I guess I just look like a person that likes to hear complaints...I heard tons, but this was my favorite conversation from a really nutty first day of school.
Parent: My daughter is in 4th grade in Ms. So and So's room, she stole 19 of her pencils.
Me: Who stole 19 pencils?
P: The teacher.
Me: (Supressing a laugh, yeah this one's gonna be good!) Ok, how can I help you resolve this?
P: I sent 24 pencils with my child and the teacher stole 19 away from her, she says the teacher hid them in a cabinet.
Me: That is very normal, teachers don't want students to have to carry around all their pencils so they put them in safe keeping until they are needed. The student has access to them whenever she runs out of the five she received today.
P: Do you think my house isn't a safe place to keep pencils?
Me: (Again wanting to laugh outloud at the absurdity of this conversation) Sir, Ms. So and So would be glad to return the 19 pencils and you may certainly keep them at home in a safe place.
P: You better make sure they get returned tomorrow.
Me: I will take care of that immediately!
I'm reading it for the 2nd time right now and that is what all of us (Stipes) are trying to implement this year (at least k-2). It's going really well so far. I'm praying that it works and that I'm doing it correctly. We have 2 new instructional specialists this year that are helping implement it as well. What do you think of it?
Wow!! I have all the respect in the world for those of you who so lovingly teach our precious young people. By the way the pics of your girls are beautiful-they have grown so much since we've seen ya'll! Miss ya'll.
I wanted to bring my sister with me but she said she won't be able to leave her place until 4:30. That would mean that she wouldn't be here until after 6:30. Is it too crowded then?
Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers after this tragic week!
My friend/co-worker's murder brought some things to mind:
Talk to everyone about God, whenever you can. My last conversation with Eliana involved understanding what God's will is for our lives and following it, even when it may not be convenient for us in other ways. He is in control!
Even when it seems like prying, know how your friends are really doing. On the flip side, if something is wrong, share it with someone you love and let them help you. My friend was being abused and almost no one knew it.
Anger is strong. I was really angry at her husband. He was sick and needed help. He will answer to God just like the rest of us, I have to let go of that anger.
Get involved, help others. I was also angry with her neighbors that saw him fighting with her in the front yard Monday night. They heard "blood curling screams" during the night as well as the gun shots, thinking they were fireworks. Had they gotten involved, even just called police asking them to drive by to check, maybe things would have been different.
Sometimes I get caught up in my daily affairs and forget that I am a pilgrim in this land and it ends on God's time, not mine.
Please continue to pray for Eliana's family, who all live in Argentina and had not seen her in a long time. Please pray for his family who have to live with what their son did. Please continue to pray for our school staff...we've lost two teachers and two students in the last few years, people are trying to understand why things keep happening to this wonderful school. Please pray for me to be able to talk to my friends and co-workers about the nature of God and how we need to grow closer to Him, rather than blame Him for these tradegies.
We heard this AM service how tragedies and troubles are really opportunities from God. You have spoken well, Heather, and we all need to listen. Thanks so much for sharing! Love you all!
One of my co-teachers and her daughter were found murdered tonight. Please pray for her family and for our school. This will be difficult for our teachers and students to understand.
Packed suitcases (ok, this wasn't tons of fun), but going to Houston will be!
Going to see our sweet Abi, praise God at the Kleinwood singing Friday night and go to my aunt and uncle's surprise 40th wedding anniversary party. It's going to be a fantastic weekend!
Thought about ya'll last weekend, hope it was fun! One of these years we would like to time a tripout for the singing-I've heard it's just wonderful! Enjoy today!
Scene: Card aisle at Wal-Mart, looking for a birthday card
Characters: Mom, 7 year old, 3 year old
3 year old: I want to buy Grandma T that mermaid card
7 year old: Huh? Don't you remember Grandma T died?
Mom: No she doesn't remember, Grandma died before she was born
3 year old: I know she's dead, I'll take the card to Heaven when I go and give it to her then
Mom: Are you planning to leave us soon for Heaven?
3 year old: I don't know, I can just keep it with me until I go
Mom: oh, ok
3 year old: Do you have to stay in Heaven for ever and ever?
Mom and 7 year old: Yes
3 year old: Does God have beds for us then?
At seven, I asked, "Mom, will there be Power Rangers in heaven?" She thought about it, and then said, "Whatever it takes to make you happy." That answer has worked for me for fourteen years!
