Lately I have been overwhelmed with this desire to be a "blogger." I presume that I must think it is the cool thing to do or something. Maybe it is simply that I wish to have some sort of documentation for the things in my life. I have this inkling that one day I would enjoy to look back through something like a blog, and read about the day to day occurances, that at that sweet moment, seemed to be of the utmost importance.
There have been many a day recently when I have truly wanted to sit down and blog, whether it be because of cute things that happened in 2nd grade, or because I was fit to be tied over this, that, or the other.
Tomorrow is Veterans Day. The first thing that Veterans Day implies for me this year is that we are out of school. God bless the public schools and their random vacation days here and there. I believe they are a strong component of the sanity of teachers. Teaching is wonderful, don't get me wrong, but teachers need breaks every now and then. I am thinking every Wednesday would be great for break day, but unfortunately I don't believe that is going to happen.
As a "teacher" I took it as my responsibility to attempt to "teach" my 23 seven year olds this morning about the meaning of Veterans Day. Let's be honest, all tomorrow is to my kids is a day off of school. It means that tonight they can stay up late, spend the night with a friend, watch extra tv, etc. I have to be 100% honest, I am right there with them. I didn't do any school work after school today. I hung out with some friends, went to IV, and now here I am BLOGGING at almost MIDNIGHT! Midnight is unheard of these days in my world. But anyway... there is much more to Veterans Days then these perks which come as benefits to being out of school.
I decided to try to help my angels see why we are out of school tomorrow. The principal gave a nice little speech about it on the announcements at 7:40 this morning, but as I could have figured they weren't listening. When I asked about 20 minutes later what she had said on the announcements about Veterans Day, not a single kid could raise their hand and tell me. (This also, let me tell you, was a preview for how well they would listen for the rest of the day including the time during my formal observation by one of my professors... thanks kids.) At that moment I began wondering how much of what I say to them is going in one ear and out the other?
Well, we went in for the second attempt at explaining Veterans Day. We instigated their prior knowledge, watched a short video clip, and had some discussion about the holiday. Whether or not the kids will think twice about the meaning of Veterans Day tomorrow, I definitely will. Teaching something helps you personally to learn more about a topic and be more aware. I will definitely be thinking twice, or three times, or four times, or more, about the people who have served our country.
I may not start the morning off with the pledge of allegiance, as I do every other morning during the week, but I can safely say I will be more highly aware of the gift I have of living in this country. So many people have fought for our freedom and our safety. What a gift, and what a blessing.
Thank you veterans
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Teaching
What a whirlwind the past month and a half has been for me. It's surely been a rollercoaster of experiences. I can't even begin to tackle all of my emotions on all that has happened.. so for now I am going to focus on the most recent life experience which has been the transition from being a college student, to a full time teacher.
Wake-up time: 5:45
Report to work: 7:00
Leave work: 4:00
Work on school things: All Evening
Pick up food: 6:00
Bed: 10:00 or earlier if possible
This has been a huge transition for me. I spent most of the first week and a half unhappy and miserable, as I really struggled to transition from 18 days of New STudent Orientation to full time teaching. Fact: TEACHING IS HARD. Wow, I had no idea. I like it, and I have 23 sweet little reasons to get up every morning, but it is hard work.By the time I get home in the evening all I want to do is order take-out and sit on the couch. However, there are lessons to plan, papers to grade, events to debrief. I'm beginning to wonder how I am going to do this all day every day forever (or at least the next 4 years). What I really can't fathom is how people ever do this while supporting a family. If I had to come home, cook dinner for a family, take care of children, etc. I think I would loose my mind. Maybe that is why teachers who have the option don't teach while their children are in school. Hats off to my mother who became a first year teacher in the last couple of years while my brother is still at home. At least he is a little older and can support himself in a lot of ways.
Well anyway, my 23 little 2nd grade angels are precious. Chatty, but precious. They have the perfect ability to get under my skin, but then warm my heart just a few moments later. I am truly learning a lot about what life as a teacher will be like in the future and that is what this experience is all about.
I would say that I am anxious about whether or not I will be a good teacher. I like to think I am, but I think as I am beginning to teach these children all the subjects, the pressure to be successful is getting to me. What if I'm not good? What if they don't learn what I'm teaching? That would be awful for them.. but let me be selfish for a minute and say that it would make me feel SO BAD! I think I am going to have to give up my perfectionist attitude for just a little bit, and accept that I will make mistakes and that I just need to wake up every morning and do my best. With the amount of assessments we give these days, I'll know if they aren't learning, and if that is the case, then changes can be made. I think I have effectively rambled about this for long enough now.
Bottom line:I love teaching but it is SO hard, and I'm going to need Someones strength other than my own to get through this.
Wake-up time: 5:45
Report to work: 7:00
Leave work: 4:00
Work on school things: All Evening
Pick up food: 6:00
Bed: 10:00 or earlier if possible
This has been a huge transition for me. I spent most of the first week and a half unhappy and miserable, as I really struggled to transition from 18 days of New STudent Orientation to full time teaching. Fact: TEACHING IS HARD. Wow, I had no idea. I like it, and I have 23 sweet little reasons to get up every morning, but it is hard work.By the time I get home in the evening all I want to do is order take-out and sit on the couch. However, there are lessons to plan, papers to grade, events to debrief. I'm beginning to wonder how I am going to do this all day every day forever (or at least the next 4 years). What I really can't fathom is how people ever do this while supporting a family. If I had to come home, cook dinner for a family, take care of children, etc. I think I would loose my mind. Maybe that is why teachers who have the option don't teach while their children are in school. Hats off to my mother who became a first year teacher in the last couple of years while my brother is still at home. At least he is a little older and can support himself in a lot of ways.
Well anyway, my 23 little 2nd grade angels are precious. Chatty, but precious. They have the perfect ability to get under my skin, but then warm my heart just a few moments later. I am truly learning a lot about what life as a teacher will be like in the future and that is what this experience is all about.
I would say that I am anxious about whether or not I will be a good teacher. I like to think I am, but I think as I am beginning to teach these children all the subjects, the pressure to be successful is getting to me. What if I'm not good? What if they don't learn what I'm teaching? That would be awful for them.. but let me be selfish for a minute and say that it would make me feel SO BAD! I think I am going to have to give up my perfectionist attitude for just a little bit, and accept that I will make mistakes and that I just need to wake up every morning and do my best. With the amount of assessments we give these days, I'll know if they aren't learning, and if that is the case, then changes can be made. I think I have effectively rambled about this for long enough now.
Bottom line:I love teaching but it is SO hard, and I'm going to need Someones strength other than my own to get through this.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
August= Excitement!
August 1-2 Visiting MeMommy in TN. Good quality time with the family :)
August 5- Wet N Wild with the swim team! Not sure how many kids will come, but I know the coaches are all going and we will have a great time being reunited!
August 7-8 BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS! 8/8 is my 21st birthday! YAY Not exactly sure what the plans are yet, because lots of people are going to be gone. I'm thinking maybe celebrating with rooms and jones on the night of the 7th leading up till my birthday. Then on the 8th hopefully seeing as many of my HP Loves as possible. YAY for birthdays.
