EMU Job Fair

Tuesday afternoon I drove up to MI. I spent the evening with my best friend and her boys. We haven't seen each other in year. Yesterday, was the teacher job fair at Eastern Michigan University. This is the largest job fair in the state of MI. The number of school districts were down, due mainly to the recession and districts cutting back on expenses. There were schools there from Alaska and Hawaii. I talked to schools from Kansas, Ohio, Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. There is a charter school I am interested in working at, here in OH. Turns out, my best friend's boys goes to one of these schools, and they have high praise for these schools. I mentioned it and so we will see. I have applications to fill out, emails to send, and doing some online research about a variety of schools. Will see what happens from this. I did have a couple of screening interviews. I have now added Kansas to my states of interest in thinking of moving to depending on getting a job. They are OH, NC, SC, and KS.

The Power of One

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. --Ralph Waldo Emerson

Being a mom, Wyn knew that her attitude and emotional state determined what kind of fay she'd have with her family. If she was off, they were all off. What a terrible responsibility that is, to be a human barometer. Even with this knowledge, it tool Wyn a lot longer to recognize how she affected her students as well.

There were days that, for one reason or another, she just didn't want to be there. there were days that she never stopped complaining. There were days that she couldn't smile no matter how she tried. And on those days, her students' behavior mirrored her own. She believed their behavior was out of control.

One day, Wyn received notice that she'd gotten the grant she had worked all year on. It would supplement her classroom in a variety of ways. But most of all, it was an accomplishment that reenergized her attitude toward teaching.

In the weeks that followed she approached her job with a renewed sense of purpose and joy. Her students seemed to join in on her enthusiasm, and they too had a renewed sense of purpose. The funny thing is that Wyn had the power to change her students' behavior all along. The first step was to change her own.

Take away: Wondering why your class seems a little ho-hum? Try brightening your outlook and see if it is reflected in your students.

This was the devotional I read yesterday from Apples & Chalkdust. Written by Vicki Caruana. Actually, this book is the revised and updated 10th anniversary edition.

I wrote down on the page that "My students mirror my attitude. I now understand." That made me think.

You Are God Alone

You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
You are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
You are God alone

The above words is the chorus from the Phillips, Craig, and Dean song, "You Are God Alone". Part of the chorus has been running through my mind over the past few days. I was doing my homework for the Esther Bible study, and had to look up a verse in Isaiah, and came across the following verse that I had underlined in my Bible: "When you pass through the waters, I w ill be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2

I am sad right now, and ready to cry. I have been debating or not to post this, because it is not about me, but about one of my loved ones, and the more it sets in, the harder it becomes for me. Somebody I love dearly, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. (I am not saying here who it is.) Surgery will be this Thursday, and from there will know what stage and exactly the treatment this person will have. We do know for sure, this person will have radiation M-F for six weeks. I did tell God this morning, that I would rather move up to stage 4, than this person be stage 3 or 4. People have lived years at stage 4, because they have gone into remission. I do not know how one of my favorite verses fits into this. Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." How is cancer to prosper you and not to harm you? I do not know why this person has breast cancer, and I do not understand. We have seen God's hand in this, in how this person was diagnosed. Even I Thessalonians 5:18 says, "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I have told God that I am not thankful, I mean my heart is not thankful at all, but I have thanked him anyway. I know someday my heart will be truly thankful in this. God will be glorified in all of this. God knows what He is doing. I do not see it. I am hurting inside, and those who read this, I do ask for your prayers.

All of the verses I have written are from the NIV.

New Baseball Season

We are almost two weeks into the new baseball season. The Indians have started their season at 4-8. They are not doing too good. There has only been 3-4 good outings of our starting pitchers, so far. The whole pitching staff has had their ups and downs. We have given up a grand slam, but we have hit two grand slams so far. Both the defense and the offense can do better. Our guys have struck out way too many times! We lost five games before we won our first game. This week we have won four games. We have had basically, 3 season openers this season. The Indians opened their season in TX against the Rangers and were swept by them. Then we came home and lost the first two games against the Blue Jays before finally winning. Went to Kansas City and won only one game. We opened the first home series at the new Yankee (The Enemy) stadium.

The Indians messed up the Yanks home opener by winning 10-2, Grady hit a grand slam in a 9 run inning. Yesterday's game, we went back and forth and lost the game. Pitchers gave up too many home runs yesterday. Today's game...what can I say? It was an awesome game! Yanks starting pitcher only lasted 4 outs, we sent him packing in the top of the second inning. The Indians scored 14 runs in the second inning. You read that correctly. Cabrera hit a grand slam in the second inning. They have hit two grand slams so far this season. Two grand slams in the same series. The Indians hit the first two grand slams in the new Yankee stadium! We hit six home runs today! The final score was 22-4! is that a blowout or what? They did make some mistakes, but they did a great job. Carmona went six innings. The Yanks runs came on two home runs, all gave up by Carmona.

I am worried about my guys, but they have had two great games. I enjoyed those games more than I did reading my articles about or written by Joseph Schwab.

