Roses and Raspberries of 2012

I know everyone (and by “everyone,” I mean the 2 people (one of them likely being my mother) who will read this) was wondering when these would be available to the public… So here they are, folks: my roses and raspberries of 2012. 

Graduation with my wonderful housemates (minus one).

Roses to graduating with my elementary education degree from Corban University after four awesome years there.  With the student teaching done and work samples submitted, it’s good to know I have chosen a career I love.

Roses to spending my last year at Corban with some of the most incredible people I have met and am lucky to call my friends.

Raspberries to the lack of home-renting knowledge we had… but roses to the fact that we can laugh about our naivety “back then” and are much smarter now (HA!). 

Spending time in Costa Rican schools.

Roses to spending another summer with Royal Servants in Costa Rica… didn’t even get one bad sunburn this year and the idea of “camping” is hardly foreign to me anymore (HA! again). 

Raspberries to the lack of reciprocity of teaching licenses… and having to take and pay for tests over again just because they say “WASHINGTON” at the top instead of “OREGON.”

Roses to now being a licensed teacher in two states.

Roses to my parents’ new living arrangements in England.  I feel that by having such jet-setting parents, I must be cool now, too.

Raspberries to missing my parents when they are “across the pond.”

Sarah's married now!!

Roses to being a maid of honor in my best friend’s wedding. 

Roses (believe it or not) to being a substitute teacher.  Even though I didn’t get my highly sought after full-time, permanent teaching position, I have been blessed to stay busy with subbing and have enjoyed far more than I thought I would.  I don’t have 30 students; I have hundreds and hundreds of students.  I like to say my class is half-full…. what a terrible pun, but it worked too well to leave it out.

New friends!

Roses to finding out (thanks to subbing) that I happen to love working with middle schoolers. 

Raspberries to the difficult days of teaching, but roses to the great stories they leave me with.

Roses to the new friends I have made since moving back to Washington.  Turns out it might actually be possible to create a social life for myself while also being a teacher.    

Happy New Year to you, I hope it's filled with many more roses than raspberries.  

Roses and Raspberries of 2011

Seeing as it’s the end of 2011, I figured this an appropriate time to reflect back on the happenings of the year.  So here they are, folks, my very own roses and raspberries of 2011:

Roses to being an RA

Roses to student teaching.  I can’t imagine a better career choice: your students think you’re way cooler than you actually are, you get all sorts of notes, pictures and presents, you laugh every single day, and there is nothing like the energy you get from spending your day with 8 year-olds. 

Roses to being an RA at Corban University, the girls in my hall, and my RA team.  I never thought I’d be an RA, never planned on being an RA, but I’m so glad the opportunity landed in my path. 

Roses to beginning the final year of college!  A mere 4 months separate me and my diploma.

Raspberries to broken hearts.  Cheers to being smarter next time! 

Roses to spending the summer in Costa Rica

Roses to spending my summer with Royal Servants in Costa Rica instead of at the grocery store washing lettuce and rotating apple displays. 

Raspberries to the tarantulas encountered in Costa Rica. 

Raspberries at my failed attempt to run a marathon… maybe 2012?

  

Roses to being asked to be the Maid of Honor in my beautiful, best friend’s wedding. 

Raspberries to teaching licensing tests

Raspberries to the excessive testing, work samples, and loopholes necessary for teacher licensing. 

Roses to passing my first teacher licensing exam.

Roses to finally finding the infamous “gum wall” in Seattle. 

Roses to awesome housemates

Raspberries to a slightly disappointing Husky football season.  That final loss at the Alamo Bowl was the last straw… how does a defense give up 777 yards?! 

Roses to having mascara run down my face and a sore stomach from laughing everyday with my 4 housemates.  I am blessed by my friends.

Roses to writing a blog post that received over 100 views!  (“No Material Things?!”)  And by association, roses to YOU who read these blogs.

Here’s to a new, fresh, and blessed 2012.  May your New Year be filled with more roses than raspberries. 

Maybe they recognize my silver station wagon Jetta

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday that I am student teaching, I drive on the same roads following the same route to get to the same school at the same time each morning.  And along my way, I see the same people doing the same thing everyday.  There is the mom who stands on the corner with her daughter waiting for the school bus.  There is the middle-aged woman who stands across the street reading her novel as she paces back and forth waiting for the city bus.  There are the same 3 pre-teens performing impressive “tricks” on their bikes along the sidewalk behind WinCo.  And there is the autistic man I would guess to be in his mid 30s who wears the same hoodie everyday was he walks toward me just before I cross Kuebler.  There is often even the same man who is waiting in his red truck finishing his handheld breakfast at the stop sign as I turn onto Melissa. 

