Over the course of the last day or so, this has been rolling around in my brain. My family was in town this weekend, and it took everything in me to not make it a giant vent fest. I mean there was a lot of venting, but the more the weekend progressed, the more convicted I was to STOP. My life right now is hard.
I'm a perfectionist who doesn't feel like she is good at what she does.
I don't get to hang out with my friends during the week because I go to bed at 10pm.
I struggle with knowing what the heck I'm supposed to do with my life.
I don't spend nearly enough time with the Lord.
I am surrounded by people who LOVE what they do, and I want that for myself.
But here's the thing I realized. I am so lucky. I have a job that pays really well. I don't have to worry about going out to eat occasionally, or even buying new clothes from my favorite stores. I have amazing friends who will hang out whenever I can and still call even if they know I'm probably going to say no to whatever is going on that particular evening. I have a crazy supportive and helpful staff where I work. I have so much going for me and still I struggle. With being content. And happy. Right where I am. So I'm going to start trying to be more thankful. For me and my overly-pessimistic self, this is going to be tough, but I'm going to make an effort.
I'm going to strive for joy and peace in the midst of (what feels like) trials.
And at the very least try to not yell at my 4th period class...
"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12b-13
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
A Journey
Oh there are many things in my life that qualify as a journey. My new world of teaching - definitely a journey. Living in town and making new friends at work - another one. But the one at the forefront of my mind is my journey to find a new church home. I loved my old church. It has amazing people at it and while I was working at my old job (where many of my spiritual needs were met) it suited perfectly. But as I left that job and it's regular Bible Studies, weekly chapels, and Christian fellowship, I realized that I needed something different.
My needs for a church had changed. And my church had not.
So I let the minister I was closest to know and off I went in search of a new place to develop relationships, serve, and find friends. It has been and adventure of a summer and I am down to two different places that I enjoy for totally different reasons.
This morning's service at one of those churches was incredible. I enjoyed the worship through song and teaching. So I am waiting and seeing. I'm going to finish this sermon series and then go through a whole sermon series at the other church. Or maybe God will tell me what He wants me to do before then. I don't know. But I do know this: This journey had been fun. And challenging. I am excited about seeing where I end up. And hopefully there will be some more adventures along the way.
My needs for a church had changed. And my church had not.
So I let the minister I was closest to know and off I went in search of a new place to develop relationships, serve, and find friends. It has been and adventure of a summer and I am down to two different places that I enjoy for totally different reasons.
This morning's service at one of those churches was incredible. I enjoyed the worship through song and teaching. So I am waiting and seeing. I'm going to finish this sermon series and then go through a whole sermon series at the other church. Or maybe God will tell me what He wants me to do before then. I don't know. But I do know this: This journey had been fun. And challenging. I am excited about seeing where I end up. And hopefully there will be some more adventures along the way.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
I'm Back
Well, it has been a busy few weeks! I have started teaching, moved all of my stuff twice, unpacked, visited a friends house for labor day, and slept a little. One of my wonderful friends came over and hooked up our wireless router today and so we are up and running. I am sitting in my living room. Watching TV and writing a blog entry. Life is good.
Work is hard. Blogs are public and so I won't go into a lot, but this is definitely the hardest thing I have ever done. I get to work around 7am and leave around 6. 7:30 on a late day. Get home, and deal with papers/ get ready for the next day. Go to bed at 10:30 and redo the whole thing the next day. All that to say, I'm exhausted.
This weekend has been good. I slept til 10. The cable guy set up things at 11. I have eaten, read, watched a movie on netflix and been on facebook more often than ever before. And tomorrow reality will set in. I will spend all day working on stuff for school. And that is ok. I had today. And hopefully next week will be better. And hopefully I will do a better job of keeping up with this now that I have internet at home. Only time will tell.
Work is hard. Blogs are public and so I won't go into a lot, but this is definitely the hardest thing I have ever done. I get to work around 7am and leave around 6. 7:30 on a late day. Get home, and deal with papers/ get ready for the next day. Go to bed at 10:30 and redo the whole thing the next day. All that to say, I'm exhausted.
