OK, So Maybe Love Isn't Blind

Today I woke up to the shocking sensation of an axe slamming full force into my head.  Ugh.  Another migraine.  I begrudgingly got ready for work and drove to school.  When I arrived, I promptly told my kids I had a migraine and pleaded with them to be as quiet as possible.  The following conversation ensued after my brief announcement:

Emily: Isn't a migraine a type of flower?

Me: No.  It's a headache that makes you feel like your brain has just split in half.

Emily: Oh.  Well, can we pray for you Miss Jackson?

Me: Yes Emily!  Thank you, I would love that.

Virginia: I want to pray!

Me: Go ahead Virginia

Virginia:  Dear Lord, please help Miss Jackson to feel better so she can come to Open House tonight.  And please help her to look better for Open House.  And help her makeup to cover up her face so that she looks prettier.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

You've gotta give 'em credit for saying it like they see it. :)

Now that's inspiration!

Several times this morning I sat down to try to write something profound or witty, but the only words that came to mind were, "watermelons, marbles, sinuses, and petri dish."  No amount of brainstorming could alter the word-flow, so I guess I've got to make-do with what I have.  Here goes.

My lymph-nodes are the size of baby watermelons.  My arms and legs feel like they are stuffed with very, very heavy marbles.  And I'm wondering if i even have sinuses anymore?  Oh the joys of working in the germ-infested petri dish we call a third grade classroom.

Perhaps when when my lymph-nodes begin to shrink I will have more inspiring bloggage.  Maybe something along the lines of, "peaches, pick-up sticks, belly buttons, and bunsen burner"...?

Just Call Me Claude Monet

Today I took my students outside to do part II of an art lesson on impressionism. I was modeling for them how to use short brush strokes to paint garden scenes. As I was painting, a little girl in the front row exclaimed, "Miss Jackson!! Your painting is even better than Claude Monet's!"
It turns out love is blind.

Mine.

Claude's

Quotes from the Little People

I've decided to try to write down the funny things my third grade students say each week.  Here is this week's fruit:

After reviewing the definition of the vocabulary word, "Blacksmith"

Miss Jackson: "You know what?  My grandpa was a blacksmith!"

Michael: [dreamily] "Did he live in a castle?"

While searching for Psalm 139 during our Bible lesson:

Paul: "Is it in first or second Psalms?"

While trying to keep the kids calm after a giant wasp flew into our classroom:

Michael: "DON'T WORRY YOU GUYS!  My dad says we're bigger than the bugs."

While looking up the world's biggest hamburger with three of my kiddos:

Miss Jackson:  "Whoa!  That thing weighs as much as I do!"

Emily: [Surprised and obviously impressed] "Wow Miss Jackson!  For a grown woman, you're doing pretty good!"  

Tell Me What You Think, Thoughtful Reader

1. What is beauty?

2. Is beauty always in the eye of the beholder?

Please chime in with your ideas...!

Wishful Thinking

If clouds had flavors....

....blustery day clouds would taste like crème brûlée...

...sunset clouds would taste like rainbow sherbet...

...storm clouds would taste like chocolate mousse...

....misty morning clouds would taste like iced lemonade...

....and lazy day clouds would taste like fresh, summery shortcake!

Love is...

I had my first church solo when I was in fourth grade. I never had another solo after that. It's not that I have bad pitch, in fact my ear is pretty decent. I just don't have what you would call a pure, sonorous vocal quality. One might use the word "croak" to describe my singing voice.

Naturally, I have tried to spare friends or acquaintances any exposure to my "singing". With the exception of my third grade students, that is.

We sing together almost daily in my classroom.  Sometimes I teach them new songs, and sometimes they teach me more "hip" versions of songs we already know.

Not long ago, I was leading my class in the first verse of, "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus". Feeling comfortable that their angelic little voices were drowning out mine, I sang with confidence. As I sang, I noticed Emma in the front row, singing sweetly, her brown eyes shining with admiration as she held up this little blue sticky note.  

When my other students found out what Emma's note said, they echoed her sentiment, thus reinforcing my conclusion that love is not blind.     It is deaf.  

Broken Chains

Last night, the young witch and mother about whom I blogged several days ago gave her life to Jesus Christ!!!!!  She is now covered in the blood of the Living Lamb of God.  Thank you for praying.

Please pray for her physical safety and spiritual growth over the next several weeks.  She is surrounded by witches, and will certainly experience intense spiritual warfare now that the Spirit of God lives in her.  Also, pray that her husband would come to know Christ, and that he would give her the freedom to get involved in my church with her three children.

"The LORD your God is with you,

he is mighty to save."

Zephaniah 3:17