Kindergarten teachers unveil algebra concepts

Teacher Jan Jones listens as Marilyn Muniz tells her what she is thankful for as part of a lesson on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012, at Robson Elementary School in Mesa.

Charlie Leight/The Republic

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By Cathryn CrenoThe Republic | azcentral.comWed Mar 6, 2013 10:02 PM

Jan Jones’ 25 kindergartners at Robson Elementary School in Mesa are bigger, more focused and less wiggly than they were at the start of the school year six months ago. They can read simple books, write simple sentences and add and subtract one-digit numbers.

Their latest challenge? Algebra.

Arizona’s tough new Common Core Standards, being rolled out this year and next in all public schools across the state, require kindergarteners not only to count, add and subtract but understand the fundamentals of algebra before moving on to first grade.

That doesn’t mean Jones is requiring the 5- and 6-year-olds to solve for X and Y. But they are spending 30 to 40 minutes a day doing “equations” with beads and solving story problems involving groups of ducks or packages of candy.

Just a few years ago, students would not have tackled such problems until at least the first grade.

“You already know the words ‘add’ and ‘subtract,’” Jones said at the start of a recent lesson. “Today, we are going to learn a really big word. It means that we are ready to do math like 10th-graders. We are going to do ‘algebraic thinking.’”

“Aaaal-geh-braaa-ic thinking,” the students repeated after her.

Jones then explained that algebra is a way to create a set of something or to take a set apart.

“What do we do when we mix cookie dough?” she asked the class. “We put ingredients together.”

She went on to explain that by eating a finished cookie, they are taking the set of ingredients apart.

Sheri Tarter, Mesa Public Schools elementary math content specialist, said all kindergartners in Mesa schools this year are learning similar lessons — although teachers might use slightly different methods for introducing algebra to their classes of 5-year-olds.

Tarter said that recent research on how children learn shows that those who are shown how to manipulate groups and sets of objects at a young age do better with algebra and other types of abstract math later on.

“It’s important with kindergarteners to do it in a very concrete way,” she said.

I loved this letter.  I added the photo. My students are finishing their finals this week. My son graduated from high school years ago, and college more recently. But you see, the letter below captured how i have felt as my son turned from seedling to sunflower seemingly overnight. I am sure that you feel/have felt the same way as someone you care about has grown up so very quickly.

*

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/life_and_entertainment/2013/05/20/milestone-has-mom-reflecting-on-son.html

Monday May 20, 2013 8:41 AM

Dear son:

Here you are. All grown up, strapping and smiling in your cap and gown. Posing for pictures with the friends who still laugh at your booger jokes, swapping stories with teachers, avoiding the people you don’t want to say goodbye to — because you know you might choke up.

And that wouldn’t be cool.

When I look at you, though, I don’t see a man. I see a boy.

A kid crouched in the grass, tears on your cheeks, as you tell the crumpled-up ant cupped in your tiny hand that he will be OK. That you’ll put him in the yard and his mommy will come and find him and take him home and fix him.

I still hear you whispering by the side of my bed at dawn on Saturday mornings: Mom. Mom. Mom. You awake? Mom. Then you slip under the covers, all warm.

I don’t see your friends all grown up today, either.

No, I see all of you sprawled on your bellies in our driveway, cackling like mad scientists as you discover the power of a magnifying glass on a blistering July day. All those poor sacrificed Army men. Dots of melted camouflage goop probably remain in the crannies of our sidewalk.

As I watch you today, I wish for a superpower. I want the ability to turn back the clock, to reset the time. But that wouldn’t be fair, would it? Wishing you young again.

To go back just so I could hold you in my arms and rock you to sleep after the tree-branch shadows in the windows awakened you; to dry your tears after the bubble stuff made the path too slippery for running; to cuddle you while Thomas the Tank Engine played on television.

That would be selfish. That would suggest that all your hard work was for nothing.

That all the sweat and blood left on the football field didn’t matter.

That the late-night algebra sessions didn’t help.

That the calluses from guitar practice were only imaginary.

That the standing up for what was right was wrong.

It hasn’t always been easy, has it? This thing called life.

People you thought were your friends were not.

Some people you loved, you discovered, loved themselves more.

You’ve turned left a time or two when perhaps you should have turned right.

Yet you always knew that no road is a dead end as long as you have reverse. That a working moral compass can guide you out of every darkened alley and that a reasonable mind trumps a muddled map every time.

