Melissa's Urgent Wedding

One of the greatest rewards of being a teacher is that you'll never know what sorts of surprises your students will "walk in" with each morning! Although only November, my students have flabbergasted me by giving me Eagles blankets, stuffed animals, crackers, apples, jackets, pencils, highlighters, bracelets, etc., etc., etc. (And no, I did not keep all of these things...the jacket was too small!)

It's so interesting how willing these children are to show their love by acts of service, or giving, to me! I always find myself reflecting upon it, and thanking God for reminding me of childlike faith and childlike (genuine) love through them. Humorously though, I even find myself arguing with them sometimes, such as in today's morning conversation:

Teacher: "No, no, YOU keep your sweater, it's yours!"
Student: "...but I want you to have it."
Teacher: "No, really, I appreciate your gift and your kind heart, but that's for you!"
Student: "...but I have more like it at home."

I wouldn't be a teacher, however, if I didn't admit that some of my favorite gifts are those that are academically related to the content that we're studying in school. One of my students in particular often uses her vocabulary words to write very clever stories. I couldn't resist the opportunity to share this one. (The bold words are the vocabulary words that she included.) Enjoy!

Melissa's Urgent Wedding

One day Melissa was rehearsing her play of Romeo and Juliet. Her brother was knocking on the door. He said the neighbor's house was burning down! She grabbed her purse and ran. While she was there she saw a boy. She noticed that he was in her science class. The next day she had to partner up with him. While they were researching, he asked her out. She said yes. On their date he gave her a pearl necklace. On their 4th date, he proposed to her. On their wedding day she got married in a lavender dress. Her hair was curly. When they were getting married she hurried and said yes. On their honeymoon there was new furniture and a baby turtle. On the walls there was a painted mural. They were happy about what got them together.

Tu Comprendes?

I remember 4th grade.

I remember obsessing over perfect grades; wanting no less than a 100% on everything.

I remember creating a state report on Michigan that lasted over an hour and spanned across two days.

I even remember the name of the cute boy in class that every girl crushed on.

I never remembered the challenge of having to learn a second language; how to speak it, how to spell it, and oh yea, how to understand "algebraic expression" when I'm insecure about how I pronounce "multiplication."

I grew up in a school district in Pennsylvania comprised of predominantly Caucasian students, myself being one of them. Fitting in was no problem. For the most part, we all looked alike. All of our parents made "a decent salary." We all received the hottest Christmas toys and wore the latest trends in clothing. Most of us had been living in the same neighborhoods-heck, the same houses, that we'd lived in since birth. Many of us went to CCD together at the local parishes. Language was never a challenge-we were raised speaking English, we were taught speaking English, and so we thought...in English.

Now a 4th grade teacher myself, I teach in a school district that is predominately populated with Hispanic children. In fact, my district is 76% Hispanic, the largest in the state of Pennsylvania. Here, all children are different. Parents make all sorts of salary ranging from "decent" to "none." Children have similar clothes, but that is because they are mandated a uniform. Students, on average, attend 3-4 different elementary schools between the 1st and 5th grade. Students don't only speak, think, and write in English.


Many are classified as "ELA:" English-learner acquisition students. These students often arrive in the United States from another country (such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, or the Dominican Republic) and face the challenge of enrolling in the grade level equivalent with their age (a 9 year old in 4th grade) with a less than age equivalent English vocabulary.

I never realized the difficulty of learning 4th grade concepts in English with a brain that was raised to think, speak, and write in Spanish.

As I met with my students' parents this week for parent-teacher conferences, I was again reminded of the process many of my students undertake for 6.5 hours a day. These students, when prompted with a question in English, must listen to the teachers' words in English, translate it into Spanish in their mind, think about the answer in Spanish, and then translate it back into English in order to respond. The time necessary to answer a question is nearly double my own personal 4th grade experience.

It's embarrassing how easy it is to forget that oh-so-important fact as a teacher.

"Here I am, teaching these 9 year-olds how to speak, think, and write in a whole new language,"
I thought to myself while sharing report cards with family members. More importantly, however, "Here I am, teaching these 9 year olds how to be confident, determined, and hopeful during this difficult transition."

ELA: Although difficult, challenging, and for many an "added burden" to accommodate such learners, I find special pleasure in providing assistance to such students. In fact, I enjoy it so much, I've added "pursing an ELA certification (and learning the Spanish language)" to my list of future goals, especially within education. I admire my students for their determination, and although many may not realize, am inspired by their bilingual (and sometimes, trilingual) capabilities.

My students continue to teach me more each day.

Wait, Why Do You Divide by 3 Again?

If there's one thing that I've learned within my first month of teaching, it's that I can no longer be comfortable thinking from the perspective of an adult within the classroom. Time and time again, I've caught myself assuming that my students know more than they actually do (when doing a math problem, for example), only leaving me frustrated because too many confused 4th graders are running towards me, pleading for my assistance.