I was thinking the other day (while I was driving this route) about how these people somehow play a role in my life.  I expect to see them.  They have become part of my daily commute and the days they are not there make me wonder where else the could possibly be but at their distinct locations doing their distinct “duty” at 7:50 in the morning. 

Then it hit me: maybe some of these people expect to see me.  Maybe they recognize my silver station wagon Jetta complete with Corban stickers on the back window and a tree air freshener hanging off the review mirror.  Maybe they expect to see my still shower-wet hair, mug of much needed coffee, and one of several “teacher sweaters” gracing their presence as they stand waiting for the bus, commuting to work, or finishing a breakfast-on-the-go.  As much as I think and feel like I am the factor that is affected by all the rest, the reality is: I am in this, too. 

There are people in our lives who leave a lasting impact.  Some of those people may not even be aware that we still think about them and are permanently affected by their words, actions, or example. 

There are many people who I am grateful for in my life.  They have helped me grow, learn and figure out this thing called life.  They have inspired me, encouraged me, and challenged me.  And sadly, many of them have no idea of their significance in my life.

There (unfortunately) are also people who have left some kind of scar.  Maybe it was that bully in 7^th grade who mocked me and put sucked-on suckers in my hair.  Or someone who could just never find something nice to say and whose cruel words still ring fresh in my ears.  Many of these people, perhaps even more so than the latter group, have no clue the impact they have made.

Regardless of weather or not you know it, you are making an impact in the lives of the people you come in contact with.  It’s easy to just focus on how others have impacted our own lives, but when we step back and really look at it, we are part of this, too. 

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Don’t get caught up in your hot cup of Joe, not-quite-finished-hair-do, or ever-consuming feeling of being in a hurry as you commute through life.  Remember that you are significant to those around you.  Good or bad, they will remember.  And while you have this opportunity, make the most of it.  Find ways to lift people up instead of bringing them down.  When it all comes down to it, we are all in this together.

When you walk into my room

When you walk into my dorm room, you will see bookshelves filled with textbooks entitled “Elementary and Middle School Mathematics,” “Teaching Exceptional and Diverse Children,” “The Craft of Christian Teaching,” “Tools for Teaching,” and other such “teachery” titles.  You will also see several children’s books scattered around the room.  Chances are you will probably see my “Corban Education Work Sample Guidebook” open on my desk.  You will find a drawer filled with Crayola products.  And if you open up my wardrobe, you will find a bucket of colorful “centimeter cubes,” used for teaching math. 

When you walk into my room, it should take a mere few seconds to determine what my major is: elementary education.  I would assume that upon walking into any other education major’s room, you would find similar items leading you to the same quick conclusion about their major of choice.  If I were to walk into a health science major’s room, I would probably find books about anatomy, physics, and chemistry.  They might have lab goggles hanging on the wall.  And they probably have an intimidating calculator sitting on their desk alongside intimidating looking equations. 

I would hope that if someone walks into my life, they would quickly see where my faith is.  Is the way I live, the things I say, and the way I build relationships indicative of the main purpose of my life?  In other words, would someone who does not know me be able to see I have dedicated my life to Christ by simply observing the way I live?

“By their fruits you will recognize them.  Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?”  (Matthew 7:16)

The fruits in our life declare that which is most important to us.  Do your fruits point to God, or do they point to something else?  Like the items in my room point directly to my major, I hope my life points directly to my Creator. 

I hopped and flopped around

Tonight was spent in running shorts, tennis shoes, in the dark, with the music, under a disco ball.  In short: I had my first zumba experience.  If you’re not familiar with zumba, it is a workout class that involves dancing (or maybe a better word would be flailing), loud music, laughter, and plenty of sweat. 

It is fair to say I made a complete fool of myself.  I am not a dancer by nature, and grace often evades me.  My goal tonight: keep moving.  And I did keep moving for the duration of the fun-filled hour.  It was a blast.  I had no inhibitions (the lights were off), I admit I enjoyed the loud music, and I had the perfect example of how to “zumba” in front of me the whole time (the instructor stands under a light on a stage in front of the class). 

As I hopped and flopped around, I couldn’t help but see how this whole thing was so much like our lives as Christians.

The instructor didn’t care that I wasn’t doing all the steps right, she didn’t call me out for turning the wrong way, or for jumping to the wrong side.  All she wanted was for us to try, to keep moving.  She wanted us to attempt to imitate her even though she was well aware the bunch of us had little hope for doing so with any sense of perfection.  “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children” (Ephesians 5:1).  God knows we cannot attain the perfection he is, but we are calls us to live our lives as an attempt to follow his example. 