So, no, I won’t wish this all away.

Instead, as you step off that stage — your hard-earned high-school diploma in hand — I wish only this:

That you embrace those who aren’t just like you.

That you climb mountains — with care.

That you watch a sunrise every chance you get.

That you love yourself but that you love God more.

That you ask for help when you need it and give it when called upon.

That you visit places you’ve only read about.

That you make a difference.

That you laugh every day.

That you are kind to others.

And, most important, no matter where you go, whatever you do, no matter what you achieve or how difficult the accomplishment becomes, that you never lose your way home.

Love, Mom

Dispatch Reporter Holly Zachariah will see her son, Justin Shepherd, graduate on Saturday from Marysville High School.

hzachariah@dispatch.com

The very first time my husband and I met, it was for a blind date. It was to go to the James Taylor concert. It had been raining, and there was a chance of rain again that night. Jim brought an umbrella.

He is the only guy I dated who EVER brought an umbrella along. It is difficult to describe to you how surprising that simple forethought meant. I did not fall in love that night, that happened quite awhile later. But his true gallantry really struck a chord in my heart. No other guy cared about me that way. You see, He cared about me before we even met. Is it any wonder that I did fall in love?

Recently we celebrated 30 years of marriage. To this day, he is the one looking out for me. I was thinking about that, and how special he is when I saw the above photo on FaceBook today. We have been married for 30 years, but we met 10 years before that. We dated off and on for about 7 years. Then I fell totally in love with him, and 3 years later we married. From the time I fell totally in love, until the day we married, we did not live in the same town! It was truly a joyous occasion. We are still committed to each other, and our faith in each other and in God continues to grow.

And before you infer all kinds of things about the photos of the presidents at the top, keep in mind that the umbrella reminded me of my husband. Actually none of them are doing what my husband did then or does now. Perhaps this photo would have been better.

I am blessed beyond measure. My dear man with the umbrella cares for me in countless ways; and I for him.

The song James Taylor sings in the video below was the very first song James Taylor sang the night of the concert, the night of our first date.

My soul has been writing a metaphorical book for a long time. The book is about learning, becoming, developing your unique combination of talents for the sheer joy of it. All of my life I have accumulated knowledge and experience about that subject.

For months now, as I said yesterday, I have felt like my mind is pretty blank when it comes to my blog. That has been frustrating. Since  I started Believe Anyway, I was seldom at a loss for words. It felt like I was a high school girl who started chattering and talked without stopping for a year and a half. Then all of a sudden she ran out of things to say!

It was surprising to me on many levels. First of all it was stunning to me that I had so much to stay for so long. Then it was surprising that I could run out of NEW things to say. I tried just waiting. I prayed. I tried writing anyway, but the urgency to write and express was not there. It has been a very odd transition. It was as though I was scooped up and placed in a new an unrecognizable place. I was a bit off-kilter as a result.

As it so happens, I ended up with a LOT of new students this year. Many of my ongoing students have been diagnosed with learning disabilities in the past few months. That brought my passion for learning and teaching together. They dovetailed. I discovered that I need to learn new ways to teach some of my students.

That got me thinking about the writing I did at the corporate level, and the ways I taught kids when I was a kid, colleagues in the workplace, and more. What did I always do? Researched for new solutions. Learned new ways to teach. Then, I taught them to fish.

I wrote about and taught new ways for them to learn and achieve. The companies I worked for did not have those manuals, forms, and procedures. I created them. It was a very matter-of-fact thing I did. The people DID learn. I LOVED creating those manuals and procedures. Do you have those moments when you are doing something in your life? It could be anything— writing, ironing, teaching a skill, singing in the shower, whatever. But the feeling you get in those moments when you just KNOW it is good? [even, or maybe especially if no one notices?]

So with my writing at a roadblock, and my students facing new challenges I began to research. I am still researching. BUT I discovered it wasn’t a roadblock that I was experiencing. I was suddenly ready to travel on two roads simultaneously. I am not ending this blog, but I am continuing to develop my other blog. I have written about it before. Here is the link for it if you are fascinated by education. http://aceitnow.wordpress.com

I will attempt to keep each blog with a singular focus. (That will be a challenge for MY head!) You see,  I long to also do the kind of writing that feels like a different kind of mission. As you have read, my passion is learning and teaching. I teach kids and adults as a one-on-one tutor. My passion for that is based upon the fact that along with teaching the subject matter, I am also their little life-coach. I teach them (and/or their parents) how to “own” their education. I teach them how to overcome obstacles, not just acquire education. Do you see what I mean? I love to write about learning. I love to teach new procedures for learning. Maybe that is one of the reasons that I LOVE movies about teachers.

