The results are in ...

So tonight I tried tofu.  Although I liked the teriyaki marinade, I didn't like the texture.  I don't know what I was anticipating, but the compressed bean curds just didn't cut it.  The stir-fry that accompanied the failed protein supplement was very tasty - onions, peppers, broccoli slaw and snow peas.  Yum!

Zechariah 4:10

Over the past little while, I have been contemplating doing some (hopefully inexpensive) renovating in my bedroom.  Some new paint, some fun accents, some new (or refurbished) furniture perhaps.  And one of the ways to make my room more a reflection of who I am, or rather who lives in me, I wanted to put a Bible verse on the wall.   I went to the Christian bookstore and I found one that intrigued me as I had never heard it before.  I'm sure I've read over it, but it never really stuck.  Check it out:  

Cool, eh?  I know!  Here's a bit of context: Zechariah wanted to rebuild the temple and called the people to repent.  Joshua was given new priestly clothes and in chapter 4, a promise comes that Zerubbabel will not only lay the foundation of the new temple, but that it would also be completed by him.  And in verse ten, God says using the words of the ESV, "Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?"  Those who despaired of finishing the work, shall rejoice when they see Zerubbabel giving directions what to do, and taking care that the work be done until the time when it was actually completed. 


I started thinking about this in terms of my life and was astonished to see how many ways this can be applied.  So often we can get discouraged when we try something and it doesn't work to our immediate advantage - whether that be in arena of domestic life (cleaning the house, planting a garden, taking care of the lawn, renovating, completing a scrapbook or construction project), work life (completing marking, acquiring a desired promotion or job designation, getting through curriculum, ensuring that the students are learning how to be good Christian citizens and light-bearers), personal life (breaking that bad habit, losing or keeping the pounds off, getting into shape, fulfilling personal goals) or spiritual life (becoming more intimate with God more regularly, desiring to spend more time with Him in prayer and excited to read His word, being a prayer warrior, finding the courage to witness at every opportunity that is presented).  


I could go on, but you get the idea.  We're called to begin the work and plant the seed - God will see it finished and harvested.  We just need to remain faithful to Him, obeying His voice and that is cause for all of heaven to rejoice.  Imagine - the Lord rejoicing over my earthly work!  That's cause enough for me to stay motivated.  What about you?

I love my students

Today my grade 12 French class did something very sweet.  They asked me for Weight Watcher dessert recipes that they could make for our end-of-the-year party so that I would have something to eat.  I was very touched by that act and reminded me yet once again why I love teaching.  Thanks, girls, for making my day! :)

This weekend - Part 3

Sunday was another great day.  I had the opportunity to hear the testimonies of 11 young people from Wellandport URC and Zion FRC.  It is always so encouraging to see how God works in the hearts and lives of the young people to make that commitment.  I'm looking forward to hearing more of them in the near future!  I wish we could hear the personal testimonies from each one, or attend those parts of the consistory meetings, but maybe that will come in time.


In the morning we heard a great sermon from Deut. 30:11-16.  Here is the passage: 


11"For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?' 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?' 14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.
 15 "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.


I love how Rev. Dykstra explained the passage.  God is not looking for a mechanical, superficial outward response to His love - he wants impassioned souls that are joyful in their service to Him.  Also, there is so much comfort in these verses - the tasks that have been appointed to us are not outside of our reach.  This calling is not too difficult for us.  It will present its challenges, certainly.  But out of the range of possibility?  Never.  God wouldn't require that of us.  


Hebrews 10: 23ff
 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.


Amen and amen.

