The last 3 weeks have been absolute craziness for me. Summer camp wrapped up, Living History at the museum kicked in (with over 100 degree weather), I got a sinus infection or the flu (not sure which) during Living History weekend and right at the beginning of this week.
Monday kicked off my first official day at Woodcrest! Nervousness and fear, soon gave way to joy and comfort. God totally knew what He was doing when He placed me here. All those months of unsureness and searching have lead me to a wonderful staff and a school who seeks to serve the Lord with all they are.
Teachers meetings are not exactly the most envigorating thing to be in for hours on end, but throughout my meetings I have been encouraged, challenged and stretched in my faith. I am for sure the "baby" of the staff. Everyone else is at the least 3 years older than me and at most.. well we won't reveal those ages! :)
We have talked about how to give our students a Christ centered education, how to be examples living and breathing for our students of the gospel, and how we can challenge each other as well as our students to be better stewards with what God has blessed us with.
I've worked from 8 until almost 6 every night trying to get my room ready so that I could work on lesson plans. After a full week, I think I may be at a point where I can say my room is finished! :)
I can't wait to meet my kids and get to know them and begin the real challenge-- making Christ centered history come alive for them.
I'm praying God will use me in whatever ways He has that He alone knows. I know that all I can do now is say, "Here am I.. Send me!"
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
answered prayer
I love how God has a great sense of humor!
I've been praying for months that He would open the right doors for me to be able to teach in my own classroom fulltime in the fall. My degree is in Social Science and so I want to teach history. Technically I can teach economics too, but ever since a correspondence course fiasco my senior year of college, I've developed a hatred for economics. So when people ask what I can teach economics is the last thing I list. If I could I'd leave it off the list.
Two weeks ago I get a call from a Christian school in Riverside asking if I would come in and interview. I did and then a few days later they asked me to come in again, and they offered my the job teaching junior AP US History and senior Government (1st semester) and you guessed it.. Economics (2nd semester)! Now of course I was thrilled about the history and government part, but the econ uggg.... How can I complain though? I have a job and that is so much more than many other people especially new teachers right now. I just think that it's totally God's sense of humor to give me what I was praying for with a bit of a challenge thrown in the mix to keep me reliant on Him!
I've been praying for months that He would open the right doors for me to be able to teach in my own classroom fulltime in the fall. My degree is in Social Science and so I want to teach history. Technically I can teach economics too, but ever since a correspondence course fiasco my senior year of college, I've developed a hatred for economics. So when people ask what I can teach economics is the last thing I list. If I could I'd leave it off the list.
Two weeks ago I get a call from a Christian school in Riverside asking if I would come in and interview. I did and then a few days later they asked me to come in again, and they offered my the job teaching junior AP US History and senior Government (1st semester) and you guessed it.. Economics (2nd semester)! Now of course I was thrilled about the history and government part, but the econ uggg.... How can I complain though? I have a job and that is so much more than many other people especially new teachers right now. I just think that it's totally God's sense of humor to give me what I was praying for with a bit of a challenge thrown in the mix to keep me reliant on Him!
Friday, April 24, 2009
What they don't teach you in Teacher training classes... God is faithful!
Yesterday was one of those "baptism by fire" days. Public school teachers joke about these kind of days that happen to student teachers, but I had hoped I'd left these kind of days behind me when I finished student teaching. Apparently not...
What started out as a kinda crazy day of changing classrooms bouncing between two teachers' rooms turned into a day where I wished I could just hide in one and lock the door.
Everything was going fine until 2nd period. The announcements are being read over the intercom system and one of my students asked the others in the class if they've heard of this book called "Death Note" where you can write the name of people you want to die and how they will die and when they will die. The kids start discussing how that is twisted and sick and all the "normal responses" you would expect. All except one senior. He proceeds to tell the class that not only does he know about it, he has one... WITH him in class. He then pulls it out. I demanded to see the book and noticed he'd written the name of several students that had been in my class earlier this week. The book was one you could purchase in the store and it has rules and everything printed in the front of it. Soo creepy. It's based off an Anime movie.
In retrospect, I shouldn't have given the book back to him, but I'd never been in that situation before. I was faced with the decision whether or not to take it and then essentially be added as a victim to his list (which in and of itself isn't scary, but what if he tried to carry it out?!) or wait until after class and then report it and he wouldn't know it was me. I chose the latter. He was then taken to the Principal's office and spent the day there.
The evil involved just sent shivers down my spine. Whether or not he really was going to carry out the writings, the fact he'd written it creeped me out. I knew I wasn't battling men, but rather spiritual forces as I watched him the rest of the period. The look in his eyes and the way he was acting just made it all real.
