Wear your pajamas to school...

Today we had a party. Let me tell you what a great day you missed out on. When I started student teaching I made a reward chart for my students. The object was to fill the chart, then we could have a party. To obtain stickers for the chart, the whole class had to be good. Well, it took them five weeks, but they did it. So today we had a pajama party!! We watched Toy Story, took pictures, ate pop-corn, cookies, and ice cream, and had a wonderful time. Here are a few pictures from our day.

<-----You've got to love those PJ's:-)

Well, we had a great day. And these are the coolest second graders I know!!!!

Pictures...

For those of you that actually read my blog. I told you that I would be posting some pictures of my class on here this weekend. However, my computer at home is not working, so I will not be able to do that yet.

I would like to ask you to pray for the Thomas family tomorrow though. They are the ones I have mentioned before and they are coming to church tomorrow. I'm really excited. Pray that the message will have a clear gospel plan and that they will listen and take to heart what they hear. I'm very burdened for this family because I think the Lord is really working in their hearts right now.

The Big Day...

Tomorrow is the big day. During student teaching we have to have four visits by our supervisors throughout the time we are student teaching. Tomorrow is my first visit. When they come they basically tell you if you are passing or failing student teaching. Scary thought huh?

Because of the importance of this visit, I took some time today to prepare my student for the visit. I reminded them why I was there, and that I get graded on how I teach. I talked about how they like to get good grades on things they work hard on, so I need their help to get a good grade tomorrow. I talked about how I had been in college longer than they had been alive (that was really amazing for them) and how I needed to get a good grade from this teacher if I wanted to become a teacher "when I grow up", as they so appropriately put it. They were all very excited about helping me.

So, I guess we'll see. My lesson plan is written, my class is prepared, and I'm shaking in my boots! Here goes nothing!!

Snow day...

Ok, so I got my first snow day as a teacher!! It sure was fun. I would have to say that teachers look forward to snow days just as much, if not more, than the students do. It was so wonderful to have a day off (I'm not trying to rub it in, I promise).

I didn't do much on my day off, but I did have a chance to come up to school and see a few of you. That was really fun. I had no idea how much I missed seeing everyone. I forget that there is so much going on and that I have no idea about any of it.

During my time up "visiting the real world" I was talking to someone who commented about the amount of time I have to blog. Well, it does seem like I blog alot, and I probably do blog more than some, but I do it to stay in touch. Student teaching is much less busy (for me at least) than being in class. I also have see some really awesome things happen in my life the past few weeks/months and because I never see anyone I never get to share them. This is my way of sharing:-) Also, because this is my way of staying in touch, I need you to stay in touch too! If you read this I would love to know it. You don't have to say much, just let me know what's happening your busy life. And for anyone who didn't read my last blog - it's worth it. God is really working in some hearts and lives.

I should go now. Until the next snowy day...

Answer to prayer, a cause to pray...

What do we pray for? Do we really think about what we are praying for? Are we praying for things for our own enjoyment or are we truly praying for spiritual things? And then, on those times when we do pray for spiritual things, do we really want it to happen or are we just praying for that because we know we are supposed to? I ask all these questions, because I have been pondering them myself all day.

I mentioned to all of you that there was a family I baby-sit that I have been witnessing to. Last night I went on a "ride along" with this officer. I was using it as partial fulfillment of a HR thing for student teaching, as well as I knew it would be a great time to talk with him, hopefully about spiritual things. Mostly our whole conversation the whole time I was with him was about spiritual things. He asked about Baptists - why we believe what we believe, he asked about why we don't drink, what our view on homosexuality is (he's opposed) and what stand our church would take against it, he asked about what we believe about the Ten Commandments, he asked about what our view on murderers is and if we think they can get into heaven. At this point I had a perfect opening to really just give him the complete gospel and explain to him that we would believe a murderer could go to heaven if he was completely trusting in God. This made him ask why a murderer can get to heaven if he has murdered someone, "isn't that like the worst sin anyone can commit?" I then explained to him that while murder is a sin, God looks at sin as sin, and if we are basing our admittance to heaven upon what we have or haven't done on this earth, then we are putting our faith in ourselves and not in God, so therefore this person is not truly saved. He asked about prayer, the Bible and what we believe about the Bible. He just had question after question. Then at the very end of the night, he asked about church. I told him we would love to have them visit our church any times. It looks like they are really thinking about coming on the 26th. It's amazing how much you know until you start witnessing, then you have no idea what you're talking about. Through I conversation though, I think he may be saved, he's just searching for answers to things. If he is not saved, however, I believe the Holy Spirit is really working on his heart.

