A Burden Lifted

Last week I received some news regarding a relationship from my past. My first reaction was, "I'm not surprised." Then I called my mom. She reminded me that God will always reveal himself and that this specific situation is a confirmation of what He and others have been telling me for years, "You am not a failure." I hung up the phone and pondered the conversation and the situation. For the first time in four years, I felt my shoulders lift (regarding this particular relationship). I smiled and thanked God for being faithful. I am not happy about this situation and I am not shirking any responsibilty that I had in my past relationship, but for once I can say, "It wasn't me."

On another note: I have been taking advantage of my time this summer to clean out closets, drawers, cabinets, etc... Even though Phil and I aren't moving in together until we get married, I've been trying to prepare for moving. I have moved enough times and know that once school starts, time will be very limited. Anyway, I cleaned out my storage closet the other day. In there I found a box filled with all of my memorabilia from my first marriage. I started going through things to make sure there was nothing that I felt I needed to keep. I looked at pictures, read some cards and notes... what a different person I have become. I am a much more positive, much happier, more fulfilled with my life; my relationship with God is closer and honest making my relationship with Phil very close, honest, and faithful. I smiled as I threw everything away; not an evil, vindictive smile but a smile of relief.

I had two very heavy trash bags and a box of stuff to throw away so I waited for Phil to come over for dinner to help me. He helped me carry everything to the trash compactor and helped me throw everything in. As we threw the memorabilia in the compactor, I could hear glass breaking, frames cracking and various other noises. The compactor started up and the noise grew louder as it was all compacted into a neat, little cube of my past. I started laughing and Phil looked at me and smiled, "Do you feel better?" I actually do. I have officially accepted my past and moved beyond the hurt. I can see what God has been doing in me for the past four years and finally understand that I needed to go through all of that "crap" to get to where I am today. I am so excited about my future. Thank you Lord!

To My Fellow Educators or Anyone Interested In the Future of American Education

I have been reading the posts on a particular blog for the past few months. There are some really interesting and insightful things on here, all regarding education. The author has trouble spelling correctly sometimes, but I chalk that up to "thinking faster than you can type". He is a fellow high school teacher, but does a lot of reading on current trends in education. He also has a lot of links to other teacher-bloggers.

Check it out: http://www.ahighcall.blogspot.com/

Blah Blog

I know I haven't been posting much this summer; there's really not too much going on, not to mention I AM ADDICTED TO MYSPACE!!!

I just got back from Dallas, TX, where I was taking part in a week-long training session on teaching Pre-AP. For all of you who took AP classes in high school, the new trend is Pre-AP classes. These are classes in the ninth and tenth grade that are aimed at studying their particular curriculum but in a way that will prepare hard working students for their upper-class classes. I am really excited about this year, but it will not be an easy one.

Wedding planning is moving along. Jackie has been hired as our wedding planner and she is absolutely awesome. If you have a wedding in your future, and will have enough money to hire a planner, Jackie is highly worth it. She is helping us create a dream wedding. I am so excited that I get to have the wedding I always envisioned. It is going to be such a blast!!

That's really all I have right now. I am sure as the school year and wedding get closer and closer, I'll have plenty to blog about; for now, I'm out!!