EASTER!!

This Easter was very different for me. This was my first "major" holiday away from any family. I would have gone home (since it's only about an hour and a half away), but between tax season and being in my church's Easter Concert, I couldn't make it back. Despite this, it was a good day. A friend of mine invited me to have Easter dinner with her family. It was great! I really miss those big family gatherings with the good-natured ribbing and reminiscing. After that, we just sort of sat around all day, chatting and napping and watching quilting and knitting shows on TV. Then it was off to warm-ups before the concert. The concert was AWESOME!! I'm hoping to get a copy of the performance. I won't put it all up here, but if I can put one song up, I'll try to do that. The arrangement of Amazing Grace was the best one. It wasn't the typical Amazing Grace, or even the arrangement with "My Chains are Gone." The words went:

Amazing Grace brought hope forever,
All sin erased, remembered never
I live again! Because He took my place.
Thanks to Calvary and Amazing Grace.

While we sang it, there was a video in the background with scenes from "The Passion of The Christ". We had to make sure we weren't looking at the monitors, or most of us wouldn't have been able to make it through the song. When we finished the song, it was absolutely silent in the auditorium. The pastor got up then to give his challenge. I don't know if anyone made a decision last night, but I know that God will definitely use that ministry for HIS glory!

Only 3 more days of taxes, then I FINALLY get to completley enjoy my Spring Break!!

aahhhhhhhhhhhh

Spring Break at last!!!!!!

Today went well, though. I had one parent come in early to pick up their child. I loved her comment, "They seem quieter than normal." They were really good today. I don't know if it was because of the anticipation of break, the fun activities of the day, or the fact that we had an awesome magician speak in chapel today. Either way, I'm still glad for break. I did realize, however, that after leaving school, I did leave one thing on my desk: an Easter egg a 2nd grader gave me. Yes, I knew I would probably forget it. Yes, I tried to remind myself several times. Yes . . . it is a real egg . . . . maybe this can be the source of a great Science experiment. "What happens to a hard-boiled egg after sitting in a school for 10 days??"

I plan to use the next couple of days to pack up some stuff to get ready for "the move" to "______". This blank will hopefully be closer to being filled in after this break as I plan to get some resumes sent out, too. Please pray for guidance as I send these out. I feel like I'm back to square one. It's exciting and a little scary at the same time. I need peace.

In other news, our Easter Concert is Sunday night at 7. Anyone interested in hearing an AWESOME concert, let me know. (and it will be awesome for many other reasons other than the fact that I'm singing in it!! :) We have "dress rehersal" tomorrow. My throat is feeling a little sore, so hopefully it won't cause any problems. At least I"m not singing any solos!

almost . . . . there . . . I . . . . can . . . make . . . it . . . .

Just one more day (technically a half-day) until EASTER BREAK!!!!!!!! I am sooo ready for it, too!! In the midst of testing, taxes, and the need to find a new job, I am just tired of doing stuff. I did have one interesting thought today that was just too thought-provoking to not share.

We have done our Achievement testing this week. It has been REALLY testing, too!!! I still like it better than last year when we did our testing the week after break -- that was insane! The kids are just done. That's it -- they're done! My thought-provoking . . . . um . . . thought came this morning. When we're in our rooms testing, we have signs on the doors that say: "Do not disturb: Testing in progress." My thought of the day: maybe this is the sign we as Christians should have for Satan. I know it's not the most doctrinally sound thought in the world, but it is an interesting perspective to have. Critique it all you want, it was just my half-awake thought of the morning.

testing . . . and help needed !!

So this week is Achievement Testing week. This is sometimes a lot of fun -- a different change of pace. I can tell the kids are REALLY ready for Spring Break -- it must be rubbing off from their teacher! We tested all morning, then in the afternoon, we started working on "The Great Mail Race" If you're not familiar with it, it's a project where the class writes to another third grade class in each of the 50 states. The goal is to learn about all the states, how other Christian schools operate, and how we are the same or different. I think I need to change my strategy, though. I was just having them write in their own words and giving them ideas of what to write. This was going pretty well, until one of them decided that some important information they just HAD to include in their letter was the fact that I'm not married. I read it and just looked at him and said, "This isn't a dating service!!" I think we're definitely going to a form letter tomorrow!!

