faithful, friends, and the number 4

for the Lord is faithful... in all things.

genuine friendships present the best and hardest experiences in life. because we take risks in friendships and allow our true selves to show, being vulnerable and sharing dreams and fears, hard times can arise between friends. and then there's the good - the laughter, the spontaneity, the sharing of big dreams and planning of the future, the presence of another person by your side, knowing that you're loved and that someone would notice you were missing if you didn't show up to a party or gathering of lots of people...

almost 2 years ago, i wondered about the friends i would have at ISU/in Bloomington-Normal. i wondered if, one, i would even make any. not like meet people, but honestly and truly make friends. friends that would be there for me. friends i could live life with in the most natural way. friends i could laugh so carelessly with and cry so vulnerably with. friends that would listen to me and teach me and inspire me, and friends who i could do the same for.

i trusted in the Lord to provide these friendships that i believe did exist and await me.

and just like with everything else, the Lord was faithful in this.

just a few months after moving to Bloomington, i met katie... and chelsey... and katie... and tabitha. in the last 20 months, it has been confirmed to me that each of them are true and honest blessings from the Lord. not just because they're great and lovely and have big hearts and beautiful spirits, but because they have been the greatest friends to me.



with them, i have traveled across the world. i have cried. i have gone on adventures. i have watched the sun rise. i have drank too many cups of coffee. i have become a quicker speller due to our games of bananagrams. i have laughed so much. i have walked miles just chatting. i have made dinners and desserts and breakfasts. i have done early mornings of yoga. i have shopped. i have watched movies and seasons of shows. i have dreamed bigger. i have prayed longer. i have hoped for more. i have loved deeper.

with them, i have truly LIVED these few years at ISU.

the summer is quickly approaching, 4 of the 5 of us will graduate (1 with a masters and 3 with bachelors). 1 of them will celebrate their 3rd wedding anniversary... and another will soon be married. some of us will spend our days nannying children and others of us will serve the community in our work. it's difficult to say but this may be our last summer where we all are together... the last few months that we do get to genuinely and in the most natural and best way, live life together.

they are my best friends... they are the blessings that God overwhelmed me with. as hard as it is to imagine life without all of them just a mile, room, or couch cushion away, i believe that the Lord brought us all together for this season (if not more) for specific reasons. these girls have taught me so much and as long as i live i will never forget the imprint of their life and words and actions on my heart and life. we're forever friends and we're committed to following the Lord's leading of our lives... maybe to another country, maybe to another city, maybe apart, or maybe we'll be together... but wherever we go, i will always consider each of these girls to be one of the greatest blessings i've received in this life.

thank you Lord for being so faithful. thank you for bringing us all to Bloomington-Normal for THIS part of our lives. thank you that you have never left us, you never will, and that you desire to bless us more each and every day. You are good and i am forever grateful. lead us Lord, i pray... to follow You and never let the strings of our hearts that tie us together be loosened.

dear 23 year old me

 dear 23 year old me,

you are growing up so fast!

you are only going to be called miss davie and miss davio for 4 more weeks so enjoy it.

you are moving into a home in 3 weeks and i hope your heart finds so much contentment there.  i think this home is going to be a great place of growth for you.  create a simple space where you can think and pray and be in peace... you will need it this year.

my prayer for you is that you allow the Lord to move in your life.  that you won't be afraid and that you'll just trust him.  i pray that your heart desires to know him more than ever before and that you would let go of all that is hindering you from pursuing a sold-out relationship with your creator.  he wants to spend time with you and i hope you take him up on that offer. 

i pray that you are brave and bold and wise with your money.

i hope you really do brush your teeth every night.

i want you to remember how nice it is to receive compliments but don't forget to give them to others.

seek first the kindgom of god, dear sarah, and all things will be added.

i pray that you are equipped with divine discernment for all situations and that you are rightly faithful to all that you commit to. remember 2 timothy 2:2.

in your self-conscious moments, remember your victories... remember the love you've been shown.

never forget how faithful the Lord is.

remember "7"... and don't let excess creep into your life.  i hope you are strong enough to get rid of some of the current excess.

please create something every month!

and write something every day!

oh hey and maybe, lil re, you learn how to play the djembe a bit this year?

start preparing for the 5k... it'll be here before you know it!

i pray that you're able to accomplish genesis-revelation before 2012 is finished. dive in little fish!

remember others before yourself. and remember that above them, seek Him.

have a fun summer because you have fun beloved friends and you MUST cherish this time that you have together!

i think you should ride your bike more and drive less. try it, it might be fun!

don't forget the promises you made to your students when you get a teaching job.

do something spontaneous at least 4 times while you're 23... not illegal or dangerous, just fun and out of the ordinary!

be humble and let the Lord find great delight in you.

i am excited for you and this year!

with much love,

22 year old me

How do you know you're a teacher?

