lifeofdory's Xanga

Support My Classroom!

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:42:48 GMT

On average, teachers spend $1,200 annually out of their own pockets for classroom materials and supplies.

In Idaho, the public schools budget was cut for the first time in the state's history.
My school took a 15% hit; all of our staff suffered a 3% pay cut.

We are expecting a 10 to 15-percent increase in enrollment this year. And we have less money with which to serve these students (all of whom have special needs).

Please forgive my shameless plug.

Oh, and if you don't click the link, that's fine.
But, if you feel so inclined, could you support my classroom through prayer?

Interdependence Day

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:48:10 GMT

It is American Independence Day, which always gets me to thinking. Many people think of Independence Day as marking the day we got out from under an oppressive heel. In the global playground, we were sick of being bullied. So we lifted some weights, practiced some snappy comebacks, and shook ourselves free of the bully. As an elementary teacher, I know something many people overlook: the victim of bullying often continues the cycle by becoming the next generation of bully.

A bully is often a lonely figure. He (or she) generally has few real friends. He believes in his own independence, that he doesn't need anyone; but he ends up lonely and broken without the experience of camaraderie. His independence may destroy him.

On the playground, I always had a couple of friends on whom I depended for companionship or a much-needed tongue lashing (rooted in love, of course!). When I became a Christian, I decided to depend upon Christ. Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." In addition to illustrating the life-giving quality of the vine, Jesus uses the plural branches. Hmmm... that sounds more like INTERdependence than INdependence.

July 5th is my grandparents' anniversary. Sixty-seven years ago, they decided to depend upon one another. I have decided that from this year forward, I am going to celebrate July 5th as Interdependence Day. I've always thought of it as more of a celebratory day, anyway, since I grew up doing fireworks on the fifth for Grandma and Grandpa's anniversary. And now that I'm older, I have found that interdependence is much more beautiful to me. So, today I will spend time with friends, but only as the precursor to a day where I recognize out loud that I can't do it alone. I need my friends. I need my husband. And I definitely need Jesus.

political labels and the Kingdom

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:51:55 GMT

This week, I stumbled across the a xanga post that left me feeling distressed. The poster had posted an email forward/political essay, essentially stating that she (being a Conservative) wanted a "divorce" from liberal America. I understood the frustration behind the post, as the two polarized sides of our political scene tend to create butting-of-the-heads rather than meetings-of-the-minds.

Despite understanding the emotion behind the post, I could not find a single point that I agreed with. The premise of the post was this: Like a typical divorce, the parties involved would split the assets. Essentially, the "right" side would get all the Christians, the military, and the awesomeness. The "left" side would get abortion doctors, Scientologists, Muslims, the homeless, and peaceniks... and I assumed since all the Christians were on the right side, the lefties were all going to hell.

My distresses are as follows:

1. Labeling those with whom we disagree does nothing to solve the problem. It just drives the wedge deeper.

2. Christ's ministry was a ministry to the homeless, impoverished, and those abandoned by the Empire. The Way (early church based on Christ's teachings) was based on non-violence, and redistribution, and community. So, while Jesus would be ministering to the homeless and broken, his followers would be on the opposite side?

3. In responding to my comments, I was labeled naive, silly, and complacent. Why is it naive to try to follow Christ's teachings? I was told that I was taking the "let it pass" mentality towards sin and evil in the world. I got the feeling that the orignal poster was concerned for my soul...

My gut hurts from thinking about this and turning it over in my head. I don't consider myself "liberal," but someone said my comments "smelled of liberalism." I am left pondering some questions to myself... How has American Christianity become so separated from Jesus' teachings on the Kingdom of God? How can I better represent Jesus to people who are quite disenchanted with the way Christianity appears in many (but not all) mainstream, conservative circles? Why is it so easy for me to love people outside the church, but so challenging to love other Christians who don't understand how I try to live the gospel? How do people reconcile to themselves the marriage of militarism and Christianity? (I might address the last question in a later post).

