sunset in beautiful florida

sunset from the porch
Originally uploaded by jenandmark710.

so this morning i got up to take the dog out and i'm pretty sure that jack frost bit my nose. i know it probably wasn't jack frost, but it definitely was cold. i told my class this morning that all i have are summer clothes and shoes and one coat. i told them that i'm going to die this winter. and i probably will. i can hear the death march. other than that life is great. today has been much better than previously. and i get to see sharon today!!! i'm excited. have a wonderful sunshiney cool day.

An entry at last!!!

well - i know that my posts have been few and far between. but we really have been busy. mark has been coaching volleyball which makes life busy plus church. but we finally made it to the weekend and got a little rest. i've been learning a lot. my first year of teaching was hard. i had a difficult class that took a lot of energy. then last year my class was pretty good even in the midst of all that happened at the school with the hurricane. this year i have 11 students and there are a lot of difficult situations. and i've had to be reminded to rely on God. i have this quote on my desk:

A little rain can straighten a flower stem.
A little love can change a life.
-Max Lucado

this statement has done a lot to remind me of why i teach. its not for the money or for the status. its to change lives (or at least to encourage strongly to change). and when i'm struggling or depressed i must remember that God has put me in this particular situation to influence lives. am i taking advantage of such a high calling? i hope that i am. and i hope that i've encouraged all of you teachers out there. God has a perfect plan, and he will give you the strength to do the best that you can.

this verse is on the other side of that piece of paper.

Galations 1:15-16
But when God had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that i might preach Him among the Gentiles.

now i know all you Bible majors and pastors are probably all upset that i took this verse out of context, but it encourages me that God planned this for me from the very beginning. He set me apart and called me to preach Him among the Gentiles (6th grade students :) )

so - yes i did have a difficult day today. Mondays i have zero breaks so i spend a LONG time with these kids and its easy to lose focus. but God is good and gracious and gives strength to the weary!!! i hope that God blesses you all - have a wonderful evening - i will try to post some pictures eventually.

school has begun!!!

well - school has started and i have 12 students in my 6th grade class. it has been interesting being at a new school. there are so many things that come up that i don't know what i'm supposed to do. so i just wing it. it has been exciting. my feet hurt so badly and my voice is getting scratchy. so the week is almost over - thank goodness. i could definitely use the week about now. and to top starting a new school year charlie has started limping around. hopefully its nothing serious!!! we'll have to wait and see! hope that you've had a wonderful day!