Appealing and intriguing ... Yet deceiving and devastating

Stunning pictures, aren't they? 

Sitting in the silence, I could hear the gentle clink clink of each ice pellet as it rained from the sky. Then looking out the picture window I was mesmerized by the sight of trees drenched in glassy perfection. The ice glistened and sparkled as though diamonds had been delicately affixed to each branch, leaf, or berry. I was lured into the blistering cold to capture the beauty of each intricate crystal. 

This beauty was tempting, appealing and lured me in. I was captivated by the stunning beauty before me. Not once, not twice, but 3 times I found myself shivering in the cold to capture the sight. 

The beauty I had seen in the ice covered landscape only lasted a couple of hours. Soon, I could see the devastation this once tempting scene was causing. Trees  once strong and mighty were crumbling to the ground. Nothing could stop the gut wrenching scene unfold before our eyes. People lost power left and right. When the trees snapped and fell they crushed everything in their path, vehicles and roofs. No longer were the intricate crystals appealing but seen as a vicious destroyer we were all stuck with. 

(Photo credit: Amanda Oneth) 

As I watched the effects of "Elsa's storm," I began to see a connection to our spiritual life; one that I couldn't just let go but needed to share! 

Many times I see myself attracted towards something. That something appears to be glorious and captivates my attention only to lead down a destructive path damaging everything in its way.  In fact, these sinful things lure us to endure the "cold" just to enjoy the pleasures for a short period of time. We can become fixated on the beauty of the sin and not realize the destructive nature it will cause down the road. Unlike the ice storms of 2015, the destruction may not come immediately. We might get to bask in the "glory of diamond covered trees" for more than just a couple of hours before sin begins to take its toll on our life. But the destruction will come, whether on earth or eternity. What earthly pleasures are you participating in that looked pleasing at the time but may have deceived you or are still deceiving you? 

After the ice melted or will melt from this second storm, cleanup will begin. Branches will be cut up and carried away. Trees may look a tad silly but come spring most will regain strength and bud again. They are given another chance at life, just like you and me each time we find ourself down a destructive path. Repeatedly, God will come in and clean up the mess we've made of our lives and the branches we've let come crashing down. Not only does God cleanup the branches in our life, He can restore the damage you cause in someone else's life as your tree crumbles. 

There is good news! If you are the tree being destroyed by what you thought was something pleasing, God sent his Son to earth as a baby so he may grow up and die for our sins.  His life and death are your way out of the pit of dispair. If you are the one being trampled by someone else's branches crumbling down, remember God offers you grace and mercy; we are called to do the same. The only way to stand up against the appealing pleasures of this world is to arm yourself with the full armor of God as you venture into this mighty crazy world! Don't be caught up in a beautiful yet destructive ice storm! 

Going Through the Motions...Empty

Yesterday did not go as planned...at all! I got up to go walk in the Putnam City Cancer Classic! 

Then was going to head for brunch and have some waffles. After that I was going to stop by Lego League and see my kids compete! But instead of doing any of that...I woke up feeling rather yuck! I was a little nauseated, but mostly I felt as though I could pass out. I've been known to do that.  The idea of going to a race and passing out seemed like it would earn me a little bit more attention than I found necessary today! So back to bed I went. 

Which, was good because I soon realized I had caught the stomach bug and spent the day in bed!! As with most things...I found a life lesson.  I began to think about being empty but going through the motions.  How many times do I go through the motions in my spiritual walk but feel empty? How many days do I get up and teach but feel empty? 

So many times we haven't been spiritually fed enough to compensate for how much we've poured out. In this case we are empty and going through the motions...I can say, that if I would have stopped going through the motions, I would have continued to feel sick. Just like in my spiritual walk, if I completely stopped spending time with Him and other believers I would feel even worse.  This idea of going through the motions on empty led me to think about how necessary it is to continually feed our souls. I had to sip on water and eat ice.  Later in the night, I became so thirsty I couldn't get enough water. At some point in our spiritual journey, we will become so thirsty we will continually consume him! 