*sigh* I tried to be respectful and I got blasted. I tried to be reasonable and was called silly and naive. I guess that's why it doesn't pay to get into a xanga-debate...

resuming regular posting

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:20:11 GMT

So, I've been stuck in a motivation black hole. I'm not depressed enough (nor have I been since college) to *need* to post/write daily like I did when I first got xanga. But I'm not motivated (manic?) enough to *want* to post/write daily.

But, now that school is out and I have no life until teacher workshops in August, I will be posting again. Goodness knows I need a hobby!

The challenge for me, however, is finding topics that are meaningful to me, but that I don't get hostile about... Education in important to me, but I get really frustrated and, well, hostile thinking about NCLB and the cesspool that is national education policy. Matters of faith and Christianity are important to me, but after subscribing to Revelife for a year, I have found that there is little point to it... since everything turns into an argument, people are really stubborn, and almost no one really joins the discussions to actually *discuss*. There is definitely a lack of humility in this area.

I'll probably spend most of my time posting on these two topics, anyway. It's what I know, and I write what I know.

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Sat, 09 May 2009 18:21:36 GMT

I hate to start my post with a cliché, but it has been way to long since I've posted. I guess working between 50 and 60 hours a week will do that to my posting motivation.

Spring has sprung, which means more sunlight to beat down my seasonal affective disorder. School is almost done, which means I'll have 2 months of minimized stress. And, today was the first day of the local farmers' market (huzzah!).

So why am I feeling down? (Don't worry, I'm not about to get emo on you, ... just maybe a little personal)

In December, only three days after Christmas and two days after announcing the news to our parents, I had a miscarriage. Boo. I was devastated, even angry (that's the grief cycle for ya). Then someone in my family got pregnant, and I was terribly confused. Boo again. At this point, I was sad, angry, bitter, confused, and just plain exhausted from trying to navigate all these emotions, plus from the physical toll of everything.

One night, I reached my limit, and I finally broke down. I sobbed, shaking and crying, and called out to my Healer Jesus. He answered, and although I woke up the next morning with really swollen eyes, I felt a sense of peace. Still sad? Yes, but definitely more peaceful.

Now it's spring, and animals everywhere are procreating like mad. I have two friends who are currently at the point in their pregnancies that I would have been. I see their growing bellies, and look down at my flat stomach, and I feel a sort of emptiness. I guess that's why it is called the grief cycle... sometimes you find yourself back where you were before. And I don't really have anyone around here I can talk to about it. So it gnaws at me.

I'm not irretrievably depressed. I am still happy and full of His Joy. I guess I'm still waiting to figure out what the point of it was.

On being peculiar

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:49:03 GMT

I've been called many things... and most of them usually center on "weird" or "odd." The only times I've ever been called "cool" have been by un-cool little kids who think that it's cool when grown-ups act silly in front of large groups of people.

I don't mind being weird. God's people are "set-apart;" as a Christ-follower, I am called to be peculiar in the world. What does that look like? I'm still figuring that out. I began experimenting with non-conformity in the sixth grade. Inspired by one of my favorite characters for tween girls, I decided to intentionally wear really absurd outfits to school. One such outfit included purple leggings, a red thermal-knit shirt, bib-overall shorts, and a brightly colored scarf depicting a giant parrot. A lot of people comment on my clothing. Most told me it was ugly or that it didn't go together. I simply replied, "You only think that" or something equally scathing and disarming

I have since given up being strange for its own sake. But I still desire to be peculiar for Jesus. In the early days of the church, believers formed little enclaves of strange-ness. They lived their lives in stark contrast to the world around them. People quit their jobs as soldiers and guards when they accept the gospel of Christ. People sold everything they owned. This was very odd in the militaristic, materialistic Roman Empire.

