Lego Lesson

Saturday I had the privilege of playing with my nephews.  Two of them have become enthralled with Legos.  As I was getting ready to leave, they asked me to help them build a house!  (I can't resist their requests most of the time...one look and I'm sucked right in!)  I sat down and began building a house.  I'm sure most of you are aware of how to build a lego house (I mean it is the same with bricks or stone on a real house!) but today, I was mesmerized by how sturdy the house became; each row of Legos/bricks overlapping the seam of the row below it.

  If we just stacked blocks without overlapping, each separate tower would easily crumble, but when we are overlapped, the Legos become a force not easily broken.  As I thought of this, my mind was flooded with applications and lessons. (Too bad the flood didn't wash away some of my over analytical dramatic thoughts...) 

The first thing I thought of was a song by Casting Crown, Broken Together. Lately, this song has been in my top 5 and played multiple times each day!  (I know it was intended for a couple/marriage...but in my singleness, I find it applicable to all relationships.)

The lego pieces don't change when you put them together.  Neither do relationships.  We don't become complete just because we are united. In fact, just as the song says, maybe we are meant to be broken together. As I've been thinking about the Legos and the song I have been evaluating relationships. I'm broken...I've got faults! (Yes, I am aware of many of them...) I bring my brokenness and join with others. Connected with others I am able to continually strive to be better. 

Summer has come to an end and each of us has experienced very different things this summer; some exciting times (new babies, weddings, fun adventures), some of us have experienced heartbreak or unfortunate events.  No matter what we've dealt with, it is time we come together to touch the lives of our students (and one another). We must allow others to lean on us while we also lean on others (Overlap those bricks...it takes more than one person.)  We must be aware of our mistakes as we become aware of others.  We must forgive even when it's tough (a wise friend said those very words to me tonight!)  Not one of us can stand on our own so after we rely and intertwine our lives with God, let's support and encourage each other! 

I Can See Clearly Now...

Ever since I was in 5th grade I have worn glasses or contacts to correct my vision. It was the way life worked and thankfully I had a correction for my problem. Over the past few years my eyes decided they hated contacts and wanted nothing to do with them. This meant I had to revert back to glasses and no sunglasses. Over the last few months I pondered and soon decided LASIK eye surgery might be the best way to go. After looking at different options, I went in for a consultation and decided to schedule the surgery. Last Friday I had LASIK and Saturday morning I could see 20/20! (According to the Dr.!)

I spent 24 hours in the awesome glasses pictured above!! 

 I was amazed and still am at the fact I don't wake up and have to look for my glasses. I can read signs faraway and books up close. In 8 seconds, the vision in both my eyes was corrected.Honesty  moment...I say things were great right away and they were, but things haven't been perfect. My eyes get tired easily or dry which causes my vision to get a little clouded. Even with the hiccups, my vision has been corrected. 

Over the next few days I spent quite a bit of time thinking about this...and it led me to a blog post! 

I had a problem (bad eyesight). I thought I had the ultimate solution (glasses). I realized I wasn't truly fixing the problem, I was controlling the problem. Yes, my glasses worked well and I was very thankful for them, but they were not a true fix. LASIK was a true fix. It got down to the heart (okay, the cornea) of the problem and reshaped it. 

I decided to apply this idea first to my spiritual life. How many times do I have a problem that I "fix" with glasses when I really need to get to the "cornea" of the problem and rely on God? Many times it is easy to find a solution that is more like the glasses because fixes like LASIK or coming to God can be scary. (Believe me...I had the fear of going blind!!) Sometimes our problem is a void or an emptiness we have.  We tend to use "glasses or contacts," such as earthly relationships, drugs, alcohol, ice cream, sex, food, or work to fill the voids. Although those things appear to correct the problem, the void still exists "when we take our glasses off". It isn't until we come to God that the void is truly fulfilled. Once we come to God, we might still have times when the blurriness comes back or the problem resurfaces when we get tired, but deep down, the problem has been corrected. Do you have a constant problem that you think you've found a solution for? Have you found a solution or a true fix? Ask God what he thinks! Know He is a true fix!!

I just love making applications for my two favorite things...my faith and my job!! 

So here goes the school application...

As teachers, many of our students come in with problems. Those problems could be emotional, social, or academics. It is our job as teachers to identify and correct those problems. Many times in the hustle and bustle of school we want a  quick fix like "putting glasses on," when we really need the "precision of a laser" to truly fix it. For our students, going home at night can be the same as me taking off my glasses at night! The problem still exists. As we prepare for this fall, let's make sure we remember our students matter the most and it is our job to help them actually fix their problem rather than masking it. It might take a few extra minutes reading with a child, or a lunch date together to talk about life. Maybe it will take a few minutes talking on the playground or five extra minutes during small group to review those facts. Whatever it takes...be what your kids need to truly correct their vision!!!! 👀

Challenge Failed

Before Christmas, one of my coworkers asked me to incorporate Botball Robotics into my Tech Club curriculum.  Since I had been tinkering with hour of code, I thought my Tech Club would enjoy this! BOY - was I in for a shock when I began to realize the type of coding I was going to be working with.  For you computer programmers, it is C programming using KISS software!  For those of you who know nothing about computer programming...welcome to my world!!

