Teaching 20 years - Lessons Learned, Priceless!

Recently I have been having conversations with different people and they have asked the amount of time I have been teaching.

This month marks 20 years. 

As those words leave my mouth, it is as if I am living in a dream and it can't be real.

However, it is.

It all began in 1994 when I was asked to take over the position of a now fellow teacher when she was out on maternity leave.  This was an exciting chance for me to begin my teaching career!  I was going to get to go into her room for a couple of months beforehand and "learn the ropes" before I took over in March.

Well, since we are in the month of January right now, you can put together that the plans that were planned were not what the Lord planned!

My friend and fellow teacher went into early labor and I was called one winter night, in an unsuspecting time, to begin my teaching career the next day.  

Shock does not even begin to help you understand what was happening in this brain of mine.  I was a planner.... had to know what was going on at all times... had to be in control.

So began my journey of losing control of myself and beginning to depend on the Lord - only I didn't know that yet.  haha!

The Lord knew I didn't need to ease into anything... He needed to throw me in the water and teach me to WALK on water as I trusted in Him.

Here I am with that first class that I took over in January, 1995.

Most of them are married now and many have children of their own.

Yes, I feel old.

Before I tell you what lessons have been learned in the last 20 years - because they are coming! - let's take a look at the LOOKS I have shown my students.  

No laughing.

Really.

I think teaching is the only job where you yearly get your picture taken to show your growth - in more ways than one!

This would be circa 1996 - I was styling in that sweater that was 3 times too large for me.  And, yes, I was still getting perms because my hair is not THAT naturally curly.

Circa 1997 - Don't hate me because I am beautifully cute and got my hair out of those perms and realized just how straight my hair was and how it never did anything I wanted it to do.  

And, yes, I LOVED that dress - thought I looked totally awesome in it, in fact. 

Circa early 1998 - hair doing a better job of working the straight.  Pretty soon a shocking thing would happen... wait for it... wait for it....

Circa 1999 - in the fall of 1998 I got the bright idea to cut off all my hair and it worked OK for the time.  The kids I taught that year were constantly confused because my hair kept getting shorter and shorter.  I didn't like change so this was huge for them - and me.

I look like my stomach hurts or something the way I was posed in this picture.  Notice, I had not had my daughter yet to tell me exactly what would be appropriate to wear with that turtle neck tucked into my skirt.

Circa 2000 - a few weeks before my babies were born.  Not bad looking for a woman carrying twins.  However, I was rather large... I taught up until 2 weeks before the kiddos were born.  I was determined to make it to April as April 15 was their due date.  

The Lord saw fit to bring them April 1.  

Yes, He was still teaching me HE was/is in control, not me.

Fall of 2000 - going back to school to teach after leaving my babies from being home with them for four months.  

Hard does not do justice to describe how it felt. 

I think circa 2001 - I just know I still had that short hair.  Of course, being a teacher and the mom of baby twins, the hair worked well.  Is it me or am I looking a bit stiff and scared?

Circa 2002 in the Spring I think?

I was rocking the purple top.

This would be circa 2002 Fall - with a new class.  Notice, there is some hair peeking out of the back there.  Beginning to realize maybe the short hair needs to grow out.

Yeah, It's growing out alright circa Spring 2003.  It was struggling to figure out if it wanted to all be on top of my head.  There I am with that turtleneck again.  I bet it was tucked into my skirt, too.

Circa fall 2003 or maybe 2004? - new batch of kiddos.  Notice I was rockin' the silver necklace with the colored beads and have a bit of a stylish top for the time.  Kellie was starting to go from frumpy to not-so-frumpy.

Whew - circa 2005 had me gaining back that weight I had lost in 2003.  Oy.  The joys of gaining and losing.  Notice, the hair is becoming stylishly longer.

There I am again holding my stomach in this circa Spring 2006 picture.  What is it with these photographers posing us that way?  At least the turtleneck sweater was not tucked in this time.  That weight is piling on more....

Somewhere between 2006 and 2007 I began my next weight loss moments.  This is now circa Spring 2008 below.  Hair is longer and more like me.  Whew.

Circa fall 2008 - new crop of younguns

 

For some reason in 2010 the photographers thought THIS background looked great with that shirt.  AND... they decided the half body shot was in order.  At least I am not holding my stomach as if in pain.