I continue to be fascinated by LEARNING. My words flow when it comes to that topic. They always have. I have always been one to advocate, and to mentor others as they learn to advocate. Maybe it is because I moved so many times as a kid. Maybe it is because I come from a big extended family and learned at an early age to speak my mind respectfully. Who knows. But advocacy for one’s needs and purpose comes naturally to me. In that respect, I am merely God’s conduit.

The other day I was teaching one of my adult learners. He needed ways to write more professional letters and emails. He was amazed that I could come up with a number of ways to communicate what he was trying to say. For me it was second nature. That is what I need to convey to students. That is what I must write for them. Until then, i  I know now that my writing sometimes needs to have an undertone of life coach for grace and joy. (Believe Anyway). Other times it is to be a life coach for learning, achievement, etc. (Ace It Now). I am so lucky that I have the option for multiple blogs. Thanks to WordPress!

“Dreams are illustrations from the book your soul is writing about you”. Marsha Norman. I love this quote. Whether we consider the dreams that happen while we are asleep, or whether we are talking about the dreams that we have about our own (or our loved ones’ lives) we know that the dreams give flavor to our lives.

But as we ponder on dreams realized, dreams discarded, and dreams that recur we realize something. Dreams are also the compass God hard wires into our hearts.

Think about it. when you were a child did you dream about writing a blog? When I was a child they did not exist. Rather, I dreamed about writing books. I dreamed about teaching people how to do things. I played school with the neighborhood kids and my cousins.

One reason I dreamed about writing books was that many of the books I read had a central, or at least important, character that wanted to become a writer. In each instance, the character did become a writer. Did I gravitate to those books because God created me to write? Or did I decide to write because I loved those books? What would my direction have been if I read a lot of books about horses? Would I have set forth to purchase a horse ranch?

I am trying to differentiate between interests, hobbies, and mission. When I was a kid I took ballet lessons. I loved the whole experience of dancing. But I didn’t long to become a professional ballerina. Not the same way I believed I would write and teach. Taking ballet lessons and practicing at home made me very happy. Isn’t this little girl cute? It isn’t me, but she is cute.

But I knew that it (dance) would not be my career. I didn’t fantasize about that. But I did fantasize about writing books.

In my corporate world I wrote procedures manuals and career-path manuals for the people I managed. I wrote training manuals for the people who replaced me. I believed there was value in the written word. I knew that those who needed the information would be able to rely upon what I wrote.

So now we blog. It has a different kind of value. Sometimes the value is elusive or even temporary. But for me, blogging is a way of being expressive. In that respect it is much like my dancing years. It is an outlet. It makes me happy to do it. It makes me a part of a community. But my achievement is far different from many of the blogs I read ~ I do not envision fame or renown from this blog. Yet I am content with that. Believe Anyway is my little way of reaching out; of lending some light for the path. I firmly believe that if someone needs my kind of encouragement they will somehow find their way to this blog. I began blogging for my own sanity. Everything else has been a bonus.

In the past few months, I have discovered something. My writing has (or needs to have) two distinct paths. In  sense it has two separate and distinct purposes. I have this blog, which fulfills my expressive and creative side. Remember when I wrote about my drawing? I told you I was great at drawing onions, shells, pumpkins and apples. I told you (without any regrets) that I fell far short of the mark in perspective drawing for things like boxes, draped things, etc. I need that expressiveness. I have the need or mission to encourage and perhaps inspire or comfort. Those are good things. But then there is the other path.

That has been pulling at me; that is what I misinterpreted as being “blocked”. More on that tomorrow! Please come back!

photo by my friend Terri Shirley-Summerhayes

I spent joyous times walking the shoreline, or perching on large flat rocks watching the waves wash up on the beach and recede, or watching from the balcony of an inn by the beach. I watched the ocean act like God’s reassuring breath. There were times I watched a nor’easter whip up the coastline. On the news last December I watched Hurricane Sandy on the news.

walkway on Long Beach Island, NJ vintage 2010

 This is the beach I frequented on Long Beach Island, NJ–after the hurricane. They will recover. They will dig out. They will mend and heal. Beauty will return to my old beach.

