Sweet, Sweet Words

We’ve been studying poetry for the past few weeks in room 202. Today I had my students put all of their poems into a book. Throughout our study we’ve read LOTS of different poems, most from my favorite poem book, Where the Sidewalk Ends. I also taught my students the proper way to read poetry. You have to read poems 3 times. First, for your eyes. Second, for your ears. And Finally, for your heart <3.

I wanted to share my two favorites. I hope they make you smile J 

Bells

Bells,

Loud, Delightful

Dinging, Ringing, Clinging

Pretty as angels singing

Shimmer

Mistletoe

Pretty hanging on the wall,

Dangling trying not to fall.

Share a Christmas kiss,

With someone special this is bliss.

Cute Kid Quotes: These quotes are all from the same student. At the beginning of the year I had a very hard time with him. I prayed daily that my heart would be softened toward him.  Now I can officially say I love him. He is still a complete mess at times, but he makes me laugh! I'll call him B.

“I can’t wait to get married. I just love, love. I know you do too Miss Bass.”

“Yes, I love the heck out of that book!”

“Hey Miss Bass, did you know I’m growing a mustache and a beard?”

Miss Bass, I think you should date the world’s strongest man. I’m not sure if he’s married or not…but I think you’d be great together.

Miss Bass- “Please draw a 2D square on your marker board”

B- Makes farting noise

Miss Bass- “B, that’s very rude and inappropriate.”

B- “What? You said make a tootie square.”

And this is the note I got from him yesterday. He hates writing so the fact that he took time to write to me is very special.

Dear Miss Bass,

Merry Christmas. I hope you have a great Christmas. You rock at being a teacher. Yay you rock.

Senserlee,

B

Last but not least, these I’ve included a picture from our trip to the nursing home. We made ornaments in class and then delivered them on Tuesday night. It was so great. The kids and the residents loved it!

Open Eyes, Open Heart

Do you ever stop and think about how many people you overlook within a day? Many times we are so wrapped up in our own daily tasks that we walk right by others without even a second glance??

My school has lots of traffic in the morning and we have a few older men that help direct it. One man specifically directs the traffic right in front of the area in which I park. He is the first person I see when I get to school each day. Without fail, he always waves and smiles real big at me. I always smile and wave back…but nothing more.

This morning there was an accident during drop off at school. A parent this man with their SUV. It was quite scary. As the events unfolded many of the teachers gathered at the end of our hall to watch and try to figure out what exactly happened. As we stood there in shock, I wanted to pray for him. Then I realized I didn’t know his name. I felt embarrassed to ask, because I thought it was horrible of me not to know. Finally I said, “Does anyone know his name? I feel really bad, but I don’t know it.”

No one knew, not any of us standing there anyway. As I went back to my classroom to start the day, I kept thinking of him and how many times I had just smiled and waved without ever taking a second to stop and introduce myself. It wasn’t that I didn’t see him. I was just so consumed with my day that I didn’t think of it.

I would like to think of myself a fairly out going person. But today I was reminded that I need to be kind to every person I encounter. Christ calls us to love one another. And that means seeing outside of ourselves. If my job was directing traffic, I know that I would love for the teachers to stop and say hello. It would make me feel important and loved.

Max is his name. I found out later on in the day. Now the whole Cedar Ridge Campus knows his name. I also found out that Annie, my sweet friend that teaches next door to me knew his name before today. When she told me this I looked at her kinda surprised and said, “Wait how do you know him?” to which Annie replied, “I stopped one morning and introduced myself to him.”

As much as I have been convicted today, I’m very thankful. First, I’m thankful that Max is going to be ok. He did break his shoulder, but thankfully that was the only broken bone. Second, I’m thankful for Annie. I thankful that see has open eyes and that I get to teach with someone I can admire for her love of others. Third, I’m thankful that God reminded me of a very important lesson.

Mark 12:33
“To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

Confessions and Bieber Fever...

I can't believe it has taken me this long to start blogging again! I have wanted to many times and just not taken the 30 minutes to sit down and write...

To be honest the first few months of my second year were a little hard to adjust to. I kept thinking about my old students. It felt a little like a break up, and it took me a little while to get over them. Thankfully I still get to seem them all the time in the hallways.

I really do have an incredible group of students this year. Not only do I have 5 less kiddos (last year I had 26, and now I have 21), but they are all so sweet and egar to learn. They also seem to have more innocence to them, which is great. And they laugh at all my jokes :)

On to the confession...yesterday at car duty, a student from another 3rd grade class was holding a Justin Bieber book. Well, wanting to have a little fun with her, went over and said,
   "Oh my goodness, you have a Justin Bieber book! I love him!" (honestly I do like him, but I don't usually admit it so freely)
   She then pulled out some Ipod earplugs and said, "Well, these are his earplugs. My dad works on his tour bus and he gave them to me."
   Now I was a little intrigued, yet skeptical and asked, "Can I touch them??" She nodded and held them out for me. I touched them and then squealed, “I just touched Justin Bieber’s earplugs I can’t believe it!” (At this point I was totally hamming it up, and being over dramatic)
   She went on to say, “I’m actually going to get to meet him tonight!”
   Now I was almost positive she was stretching the truth (aka lying through her teeth). So I asked, “Wait, Justin Bieber is in Branson, Missouri?? What for?”
   “He’s vacationing here.” Was her reply. “But I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone he’s in town.
   Next I said, “I won’t tell anyone. But can I go with you?? Or will you at least take a picture for me?”
  She said no, I couldn’t go….and that she didn’t have a camera. So I told her that I wasn’t sure I believed her without any proof.

