Words of Lizdom

For the majority of this semester, my Friday mornings have begun quite early—at least in comparison to the majority of my college career (i.e., no Friday classes). Usually, I grumble and complain, blessing out anyone in my way because I have to be up far earlier than I think I should be. Needless to say, my attitude has not been pleasant and that has carried over to my feelings during classroom observation. When I woke up this morning, I began praying God would change my perspective and heart attitude about today, and I really believe He did. Though I didn’t make it to school as early as I would have liked, I did make it on time and arrived, only to find out I was approved to shadow one of the special education teachers for the day—a huge, exciting, blessing! Not only was the classroom a special education class, but it was autism specific. It could not be a more perfect fit. Not only was I able to interact with and help the kids with their studies, but I gleaned so much information. The teacher even skipped her lunch break to talk with me about curriculum, show me their new sensory room and to talk with me about her career path. When I left the school today, a huge smile was plastered on my face. God over abundantly blessed me with a wonderful morning at Brooke Glenn and I feel further confirmed in my “calling” to work with autistic and special needs children, which is pretty cool if you ask me. 

So, not only did I have a fantastic morning, but I found out I’m still eligible for early enrollment classes at Gvl tech, which means I can sign up early for summer classes. Zach and I got to go to Krispy Kreme and enjoy hot and ready donuts AND he got to see the donut making process. He thought it was the “coolest, ever!” I love my fridays with Zach and his brother. Furthermore, my Friday became even more wonderful because I got off work early and had time to hang out downtown with some of my fave peeps. It rained, it poured, but we had a grand ole time, nevertheless. 

Anyway, I’m thankful for:

1. 6 hours of straight-through sleep last night

2. Hot krispy kreme donuts and a cut kid to share them with

3. Teachers who take the time to invest their heart and soul into their students and want to see future teachers having that same passion

4. Getting to shadow the special-edu teacher

5. Mexican mocha at coffee underground

6. Awesome friends who are able to have fun no matter what silliness is going on…and who are camera happy, just like me. 

7. finding the perfect camera bag

8. Having a mom who is dedicated to seeing and helping me get through college and who stays up late editing my papers and helping me study for test. I. Love. Her!

Recently I’ve realized that there is a great lack of both thankfulness and kindness/encouragement in my speech. I never thought of myself as a negative person, but lately it’s hit me (hello, Holy Spirit!) that my speech is almost always complaining, tearing another down or I’m talking about something that upsets me. A few weeks ago at church, Pastor Hubbard preached on complaining, one of the topics Paul covers in Philippians. Funny how I’ve listened to the book of Philippians almost daily since January and somehow Paul’s words on that subject never sank in. Hmm, sounds like I was hearing the words but not listening, eh? Thankfully, as my pastor taught on the subject, God, in His faithfulness, convicted my heart that complaining is a big sin issue in my life. Complaining can be redefined as my belief that God isn’t doing something right and I am therefore claiming deity—that I know better than God how something should be going in my life. Yikes—trying to “push” the all wise God off His throne is no little matter. How thankful I am for the conviction God brings from His word through the Holy Spirit. He is so faithful in His promises to reform us—sanctify us—into the likeness of Christ! I’ve listened to that sermon a number of times lately, really trying to grasp the severity of the problem and how I can implement change (besides prayer and scripture meditation) in my life in this area. My roommate’s usual response to my many complaining-based conversations rings in my mind, “Well, what are you going to do about it?!”… I’ve decided that writing down specific things each day that I am thankful for may be a good way to retrain my brain. Complaining’s base is sin, so I know purely changing habits and behavior isn’t enough to solve the problem, since sin is a heart problem, but I think, and am praying that between seeking God to change my heart attitudes and taking action to focus and look for the good gifts in my daily life, may be a good start. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you

Ephesians 5: 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Ephesians 5: 20 give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Philippians 4: 6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

Psalm 50:14 Bring me thank offerings, because I am your God. Carry out the promises you made to me, because I am the Most High God.

Isiah 12:4 And you will say in that day:“Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.’

A thankful heart is a happy heart, and in my thinking, a happy heart isn’t going to be full of negativity, complaining and whining—besides, those things don’t glorify God and my purpose in life, according to catechism, is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever!

So, without further delay, here’s what I’m thankful for today:

1. The last day of physical therapy until May! Not that I disliked my therapist, but the extra few hours I’ll now have free during the week will be wonderful, especially during this busy time of the semester.

2. A three-hour nap cuddled up with my puppies. There is nothing better than sleeping at home in my own bed.

3. My grandmother making my favorite German dish for my family’s dinner tonight—rouladen. Yum, yum, yum

4. Blueberry Frog’s peanut butter frozen yogurt. How happy I am that there is now one walking distance from my house!

5. (from yesterday) Having an adviser who is on my side and willing to fight for me to graduate on time and fit in the classes I need, even when that means raising a stink with other departments because they changed class schedules. Because of her hard work, and helping me navigate the best classes for my chosen career, I’ll be able to graduate on time.

6. Finding out my Intro to Counseling research paper isn’t due until April 20—super huge blessing!

7. Friends who listen and encourage, even when I am a pessimistic, negative, complaining, unfriendly person.

Eh, time to finishing studying. This is a good start, I think!

Proverbs 17:22 (NLT) A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength (and not only that person’s strength, but a complaining, negative person can poison and negatively effect those around them. I definitely do not want to be like that!)

I’m thankful…

1. I got 8 hours of sleep last night and slept straight through the night.

2. For blueberry pomegranate cereal, probably the best cereal I’ve ever put in my mouth, which saved me from less than tasty caf food last night.

3. For my mom/family’s relentless prayers and mom helping me learn all the school material I have to get in my head and spending late nights editing my papers. I wouldn’t make it through school without her, that’s for sure.

photojojo:

The “Hipster Trap” by Aaron Glazer. Clever, we like it. 

via Zeutch.

Epic.

photojojo:

Daniel Box is an Instagram hero!

He made a set of Instagram filters as Photoshop actions, and you can download & use them for free!

Convert your favorite non-iPhone photos to Instagram style, or recreate original Instagrams in a larger photo resolution for printing!

photojojo:

We’ll miss you, Steve.

Charis Tsevis created mosaic portraits of Steve Jobs using many images of the Apple CEO’s innovations.

Mosaic Portraits of Steve Jobs

via Good

Neat way to memorialize Steve Jobs and all his contributions that helped create our tech savvy society. I, for one, would be lost without my iPhone!

photojojo:

How to Imitate Instagram Filters with Film!

(by 1000 Memories)

So cool!

Shootin’ hoops! (Taken with instagram)

Florida skies are awesome (Taken with instagram)

You know, just hanging out upside down at NEXT (Taken with instagram)