Why Are You Weeping?

"Then they said to her 'Woman, why are you weeping?'" John 20:13

Mary Magdalene could vividly remember the day Jesus delivered her from her demonic bondage. She became His devoted follower that day (Luke 8:2). She watched Him heal the sick and teach people about God's love. Her life was transformed as she experienced the joy of being with Jesus.

Then her world seemed to fall apart! Her Lord was arrested and brutally murdered. The crowds that had shouted "Hosanna!" at he beginning of the week cried "Crucify him!" by week's end. A final blow came when she went to anoint Jesus' body at the tomb. She saw that His tomb was empty. Someone had apparently stolen His body. AS she sobbed in despair, angels asked the poignant question, "Why are you weeping?" She was standing before an empty tomb! Jesus had risen, just as He had promised! Knowing that Jesus was alive put everything back into perspective, and Mary joyfully raced to share the good news with others.

The Christian life is not always easy. There are joyful moments of walking with Jesus, but there are also times when nothing makes sense and when your world seems to be crumbling. The world will mock your Lord, and you may grow discouraged. AT those times, you need to peer into the empty tomb. It is the abandoned tomb that gives you hope, for it symbolizes the life that is yours from your risen Lord. The empty tomb promises that nothing not even death itself, can defeat the purposes of your Lord. Are you weeping beside an empty tomb?

This was today's devotional reading from Experiencing God Day-By-Day written by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby. They have written two devotional books and I use them both. This book, here, I have been using since October 2000. They have even written a Bible study based on this theme, Experiencing God. That was a good study.

Esther-Waiting-Time

I recommend doing at least one time, a Beth Moore Biblestudy. I am currently doing Esther, the newest one. The video sessions of listening to Beth teach these past two weeks have been very good. Last week, was from Esther 4:11-17 on our greatest fears. I know I have shared them at various times in previous posts. Last night's session, was from Esther 5:1-8. I know God was speaking to me. First, I will share the four points, then I will share my notes that I jotted down in the margins.

Sometimes God forces the issue of time. Amazingly other times He seems to entrust it.
Reflect on the importantance of knowing...
1. When it's time.
2. When it's time to wait.
3. When it's time to wait for someone elses time.
4. When the meantime is God-time.

Sometimes your emotions are not going to precede your actions. Genesis 22:4, Luke 4:1-13, Acts 1:4-5 Our culture is training us in impatience. We are reminded in Ecclesiastes 3:7, "...A time to be silent and a time to speak." Sometimes we need to be silent even when man invites us to speak. Esther wasn't there about a grudge, but for deliverance (the first banquet she hosted for King Xerxes and Haman.) Is it the time or not the time? I can humble myself, or God can humble me. Ezekiel 28:1-19, I Peter 5:5 Never in my wait, is God inactive. Proverbs 16:18 My strength will be depleted when I wait upon the thing/event/person/job. I have seen that happen. A man who lets his ego go, can not get enough honor (Melissa Moore).

Gd is making me wait for my desires for a reason. I need to be thankful for his best. I just need to keep doing what was the last thing He has commanded me to do. His timing is better than my timing. God's best is better than my best.

Beverly Lewis writes Christian fiction about the Amish. I enjoy reading her books. She has a new book that has just come out, and it is called The Secret. It is the first one in a new series. She is doing book tour this month in OH. Yesterday, afternoon, April 7, she had a stop at Cornerstone Book and Supply on Canton Rd. (Since this is spring break) I went there. I bought the new book, stood in line to get her autograph. She signed my book. I had my picture taken with her and I also too a pic of just her. Those are the two pics below.

April Winter Wonderland

It started snowing yesterday morning, but didn't really start accumulating until sometime in the evening. I think it looks gorgeous outside. The trees in the back have leaves that are budding, so they look kind of funny with snow on them. I had to take pics of them. I walked down the driveway this morning to get the newspaper, and took my camera with me, do I could take pictures of the beauty that God bestowed upon us. Below are three of the pics that I took.

2nd Quarter Onc Visit

To start off, I am cold. That is what bugs me, I am not a cold-natured person, but I am cold about all the time. I saw my onc this morning. I have gained a few pounds, which I am not surprised, that is what happens when you eat too much sweets (chocolate and cookies). My port will come out in October or November if I am still clear. I'd rather keep it, just because my veins do not like to cooperate, very hard to access. My port was flushed and blood was drawn. CBC was checked and the blood was sent over to the hospital so that my thyroid could be checked. My thyroid was checked because I complained about being cold just about all the time. My white blood count is at 3.7, basically what it was back at the end of December, still makes it low. My RDW is high, but everything else is normal. Will probably talk in July about doing a CT scan in the fall before I see him in October.

Joy is Straight Ahead

"The genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." I Peter 1:7 (NKJV)

Trials have a purpose in our lives. As a smith heats up gold to purify it, God heats up our lives to make spiritual impurities rise to the surface. If we cooperate with Him, sin is skimmed off our lives, purifying our faith. Cleansed lives bring glory to God and joy to us. If a trial lies before you today, envision the joy ahead.