Well about that time her ride showed up and that was the end of our conversation. So now the confession…last night I dreamed that I met Justin Bieber! In my dream I went to his concert, and then heard he was going to be at the mall afterward. So of course I went to the mall. I remember telling someone the following, “ I know that I am 24 and too old for Bieber Fever, but I never got to meet the BackStreet Boys or Nysnc, so I feel like I’m living out my childhood dreams by meeting him!” Well I did meet him. And when I tried to take a picture for proof, the camera on my phone wouldn’t work! Haha, As I tried to fix it I said, “Oh man, I don’t want all these other girls to get mad at me for taking up so much time.” And he said, “Its ok, they’ll wait. I have all the time in the world.” Haha!

That's all I remember but when I woke up this morning I thought, "Did I really dream about the Biebs last night??" I guess that's what I get for teasing a student.

*Disclaimer- I do like Justin Bieber’s music, but I don’t really have Bieber Fever or a crush on him. Also, I did not follow up to see if the student met him…but I will tomorrow!*

23 Things…

This actually started out to be a list of 22 truths I was writing in a journal as I was nearing my 23^rd birthday. It was going to include things I had learned about myself and life in general over that year.  Well I only got #13...but I found the list the other day and decided to finish it and add #23. So here they are 23 truths I’ve learned about myself and life.

1. Life is short
2. I love to read
3. I don’t like blue cheese- YUCK
4. I complain too much
5. Trials are a good thing
6. Happiness comes from the heart
7. That Tim Magraw song, ya know the one, “You find out who your friends are”  is so true
8. Be careful who you trust, especially with your heart
9. Kids are FOREVER – be sure your ready to have one!
10. Good Habits are easier to develop, than had habits are to break
11. God isn’t keeping me from something good, He’s preparing me for something GREAT
12. God is always enough
13. Kids are brutally honest
14. Answers are not always black and white
15. Two products I personally think you should always spend a little more on and buy the good brands: nail polish and toilet paper
16. As much as I love being around other people I really need my alone time to relax and unwind
17. Work SMARTER not harder (this is not meant to discount the vaule of hard work, it just means don't make things harder on yourself than they need to be!)
18. I have one of the greatest families ever (after seeing the brokenness of some of my students homes I learned how much I’ve taken for granted in my life)
19. Diet Coke = Love
20. Growing up means deciding things for yourself
21. I don’t like running…but I’m trying to learn to like it, because its good for me and I always feel great when I’m finished
22. I love living in Branson…never thought I’d say that, but seriously I think it’s one of the greatest places on earth!
23. I’m truly blessed

I can't wait to see what is instore for this new year. 24 sounds a little old to me...but I know it's not in the big picture. I'm excited to see what God has for me and see what new truths I will discover :)

The End of the First Chapter

   I cannot believe I have already completed my first year of teaching! When I think back to last August and my first day of school I it feels like it was only 10 days ago, but in reality it was 10 months ago. Standing on the other side and looking back over my year I learned so much. I can’t even begin to write about all my experiences. I have only blogged about a few of the stories. For everyone one I wrote this year there are a dozen more that I didn’t find the time for. But I wanted to take time to look back and reflect on some of my triumphs, failures, and lessons in between.

    First, I will share one of my greatest triumphs. On the last full week of school I had my end of the year review with my principal. As we were discussing my strengths she said, “I would like to compliment you on your biggest strength, you are wonderful at forming relationships with your students. I know that every kid in your class knows you love and care for them. And that is something that comes from within, it can’t be taught.” Her compliment was like gold to me. It’s the one thing I wanted her to say because it’s the reason I wanted to teach in the first place. Loving the kids is my core.

    And now a failure…or two. Maybe failure isn’t this right word…weakness is better. There any several things I plan to do different next year. The first is my classroom management (which I think will take time to craft). I’ve always heard “go in strong, be mean at first, gain their respect and then you can back off.” Well mean isn’t something I do well. Sure I get upset and I get angry, but I was surprised at how much I wanted my 8 year olds to like me! My plan for next year is to be more firm (firm and friendly to be exact, thank you Kara Swofford). But also I really want to instill more respect and trust on my students. I know that if I allow them to take more responsibility up front it will help me and my students in the long run.

    Another area I left weak was differentiating my lessons (teaching to different ability levels). I know my lower and average learners were challenged but I don’t think I did enough to push my highest kids to their potential. Next year I want to take the extra steps to be sure every student is challenged.

    Lessons in between. I learned so many valuable lessons this year. One of the greatest I learned was from the teacher across the hall from me. He taught me to keep smiling no matter what. And if I lost my smile, he would toss me an extra across the hall.

    Also, I learned that what my kids wanted most from me was love. As human beings it is what we crave. I could see it in their little eyes. Some days they didn’t need me to teach me, they just needed me to love them.