In my mind, I imagined this zumba class as a room full of 20-something women, all on the “fitter” side of life.  However, this crowd consisted of women, men, young people, middle-aged people, older people, fit people, less-fit people, energetic people, and even some lethargic people.  We all flopped around together and I found a sense of comfort as I gazed upon my peers who looked just as ridiculous as I did.  We were in this together.  “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).  The man to my left did not get angry when I hopped right into his personal space, but we laughed and carried on.  As we fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, do not be easily angered, but treat each other with love. 

As the hour neared its end, the instructor did the unthinkable: she dared to come down off the stage and hop around with us on the gym floor.  She hopped through the crowd (with much more grace than any of us could muster), encouraged us, and even offered high-fives.  She dared to dance and dwell among us, even though the probability of us flopping into her was likely.  “[Christ], who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage, rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:6-7).  God came off his stage to dwell among us.  If I was so excited to get a high-five from some lady I have never met before, how much greater is it to think that God himself came to earth to die for me? 

That pretty much sums up the Christian life: Christ saved us, we aim to imitate Christ, and we are given the family of Christ to encourage us and live life with.  Life is not promised to be easy for the Christian (and zumba was by no means easy), but it can be enjoyable, exciting, and even rewarding (like the feeling I had after completing my first zumba endeavor).  So even if you flop your way through life, never give up.  Life is good.  

Life as I already know it

I love reading cookbooks.  It’s not uncommon for me to receive cookbooks for my birthday or for Christmas or any other gift-giving event.  I love reading the recipes themselves, looking at the pictures of delectable food, and imagining what meal I might put together from the recipes given. 

As much as I love these cookbooks and as often as I read them, I rarely cook a new recipe.  When the time comes for me to make dinner, or bake a treat, I usually go right back to the good old faithful recipes that are tried and true.  I like that I already know how to make that certain recipe (sometimes I don’t even need the recipe because it has been made so many times).  I like that I already know I will enjoy what’s being made.  I like that there are no questions as to my success in making this recipe. 

I love finding new verses.  You know, those verses we run across in our devotionals that seem so wonderful we wonder why we haven’t memorized them before.  These are the verses I write down in my journal, send to friend, or maybe even go so far as to post as my facebook status. 

Similar to my fetish with cookbooks, these verses often go unapplied to my life.  I read them, love them, and write them down… but then fail to make any changes to the way I live my daily life.  Or even worse, I forget the verse altogether.  Maybe I’m afraid those changes will be harder to make than I initially thought.  Maybe I worry about what other people will think if I start acting differently.  Or maybe I just prefer life as I already know it, like I prefer those classic Hammack family recipes. 

The great thing about the Bible is that it is all true, it is all the Word of God, and it is all beneficial to our lives.  Unlike recipes, we don’t have to worry about a disastrous result.  Chances are, if you put into action what you read in the Bible, only good things will come of it.  So don’t just read it, do it.  

“These commandments that I give to you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

God doesn’t desire for us to hear his truth and then continue on with life as “usual.”  He lists what he wants us to do with those words of wisdom: put them on our hearts, instill those truths in our children, talk about them wherever we go, keep them bound to us as symbols and reminders, make our house a reminder of those commands. 

Next time you read a verse that means something special to you or that feel God is impressing on your own heart, see how you can apply it.  Who can you share it with?  Who can you talk about it with?  How can you put reminders in your life about that verse, that piece of wisdom?  Even if it’s just a sticky note in your car, or on your door.  Even if it’s just an email to a friend, talking about what God taught you today.  Even if it’s just an action sometime during the day that reflects what you want to take away from that verse.  Do something.

“My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.  Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”  (Proverbs 3:1-3)

Reading Colossians drinking a grande nonfat caramel mocha.

I run on treadmills.  They are great for knowing exact distances, pacing, and for the comfort of consistent elements.  I never worry about the weather when I am headed to run a few miles on the treadmill.  I never have to guesstimate mileage.  I simply put on running shoes, walk up to the gym, and run mindlessly for half an hour. 

There is nothing wrong with a treadmill run.  And it’s perfect for those busy days where anything longer than 30 minutes is impossible to fit into the schedule of “to-dos.” 

