Love Towards One Another

Hebrews 10:24-25New International Version (NIV)

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.


          I love this verse because it is a good reminder of how to act like a person. It calms me down and reminds me that whatever I say can be good or bad. It makes me watch my language, even good language. We need spur one another on towards love and good deeds. We need to encourage them in what they are doing and in their passions. That is the part that I love the most. Yes, we need to also meet together and the more we do that the better, especially as Christians.
         You can see things in person that you can't over the phone or computer like the actions they are doing but if we can't get together that doesn't mean that we need to stop being encouraging and loving to the people we care about. If you know them good enough,  you won't want to meet as often. It is just hard to do it by phone and computer. We just need to get into the habit of doing it in anyway we can, whether it is one or two ways.
        I also love the phase, "Let us consider how we may........" because it is thought provoking. "Consider" is another word for "think". Let us think about how we may........,right? It also means to reflect on and contemplate on. It just shows us that we need time to think about what we need to say or do next and see if it is the right thing. I admit that I have been known to do and say things before I stop and think about the meaning or the problems that it might cause. When I do that, things just get worse and never turn out the way I want them too.
        There are times that I get so mad because someone has done or said something to me that I didn't like and I wrote back or talked to them when I was mad and it didn't end on a good note. Then I go back the next day and think about what I said and I regret it most of the time. I have learned from a lot of mistakes, most from high school, but even some after college that I need to let a day pass or just maybe hours pass and then if I still feel like I should say or do something then I do it. I calm down and think about how it would help this person if I did this or say this.
             I want to be able to help people and lift them up in a good way, not a bad way. Times are going to get harder and the harder that get the more we need brothers and sisters in Christ to be there along side use encouraging us onwards. We need to stick with loving on people like Christ do because what better way to show people Christ then in that way. We are need to stay in good deeds because not staying there can go down the road really fast. Even though, Christ says, "good deeds are not the main things in life, they do help, even if it is very little."
           Not to put me on the spot or anything but it feels pretty good for me when people say that they love my encouragement and that I am so supportive of them and what they are doing. It just lets me know that I am making a difference by just doing the little thing like encouraging or supporting them, even if I do it just by showing that I have belief in them or way down the other end to where I am buying things from them and supporting them money wise.
           I know we should do those things because we care about the person and that God wants us to and not care what the other person thinks but sometimes it is nice to get encouragement back from them too. If you know what I mean. 

Preschool to 3rd grade

         My dream every time I have younger children is to see them later in life when they are bigger. I have had the privilege to do that with one of my very first kiddos I had in Bentonville. She was in preschool at the first place I taught and now she is in 3rd grade at the place I am at now. It took her a little while to recognize me and to make the connection but when she finally did she asked if I use to be her teacher and I said yes. It made me feel so good.
         It was strange too because I didn't start out with her group when I first started the job. I started out with the Kindergarten group but then we had to change things up a bit because of some changes so I thought I might take the chance and try to older children. I thought it would be a nice break from the younger children for a little while and it has been a nice break. Just knowing that I have that girl in the group make all the difference. I did ask her mom before she realized she knew me if she went to the preschool that rI use to teach just to make sure and she said yes and she seemed to remember me.
         The little girl had gotten a lot more taller and prettier but that she the only thing that has changed about here. Her face and hair hasn't changed a bit and neither has her smile. I saw all of that and I knew right away it was my little girl from preschool. I did have to figure out the math and little things just make sure but it was right. She would have been in the 3 or 4 years old class when I was teaching there because it has been 5 years since I taught there. It took me awhile to recognize her dad but her mom I remember from the preschool too.
         It is just fun to think that I have a second chance and more of a chance with this little girl then any of the other teachers do. It is not often at all that you get to have that with a child. Most of the time you just have to trust that you gave them all they need and that the Lord will take care of them. It is funny because she still wears clothes like she use to back in the day. They are of course in style for her age but there is always some glitter on them or it is a dress. She was always a girl with the glittery clothes on.
         Her personality has no changed a bit either. She is still the talkative and always smiling type of girl that I knew and Loved. She always had this get up and get going type of personality when she was small and I hope she never loses that even in her older years. She can do a lot with that personality if she keeps it like she has so far. 'She has a hard time listening now just here and there but what do you expect from a 3rd grader. I mean really. :) It is really just her bubbly personality! :) I like said before it is just amazing to see her now and for a whole other year and maybe two. Who knows if I am going to change school next year. For her sake, I hope not because having her two years in a row would be amazing for me.
         Seeing her that long in an actual school would be really neat! She would be the first child and maybe only child I got to do that with. A miracle if I can do that and then they can move me somewhere else after that year is over. Lol! All I can do about it is pray about it, right? God knows what is best for me. It does mean a lot when I think about how I have impacted her life before now. Now it is just a blessing to be in her life again. It just shows me that maybe the children I do come in connection with will do good in life. It shows me that working at the shelter might done some good. I really wish I could see those children again like I seen this girl.
         It also show me that what you teach them in preschool really does make a connection somehow and helps them grow up into the child and person that they were meant to be. I needed to see someone from my earlier job after the job that I just had and the comments that were made towards me there. I might not have any children of my own yet and might never but that doesn't mean, that if I can with the right things and situations, I will care for a child any other way but to my best abality. They are all my own children and I try to treat them like they are.
         God has given me this mission and purpose for my life and in all situations and jobs I will use it for His Glory.  It could be working at preschools, children's shelters, after school clubs, or my own children some day but whatever it is it is all for His Glory, not my own.

