Phew!

Well everyone.... I have great news! My toughest week of the semester has passed! Finals week for me has come and gone. Granted, I have a few things here and there to finish out the semester, but for the most part, I can rest.

AND IT FEELS GREAT!

I am not quite sure how I survived it all and with little amounts of coffee I might add. Let me tell you a little bit about how this past week went for me. It began on Monday with a little stresser that I need to attend every chapel except one from here on out to make sure that I pass. It then went into apartment drama for the summer. Last week, Liz my future roommate and I went apartment hunting for the upcoming school year, and God provided a miracle for us to live at an apartment complex resort for only $1200 a month. This price was unheard of for Kirkland from all of our findings earlier that morning. Not to mention, they added on one month's free rent and a discounted move-in fee. But the catch is, we had to get all of our paperwork in and processed by Sunday. 4 girls, and one with a mom living in California. :) Our situation turned out to be more complicated than we thought because we are all in school and in need of parent support. I'll keep it short, so just trust me when I say that it got complicated, stressful, and busy. Although I had all paperwork turned in, thanks to my amazing mother, the lady at the resort got a hold of my phone number to call me to get my roommates going on things. I soon found myself juggling just about everything with the apartment, standing as a mediator amongst all roommates. Approximating 10 somewhat lengthy phone calls a day, just for apartment issues was filling up my plate. At some points during the week, I felt like I was crawling from place to place.

Then, on top of that, I had my teaching final. The night before my biggest teaching final, I lost all of my documents for the assignment... the 8 page lesson plan, the SMART Board presentation/teaching slides, the worksheets, the game boards, the notes, and more. Right about the time I found out that I lost everything, I also was reminded that this final was going to be video taped and placed on my online web portfolio for teaching. The web portfolio acts as a resume that all school districts I apply for will view.

Add on a few more small stresses that aren't worth writing about, and it makes for a busy week. However, throughout this week, it was comforting to see the maturity that has grown in me since I first came to Northwest. I handled situations by grabbing hold of God's peace, comfort, and wisdom. Maybe sometimes God takes us through situations so that we can see where we are now, in comparison to where we once were. Being able to see my own growth amidst busy situations inspires me and encourages me. God is faithful always and he loves to see his childrens' faith grow.

Let's celebrate the closing of a school year!

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Its Hailing!

This morning I looked out my window and was very excited that it was going to be a beautiful day! The sun was shining and it looked a little on the warmer side. I was just getting ready to put my shoes on to head outside ready to enjoy the beautiful day... but wala! It was not longer dry outside...I think that winter has finally made it to Washington because we have hail!

It isn't falling fast like you would normally see in a rain storm. Its, in fact, very sunny outside and the hail seems to be falling like snow!

Its so pretty outside! The hail has decorated the grass, the trees, and all the roof tops with a beautiful dash of white. Its going to be a good Thursday :)

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A New Series!

Stephen has been doing so many sweet things for me, so I decided that he deserves his own section on my blog :)

Everyone who reads my blog knows that I have homework coming out my ears all the time. Stephen has homework too, but he definitely runs out of stuff to do before I am finished with mine. So, in his spare time while I am still finishing up and focusing on homework, he decided to spend it by planning out sweet ideas to surprise me.

Here was something that he did for me probably around a week or two ago:

After one of my really long days of school, he showed up at my apartment door. He told me to dress warm and grab a blindfold. He took me outside and spun me around several times to get me confused about which direction we would be heading. After some time of fully trusting that he would guide me safely (of which he did because I didn't trip once!), he picked up and began to carry me. I had no idea where we were or what was going on. I knew that we had to be on rough ground because he had to pick me up. He was doing all sorts of crazy shuffles with his feet, and I just couldn't figure it out. Well after a few pit stops so that he could set me down and take a rest, he released my blindfold.

And there we were, in the middle of a huge crater in the woods of our favorite trails. He had set up speakers so that we could dance under the stars together. Although we didn't stay long because it was so cold outside, it was the perfect moment to relax me from my busy day.

I'm so thankful for this man that was brought into my life. He sure makes it easy to count my blessings.

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Wednesdays in the Word-Something Different

This Wednesday in the Word blogpost has gone through several changes before the actual publishing, which kind of reflects the process by which God works in me to provide me with His answers. At first I was confused and questioning, which is how this blogpost started at 9am. I couldn't quite grasp what I wanted to say about a specific issue in my life, so I was going to open up this blogpost to discussion. Still not being able to put my thoughts into words, I hit save and went on with my day. I spent lots of time in prayer, trying to gather my thoughts for this blog.  Here is the verse that had me more confused than ever, which seems weird because this verse is very self-explanatory and simple. I guess that's how God keeps his Word fresh and new every time we read it. Because each time we read a verse, we are at a different, and hopefully more mature, point in our lives, so the verse stands out in a new way.