I got through the next few periods just by knowing he was going to be in the office. Then 6th period the power goes out. At first I didn't know if it was just my building or the whole school. We later found out it was like the whole town, a transformer blew, but it was chaotic none the less. I had to keep my 6th period students for an hour and a half until power came back on. I was doing fine, until some of my students (who didn't know what had happened earlier in the day) say, "If I was going to attack a school, I'd cut the power first b/c the intercom doesn't seem to be working." Another chimed in "yeah, isolate the victims!" I just wanted to run out and scream! So of course the first thing my mind goes to is (I knew it was irrational, but..) what if this is an attack.. A plot to carry out the lists. What if he found out it was me?! Thankfully one of my good friends was in the classroom next door. Not long afterwards the intercom comes on announcing that not only is it not just our school without power but also multiple blocks of the city. (this curbed both fears)
I got home and was emotionally spent after such a long day.
But God wasn't through testing my nerves! :) We then had two 3.something earthquakes. Charlie and I rode them both out and the couch unharmed, but by the end of the night, I was exhausted and worried I wouldn't sleep.
I opened my Bible seeking comfort and turned to Joshua. God's promise in Joshua 1:9 gave me the comfort I needed to sleep that night.
This morning presented its own challenge when I got to school I was the same teacher I was yesterday and there was the possibility he'd be in my class. I was trying to just remember God was in control, and as 2nd period approached I began reading blogs while the kids worked on their projects to help get my mind off the possible awkward uncomfortable situation in the next class. A family friend Sandy, who often has amazing spiritual insight in her blogs wrote about the hymn "Great is thy Faithfulness". Reading the words of the hymn and the devotional in her blog made me remember that God's faithfulness is indeed new every morning. Thankfully the young man was NOT in my class.
I'm glad it's Friday and that my week is finally over.
What started out as a kinda crazy day of changing classrooms bouncing between two teachers' rooms turned into a day where I wished I could just hide in one and lock the door.
Everything was going fine until 2nd period. The announcements are being read over the intercom system and one of my students asked the others in the class if they've heard of this book called "Death Note" where you can write the name of people you want to die and how they will die and when they will die. The kids start discussing how that is twisted and sick and all the "normal responses" you would expect. All except one senior. He proceeds to tell the class that not only does he know about it, he has one... WITH him in class. He then pulls it out. I demanded to see the book and noticed he'd written the name of several students that had been in my class earlier this week. The book was one you could purchase in the store and it has rules and everything printed in the front of it. Soo creepy. It's based off an Anime movie.
In retrospect, I shouldn't have given the book back to him, but I'd never been in that situation before. I was faced with the decision whether or not to take it and then essentially be added as a victim to his list (which in and of itself isn't scary, but what if he tried to carry it out?!) or wait until after class and then report it and he wouldn't know it was me. I chose the latter. He was then taken to the Principal's office and spent the day there.
The evil involved just sent shivers down my spine. Whether or not he really was going to carry out the writings, the fact he'd written it creeped me out. I knew I wasn't battling men, but rather spiritual forces as I watched him the rest of the period. The look in his eyes and the way he was acting just made it all real.
I got through the next few periods just by knowing he was going to be in the office. Then 6th period the power goes out. At first I didn't know if it was just my building or the whole school. We later found out it was like the whole town, a transformer blew, but it was chaotic none the less. I had to keep my 6th period students for an hour and a half until power came back on. I was doing fine, until some of my students (who didn't know what had happened earlier in the day) say, "If I was going to attack a school, I'd cut the power first b/c the intercom doesn't seem to be working." Another chimed in "yeah, isolate the victims!" I just wanted to run out and scream! So of course the first thing my mind goes to is (I knew it was irrational, but..) what if this is an attack.. A plot to carry out the lists. What if he found out it was me?! Thankfully one of my good friends was in the classroom next door. Not long afterwards the intercom comes on announcing that not only is it not just our school without power but also multiple blocks of the city. (this curbed both fears)
I got home and was emotionally spent after such a long day.
But God wasn't through testing my nerves! :) We then had two 3.something earthquakes. Charlie and I rode them both out and the couch unharmed, but by the end of the night, I was exhausted and worried I wouldn't sleep.
I opened my Bible seeking comfort and turned to Joshua. God's promise in Joshua 1:9 gave me the comfort I needed to sleep that night.
This morning presented its own challenge when I got to school I was the same teacher I was yesterday and there was the possibility he'd be in my class. I was trying to just remember God was in control, and as 2nd period approached I began reading blogs while the kids worked on their projects to help get my mind off the possible awkward uncomfortable situation in the next class. A family friend Sandy, who often has amazing spiritual insight in her blogs wrote about the hymn "Great is thy Faithfulness". Reading the words of the hymn and the devotional in her blog made me remember that God's faithfulness is indeed new every morning. Thankfully the young man was NOT in my class.
I'm glad it's Friday and that my week is finally over.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The Gifts of Diplomacy
So as we enter into this new administration of CHANGE, one of the first changes that was made in the White House was apparently the quality of gifts given to visiting dignitaries both at home and abroad. While I realize gifts given vary, and there are no hard and fast rules about gift giving to foreign dignitaries. However, one would assume that since Britain is an important ally for us, we would want to give them impressive or symbolic, even sentimental gifts to mark the historic alliance of this new administration. Apparently not..
