Wednesday, September 29, 2004

To change majors or not to change, that is the question!

Pros and Cons for changing majors

English Education:

Pros:
-Influence classmates for Christ
-Wiggs believes in me (Dee Dee)
-Rise to the challenge and finish the major
-Have job opportunites

-Intern in an Orlando high school

Cons:
-LOTS of homework
-Student teaching during free time
-Lesson plans and more lesson plans
-No time to do anything other than education
-Do I have a heart for high school students?



English major/Religion minor

Pros:
-Learn about other religions
-Increased heart for the nations
-Read books I love
-Learn Spanish (again)
-More time with my Phi Mu sisters
-More involved in Crusade

Cons:
-Essays
-Am I employable?

Tuesday, September 28, 2004

Withdrawl

On account of a virus in our house network, I have been going through a long period of internet withdrawal. But thankfully, I have it back because of a little thing called anti-virus software. Yay for Norton. :) There have been so many opportunities to blog this past month, but my ability to write was crippled by mounds of homework and lack of internet. :( So I shall try to recollect the things that were interesting and give an account of them.

First of all, my major will be changing. How does this make me feel? Ecstatic! No more lesson planning, tutoring HS students in weird schools, learning how to deal with ELLs and students with disabilities in my classroom...because I won't have a classroom! No more reading about curriculum and assessment techniques! Instead I will be learning about literature and religions of the world. I will enjoy reading for class and will increase my heart for the nations of the world. Thank goodness God gave me the ability to choose and I have chosen...NOT to do Education anymore. :)

The only disappointment in changing majors is that I will be leaving an awesome bunch of students. I love my classmates in my current major, they are going to become the best secondary English teachers and I would not mind having my future children in their classroom. Their passion for literature and drive to challenge and influence kids will take them through the major and shape them into great teachers. I will also miss my interactions with my professor, Wiggly, he gave me one of the most unique nicknames I have received thus far in my life, Dee Dee, it has no connection whatsoever with my real name. He also made this semester bearable and for that I am grateful! Dee Dee thanks you!

More later...

Friday, September 17, 2004

Florida is going to sink


Thought this picture was appropriate for the recent weather activity that Florida is been through. Namely, Hurricane Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne. Who's next? Posted by Hello

Thursday, September 16, 2004

Mercy

All I once held dear, built my life upon. All this world reveres and wants to own. All I once thought gain, I have counted lost, spent and worthless now, compared to this. Knowing You, there is no greater thing. You're my all, you're the best. You're my joy, my righteousness. And I love You, Lord.

Now my heart's desire is to know You more. To be found in You, and known as Yours. To possess by faith, what I could not earn, all surpassing gifts of righteousness. Knowing You, there is no greater thing. You're my all, you're the best. You're my joy, my righteousness. And I love You, Lord.

Oh to know the power of Your risen life, and soon know You in Your suffering. To become like You in Your death my Lord, so with You to live and never die! Knowing You, there is no greater thing. You're my all, you're the best. You're my joy, my righteousness. And I love You, Lord.

God has given me so much mercy lately. I have treated Him badly, put myself above Him, demanded things of Him, questioned His abilities, and refused to give up control. Yet, He still met with me, poured peace on my soul, refreshed my spirit, and humbled me. He has removed my dead heart and given me a new one. All praise be to Him who did not give up on me or leave me to my way. I have not felt this alive in a long time. He is here with me, and does not disappoint. He provides and gives me strength just when I need it the most. Even though I dislike my major, am tired of doing homework all the time, wish I could skip the next two years of college and get on with life, complain, and act like a stubborn spoiled child, He still loves me and listens to my prayers. He still calls me to Himself and desires for me to know Him intimately.

My faith has been hanging on by a thread lately, and my hope was draining from my soul. I could not see God anywhere, I did not know what to do, I was continually questioning Him and asking Him to open my eyes to what I had put in front of Him. But I never took time to listen to Him, I accused, questioned, doubted, but never listened. Then I came to a desperate place, where I had no choice but to listen to Him and give up the fight. I cried out and He heard me, He held me and took me to a place of refuge, a pasture of rest. Now I see Him, I see what I put in front of Him, now I long to worship and be with Him.

"He saved us not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." -Titus 3:5-7

"...and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." -1 Peter 2:24-25

"...but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly...but God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
-Romans 5:3-8