Friday Five Favorites

This week's Friday Five Favorites:

1 Chai tea

There is nothing quite like the aromas of chai enticing the nose on a cool fall morning!

2 Kettle corn

The sweet crunch of kettle corn is a favorite snack!

3 Giving to others 

It might be a lasagna, brownies, and bread, but to someone else it is a gift... 

and to be of help to others with a gift is something I enjoy!

4 Gerber Daisies

Definitely my all time favorite flower- bright and cheery!

5 Quote from C.T. Studd

"If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, 

then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him."

Thought for Thursday: Faith

"We are not here to be overcome, 

but to rise unvanquished after every knockout blow, 

and laugh the laugh of faith, not fear." 

-Amy Carmichael- 

Teacher Tuesday: Eyes

This week in writing we created "Writer's Eyes." These glasses are to be wore to help the students think like writers when they edit their papers. The kids excitedly created their own, unique writer's eyes and chose the color for their lenses. Let's just say they were a little bit excited to make them and see them completed! :)

 Student samples

and my teacher example: :)

This week's top 5 favorites:

1 Fall weather

I love the warm days and cool nights topped with the changing trees and nature!

2 Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Love the smell and taste of pumpkin swirled with coffee to make a delightful cup of warmth and caffeine in the morning! I even experimented with making my own- YUM :)

3 Psalm 37:4-5

Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

4 Conversations with my family

This week has been full of many, but many times that I'll cherish when I look back.

5 The satisfaction of teaching

Have I mentioned that I am loving my teaching experience. It is a wonderful feeling when you can see that the students have learned something and progress can be seen! :)

Just a quote I have been challenged by of late:

A pure heart is one to 

which all that is not of God is strange and jarring. 

(partly thanks to the reminder from my friend from Thy Wonderful Works- check out her blog!)

Teacher Tuesday

There are so many emotions involved in being a teacher and being an emotional person doesn't help! Here are a few I've felt this past week:

-HAPPINESS: To arrive each morning, to greet each child, and to try to teach them something new, makes me happy :)

-SYMPATHY: We've had the tears flowing this past week. It might be from the frustrations of math, the accidents of changing something on the computer, from not understanding an assignment, the heartache to be home because others are sick- the kiddos this week had their tears. It breaks your heart, but you talk with them, give them a Kleenex, and then have to move on.

-LOVE: How can you not when they give you their attention, give you a hug, follow directions, have an "A-HA" moment, are simply teaching. We had Open House last week where the students got to bring their families and show them the classroom, etc. I loved seeing the families, using my Spanish, and seeing the kids excited about where they learn.

-BLESSING: Meetings have been attended, people have been talked to, and I am blessed to be with my cooperating teacher, para, and at the school I'm at. I'm loving it... and have so much to learn.

-SADNESS: When you feel like there is nothing you can do to help a kiddo and situations make things difficult.

-FRUSTRATION: This emotion comes when a child doesn't want to cooperate, a child isn't understanding, a lesson didn't go well, you feel helpless in getting a student what they need, and when there isn't the help given for others.

-LOST: This emotion comes when I don't quite know what to do, where to go, or how to do it with the work from the university and in teaching the kids... but I'm getting there!

-REJOICING & EXCITEMENT: I couldn't help but rejoice today when after we talked about the sun in science towards the end of the day. As I took the kids outside to go home, one little girl turned and walked away with her grandma and said "Today I ........., and we learned about the sun in science." She was excited, and so was I that she would go home and tell someone what she learned! :) Those little moments make you feel like something finally got through!

Monday Meditation: Wait on the Lord

Just a verse I'd like to share with you today:

The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 

{Lamentations 3:25}

Thought for Thursday: Command

Have not I commanded thee? 

Be strong and of a good courage;

be not afraid,

neither be thou dismayed:

for the LORD thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.

{Joshua 1:9}

Teacher Tuesday: This is why

There is the boy who stands short at his tallest, yet stands tall and smiles when he gets things right.

There is the girl who lost her dad due to gang violence and can be difficult to deal with at times.

There is the boy who lost his brother when he was quite young and has trouble with speech and can't write words.

There is the girl who came in one day with one cross eyed and we can't figure out the problem. 

There are the 2 sweet boys who spike their hair and are always ready to please.

There is the girl who has had lice since before school started, but is one of the smartest in the class. 

There is the boy the looks at you with the twinkle of trouble always in his eyes and has issues keeping out of trouble in the bathroom, but can shock you with his reading.

There is the girl with significant delays, who struggles, but tries, but needs total modification.

There is the boy that needs to be reminded to use his inside voice, but loves to learn.

There is the sweet little girl who is shy and smart and gives the biggest smile.

There is the boy that uses his manners, loves to learn, and asks for reading rotations.

