This weekend will be a full one. We're considering it a Youth Emphasis weekend. Saturday, we'll be having an evangelistic event called Storm. The kids are pretty excited and we are praying for a great night. A team from WOL is coming to help us- and we are so excited! I'm praying we double our numbers for the evening. Everything is coming together- the program, music, prizes, food- I just hope the bananas ripen for banana splits!
Sunday- the day will be full with the team participating in the morning service, a special luncheon and then a youth rally in the evening. We have a band coming in to lead worship and both nights will include a speaker from WOL. I feel confident in our plans- and now just have to rest that God is going to work all things according to His plans. The results are His. We have been faithful to do what He has called us to do and I can trust that the events will run according to His desire.
There is much to do before I head to bed- be in prayer for this weekend. For growth in our kids as they step out of their comfort zones- for salvation in the hearts of the unsaved that attend and for the details to all come together. Pray I don't get so caught up in the "job" that I miss the joy- and the true reason we do what we do.
Love to you all
Elisabeth
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
What a great weekend! The youth leaders went up to WOL for the Annual Leadership Conference. It was an intense time of training and I know we all came home a bit overwhelmed. So much good information and now we have to sift through it all and figure out what to do when. There were a number of answers to prayer while at WOL- good bonding time, new ideas, networking, connection with our STORM ministry team, feedback from churches coming to our youth rally. I was happy to get home- but it was a good time.
Monday night was a great evening! I had the opportunity to fellowship with some local believers at a Bible study not far from my home. I didn't know any of them- and I was encouraged by their passion for Christ and their desire to reach their community for Him. Many testimonies and the message challenged me- I've been convicted lately about my use of time and especially how much time I put into actively studying the Word. It is an area of failure on my part and I know that I need to make a more concerted effort to have a vibrant time meeting with God each day. One speaker this weekend said, "You are only as close to God as you desire to be." That hit me- the depth of my spiritual walk is dependent on me- the time and priority I give it.
I went into work today ready for another day- and by the middle of first period I was not feeling very well. Nausea, brain fog etc... I had to sit down because I was afraid I would puke all over my student's desks. I gave it until the end of the period and then decided that I needed to go home. As I was heading upstairs to speak with my assistant principal, one of my students came in and told me he had just thrown up. It took everything within me to not gag. Then a lady walked by with cookies and that made me want to gag even more. After getting permission to leave and wrapping up my lesson plans- I headed home. I crawled into bed and stayed there until 1:30pm. There is still a queasiness in my stomach which I hope goes away by tomorrow- but otherwise I'm feeling better. I'm sure it is just a 24hr bug. Either way, I have to go into school tomorrow because I have 2 important meetings I have to attend. In the afternoon, I was able to do some reading and prepare for youth group tomorrow night. That was good.
So- with that said- I'm going to head to bed!
Always~
Elisabeth
Monday night was a great evening! I had the opportunity to fellowship with some local believers at a Bible study not far from my home. I didn't know any of them- and I was encouraged by their passion for Christ and their desire to reach their community for Him. Many testimonies and the message challenged me- I've been convicted lately about my use of time and especially how much time I put into actively studying the Word. It is an area of failure on my part and I know that I need to make a more concerted effort to have a vibrant time meeting with God each day. One speaker this weekend said, "You are only as close to God as you desire to be." That hit me- the depth of my spiritual walk is dependent on me- the time and priority I give it.
I went into work today ready for another day- and by the middle of first period I was not feeling very well. Nausea, brain fog etc... I had to sit down because I was afraid I would puke all over my student's desks. I gave it until the end of the period and then decided that I needed to go home. As I was heading upstairs to speak with my assistant principal, one of my students came in and told me he had just thrown up. It took everything within me to not gag. Then a lady walked by with cookies and that made me want to gag even more. After getting permission to leave and wrapping up my lesson plans- I headed home. I crawled into bed and stayed there until 1:30pm. There is still a queasiness in my stomach which I hope goes away by tomorrow- but otherwise I'm feeling better. I'm sure it is just a 24hr bug. Either way, I have to go into school tomorrow because I have 2 important meetings I have to attend. In the afternoon, I was able to do some reading and prepare for youth group tomorrow night. That was good.
