teacher's log #5

The last two days I have been starting my classes with some basic guidelines about how I want my class to look. I usually do this by teaching some key Biblical truths in association with each guideline.

I usually discuss the parable of the stewards, to illustrate Biblical stewardship. I also like to share the parable of the sheep and the goats, because of the relationship that Christ points to between Loving God and Loving you neighbor.

The sad thing was that 95% of my students had not heard of either one of these parables.

I couldn't believe it.

I mean, how could somebody not even know about the parable of the sheep and the goats?

I am excited to see
Your Word in action, O Lord!
I am excited to see
You change hearts and lives.
But mostly, Lord,
I am excited to see
if you might change me,
so that you might use me.

teacher's log #4

Well, I just taught my last class of the day. The kids just left the room, so I thought that I would jot down a couple of thoughts.

First of all, kids are kids. That might seem like a simple thought, but it is very true! It doesn't matter where you go, they are all still kids.

During lunch I sat down with another teacher, who has been teaching for several years, and he said the same thing. In fact, he said that even over the passing of time, kids are still kids; the only thing that has really changed is the parents.

The next thing that I noticed is that my mind keeps wandering to my "Faith" kids. I know that they are at the highschool retreat right now, and I am really wishing that I was with them. Wishing that I was working on the next funny skit for tonight, wishing that I was setting up for the next set of "gross games," wishing I was finding out if they enjoyed their summer.

Even though I am not there, I have learned that there is nothing sweeter than to be where God wants you to be. Even though sometimes it doesn't "feel" that way, His way is always better.

Teacher's log #3

first day of school.

Today is the first day of school. The students will be here in a little over an hour.

I have found that I am not nervous at all. I can remember the first day of school 4 years ago. I was a nervous wreck. I didn't have a clue what I was doing, and I think that I spent a considerable amount of time thinking of ways to get out of this situation that I had somehow gotten myself into.

This isn't like that. Maybe it is because I have a few years under my belt now. Maybe it is a little bit because I have seen that things always seem to work out, there is no point stressing out. (Although I should be a little stressed because I am not quite ready for the students!)

This is also the first day of school for Sam! I wish that I could be there to see him. My wife is awesome, she has all of the little supplies ready for him, and the little backpack packed, and his little lunch ready, how fun!

Maybe I will post at the end of the day to let you know whether or not I survived!

Tie-Died

This might sound trivial to most, but one thing that I am really going to enjoy about this new school that I am at is... NO TIES!

I know it sounds silly, but I hate wearing a tie. It constricts my breathing. It always gets in the way. It limits my wardrobe possibilities. (And as my faith students know, my tie always ends up twisted.)

I haven't had to wear a tie since the end of May, but today it all came crashing down. It was the open-house, and they asked us to dress nice. (Which is administrator lingo for "wear a tie!")

So I scrounged through my closet and found a tie. It was a little dusty, but I put it on never-the-less. And just for the record, all of my faith students, yes, it was blue!

I can't wait to get to heaven when all ties will be thrown back into the pit, from whence they came.

new faces

The most prominent faces in view of the re-located Harmless family are affectionately known as "the Smiths on Smythe."

Matt ,Lori, and their three children live a block away from us and persuaded us to visit their church (North Hills Community Church). We have now "visited" there several times, adding several more faces, and are really considering joining.

Also thanks to the Smiths we met another pretty cool guy last week. His name is Dan Meyers.

He throws a good party. He sings some good music. And I believe that he is a true brother in Christ!

Sometimes it can be so good to meet new people.

Many of the faces that have entered my world recently, I hope will stay for a long time. And I hope that they will become familiar faces.

teacher's log #2

First thing this morning the admin. told us that all of the afternoon meetings had been cancelled so that we could spend the rest of the day working on getting things ready for open house on Thursday.

... talk about a relief.

Then I found the old syllabi for three of the classes that I am teaching. That just saved me a ton of work!

I think that I might actually survive this transition!

teacher's log #1

Well, here I am at my new school.

It is the second day of teacher in-service and I am missing my old school already.

I think that I am really missing the people. I am thinking first of all the teachers that I have worked with for the last 4 years. I don't think that there is a better collection of teachers anywhere on this earth.

I am also missing the students. It saddens me greatly to think that I will not be seeing all of them in another week.

But I think that what I am experiencing right now is the loss of familiarity. A loss of all of those things that make you feel at home.