Greater

So tonight I feel like writing about teaching. Yesterday was a hard day for me. I had more than one student get "attitudes". This is pretty normal in the middle school setting but I guess I just wasn't in the mood for it. There are several things that I don't tolerate from my students but one of the biggest things is talking back to me. I always say, "I don't argue with children", and leave it at that. Yesterday, one young man didn't want to tuck his shirt in and gave a big oooooookkkkkkkkaaaayyyyy when I asked him to do it. Of course I said, "You mean yes Ma'am." Anyways, some days attitudes just get to me more than others. Right now, Pastor Steven at Elevation is leading us in a series called Greater. Greater in worldly standards means a bigger house or a nicer car but for our church greater means God doing great things through us for his kingdom. The Lord has called me to teach middle school. As we've started going through the series I've been pondering on how God can do great things through a simple teacher. For the past several years, both Bradley and I wanted to go into the ministry. Either being missionaries or possibly going on staff with Cru. The Lord has been slamming some of those doors shut recently. It has definitely been made clear that I am to teach. The Lord has been opening my eyes to how I can glorify him in my teaching. One awesome thing about being a science teacher is that I can show my students how amazingly our world has been put together. From Earth being able to sustain life to how gravity keeps them on the ground. All of these things show God's sovereignty. Even though I can't tell them this, I can pray for the holy spirit to reveal it and I do. You can also pray specifically for this. Another way the Lord is revealing how to glorify him in teaching is to love. Which of course he calls all of us to do. It can be challenging to show love to the student who smacks their lips at you or rolls their eyes. But then there are those students who have no love at home, Who don't eat except when there at school. We get the opportunity to show the grace of God to those kids. From words of affirmation to quality time, we teachers have great opportunities. I just wanted to share a little of what the Lord has been teaching me though his word and my church. I also wanted to encourage the other teachers out there who may wonder how they can glorify God is a place where it seems restricted. Thank you Lord for your provision!

Slovakia and Stuff

I never got to process our trip to Slovakia when I got home. My flare started the last day we were there and then knocked me off my feet for the next 3 weeks! Bradley's mom actually unpacked my suitcase for me. We LOVED our time in SK. We was great to see our dear friends and spend quality time with them. It was Bradley's first time to Europe and it's safe to say I have a husband who loves it just as much as me! We have a new Kofola lover on our hands! We love the people of Slovakia and can't wait to return. Here are a few pictures:

E and Auntie Cait
We reviewed human body vocab by building monsters!

I had the best translator ever!

We loved spending time with Zuzu and her family!

and of course, hanging out with this girl was a huge highlight! I miss you!

UC UPDATE:

The last time I blogged I was hanging out in the hospital. They sent me home on Wednesday but on Thursday my symptoms were back and just as bad. They decided to keep me at home as long as I could stay hydrated and I would be on 60mg of Prednisone (pretty high!) The next Monday things were still the same so my doctor decided it was time for the next step which is a medication called Remicade. I had to have some tests done and get it approved by my insurance. It cost about $5000 an infusion! Praise the Lord for insurance! I was approved quickly for it. I had my first infusion this past Monday ( 1 week after the doctor made the decision). I started feeling better the next day. Each day I feel a little bit better and I praise the Lord for it! There are risks with Remicade which is why they wait as long as they can but the Lord has clearly led me here and I trust that he will guide me through it and protect me. I have had many conversations with the Lord these past few weeks while laying in bed and sitting on the throne:) I can't wait to share what he has shown me. It's truly incredible. Remicade is only given by IV infusion and as often as every few weeks or so. Hopefully I will get to a point where it will be every 2 months. However, this is probably something I will be doing for the rest of my life. That was hard to swallow at first but the Lord led me here. So I am just sitting back and waiting on him. Thanks for your prayers!