                                                                                                                                               (by Jeff Foxworthy)

1. You get a secret thrill out of laminating things.
2. You can hear 25 voices behind you and know exactly which one belongs to the child out of line.
3. You walk into a store and hear the words, “It’s Ms./Mr. ____________ and know you have been spotted.
4. You have 25 people who accidentally call you Mom/Dad at one time or another.
5. You can eat a multi-course meal in under 25 minutes.
6. You’ve trained yourself to go to the bathroom at two distinct times of the day, lunch and planning period.
7. You start saving other people’s trash, because most likely, you can use that toilet paper tube or plastic butter tub for something in the classroom.
8. You want to slap the next person who says, “Must be nice to work 7 to 3 and have summers off”.
9. You believe chocolate is a food group.
10. You can tell if it’s a full moon without ever looking outside.
12. You believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says, “Boy, the kids are sure mellow today.”
12. You feel the urge to talk to strange children and correct their behavior when you are out in public.
13. You think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.
14. You spend more money on school stuff than you do on your own children.
15. You can’t pass the school supply aisle without getting at least 5 items!
16. You ask your friends to use their words and explain if the left hand turn he made was a “good choice” or “bad choice.”
17. You find true beauty in a can full of perfectly sharpened pencils.
18. You are secretly addicted to hand sanitizer.
19. You understand, instantaneously, why a child behaves in a certain way after meeting his/her parents.
20. You have an almost compulsive need to correct other people’s grammar, spelling, etc.

3rd grader thoughts: Solar System project reflection

How much time did you spend working on your project?

"30 mines"

"3 hours and 35 min"

"5 min"

"a lot"
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What did you like the most about this project?

"I worked wrill hard on it and I made all the planets."

"It was a fun idie for us."

"Going on the comporter"

"Erat"
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What did you like the least about this project?

"It was intersen..."

"It was funny for me."

"Making it perfect."

"doing the afrod belt"

"doing the corling"

"having to spend so much time on it."

"I did't like when I had to put the rung on Sature because it was not dry so I got paint on me."
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Would you change anything about your project? What would you change?

"I would put sparkels on it..."

"the whole thing"

"No, it's great the way it is."

"The way it looks."

"fix one planet then done"
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Would you like to do more projects like this in the future?

"yes yes yes yes yes and yes"

"no"

"yes!!!!!!!"

"Oh Yeah!"

bits of knowledge

“Write what you know.”
― Mark Twain

- i know that sunsets are the most breathtaking sights.
- i know that my thoughts are consumed with OT reading, my kids, and my dreams.
- i know that my heart needs something... more.
- i know that fruit is going to become my best friend this week.
- i know that my God is faithful... in all things.
- i know that my knowledge is increasing with each day.
- i know that each day is a new day.
- i know that my body loves yoga stretches.
- i know that this season of life is good.
- i know that there is so much to learn in this life.

the last days of 2011

Monday - Missions on my mind...
the year-end conferences... reaching up and reaching out according to His will.

Tuesday - Thankful for...
answered prayers this year... constant comfort and provision when I least expected it.

Wednesday - Waiting...
PATIENCE, JOY, and contentment in the present.

Thursday - Take time to...
prepare for next semester.

Friday - Future plans...
what's next?

Saturday - Scripture focus...
a passion for the Word.

Sunday - Season to celebrate...
time that I do have for myself.

