My World of 85

Today is Open Assembly for every Lufkin ISD employee!

I can't wait!

I've heard our Superintendent say all week that he hasn't met a man or woman who doesn't look good in purple... so I've got the new Purple Football T-Shirt all ready to go for today's attire.

I know today is going to be a pep rally for the teachers - to get us pumped up for Monday.  Another phrase I've heard all week of In-Service is this, "They're coming on Monday!"

Everyone keeps asking me if I'm ready.  "Is your room ready?" - they all ask.  Whether I'm ready or not - they WILL walk through my door on Monday.  So far I have 85 students.

Of course I have many academic goals for my classroom.  But this song talks about many that are not on any standardized requirements document.

I want to ready myself to shine the light of Jesus.  I want to be a voice of hope in the wilderness.  I want to be the hands & feet of Jesus....

I love this video!  Until the whole world hears... my goal is that my world of 85 would see Jesus through me... starting on Monday!

Reviving the Stones

It's just one more week of prep time and then the students arrive!  Sometimes I still have to pinch myself to see if this is all reality.  The Lord has done some amazing things in my life lately.



My children have friends and are happy.  I have a job and a great one at that!  I have family & friends who love me and are doing many things to help me smile daily.

In some way, almost every day, the Lord shows me that He is reviving me - in spite of all that was lost.

I read something that scoffer said in scripture to Nehemiah - and although he meant it to hurt - it couldn't be more true!  Check this out...

Nehemiah 4:1-2 (ESV)

Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews.  And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, "What are these feeble Jews doing?  Will they restore it for themselves?  Will they sacrifice?  Will they finish up in a day?  Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?"

Just a little history, the Temple of the Lord had been utterly destroyed and ransacked when the children of Israel had been exiled.  And now they have been allowed to return and rebuild the city wall and the temple.

Do you ever feel like your life is just one big rubbish pile?  That possibly it's even burned it parts?  Totally destroyed?

On December 30, 2010 I felt like my world was destroyed.  All the dreams John & I once shared were now just rubbish.

But today, almost 8 months later - a resounding YES to Sanballat's question... Yes!  My God can revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish  Yes!  He can even rebuild using the burned ones at that!

I don't know what this next school year is going to hold for me.  I'm nervous and very anxious.  I know I will mess up - I know I will edit and revise and learn many lessons.  But for now, I'm very proud to say that my God has revived the stones that were once in the rubbish pile - and He can do the same for you!

Let the rebuilding begin!

His Word Sunday

Understanding = Great Joy

I absolutely love Sundays!  I love getting to see my friends that I haven't seen all week.  I love getting to sing in the choir.  I love opening my Bible and gaining new insight from God's Word.

I know however, that as I'm listing all these, "I loves" - there are others who may not "love church" or love opening God's Word because it may shine a light on things they would rather keep hidden.

I read something this morning that just might give someone hope if this is how they feel about Sunday!

In Nehemiah, they were rebuilding Jerusalem after a long exile in Babylon.  In other words, they were very far removed from knowing God's ways.  So one day, Nehemiah (the Governor) had Ezra (the scribe) read from "the Book of the Law" - basically the first 5 books of the Bible.

Imagine how these people must have felt when they heard how God really intended them to live!  I'm sure much like we do today when we go to church and hear sermons that bring conviction!

But then Ezra told them this... and it is my prayer that we all go and leave from church today with this mindset.

Nehemiah 8: 10(b) - 12 (ESV)

"For this day is holy to our Lord.  And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."  So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved." 

And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.

May we all be strengthened, rejoice and experience His joy as we leave with a better understanding of our God and how He wants us to live!

Still my heart will sing...

It's official!  

Today, the teacher's officially begin 

the 2011-2012 School Year.

I'm really excited!  I've been working in my classroom for about about week now and just about have the parts you can see ready.  This morning as I began my prayer time, I asked the Lord to give me strength for this new journey.

Eight months ago if you had said I would be teaching Science to 9th graders I would have probably laughed!



My life certainly doesn't look like what I expected that's for sure.

My sister - the sweetest sister anyone could ever have - sent me this song one day while I was working in my room.  I fell in love with it.  It's my prayer that no matter what life looks like - familiar or foreign - that this will be true in my life.

No matter what... still my heart will sing!

I hope you enjoy today's Friday's Song!

Back up the bragging...

Okay, I think my new favorite OT book is now Ezra!  God has really been showing me some amazing truths through this very short (it's only 10 chapters) book.

Today I read about something Ezra did that I have often done myself - but it's his response that I want to adopt into my own life.

What did he do?  He boasted in his God.  Sounds simple.  We should all do this... and often!

However, when it got time for him to travel - which was a dangerous thing at that time - listen to what he did....

Ezra 8:22-23 (ESV)

For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, "The hand of our God is for good on all who seek Him, and the power of His wrath is against all who forsake Him."

So we fasted and implored our God for this, and He listened to our entreaty.

Oh my!  How often I have bragged about how awesome my God is... how He is an all-powerful God - and then go running to a weak human for support or protection BEFORE ever turning to my all-powerful God!