Have you ever listened to a young child pray? They pray with such an open heart. Why don't we pray like that? Is it because we don't have an open heart, are we ashamed to sound like we really mean it? I know often times don't pray with an open heart. Please pray that he will continue to seek the Lord and find the peace that he looking for during this time of his life.

Love...

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, love is on the minds and mouths of every one. Although I'm single and would love not to be, I know it is exactly what God has for me and so I am "therefore, whatsoever state I am there to be content". But I have to say a bit of love was given to me in a strange way today. In a way that I know I will never forget.

We had a half day today and one of my students who has been having some bad days lately, had an amazingly good day for him. He was taking a little longer to get ready to go so I took the rest of the class down to the doors where I let them out for the day. I went back up stairs and was engaging this boy in conversation and commenting to him how proud I was of him that he had such a wonderful day. We chatted as I started walking him down the stairs and he sort-of bounded ahead of me on the stairs. We were almost to the bottom when he jumped over the last few and started to walk quickly (basically run) and over his shoulder he yelled, "Bye Miss Jaspers. I love you." Then he turned around and gave me a big ol' smile and ran out the door.

I'll admit, I was hoping this year for Valentine's Day I would have the world's greatest boyfriend who couldn't wait to spend the day with me (I know, I'm working on getting my dreams to be more like reality) but I can't help but know that I have, in a small way, impacted a little boy who needs me right now. He needs love and I have more than enough to share with him.

"But the greatest of these is love" What kind of love are we looking for this year? I know I wasn't looking for this love, but it was more awesome that I could ever explain.

It's been a while...

Wow, I have not written on here for so long!! I feel like I'm in withdrawl. I have noticed, however, than many other people have not kept up their blogs either, so I don't see quite as bad. I think we are all finally getting into the real drag of the every day work and no fun mode. Besides, I have some amazing news to share. Have you ever noticed the really cool look that kids get on their faces when they are totally happy about something? Well, that how I feel right now, that's why I put that super cute picture on here.

Not going to share anything about student teaching today (except that one of those pesky little rugrats gave me strep throat - so stay away for the next 24 hours till my meds kick in). What I want to share is just totally awesome.

Last year I started babysitting for a number of families in the area. One of whom has started coming to church and the mom (who comes faithfully Sunday all day, Tues. Bible study, and Wed. night) joined the church on Jan. 1. She had been saved for a while, but has not been going to really good churches. Her comment to me was that she was "tired of a feel good Jesus." Praise the Lord for His awesome work!!!

Then tonight, I got a call from a police officer (don't worry, I know you all think it is because I'm in major trouble) whom I babysit for as well. He and his wife are Catholic, but about two-half/three years ago they adopted two children and they want to get their kids into church and they are not at all happy with Mass. Wow! God is really doing some great work. This particular family contacted MBBC looking for a sitter because they view Maranatha students as great kids (boy, we sure have them fooled;-)

Please pray that God will continue to work in these families and that there will be many more families in the future that will be impacted by our Maranatha family as well as our own personal Christian testimonies.

Today was the day...

While I have had a wonderful time getting to know the students and teacher where I have been placed for student teaching, I haven't actually enjoyed the teaching. I'ver heard many teachers say, "I love to teach. It is just so fun to be at the front of the classroom and teach these students." I, however, had not had the privilege of saying that in this classroom yet. Today, as you may have been able to tell, was the day though. I had a blast teaching the class today. I have also come to the conclussion that in teaching the old saying, "It is better to give than recieve" is also true when it comes to homework:o)

Not only did I have a blast teaching, but I also had a chance to talk with a girl in the classroom next door that has been coming to King's Kid's at church. She also invited a friend and asked me if I would help her invite other friends. I don't know what the school's rules on that would be, but I'm definatly going to find out.

Then to top of this amazing day, my supervising teacher has begun to ask some questions. She is wanting to know more about why Maranatha students do what they do and why I would ever want to teach in a Christian school. I'm really looking forward to having more conversations with her and hopefully have the chance to plant some seed in her heart. Please pray for me as I continue to let others see Christ in me.

I have to ask, how to explain to some one God's will for your life, when they just live life however they want? I would love some help with this one.

Have a great day everyone and remember people do notice how we live even if we don't know them.