August 12- August Babies Birthday Celebration at Elon. There are 3 of us celebrating birthdays in August that are all on HS. Walt, Nat and I are all celebrating birthdays between the 8th and the 15th. We go on strict contract beginning the 14th, so we are all going to get together to celebrate on the 12th! YAY for Head Staff reunion!
August 14-August 21 Head Staff Training Begins!!!!!!!!! We got out second HS mailing today and the feeling inside of me right now is amazing. I am so excited to be reunited with these people. Megan, Suzanne, Clay, Emily, Nat, Erika, Brandon, Steve, Stacey, Caitlyn, Sean, Shea, Walt, Becca, Christina and Peter. 16 fabulous peoplem, with more energy than I have ever found in one group of people. This will be one straight week of pure CRAZINESS. It will be one of the most tiring weeks, but also one of the best.
August 22- Orientation Leaders (OL's) ARRIVE! WOOOOOOHOOOOOO :)
August 22-27 OL Training! One AWESOME week with over 100 great great people. I will be leading WEST AREA with Nat! YEAAAA. I lived in West Area my freshman, and sophomore years, then I was an OL in West Area last year, and now I'm a HSer in West! WEST=LOVE.
Best Area- I'm not even biased :)
August 28- MOVE IN DAY 2009!!! 1,300 Freshman will move in to our campus and join our family :)
August 28-31 New Student Orientation! My OL's will go out and "orient" these new students to our school! Lots of fun things throughout such as the pep rally, Carbon Leaf Concert, Catch the Fire, Extravaganza, Etc :)
August 31- Student Teaching Orientation! (Sad that I have to miss some time with my NSO family, but it will be exciting to begin talking about the logistics of student teaching!)
September 1- (I know.. it's not in August) STUDENT TEACHING BEGINS! Let's talk about crazy. I can not fathom jumping from 2 weeks of orientation, and going straight into Student Teaching. I know for a fact I won't have my voice. So it will be great introducing myself to the second graders with no voice :) Oh well!
Well doesn't that sound like one awesome month!? I love my life :)
August 5- Wet N Wild with the swim team! Not sure how many kids will come, but I know the coaches are all going and we will have a great time being reunited!
August 7-8 BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS! 8/8 is my 21st birthday! YAY Not exactly sure what the plans are yet, because lots of people are going to be gone. I'm thinking maybe celebrating with rooms and jones on the night of the 7th leading up till my birthday. Then on the 8th hopefully seeing as many of my HP Loves as possible. YAY for birthdays.
August 12- August Babies Birthday Celebration at Elon. There are 3 of us celebrating birthdays in August that are all on HS. Walt, Nat and I are all celebrating birthdays between the 8th and the 15th. We go on strict contract beginning the 14th, so we are all going to get together to celebrate on the 12th! YAY for Head Staff reunion!
August 14-August 21 Head Staff Training Begins!!!!!!!!! We got out second HS mailing today and the feeling inside of me right now is amazing. I am so excited to be reunited with these people. Megan, Suzanne, Clay, Emily, Nat, Erika, Brandon, Steve, Stacey, Caitlyn, Sean, Shea, Walt, Becca, Christina and Peter. 16 fabulous peoplem, with more energy than I have ever found in one group of people. This will be one straight week of pure CRAZINESS. It will be one of the most tiring weeks, but also one of the best.
August 22- Orientation Leaders (OL's) ARRIVE! WOOOOOOHOOOOOO :)
August 22-27 OL Training! One AWESOME week with over 100 great great people. I will be leading WEST AREA with Nat! YEAAAA. I lived in West Area my freshman, and sophomore years, then I was an OL in West Area last year, and now I'm a HSer in West! WEST=LOVE.
Best Area- I'm not even biased :)
August 28- MOVE IN DAY 2009!!! 1,300 Freshman will move in to our campus and join our family :)
August 28-31 New Student Orientation! My OL's will go out and "orient" these new students to our school! Lots of fun things throughout such as the pep rally, Carbon Leaf Concert, Catch the Fire, Extravaganza, Etc :)
August 31- Student Teaching Orientation! (Sad that I have to miss some time with my NSO family, but it will be exciting to begin talking about the logistics of student teaching!)
September 1- (I know.. it's not in August) STUDENT TEACHING BEGINS! Let's talk about crazy. I can not fathom jumping from 2 weeks of orientation, and going straight into Student Teaching. I know for a fact I won't have my voice. So it will be great introducing myself to the second graders with no voice :) Oh well!
Well doesn't that sound like one awesome month!? I love my life :)
Monday, July 27, 2009
Virginia Beach
Friday my Dad, brother, and I traveled to VA Beach for Greg to play in a national soccer championship tournament!
My Mom was half right in saying that my motivation for coming along on this trip was the opportunity to eat out for almost every meal! Eating out always has been, and always will be, one of my favorite things to do! 2
Regardless of the reasons behind my desire to come, we set out on Friday to journey to VA Beach. Greg and I spent a lot of time arguing with each other to begin with, but finally things began to calm down. We ate at Subway, and settled into our hotel.
Saturday morning was the first game, 9:00. The boys won 2-1 :) YAY We needed to win 2 of the 3 games to make it to the championship. We spent some time at lunch with the team, and then headed back to watch the '92 team play. This is Greg's old team, so it was nice to cheer on all his best buddies. Later that evening we went to Loganns for dinner (another one of my favorites)
Sunday morning we had another game at 9:00. The boys lost 2-1. We should have tied 1-1, but the ref made a bad call giving the other team a Penalty Kick, which ultimately decided the outcome of the game. It was a hard loss, but this team had won their game on Saturday 5-1, so holding them 2-1 (when it should have been 1-1) was quite an accomplishment. After the game we headed to the beach with some of Greg's friends for a couple of hours. After a few relaxing hours away, we returned and headed to dinner with the team at the mall. The boys ate in the food court and the parents ( and me and the coaches little girl Ryann ) ate at Chilis.
Sweet moment- So My Dad, another dad and myself were all on the elevator with this sweet little boy. My Dad being the overly chatty man that he is struck up a conversation with this little boy. The little boys eyes got real big and he quickly began shaking his head no. I realized he wasn't going to answer my Dad, so I said " Dad, he isn't going to talk to you because you are a stranger." The little boy then began quickly shaking his head yes. It was clear that he had been instructed not to talk to anyone on his elevator ride. My DAD continued talking and explained to the young man that I was a teacher so I was safe to talk to. I told him that I was going to be teaching 2nd grade in the fall. He sweetly put his index finger up in front of his face and I asked him if he was going to be in 1st grade, to which he quickly nodded his head yes. It was a precious moment, with a precious little boy. Made me smile :) A nice change from the 15 year old boys I am surrounded by at this tournament!
Today we got to sleep in because our game wasn't until 12:30. We won today 3-1! YAY we are in the national championship tomorrow! The game today was nasty though. The other team received two red cards, after both boys (at various times) cussed at the ref and dropped the "F" word multiple times. The way they were acting was really embarassing. The boys kept their composure really well though, and I was proud of the way they acted. In one of my children ever acted the way those 2 did today, I would have kicked them off the fields myself. Seriously. I wonder what their parents were thinking. Back to Ruby Tuesday's we went again. Since then I went running, showered, and spent some time packing.