There is the girl who loves to show you her new things and loves to give her teachers her colored pictures. 

There is the boy that that can be easily upset, but always tries to surpass his best.

There is the girl who comes in each morning and tells us she's moving.

There is the boy that stands at a short height, hardly speaks English, doesn't know all of his letters and sounds yet, and is constantly in a daze yet has missed almost 1/2 of the school year.

There is the girl that always walks on her tiptoes and has the answer for everything, that loves learning.

There is the boy who was born with 8cm of intestines, was expected to die, but has survived and has a drink that he is constantly drinking to help him and has the cutest dimples!

There is the girl who is constantly trying to please and bleeds pleasure.

There is the boy that missed the first week of school, is quite intelligent, but likes to talk.

There is the girl who comes from a family without much to spare, yet comes each day clean, loving to learn, with her two pigtails.


This is my class. My 21 children for the semester.

It's each time you look into their eyes. 

It's each time you bend down to tie their shoe. 

It's each time that they walk quietly down the hall. 

It's each time that they smile at you and you smile back. 

It's each time you correct them, teach them, give them the care. 

It's each time that they have joy to have a smiley face on their completed paper. 

It's each morning you greet them and each afternoon you tell them to have a good evening. 

It's each and every day...

That makes me fall in love with teaching each and every day!

I have so much to be thankful for. 

Thought for Thursday: Wait for the Lord

       

Teacher Tuesday

Today I taught my first writing lesson. The lesson went well- thankfully J I know what I can work on next time to make the lessons even more explicit and better. I then was able to 1-on-1 conference with 5 students while they did their writing. We are concentrating on using our newly acquired word books as a resource for spelling words. It is a joy watching the students’ writing take off full speed at the age they are at! J

I just wanted to share an interview by school administration of an eager teaching prospect. I have shared it before, but now I understand what the teacher said just that much more… J

"Let me see if I've got this right … 

You want me to go into that room with all those kids, 

and fill their every waking moment with a love for learning. 

And I'm supposed to instill a sense of pride in their ethnicity, 

modify their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse and 

even censor their T-shirt messages and dress habits.

You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, 

check their backpacks for weapons of mass destruction, 

and raise their self esteem.

You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship,

sportsmanship, fair play, how to register to vote, 

how to balance a checkbook, and how to apply for a job.

I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment, 

recognize signs of anti-! social behavior, 

make sure all students pass the mandatory state exams, 

even those who don't come to school regularly or 

complete any of their assignments.

Plus, I am to make sure that all of the students with handicaps 

get an equal education regardless of the extent of their 

mental or physical handicap.

I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone, newsletter and report card.

All of this I am to do with just a piece of chalk, a computer, a few books, 

a bulletin board, a big smile , 

AND on a starting salary that qualifies my family for food stamps!

You want me to do all of this and yet you still expect me....

"NOT TO PRAY"?!

Monday Meditation: God will go before you

A few nights back,  I enjoyed listening to someone speak on the "place in our lives where we are at a crossroads." {Deuteronomy 1: 19-33}

Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.

The Lord your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you... 

{Deuteronomy 1:29-30}

What a great promise... God WILL go before us and he assures us to not fear.

There will be giants in our lives, there will be walls that appear, there will be mountains to face, but we can be assured that we should not be afraid.

Again in Deuteronomy I am encouraged by the reminder...

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: 

for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee;

he will not fail thee, 

nor forsake thee.

{Deuteronomy 31:6}

God will not only go before me... but He will go WITH me. 

Be strong

Be of good courage

Dread not

Do not be afraid of them

Fear not

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 :)

a thought to ponder...

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried; he is a buckler to all those who trust in him.

{Psalm 18:30}

This verse has been brought to my attention several times in the last week- during my personal reading, at a recent conference, and most recently by a good friend. It is a summary of what I stand ahold of when things don't seem to look up, when I lose sight of faith, and when I want to ask "why"- whatever circumstances of life we are in, whether we think them to be good, bad, or tough- HIS way is PERFECT! What a blessed hope :)

The race is on...

The race is on... and you have approached the hurdles on the track.
We are each in a race "pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God" {Phil. 3:14}. We come across the hurdles, as runners in a hurdle track event do.

The question is... when you come to the hurdles, what do you do?
     Do you stumble and knock each hurdle over?
     Do you hit just one and jump the others?
     Do you give up and run around all of them?
     Do you stop and not press on?
     Do you try your best to make it over all of the hurdles?
     Do you fall and trip others in the process?
What do you do?

In life, we each come across hurdles... what do we do?

     Do you stumble and knock each hurdle over?
     Do you hit just one and jump the others?
     Do you give up and run around all of them?
     Do you stop and not press on?
     Do you try your best to make it over all of the hurdles?
     Do you fall and trip others in the process?

