The Art Show and "Flashmobs"

The art show was fun! The kids were so proud to have their art displayed, and the artwork looked great framed! The students were singing their "holiday" songs the whole time. The theme for the night was "peace." Some songs were even in Hebrew - So cool!  It was indeed a very beautiful and peaceful night:)

On a totally other note, someone sent me this youtube video, which is amazing:



I had never heard of the "flashmob" - but they are amazing, and I would like to be a part of one at some time:)  So, I began to research all of these "flashmobs"...

This is THE best one:



Second best:



Then, I found these "Real life musicals" - ummmm - A-mazing! Unreal! I hope they bring you as much joy as they have brought me:)  (Who comes up with this stuff?!?!)

Merry Christmas and War "Cam" Eagle!

I have been neglecting the blog this week! I have been busy with an art show at school and Christmas card making! It has been so funny though -- the kids are incorporating auburn into all of their cards! In case you can't read the card above, it says, "War 'Cam' Eagle."

They have even amended the words to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer in music class:

From - "...He'll go down in history - Like George Washington!"

to - "Like Cam Newton!"

I'll be back soon - tomorrow is our last day of school before the break - when I will hoepfully have more time to write! I'm saying a big "War Eagle" for that!!

Snow!!!!!

From African heat - to snow!!!!!!!!!!!! Even in Alabama!! Of course, it was a tiny amount - here is a science class running outside to try to see the few snow flakes we could catch with a microscope!

Life Lessons from Africa

1. Contentment can be found regardless of our circumstances.

This past year, I was visiting remote villages in Ghana, searching for people who may benefit from a microloan or new skill learned – to provide for them and their families. While meeting the people, I was overwhelmed by their lack of interest in the “American Dream” – or the need to improve their lives. They were completely content with the life they had, the community they were living in, and working hard all day, just to be able to eat that night. They didn’t need anything – they were content. Until we allow ourselves to be filled completely with God’s love, we will be searching for this contentment elsewhere – resulting in an even more empty heart than we began with.  I have learned not to lie to myself and believe that things would be different if I were just in some other place – because the circumstance doesn’t matter – it’s the state of your heart that matters.

2. People are the same no matter where in the World you are!

There are kind people, and there are mean people, there are people who are honest and giving, and there are people who will use you or “throw you under the bus” to get their way. There are people who know Jesus and choose to live according to His standards, and there are people who don’t know Jesus, and do not live by His standards. Any of these people can be found in rural Alabama towns, remote African villages, or anywhere else in the World.  So, learn to be in relationship with imperfect people - forgive, love, and be loved where ever you are.  (Disclaimer: if God gives you specific instruction to “go” somewhere – then go!! But, until then – you are right where He wants you)

3. God doesn’t "NEED" me.

I admit it – I have been arrogant enough to believe that God “needed” me. I felt very strongly that because God led me to Africa that he “needed” me to do work there. And more recently, I have pondered why God “needs” me back in Auburn. Truth is: God doesn’t “need” me. God is sovereign and all-powerful – and He can move mountains – with or without me! All the “work” I did in Africa this past year – He could have accomplished without me – but He loves me so much that He blessed me with a year to serve Him. I’m not saying that our all-powerful God can’t use us – because He will and does “use” ALL things for His glory – but he can only “use” us when we have given up our own agendas and are completely surrendered to Him.

Just a few thoughts that have re-surfaced recently – I hope and pray they encourage you in your walk with Christ today!

Free day!

My students can earn a free day by having 5 classes on good behavior. Today, two classes had their free days - and it was so fun to just sit back and watch them! I think I stress myself out too much, trying to make sure they are learning and I am covering all of my teaching standards, and we are all ready for our upcoming art show -- but today, I remembered that they are kids. And, not jsut any kids - but pretty awesome kids with amazing imaginations:) It was good.

Some special person asked me today, “in my faith journey, is what matters a relationship (with Christ) or a way of life?”

I think Jesus can answer this one best! When the scribes asked Him: "Which commandment is the most important of all?" Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."– Mark 12:24-31

Jesus says that putting your relationship with God should be first and most important, then loving others – or your “way of life.” From my personal experience, I know that when I choose to put my relationship with God (spending time with Him, allowing Him to LOVE me) first in my life, the Christ-like “way of life” pours out without thinking about it.  I really don’t think there is an exact list of what a Christ-like “way of life” even is - I believe God has designed this world to break and soften our hearts so that He can mold them.

I met a missionary family in Northern Ghana, and their theme I have taken on as my own - "Let Him be Lord." We humans try so hard to plan things out - and say - if I could just do this or be that way - then I would glorify God - but who are we to even begin to think that we are worthy of knowing God's plan – the truth is only God is God and we are not. Our faith journey is a refining process - teaching us to give up intellectualizing and to just simply BE in relationship with our heavenly father, and let Him be Lord of our lives. This looks different in every life – each one according to the Lord's sovereign plan. When we give our journeys back to God, He will bless us with peace, love, and joy - just from BEING with Him. But, remember; the Bible says – it takes FAITH - we will never understand it all - even the wise king Solomon wrote about it:

"...he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end." - Ecclesiastes 3:11

So, both living in relationship with God and living out His truth are important - but loving God is first. Making time to receive God’s love is what gives us the ability to love others. So, take some time to get some lovin’ today – so that you can in turn give some lovin’ out!

Hand Birds!

My class of special friends made birds out of collaged paintings and their own handprint for the tail! They were so cute - I wanted to share:)