Love God Greatly--Growing Through Prayer

Believe it or not, our fall Bible study is already open for registration.
https://www.lakepointe.org/women/biblestudies/ The study starts on September 12th! I considered not teaching during the year, but there was a study very close to my heart that I can't teach in the summer due to length. I can't teach in the spring due to high school soccer taking up a lot of my time, so either I teach it in the fall or I don't ever get to teach it.

Nope. That wasn't an option. I started this study on my own and just knew I had to teach it, despite the time challenge that I know it's going to be.

I've done studies on prayer before. But there's something really special about the Love God Greatly studies. Though the format is so simple and could be done in a short amount of time each day, I find that I spend MORE time on these studies than other ones that have a ton of reading and homework.

Why is that? Because you are the one doing the work, not someone else. There's no author doing all the background research and telling you what they discovered. You are left to do whatever amount of work and research you are willing to put into it, and you are left to make those discoveries on your own. The study is nothing but Scripture over a certain topic, and your job is to write the Scripture (in one or several translations), to make observations (looking carefully at the words and the context), to make a life application from what the verse is saying, and to turn the Scripture into a prayer (which is ultimately praying God's will because you are praying His Word).

I talked to one of the ladies on the last night of our last study, and she said that she actually gets so much more out of a study like this. There's something to be said about making a discovery on your own rather than just being led to it. It sticks, it's personal, it's exciting, and you remember it. (Note to self as a teacher: learning is much more meaninful when you are left to discover things on your own rather than just being taught.)

I took an Inductive Bible Study course at Grace College now over 20 years ago, so I dug all those tools back out and use many of them now in these studies. I had so much fun teaching other women how to use those tools for their own personal Bible study, and I look forward to digging in to a new study with yet a new group of women. It was a privilege to lead such a big group over the summer, but I truly am hoping for a smaller group this time so I can interact more with everyone.

If you've never heard of Love God Greatly, check out their website: www.lovegodgreatly.com. They almost always have a study going on on-line that you can join in with, you can join a group somewhere, or you can do or lead one on your own. They are available in 17 different languages, are downloadable for free if you choose, and have a weekly blog that coincides with each study. They even have a kids' version as a companion study for moms to do with their kids. When you work with Love God Greatly groups or materials, you're joining in with women from all over the world who are choosing to dig into the same Scriptures.

Back to 2nd grade I go!

With the building under construction up until the very last minute, this has been the craziest start to a new school year. I finally got into my room at noon on Wednesday and actually had my room ready for my kids by Friday afternoon for our Porch Party. My teammates couldn't believe how quickly I got it all done and set up, but I had to point out that I'm a minimalist and keep things simple and efficient. I also had to point out that I didn't bring everything back from home yet--nor do I think I will.

 I cleared out a ton, but all of this still occupies his room. If I find I don't need it, I'm not taking it back to school. (Mostly books, organizers, and decorations). 

Here is the rest of my classroom, all ready for my sweet students to start their second grade year tomorrow morning.

 I was fortunate enough to "grab" that awesome cubby unit from a coworker that didn't see a need for it in her room. That will be a wonderful space saver for me without the expense. 

 I've since put a few more things up on the window blinds and organized all the shelves.

 My favorite part is the little reading center in the corner with a cute little flower lamp that I "won" as a white elephant gift two years ago.

My classroom theme is army, so I've got an army banner and a few army bears and accessories. But our Dual Language program has us color code everyting in red (for Spanish) and blue (for English), so I try not to add much of any other colors. Too much color is overstimulating, anyway, in my opinion.  

After five years in a Pre-K classroom overcrowded with way too many things, all this space just makes me feel so happy and free. 

 I've got a special place designated in the back for our class guinea pig(s), which I will be picking up tomorrow after spending the summer with a previous student. I've kinda missed those little critters and already packed some healthy snacks (veggies) for them!

Oh, and these pictures don't reflect a complete ceiling, which didn't get finished until about an hour or two before the kids showed up on Friday!

But as crazy and last minute as the construction left us this year, I must say that I had the best porch part ever in my teaching career. 21 out of 22 students came, half of them already brought all of their supplies, and the kids were so excited to see that they get another year with me (I had them three years ago in Pre-K). But not only the kids--the parents, too. They were just as excited, if not more. :) 

I absolutely love my new team, too, and we've done nothing but help and encourage each other over the last week. One is starting his second year at my school, but his 15th year in 2nd grade. One is in her second year of teaching and is moving from 5th to 2nd. The other one is brand new to our school and district, but she comes with experience teaching Pre-K, Kinder, 1st, and 2nd. And me--and though I've been away from 2nd grade for the last five years, I feel like I'm back "home" in my sweet spot.

I am truly looking forward to a great year ahead. I think I might even be able to sleep tonight, which I almost never do the night before school starts.

DBU Take Two

This has been such a crazy, busy week that these pics seem much older than just 8 days. 

Eight days ago, Juan came back from Pine Cove with his roommate, and I picked him up mid-morning near Fort Worth. 

 First things first, a MUCH needed haircut.

 We went home for him to shower before taking him out shopping for some new school clothes and other necessities for the year ahead at DBU. However, he started his laundry and fell asleep for the rest of the afternoon. That boy was truly exhausted. I managed to get all of his laundry done for him before we headed to church that evening.

 Sure was nice to have him back at church with me! In fact, we all were together for the service for the first time in a long time. I've missed that. 

 Afterward we ate dinner as a family for the second time all summer, along with some friends that came, too.

