Month: June 2009

My Job for the Summer

Typically you'll find me doing a mixture of things during the summertime months, since school's officially out.  I will take some time to spend with people-do coffee, lunch, that sort of thing.  I'll take some extra time to read, to catch up with folks on Facebook, relax…the usuals.  But to be honest, although I would definitely not consider myself a workaholic (I'm too lazy for that!), I really do enjoy reading and learning about education/teaching, or working on a project for the school.  It's something that I begrudgingly do at times, but deep down it's something that makes my heart beat fast.

This summer is a litte bit different. I am so excited to begin teaching 4th grade at Randle Highlands Elementary School, in Southeast D.C., (school starts in 2 months from tomorrow!).  Because I'm excited (and because I'm such a "teacher nerd") I will delve into the DC Public Schools websites and sort through all the online calendars and materials laid out for teachers to follow.  This is something that I can't wait to really dig into, but I'm forcing myself to wait.  

Come July 6, I will be packing up my little blue Civic (and I mean packing it!) and I'll be heading East for good. I'm still trying to wrap my mind and my heart around leaving this home of mine.   I don't even have a physical home right now, although the Braue family has done an amazing job at making their home my own this past month.  But it's truly about the people you surround yourself with that make a place a home. 

So when someone asked me what I was doing with my time, now that school was out, I responded that I still have a job-it's just to hang out with people!  Isn't that a great job?  It's surely not boring.  Something new everyday…new people to spend time with…new people to love and to have a mutually blessed relationship with.  I am so completely overwhelmed at the number of people God has so blatantly put into my life for this season of my 20's.  

I think it's kind of ironic that I'm transitioning into an entirely new life, just before I turn decades here in a few months.   At moments I am a little anxious, but I'm so excited to develop a whole new level of dependence on Jesus.  As I sit and type, Jeremy Camp bellows out, "Empty me…I want more of you, Jesus!"  Yes.  Awesome.  

The Heart

I HEART blogging, although you'd never know it these days!  I HEART my family, my friends, Michigan, teaching and love.  Our hearts are such strong organs, and they keep us going.  When it stops, we stop.  We do things to protect it from becoming diseased and to keep it from failing us.  There are times that no matter what, it hurts though, both physically and spiritually.  We take risks with it, and at times it becomes wounded…at no one's fault, really, except the enemy of our hearts.  I see it, I experience it…I know it's true. 

Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
   that's where life starts.

Proverbs 4.23

I have to think that if it's where life starts, it's also where life ceases to exist.  Being vigilant about protecting that wonderful part of me that is the reason behind all the relationships and missions in my life.  Ugh…the thought of my heart becoming so spiritually diseased that it becomes virtually useless is a terrible, terrible idea to ponder, but ponder I must. 

What makes a person go on a diet and decide to exercise?  The threat of disease and death.  What makes a person decide to guard over her heart in thought and action.  The threat of ruthless loneliness.

Updates Galore!

  • I said "Goodbye" to living with the friend that I've lived with for over 4 years a few weeks ago.  She now lives in Indiana, and I am currently living with a great family from my church in the area.
  • The Braue's (where I'm staying) have a gigantic dog, named Kaia-she's an Alaskan Malamute.  I'm very bothered by the fact that I probably spelled that incorrectly.
  • Around June 30th, I'll be driving to the Philadelphia area to stay with my parents until I move to Washington D.C., which will hopefully be around August 1st. 
  • Yesterday was my last day at Hanley International Academy.  It was a bittersweet day.  Our colors were blue and silver….and my blood will always bleed blue!  I loved working there.
  • I got to sleep in this morning.  Oh, what a great morning it's been…made breakfast and everything!
  • In August I will begin teaching 4th grade at Randle Highlands Elementary School, in Southeast D.C.  I've only been able to check out the area online, and while that's helpful, I'm not sure where I'm going to live around there.  I have options in D.C., Maryland and Virginia, so I need to check out what would be best for me.
  • Really excited for the next season of my life…a little nervous too.
  • Trying to spend my little bit of time left in Michigan wisely.  
  • Enjoying serving Jesus in this very different stage in life.:)