Where have I been? Let me expain...

Good evening my dear readers! As I'm sure you've noticed I have been completely MIA for the past 6 months! Well, if you would like to know where I've been, I have recently transitioned my career into the classroom. I am currently a 7th grade English/Language Arts teacher for the local public school district here in Indianapolis. Unless you're a teacher, or you are close to a teacher, you probably will not completely understand how time consuming and demanding this career can be- especially for first year teachers. Let me explain my story.

For the past 5 years I have sincerely considered going into teaching. It wasn't my initial career path and it definately wasn't something that I've always wanted to do. There are two people in my life who greatly influenced me on this decision. Those people are my grandmother and my sister- both middle school teachers (social studies and spanish). Although my grandmother is passed away and my sister is no longer teaching, watching them in their craft has been so delightful and inspirational. I would say their teaching styles- the way they gave their all to their students and their passion for educating youth- was contagious and I caught the bug. Like them, I wanted to give more- give back.

"But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." Job 23:10 NIV

It had been a long journey getting in where I fit in. I found my avenue through The New Teacher Project (TNTP). If any of you have seen the news or paid even a little bit of attention to it, you know that there is a high demand for qualified teachers in the areas of English, Math, Social Studies and Special Education. When I heard about the opportunities to come into a teaching career through TNTP, I applied. After a long and tedious weeding out process, I made it through and was invited into the cohort as a Special Education/English teacher. An awesome incentive to the program is a paid for master's degree in teaching. (What a blessing!!!)

The next step was Summer Institute- a summer long "teaching bootcamp" (as my cohort members like to call it) that literally took up my entire summer, nearly minute for minute. I completed all of my student teaching in 4 weeks. They stretch your thinking, push you to the limit and take you to a level of calibur that is unbelievable. I taught math, so I was stretched in a subject area that I didn't like or know much about. But after that experience, I believe that it only extended my abilities and pushed me to become a more well rounded teacher. It was hard and long, but it was worth it. The information we gleaned from the intense training made us ever ready for the high demands of the classroom.

I am currently placed in the greatest middle school in the city (I'm totally biased!!!) I LOVE my students, appreciate my administration and love what I do! The hours are LOOOOOONG. And there are many days that I am completely wiped out, only to have to go to class at night. But it's so worth it! I love the feeling of being an inspiration to my students. And it's recipricated because my students inspire me too! We're learning together. My life is so full and I appreciate all of the endless support from my husband, family, friends and loved ones. I truly feel blessed to be in the classroom- educating the next generation. It's a privilage that I don't take for granted, and an honor to inspire the leaders of tommorrow.

With all that being said, as life slows down and I get more of a rythm I'll be posting more. In the mean time, keep me in your prayers and I'll do the same. Until next time...

Sunshine- Kirk Franklin

Choose better

I have been plagued with a situation for a while now. Finding myself consumed with the idea of it has caused me to be very unsettled and playing lots of mental chess. I find myself grumbling throughout the day about it and I just haven't been able to shake the thoughts that come over me.

Today in my reading I came across the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 when Jesus came with his disciples to visit. Martha was in a bustle toiling over preparations and tasks while Mary sat at Jesus' feet. I can just picture it in my mind: Martha is washing dishes, straightening up the house, looking for finger foods to satisfy her company until dinner is being prepared. And I can also invision Mary who is quite content gleaning from every Word that Jesus spoke. Although Martha is a good woman, full of ambition and excellence, I do see her as a worrier. She concerns herself with matters that are unimportant and trivial. Like her, I sometimes do the same.

When Martha complains to Jesus about Mary's unconcerned attitude, Jesus replies:

"Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42

Wow! Just when Martha was hoping that Jesus would chastize Mary, He defends her! Mary had a revelation that Martha didn't. She understood that she was in the presence of the Saviour. She knew that her time spent with Him was much more important than tussling away at frivolous tasks. Mary chose better.

Today I want to encourage someone who is like me. To all the Martha's in the world, if you have been preoccupying yourself with unimportant situations and circumstances, readjust your priorities and put Jesus first on the list. Give your concerns and cares to Him- He's the only one who cares and has the power to fix it. Get lost at the feet of Jesus because only in Him will you find peace for all your chaotic circumstances.
Today, choose better. Choose Christ!

The blessing of a complete work

Sleepy and grumpy. Two feelings I try to avoid. Today I sat at my desk wanting and wishing all of my work would go away for the rest of the day. Wanting to put my files away for some other time, something in my spirit urged me to finish until the days tasks were done. I heard, "There's a blessing in a completed work."

What if God, in all His glory and forgetlessness, did not finish His holy work in and through us? I mean, what if He literally gave up dealing with the matters of our souls? I recall to mind the scripture that says:

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.." Phillipians 1:6

I am so grateful to serve a God that is complete and whole, in return making us complete and whole. Like Him, He desires that we have the faith to push and press through our own physical emotions and limitations to trust Him enough even for daily tasks- but more importantly with our hearts.

Today, I encourage you to finish the tasks that lie before you. Those things you put on the back burner for "another day." Take control of your life by responsibly pursuing the God given assignments in your life. Don't ignore them. The work God has for your life is good. Allow God to also complete the work within you. In due time, the work will stand sure of masterpiece of the hands of a complete God.



God equipped you to finish your life assignments!



Have Mercy- Out of Eden

I am a cracked pot, a light for God

I want to spread light. Everwhere that I go, in everything that I do, I want God's light to shine in, over and through me. That is the only way people will see Him through me.

Cindy Trimm, author of Commanding Your Morning said it like this:

"Light is not only the absence of darkness, but it is also the yoke-breaking presence of God, the liberating essence of truth, and the mind-transforming potential of every revelation of God- it is all that is good within and among us."

It's amazing, yet peculiar how God can literally use anything to share His light through His people- even our own brokeness and imperfections. Today I got back from work and a woman stopped and asked me about my hair. Very simple conversation, right? Well, the conversation just seemed to bubble over into a total God moment when I was able to talk about how much God really doesn't care so much about our appearance, but rather that our heart's be pure and honor Him. It was such an inspirational moment even for me because I didn't even plan on saying those words- but God used me to spread light in a dark place.

"For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." II Corinthians 4:6-7

My relationship with God has become so exciting over the years. I love the opportunity to be used by Him. I am so thankful for holy boldness. I remember as a kid I was so shy. I had to pray to God to deliver me from the fear and for the boldness in Him. Now when I tell people that, they laugh because there's nothing shy about me! I appreciate the evidence of a prayer being answered in my life.

Today I am thankful to be a light for Jesus. Are you willing to yield and let God use you to do the same?

Trayvon Martin

As you can clearly see, this post is not so much about a beautiful day. I don't mind it though, and I hope you don't, because there are so many things on my heart. Among the most recent is the situation concerning Trayvon Martin's murder.

My heart aches so much for this child and his family. But not just for them, but for the entire situation. Even for Zimmerman. Why are we so blind to see the hatred in our society? Are we so far gone that even a child isn't exempt? I'm so disturbed that I am literally sick to my stomach. Humanity needs to turn back to God.

There are so many thoughts and words in my mind, yet nothing seems to be able to come out in a way that sums up entirely how I feel about the situation. In fact, the only thing that I can think of that is most beneficial is actually prayer. That is the only hope we have, God our Saviour. He is the only one that can heal our land. Please, in your quiet moments render up a prayer for the Martin family, and all those that are affected by the situation including Zimmerman. God has a plan that far exceeds our thoughts and ideas and even reasonings.

May God rest his soul.


"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14