First of all, YAY for two days off! We have no school today or Monday. It's really nice to have a break, and even though we just had one, I need another one! Agenda? CLEAN MY ROOM! I haven't quite unpacked yet, and that was almost two weeks ago. Uggh. Oh well.
I love that on really hard days, God gives you things to smile about. He is still good, even when life is really hard. And then I think about my trials compared to what Haiti is going through, and they are nothing. Yet God even still cares about my momentary sufferings! He is truly amazing!
In other news, they moved my classroom back to my old room! There is no air, but they redid the windows, so hopefully that will help my throat. My kids were very excited to move back, but it is going to be a rude awakening when there is no more air conditioning! Thankfully we had a teacher workday yesterday and I was able to stay late to get it all moved.
I am trying to think of any funny things that happened with my kids. We had a really great conversation about how God made us all equal. Unfortunately, many of them hear that light skin is better, which is totally not true. We read a book and talked about the issue of racism and they were really with me. May they learn to live it out!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
January Journalings part 3
Let's see how long this often-posting can happen. I don't even know if anyone ever reads this. I have a feeling it's like 2. Oh well. It's good to get my thoughts out anyways.
Thoughts today? God loves you no matter how emotional you are. One of my little boys had another break down today. He thinks that other people make him mad and that gives him the right to shut down. It was a good reminder to me that I can choose to be mad or let go. And even if I do fall apart sometimes, God still loves me. He loves my little guy who doesn't listen to reason. He can give me love for each and every one of them!
One of my girls melted my heart today. They can earn stickers to buy things from my store. She spent a lot of stickers to buy something for her brother today, and never once rubbed it in that she was doing something kind. Wow. I wish I always thought of others like that.
Random thought? My itunes shuffle is very random. I have such a crazy selection of music. Let me give you a typical progression: Contempory Christian song, Christmas song, Scream-o song, baby kid's song, another Christmas song, jazzed up crazy kid's song from this ridiculous cd I have, instrumental hymn. This is no joke. It makes me laugh and sometimes drives me crazy.
Haiti is still heavy on my mind. Please pray for them. I am hoping to get there sometime in the next couple of months. We can stay on this side of the border so as to not use up their resources.
Cool verse? One thing God has spoken; two things I have heard; that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving." Psalm 62:11-12a. I love how those two things are paired together. God really is both strong and loving. What a neat picture. May you rest in that love today!
Thoughts today? God loves you no matter how emotional you are. One of my little boys had another break down today. He thinks that other people make him mad and that gives him the right to shut down. It was a good reminder to me that I can choose to be mad or let go. And even if I do fall apart sometimes, God still loves me. He loves my little guy who doesn't listen to reason. He can give me love for each and every one of them!
One of my girls melted my heart today. They can earn stickers to buy things from my store. She spent a lot of stickers to buy something for her brother today, and never once rubbed it in that she was doing something kind. Wow. I wish I always thought of others like that.
Random thought? My itunes shuffle is very random. I have such a crazy selection of music. Let me give you a typical progression: Contempory Christian song, Christmas song, Scream-o song, baby kid's song, another Christmas song, jazzed up crazy kid's song from this ridiculous cd I have, instrumental hymn. This is no joke. It makes me laugh and sometimes drives me crazy.
Haiti is still heavy on my mind. Please pray for them. I am hoping to get there sometime in the next couple of months. We can stay on this side of the border so as to not use up their resources.
Cool verse? One thing God has spoken; two things I have heard; that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving." Psalm 62:11-12a. I love how those two things are paired together. God really is both strong and loving. What a neat picture. May you rest in that love today!
Monday, January 18, 2010
January Journalings part 2
i want to write about things that make me smile today. I need to think about those things. God is good. That is the main thing that is making me smile!
My verse! The part I love...Do you not know? Have you not heard? Our God is the everlasting God!" I love the whole thing, but that one is really good for me to remember. On those days when I am overwhelmed by life, I can remember, "Duh Mindy!" He is God! He is the creator of the ends of the earth! He understands me, and yet He still loves me. He is amazing!
Tonight in Bible study we were talking about how God is passionate. That is a side of God that I often forget about. He cares about things, and He is passionate about them. Wow. I can take great comfort in that! When I am overwhelmed by the fact that I am passionate, I can focus on how God too is passionate, and much more than I am. It's not just a bad thing!
May you see God's goodness today. Great is His faithfulness!
My verse! The part I love...Do you not know? Have you not heard? Our God is the everlasting God!" I love the whole thing, but that one is really good for me to remember. On those days when I am overwhelmed by life, I can remember, "Duh Mindy!" He is God! He is the creator of the ends of the earth! He understands me, and yet He still loves me. He is amazing!