When Prime Minister Brown came to visit last month, the reception the Brits were met with was not as cordial as had been the custom of previous administrations. While Brown brought with him an array of sentimental, and historical gifts, Obama returned the gifts with a feeble attempt at gift giving. The British article below says it all. If you think about the fact that Brown's pen holder is made out of wood from an anti-slave ship, and Obama is our first black president, it is a largely sentimental gift. However, we return England's throughfulness with a collection of our 25 best films, which if you check out the list, I think some of those movies selected could have been better. http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2009/mar/06/obama-dvd-brown
Now many people could say.. so it was the first real meeting.. Give them a break, they'll get the gift giving thing down. After all the flack they received from both sides of the Atlantic, you'd think the gift the Obamas would give the Queen would be something sensational.And so the White House has had a month to think long and hard about what would be appropriate to give the Queen. (I know the Obamas do not pick their own gifts for dignitaries) so a month has come and gone, and now its time for the G20, and the meeting of the Queen.
When I think of sensational IPod definately tops my list! They gave the Queen a gift that could easily be picked up at any local Best Buy! Yes, it was personalized with songs and pictures, but in reality I could do the same for any good friends if I wanted.. Ok seriously.. the person picking these gifts needs to find a new job or needs to discover GOOGLE.. It does wonders for you, as a smart 7th grader informed me this week! Now the Queen gave a standard gift that she gives to all dignitaries, now you may say who wants a signed picture of the Queen of England, but remember, you can't just pick that up at your local store.Even the NY Times is jumping on board this one.. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/world/europe/02ipod.html
Now you may say, Bush gave some dumb gifts too, but I looked up what the Bush administration gave to the Royals when they came in 2007 to celebrate the founding of Jamestown..
as from http://rightwingnews.com/mt331/2009/04/obama_gives_queen_an_ipod_seri.php
"President and Mrs. Bush gave Her Majesty a bronze statuette "High Desert Princess" with a personal inscription on the bottom of the base. It is a replica of the original life size statue that is located in front of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Ft. Worth, Texas.
President and Mrs. Bush gave The Prince Philip an exclusive sterling silver eagle box by Tiffany & Co. with personal inscription on the inside lid.
President and Mrs. Bush gave Their Majesties a leather presentation box filled with a collection of documents from the National Archives. One of the items was a copy of an original letter from President Roosevelt to her father, King George, written in 1938. There were also photos from previous royal visits and a DVD of the footage from the Queen's visit to the United States when she was Princess Elizabeth in 1951."
Now that's a sentimental gift!
Someone please bring back that gift organizer!!
Just some of the CHANGE we are beginning to see in our national policy.
When Prime Minister Brown came to visit last month, the reception the Brits were met with was not as cordial as had been the custom of previous administrations. While Brown brought with him an array of sentimental, and historical gifts, Obama returned the gifts with a feeble attempt at gift giving. The British article below says it all. If you think about the fact that Brown's pen holder is made out of wood from an anti-slave ship, and Obama is our first black president, it is a largely sentimental gift. However, we return England's throughfulness with a collection of our 25 best films, which if you check out the list, I think some of those movies selected could have been better. http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2009/mar/06/obama-dvd-brown
Now many people could say.. so it was the first real meeting.. Give them a break, they'll get the gift giving thing down. After all the flack they received from both sides of the Atlantic, you'd think the gift the Obamas would give the Queen would be something sensational.And so the White House has had a month to think long and hard about what would be appropriate to give the Queen. (I know the Obamas do not pick their own gifts for dignitaries) so a month has come and gone, and now its time for the G20, and the meeting of the Queen.
When I think of sensational IPod definately tops my list! They gave the Queen a gift that could easily be picked up at any local Best Buy! Yes, it was personalized with songs and pictures, but in reality I could do the same for any good friends if I wanted.. Ok seriously.. the person picking these gifts needs to find a new job or needs to discover GOOGLE.. It does wonders for you, as a smart 7th grader informed me this week! Now the Queen gave a standard gift that she gives to all dignitaries, now you may say who wants a signed picture of the Queen of England, but remember, you can't just pick that up at your local store.Even the NY Times is jumping on board this one.. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/world/europe/02ipod.html
Now you may say, Bush gave some dumb gifts too, but I looked up what the Bush administration gave to the Royals when they came in 2007 to celebrate the founding of Jamestown..
as from http://rightwingnews.com/mt331/2009/04/obama_gives_queen_an_ipod_seri.php
"President and Mrs. Bush gave Her Majesty a bronze statuette "High Desert Princess" with a personal inscription on the bottom of the base. It is a replica of the original life size statue that is located in front of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Ft. Worth, Texas.
President and Mrs. Bush gave The Prince Philip an exclusive sterling silver eagle box by Tiffany & Co. with personal inscription on the inside lid.