Circa 2012 - can you tell my daughter is now old enough to begin dressing me more and get me out of my box of simple necklaces?  I must say - between the "ruffle" and the necklace that was a bit overkill.  And WHAT is up with my hair?  Was it windy that day or had I gotten a little crazy with layers?

Circa Fall 2013.

 Oh my.  

Heaviest. I. Have. Ever. Been.  

Thankful that right after this I began the weight change.

Circa 2014 - just this past fall.  Thankful for another year to learn and grow.  (Just not grow in weight again...I pray!)

Over the years I have definitely LEARNED more than I have taught.  The Lord has used these past 20 years to mold me, shape me, teach me, and help me see I am nothing without Him.  I pray that I am able to teach as long as I can.  There is nothing like watching the learning take place in those sweet faces. 

Here are a few things the Lord has TAUGHT me in the past 20 years:

1.  Be prepared during prayer request time.  You never know what may come out of a child's mouth.

2.  Never assume that a child knows something you think he/she should know.  Over teach if you have to do so.

3.  Telling a child to go get water really does NOT help a stomachache.  Peppermints do.

4.  Duct tape should never be used to hold up one's pantyhose.  Just sayin'.

5.  Patience is needed.  Every minute.  Of every day.  

6.  It is wonderful to be wild and crazy in front of your students.

7.  Have control so that when you are wild and crazy in front of your students you can bring them back without them hanging off the light fixtures.

8.  When you are teaching something you may just find out you have finally learned that concept in math that you have been struggling with for years....like when YOU were a kid....  (oh... the stories I could tell, people)

9.  Throw up never gets easier.  I am still scared of it.

10.  Compassion increases.

11.  The scary teacher dreams never really go away.  They always find you before school begins and you lose control of your class in them every. single. time.

12.  When your schedule changes after 20 years, it is OK.  You CAN make it.  You CAN find out that you will survive.

13.  I thought I knew a lot when I got out of college.  Right now I am realizing just how much I DO NOT know and how much more learning needs to occur.

14.  There is NOTHING that can replace what is learned by experience.  

15.  Losing control has been THE BEST THING that I have learned.  Losing control to the Lord, that is.

16.  I wouldn't change a thing.  Thankful for this journey the Lord has given me as He has taught me to teach His small children. 

I love what I do. 

With all of my heart.

Here Comes the Sun... um, Rain... AGAIN

Here in NC we are once again feeling as if we live in Seattle, Washington.  We have had SO many rainy and cloudy days and this past week we even had a little ice thrown in there.  When the sun finally did peek, most of us were in total shock of the bright orb dancing across the horizon.

Anyone who knows me, or has read this blog for any length of time, knows that I LOVE rain droplets and water droplets.  I love how they 'leave their mark' on God's Creation.  It is almost like a present left behind after the rain.

Our days recently have seen an abundance of rain, and I must admit that the rain droplets have not caught my attention as much in the thought of "presents."  Each day I have tried to look at the rain as the blessing that it is, but when I awoke this morning to the sound of more rain, I found myself sighing and saying "Why, Lord?"  

He then began to form in my thoughts more wonderful truths that He wants me to keep learning.

First of all.  Let's talk about why we need rain.

The Rain:

• cleanses
• removes roughness
• replenishes
• refreshes

Cleanse:  
I know in the spring we will all be wanting the rain to come and wash away the pollen.  During those hot, dry days of summer we desire it to cleanse us from the dirt and grime. 

Removes Roughness: 
Whenever you see water passing over something for a time, you see friction in action.  I know we see it in our side yard where the water flows over the rocks that lead down to the pond area below our house.  Over time, the moving of the water makes the rocks smoother.  Land also gets smoother as it washes away roughness.

Replenishes:  
When we have such a long time without water we are in need of replenishing our rivers and lakes.  I can remember times of drought around here where it was a major concern if the water supply would still be available.  It also replenishes the moisture in the ground so food may grow.  We can't have food without water.

Refreshes:  
I must admit, when it isn't cold outside, it surely is nice to "dance in the rain" sometimes.  The joy of watching the water fall to the ground and refresh the land is exhilarating and a treat.


What about when we think we get "too much" rain?  