This weekend has been good. I slept til 10. The cable guy set up things at 11. I have eaten, read, watched a movie on netflix and been on facebook more often than ever before. And tomorrow reality will set in. I will spend all day working on stuff for school. And that is ok. I had today. And hopefully next week will be better. And hopefully I will do a better job of keeping up with this now that I have internet at home. Only time will tell.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Time marches on
I'm updating this while babysitting, so I don't have any pictures to make this post more interesting. Sorry
Time has marched right along since I got the job on July 3rd. Seriously. It's already been a month! Since then I have: Finished up work at PC, gone to CO, and found an apt. I alternate hourly between being overwhelmed and excited about next year. Finishing up my part time work has made it much more real that I am actually changing jobs! Going up to the school and seeing my room made it even more real.
My first room was hideous and totally empty. This made me desperately want to paint, and completely overwhelmed at where on earth to put things. But I got a call yesterday that I am in a different room and I am SO excited. Excited that now all I need is to go up and measure things and I can start planning what my room is going to look like. Having the bones in place already will make this task much more doable with my current state as a novice teacher. Mom and sister are going to come and help me in a couple of weeks and we will get everything set up.
My Gifted/Talented training will start next week. I hope it will be interesting. The week after that is new teacher training. Then I have in school training with all of the other teachers. Then school starts. And so the insanity begins. At some point during all of this I might be packing and moving as well. Our lease will start on September 11th, and we are hoping to extend our current lease until then. (It ends on Sept 1) We will see.
So there is my life. Figuring out when/how I'm going to set up my classroom and then getting ready to move. Internet at home will be coming in September. As well as stories of the kiddos and the crazy things that happen in the life of a Middle School Math teacher. And so the adventure begins.
Time has marched right along since I got the job on July 3rd. Seriously. It's already been a month! Since then I have: Finished up work at PC, gone to CO, and found an apt. I alternate hourly between being overwhelmed and excited about next year. Finishing up my part time work has made it much more real that I am actually changing jobs! Going up to the school and seeing my room made it even more real.
My first room was hideous and totally empty. This made me desperately want to paint, and completely overwhelmed at where on earth to put things. But I got a call yesterday that I am in a different room and I am SO excited. Excited that now all I need is to go up and measure things and I can start planning what my room is going to look like. Having the bones in place already will make this task much more doable with my current state as a novice teacher. Mom and sister are going to come and help me in a couple of weeks and we will get everything set up.
My Gifted/Talented training will start next week. I hope it will be interesting. The week after that is new teacher training. Then I have in school training with all of the other teachers. Then school starts. And so the insanity begins. At some point during all of this I might be packing and moving as well. Our lease will start on September 11th, and we are hoping to extend our current lease until then. (It ends on Sept 1) We will see.
So there is my life. Figuring out when/how I'm going to set up my classroom and then getting ready to move. Internet at home will be coming in September. As well as stories of the kiddos and the crazy things that happen in the life of a Middle School Math teacher. And so the adventure begins.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Big Day
Three posts in Three Days. This is a record. But I couldn't not say anything...
I GOT THE JOB!!!
I'll be teaching 6th grade math in a few short weeks and I'm SO excited. Freaking out a little bit, but SO excited. Now onto the bigger issues, finding a place to live closer to the school, getting some training done, wrapping up my part time work at PC and of course VACATION. This is going to be a crazy time for me, but when we move into town, we should get Internet and maybe I will update more often. :)
I GOT THE JOB!!!
I'll be teaching 6th grade math in a few short weeks and I'm SO excited. Freaking out a little bit, but SO excited. Now onto the bigger issues, finding a place to live closer to the school, getting some training done, wrapping up my part time work at PC and of course VACATION. This is going to be a crazy time for me, but when we move into town, we should get Internet and maybe I will update more often. :)
Thursday, July 2, 2009
What a difference 24 hours makes
To think nothing much had happened on the job front 24 hours ago is so crazy to me. I got a call at 7:30pm to interview for a 6th Grade Math Position at a middle school in Tyler. There was much jumping up and down and a little squealing. I interviewed at 11am today and it went as well as could be expected. The principal was very encouraging and told me that even if I didn't get the position at his school, I should continue pursuing teaching and would make a good teacher.
