Thank the Lord for Laughter...and Peanut Butter

Hello again! Long time, no blog! Well today will be a quickie.  I just had to share with you this story.

Last Friday was my last day subbing for the teacher that was on maternity leave.  Believe it or not, I was a little sad to leave the kids, however challenging they might have been or however they had completely stolen my heart! 

In a few of my classes, I had been able to share with them about my upcoming journey to Kenya and answer their questions about why I am going and what I will be doing there.  One boy in particular was very concerned about what I would eat while I was there.  I told him, jokingly, "I guess I'll just have to pack a REALLY large jar of peanut butter to get me through!"

In each of my classes on Friday, I reminded them that it was my last day, Mrs. H would be returning on Monday, and that I had enjoyed being in the classroom with them for the last weeks.  One of the kids (the boy that was concerning about my meals) started saying, "Oh no! Miss M! I thought NEXT Friday was your last day! You have to stay at least one more day!"  Now, this kid was enjoyable -a sweet kid - but I didn't think he would have been overly distraught about my leaving.  "Don't worry, J - I'll be subbing here and there. You aren't rid of me yet!"

"But Miss M - I forgot your peanut butter!"

I couldn't help it.

I didn't just giggle...I laughed.

Thank you Lord for this sweet boy, who whether he realizes it or not, is having his concerns turned toward Your work!  And thank you for laughter....and peanut butter. =)

I will not blush while teaching...I will not blush while teaching...

Well. My gig may be up...the Spanish II class has officially discovered my unfortunate tendency to blush extremely easily and become flustered without much provocation.  In the world of high school, that equals open season on the new substitute!

First off, back tracking to Monday - the teacher I've been observing/assisting had a doctor's appointment that afternoon, so I got to teach the 8th period class solo! Whoop! It actually went really really well...especially considering that this particular class tends to be the most challenging (i.e. rowdy boys, verrrrry chatty individuals, kids that flat don't do their work).  I must have put my mean face on, because they actually behaved rather well albeit the once or twice I had to say "This does not require talking."  Sound very teacher-ish, don't I? ;-)

I went back yesterday and will go in on Thursday as well.  This is her last week pre-baby, so that means Monday will be my first full by myself day! ah!  Anyway, this week she and I have been taking about half the class time each to teach so I have some supervised experience.

The afternoon Spanish II class had to volunteer to come up to the front of the class and go through a conversation, including formal introductions.  Several pairs of students performed the activity, then one kid raised his hand to take a turn.  Mrs. H told him to pick a partner then come to the front.  He proceeded to come and stand in front of me, grin, and say, "I want to introduce myself to HER." Hellooooo flaming cheeks!  I wanted to tell him, "Hey, kid. I'm too old for you!" Instead, I took my unfortunate blushing self to the front of the classroom, went through the exercise with him, and sat back down....after he winked at me.  Oh dear. Those high school boys have some gall.

Anyway, I really hope this doesn't become "let's see how fast we can make Miss M. blush"....  We shall see.  At least it gives me a funny story to tell, right?!?!

-t

Buckner, Barfing, and The Big Bopper

Okay, update time!

1) Buckner

I finally got an email back from the Volunteer Director at Buckner! Whoop! I have a phone interview with her on Monday afternoon to discuss the summer internship and make sure I'm not a psychopath...um. "get to know me better."  Sooo...please pray!  I'll admit, I'm a bit nervous.

2) Barfing

Sorry for the topic...and the title.  I just couldn't resist the alliteration.  I know, I know.  Big dork.  Like that's news. =)  Wednesday was my "second 1st day of high school".  I observed the teacher's classroom for which I will be a substitute during her maternity leave - and it went really well! I don't think I should have trouble facilitating the students or leading the collegiate tutoring programs. (I actually have my first solo mini-trial run Monday, as she will miss a few class periods for a doctor's appointment and I will cover for her....but I'll let yall know about that later.) Anyway...the day went really well UNTIL I got home that night. Starting feeling kinda icky and...well, I'm sure your imagination can fill in the rest...  Needless to say, I was out of commission for a while.  I am SO glad I was here instead of CS so my Mom could baby me and make me feel better.  It just makes the whole being sick process so much easier than having to completely care for yourself!  FYI: I feel much better now.  Still a little leery of food.  But better!

3) The Big Bopper

Long before the dreaded stomach virus/flu/thing came into the picture, my fam had planned a trip down to Fredericksburg for the weekend.  We had planned on heading down Thursday, but ended up waiting until Friday when we felt I could handle the car trip.  We met L&C Dub (a.k.a sister and bro-in-law) there in time to go to RockBox Theatre - one of our favorite fun things and a MUST-DO if you are in Fredericksburg on a weekend!  Check it out.  The first time we went, they were actually located in Granbury and I thought it might be cheesy...but it is honestly super fun! I love all the old rock and roll music and enjoy the incredible musicians that make up the cast.

This morning, L&C Dub headed back home but Mom, Dad, and I went to Trade Days.  Whoop for Trade Days!  I love walking through antiques and junk mostly junk.  But fun junk!  When I'm at Trade Days, what little creativity I have runs wild.  (We'll see if all those ideas ever actually materialize into completed projects.  So far, one has - so that's a start...) Favorite purchase of the day? An old window with an intact pane for a measly five bucks! What a steal! =)  I need to make a Hobby Lobby run before I do any work on my newest "project"...I promise I'll post a picture when it's done.

I'm tired and I just might try to catch the re-run of Project Runway that I started but slept through when I was sick before I head to bed...

-t

While I'm Waiting

"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end - it will not lie.  If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."  Habakkuk 2:3

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end." Ecclesiastes 2:12

Waiting...

God does not lie...

His faithfulness is swift and true - it does not delay...

His widom is infinite...

He sees past, present, and future...

He sees and knows ME.

This place of waiting that I'm in? At first I dreaded it. I didn't like not having a plan, not knowing what was next.  Now? God is reminding me just how faithful He is - that He never STOPPED being faithful. I am just impatient!

My Papaw would tell me, "Baby, it'll all work out." He wouldn't say that flippantly, or to gloss over my anxiety, but as a gentle reminder that God is faithful and to worry is to doubt that.  Well...it is all working out.

Today, I was hired (well...as long as my background check comes back clean *fingers crossed* kidding.)  by my high school alma mater to be a substitute for a teacher that is going on maternity leave.  As soon as my paperwork clears, I'll be observing her classes a few days a week to become familiar with her students, the technology in the classroom, and how she likes things to run.  The baby is due on the 24th, but they are actually expecting it to come a little early.  It sounds like I will be subbing full-time for her for about 3 weeks, then she'll start coming back part-time and I will cover the rest for the next 6 weeks or so.  After this position, I will still be on the sub list for this ISD and another one in the area, so I should be able to stay busy and make some money!

Even though this sounds small, I am really excited.  It has helped me see other reasons why I am in this place of waiting. 

• There really aren't too many people my age in this area for me to hang out with = I get to have some really incredible quality time with my parents, who are encouraging, nurturing, and are making it possible for me to get some much-needed rest.  

• I have a lot of time on my hands and a flexible work schedule = I have the option to go visit friends when I want. I get to help out my parents when they might really need me here in the next few months. I get to REST, read my insanely long book list, go photo-taking, volunteer...blog for goodness sake!

• I am listening more. God speaks, but when I get busy and caught up with agendas, to-do lists, responsibilities, and expectations, I don't always hear Him.

This place of waiting isn't so bad...