Scaffolding

Scaffolding. It is a word in teacher lingo that we thrown around a lot. We don't always practice it well ourselves, but the dream is that we attempt to do it to help others. Basically we support students to reach the goal, and then slowly take away the support, or scaffolding, to see how successful they will be.

So I've been praying a lot this week about this for myself. I've been praying that I could prioritize what needs to be done now, and what can wait. Low and behold, it has really been a great week. Overall I didn't feel really overwhelmed, and I had moments of inspiration to break down tasks into smaller chunks for myself.

While I had something to do, just about every night this week, it wasn't unbearable.
So this is a praise to the Lord for giving me wisdom to slow down and scaffold for myself! He gave me wisdom on how to accomplish the things I needed to get done this week. It was great.

Continuing to rely on and be amazed by Him.

Next week I am going to continue to practice scaffolding, and not being afraid. Parent/student/teacher conferences are not my favorite but I have to be honest, and not be afraid.

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”
³ For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

 

Remember.

Today we are told to remember. Remember that the Lord remembers our sins no more. That He loved us and has made a way for us to be made whole. That Christ has redeemed us and we have been set free.That God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

A little over a year ago I met up with Amie Beth at her home to talk about maybe living together for the school year. After saying goodbye to my little apartment, and the place where I felt so loved and blessed by the Lord, I moved in with Amie. One little room, and the rest of my things were tucked away with friends, and in spaces here and there. Anxious that I would not lose the understanding and growth I felt I had gained in the last 2  years, I found it hard. My fears were unfounded. Amie proved to be a gracious and loving friend, who was willing to encourage me to walk as I felt the Lord calling me to walk.

We gained another roommate who helped bring us together as a family, and we spent some wonderful times on the "Big Blue Couch" and eating pancakes. Way to many pancakes. It was encouraging to have conversations about the Lord, and have the emotional support when school just became to much. Knowing that I had people praying for me, encouraging me, leaving notes for me and treats. It was so nice. Lonely at times, but still nice.

Maytanee moved away to a job in Tennessee. Watching her step out in faith, helping her to pack, and trusting her to the Lord was something I had the pleasure to participate in. I felt so much peace about her going, and knowing that God was working for her good. It was such a blessing, and I felt like I was being an ambassador for the Lord in her life. It was so nice to know and encourage her to remember that God was with her.

Amie felt the Lord leading her on a mission trip with World Race. Eleven countries in eleven months. It's a joy to say she left this morning. Everything checked off the list. Everything finished that we could finish. It is quiet, but it was so wonderful to see the hand of the Lord encourage her. It was truly amazing to see Him touch her life, and move in ways that she did not anticipate. From money from people who hardly knew her, to her ministry opportunities with the ladies at the nail salon, it was just amazing. Her courage to keep going through this has been awesome, and while tears are shed from time to time, it was wonderful to see her faith grow.

At the same time, her encouragement to me, to not worry but to walk in faith and trust in the Father, was so sweet. I haven't been able to talk with anyone but family people really, but she asked. She checked in, left me notes, and reminders that encouraged me and helped me to remember to choose life. Such a good friend, and I really pray that the Lord will allow her to let go the things behind and to focus on the good works He has prepared for her to do.

In leaving, she gave me two bags of back to school surprise stuff. It was so sweet. I'm excited to see what goodies she is letting me have. It's so fun, and she is letting me use her scarves, and her home. Such a blessing. I'm praying that the Father will forgive my coveting heart for wanting what she has, and to keep me from such sins. Praying about what to do with her things so that I am using them wisely and not foolishly. That they would not be a temptation for me, and if they are, for me to put them aside. I really like some of these things, and I feel like it could be a blessing to try them, and see what I like rather then spending lots of money of things that I don't need.