(fall semester) favorites!

most common sayings:
"it is what it is" / "now i know" / "don't shout 'Miss Davis', raise your hand"

least favorite sayings:
"put it on your Christmas list" / "ask for it for Christmas" / "shhhhh"

church experience: John Partington @ Riverside - "The Importance of Centrality"

treat: hot chocolate

restaurant: avanti's

study place: Normal Public Library

vacation: 2 days with this girl

inspiring moment: All Campus Worship; gaining the respect of 23 3rd graders; Los Pinguos

way to spend alone time: reading

way to give: being a part of Operation Christmas Child

verse: Jeremiah 29:11; the whole of Psalm 103

message: "seek & find" - Andrew Whalen

song: "10,000 Reasons" - Matt Redman

fruit: apple

find/win: an xbox 360 + kinect!

book: Unspoken: Bathsheba by Francine Rivers

new thing: doing Christmas differently

craft: ones i'm making for christmas... which can't be made public knowledge yet ;)

movie: the Help

show: parenthood

drink: hot chocolate

website: brainpop.com

snack: peanut butter ritz sandwich crackers

adventure: chicago

day trip: Tanner's

first: teaching a seminar at Cornerstone's fall retreat; photographing a wedding; taking dance lessons at homegroup (waltz, swing, 2-step)

book of the Bible: the psalms

breakfast: waffles with peanut butter

new hobby: sunrise yoga

cookie: chocolate chip

accomplishment: running the Pumpkin Festival Run (2 miles) in 25 minutes

financial investment: rain boots and a raincoat

reminded: we are His sheep and He is our shepherd... He will provide and He will guide.

focused prayer: wk1

if there's one thing i know about myself is that i do well with plans. a to-do list is a form of a plan and this past semester mr.to-do and i became quite the best of friends. we worked hourly together and planned for each following day. it's how we worked - that to-do and i. another thing that i know about myself is that i do well when i have a focus. i can whip out lessons like it's nobody's business, when there is a focus. evidence of this = the semi-procrastination/semi-works-well-under-pressure situation i found myself in about 10 days ago when i needed to plan, create, and present a social studies unit in a matter of 20 hours. it got done, for the most part... and we'll leave it at that.

so knowing these 2 things about myself - this is where i am now: below are focuses that i found for myself for each day, a few weeks ago, and i prayed briefly about each. this coming week, i will be praying more. i was inspired by one of my friends who prays specifically for each of her children on a particular day of the week... it seems effective as it has become a routine for her. i think having prayer focuses become a routine of mine would be very beneficial, because prayer is an area that i struggle with being consistent with. so, if you're reading this, i would ask that you would join me in prayer for at least one of these areas. i hope to update with prayer focuses weekly, sometimes they may change and sometimes they may stay the same... we'll see!



Monday - Missions on my mind...
i was a part of one mission by giving my hair away. some days, i miss that long hair but then i remember that being a part of something bigger than myself at times comes with sacrifices.

pray for: Molly in Honduras... Laura in Italy... Alicia at IHOP... Cornerstone at ISU...
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Tuesday - Thankful for...
relationships that continue to encourage and bless me. (i.e. Dakins & Kenyan)

pray for: strength & refreshment to the people; blessings over the ministries they lead.
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Wednesday - Waiting...
for the PB to my J, the cheese to my mac, the best friend i'll marry.

pray for: patience; strength and discipline to prepare now, for then.
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Thursday - Take time to...
become more passionate about the things i love.

pray for: the resources to discover more in a way in which i understand.
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Friday - Future plans...
what's next after i graduate? teach at Sheridan? teach somewhere else?

pray for: discernment; to seek first the kingdom of God; opportunities.
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Saturday - Scripture focus...
be in the Word more instead of simply reading stories incorporating scripture.

pray for: priorities in the right order; more of a desire to be in the Word daily.
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Sunday - Season to celebrate...
forever friends.

pray for: growing in this community we have; each of us to follow the Lord's leading.
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*prayer provides a way of exchange between God and ourselves. to sit in his presence and to present these matters of the heart and mind before him can result in change, provision, and can give us more reason to praise His holy name.

from tears to joy in 16 weeks

These past 4 months have been, in some ways, rather life-changing. In one area in particular, there is evidence of growth in relationships, matured behavior, and an increase of knowledge as I carry down on this road of transitioning from pre-service teacher to full-time teacher. Details of the evidence of these aforementioned points are described below.

Going into this semester, I was beyond excited. I was excited to meet the students that I would spend this year with, I was excited to meet and get to know the teacher who would mentor me through what would be my first unofficial year of teaching, and I anticipated learning the ins and outs of a school environment from a teacher’s perspective. I observed and participated, this semester, in the field of teaching for about 24 hours each week. I co-led discussions, taught lessons, led small groups and large groups in discussion, facilitated whole class instruction, prepared materials, attended parent-teacher conferences, attended an IEP triennial meeting, attended professional development meetings, participated in event planning, and began professional and personal relationships with quite a few of the staff members at Sheridan Elementary.