I think I will spend the next 2 hours watching the Bachelorette. Lights out, which is determined by the coach, is 9:45 tonight because the boys have to be at breakfast at 5:45 in the morning. ICK. The championship game is at 8:00! Let's go Jammers!!
My Mom was half right in saying that my motivation for coming along on this trip was the opportunity to eat out for almost every meal! Eating out always has been, and always will be, one of my favorite things to do! 2
Regardless of the reasons behind my desire to come, we set out on Friday to journey to VA Beach. Greg and I spent a lot of time arguing with each other to begin with, but finally things began to calm down. We ate at Subway, and settled into our hotel.
Saturday morning was the first game, 9:00. The boys won 2-1 :) YAY We needed to win 2 of the 3 games to make it to the championship. We spent some time at lunch with the team, and then headed back to watch the '92 team play. This is Greg's old team, so it was nice to cheer on all his best buddies. Later that evening we went to Loganns for dinner (another one of my favorites)
Sunday morning we had another game at 9:00. The boys lost 2-1. We should have tied 1-1, but the ref made a bad call giving the other team a Penalty Kick, which ultimately decided the outcome of the game. It was a hard loss, but this team had won their game on Saturday 5-1, so holding them 2-1 (when it should have been 1-1) was quite an accomplishment. After the game we headed to the beach with some of Greg's friends for a couple of hours. After a few relaxing hours away, we returned and headed to dinner with the team at the mall. The boys ate in the food court and the parents ( and me and the coaches little girl Ryann ) ate at Chilis.
Sweet moment- So My Dad, another dad and myself were all on the elevator with this sweet little boy. My Dad being the overly chatty man that he is struck up a conversation with this little boy. The little boys eyes got real big and he quickly began shaking his head no. I realized he wasn't going to answer my Dad, so I said " Dad, he isn't going to talk to you because you are a stranger." The little boy then began quickly shaking his head yes. It was clear that he had been instructed not to talk to anyone on his elevator ride. My DAD continued talking and explained to the young man that I was a teacher so I was safe to talk to. I told him that I was going to be teaching 2nd grade in the fall. He sweetly put his index finger up in front of his face and I asked him if he was going to be in 1st grade, to which he quickly nodded his head yes. It was a precious moment, with a precious little boy. Made me smile :) A nice change from the 15 year old boys I am surrounded by at this tournament!
Today we got to sleep in because our game wasn't until 12:30. We won today 3-1! YAY we are in the national championship tomorrow! The game today was nasty though. The other team received two red cards, after both boys (at various times) cussed at the ref and dropped the "F" word multiple times. The way they were acting was really embarassing. The boys kept their composure really well though, and I was proud of the way they acted. In one of my children ever acted the way those 2 did today, I would have kicked them off the fields myself. Seriously. I wonder what their parents were thinking. Back to Ruby Tuesday's we went again. Since then I went running, showered, and spent some time packing.
I think I will spend the next 2 hours watching the Bachelorette. Lights out, which is determined by the coach, is 9:45 tonight because the boys have to be at breakfast at 5:45 in the morning. ICK. The championship game is at 8:00! Let's go Jammers!!
Waves
Lesson Learned: When the waves of life come to knock you down.. let God hold you and be still.
- Yesterday we took a few hours to visit the beach. Even though we are going to have been in VA Beach for 5 days, I think those two hours might have been our sole visit to actually see the ocean. The boys were jumping waves, and Dad was sitting in his chair. I was peacefully standing with the waves crashing around my knees watching the hundreds of people around. Two people quickly caught my eye. This father and his young daughter. She was clearly terrified of the waves, so everytime they would come, he would pick her up. Sometimes she would kick and scream while in the air, and other times she would be peaceful and just let her Daddy hold her. I thought that this was the perfect illustration of our relationship with God and how he can hold us through the waves of life. When troubles come, God will hold us. How we react while he is holding is our choice. We can choose to be peaceful and rest in his arms, or we can kick and scream even though he has us wrapped safely in his arms.
As I was sitting down and began to think about this, I was reminded of one of my favorite songs that we sing at IV...
"Save me Oh God- for the waters.. have come up to my neck. I am sinking to the bottom, where I can not stand. I am calling to You, can You hear my cry?! Oh my God, You turned your eyes, now my heart has come alive. Only You have come to find me. Only You have come to pull me out. Only You have come to save me. Only You have come to wrap Your arms around me. And no one, has ever loved me, like the way You love me... wrap your arms around me. NO ONE has ever loved me like the way you love me.. wrap your arms around me."
God is so good.
- Yesterday we took a few hours to visit the beach. Even though we are going to have been in VA Beach for 5 days, I think those two hours might have been our sole visit to actually see the ocean. The boys were jumping waves, and Dad was sitting in his chair. I was peacefully standing with the waves crashing around my knees watching the hundreds of people around. Two people quickly caught my eye. This father and his young daughter. She was clearly terrified of the waves, so everytime they would come, he would pick her up. Sometimes she would kick and scream while in the air, and other times she would be peaceful and just let her Daddy hold her. I thought that this was the perfect illustration of our relationship with God and how he can hold us through the waves of life. When troubles come, God will hold us. How we react while he is holding is our choice. We can choose to be peaceful and rest in his arms, or we can kick and scream even though he has us wrapped safely in his arms.
As I was sitting down and began to think about this, I was reminded of one of my favorite songs that we sing at IV...
"Save me Oh God- for the waters.. have come up to my neck. I am sinking to the bottom, where I can not stand. I am calling to You, can You hear my cry?! Oh my God, You turned your eyes, now my heart has come alive. Only You have come to find me. Only You have come to pull me out. Only You have come to save me. Only You have come to wrap Your arms around me. And no one, has ever loved me, like the way You love me... wrap your arms around me. NO ONE has ever loved me like the way you love me.. wrap your arms around me."
God is so good.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
HP V. Greensboro
After much contemplation and hearing many MANY opinions from parents over the course of the summer, I believe that CSA is where we need to stay. Anyone who says it is not the place for us to be based on our competition level wasn't paying attention at city meet . Yes we did not win any of our dual meets, but this is simply because we were swimming the hardest teams in the league. We came in 6th at the city meet and this was wonderful.
Also, the meets in this league are more exciting. The kids never know if we are going to win or not, and they have to work harder in order to win. The excitement levels at the meets now are about 100 times higher than they were in the high point league when we always knew we were going to win. I went to a High Point league meet last night and honestly it felt boring, compared to the meets we have now. If we moved back to the HP league, I'm not sure I would want to coach again. I have heard that from multiple others as well.
I honestly believe it would look like we are leaving simply because we aren't winning, and how does that look to the community and what is that teaching our kids? Some of the complaints I have heard is that kids aren't able to win in this league. "Well my kid used to get medals and now they won't" I believe that swimming is becoming more and more popular, and therefore more and more kids are swimming year round. You have to remember there are year round kids swimming in the HP league too. If you watched the meet I saw last night at Sports Center, the year round kids were the ones winning there as well. It's a fact of life. Year round kids are going to swim faster than non-year round kids.
Another thing I hear is that the kids don't see their friends at meets. Okay this one is maybe the most valid thing I hear, but in my opinion, why can't the kids hang out with the kids on their team? We have close to 150 swimmers on our team for the kids to have fun with at the meets.
