1980s seagull hair and What Really Matters

One of my roommates, in this case, Jessica, texted me today asking how she should cut her hair.

Words were not needed, clearly she had only one choice: the seagull up-do from the 80s. Sad to say, she did not agree, and instead got a super cute bob.

In other news, I am starting to understand the purpose of this blog. All year I have been "praying" about what to do for the 2010/2011 school year. Around these parts life revolves around the school year. Everything is seasonal. When you go to Starbucks is dependent upon the University system. How long it takes you to travel from point A to point B depends entirely upon school being in session or not. I prefer their summer and winter vacations when the town belongs entirely to "old" people.

I digress.

My job, and thus elementary school, is rapidly coming to a close, and for this I am extremely thankful. All year I have been asking the Lord where I am supposed to go. Surely, God has some super special job he wants me to do for Him? Right??
And I have been straining and petitioning and searching for this elusive purpose all year.
And ONLY because God is gracious, He did not give me an answer like "Cincinnati, Ohio."
No, because that would have been very convenient. Thats what I was looking for.

Quit your job, leave your church, and go an a grand theological adventure involving Chacos and Cincinatti, Ohio.

No such luck.

Instead he took me on a journey with MANY bumps and curves to discover that the praying in and of itself was the purpose. Rather, getting to know the Lord and learning to communicate and articulate was the point.
And if praying is the journey, mine is a beat-up 1956 Cadillac. It seems that most people arrive in sleek limo. Not me.

Anyways, back to the point. Some of the questions I have been asking and facing are:

What REALLY matters?

What is my purpose?

What IS the desire of my heart?

And these questions evolved over the year. So next time (which might be tomorrow) I'm going to share with you how I reached a bunch of dead ends, and got caught up in some seemingly pointless cul-de-sacs. And I still haven't heard about which "city" I'm supposed to go to, and I would LOVE to stop at the nearest gas station and buy some Twizzlers Pull-and-Peels, but the journey is endless.

Until next time.....

The Best Year Ever

I was walking through Wal-Mart today buying those teeny-tiny Haagen Dazs ice creams and my mom calls me.
She said she knew I was having fun because I had not called her in several days. So true. Oh moms, they know us so well.
But we got to talking about this past year, and she commented that it was probably my best year ever.

Now, let me back up this train up a little and give you some information.

This past school year was my first year of teaching. As you will read in this blog, I was worried about teaching. I was nervous about committing my life to something I could not control for at least 10 months. I was afraid that I would not receive the support that I needed.

All of my fears came true.

I was moved to 3 different elementary schools.
I was beaten up by my student.
I did not receive a lunch or conference break for several consecutive months.
I was expected to do the humanly impossible.
I played dolphins and tigers more than I taught reading and math.
I was criticized for being abused.

But! and Please read this, BUT!

I learned so much. And this year was a TREASURE.
It is ONLY by the Lord's grace that I can even type that sentence to you.
I learned the value of committment.

I received more support from the Body of Believers (church) than I could have wanted or needed.

They provided bodyguards.
They provided respite.
They provided arts and crafts.
They provided funding.
They provided an assisstant.

And please know that it was NOT the provision of a human person or organization.
Only people who have put their full trust in the Living God can sacrifice their time and energy when it seems crazy to provide for the needs of others.
And that is exactly what happened.

And now the school year has ended.

But by God's grace I can look back and say,

I miss and love my student dearly.

I would not trade this past year for anything.
I LOVE committment, bring it!

So even though it was excruciating, I learned how to love, and be loved by a family that will last.

Thank you, Church.
I love you so much.