Just another day in paradise...

Musical #2 was a great success! My fourth graders were "Feelin' Good" today... they were fabulous. I'm so proud of them, and so is my principal. Her words were "Jennifer, they were great. You're fantastic with those kids! We should have this program for the district wellness kickoff in January." As my teeth hit the floor I felt a whole lot of pressure rise off my shoulders. This has been a very stress-filled month with 2 grade programs and a DARE graduation musical for the 5th graders. I feel like I've weathered it, but I've been really run down concerning my ability to actually do my job and do it well. Today, God showed me that I'm totally in the right place. The ways He constantly confirms this to me are amazing. When I want to quit, He simply pushes me back into it. (I truely believe Jacob can be God's hands... God uses him so much to get me back out there when I'm ready to give up!) He, once again, hasn't let me fall even though I feel like I don't have a lot to stand on or much to catch me when I hit bottom. I'm actually excited to go to work tomorrow... for the first time in a while. This is not to say that I'm not entirely ready for Christmas and some much needed time in TN with family, however.
That brings me to another topic on my heart... stupid people. I honestly will never understand how one can have a child and then not care for him/her properly. Some of my students just break my heart. They are crying out for someone to just hug them, just smile at them, just let them know that where they are is a safe place. Unfortunantly, many of my students do not get this at home. As a staff we discussed the need to be understanding this time of year because kids don't want to go home for break.. they don't want to be home because home is not safe or a place of rest. I cannot comprehend this! How can you have a child and not desire to care, love and nurture the child properly???? What is happening in our world when small children don't want to be around those people responsible for them??
My heart aches for these kids, it breaks to think of what they go home to and how they are living. Beautiful little beings that deserve all the love we can give them... scared to death. My prayer is that no matter how frustrated I get with them, I can remain kind and a safe place. If you get a chance, throw up a prayer for these kids. I know I take my life for granted so many times.. how could a kid not be excited about a break from school? Those were my favorite times growing up! You get the picture now, I'm sure. May the Lord bless these little lives... they sure do bless mine. (most days... :) )

"A World of Music"

Success! My first music program as a music teacher is over! I'm totally glad to have it over and done with. I was tired of the songs and tired of worrying about it. It's been a doozy of a week, that's for sure. The third grade did a good job overall on Thursday. They were nervous and totally excited which caused a bit of a challenge in the "standing still on the risers and keeping your eyes on the director" area. A few students were chatty, yes chatty, up there in front of everyone in between songs. I even had one gentleman decide he was done during the second to last song and just sit down on the risers. I could hardly believe my eyes! Luckily we had 2 performances so the second one was MUCH better. Something about parents in the audience makes kids shape up a bit. :) I did have 2 students in tears of stagefright before the second one, that was interesting to deal with. In the end, they sang well and did a great job. I consider the musical a success and a fabulous learning experience. One down- 4 to go! The next one, "Feelin' Good: A Celebration of Health", is a short 3.5 weeks away and the fourth grade is already doing a great job. I feel much more prepared already so hopefully that's a good sign!

Life, as i know it..

So it's been 2 months since the last update. That in itself could explain how crazy busy life has been over the last few weeks!
A lot has happened in the life of the Thoringtons. First, we're still plugging along in our respective schools. I love my job. I love teaching and inspiring these little people. (most days :) My first class program is Thursday, the third grade will be singing "A World of Music". As every new teacher, I've learned a lot about the process as I felt my way through it the last few weeks. The next one will be arranged, organized and taught differently. I'm reminded of a quote made up late at night on a band trip back in high school, "We all learn as we go, but always wish we could've known before we went." Jacob has successfully (he hopes) finished his second to last round of midterms. The fact that he graduates in 6 months is settling in for both of us in a very exciting, scary, unnerving way. God has a plan.. we just wish we could know a smidge of it at the moment!
We've been to two weddings in the last month- the first in Wisconsin for some of Jacob's law school friends. It was a beautiful wedding with very yummy cake. :) The second was a little closer to my heart. It's a funny thing when you reach a point in life that you've dreamed of forever. Rebecca Cathey and Chad Watson are now Mr. & Mrs. Chad Watson as of last weekend. It was a beautiful wedding and even more beautiful was watching those two souls FINALLY join in a blessed union. As I stood there beside them Saturday night, I realized for the first time (yes, the first time... even though I've thought about it many times before) that we are all grown up. We're not going back to Cookeville to ride around at midnight looking for open gas stations that had cherry-lemon sun-drop, I'm not going to spend another night on the floor of Apt. D discussing life over an entire cake made by Meg and Ness for my birthday, I'm not going make banners to decorate random yards at 3am in the freezing cold... these things are memories of the past. My heart breaks that these days are done, it aches to return to those times and appreciate them just a little bit more so I don't lose them from my bank of memories. My tears during their wedding were in mourning for all those days, yet also filled with happiness for the memories yet to be made and the fun to be had in this stage of our lives. So much will happen in the next few years- more weddings, more yearly "girl trips" or even married friend trips, some babies and sharing all those times no matter how far apart we are. God has blessed me with the most amazing friends that I know no matter where life takes us we will always take a piece of each soul and heart with us. These friends won't be the ones that 20 years from now we wonder where they are... these are relationships that will stay, soul friends, forever.
It's amazing how God uses certain occasions to show me how blessed I am even when the chapters of life end and new ones begin.