Our troubles are written in the sand. sometimes it feels as though they are carved in concrete. But troubles do come and go. sometimes they linger. But troubles mustn’t completely define us. We are more than our troubles and hurts. We are people of the now and the tomorrow. Write your troubles on the sand. Wait for God to wash them away and make your beach all fresh and new. Have a lovely day~

A Bag of Tools – by R. L. Sharpe

Isn’t it strange
that princes and kings,
And clowns that caper
In sawdust rings,
And common people
Like you and me
Are builders for eternity?

Each is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass,
A book of rules;
And each must make–
Ere life is flown–
A stumbling block
Or a stepping stone.

So there I was in my freshman English class in college. We were reading Homer’s Iliad. Our assignment was to write some kind of analysis or compare and contrast paper about it. I wrote it up and we handed it in on a Wednesday. We got our papers back on Friday. Mine did not have a grade on it. It just said See Me at the top. In my vanity, I assumed she wanted to see me because she was going to tell me she was so impressed with my paper that I could declare my major early. At my college, you were not permitted to declare your major until you completed your core requirements at the end of sophomore year. Instead, Miss Noel said to me “is English your native language or do you come to it late in life?” Then she told me to head to the bookstore, get a remedial English book, re-do the paper, and hand it in on Monday. Shocked and saddened, I did precisely that. On Wednesday, I handed the paper in again. On Friday she handed it back to me. It said, “much improved. F”. I knew then and there that the department would not permit me to be an English major. I was lucky to get a D in her class at the end of the semester.

The second semester, I fared no better. The second semester I took poetry analysis. Although the poems were bursting with lovely imagery, metaphor, meter, and more, I was hopelessly tongue-tied at writing the papers. I received a C only because the sweet professor in that class took pity on me and rewarded my work ethic, as my talent for poetry analysis was nonexistent. My professor told me so on a regular basis, and so did my classmates.

My political science and history courses went no better, unfortunately. It was all such a shock to me. I knew that these majors would not be allowed. You see, you had to demonstrate mastery of the introductory courses to get into the sophomore classes. I considered majoring in elementary education, because I truly loved to teach But at the time, the new teachers were having a tough time getting jobs. At that point I realized that if I majored in business and went into management, I would be researching and teaching. That is what I loved. In that department, my practical mind and idealism dovetailed nicely. I excelled. The courses were challenging. I suppose that could mean I was far less intelligent than I had given myself credit for being in my pre-college years. Or it could mean that when you find your niche, you  excel.

The difference between high school and college was surely a shock to my system. To this day, writing a book review or any kind of literature analysis is a bit beyond me. Other than being truly impressed by the talent of the writer, I am clueless as to what to say. The same can be said when I react to artistic things (photography, drawing, painting, sculpture, architecture, quilting,  needle craft, etc.) Again, I generally love what I see and think it is beautiful. But I really have nothing to add to the discussion at all. Does that mean I shouldn’t have studied or majored in it? I have no idea. I do know it would have been every bit as problematic for me in those majors, as it was in the English department.

On the other hand, when it comes to business strategy, job procedures, and mathematical problem solving, I am full of things to say. Why do you suppose that is? I did major in business, and minored in math and humanities. But the humanities courses were things like opera appreciation, art history, architectural history, those kinds of things. In picking a business career path, I couldn’t go with public accounting, because frankly I was NOT a good accountant for that realm. I loved creating the records, and tracking the expenses and inventory.  I cared about training people in industry, coming up with better procedures, and tracking inventory.

But after a few years of that, I married and my career was taking care of home, hearth, and family. Many many years later, I returned to tutoring. I had volunteered as a tutor for years, but due to my husband’s unemployment at the time, I decided to try to find a paying gig. I am now well into my 4th year of doing this and am beyond busy. Why does this work? The students I take on all have a common thread. They need inspiration, guidance, and training in life strategy. They need to now how to manage their education and set some goals. Yes they also need help in subject areas. Most of the time they need help in math. I feel safe in math. I am terrific at finding ways to explain it so they can overcome their difficulties. Granted, I am not doing the high-powered stuff like calculus and physics. Instead,  I mostly tutor pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, and algebra 2. Math feels safe. Cost accounting did. Financial accounting did not. It is an interesting distinction.