    And if I had to give advice to first year teachers I would tell them not to sweat the small stuff. In the end it doesn’t matter how cute your classroom is. It doesn’t matter how many hours you spend preparing your lessons, someone else will teach it better. What matters is being there and giving it everything you have in that moment. Oh yeah, and that it’s ok to leave school before 5 o’clock. It doesn’t make you a bad teacher, in fact I think having a life outside of school makes you a better one!

    I know there are many things I will do different next year, but I wouldn’t change a thing about this one. I’ve grown more as a person in the last 10 months than I maybe in my whole life. Teaching is my passion and it makes me a better person in every aspect of my life. I know I chose the right career. I love it. Plus, I get summers OFF! Seriously, it’s AWESOME. Why doesn’t everybody want to teach??

The Greatest Side Hug Ever

              First things first, I would like to say that I love MAP Testing. Being the unknowing first year teacher that I am, I wasn't sure what to expect.  But now, after having almost completed the MAP, I think it's awesome. Maybe not the actual test itself, but the giving of the test has been great! I get to test the kids in the morning and relax and take it easy with them in the afternoon. We’ve had time to do so many fun things! The best part of it all is that I have even more time to spend on relationships with my students. This afternoon I had my greatest “teaching” moment yet, and it happened while we were making kites.

   As my students were finishing up a project (they made Kite Glyphs, where you add details according to your life. For example, add 3 bows if you are an only child). Anyway, as they were finishing one of my boys, I will call him “Brad” brought his kite up to my desk where I was working on my very own kite. He started comparing and contrasting the things that were a like and different about our lives based off our kites. I was shocked that he was so interested in my life because all year Brad has acted emotionally detached from me and most of his classmates. Seeing his interest I tried not to get too excited (in fear of shutting him down) so I kept on coloring while talking with him. He’d ask me a question about my kite and I’d ask him one back. Finally he said something about this older brother and how he’d just gotten out of jail. Brad has a pretty rough home life.  So I asked him a few questions about why his brother went to jail and then we had a talk about learning from other people’s mistakes and not following in their footsteps. He told me that he didn’t want to be like his brother and that he wanted to be better. I told him that I was proud of him for making that choice and that I loved him.

   After a few more minutes of talking it was time for us to clean up and get ready to head to the bus line. As we were walking out the front doors of the school I thought I would take a chance and ask him for a hug. I knew even asking meant I was taking a major risk, because usually he won’t even give me a high five. If I pat him on the back he jerks away and hides. But today was different. I said, “Brad, can I please have a side hug?” He smiled at me and then quickly slipped his arm around my waist and gave me a little squeeze. I thanked him and then he headed for his bus as I tried to fight back my tears.

              I don’t know what tomorrow will hold for me and Brad. I predict that he will walk in my room like usual, head down and no greeting. But for now I am celebrating the growth we had today. I’m basking in the warmth of this moment. And I will forever hold on to that little side hug. It meant the world to me. I love Brad and I pray that he will always make the right choice.

Lord, Teach Me to Pray

     My small group just finished reading the book Lord, Teach Me to Pray in 28 Days by Kay Arthur. It is a good book and I didn't realize just how much I had learned from it unitl tonight. After a wonderful evening with my small group friends, I wondered why I was feeling restless with God. I felt defeated and unwanted (not by any of my bible study memebers) but with other things. So I decided to get out my prayer journal and pray. 
    Originally when I started writing I was going to pray for my future husband and ask God why it's taking SOOO long for him to get here...but as I started writing I remembered "how to pray" As I wrote, my pen kept flowing and not one word was what I had intended to write originally. Through my prayer God showed me some areas of my heart that need work. I decided to blog about it and include the prayer below so that it can be a reminder to me and hopefully a reminder to others that God is there. Prayer is our connection to him. This is my favorite quote from the teach me to pray book:
       "Someone has said that prayer and the Word are like two wings of a bird- both are necessary if the bird is to fly. And both are necessary if we want to soar in our relationship with our heavenly Father."

Dear Lord,

               Please help me! You are great and mighty to save and I need you to rescue me. I have seen your miracles in my own life and in the lives of others that I love. I know you care for and love me more than anything (I’m your child). You don’t need me, You WANT me. And honestly at times, I don’t want you or your plans, but I know that I NEED you. I’m nothing without your love. You are the maker of heaven and earth. Ruler and creator of ALL, even me. You took the time to create me, even though you knew I’d be sinful and filthy, you made me anyway, because you love me. You designed me and set a purpose for my life. When I stop and think about it I am humbled and awestruck. How can I do anything but praise you? Why do my lips, the very same lips that praise you with one breath turn and slander another brother or sister with the next? Why do I seem to think that my plans are better than yours? I know your plans are higher and bigger and better than anything I could ever dream of. But still I think I know best. I look at my life and the blessings you’ve poured out on me and I still question you. What is my problem Lord? Why am I so selfish and consumed by the things I don’t have? I am a spoiled little brat. I want everything done my way and in my timing. And while I may not through myself on the floor in a tantrum when things don’t go my way, I sure am good at pouting. In fact, it’s actually something I used to take pride in. How sad is that?? Pride itself is sinful. But I was taking pride in the fact that I was so good at pouting to get my way! Like I said, spoiled brat.