        

I spent quite a few hours trying to learn enough so I could teach it. After several hours going through online tutorials and PowerPoints, I wrote my first code.  I tried to compile the program, (transferring it from the computer to the robot) but was unsuccessful repeatedly!  WHAT was I doing wrong?!?! I worked with my coworker, my cousins, and anyone else who would attempt (even if they just looked to appease me) to help me figure out what was wrong, but couldn't get the robot to move!  As my momentum dwindled, the students' excitement and enthusiasm was ramping up with unplugged activities!  Angela and I sat down to troubleshoot once more. We found I had simply started in the wrong level of the program and with a quick switch, the new program made the robot move!   I cannot explain to you the sense of satisfaction I felt the day it worked!!!

If I got that excited about making the robot move, I knew the kids would be ecstatic when they did. Within 30 minutes of starting on the computer, some of my kids successfully made the robot move! (Of course they learn faster than we do!)

                                       

As the students progressed through the different challenges, I could tell who really was enthusiastic about coding.  We worked one day a week and the kids could roughly work out a challenge in about 45 minutes.  After a rough draft of numbers, the students then had to use math and figure precise changes to complete the challenges.  The precision of completing the tasks and the upper tasks became increasingly difficult for the students, but they kept working.  The perseverance among my students amazed me even when the challenges became difficult.  

One group of boys could not figure out the line/light censoring challenge.  Neither myself nor the other coach could help them.  After calling in the Botball expert, the students completed the task.  They were so eager to learn and try more.  Achievement after trials was turning out to be inspiring for both the students and myself!! 

The competition was set up for students to practice until they were ready to complete the challenge for a judge.  I took twelve kids, two teams, and two groups of 3 within each team, to compete.  Early Saturday morning we arrived in Norman and began a long day of just playing with the robot.  One of my teams completed two challenges first thing and spent the rest of the day trying to figure out the rest.  The other team struggled to get any one challenge precise enough to compete.  I could see the frustration and boredom in some of their eyes...we were failing and they were getting discouraged.  Some were even ready to quit.  After lunch, I brought the six girls (1 team, 2 groups) together and went to an open area where we could really focus.  With the support/encouragement of parents and Ms. Rudd, the girls successfully worked their way to complete Challenge 1, soon followed by challenge 2!  It was successful.  Accomplishing these two challenges were exhilarating and gave the girls a new energy!

This got me thinking.  As teachers, so many times we feel defeated or discouraged.  In fact, so many times I see, hear, and feel the feelings of failure among teachers.  These feelings come from having to call the office too many times, low test scores, getting frustrated when we should have kept our cool, being short with our students, students continually misbehaving and not following directions, missing paperwork deadlines, extra paperwork piling up, etc.  None of us like these feelings or want them, but they come anyway.  The awesome lesson I've learned through this, is that the moments of success will be even grander and worth celebrating because of the challenges we face.  Our job is full of challenges and roadblocks, but let's be like these kids and persevere.  If it calls for us to join together and work as a close team then work as a team, if it calls for us to encourage one another then encourage one another, if it calls for us to recruit help from parents then call on volunteers.  We can push forward and make it through the next few exhausting weeks!!!  

The Empty Pot

A dear friend of mine shared the Children’s book called The Empty Pot by Demi, and presented an illustration that is important for all teachers to hear.  As the story goes the little boy who loves to garden is given a seed to plant and grow just like all the other children in the kingdom.  Ping dedicated his life to making the seed grow and tenderly cared for it day after day without seeing any results.  At times and in the end, he was discouraged and disheartened.  He knew he was a good gardener but he could not get the plant to grow.  After a year of the plant still not growing, Ping began to question his gardening skills and himself.  Ping presents his empty pot to the Emperor only to be rewarded with being Emperor himself.

