Cliche but True

I have a general disdain for cliches. Be creative and think of another way to say it. Stop being trite. But in this case, the cliche is the best way to say it:

Today's trials are tomorrow's testimony.

I tend to have "bad luck," as my friends put it. Things don't just go wrong, they go very wrong. Wrong with a capital V. As much as I stress through the trial, God always comes through for me. And afterward, I can't help but wonder what I was so worried about.

Today's Observation...

Mom always taught me that if I didn't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Well, this reflection is going to be difficult to write then.

Honestly, my negative thoughts on today's experience reflects mostly on an individual rather than the school as a whole. I literally cannot bring myself to post any reflections on my blog.

Ed. Phil. Observations & His Eagerness to Ease Burdens

It's nearly 1:30 am as I begin this entry and I have to be up in less than five hours. I have to do observations for my Educational Philosophy class - and it's six hours. Ouch. So basically this is an all-day observation. I chose to visit a private school for this class, and was trying to find a school "off the beaten path" so to speak. After perusing the master list from the head of my department, I did a bit of Google searching and found Tall Oaks Christian School in Valpo - which is apparently closed. Long story short, I settled on a private Christian school. I gave the principal a call and the secretary passed on my message. The principal called me back right away and we talked for nearly thirty minutes.

Updates are not my friend

I don't stick with blogs, journals, etc. I get really into it and then I lose interest and get too busy. I need to be more consistent so rather than scrap the entire blog, I'm jumping back in. Lots of changes happened since I last posted. I am now a Master's student at Calumet College studying Education. First I'm completing courses for my license, then I am continuing for my Master's in Education (holla!). I am beyond stoked to be in the classroom again.

I was talking with Mom today and I had to stop when I told her how happy I was to be back in school. I'm the last person she would ever expect to hear that from. I never hated school, I was just apathetic. I "didn't apply myself to the fullest extent," basically. But something changed at Purdue when I started studying English - I found my home, my little niche. My place where everything made sense to me. I was excited about school. That's how it was today: I couldn't wait to get to school and get started on lectures, notes, group work, and....homework!

We got our first assignment. Not only do we have a 10 page literature review paper to write, but we have six hours of field experience to complete in the next two weeks AND a fifteen minute presentation (largely covering what our paper is about). Wow. I'm ready to get on this horse and ride it into the dust (not that I want the horse to die...I hope you know what I meant) - I can't wait to do these assignments. I've started researching and I have seven articles so far. Scholarly, peer-reviewed articles that are current. Yes, I know my stuff.

September 11, a day of...celebrating?

This past Sunday, we had church in the park. We gathered to hear the wonderful worship music of The Lawrence Family, listened to a 9/11 Tribute from Steve Williams, ate a never-ending (until it was all gone, of course) potluck picnic, had a cupcake competition and a softball game (oldies vs punks), and, best of all, had some amazing fellowship.

Of course it may have seemed like an odd day for a church picnic - it was, honestly, supposed to be a day of solemn remembrance. So why were we celebrating?

Do the right thing for the right reasons

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. 1 Peter 2:13-15

I've had several thoughts on my heart this past week. One is about doing what is right. I was driving down a country road and thinking about speeding - not that I was contemplating the act of it, just the concept in general. I checked to make sure I was under the speed limit and then asked why I cared at that moment. I typically do not have any qualms about going a bit over the limit. I like to drive fast.

Then I saw a sign listing the fines and consequences for speeding in a construction zone: $7000 plus 15 years (max) for killing a worker in a construction zone. I realize that the sign is in place to warn drivers of the consequences of breaking the speed limit law. But I can't help but wonder how many obey the law because they are afraid to get caught and how many obey because it is what is right?

Our Father is Concerned...

...with our wants. But where's the line between our desirable wants/needs and the out-of-control wants?

When do we stop asking for what we want and start asking for His will?

Here's the thing - I want a lot of things. Not like fancy cars and houses, a gazillion wardrobes, and a private jet. Nothing like that. I want my life to get on with it already. I finished college later than most do, I don't have my "career job" yet, I don't have a fully-funded emergency fund. Don't worry, this isn't a sob-story. But you get an idea of what my "wants" are.

Recently I was informed of the perfect job - I was qualified, interested, and they wanted me. A few weeks after the interview, I received the "we found someone else" email. I prayed and prayed for this job - I wanted it. But did I ever stop to consider asking for it according to His will? Yes, I did. Right after the interview, I prayed again. "Please, Lord, press it on their hearts to choose me." And then I stopped to think. And then I prayed, "Father, I really want this. I want You to want this for me too. I know that what concerns me concerns you, Lord. Please, is this what You want for me?"