Kisses from Katie

Lately I have felt the Lord lavish His love on me more than ever. I know that it’s because I’m seeking Him more and more, therefore I’m seeing Him more and more. He reminds me constantly that He loves me. He shows me in so many ways that He is pursuing my heart daily. I'm worth it to Him. He wants all of me, and I want more of Him, less of me. 

Last week a friend of mine loaned me the book Kisses from Katie. It is the story of Katie Davis, a girl from a Brentwood TN, who answered God’s call and went to serve him in Uganda. She originally planned on staying for 1 year, and then continuing her plans to start college. But God had different plans. She is still living there today, has started an amazing non-profit, and adopted many children as her own.  I had heard of Katie and a little bit of her story when I was living in Nashville. So I was excited to read it. But wasn’t prepared for the emotions and desires it would stir within me. It’s the most inspiring book I’ve ever read. I loved it from cover to cover and didn’t want it to end. I have never felt so motivated by a book.  Not that I think God is telling me to move to Uganda and start adopting kids (although, it’s kinda temping after this read) but I’m inspired to love more fully right where God has me.

 The biggest concept I took away from Katie’s book is seeing the “one.” So many times the world tells us that we are too small to make a difference. And that what we do doesn’t matter. But it does. No, we’re not solving the world’s problems, but to that one person you are.

Also, it’s not about the things WE do, but it’s the work GOD does through us when we are willing. I Janae Lynn Bass am a no good. There is nothing good in me. I am a sinner to the core. But through my salvation in Jesus Christ I am able to do great things when I serve him.

Katie Davis’ words have caused me to pause and really look at the way I view my life and my time on earth. I was created with one purpose, to serve the Lord. And right now, that means teaching His children in my 3^rd grade classroom. This week I’ve been praying that God would show me ways I can be more like Katie to my students. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in all the “work” I have to get done at school. So I’ve been praying that God will make me more aware of my students needs and that I will have the means to meet those needs. I can already see a difference. My kids crave attention so much. And it really doesn't take much to show them love. Yesterday I played basketball with a few of my kids at recess. It was so much fun, for them and for me! It's the smallest things sometimes, but taking just a few minutes and laughing with them as I missed every shot made our day so much brighter.

This is one of my favorite quotes from the book:

“People are people. They all need good water and medicine, but mostly they need love and truth and Jesus. I can do that. We can do that. We can give people food, water, medicine, love, truth, and Jesus. The same God created all of us for a purpose, which is to serve Him and to love and care for His people. It is universal. We can’t do it in our own strength or out of our own resources, but as we follow God to wherever He is leading us, He makes the impossible happen.”

“Everyday we have a choice. We can stay nestled in our safe comfortable places, as I did when the rat was in my room. We can let fear of something that really is small compared to the greatness of God cripple us. Or we can talk a risk, do something to help someone else, make a person smile, change someone’s world. Life to the fullest exists. It’s available. All we have to do is decide to get up and embrace it.”

If you want to learn more about Katie, her book, and her ministry click here. You won't regret it :) 

http://www.amazima.org/katiesbook.html

Kid Sense

I’ve decided no matter how strong of a front I try to put up at times, my students see right through it. It’s like they know when Miss Bass needs that extra special note to bring a smile to my face.

Today was one of those days. As much as I was looking forward to seeing my kiddos after a 3 day weekend, my heart felt deflated this morning. For about 2 years now I’ve lead a small group for junior high girls at my church. One of the girls’ father is very sick and dying from cancer. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain she’s going through right now, to lose a parent in the 8^th grade is unimaginable.  I spent Monday with her trying to be there the best I know how. She is amazingly strong, and has incredible faith in the Lord.

This morning I was still very much thinking about my sweet friend and her family, but of course I didn’t mention anything to my students. I just put myself in Miss Bass mode and started teaching. Well, after reading groups I found this note lying on my desk. When you read it you will see this little girl already has an extremely obedient heart for the Lord. I have no doubt that He put it on her mind to write me this. He continually showers me in his love. And I’m thankful for his love and my students too. 

On a lighter note…I also received this note today. It was wrapped up like a scroll and tied with a red ribbon. It’s a joke. It's actually a girl student who wrote it. She’s very funny and constantly making me laugh. Today she just wanted me to know I’m admired, haha.