Believe me when I say that I don't want to down play anyone's concerns. Everyone's opinions are valid, and deserve a chance to be heard. I honestly think people have found reasons to be upset, as they were unhappy not to be included in the decision to change leagues. I hear these people loud and clear and understand why they are upset that they were not consulted. I do strongly believe though that the ones who made the decision had the best interest of the team at the core of the decision. Their intent was not to stir things up and make people angry.
Change is always going to be hard, and often met with resistance, but I don't think that going back is the right decision for our team. Do we really want to go back to a league where we dominate all of the time? Always win? I personally don't. As hard as it was for me as a coach to loose so many meets, I would seriously take that over winning all of them by a huge margin.
I don't know how this decision is going to be made, but I do know that it should be focused on the kids, NOT the parents. I would love to get all the kids in a room together, and ask them THEIR opinions. Please believe me when I say that the kids have been having fun this summer. ASK THEM! Swimming, bowling, Putt Putt, Swim for Cancer, Skating, and meets = Fun. Were there problems? Absolutely. No team/coaching staff/leadership is perfect and I look forward to some constructive feed back on how to make things better next season if I return. However, I do think the kids had a great summer, and THEY are the reason we do this.
Please keep them in mind amidst the drama which this has become.
Also, the meets in this league are more exciting. The kids never know if we are going to win or not, and they have to work harder in order to win. The excitement levels at the meets now are about 100 times higher than they were in the high point league when we always knew we were going to win. I went to a High Point league meet last night and honestly it felt boring, compared to the meets we have now. If we moved back to the HP league, I'm not sure I would want to coach again. I have heard that from multiple others as well.
I honestly believe it would look like we are leaving simply because we aren't winning, and how does that look to the community and what is that teaching our kids? Some of the complaints I have heard is that kids aren't able to win in this league. "Well my kid used to get medals and now they won't" I believe that swimming is becoming more and more popular, and therefore more and more kids are swimming year round. You have to remember there are year round kids swimming in the HP league too. If you watched the meet I saw last night at Sports Center, the year round kids were the ones winning there as well. It's a fact of life. Year round kids are going to swim faster than non-year round kids.
Another thing I hear is that the kids don't see their friends at meets. Okay this one is maybe the most valid thing I hear, but in my opinion, why can't the kids hang out with the kids on their team? We have close to 150 swimmers on our team for the kids to have fun with at the meets.
Believe me when I say that I don't want to down play anyone's concerns. Everyone's opinions are valid, and deserve a chance to be heard. I honestly think people have found reasons to be upset, as they were unhappy not to be included in the decision to change leagues. I hear these people loud and clear and understand why they are upset that they were not consulted. I do strongly believe though that the ones who made the decision had the best interest of the team at the core of the decision. Their intent was not to stir things up and make people angry.
Change is always going to be hard, and often met with resistance, but I don't think that going back is the right decision for our team. Do we really want to go back to a league where we dominate all of the time? Always win? I personally don't. As hard as it was for me as a coach to loose so many meets, I would seriously take that over winning all of them by a huge margin.
I don't know how this decision is going to be made, but I do know that it should be focused on the kids, NOT the parents. I would love to get all the kids in a room together, and ask them THEIR opinions. Please believe me when I say that the kids have been having fun this summer. ASK THEM! Swimming, bowling, Putt Putt, Swim for Cancer, Skating, and meets = Fun. Were there problems? Absolutely. No team/coaching staff/leadership is perfect and I look forward to some constructive feed back on how to make things better next season if I return. However, I do think the kids had a great summer, and THEY are the reason we do this.
Please keep them in mind amidst the drama which this has become.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Set the World on Fire
I wanna set the world on fire
Until it`s burning bright for You
It`s everything that I desire
Can I be the one You use?
I, I am small butYou, You are big enough
I, I am weak butYou, You are strong enough to
Take my dreams Come and give them wings
Lord with You There`s nothing I can not do
Nothing I cannot do
I wanna feed the hungry children
And reach across the farthest land
And tell the broken there is healing
And mercy in the Father`s hands
I, I am small but You, You are big enouch
I, I am weak but You, You are strong enough to
Take my dreams, Come and give them wings
Lord with you There's nothing I can not do
My hands my feet My everything
My life, my love, Lord, use me
I wanna set the world on fire
Wanna set the world on fire, yeah
I`m gonna set the world on fire
Set the world on fire
Britt Nicole
Until it`s burning bright for You
It`s everything that I desire
Can I be the one You use?
I, I am small butYou, You are big enough
I, I am weak butYou, You are strong enough to
Take my dreams Come and give them wings
Lord with You There`s nothing I can not do
Nothing I cannot do
I wanna feed the hungry children
And reach across the farthest land
And tell the broken there is healing
And mercy in the Father`s hands
I, I am small but You, You are big enouch
I, I am weak but You, You are strong enough to
Take my dreams, Come and give them wings
Lord with you There's nothing I can not do
My hands my feet My everything
My life, my love, Lord, use me
I wanna set the world on fire
Wanna set the world on fire, yeah
I`m gonna set the world on fire
Set the world on fire
Britt Nicole
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Pre-Date Thoughts
With the exception of a few boys along the way, I can basically say that I have been single for my entire life.
8th grade: Dated Chase for maybe 2 weeks?
10th grade: First kiss with a boy at the pool where I was working.
12th grade: Dated Chase again for a couple of months
Sophomore Year of College: "Talked" with Josh for 6 months or so.
That's basically my love life in its complete form. Add in kissing two boys at random times and it's complete. What this doesn't recap.. are the two boys I would say I have ever been smitten with. Two boys that rarely seemed interested in me.
Here I am, the night before what is going to be my first date in a very long time. To say I am nervous would be an understatement..
All through high school..I was insecure because of my group of 5 girl friends.. I was the only one consistently without a boyfriend. The late night conversations that revolved around boys, left me feeling insecure about myself. These insecurities led me to internalize why I didn't have a boyfriend. I believe these insecurities have haunted me for much of the past 6 years or more. For many years I believed I HAD to have a boyfriend in order to feel good about myself. Yet I didn't... so what was wrong with me? Was it how I looked? Was it my personality? Was it my weight? Was it my beliefs? WHAT?!
Well.. just about the time I finally became okay with being single (this past year), a nice young man has come along. This is what people have always said. The second you become okay with yourself and with God.. he will put a man in your life. I'm still not sure I'm okay with myself, but regardless, there is a man lingering around my life these days.
We've only interacted in person a few brief times, but we have been talking regularly via texting and the internet for a couple of weeks now. We're going to dinner tomorrow. Most girls, as Brooke so lovingly pointed out to me today, would be thrilled about what is going on right now. An attractive young man asked me out on a date. What is not to be excited about?
Yet for some reason, this topic of dating just brings me to think about my insecurities, which are rooted deep within who I am as a person. I just struggle with why this guy would like ME. In my eyes it doesn't make sense. Sweet Mindy gave me a motivational speech the other day explaining why he would, but it's still hard for me to believe. I heard a song on K-Love the other day and the lyrics said something to the effect of "Don't fight these hands that are holding you..." I have to believe that God is holding me, and I need to stop fighting, and just let things happen. Maybe this guy isn't the one for me.. but I'm not expected to know that at this moment. I just need to give him a shot, get to know him, trust God to hold me, and see what happens.
