Ruth.

"Could you use a glimpse of God breaking through the long barren land of a certain season? Do not give up, keep sowing. At just the right time the barley harvest will begin, and you'll just so happen to be arriving." - Kelly Minter, "Ruth"

Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

In what season do I find myself now?
Waiting.
A season of waiting.
For what?
Graduation. J-Man. Summer. The weekend. 3:45pm everyday.

Let me not grow weary.

Psalm 126:4-6 "Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him."

Symbiosis.

This is one of my current favorite songs. I keep getting it stuck in my head.

"Living in Symbiosis" by Lucas Miller

I'll be honest. I think my roommates are annoyed. I keep playing short clips over and over because I can't find the whole song on-line.

Love.

At what point in a relationship is it acceptable to start thinking about whether or not a future could really be built with that person - a future starting with "I do."? That has been my most common thought of the day.

I have no answer. Not yet anyway. How is it possible to ask those questions while still guarding one's heart? As Kim said, "Why aren't girls just born with the name of their future husband tattooed on their foot?" It would indeed make things much easier.

But probably not as much fun.

I enjoy the guessing, the surprises, the "You-caught-me-off-guard" moments when the world stands still and you think it's just the two of you. I like that. I like the feeling of free-falling into a new relationship, unsure as to how it will turn out, but willing to take the chance anyway.

The chance is usually worth it.

And even if it isn't, the rush of falling is typically acceptable anyway.

Oie.

Isaiah 62 has been making my heart sing as I look forward to the next few years.
My roommate at conference was amazing - one of the best blessings I've ever had.
Student teaching is going quickly, exhaustingly.

Ruth: Loss, Love, And Legacy.

"Although there will be weeping in this life, the direction in which we weep is what truly matters... Be encouraged. God sees your tears. Cry them, wipe them, feel them, but don't let them stop you. It's possible to cry and walk." - Kelly Minter

"How sad it is when people only hear about God's blessing, but never experience it, because they are not in the place where God can bless them." - Warren Wiersbe

"God is present right where you are. Stay put and stand firm. It is always more blessed to be under the care of His will than anywhere else - no matter how green the grass of how bountiful the walnut trees." - Kelly Minter

I'll Be.

I'll be back.

Back to the simple joys of making a new friend,
of climbing to the top of a rock to enjoy the view,
not settling for the lower rock,
but taking a chance, risking it all for something that is better.
Back to the late-night talks, teamwork,
feeling part of something bigger - much bigger - than myself.

I'll be back.

Back to hot days and nights,
three or four simple outfits,
sandals and smells.
Back to rejoicing in air-conditioning,
savoring the time spent in a restaurant or hotel,
wanting a meal to last forever before we were back in the heat.

I'll be back.

To reach farther than ever before with the love of Christ.
To develop relationships and maybe plant something new,
something old,
something known since the beginning of time,
that is,
the love of Christ.
The fullness of God.
The grace and peace that He offers,
the devotion and love that He deserves.

Yup.
I'll be back.

Love.

I've been to busy to breathe, much less post an update. Though I must admit: I love the business. I love sleeping eight hours a night, spending the day dressed as a teacher, acting in front of 4th graders, then coming home to chill for an hour, eat dinner, then run around campus to the various activities to which I have become committed.

Bible Study will be good this semester: Ruth.
Mission Center is interesting, as I'm realizing that my place of leadership has been transferred to another. It's exciting to see the younger students stepping up, leading where I was once needed. I'm able to just enjoy it, worry-free. I can't wait to see Kathleen.
Network will be fun; I'm really hoping to get to know some of the girls a lot better.
Classes are only on Mondays, and long, but I think I'll glean a lot of valuable information.

I taught all day on Friday since my cooperating teacher was at a conference. We had so much fun with the reading lesson in the morning, pretending to have wands, light sabers, claws, and fairy wand thingies; in the afternoon, the students loved the fraction game. There was yelling and cheering and running around. They asked if we could play it again on Monday. I've never seen kids excited to play with fractions.

I tell the students that I miss them while they are at music, P.E., library, etc. At first they didn't believe me, but I really do miss them, and one boy started telling me he missed me too. He gives me hugs. They keep wanting to know my first name (I tell them "Ms.") and how old I am. One girl keeps asking me to tell stories about Alaska, India, and Africa.

I can tell I really need to work on my classroom management skills. Ha. Especially at the end of the day.

I keep thinking about Educating Esme, how she said, "Who cares if the students like us?! We aren't here to be liked; we're here to make sure they learn!" Reading that book really did change how I view education. I'm excited to be able to put those things into practice this semester.

A Letter.

Dear February,

I think you will be a month of change, especially with student teaching and the J-man conference. Will you please be nice to me? Sometimes I'm still pretty fragile. I know I can run with the punches...but sometimes I just want to sit in bed with a good book. Are you okay with that?

February, where did January go? All I have left to prove its visit are pictures, memories, and a journal. I mean, really? We were such good friends, then it left. Did we get in a fight? Did I offend it in some way? I want to reconcile this relationship but I feel that the time has passed and that's on longer possible.

Go figure.

Not that I don't like you, February. You're just...a little dreary. It looks like Break-Up in Alaska right now. Yuck. I'll put up with your dreariness, so long as Valentines Day is pleasant. Even if it it not, I'll put up with your dreariness because good will come.

Good will come, February, and you can't stop it. I will persevere.

Love,
Melissa