Wednesday Hodepodge

   

             1.  I'm joining my daughter1 in the 101 in 1001 challenge. Essentially you create a list of 101 things you hope to do or accomplish in the next 1001 days. What's one thing you'd put on your list?

Finish my degree (I graduate in December)

2. How many remote controls do you have in your house? What's one item in your home you wish could be operated by remote control?

Four, but does Wii controllers count?? The oven or microwave

3. What does having it all mean to you? Is it attainable?

Being with Christ. Yes it is!!!

4. What's your favorite movie soundtrack?

“I want to be like you” from the Jungle Book was my favorite song when I was a child. I wouldnt know what it would be as an adult.

5. Describe the best view you've seen from a rooftop.

Im not usually up on roofs, but I guess it would be the view of the lake in front of our house. J

6. What's your least favorite thing about summer?

How hot it is… Living in AZ means 100+ all summer long.

7. Our weekly Hodgepodge falls on the first day of August. In ten words or less sum up your July.

Very long and yet short Filled with fun and  craziness.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Going to my first back to school teacher meeting this morning…. I have no idea what to expect.. :/
Ang

Excited about Student teaching. :D :D

So today I met the teacher I will be working with this semester. Her name is Heidi and she teaches 5th grade.(If you read a post before about me teaching in 4th, that has changed) I am so excited to be apart of her class. She wants me involved if i'm willing even now, before my semester starts so the students can get to know me and I can get the most out of student teaching. On Wednesday I go to the teacher meeting where they review the teacher handbook, Thursday is meet the teacher night and Friday I am going to help her finish some of her last minuet things. I am also going to go to school the first day of class for the students which is on Monday. She even wants me to do an ice breaker activity with the students. I am leaning towards doing something like: Two truths and a Lie. We have 34 students at various levels.

Anyway, she seems to be an amazing person and teacher. So I am so excited to be working with her!!!! I cannot wait to meet all of our 34 students and to get to know each one. This is going to be a hard, but great experience!

My goal is to write on here a lil each to week to have a sort of journal of my student teaching experience. We shall see if that actually happens!!
Ang

Basketball and Raquetball

Yep, I am actually about to talk about two sports... well actually complain...

Everyone but me, on the court playing basketball

Basketball is fun to me. Last night and today we played and its funny... the rules are NORMAL... LOL!  You throw the ball in the hoop, if it makes it you get a point.. if it goes out of bounds you check it in etc.

When it comes to racquetball however, I swear the boys make up a new rule every time we play...

I mean they told us the rules last night and I thought I had them down... especially since my team one... But today its like oh "it can't hit the wall or it has to be reserved"... The boys keep saying "its just like Tennis" but both Heidi and I have never played tennis...

You missed me chasing the ball like crazy, twisting around in circles to hit it and one time even falling on the floor trying to pick up the ball to serve... Go ahead and laugh...  yep, I totally stink at racquet ball... oh well.

Anyone else play any confusing sports?

Be Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak, and Slow to Become Angry

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ²¹ Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:19-21

Being quick to listen- anyone out there struggle with this one? I know I always like to be the first one to speak... I get caught "assuming" where things were going in the conversation but not truly listening. 
Slow to speak- as you can tell from the one above i have trouble with that.
Slow to become angry- this one it really depends. I try really hard not to become angry with people. 
(obviously this doesnt mean we just dont speak to anyone anymore)


Anyway, my point is... This is something I need to do because "anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires". 

Now how do we come to be "quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry"???

By letting the Holy Spirit work through us.... We have to focus on God and who he is and realize, that its Him who is going to make you be able to do those things or anything that he has told you to do. Without Him... we are nothing and cannot please Him.

So.... Don't try to do this on your own.... Focus on God and His word.... He is the one who will teach you to obey His will.  


Pretty much I am saying let go, and let GOD! 


If you are struggling to DO anything that you think is right, then focus on God. With Jesus, all things are possible. But only WITH Him.



"And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father." Colossians 3:17

 Have a good weekend!!! 
Ang

Life and the Book of James

The last time I posted was two weeks ago, so I figured it was time to write on my blog.

As of late Saturday night we now have some family staying with us. You may recognize the picture below because it was taken back in May when they got married.

Me, Heidi, Jerold, Mikel

Its very hot here in AZ its around 112 degrees outside... Which means, when you go outside you DIE! LOL!

I recently started a bible study called " James, Mercy Triumphs" by Beth more. I am doing it with my mom and a few of my moms friends. We are emailing each other and watching the videos on our own since we live in different states. Its interesting how every time I read the book of James I get something new out of it.