Galations 1:10 says:
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Still unable to fully process my thoughts, I sat down with Stephen to get everything out. Stephen knows just how to talk to me and help me out. He lets me vent out my thoughts, then he processes and gives me great comforting words of wisdom. By the end of our talk, things just clicked, and I thought to myself, duh, its that simple... Now I'll share.

So last week in my blog, I talked a little bit about pleasing God, rather than men. I said that often times its hard to dismiss man's opinion because we believe that man is a good judge of our character. Well... sometimes they are...sometimes they aren't. I have been struggling lately with trying to decide which judgments I should take in as true to change a part of my character and which judgments I should dismiss because of falsehood. Let me try to explain further. Each day, I ask the Lord to refine me; to sharpen me; to bring out any faults so that I might become closer and more like Him every single day. Its just a moment of reflection to examine myself. So, when a person calls me out on something, I reflect because maybe that is something that I need to change in myself.

But I came to a fork in the road where I couldn't find a balance between over thinking my character and actually listening to God.

I always understood this idea of pleasing men as just trying to make them happy. However, the idea of pleasing men actually goes a lot deeper than just trying to appease someone, because when you focus on pleasing men, your focus is taken off of God. Therefore, when you begin to get the approval of man, you then begin to please or applaud yourself. So if you are feeling discomfort because you are focused on pleasing someone, and then you finally get to a point of pleasing them, then you feel at peace. Yet this peace is only short term because it comes from the approval of man. Its like saying, "Yes, ok we're good! Phew. Finally I have peace because I now have their approval. But what? You say I need to please you by doing more?" This peace is short term because it is focused on an approval that can never be met. How exhausting to have to keep this up. I want a peace that is long lasting. When your focused on God, you know the truth and understand it, and that's all that matters. If you are leading a pure life and someone disclaims that or is in disbelief about it, who cares! Don't stress about it. Don't worry about it because God knows.

And that's all that matters.

If you are not at peace (like I was), put your eyes on God the Father (and God the Father only) and he'll show you peace.

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Wednesdays in the Word

I feel a little lost for words today, so this blogpost may not make much sense. It may be jumbled with many different thoughts, rather than one focused thought. God is just teaching me so many things and working out so many things right now. But you know, I prayed for God to teach me, and I am thankful for the discomforts that happen in my life because those discomforts teach me something new and draw me nearer to God. I heard in a podcast the other day: Yesterday's faith was great, but it is not good enough for what God has for you today. Each day our faith needs to be stretched to the plans that God is preparing us for.

You know, sometimes I don't understand the things that God is doing in my life. Sometimes I don't understand why certain events have to take place. I don't understand why scary or disappointing events happen, but I do know and trust this: That in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. God works everything together in my life (and your life too), that I give to Him, for my good. For that reason, act in obedience. You know, its amazing what the Lord does when you act in obedience to Him. Let me say that again, it is amazing what the Lord does when you act in obedience to Him. Wow... as I was writing that, I saw the power that is in speaking God's name. I learned in a panel discussion of educators yesterday that children love to hear their own name. If a teacher says a student's name, "Lucy, that is a great job you are doing today," the child feels a sense of importance. She feels loved because someone cared to take the time to learn her name. Someone cared to notice her and speak to her as an individual, not just someone lost in a crowd. It inspires students and drives them to do better. Well you know, the God of the universe calls out your name. In Isaiah 43:1, it says, "I call you by name and you are Mine." I'm thankful for that today. Thankful that no matter what goes on around me, I have God looking into my eyes, giving me comfort, and calling me by name. He sees me where I am and tells me through my name that I am important, that I am loved, and that I do not go unnoticed in His eyes.

Who needs to please man when we have a God of the universe to look to. If God approves of something, if God says ok, then why do we look to man for him to say ok, too? I think sometimes I care about pleasing man because I somehow believe that man has better judgment than God. Sometimes man does actually have good judgment, and it helps my character and walk with God, but other times, it is not man who I should look to for advice because man is not perfect. I don't know about you, but looking to man for approval is too heavy a burden for me. Jesus says that if your burden is heavy, come to Him and He will give you rest. That is easier said than done, but it is the raw truth. Look to God in times of man's disapproval, and He will comfort you. He will say your name. He will guide your path.