Self Control and Money

      I said this once and I will say it again. When you do not have the money to randomly spend, it is then that you want to spend it. I am going through that right now. With all this moving and starting a new job, I am low on money and have to watch it carefully. It is teaching me more self control and patience. 
       Money can be a stressor too even when you are single. Sometimes I think it is harder because you have no one to talk money with. No one to remind you, "hey, we don't have enough money for that." You think since it is just you then you can spend it on anything for you. You forget about the big things you have to pay for yourself and when switching jobs yourself that is the worst. I think that is the best way you can learn self control.
        I have had to hold myself back from buying things that were fun things and even some needs. I had to buy cheap food and not go too far because I am trying to save gas. The hardest part is driving by Starbucks and not buying coffee. That is a lot of self control for me right there for the people that really know me well.
         It is teaching me a lot of patience too. Self control equals patience. I like that saying because it is true and I'm learning that right now too. Self control teaches patience because you really have to have some control to have patience. I mean it is like saying "I want coffee now" or "I want that dress now" but you know you don't have the money so you wait patiently until you get enough money to buy it. It could be a long while and the dress could be gone by then but then that means you can spend the money on something else that you needed more or save it for something else better in the long run. I have had to be patience and wait for some things. It stinks when you notice what you need or want now when you don't have the money to spend it.
       It is also showing and making me think about really starting a budget. I have thought about things, new things, that I need to get but I have to start budgeting for. I have always tried to do the fancy way of budgeting and I have had different people show me different ways but I just can't seem to stick with it by myself or get the hang of it. I might have to do budgeting the old way and that is on a piece of paper and with a pen. I was even thinking of maybe taking the famous budgeting classes in the Winter if my church are offering those classes again. I never wanted to or never thought I need to but right now it looks like I need them. 

         I am just getting at the age where I need to throw in buying some new clothes every now and then and that is a big thing I am going to add to my budget. I haven't brought myself any new clothes since college so it has been about 6 years. I am almost 30 and will be in two years so I don't want to dress like I'm 21 when "I am actually 30. I need a new closet full of clothes. It also came to mind because I have been gaining weight of the years as I get older too. I don't do the walking everyday like I did when I was in college. 

        I have also realized that I need to be healthier instead of non health. I do buy a lot of candy and pop when I am stress so I need another goal set in place that I can think of instead of food like getting new clothes. Something that I can use and have for a little while instead of eating it and it is gone that day. I am just getting to that age where I will need the money for more important things in life like a house of my own someday or even a pet of some kind. I don't need to be wasting it all on sweets and coffee. Hopefully, with my job now I will be okay with that because it isn't as stressful as some of my other jobs were. I can already tell that I am starting to hold back on those things. 

          Even that right there is a different kind of self control because I know I need to be eating healthier for my body so I'm doing a favor for my whole body and for my money issue. I really feel like God is using this hard time with switching jobs to really show me what is important. I will be honest. I was a shopper when I was younger because I would get money as gifts from my grandparents every year and of course I would save a little up every year. If not, I got what I needed from using their money they gave me instead of what I had in the bank so that money was never touched. 