Besides thinking about this in my spiritual walk, I thought about it as a teacher. Sometimes the demands of our job drain us and leave us on empty. We become emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausted. We can't stop going through the motions just because we are depleted. In fact, continuing to go through the motions might lead us to a child who will fill us up again. If we stopped doing our job, we would feel terrible for other reasons. Instead...we have to push through and continually go through the motions. 

Now, it's also important to take time to rest and recoup. I had to make myself consume liquids. We cannot give when we have nothing left in us. This goes for both our spiritual life and our teaching world. What are you doing to feed yourself and give yourself energy to continue on? Taking time to pray before work? Spending a little extra time reading your Bible? Taking your plan time to make sure you get things done? Relaxing and visiting with a friend over ice cream? Do something to fill yourself up so you don't have to go through the motions empty! 

Unveiled...Masked Part 2

The moon was hidden...its glory was masked by the gorgeous clouds. Since that blog, I've had conversations with multiple people about how they feel the same way!  What a shame! 

Well it was only two or three nights later when I was heading home and the full moon was shining brightly!!! In all its glory it was there. Besides making my students crazy...the MOON, that once was masked was now unveiled! 

You should know...if you feel defeated or masked, your time to shine is coming!!! Keep busting your butts and keep smiling. It will get better! 

Masked...

I was driving home this evening and looked up at the sky!  I was amazed at the sight....beautiful pinkish orange clouds drifting in front of the moon. Skies like this catch my attention and usually teach me a lesson. Tonight's picturesque sky, brought a conversation I had with a very dear friend to mind. 

The moon looked so tiny, so insignificant; even more tiny and insignificant in the picture. Even though I could barely see the moon because of the awesome clouds, the moon is what caught my attention. In all of its splendor it was tucked away. The awesomeness was masked by the overwhelming beauty of the clouds! 

Let's jump to my conversation with my friend...

She shared how all of the school requirements make her feel bogged down. The awesomeness of her genuine, positive, fun loving personality is masked by something much bigger. She went on to say she goes to faculty meetings only to hear what others are doing right. This leaves her feeling defeated.  The glory and splendor of others' success masks what she feels to be insignificant success. I know she's not alone. Many teachers are left in this slump feeling hidden behind "something" beautiful! 

Great things can appear small and insignificant because things around them feel so much better! The moon was almost hidden by a gorgeous sky! What are we as teachers being masked by? Is it hearing about the successes of others? Is it the daunting task of fitting in small groups and RTI groups? If you feel defeated and hidden, you are not alone. There are many teachers feeling this way, along with students in your classrooms. Maybe we need to ask ourselves if some of our struggling students/coworkers are hiding behind the tremendous growth or ability of peers! Allow others to see the moon in you and point it out. See the moon in your students and cherish their beauty; even in the midst of something else spectacular.  Don't let your success and glory be stripped away because you feel like something else is better. 

To my dear friend...know you are radiant! Know your hard work will pay off. Continue to seek wisdom and continue to be the moon...it is just as significant. 

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! 

Something I once loved...

Back a few years ago, I began blogging as a requirement for receiving a grant.  I was to blog about what I was doing in my classroom and how we were using the iPads I received.  Over the years, I came to really enjoy blogging.  I refocused my blog to be about spiritual lessons I learned that could be applied to the classroom.  Every now and then, I post a blog about a cool project we did in my class.  For the past 5 weeks, I have been in a master's class that required me to blog each week.  At first, I thought the blog had to be over what I learned (apparently, I didn't read the project guidelines carefully enough-oops).  I soon learned I could blog about whatever I wanted.  I chose to continue using my regular blog and blog like I normally do.

I know I posted something about this on my Facebook with the first blog I posted for class, but since I'm required to do a "Blogging Reflection" I thought I'd share my thoughts in a full out blog post!

