Snow Days!

Several weeks ago we woke up on a Sunday morning to SNOW! Now, the problem with boardiong schools is that there is no such thing as a snow day. Our whole staff and all the students live on campus, so even wehn we have snow, we still have school (although we start late to let the kids play for a while). However, this year, we only had a periodic sprinkling of snow, but it never really lasted. However, one beautiful Sunday morning, we actually had enough snow to play in. Luckily the girls way up pleanty early so we were able to go play outside before getting ready for church.

Throwing a few snowballs

Who needs to scrape snow when you have a dorm full of girls!

Despite the confused look, they really did have fun!

I love these girls!

So precious!

 

Now, I have to admit I am enjoying the beautiful spring weather. Although, wind has taken on a whole new meaning. Nothing like 30+ mph sustained winds! However, the sunshine is beautiful and I love that it's warming up!

I’m terrible at keeping this thing updated. Seriously, I always think I’m going to do better, but no. Yes, life is crazy, but I think it’s important to take time to reflect on it too. So let’s review the last month and a half.

A. Third quarter is done! Grades are done, and parent teacher conferences are Thursday. Hopefully I will have a chance to talk briefly to all the parents of my students! The girls did better this quarter academically and hopefully we continue to make progress this quarter. We’re starting fractions in math, so I’m praying that goes well.

B. On Friday I travelled to Phoenix with the 6th through 8^th graders to go to the Rock and Worship Roadshow. It was fun, although a late night. Watching the kids worship God in a huge crowd was awesome. There were moments when the bus drive home was not so fun (we got back at 3:15 AM), but it was a great experience. You can enjoy this little clip for fun.

C. I’m taking a love and logic class. I missed the training at the beginning of the year, so now we are doing a class for all the new people. My students get to take Navajo twice a week while I am gone, and so it works out well. I’m learning a lot, and attempting to work on applying it as I go. Love and Logic is a really cool program, and I really recommend it to teachers or parents, or pretty much anyone who works with kids. www.loveandlogic.com

D.  I am also taking a smart board training class. 3 hours on a Monday night is a little bit long, but I’m excited about all the things I’m learning. Clueless about smart boards? They are interactive white boards.  They can make learning a lot of fun, but take a bit of prep time, so hopefully as I learn how to use them better it will become easier. www.smarttech.com

E. In the dorm we are back up to 16 girls. We had reached 16 in January, then lost 2, and now have gain two who left at the beginning of October. It’s exciting to have them back, and fun to have a big dorm. The girls are doing fairly well, although periodic sickness plagues us all (ear infections, strep throat, etc.—lots of kids on different medicine at any given time).

F. Today was my first day of teaching music. As the 3^rd/4^th teacher just began teaching an elective for the last 30 minutes of the day, I now have her students. After trying to figure out what to do, it seems that music is one thing I can teach to all the students at the same time. Of course, I still need to figure out what exactly I am teaching them all. (We decided less than 3 hours before I had them exactly what to do, so now I need to do some major planning.) If you have any ideas, please let me know!

G. In February we had a 5 day weekend, which was lovely. I spent two days in Phoenix, which was a lot of fun (and included a lot of shopping!). I also drove through Sedona, which is gorgeous. It was a great relaxing few days, although I did spend 10 hours doing laundry one day to de-lice the dorm.

Spring is here (at least weather wise), and I’m enjoying the new challenges each day brings. Watching these kids grown and learn is such an awesome experience. Some days I wonder if any progress is being made, and other days I see amazing growth. No two days are the same, and I wouldn’t trade any of it. I love begin able to see God work, and know that at the end of the day, it is all in His hands, not mine.

My random thoughts on a Friday night

I want to share a few things, all of which address different passions in my life: education, faith, and kids, particular my students at SVIS.

First, a friend of mine posted this on facebook, and I loved it. It made me think, and made me really evaluate what I think about teaching and learning. That's not to say I agree with everything, or think it will solve the worlds problems, but something to think about. Besides, I think it presents the ideas in a new and different way that kept my attention- always a good thing! (Thanks Tori!)

Second, I have been thinking recently about what it means to be a woman of God. I'm pretty sure there is no box we all fit in, after all I know many women who love and follow God with their whole heart, and they are not all the same. They are all different, which leads me to believe that there is no one path we all must follow. (Not that this is news to anyone, but just has been in my thoughts recently.) But I'd love to hear your thoughts. What does it mean to be a woman of God? How do we as women live passionately for Jesus? What does it look like for you personally?