Another project we've been working on is Flat Stanley. This is a cute little book about a boy named Stanley who had a bulletin board fall on him while he was asleep. He was smashed flat enough to fit just about anywhere - even a mailing envelope! One of my "mom's" took pictures and they each made their own "Flat _______". They made one for me, but I haven't sent it anywhere yet. I'm going to look really bad when the due date comes and my little Flat Kelly hasn't gone anywhere! Anyone want to tackle this project?? You can put your address as a comment and I'll delete it so only I will see it. HELP!

Not a joke

After I posted yesterday, I realized that I didn't exactly choose the best day to to post something like that. I just wanted to assure you readers that, no, it was not a joke. Yes, I was victim to a "reduction in force" at my school. Yes, I do covet your prayers.

I did also want to point out my blog change. It was the one with the least amount of pink on it, so there was my choice made for me!!

Off to lesson plans!!

It's been a long time . . .

Over the past . . . um . . . almost 6 weeks . . . (yikes!) a lot has happened (one would hope!) The week after I posted last, I was told that, due to decreases in enrollment, I would not be needed next year at my school. This has (for obvious reasons) really "deflated" me. I am not alone. Another teacher with equal years of experience was also let go due to this "reduction in force". I don't want to say I'm depressed. I know that God did not close this door to throw me out a window. I know He has something better for me out there somewhere. I've felt His moving for a while. Third grade is great, but I really would rather teach an older grade -- especially anything math-related. I have a couple of possibilities and a couple GREAT friends looking for me - even pushing me to be motivated! This has been an added blessing in the midst of all this! If any of you readers out there know of a Christian school looking for a teacher, I'm available.

On to other things -- another thing going on now is our latest assignment in the third grade: ANIMAL NOTEBOOKS!!! They have been working for the past 6 weeks on reports for each of the 6 categories of animals we learn: Mammals, Fish, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, and Invertebrates. We finished up the reports in class yesterday and the projects are due on Friday. Yeah for me!! I will then have 24 projects to grade in the middle of our standardized testing week!!!! :s One good thing is that some have already started turning their projects in -- if I would grade them as they come in, things would go a LOT better for me next week.

It seems like a lot more has happened, but I'm kind of in a zone right now. I'll try to make shorter updates, but more often -- we'll see how it goes!!

sigh . . . . .

That's the sound of someone who is physically and mentally exhausted. Since I last posted, I've started a second job (since teachers have so much spare time to do stuff like that!!) I've been working at a tax preparation office after school from 5-9 most days. This has helped with some of my expenses, but I still have a Chile ticket to pay off!!

On notes of finances and such . . . my landlord informed me that he's RAISING my rent by $50 a month! God is so good, though. The Monday before that, a fellow teacher asked me if I was would want to rent from her if I had a roommate. She has a 3-bedroom trailer she could rent to me, but can't really afford to rent it to me by myself. I told her later about my rent going up, and she said I could rent from her (once her son moves out and she paints and stuff) for what I'm paying now until I can find a roommate!!!!!! Like I said, God is good!!! ALL THE TIME!!!!!!! Now I just need a roommate . . .

In the midst of a second job, possibilities of moving, and an insane lack of sleep, I had parent/teacher conferences on Monday! I had 8 conferences!! That's the most I've ever had! That's 1/3 of my class!! This came after a 1/2 day with the kids -- less 6 students! Are things as bad where you are?? I haven't had all my class at school in about 2 weeks!! And I know I'll have at least one out tomorrow! One teacher told me today (after our hour long faculty meeting) to "go home!" My response: "You mean, go to work!" She asked me how I'm doing all this. I just said, "I'm not!"

Please pray for strength. I am having a hard time juggling everything. I can't afford to not work at the tax place so much, but I don't want to wear myself out or allow my responsibilities at school to slack off. Most importantly, my devotions haven't been very . . . well . . . there lately. I know this is why I'm so tired and cranky, but I just can't motivate myself to do it. I'm being very transparent now, please honor this by praying for me -- I need HIS strength now more than ever!!!

Thanks!!