Each day we are given seeds that we are to plant, nurture, and watch grow.  The problem is they do not grow or grow enough to meet the standards that are evaluating us as teachers.  Teachers walk through the halls of schools feeling defeated and disheartened, lacking the esteem needed to persevere.  The power behind this story is that you may not see the benefits or the rewards immediately or at all.  Even a year may past, but in the end whether or not you see the benefits, a life was touched.  The beauty of a child’s story is that they are NOT a “baked seed” and have the potential to grow and flourish.  It is vital to the success of students and schools that teachers take time to love and nurture students.  Maybe they need to be “planted in a new pot” meaning they are moved to a new seat or a different small group.  Maybe it means they need to be “watered” a little bit more with love from teachers.  Just because you do not see the growth in two or ten children, does not make you a bad teacher in the same way Ping was not a bad gardener.  My message is a simple one: when you invest in nurturing each seed with the utmost care, whether you see it or not, you will make a difference and be reward.  Defeated teachers: you will be rewarded for your efforts of care and nurture!  You ARE making a difference!  You ARE doing a good job!  Be the gardener you love being and keep fighting for EVERY ONE of your students!  

Taken back in time...

Wednesday night my brother spoke on the story of Jonah, using his modern day story telling techniques.  Last night, I was talking to a friend about traveling overseas for an extended period of time.  Both of these things took me back in time 8 years ago when I made a very difficult decision to participate in Youth in Mission (YIM).  Not only was it the most difficult thing, it was also the best thing I ever did!!  Even though my trip was a long time ago, bare with me as a reminisce!

You see...I'm a tad bit of a homebody and someone who doesn't really like change, (probably the reason why I still live with my mom and dad!) but I really felt a calling to go on a mission trip.  It was October and I was sitting in chapel at SNU.  People were sharing stories about their YIM experiences when the stirring began and quickly grew.  I tried extremely hard to push it aside and ignore it.  Me? Never!  I can't be away from home that long!!  

Over the next several months, I spent many hours contemplating going, opening up the application, convincing myself it wasn't what God wanted, looking for signs, ignoring blatant signs I requested, talking myself into going, and finally letting the deadline pass! You read correctly, I ignored God's calling and desire to go because I couldn't stand the thought of being away from my family, or missing a dear friend's wedding! 

After missing the deadline and feeling sick about it, I happened to read the story of Jonah.  

Jonah is called to go to Nineveh but instead goes the other direction.  When he's on the boat, a storm comes along and the people on the boat end up throwing him overboard.  He is swallowed by a whale and after being spit on the beach, goes to Nineveh.  He's given a second chance to do what he was called to do originally.  

It was at that moment I knew I had to sign up.  God gave Jonah a second chance, maybe He would give me one.  I emailed YIM and told them the long drawn out version of being called but ignoring until I no longer could. Quickly they responded and told me to fill out the application.  The application was submitted and a placement letter was received in return.  Scotland here I come.  (Really...there I went)

Although the journey leading me to sign up is a good majority of the story, it is by no means the end! One small part of our trip was to plan and carry out a Vacation Bible School at the local church.  How exciting is that?  I wanted to be a teacher and loved organizing events.  It was going to be perfect!  To prepare for the Bible School, we canvased the Town Square and passed out flyers.  Talking to strangers is my mom's strength, not mine!  I definitely was out of my comfort zone as we unsuccessfully tried to convince people to come to VBS.  Crazy Americans with balloons and flyers do not attract masses of Scots!  Who knew we were planning an entire event for less than 15 kids.  Not my idea of a successful VBS.  After the first night, I wanted to be done.  It was rather disheartening to do all that work and have such a small turnout. 

As I spent tonight thinking about my trip to Scotland and my teaching today, I realized that much of my teaching is like this VBS experience.  I pour my heart and soul into what I'm doing only to be let down because only a few students respond, or the scores on the test still suck!  Failure begins to creep in and haunt me (other teachers too.)  In fact, I believe the feeling of failure in teachers is one of the biggest problems education faces.  The let down and lack of payoff quickly cause teachers to lose enthusiasm and spunk.  

We could just stop there...VBS only had a few kids, we were disappointed, so quit!  We tried something new in our class and the scores don't look much better, so we stop trying new things!

BUT - if we gave up there, we would have missed out on ministering to 10 kids.  If we continue to dwell in the lack of improvement, we miss out on celebrating the small successes and joys a few students may see.  Christ sees us everyday, and everyday he is let down by the traps of sin we fall prey to.  The people who miss out on opportunities to reach a lost soul disappoint him.  Talk about feeling defeat and failure...I know I alone fail him daily.  Each day, He gives us another chance, He tries a new approach.  He died for us even if just one accepts.  If He stopped there, we would have no eternal hope!  The wonderful thing is, He doesn't!  No matter how small the turnout is or how many times He teaches us the same thing only to have us fail again, He never becomes too disheartened.  He continues just as much as always!  We are called to be Christ-like, which means, we are called to persevere even when only one child responds to the lesson or the class still isn't getting it! We are called to come to school and begin a new day with a smile even when yesterday was awful! 

 It wasn't about having the biggest and best VBS.  It isn't about seeing growth and change right now all the time with all the students...it's about being Christ-like and continuing the fight even without results!  Sometimes, we don't get the results we want or get to see the results.  

