Encouragement thoughts by Max Lucado

As we near the end of our blogging days for class I want to talk about the importance of encouraging students. I have read the book "You Are Special" by Max Lucado. This book describes wooden people called Wemmicks. Wemmicks were all different just like we are. The Wemmicks put stickers on each other to represent good things or bad things. If they did good things they were given golden star stickers which were not removable. If they did things wrong they received gray dots which were also not removable. Golden stars were given for things such as being pretty, being talented, if they knew big words, etc. Gray dots were given for things such as being clumsy, having chipped wood, forgetting things, etc. There was one certain Wemmick called Punchinello who received many gray dots. He was very sad about all his gray dots. One day he met a young Wemmick who had no stickers. Long story short she sent him to their maker Eli. Eli explained to Punchinello that he was very special and loved. Eli told Punchinello why the young girl didn't have any stickers "Because she has decided that what I think is more important than what they think. The stickers only stick if you let them." As Punchinello began understanding how much he meant to Eli the gray dots began to fall off of Punchinello. When I begin teaching I hope to encourage each and every child in my classroom. I want to be a "sticker free" classroom. I also want to explain to my students that sometimes people will say hurtful things but they don't need to let that sticker stick. They need to believe they are special in their own way. I am looking forward to this journey in my life. God bless each one of you and I wish you all the best of luck in your future.

Be Still

I went to my weekly bible study tonight with my wonderful family. Tonight our bible study really spoke to me. Our lesson tonight was on being still and listening to God. I know that lately I have been so busy with work, school, and being a mom that I haven't made the necessary time to spend with God. My life always seems to be so much more stressful when I pull away from God. After my divorce this past year I have fallen much further away from God than I am comfortable with. I miss that once strong relationship I had with God. I know it's still there I just have to slow down enough to strengthen that relationship. I spent time being angry with God over my divorce. I am not proud to make such a statement but it's true. I want my relationship with God to be like it once was. I know my divorce was not God's fault and I need to understand that God delivered me from a very unhealthy situation. I often wish that God would have revealed more information prior to the wedding but I trust it's all part of His plan. I would not be in this program if I had not married my ex-husband. Both of his parents were retired school teachers and they encouraged me get my masters. I truly feel that God's plan for me is to work with children. I have been very stressed about my upcoming internship and the affect it is going to have on my finances. Tonight I was gently reminded that in the midst of this crazy world I must slow down and take time to listen to God. I know that once my relationship with Him is right, everything else will fall into place. My suggestion to you is make sure you take time out of your schedule and sit down and listen. He has important information He wants to share with us if we are willing to make the time to listen.

Quote

I heard a fantastic quote on the radio the other day. "Blessed are those who are flexible for they never get bent out of shape." When I heard that quote it changed my whole thinking for the day. Where I work has become extremely stressful over the past 6 months. We are all so overwhelmed it's crazy. I have noticed the attitudes around the office becoming more negative. When I got to work that day I shared the quote with my co-workers and they all loved it. For the rest of the day whenever we became stressed or frustrated we would say "I am flexible." While we giggled about it all day I really think it helped boost morale around the office. We are actually still using that quote everyday. You never know how you may impact someone else's life on a daily basis. You can have a positive or negative affect on other people. I try everyday to be a light in the life's of others. It is important for us to remember that we must be flexible in our lives or we will be miserable. There will always be circumstances that are less than desirable in our lives. Our reaction and attitude towards those circumstances can make all the difference. As for me and my life...........I will be flexible!!!!

Student teaching

I received my letter from South yesterday regarding my internship in the Fall. I am so excited about this experience. I will be working with 3rd grade students which just happens to be the grade I want to teach. I am so nervous about the upcoming changes that will have to take place in order for this to work. I currently work an 8 to 5 job and I am the sole provider for me and my daughter. I am going to be doing my student teaching during the day and then working in the evenings and weekends in order to have an income during that time. I am praying that the good Lord is going to take control of the situation and everything will be just fine. I am trying very hard to let go and let God. I heard a song today on the radio about that very subject. As I was driving I was thinking about just how hard it is to actually let go and let God. I know I need to trust that this is His will for my life and the He will make a way for it to happen. I just wish I could slow down those wheels in my head.

Relocating

I mentioned earlier this week that I took a road trip to Atlanta last weekend with my mom and daughter. We had a great time. My sister is trying to convince me to move up there with her. She actually lives a little north of Atlanta in Duluth. She has lived up there now for about 4 years. I have never really put much thought into leaving Mobile since I have been here my whole life. The more and more I think about it the more interesting it sounds. I am recently divorced and I would love a fresh start somewhere. I must admit that the thought of leaving my comfort zone is terrifying. Then I sit back and think about all the possibilities up there. The school system is so much better than it is here. My daughter has had the privilege of going to a private school most of her life. While she will attend private school this year, I will not be able to afford it again the next year. I am wondering if anyone has relocated somewhere before and if so what was your experience like. I highly doubt that I would ever really have the courage to do it but I would love to hear some input.

My new favorite store

I went to Atlanta with my mother and daughter this past weekend to visit with my sister and her family. On our way up there we stopped in Opelika to eat. I found the most amazing store ever called Earth Fare. It had isle after isle of healthy organic foods. The store reminded me somewhat of Fresh Market only better. They had the most amazing selection of health foods I have ever seen. There was a place where you could make your own peanut butter. They had tons of peanuts next to this machine. The machine is used to turn the peanuts into peanut butter. They had plastic containers where you put the fresh peanut butter. They also had an amazing selection of soy yogurts and milks. The products they offered are exactly what we all need to start buying. I could go on and on about this wonderful place but I doubt that most of you share the same enthusiasm as I do about healthy food choices. If we took out a large portion of processed foods we would all feel better. Although we were on our way to Atlanta we spent more than an hour in this store just walking around in awe. I hope Mobile gets one soon.

Positive Thinking

I know I have laid some pretty heavy information down this week so I figured I would lighten it up a little. Today I want to talk about the importance and power of positive thinking. I have recently been on a mission to take charge of my own negative thoughts. On my journey I have found out what a major impact our own inner dialogue has on our attitudes. I have read multiple books about this topic and I have walked away encouraged. I am learning to cut out negative thoughts as they creep into my head. These days I am feeling extremely overwhelmed between work, school, and being a mother. I keep having my own little pity party in my head. But now I am armed with helpful positive knowledge. It is so important that we try to push negative thinking out of our heads the moment it creeps in. We have to take charge of our own thoughts. Where I work has become extremely stressful over the past few months. It seems no matter how hard or how much I work I just can't get caught up. Not to mention I work on foreclosing on peoples homes which is most depressing. I have worked weekends, nights, through my lunch hour to no avail. Then there is school which is never ending in itself. Then I am a mother to the most wonderful and understanding daughter in the world. I have really learned to quit feeling like a victim and take charge. I try to find positive in everything. I am thankful I have a great job that is secure. I am thankful that I have the opportunity at a great education. I am so thankful that God has blessed me with the most amazing daughter. It is a daily battle that I have with myself to not focus on the negative but search for the positive in everything. If you look hard enough and focus your thoughts on those things you will feel so much better.