in my front bumper - being from a one plate state it didn't even have an indent for a license plate).
• I received my voter registration in the mail as well.

One thing that might still be lacking is that I haven't been paid in this state yet so I haven't paid my state income tax - oh well, that will come soon enough.

Back in the Northwest

It has been below 70 in my house for a couple of days now (without air conditioning) - I even closed the windows!  I have voluntarily worn socks part of the day two days in a row - they are fun socks.  I even wore a sweatshirt when I went to school this morning.  The weather in the Northwest is definitely different than living in the south.  Although it takes some adjusting, I like it. :)

Another perk of being in this area is the fresh fruit.  Each meeting I have had at school so far has included home grown plums, compliments of our principal.  I have blackberries growing in my backyard, and some in my freezer (thanks dad).  This evening I made an apple crisp with local apples brought to me by one of my student's mom.  YUMMY!

Struggles

Why is it that my current struggle always seems like the hardest one?  Maybe it is because I tend to focus on the struggle and lose perspective.  Maybe because it is hard to compare different kinds of struggles and challenges.

Last night it was good for me to take a step back in perspective and look at try to view my situation from an eternal perspective.  In light of spending eternity before the throne of God, my struggles became much smaller.

I was reminded again to see my situation in light of who God is, rather than seeing God in light of my situation.

"The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." ~ Luke 18:27