It's been a while since I've written anything on my blog, but I wanted to be able to post updates and share our experience with friends and family while we're in Israel. I don't know how frequently I'll be able to post, but blogging is relaxing for me and I promised my students I would be blogging for them, so I hope to share a lot while we're there.
A little back story...I never in a million years could have dreamed that we would have been given this opportunity to travel to Israel. When I was a little girl my grandparents shared pictures and stories of the many times they had traveled to the Holy Land, and I always dreamed about how awesome it would be to get to walk the lands that Jesus once lived. Back in September Matt took a trip to Israel to film a sermon series on the life of Jesus (you can check that out here...). When he returned we were presented with the opportunity to go together. We prayed about it, and knew that if we were going, the pieces would have to fall together quickly...place for our kids to stay, the okay from my principal, the funds to go, etc. Within about 3 days, everything came together and we knew that this was the right time for us to go! As I write, we are getting ready to leave. I still cannot believe that we are going to Israel! I know that this will be a life changing trip, and that it will be more than just a trip to another country. I know that I am about to experience just a glimpse of the things we read about in the Bible, and that the Holy Spirit is going to do things in me that I cannot even fathom while we are there. I cannot wait, and I cannot wait to share this experience with you!
Below is our itinerary for the trip...
Thursday, Feb. 19th- Travel Day! (It's a 11 hour flight from Philadelphia, PA!)
Friday, Feb. 20th- Arrive in Tel Aviv Israel
Saturday, Feb. 21st- Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Ceasarea, Mt. Carmel, Megiddo
(Visit a monastery, Roman Theater, Aqueducts)
Sunday, Feb. 22nd- Cana, Nazareth(Visit a synagogue, several sites important to Christianity)
Monday, Feb 23rd- Tiberius, Capernaum, Banias
(Tour of Tiberius, Boat ride on Sea of Galilee, Synagogue, Church, Golan Heights, Caesarea Philippi)
Tuesday, Feb 24th- Jericho - Bethany
(Monastery, Abraham's Tent & Camel Ride
Wednesday, Feb 25th- Dead Sea - Masada
(Dead Sea, Qurman Caves, Visit Jewish war sites, King Herod's Palace, Synagogue)
Thursday, Feb 26th- Jerusalem – Old City
(Mt. of Olives, Eastern Gate, Garden of Gethsemane, City of David, Western Wall, Dome of the Rock/Temple Mount, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Greek Orthodox of Patriarchate, Church of St. Peter)
Friday, Feb 27- Bethlehem - Jerusalem – New City
(Rachel's Tomb, Church of the Nativity, Israel Museum, Garden Tomb)
Saturday, Feb 28 Return home! (13 hours to the US)
2.19.2015
1.05.2014
This IS Why I Teach
I haven't posted in forever. However, I got an email from my principal today...like I always do on Sunday afternoons with a link to a video for me to watch. It made me think and I felt like it was blog worthy. This video was titled "Every Student Needs a Champion." As I began to prep for my week ahead, I watched it...as I always do and it was a good reminder as I jump into 2nd semester.
This past week we had dinner with some new friends from church and they asked me why I left my job at Journey, if I liked it so much. My answer: because I missed the kids. I've been asked that question a lot lately. It seems so bizarre to so many people that I would leave a job that was so amazing and so flexible to go back to the "trenches" of teaching. The truth is, I do miss my job at Journey. I miss the awesome people I got to work with everyday' and I miss the front row seat that I had to watching God change lives. I know it would have been selfish for me to stay there though because it was comfortable.
Going back to the classroom was not easy for my family. My husband has sacrificed a lot, my kids have sacrificed a lot (although they are little and don't know it) and I have sacrificed a lot. I've had to learn to balance my time all over again...and 6 months later I still am, although I'm doing better than I was in August. This school year has been a learning process, but we'll get there. My laundry may not always get done and my house is usually not clean...but I do get time with my family and I am determined to not miss out on my babies being young. Going back to the classroom has taught me dependency on God like I've never known. That's a whole different post though...
I am so very thankful I said "yes" when God told me to go back. I absolutely LOVE getting up every morning and seeing 57 young womens' faces. Sometimes some of them drive me up the wall, but they're worth it. Here's a link to the video if you're curious....TED
This is the kind of teacher I pray Jesus makes me to be and that He uses me to point every student to Himself. Of course teaching them to read and write is important, and making sure they know the ins and outs of history...it's why I do what I do. There is deeper meaning though, to teach them and love them to the best of my ability so that He can be glorified when it's all said and done.