Then something happened. Rome adopted Christianity. It became "mainstream" to be a Christian, and the little peculiarities disappeared (except in places like monasteries, abbeys, and convents). The gospel lost some of its power because it wasn't preached in a way that offered something different from the world. Christians were in the military. Believers were carrying swords, accumulating wealth, and living individualistic lives.

The peculiarity of living a Christ-like life exists in little pockets of an otherwise imperialistic Christianity. And I've found that this strange way of life can make some other Christians uncomfortable. In american Christianity's attempt to be relelvent, it too has abandoned its call to be peculiar. Too many churches offer the same thing as the world, just in a different "Jesus wrapper." Churches support war and tell you how to build your best life now, instead of announcing that Jesus calls us out of empire into a unique relationship with those around us. Somehow, we've decided that ballot measures and praise bands are more important that genuine interactions with hurting people in need of something different than the world can offer.

What can we do to reclaim the peculiarity of following Christ and living in contrast to the empire?

brethren

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:31:56 GMT

Jake and I found a wonderful little church the week we moved here. We have been attending it ever since, and we felt so blessed that we didn't need to endure "church hunting" before we found a community that embraced us. Jesus led us there, and we are so grateful.

Jesus has used our brothers and sisters there to bless us and encourage us. During August and September... and actually into October... the kitchen was full of garden produce for the taking. Miss Dee's garden was overflowing, so she shared with everyone. I asked Miss Joann if she could help me improve my knitting... and yesterday, she presented me with a wealth of yarn, knitting needles and crochet hooks. We get hugs and encouraging words. And our pastor even asked Jake to participate in his ordination service.

We have also had opportunities to give back. Jake noticed that one of the older women was having a hard time understanding her King James Bible... observant as he is, he also noted that she needed large print. He felt led to help her... so he found a second-hand Living Bible in large print... and Miss Pat has a much easier time digging into the Word. We had the opportunity to throw a baby shower for a young couple expecting a baby.

The church is simple. We don't stand on a lot of formality. Sure, we call some of the older members "Miss," or "Brother"... but the older members have a lot of respect and appreciation for the youth and twenty-somethings, too. Sunday School is intergenerational... not as something new to experiment with, but just because it's a great way to learn. We laugh together, cry together, and learn together... and eat together, too!

We have been so blessed by Jesus leading us to this little church. He provided us with the family we needed when we are so far away from our families. This week of Thanksgiving, I am firstly thankful for His perfect timing and His voice of guidance... and I'm thankful we had the with-it-ness to heed Him.

names

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:09:36 GMT

I purposely avoided posting during the months leading up to the election. I found that every time I started discussing politics, I would become agitated. Even inwardly hostile. And I don't like feeling like that. It was undermining my ability to love people. So I didn't post.

I was (foolishly) looking forward to November 5th. I was so excited to greet the end of the name-calling and blanket statements and lie-based email forwards.

It is now November 15, and it hasn't stopped. Palin is still doing public speaking and making jabs at the president-elect. Words like "fascist" and "anti-Christ" and "terrorist" are still being thrown around by the populace. Labels precede given names: convicted felon Senator Ted Stevens, and openly-gay Representive Barney Frank. And I am sad.

In my classroom, I place an emphasis on using our given names. Names are linked to identity. In the Bible, names carried so much meaning and weight. I mean, the LORD changed Abram's name to Abraham when He entered into a covenant with Abraham. Jesus called his disciples by name. I was named after my dad. My grandpa's middle name is the name of the uncle who fetched the doctor during a blizzard so my grandpa could be born. Name-calling is dehumanizing and is an announcement saying "I do not value you enough to use your name. You are unimportant to me." My students know the name of the custodian who cleans our room... she is no longer "the trash lady," she is Jen, an important, wonderful woman who deserves to be called by name.

