Mixed Emotions

Tonight I watched with pride as my third grade kiddos performed in their Spring Concert... after trying to get 41 kids (including another third grade class) to sit still, I was about ready to ship them off to fourth grade.  However, then a teacher's love took over again when I watched their smiling faces on stage.  I watched Emily dance and twirl herself silly in center stage.  I watched Isaac as he enjoyed every moment of the performance.  I watched Sydney come alive and enjoy the attention from her "fans."  And as I'm watching, I'm thinking about how quickly this year has flown by!  I've spent so many hours with those 20 kids!  Laughing at Chip's perfect timing, asking Tommy to sit on his bottom and put all the legs of his chair on the floor.  I could go on and on about each of my students (but for your sakes, I will refrain).  

There's another part of me, though, that is so excited that there are only 4 weeks left until summer.  My biological alarm clock goes off way too early each morning...  I have to keep my cell phone on vibrate...  I have to constantly correct grammar and grade homework.  Those are the things that I'm not going to miss.  But I am going to miss Caroline's questions and Savannah's compliments.  Grant's blush and Kyle's shrug.  I'm sure a teacher goes through all these emotions every year...  but this is my first and it's a new experience!  I'm going to miss my little "team."  I shed the first tears today... I'm sure there'll be many more in the near future!  

Ironic

After work today, I stopped by Moe's to grab a Funkmeister "streaker" (pretty embarrassing to order, but that simply means I want the taco without the shell).  As I was looking out the window at the "Natural Market" (that's simply a more interesting way of saying, "Beware, I'm a health food store!") I took note of a couple things.  1)  Just because you shop in the "healthy" store does not mean you're healthy!  Wow...  some people have missed the portion control memo.  Just because it's good for you doesn't mean you can overindulge! 2)  Eating health foods doesn't negate the effects of smoking.  I found it somewhat humorous to see a guy smoking right outside the door.  

Anyways... all that to say, I've heard the "of course I'm a Christian, I go to church" argument many times while witnessing. I've also heard this rebuttal:  "Going to church makes me a Christian like sitting in a garage makes me a car!"  I'm going to fill that last line in with "like shopping in a health food store makes me healthy."  

As I finish blogging about this, I'm going to get my "Blondies" (check out the recipe here) out of the oven.  They're for my class...  they'd better love me!  

Photo Ramblings: Spring '09

Now I remember...

... why I used to spend so much time blogging.  It's addicting!

Wow...

That's really all there is to say.  So much for that goal with posting once a week.  The good news? I've only got a few more weeks of school, then I'll be able to keep up with my little part of the WWW again.  

This past weekend we had our church had its second youth rally.  What a blessing!  The assistant/youth pastor from Sweet Springs Baptist Church came to do the preaching.  It was excellent.  He encouraged the youth to stay clean, separated from the world.  He also encouraged them to reach the world for Jesus Christ.  He gave statistics about how many people go to hell each day...  staggering!  What are you doing to tell those people about our wonderful Savior? I know we sometimes think, it'll be awkward if I bring up the gospel right now or this person might be offended.  Just think how offended that person would be to end up in hell and find out you knew how it could be avoided and never told them.  

Let's tell others about Jesus!