Third, I had a wonderful moment with one of my girls this week. There is a spot on the board that we right prayer requests. On Tuesday, one of my students asked to write one down. She asked for prayer for the teachers, dorm parents, and staff. Coming from a student who regularly tells me she hate me (which translates to I don't like what you are asking me to do right now) it was really cool to see an acknowledgement of the staff, and know she had a desire to pray for us. How cool is that!

Now, it's Friday night, and I have great ambitions to sleep in tomorrow... all the way till about 7:30 AM!!!! Let's hope the girls all sleep that long, and allow the tired dorm parents a little extra sleep. (I usually wake up about 6:15, so this really is sleeping in!)

A New Year!

I have these great intentions of blogging more often, but some how life gets in the way. The kids have been back a week now, and for the most part, we are back to normal. Of course, 'normal' doesn't really exist, so who knows what we are back to. We did get 6 new kids so far this semester: two 7th graders, and then a 6th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd grader. This adds 4 new girls to the dorm, which is pretty exciting, bringing us up to 15 total. I'm torn between being sad there are no new 5th graders, and being relieved. I mean a new student would be fun, but a lot of work, and strangely, I don't really need any more of that. These three provide plenty of work themselves. :)

We also have already begun the lice fight this year. Amazing how quick that stuff takes over. Seriously, it never ends! Some day the bug will all be gone. On a cool note though, we got to look at a lice in a  microscope, which was great for the kids! Gross, but great. I mean, have you ever seen a lice in a microscope? That is one gross bug! Especially when you can see the blood in it that came out of someones head.
I'd like to leave you with these lyrics. A friend posted this song on her facebook, and I listened to it today with the kids. I love it, because it is so true. (And no, I am not in great suffering or anything, I just love the message of believing in God's hope, and taking Him at his word.)

Carry Me (written by Audrey Assad and Phillip Larue, sung by Audrey Assad)
Pain is a forest we all get lost in
Between the branches hope can be so hard to see
And in the darkness we've all got questions
We're all just trying to make sense out of suffering but

You say I am blessed because of this
So, I choose to believe
As I carry this cross, You'll carry me
Help me believe it

Fear is a current we all get caught in
And in its motion faith can be so hard to find
And we all falter 'cause we're all broken
We're all just trying to turn the shadows into light but

You get glory in the midst of this
And You're walking with me
And you say I am blessed because of this
So, I choose to believe
As I carry this cross, You'll carry me

And I know Your promises are faithful
And God, I've seen Your goodness in my life
And oh, I've found Your mercy is a river
Your love is an ocean wide

You say I am blessed because of this
You get glory in the midst of this
And You're walking with me

And You say I am blessed because of this
So, I choose to believe
As I carry this cross, as I carry this cross
'Cause as I carry this cross, You'll carry me

You'll carry me, God
You'll carry me
And Your love is an ocean wide

ODAA and Christmas

About a year ago, I was serving as an intern in camping ministry. Trying to write a job description is fairly difficult for such a job, as it can and did include just about anything. Besides there is this addition at the end of such a job description that says, "other duties as assigned". There is a very similar clause at the end of my contract here at Sun Valley as well. It seems to be common in ministries. I think it's actually part of our job descriptions as Christians as well. We're called to love others, and all of that, but I feel there is this extra part at the end, which reads "whatever God calls you to do."

It's so easy to want to yell, "but that's not my job", whether at God or an employer. "I didn't sign up for this!" But as a Christian, as a servant of Christ, we are called to do what he want us to do. It's funny, I never set out to go into missions. Oh, I wasn't against it, but I never really felt like that was the purpose of my life. Strangely though, both jobs God has called me to since college have been in ministry and missions. God has put passions in my heart that have led me into ministry. I love it, but it's hard. Regardless of where I work or what I do though, God will always have that clause at the end of my job description. Ministry is not confined to specific jobs or organizations. It's a part of our life as Christians. Maybe it's teaching Sunday school, maybe volunteering at  homeless shelter. Maybe it's as simple as helping someone pick up something they dropped. I think ministry is not what we do, but how we live our lives.

This last week, we began to study Ruth, which is a book I love. The curriculum suggested we sign "It is well" and since it is one of my favorite songs, we did just that. One of the challenges in my life is to learn to be able to say that. Yesterday was a tough day. It was long day, and it was more than slightly stressful and frustrating. Yet, what do I truly have to complain about? Sure, the fact that I work with kids who can be incredibly disrespectful and defiant is not my favorite. And yes, it's been a long day, and I often end up exhausted every night (and all too often mornings as well). But what I am here for anyway? What is my perspective?