Tonight in Bible study we were talking about how God is passionate. That is a side of God that I often forget about. He cares about things, and He is passionate about them. Wow. I can take great comfort in that! When I am overwhelmed by the fact that I am passionate, I can focus on how God too is passionate, and much more than I am. It's not just a bad thing!
May you see God's goodness today. Great is His faithfulness!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
January Journalings part 1
Hopefully this will be more than one part in January. This one might be a little more serious in nature for at least part of it. We will see. Things on my mind...
Haiti. I am sure most of you have heard/followed the news on the earthquake in Haiti. The Dominican Republic is right next door. We were not hit nearly as bad; in fact, barely at all. But there are many Haitians living here who have family there. My neighbors are Haitian, and one of them has not heard anything from his family. He left to go there yesterday to try and find them. I can't even imagine what he is going through, and so many others as well. Please continue to pray for Haiti. We here are collecting food, clothing, and other things for the victims. I would love to go over and help. We will see if the time/place comes for that.
School. This week was rough, as the first week back usually is. My kids could not pay attention! And of course, some of my lessons flopped since I did not have as much time to prepare. Oh well. I love my kids though and am excited to have them the rest of this year. I am working on uploading pictures right now, so hopefully they will actually work.
Thoughts. My brain has been on overload lately and I have had a lot on my mind. A lot of deep questions. I am a deep person, though some never see that side of me. i am going to be brave and post some of those thoughts. Well, we'll see if I can actually send it. I would love to hear your thoughts on the issues. You can either post a comment or email me at mindyseeman@gmail.com. Here goes me being brave: So, I am wondering...is it possible to love too deeply? To care about people so much that it is too much? To give yourself so much that when you are done, you have nothing left to give? Or will you be filled up in some other way? It may just not happen right away. Are we supposed to give of ourselves like that? We are supposed to lay down our lives for our friends, to bear each others burdens. What does that look like? And can we take on other people's burdens that we are not supposed to take on. I think I can answer my own question. Yes, we can. But how do we stop? And where is the line between caring the right about and caring too much?
Well, that's all for now. I am forming a post in my head about my theme verses for this next year. They are a little different from the last two, but really powerful nonetheless. To give you a sneak peak, go check out Isaiah 40:27-31.
Random smattering of snapshots from this year:
Halloween Party. Can you guess? Sugar, spice, and everything nice! This is one of the student teachers, Brittany, myself, and Amanda.
We took our third graders on a trip to where we gave food in November. These are adorable little Haitian children. My heart hurts for all those in Haiti who no longer have parents or homes. Wow.
One of my little silly ones from last year. I love this kid!
Another one of my boys from last year from the game we went to.
Making paper beads on Green and Clean Day, where we talked about protecting the environment and using recycled products. The beads turned out really cool!
My class on the field trip. Here we are at the Botanical Gardens.
Yes, we know we are cute! Sitting on the back of the bus on the field trip and being a little silly!
In the underwater tunnel at the aquarium. They were all so excited!
Field trips wear you out! Here is one of my little guys sleeping with the toys from Burger King. He was like for most of the trip back.
Haiti. I am sure most of you have heard/followed the news on the earthquake in Haiti. The Dominican Republic is right next door. We were not hit nearly as bad; in fact, barely at all. But there are many Haitians living here who have family there. My neighbors are Haitian, and one of them has not heard anything from his family. He left to go there yesterday to try and find them. I can't even imagine what he is going through, and so many others as well. Please continue to pray for Haiti. We here are collecting food, clothing, and other things for the victims. I would love to go over and help. We will see if the time/place comes for that.
School. This week was rough, as the first week back usually is. My kids could not pay attention! And of course, some of my lessons flopped since I did not have as much time to prepare. Oh well. I love my kids though and am excited to have them the rest of this year. I am working on uploading pictures right now, so hopefully they will actually work.
Thoughts. My brain has been on overload lately and I have had a lot on my mind. A lot of deep questions. I am a deep person, though some never see that side of me. i am going to be brave and post some of those thoughts. Well, we'll see if I can actually send it. I would love to hear your thoughts on the issues. You can either post a comment or email me at mindyseeman@gmail.com. Here goes me being brave: So, I am wondering...is it possible to love too deeply? To care about people so much that it is too much? To give yourself so much that when you are done, you have nothing left to give? Or will you be filled up in some other way? It may just not happen right away. Are we supposed to give of ourselves like that? We are supposed to lay down our lives for our friends, to bear each others burdens. What does that look like? And can we take on other people's burdens that we are not supposed to take on. I think I can answer my own question. Yes, we can. But how do we stop? And where is the line between caring the right about and caring too much?