So how did I pick? I realized that in order to shine and grow, I needed to feel competent. I needed to know I add something to the discussion. Although I loved to read, and to communicate my thoughts and ideas in presentations and papers, I did not have enough to add to that discussion at that point in time. Not only that, but professors and classmates alike were more than happy to point out my lack of competence. Although this made me want to improve, I could not get to that level.Time was ticking and I did not make the deadline for improvement in college. I had to pick a major that I could excel in.

These days, the blogging world is so full of wonderful writers. They commandeer their keyboards and develop characters and dialogue. They write book reviews that make me nod and say “YES”! They write poetry that leaves me speechless and moves me to tears. They take photographs that make my eyes open so big I am surprised my eyes don’t fall right out of my head. But I frequently cannot think of anything intelligent to say. I mean how many times can I credibly say the equivalent of Roger Ebert’s “one thumb up”? So perhaps my role is to just at times be a silent observer in those realms. Maybe that really is the purpose of the old “like” button.

Then I realized that perhaps that isn’t my role. It is hard to convey how much I appreciate the variety of blogs I follow. The ones that offer encouragement in taking care of myself (exercise, diet, outlook, prayer). The ones who create beautiful things. the ones who offer scripture analysis….

It is a big blogging world. I have much to discover. When you began to blog did you pick something that was like your major or career path? Did you evolve and change your blog focus? I have meandered around with mine.

Mainly I comment on my own path in life and pray that folks that need something interesting or encouraging to read will feel as though they are sitting on a dock, dangling their feet in the water while watching the sunrise/sunset. There is something to be said for being a hopeful companion. That is all I have ever been in this life. As a hopeful companion and comfortable dock by the lake/sea/river, I do hope to perhaps share my hopes and heartaches, dreams, goals, and experiences. For it is in the sharing that we can be renewed. It is in the giving that we strengthen and are strengthened.

If I was to go back to college these days, I might have also taken some courses in designing curriculum for various learning styles and/or disabilities. I have always been irresistibly drawn to finding ways to make it possible for people to learn and succeed. I am always researching that topic and reading about it. That was true in the business world, the home, and in my tutoring life too. I stubbornly (or optimistically) believe that everyone can grow and learn. That brings me fact to face once again with why I was unable to find the key to the English major. You see, I realized that I had run out of ways to analyze the writings of other writers. Nor could I create works of fiction (characters and dialogue). Despite the fact that I had read a zillion books (mostly fiction)–I just couldn’t do it! Or perhaps I didn’t want to or wasn’t meant to!

So to the creative friends that I have—who inspire me with their talent and knowledge, I say “WOW! Great job”. And now you know why I was not an English major.

I read that quote in a newsletter a couple of months ago. I have been pondering it ever since. Debates reverberate about faith, grace, works, and more. My faith and my knowledge of God are a gift. Throughout my life, God has been there for me. To me, the big meaning behind Pentecost was that the message to the apostles was to be bold, spread the word. throughout His ministry, Jesus reminded His followers to continually live their faith–to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, care for the sick…love their neighbor. You see, when you are filled with love, how can you ever have a finite amount of care for others?

Now I totally “get” that there are days, weeks, or even longer when we are worn out, worn down, care-worn, and feel completely washed out. We feel that we have nothing left inside us to spare—we just can’t do it anymore. But you see, that is the wondrous mystery of giving and loving. It is at those times when we have no choice but to regroup and collapse, that someone else begins to give with renewed strength. The world goes on.

We each long for love, affirmation, the chance to give, the chance to be heard. The King of renewed chances is there through it all, that is what I believe. Even on days when I feel downright lousy about myself, I know that He loves me. Signs of it abound. Every day my son and my husband are there. They keep on having faith in our family.

I remember reading that Pat Conroy, a southern author, has a huge collection of handwritten notebooks, too. In the past 3 years my son has written two books. The first was a writing guide for college students. So many of his fellow students asked him for help in writing their papers that he compiled a guide book. (If you know anyone looking for a high school graduation gift, it could help them). http://booklocker.com/books/5307.html

Now, as a teen, he went through a really rough time; really rough. Over the past year, he wrote a book about that—and he published it on Amazon Kindle yesterday. http://www.amazon.com/Almost-Wasted-Future-Changed-ebook/dp/B00CJ1TPAO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367023557&sr=8-1&keywords=almost+wasted+future

I had the privilege of editing his book. The book started out at about 350 pages, but he decided to split it into a series of books and/or blog posts, because there were initially too many topics in his book. Now we all know someone, I am guessing, who has a struggle going on with an adolescent. I believe my son’s book can help some families/teens out there somewhere. I would appreciate it if you could let those people know. there are families in pain who could be helped by this book. I say this because I have walked that walk, and know the helpless, isolated feeling that can accompany these experiences. Let’s help heal the families! He learned through his own treatment and recovery that openness and communication, along with prayer, learning, nutrition, and exercise heal the deepest wounds.

