Count Down Begins

In a few days I will be here with 43 high schoolers.

You know you are jealous!

I was in choir growing up, but it wasn't until my senior year of college that I had even an idea that choral directors planned trips for their choirs.

Little did I know.

I think you could add "travel planner" to my job description and I really don't mind. I get to travel to these great places and share incredible memories with my students.

My first year was pretty simple....just a trip down to Charlotte for the day for a Carowinds Festival.

My second year got more complicated, but thank goodness I only had 16 students to plan for. We headed down the road to Atlanta, GA for a fast paced three day weekend.

And my third year, I pulled out all the stops and took 36 high schoolers to Walt Disney World Florida for four days (plus one night travelling on the bus).

So this year? We're headed to Baltimore, MD for three days, with 43 high schoolers. It should be pretty awesome. I will keep you posted!

My Life Saver

Now, Jesus is my Savior.

But there is one woman who has been a life saver for me for the past two years and has revolutionized the way I teach choir.

Meet Lynn

(she's on the far left on the piano...wish I had a better picture of her!)

My first year of teaching, I didn't have anyone coming in and playing for me during rehearsals. It was a lot of up and down, but mainly me behind the piano, which eliminated a lot of good teaching.

My second year, I had someone who was also wonderful, but she couldn't travel with us and didn't perform with us.

Last year, I approached Lynn and asked her and she said that she would give it a try. Well, this is the second year and she is FABULOUS!!!!! And the kids love her.

And it has helped me become a better teacher and work harder with my choir.

Lesson? Never underestimate the blessings someone can be to you and be sure to say thank you!

Thanks Lynn! You're awesome!!!!!!

Blessings

This weekend was pretty hectic.

It started off with me headed to Asheville...which wasn't so bad. And Saturday was great, filled with meetings for a future business venture with great friends and then down time with family. We even managed a walk in the moonlight, which was lots of fun.

But then, at 1:45 Sunday morning, only a few hours before I was going to drive home, I woke up nauseated and miserable. I'll spare you the gory details. Long story short, I ended up sick and in bed with a fever (even on extra strength Tylenol) and wishing I could just curl up and die. It was food poisoning.

Soooooo miserable.

My sweet husband was stuck at home and could only call or text to check on me. He was very worried and wished he could be with me. I didn't! I didn't want him to see me like that!

And throughout the whole thing, my sweet mother took care of me and got me anything I needed and sat with me the whole time. I think the last time I was this sick was five years ago with strep. I'm pretty sure my mom never planned on nursing a 26 year old back to health, but she certainly hasn't lost her touch!

Well, I'm home now and being taken care of by my husband, but the lesson learned this weekend.....don't ever think you're too old to be nursed by your mom.....she still loves you and wants to take care of you!!!!!

Missions/Life Action Week

It's Missions Emphasis Week at HPCA and the church connected with the school has chosen to coincide it with a revival week with Life Action Ministries.

And I'm praying for a revival for my kids. I'm praying that they will be willing to stand up for Christ and will be overflowing with a passion for Christ!

Just last week, Jeff was sharing with me about his Christian students at his public school and their willingness to stand for Christ publicly. I know that not all of the students at my school would be willing to do the same thing. So, it is my prayer that my Christian school students will be revived and encouraged to stand up for the faith that they have claimed as their own just as these public school students have been challenged to do.

I haven't gone to any of the meetings at the church yet, but I am curious to see this group in action. One reason is that one of the leaders, a guy named Zach, came and shared with my fourth period Bible class today.

Zach is an interesting guy....I would definitely identify as a little ADD.....so, he came in and shared with the students his story and his passion for Christ. He is currently a Senior Liberty student (Wahoo!) and I was touched by his love for sharing Christ with these students.

I remember when I was a senior at Liberty (only four years ago....but it's starting to feel like ages) and was student teaching. I was so intimidated by standing up in front of high schoolers and it was what I was trained to do!

So, kudos to Zach and his willingness to stand up and tell the kids all about his love for them and for Christ. And stepping into my classroom and putting my kids at ease and letting them know that he cared about them and who they are and what they loved.

Lesson? We have to lead by example and be willing to stand up for Christ if we expect our students to stand up as well.

Sunday Thoughts

It's another beautiful Sunday.

I can hear the birds singing and the sun is shining. We slept in later today than normal and it was wonderful. Had a great worship service. And we had lunch with good friends and I got to enjoy a good book. The only downside was our Heels lost today.

Maybe I view Sunday through "rose colored" glasses, but it's been a while since I've had a "bad" Sunday and I think it's because we have learned to slow down and just enjoy our day of rest.

So, I hope you take the time to stop and enjoy your Sunday and worship the Lord for a while.

Dreaming

About this time of year, every year, especially at the end of a long week, I start dreaming of this place:

It's taking everything in me not to pack up and head out right now....in fact, at the beginning of this week, I was already planning a weekend trip. But, we can't travel this weekend. Jeff has to work on his national boards. So, I will have to settle with dreaming. But, I do love those spontaneous trips!

Lesson: Be content with where I am and look forward to the trips to come.

Therapy

This has been a stressful week.

Not only was yesterday our State Districts for choir, but this week is also the end of third quarter.

What that means is that I have to have all of my grading done by 4 pm tomorrow. I had to catch all of my students up on their work who have been out over the quarter from sickness or slacked off during the quarter (did you know 3rd quarter is "slacker" quarter????). I had to teach actual lessons. Oh! And I had to miss an entire day and take the choir to districts. Needless to say, it has been a BUSY week! In fact, I have headed to school every morning around 6:30 am (this morning was 6:00 am)....yes AM!!!!! And staid at the school until 5 every day. And I'm still not done with my work! Can you believe it??!?!?!?!?!

Like I said, it's been a busy week. But, I'm not complaining. It's just part of my job and I do like to keep busy. And this only happens like this a couple times a year.

So, I have my own form of therapy: The gym and a good, hard cardio workout.

We joined the gym about a year and a half ago. And this year I have really needed it. Not only because I would like to lose weight, but it has been more therapeutic for me than anything else this year.

I've had different forms of "workout" therapy each year of teaching and I think they match the amount of work I have had to do.

Year One: Semi-stressful because it was my first year teaching, but who am I kidding? I didn't know what I was doing anyways! I walked that year (and lost about 30 pounds I might add!)

Year Two: Easy year...I had my lessons done for Bible and a small high school choir and a willing middle school choir.....I did yoga (and got to where I could balance my knees on my hands!)

(I couldn't go as high as this chick, but could do this!)

Year Three: Very easy year....went to the gym off and on, did a lot of walking with Lola, a little yoga

Year Four: My most stressful year yet with a new Bible curriculum and a growing choral program....hardcore cardio at the gym at least four times a week.

Lesson for the day: Exercise makes for good, cheap therapy with added benefits. Happy running!