So it is my 2nd year of 2nd grade - - the end of the 2nd week! We're already off to a great a silly start! I asked the sweet little cutie pies to think on something - - we do this wonderful thing called think-pair-share . . .if you train them, then when visitors come in, you just tell them to think-pair-share, and they remain quiet and occupied. So they think on the topic, then they share it with a partner - think-pair-share. So we were learning and practicing what to do . . . . . so I gave them the wonderful topic of what not. I had one little guy raise his hand - Arthur, what a cute little name, no? Anyway, he raises his hand.
"Yes, Arthur?"
"Well, I forgot to think about what you told us to think about. I thought of something else."
Curious, "Okay, well what did you think about?"
"Abraham Lincoln."
"Really? Abraham Lincoln? Why?" incredulous.
"I don't know, I was just thinking about Abraham Lincoln."
They are so randomly sweet. There's more stories to tell, but there you go . . . . that's it to start off this year.
Well, and a note to my lovely ones from last year . . . they all shout and hug and say hello and miss me . . . . how fun, no?
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Saturday, May 26, 2007
At the risk of being misunderstood, I want to share with all who come to this page what the Amazing and Indescribable Lord Jesus has been doing in my life.
He has been healing me! Five years ago, I drove myself to insanity in my search for perfection. Perfection is an idol for me. I want to glorify God. I want to serve others. And I don't want to mess it up.
What God has shown me is His Sovereignty. I cannot possibly mess up His glory and the perfect work HE is doing in my life.We have been having a 40 day tent revival here in Dallas. It ended May 18th. May 17th we began praying for 10 days. Praying and waiting. What's wonderful is that we've been praying and waiting together. I had wished that my church family would join me, but what I'm seeing is that it only takes a remnant to bring revival to masses of people.
Tuesday night, Michael Thigpen, a wonderful preacher with dark skin ;), prayed over me. He prayed that I would see myself as Jesus sees me and that I would accept it.What a wonderful thought!!! As I drove around that night (Charla called it my moving prayer closet, which tickled me funny last night as I was driving around with half my closet in my trunk as I was on my way to housesit), the Lord took me back to an incident that happened when I was six years old. I was bit by a mean, abused dog. But that wasn't what he took me back too. There was a mean, abused little girl at the same house who bit me with her words. We were visiting her family for the weekend (and I cannot even recall their names). She and I were outside playing. I'm sure I was being my normal silly self - bordering on obnoxious (or gregarious, whatever). She suddenly stopped dancing or whatever we were doing and said, "You know - I don't like you. I'm just playing with you because I have to."
I just shrugged. What do you say to that? I just shrugged and you could say that I've been shrugging for 22 years. What God said to me on Tuesday night was that it was okay to be hurt by that. That was not a nice thing that happened. I didn't have to pretend that it didn't hurt my feelings. She didn't like me and she didn't know me. How could she decide that?I wept. I wept and wept and sobbed and felt God telling me that He saw me as that sweet little six year old - most beautiful and delightful.
I am accepting it. It's a hard thing to accept - God's grace and calling in your life. But how wonderful the blessings when we simply accept and say YES, LORD, not me or my work or will but THINE be done.
He has been healing me! Five years ago, I drove myself to insanity in my search for perfection. Perfection is an idol for me. I want to glorify God. I want to serve others. And I don't want to mess it up.
What God has shown me is His Sovereignty. I cannot possibly mess up His glory and the perfect work HE is doing in my life.We have been having a 40 day tent revival here in Dallas. It ended May 18th. May 17th we began praying for 10 days. Praying and waiting. What's wonderful is that we've been praying and waiting together. I had wished that my church family would join me, but what I'm seeing is that it only takes a remnant to bring revival to masses of people.