Perhaps you're reading this and thinking, "well no kidding, Melissa, you are teaching 4th grade! You have to think like a kid!" The concept, however, is easier to "understand" than to actually follow. Try teaching a lesson on finding an average or dividing with remainders! What's the easiest way to to split 25 into 4 groups? Using manipulative's? A multiplication chart? Using a multiply, subtraction, check method? It's easier said than done!

I've learned that it's important that children, regardless of age, are given explicit, clear directions and are taught detailed steps to solve a problem or to complete a task. I've had to accept that I'm going to spend a lot of time giving directions...over and over. Not only do I have to repeat myself several times without loosing patience, I have to remember to truly think like a 4th grader when creating my directions and steps! I never thought I'd admit that it's difficult to think like a kid again!

A Frustrating Day on the Job

"And when I count down from 5 to 1 you should be in your seats, mouths closed, looking at me. 5...4...3...2...1!"

::Everyone is still talking.::

Today was one of the most frustrating teaching days that I've experienced thus far. It wasn't that anything went terribly wrong or that one of my kids decided to give me attitude, it's just that...my kids are just too darn chatty!

I guess I shouldn't be too surprised: I mean, they do have me as a teacher! I just never imagined how darn frustrating it can be when trying to redirect the students' focus back to me. Regardless, I feel like 60% of what I'm teaching is continuously classroom management.

It's difficult. As a new, young teacher whose ambitions are nowhere short of "saving the world," balancing classroom management with "fun, creative, energetic ideas" is a huge challenge. I want the students to look forward to coming to school. I want them to know that the classroom is a safe place. I want them to experience learning as something fun. But I also want them to view their education as something very serious and meaningful.

Too many kids in the school in which I work have a "why should I care?" or "what difference does school make?" attitude. I want that attitude to change, yet I already fear the stress and burden of "pacing guides" and 4sight testings to keep up with, leaving very little room for creativity, flexibility, and well...fun.

Not only do I find the secret management tactics of whole group teaching tricky, I'm flabbergasted at the little bit of time teachers get to spend one-on-one with students. How can I teach a mini-lesson to a small group of students and have other students on task with completing another task? I find myself struggling to make time just so I can review basic math facts with students who need to review and learn the basic mathematical functions. In fact, I found myself shifting my entire schedule around today just because I recognized a group of students that were really struggling with rounding. (Too bad about pacing guides, these fourth grade students need to know their place value chart!)

It's ironic, though, how teaching can be both so frustrating and so inspirational. As I told my fiance Adam the other night, "each day that I continue to be frustrated, I'm likewise motivated to find new ways to reteach the concept or to retry management ideas. Teaching is such a great challenge, and finding areas that I struggle with motivate me to become better...for the students."

Sometimes I feel like I'm learning more than the students.

My biggest fear, I told my mentor, "is that I hope I'm not postponing the education of my students because of my 'first year goof-ups. The last thing I want is for my kids to enter 5th grade and be clueless."

In hopes of that not happening, it's back to the drawing board for me. How else can I teach place value? Rounding? Prefix? Vocabulary? Writing? Creativity, I need you now!

Keep reading for more classroom experiences!

Life Courses and Childhood Dreams

I'm always extremely discouraged to "start up" blogging again after I'm well aware when I take a hiatus. It reminds me that I'm extremely "human," not perfect by any means, and oh yes, effected by life's course of changes every now and then.

Nonetheless, here I am, blogging, and I am comfortable to now say that after a nine day road trip from the West Coast back to the East, diving into a first year teaching job the weekend after our return, searching and scoping out wedding venues, caterers. and entertainment, and moving back to Reading all within a short month, I feel like I'm "settling in." (And some people thought that making the transition from being a college student to "going into the real world alone was overwhelming!)

"Life" has surely taken its course in my life.

I suppose I can't be surprised, though. Life is always an adventure for my fiance and I. That's how we like it to view it anyway.

As I lay here in my Reading apartment-and yes, lay-I say lay because my roommate and I literally do not have any living room furniture to sit on yet (oh, that needs to happen, too?), I still cannot relish the reality of my now "school teacher" world. Three weeks ago I had my first "day of school." Monday I had my first "faculty meeting." Tomorrow I have my first "Meet the Teacher" night. The experience still seems to be beyond me. I cannot believe that I, Melissa Jaworski, am largely responsible for the academic progress of 19 students. Really, what was I thinking when I thought that I could have that much responsibility hanging on my shoulders?

Believable or not, being a school teacher is a dream that I've held onto ever since I was five years old. In fact, the day before my "first day of school," I told my mom, "I can't believe that tomorrow I'm going to be the person I dreamed to be since I was five years old."