Now that doesn't seem too hard... Or does it??
Another random thought... going off of the topic of dating, but still loosely connected to my fears and insecurities...
At a moment of weakness the other day I bought the book "Skinny Bitch". My roommate, and best friend, knowing my weaknesses and my struggles has always told me that reading that book would be bad for my mental health. Well after hearing two of my other friends talk about it for so long, I just had to know what all the talk was about. I began reading it last week, and finally last night decided that it wasn't a book I needed to be reading. I don't need to be reading that I'm a whimp or a "pussy" for eating meet, and dairy products, and DIET COKE, my favorite addiction.
If I can't figure out how to eat healthy on my own.. it's going to have to be through some book other than this one. I would never recommend it to anyone. The authors are mean, and make people feel bad about themselves.
I don't know why I decided to write about this.. I guess because the book is staring at me on my bedside table. It annoys me that the book was a #1 New York Times Bestseller. That means lots of girls like me.. are reading it.. and probably feeling bad about themselves. Just what women need these days. More things to make them feel bad about their bodies.
While we are on the topic of food? Is it bad that I am already thinking about what I am going to eat at dinner tomorrow? I think we are going to Liberty. Funny story, that's one of the only places I ever went out with Chase, the boyfriend from high school. I don't like salad.. so I'm not eating that. Don't want to eat anything too expensive. Don't want to eat anything that makes me look like a fatty. Don't want to eat anything that's too messy. What do I eat?
All the thoughts running through my head about tomorrow... food. conversation. outfit. after dinner plans. EVERYTHING.
I just need to listen to Mindy, " Laura... it's just dinner"
8th grade: Dated Chase for maybe 2 weeks?
10th grade: First kiss with a boy at the pool where I was working.
12th grade: Dated Chase again for a couple of months
Sophomore Year of College: "Talked" with Josh for 6 months or so.
That's basically my love life in its complete form. Add in kissing two boys at random times and it's complete. What this doesn't recap.. are the two boys I would say I have ever been smitten with. Two boys that rarely seemed interested in me.
Here I am, the night before what is going to be my first date in a very long time. To say I am nervous would be an understatement..
All through high school..I was insecure because of my group of 5 girl friends.. I was the only one consistently without a boyfriend. The late night conversations that revolved around boys, left me feeling insecure about myself. These insecurities led me to internalize why I didn't have a boyfriend. I believe these insecurities have haunted me for much of the past 6 years or more. For many years I believed I HAD to have a boyfriend in order to feel good about myself. Yet I didn't... so what was wrong with me? Was it how I looked? Was it my personality? Was it my weight? Was it my beliefs? WHAT?!
Well.. just about the time I finally became okay with being single (this past year), a nice young man has come along. This is what people have always said. The second you become okay with yourself and with God.. he will put a man in your life. I'm still not sure I'm okay with myself, but regardless, there is a man lingering around my life these days.
We've only interacted in person a few brief times, but we have been talking regularly via texting and the internet for a couple of weeks now. We're going to dinner tomorrow. Most girls, as Brooke so lovingly pointed out to me today, would be thrilled about what is going on right now. An attractive young man asked me out on a date. What is not to be excited about?
Yet for some reason, this topic of dating just brings me to think about my insecurities, which are rooted deep within who I am as a person. I just struggle with why this guy would like ME. In my eyes it doesn't make sense. Sweet Mindy gave me a motivational speech the other day explaining why he would, but it's still hard for me to believe. I heard a song on K-Love the other day and the lyrics said something to the effect of "Don't fight these hands that are holding you..." I have to believe that God is holding me, and I need to stop fighting, and just let things happen. Maybe this guy isn't the one for me.. but I'm not expected to know that at this moment. I just need to give him a shot, get to know him, trust God to hold me, and see what happens.
Now that doesn't seem too hard... Or does it??
Another random thought... going off of the topic of dating, but still loosely connected to my fears and insecurities...
At a moment of weakness the other day I bought the book "Skinny Bitch". My roommate, and best friend, knowing my weaknesses and my struggles has always told me that reading that book would be bad for my mental health. Well after hearing two of my other friends talk about it for so long, I just had to know what all the talk was about. I began reading it last week, and finally last night decided that it wasn't a book I needed to be reading. I don't need to be reading that I'm a whimp or a "pussy" for eating meet, and dairy products, and DIET COKE, my favorite addiction.
If I can't figure out how to eat healthy on my own.. it's going to have to be through some book other than this one. I would never recommend it to anyone. The authors are mean, and make people feel bad about themselves.
I don't know why I decided to write about this.. I guess because the book is staring at me on my bedside table. It annoys me that the book was a #1 New York Times Bestseller. That means lots of girls like me.. are reading it.. and probably feeling bad about themselves. Just what women need these days. More things to make them feel bad about their bodies.
While we are on the topic of food? Is it bad that I am already thinking about what I am going to eat at dinner tomorrow? I think we are going to Liberty. Funny story, that's one of the only places I ever went out with Chase, the boyfriend from high school. I don't like salad.. so I'm not eating that. Don't want to eat anything too expensive. Don't want to eat anything that makes me look like a fatty. Don't want to eat anything that's too messy. What do I eat?
All the thoughts running through my head about tomorrow... food. conversation. outfit. after dinner plans. EVERYTHING.
I just need to listen to Mindy, " Laura... it's just dinner"
Sunday, July 12, 2009
City Meet 2009
Can someone explain to me why it's 10:50 on the Sunday night after city meet, and I am still up writing on the computer?
I think it's because I know that once I go to bed... swim team is really going to be over for 2009. I am tempted to say that this summer has been my favorite one so far as a swim coach and this summer was year # 6.
Why was this summer any better than number 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5? I'm not quite sure. I think for the first time I truly began to feel confident in what I was doing. I was able (eventually) to run the computer successfully, and manage the various aspects of the team, without needing too much help from others.
Secondly, I began to realize how much I have learned from the sport as a swimmer and as a coach. As a swimmer I learned lessons on dedication, determination, and motivation. These lessons were just amongst the many that I learned during my 10 or so years of year round swimming. As a coach I have begun to learn how to effectively work with children and parents, which is a skill in the long run I am going to need to master.
I have become very attached to the kids on my elks team. Many of these kids I have known since I was a swimmer there about ten years ago. For the rest of them, this is now my 4th summer with them, and I have realized how much I truly care for these kids. I want them to be successful in and out of the water. I want to do all in my power to be a positive influence in their life.
The coaches this summer have been amazing to work with. Chris, Taylor, Morgan, Mindy, Brooke, Aaron, and Lauren (In order from oldest to youngest) have brightened my summer. With all of my High School friends being away this summer, I was so concerned about being lonely. These 7 people have kept me laughing, and have been there for me as I've gotten frustrated, sad, angry, lonely, confused, happy, excited, nervous.. etc. These 7 have been my support system and for them I am forever greatful.
We just completed our season last night. We had 3 full days of swimming, and at the end of it all we got 8th at the shark meet, and 6th at the championship meet. After loosing all 5 of our dual meets, this was a much needed boost of encouragement. Mindy and Brooke spent the entire week with me as we prepared for and then had the city meet. My parents were at the beach and having them with me kept me sane. At city meet there were tears over bad races, cheers over good ones, and anxiety as kids dove in the water. Not to mention there was a HORRIBLE thunder storm which we waited out under our huge tent with metal posts. It was a memory the kids will probably have for a long time.