Remember. 
I remember praying to be set free from the spirit of fear. When the Lord says to enter through the narrow gate, He really means that you can bring nothing with you that was of your old self. You are a new creation, and that means that those habits of the mind that you used to walk in must change. It is the Kingdom of the Almighty. In His kingdom there are rules and ways of living, thinking and being that we need to learn to walk in. But Christ is our hope. He walked righteously before the Father,  and has made a way for us to come before the throne of grace with confidence that we will receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. I no longer need to have a slave mentality. I no longer have to be a slave to that way of thinking, or that fear. I am the King's. I belong to His kingdom, and He has told us to not be afraid. He told Abraham, Jacob, and the children of Israel when He saw them. That they would be His people. A kingdom of priests. As we practice walking and growing up in our salvation He gently instructs us and teaches us the way to go. Thank the Lord for His lovingkindness.

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.1 John 3:10

Remember.
Remember how I were called away to Virginia. To learn and to grow in grace and knowledge of Him. To show me how to live without fear, and to recognize the Father's faithfulness and goodness in my life.

Remember. 
Remember that His hand made the trees of the forest, and the grass of the field, and He will care for you. He has hemmed you in behind and before, He has laid His hand upon you. The God who created the tree outside, caused it to grow, have beautiful leave that sway and flutter in the wind. That same Creator, laid His hand upon you.  He is the one to be praised and loved forever more. Amen.

All Creatures Great and Small was a book written by James Harriot eons ago. It was made into a small tv series that my family watched every Sunday night without fail. Oh it was bliss. I remember always being so sad when each episode ended. My friends never really got why we liked it so much, but our little clan did. All of us, huddled around the one T.V. that was tucked away in mom and dad's room. Making sure our blankets and pillows all fit, we were a cozy crew for an hour, enjoying the tricks, trials, and triumphs of the Scale Dale house.

Recently I've watched most of the seasons over again. This is probably the second or third time in just as many years, and I'll tell you, I love it just as much as I did then. The simplicity, the kindness, and overall politeness is a missing part of our society I think. It makes me want to drink more tea, and eat scones, and sit around a fire and read. To have friends over, or to stop by the pub for a pint as I'm coming or going. To cook more at home, instead of just sticking with the boring salad or cereal because its late and I don't feel like dirtying another dish. 

Oh, to be sure, they are running around at all hours of the day or night, having their own trials and fires to face. They do it with such a joy for each other though, and a love of things that are good and honest. They sit to breakfast in the morning together. Try and gather for dinner again at the evening. Mrs. Hall is busy about the place, cooking, cleaning, and generally looking after them all. The men are all in and out about the dales as duty calls them, and Helen is busy working, cleaning and helping where she can.

Anyway, if you haven't had the chance to watch it, then you must try it. It's one of those that you can't help but like. I find myself putting it on as background as I grade pages, or do things here and there. Try it, and may your life be simpler for the watching.

This week was a week. Praying a lot that God would teach me. Friday was probably the best day I've had all week, and I almost cried at the start of it. Praise the Lord for His calming presence, love, and continued instruction and training in righteousness. It's such a blessing to think that God rested from His work. Happy weekend everyone :)

What are we doing....well...

So much is going on that I keep forgetting to post. And then nights like this come along and I just want to avoid doing all the work that I should be doing. So I'll post...for my 3 fiends that read this. Hi Laura. Hi mom.

Mom's lamenting that the kids are gone again. What do you do when you go from a house of 7 to none? I think you should write a book. Seven to Zero could be the title. How to transition from mom to me....or something witty like that. Haha! It can be all about jam, jellies, Susan Branch blogs, etc. It could be super cute!

Laura, my second fan had her first day of college this 2013 year. Hope it went well. The first week back is always fun, but hard. Hard because you have to actually get out of bed and go to class. Fun because you get to see all of your friends agian.

Me? Well, I was really thinking I was doing well. Getting papers graded. Spreading the work load out all week. Well that is until I read my e-mail this morning and saw a check list of things that they want to look at for my Teacher Evaluation. Very thankful that my grading pages has gotten caught up. Now I can focus a bit on getting my work done. Oh, and I got observed today. *sigh* I got so nervous, the powerpoint that I looked at on the weekend, and the night before went completely out of my brain. I taught the whole lesson before going through my powerpoint. ARGH. I just got nervous and really just wanted it to stop. I prefer to be observed in my pajamas on Pajama Day like I was last time. It was so funny, I just laughed and kept teaching. Hmmm...I think this means I need to wear PJ's every day.