Even though I got to blog about whatever I wanted, blogging because I had to, changed my motivation and robbed me of the joy blogging once had.  As I thought about this and struggled with the blogging for the past few weeks, I thought about conversations I had with high school students about using technology in the classroom.  These students shared they did not like using the technology for school work.  These students loved using technology to connect with their friends.  They Snapchat, Tweet, Instagram and now Periscope!  (Yes...I used all of those as verbs)  But some students detest when teachers use the technology for projects.  What I gathered from the students I talked with was they want to keep their "fun & personal" life away from school.  I never understood until this summer.  I want to keep my personal blogging away from my school life!  I enjoy blogging with no strings attached (and most definitely not a grade attached).

As I ponder this, I am at a loss for connecting learning to students and applying personal loves to the classroom.  I want learning to be meaningful but never, do I want to rob them of the joy they find in an activity.  One thought I had was, students in elementary school find more joy in using personal activities in the classroom (such as Minecraft).  Maybe when the activity benefits their personal gains, it isn't as much of a downer.  It could just be high school students and older.  I write this post, looking for thoughts from other educators.  I have no answers.  I am about to take Minecraft (something my students love) and use it for educational purposes.  Is this a good idea?  Do you experience kids engaging more with personal activities or withdrawing?  How can we use their likes and interests to engage rather than detour?  HELP!?!?

Just so you know...I will continue blogging after this class is over.  I might take a few week break, but that is not new!!  I have not been detoured from blogging completely!  I enjoy sharing my thoughts with anyone who will listen (whether the audience is 20 readers or 210 readers).

No Place I'd Rather Be...

I had the privilege of attending teen camp as a sponsor this past week! Honestly, the thought of crazy sports, late nights, and hormonal teenagers was not super appealing after being gone for what seemed liked several weeks already and getting my list of homework for the week. Although it wasn't totally appealing, a small part of me was excited. There is something about church camp that brings back many good memories and I enjoy being present for teens. Because of this (oh...the plan of helping with my nephews always helps as well!) I packed my bag and prepared for a good week.

Monday morning, we loaded up (I was deemed as one of the responsible drivers!) and headed to Camp Bond. The week was filled with all that I expected and so much more!!! 

We did play crazy sports! Dodgeball, archery tag (yes, we used real bows), and glow in the dark 9-square. 

Along with the crazy sports, we made movies and had an awesome "Naz-a-groove Dance party!"

Besides all the crazy fun we had, we participated in awesome worship experiences. The band lead us in praises and prayers each night. Jason brought a message of hope and students responded. After service we had the opportunity to share what was on our heart! Whoa...did God create a stirring in people's hearts! 

Last night during the response time, after I had prayed with one of our teens, we sang a song called "Set A Fire."  The song is simple and has only two stanzas. We began singing:

There's no place I'd rather be
Than here in Your Love!
Here in Your Love! 

As I was singing those words I truly meant them. There was no other place I'd rather be. God was moving and his presence was real! I was honored to get to know our students better and pray with them. I loved hearing their vulnerability as they shared struggles! I loved sharing my experiences and how I overcame, as well as my continual struggles. The more I thought about the lyrics the more I was thankful I had given up a week of my time...and full access to my phone. 

Through my processing of those words, I was taken to my classroom...these words although intended for God, also struck me as very real at school.  Kids come to school half-heartedly, unsure about each day, filled with exhaustion! Even in the midst of those feelings...I want my kids to say, "There's no place I'd rather be!" But for my kids to say this, it is my responsibility to create an atmosphere in which my students feel loved and successful. I also need to create a place where learning is fun and engaging.  Through careful planning and evaluation of my learners, I can engage them in activities that lead to learning. On top of exciting learning, I have to create an atmosphere where students feel safe and are loved. Even the tough kids I have to love! This year, I'm going to work to create a place that kids say, "there's no place I'd rather be!" At least for the hour they are with me!! Will you do the same?!? Start the year off with the goal of creating that kind of environment!! Keep that phrase in your mind as you write lesson plans, interact with students, and build relationships!!