It WAS Friday. . .

This week was nutty, but extremely enjoyable! :-) Here are a few humorous things I want to remember. . .you may not find them funny, but this is how I remember the things I love. :-)

1. One of my students has a thing about the days of the week. He CONSTANTLY talks about Friday now. It's only been going on about 3 weeks, but whew, it's a daily battle. Every time I hear my name, "Ms. _______. . .," I know what is coming. "Today is Friday. It's Friday. Today is Thursday and Friday. These are my days. Guess what? Today is Friday!" That's what's coming. Apparently, he and his sister and mom had a countdown for Halloween . . .and ever since then, it's all about Friday. The funny part is that other teachers and people play along. They correct him. . .but then he's saying the same thing again. It's hilarious because he really does know it's Friday. My wonderful, well-meaning co-workers correct him many times daily. . .but it's always Friday. And he loves to tell every person he sees that it is Friday. My newest try at helping him stop this (this repetition is from his disability, and I am trying to help him stop this abnormal behavior) was to tell him that he needed to keep the dream alive in his heart that it was Friday. Now I hear, "Ms. ________, I'm thinkin' in my head for you. . . .I'm keepin' it in my heart." LOL. Sometimes students fixate on certain things, and we have to try and stop this behavior before it gets out of control. For now, I am set up for hearing, "Ms. _________, I'm thinkin' in my head for you. I'm thinkin'. . ."

2. Alien hands. One of my other students LOVES the color green. If I give him a green marker to write with. . .he will have green hands a green face before you can even ask ______ what the word "pat" rhymes with. 

3. Fluffy heads running. Enough said.

4. I burned the biscuits in the psycho lunchroom oven. Oops. :-P

5. Mr. Beaver.

6. The word "Scootch." This may not be a real word, but it means "move over a little bit." We were in the gym and my PE interns were teaching a lesson. I told another student to "scootch" so my student who uses a walker could participate in the activity. She almost fell over she was laughing so far. This is the same kid who picked up a phrase from one of my parapros: "Oh, my stars." Now she says that constantly while laughing. When asked what she was thankful for, she said: "Alan Jackson." LQTM. That girl loves her country music.

7. One of my girls sang me a song this week in front of the whole class. It was about how I was her teacher, she loved me, she ate pizza, and we had fun. She grabbed my hand and I was supposed to dance with her while being serenaded. It was hilarious and wonderful all at the same time. 

8. Me, trying to say "the first Thanksgiving." I could not get that phrase out. My parapros and PE interns were in the floor laughing. I mix up words when I get too excited about things. 

9. "I saw a moose in the woods."

Whew, that's all I got for the funny stuff. There was so much more, but it's all been forgotten by now. Now I'm off for Thanksgiving. The bad thing is that our WHOLE First Collection Period for GAA is due right after Thanksgiving, which should tell you what I'll be doing all week. I have faith that the Lord will help me get it done (or I'll be in big trouble!!), but I know I will get bored from the repetition. Fortunately, the Lord has placed coffee and pajamas on Earth, so I can totally make it!

Today I met with 3 great friends to have breakfast at Cracker Barrel to celebrate our Turkey Day week off. Shopped a little bit. I went to The Potter's House on the way home to pick up Beth Moore's study on David. It's 90 days worth o' David. I've studied David's life before, so I think it will be great to revisit again. 

I also picked up an amplified Bible. I like comparing the different versions and I've been holding off on getting another one for a quick minute. However, I figured I go for it today! Excitement. Gotta love the Bible, books in general, and office supplies. :-)

The Lord is amazing. His grace is ever-present and good enough to cover even my biggest mistakes, mishaps, and boo-boos. He never ceases to bless me, even when I'm unsure of the exact things He wants me to do. I am very grateful for God's work in my life, in my heart, and in my head, changing my thoughts and actions. 

Passion: "Grace Flows Down"

"Amazing love. . .now flowing down,

From hands and feet,

That were nailed to the tree,

His grace flows down and covers me."

Romans 5:19-21: "For just as by one man's disobedience (failing to hear, heedlessness, and carelessness) the many were constituted sinners, so by one Man's obedience the many will be constituted righteous (made acceptable to God, brought into right standing with Him). But then Law came in, [only] to expand and increase the trespass [making it more apparent and exciting opposition]. But where sin increased and abounded, grace (God's unmerited favor) has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded, so that, [just] as sin has reigned in death, [so] grace (His unearned and undeserved favor) might reign also through righteousness (right standing with God) which issues in eternal life through Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) our Lord."

2nd Corinthians 12:9: "But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!"

Even when I follow the Lord, I still make mistakes, I make poor judgments, I don't work 100% for Him, I fail to be Jesus-like, and I do not represent Christ in the manner I desire to. I pray that You will continue to pitch Your tent over me. . .take me in Your arms. . .protect me under Your wing. . .make me the apple of Your eye. . .take me as I am. 

Jennifer Knapp: Whole Again:

Daddy, daddy do you miss me.
The way I crawled upon your knee.
Those childish games of hide and seek
Seem a million miles away.

Am I lost in some illusion.
Or am I what you thought I'd be.
Now it seems I've found myself
And need to be forgiven.
Is there still room upon that knee?

If I give my Life, If I lay it down
Can you turn this Life around, around
Can I be made clean
By this offering of my soul.
Can I be made whole again?"

God can turn ANYONE around. He's done it for millions. He's waiting on more. As the Christmas season gets closer and I think about the first time I understood grace, Christ's role as ruler in my life, and cleanliness, I am reminded of how far I've come. How many times I've wondered if there's room at the Father's knee for me. If He listens. If He loves me. 

I know that He does. Even in my doubts, selfishness, and flesh. . .the King is enthralled with my beauty. May I respect Him, go to Him when I need to confess my sin, and submit to His desires for my life (Psalm 45:11).