And the beat goes on...

"2 weeks in and I'm still standing." That was the comment a teacher made to me as he passed in the hallway today. I was amused.. it's totally amazing how much energy children possess in those small bodies! I've come to the conclusion over the course of the last week that I completely LOVE my job. I am excited to go to work, I'm excited about the things I teach and the activities I plan and I'm excited to see those kids come in and out of my classroom all day. They challenge me, some more than others, in ways that make me stronger. God is so good... He has blessed me completely!
In other news, Jacob should find out about his clerkship applications this week. If he's called for an interview it will be next week. I'm nervous, he's a bit nervous and we're both just praying that God will direct us. If he doesn't get a clerkship we're back at square one deciding where to live and settle down. We've found that this year we're both a lot more content here in Minnesota. Our lives seem to be more consistent, our friendships are growing and we cannot imagine leaving our church. It's been the highlight of our life here! We do miss our families though and that's a very strong pull back a little farther south. We're just still waiting for God to direct our path. We know He will, but it seems like we're constantly up in the air about the future.
Other blessings include my sister coming to visit in a few weeks!! I'm very excited that she's finally making the trip. We've grown a lot closer in the last few weeks and I'm very excited to watch our relationship grow now that we're both adults. We have two weddings to attend in October also. Becca and Chad are finally gettin' hitched in TN and Jacob's law school friends are getting married in Wisconsin. Also upcoming is my weekend of Women's Retreat with FBC. I'm excited to go this year and spend some time with some of the wonderful women from church.
Our lives are full and busy but incredibly blessed. Weekends are beautiful things!!

Do Not Fear

I'm taking a break from the craziness of the teacher workshop week. I feel like this week has been about a month crammed into 5 silly days... and it's only Thursday. It's going well, though. My classroom is set up and my plans are made for next week's lessons. I just wish I felt as prepared as I appear to be. My head is spinning from all the information I've taken in over the last few days. Policies, procedures, tons of new names and faces, school maps.. the list goes on. I feel like I'm totally on my own figuring it all out and it's tough. My brain has been on overload and my emotional/mental state has been definitely on edge. My poor husband can attest to that, unfortunately. (He's so wonderful, sometimes I think I really don't deserve him..) I let all this get to me and begin to feel quite inadequate and unprepared for the year ahead of me. I think this is called first year teacheritis. (Or maybe I'm on my own experiencing these emotions.. but I really don't think so.)
As I read my Bible this afternoon, I decided to go through the little devo page handed out by our church over the sermon topic for these past few weeks. We've been doing the 23rd Psalm in depth and the page I picked up was thoughts and verses that correspond to verse 4 and going through the valley of the shadow of death. I know my first year of teaching, though it may feel like the valley of the shadow of death, will not be nearly as bad as somethings that could happen in my life. These anxieties will be replaced by confidence once I get going in the year but right now I have a lot of negative feelings about my ability to handle this. As I read in Joshua 1, I found comfort. Joshua has just been assigned to lead the people to the promised land and he's totally afraid and uncertain. The Lord just keeps telling him to "be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord is with you wherever you go." I think I'm going to post that somewhere so I can read that everyday the next few weeks. I often feel alone and like I'm fighting the battle on my own- then I am usually forced to step back, look around and realize that it's not all on me and I'm not on my own. Abba is with me and holding me and no matter what happens with this job, He still loves me and will still be beside me. I might need help remembering this from time to time during the next few weeks... :)

The Joys of Chocolate

As I sit here on a Saturday afternoon swamped in thoughts and research about what makes a music classroom fun, I find comfort in small, candy coated kisses. "Kissables" are the official name of these little wonderful bite size treats. You should try them sometime, they're especially yummy on ice cream. Today I'm a little overwhelmed. I actually went and explored my classroom yesterday. It was very exciting to find that all the materials I need to actually teach (i.e. books, instruments, curriculum map, etc.) are all there and waiting for me to tackle them during workshop next week. What I don't have, however, are all the cute board ideas and classroom decor. If only I remembered what it was like to see the world through the eyes of a child....
I'm still totally excited amid the anxieties. After all, the Lord brought me this far, why would be leave me now?