Tuesday night, Michael Thigpen, a wonderful preacher with dark skin ;), prayed over me. He prayed that I would see myself as Jesus sees me and that I would accept it.What a wonderful thought!!! As I drove around that night (Charla called it my moving prayer closet, which tickled me funny last night as I was driving around with half my closet in my trunk as I was on my way to housesit), the Lord took me back to an incident that happened when I was six years old. I was bit by a mean, abused dog. But that wasn't what he took me back too. There was a mean, abused little girl at the same house who bit me with her words. We were visiting her family for the weekend (and I cannot even recall their names). She and I were outside playing. I'm sure I was being my normal silly self - bordering on obnoxious (or gregarious, whatever). She suddenly stopped dancing or whatever we were doing and said, "You know - I don't like you. I'm just playing with you because I have to."
I just shrugged. What do you say to that? I just shrugged and you could say that I've been shrugging for 22 years. What God said to me on Tuesday night was that it was okay to be hurt by that. That was not a nice thing that happened. I didn't have to pretend that it didn't hurt my feelings. She didn't like me and she didn't know me. How could she decide that?I wept. I wept and wept and sobbed and felt God telling me that He saw me as that sweet little six year old - most beautiful and delightful.
I am accepting it. It's a hard thing to accept - God's grace and calling in your life. But how wonderful the blessings when we simply accept and say YES, LORD, not me or my work or will but THINE be done.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Jonny Lang
Jonny Lang's coming to Dallas and I'll be down in Southeast Texas working on houses working with youth.
Sometimes I wonder about this life I've chosen.
Surrendering of the will and all that good stuff.
I want to be Christ-conscious and not Kathryn-conscious . . . . . .but when faced with seeing one of your favorite artists and sacrificing to serve the people the Good Lord has called you to serve, it's easy to look up to the sky and wonder why.
I'm so selfish and materialistic. I'm so self-motivated. I often think in my relationship with the Lord that it is more selfishly motivated than really for the Glory of God.
Consider, in Bible College I read about George Mueller and his famous prayer for the removal of the fog. I desired to have that kind of faith. But why?! Because I wanted to pray in accordance with God's will so that my prayers would be answered immediately. Not really that I wanted to see Christ glorified in my life.
Lately, I've gone back to contemplating. George Mueller had such amazing faith because he set his mind and whole self to stay focused on the Lord ever increasingly in every moment because of His infinite worth.
I know He is infinitely worthy. I desire to praise Him as such and bring glory to Him. I desire that my life portray how infinitely worthy His truly is.
However, my selfish and rotten self kicks in and lies to me telling me that all this self-sacrifice is not really worth it. The flesh lies and says look at the immediate. Look at what's right in front of you. You have chosen a place with no one your age, and no prospects for marriage. Are you stupid or something??? Go to the Jonny Lang concert. Blow off those youth and their eternal condition. Do something for yourself.
I am doing something for myself. I am resting in the Sovereignty and Supremacy of Christ. He knows my needs, and He knows that I am a girl with girl emotions and desires. I HOPE in Him. I confidently lay all of my requests at His feet and I dance for joy that He takes them and fills my heart with His love.
Sometimes I wonder about this life I've chosen.
Surrendering of the will and all that good stuff.
I want to be Christ-conscious and not Kathryn-conscious . . . . . .but when faced with seeing one of your favorite artists and sacrificing to serve the people the Good Lord has called you to serve, it's easy to look up to the sky and wonder why.
I'm so selfish and materialistic. I'm so self-motivated. I often think in my relationship with the Lord that it is more selfishly motivated than really for the Glory of God.
Consider, in Bible College I read about George Mueller and his famous prayer for the removal of the fog. I desired to have that kind of faith. But why?! Because I wanted to pray in accordance with God's will so that my prayers would be answered immediately. Not really that I wanted to see Christ glorified in my life.
Lately, I've gone back to contemplating. George Mueller had such amazing faith because he set his mind and whole self to stay focused on the Lord ever increasingly in every moment because of His infinite worth.
I know He is infinitely worthy. I desire to praise Him as such and bring glory to Him. I desire that my life portray how infinitely worthy His truly is.
However, my selfish and rotten self kicks in and lies to me telling me that all this self-sacrifice is not really worth it. The flesh lies and says look at the immediate. Look at what's right in front of you. You have chosen a place with no one your age, and no prospects for marriage. Are you stupid or something??? Go to the Jonny Lang concert. Blow off those youth and their eternal condition. Do something for yourself.
