Jan 21, 2009

Kids say the darndest things

Below is a copy verbatim of a student letter

Jan. 20, 2009

Dear Mom,

I hope the baby comes but when I there I am bored. So trie to make it fun.

Your Friend,
Scotty

I asked my students to complete the following proverbs. I compiled a list of some of my favorite responses. Hope this makes you smile.


Strike while the.... pitcher throws

It's always darkest before..... the sun rises

Never underestimate the power of ... Mom

You can lead a horse to water but.... you might fall off

Don't bite the hand .... that is dirty

Love all, trust... all

The pen is mightier than the ... pencil

A penny saved is .... 1 cent

Children should be seen and not.... hiding

If at first you don't succeed... you will

You get out of something what you...want

Where there's a will... there's hope

Birds of a feather.... prevail

Ignorance is ... bad

Every dog has his... bone

Don't put all your eggs... in the trash


Jan 18, 2009

Things Pondered

I read once, "Remembrance is the key to faith", and I agree wholeheartedly but I would add to that "Remembrance is the key to faith, love and friendship." I think back to when I first met my Jesus. I was 9 and at camp. I knew all about Him, but I really had never known Him until June 10, 1990. He sought after my heart, I believed completely He was who He said He was, and I was saved. I remember the moment I realized God loved me "as is". It was after I read "A ragamuffin gospel". I had never felt so liberated in my faith. I remember when I fell in love with Scripture, I remember the first time the Holy Spirit illuminated the Word. I felt so special that God himself would come and speak with me. I have fallen away and returned in my faith walk time and time again. It is remembrance that always brings me back. My Father has been so good and I have been so unworthy. I remember, and it always makes me smile.
My first year teaching, on the first day, I remember looking into the faces of all my new students, hoping I would not screw everything up. Now, as I look back at that class, I remember how I made it through all the unknowns that came my way. And remembering gives me hope, as I sometimes look at my new class wondering how I will ever get through to them. I prayed so hard for my first year's class to come to know my Jesus. This year, I saw answers to those prayers. One of my students came up to me this year and told me she got saved! Then a week later, a boy in my class this year came up to me and asked "Guess what I did this weekend?" "Caught a big fish?" I replied. "Nope, I got saved!" he responded with a big smile on his face. My husband and I were able to watch him get baptized the following Sunday. I had my students write a paper called "I have a dream" papers in honor of MLK day. Joey wrote " I have a dream to be a pastor. I dream to help little boys and girls understand more about God." I could not have been prouder. I wish I could tell you that all my memories are this pleasant. I also remember the day Sara told me " I didn't do my homework last night, cause our house was on fire. " I remember the time a parent told me she had no money to provide her daughter basic necessities like warmth and clothing. I remember a student in my class bring a knife to school and threatening to bomb it. I remember being heartbroken as I realized the affects of poverty on the faces of children I love dearly. Remembrance is truly the key to love. Because as I reflect, I remember why I love being a teacher. I love knowing, that no matter what chaos happens at home, my students are loved and prayed for in my classroom.
Remembrance is the key to friendship. I remember my friend Debbie on my wedding day. She filled in all the gaps and wore herself out, to make my day extra special. I remember my friend Katie and how many times she has patiently listened to my very long stories. I remember my friend Emma and all the times we have laughed at things that sometimes, just weren't funny. I remember my sister Amber and I shopping till our feet hurt and making cookies just to prove that our recipe was better. I remember the birthday party my husband threw for me. As I looked around the room, it was filled with people and memories that made me very thankful for the life I have been given. Someone once said "The happiest people on earth are the people who want the life they already have." By remembering, I am truly one happy girl.