God has given us the strength to press on and while we might knock a few hurdles over or tip them, we can get through and over the hurdles of life.

**This illustration was used in ministry the other night and I wanted to share. The message is simple, but may the illustration help each one of us to overcome struggles and hurdles in our lives.**

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 

{James 1: 2-4}

leaving

A few weeks ago I took my seat on a plane, taxied the runway, and took a good look at the ground from air. Then... it settled- there is work to be done.

I have been in this country, this city, with it's people many times before. But as I looked out over the city that I had just spent a week in, it felt as though I had been kicked under the seat I was sitting in- there is work to be done. I have long know this need, but when I looked out over the city, verses I had been reading of late, conviction, and my heart's desire to serve the Lord took full throttle.

There is work to be done.
There are souls that need to hear the gospel.

{Mark 16:15} And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

What am I doing for the Lord? Am I reaching out with the gospel where I am? 

I left that country and I returned to my native land. Each time I have left there I have always said that I leave a bigger piece of my heart behind. There is work for the Lord to be done. Whether it is this city, country, or where I am... the need is great. What am I doing?

I'm back :)

It has been some time since I have written on here and I have been formulating a few posts in my mind to share at a later time! Until those are ready, I will share a few things I am thankful for from this last month...

I am thankful that...
* I was able to finish my courses for my degree at the end of April.
* I was able to complete 5 years and almost 8 months at Sunridge Retirement Community and for the   experience I had that will help me in the days to come.
* I had the opportunity to nanny 2 great kids for the semester :)
* I have a strong family that pushes me (and each other) through times in my life when it becomes  difficult.
* the doors opened for me to spend a great week with my best of friends in Mexico at the beginning  of May.
* I was able to see a great friend of mine graduate from university...
* ... and that I will be able to watch my sister graduate from high school tomorrow and help her  celebrate her success.
* the weather has been great and the flowers are blooming!
* that I received my student teaching placement for fall... I look forward to meeting the cooperating   teacher on Wednesday and I am excited for the challenge and opportunity to work in the school and   area in the city.
* God has been with me every step of the way! :) What a GREAT God I serve and of whom I can  sing His praises!

Just a list of a few things from the last month... I'll try to return again soon :)

if

Just recently I enjoyed reading if: What do I know of Calvary Love? {Amy Carmichael}.
I just want to share a couple parts from the book that were particularly challenging to me:

"if there by any reserve in my giving to Him who so loved that He gave His Dearest for me;

if there be a secret "but" in my prayer, 

"Anything but that, Lord," 

the I know nothing of Calvary love."

"if something I am asked to do for another feels burdensome;

if, yielding to an inward unwillingness,

I avoid doing it,

the I know nothing of Calvary love."

"if the ultimate, the hardest, cannot be asked of me;

if my fellows hesitate to ask it and turn to someone else,

the I know nothing of Calvary love."

"if I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the cross, 

then I know nothing of Calvary love."

I highly recommend this short book; it is 70 pages of challenging words to meditate upon. 

Thanks

Thank you for praying over the last day. God is a God of miracles and to Him we give all credit and thanks.

Have a great Tuesday!

PRAY

Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden. 

-Corrie Ten Boom-

Anything large enough for a wish to light upon, is large enough to hang a prayer upon. 

-George MacDonald-

If I could just ask one simple favor, for the next 36 hours especially, it would be to pray. 

Stress mounting. Wishes crumbling. 

Hearts breaking.Decisions happening. 

Lives changing. The Devil working.  

and there is nothing that can physically be done about it... please PRAY. 

Luke 1:37  For nothing is impossible with God. 


Psalm 107:28-29 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still...

Spring has Sprung

Shades of green in leaves and grass.
Budding and blooming flowers.
Spring rains to wash away the filth of the earth and turn over leaves for new life.

I have enjoyed watching the Spring season take full bloom in the last few week- signs of new life! :)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. {John 5:24}

Do you have life in Him? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and you too can have a new life in Him.

For those who have life in Him: Pray with me for the many gospel outreaches going on around the world that there will be blessing of restoration and salvation- new lives.

I am not skilled to understand

While this song has been in the Believer's Hymn Book (#251) originally written by Dorothy Greenwell- 1873, I have never heard it sung before. However, this song has been on the radio frequently on my trips to and from school. Leaving all of the music aside, the lyrics have been particularly significant to me.
The song begins:

I am not skilled to understand

What God has willed, what God has planned

I only know at His right hand

Stands one who is my Savior

I take Him at His word and deed

"Christ died for sinners"; this I read

And in my heart I find a need

Of Him to be my Savior

To listen to a music recording by Aaron Shust and for the full lyrics: 

Video link

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. {Romans 8:28}