This past week we had dinner with some new friends from church and they asked me why I left my job at Journey, if I liked it so much. My answer: because I missed the kids. I've been asked that question a lot lately. It seems so bizarre to so many people that I would leave a job that was so amazing and so flexible to go back to the "trenches" of teaching. The truth is, I do miss my job at Journey. I miss the awesome people I got to work with everyday' and I miss the front row seat that I had to watching God change lives. I know it would have been selfish for me to stay there though because it was comfortable.
Going back to the classroom was not easy for my family. My husband has sacrificed a lot, my kids have sacrificed a lot (although they are little and don't know it) and I have sacrificed a lot. I've had to learn to balance my time all over again...and 6 months later I still am, although I'm doing better than I was in August. This school year has been a learning process, but we'll get there. My laundry may not always get done and my house is usually not clean...but I do get time with my family and I am determined to not miss out on my babies being young. Going back to the classroom has taught me dependency on God like I've never known. That's a whole different post though...
I am so very thankful I said "yes" when God told me to go back. I absolutely LOVE getting up every morning and seeing 57 young womens' faces. Sometimes some of them drive me up the wall, but they're worth it. Here's a link to the video if you're curious....TED
This is the kind of teacher I pray Jesus makes me to be and that He uses me to point every student to Himself. Of course teaching them to read and write is important, and making sure they know the ins and outs of history...it's why I do what I do. There is deeper meaning though, to teach them and love them to the best of my ability so that He can be glorified when it's all said and done.
8.11.2013
In Honor of Returning to School Tomorrow...
Well, I wasn't sure this day would ever come. When I walked out of Wendell Middle School two years ago, I wasn't sure if I'd ever step into a classroom to teach again. There are many reasons why I had that thought, but we won't go there.
God has taught me a lot over the past 2 years and I'm stepping back into the classroom tomorrow a completely different person. For that...I am grateful. I am grateful that I got to work at Journey Church with the most incredible staff and encouraging team. I got to be on the front lines of seeing people come to know Jesus on a day in and day out basis. I still remember the conversations I had with Lisa Bauer about the possibility of coming on staff. Tears come to my eyes as I sit here and try to write. I was really bitter when I left Wendell two years ago. I was tired. I was frustrated. I'm not sure I was a very nice person. But...I trusted Jesus. I trusted that the experiences I had there were for a reason, I trusted that he had next steps for my life in being what I thought was to be a stay at home mommy. And he did...I don't think I can put into words the gratitude I have for what the Lord has done in my life over the past 2 years. He is so good, just so good. I've learned a lot about myself...some good & some bad. I've learned what my strengths are and what my downfalls are, which cause me to trust Jesus even more so that people can see through the ugliness of my sin and selfishness and see Jesus.
I could keep writing, but I would probably just ramble. I actually wanted to write this post because I came across another blog post on Facebook (which by the way, I never read blogs people post on Facebook) that really caught my eye... This is it. This is why I teach.
When I sat down with Jimmy (our pastor) a few months ago to tell him I was stepping down from my position on staff at Journey to pursue teaching again, he said to me, "I thought you hated teaching?" I did...but I didn't hate who I taught and that was the root of my desire to return to the classroom. I love students. I love giving myself away to them and I love allowing the Lord to use me in their lives.
Never in a million years did I think I would be stepping foot into a classroom with 60 young 6th grade middle school girls staring at me. Just waiting for me to speak, waiting to see how I will act, waiting to see how I will treat them. Yes, I said it, GIRLS. I am teaching at an all girls public school. I never thought they would want me there...not with the little experience I have, but God is bigger than my 3 years of experience. What I hope that they see tomorrow and for the next 179 days of school is Jesus and only Jesus. That's what it's all about. Of course the skills I will need to teach them are important and I will do the very best I can to teach them what they need to know, but I pray for changed lives. I pray that somehow, even though legally I can't speak the name of Jesus to them, they see His love in me and that seeds are planted. And for the parents, siblings, colleagues...I pray the same. That they would see Jesus and only Jesus...