I hope that you can spread the word so that people that need help get it. Besides that, some people may just plain enjoy reading these books, even if they don’t “need” the books.

You see, the past few months he and I have been editing, and he has been doing the re-writes. That plus my students have kept me beyond busy. I appreciate your comments and feedback this year. I have been far too absent from the blogging world. Grateful prayers and thanks to each of you.

Perhaps it is because I have moved so many times that I have heightened remembrance of joyous times of the past, and fully enjoy spending time with old friends, old cousins, etc. Those times bolster me and keep me in touch with the me that is inside. The me that I at times overlook because on a daily basis I am “taking care of business”. It is funny to think about the fact that sometimes I forget about some of the “pieces of myself”.

My husband and I are lucky. We have known each other for 40 years now. We met in college, but did not get serious until a few years before we married. We had growing up to do first! But boy, when we fell in love, the commitment was total. He is my mainstay in this world, and I love him. I am so lucky that he and I are committed to each other, and that God is the ever-present 3rd leg of our marriage stool. God is present in our lives because we invite Him in every day.

It is true joy when we get to see old friends, family, and more. Why is that? There are pieces of Him in each of these people. to be together is positively electric! It is magic. It was magic when my husband and I fell in love, magic when we married, and continues to be magical even now. 30 years of marriage magic is what we recently celebrated.

Now, one of those magic moments is coming up for us. My dear brother-in-law Bill fell in love and is to marry the wondrous Erin. How fabulous it will be to be there for their wedding. My husband is a member of the wedding party, as are many other members of the clan. Tears of joy will flow that day as we witness their marriage and then will continue to watch their marriage grow over the ensuing decades. I thought you might want to see this video of them. A true love story! You may want to grab some tissues. Their love story, and my husband’s and mine as well, are so much more real, beautiful, and romantic than ANYTHING Hollywood could produce. so grab some tissues and watch the video.

Spring is lovely here in Arizona. The spring trees burst forth in color. Sunshine is everywhere. The air is fresh and warm, but not oppressively hot. My students have spring fever and are really ready for summer vacation. I am ready for summer, too. We are months from the academic finish line. I am sure there are days and seasons when perhaps you would like to hand off the baton to someone else. But despite the fact that we are joined together in community, our races are individual races, not relays. We can have a pit crew, and fans to cheer us on. But only you can run your actual race.

In my spring fever mode I can see that if I allow the mood to continue, rather than harvesting dedication, I will be harvesting impatience and laziness. Each thing we grow, in turn, spreads seeds. That is the significance of Merton’s statement. So today, rather than write and blog for hours, I must get some cleaning done and finish a report. I will be back. But today, I am planting dedication so that I do not harvest clutter. Other times I have to plant relaxation so that I harvest balance. But lately, the balance has swung too far and laziness and clutter are appearing like weeds. It is time to yank the weeds and plant new seeds. Have a lovely, lovely day. We have many harvests throughout the year. Different seeds grow at different rates. How does your analogous garden grow? Mine could use some work!

But I have a dichotomy. I too want to be with those I love. Remember in Jerry Maguire when Maguire realizes that all of his (and his newfound client’s) success mean nothing if he doesn’t have his beloved along to share his experience? It is too one way, even for the self-obsessed Jerry Maguire. So he heads to her side and expresses that she completes him. Of course, this too is self-obsessed, isn’t it? Does he say that life means more if they complete each other? Nope. So you know that he has much to learn.