• It gets old.
• Everything seems dreary and wet.
• We want to build an ark.
• We feel overwhelmed and "flooded."
• We surely do not see it as a gift of any sort!
• We wonder WHERE IS THE SUN?

I know many people feel this way right now.  I have seen so many posts on Facebook about the lack of sun or the wishing that summer would hurry up and get here.

Isn't that the way we are in our spiritual lives as well?  We don't like the "rainy days" that God sends our way.  We would rather have it "sunny" and everything be happy and good at all times.

It has been very "rainy" around here lately.  I feel that every time I go on my email, to church, to  school or Facebook I see or hear about another tragedy.  There is yet another thing for which people are reaching out to the Lord and others for prayer and support.  Our church family just experienced three more deaths in the past week!  There has been a great amount of sickness and heartache. 

• It gets old.  
• It feels dreary to your bones.
• It gets to the point you just want to pack up in that ark and leave!
• It gets overwhelming. 
• If this is a present, I surely don't want it!
• We forget that the sun is still shining behind all of those rain clouds. 

I am doing this mini Bible study on Faith by Heather Bixler. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed it and have found it interesting how the Lord has used the Scripture I am memorizing for each week to drive home the point of me having FAITH in the Lord through all circumstances. The verse I am to memorize this week is

James 1:3

Knowing this, that the trial of your faith worketh patience.

That is all good, but just what is the "THIS" I am supposed to know when it states 'knowing this,'? 

James 1: 2

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (testings).

The Lord reminded me this morning why He sends RAIN in our spiritual lives. It all has to do with what I am learning in James this week.  He uses the spiritual rain to test us.  To let the testing have its "perfect work" in us just as when God sends the physical rain on earth. 

Here is why.

Spiritual Rain:

• cleanses
• removes roughness
• replenishes
• refreshes

Cleanse: 
God uses spiritual rain of testing to cleanse us from ourselves.  We want our own way or to live our life the way we choose.  God wants to create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit in us.  Sometimes He has to pour heavy rain on us because our heart has become so dirty with pride, jealousy, etc... and after the heavy rain, we are able to shine more brightly reflecting His glory.

Removing Roughness: 
We all have rough edges.  We all have places the Lord needs to chip away or soften.  Sometimes instead of chipping, He allows the constant rain of a trial to bear down on us so that we will be smoother and less abrasive. 

Replenishes: 
Many times we become dried out in the pleasures of life.  When everything is "sunny" we begin to depend on ourselves again to get us through the days.  We stop seeing our spiritual water level dropping.  We do not notice the cracks of sin beginning to develop.  We do not see that our fruit on the vine is shriveling because of lack of water. 
Sometimes the Lord has to send hard, fast, spiritual rain to help us realize we need filling. 

Psalm 42:2a:  My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:

Refreshes: 
God's Word is always refreshing.  Jesus described Himself to the woman at the well as the Living Water.  Sometimes the spiritual rain He sends us is to help us realize that only HE can quench our spiritual dryness... not the pleasures of this world that only last a short time.

John 4:14 ~ But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

These precious gifts of rain, and the rain droplets that they leave on our lives are actually precious gifts from the Lord that grow us, mature us, and draw us closer to the Living Water Himself.  They allow us to grow and allow our fruit to be sweet and nourishing to others.

Whether it is the physical rain on earth or the spiritual rain of testing you are facing in your life, just remember the Lord has a purpose in it all.  If you change perspectives and view it from knowing that God is in control, the rain or situation may not be easier, but....

Isaiah 55:10 -11

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it to bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

AND....

Isaiah 58:11

....the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

On the rainy days of life have FAITH in the Living Water.  

The SON, Jesus, is still there behind the rainclouds of life.

Nature Photographer Extraordinaire.....UM, NOTE TO SELF:

The last day of 2014, my family, my brother (Kevin) and I went to Lake Mattamuskeet down near the coast of North Carolina.  It is a National Park and a wildlife refuge.

Kevin and I got the idea to take this day trip adventure when we were at the State Fair in October.  We always try to go through the wildlife exhibit during the fair and see their latest display.  This year they showed Tundra Swans.  I did not realize that half of those beautiful creatures flew all the way from northern Canada/Alaska to our very own Lake Mattamuskeet every year to winter here!  Kevin began talking about them and it got my photographer hopes and dreams stirred up.... YES.  I was going to photograph some Tundra Swans and it was going to be EPIC!

