Reality Check

Thanks to Quinn for this morning's sermon. It has the wheels turning...There were many great points made but I came away dwelling on one in particular.

¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,  ¹³ for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
¹⁴ Do ALL things without grumbling or disputing, ¹⁵ that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. ¹⁷ Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. (Phil. 2:12-18 ESV with emphasis added)

As I'm home visiting, many people ask how the job is going and it is easy to respond with the negatives. This year has been hard with having no classroom and inadequate staff supports--not to mention the home situations that my kids have been dealing with. It is easy to get caught up when in the midst of it all. This is when the grumbling begins. I find myself saying that if the school doesn't give me teaching space and more sped teaching staff, I will not stay to teach there. Deep in my heart I know this isn't true. I'm deeply invested in the lives of my students and others in the community.

Paul is a wonderful leader as he sets the example for those who are finding it difficult to persevere in our current situations. Even as he was in prison and facing death, he was willing to be a martyr so that he could be a light to the world. He was committed to the point of death so that others would be encouraged and God's kindom would be glorified. Of course, our ultimate example to follow is Christ's as he humbled himself as a servant and obeyed God to the point of death on a cross.

Right now I believe I am obeying God's will for me by being where I am and doing what I do. However, the job is hard. My joy in these hard times comes through remembering God's sovereignty and His grace shown to me. This joy is what sets me apart. With God's grace in mind I am given perspective on life's trials and reminded that I am striving for God's glory to be seen by all. I pray that despite my sin, God's glory shines through me and that I remember the grace that has been shown to me. I pray that this grace humbles me into putting others first and doing it with a cheerful heart.

Summer's here!

School is officially out and I am in vacation mode. My mormor (mother's mother), mom, and yougest sister came to stay a weekend with me in NOLA. Annika actually ended up staying nearly two weeks and riding the train back to Birmingham with me.

Having guests stay over was good practice for starting foster care. I had to be quiet when my mormor went to bed at 7pm and had to practice feeding someone other than just myself. "Oh, so you don't want hummus and green beans for dinner?" I did however manage to get Annika to eat creamy gnocchi with edamame and squash. Success!

Pictures of our students because I can't help but show them off. Love these guys!

Check out the bow coverage for kinder graduation

 So proud of them paying attention to the speaker!

Enjoying good food

 Riding the ferry with Annika

 Proof that she tried new foods

My new haircut! I started my summer doing things that I normally don't have time to do like getting my oil changed and a haircut. The stylist made my hair straight--something that I didn't think was possible--granted, it took over an hour... I'm scared how short it will be when it curls up because we all know that I will not be spending nearly an hour each day straightening my hair. No more pony tails for me.

 Annika and I visited a park and searched for LA wildlife. I was disappointed that we didn't see any gators but we saw some snakes and TONS of dragonflies. This is the walking trail view--gorgeous!

 My summer reading pile (not including audiobooks). I'm ready to lay by the pool and dig into these books :)

New Beginnings

For the past year and a half I have been intimately involved with helping out a student's family even to the point of having the student stay with me for several days. The short version is that their mom abandoned them a year and a half ago; they soon became homeless so their dad turned the kids over to the state; we helped dad fill out housing vouchers so he got his kids back when the housing came through; after a couple of months they had a house fire (reason is inconclusive); we tried to help again by providing temporary support so dad could turn the kids over to the state; however, he ended up just abandoning the kids with us so we had to turn them over to the state; the state found their aunt in Pennsylvania and this incredible woman is trying to adopt them; the aunt is their mom's sister so when the aunt told their mom about the adoption she decided to come back and try to fight for custody after having zero contact with them for 1 1/2 years.

The kids all flew to Pennsylvania to be with their aunt this past Friday and we will hear the final custody ruling from the judge on June 6. Please pray that God will give the judge wisdom and that she will rule to terminate parental rights. Also pray for the kids as they transition to a new home. They have been through so much in their short lifetime and I hope that this is the beginning of a typical childhood for them where they feel safe, carefree, loved, and nurtured. I miss them terribly.

This is the best smile for a picture that she has ever done. She was pumped to have those goggles!

Our little dinosaur--he often pretends that he is one.

Their amazing foster parents

Girlfriend is not shy of anyone or anything