So far in the study we have been learning who James, the author of the book of James was. I don't think I ever really cared to find out more about the James of the book of James. But this study got me thinking.

James 1:1
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

Did you know that when you look up James 1:1 in the Greek it calls James Jacobus (Jacob)?

Do you remember back in the old testament about Jacob and who he became? (Israel- through him the Jews were chosen. Gen 32:22-32)

Did you realize when you read the first chapter of James that the book wasn't  written to the gentiles?
It was written to the 12 tribes of Israel aka the Jews.

Do you think that the writer of the book of James was James the brother of Jesus?
From what I can tell he was.

Have you looked up where it says in the bible about Jesus' brothers? (John 7:1-9, 1Cor 151:7, Mark 3:21)

Hopefully, I gave you a lot to think about and to research on your own.

Have an amazing Monday!!
Ang

Mikel's Back

Just so you know, Red Robin's peach tea rules!!

Red Robin Yum!

So, we found out whats been causing all the pain in Mikel's back. He has what is called degenerative disc disease.

So, you like me may be wondering:

What is degenerative disc disease?

According to what i have read/researched. It sounds scarier than it actually is. Degenerative disc diesase is not turly a disease. it is a term doctors use to discribe normal changes in the discs in ones back.

What causes Degenerative Disc Disease?

As we get older our disc in our back degenerate or break down.  Most people do not get pain from this problem until their late thirties to forties.  This can be caused by injury or dehydration.

What causes the pain?

The pain is caused by either inflammation or abnormal micromotion instability. The disc degeneration can also cause pinched nerves.

What are the symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease?

• "The low back pain is generally made worse with sitting, since in the seated position the lumbosacral discs are loaded three times more than standing.
• Certain types of activity will usually worsen the low back pain, especially bending, lifting and twisting.
• Walking, and even running, may actually feel better than prolonged sitting or standing.
• Patients will generally feel better if they can change positions frequently, and lying down is usually the best position since this relieves stress on the disc space." (Copied from: spine-health.com)

What are the treatments for Degenerative disc disease?