Now, I'm not saying that I'm going to retire a teacher. I still have a very strong passion for vocational ministry, such as working within a church or for a para-church organization. I very well may decide to not teach after this first year experience. On the other hand, I may decide that I'll continue to teach for a number of years. Nevertheless, it's incredible for me to fathom the reality of fulfilling a childhood dream.

In fact, it gives me even more hope and inspiration for the children that I'm teaching. In 4th grade, I wanted more than anything to be a teacher, and now here I am, a 4th grade teacher.

When I reflect back on my journey towards "becoming a teacher," I'm reminded of all of the different stages that I passed through while remaining committed to my dream; teaching my stuffed animals at 5 years old, filing tests and quizzes for my elementary school teachers, deciding "teaching wasn't good enough for me" at 13, continuing to organize people and tasks in every opportunity available throughout middle and high school, struggling to decide a major in college...only to choose elementary education. I've had a lot of "twists and turns," a lot of changes and "I can't decide" moments, yet always, always, have I had the consistency of a small burning flame within me to...teach.

In fact, my journey reminds me of the well-known scripture in Jeremiah 19:11. It reads:

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Plans. Isn't it ironic how we, as humans, try so hard to create the "perfect plans"-1 day or 5 year-so that we can follow the steps that we believe lead towards a goal? And isn't it even more ironic, that during all of that time-being 5 and teaching stuffed animals to being 13 and not wanting to teach, to not deciding on a major in college, to getting a teaching job fresh out of college-that God has not forgotten me nor my childhood dream. "It's strange to believe that I'm actually doing the job that I dreamed to do since I was 5 years old."

Life-adventure- has a powerful way of allowing us to experience the faith of God.

Thanks, God...for life. For faith.






(*Note: I do realize that the last "sentence" is actually not a sentence at all, it's a fragment. I just recently taught my 4th graders about the characteristics of a complete sentence.)

Thank You, Arizona! (Not Good-Bye!)

Adam and I with the most WONDERFUL host family: the Giboneys!

Two and a half months pass quickly when you're pursuing a job you love, conquering "unexplored land", and are surrounding yourself with loving people. Adam and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time here. We can't believe how quickly Thursday, August 6th has approached! Although we'll continue to "road trip," taking pit stops in Texas, New Orleans, Alabama, South Carolina, and Maryland along the way, we'll surely miss the adventures and relationships that we've built here in Peoria, Arizona.

Below are a few quick, fun questions that summarize some key take-away moments from the summer experience.

One of my favorite memories from this summer have been:
I've really enjoyed the moments when my host family (Donna, Mike, Haley, and Hunter), Adam, and I have gathered around the dinner table and have spent hours talking, eating, and sharing life together. I've always been fond of long, family meals and long to have these (at least once a week) with my future family. These moments make wonderful "warm, fuzzy" memories.

One of my greatest challenges that I've experienced while here has been:
...Not having my girlfriends around to hang out with when Adam's playing poker or P90X with the guys! Not having them around though has challenged me to keep in touch with them through phone calls and Facebook messages!

One that I'll really miss about Arizona includes:
HOW BEAUTIFULLY STRAIGHT MY HAIR LOOKS, EVEN IN THE SUMMER! Oh, my hair's at its best out here! I'll definitely miss going on early runs when it's "toasty" outside (86 degrees at 6am). I'll miss the constant sunshine and the ability to wear shorts and a tank at 11pm at night. I'll miss gazing at the mountains on my way to work. Oops, was I only supposed to list one?

One thing that I've learned here about Adam and my relationship is:
...We really do make a great team! Adventuring out here as a couple has allowed us to "lean" on each other and grow in ways we never before found ourselves compatible. We've built memories together while striving to learn more about each other and how we can best serve one another. Never before have we spent more time together and never before have I been more in love. Don't get me wrong, there's been difficult times, for sure! We're much stronger because of this summer though, and we've had a ton of fun along the way.

One thing that I've learned here about myself is:
People really love me for me: crazy, silly, outgoing, loud, hard-working, dedicated, caring, compassionate me. Even in a new environment, I was able to confidently "be who I am" and loved it. Not only did I love it, but others did, too! They loved me for me, so I need to keep loving me for me, too!

One thing that I've learned here regarding my relationship with God includes:
God created me as a human BEing, not a human DOing. My personal relationship with God (aka spending time with God) can never be sacrificed for doing things for God (aka busy schedule), especially if I work in a church! I must be just as comfortable BEING with God as I am DOING for (or with) Him!

One Last Stop: The Grand Canyon

Mission Accomplished!