In my mind, I pictured me, Kellie the Nature Photographer Extraordinaire, traipsing through the wildlife area, capturing the intricate feathers and details of these Tundra Swan.  I just knew I was going to get right there at them.  I was going to photograph the entire flock of them and they would pose.... just. for. me.

Yes.  I was going to capture ALL of nature that I had not seen before and then some.  Yes.  I was going to be THAT good.   You see, I have already been photographing nature for years. 

• I have photographed the turtles, frogs, some snakes, etc... that live around here.  
• I have photographed some birds through my windows or at local parks.  
• I have photographed flowers galore.  
• Oh, goodness... yes, I have photographed STILL OBJECTS in nature like there is no tomorrow.  (let me emphasize here the STILL OBJECT wording....)

However, I soon learned after we arrived that it would be an epic ADVENTURE in many ways... just not in the epic way I had thought.  

In fact, I have many memories as well as "NOTE TO SELF" moments:

1.  I was in a National WILDLIFE RESERVE.  
Note to self:  these animals are not used to humans.  They will run/fly away.  Repeatedly.  A lot.

2. I wore a pink athletic jacket.
Note to self: these animals NOTICE BRIGHT PINK as not being a part of their natural environment... they are not color blind.

3.  I wore my tennis shoes I usually use to work out... even though they were an older pair.
Note to self:  you are in mud because of swamp/marshland and you will get your feet wet and colder... HELLO, wear boots.  (even though I didn't have any....)

4.  Chasing a Great Egret is harder than you think.
Note to self:  Do not wear a pink jacket.  Do not have your family wait in the van and keep opening and closing the van door.  Do not let your husband keep the key in the van so that the dinging sound is heard miles away.

5.  Great Egrets have a super, neat call!
Note to self:  the Great Egret is calling out because it was annoyed at you.  You were chasing it just to photograph it... and you were in a pink coat.... and your family was making lots of noises.

6.  Walking along paths in the wildlife refuge does not always ensure you have followed directions.
Note to self:  when the sign says "NO ADMITTANCE" it is meaning vehicles, yes, but also HUMANS.

7.  You have a zoom lens.  Great!
Note to self:  just because you have a zoom lens does not mean it is powerful enough to capture the nose hairs of the Tundra Swan from a great distance away.  In fact, you are doing good to get an overview of the area in which the Tundra Swan are swimming and may in fact get a small dot of their resemblance in the picture.

8.  Walking slowly is key to capturing wildlife.
Note to self:  even when you are walking slowly you will still not capture the swans, egrets, etc... because they SEE YOU IN YOUR BRIGHT PINK JACKET.

9.  Taking photographs of Black Vultures can be quite interesting and educational.
Note to self: be careful that you are aware if someone is using the Port-O-Jon nearby as the door to said place crashes with a loud bang and scares you and the birds at the same time.

10.  When you arrive at the park, be sure to immediately take pictures of the swans that you are seeing right outside of your van window....
Note to self:  because when you go back to said area after thinking a potty break was more important, the swans will be further away or gone and your chance at capturing that nose hair on the swan has dwindled to the slight glimpse that was described above.

11.  It is WAY cool to hear and see wild animals such as red wolves, foxes, and other creatures of which you cannot remember their names.
Note to self: please make sure your husband is not speeding down the back road of the lake in order to reach another area for you to photograph only to scare a fox, and the entire van, half to death when you think he may hit it.  Also, a Red Wolf is a LIVE creature when you hear its call.  Meaning - he is in the woods so be on guard. 

12.  Enjoy the drive around Lake Mattamuskeet.
Note to self: you need more than the map that is given to you at the Visitor Center because you and your family become confused on many occasions.  What you thought was going to be another opportunity for up-close, nose-hair shots of Tundra Swans turns into a dirt drive to an area where you may walk 3 miles to get up close... possibly... as the sun is going down....and you decide to just leave and go home.

13.  Be thankful for the memories shared.
Note to self:  be even more thankful that your husband understands your craziness about photographing a sunset and is willing to turn sharply onto a road at the last minute as you are deciding where would be the best place to capture the stunning beauty in the sky the Lord was giving you this last day of 2014.

