Update

As promised, here is Macie in her adorable bumble bee costume that she HATES! It's just so precious:

Also, before I forget, please go watch Fireproof. Seriously, it is one of the best movies I have ever seen. If you don't have the money, let me know and I'll pay for it. It's really that important. Justin and I started The Love Dare this week (from the movie), and it is phenomenal. It focuses on having the marriage that God intended you to have, one day at a time. Lifeway has the book for $10... and it's worth every penny.

Switching gears now: I finished fifth grade. On my last day, I made 40+ muffins and took them in for my homeroom for breakfast. The kids were so grateful and loved getting to eat breakfast together! I even had one student who prayed silently before he ate. Without anyone telling or reminding him to do so. It was one of the sweetest and most innocent things I have ever seen. The kids made me cards and brought me small gifts, insisting that I not forget them. Like I could! I really, really miss them.

So, I started student teaching in kindergarten on Monday, and it is a huge adjustment! The kids are tiny, and they are so cute. The things they say are so sweet... I had one child who was coughing and holding her throat becuase her dad "just forgot to take her tonsils out." It was adorable! I am loving kindergarten, especially all the hugs and hand-holding. They are so dependant, and I love being loved and needed. So, I have decided that I just love children of all ages, and I want to teach them. Any age, any grade (in elementary, of course). I'm excited to see what the future holds!

Speaking of the future, please be in prayer for me and the job hunt. I'm not sure what to do or where to look... I don't know where God wants me, but He does. I'm just trying to be patient as I wait to see where He is leading. Pray that I have ample patience and confidence that God will provide... Jehovah Jireh is one of His many names, after all.

ch-ch-ch-changes

I finished my fifth grade student teaching placement, and I hated to say goodbye to those fantastic kids. Now, I'm in kindergarten with the little kids, and it's going well. I'll have some updates later, as well as a few pictures of Macie in her new Halloween costume. Just letting you know that I haven't dropped off the face of the planet just yet....

"Simul justi, simul peccatores"

"At the same time righteous and sinner."

This was the focus of our Sunday School material this morning. My husband did a wonderful job teaching this tough subject. Here lately, I can really relate to Paul when he writes in Romans 7:

"For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin."

My soul is waging war against my flesh, and I am not too fond of the battle. But, as Paul says, praise God for setting me free from the body of this death!

The Pinnacles

Yesterday, Justin and I took a hike at the Pinnacles in Berea. If you have never gone, you really need to. The view from the top is spectacular. The leaves are just starting to change colors, which made for a few nice pictures. Most importantly, we got to spend some time together enjoying God's awesome creation. What a mighty God!

The view on the way to the West Pinnacle.

One of my favorites from the day:

On the way up, my brave and heroic husband had to save me from this big guy... ;)

And finally, the view from the top. (This picture doesn't do it justice at all...)

We had a fantastic time, and we can't wait to go back to hike the East Pinnacle to see all of God's glory on the other side of the mountain!

Renewing a passion

Today at school I decided to read a book. Not just any book. A children's book. My absolute favorite! So, I picked up Nim's Island while the kiddos were taking a test and I started reading. Of course, I got sucked in and I wanted to keep reading instead of getting up to teach the afternoon classes. One of my adorable little guys decided to read the book with me, which I love. I just LOVE watching kids read. So, he sat down beside me and started reading. It was fantastic!

Anyway, the kids finally got on the bus to go home, and I walked home (stupid car...) and then I finished the book. In about 30 minutes. It was great!

Until this weekend, I had forgotten how much I love to read. So, I have started a book by the excellent author Beverly Lewis, and I hope to be finished by the end of fall break. I am so glad that I finally have some time for free reading again. There is little better than sitting down with a good book.

So, this blog is pointless.

Except that I wish my passion for reading extended over into my Christian walk, making me more passionate about reading Scripture and really soaking it in. Not just reading it. The same with praying, too. So, as I renew my passion for reading fiction, I am burdened by my lack of that degree of passion for my God and my relationship with Him. There's the passion I should be renewing...

Oh, and how much more satisfying would it be for me to be reading Scripture and then to have a child decide to read it with me...