Too Zoomed. Step Back. Refocus.

Sometimes in our circumstances and chaos of life, we forget where our focus is. It's as if we are so zoomed in on the here and now that we forget to take a step back and look at where God has led us and what He has done in our lives thus far. 

It's like when we want to take a picture of something really close up, but our lens never focuses because it's not designed to be that close to that object of interest. However, when you take the camera back a little, it then focuses beautifully on the object and blurs out the background to make the object more prominent. 

In a sense, God wants us to do this with Him. He doesn't want us to be so focused on life that He becomes blurry. But to take a step back, re-focus, and take a clear picture of what really matters, Him. 

On a personal note, I have wrapped up my third year of teaching 6th grade Language Arts. As I reflect on the year in general, I see how God has brought me through triumphs, difficult circumstances, sicknesses, trying times, and turned those things into something greater for His purpose. 

"I will take you at your word

Jesus, You have taken hold of me

All my life is in Your hands

You are my strength

I will look up for there is none above You

I will bow down to tell you that I need You

I will look back and see that You are faithful

I look ahead believing You are able."

Read more: Elevation Worship - I Will Look Up Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

Thanks for reading, this thought was very spontaneously placed on my heart to share with my readers! 

Dauntless Day Semi-Devotional

"Life Is Not Measured By the Number of Breaths We Take, But By the Moments That Take Our Breath Away"

-Anon.

spring break

noun

1. 1.

   a week's vacation for students in the spring, typically at Easter.

 To teachers, this is a time of rest, comfort, and relaxation. Except for that one day, you have to be dauntless, face your fears, look over the edge of the world and think for just one second you're on top of it and all of it's cares and worries lie below. 

daunt·less

ˈdôntlis 

adjective

1. 1.

   showing fearlessness and determination.

YES, it's a real word, made popular by the book and movie "Divergent". Overcome with the obsession of this book, I shall use this word to describe our journey...

My DAUNTLESS journey...

April 14, 2014-Monday

Just to make something clear, waking up on a Monday morning ready to be brave isn't something I am used to doing on a regular basis. It's something that I must consult my partner in crime in, Bear Rose. So off we go on our journey...

Once we arrive and on the 1.3 mi trail to the legitimate Hanging Rock, Bear stops and perches upon the rock and thinks we have made it. I inform him, we must keep pressing forward. 

The journey is rough and treacherous, mostly uphill, but we must keep our eyes on the path. For if we look away even for a second, we may trip and stumble on the rocks and stumps that are in our footpath. Sort of like, if our eyes stray away from Jesus for even a moment, Satan will use that vulnerable time as a way of tripping us up, and making us fall right where he wants us. "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." 2 Corinthians 2:11 KJV

So we make it to another rock...but still not Hanging Rock. 

Through what seemed like caves, and mountain climbing we find ourselves on the straight and narrow path that only the few faithful have traveled that have made it up the 1.3 mile hike to Hanging Rock. Just like Matthew 7:14 (KJV) says, "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Only the dedicated and faithful to the path (of righteousness after accepting Jesus as Savior) will find the gates of Heaven. 

Here is our destination: Hanging Rock. Not. There. Yet.

We finally find our destination. The winds on top of the mountain were vicious, like they were trying to blow us off of it, but we surpassed them, fulfilling our destiny at hand.

The vantage point was breathtaking and the only thing we could hear were the winds around us. "The wind blows where it wants to. You hear its sound, but you don't know where it comes from or where it is going. That's the way it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8 (ISV)

Of course we finally get to enjoy the view from on top of the mountain and then Bear gets dauntless...

After fear runs through my veins, and the wind is blowing like a giant blowing out candles, I'm a little worried about his safety and I make it known to him. Then the temptation of how neat it looks makes me have to try it...

And below us is the path we traveled to get to where we are...

We have lunch on top of Hanging Rock, enjoying God's creation. Then I realize something...

We are all pretty small in God's GIANT universe. And all things were created by Him for the glory of God the Father. 

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:" Colossians 1:16 KJV. 

We decided to eventually come off of the rock, for it should start raining soon. However, we decided to take Wolf Rock trail instead of going back to the car right away. This was twice the distance to Hanging Rock and back. We once again, decided to be brave. 

We reached it before the rains came...

And Bear got his moment of glory on top of the mountain...

We then started heading back to the car. Which was down the mountain, around a lake, and through a parking lot away. 

We keep walking, and keep walking, check the map, and keep walking. 

And after a while of staying on the path, finally....

Reach our destination...back to the car. 

Just a thought I had: as you stand on top of your mountains in life, remember who brought you there. Even when you are on the journey trying to fulfill your ultimate destination, remember who is always with you. Never lose sight of the most important things in life. Don't allow Satan to make you stumble on the "rocks" and "stumps" of life. And be DAUNTLESS for Christ, Never FEAR of doing what is right for HIM. You will NEVER regret it! 

Our average trip was 5.57 miles, 2hr 54min of hiking. The human average life span is 78.7 years. Regardless of your journey, remember who brought you to your destination and the beautiful mountains along the way. 

Enjoy the journey.

-Ashley Thomas and Bear Rose

Dealing With Difficult People

"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you." -Matthew 5:44 KJV

Let's face it... there are people out there in our seemingly dystopian society that are difficult to deal with. Think about it...work...school...the playground, there's people that just want to make life difficult. However, as children of Christ, made in His image, it is our responsibility to overcome the temptation to verbally "fight back" and use the verse above as our sword in overcoming the enemy. 

Here are a few practical tips: 

1. Show honor. 

- Show respect to those that wrong you. Yeah, it may be hard, but afterwards you'll thank yourself for not saying something you'll regret and have to apologize for. 

