Its official...

I'm a grad student!!!

I had my first class on Tuesday night. Oh boy, I was a wreck leading up to it. I was nervous about the work load and being able to sit through 4 hours of class after working all day. I wasn't nervous about the course topic(Technology and Teaching). As one classmate put it, "You must have grown up with a mouse in your hand." I am the youngest out of 7 classmates. By at least 15 years. I don't remember what we were talking about during the break, but I mentioned that I had graduated from MacArthur. He told me that he had graduated from Eisenhower in 1988 and he wondered what class I was. (Now do I seriously look like I could have graduated high school in the 80s?) I said 2003. As I said before I'm not worried about the technology part. I've used a fair amount of software and at work I'm the trouble shooter for the computers. I was expecting to learn how to educational software, but no it looks like we'll be learning how to use Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access. There were a few more programs like HyperStudio(which I haven't used since jr high and I didn't think it was still around) and something else. During class we'll be spending time doing a tutorial and then doing an assignment. So I guess I don't have to worry about class time being hard, but maybe just boring.
Maybe I have it all wrong. Maybe I'm the type of person that already loves school and learning and NEW SCHOOL SUPPLIES!! (yep that's me) so I'm ready for a challenge and this course doesn't not seem to be doing it just yet. I only have 6 more sessions left for this class and the hard part for me will be motivating me to actually do the reading assignments that just seem like weekly busy work(which working adults do not have time for, but we've got to learn the material somehow).
Actually I am procrastinating right now. I should get on the readings for class next Tuesday. :-)

First Time

So I can finally say that I'm a substitute teacher. The only thing I've done in this process was to get the certificate. With everything else going on(liquidating the business I work for, applying for school/getting ready to start school, looking for a new job), I haven't had a chance to actually sign up at any schools to sub. (You know... all that paper work and stuff). So today on my day off(what's that... they seem to be so few and far between now) I got a call from Warrensburg-Latham to sub half day. Now they must have been in a pickle b/c I've never subbed before. EVER. I know that the superintendents of each district get a list of new subs every month so that must be how they had my number. Well let me tell you I was scared stiff on the way to the school. But I had no reason to be. These 4th graders were great. They actually listened to me.
Maybe this just confirms that going back to school to be a teacher is really what I'm supposed to do. Or maybe I just got a great class.... b/c I know of one sub who broke up a fight last week and was bit by a student. I guess some subbing days just bite like that. :-)

One Month

Today is March 14th. On April 14th my first master's class starts!!!!!!!! One month. Oh snap. I have a ton of things to do before then, but I'm stoked!!!! Now usually when I would go back to school in the past(high school, college etc) I'd spend time gearing up for the big event. I love the first day of school. The new notebook. The new pens! So I'd get my room ready. Make a nice homework area. Allow there to be a calm uncluttered place where business had to be taken care of. For college I'd make my room so that when I come home it would be heaven. Clean sheets. Everything positive about coming home, a sanctuary basically.
So now I have a month to get ready for starting school again. And do I have a lot planned to get done before then. I had made a bit of a zealous list that included painting my room and really cleaning it etc. That was for me starting in the fall... Now I have 4 weeks that gets shared with other responsibilities including a full time job and other more fun things(praise team, CLC to name a few). I am still going to make my room workable. Now the hard thing about being an adult living with your parents(a humbling experience) is that you have your entire life in your room(or at least I do).
I think I can paint my room in the coming weeks. I just have to make a plan and stick to it. Oh btw, I'm painting my room yellow with white trim. It will be happy. :-)
I can't wait!

Open Up The Sky

Open up the sky
Fall down like rain
We don't want a blessing
We want You
-Open up the sky by Deluge

Yes that's what I want too. I don't want to just feel good when I'm worshiping God. I want Him. I'm not doing for me, that's for sure. It's all for Him. It is so easy to get caught up in the thought that Sunday morning is for my benefit only. The "feel good" time of my week to get caught up with everyone, sing a few songs, and listen to a sermon.
I don't want to just be blessed on Sunday mornings. I want Jesus. I don't care how long it takes on Sunday mornings for that to happen. He's supposed to be the reason I go anyway so I should make Him my priority especially then.
Its got to be like this 24/7. Its got to be a bigger priority for me. Why else do all of this stuff? Why should I gain the whole "church" world, yet lose my soul? Yeah... totally don't want to do that.
Open up the sky, Lord. Reign in me with all Your mighty power.

Isaiah 1

13-17"Quit your worship charades. I can't stand your trivial religious games:Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings— meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more!Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You've worn me out!I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning.When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way.No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I'll not be listening.And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody.Go home and wash up. Clean up your act.Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don't have to look at them any longer.Say no to wrong. Learn to do good.Work for justice. Help the down-and-out.Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless. (The Message)

13-17 Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies--I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly. I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen Your hands are covered with blood. Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow. (New American Standard Bible)

Yep. Me too.

Desert Song

Desert Song by Hillsong from the This Is Our God cd
Verse 1:
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that’s within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

Verse 2:
This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame

Chorus:
I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

Verse 3:
This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I’ll stand

Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

Verse 4:
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favour and providence flow
I know I’m filled to be emptied again
The seed I’ve received I will sow


This is what I'm singing right now. Anybody else singing along with me?

Happy New Year

This year is going to be great. I can just feel it. There is so much hope for the future.
Can you feel it?