Dorothy, on the other hand, awakens back in Kansas in her black and white world. She tells them where she has been, and realizes with complete amazement that the farm hands and Professor Marvel had been there with her in Oz. She says there is no place like home. She is correct. All that she needed to feel safe, loved, and joyous had been right there with her. It was with her no matter where she went. I am guessing, that if we had seen a picture on the wall of Auntie Em in her younger days, that she looked exactly like Glinda. And what of Uncle Henry? He was probably off camera in Oz, his hands behind his be-capped head, and his feet up on the porch rail while sitting in his chair. He no doubt had a bemused look on his face, as Dorothy gradually found her way home. No place like home. Dorothy brought the most important parts of Oz right back home with her to Kansas. And except for Auntie Em and Uncle Henry, she brought Kansas with her to Oz. [But they were with her in her heart regardless].

Maybe she will still marry Scarecrow… or Lion?  How can you not love those guys. Sorry Tin Man–my heart fell for the other 2.

Palms. They may end up with holes when they are open. But Jesus will heal them. Palms.  Happy PALM Sunday.

.

In life, we do not get to see the potential outcome of our decision so that we are less hesitant to make a choice and launch. We must step forward boldly, holding hands with God, not knowing the outcome, only knowing His guidance. In looking back over the last year, I know that is how I have lived. How do I get courageous? I will tell you. Some of the best things in this world were done by people who were scared but moved forward anyway.

We have always heard not to put all our eggs in one basket. Is that true? I see my life stretching before me. There are hills and valleys. There are streams, gravel covered paths that could be treacherous, gorgeous meadows, and forests filled with chirping birds and His peaceful voice. All of life urges me “walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart and you’ll never walk alone”. As Easter approaches I continue to follow the One  who makes everything possible. The one who fills my nets with fish. He does it just when I am ready to despair that they could ever be filled again.

You see, sometimes our hearts break when life disappoints us. For awhile it can color our thinking, and make us sad, too. To be analogous; on days like that, I sit kind of shell-shocked, in my boat, sadly holding my empty net. I feel as though I am “all fished out”. I cry. I wonder why I thought I could fish. I see other fishermen coming in, their nets laden with fish. No, I don’t feel jealous. It is a different emotion. It is not a comparison thing. It is more a wondering why I fell short of how I thought it would be, given my dedication or devotion or whatever.  At those times, I am wondering why; I expected to have fish. Instead I don’t.

Then it happens…..I look up. And there He is. My Shepherd. He is walking to my boat, climbing in….He sits down, looks me in the eye and says, “my daughter, row back out. Begin again. Cast your nets back in”. And although my heart aches with sorrow, I know that when I have the strength to row back out, He will still be in my boat. And when I cast my nets in, He will smile. The fish will come. And He will smile. He will smile at me, and I will smile tremulously. The past loss and sorrow will eventually dissolve like dry ice on a Phoenix driveway in July.

Regardless of what is headed my way~it comforts me and fills me with joy that I have so many simple blessings in my life.  Today will be wonderful and tomorrow begins a new chapter; I am, as ever, a perennial optimist. May our lives continue to be a beautiful overflowing basket of blessings.

He and I met today and he said that no matter how hard he has to work, and how long it takes, he will conquer this. I am so proud of him. He continues to have an amazing work ethic. His confidence his high, his faith in God, and in his own possibilities is strong. He has not passed the test yet, but he is already victorious.

I am so proud of him. I do ask you to continue to pray. Pray that he learns everything he can. Pray that he always knows his possibilities, and that he retains what he has learned already and learns what still must be learned.

He said “the Lord has His reasons”; I will keep working. I, meanwhile, had the honor of meeting some of his family today after our session. I am very blessed by David and his family.

Here is an example of his work ethic and dedication. He accesses the internet using his phone, because he does not have a computer. Or, time permitting, he goes to the library. When his children are tucked into bed for the evening, and his wife is home, he works on extra math problems. I mean he works TONS of extra problems. He looks up extra problems on the internet and works them. But, in order to get access to the internet, he has to stand in the parking lot with his notebook on the hood of his car, in the cold, and work problems. He does it all the time. Each tutoring session, he comes with problems worked out, and is fully prepared with questions about the things he doesn’t understand.

He holds himself to the highest standard, and continues to practice concepts until he masters them. He desperately wants to succeed on this test and loves his wife and children beyond measure. His faith in God and his faith in his own capabilities continues to grow. He is one for the ages; the real deal. Of course, his dedication serves to increase my zeal to help him succeed. How can you not believe in such an extraordinarily dedicated man?

