It's a God-Thing

Have you ever had something happen to you that just can't be explained by the work of any human being? Some people call these occurances coincidences. I call it a "God-Thing". No matter how well I try to make plans and control circumstances, God can work things out that I think are impossible, or at least unlikely. Just in the past two days, plans have made a complete 360 degree turn and have worked out even better than I could ever had done on my own. It's experiences like these that make me realize that no matter what I do, no matter what plans I make or dreams that I have, God has bigger and better things for my life and the lives of those around me.

Paper or plastic?

Christmas season has arrived! Carried in by the lights, music, decorations, and celebrations, the season of Christ's birth brings joy to my life. As a child, this time meant a family trip to pick out a Christmas tree. It was then delivered back home where one of us kids was given the responsibility to choose the decorations for the tree. Would it be the candy ornaments or the western cowboy hats? Maybe it would be Victorian with the gold picture frame ornaments that held a photo of each of us. Whatever the decision was, the tree was decorated and loaded with ornaments and lights. When the last ornament was hung, the lights would come on to show a beautiful tree, decorated with care.
However, in recent years live trees have been replaced with fake, plastic trees. While I have grown up in the time of "plastic", this is one conversion that I just can't make. Some argue that purchasing a plastic tree is more eco-friendly, while others argue the convenience of storing the tree in the attic. Though I can't debate the convenience aspect, I did learn recently that live trees can be rented from different places for the same amount you would pay to buy one, but the tree is potted and after Christmas is over, the company takes the tree back and plants it in a park. Not only does this save space at the local landfill where a large amount of live trees end up, it actually helps the environment.
Moral of the story: Christmas is the season of giving. We celebrate the Gift that God gave us- His Son that was sent to live a perfect life so that he could pay the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. This season, be conscious of ways that you can give back to your community and to the world that God created for us to be good stewards of.

Falling

Anyone who is in contact with young children on a regular basis understands the importance of physical exercise and exertion of energy to help the children focus on other tasks the kids would deem on the lower side of the fun spectrum. So today, my kindergarten class made its way to the playground for our morning recess. Before I unlock the gate, we quickly review the rules and then the kids are free to run and play. As we were finishing this procedure and stepping onto the playground, several of my children call my name excitedly and point to the other side of the play area, saying, "Look! Look!" With their level of excitement, I'm looking for something out of the ordinary- perhaps a monster from the games that they play that has come to life, but perhaps it's something less imaginary and they're pointing to the large black bird that is walking across the field. I finally ask, "What? What is it?" One little boy says, "The leaves! They're everywhere!" It is then that I find this reaction was in response to the leaves from the once-shady oak tree finally falling to the ground, where they have blanketed the grass which is still green from the rainy summer. When they seem satisfied with my reaction, my curious and excited students then set off to engineer the largest leaf pile to jump and play in, leaving me to ponder when in my life this excitement for the simple things, like falling leaves during the autumn season, faded into a distant memory. Whenever this might have happened, whether I outgrew the need to find ways to entertain myself outdoors or my creative genes were adapted for use in other areas, such as lesson plans and children's activities, my kindergarten class is teaching me to appreciate the small things in life. Children have a way of rekindling this fire that burns deep within each of us, but sometimes, like a dying fire on a cold winter night, needs to be fueled and fanned so that it burns brighter and brings warmth to all who are near.

New Beginnings

One sentence says it all. Blogging is new to me. It's not that I've been living under a technological rock, I've just not familiarized myself with this ever-growing journaling phenomenon. I have asked myself so many questions as I signed up for my account: What will I blog about? Will people be interested? Will I even make sense? What if I have nothing witty or intellectual to share with the global community? I have decided that I will write this blog for myself. This will be the blank canvas with which I paint the story of my life. The day-to-day events in the life of a first-year kindergarten teacher, the ups and downs as a wife to my husband of three years- my best friend for many more, the interesting happenings in my huge extended family, and the great times and memories shared with my best friends. In no way do I promise that this blog will have a life-changing impact on you or even picque your interest past the first blog (I say this because there's obviously a reason you're reading this first post- the most probable being that you have been paid by my husband). If this post were a commercial, it would have the fast-talking voice at the end that would state the satisfaction in this product is not guaranteed and while reading this blog does not cost you anything monetarily, the time you spend reading will not be given back to you. If you follow the cliche, "Time is money," then I regret to inform that there is no money-back guarantee. This is the risk you run when choosing to read my blog. Such is life.
On to better things... I love personal days. You know, the days you can take off work regardless of whether you're sick or not. They're great! It's like a paid holiday in the middle of the week, taken in your honor by you. The genius behind this concept should be given a holiday in their honor... and who would argue with getting another holiday? Certainly not me. People have various reasons for taking personal days. Some are taken due to family emergencies; others are taken to extend a holiday weekend. Still others are taken for the sole purpose of pampering yourself. My personal day was taken due to family coming into town. I absolutely love my family and when my parents come to town, we have so much fun! Their visit this time included a trip to the local outlet mall, to IKEA (a first for my parents) and a great amount of quality time spent together. Talking with them in the morning, making breakfast together, dreaming about beautiful kitchens as we walked through IKEA, looking at potential neighborhoods as my husband and I prepare to buy our first home- all of these make the visit so special and makes the thought of getting up and going to work the next morning slightly less than pleasant.