In August, I entered this school as a student. A student who was willing to learn, feeling optimistic, and excited for the months that lay ahead. I met 21 students and a teacher in her last year of teaching. But, unexpectedly and yet fortunately, I began to face trials and had to overcome obstacles to get to where I am now. At times, I felt very bitter, discouraged and on the verge of quitting the program. But, I never did. I persevered, with the help of great and heartfelt encouragement from a variety of sources and made use of the determination that I knew existed within me. At times, it is hard to admit that you face these sorts of trials - ones that bring you to tears and make you wonder why you would be at such a place - but it’s when you can stand on the other side of the trial feeling accomplished and refreshed, feeling that the struggle was somehow worth the outcome of it all.

One thing that I was reminded of throughout this semester was that every day is a new day. Earlier this semester, I would teach lessons and feel as if I held absolutely no authority over the students. They took the control away from me and I feel that I let them do so because I didn’t know how to be forceful and kind at the same time, in their eyes. Some days I would feel extremely discouraged and lost because of such situations, but I took away from each of my experiences something to grow me. I didn’t want to lose the students’ affection and I didn’t want them to not like me, and so because of that, I feared being authoritative. Yet, through much “practice”, I have learned how to be in control and even quoting my clinical supervisor, I have been “in the zone”. Oh, to be there is amazing - to develop and maintain control during instruction is amazing! And wonderfully yet surprisingly to me, the students still love me. One of the most common requests asked of me, that I can recall in this moment, from our class of now 22 students is, “Can I have a hug?” Surely, yes, absolutely - I am more than willing to oblige! For the most part, respect is given to me as I give it to both my students and my CT. Reaching this point certainly did not come easy or did it happen overnight, but by grace given and being able to offer consistent, bold, and sure love, it happened. I have grown a lot this past semester and I am grateful for where I stand today.

Helper

in a month's time, i've experienced the range where on one end exists the highly undesirable receipt of a student teaching disposition addressing areas of demanded improvement and where on the other end exists words of encouragement such as this:

"I am amazed and thrilled for you as you continue to grow and stretch yourself... your goals are well thought out... thank you for your extra effort and continual determination to be the best you can be!" - my ISU student teaching supervisor
the past 14 weeks of this semester have taught me a lot. i feel like everything i experience teaches me a lot, but in some way this a lot is different - and i want to remember the specifics of this a lot for many reasons.

sometimes you don't realize where you are, who are you, or how you present yourself... until a situation arises that reveals something special to you, or you go somewhere new, each which can lead you to reflect on how things used to be. some of my situations in this season have consisted of a calling of me to be humble, to put aside my pride, and to surrender myself under the authority of the men (or women) that God has placed me under. yet, with these revelations and calls for a change of heart, mind, and/or attitude, i encountered the extreme level of difficulty that acting upon this all places a person at.

and yet through all of the trials and tears and tiring days, the Lord sustained me. He asks us to seek... and when we do, He promises us that we will find. He commands us to make our requests known to Him, for He longs to work in our lives so that we may have even more reason to glorify Him. He will answer us, He will set us free, He is on our side - and most of all, He can be trusted.

i came across this verse (psalm 118:5-8) last week. it's a true representation of the situation i've found myself frequently in this semester...

i was in distress (and still sometimes am) and i called upon Him. i asked God to renew my joy for teaching, i believed for His presence to fill the classroom each day as i walked into sheridan elementary, and i prayed so intently for what was on my heart. i cried in secret and i cried amongst friends. my 23 students were constantly on my mind and i yearned to be strong and grow as a professional and as a teacher during the trials that this semester presented me. at times, i was angry, frustrated and sad. at other times, i just wanted to give up... out of fear... of man and at times, of simply failing.

this is my heart. wide open.
and i share this publicly, with whoever may be reading this, so that my experiences can serve as another story that testifies the goodness of the Lord. maybe you don't believe in God or believe in His power, but know- it is real and He only has plans to grow you up as a successful beloved child of His. whether your days are joyous and complete or overwhelming and you're desperate for help - i would encourage you to put your trust in Him. seek Him, read His words and be reminded of His promises. He knows your heart more than you do... just as He knew why each of the tears fell from my eyes nearly every other day just a few weeks ago.

Lord, you are worthy to be praised - thank you that you are bigger than any situation and that you are always with us. thank you also for your unfailing promises.