Well, that's all for now. I am forming a post in my head about my theme verses for this next year. They are a little different from the last two, but really powerful nonetheless. To give you a sneak peak, go check out Isaiah 40:27-31.
Random smattering of snapshots from this year:
Halloween Party. Can you guess? Sugar, spice, and everything nice! This is one of the student teachers, Brittany, myself, and Amanda.
We took our third graders on a trip to where we gave food in November. These are adorable little Haitian children. My heart hurts for all those in Haiti who no longer have parents or homes. Wow.
One of my little silly ones from last year. I love this kid!
Another one of my boys from last year from the game we went to.
Making paper beads on Green and Clean Day, where we talked about protecting the environment and using recycled products. The beads turned out really cool!
My class on the field trip. Here we are at the Botanical Gardens.
Yes, we know we are cute! Sitting on the back of the bus on the field trip and being a little silly!
In the underwater tunnel at the aquarium. They were all so excited!
Field trips wear you out! Here is one of my little guys sleeping with the toys from Burger King. He was like for most of the trip back.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Strange Firsts, and other equally strange and some normal things
It's been a month since I've blogged. I've already failed. But I am not going to give up! I promise, pictures are coming soon. I don't have time tonight, but will try to post some soon. Some pretty strange things have happened in the last month. Let's see if I can remember all of them:
-First time in a Dominican Hospital. I got really sick the second week of December. They thought I had an appendicitis but the ultrasound didn't show anything. So, at least I avoided another first: surgery in a foreign country! At least for now... They are hoping I have no more problems, and I am too. I stayed overnight in a room that was supposed to be a single room but had two people in it. Kinda strange but I was so sick I didn't really even care. It took me a while to recover, but I am feeling fine now. And no, I have no pictures from that! I looked pretty horrible :).
-First time getting stuck overnight somewhere when flying. I flew from Chicago to the DR on Saturday. Our plane from Chicago to Miami was delayed so we missed our connection to the DR. I didn't know there was only one flight out a day, at 6:30 pm to Santiago! Uggh! Well, at least the airline put us up in a hotel and gave us meal vouchers. Two of us who got stuck got out on Sunday, but my roommate Kari got stuck because the plane was full! So she was stuck two times!
-First time in a decent sized earthquake in another country. I have been in them in Seattle but nowhere else. Today, Tuesday, there was a really bad earthquake in Haiti and we felt it here. We are all okay, but Haiti seems to be really affected. Please pray for the people there and here who have been affected and that there will be no more!
Hmmm, as for other firsts...I can't think of anything right now. I did turn 23 for the first time. Haha! My parents threw me a party so I could see people while I was home, so that was great. I was able to go home for Christmas, which was wonderful. It was really cold, but it was a great time of relaxation, hanging out with friends, and freezing! It was 95 when I left and it never got above 30 in Dubuque! Oh well. It was a great time. I hope you all had a great New Year's and Christmas. i am so thankful that Jesus came and died for us!
-First time in a Dominican Hospital. I got really sick the second week of December. They thought I had an appendicitis but the ultrasound didn't show anything. So, at least I avoided another first: surgery in a foreign country! At least for now... They are hoping I have no more problems, and I am too. I stayed overnight in a room that was supposed to be a single room but had two people in it. Kinda strange but I was so sick I didn't really even care. It took me a while to recover, but I am feeling fine now. And no, I have no pictures from that! I looked pretty horrible :).
-First time getting stuck overnight somewhere when flying. I flew from Chicago to the DR on Saturday. Our plane from Chicago to Miami was delayed so we missed our connection to the DR. I didn't know there was only one flight out a day, at 6:30 pm to Santiago! Uggh! Well, at least the airline put us up in a hotel and gave us meal vouchers. Two of us who got stuck got out on Sunday, but my roommate Kari got stuck because the plane was full! So she was stuck two times!
-First time in a decent sized earthquake in another country. I have been in them in Seattle but nowhere else. Today, Tuesday, there was a really bad earthquake in Haiti and we felt it here. We are all okay, but Haiti seems to be really affected. Please pray for the people there and here who have been affected and that there will be no more!
Hmmm, as for other firsts...I can't think of anything right now. I did turn 23 for the first time. Haha! My parents threw me a party so I could see people while I was home, so that was great. I was able to go home for Christmas, which was wonderful. It was really cold, but it was a great time of relaxation, hanging out with friends, and freezing! It was 95 when I left and it never got above 30 in Dubuque! Oh well. It was a great time. I hope you all had a great New Year's and Christmas. i am so thankful that Jesus came and died for us!
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