Sunday, May 8, 2011

I Want Them to Know...

Today I'm writing letters to my students, which I'll give to them on the last day of school. In addition to pointing out their God-given gifts, I want each one to know...

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Oh, Boy!

Addressing invitations for my dear friend Cary's baby shower. Why I chose to address all 30 envelopes in such a fashion, knowing they will thrown into the trash can upon opening...I don't know. Perhaps the people receiving the invitation will take notice of the fun writing.

But probably not. :) Love you, Cary!


Friday, May 6, 2011

Mayhem

May stresses me out, I'll be honest. Consider this the "busy season" for teachers. It's not necessarily a bad stress, but it's a stress nonetheless. What the end of the school year throws at a teacher is similar to trying to drink from a fire hose. That creates a funny picture in my mind. :)

Anyhow, I've decided to give myself a project in the midst of everything else. I miss Project 365, so May will be a mini-version with the same basic idea. Each day I'll take a picture of something contributing to the "mayhem" in the month of May...and I'll blog about it. Not a novel idea, I know, but fun glimpse into everyday life for me. So to begin...

This...is the Roman Forum. The middle schoolers at my school put this shindig on each year, and it is SO much fun. To celebrate the end of a long unit on Roman history, they host an outdoor marketplace for the entire school. My kids bring $5 each, and it goes a looooong way. A bag of popcorn for a penny, a wide-brimmed hat for $0.50, baked goods, Silly Band bracelets, sodas, flowers, and jewelry are just a few items sold at this thing.

We used our only class time to attend this today, and it was a blast. My old students were selling things, so of course I had no self-control and just about spent my full $5. But I now have the coolest purple and black checkered shoelaces.

After we got back to the classroom, I was explaining to the kids that they needed to save candy/soda/treats for after school - they had already indulged enough. We were about to go to Computer class, which was then followed by lunch and recess. My favorite conversation of the day occurred at this point. I had just been very clear about what to do with their new purchases, when a student raised his hand:

Student: Miss Cunningham, I bought some ice cream, so can I come back up to eat that after lunch?

Me: You bought ice cream?

Mrs. Miller (my assistant): Honey, where is your ice cream?

Student: In my backpack.

My thoughts: [You want to leave your ice cream in your backpack for the next hour and a half and eat it after that? This is amazing...]

Mrs. Miller (praise God for her): Honey, we need to go put that in the freezer!

I seriously love my job. A child's thought process and the things that come from the mouths of my students...priceless.

So there it is...my first post about May and the "hem" that comes with it. :) It has only just begun.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Three Things

1. This year I have a class full of poets. If you remember, several months ago I posted a cinquain about a turkey. Today I post a haiku about a rock. If you're not familiar with haikus, a quick review: A haiku is traditionally a Japanese poem, usually about nature. It consists of three lines with 5, 7, and 5 syllables making up each line. Thus, the poem:

ROCKS
Rocks are very hard.
They are awesome in weird ways.
Rocks can make my day.

Love it.

2. I'm a tad bit obsessed with this CD recently:

Honestly, this is partly because the album cover is so cute. Look at it...it's so cute! Currently my favorite song is "Rock of Ages". These lyrics really stood out to me this week:

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Humbled and grateful that the Lord saved me.

3. You should read this. :) It's really good.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Time for Tea

Last week I received my very first invitation to afternoon tea. One of my sweet students handed me a formal invitation, and since then I've been looking forward to this special treat!

It was a blessing being able to spend time with this family outside of school. I've had two of the children in my class over the last few years, and I've grown to know and love their mother (and of course, the kids!).

Olivia and her mom spent the morning making delicious cheesecake, hot cross buns, and getting everything ready for their guest. The table was lovely!


This is Olivia's little brother, who often makes guest appearances in my classroom. My students love him, and it's such fun to watch Olivia be a big sister.

I had to get a picture of a random flower...this one was in their beautiful backyard. :)

My first afternoon tea was a lovely experience! I think I might be okay living in England.

Cup of Salvation

A current favorite song of mine, based on Psalm 116.

I love the Lord, for He heard my voice
And answered my cry for mercy
Because He listened to me
I will call upon Him as long as I live

What shall I render to the Giver of life
And who all things are made?
What shall I render to the One who paints the oceans blue -
Jesus Christ?

I will lift up a cup of salvation
Call on the name of the Lord
How do I repay the life that You gave?
I'll call on the name of the Lord
Lift up a cup You have already poured

What kind of rendering is found in this taking
Found in this drinking of love
Love so abundant He meets me in depravity
With one thing to give

What shall I render to the Giver of life
And who all things are made?
What shall I render to the One who paints the oceans blue -
Jesus Christ?

You have delivered my soul from death
My eyes from tears
My feet from stumbling
And I will walk before the Lord
In the land of the living

I will lift up a cup of salvation
Call on the name of the Lord
How do I repay the life that You gave?
I'll call on the name of the Lord
Lift up a cup You have already poured

~Shane & Shane~

Friday, April 15, 2011

Mmmmm...

This is what we do in Miss Cunningham's class. :)