The known treatments are anti-inflammatory medication, pain patches, epidurals and surgery. 

~~~~~~~~~

Anyway, with that being said... I have no idea whether its something the Air Force will let Mikel deal with while still serving our country or if they will say he is not fit for duty and medically discharge him. We will find out come October... But October is a long way away! I don't know if they decide to discharge him whether we have like a week to get off base or a month or what? That's the scary part, not knowing what will be required of us. My hope is that if they discharge him and do not allow him to retrain, that they allow him to stay in until his enlistment is up and just don't let him reenlist and discharge him with disability pay..... but we shall see. We may have to fight for the disability pay. At least we still arent wondering whats wrong with his back. We finally got that answered. :D

Have a great Wed/Thursday!
Ang

I am a terrible blogger/ What if??

I have figured out that I am terrible at remembering to get on here and blog... I always think "Oh I'll post on there tomorrow" and well.. It doesn't happen... Sorry to anyone who actually reads my blog... I know, I am terrible.

My life is a lil crazy right now due to all the "What ifs"...

Lets see, my husband may loose his job in the Air Force due to his back.. We still have no idea what is wrong... However, today (in about an hour) we go to the newest Dr. to see if he has any idea... I am hoping we get a diagnosis and treatment plan... but I don't know that that will actually happen...
"IF" he does loose his job, we have to find a new one and a place to live and all that.... probably by the end of this year... :( 

Earlier this week I went to the ER due to what felt like terrible horrible heart burn... Only it was worse than the one time I did have heart burn (I couldn't sleep, eat or drink anything without feeling like my chest/stomach were on fire). Some people were asking me if I was pregnant (I'm NOT) and that brought up all the of the feelings of "What if" I am pregnant... Will I be able to make it through student teaching etc. (The Dr. says I have acid reflux.. but i'm not sure whether I believe him.)

These are just two of the many that are on my mind... 

Anyway with all the "What IFs" its hard not to worry... I am a planner... I like to plan things out for like the end of the year... but you know what?? I can make all my plans and IF God's plan is different mine gets thrown out the window... Its hard to trust, when you have no idea what is going on or what will happen... This is what I hold on to:

Matthew 6:25-34


The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10


And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5


What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31


How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1

I know that God's got the whole world in his hands... He cares for me... He loves me as a daughter and will work all things for good. He will never leave me nor forsake me.. If God is for me, who can be against me? Everything will be ok... God will be right here with me.. to get me through it! I do NOT need to worry! Hes got it under control.....

There's my blip for today... Have a great Monday!!!
Ang

Reading the Bible

 This youtube video is pretty much what I am about to say in a funny way.

Recently in church, specifically in Sunday school... We have been learning about reading the bible and getting to know God through it..(Not just reading it.. but digesting it and understanding what it really means rather than just a bunch of verses you memorize or read and then forget about 10min or a few days from now.)

 I know many Christians... including myself... who thought that reading the bible was something you "have to do" if you want to be a "good" christian. So we would go through the motions... read our 3 verses or chapter a day and then get on with our lives.... We might have thought about it at some point during the day.. but the real reason we read it was to get our "Jesus time" in... and to make ourselves feel better because we did our "duty" as a Christian and read our bible... This must make us a "good" christian...
ummm.... not to make you feel bad... but you are WRONG!

The point of us reading the bible is for us to: 1. Learn and understand who God is... 2. To see our sin. 3. To help us not to sin.

If all we do is read it for our 5min a day and then never think of it again... do you really think any of the above is going to happen??? (Hint: NO!)

If you have time... read psalm 119 or just a part of it (its the longest chapter in the bible) then come back..... http://www.esvbible.org/search/psalm+119/

In psalm 119, you learn about the psalmists passion for the word of God. For example:

    With my whole heart I seek you;
        let me not wander from your commandments!
(Psalm 119:10 ESV)

    Blessed are you, O LORD;
        teach me your statutes!
(Psalm 119:12 ESV)

    I will meditate on your precepts
        and fix my eyes on your ways.
    I will delight in your statutes;
        I will not forget your word.(Psalm 119:15-16 ESV)

    Open my eyes, that I may behold
        wondrous things out of your law.
(Psalm 119:18 ESV)

    My soul is consumed with longing
        for your rules at all times.
(Psalm 119:20 ESV)

    Your testimonies are my delight;
        they are my counselors.(Psalm 119:24 ESV)

    Oh how I love your law!
        It is my meditation all the day.
(Psalm 119:97 ESV)

As you can see, the psalmist loved God's word and longed to learn more and to understand it... He meditated on it all the time. He didn't just do it because he had to... he longed for it... he memorized and meditated on it because he had a passion for it.

Meditate = Think about it!

Does the above sound how you are about Gods word??? If not, pray about it... God will give you that desire through the Holy Spirit. You don't have to do it on your own... He gave us his helper.

My challenge:
1. Take the next week to read Psalm 119.... Read it, study it, memorize a verse or two, meditate on it and pray about it.Write down what you learn!
2. Let me know how it goes and what you learned!
3. Don't do this because you have to... Do it because you desire to learn more about your savior the one who died for you!

Remember: The entire bible is about one thing: JESUS!

Life: God works all things for good!

This I drew during everything...