The above comes from Everyday Encouragement by Pamela McQuade. I got this book in September 2007 at a women's retreat. I am in my second time through in reading this book. I read it as part of my devotions. I've been doing a study of Joy as part of my devotions as well, and it as been pretty good. The Beth Moore study on Esther is also really good.

God has been leading me down roads to work on my faith in Him, to work on my joy. I have had periods of doubt, but then I remember Jeremiah 29:11, "I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you." God has plans for my life. At the right time, He will reveal them to me. It is hard to wait for His timing. But His timing is way better than my timing. God knows what is best for me.

My Summer

I have had some afternoon! I was so hoping to go to Dallas this summer for a few days, now I don't know if it will be possible. I have scheduled to take 2 classes this summer(May 18-July 11 and June 15-July 18), and had applied to take a certain science class for my content hours that is this summer and fall. i got accepted to take the science class. This class is all day August 3-6 and 10-14 plus 3 Saturdays in the fall. So far that is 11 hours. My other science (content classes) I have to get okay from the department, because they are undergraduate classes and I am a graduate student. Because I got aid to help pay for grad school, I am going to see about taking a science class this summer which is June 22-July 25. (I have to find out if that will work with my aid I got). If I can do that, that will be 14 hours this summer. I will have a very busy summer.

Yesterday, at the job fair, someone suggested to me to find out how to get a middle grade science endorsement added to my teaching certificate. I made phone calls down to Columbus, I found out that I am Highly Qualified, and I would need to take a test. I registered to take the Praxis II middle grades science test for June 13 at 7:30 am. It is a two hour test. Middle grades is 4-9. I am already certified K-8, and can teach all subjects up to the 6th grade, here in OH. The science endorsement would be a plus. I have the science endorsement and math one on m y TX teaching certificate.

Plus, with my busy summer, I am planning on attending two weddings, and my 20 year high school reunion. Plus, I get to spend one day a week with my wonderful niece this summer. Is this a busy summer or what?

If I get a job somewhere in OH then I can still come home for the Saturday class, but if I get a job out of OH, then I will be in trouble, either have to come home on Friday, or release my seat. Lord, what are your plans for me this fall? Am I staying in OH or moving out of state? Will I be subbing or teaching full-time some place? Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. I trust you for your best for my life. Thank you for my busy summer that I will be having. The more hours I take now, means the sooner I will be done with my Masters.

NOTED and Curriculum

Yesterday, April 2, was NOTED (North East Ohio Teacher Education Day), in downtown Akron, hosted by 10-12 different local universities. We had between 2-2 1/2 hours of meet and greet time. That was good, but with over 500 attendees, and over 80 school districts, that makes for long lines. By 10:30 am, I had one interview scheduled for the afternoon. I couldn't get any more interviews, either they were full, only doing so many, or not doing any interviews at all that day. I was disappointed. I gave out over 20 resume packets. I wanted more interviews. Even though I was, and am still, disappointed, I know God knows what He is doing? He has a plan to prosper me, not to harm me (Jeremiah 29:11). I just have to keep my faith in God and wait for his timing. I kept my talks to NC and OH schools. I had a list of schools I was interested in checking out, plus I added a few more once I got there to the site yesterday morning.

My interview didn't go very well, basically we just went over my resume. The interviewer kinda took it part and told me what to do it make it better. She told me to add back a school I was only at for 3 months. I was told to take it off of my resume. By putting it back on, it would not show any holes on my resume. When I fill out applications, I don't even put that school down, I skip it.

I was able to get a couple of other interviews by walking around the room looking for empty chairs and asking if they were free. I think the second interview was a good lead. I was told to call up ODE to find out how I am Highly Qualified in teaching science, and how it get it as an endorsement on my OH teaching certificate. It is on my TX teaching certificate. I sent an email to somebody in ODE last night. I will give them today to respond, then I will start calling them next week to get answers to my questions. The third interview, I thought was weird. I couldn't tell if the person, who was talking, was giving me reasons to move to that area or reasons to stay away. It didn't seem like an interview. Didn't ask me questions at all.

All I can do is give it all over to the Lord and wait to see where He leads me in all of this. I have a few more applications to fill out and figure out to write thank you notes to.

There is a month left in this semester. I am registered to take two classes this summer, and I am going to try to take a third class. There are a couple of classes I am interested in for the fall. I have four projects due between May 6-9. One of them I have to present, as well as turn in a written report and hopefully before it is due, so that it can be graded. This project I am doing it on Staff Development. I am having a hard time narrowing it down. I started my research the other day. I have an idea on how to narrow it down. There is a paper on a curriculum theorist I have to write. I found a couple of books, but he only wrote a small portion of the book. Somebody helped me find some articles on this person. I just have to print them up and study them. A classmate, in another class, let me borrow articles for this person, since I am doing the same one she chose. Next week is spring break, so that gives me time to do some research, read, and work on them. It is all mind boggling!