I am doing something for myself. I am resting in the Sovereignty and Supremacy of Christ. He knows my needs, and He knows that I am a girl with girl emotions and desires. I HOPE in Him. I confidently lay all of my requests at His feet and I dance for joy that He takes them and fills my heart with His love.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
I'm not the only one
The other day, the other 2nd grade bilingual teacher came in and she had white out all over her hand.
"What happened?"
"Oh, they're driving me crazy. Literally. I looked down and caught myself painting on myself."
She went on with much silliness and humor.
Now you know why we get three months of summer! It's to repair our sanity! :)
"What happened?"
"Oh, they're driving me crazy. Literally. I looked down and caught myself painting on myself."
She went on with much silliness and humor.
Now you know why we get three months of summer! It's to repair our sanity! :)
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
The Ingeniousness of 2nd Graders, Part 1
So I made a rule that my students could only use my name five times in one day. This was to cut down on the MS OLIVER MS OLIVER MS OLIVER - five times in a row really fast syndrome. STOP SAYING MY NAME!!! YOU ARE ABUSING MY NAME!!!!
So we held up our little hands and counted out five and that was how many times we could say Ms Oliver that day. So as they said the dreaded name, I could hold up my hand and tick off a time. Use it wisely was my mantra.
The following day, we applied the same rule. Fortunately/unfortunately, second graders are more ingenious than at first believed. My new name is Mo (the first letters of my name). This is how they chose to get around the saying of my name. Of course, I realize that any name ten million times a day is enough to drive a girl insane. I hole punched my hair that day. I didn't even think about it. I was hole punching and looked at the hole punch and though I wonder what would happen if I hole punched a portion of my hair. That's not normal. I immediately regretted it and then went on with my day. It's enough to drive a normal 28 year old insane.
:-)
So we held up our little hands and counted out five and that was how many times we could say Ms Oliver that day. So as they said the dreaded name, I could hold up my hand and tick off a time. Use it wisely was my mantra.
The following day, we applied the same rule. Fortunately/unfortunately, second graders are more ingenious than at first believed. My new name is Mo (the first letters of my name). This is how they chose to get around the saying of my name. Of course, I realize that any name ten million times a day is enough to drive a girl insane. I hole punched my hair that day. I didn't even think about it. I was hole punching and looked at the hole punch and though I wonder what would happen if I hole punched a portion of my hair. That's not normal. I immediately regretted it and then went on with my day. It's enough to drive a normal 28 year old insane.
:-)
Monday, April 30, 2007
2nd Graders and the Big Storm
Yes, I must admit that the majority of the funny stories in my life come from my 2nd graders.
There was a huge storm at the end of school last week. No big deal. It wasn't a tornado. Just a downpour. Just that the principal had to get on the intercom and let us know that we needed to duck and cover.
"OH NO!!!! DUCK AND COVER?!?!"
"SCREAM"
"SHOUT"
Children running frantically around the room!
What's funny is that in the midst of all the screaming and shouting and running wildly about, the same children were laughing. They weren't as scared as much as they were glad to have the opportunity to scream about something.
There was a huge storm at the end of school last week. No big deal. It wasn't a tornado. Just a downpour. Just that the principal had to get on the intercom and let us know that we needed to duck and cover.
"OH NO!!!! DUCK AND COVER?!?!"
"SCREAM"
"SHOUT"
Children running frantically around the room!
What's funny is that in the midst of all the screaming and shouting and running wildly about, the same children were laughing. They weren't as scared as much as they were glad to have the opportunity to scream about something.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Life according to a 2nd Grader
Following are two examples :) Hope you enjoy!
Larry and the Pencil Tragedy
"Ms O, Ms O, Ms O," ran Danny nearly slamming into the side of my desk with wide eyes and astonishment.
"What is it? Is this a tattle?"
"No, it's not a tattle. It's the truth!!! Larry has 23 pencils in his desk!"
How he knows that Larry has exactly 23 pencils in his desk is what I would like to know.