         All this to say that it is just hard growing up. You need more things and that is something that I didn't even think about when I picked my degree or career. Being a teacher, preschool or other, just makes it that much harder to live on your own. Yet you can see that I do it for the children and the love I get and not because of the money. I can live simple and that doesn't bother me at all. I don't care what I look like as along as I don't look like I am dirt poor. It is just money in my pocket for a little while while my purpose is changing the lives of children one way or the other. 

All About Weakness in Romans

-Romans 8:26b- "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."

-Romans 8:1-"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

-Romans 8:9a-"You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you."

-Romans 8:31b- "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

-Romans 8:37- "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

        These are just some few verses of weakness that I came across in the Bible. I looked these verses up probably about a month ago when I felt like I was at my weakest spot. I needed some encouragement about how weakness could be good for you and I found these verses that helped. These 5 verses helped me realize that being weak is a good thing because it can only show God stronger in my life. I feel like that is what happened through everything that I went through. I am happy with where I am now and I wouldn't change anything for anything else. I need this moment in my life where I can just be myself and away from everything. Learning about the importance of life with God by my side and just have a chance to listen to Him and no one else. 
        Not that I don't like to get advice from other people but no matter how smart we think our friends or other people are there is always a time where we just need to get away and focus on God and sometime even ask God what He thinks with the advice given to us by humans because we are all sinful. No one knows life's plan expect for God Himself. The 1st verse just reminds me that when we are at our weakness point the Holy Spirit will intercede for us especially when we don't know how or what to pray about. When things just are so confusing and you can't pick a job or a place to live the Holy Spirit is there to help you along the way. 
       The 2nd verse reminds me that no matter what we do wrong there is no condemnation for us that are in Christ. Now that doesn't mean we can go do whatever whenever but it means if we do pick the wrong thing or action then God will be there to redirect us in the long or short run. The 3rd verse just reminds me that we are in the realm of the Holy Spirit and it is Him who have control over us. We are not controlled by our flesh once we belong to God. 
       The 4th verse reminds me that no matter what happens in our life God is for us. He is never against us. The things that happen, that weak spot we are in, they are happening because of a purpose that God has for us. We are just learning and growing through those things so we can be the best at God's plan for us when we get there. I know for me know it is about making choices on my own. Getting use and loving the youth that I am in charge of now. Older youth. I'm also learning to wait for God's best and how to handle money more carefully. Also, that money isn't the most important thing in the world. Would you believe me ever thinking that? I am finding out I have and it is a hard thing for me right now to get over. 
        I have the 5th verse because it reminds me that with God's help we can get through anything. We are conquers of God and we can get through anything. We have God on our side to help us through the hardest times in life. To get through that fight or the disagreement or conflict that we are having with satan, our flesh, or with friends and family or even with random people. We are conquers because God loves us enough to be by our sides and help us through the though things. He doesn't want his children to get hurt in any way unless it is for some kind of discipline but even then He will be watching over you and pull you out of it when He thinks it is time. 
       There are a lot more verses in the Bible about the weaknesses we have and go through but these are just some I found right off the bat. I know there is a lot of verses about bing anxious, thinking negative thoughts, and so on just to name a few weaknesses. Then there is that story about Paul and the thorn in his side and God says My Grace is Sufficient for you. I love that story and verse too. My challenge to whoever is reading this: How many verses can you find that are about human weaknesses and God being there for us. I would like to get some comments with verses back on this entry if some people are up for it. 

Finding Out a Little Bit More About Myself

      When you go through things that can grow you, it is always an adventure. It can be things you knew but never wanted to admitted or it could be new things you learned about yourself. It could also be something you could use for the future like marriage and family. I have had a big adventure these past few months starting with questioning my passion.
        I have had a lot of questions going through my head and doubts but I like where I am right now in life. Still learning but that is okay. I can look up at the sky and see the bright stars above me. I am truly happy for once and I am single. That means a lot. Everything that is or has happened in the past months to now as been a process for me. 
         Here are a few things that I have learned and not scared to admit. When I had to move in with my brother and sister in law, it was hard, even spending only two weeks with them. That drove me nuts because I have lived by myself for 4 years, starting on 5th year. That made me see how much I have grown independently and on my own, which was nice to see. It also showed me more problems I have as a person but that I can also overcome those problems with help. 