2. Don't believe everything you hear. 

-Unfortunately, jealousy is like a disease determined to take over a friendship and gossip follows jealousy. Instead of latching on to these vices, be a positive model for your friends and speak only of the virtues of others. 

3. Be reminded of the previous relationship. 

- Think about your friendship and where it used to be. Why did it change? What can YOU do to fix it? 

According to Holly Furtick:  

"Remember, friendships need to be cultivated, but if a particular friendship is like caring for an orchid… try as you might, the petals are falling off, it may be time to let it go.  On the other hand, if you have an friendship that is like an oak tree, one that is steady and has weathered many storms, you should fight for that one". - See more at: http://hollyfurtick.com. 

4. Express that you have no ill will. 

- Show that person that you care about them. Ask God to forgive all evil thoughts towards others. 

5. Always take the humble road. 

-Don't let your pride get in the way of the relationship you have with people. Being prideful can be the downfall of the friendship that you could save.

6. Commit it to God.

-Who better to talk to about all of life's problems?

Based on a sermon from my home church, Tabernacle Baptist. 

Be Optimistic NOT Downimistic

Finding the bright side of a situation can sometimes lead to frustration. 27% of times there may not even be a bright side to something, but as humans we must find a way to overcome the fact that life isn't always sunshine, lollipops and rainbows. Although yes, I agree it would be amazing if it were.

Honestly, this is something I just recently had to accept. As circumstances with dying family members and a chaotic school year suppressed me each day, I had to learn many things: talk to family and friends, but most importantly talk to the ultimate friend of life that will never leave me nor forsake me in times of difficulty, Jesus Christ. 

He will turn fearful into faithful,  and the storms of life into isles of grace. And the coolest thing about it is to simply trust Him! Yeah, my GOD is that powerful! 

Standing in the car rider line today just doing my duty...my friend and I asked a former student if he remembers what optimistic meant. He proceeded to tell us it meant looking on the bright side. And so we then asked him what the opposite to optimistic was and his answer was indeed: Downimistic. 

We are all on this journey together. Let's make the best of it and be the best Christians we can be! With the help of other Chrisian support, we will be able to fight the gloomy day battle and overcome Downimisticness once and for all. 

"In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?" Psalm 11:1 

Man vs..........

It's been quite a while since I have been able to sit down and chat with all of my blogsters. A plethora of things have consumed my life, and one of those has been starting a new school year. And as all teachers now, a new school year means a totally different group of kids and personalities. 

To demonstrate my perspective on this matter, I will start by sharing this:

Introducing conflict...I ask the kids what the four types of conflict are before teaching them anything on this matter. 

 So, they tell me...

1. Man vs. Food (as you know, TV show)

2. Man vs. Predator (movie, I think?)

3. Man vs. Wild (yet another TV show)

4. Man vs. Wife (go figure)

Instead of...

1. Man vs. Man

2. Man vs. Nature

3. Man vs. Society

4. Man vs. Self 

Regardless of how much TV they watch, through a co-teacher and I demonstrating these scenarios in real life ways (somewhat pranks), they will now NEVER forget the legit 4 types of conflict...and they have stated that conflict demonstration/prank day was their favorite day of 6th grade so far!

Never a dull moment with middle schoolers! 

A Very Merry Un-Earthday...to You!

Pssst, Hi....

Happy Belated Earth Day earthlings..... 

               "Tree Hugger Day",

                            "Save the Earth Day"

                                           .......or whatever you want to call it. But you wanna know what...I believe every day should be "Earth Day" in a way that we preserve and take care of the earth that God has so graciously given us. No we can't exactly stop "global warming" or save the homes of my beloved polar bears BUT we can make a difference in our community (and now I sound like a Disney Channel commercial). Anyways, today I asked my students for their homework to go outside and take in the natural beauty of our earth and write a paragraph about it. I challenge you to do that also, but you don't have to write me a paragraph. =)

It's been an interesting week in the world of middleschoolteacher-ness. Needless to say, a LOT has been going on. We have been "sweating out loud" on a few things, we have also been "remanascan" (reminiscing) on the past and the fun/crazy/awkward moments we've had, and taking in the all natural "beautiful-ol-ol-ol-ol" world around us. Our students have inspired us to give it ALL we've got, even when our Monster Energy (Rehab) is out of our system. We even learned that RSVP means to respond to the party that invited you, with a REASON why you can't make it. Therefore, we have tied this knowledge into our curriculum. SYSWE, Support your stance with evidence as to why you can't make it to the particular event you were asked to attend. 

*Quotes above from actual students mouths, in real life scenarios, in a very serious manner. 

Ok, so to wrap this up I would like to display a special song (actually my favorite song) by Needtobreathe, in honor of Earth Day and the beautiful world in which we live. 

"UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing's going to change, it's not." -The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

Embrace Your Awesomeness

"Embrace your AWESOMENESS" has been the theme of Ms. Thomas' LA class, we have overall had some highly intriguing discussions as we journey into the land of Awesomeness. However, I also wanted to share with the blognation a few quotes that have really been seriously thought about and analyzed in our class.

First of all, my kids have taught me that:
-Everyone is awesome, we simply need to find what we are awesome in and truly embrace it.
-Once we embrace it, we need to release it and show the world how awesome we are!
-We were born to be AWESOME!

We also analyzed this video and discussed some things that can make our world even more awesome!

"We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience which we really stop to look fear in the face...we must do that which we think we cannot." -Elanor Roosevelt

"Define your limits, don't let your limits define you. Believe you are limitless and you will be." - Rob Dyrdek