Recently I have been running outside.  We go to a nearby park with running trails that circle tennis courts, a football field, baseball fields, a playground, and a couple sketchy looking bathrooms.  There are big, beautiful trees, squirrels everywhere, people to watch, and trails that are padded with the most wonderful bark-like material that make my knees smile.  I have never enjoyed running so much. 

Time and miles seem to fly by; I sweat much less than I do while running in the balcony of a too-small, too-hot, sweaty, college gym; I get fresh air; I feel like I actually ran SOMEWHERE; and I get to have uplifting conversations with my good running buddies.  I actually get to put to use all the miles I’ve put in up in that smelly gym with less than pleasant scenery. 

There is a certain “realness” that comes with running outdoors.  There is something about these runs that is on a totally different level than any treadmill run I’ve ever been on. 

I still run on treadmills and they are great for practicing pacing, form, interval, and inclines to a preciseness possibly unattainable while running around a park.  But there is still no comparison to the tree-filled freshness of an outside run.

I read my Bible and find enjoyment, encouragement, and conviction.  I love when God brings me to the passage I needed most on a challenging day.  I love when a pastor gives a message that speaks directly to my heart.  But if I choose to read my Bible in the morning, or listen to a sermon and just store it away in my mental cabinet of “good things to remember,” I never get the “realness” of living the life we are called to as sons and daughters of Christ.

We are called to live lives driven by our faith.  It needs to be a real and constant force that compels our actions, thoughts, and motivations.  In essence, our lives should be like a trail run.  Soak in the goodness of all God has created and put in your life, put into use all that you have learned about God, and be real.  Our Christian walk is supposed to bring us joy (however, we all know we run into times of trial); joy is found in living out the life we are created to live.  Don’t let your walk with Christ be stifled to the 20 minutes it takes you to read through Colossians as you drink your grande nonfat caramel mocha in the morning. 

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." Matthew 7:24

Like treadmill running, those times in the Word are great.  They help train us up as Christians in this world, and bring us closer to God.  But now it’s time to take all that training out into the real world.  Live out your faith.  Let Christ be present in your daily living.  There is no way running in the park would’ve been possible (much less enjoyable) for me if I was out of shape; Christian living would not be possible without creating a firm foundation in my relationship with Christ.

Treadmill runs and park runs go hand in hand for me.  One has helped bring me to the point where I can pace myself, run consistent mileage, and be confident that yes-I can run.  The other has helped me find true enjoyment and fulfillment in my training.  Find fulfillment in your faith- live it out. 

Where's the pork?!

I spent this past Sunday making a ridiculous number of pulled pork sandwiches, each of which was accompanied by a side of coleslaw and Kansas City smoked beans. Just another day of being the “everywoman” at the grocery store. Our store decided to capitalize on a barbeque contest being held in our parking lot by selling pulled pork to the hungry barbeque goers.

Let’s just say things were chaotic at times. There were times we ran out of pork, lemonade, and beans. There were times when we felt we could have used an extra set of hands. There were times when felt like we didn’t have the answers we needed (like the answer to, “where’s the pork?!”).

After the last pulled pork sandwich had been served (which actually required us re-obtaining items from the truck we had already packed up), it was time for clean up. We broke down all the tables and chairs, packed up the U-Haul, made several trips back and forth from the store to the barbeque location, and picked up a seemingly endless amount of trash. There were times when it seemed like the tables were too heavy. There were times when the chairs seemed too numerous. There were times when the trash seemed too gross. There were times when the bins of post-BBQ ash seemed too heavy.

But what I remember most is the laughter. I think my favorite moment of the afternoon was when we were completely out of pork, beans, lemonade, “mojo” sauce, quarters, dimes and pennies. Aside from the fact that customers weren’t exactly peachy about our lack of food items, this was a bonding moment for me and my fellow pulled pork professionals. In these ten minutes of “down time,” we began to laugh. What else was there to do? We couldn’t change the circumstances, we couldn’t magically make pork appear in our chaffing dish, and we couldn’t make the customers refrain from groaning as they stood hungry in line.

We laughed and felt comfort in knowing we were not in this alone. Had I been standing there in front of this massive line by myself, there probably would not have been laughter. More likely, there would have been tears.

The same is true for life, we will run into chaos. Things are not always smooth sailing in the journey of life. I think we can all agree to this from experience. But we should never forget that we are given brothers and sisters in Christ to walk through life with. In fact, we are even called to share in each other’s burdens, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

We all find commonality in the things of life. We often are not equipped to fix each other’s problems, but we are equipped to walk through them together and laugh along the way. Whether it’s a difficult academic year, the loss of a family member, sickness, or even a crazy day at the barbeque, it’s always better together.