                        God, your word tells me that you will grant me the desires of my heart if I will trust in you. For the longest time I was manipulating your word so that I could say, “Ok God I trust you, now will you please give me what I want?”  But I have learned in time that if I fully trust you, my hearts desires will begin to line up with your will for me. I’m sorry God for twisting your words.

                        My prayer tonight is that I continue to grow you will continue to break me of my selfishness. Continue to show me when I try to change your promises to fit my circumstances. Enlighten me with your love and fill me with your joy. Let me be a shining light for you. I want to love you and desire you more than anything else in my life. You alone are worthy. You alone are enough. Forever.

Love,

Janae

Pretty Little Liars

The following is a conversation between me and two of my students today:

This is what was said as I was talking with one of my boys about him calling a little girl in my class a liar (I’ll call him Tommy and her Sarah).

Tommy- “I think it’s fair that I called her a liar, because she called me a bad name first!”

Me- “Well, just because someone says something mean to you doesn’t make it ok to call them a name back. But what name did she call you?”

Tommy-“Uh…well... what was it? Oh yeah, she called me…a pretentious jerk!”

Me-“Oh, a pretentious jerk? Really??

Tommy-“Yeah, that’s what she said.”

Separate conversation – me to Sarah

Me-“Did you call Tommy a bad name?”

Sarah-“No Miss Bass I didn’t’.”

Me-“Are you sure you didn’t say anything mean? You didn’t call him anything like a pretentious jerk??”

Sarah-“No Miss Bass I promise. First of all, I don’t know what that word even means, and second I don’t say things like that because I’m a Christian.”

Haha, you just have to love the stuff they come up with. They are so cute. Sometimes it’s hard as the teacher to know what to believe (however, not in this particular case).  For the record Tommy did admit to me later that he made that up. But it got me thinking a lot about lying. It’s crazy how many times a day I catch my students in lies, from talking in the hallway, to writing mean notes about other students and then signing someone else’s name. And these are only 3^rd graders. Lying isn’t something we are trained to do. Ask the two year old who snuck a cookie when their mom wasn’t looking and 9 times out of 10 they will skew the truth. Lying is something we must be trained NOT to do.

I try so hard to instill in my kids that honesty is the best policy. The other day I heard one of my girls say, “you should just tell the truth, because then your punishment will be less.” Yes, many times this is a perk to telling the truth, but it should not be our motive for being honest. We should tell the truth because it’s the right thing to do. So in Miss Bass’ class (and hopefully through their lives) honesty is the BEST policy!

“What is desired is a steadfast love, and a poor man is far better than a liar.”

–Proverbs 19:22

“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put on the new self, which is being renewed in the knowledge after the image of its creator.”

-Colossians 3:9

Biographies

I'm a little late on posting this one...

For the three weeks leading up to spring break my students worked on researching and writing biographies. This was a fun and interesting process (I have made a few notes on what I will do differently next year) but overall I was very impressed with my students work. They chose all sorts of famous people to research...from Amelia Earhart and Thomas Edison to Ringo Star and Rob Zombie (I would like to note that I strongly encouraged these two to make other choices, but they insisted!  

Finally once they had finished the research and writing process I invited their parents to come in and watch the students present their biography to the class. I also told my kids that for 5 bonus points they could dress up as their person of interest. It was so much for to see them dressed up! Below I have posted a few of my favorites, if there would have been an award for best dressed they would’ve won!

Big Hearts = Deep Pain

I have a big heart. I get it from my dad. When bad things happen to me or the people I love I feel them very deeply, sometimes I think I feel the pain all the way down to my toes. I am not someone who can turn off my thoughts or worries. When I’m upset about something it shows in everything I do, I’m not very good at hiding my true feelings.

          Lately I’ve been feeling like my big heart is a curse. I have several situations in my life right now that I have absolutely no control over, and it’s killing me because I can’t fix them. When someone I love is hurt I want to rush to their side and help them. If I see a friend heading down a path I know is unsafe I want to run to them and say, “What are you doing, you know this is a bad idea!” (and usually when it’s a friend, I that’s exactly what I do...whether they asked for my advice or not…) But this week I have a couple of my students that I’m worried about, and it’s a different kind of worry than I’ve experienced before. I can only imagine what it must feel like to be a parent and worry about your children. These kids aren’t even technically mine, and I can’t get them off my mind. I know that I am loving them everyday. And I know that I’m “technically” doing everything I can, but I just don’t feel like it’s enough.

          Monday night I went to Coffee Conversations at my church, it’s our ladies night out. The speaker talked about how we are never going to “be enough”. She went through the lies we tell ourselves…I will never be the perfect teacher. I will never be the perfect daughter. I will never be pretty enough. When I get married I will never be a good enough wife….and the list goes on. Then she said that God IS ENOUGH and through HIM we are enough. So tonight as I am feeling 99% defeated and like I’m not enough, I am going to remember that I serve a mighty, powerful God and He is enough. He is enough for me. He is enough for my students. And He is enough for you.