Adam and I just completed the ONE task that my dad INSISTED we do before we come home: hike and camp out at the Grand Canyon! Although the one day-one night trip was short, we had a wonderful time. We visited the South Rim and hiked the Kaibab Trail (a 6 mile hike) to "Skeleton Point." We were humbled by the view (boy, did we feel small looking at at that canyon), captured by its beauty (God sure is creative), and enjoyed every minute of the hiking-camping experience!

Below are some favorite pictures from the trip. It was a wonderful way to end our time here in the West! We leave for back east on Thursday and expect to arrive in PA around August 13th or 14th.

A GORGEOUS VIEW of the South Rim at the start of our hike!

Stopping for a quick view while hiking! AMAZING!

Adam taking a break inside one of the canyon rocks!

When we reached Skeleton Point, we got a glimpse of the Colorado River. I was so surprised that it wasn't blue! False expectations? Oh well, blue or brown, we saw it!

Stopping for a picture pose on the hike back up!
We definitely took advantage of those camel backs!


Our "hobo" meals! We cooked chicken and veggies in tinfoil over the fire!


Checking out the South Rim right before sunset. A perfect ending to a breath-taking day.

"The Strip," Las Vegas

This past weekend, Adam and I had an opportunity to hit "the strip" in Las Vegas, Nevada. We were graciously hosted by a family friend and her roommate, who took us out to dinner and showed us around to some of the "hot spots."

While Adam was excited to get a chance to play poker at a real poker table (he even won $60), we both enjoyed watching the fountains at the Bellagio, traveling through "Paris," and treating ourselves to the beautiful indoor walkway of the Venetian Casino. Of course, it wouldn't be a trip to Vegas without getting harassed by dozens upon dozens of advertisers for night clubs and "X" rated fun. I couldn't believe the number of cards that littered the ground or the amount of children that were walking around Vegas seeing the giant advertisements of half-naked women! Ah! No wonder the minds of our generation (and younger) are so saturated with sex.

The trip was certainly a taste of a different type of culture. Although "short-lived," I'm not sure we needed too much more time to understand just how different Vegas is from several other US big cities. Fortunately, there's hope, even for "Sin City." Since our trip, Adam and I have researched a church organization, called Strip Church, that's reaching out to people in Vegas in very creative ways. Check out the website if you're curious!

All in all, the trip was certainly a success and so much fun! Some of our pictures from the trip are included below. Stay tuned for an update on our trip to the Grand Canyon from August 2nd-4th!

Our party of four: Adam, myself, and our two wonderful hostesses, Sandy and Amanda. We ate a wonderful "tropical dinner" at Treasure Island. And yes, that's our DESSERT!

The infamous Bellagio! We were so captivated by the light show that we couldn't stop watching after just one song! Truly an amazing sight to see!

EVERYONE's in Vegas! I was so excited to meet Whoopi Golberg! I just loved her in Sister Act. Okay, okay. This is actually a "Wax Whoopi." Close enough though, right?

These tours were given inside the Venetian Casino. Yes, inside. It wasn't surprising considering what the inside of this "mall area" looked like. Talk about stunning and romantic!

On the way to and fro Vegas, we traveled across the Hoover Dam and stopped to take some pictures! I wasn't expecting this sort of beauty!

This picture doesn't even come close to justifying the beauty of this scenery. The water is so blue, and with it surrounded by the mountains, it's just like a postcard. Adam informed me that the water's "blue" is caused by minerals. In fact, the white that is shown on the mountains is calcium build up: the water reaches up to the heights of the white/brown line!

A view of the Hoover Dam. There were so many people parked on the side of the road just to tour and photograph the Dam!

Another view of the Dam. Adam tells me that it's the largest cement structure in the world! I believe it!

How to Talk to Girls

While in our "pastors' meeting" yesterday, I caught sight of an advertisement in a children's ministry magazine for a book that a NINE YEAR OLD BOY wrote. The title: How to Talk to Girls. Fascinated with the reality that a nine year old boy published a book, I continued to read all about Alec Greven. He published his first book at age eight, has also written a book titled How to Talk to Moms, and has a book about Santa Clause coming out in September! I was ecstatic to discover that one of our pastors actually owned a copy of How to Talk to Girls.

Here are some of my favorite excerpts:

• A crush is a love disease. It can drive you mad.
• If you are in elementary school, try to get a girl to like you, not to love you. Wait until middle school to try to get her to love you. Otherwise, you have to hold on to her for a long time and that would be very hard. (Tip: Most boys in elementary school can hold on to a girl for only 30 days.)
• Some girls are talkative. Some girls are shy. Go for a talkative girl if you are shy. Then you only have to say one sentence, and she will do the rest of the talking.
• If she doesn't like you, don't worry, it happens.
• If you do win victory with a girl, don't cheer in front of her.
• Use caution! When you see a pretty girl, don't let her tractor beam pull you in.