It says: 

Dear Queen Bass, 

    Meet me at sensual recess at 12:10 pm sharp. 

                                              Love, 

                                                      Secret Admirer 

Where she came up with "sensual" is beyond me. Like I said, she's a funny one. And she sure did make me laugh. 

Kid sense. I'm thankful they know without me saying a word. And where as adults can be hesitant to share encouragement with each other, they just write it in a letter. So simple, and yet so effective. I'm thankful for my sweet students that give me purpose each day. And mostly I'm thankful for God and that His love is the same forever and ever. 

Do you trust me?

trust

noun

1.

reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.

2.confident expectation of something; hope.

3.confidence in the certainty of future payment for property or goods received; credit: to sell merchandise on trust.

4.a person on whom or thing on which one relies: God is my trust.

5.the condition of one to whom something has been entrusted

      Aladdin was one of my favorite childhood movies. I even had a cat named Princess Jasmine (Jazzy for short).  God has been teaching me so much about trust lately. And today when I was thinking about the trust I’ve found in Him for my future, I thought of this scene from Aladdin. She’d just met him, but she trusted him enough to jump off a roof top! I’m not sure I’d have trusted Aladdin that much…but I should have that kind of trust in the Lord. Life is very difficult sometimes. I know what God allows us to go through various trials and hardships. And I understand that sometimes it feels like He’s sitting up in heaven watching and doing nothing to help. But deep down I know that is not true. I know He is good. He is love. And I know He has good things in store for His children.

 “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.”

Jeremiah 29:11

A few weeks ago in youth we discussed trust, and I that’s part of what started my focus and study on trust. Also, I was recently made aware of my lack of trust in a situation. I was feeling reluctant and nervous to allow myself to get hopes up, because of a past failure. Luckily I was gently reminded not to give up before even trying.

I think its part of human nature to be fearful because of our past. In fact, we are wise to learn from past mistakes. As a result, over the past few weeks I’ve been praying and trying to find the balance between learning from the past and living in the past. Most importantly, I’m learning to trust the Lord with my future. I’ve spent hours praying and reading scriptures. I’ve come find comfort in and peace in His word. Proverbs 29:25 says, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” I know that trusting someone involves risk, but with risk also comes excitement. I’m excited to know my trust is in the Lord. I know that no matter what happens in life I can trust He is there at my side. He has great things in store for my future and I can’t wait to see what they are. When it comes to trusting in the Lord, I’m like Jasmine, ready to JUMP!

I hope you too will trust God in all of life’s circumstances. Even when it seems hard, pray and seek the Lord. He loves you enough to send His own son to die to save you. He will never leave us of forsake us. 

Psalm 32:10
Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.

Psalm 52:8
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.

Psalm 143:8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

New Year Goals

New Year Goals

Today I had my students write out their goals for the New Year. I wasn’t sure how seriously they would take it, but some of them were really good, while others are funny, and a few made me teary eyed. Enjoy!

I want to jump to 1,000 without stopping on my pogo stick. Because I’m great at it. It will help me because I want to become a professional pogoer.  -Thomas

I was to earn at least 100 dollars. I’m saving for college, because it will help me get an education. -Janet 

I want to lose weight because I really want to fit into clothing so very bad. It will make me healthier and make other people want to play with me more. -Kacie 

I have a goal to eat healthy so I might lose weight. I have a goal to get over my parents separating and dating other people so they can be happy and so can I. I have a goal to be nicer to my sisters so we can get along. I have a goal to keep my thoughts to myself so I seem nicer to others. I chose these goals so I can achieve more in life. -Chelsea

I want to become a better person than I am now. I’m going to try to use more self control. -Logan

These are just a few, but it was so enlightening to see into 8 and 9 year old minds when it comes to resolutions. I was so sad to read that about half of my girls want to lose weight. They are in the 3^rd grade. What does that say about the world’s skewed view of size? And some of their resolutions were about such grown up issues. Makes me wish I could do more for them…which leads me to one of my resolutions. I want to be the best teacher I can be. And I want to continue being there for each student and loving them daily. 

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!*