It's 12:40 p.m. and I have another hour and a half of "work" to do. In reality, all the work is done (at least until two more classes come and take their exams tomorrow), and I am killing time and staring at an empty classroom. It almost makes me miss having students in here so that I could hear their nonstop chatter and buzzing cell phones (I said ALMOST!).

I told Jeremy last night that I feel like I have missed some important opportunities to tell these students about the Lord. It seems that every year I get so wrapped up in teaching lessons and standards that I forget about the real reason I'm here. Am I excited that all of my students passed their Gateway exams? Of course I am. But is any of that going to matter when Jesus comes back?

Some of my students have been through more in their short life than I will ever see or understand. Some of the are surrounded by drugs, gangs, violence, sex, and everything else imaginable. I'm glad I can say that I taught them something this year, but how much sweeter would it be to see them saved?

Many of these kids are going through life trying everything they can to fill the void in their hearts. Many of them have no idea that there is only ONE way to fill that void. I pray that God will help me to be more bold in sharing His love with them, and that I would always remember what is truly most important in life.

I am amazed every day at the new things Avie is learning. A few weeks ago, she started putting my phone to her ear and saying "Hiiiii." Last week, she figured out that a comb is supposed to somehow go in your hair (although she's still mastering the motor skills for that one). This week, she has learned how to say "more" in sign language. She also tried her hand at applying make-up early one morning as she was watching Mommy.


Amazing, and also humbling. I was reminded (as I watched my eleven-month-old daughter try to figure out how to wear lip gloss) that I have an awesome responsibility. This tiny person is watching every move I make and listening to every word I say. Good, bad, or ugly, my words and my actions will be imprinted in her ever-developing mind. I am reminded of the words to a song many of us learned in childhood, "Oh be careful little eyes what you see..." I am praying that God will help me to be careful what I see, say, and do, so that the little eyes watching me will have a Godly example to follow.

I can't believe our house is finally starting to look like a house! I had almost grown used to thinking of it as just a lot with some concrete blocks. We LOVE the view, and are so excited that you can see out from the kitchen and the master bedroom. We can't wait to finish up and move in!

I thought when my husband and I got engaged that I had never received so much “helpful” advice from so many different people. Little did I know what would happen when we had our first child! Once you become a parent, everyone from family and friends to strangers in Wal-Mart feel the need to share with you the wisdom they have learned along their own journey. The only problem is, very little of it actually comes in the form of useful wisdom. Most of it is passed around as gossip and ends up sounding much more like criticizing than advising.

I believe that, for the most part, parents love their children. I teach in a public school, so I am certainly aware that there are some parents out there who do not have their children’s best interests at heart. Generally speaking, however, I believe that parents want their children to grow up to be happy, successful, well-adjusted people. They go about achieving this goal in many different ways. Some parents are stricter than others, some are more affectionate than others, but each parent has his or her own style. As I begin the journey of parenting my own child, I realize that finding what works best for our family is going to be a long, but rewarding process.

Most importantly, we want our daughter to grow into a godly young woman. We know that the only way that will happen is with God’s help and His leadership. There are so many decisions to make, both large and small, and we need His help with every one. With each day, I want to strive to please HIM, rather than worry about what others around me may say. With that being said, I feel the need to share a bit of my own (very newly developed, of course) parenting philosophy…

- While my daughter is a baby, I plan to hold her as often as I possibly can (for several reasons). I know that one day soon, rather than snuggling up against my shoulder, she is going to be running out of my lap and into the world. She will be little for a very short time, and I want to soak up every moment. After all, I don’t know any parents of grown children who say, “I sure wish I hadn’t held her as much when she was a baby.”

- Babies are supposed to be attached to their parents. Again, different parents form attachments in different ways, but the bottom line is still the same. Most babies would rather be with their parents than with anyone else in the world. This is not a fact to be criticized, but a natural and beautiful part of life.

- Yes, I want my daughter to be independent. I do not, however, believe she should reach that goal anytime in the near future. I believe that it was God’s plan for babies (and children) to depend on their parents, in much the same way we must depend on Him. It is only under the watchful eye of loving parents that children can safely learn to navigate the world on their own (with the help of the Heavenly Father).

- Children can be used of God in amazing ways. Before I had my own daughter, I saw God work through children to reach people who seemed unreachable. I am still amazed at the way God can use such a tiny person to bring such joy to the lives of others. It is my prayer that God will continue to open my eyes as I watch Avie grow. I can only imagine the lessons that are in store as she begins to talk! May I always be found seeking approval from Him.