It's All About the Word!

Hey gang!
    Today the Lord used John 15 to lift me out of a low place.  Mom and I have been memorizing it and the Lord brought it to my mind at the perfect moment.  
     John 15:1-4 states:  "I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bears fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  You are already clean because of the Word I have spoken to you.  Remain in me and I will remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself;  it must remain in the the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."  

Google calls this a blueberry vine...pretty sure it's a bush! haha

      He revealed to me as I spun the verses around in my head that the vine determines the type of branch.  So if Christ is a blueberry vine, then I am a blueberry branch.  Christ knows the twists and curves of my branches and can distinguish me from all the others but to anyone else I am a blueberry branch. They see the vine (Christ) and not me(the measly little branch)!  I don't have to worry about my gifts or what I am talented at.  I am a blueberry branch and that's all that matters.  :)
     Obviously, I cannot express the joy that the Lord gave me in this moment of realization, but the point is... The Word is what we need to fight our battles: not inspirational songs or funny friends.  We need the "sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6)!" So, whether you look at it written in your Bible or you have it tucked away in your heart...He desires to reveal something new to you and give you a weapon with which to fight the enemy.  


Prayer Requests:
1.  Going to training this coming week
             - pray that I would learn all that I need to know
             - build good relationships with those that I will meet and teach with this coming year
2.  That I would remain in the Word of God...no excuses!

Skype Date with my Future Students

"Are you strict?"
"Do you care if we're late?"
"Are you going to make us food?"
"Do you give homework on Fridays?"

These are the questions the kids asked me after formal introductions were made and sense of comfort set in.  All I've gotta say is: kids are the same everywhere.  I love it!  My twelve students are made up of Indonesian and Korean kids.  The class is mostly boys with only a couple girls.  They seem like a lively bunch with some really fun personalities.  They got really excited when I asked them if they liked to sing songs.  I'm so happy that they like to sing because as most of you know,  I love to sing!  I'm excited to see what the Lord does next year during our time together.  I have a feeling that the kids are going to teach me just as much, if not more, than I teach them. I can't wait to see what He does.  :)

Dreaming of Rulers and Notebooks

You know those times when you can't stop thinking about the future. You consciously try to stop yourself from thinking but it's as if your thoughts are rolling down a hill and there is nothing you can do to stop your brain's momentum. Well that is the condition I have found myself in this past week. I cannot get my classroom out of my head. It's soaking up all my brain space! Luckily, this brain momentum has given me some really great ideas! (Thank goodness!)The Lord,however, interrupted my brain momentum this morning with a little reality check. "Many are the plans in a man's heart but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." - Proverbs 19:21. I have so many "great ideas" for what the coming year will be like, but I have no idea what the Lord has planned. I have no idea what my students will need and what work He has decided to do in their lives. So as my brain wonders and wonders and wonders, I realize that only some of it, if any, will come to fruition. Regardless it is fun and exciting to dream of the best ways to motivate my students and challenge them to grow into incredible men and women of God. I do get to meet my students via Skype on Sundy night (Monday morning for them). I am so excited to see their faces and put sreal aces and names to the class I have been thinking about and praying for. Please pray that I will leave the impression that the Lord wants me to leave with them before we meet face to face. I'll hopefully get an idea of things that they enjoy that I can incorporate into my planning this summer. Thanks again for reading. I am so greatful for all the prayers and encouragement!