I wish that the Christians who are participating in so much mud-slinging and name-calling would acknowledge the humanity of those to whom they refer. Don't call Palin a pit-bull. Her name is Sarah Palin. Don't make links like "B-->S: Obama/Osama," or call him "the anti-Christ." His name is Barack Obama.

I challenge you: stop the name-calling. Honor the humanity and God-given specialness of His creation.

Moving, part two: I say hello

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:00:55 GMT

Jake and I have been in Idaho for one week. While the adjustment has been a little challenging for both of us, we found some new things to which we could say "hello"...

--A small-but-cute apartment. With that come our lovely neighbors: B. (the mom), D. (the little boy, around 7), and E. (the very cute 2-year-old). E. doesn't speak much English, but that hasn't stopped her from inviting herself into our kitchen via the patio door. She's smiley and adorable, and hasn't let a little language barrier get in the way of welcoming us to the neighborhood.

--A farmers' market, less than a mile away. It runs every Saturday from May to the end of October. We went this morning, and the produce was great. There must have been about 20 vendors, selling everything from regular produce to specialty pancake mixes to homemade dog treats. We bought zucchini, tomatoes, and apricots. Next week, we plan on stocking-up on sweet corn so I can freeze a bunch for this winter.

--A grocery store with a HUGE bulk-foods section. I was stoked... they have everything from flour and sugar to pizza crust mix, veggie burger mix, and granola. We bought a 25-pound bag of pancake mix, in addition to a lot of other great bulk foods. Hooray for cheaper foods and less waste! Said store also gives a six-cent discount for every bag you bring to bag your groceries. We saved thirty cents

--We found out that North Dakota is not the only state with nice people. We've met some very friendly Idahoans, too.

--I said hello to my new employers on Wednesday. I went to tour the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind, and I'm very excited to start. The resources available to me will be great... I'll even have my own SmartBoard! I will have 4 students, and one more will join my class in November or December. That will be a new kind of challenge for me, as the new student is moving here from China, and will know no English or ASL. The Chinese end of the adoption says she has good language skills in Chinese Sign Language. If that is true, she should transition fairly well to ASL. If not... I will have my work cut out for me.

--The beautiful Snake River Canyon at the north end of town. It is absolutely breathtaking. Jake and I biked there yesterday and walked along the south rim. It was fabulous.

--Drier weather... which means the heat index is pretty much not applicable like it is back home. It's nice not to feel sticky all the time!

I'm sure we will continue to find more things that we enjoy about our new home. I will post pictures as soon as I find the digital camera my mother allegedly gave to me...

Moving, part one: You say goodbye

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:43:29 GMT

On Friday, I bid a fond farewell to Fargo-Moorhead. It was a tough exit.

Jake and I left behind the only part of the country in which we've ever lived. I will forever be a North Dakota girl. My personality, work ethic, and concept of "extreme weather" has been molded by my ND upbringing. North Dakota has knoephla soup, kuchen, rolling prairies, and (generally speaking) really nice people. In North Dakota (and in Minnesota and SD, too), I feel safe, secure, and at-home. Things are predictable (except the weather!). In my hometown, people take care of each other. Plus, my dad's whole family lives there... so it was hard to leave.

I left my sister, who is one of my best friends. We've never lived more than five hours apart. We've never gone more than a month or two without seeing each other. I probably won't see her again until Christmas. We bawled. I left my nephew. He's growing so fast, I just hate to miss anything. He's becoming such a great kid, and he has so much personality to share. God gives me joy through my nephew. I left my parents... Mom and I have become friends in the last few years. No more lunch-dates with her. And it's always tough for a daddy's girl to leave her papa. And I left my brother, who I always wish I could have spent more time with.

Jake and I have friends in Fargo. We just started hanging out with some of his co-workers, and we really clicked with them. And then we had to bid them adieu.

But as hard as it was, we left. After all, Jesus called us to go to Idaho, and probably for reasons we don't fully know yet. On Friday, we had no idea what we would find upon arriving in our new state of Idaho...