Proud Teacher

Many of you know that last year I was willing to beat my head against the wall everyday rather than teach another year of PE. Luckily, this year I've learned that it was the batch of students I had more than PE itself that made the year soooo miserable! :) For the most part, I have a great bunch of students this year. It makes it sooo much more fun when I can participate with the kids. I've also really got to know some of the students since I've had them 2 years in a row now....and a majority of them play on the boys 8th grade basketball team. I am sooooo proud of them for winning 3rd in the state this year! (All you Texans...yes, I know it is a little ridiculous we have playoffs in middle school!)

I decided to brave the fan bus to attend the 3rd place game so we could have extra support. We took about 60 students...and let's just say the ride back was the craziest thing I've ever been a part of! One of those things you hear about but you never think it will actually happen to you!! Well, I made it. I almost committed murder...or at least assaulted some people....but I kept myself under control. Anyway, it was soooo worth supporting these guys:



Mrs. Nicolet & I with our faves....their true colors:

Wil making his *almost* half-court shot at end of 3rd quarter...I always yell at him for practicing this shot in my Intramurals class instead of other shots...so he was sure to let me know it paid off!

My all-time favorite student Keshon!!

My favorite 7th grader, LaVonte, who refused to move out of my way to take a team picture until I took one with him

Our fans that kept me sane on our bus ride home!

Daniel Fast

On January 31st Kyle & I completed a 21-day fast. (along with many other fellow LifePointers) We had decided to do the Daniel Fast - click for more info. It was one of the hardest & most rewarding things we have every done. Here are a few things that I learned through the process:

1 - My life is radically better when I depend fully on God in all areas - big & small.
2 - Eating out and caffeine had a much larger grip on my life than I realized.
3 - The power of fellowship with Jesus & him being my "one thing". (I've been reading "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" and it discusses when Jesus tells Martha that she is worried about many things but there is only "one thing" needed - fellowship with Jesus - Luke 10:41)
4 - God desires for me to have a much simpler life. (this ties in greatly with #3)
5 - I've had a greater sensitivity to God & His desires for my life and things I need to work on.
6 - I am so incredibly blessed.
7 - God is in control. The bigger the problem, the greater the chance for Him to be glorified.
8 - I have been more attuned to the waging war within me. (Romans 7:18-20)
For example: During the fast I was seeking God with a greater intent & making healthier eating choices all in one. Our lives were blessed spiritually, physically, and financially. I'm hearing the battle of, "You can just stop & grab something quick on your way home so you can have more time to clean" and "It won't take that long to just fix something good & healthy...you will save money...and you can clean what you can...it's not going anywhere." Of course, this is just one example...I'm hearing it all throughout my day in all sorts of crazy situations!
9 - and finally....beans definitely live up to their reputation when eaten daily!!!

Read the below post to learn more on the purpose of fasting. (or click here)

Clean House - Purpose of Fasting

During our 21-day fast Bob sent out daily devotions. I copy & pasted this one because I love the way it describes the purpose & importance of fasting.

Romans 8:5-6

5 For those who live according to the flesh, set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.


Have you ever looked up at your ceiling fan blades or in the deep recesses of your couch cushions and noticed the filth that builds up over time? Even though we might clean on a regular basis, there are times when we need to go…a little deeper. We realize that what appeared to be clean on the surface was in all actuality, quite filthy.

The same thing can happen spiritually. As we go about our daily lives, there are things that can build up over time. Even if we regularly worship, pray and read our Bible, the different pressures and cares of this world can quietly build up, and end up consuming our lives. Without even realizing it, we can lose our peace, our joy, and our passion for the things of God. Our service to God, which used to fill us with life and excitement, becomes a duty that we must fulfill.

Fasting is the deep cleaning that helps us take our mind off of the things of this world and instead have a refreshed focus on the things of the Spirit. It is an incredibly effective way to get into the nooks and crannies of our soul and bring all those dusty old habits, broken mindsets and rusty attitudes out into the light of God’s truth. In fasting and prayer, our service to God returns to something we want to do rather than something we have to do.

As you pray and fast today, ask God to show you any areas where you could use a refreshed spiritual focus. Like David, in Psalm 51:10-12, pray that God will cleanse your heart, renew your spirit, and restore the joy of your salvation.

Pray with confidence, knowing that He wants to fill you with His life and peace.