"Don't worry about Larry, you just go sit in your desk and worry about your own self. Do you have 3 sharpened pencils?" (3 is the alloted number we get at the beginning of each week to number one ensure that we have pencils for the week and number two to hopefully build some responsibility).
"Well, yes."
"Okay, then. Go sit down."
"But what about Larry and his 23 pencils?"
"Don't worry about Larry and his 23 pencils?"
"But Ms O . . . . "
Of course, I now have exactly 20 more pencils in a cup on my desk for anyone who happens to lose his or her pencils.
Marlene and the Childlike Wonder
Marlene is the girl who can ask questions non-stop - questions that have nothing to do with what we are talking about, questions that have nothing to do with anything in the 2nd grade, questions that I have no earthly idea where they come from - outer space, I think.
One day, I observed her and two other little girls watching our butterflies. This was the conversation that ensued. (The parenthesis are my responses)
Marlene, "Oh look at the pretty butterflies I wander why they aren't flying. Why are you just sitting there butterflies? Fly fly. Ms O why aren't they flying? (i think their wings are still wet) Oh, wow, their wings are still wet. Hmmm, well I wonder when they will start flying. Maybe I can draw a picture of them. Ms O, Can I draw a picture of them? (later) Later, I can draw a picture of them. I wonder what color I should draw them. Maybe I can use markers or just crayons. I don't know. I wonder when those chrysallis will hatch. When will those chyrsalles hatch, Ms O? (I don't know, soon I think) Soon, they will hatch soon. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine. There are nine butterflies. Ms O did you see that there are nine butterflies? (it's amazing). One, two, three, four, five -there are five chrysallises. Hmm, I wonder when they will become butterflies. When will they become butterflies, Ms O? ( i don't know sweetie pie, soon.) They will become butterflies soon, wow. Is that one dead, Ms O? The one on the ground (I think so). Ohh, poor butterfly, it won't become a butterfly. It's dead. I wonder how it died. What happened to it? Poor butterfly, it's dead. I wonder why it fell. Why did it fall, Ms. O (shrug) Should we take it out, Ms O? (we should leave it alone) . . . . . "
I don't think the other two girls said even one word and this continued on for the entire time she observed the butterflies.
Now, I begin to feel my mother's pain when she used to tell us to stop using her name! haha
Larry and the Pencil Tragedy
"Ms O, Ms O, Ms O," ran Danny nearly slamming into the side of my desk with wide eyes and astonishment.
"What is it? Is this a tattle?"
"No, it's not a tattle. It's the truth!!! Larry has 23 pencils in his desk!"
How he knows that Larry has exactly 23 pencils in his desk is what I would like to know.
"Don't worry about Larry, you just go sit in your desk and worry about your own self. Do you have 3 sharpened pencils?" (3 is the alloted number we get at the beginning of each week to number one ensure that we have pencils for the week and number two to hopefully build some responsibility).
"Well, yes."
"Okay, then. Go sit down."
"But what about Larry and his 23 pencils?"
"Don't worry about Larry and his 23 pencils?"
"But Ms O . . . . "
Of course, I now have exactly 20 more pencils in a cup on my desk for anyone who happens to lose his or her pencils.
Marlene and the Childlike Wonder
Marlene is the girl who can ask questions non-stop - questions that have nothing to do with what we are talking about, questions that have nothing to do with anything in the 2nd grade, questions that I have no earthly idea where they come from - outer space, I think.