On a funnier note, as I was waiting in the office, a couple of kids were there waiting on their mom to finish some work. They were probably in middle school and one of them had on some sneakers that seriously looked like the 80s had thrown up on them. They had neon pink, yellow/green, and blue on them. High tops. I just shook my head (inside of course, I wouldn't want to be rude) and was thankful that since I wore such things the first time around, I don't have to wear them this time around. I am not a fan of neon colors. :)
I'll find out about the job next week sometime. I'm just praying that God will let me know if this is what I am supposed to be doing or not. I know that He has a plan, and I can't wait to see what it will be. But for now, I am praising Him for the encouragement of the interview I had.
On a funnier note, as I was waiting in the office, a couple of kids were there waiting on their mom to finish some work. They were probably in middle school and one of them had on some sneakers that seriously looked like the 80s had thrown up on them. They had neon pink, yellow/green, and blue on them. High tops. I just shook my head (inside of course, I wouldn't want to be rude) and was thankful that since I wore such things the first time around, I don't have to wear them this time around. I am not a fan of neon colors. :)
I'll find out about the job next week sometime. I'm just praying that God will let me know if this is what I am supposed to be doing or not. I know that He has a plan, and I can't wait to see what it will be. But for now, I am praising Him for the encouragement of the interview I had.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Not much new here...
I say that and now I will end up with a lengthy blog about something. No news on the job front. I emailed a principal with an opening today. But it is out of my hands. We will see.
I got my hair cut yesterday. It is identical to when I got it cut for my birthday in March. It wasn't the plan, but then again, I didn't really have a plan. Good thing I liked it in March and I still like it now.
I'm going on vacation in Colorado in 16 days. YAY! I love family vacations, and Colorado is definitely our favorite. We are spending 5 days there this time (vs 3 last time) and I know it is going to be great. However, I am going to figure out how to get myself out of bed so I can work some mornings. I'm trying to get extra hours in so that I won't have to worry about working while I'm gone. And at this point, I really can't do without a week's worth of income. Especially because...
I'm going to start looking for a new place to live in Tyler. Woo Hoo! I love the house we live in now, but it would be nice to be in town, and have internet at home. It would make work (and keeping this blog updated) infinitely easier. One of my roommates and I are about to start looking and see what is available. We want the lease to start the middle of August-ish, hence the looking now.
In other news, one of my dearest friends is having another baby and I am so excited! Who it is, you will have to wait and see, because the whole world doesn't know yet, and I'm not spilling it. Luckily all of my roommates now know and so I don't have to be quite so secretive. :) If only I didn't have to wait until January to meet this new little one! Well, it will give all of us time to get ready.
So there you go. For the four or five people who read my blog, a brief update of sorts. A blog about the not very much going on in my life. Hopefully one day soon we will all be rejoicing that I have found a job. We will see.
I got my hair cut yesterday. It is identical to when I got it cut for my birthday in March. It wasn't the plan, but then again, I didn't really have a plan. Good thing I liked it in March and I still like it now.
I'm going on vacation in Colorado in 16 days. YAY! I love family vacations, and Colorado is definitely our favorite. We are spending 5 days there this time (vs 3 last time) and I know it is going to be great. However, I am going to figure out how to get myself out of bed so I can work some mornings. I'm trying to get extra hours in so that I won't have to worry about working while I'm gone. And at this point, I really can't do without a week's worth of income. Especially because...
I'm going to start looking for a new place to live in Tyler. Woo Hoo! I love the house we live in now, but it would be nice to be in town, and have internet at home. It would make work (and keeping this blog updated) infinitely easier. One of my roommates and I are about to start looking and see what is available. We want the lease to start the middle of August-ish, hence the looking now.
In other news, one of my dearest friends is having another baby and I am so excited! Who it is, you will have to wait and see, because the whole world doesn't know yet, and I'm not spilling it. Luckily all of my roommates now know and so I don't have to be quite so secretive. :) If only I didn't have to wait until January to meet this new little one! Well, it will give all of us time to get ready.
So there you go. For the four or five people who read my blog, a brief update of sorts. A blog about the not very much going on in my life. Hopefully one day soon we will all be rejoicing that I have found a job. We will see.
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