God has taught me a lot over the past 2 years and I'm stepping back into the classroom tomorrow a completely different person. For that...I am grateful. I am grateful that I got to work at Journey Church with the most incredible staff and encouraging team. I got to be on the front lines of seeing people come to know Jesus on a day in and day out basis. I still remember the conversations I had with Lisa Bauer about the possibility of coming on staff. Tears come to my eyes as I sit here and try to write. I was really bitter when I left Wendell two years ago. I was tired. I was frustrated. I'm not sure I was a very nice person. But...I trusted Jesus. I trusted that the experiences I had there were for a reason, I trusted that he had next steps for my life in being what I thought was to be a stay at home mommy. And he did...I don't think I can put into words the gratitude I have for what the Lord has done in my life over the past 2 years. He is so good, just so good. I've learned a lot about myself...some good & some bad. I've learned what my strengths are and what my downfalls are, which cause me to trust Jesus even more so that people can see through the ugliness of my sin and selfishness and see Jesus.
I could keep writing, but I would probably just ramble. I actually wanted to write this post because I came across another blog post on Facebook (which by the way, I never read blogs people post on Facebook) that really caught my eye... This is it. This is why I teach.
When I sat down with Jimmy (our pastor) a few months ago to tell him I was stepping down from my position on staff at Journey to pursue teaching again, he said to me, "I thought you hated teaching?" I did...but I didn't hate who I taught and that was the root of my desire to return to the classroom. I love students. I love giving myself away to them and I love allowing the Lord to use me in their lives.
Never in a million years did I think I would be stepping foot into a classroom with 60 young 6th grade middle school girls staring at me. Just waiting for me to speak, waiting to see how I will act, waiting to see how I will treat them. Yes, I said it, GIRLS. I am teaching at an all girls public school. I never thought they would want me there...not with the little experience I have, but God is bigger than my 3 years of experience. What I hope that they see tomorrow and for the next 179 days of school is Jesus and only Jesus. That's what it's all about. Of course the skills I will need to teach them are important and I will do the very best I can to teach them what they need to know, but I pray for changed lives. I pray that somehow, even though legally I can't speak the name of Jesus to them, they see His love in me and that seeds are planted. And for the parents, siblings, colleagues...I pray the same. That they would see Jesus and only Jesus...
4.17.2013
About Matt
Most wives think their husband is great, or at least they should think he's great...but my husband is REALLY GREAT! You see, I've been in bed sick with a sinus infection for the past 24 hours. I've only been up and about once and that was to take Laney to the doctor. Matt has taken care of both kids, meals, snacks, playtime, medicine for Laney and medicine for me. He has kept the house clean and even took the kids out to run errands this morning so I could sleep since I didn't last night.
Not only does he do this stuff when I'm sick, but we share chores & responsibilities all the time. He helps me keep the house clean, he plays with the kids, he helps me with the kids bath & bedtime on top of all of his other responsibilities in life. I seriously could not ask for a better husband!
Not to mention he's funny, smart, we have a lot of fun together & pretty hot (ok, you can go throw up now, but I can say that because after all...he is my husband!)
Not only does he do this stuff when I'm sick, but we share chores & responsibilities all the time. He helps me keep the house clean, he plays with the kids, he helps me with the kids bath & bedtime on top of all of his other responsibilities in life. I seriously could not ask for a better husband!
Not to mention he's funny, smart, we have a lot of fun together & pretty hot (ok, you can go throw up now, but I can say that because after all...he is my husband!)
4.16.2013
A Sick Day
I woke up feeling just awful yesterday, but I was determined to go to work anyway. We have so much going on at Journey and I'm going out of town for my sister's wedding next week, so I was just determined to get through the day. About 11:00 I got a call from Laney's babysitter that she had a fever of 102. Poor girl, this made the 3rd time in a week and a half that she had been sick...1st it was a stomach bug, then it was pink eye and now this...so I immediately got in the car & headed to pick her and Ben up. I called the doctor and made an appointment because really, 3 times in a week and a half...we had to get my girl better. We found it out was an ear infection, so we got her meds and put her to bed. Matt came home from work about 6 and then he made me go to bed...
I slept awful last night and have decided I will NEVER take benedryl again...it has the opposite effect on me. I thought it would knock me out last night, but instead I found myself watching the news at 3 am.
I've been sleeping most of today & I'm finally starting to feel a little better. Laney is still a little whinny, but she has been playing hard since she got up this morning, so that's a good sign. We're praying that Matt & Ben stay healthy. There's so much sickness going around, we have friends with strep throat and the doc said the flu is going around again...seriously!!! It's April!
I guess we just needed to slow down, it's been a rough month for our family. Looking forward to getting better and enjoying wedding festivities next week!
.JPG) |
| Isn't this the sweetest? |
I slept awful last night and have decided I will NEVER take benedryl again...it has the opposite effect on me. I thought it would knock me out last night, but instead I found myself watching the news at 3 am.