          So even though it hurts like crazy when my big ol tender heart gets broken I am thankful I have it. God gave me it for a reason. And I will continue to love, even when it hurts. It is my prayer that teaching will not harden my heart over time and that I will feel every situation my future students go through like I’m feeling them now for the first time.  

“If our God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give all things.’ –Romans 8:31-32

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13 **This was my Grandma and Grandpa’s favorite verse**

On a brighter note I have a couple cute kid quotes:

The other day I told my kids to put their initials on note cards they are taking for biographies we are writing. I modeled how I wanted this to look and wrote my own initials on the board, JB. I was quick told, “Oh my gosh Miss Bass you are so lucky! You have the same initials as Justin Bieber!”   -I was not as excited as my girls :)

And today when I was feeling down my autistic student lifted my spirits with this one. As we were packing up at the end of the day I told him to get his coat and his backpack ready to which he replied, “Miss Bass, I don’t got my coat and I don’t got my backpack, I’m travelin light!” I was so cute I didn’t even correct his poor grammar!

Love Quiz

          Valentine’s Day is the best holiday ever when you are a teacher. The kids get so excited about giving out their Valentines, making their Valentine boxes, and of course eating lots of sugary treats. And as their teacher you get lots of sweet notes and fun treats too!

          On Monday afternoon my we had the full out classroom party, with parents helping, cookies, and party stations. The kids loved it and it everything went pretty smoothly. But my favorite part of the day was Monday morning.  That morning we did some Valentine’s themed lessons. During reading we read about the history of the holiday and practiced telling the difference between facts and opinions by reading statements about Valentine’s Day. Then for writing I taught a lesson on figurative language (similes, metaphors, personification, and alliteration). We came up with a list of examples of each; of course they were all about love. It was so fun! Some of my kids were really deep and it was so interesting to see the difference between the boy’s answers and the girl’s answers, even as 3^rd graders they are already so different! For example; one girl said "Love is like a fairytale." and the boy next to her said "Love is death."

       Finally, I had the kids use their figurative language to write poems about love. I even told the boys their poems could be “anti-love” poems. But before they started writing I had them take a little “love” quiz that I put together to help inspire they poetry. It was the highlight of my entire day! Their thoughts on love are great, so I’m going to share some of my favorite answers with you, enjoy!

Question #1: What do you think is the right age to get married?

-25 because if you get married any younger that might be a bad idea

-21, it seems appropriate

-20, 30, 40, or 50

-34 years old

-I think the right age to get married is 25, because you’re not too old and you’re not too young

-100 because I don’t like getting kissed or married

-23 or 25 because I think that’s when my mom and dad got married

*Overall the average age was 25 (which made me happy, there’s still hope for me, haha)*

Question #2: What is falling in love like?

-Having a partner forever

-You just look into each others eyes and you know or not.

-When love knocks down a door and crawls into your heart, it never comes out.

-It’s a tingly feeling

-Falling in love is like a calm river

-Falling in love is like seeing someone for the first time

-It’s like falling into a pool of roses

-I think it feels good and squishy

-I think falling in love is like watching T.V.

-It’s like meeting your dream man

-Falling in love is like getting hit

Question #3: How can you tell if two adults eating dinner at a restaurant are in love?

-If they have a rose in the middle of the table

-Gazing at each other and sticking their tongues out

-The way they look in each others eyes

-If they have candles, dark lighting, fancy clothes, and by the way they talk to each other

-If they are feeding each other

-I can tell if the guy pulls out a ring

-If they are laughing and stuff like that

-They are embarrassing themselves

-If they are mumbling

Question #4 Do you want to love someone SOMEDAY?

-Yes!

-Yes, because I don’t want to be lonely

-Maybe

-Not really

-Yes, yes I do!

-Maybe, I don’t know

-Yes, I want to get married (a boy wrote that!)

Question #5 Do you feel loved? By who?? ( Mom, Dad, Siblings, Friends, ect)

-Yes, I feel loved by my dad

-By my mom and dad

-My family

-Yes, I feel loved by Justin Bieber

-My mom

-I feel loved by my family and friends inklooding (including) you Miss Bass!

-My mom and dad, by you Miss Bass, by my whole family

I love just love their hearts! And I hope reading their thoughts on love made you smile and remember how simple life is as a child. They have it so right sometimes. Being a grown up often complicates the simple joys of life. I know I wish I could be as carefree as some of my students are. It’s a good reminder that life is sweet!

Oh, and here’s a couple of my favorite Love Poems

Love is beautiful

Open for you

Valuable

Everlasting

Love is funny,

Love is sweet.

Love comes in and tickles my feet.

I love you, you love me.

We were meant to be.

Love is super gross.

I do not understand love.

Love is super weird.

It's All About Love

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about love. Not only because Valentines Day is just a few days a way, but because a lot of my friends have been going through break ups recently. When I started thinking about writing this blog it was going to be titled, “For Women Only!” I even looked up some men bashing quotes, but the more I thought about it I realized that guys aren’t the only ones at fault when it comes to failed relationships, women make mistakes too.  