One day, I observed her and two other little girls watching our butterflies. This was the conversation that ensued. (The parenthesis are my responses)
Marlene, "Oh look at the pretty butterflies I wander why they aren't flying. Why are you just sitting there butterflies? Fly fly. Ms O why aren't they flying? (i think their wings are still wet) Oh, wow, their wings are still wet. Hmmm, well I wonder when they will start flying. Maybe I can draw a picture of them. Ms O, Can I draw a picture of them? (later) Later, I can draw a picture of them. I wonder what color I should draw them. Maybe I can use markers or just crayons. I don't know. I wonder when those chrysallis will hatch. When will those chyrsalles hatch, Ms O? (I don't know, soon I think) Soon, they will hatch soon. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine. There are nine butterflies. Ms O did you see that there are nine butterflies? (it's amazing). One, two, three, four, five -there are five chrysallises. Hmm, I wonder when they will become butterflies. When will they become butterflies, Ms O? ( i don't know sweetie pie, soon.) They will become butterflies soon, wow. Is that one dead, Ms O? The one on the ground (I think so). Ohh, poor butterfly, it won't become a butterfly. It's dead. I wonder how it died. What happened to it? Poor butterfly, it's dead. I wonder why it fell. Why did it fall, Ms. O (shrug) Should we take it out, Ms O? (we should leave it alone) . . . . . "
I don't think the other two girls said even one word and this continued on for the entire time she observed the butterflies.
Now, I begin to feel my mother's pain when she used to tell us to stop using her name! haha
Friday, April 13, 2007
Never Boy Watch and TreadMill at the Same Time
So I was at the gym walking away on the treadmill. Yes, I know - I'm such a Dallasite - why would I walk inside on a treadmill when i could be out in the beauty of God's creation - -if you've ever been in Dallas in the summer, you know why we join the gym.
So I was at the gym walking away on the treadmill looking out the window at the beautiful morning sky enjoying God's beautiful creation (or tying to, the windows are a bit tinted so it's hard to see). Seeing as the windows are a bit tinted, it's quite fun because you can look back into the gym and also enjoy the beauty of God's creation (all those cute shoes) without being so conspicuous.
So as I was walking away on the treadmill trying to decide which view I thought was better. Apparently, I was so focused on this thought that seeing as I am a female and well, I'm not one of those females who can think and walk . . . . . TRIP, SPLAT, BLAT . . . .
Yes, I managed to somehow fall off of the treadmill. Some would say I'm a blond at heart. I was white blond as a child, but since have become a light brunette. Apparently, there are still traces of the blond stuck to my brain.
Of course, I furtively glanced around to see how much of an idiot I had made of myself . . . . one girl was stopped mid exercise with her mouth wide open and her eyes bulging. I'd have to say that for that expression the whole experience was worth it. OF COURSE, I also had to pretend to tie my shoes as if that was the reason I fell off the treadmill LOL - not because I'm an idiot and can't hold a thought and WALK at the same time!
:-D
So I was at the gym walking away on the treadmill looking out the window at the beautiful morning sky enjoying God's beautiful creation (or tying to, the windows are a bit tinted so it's hard to see). Seeing as the windows are a bit tinted, it's quite fun because you can look back into the gym and also enjoy the beauty of God's creation (all those cute shoes) without being so conspicuous.
So as I was walking away on the treadmill trying to decide which view I thought was better. Apparently, I was so focused on this thought that seeing as I am a female and well, I'm not one of those females who can think and walk . . . . . TRIP, SPLAT, BLAT . . . .
Yes, I managed to somehow fall off of the treadmill. Some would say I'm a blond at heart. I was white blond as a child, but since have become a light brunette. Apparently, there are still traces of the blond stuck to my brain.
Of course, I furtively glanced around to see how much of an idiot I had made of myself . . . . one girl was stopped mid exercise with her mouth wide open and her eyes bulging. I'd have to say that for that expression the whole experience was worth it. OF COURSE, I also had to pretend to tie my shoes as if that was the reason I fell off the treadmill LOL - not because I'm an idiot and can't hold a thought and WALK at the same time!
:-D
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
The ABC's of me
What better way to start a blog than with an introduction of the blogger?
A- available or single? I guess I'd have to say that I'm available and single.
B-Best Friend: in alphabetical order - Johanna, Shannon, Rachel, RuthAnne, Wendi
C-cake or pie - YES! Cake and pie - depends on the mood and the cake or pie.
D-drink of choice - Water is so refreshing. Sweet tea is so Southern and I am that. Dr. Pepper for that caffeine rush. I survived on only a Dr. Pepper a day for about 3 months back in '02 but that's an entirely different story.