A few years ago, my family was asked to leave our church... We had been there for 4 years, the pastors family was like family to us. There were rumors spread and lies told to the pastor by people in the church. The pastor believed it and on Saturday afternoon, (after having a meeting with the deacons in secret) told my parents not to come back on Sunday morning. The whole church was told later that we had decided to leave on our own. The worst part was that we were not allowed to say good bye to the pastors children, because the pastor believed we would still be "friends". That hurt the most because I considered them as my brothers and sisters. Anyway, during this, someone else working with Satan was also at work in deceiving people. Someone was sending letters from my family and from theirs that none of us ever wrote or sent. This only made things worse... It made it to the point where my family wasn't permitted to see any of the pastors family... The pastor had received a fake email from my dad saying that if he(pastor) ever came near my family or talked to them he, my dad knew where he lived... etc. Pretty much the letter was threatening his family.... Now my dad never wrote this email.... my dad just received the response from it... My family also received another letter from them... As you can see, it was a big mess, with many people hurt, not just us, but people in the church who didn't know what to believe... Pretty much... Satan had fun trying to pull us all away from Christ.. but that didn't work!

Recently, the pastor texted my sister and apologized to her (she was the one slandered the most). He told her she could come back to the church anytime.... Pretty much for her.... its gone back to the way things were before everything happened.  While in FL, I got to visit with some of the pastors family and we kind of become friends again. It was weird..... I remembered all the hurt and all the promises I had made my younger "brothers and sisters". It made it hurt really bad... When I got back from FL, I had a total meltdown. I was scared... and reliving all the hurt again... This made me realize something, I never fully forgave them.

I say this to explain what I am going to say next...

Sometimes.... We have to be hurt by others, and to reach bottom so that we realize God is Lord over all..... When things happened back then... I remember spending days.. crying, reading the bible and writing in my journal... I didn't understand "Why" God was doing this... I mean, why would he let people betray me and stab me in the back?? Why Why Why???

During that time... I had one thing to hold on to: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28NIV

This means, what I go through... God is working for good... not evil...

After this, I met some amazing people at our "new" church who I now call family... They taught me... and I learned from them... They loved me... and that's what truly mattered... However, I learned one thing through all this...: One has to trust God... not matter what! You have to trust him, to allow others to hurt you.... He is in control of everything... I mean when I think back to everything that happened..... I learned so much about God and trusting Him through that time, than i think I had in all of my life.I learned to love, even though I might get hurt.. to trust others even though they may stab me in the back.... I learned that he will be there and will never forsake me... That it doesn't matter what others think or say... all that matters is Jesus... I learned to trust Him with everything (This can still be hard at times)...


Bottom line: He used the hurt and the pain, to make me more like him... 

When you are in the middle of a storm... its hard to see the light... but after the storm... comes the rainbow and you realize why.... 

He is still using that experience to make me more like him... When I realized i still hadn't forgiven.. it caused me to repent...
 

He truly is an amazing God, who works all things to good, for those who love Him!

Think for yourself:
If you love God, no matter whats going on, or has happened in the past... He is working it for good... 

Ang

P.S. I hope this encourages you!

There is this hurt deep down inside,
I do not want to let it outside
It has been there for a while,
So it has begun to pile
When will I finally let it go?,
When will I finally say no?
When will it stop festering?,
When will it stop pestering?
I try and try to let it out,
but nothing really comes about
I know that there is one who can,
He is there telling me he can
Why don’t I just give it all?,
So that the pile doesn’t fall
Give it to me he says,
But what if it stays?
Even if I give it away,
Will it really go away?
I know deep down inside it will,
Go away and not be here still
Yet I keep it locked away,
To fall down on me one day
Now I think the time has come,
I've decided that I'm done
I give it all to Him,,
The one who has no sin
Who will take it all away,
And none of it will stay
It will be gone forever,
Because he heals forever
Why He loves me I don’t know,
when I tell him please go
Yet he stays here by my side,
I know He'll be here till I die
I give Him all that is within me,
All that I am, was and will be
It now belongs to Him,
And I know I can trust Him
To take care of me and love me,
Because He was and is and will be,
My Lord, my Savior and my God.

Student Teaching

So for my student teaching, I was hoping to work with students K-2nd.... However, I have 4th grade. Last fall I worked in special education, with 4th-8th graders... I really liked the fourth graders.. but I still prefer kindergarteners. Anyway m my thy goal is to put my thoughts about this experience on here, starting around August 27th....

Here's what I know as of right now:
      I will be expected to create and teach 2-3 unit plans(plus various other assignments). I will also be required to have at least 6 of my 10-16weeks in the classroom, be full time teaching experience; meaning I control and teach all lesson and do everything in the classroom. Starting week one I will get to know the school and students (I have to meet with the teacher beforehand). Week 2 I will begin to slowly take over subject areas one at a time until I have finally taken them all over and keep them for at least 6 weeks. After this I will slowly give each subject area back to the teacher.
       During this time I will also be taking 2 classes: Senior Seminar and Curriculum for Teaching Students with Severe Disabilities. This means I will be taking a total of 15credit hours... This would be no big deal because I have taken 15 credits most of my college experience; However, 10 of those hours are considered "Student Teaching". The problem is that I have to be in the classroom/school the entire time the teacher is required to be there Monday thru Friday... This means working from 7am-4:30pm. That's more than 9hrs a day making it  around 50hrs a week in the classroom, not including the time I have to take to complete "extra" assignments for that class as well as do whatever homework is required for my other classes.    Plus making dinner, spending time with the hubby and taking care of our multiple pets.

I am already starting to stress and its not even here yet... All I can think is "Can December 15th get here already??"


"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...." Ever read the book/seen the movie "The Little Engine that Could"?
(If you havent.. Read the book! LOL!)

Anyway, I am so happy I have Jesus on my side! He will get me through this, so I shouldn't be saying "I think I can" I should be saying "With Him I can". :D

Have a Super De Doooper Tuesday!
Ang