We are bombarded with poor examples of love everyday. Think about it, you get in the car and turn on the radio, 9 times out of 10 you will hear a love song playing. Or it will at least be a song that has something to do with love, wanting love, bleeding love, breaking up, or making up. And TV and movies are even worse. They have tainted love and marriage so much, by making it seem “normal” to sleep around and down playing the sacredness of marriage.

No wonder we live in a world that’s hurting. We are looking to the wrong sources to show us what love is all about. My head has been spinning with these thoughts all day. Then I started thinking about real life examples that show a “true” love (my parents, grandparents, friends, and more).

This made me think of how blessed I’ve been with some great men in my life. So this Valentines Day I’m choosing to honor the 4 most important men in my life; my dad, my brothers, and Jesus.

First, I have been blessed with one of the best fathers a girl could ask for. Seriously, he loves me more than life itself and treats me like I’m the most special girl in the world. He has always told me I’m beautiful and that he loves me. My dad goes above and beyond to make me know how much he cares for me. I used to think that he just did that because he was my dad and I assumed all dads must treat their daughters this way. But I have realized within the past couple of years how rare his love actually is. My dad told me something about love once that I will never forget. He told me, “When I was dating your mom I would have done anything to see her or be with her. I would have driven as many miles as it took to see her. If a guys not willing to do that for you, he’s probably not the right one for you.” For the record, he is still that crazy about my mom. He thinks she is the most beautiful woman in the world and would do anything for her.

Next, my older brother Luke. I am so proud to call him my brother. He is a wonderful example of a loving husband and father. He is an awesome spiritual leader for his family and a great older brother. He told me once when I was going through a break up something along the lines of this, “Janae this is why it hurts so much, God didn’t intend for us to date lots of people. His plan was for us to be with one person forever. So when we give our hearts to people that aren’t in God’s will for us, its going to hurt.” He’s a pretty smart guy that brother of mine, and there is so much truth in what he told me that night.

Then there’s Logan the other “man” in my life. He is such a blessing to me and our whole family. God knew we needed him. He has the most tender and sincere heart of anyone I know. His advice to me on love, “Janae I think you should join an online dating service.”  He’s only 12 (almost 13) but he’s one of the smartest, most grounded kids around, but I’m still too scared to try online dating!

Lastly, Jesus. I know He’s my greatest love and my forever love. He is the one who will never leave me or forsake me. He will supply all my needs. I know this because I can see His work in my life. For example my job, I knew I wanted to teach but I didn’t know where, and he opened the door at Branson and I practically waltzed right in. He is constant and I will continue to trust Him.

So, instead of feeling alone or sad because I don’t have a “Valentine” I will celebrate this year full force and thank the men I do have. I know it’s totally a commercial driven holiday, but I love it! And I’m not going to be one of those lonely girls that pretends to hate it. Besides, I’d say I’m a pretty lucky girl, I have 4 valentines!

 



Snow Days = Fun Days

I've been very productive today on my second snow day of the week...and I just found out they've canceled school for the rest of the week!

I’m not going to lie, I love the snow days!  I know it’s going to stink when we’re going to school until JUNE, but I don’t get bored being at home for a few days. I find all kinds of things to keep me busy (other than the piles of school work I bring home to grade)! For example, yesterday I played Just Dance 2 all day long and cleaned. And today I made two collages. One for fashion ideas that I hung in my closet and one for beauty ideas that I put in my bathroom! (See pictures below)

If you find yourself getting a little stir crazy here are some of my person favorite things to do on a snow day:

-Clean
-Have a movie marathon day (its best of you pick a specific genre, like a dance movie marathon, or you can do a “link the actor marathon” – for example Julia Roberts in Runaway Bride to Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz in My Best Friends wedding to Cameron Diaz and Ashton K in What happens in Vegas…and so on! 
-Make something crafty
-Clean out and organize your closet - it may not sound super fun, but it feels so great after you’re done!
-Bake something!
-Read
-Journal
-Call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while and catch up
-Talk to friends on facebook chat
-Make hot chocolate for you’re neighbors that are outside playing or clearing off the sidewalks
-BLOG J

Stay safe and stay warm!

We Have a Dream

This week after studying the life of Martin Luther King Jr. I had my students write out their own “I Have a Dream” speech. I told them to include some of their personal dreams as well as their hopes for our country. I did not give them very many ideas. They came up with these all on their own. I was blown away by their responses. They were very heartfelt and thoughtful. Here are a few of my favorites. I corrected their kid spelling so you can understand them. I also changed their names for privacy.

“I have a dream that all the little children with no mom or dad will reunite with their parents. I have a dream that the earth will be green. I have a dream that the poor may not be hungry. I have a dream that the poor will have a home. I have a dream that all of the world could be compassionate and loving.”  

By: Sally

*this little girl has not seen her mom in 4 years.

“I have a dream that I will sing and raise money so I can donate it to charities. I have a dream that we will have no more wars with other countries. I have a dream that no one will feel lonely. I have a dream that people will not fight with fists or weapons, but with words of wisdom. I have a dream that I will have a loving family and so will all of you.”

By: Rebecca

“I have a dream that I will pick up trash and put it in the recycle box.”

By: Timmy

“I have a dream that people will stop killing animals.”