         One thing I learned there is that I like things just my way. That is good and bad. It is good because I know what I want and what I believe. It shows me that I can stand up for what I believe in. It also shows me that I am not the only one around myself because there are other people I have to take in consideration around me. You think I would know that but I must have forgot living by myself all these years. You do have to plan around other people if you come in contact with them and that can be hard. That might be the bad part about it. Now I can kind of tell what I need to work on if I ever want a roommate or even husband in the future. 

          Another thing I have learned about myself through that is that I can be and always have been a little OCD about things. I like my routine and my things in their places. If they don't have a spot, then it really does drive me nuts. Something else to go along with that is that I don't like changes even the smallest ones. When there is little changes in one big change, I am so confused and a mess. It is like I have to stay in one room for awhile because I get use to it and have a place for everything. Once I move, I have to start all over again and try to find everything again. 

           I was also worried about my things all the time. Am I going to have enough food? Where did this thing go? Can I eat theirs or do I need to eat my food? Do I need to buy more of that for me/them or can I just use theirs? The questions just kept going in my head. I know it is strange and I should feel like I could do anything because they are family but that is my anxiety and OCD kicking in. The good thing about all of this, though, was that my nephews and nieces got to spend a lot of time with their aunt and they loved it. 

             Strangely enough, and I am not saying this to be unthankful at all, but I'm glad I found a new apartment as fast as I did. My future husband is really going to have his hands full and he will need to be a very special guy for me. It was just good to be back on my own schedule and routine again without worrying all the time. My new job has also helped me and is still helping me with finding out who I really am in the career field too. I've learned a lot just in the past two weeks that I have been working there then I have in a long time. 

           I started my new job with the Kindergarten group because that was the age I was use to and did all my life. I thought I was just tried of working in daycares and preschools one after the other but that wasn't it at all. It was that I needed a break from those children. They can really keep you busy when you least think about it because they did everything done for them. While it might be fun, it is hard at the same time and you need a lot of energy to do it. I learned that I am not that adult with that kind of energy anymore.

           I am slowing down at the age of 28. :) Not really, I ended up with the group of 3rd and 4th graders last week and I love them too death. They are so freeing. They can do things themselves and you don't have to help them much but yet you are there if they need to talk to someone. For me, it is a nice break after being with preschool and below for about 8 years. At least, their work seem to make much more since then the younger children's work. I made play dough with them yesterday and they loved it. They mixed it and played with it for awhile after we were done making it.

           At the same time, I am realizing that maybe I was made for something having to do with public schools and not just random preschools and daycares anymore. Now that I am thinking about it, the first preschool I taught at was hooked on and part of a bigger school/college. That was the College of the Ozarks Child Development Center. I guess I didn't think about how different different places are when they aren't hooked on to something else. 

           I know there are more things that I have learned in the past months but those are just some of the main things that I can remember that I have learned. Things that just came to my mind as I was going through all the changes that I have been through recently. The most important thing that I have learned is that "God always will be by my side and leading me to where I need to be at the right time and place." 

The Giving Tree

        "The Giving Tree" has always been one of my favorite books of all time. It always had that meaning of friendship and caring for me. I have not read it in forever until I read it to my class before I left my last job. They all loved it! I thought about it in a different way this time.
       The way I thought about it this time was through the nature and outdoors aspect of everything and life that it really does give us.  When the little boy was little, he loved to play outside underneath the tree. He would have fun climbing it and sitting under it and even pretending it was something else. He would use his head and come up with things it could be.
         When the little boy grew up, he used the tree for the things he needed. The tree would let him because the tree loved him that much. The tree also missed him hanging out with him. It just shows us that nature can provide everything that we need. The older we get, the busier we get and forget about the outdoors. We forget how to have fun in the outdoors. It is always I need this from you or I need that from you but we don't spend time in it unless we need. We don't think about it unless we need to. 