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Wednesdays in the Word

On Monday night at... say about 1am (so I suppose that would be Tuesday morning) I realized that I had a 45 minute teaching lesson to give that next morning at 10:30am. I had somehow completely forgotten about it. It was not on my calendar and by the grace of God I remembered that I had to give this lesson. I suppose it is better to remember the night before rather than to not remember at all. I knew that it had to be an art lesson on chalk pastels, so I needed to gather all of the supplies and put together a fun-filled learning experience for 3rd graders. My professor requires a lot of us. My typed up lesson plan, meeting all of the requirements, was completed at 8 pages. This takes time. I also had to create a sample of the artwork that the students would be making and provide examples of art from various artists that would correspond with the lesson. I had to create a PowerPoint that would assist the students in learning the correct techniques of using chalk pastels. Now let me remind you that I am not really a night owl anymore. I used to be able to run off of only a few hours of sleep, but as I have gotten older, I have learned the importance of getting a full 8 hours of sleep. However that night, I knew that I would not be able to. To cut down the story, I ended up finally getting to bed at exactly 4 am and waking up at 8am to look professional, run some quick errands, and prepare the rest of my lesson.

Your attitude in situations like these makes all the difference. My life as I view it is very blessed. Things are working out for me in relationships, education, family, and more. And sometimes its easy to become prideful in the life you lead. I had been praying for the Lord to stretch my faith. I wanted to be sure that every moment of my day was fully reliant on Him, rather than on myself and my own efforts. I asked God to teach me to pray. Teach me to think. Teach me to know.

And then this moment came at 1am on Tuesday morning. Yet instead of either crawling in a corner and crying or saying "poor me poor me." I was rejoicing! Rejoicing in a trial because that trial really proved to me that I needed to lean on the Lord for his strength and endurance. That without Him, I could not have taught that lesson to the best of my ability. Thank the Lord for trials like this that come along. Because of that trial, my day was filled with excessive amounts of joy because every moment I was mindful of God and leaning on Him.

Your attitude is a choice. You can choose to be a downer when situations come along. OR. you can choose to walk in joy with the Lord. And let me encourage you today... the second choice is the way to go. God won't let you down. If God asks you to do something, He does not say "Do this. Ok now you're all on your own. Let's see how you do." No, instead the Lord asks you to do something and is right there beside you every step of the way. He's teaching you and growing you closer to Him through that trial in your life. So why do we weep when difficult situations come our way? The Bible says in Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

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Wednesdays in the Word

Times when I get to come home are so refreshing. It lets me wind down from the craziness of school and catch a breathe. One of the things that I love to do most when I am home is to play the piano when no one is around. I have played everyday since I've been home for at least 3 hours. Its a time set aside, with no distractions to really focus in on God and who He is. Don't you think He deserves our time? Every second of our day should be lived in accordance to Him, but I especially crave these moments with God where it is just me and Him. No distractions. No busyness. It is a time for replenishing. Replenishing means to fill or make complete again; to inspire or nourish. We need to nourish ourselves with God's word and place it in our hearts. 

One of my favorite verses, James 1:2-4, says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. And let perseverance finish its work so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." As I have been playing the piano, a certain song has been penetrating my heart. Its called Arms Open Wide by Hillsong. I just love the lyrics to it.

Take my life, I lay it down>

At the cross where I am found>

All I have I give to you, oh God.

Take my hands and make them clean.

Keep my heart in purity.

That I may walk in all You have for me.

Here I stand arms open wide

I am Yours,

and You are mine.

Take my moments and my days.

Let each breathe that I take

Be ever only for You, oh God.

My whole life is Yours.

I give it all surrendered to Your name.

And forever I will say, "Have Your way,

Have Your way!" 

Arms Open Wide Video 

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And She's Back!!!

Hi everyone!! Looks like I'm back again! Its Spring Break and the loads of school have been lifted for a short time, so I've decided to use this as a catalyst to get me back on the blog! I don't even know where to begin. My life on a usual weekly basis consists of Children's Choir, Meetings, Homework loads like you wouldn't believe (including projects, writing lesson plans, and teaching), keeping up with my 3 amazing roommates, keeping up with other great girl friends, Youth Group, Small Group during the week, Worship Practice, and church on Sunday mornings. On top of that I throw on the three important things of keeping up with my family both in California and Washington (and Mississippi!), growing in a healthy relationship with Stephen, and most importantly, keeping in close relationship with the Great Lord Almighty.

Although my life is almost insanely busy, I love every minute of every day. I love what I do in school (even my homework, yes). Each day I become more and more excited about my future. And every day I become closer and closer to God. Its amazing to have a man in my life that strengthens my walk with God every single day and keeps me sane during my crazy Thursdays. The Lord has filled this semester with so many blessings. I am so grateful.

Tomorrow and all this week, I will be giving you updates on what's going on here in the land of good 'ol Turlock (including pictures). Also! Tomorrow is Wednesday, so I'll bring a small word from the Lord to my blog as well. When I get back from Spring Break next Sunday, then I will go into more detail of all that I listed above and what's been happening this semester at school. For now, I'd just like to focus on where I'm at now, and that's with my family at home, sweet home.