What an incredible way to share with children that they matter! Imagine how nine year old boys (and girls) can be inspired by hearing Alec's story! I definitely think I'll be purchasing this book for my personal collection.

Teaching Interview Questions

While preparing for some teaching interviews, I ran across a great article that shares "Principals' 30 Favorite Questions for Future Teachers." If any of you are preparing to one day be a teacher (or know of anyone who is preparing) this is a great source to print out and save for future reference!

Below are also some common questions that I've been asked while interviewing. Good luck!

• I noticed you student taught at _________________. Tell me about your experience. What were your strengths and what were your weaknesses during this experience?


• Describe a reading lesson from start to finish.


• Tell me about some of your extra-circulars in high school and college.


• We've been brainstorming ways to incorporate technology into the classroom. How experienced are you with a smart board?How experienced are you with a smart board?What are some of your ideas?


• How do you measure a student's success?


• What are some of your ideas concerning how to encourage parent involvement in a students' education?


• It seems like you have a lot of strengths. What is an area that you are looking to improve? How do you plan to do so?


• Do you have any questions for us?

True Beauty

I recently finished John and Stasi Eldredge's book Captivating. The book focuses on women's desires to be romanced, to be needed, and to be beautiful. It is quite an interesting read. I aim to soon read Wild at Heart.

The following are two descriptions of "beautiful women" that were contrasted in the book. The descriptions reminded me of the pressure women feel to "be [physically] beautiful" in this world, while ironically, attaining or "striving" (as Stasi Eldredge describes) for such beauty is exhausting.

Janet is twenty-one. She was on the dance team in high school. Small and petite with a fabulous figure. Unlike so many women in that world of competitive beauty, she escaped an eating disorder. But she runs between five and ten miles a day. She watches what she eats. She's able to wear the cutest clothes. And yet...when you're with her, your heart does not rest. Her beauty impresses, but it does not invite. The reason is simple: She is striving. She is a perfectionist (an extra two pounds is a crisis; a pimple is a disaster). Her beauty feels tenuous, shaky. It is not flowing from her heart. It's almost as if it's forced, from the outside, through discipline and fear.

June is one of the most beautiful women we have ever met. We encountered her a few years ago while doing a retreat on the coast of North Carolina. Her hair was long, swept up loosely and held by decorative combs. She wore unique, dangly earrings and pretty flowering skirts. Her eyes sparkled when she laughed, which he did often, and her smile lit up the room, She was clearly in love with her husband, her face adoring as she gazed at him. June was at rest with herself, at home in who she was. Talking with her, just being with her, made us feel more at rest with ourselves as well. Her spacious, beautiful soul invited others to come, to be, to taste and see that the Lord is good, whatever was happening in your life. She wept at the retreat. She laughed at the retreat. She was gloriously alive and in love, both with her husband and with the God of the Universe. And June was about seventy-five years old.

While reading, I found myself identifying too much with Janet while I long to make an impression like June's. I run (and feel bad when I don't). I watch what I eat. I have "perfectionist" traits. Yet, I love to smile. I love to laugh. I love to believe that my presence is inviting and alive. Why are both beauties so desirable?

As this has been a matter that I've been praying over for quite some time (wanting to "love myself" for who I've been created to be), I've believe I've finally begun to experience just the tip of the iceberg of God's unique love for me. I find myself praying to be a June more and a Janet less, and I don't plan on taking 75 years to live and share it with others.



True beauty, Eldredge writes, is one in which, "A woman invites us to know God. To experience through her that God is merciful. That he is tender and kind. That God longs for us-to be known by us and to know us. She invites us to experience that God is good, deep, lovely, alluring. Captivating."

I can feel beautiful because God created me beautifully. My beauty (my confidence, my love, my caring) invites others to know God. Let's face it, confidence is, after all, attractive!

What a unique way to view beauty! Beauty as a...way to witness for God.

Now that's a beauty to believe in and desire!

Decision Time

I knew this time would come around. I didn't realize that it would happen sooner than later.

Decision time: Public school teaching vs. Ministry

Realistically, this has been a decision that I've struggled with for a long time. Ever since I was five years old, I pretended to teach my stuffed animals via spelling book packets and a small chalkboard attached to one of my bedroom walls. I wanted to be a teacher. When I was 18, however, after making the decision to get baptized and beginning on my journey with Christ, I fascinated over teaching students with a different, eternal curriculum in mind.

Since then, I've struggled for a long time trying to decide into which field I fee "called." I remember graduating from high school, traveling to a high school Christian conference in Tennessee (CIY) in which I made a commitment to "enter into the ministry" and coming home perplexed because I was not going to a "Bible college" that August. How was I to fulfill my "ministry calling" if I didn't attend a Bible college? That summer, I remember spending hours on the computer researching Christian colleges with youth ministry and children's ministry majors, finally giving up my search a few days before heading to Albright College to pursue "secular degrees" in elementary education and psychology.

