~ Refreshed ~

Whoa! An email from the friend containing his new blog address made me realize how long it's been since I've updated. I've been so far removed from the blogging world the last little while that I haven't even been reading any! Well, I'm back, refreshed and ready to go!

So, my life, my life... well, let's see, where to start? I think this blog may be a slightly administrative update of recent events in my life and how they affected me...although I've been gathering some insights that God has given me in the last month or so that I would like to share here over the next couple weeks, so stay tuned! (If anybody out there still reads this...)

Teaching high school chemistry...

So, for the first week of March, I was in with Mrs. Schreider shadow teaching her Grad 11 and 12 chemistry classes. What fun! I loved it! I marked quizzes and tests, helped set up and supervise labs, answer homework questions, talked about co-op, and finally taught two lessons myself. There were a few things about the experience that surprised me, namely:

1. Teachers get really intense "teaching" dreams! I had dreams/nightmares all week long, and when I confided in Mrs. S, she laughed and said she still gets similar dreams every August, and she's been around for a while...

2. Lesson planning takes forever! I had no idea it would take me so long to plan a single lesson, although at least that means that once the first year of teaching is out of the way, you're over that hurtle unless the curriculum dramatically changes.

3. It's a little odd to be student teaching a class that includes guys that you or your friend babysat back when they were 8 years old!

4. Being called "Miss" everywhere you go takes some getting used to...

Most encouraging of all throughout that week was an encounter I had while washing my hands in the washroom, where a Grade 11 student told me that she really liked my teaching. That was a great affirmation, which I also sensed by how the class as a whole responded to my style. They weren't hostile in the least.

Most challenging was when I helped out in a Grade 9 "special" class, with 8 students who were very delayed due to focussing problems. I like to be efficient in my teaching, but that goes out the window when half of your time with the student is spent trying to get their attention on what you're saying. But high school has never been just about the material, has it?

Philpott Memorial Church Coffeehouse...

I had the privelege of heading up the food team for my church's coffeehouse this term. I really appreciated the opportunity, since my work schedule doesn't afford much "regular" service in my church. I really feel an empty spot in that regard, but I have to also learn that "sporadic" service is service all the same! I just need to be in tune with the Holy Spirit to see which of those tasks are meant for me. What I learned from Coffeehouse was the humility of needing others to help you achieve your goal. I know that sounds stupid! I've always acknowledge in my head that as a member of the Body of Christ, I am part of a team. But even being on CCF committee for example, I never felt like I needed help doing my own job. I'm not saying I didn't need a team to do their own jobs. I just mean that I've never had trouble with doing my part. Food for coffeehouse was different. I've never made a cup of coffee IN MY LIFE, let alone keep it coming out fresh all evening! And although I have organized food events and made sure people brought stuff, I've never had to go to the market to make my own veggie plates and fruit platters. If it hadn't of been for Heather, Laura, Edu, Aaron, and James, I wouldn't have survived the evening. They were doing MY job, and I couldn't have been more thankful. Now I see a different angle on why Paul praised God for his weaknesses.

Weekend visits...

I've spent half of my weekends travelling around to stay connected with people, and have been very blessed by the fruitful relationships that God has graciously given me. Most recently was a lovely Waterloo weekend with my Vicki dearest! It was not an overly eventful weekend, but there's something powerful in sitting quiet and still with a close friend. I also went to visit Vicki and Rebecca in Mississauga last month, where I must say I was treated by Vicki's parents to the most wonderful food (thank you so much!). Also a very nice visit was Vanessa coming to see me in Hamilton back in March. We spent a nice afternoon touring around my work and Westdale, and enjoying each other's stories and company over mini cheese-cakes and blondies! Ahh...as Vicki and I were meditating this past weekend, "What would life be like without the fellowship of friends?"

There's a lot more to say, but I've already exceeded the length for an appropriate blog entry... so much has been happening. I will come back with those insights soon!

In the meantime, peace be with you!