So- with that said- I'm going to head to bed!
Always~
Elisabeth
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
100th post
My heart is overflowing.
When we see Jesus so clearly- see God's hand- revel in His majesty, in His goodness- it is hard not to be full to the brim, spilling over.
Last Friday, I had the opportunity to worship in an old New England church, dimly lit by candles and the glow of the overhead machine. Times of absolute stillness and reflection, corporate prayers, scriptures shared, repentance made, concerns lifted to God, acknowledgment of the Greatness and Holiness of God, blasts from the past 80's choruses mixed with modern worship- hearts revealed.
It was truly the most authentic worship experience I have ever been a part of. I was humbled by my lack of worship- my lack of expression. The evening was a step out of the safety of my comfort zone- unraveling the traditions of my past experience, revealing my own insecurities in emotional expression, and exposing my limited view of God. The evening challenged me to rise to a new level of expression and my inability to being truly honest before God. My prayer is that worship would seep into every part of me- be part of every day- not just an experience. But, significant experiences do spur us on and show us what can be, what should be and what is.
I praise God for Monday afternoon- stealing away, forgetting the to-do's that are enclosing me. Sitting with a cup of delicious coffee, gazing across the water at the gorgeous views God has given us. Watching the fat little chipmunk, cheeks full of acorns. Hearing the frogs jump in and out of the water. The warm sun beating down, so warming. The gift of time with someone I'm growing to respect and care for. Pulling back the layers- hearts revealed, weaknesses exposed, accomplishments celebrated, truth shared, smiles, laughter, warmth, time, natural, comfort, real, peace....
When we see Jesus so clearly- see God's hand- revel in His majesty, in His goodness- it is hard not to be full to the brim, spilling over.
Last Friday, I had the opportunity to worship in an old New England church, dimly lit by candles and the glow of the overhead machine. Times of absolute stillness and reflection, corporate prayers, scriptures shared, repentance made, concerns lifted to God, acknowledgment of the Greatness and Holiness of God, blasts from the past 80's choruses mixed with modern worship- hearts revealed.
It was truly the most authentic worship experience I have ever been a part of. I was humbled by my lack of worship- my lack of expression. The evening was a step out of the safety of my comfort zone- unraveling the traditions of my past experience, revealing my own insecurities in emotional expression, and exposing my limited view of God. The evening challenged me to rise to a new level of expression and my inability to being truly honest before God. My prayer is that worship would seep into every part of me- be part of every day- not just an experience. But, significant experiences do spur us on and show us what can be, what should be and what is.
I praise God for Monday afternoon- stealing away, forgetting the to-do's that are enclosing me. Sitting with a cup of delicious coffee, gazing across the water at the gorgeous views God has given us. Watching the fat little chipmunk, cheeks full of acorns. Hearing the frogs jump in and out of the water. The warm sun beating down, so warming. The gift of time with someone I'm growing to respect and care for. Pulling back the layers- hearts revealed, weaknesses exposed, accomplishments celebrated, truth shared, smiles, laughter, warmth, time, natural, comfort, real, peace....
"When I cannot understand My Father's leading,
And it seems to be but hard and cruel fate,
Still I hear the gentle whisper ever pleading,
God is working, God is faithful, ONLY WAIT."
September 24th, Streams in the Desert
Saturday, September 08, 2007
4:30 am comes early!
I decided to turn over a new leaf this year- I will be on time to school everyday! Last year, I'd roll in late and slid into my classroom. Not a good habit- not a good example. Conviction set in and I knew I had to do things differently this year.
So- I've been getting up at 4:30- so that I can leisurely get ready and head out the door at 6am. Ungodly hour! I've been getting to school around 6:30 and it gives me a good half hour before the kids come to get organized. It will be good if I can keep this up- and Katie is a good cheerleader each morning!
