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!