Transitioning

Today I was reminded and am thankful for the ways that the Lord continues to provide and the determination he has given me. I mean

1. 3 1/2 months ago I got a job. I didn't have a place to live for a month so my Aunt and Uncle let me live with them and I am so glad at the beginning of my transitioning I was not alone.  When living out of a suitcase (literally) and only having two pairs of shoe I had a roof over my head and a place to sleep.

2. Next I got an apartment in which I had hardly anything but mom and dad came up bringing me stuff and some friends from church gave me plates, bowls, and can openers when all I had was silverware. A Tv and DVD player, and a couch I mean really such grace gifts!

3. I am also so thankful for my church group. They pray for me, love on me and accept me as quirky as I am and are quirky too.

4. I am thankful for family close by, especially my dates with my cousins who let me hang out with them and their kiddos so that I could have something else to do other than school!

5.I am thankful for my co-workers who let me stay with them when my first few days in my apartment the air goes out and almost burned the room down. God's way of teaching me that I can't always stay late nights at school.

6. I am thankful for pants to keep me warm, even if I am not skinny enough to fit into most of them right now. Somehow when my stuff got moved I only had 2 pairs! I was a little freaked! Now I have several. Read the next number.

7. I am thankful for breaks to rummage through hidden things at home and bring back to Tulsa so they don't end up in a storage unit :)

8. I am thankful for friends all around the world who encourage me in struggles, praise my successes and help me to pick up the pieces when I fall apart or simply can't put the puzzle together.

9. Lastly, I never realized moving an hour and a half away would be so much like moving across the world in many ways. THere are so many other stepping stones - changing state teaching licenses, having to register my car and countless other things but I am thankful that God has given me the strength to do these and continues to give me strength to accomplish upcoming tasks!

I-pads and Marsha

So somehow at the beginning of the year I was put in the system as Marsha making it difficult to access all the student data I need. I finally got access to two programs but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that reports will soon show up!

In other news yesterday I got an IPad. In 3 hours I filled the whole thing with educational apps. I am still having to go back and delete some of the apps I compartmentalized into categories. However, I did download one just for fun! It is called fingerpaint and its totally free so check it out!

Egg crates and 10 frames

So I used to abhor math as a child and then when I taught overseas I began to realize it wasn't that bad. Then last year I did my action research on number sense and now I love trying to find different ways to help students connect to this abstract thing, like it's own language, called math.  Egg crates are just one of the things that make a cheap but good manipulative for  10 frame. You are moving from the concrete to abstract. Right now I am low on manipulatives being a first year teacher we resort to beans. I am writing a grant to get some so that each child can have their own set when adding(at least 10 counters and unifix cubes per child would be enough). I'm tired of them fighting to share! Anyways, cut off the last two egg holders with an exact-o knife and voila you have 10 frames!

Math and Beyond

Okay so I'm trying to figure out how to do this http://themetapicture.com/japanese-math/ with smaller numbers. Here are my own step by step examples. Not going to say they're right but I need to figure out where I am going wrong before I teach it if I am. Can it not be done with single digits without having to count every intersection? There has to be some sort of short cut? These are what I have so far. I'm trying to appeal to those struggling learners. You gotta get creative as a teacher!

Example 1:

 Example 2:

 

Connect the 5 and 3 circles to get 8 on the last one

Any suggestions?

1st Year Teacher Bloopers

Wow! Never thought I'd be a first year teacher in Tulsa, Oklahoma of all places. Then again, life always gives us turns we don't expect! I'm learning so much and wanted to add to my blog trails and errors as a teacher and things I learn. Any new job is full of challenges and it takes awhile to figure out your own style. This year I know there will be many things concurred and many things failed but they don't say practice makes perfect for nothing. All work is hard and an ever growing struggle to be mastered. I can't wait to see what the Lord teaches me and brings me through. I never thought that moving an hour and a half away would be so similar to moving half way around the world. So please join me on this journey if you will. I'd love to see yours too! I love Philipians 4:11-13 "I know what it is to be in want and I know what it is to be in need. I have learn the secret to being content, whether well fed or hungry, whether in want or in need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Not only do I face teaching challenges but building new relationships and a foundation in a new place. My foundation is on the rock and for that I am thankful! My first tidbit is something I designed in hopes to use in the future. I tried it once and they are not ready but it doesn't mean I won't try it again!

