God's plans with my failures

vs.1: I'm lacking in patience
        I'm lacking in grace
        Starting to doubt why I'm here
        Am I in the wrong place?
        The joy that You'd given me, Lord
        Is falling away
        I feel like a failure
        At the end of the day

chorus:
         Maybe You're humbling me, Lord
         And bringing me low
         Maybe You're humbling me, Lord
         And making me grow
         Maybe I need this lesson
         Maybe You've got some big plans
         Maybe I should trust You
         And leave this all in Your hands

vs.2: Still feel like a failure
        But starting to see
        That maybe this process
        Is to refine me
        And maybe the hard things, Lord
        That You put me through
        Are only to make me
        Become more like You (chorus)

vs.3: So give me the patience
        And get rid of my pride
        Let me fight all my battles
        With You by my side
        Let me rejoice in the struggles
        Cause me to give You my best
        And though it's not easy
        Please let me pass this test (chorus)

Thursday

T - teachers teach

H - hoping for ribs or lasagna for lunch

U - unhappy that we have to write long letters today

R - racing bikes in games

S - Sunny every Thursday

D - dodge ball in P.E.

A - at Assembly we sing songs

Y - yogurt for breakfast

-Written by the grades 2 and 3 this morning 

An old blog post that I forgot to post

About five years ago I made a mission statement for my life that is located somewhere in a notebook, somewhere in my closet back in NY. I've never committed it to memory, but it has impacted my life to some degree. 

It's mostly based off the passage in Matthew 25: 31 - 46 about the sheep and the goats, and specifically based off the verse Matthew 25:40 which says, "And the King will answer and say to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." NKJV

Who are the "least of these" anyway? I think that there would be a group of people that we would generally label "the least of these". Maybe people who are really poor, or disabled. I guess I always had an idea in my mind what the "least of these" really meant....and to a certain extent, that idea is true....but there is another aspect that I never really thought about. I think that anyone who I am struggling to love for any reason could be the "least of these". In God's eyes each person is important and unique...so important that if someone did the smallest thing for them in God's name it would be as if it were done for God Himself! God doesn't see people as greater or lesser...aren't we the ones deciding that?

I don't know....just some random thoughts....but it got me thinking. The "least of these" doesn't always just mean the blind beggar lady who sat in the park in Tlaxiaco....it's anyone that I struggle to love and accept because I don't deem them important enough for my love. And if loving and serving the "least of these" is my life mission statement, then I need to start applying it to all areas of my life. 

A second grader perspective on life...

Today in spelling class (while we were supposed to be talking about the spelling words) one student's random question changed the whole course of class and led to a somewhat interesting discussion about my life. 

Student: Miss Garcia, how long are you going to be here?

Me: I'll be here the whole year.

Another student: She means, will you be taking a new class next year?

Me: No, I'm planning to go home next year. 

Still another student pipes in: And get married!!!!

(All students react, girls giggle, boys nervously laugh)

Student: Where will you get married?

Me: In New York, in America.

Several girl students: And you'll invite all of us to the wedding?!!!!

Other students: Awwww....why can't you get married here??? I love going to weddings!

Another student: No, don't leave Miss Garcia!!!!

Other students: Who are you marrying? 

They've somehow figured out that Chris' last name is Blue, and so other students pipe in: She's marrying Mr. Blue

Then the next question: Well, when will you come back? 

My answer: I don't know....maybe I will come back after a while. 

Student: And will you teach us then?

Me: I don't know....but we really need to get back to spelling now or we won't be able to go to tea!


Working with a younger age group has its challenges, I must say, but sometimes it's fun to just chat with them, and hear life from their perspective!

Class picture

Meet the new second grade class, so far a loud, mischievous bunch, but I'm already very attached to them. 

One week in, eleven more coming up

Well, today is a week from the official start of school. It hasn't seemed to drag at all, but for some reason it seems like longer than just one week! Right at this moment though I kinda sorta feel as if I've just run a marathon, and have a few more to run before the day is out!

With an entire new class, and half of that class completely new to the school, this past week has been full of groundbreaking things, and I feel as if I just keep repeating the same twenty things over and over and over again. One day they will figure out the concept of raising their hands, waiting to be called on, not shouting out answers, following directions, that now means NOW, and when is a good time to use the bathroom versus when it is a bad time to leave the room for five minutes!

I have to say, in spite of all that, I am enjoying my new group so far. I've seen some good things, and plenty of bad things, and I'm sure that it won't be long until this new group of kids becomes just as dear to me as any other that I have every worked with.  

I'll try to post a picture of my new treasures soon, I just have to remember to bring my camera to class. No promises that my memory will decide to kick in...but I'll do my best! :) 

First day of term!

     Twelve new faces in my classroom! It was quite an interesting day as my new second grade class and I were feeling each other out. I'm not sure that we've figured each other out yet....we've got plenty of time to do that though!

     Today went well overall...a lot of information covered, expectations, rules, and a tour of the school. I guess I'm ready and excited for a new school year. 

     It broke my heart though to watch my old second grade class follow their new homeroom teacher into their classroom. While I'll still work with them half of the day, I'll really miss them! I'm sure by the end of this year I'll feel the same way about my new second graders! I love being a teacher! New year here we come!

There's no place like home for the holidays!

I had a wonderful time at home with my family, Chris, and other dear friends and future family (!!).  I'm

 so grateful for the time that I got to spend at home...these pictures don't even begin to do the last three weeks justice. 

The whole family together for Christmas!!!

I was so glad that it snowed while I was home....I don't miss the cold though!

It was so awesome that I got to spend time with my adorable nephew!