My indecisiveness didn't end then. (I wish!) I struggled for over a year trying to decide whether I wanted to transfer to Eastern University to pursue youth ministry, in which a mentor couple of Adam and myself suggested to stay at Albright, receive my education degree, and then, after I graduated, if I was feeling called, to pursue seminary and ministry afterwards.

The couple insisted that during these next four years, I take full advantage of my perfect opportunity to pursue college experiences, while likewise, still being able to stay fairly connected with ministry through attending and volunteering at Christ's Church of the Valley.

And, did I ever take advantage of all those opportunities!

Since then, at CCV, I've volunteered in the children's ministry as a "lead teacher" (one who teachers large group lessons from stage) for grades 2nd-5th, I've volunteered in student ministries as an "Impact Coach" for middle school students, and I've served in summer camps to reach out to new children and students. During summers, I've traveled with CIY's "Know Sweat" team to complete service projects with middle and high school students across the Midwest, and even accepted a summer children/youth internship at CCV (PA) where my ministry responsibilities (speaking, events, volunteer coordination, etc.) truly began to ripen.

Opportunities, too, to explore public school teaching have arose over the years, and I hadn't forgotten to explore those as well. Studying education in school, I volunteered at countless tutoring sessions at local elementary schools, working for four years at an after-school program in Reading. I've completed practicum sessions for nearly every grade K-6, including a full semester of "student teaching," a teaching internship in and of itself.

And where has all this experience and learning brought me, four years passed?

...at a crossroad. A decision to make: Public school teaching or Ministry?

I've graduated from Albright. I have my degrees in both elementary education and psychology. I find myself in yet another ministry internship at a mega church in Peoria, AZ this summer (this time strictly for children's ministry), and there are offers on the table.

You see, earlier this week, I was elated to discover that I received a job offer at Northwest Elementary, the first school that I student taught at during my "Practicum Semester" at Albright. When leaving the elementary school (my placement was in a 5th grade classroom), the principal said to me, "You'll be hearing from me." Not wanting to set myself up for disappointment, I didn't think too much of it, especially because I've accepted that my plans for the next year (until Adam and I marry and we settle somewhere) are a huge question mark with a giant sticker that says TRUST GOD at the bottom. A few days ago, the principal called me herself! She offered a fourth grade position and wanted to know when I can "conference call" to interview with the board.

Amazing! Thank you, Lord. (As August quickly inches closer, I've been really praying about "future-job-stuff.")

Interestingly, that same day, I sat down with my summer internship supervisor as he invited me to consider pursuing a year-long internship in the later childhood department at CCV (AZ). He described some of the benefits of a year-long internship and shared his insight for future job possibilities (not promised, of course). Knowing my plans with Adam, he offered his prayers for the decisions that lie ahead.

Money. Marriage. Jobs. Moving. Decisions.

While trying to discipline myself to "give it [my decisions] to God in prayer," I often think about the conversations that I've shared with people concerning the differences and similarities between teaching in public school and in a "church setting." I often argue that my passion to teach in public school allows all children, especially those who don't go to church, to be loved, encouraged, and taught by someone whose heart belongs to Jesus.

Yet, as wonderfully evangelistic as this motivation is, I can't help ignore my still existing, prominently strong fascination with "ministry." There's no doubt that I'm most passionate about speaking to children and students, and dare I say, I'm good at it. I've taken a serious interest in studying speakers' techniques and advice, and upon each opportunity, seek to improve what I hold true as a God-given gift. In fact, I find it incredible that at this Arizona internship alone I have been encouraged by countless adults, teenagers, and children with my gift of speaking. I have kids rushing the stage to give me high-fives after I'm speaking. I over-hear 2nd-6th grade boys reenacting the stories that I tell on stage. Boys! I've offered speaking and group-management advice to high school leaders, and they've loved it and passed it along to their friends. Staff members in the children's department have joked about "bringing me on staff" or have initiated conversation about considering future possibilities within the field. Usually, I find myself storing these memories in my heart, then brushing them off as, " these people are just saying nice things!"

I'm beginning to really be convinced though, that it's all to bizarre to not involve God.

Decision time. All prayers are so deeply appreciated!

Kids Say the Darnest Things!

One of my favorite things about children's ministry is listening to kids' responses to questions.

Just two weeks ago, I was leading a small group for 2nd and 3rd graders, and just after talking about John 3:16, I asked if there were any questions. One girl raised her hand and asked, "Is Santa real?"

Below are a few answers to kids' responses that Jeri (the other children's intern) and I organized for a recent website update. Whereas I marvel at the complexity of some answers (these students are all in 6th grade), I can't help smile at the innocence and simplicity in others. I hope that you enjoy reading them as much as I did!