We finished the VBS strong with no more than 15 kids each night!  Throughout the week we connected with a family and ignited an interest in church.  We had success and made a difference!  

YOU CAN DO IT TOO!!! - Don't be defeated - just keep fighting! You ARE making a difference!  You ARE saving lives! Keep fighting for your students.

Beautiful Things...

This was my view driving to work the other day...

Beautiful isn't it? 

Then, when I was driving home, this was the view...

As I drove home, I started thinking (me thinking...crazy I know) how my day both started and ended with something so beautiful and unique. You see, the middle was not beautiful at all. It was filled with  irritation, heartbreak, pain, and frustration.  Being a specials teacher allows me to see many kids and hear many sad stories.  My thinking went to a variety of places but stuck on a song, Beautiful Things.  

All this pain

I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You see, God does make beautiful things.  REALLY beautiful things - just like the sunrise and sunset everyday.  The world is filled with pain, frustrations, imperfect people and everything else ugly!  Yet, God makes beautiful things out of dust or clouds and a massive ball of fire.  He also makes beautiful things out of us.  Think about all of our kids and all the baggage they bring to school with them.  Some of their lives are pretty disturbing and ugly.

What can we do as educators to help the students with ugly painful life experiences create beautiful master pieces out of their life?  This is a part of our calling as teachers and probably one of the most difficult tasks.  So many of the students (and people) that pass through our life struggle with the ugliness from their past or present experiences.  Because of their ugliness, we often catch the unbecoming attitudes and actions.  As we catch these attitudes and actions we find ourselves irritated or frustrated with those individuals. It becomes so difficult to love these individuals sometimes but these individuals need love just as much or more.  So let's help these friends make beautiful things! Let's love them! Let's inspire them! Let's encourage them! Let's listen to them! Let's make BEAUTIFUL THINGS OUT OF THE DUST!  - Click the link listen to the song.

All around

Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

Because of God, we have hope.  Because of loving teachers, students have hope.  Because of schools, there is hope for the future!  

A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man. - Guest words of wisdom from the best little brother!

Five Loaves and Two Fish - Part 2

About a year ago, I posted a blog about the Bible story of the five loaves and two fish (if you haven't read it, you should go back and read it! Nov, 2013) This morning, we read Matthew 14:13-21 in Sunday School and interacted with the text. While I listened to the discussion and questions this scripture taught me another life lesson from God. 

As we picked apart the story we looked at three different groups of people; Jesus who had compassion on others, the disciples who were worn out, and the crowd of people hungry for God. The departing Sunday school question was who in this story are you? As I thought about the different emotions the identified groups felt, I began looking at myself as a teacher and co-worker. 

Christ, who was looking for solitude with his closet friends still had compassion when he saw the crowd. So much so he gave everything He and his disciples had in order to "satisfy" the people. (When it says satisfy, I feel that is true satisfaction, a peaceful satisfaction.)  The disciples on the other hand, were really ready for the quiet time. It seems to me they even felt frustrated they were called on to "provide food."  Many, many many times I find myself worn out and frustrated that I have to do one more thing for someone else or answer the same question 3 more times for students.  As a teacher, many times we have reached our max with people and are looking forward to quiet time in our classroom or lunch with other adults. It's at this moment that a student or other teacher might have the greatest need and it is important that as a servant of Christ we follow His example and "have compassion on them."  This week, as you are at work and relishing the quiet moments, don't miss the opportunity to be Christlike to someone who is "hungry" for God. 

I also think it is important to point out another lesson within this scripture.  One of the wise teenagers pointed out that Jesus did (and still does) find solitude and quiet important.  He seized opportunities to pull his closest family and friends together.  Make sure you take time to rest, relax, and cherish those you love.

- God, help me to give like you do but provide the solitude and rest when I need it. 

They got the practice...but failed the test!

One of the most discouraging things for a teacher is to give a test and have only a few kids pass it.  Somedays, I feel like this is the story of my life.  As I was venting to a friend about how the kids seem to get it during guided practice and even independent practice, yet can't do it on the test; the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "Amy, this is how I feel with you sometimes."  

Ouch!  But...let's be honest...it is true.  How many times as humans do we work with God to trust him, or to love our neighbors, and we "get it" during the practice?  We "get it" while we are at church and talking about it in Bible Study, but when the test comes, we fail! 

The cool part is that God understands how I feel in my classroom.  The more I thought about this, I realized God was using my frustrations to teach me how to handle the feelings.  He most definitely does not give up on me or take out His frustration on me.  In fact, He does just the opposite, He loves me even more.  So, the next time the kids "get it" in class, but don't show it on the quiz, I will work to pass MY test of loving, cherishing, and encouraging them.  That IS what I have been called to do.