PS- HAPPY BIRTHDAY SETH!

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Little Teddy

This was a story read to me in one of my teaching methods classes at Northwest University. I have read it several times and have cried every time. I know that it is long, but please take the time to read it. It will truly warm your heart.

There is a story many years ago of an elementary teacher. Her name was Mrs. Thompson. And as she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. But that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers. At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught,  she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners...he is a joy to be around." His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well-liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle." His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken." Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume. She stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist.

Teddy stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, second in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life. Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer. The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stollard, M.D.

The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. 

Of course, Mrs. Thompson, did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. They hugged each other, and Teddy whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you, Mrs. Thompson, for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference." Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."

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Welcoming a New Panamanian Brother in Christ!

 

Its time for celebration!!!!! I just got an email from our family in Christ down in Panama informing me that my student Abraham decided to give his life to Christ and was just baptized! After my team and I left, he decided to continue studying the Word with one of our good friends, a minister at the Metropolitan church named Elio. While in Panama this summer, I remember being disappointed that we could not have more students for our shedule. I wanted to reach as many people as possible. I wanted more in numbers in all of my excitement. Yet, the Lord blessed even our small numbers. In fact, if there had been more students, I would not have been able to spend as much time with the few students that I had. Praise the Lord for this new brother that was brought into the Kingdom of God! May we continue as a body in Christ to branch out and reach more for God's Kingdom!

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Chickens on the Porch?

 

You may be wondering what these are... Its not everyday that you see boxes of chickens on your back porch. Yep! That's right! We have chickens on our back porch.

This week is what our school likes to call Screaming Eagles Week. Its a week of competition and outrageous games among all the different floors. Since my roommate is the Secretary of Activities at NU, she has helped put on the main event which occurs tonight, called Floor Olympics. And this year, it involves....chickens. So we're storing them on our back porch until the event tonight. Last night, I watched Krissa (my roommate) feed them apples before bed. I go outside to say hi occasionally, and they politely bawk back. I'm not so sure that I'll miss those little smelly ones on our back porch, but it sure is a treat to have their company for a short while :) Here are two pictures from my past participation in Floor Olympics.

Survivor TV show theme

Dr. Suess theme

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A New Blog

I have added a new blog as a requirement for my Technology in Education class at Northwest called "Miss Williams' Spot." It will most likely be a of no interest to you, but I thought that I would explain the new add just in case you were wondering. This blog will log my progress in the class, and hopefully will be a strong portfolio of work in the future. You are welcome to check in on the blog; however, it probably won't be very exciting yet, being that I am just learning about all of the new teaching technologies. When something exciting comes up in the class that I have posted on the blog, I will attach a link to this blog site. We will be doing all sorts of creative and fun things related to teaching. I'm very excited for this class.

Miss Williams' Spot

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Wednesdays in the Word- Curveballs

My mom just sent me a text message that reads, "When you get a chance, read Philippians 4:6-7. It sure helps me. Can't wait to see you!" So I looked up Philippians 4:6-7...its a familiar verse that most know, and this is how it goes...

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hears and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Over the past couple days, I have been in trying circumstances that really test my patience and my trust in the Lord. I had to jump my car in the pouring down rain, while sparks were flying all around my hands as I tried to attach the cables. My phone was ran over and was toast, never to work again. Then I was in a minor car accident. Praise God no one was hurt, but the damage on the car is not too pleasant. Just when I thought things couldn't get much worse, my school schedule went up in flames, resulting in many unfortunate misunderstandings and frustrations between a professor and myself. There were schedule conflicts with the youth ministry I'm involved in. I have no food in my apartment because I have no car to get to a grocery store. I'm going off of the small amounts of food that were able to be left in my cupboards over break. And on top of all of this, I have a cold that makes it hard for me to sleep at night. And every time I would kneel down to pray...my insurance company would call.

I say all of this not to complain, but to hopefully show that even through trying circumstances that pile up one after another, I can have complete peace. I can let my mind be at rest because I know that my God is with me and that He has my hand through all of this. The Bible tells me not to be anxious about any of these situations, but instead to pray about them.

The verse also tells me to pray with thanksgiving in my heart, even through these situations. I think that this is very important. Sometimes that can be hard to do, but when I step back and look at the big picture, I know that God has everything in control, and for that I can be thankful.

So I encourage you today. If you are going through a hard time... don't just roll your eyes at this verse you think you've heard a million times. God's word never goes dry and never grows old. There is always something new and fresh to take from His word. Remember that we can have complete peace through our hardships, so there is no need to be anxious. Use God as your umbrella in the rain.

PS- Thanks mama for your encouraging words :)

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