A few highlights from this week/meet.
1. Having my house turned into the Elks Swim Team Head Quarters (Ethan, Aaron, Lauren, Morgan and I finishing meet stuff from Hamilton Lakes, working on ribbons, creating posters for city meet, etc)
2. Sleepovers with Mindy, Brooke, and Maddie ALL week long.
3. LADIES its 5:40!!
4. The PARADE! Our theme was Peace, Love, and Swimming. The kids were all dressed like hippies and we had this awesome hippie bus that we carried in front.
5. Caitlin breaking the 13-14 50 Breast Stroke Record when she just turned 13 last week!
6. Relays medaling.
7. Cheering as loud and as passionately as possible.
8. Getting 6th place over all.
9. Peyton- "Coach Laura... I accidentaly put a dollar in a CIGARETTE machine"
10. Seeing Alexa ( a girl from my old team ) talking to her for a while, and then having her walk away and explain to her friend that I was her "old coach"
As I'm sitting here.. exhausted and without a voice.. I am truly sad it is over. I will absolutely say that there have been MANY stressful moments this summer, and even a few where I wished I wasn't doing this again, but the good moments outweigh the bad by 100%. I am going to miss so many things. I am going to miss opening the pool every morning between 8:30 and 8:40 with Brooke. I am going to miss driving to swim meets with Aaron in the car driving me CRAZY, but loving every second of it. I am going to miss Taylor and his hilarious ways of coaching children, and his demonstration of activating your core in a flip turn. I am going to miss planning with Morgan for our swim for cancer event, which was the most successful we have ever had. I am going to miss long chats with Mindy when I'm frustrated beyond belief. I am going to miss all the moments with my apprentice Lauren including lasagna making, shopping, boy talk, etc. I am beyond a doubt going to miss the hours of laughing that I can give all credit to my co-head coach Chris. That boy has the ability to make me laugh like no one else. Staying up till all hours of the night working on swim team stuff is only fun when Chris is there to keep me smiling. I am going to miss little Lea walking into the pool and saying "Hi Coach Laura" with her sweet little voice that can't quite pronounce Laura correctly. I am going to miss the parents who encourage me, and the parents that have taught me lessons about life in positive and negative ways. All in all, I'm going to miss the people. I'm already planning an Elks Swim Team Christmas party so that I can be reunited with all of these people again before next June.
In case you haven't caught me drift yet, I am going to miss summer swimming at the Elks. Luckily I think I will get to see my coaches tomorrow to work on awards, and then again next Sunday at the banquet. I think this post will do me good in the long run. Next summer, when I'm worried that coaching the team will be too stressful, hopefully I can return to this post and remember what a special place this team holds in my heart.
I think it's because I know that once I go to bed... swim team is really going to be over for 2009. I am tempted to say that this summer has been my favorite one so far as a swim coach and this summer was year # 6.
Why was this summer any better than number 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5? I'm not quite sure. I think for the first time I truly began to feel confident in what I was doing. I was able (eventually) to run the computer successfully, and manage the various aspects of the team, without needing too much help from others.
Secondly, I began to realize how much I have learned from the sport as a swimmer and as a coach. As a swimmer I learned lessons on dedication, determination, and motivation. These lessons were just amongst the many that I learned during my 10 or so years of year round swimming. As a coach I have begun to learn how to effectively work with children and parents, which is a skill in the long run I am going to need to master.
I have become very attached to the kids on my elks team. Many of these kids I have known since I was a swimmer there about ten years ago. For the rest of them, this is now my 4th summer with them, and I have realized how much I truly care for these kids. I want them to be successful in and out of the water. I want to do all in my power to be a positive influence in their life.
The coaches this summer have been amazing to work with. Chris, Taylor, Morgan, Mindy, Brooke, Aaron, and Lauren (In order from oldest to youngest) have brightened my summer. With all of my High School friends being away this summer, I was so concerned about being lonely. These 7 people have kept me laughing, and have been there for me as I've gotten frustrated, sad, angry, lonely, confused, happy, excited, nervous.. etc. These 7 have been my support system and for them I am forever greatful.
We just completed our season last night. We had 3 full days of swimming, and at the end of it all we got 8th at the shark meet, and 6th at the championship meet. After loosing all 5 of our dual meets, this was a much needed boost of encouragement. Mindy and Brooke spent the entire week with me as we prepared for and then had the city meet. My parents were at the beach and having them with me kept me sane. At city meet there were tears over bad races, cheers over good ones, and anxiety as kids dove in the water. Not to mention there was a HORRIBLE thunder storm which we waited out under our huge tent with metal posts. It was a memory the kids will probably have for a long time.
A few highlights from this week/meet.
1. Having my house turned into the Elks Swim Team Head Quarters (Ethan, Aaron, Lauren, Morgan and I finishing meet stuff from Hamilton Lakes, working on ribbons, creating posters for city meet, etc)
2. Sleepovers with Mindy, Brooke, and Maddie ALL week long.
3. LADIES its 5:40!!
4. The PARADE! Our theme was Peace, Love, and Swimming. The kids were all dressed like hippies and we had this awesome hippie bus that we carried in front.
5. Caitlin breaking the 13-14 50 Breast Stroke Record when she just turned 13 last week!
6. Relays medaling.
7. Cheering as loud and as passionately as possible.
8. Getting 6th place over all.
9. Peyton- "Coach Laura... I accidentaly put a dollar in a CIGARETTE machine"
10. Seeing Alexa ( a girl from my old team ) talking to her for a while, and then having her walk away and explain to her friend that I was her "old coach"
As I'm sitting here.. exhausted and without a voice.. I am truly sad it is over. I will absolutely say that there have been MANY stressful moments this summer, and even a few where I wished I wasn't doing this again, but the good moments outweigh the bad by 100%. I am going to miss so many things. I am going to miss opening the pool every morning between 8:30 and 8:40 with Brooke. I am going to miss driving to swim meets with Aaron in the car driving me CRAZY, but loving every second of it. I am going to miss Taylor and his hilarious ways of coaching children, and his demonstration of activating your core in a flip turn. I am going to miss planning with Morgan for our swim for cancer event, which was the most successful we have ever had. I am going to miss long chats with Mindy when I'm frustrated beyond belief. I am going to miss all the moments with my apprentice Lauren including lasagna making, shopping, boy talk, etc. I am beyond a doubt going to miss the hours of laughing that I can give all credit to my co-head coach Chris. That boy has the ability to make me laugh like no one else. Staying up till all hours of the night working on swim team stuff is only fun when Chris is there to keep me smiling. I am going to miss little Lea walking into the pool and saying "Hi Coach Laura" with her sweet little voice that can't quite pronounce Laura correctly. I am going to miss the parents who encourage me, and the parents that have taught me lessons about life in positive and negative ways. All in all, I'm going to miss the people. I'm already planning an Elks Swim Team Christmas party so that I can be reunited with all of these people again before next June.