Check out my differentiated paint strips!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/9359111698925595/

What Trusting in Sovereignty Looks Like to a Grad Student

   Last night I heard a really great message on sharing the good news to the world. It is comforting to know that while my heart is not always here. I am where I am suppose to be for now.  A reminder that we should feel for all kinds of people and love them but sometimes that means in our own backyard (work, friends and family). Graduate school is tough but I never thought it would be easy I just didn't realize how much I would have to learn to learn or feel alone sometimes.

 So many times I've had to change my expectations and nights with little sleep don't help. I keep reminding myself that it will be worth it in the end. I've loved all the students I taught and in my Masters that hasn't changed! While there is a lot of change all the time the Lord remains constant. He came to bring chaos so that we could truly understand his peace in a fallen world. We are the ends of the earth and His Word needs to be brought back to Jerusalem was a key part of the speech. A reminder that this world is not all about me but how he can use me. May I have a Heavenly perspective and not an Earthly one!

I am thankful for a heart for the world but even more a heart for people. I struggle under demands and expectations and I cannot please everyone but how do I let my heart let go of these earthly desires and rest in the Sovereignty of my Father? I believe it is through striving to love Him first and praying for the strength that He alone can give me. Phil. 4:12-13. He's been there before. Yeah, maybe not writing technical papers or trying to figure out graphs, but he has felt those same frustrations growing up as He harnessed new skills and He understands my pain and sorrow Eccl. 1:7-8. He has tried and tried at things until finally He figured them out or someone showed enough courage to care for a carpenter.

 As I enter these next few months I cling to Him and Him alone. Please be praying for favor with all those I am under, that I would be able to complete all my work to par, on time and with excellence and first and foremost I would put Him first so that through the life I lead, no matter the pain, loneliness or frustration would be a light of His love to others. Thank you! May your day be blessed with the assurance that He is Sovereign. We don't have to be in control or even understand His plan we just need to give Him the reigns and trust Him as he guides us through the muddy marshes, slippery rivers, and rocky terrains.

Loneliness

We all have it, but why? Is it worse to be alone or to be in a group of people and feel alone? What causes it?

Loneliness is caused by many things but at one point or another it is a struggle for most people I believe. Things like friendships take time, circumstances can be confusing, or feelings unknown/ uncertain.

I believe God gives it to us as a gift like so many other trying things he test us and calls us to embrace him. Where do we go at the first thought of this. In public I retreat to the safety of mind, which isn't really that safe after all as it wanders, but in private I retreat to his words. He loves me, he is with me always, he accepts me as I am and deems me as worthy. These are the truths. Not what my mind wants to tell me like no one cares about you, you are alone (really, I'm sure 90% of the time there is at least one person who feels as ackward as I do!) you are not worthy.

Last year I began to memorize scripture and this helps me to combat the lies the world tells me and my sinful nature conjures. No this life is not easy and sometimes it is lonely but I've learned we have a faithful and loyal God and I want to carry those characteristics. I'll leave you with one of my favorite poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox entitled "Solitude"

Laugh and the world laughs with you

Weep and you weep alone

For this sad old earth must borrow its mirth

 but has troubles enough of its own

Sing and the hills will answer

Sigh it is lost in the air

The echoes sound to a joyful sound

But shrink from voicing care

Feast and your halls are crowded

Fast and the world goes by

Succeed and give 

And it helps you live

But no man can help you die

In the halls of pleasure

There is room for a long and lofty train

But one by one we must all file

Through the narrow aisles of pain