 

Now, how about some visuals to go along with all of those words?  We truly had a great time and I am thankful for all the Lord showed us.  Spending the last day of 2014 with my family in God's creation was worth it all!

This is an old pumping station that was used at the turn of the 20th century.  The people around the area at that time thought it was a bright idea to pump out all of the water of Lake Mattamuskeet to create more farmland.  They accomplished that twice when they realized it would fill back up every time.  Hello, people.... let's remember God put Lake Mattamuskeet there for a reason. :)

I will say, though, it makes for a beautiful building and I loved it!

I love reflections in water about as much as I love raindrops/water droplets on flowers, leaves, etc....

Can't remember the name of this bird, but, although a bit blurry, this was SO COOL!  I was tickled I actually caught it.

This is what one finally photographs after climbing up a fence to photograph a Great Blue Heron that is perched on the side of the pumping station.  The grass kept waving and getting in my way.  I was also too chicken to try and climb higher on a fencing that could give way and allow me to fall into the water.  SO... here ya go.  

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this shot.  Yeppers, I do.

Who knew I could become so fascinated with the knee roots of the Cypress Trees?

Reflection, reflection everywhere!!  I just could not get enough of it.... as you will continue to observe.

I learned something new while there.... the Cypress Tree loses its needles in the winter... ALL of them!  I thought they were fully evergreen.  See... all of life is learning!

My sweet family... Wesley, Kevin, Steve, Mikayla

ME.  Yeppers.... see that bright pink coat underneath the brown one I should have kept on the entire time?  Yeah, I took off the brown one.  

Kevin also laughed at me and said I always tilt my head in pictures.  Not nice.

My Sweet Man the Tree Hugger

Reflections... ahh.... love them.

Cat Tails in the marsh!  (By the way, I also learned that marsh is water with grass.  Swamps are water with TREES.)  Yep... keep on a learning, people!

 Blue sky... marshland....bare trees.... beauty.

LOVED this reflection of this tree!

Yep... another reflection.  That was all reflection of the trees, though... cool, huh?

Sweet Gum balls.  Yes, ordinary, but I found this striking.  Reminded me of Christmas ornaments.

Great Blue Heron flying

Look at this wild creature!

Mikayla was still "dressed to the nines" while hiking.  Fashion still has to make a statement even in the woods.  (She was not dressed appropriately, either.... lol)

Can you see the Downy Woodpecker!  I chased that bird all over that tree trying to get some decent shots.  This is the only one I kept out of a "million."

My finest moment.... Kellie and the Great Egret standoff.....

He sure ain't happy with Kellie!

Now he is humoring me... making me think I could get closer.

Fooled you!  Gone, girl!

Tundra Swan... can you see them?  Do you need a magnifier?

I never thought I would become excited over Black Vultures, but when you are desperate for up-close nature photography, you take what you can get!  Just don't let the door to the Port-O-John scare you and the birds!

Oh, Tundra Swan, Oh, Tundra Swan... why couldn't you have swimmed a bit closer?

You had your chance earlier.... you missed the up-close moments!

Well, I finally did capture a Great Egret a bit closer... on the side of the road... where we stalked it with the van before I finally got out and it soon flew away because I was wearing what?

Great Blue Heron... checking out what was for dinner.

Another Great Blue Heron.... loved capturing these at least!

I can't remember the names of these birds because Kevin didn't write it down for me.  SO... here you have these birds that are different than regular birds we have around home and they are swimming, about to fly out of the water, and four are flying in a nice row.  (I scared them, too....with what????)

This is the part of the day that took my breath away.  Steve said I would still be there photographing that skyline if he had not finally driven off.  This was what I asked him to turn on a road to our left at the last minute to find a spot to stop.  I had prayed that the Lord would give me a wonderful sunset since I had not gotten to see the Tundra Swans up close.  I am so thankful my Heavenly Father understands my creative mind and desire to see His glory unfold.  Speechless.

We ate supper that evening in Little Washington on the river.  This was what the Lord gave me as another present right before we went inside the restaurant.  I am so thankful for how the Lord closed out 2014 for me and look forward to the beauty He will unfold in 2015.