This weekend - Part 2

So, now for the fun parts of last weekend, just to make sure that you know I'm not all negative insecurity!  Although I didn't go on many rides, I had a fun time catching up with my Kentucky peeps.  Actually, one of my favourite parts of Saturday's Vaughn experience was going shopping at the Bass Pro Shop at the mall.  Because of the deluge of rain and thunderstorms, we decided to go to the mall to kill a bit of time instead of lounge around the entrance to various shops in the amusement park, huddled in our ponchos eating baby carrots.  I was so pumped to visit this place!  There are three staff members who fish on a very regular basis and love that store.  In fact, just before the weekend, the new magazine came out and it got passed around in the staff room a bit - to the guys at least.  I think I can safely say that the Bass Pro magazine is to them as the Sears catalogue was to all the pioneer women.  Yes, they're that infatuated - and with good reason, too!  I ended up getting some lightwear rain gear for my backpack as well as a 4-in-one flint/compass/lanyard/whistle and a stopper for my Nalgene bottle.  After we had spent a bit of time there, we went back to the park and hit almost all the rides and a couple even braved the water park.  


Later that night, we drove to Chelsea's house where we were greeted by so many creatures - both human and reptilious (I'm pretty sure that's not a word).  We met Boogers the tree frog, a tarantula (I don't know his name), two lizards, Jemima the pancake turtle, a couple of smaller snakes, Sir William the 60 pound turtle, and Lucy (short for Lucifer) the 55 pound boa constrictor!!  Chels got some pretty cool pictures!

This weekend

So this weekend I was pretty humiliated.  I went to Canada's Wonderland with a group of friends and we went as a group to Behemoth for the first ride.  I waited in line for an hour only to find out that I didn't fit in the seat so I was asked to step off the ride.  I had to watch as the rest of my friends - all 13 of them, went on the ride and had a blast and come back to give me apologetic, somewhat ashamed for me (and I wonder of me?) looks.  I only went on one ride all day because I was so self-conscious and did not want a repeat of that occurrence.  Although I felt completely disgraced and insecure, I'm choosing to use this as even more motivation to lose weight.  When I can't fit in a chair that most people fit in to, that's a problem.  So Weight Watchers - look out.  I'm serious about it this time.  No more stupid excuses.  No more bad eating habits.  I've had enough and I'm tired of being "Thunder thighs" and "the fat teacher" and having kids mistake me for being pregnant.  Good-bye fat.  I don't want to ever see you later.

PS  I had fun moments, too, but I'll share those for another blog.

Week 2

Well, I've just finished week 2 of Weight Watchers and I'm feeling pretty good!  I've managed to lose a total of 11.2 pounds so far and I am still eating so much food!  I am sometimes hungry, but when I get the urge to munch on something not so healthy, I now have my fridge stocked full of fruits and veggies.  I am so excited about this and am thankful for all of the support with friends (especially my two partners in crime), my other coworkers (aka Kim's Konscience Klub - complete with week-to-week line graph updates on the back of the staffroom door) and my family.  Just so you know, I'm only giving the info of how much I've lost per week. They don't actually have a starting weight to go by - I'm not that brave!  My dad asked me if I noticed a difference and I’d love to be able to say that I’m down a pant size and am rummaging through smaller clothes that I have hidden in bins throughout my house, but I’m not at that stage yet.  When that happens, I will most definitely write a post! :)

Spring Fling

So today was a fun day!  After school today we had our Spring Fling - an event to just socialize as a student body and build school spirit.  First, 6 teams were given a bag of newspaper, tape, scissors, pipe cleaners, balloons and ribbon.  Their task was to create the tallest, most aesthetically pleasing free-standing structure.  Creativity piqued, they jumped to the task and as you can see, came up with some great finished products. When it was all done, a colleague and I went around to each one to judge the entries.  And here comes my favourite part of the night: we gave each side of the gym 4 minutes to try to get all the garbage from their side over to the other side.  The side with the least amount of spread-out garbage on their side won.  Check out the pictures - so funny! :)  After some pizza, we regrouped everyone and did skits in a bag.  The students were given a bag of random items, a theme, an emotion and three vocab words to incorporate into their theme.  All in all - a great night!

Vice-Prez (V), Treasurer (T), President (P), Secretary (S)

I love these kids!