The next morning, we made it out shopping in record time, stocking him up on new clothes, shoes, apartment necessities, and a few groceries. I gave him a list of simple foods to have on hand to make simple meals, I gave him a budget, I made him use his calculator as he shopped to make sure he didn't go over, and I gave him cash to pay for it all, explaining how much he'll be able to spend on his food each month. He actually really enjoyed "adulting" for the morning. 

After that, we met my parents for lunch before heading home for a few hours for him to pack everything up again. 

Early that evening, we got him all moved in to his new apartment on the DBU campus that he will be sharing with four other guys, three of whom had been there for the last few weeks/months while he was at Pine Cove.  I didn't take pictures of the inside because, well, it was definitely an all guys apartment. Enough said.

 This beautiful little park/fitness trail is practically right in front of his apartment. 

 He's not at DBU by accident. God has a purpose for him there, and despite several setbacks his first year due to some immaturity issues, poor self-management skills, and a definite lack of English that became quite evident pretty quickly, (and a very humbling second semester trying to swim back to shore), he improved just enough to keep his funding for a second try this year. 

I saw him grow and mature in many ways during his summer at Pine Cove, so I am hoping that those skills and that maturity will help him start off much stronger this year. I suppose we'll have to just take things one semester at a time and not get ahead of ourselves in planning out his life. If I've learned anything since meeting him ten years ago, it's that his life is in God's hands, not mine, and I need to trust God with my son on a daily basis. 

I miss him around here. David and I have had a really sweet summer together, but there is always that feeling that someone is missing. And the sad reality is that I think he's going to be missing more often than not from here on out. 

Juan and I have a very close relationship, one that seems to get closer the more independent he becomes. My role has changed from parenting and modeling to now coaching, guiding, and encouraging. His love language is Words of Affirmation, so I am constantly looking for ways to praise him, encourage him, and lift him up--as well as looking for times to just say, "I'm proud of you, son." I'm learning that those words of affirmation go a long way with him. A lot further than any bit of nagging and reminding him of his shortcomings would go. 

I guess it's just like practicing gratitude, intentionally focusing on the good rather than dwelling on the negative. Makes a huge difference in all areas of life. 

So, as much as I miss my son, I'm so thankful for his summer experience working and serving at Pine Cove, I'm thankful for his first year at DBU, and I'm thankful for how God reopened the door for him to go back to DBU this semester. I used to fret over the fact that our four years with him were just not enough time to prepare him. But now I see that God said, "That's right. They weren't. But I've still got him in MY hands and have continued to surround him with just the right people and environments that he needs to continue growing into the man he's supposed to become."

Just like He told me after the adoption failed, "Trust Me with him. I love him even more than you do."

One more day

One more day of summer. One more day to attempt to sleep in. One more day to soak up a quiet morning. One more day to hang out and chill with David, watching movies and playing games. One more day to visit my favorite coffee shop.

One more day.

To be honest, though, I wish I could soak up the silence of the morning tomorrow in my classroom. Every year I make it a point to head in to school a few days to a week before everyone else comes back because I can think so much better when it's quiet and I don't have to talk to a single soul. For this introvert, it's really the perfect way to start out a school year. I get most of my things organized, special copies made, posters put up, and desks/furniture arranged before all the other teachers fill the halls with their extroverted energy, enthusiasm, and NOISE.

Not that I don't enjoy seeing everyone again, catching up, and meeting the new teachers. Just not all at once, and definitely not when I need to focus and think clearly enough to start off a new year.

But, alas, I will not have that privilege of starting the year quietly. The building remains under construction and we're told we can't get into our classrooms until the last two days of staff development, still a week from Thursday.  Leaving two short days to get things set up, plus that Saturday and Sunday before school starts if we so choose. (Normally, I am adamant about NOT working over the weekend, but this year may be different.)

So, for now I'm trying to think backwards and get the things done now that I would normally do those last two days, like taking a good look at all the lessons I'll be teaching the first week, as well as how I will present all of the procedures and routines. The fact that I'm returning to a grade I taught for many years makes it much easier than if I were having to learn a whole new grade level, and the fact that I already know and have taught many of the students coming up into second grade takes that whole level of first-day-of-school stress away.

Since Juan was gone for the entire summer, I stored ALL of my classroom stuff (that I had to bring home due to the construction at school) in his room. I figured I'd have it all out and back to school by this week, just in time for him to come home this weekend to reoccupy his room. No such luck. So I spent today picking out the essential things that I'll need to take back to school at least for the first week (since we won't have much time) and moved all that into David's room (lol), clearing out enough space in Juan's room so he can sleep, unpack from a summer at Pine Cove, and repack for the next semester at DBU.

(In another few days, he'll be home for a whirlwind of a weekend, and then we'll take him straight to DBU to settle in a few days early before classes. This summer with him gone so long made me realize just how different our role in his life is now and how different his role is in our lives, too. Makes me super thankful for all of our travels together last summer and our big family vacation over Christmas. Not sure how many more of those opportunities we will see with him. Very bittersweet, bringing lots of mixed emotions.)

The following weekend will be spent scrambling to make sure everything is ready for the first day of school. Not the way I would have liked to start a new school year, but, it is what it is. I'm just glad I've had a restful and quiet summer to prepare for the whirlwind of the next two weekends.

And, just like the kids, I am definitely craving that sense of structure and routine again that the school year brings. It brings comfort and security and just makes you feel safe and productive.

One more day, and then I'm off to start my 16th year of teaching in the same school where I started my career. Back to my home away from home with a bunch of kids and families that I've grown to love more with each year. Classroom ready or not, I'm looking forward to a great year ahead.