By: Luke

“I have a dream that orphans will find homes. I have a dream that poor people that live of the side of the road will be rich. I have a dream that murders will go to jail. I have a dream that their will be no robbers in the USA.”

By: Sarah

“I have a dream that I will open my own recycling business and be president. I have a dream that I can end world hunger. I have a dream that I can find a home for dogs that don’t have homes.”

By: John

“I have a dream that someone will buy our house so my family can pay their taxes, and that everyone can pay their taxes. I have a dream that I will give my money to charity.”

By: Jason

*It’s crazy the amount of things kids pick up on.

“I have a dream to be in the U.S. Army to help our community and to save our state.”

By: David

“I have a dream that all the cars will be a low price for everyone in the world. Not just for people who are famous.”

By: Danny

“I have a dream that I can be in a band. I have a dream that I can give money to the poor and give food to the poor. I have a dream that I can fix the Branson Bell. I have a dream to save the world.”

By: Logan

“I have a dream that I can be a doughnut shop worker when I grow up like my dad.”

By: Greg

“I have a dream that I will become a downhill snowboarder and give my money to charities. I have a dream that I will change my name to Tony.”

By: Tony Jr.

“I have a dream that everyone will start believing in God and that nobody will trust idols, Kings, and Queens. I have a dream that everyone who is homeless will find money and be able to have shelter again. I have a dream that sick people will begin to feel better.”

By: Maggie

*She asked me if it was ok that she wrote about God, I told her she could write as much as she wanted about God!

It's amazing how much 8 and 9 years are aware of. Childlike faith is such a sweet, sweet gift. I hope that after reading my students dreams you are inspired and encouraged to pursue your own hopes for the future.

Kindness and Compassion

Kindness and Compassion

Over that past few days I have found my self engrossed in the news stories about the shooting in Arizona. Every time I hear new information my tear-filled eyes are glued to the TV screen. There is so much pain and hurt coming from every angle. It seems that everyone wants to point their finger at others in blame, but trying to shame someone else with guilt won’t change the events of that day and won’t bring back the lives that we lost.

Monday night on Nightline they had a special story on “Lone Wolf Killers.”  The story focused on other mass killing sprees and how the common denominator is that they are all “attention seeking crimes.” The gunmen in each case acted out to be recognized, seen, or heard.  The story ended with this statement, "This is a key message not just for the press. [It's] a message for teachers, it's a message for neighborhoods, and it's how we as a society can eliminate something that's distinctively American. "

That story and especially the last line went straight to my heart. I immediately thought about my class and the impact I have on my kids. I have a student in my room that has severe emotional issues. He doesn’t know how to interact well with others, handle his anger, or communicate in general. Yes, I have done my part in reporting my concerns to the school guidance counselor and making sure he gets all possible interventions (I’ve even put him at the top of my Grandma’s prayer list) but still I wonder if I’m doing enough. I have said this many times before, but I didn’t decide to be a teacher because I LOVE math, or because I LOVE reading so much. Sure I like those things, but the reason I am a teacher is because I LOVE kids and because I want to be a positive role model in their lives. Teaching is the avenue that allows me to do just that, LOVE kids.  So many times it’s easy to loose sight of that passion because of all the other things I am required to do…but when I stop and think it all comes back to love.

In my own personal life I am making it a goal to let this tragic event open my eyes others around me. Because of my profession, I get the opportunity to be with kids everyday, but even if I wasn’t a teacher I would still make the same challenge. We all interact with people everyday no matter what your job. For example, my mom and dad interact with customers at their restaurant, my older brother interacts with his co-workers at the City department, my grandparents interact with their friends at bingo, I interact with the cashier at Target. (Yes, I know I should’ve found a synonym for interact but I wanted to emphasize it) We all encounter different people each day. I’m not saying that we need to rush out and try to befriend every person we meet, but we can show them kindness and compassion. It’s as simple as smiling at a stranger, or complimenting your waitress on her cute earrings. Just be aware of others, and willing to look outside of your own world. It’s scary to think how many opportunities to show love we pass up in a single day because we are so concerned with our own life.

I’m not a huge Barack Obama fan, but I really loved this quote from him. It pretty much sums up all that I’ve been feeling over the past few days.

“At a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who happen to think differently than we do," Obama said, the killings should make Americans ask themselves "Have we shown enough kindness and generosity and compassion to people in our lives?"

Last, I’ll end with a few scriptures, I like Gods word a lot better than Obama’s!
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Ephesians 4:1-3
“Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”
2 Corinthians 13:10-12
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”
1 John 4:6-8

High Expectations

High Expectations

I have been thinking a lot lately about expectations. So many times in my daily life I will plan out exactly how I hope something is going to happen…whether it’s realistic or not isn't a consideration when I’m dreaming something up in my head. These “ideas” can be simple or extravagant. For example, in the morning as I’m getting ready for work I might think something as basic as “I hope someone notices that I did my hair different today.” Or as I’m heading to Panera for dinner I might dream up the perfect scenario of how I may meet my future husband there… “We were both refilling our coffee cups then our eyes meet…” (I have watched one too many chick flicks)

We all have expectations. No matter the size, small or well thought out daydreams, we all have them. And sometimes, for me it’s really hard not to be disappointed when my expectations aren’t met. During worship at church yesterday I was reminded that it’s ok to have expectations as long as I’m putting my trust in the right hands. People are sinful in nature. They are going to let us down for time to time. None of us are perfect. But we are saved by a perfect God. His love will never fail us. Sure we may not understand his plan, or why we go through tough situations, but His love is as steady as mountain. So from now on I’m putting my trust in “High” expectations.