         The book is just filled with a lot of lessons for life. The book is about every stage of life or that is what I think at least. It is about young life, middle aged life, and elderly life. It isn't just about friendship and caring. That tree gave him everything that he needed in middle life. The tree gave him money by giving apples to sell. The tree's truck was made into a boat for him to sail away in for some time. The branches were cut down to make heat for the boy. Then the leaves were for something but I forgot what. Even the tree's stump was used in a way. It was used when the boy came back as an elderly and just wanted to rest again after all life had given him. That put was like retirement for an elderly person. 

         I also noticed the two hearts that was drawn on the tree. First heart was really down low and the first one on the tree. It was about him and the tree that they were be friends forever. The second heart was drawn on there when the girlfriend went to sit under the tree with the boy. When the boy cut down the tree, he split the hearts and didn't care for the girlfriend's/wife's heart but that was maybe because she passed away. That is when he wanted to make a boat and get away from the world. The first heart with him and the tree on it was on the stump that he came back to and sat or to rest. That right there says something important to us. 

         That says that nature and even God, if you want to look at it that way, because nature is God's Great Creation will never leave us. It will alway be there in our good and bad times. We can use it for anything and yet it will still be there even if it is just a little piece of it. Nature is there for us to enjoy and take the time to slow down. It is a place where peace and grace can come from. It is a place that can be enjoyed without spending any money on it. It is a place that is for everyone and everything. It is free to the world. Now from my point of view is that the best gift that God can give us. Nature at the times that we need it for our lives. 

           We can play, use, and rest in it whenever we want to and as were grow older. The ways to use it is limitless from biking on trails to growing things on it to hunting it and more in between. A lot more! We need to get back in nature and save it for the future children. We need to get the children on today back out there instead of on the computers, iPads, and phones. Those things only limit their thinking when nature can grow it. 

The New Apartment

        I am thankful for my new apartment. I am writing this on my phone so that is why it is so small. I love it so much! It might be a little iffy at night and on the outside but that does not bother me. It is bigger then my last one but not where I really want it to be. I will live with it though. I cannot complain about it. Like every thing else in life, picking and moving apartments has its ups and downs in each one.
         The kitchen and bathroom are a lot bigger. The bedroom is about the same or a little bit smaller. That is where I would like a little bit more room. The bedroom closet is a little bigger too so again I cannot complain. There is a little bit less cabinet space and bar space but then again I have three storage closets to put my things in so that is good too. The clothes room is twice the size that the one at my other apartment was and this one has double doors to close it in where the other one I had to use a shower curtain to cover it up.
         I love the location it is in though. I think that is my favorite thing about it. It is by a lot of houses and neighborhoods but it is also fenced off. It also has a few trees around the places especially the side I am on. It is one of the buildings when you come straight in to the apartment complex. It is also right across from the mailboxes, which is always a plus. To me, it is like living in the country or closer to it because there is less traffic noise and it is smaller.
         It is also really dark and pretty at night like it is in the country. I call it a small town (Centerton) because compared to Bentonville it is. There was also and still is a lot of rust around the apartment but for what I am paying I can live with it. I am not all the way unpack yet and I don't know if I will get to be. I think I have more odds and ends then can fit in the new place. It is close enough to where I can get together with friends and family but then stay away by myself when I need to and just enjoy my alone time. I can also still be involved with Bentonville things but at the same time have that alone time. 

         It is also a quite place most of the time even though I have little dogs and children living above me. I hear the dogs more then I hear the children. It is just that feel of awayness that I have always wanted. I think my other apartment was just too in the center of Bentonville with Wal mart employees living there and for it being by the square and the parks. Don't get me wrong I loved it but at times it could get annoying like during the spring and summer months. 

         I could not ask for a better place to live right now. It is away from everything and that is what I need right now in life. God has just blessed me with this spot to live right now. I need time for God and me. He is renewing my mind, right now, in amazing ways. I have been praying about a new place for about 2 or 3 years maybe and I finally got it. I finally got up the strength to look and pack so I could move. I finally found the right place to where I felt comfortable doing that. 

         Sometime God does take, what seems to us, like forever even in the smallest things like moving but we don't get that sometime. I think through all of this waiting for a new job that I like and moving to a new place, I think God is trying to show me something while teaching me. It is okay to wait what might seem like forever because it will be just the way you want it or even better because God knows what He is doing. These two things might seem minor to other things that I have been waiting for in my life but it is a good life lesson and something to think about.