How has God changed your life?

• God has changed my life. I got bit by a pit bull (Personally, I think this was the devil's work) But God saved me to where I only got 2 stitches on my face and about 3-4 cuts instead of ripping off my cheek.


• I am not proud of a lot of the things I have done but God has helped me get over and helped clear all of my sins. If it wasn't for God I don't know if I would be here right now. If


• I wasn't close to God I wouldn't have gotten this far in my life. God has saved me!


• God has changed my life by giving me Melody, my 8 year old sister. I would have been a pretty boring kid if it weren't for God. He has brightened my life.

How have you seen God change someone else's life?

• I have seen God change my dad's life so we can be a family now.


• God changed my mom's life. She was smoking 3 packs a day.


• Like I had a bully, he was mean to me. I told my teacher I needed to go to the bathroom. She said yes. When I was in the bathroom I didn't have to go but I prayed for him. When it was lunch he started to be nice and played basketball with me. To me that was kind of weird!


• God changed my dad when God spoke to me and my mom. We kept on seeing scriptures on adoption. But when we told my dad he was very against it. So every night me and my mom prayed. One day my dad came home from work and filled out all the papers for the adoption.
  

What's the difference between someone who knows God and someone who doesn't know God?

• The difference of someone knowing God and someone who doesn't know God is that if you know the Lord your life is complete. You know how to live your life and you know who loves you most. If you don't know God, your life is a whole question. Who created you? Who made this land? Who loves you most of all? You don't know how to take control. That's the difference!
  
• People who don't know God have a hole in their heart. They don't have a meaning or purpose in life. They feel empty and end up doing wrong things to cover it up. People who do know God know why they were put in this world. They feel like their lives are important for God's work. They love life and they love Christ.
  
• The difference is that non-believers cuss and they don't go to Heaven, and that is why He has us take them to church.

I wonder, what would your answers be to these three questions? Would they be as entertaining as a 6th grader's?

Animal Lover

For the past few days, my host family here in Peoria, AZ has been on vacation visiting family in Texas and New Mexico. While they've been gone, they've asked me to take care of their pets (2 dogs, 1 rabbit, and 1 bird), in addition to maintaining the house in a few minor ways (watering the plants, collecting the mail, etc.). While I was extremely excited for their return on Tuesday (it's scary to stay in a big house by yourself in a state thousands of miles from "home"), I realize that I've learned a lot by spending these few days "living on my own." Not that I haven't lived on my own before...well, sort of. For my last two years at college, I lived in an apartment. Although, then, I lived with three of my friends, minimal responsibilities, and definitely no pets.

I am definitely not an animal lover.

Don't get me wrong, I grew up with pets. Cats, dogs, cat-fish, tadpole, we had many. Ever since I was old enough to understand the time, commitment, and MONEY that owning a pet requires however, I've very strongly expressed my desire to NOT have pets "when I grow up." House-sitting and having the responsibility for the food and care of a few animals independently, especially dogs, has absolutely reinforced my distaste for owning animals. I simply don't have the patience. I know that my lifestyle will be one (it already is) in which it's not a priority of mine to carve out the time for pets (to play with them, give them attention, etc.). While my host family isn't here to entertain the dogs, each day when I return home from work, I'm greeted by two excited dogs with toys in mouths ready to chase Frisbees, to eat snacks, and to be loved. (Or so we assume.) Frustrated because they always seem to block the doorway so perfectly, I yell to them, "I just don't love you as much as your family does!"

Sunday night, rushing out the door from these two [dogs] once again, I attended the High School Service here at CCV, in which a message was delivered by one of the staff about being "made" by God. He boldly shared that God has created us so that he can love us. We are the only creations that he has crafted that can feel and return love. He said, "...not the mountains, not the sea, not the animals. You may love your dog, but your dog doesn't love you. He only follows you around because he wants food. God created you because He loves you and you can love Him back."

Ha! All you animal lovers are wasting your time!

Part of me adored the message because I felt validated for my numbness towards animals. Why put effort into loving something that wasn't created to return love? An even bigger part of me marveled at the truth that God's created humans because He desires to love and to be loved. But then I wondered, "So why do I feel so darn guilty when I put up the 'doggy fence' to block the dogs from bothering me, knowing that no one has played with them in days? Are we really the only creations that can love? If animals have the mental capacity to be trained for tricks and tasks, if animals can communicate by means of barks, growls, and rubs, why don't they have the capacity to express love? After all, why do these dogs choose to lay at my feet while reading, eating, or sleeping. Why do they chase me around the pool when I'm holding my breath underwater with a look of fear in their eyes? And why do they have to look so darn cute?

Can animals love?

