Thought for Thursday: walking with Him

"Be assured, if you walk with Him and look to Him, 

He will never fail you."

{George Mueller}

Teacher Tuesday: a few days late!

I'm posting late again this week... time just seems to fly since I've been student teaching! :)

I began teaching my first daily lesson on Monday. It might only be calendar time, but calendar time is full of important little items that children need to learn, including date, months, graphs, money, adding, subtracting, "daily news," and more! The surprise on Monday though, was that the principal decided to stop in on her rounds into classrooms, which made me a little more nervous. She complimented that I did a "great job getting the students started for the day and that [I] had a confident presence." All I could do was contain my nerves and focus on what I was doing!! Thankfully, each day has gotten easier and more enjoyable! :)

Next week I begin teaching writer's workshop... let the fun begin! :)

The kids are so sweet and eager (even despite a few issues we've had)! A smile can make all the difference! :)

Their joke of the day: "What kind of pet does the sun have?" A hot dog :)
         (They think it is hilarious!)

Tomorrow is Friday AND it is heading into a 3 day weekend! :)

The following is the song we sing each morning to reinforce the days of the week!! 

(We sing a closely adapted version) :)

Monday Meditation: Because He Lives

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Saviour lives.

CHORUS
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

CHORUS

And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

CHORUS

**Enjoy the truth of God's grace... because He died and rose again...He lives.

{Classroom Reveal}

Walking straight ahead is the classroom...
the bulletin board now has their colored "superheroes" with their own faces!

Looking at the front of the classroom from the door (and my "desk")

Looking at the room from the front of the classroom

Another view from the front of the classroom looking towards the door. 

My "desk"... I now have some pictures posted above the baskets too. 

Of course there have been a few changes to the classroom as the students have settled in... but let the fun begin :)

Thought for Thursday: heart work

"If you would prosper in your work for Jesus, 

let it be heart work, 

and let it be done with all your heart."

{Spurgeon}

Teacher Tuesday: It's only the beginning :)

Monday I entered the classroom as a student teacher. I'd say a huge bundle of nerves tied together with excitement would have explained how I felt! 

Over the past few days I have learned... 
1. just how much I LOVE being in the classroom. 
2. the true meaning of naps, snacks, coffee, and chocolate. 
3. that having an organized planner really relieves anxiety. 
4. that 1st graders have the funniest conversation topics and stories!
5. that lice makes the classroom more difficult... and the thought alone makes my head   
    itch. 
6. that a smile and care cane make all the difference... and seeing the change in a child 
   as a result is a fabulous feeling. 

7. that being called "Miss Fitch" and "Teacher" is a great feeling to get used to!

Favorite statements from the day:
**I love being taller than the 1st graders... and on the first day I wore 4-or-so inch heels. While picking the kids up from their specials class on boy looks up at me and says "Teacher... I mean, uh, Miss Fitch, uh, I think you got a little taller." Sadly it wasn't the truth but it made my short stature smile :)

**When reading a book about everyone having a talent... one girl's acclaimed talent was "shoe shopping" :) This is a girl I could get along with ;) 

So far I'm loving 1st grade :) 

A little humor

I will have the Teacher Tuesday post ready soon, but in the meantime enjoy the following picture :) 

If it counts then I am in excellent shape! ;)

I hope you at least smiled :) 

Monday Meditation: Victory

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

{Romans 8:37-39}

We have victory through Jesus Christ who loves us and gave his life for us. Nothing can separate us from Him- nothing. We are given questions, trials, and difficulties, but the hard times in life cannot break the chain of love that binds us to the Savior. 

Enjoy your week- whatever it may bring. Enjoy His love. We have victory through Him. 

I heard an old, old story
How a Saviour came from glory
How he gave his life on Calvary 
To save someone like me...

Oh, victory in Jesus, 
My Saviour forever,
He sought me and he bought me
with His redeeming blood. 

He loved me ere I knew him, 
And all my love is due him
He plunged me to victory
Beneath the cleansing flood.

Thought for Thursday: in the clouds of fire

"But did the clouds rain fire, and the earth open beneath me, I would not stir; 

for I know Who planted me here; 

and as long as He wills me to stand, 

neither men nor devils can move me hence!"

"Where justice is, there are the wings of the Most High stretched out as a shield."

{Scottish Chiefs}

Teacher Tuesday: Day 1

Today was the first day I entered the classroom as an official student teacher. The emotions were rushing: anxiety, nerves, anticipation, excitement, wonder... on top of fatigue! :)

I did learn a few things as my cooperating teacher and I prepared ourselves for the incoming class of first graders.
1. There is a lot more that goes into prepping a classroom that meets the eye.
2. Moving heavy tables, bookcases, and desks can be awfully tiring.
3. Hot tea in my to-go mug is much needed in the morning.
4. First impressions are everything... and there were alot of those today!
5. Staff meetings can be long and overwhelming (for me especially on my first day!)!
6. Chocolate is going to be a must have in some secret location for me!
7. I think I will like working with my cooperating teachers, grade-level teachers, and the others in the
   school.
8. I am excited to see where the semester takes me! :)
9. Preparing a classroom, meeting lots of new people, getting acquainted with the school, and all that
    happens the first few days is tiring!
10. I know I'm going to like this :)

Teaching is definitely for me... can't wait to meet some of the children and families at Meet the Teacher night on Thursday and to begin working with them on Monday! More stories to come! :)

{Amanda}

P.S. I accept gifts, deliveries, and tea, coffee, and chocolate in case you were wondering :)

Monday Meditation: For everything there is a time

Ecclesiastes 3 (vs 1-8)

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; 

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; 

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; 

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; 

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; 

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; 

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; 

a time of war, and a time of peace. 

Just thinking upon these things today as I head home. 

There is a time for everything... everything in His time. 

Summer Siesta

I took an unplanned break from my blog this summer.

I return home shortly after another month in Mexico. I have studied Spanish for many hours a day, worked hard, laughed lots, slept little (compared to what I'd wish for), planned, prayed hard, enjoyed being with the Christians and workers in Zapopan (and other areas), helped in a series of children's meetings, seeing a few friends after a long time apart, and growing closer with others. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit and study the language here another summer. I have learned more than I could ever share and have been challenged in many ways.

As I come awake from this siesta I am starting something new on my blog.
First, I would like to thank a good friend for helping change the blog's look into something new and helping me get things going again! Thanks (J)! :)

Second, I would like to introduce my new themes.

On Mondays I would like to share little meditations of scripture 

and thoughts I have been enjoying with you. 

 Since I start my student teaching practicum next week, I would like to share stories or 

snippets of my experience. Being in a first grade classroom there is bound to be funny, sad, 

frustrating, exciting, joyful... just about any kind of story this semester!

On Thursdays I would like to share a thought with you... 

it might be a quote, a piece I've been challenged by, a question, a verse... 

something to think about on Thursdays!

I hope you enjoy the blog and my new themes I will be trying my best to stick to. Seeing as the title of my blog implies procrastination... and I am a procrastinator... I am going to work at getting everything up in time :) Stayed tuned for the start on Monday!

-Amanda :)