I've been sleeping most of today & I'm finally starting to feel a little better. Laney is still a little whinny, but she has been playing hard since she got up this morning, so that's a good sign. We're praying that Matt & Ben stay healthy. There's so much sickness going around, we have friends with strep throat and the doc said the flu is going around again...seriously!!! It's April!
.JPG) |
| Despite the sickness, I got some quality time with my girl today. |
I guess we just needed to slow down, it's been a rough month for our family. Looking forward to getting better and enjoying wedding festivities next week!
4.13.2013
Debrief & Time With Jesus
I sat down to spend some time with Jesus this morning and just could not clear my head. So much going on around us...it's spring, so I want to be outside but the pollen is so bad my allergies can't handle it. We are attempting to potty train because Laney has decided she doesn't want to keep her diaper on, my house is actually clean so I want to go do something fun, I have a laundry list of things I want to do around the house (paint the table on the deck, find a rug for the living room, paint the guest bathroom, plant flowers) but all of that requires money and we're paying off debt right now, so I have to wait...We haven't had a date night in over a month, so I need some intentional time with Matt, we're going out with family for my birthday tonight so I'm thinking about that...
Also, we're coming out of a LONG month and a half of busy busy...wedding showers for my sister, bridal portrait for my sister, Easter, Connect Party prep, group life organization for our spring trimester at church, our new life group, Laney being sick, Ben starting baby food... only to go back into another busy 2 weeks...Refuel worship event this coming week, my birthday, Matt's going out of town for BDT training next weekend, my sister is getting married in 2 weeks...
SO
MUCH
STUFF...
Yet, I'm trying to quiet my head & my heart to spend a time with the Lord this morning. I feel like we're debriefing this weekend only to be busy another 2 weeks. Not that this is the only time that I've spend time with the Lord, it's just that I have so much going on in my head that spending time with the Lord is difficult this morning. I'm thinking about the past few weeks and prepping my head for another 2. So, I decided to write before I dig into my quiet time. I'm sure none of this is making sense, but I needed it before I could focus.
I have a good friend who wrote about her time with the Lord recently, she's actually the one that gave me the idea to get my head & heart quiet by writing or making a "to do" list before I spend time with the Lord. Whatever it takes to focus on my time with God is what I do before I dig into scripture every day...
What do you do to get your mind & heart right before you spend intentional time with Jesus every day?
Also, we're coming out of a LONG month and a half of busy busy...wedding showers for my sister, bridal portrait for my sister, Easter, Connect Party prep, group life organization for our spring trimester at church, our new life group, Laney being sick, Ben starting baby food... only to go back into another busy 2 weeks...Refuel worship event this coming week, my birthday, Matt's going out of town for BDT training next weekend, my sister is getting married in 2 weeks...
SO
MUCH
STUFF...
Yet, I'm trying to quiet my head & my heart to spend a time with the Lord this morning. I feel like we're debriefing this weekend only to be busy another 2 weeks. Not that this is the only time that I've spend time with the Lord, it's just that I have so much going on in my head that spending time with the Lord is difficult this morning. I'm thinking about the past few weeks and prepping my head for another 2. So, I decided to write before I dig into my quiet time. I'm sure none of this is making sense, but I needed it before I could focus.
I have a good friend who wrote about her time with the Lord recently, she's actually the one that gave me the idea to get my head & heart quiet by writing or making a "to do" list before I spend time with the Lord. Whatever it takes to focus on my time with God is what I do before I dig into scripture every day...
What do you do to get your mind & heart right before you spend intentional time with Jesus every day?
4.08.2013
Little Ballerina
I can't post any pictures of my sister's bridal portrait shoot this past weekend, I don't want to tempt her fiance' Jeremy too much...I will say that she was absolutely stunning though :)
I can show you a sneak peak of the flower girl all dolled up for a picture with her Aunt Anna and she was ABSOLUTELY adorable!
.JPG)
My mom, sister & I had a blast with the photographer, Kate Ashbrook, who also did my wedding. She is fabulous! I can't wait to see the pictures, 4 weeks until the wedding!
.JPG)
I can show you a sneak peak of the flower girl all dolled up for a picture with her Aunt Anna and she was ABSOLUTELY adorable!
.JPG)
My mom, sister & I had a blast with the photographer, Kate Ashbrook, who also did my wedding. She is fabulous! I can't wait to see the pictures, 4 weeks until the wedding!
.JPG)
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