President and Mrs. Bush gave Their Majesties a leather presentation box filled with a collection of documents from the National Archives. One of the items was a copy of an original letter from President Roosevelt to her father, King George, written in 1938. There were also photos from previous royal visits and a DVD of the footage from the Queen's visit to the United States when she was Princess Elizabeth in 1951."
Now that's a sentimental gift!
Someone please bring back that gift organizer!!
Just some of the CHANGE we are beginning to see in our national policy.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The hills are alive!
Today was another day of no subbing.. I've noticed that when I don't sub and I don't get up and get outside at some point in my day, I feel as if time has flown and I've not been very productive. This is largely due to the fact that much of the last few weeks has been filled with job searches, and massive papers/reading for my grad classes.
Today I decided it was such a beautiful day that I was going to go for a walk. I needed to go to the bank and the store, and since my bank is in Albertsons, I chose to walk there. I knew it was about a mile one way if I take my favorite route. The route heads down a road that dead ends near my house and is lined with equestrian ranches and cattle and open sprawling beautiful green hills. I love living in the hills, because I get to live in the city, but also feel like I'm in the country.
So I started my walk.. as I past the equestrian ranches I waived to the gardeners and horse trainers I passed. It was a beautiful day for a walk, I turned on my ipod and blasted country music and just enjoyed the scenery. Once I reached the store I realized that it was a little bit further than I thought. I headed home and on the way home I saw quail, bunnies, cows, horses, squirrels and lots of beautiful birds and wildlife. It made me realize how amazing God is. Being the history geek I am I began thinking about how the land looked like 160 years ago when the earliest settlers of the area would've been arriving. It was nice to find spots where there were no people, or development and its pure untouched green hills.
When all was said and done, my hour walk took me a little over 3 miles round trip, but it gave me a great time to sing country and not have anyone hear, and also take in the beauty and creativeness of our God. I think we all need to do this every once in a while.. Be still and know!
Today I decided it was such a beautiful day that I was going to go for a walk. I needed to go to the bank and the store, and since my bank is in Albertsons, I chose to walk there. I knew it was about a mile one way if I take my favorite route. The route heads down a road that dead ends near my house and is lined with equestrian ranches and cattle and open sprawling beautiful green hills. I love living in the hills, because I get to live in the city, but also feel like I'm in the country.
So I started my walk.. as I past the equestrian ranches I waived to the gardeners and horse trainers I passed. It was a beautiful day for a walk, I turned on my ipod and blasted country music and just enjoyed the scenery. Once I reached the store I realized that it was a little bit further than I thought. I headed home and on the way home I saw quail, bunnies, cows, horses, squirrels and lots of beautiful birds and wildlife. It made me realize how amazing God is. Being the history geek I am I began thinking about how the land looked like 160 years ago when the earliest settlers of the area would've been arriving. It was nice to find spots where there were no people, or development and its pure untouched green hills.
When all was said and done, my hour walk took me a little over 3 miles round trip, but it gave me a great time to sing country and not have anyone hear, and also take in the beauty and creativeness of our God. I think we all need to do this every once in a while.. Be still and know!
Friday, March 27, 2009
life's lessons through kids
The last few weeks have been a battle for me. A battle physically, spiritually, and mentally.
First off, I battled one of the worst sinus infections I've ever had. I was so sick I couldn't keep anything down and couldn't get out of bed due to a raging migraine that lasted for days. During this time the only thing I could do was lay there and think and pray. God and I did a lot of chatting during that time. The fact that right before all this hit pink slips went out in the districts bringing with them a rather gray cloud of doubt and worry for many of my friends that soon trickled down to me. I began thinking, if my friends who are teachers and have been there for a few years are in jeopardy, what are my odds? Slim to NONE.. with more of an emphasis on the latter. God really began to impress upon my heart that I needed to stop looking at it with the glass half empty mentality and begin to work on my attitude. He is in charge and will provide.
Since our college group has stopped meeting I've kind of felt lost. I've been praying that the Lord would guide me to where I'm supposed to be. Two weeks ago I started going to my church's young adults ministry and I'm beginning to really love it. It's different than the ministry I was in before and I'm trying really hard not to compare the two, but I think the more I go, and the more involved I become, the more it will begin to feel like home.
This last week I've kind of been the bouncing ball in education. I've subbed two days in high school, Kindergarten, and then junior high math. Even though Kindergarten is not my thing on a permanent basis, God used the little rascals to remind me of what true worship looks like. I turned on the Jana Alayara CD on Tuesday for them to do a few songs in worship, and to my surprise each and everyone one of them begins singing the songs at the top of their lungs and getting all into the worship. I had one of those moments where I thought, "What if we as adults cast off all our insecurities about worship and how others viewed us and could worworship the Lord fully like these little guys?!" What an awesome thing that would be! So I jumped "on board with the Lord" (and the kindergartners) and we sang our hearts out about living life according to God's Word. then.. I moved on to junior high.. and though junior highers are ... well special I guess is the best word for them! :) I found they too taught me a lesson. I was dealing with a particularly challenging class of 6th graders who didn't really want to take their math test, and were full of the giggles, the more I fought to gain control, it seemed the more their little senses of humor and lovable spirits made me start to smile and eventually laugh. They were just too much. You'd think they'd be too cool to come and give hugs, but the girls come running up and say, "I haven't hugged you today!" Oh that we would be like that with God.