God is SO good

Sometimes I forget how amazing God is and that He is more powerful than anything we can begin to imagine. After a year and a half of applications, interviews and prayer, He has blessed me with my first teaching job!! Monday afternoon I sat down at the computer for my weekly job search and just happened upon the webpage for the district I sub in. I noticed a music teacher opening at an elementary school and noticed that the deadline was 4pm Monday. I then realized it was 4:45...but applied anyway. Tuesday morning at 7:45 I was called for the interview at 1pm that afternoon and at 3:00 the principal called to offer me the job. God is faithful! I will be teaching elementary general music for grades K-4 and 5th grade choir at Neill Elementary school. The school is about 10 minutes from our new apartment and right across from the middle school I subbed in all last year. I'm familiar with the district and with other music teachers in it. God is so good!! I'm excited, nervous, scared, happy... so many emotions all at once. I am totally blessed and in awe of God's faithfulness and His timing. It occurs to me that sometimes He brings us to a place where we think we are meant to be before He shows us His plan.... Each time this happens I have a feeling of surprise and shock, like i didn't think it possible. If only I constantly had that 'faith to move mountains'.... something my human-self will be working on all my life I'm afraid.
As far as my job goes, I start with orientation Friday, inservice all next week and the kiddos start up the Tuesday after Labor Day. So much to do between now and then! I have a million ideas spinning in my head about classroom set up, lesson plans, hello songs, program themes.. it's going to be a crazy, fun year!

The Familiar

I read a quote once that said "It is not until you return to the familiar, the unchanged, that you realize how much you yourself have grown." I don't remember who said it..someone more famous than I, that's for sure. I think of this a lot when I return home. I'm amazed how much changes and yet, it all stays this familiar, safe place that I remember growing up in. People have grown up, places have received a new look, and it seems that I see things through the eyes of an adult, no longer a child trying to understand the world but it is still that safe place for me.
I'm had the priviledge of getting together with almost everyone of my friends that I've kept up with over the past year. I make it sound like that's so many people.. but really just a few girls including my sister. I realize now more than ever the importance of 'soul friends'. Those people that will be forever connected to your heart and will always be there for you. I'm incredibly blessed by these friends and also because I have a husband who allows me to maintain these friendships and understands how special they are. We'll be heading back to Minnesota in 2 days and as much as I love being with family and old friends it's time to get back to our life and routine.

Sand, Sun and a Graduation

I'm finally back near a computer long enough to update this thing! It's been a great week, kinda crazy but fun. I spent last week (well, Tuesday to Friday) with my old college roomates. It's a unique relationship I have with those girls. Megan and I lived together all 4 years and we added Nessa 2 years into it when we finally moved out of the dorms. We had out ups and downs, there were fights, disagreements and the usual petty girl stuff, but in the end I think we weathered the storm well and now it seems we're almost closer than we were before. Don't get me wrong, amid the girl stuff, we had some hysterical times that have become some of my favorite college memories! In the last year we've all married and moved to seperate parts of the country which presents us with the challenge of staying in touch despite the miles. I realized after my four days with them that I do indeed miss college life and all the adventures with it, but I do not wish to return. That season of my life finally got some closure and it feels good to be in the next phase.
Now- onto our trip. We spent 2 days bumming around Charleston, SC. I realize that when I complain about MN heat, I forgot how pleasant it is without 100% constant humidity. Boy howdy is it hot down here. In staying with beach trip tradition, I got sunburned despite my best efforts. Besides the beach we visited the battery, looked out at Fort Sumter, ate seafood (shrimp, YUM) and just enjoyed walking around the 'old south'. I miss the south. People are constantly friendly. For example, we were walking along the battery (that's the waterfront with a different name in this historic civil war town) and a older couple just stopped to chat. Not only did we find that they are from parts of TN that we all know well, but they were also Christians with a lot of friends and relatives who are missionaries. They were great and it was so fun to talk with them. We had lots of encounters like that. Everyone we saw offered to take our picture, smiled on the street and met us with a friendly "hello". Have I mentioned, I miss the south!
Now we're back settled in TN with Jacob's family. His brother, Garret, has a degree from Auburn University as of yesterday. It was fun to go see Auburn since I'd heard so much about it! We also got to see everyone on his mom's side of the family Sunday night for a pre-graduation party. That was great because we usually only see them at Christmas.
So far, our TN adventure has been wonderful... and we still have 11 days left!

Feels like home

So, when we moved to Minnesota, I was under the impression that our lives would be cooler, without humidity and only in the rarest of occasion would the heat index rise over 90. I think somewhere along the line I underestimated the power of mother nature and her ability to heat up any place in the world. Jacob and I went to the outlets in Albertville today and it was unbearable walking from store to store... more than once the comment "I feel like I'm in Tennessee" was made. It truly feels like summer in the south. I suppose this could be Minnesota's way of making us feel "right at home". It's a little insane that we're looking forward to our trip to Tennessee for cooler weather... is that irony or what?

Here goes...

After discovering that I'm one of like, 2 people left in the world without a blog, I've decided to become a blogger. It's something I've thought about, but haven't really felt inspired to do until now. We'll see how it goes.