E-essential item I use everyday- toothbrush and toothpaste (did you have teachers with stinky breathes?! ick! I don't want to ever be that teacher!)
F-favorite color - purple
G-gummy worms or gummy bears - Gummy Bears because you can eat the heads off. Gummy worms can be fun too though.
H-hometown - Whereever I am is my hometown cuz it'd be where my home is.
I-Indulgence- Sergio Mendes and merengue/hiphop music
J-January or February - January is such a looonnngggg month. But it's the first month of the year, and I do love new things.
K-Kids names - Bob, Suzy, Clarice - - Just kidding! I don't have kids yet.
L-Life is incomplete without - Having a relationship with my Creator
M-Marriage date - to be announced
N-Number of Siblings - one
O-oranges or apples - apples. As my brother says of me - apples and i are best friends.
P-phobias or fears - Snakes, and high places.
Q-Favorite quote - "Your faith must not be a passive imbecility, but an active energy." Hannah Whitall Smith from The Christians Secret of a Happy Life
R-Reasons to smile - my 2nd graders, my girls in the youth group, that Jesus loved me so much He not only saved me from the guilt of sin but also from the power of sin, yummy food, and good friends.
S-Season - Spring
T-tag three or four people -
U-Unknown fact about me - if i share, it will no longer be unknown and what would be the mystery in that.
V-Vegetables you don't like - i haven't met a vegetable i don't like. i can list the fruit on one hand that i like, but vegetables?! I'm even beginning to appreciate beets but don't tell my mom.
W-worst habit - if you ask Johanna, it'd be that poop is my favorite word.
Y- your favorite food - Mashed Potatoes, Homemade Chicken Fried Chicken, Collard Greens, Macaroni and Cheese, all smothered with cream gravy. (did i mention that i've been raised mostly in the south?)
Z-zodiac - Gemini
A- available or single? I guess I'd have to say that I'm available and single.
B-Best Friend: in alphabetical order - Johanna, Shannon, Rachel, RuthAnne, Wendi
C-cake or pie - YES! Cake and pie - depends on the mood and the cake or pie.
D-drink of choice - Water is so refreshing. Sweet tea is so Southern and I am that. Dr. Pepper for that caffeine rush. I survived on only a Dr. Pepper a day for about 3 months back in '02 but that's an entirely different story.
E-essential item I use everyday- toothbrush and toothpaste (did you have teachers with stinky breathes?! ick! I don't want to ever be that teacher!)
F-favorite color - purple
G-gummy worms or gummy bears - Gummy Bears because you can eat the heads off. Gummy worms can be fun too though.
H-hometown - Whereever I am is my hometown cuz it'd be where my home is.
I-Indulgence- Sergio Mendes and merengue/hiphop music
J-January or February - January is such a looonnngggg month. But it's the first month of the year, and I do love new things.
K-Kids names - Bob, Suzy, Clarice - - Just kidding! I don't have kids yet.
L-Life is incomplete without - Having a relationship with my Creator
M-Marriage date - to be announced
N-Number of Siblings - one
O-oranges or apples - apples. As my brother says of me - apples and i are best friends.
P-phobias or fears - Snakes, and high places.
Q-Favorite quote - "Your faith must not be a passive imbecility, but an active energy." Hannah Whitall Smith from The Christians Secret of a Happy Life
R-Reasons to smile - my 2nd graders, my girls in the youth group, that Jesus loved me so much He not only saved me from the guilt of sin but also from the power of sin, yummy food, and good friends.
S-Season - Spring
T-tag three or four people -
U-Unknown fact about me - if i share, it will no longer be unknown and what would be the mystery in that.
V-Vegetables you don't like - i haven't met a vegetable i don't like. i can list the fruit on one hand that i like, but vegetables?! I'm even beginning to appreciate beets but don't tell my mom.
W-worst habit - if you ask Johanna, it'd be that poop is my favorite word.
Y- your favorite food - Mashed Potatoes, Homemade Chicken Fried Chicken, Collard Greens, Macaroni and Cheese, all smothered with cream gravy. (did i mention that i've been raised mostly in the south?)
Z-zodiac - Gemini
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