Needless to say I'm back in high school today, back to the land where drugs, gangs, and teenage hormones reign supreme. Just when I think I know where I want to be next year God changes things up. I thought I wanted to be in public school, there's such a mission field here; but after my few days at Western, I find myself wishing for my smiley face Jr Highers and elementary kids who love Jesus and aren't afraid to tell you so. Where are you going to put me Lord? That's the question I keep asking.. and for now, He smiles and says "Just you wait and see... ;)"
First off, I battled one of the worst sinus infections I've ever had. I was so sick I couldn't keep anything down and couldn't get out of bed due to a raging migraine that lasted for days. During this time the only thing I could do was lay there and think and pray. God and I did a lot of chatting during that time. The fact that right before all this hit pink slips went out in the districts bringing with them a rather gray cloud of doubt and worry for many of my friends that soon trickled down to me. I began thinking, if my friends who are teachers and have been there for a few years are in jeopardy, what are my odds? Slim to NONE.. with more of an emphasis on the latter. God really began to impress upon my heart that I needed to stop looking at it with the glass half empty mentality and begin to work on my attitude. He is in charge and will provide.
Since our college group has stopped meeting I've kind of felt lost. I've been praying that the Lord would guide me to where I'm supposed to be. Two weeks ago I started going to my church's young adults ministry and I'm beginning to really love it. It's different than the ministry I was in before and I'm trying really hard not to compare the two, but I think the more I go, and the more involved I become, the more it will begin to feel like home.
This last week I've kind of been the bouncing ball in education. I've subbed two days in high school, Kindergarten, and then junior high math. Even though Kindergarten is not my thing on a permanent basis, God used the little rascals to remind me of what true worship looks like. I turned on the Jana Alayara CD on Tuesday for them to do a few songs in worship, and to my surprise each and everyone one of them begins singing the songs at the top of their lungs and getting all into the worship. I had one of those moments where I thought, "What if we as adults cast off all our insecurities about worship and how others viewed us and could worworship the Lord fully like these little guys?!" What an awesome thing that would be! So I jumped "on board with the Lord" (and the kindergartners) and we sang our hearts out about living life according to God's Word. then.. I moved on to junior high.. and though junior highers are ... well special I guess is the best word for them! :) I found they too taught me a lesson. I was dealing with a particularly challenging class of 6th graders who didn't really want to take their math test, and were full of the giggles, the more I fought to gain control, it seemed the more their little senses of humor and lovable spirits made me start to smile and eventually laugh. They were just too much. You'd think they'd be too cool to come and give hugs, but the girls come running up and say, "I haven't hugged you today!" Oh that we would be like that with God.
Needless to say I'm back in high school today, back to the land where drugs, gangs, and teenage hormones reign supreme. Just when I think I know where I want to be next year God changes things up. I thought I wanted to be in public school, there's such a mission field here; but after my few days at Western, I find myself wishing for my smiley face Jr Highers and elementary kids who love Jesus and aren't afraid to tell you so. Where are you going to put me Lord? That's the question I keep asking.. and for now, He smiles and says "Just you wait and see... ;)"
Sunday, March 15, 2009
I love these kinds of days!
So today was a "Behind the Scenes Tour" at the museum. This is the 4th weekend in a row that I've been at the museum,(and I'm working the next 2) not to mention I have to be there every Weds. night to do train the docent wannabees :) anyways... Phil offered to swap tours with me since I had the late shift for the day, but I told him I'd be fine. I'm soooo glad I didn't swap with him.
Today history came to life on my tours. On my first tour I had a 94 year old man who lived in La Casa Nueva (one of the houses at the museum) during the 20's. I had to priveledge of giving his family the tour of the house, and then he told me what he remembered growing up there and how he slept in one of the houses and what his jobs were at the ranch and then when we were in the courtyard of La Casa Nueva, we have a picture of the servants and workers on the ranch on display. There is a picture of him, his mother, brother and sister. He took the picture and said, this is me, and pointed to each by name. He even remembered taking it. It was soooo cool. I use that picture everytime I give a tour, and now when people ask is anyone who lived here still alive, I can say yes, Gavino, the little boy here, and I had him on my tour recently. I was sooo excited. It was like history jumped out the picture and into 2009 from 1926.
Throughout the rest of the day other members of Gavino's family were there (they had a reunion at the museum).
As if that wasn't enough excitement for me on the same tour that I had Gavino, I also had Pio Pico's great grandson. Pio Pico is another important player in the story we tell at the museum.