The first week went well. There are always scheduling issues, kids getting lost, getting back into Ms. Hamburg's routines- but it worked well. I enjoy the kids on my caseload- which is a blessing. My reading skills kids are so awesome. My crew last year was great and I enjoyed them a lot- I wondered if I could love my new crew as much. The group I have this year are so hilarious, creative and compliant! They do what I tell them to do! It is amazing. Even the kids that push the limits are precious. I am really going to enjoy them.
My schedule is great- and I'm able to get a lot accomplished during the day- which cuts down on the take home. I do need to work at getting my systems down and organization down because I do feel a little discombobulated. Once we got the ball rolling on day one, I was reminded how much I LOVE what I do. I love being in the school- working with the kids- the camaraderie among the staff- my paras. I praise God for that- because that was not the case when I taught social studies. It is amazing how things come together when you are exactly where God wants you to be.
The best quote of the week was from one of my new kids- he said, "My mother and dog are corrupt and trying to steal my soul!"- it was hilarious!
We also started youth group on Wednesday. The night went well- it went smoothly. We had a nice turn out with five new kids. I think the kids are excited about the year- and I'm looking forward to what happens. God is at work!
Went to a great Thai restaurant with Heidi last night- the food was so delicious and the company pleasant. I'm thankful Heidi is home now, and that I get to enjoy her friendship! Today, Bek and I plan to celebrate her passing of the BEST portfolio- this is a huge portfolio CT makes you complete in order to maintain your certification and it is a killer. But she passed! Go Bek! So we're going to celebrate (and go shoe shopping.....yeah!). Had a great conversation with Alicia the other day- so glad that she enjoys her new job! What a blessing for her obedience. I'm thankful for what I can see God doing in my life and in the lives of those I love.
Enjoy the weekend!
Always~ Elisabeth
So- I've been getting up at 4:30- so that I can leisurely get ready and head out the door at 6am. Ungodly hour! I've been getting to school around 6:30 and it gives me a good half hour before the kids come to get organized. It will be good if I can keep this up- and Katie is a good cheerleader each morning!
The first week went well. There are always scheduling issues, kids getting lost, getting back into Ms. Hamburg's routines- but it worked well. I enjoy the kids on my caseload- which is a blessing. My reading skills kids are so awesome. My crew last year was great and I enjoyed them a lot- I wondered if I could love my new crew as much. The group I have this year are so hilarious, creative and compliant! They do what I tell them to do! It is amazing. Even the kids that push the limits are precious. I am really going to enjoy them.
My schedule is great- and I'm able to get a lot accomplished during the day- which cuts down on the take home. I do need to work at getting my systems down and organization down because I do feel a little discombobulated. Once we got the ball rolling on day one, I was reminded how much I LOVE what I do. I love being in the school- working with the kids- the camaraderie among the staff- my paras. I praise God for that- because that was not the case when I taught social studies. It is amazing how things come together when you are exactly where God wants you to be.
The best quote of the week was from one of my new kids- he said, "My mother and dog are corrupt and trying to steal my soul!"- it was hilarious!
We also started youth group on Wednesday. The night went well- it went smoothly. We had a nice turn out with five new kids. I think the kids are excited about the year- and I'm looking forward to what happens. God is at work!
Went to a great Thai restaurant with Heidi last night- the food was so delicious and the company pleasant. I'm thankful Heidi is home now, and that I get to enjoy her friendship! Today, Bek and I plan to celebrate her passing of the BEST portfolio- this is a huge portfolio CT makes you complete in order to maintain your certification and it is a killer. But she passed! Go Bek! So we're going to celebrate (and go shoe shopping.....yeah!). Had a great conversation with Alicia the other day- so glad that she enjoys her new job! What a blessing for her obedience. I'm thankful for what I can see God doing in my life and in the lives of those I love.
Enjoy the weekend!
Always~ Elisabeth
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