Odds and Ends

I really can't seem to keep up with this blog thing. My sister has been putting me to shame. One thing I need to do is take more pictures. I really haven't had a chance and nothing has really inspired me to take pictures since leaving so. ill. This picture is one of the few I have taken. I love to take pictures because nature inspires me. Nature is simple. That's what we should aspire for. Simplicity. For instance in this picture, the little flowers are reaching toward the sun. God created in us a desire for him. That is what we are ALL searching for. Unfortunately we fill that desire with everything BUT God. We don't want to admit that we need him and that it is our soul desire to reach for him and to worship him. If we would just look at Nature. These little flowers are reaching toward the sun seeking the SUN, pointing their petals toward the LIGHT in praise and worship. They NEED the sun. Psalm 148 helps me to see worship in Nature.

Psalm 148

Praise the Lord!Praise the Lord from the heavens;

praise him in the heights!

2Praise him, all his angels;

praise him, all his host!
3Praise him, sun and moon;

praise him, all you shining stars!

4Praise him, you highest heavens,

and you waters above the heavens!
5Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for he commanded and they were created.

6He established them for ever and ever;

he fixed their bounds,

which cannot be passed.*
7Praise the Lord from the earth,

you sea monsters and all deeps,

8fire and hail, snow and frost,

stormy wind fulfilling his command!
9Mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars!

10Wild animals and all cattle,

creeping things and flying birds!
11Kings of the earth and all peoples,

princes and all rulers of the earth!

12Young men and women alike,

old and young together!
13Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for his name alone is exalted;

his glory is above earth and heaven.

14He has raised up a horn for his people,

praise for all his faithful,

for the people of Israel who are close to him.

Praise the Lord!

On another note...last Friday, despite the cool temps and the light rain, we took our class to a Pumpkin Farm to pick pumpkins. They had a blast and I did too. I am really enjoying this job. Sometimes, I worry though that I am having too much fun with the kids. I keep having to remind myself that I am there to teach and to try and help their behavior. Being one of them isn't always the best thing. But it is fun and I don't think that they are disrespecting me. Here is a picture of the kids on the bus on our way down. My student is the one on in the red and black coat on the left. Mrs. Lewis is the teacher and then Debbie and Colleen are both Aides. We really enjoy working with one another and it is a great group. Mrs. Lewis is a long term sub who will be leaving us this week when Mrs. Kite returns from maternity leave. I haven't worked with Mrs. Kite, but I hope she is as patient and as flexible as Mrs. Lewis has been. I also hope that she is willing to put up me.

Music Lyrics

How on earth do people do this everyday!? I can't come up with enough ideas to write about! If there is anyone reading this and you would like me to talk about something, post a response and let me know.

With that, I wanted to take the chance to talk about how uplifting music has been for me. One of the most enjoyable things for me is to get in my car when it is a cool evening, roll down my windows and drive through the country with my music blaring.

Christian worship music really makes me want to bown down and sometimes it brings tears to my eyes. To be driving through the country, seeing, feeling, smelling God's creation forces me to pull over, close my eyes and just pray. I don't know how often I see and hear the clouds, trees, grass, animals, breeze singing the Lords praise. I am floored that God would sacrifice himself in human flesh so that I might be saved for my selfish sin. I sin everyday and he provides salvation and I don't have to do a thing.... and not only does he provide salvation, he also blesses us with immense beauty all around us. It's so overwhealming that I don't know what to say or what to do. I have a hard time putting my feelings into words, but I am so thankful that there are amazing musicians such as David Crowder, Mark Hall, Edwin McCain, Bebo Norman, Shawn McDonald, Mac Powell that can put my feelings into words. Below are the lyrics of a Song by the David Crowder Band. If you haven't heard him, check it out. His songs are so full of worship that you can't help but close your eyes and bow down.


I am full of earth.
You are heaven's worth.
I am stained with dirt, prone to depravity.
You are my everything that is bright and clean, the antonym of me.
You are divinity.
But a certain sign of grace is this: From the broken earth flowers come up pushing through the dirt.
You are holy, holy, holy.
All heaven cries, "Holy, holy God."
You are holy, holy, holy.
I want to be holy like You are.
You are everything that is bright and clean.
And You're covering me with Your majesty.
And the truest sign of grace was this: From wounded hands redemption fell down, liberating man.
But the harder I try the more clearly can I fell the depth of our fall and the weight of it all.
And so this might could be the most impossible thing: Your grandness in me making me clean.
Glory, hallelujah.
Glory, glory, hallelujah.
So here I am, all of me.
Finally everything.
Wholly, wholly, wholly - I am wholly, wholly, wholly - I am wholly, wholly, wholly... Yours.
I am full of earth and dirt and You.

Then there is Mark Hall and Casting Crowns. I don't know how many times following Christ has seemed much too difficult. This following song gives me strength and helps me to remember that The Lord, "will deliver me from every evil attack and bring me safely to his heavenly Kingdom." - 2nd Timothy

Praise you in this storm

I was sure by now / That You would have reached down / And wiped our tears away / stepped in and saved the day / but once again, I say "Amen," and its still raining

As the thunder rolls / I barely hear you whisper through the rain / "I'm with you" / And as Your mercy falls / I raise my hands and praise the God that gives / And takes away

I'll Praise you in this storm / And I will lift my hands / For You are who You are / No matter where I am / Every tear I've cried / You hold in your hand / You never left my side / And though my heart is torn / I will Praise You in this storm

I remember when / I stumbled in the wind / You herd my cry / You raised me up again / My strength is almost gone / How can i carry on / If I can't Find you

As the thunder rolls / I barely hear you whisper through the rain / "I'm with you" / And as Your mercy falls / I raise my hands and praise the God that gives / And takes away

Let me know what you guys think. If you have anything you would like me to talk about, just say so!