So because we had such a historical day.... we called Josette, a volunteer at the museum and... the great great grandaughter of Workman, to come so she could meet Gavino (since her dad and Gavino were friends) and Phillip (since their great grandfathers were friends)
It was soo cool to watch history come alive. I hear teachers discussing how they want their topics to come alive in their classroom, and while it's cool as a teacher to see it happen, it was so much more fun to have it come alive for me today.... Oo I still have chills! So yeah... I'm a nerd, but I love it!
Today history came to life on my tours. On my first tour I had a 94 year old man who lived in La Casa Nueva (one of the houses at the museum) during the 20's. I had to priveledge of giving his family the tour of the house, and then he told me what he remembered growing up there and how he slept in one of the houses and what his jobs were at the ranch and then when we were in the courtyard of La Casa Nueva, we have a picture of the servants and workers on the ranch on display. There is a picture of him, his mother, brother and sister. He took the picture and said, this is me, and pointed to each by name. He even remembered taking it. It was soooo cool. I use that picture everytime I give a tour, and now when people ask is anyone who lived here still alive, I can say yes, Gavino, the little boy here, and I had him on my tour recently. I was sooo excited. It was like history jumped out the picture and into 2009 from 1926.
Throughout the rest of the day other members of Gavino's family were there (they had a reunion at the museum).
As if that wasn't enough excitement for me on the same tour that I had Gavino, I also had Pio Pico's great grandson. Pio Pico is another important player in the story we tell at the museum.
So because we had such a historical day.... we called Josette, a volunteer at the museum and... the great great grandaughter of Workman, to come so she could meet Gavino (since her dad and Gavino were friends) and Phillip (since their great grandfathers were friends)
It was soo cool to watch history come alive. I hear teachers discussing how they want their topics to come alive in their classroom, and while it's cool as a teacher to see it happen, it was so much more fun to have it come alive for me today.... Oo I still have chills! So yeah... I'm a nerd, but I love it!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Where does He have me?
There have been quite a few changes in the last 2 months for me. I've been working more (always a good thing), taking grad classes again (this comes with lots more homework than I was hoping for), there have been some changes in my ministries at church, and I've been getting worse headaches ( a side effect of working more haha... and my migraines seem to be really bad lately), just to name a few. However, the biggest change came for me this week as I started thinking about what I'm going to do next year.
While I know our nation is in an economic crisis, I've managed to remain largely unaffected by it for the most part. My job wasn't in danger, and thankfully my family is secure and safe. But this week as people have been asking me what I am planning on doing in the fall, (Will I continue to sub? or teach in my own room? ) I've been forced to open the compartment in the back of my mind I'd set aside for spring cleaning.. oh and well it's officially the spring semester, so it's time to start searching for jobs again. :/
The discouraging part is that education is the wrong field to try to be getting into right now, and sadly for many who have been in it for many years it's becoming the wrong field to be in. Districts are laying people off left and right, even if you've been there for almost ten years. I know God is in control of it all and that He knows where I will be and whether or not I get a full time job has already been decided by Him. When I sat down with my mom this afternoon to look at options, and decide whether or not I should start examining other careers away from a classroom, I couldn't help but be upset. I've worked long and hard, and I mean long hours of unpaid hard work with high schoolers and professors over the last 2 years to be where I am now. To say that I've poured hours of blood, sweat and tears into this would not be a lie. (The blood may be a slight exaggeration, but hey, I'm counting paper cuts that occur while grading papers) Basically, what it comes down to, is I have a short amount of time (5 years, but in teaching years that's a short amount of time) to "clear my credential". In order to clear my credential I have to teach for 2 years full time. This year doesn't count for anything and next year isn't too promising for getting a job that is not subbing. At the same time, I learned that if I opt to teach in private schools, I have to PAY for MORE SCHOOL!!! (If I teach in public schools they pay for it) If I fail to complete my two years, my credential will destruct in 5...4...3..2... just kidding! But, I do have to start all over again with the entire credential process, CSETS, student teaching, classes.... the WHOLE THING! Needless to say I was discouraged.
I hate giving up, quitting is not in my vocab, it never has been; but sometimes there are roads that we travel that God places a stop sign or a U-turn sign at and we have to obey. Right now I'm trying to read the road signs and figure out where He has me. In the mean time I'm praying that He will reveal where he wants me in school, work, and church ministries. While it's frustrating that I can't control my life's direction (I know I have control issues, God and I discuss this on a reoccurring basis) I'm also relieved that I don't understand my God. If I could understand Him all the time, He wouldn't be big enough for me, and there's a safety in knowing, as scary as it often is, that He is in control and there's nothing I can do to change that or to change how much He loves me. For that I am thankful. Now, if only I could see the road signs he has ahead... the only one that's clear blinks "wait patiently"...