In case you haven't caught me drift yet, I am going to miss summer swimming at the Elks. Luckily I think I will get to see my coaches tomorrow to work on awards, and then again next Sunday at the banquet. I think this post will do me good in the long run. Next summer, when I'm worried that coaching the team will be too stressful, hopefully I can return to this post and remember what a special place this team holds in my heart.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Let the Whole world know that today is a day of reckoning
"Let the weak be strong... let the right be wrong.. roll the stone away... let the guilty play... its independence day!"
I have listened to this song by Martina McBride on repeat all day long. Happy 4th of July.
So last night after Rachel and I talked about having our faith be a part of our lives. I woke up this morning and acted horribly towards my parents. I was in a bad mood b/c I was totally anxious about getting city meet entries in by 1. I was stressed b/c a major player on our team wanted to change events, but I didn't know how to do that effectively. Basically, it was stupid, and I shouldn't have been stressed but that is just how I am! I was not pleasant towards my parents and I felt so horrible afterwards. I need to work on controlling my attitudes and my moods. My parents did nothing to deserve my wrath. That is just my typical response to anxiety. Boo. Need to work on that.
After I anxiously submitted the entries... I headed off to shop with Baby Mock. Lauren, her boot, and I went to Four Seasons for a little retail therapy. I bought a cute pink shirt, a blue dress, and some earrings. Great purchases.
Afterwards I came home and grilled out with Marla, Tim, Zach and the family. Lovely evening which ended with fireworks and cobbler. Now I'm snuggled up in my bed, exactly where I want to be by 11:30 at night.
Tomorrow I think I'm going to face a fear. I'm not sure where my deep seeded fear of dating comes from... but I think its from consistent failed relationships from the past. I have learned how to be single, and disappointed with boys, so I'm terrified to even give one a chance. I can go to lunch with a girl friend any day of the week and carry on a conversation about anything.. but put me with a boy and my nerves about eat my alive. AH It will be interesting to see if I blog tomorrow before or after this possible event. Dinner with a friend... a friend thats a boy (man). I just wish there was no pressure, and we were just that.. friends... but unfortunately that's not the case.
My insides are going CRAZY right now. This young man just asked me if it is true that I like him. I told him that I think he is cute and nice.. but I have to get to know him more to determine if I like him! Freaking out...yup that's what I'm doing. I wish I was 15.. where deciding to date a boy meant seeing each other at school and sitting on each others couches watching movies. Dating in your twenties means.. well maybe we are on the road towards marriage.
Well this is a bunch of pointless rambling, so i'm signing off thankful for all that I have and thinking I may just be single forever.
I have listened to this song by Martina McBride on repeat all day long. Happy 4th of July.
So last night after Rachel and I talked about having our faith be a part of our lives. I woke up this morning and acted horribly towards my parents. I was in a bad mood b/c I was totally anxious about getting city meet entries in by 1. I was stressed b/c a major player on our team wanted to change events, but I didn't know how to do that effectively. Basically, it was stupid, and I shouldn't have been stressed but that is just how I am! I was not pleasant towards my parents and I felt so horrible afterwards. I need to work on controlling my attitudes and my moods. My parents did nothing to deserve my wrath. That is just my typical response to anxiety. Boo. Need to work on that.
After I anxiously submitted the entries... I headed off to shop with Baby Mock. Lauren, her boot, and I went to Four Seasons for a little retail therapy. I bought a cute pink shirt, a blue dress, and some earrings. Great purchases.
Afterwards I came home and grilled out with Marla, Tim, Zach and the family. Lovely evening which ended with fireworks and cobbler. Now I'm snuggled up in my bed, exactly where I want to be by 11:30 at night.
Tomorrow I think I'm going to face a fear. I'm not sure where my deep seeded fear of dating comes from... but I think its from consistent failed relationships from the past. I have learned how to be single, and disappointed with boys, so I'm terrified to even give one a chance. I can go to lunch with a girl friend any day of the week and carry on a conversation about anything.. but put me with a boy and my nerves about eat my alive. AH It will be interesting to see if I blog tomorrow before or after this possible event. Dinner with a friend... a friend thats a boy (man). I just wish there was no pressure, and we were just that.. friends... but unfortunately that's not the case.
My insides are going CRAZY right now. This young man just asked me if it is true that I like him. I told him that I think he is cute and nice.. but I have to get to know him more to determine if I like him! Freaking out...yup that's what I'm doing. I wish I was 15.. where deciding to date a boy meant seeing each other at school and sitting on each others couches watching movies. Dating in your twenties means.. well maybe we are on the road towards marriage.
Well this is a bunch of pointless rambling, so i'm signing off thankful for all that I have and thinking I may just be single forever.
Here Goes Nothing
Inspired by a wonderful mother on my swim team I decided to start a blog. I really enjoy writing in my journal, but my hand writing is awful, and I find it much easier to type than to hand write things. God has been teaching me so many things lately, and I thought to myself that this would be a wonderful way to document not only the day to day happenings of the craziness which is my life, but to also sort through all the things going on in my world and think about the lessons I am learning.
The types of life lessons I planned on writing about were things having to deal with faith, relationships, day to day happenings. However, the first lesson I feel the need to document is to never leave full glasses of water on your antique bedside table. As I was just climbing into bed with my computer in hand, I knocked the water all over the table. Luckily my towel wasn't too far away and it was easily fixable. Don't need to go getting in trouble for ruining a nice piece of furniture.
This has been an interesting summer thus far. I'm head coach at the HP Elks for the second year, and this is my fourth year with the team. I finally feel like I have a handle on the ins and outs of running the swim team, but of course I still don't have it down perfectly. I'm sharing the position of head coach with Chris. This boy keeps me laughing 24/7. Just two nights ago you could find us in the board room at the lodge talking and laughing... the meeting moved to my house around 12:30 when the lodge kicked us out and continued until after 2. I haven't laughed as hard as I did that night. We had been working on entries for about 10 hours, and laughing seemed like the best answer. Laughing is good for the soul. He's a good guy... and I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to work with him for so many years now.
There are 6 other coaches who are on our staff as well. Going from youngest to oldest we've got Lauren, Aaron, Brooke, Morgan, Mindy, and Taylor. This is a great group of people who have kept me smiling this summer. Swim team is going to be over in one week from tomorrow, and my life is going to feel empty without waking up to their faces every morning at the pool. Other than the 7 of them, I don't have many friends around this summer. My friends from High School are all away at their various colleges for the summer, and my Elon friends don't live here. It has left me with some very lonely moments, but has also helped me to treasure the moments with my elks people so much.
The other day I had more work to do than I could possibly have imagined. This was the same day where we spent 10 hours working on entries for the city meet. However before any of that could begin I had to get all the times from the meet entered into the computer, print labels, do the ribbons, print labels for improvement candy, put them on air heads, and get all of this stuff into the kids boxes before they drove me nuts asking where their ribbons and candy were!
After practice that day Aaron, Lauren, Mindy, and Ethan (someone who helps me out so much with swimming stuff) came over to my house to help get this stuff done. After Mindy left to go to the dentist, I found myself in the middle of one of coolest moments. We were all kind of minding our own business doing work, when the song Mighty to Save came on my computer. I think Aaron had started playing Christian music on the computer. All of a sudden everyone was kind of humming/singing along to the words and I was so clearly reminded of the power and goodness of our God.