And I thought people were confusing. This is why I cannot own pets! There are too many questions that require expert advice and guidance. It's challenging enough trying to understand the mindsets of men and women so that I can better serve them. I've accepted that God is mysterious...

But, pets?

California Adventure

A few posts back, I mentioned that Adam, myself, and some friends would be venturing to the Grand Canyon. Unfortunately, because of 4th of July weekend, we weren't able to reserve a camp-site in time (as we were planning to hike down into the canyon and camp out over night). We're still planning on hiking the canyon in a few weeks, but for our 4th of July celebration, we ventured to Huntington Beach in California instead! We both agreed that the trip was too short, but lucky for us, with a few connections in California, we'll be back soon! Adam's already posted about the trip (you can read his blog here), but here are a few more pictures of our first California beach adventure!

We're there! Huntington Beach, CA.
(Less than an hour from Disney Land!)

My FIRST GLANCE at the Pacific Ocean! (Yes, we're still in the car. A picture was definitely necessary!)

The hotel where we stayed. Okay, just kidding. It's a random building across from the beach. It's gorgeous though. You definitely don't see this at the NJ shore!

The beautiful beach! It was breezy, sunny, and 80 degrees. I promise you the sand feels (and looks) different than that on the NJ coast.

Okay, it's obvious that this isn't the beach. We passed these mountains on the way to Huntington, in California! They're GORGEOUS and HUGE..perhaps about 15,000 ft!AND, to make the drive even more interesting...right near the giant mountains were HUNDREDS of WINDMILLS. These power MASSIVE AMOUNTS of energy. It was crazy seeing so many of them along the mountain range!

Text Messaging Prayer Reminders?!

Over the past few months, I've been very particular when telling just anyone that I'll be praying for them whenever they share requests. As I've taken a true look at my prayer life, I've realized that I don't pray nearly half as much for people as I promise!

"Oh, I'm praying for you!" How many times have we all heard that? Has anyone else other than me ever wondered, "Now, do they really mean that? How often are they really praying? How can they remember?"

Unfortunately, I've become just a tad bitter to the idea of "praying for (so many) other people."

Until now.

Can I really get a text-message reminder to...pray?

I received an email today from one of the children's pastors at Christ's Church of the Valley here in Peoria. The emailed explained his similar frustration with not always being able to "keep his word" when promising to pray for others. he included a link to an interesting website that he found to help "organize" his prayers: Echo Prayer Manager.


The site, Echo Prayer Manager, does just that: manages your prayers. Upon signing up, one can "submit" multiple prayer requests and set reminder times (repeated on a weekly basis) so that reminders can be sent via email or text message throughout the day to better help one manage praying for multiple people and/or issues. One can even submit journals, comments, and "answered prayer" notes so that the reminders can change and/or stop.

As creator Ben Rugg describes on Echo Prayer's website, "It's pretty obvious the Bible calls us to pray for each other. James exhorts us to pray in all circumstances, Paul tells us to pray continually, and Jesus is an example even while he's on the cross (see James 5:13-18, 1 Thes 5:17, Luke 23:32-34). Echo is a tool to help you pray more diligently. Pray for your coworkers, your friends, your family, your church, your country, your issues. And thank God continually."

If you're interested, take a look at the website...and sign up! It's neat to think that such a resource exists to strengthen our walk with Christ. Ben Rugg, you have used certainly used your talents to glorify God! As Ruggs write, "Let's change the world. Let's pray for the people around us like we were meant to. And let's show the world that the one true God deserves all the glory."

Another Monday Adventure: Biosphere2

Every Monday, Adam and I try and go on an "adventure" that we've never done before and can only experience while we're out West here. Today, we ventured to Tucson, Arizona to visit the University of Arizona's Biosphere2. This Biosphere2 (Biosphere 1 is our planet Earth) is the largest of its kind in the world. Within the glass structure (created to simulate environmental behavior without human interruption) there are 5 different natural habitats: savanna, coastal fog desert, tropical ocean, rain forest, and agricultural. It was quite an experience traveling from one area with 80% humidity to another with just 15% humidity (yet 95 degrees) within a matter of steps. The history of Biosphere2 is intriguing, especially facts on the September of 1991-September of 1993 experiment in which 8 researchers lived within the sphere without leaving once for a span of two years. Take a look at the pictures! We really had a blast. I'm blessed that I get to share my life with someone who loves adventure so much. Speaking of, this week should be a short week, as we leave Thursday for the Grand Canyon! If you're interested in learning more about Biosphere2, check out the website!

Above: Biosphere2 from an outside view. The structure is completed composed from glass and steel rods to allow the sunlight to stimulate and sustain growth. It's mind-boggling!

Above: Pictures of a few of the different types of atmospheres, including ocean, rain forest and savanna.

Above: Biosphere2 is snuggled within Tuscon's Santa Catalina Mountain Range. What a view!