While I know our nation is in an economic crisis, I've managed to remain largely unaffected by it for the most part. My job wasn't in danger, and thankfully my family is secure and safe. But this week as people have been asking me what I am planning on doing in the fall, (Will I continue to sub? or teach in my own room? ) I've been forced to open the compartment in the back of my mind I'd set aside for spring cleaning.. oh and well it's officially the spring semester, so it's time to start searching for jobs again. :/
The discouraging part is that education is the wrong field to try to be getting into right now, and sadly for many who have been in it for many years it's becoming the wrong field to be in. Districts are laying people off left and right, even if you've been there for almost ten years. I know God is in control of it all and that He knows where I will be and whether or not I get a full time job has already been decided by Him. When I sat down with my mom this afternoon to look at options, and decide whether or not I should start examining other careers away from a classroom, I couldn't help but be upset. I've worked long and hard, and I mean long hours of unpaid hard work with high schoolers and professors over the last 2 years to be where I am now. To say that I've poured hours of blood, sweat and tears into this would not be a lie. (The blood may be a slight exaggeration, but hey, I'm counting paper cuts that occur while grading papers) Basically, what it comes down to, is I have a short amount of time (5 years, but in teaching years that's a short amount of time) to "clear my credential". In order to clear my credential I have to teach for 2 years full time. This year doesn't count for anything and next year isn't too promising for getting a job that is not subbing. At the same time, I learned that if I opt to teach in private schools, I have to PAY for MORE SCHOOL!!! (If I teach in public schools they pay for it) If I fail to complete my two years, my credential will destruct in 5...4...3..2... just kidding! But, I do have to start all over again with the entire credential process, CSETS, student teaching, classes.... the WHOLE THING! Needless to say I was discouraged.
I hate giving up, quitting is not in my vocab, it never has been; but sometimes there are roads that we travel that God places a stop sign or a U-turn sign at and we have to obey. Right now I'm trying to read the road signs and figure out where He has me. In the mean time I'm praying that He will reveal where he wants me in school, work, and church ministries. While it's frustrating that I can't control my life's direction (I know I have control issues, God and I discuss this on a reoccurring basis) I'm also relieved that I don't understand my God. If I could understand Him all the time, He wouldn't be big enough for me, and there's a safety in knowing, as scary as it often is, that He is in control and there's nothing I can do to change that or to change how much He loves me. For that I am thankful. Now, if only I could see the road signs he has ahead... the only one that's clear blinks "wait patiently"...
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Politics as usual...
Well, he's been in office for less than a month and already President Obama has gone against much of what he promised in his campaign. It amazes me that people actually thought he would be different. I think one of the things that saddens me in politics is when our leaders claim to be Christians and then they go against Biblical principles and standards.
One of the phrases that we heard throughout the campaings (mostly from Sarah Palin) was the phrase "politics as usual." Obama promised change and a difference in the way politics has been conducted in Washington. Well so far he has he has changed our way of chosing people in high leadership from choosing people of integrity to choosing people with corruption who have to bow out or be removed before their confirmation even can occur. Wow! Not to mention the fact that he has aggressively begun attacking the issue of pro-life.
The thing that gets me is that Congress is so worried about the fact that by the time our generation gets to be old there will not be enough money for Social Security because the older generations currently outnumber ours by a ridiculous amounts. Here is the simple answer as to how to save our nation from a social seucrity crisis, stop abortion. We have already killed over an entire generation of babies that could've helped pay into social security and therefore we wouldn't have the problem we will eventually. Not to mention abortion is murder and is just morally wrong, and also the Bible is very clear on the topic.
Foxnews had a great article though that I thought clearly outlines the tone of this new administration. I loved what she had to say. Take a look.. http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/02/04/tantaros_obama-2/
One of the phrases that we heard throughout the campaings (mostly from Sarah Palin) was the phrase "politics as usual." Obama promised change and a difference in the way politics has been conducted in Washington. Well so far he has he has changed our way of chosing people in high leadership from choosing people of integrity to choosing people with corruption who have to bow out or be removed before their confirmation even can occur. Wow! Not to mention the fact that he has aggressively begun attacking the issue of pro-life.
The thing that gets me is that Congress is so worried about the fact that by the time our generation gets to be old there will not be enough money for Social Security because the older generations currently outnumber ours by a ridiculous amounts. Here is the simple answer as to how to save our nation from a social seucrity crisis, stop abortion. We have already killed over an entire generation of babies that could've helped pay into social security and therefore we wouldn't have the problem we will eventually. Not to mention abortion is murder and is just morally wrong, and also the Bible is very clear on the topic.
Foxnews had a great article though that I thought clearly outlines the tone of this new administration. I loved what she had to say. Take a look.. http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/02/04/tantaros_obama-2/
Sunday, January 25, 2009
does the golden rule have no weight anymore?
One of the things I've been struggling with lately is the how to effectively do what Christ has commanded us in Matthew 10:27
"He answered, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And you must love your neighbor as yourself."
I do fine with the love the Lord with all your heart soul and mind. Well I mean, I struggle with that as do most Christians in completely surrendering my heart, mind and soul completely to Him daily.