As Christmas time is almost here (yay!), I came across these lyrics again the other day. The song is familiar, but it's story add more meaning. It was written during the Civil War by Henry W. Longfellow. The despair in the third stanza is all too familiar, but the hope in the fourth we sometimes forget. God is not dead, and He does still give peace. In the end, God will win, right will prevail, and there will be peace on earth, even if it does not come till the end of the world.

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th' unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
'There is no peace on earth, ' I said
'For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.'

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
'God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.'

Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Things to be thankful for.

As a teacher I asked my kids to share things they were thankful for, either to a specific person or just a general list. It so easy to skip over this myself, but I am determined to make an effort to list my blessings.  So here goes.

I'm thankful that I know my God. The God who loves me no matter what happens, who listens to me ask the same questions, who holds me in his hands no matter what.

I'm thankful for my parents. They introduced me to this God, and they support me in pursuing my passions, no matter how little it pays. They love me and show me what faith is.

I'm thankful for my brother and sister, and the relationship I have with them. They don't beat me up, physically or emotionally. They are supportive of me.

I'm thankful for this crazy last year. The ups and downs, the good and the bad. The tears and the laughter. The pain and the joy. I'm thankful (at least I'm working on it) for the hard times, where I could not see where God was leading me. Because I know God has led me step by step, and he has brought me through it all. He has never left me. He has brought me to the perfect place for the perfect time. And he does it continually.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to work in a community of believers. I love the support I receive. It's hard as we sometimes have to remember we are all fallen humans, and we don't have it right, but I am blessed to walk with others who serve the same God.

I'm thankful for heat, light and running water. I may have to carry my drinking water, but I can take a shower and wash my dishes by turning on a faucet. Also, I can stay warm when it's freezing cold outside.

I'm thankful for God's amazing creation I see every day. As I now live in a new part of the country, it's amazing to see what variety there is in this world, and how beautiful it all is.  

I'm thankful for a a job and a place to live (they happen to be the same for me). I love working in a place where you can't go a day without needing God (heck, you often can't go 10 minutes). I love working with these kids, no matter how crazy they make me, because they challenge me, and force me to draw closer to God.

I'm thankful for the kids I serve every day. I often forget that my job is not to parent or teach first and foremost, but to serve them and show them Christ. That is so hard to do, and it takes a lot of work. But I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve them.

I'm thankful for friends, the ones I can call at any time, who love me and push me to seek Christ in new and different ways. I'm blessed to know so many people who challenge me to pursue Christ and walk that path with me.

I'm thankful for my grandma, who let me crash at her house countless times last year and continues to store a little bit of my stuff, for the open door she offered. I'm blessed to have family who love me and care for me.

I'm thankful for camp, because I know it has changed my life, and challenged me so much. I'm thankful for leaders who have pushed me. I'm thankful for being able to watch over 100 kids come to know Christ this summer. I'm thankful for the summers and year I spent at Miracle Ranch, and the summer at Arrowhead Lutheran Camp. I'm thankful for the staffs I have worked with and the amazing people I have met.

I'm thankful for Sun Valley Indian School, a place that was never on my radar, that I have come to call home. I'm blessed to work at such a place.

I am above all thankful for Jesus, who died on the cross for my sins that I might have a relationship with him. I all too often take for granted my relationship with Jesus, and forget that there was a big price tag attached to it.

5th Grade- The Adventure Continues

On Monday, I started a brand new adventure: teaching. Not like substituting, but full time teaching: in my own classroom, for the rest of the year. A few weeks ago I was asked to consider taking over the 5th grade class. They had a wonderful teacher, but his passion is high school social studies, not 5th grade with only girls. So on Monday, after a week or so of observing and lesson writing, I took over completely and began teaching.
It's strange, because I did not feel like teaching after I got my degree. In fact, even when I moved here 2 months ago, it was not my intention. Not that I would never teach, but for now, it was not where God was leading me. Well, two month later, and guess where He led me? Straight into a classroom.
So far, it's gone pretty good. I have three girls in my class, and no boys. All three girls are in the dorm too, so I know them already. They are a handful, but lots of fun too. Of course, it does depend on the moment. Some moments they love me, and others they hate me. (Nothing new there.) I am still also a dorm parent, but more of an assistant. I help out in the evenings some, and when I am available otherwise, but lesson planning and figuring out what I'm doing takes quite a bit of time.
God is faithful. He leads you to strange places, but he never leaves you there. I once heard that "the will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you." It's true.