Basically Ezra realized 1) the king just gave us a TON of resources to rebuild our Temple and 2) is letting us return to Jerusalem after being exiled and 3) I just boasted about how God will be for our good.... so how can I ask him to send soldiers to ensure our safety?!

It's great to brag about our awesome God!  But we must back up what say by doing more than just talking about Him - we must actually  TRUST Him.


We must actually  TURN to Him in times of our greatest need.

We should never act like, "this is too big for God," or "this is too small a deal for God" - and as a result act in such a way that actually negates what we really believe about Him!

This morning I find myself again wanting to do what Ezra did - fast and implore of the Lord.

I can attend class after class about how to be a good teacher.  I can walk up and down the halls and copy the practices of exiting good teachers, and yes, I can even ask others to pray for me - BUT I MUST FAST & PRAY MYSELF!!!

A long time ago, I asked my Mother to pray for a particular situation in my life.  At the time I was not walking with the Lord as I should and she knew that!  When I asked her to pray, she said, "Yes, I will pray.  But you need to be praying too!"

Today, don't take everything to everyone around you - take time first to seek the Lord.  He's WAY more powerful than anyone around you!

Quick note... just 2 things....
1) Did you notice he fasted & prayed?  When was the last time you fasted?

2) The reason I bring this up is based on the results of Ezra's actions.  Read verse 23 again.

"He listened to our entreaty."

I want desperately for the Lord to hear my cries for help.  I'm not saying fasting is the magic formula, but it certainly shows the Lord your heart - to empty everything out so you can be filled completely by Him and Him alone.

Today, show God you believe what you say about Him - go to Him first.  And then give Him your complete and total attention!

Set... Do... Teach!

You've probably heard, "Game - Set - Match" to indicate a tennis victory.  I read something in my prayer time this morning that sounded very similar.



Just two weeks from today I will be standing before many new bright & shiny 9th grade faces - ready to learn Integrated Chemistry & Physics (IPC) - right?  Probably not.  I know that Science is not most kids' favorite subject.  I also know I will probably be facing an uphill battle in truly reaching these kids this next year.

Therefore, I'm praying for all of them now!  I know I have a HUGE task before me.  While I was reading my Bible this morning, I noticed that Ezra likewise had a HUGE task before him.  I read about his strategy and am officially adopting it as my own. (I've heard in the education world when you see something you like - and that works... you copy it!)

Ezra 7:10 (ESV)

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, 

and to do it and to teach His statutes and rules in Israel.

Okay... just a little background info here - Ezra is a direct descendant to Aaron... the priest!  So wouldn't you say that Ezra probably knew the "Law of the Lord" backwards & forwards??!!

I would think "yes".  However, he knew that his task of restoring the Temple after the Babylonian Exile would be great - too great for him  - all by himself.  Therefore he "set his heart" on studying God's Word - even more!

But he didn't stop there!  Oh how I wish I could just sit in a comfy spot and read and read (surrounded by quiet of course - LOL).  Doesn't that sound delightful?!  However, after setting his heart to studying, he then says he will "do it."

Wow!  To "do" God's Word... now there's the hard part.  What does it "look" like to "do" God's Word.

Already I'm beginning to get a picture of my classroom.  I've studied the content.  I've attended many courses on how to manage the students - and now it's getting close to time to actually "do" school.  I can't just think and pray for these new students, I actually have to face them!

And finally Ezra's strategy ends with something very powerful.  So far he has set his heart to study and to do God's Word.  To conclude his preparation he sets his mind to "teach" God's laws.  We must make a habit of reproducing what God has done in our own lives.  Today we follow the example of the heros of the faith in scripture.  Don't think for one moment that God doesn't want to use you & I as well - to teach His laws to those who come after us!

You are an influencer whether you like it or not!  You are teaching just by the way you live.... so what are you teaching?!

So here you have it... 

Set - Do - Teach! 

I believe Ezra had it going on!  I also believe he had things in the right order.  To set my heart towards God.  Then... go and obey.  Then... go & teach!

I'm looking forward to applying Ezra's strategy not only to my classroom of Science students - but to my daily walk with the Lord in the every day stuff of life!

Now that is a strategy for victory!

His Word Sunday

God Gives Growth

There are so many WONDERFUL verses in today's One Year Bible.  I must say I struggled to pick just one passage to share with you this morning.  I admit that before picking one - me & the Lord had a sweet time together.  I pray you too find a sweet time with Him today.

In Texas we are experiencing extreme droughts - little rain, lots of green things are turning to brown.... so these verses really stuck out to me this morning.


Not much around is "growing."  I know we all wonder if our "watering" with our friends and family will ever make a difference.  Will they ever "grow"?

They will!  Just keep building upon Christ's foundation!

1 Corinthians 3:5-7, 10

Servants through whom you believed, 

as the Lord assigned to each.  

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.  

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, 

but only God who gives the growth.  

According to the grace of God given to me, 

like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, 

and someone else is building upon it.  

Let each one take care how he builds upon it.

Today - build upon someone - 

and watch God give the growth!