But here's where I really struggle... I find myself really struggling with a certain person in these verses. I know that we as Christians are all human, and we all struggle with things each of us different, some of us struggle with physical things, some emotional things, and mental things. How do you love someone as yourself when though they profess to be a Christian, in their deeds, and speech seems to be far from that? Comments are made that are above the overlookable level of rudeness, there is a conceitedness that seems to run throughout their speech and a heart that is not at all inclined to serve as the Lord commanded us. I know we aren't to judge each other, but the Bible also tells us we will know each other by our fruit. So if this person shows no "fruit like qualities" what does that mean?
It's taking all of my fruit of the spirit to handle myself in a manner that is worthy of bearing fruit. I think I've picked almost all of the fruit off of my tree in order to simply be around this person. My supply of self-control is running dangerously low, and so is my patience. The question I now struggle with is do I say something to this person, call them out so to speak on the things they have done that have been hurtful or damaging? Part of me that knows that "playground rules" apply here. When my kids come to me during the summer and tell me that Jamie hurt Bob's feelings, I say John, go tell Bob that if Jamie said something that upset him HE needs to go tell Jamie, and then Bob needs to come tell me, not you.
I know the same is true in life, but just like my kids struggle with it, I struggle with it as well. I don't like to sit back and watch friends get hurt. I also don't like being insulted and considered as abrasive and mean when I actually do point out things that are in need of correction when I do it in a loving manner. Perhaps I need to pray more about my loving manner, because when frustration creeps in my lovingness and kindness (another fruit I have a feeling will be running low on in the near future if things stay as is) I can see how things could be taken incorrectly. Hence the reason I have hesitated making too many corrective remarks. I also want to make sure I'm not pulling a log and speck situtation as well.I need the Lord to give me wisdom in how I deal with those around me that frustrate me. When people act with such disregard for those fellow believers and nonbelivers around them I feel frustrated to be associated with them. Almost as if my efforts in showing gospel has been tainted because of their manners and actions. Uggh.. I guess I just need to ask the Lord to help me grow more self-control and patience fruit on my tree.
Monday, January 12, 2009
I survived...
I feel like I need one of those shirts that says "I survived..." Mine would say I survived my week in Computer Keyboarding and ALC!!"
Only the Lord knew what He had in store for me last week and I think I'm glad that I didn't know prior to going into the assignment or I wouldn't have agreed to it. Each day the Lord gave me a verse to help strengthen and remind me of why I was there. John 16:33 was the first verse. How applicable that verse ended up being to my whole week.
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
"For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!" 2 Corinthians 4:17
This verse summed up my Friday and when the final bell rang at the end of the day, I think I was just as excited as the kids in my 7th period to get out of the class.
Highlights of my week: (note I'm being very sarcastic)
1. Having to kick the same 3 kids out of ALC all 3 days they were in there with me.
2. Getting asked out by multiple students in my class ( my favorite was the one who asked if he could take me to Costco to get pizza!) hahahaha
3. Drug deal going on outside my classroom..
Thankfully today I have travelled back to historyland and am subbing for my old master teacher. My life is much happier.
Only the Lord knew what He had in store for me last week and I think I'm glad that I didn't know prior to going into the assignment or I wouldn't have agreed to it. Each day the Lord gave me a verse to help strengthen and remind me of why I was there. John 16:33 was the first verse. How applicable that verse ended up being to my whole week.
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
"For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!" 2 Corinthians 4:17
This verse summed up my Friday and when the final bell rang at the end of the day, I think I was just as excited as the kids in my 7th period to get out of the class.
Highlights of my week: (note I'm being very sarcastic)
1. Having to kick the same 3 kids out of ALC all 3 days they were in there with me.
2. Getting asked out by multiple students in my class ( my favorite was the one who asked if he could take me to Costco to get pizza!) hahahaha
3. Drug deal going on outside my classroom..
Thankfully today I have travelled back to historyland and am subbing for my old master teacher. My life is much happier.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Isn't jail supposed to be torture for the inmate not the jailer?
When someone is sent to jail the idea behind it is they will learn from their lesson and then return to society changed. We all hope that change is for the better, but that is not always the case.
The same is true of the students I was sent to "guard" in ALC today. I call it jail, the technical name is ALC. Although they were sent there because a) like 10 of them were there for all day in school suspension or b) they were a classroom disruption in their real classroom and were therefore sent to be in mine. The thing is, that being sent to ALC is not a punishment really, because all their little hoodlum friends are serving time with them. Though they are not allowed to talk they bang on the desks. So I tried to ignore them. That worked for a while until they all started banging. I then got fed up after I confiscated 1) mcdonald's egg mcmuffin 2) a cell phone 3) an ipod 4) a "wonderful" drawing of me.. (it was less than flattering) so I sent Van Gogh to the office because I'd had quite enough of him. The AP came in and then chewed them out and silence was finally restored.
I noticed though that I seemed to be the only one really counting down the minutes until my hour of torture was over! grr.. and it's only 3rd period!!
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