I found this passage in Psalm yesterday, I think it fits perfectly.

“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs he returns to the earth; on that day his plans perish.

Blessed is he whole help is the God of Jacob, whole hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD set the prisoners free. The LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but they way of the wicked brings to ruin. The LORD will reign forever, your God, to all generations. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 146: 2-10

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Random thoughts of Christmas 2010 and hopes for 2011.

This Christmas season has been a time of reflection for me. I've been challenged more than ever before to focus not only on the true meaning of Christmas, but also on presence over presents.

My students decided that instead of doing a class gift exchange we would do a fundraiser for our community. Each student brought in $5 and we voted to use the money to make gifts for a local nursing home, and then donate the rest to the Salvation Army kettle. We were able to decorate and deliver of 60 ornaments and donate $55 to the Salvation Army. Not all my students were able to go the nursing home with me to deliver ( I had to ask the parents to bring their kiddos after school hours) but the 5 students that did come kept telling me how much they loved brightening the “old peoples” Christmas.

Although my hearts desire this Christmas was presence over presents I was hit with just how spoiled and selfish my heart truly is on Christmas day. Over Thanksgiving day I told my mom, “Mom, don’t worry about me this Christmas, I don’t need much…maybe just a crock pot. Just make sure that Logan (my 12 year old brother) has a great Christmas.” I really did mean that when I said it, however…when Christmas morning came I did not get a CROCK POT! And guess what, I was disappointed! (don’t feel sorry for me, not even one bit, I got plenty of other gifts)  First I was a little mad at my mom for not remembering what I had specifically asked for, but then I quickly got mad at myself for acting like such a spoiled little brat. My mother is one of the greatest women I know, and has so much on her plate right now. She works incredibly hard to make our family run smoothly. And although I affectionately call her “superwoman” I know she is not perfect.

Now this is the part of the story that really makes me a brat. A few days after Christmas while mom and I were out doing some returning we were looking at new coffee pots in Khols.  I just happened to walk over to the crock pots and ask my mom, “Did you forget that I wanted one of these?” She felt terrible for forgetting, and I felt about a million times worse for bringing it up and making her feel bad. I tried to explain that I was more disappointed in myself for feeling the way I did, than at her for not getting me the stupid crock pot. Well, later that night I went out to eat with my older brother and his family and when I got home guess what was sitting on the counter?? A new crock pot with a bow on it! Lesson Learned:  I Janae Lynn Bass am a spoiled brat with a selfish heart. I need Jesus reshape my heart.

A New Year…

My Grandma Clara made us homemade devotionals for Christmas this year. My goal this year is to do it everyday. For the past 3 years she had bought the family matching devotional books so that we can all be reading Gods word together even though we are apart. I always start the year strong but fall incredibly short of completing mine. She told us all on Christmas, “Do this everyday this year and I guarantee you will grow closer to God.” So that is my #1 goal this year.

Last year I made the goal of reading at least 2 books a month because I like reading, but don’t make time for it. I ACCOMPLISHED my goal!!! I finished my 25^th book on December 29^th. It felt really great to meet a goal I set for myself.  I am keeping this goal again this year. And I am including my book list at the bottom of this post.

My other goal this year is to start learning to cook. It’s kinda hard and feels somewhat pointless cooking for one, but it’s time I learned! Plus someday I hope to cook for more than 1, so I figure no better time to start learning than now. And I have to put my new crock pot to use!

My prayer for the New Year is that God will give me the faith to link today with His tomorrows.

Acts 1: 7-8

“He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Sama'ria and to the end of the earth."

I pray that you have a blessed New Year!

-With Love, Janae

2010 Book List

1. The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers  *** My Favorite of the year***
2. For One More Day by Mitch Albom
3. Angry Conversations with God by Susan E. Isaacs
4. Just Beyond the Clouds by Karen Kingsbury
5. Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
6. The Giver by Lois Lowry
7. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
8. Are you There God? It’s me Margaret by Judy Blume
9. Little Women by Laurie Lawlor
10. A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
11. How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World by Jordan Christy
12. Ramona Quimby Age 8 by Beverly Clearly
13. The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers
14. Clouds by Robin Jones Gunn
15. What the Heart is by Billie Lets
16. What a Girl Wants by Kristen Billerbeck
17. Unlikely Angel by Ashley Smith
18. The Dailey Five by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser
19. Whispers by Robin Jones Gunn
20. Waterfalls by Robin Jones Gunn
21. Miss Match by Erynn Mangum
22. Gooney Bird Greene by
23. Never the Bride by Cheryl McKAy and Rene Gutteridge
24. She’s Out of Control by Kristen Billerbeck
25. With this Ring I’m Confused by Kristen Billerbeck

 A few pictures from the Nursing Home