The night before my wonderful friend Rachel had texted me to say that they had sung that song at worship at the camp she was at, and she had thought of me because we had sung it together at IV this spring. That song is just powerful, always has been to me, and probably will be forever. I remember singing it at Holy Trinity Brompton in London the Sunday that I found out my Pop had died and I wouldn't be able to get back to the states for his funeral. My heart was so heavy, and I was crying, yet God was so present at that church, and I was reminded of the kindness of my Savior, and how mighty He is to save. I know that was a random side note, but this song just means a lot to me.
Today I found out that my friend Mary Catherine's dad has Lou Gehrigs Disease. I know this can't be easy for her or her family to go through, as 50% of people diagnosed with this die within 3 years. It reminded me to be thankful for the things that are sometimes easy to forget like good health. I hope that God will show me how I can best be there for her, and for my other friend Kelly who are going through similar situations.
Later this evening, I began facebook chatting with my friend Rachel ( the same one mentioned above ). She's working with the youth at her church this summer, and just got back from a one week camp with them. She was talking to me about how God was teaching her about making her life and her faith one thing together. This is something that I want to work on too, and we decided to hold each other accountable in this area of our lives. I'm pumped. Accountability isn't always pretty.. but in the end its worth it.
I think I should go to bed because my body is exhausted and its 12:30, but this blogging thing is kind of addicting. At this point I'm really only writing for my own benefit, but I guess that is reason enough. I've never been a good writer, and probably never will be.
I have to write quickly about a quote I heard in a movie this evening... " I think I’m more comfortable with being disappointed…" The lady was talking about relationships and how she was scared and kind of angry with this boy because he wasn't disappointing her and that was what she had become comfortable with. I'm wondering if this is where I am. I've let myself become comfortable with being disappointed with relationships, so everytime something potentially good comes along, I run, because I'm fearful that it could be something good and I'm comfortable with disappointment. This sounds weird written down.. but when she said it, it clicked with me somewhere in my heart. I need to sort it out though, because otherwise I'm going to push away every good man that walks into my life.
Well I think that's it for now, there are so many things for me to write about but I need to go to bed so I'll get up in the morning. City Meet entries are due by 1 pm tomorrow (July 4th) and so I need to get up and make sure things are finalized. I have only been notified of one potential problem or change since I posted them yesterday at 1 which is AWESOME! Now we just have to sort out that one thing and then be done with it. I hope I can just submit them, and not worry that I made a mistake. If there is a mistake I don't catch.. well that's life.. and I have to learn that it's okay to make mistakes. I'm not perfect...
Happy 4th of July
The types of life lessons I planned on writing about were things having to deal with faith, relationships, day to day happenings. However, the first lesson I feel the need to document is to never leave full glasses of water on your antique bedside table. As I was just climbing into bed with my computer in hand, I knocked the water all over the table. Luckily my towel wasn't too far away and it was easily fixable. Don't need to go getting in trouble for ruining a nice piece of furniture.
This has been an interesting summer thus far. I'm head coach at the HP Elks for the second year, and this is my fourth year with the team. I finally feel like I have a handle on the ins and outs of running the swim team, but of course I still don't have it down perfectly. I'm sharing the position of head coach with Chris. This boy keeps me laughing 24/7. Just two nights ago you could find us in the board room at the lodge talking and laughing... the meeting moved to my house around 12:30 when the lodge kicked us out and continued until after 2. I haven't laughed as hard as I did that night. We had been working on entries for about 10 hours, and laughing seemed like the best answer. Laughing is good for the soul. He's a good guy... and I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to work with him for so many years now.
There are 6 other coaches who are on our staff as well. Going from youngest to oldest we've got Lauren, Aaron, Brooke, Morgan, Mindy, and Taylor. This is a great group of people who have kept me smiling this summer. Swim team is going to be over in one week from tomorrow, and my life is going to feel empty without waking up to their faces every morning at the pool. Other than the 7 of them, I don't have many friends around this summer. My friends from High School are all away at their various colleges for the summer, and my Elon friends don't live here. It has left me with some very lonely moments, but has also helped me to treasure the moments with my elks people so much.
The other day I had more work to do than I could possibly have imagined. This was the same day where we spent 10 hours working on entries for the city meet. However before any of that could begin I had to get all the times from the meet entered into the computer, print labels, do the ribbons, print labels for improvement candy, put them on air heads, and get all of this stuff into the kids boxes before they drove me nuts asking where their ribbons and candy were!
After practice that day Aaron, Lauren, Mindy, and Ethan (someone who helps me out so much with swimming stuff) came over to my house to help get this stuff done. After Mindy left to go to the dentist, I found myself in the middle of one of coolest moments. We were all kind of minding our own business doing work, when the song Mighty to Save came on my computer. I think Aaron had started playing Christian music on the computer. All of a sudden everyone was kind of humming/singing along to the words and I was so clearly reminded of the power and goodness of our God.
The night before my wonderful friend Rachel had texted me to say that they had sung that song at worship at the camp she was at, and she had thought of me because we had sung it together at IV this spring. That song is just powerful, always has been to me, and probably will be forever. I remember singing it at Holy Trinity Brompton in London the Sunday that I found out my Pop had died and I wouldn't be able to get back to the states for his funeral. My heart was so heavy, and I was crying, yet God was so present at that church, and I was reminded of the kindness of my Savior, and how mighty He is to save. I know that was a random side note, but this song just means a lot to me.
Today I found out that my friend Mary Catherine's dad has Lou Gehrigs Disease. I know this can't be easy for her or her family to go through, as 50% of people diagnosed with this die within 3 years. It reminded me to be thankful for the things that are sometimes easy to forget like good health. I hope that God will show me how I can best be there for her, and for my other friend Kelly who are going through similar situations.
Later this evening, I began facebook chatting with my friend Rachel ( the same one mentioned above ). She's working with the youth at her church this summer, and just got back from a one week camp with them. She was talking to me about how God was teaching her about making her life and her faith one thing together. This is something that I want to work on too, and we decided to hold each other accountable in this area of our lives. I'm pumped. Accountability isn't always pretty.. but in the end its worth it.
I think I should go to bed because my body is exhausted and its 12:30, but this blogging thing is kind of addicting. At this point I'm really only writing for my own benefit, but I guess that is reason enough. I've never been a good writer, and probably never will be.
I have to write quickly about a quote I heard in a movie this evening... " I think I’m more comfortable with being disappointed…" The lady was talking about relationships and how she was scared and kind of angry with this boy because he wasn't disappointing her and that was what she had become comfortable with. I'm wondering if this is where I am. I've let myself become comfortable with being disappointed with relationships, so everytime something potentially good comes along, I run, because I'm fearful that it could be something good and I'm comfortable with disappointment. This sounds weird written down.. but when she said it, it clicked with me somewhere in my heart. I need to sort it out though, because otherwise I'm going to push away every good man that walks into my life.
Well I think that's it for now, there are so many things for me to write about but I need to go to bed so I'll get up in the morning. City Meet entries are due by 1 pm tomorrow (July 4th) and so I need to get up and make sure things are finalized. I have only been notified of one potential problem or change since I posted them yesterday at 1 which is AWESOME! Now we just have to sort out that one thing and then be done with it. I hope I can just submit them, and not worry that I made a mistake. If there is a mistake I don't catch.. well that's life.. and I have to learn that it's okay to make mistakes. I'm not perfect...
Happy 4th of July
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