So after many months of hard work, David is ready. This weekend he will be reviewing and practicing. On Monday he re-takes the exam. I ask that you each pray for him. Pray that he remembers all that he needs to, and that he succeeds. Pray for him and his family. I would appreciate it if you would pass this prayer request to whomever you see fit. You see, he is ready to launch. He is about to begin writing the future and is boldly marching forth. May your prayers, and God’s guidance be with Him: this weekend, on Monday, and beyond.

Thanks for your prayers~~

To those who are beginning the process of planning those post high school years

I am sure you have heard tons of advice. Join every club, play every instrument, be in student government. Have you thought about what makes you unique? Have you thought about what you are good at? Perhaps you think the only thing you are good at is text messaging! Guess what? You can learn an important skill. You can volunteer at a nursing home and help people with their correspondence. You can set up a way for the nursing home to send little cards to the residents—you can be the one that helps to make sure that each resident feels special and included.

If you have ever felt left out in junior high or high school, I am sure that you can relate to how people feel at the nursing home when they are forgotten. Beyond doing that, you can also start a blog that is an encouraging and inspiring blog. Think about who the audience for that blog might be? Would it be best to have one blog or multiple blogs? Who could your daily  blogs help? Obviously if you use it to post things like “OMG Old people bug me” it would help no one, and make you look terribly mean and shallow.

Instead, you could post it as a “good news” blog. Let others know how to be considerate and kind towards the residents. Keep in mind that the directors of other nursing homes might try some of your ideas at those nursing home. In this way, your blog could improve the lives of many.

If you write enough content, you could translate it into some kind of business. Regardless, you have added a skill that actually helps the world. Do you see what I mean? Broaden yourself. After high school and college you will be in the adult world. It is good to recognize that fact, and to begin to learn ways to help te world, and then do those things. Believe me, admissions directors like folks that have proven track records. That makes their decisions low-risk.

Again, the goal here is not too pretend to be what the admissions office wants. Instead, the goal is to dig deep within your heart and figure out how to deepen your roots and become the authentic you. You are here for a purpose. Discover it. Become it. Fill the need. Those of us that are in the next generation up REALLY need you!

What ideas do you have that could help you become who you want to be?

I am not talking here about material possessions. I am talking about what and who we love and cherish. I am also talking about our talents and gifts; as it so happens, these are the things others cherish about us. Yet we were also taught to not bury our talents and treasures in the backyard. Woe to the wicked servant in the bible that did that! So, indeed, we must grow our gifts. you see, when we are conscious of our gifts we become mindful of what we can do to make them better.

Courage is what helps us move forward when we are ready to give up. Each step we take in accomplishing our purpose in this life makes us more beautiful. Each time we hold our head up despite the sorrow or laugh with joy, we grow more beautiful. You are beautiful. Yes, you.

http://aceitnow.wordpress.com.

I have a strong interest in this area, as some of my students have their own share of struggles. You know I am devoted to them and never give up on them, even if they feel overwhelmed or want to give up. If you know anyone who has had success or information in these areas, send them my way, ok?

Sometimes I am an adventurer and sometimes I am a homebody. How about you? My family and I love to be home. It is a good place ~ we enjoy, truly enjoy each other’s company.

We all know the  sayings “be it ever so humble there’s no place like home” “home, home on the range” “home is where the heart is’” and the like. Yes, home is where you live. In my case that means a lovely home with an incredible husband and marvelous son. But it also means so much more. When I am home, the world is out there, and I am in here—in my nest, cocoon, and usually happy place. Is it always tranquil? Oh come on, of course not! I am half Irish-American and half Norwegian-American. So, as many would say, “Kate, perhaps you have never had an unexpressed thought”! But they have no idea how many things I have thought but have never said! 

Now, I have had the good fortune of moving quite a few times so far. So in that respect, I have had the pleasure of calling many, many places my home. So when I say home, I consider all of those places home as well. When I visit those places, and those people who still live there—well, I am home then as well. Beyond that, there are people I loved in those places who have moved as well. When I visit those people in their new locations, I am home, too!

Home is wherever I feel welcomed, loved, respected, treasured. Home is where you can sit up all night talking to someone—and when morning comes you want to keep talking. Home is where you share memories and build even more memories. Home is beautiful no matter the size or look of the abode.

Of course, sometimes home is where there are squabbles, irritations, disagreements and rejections. I mean this isn’t heaven, so sometimes home can feel horrible. Misunderstandings and differences in position can make your life miserable. I think that perhaps that is why it is important to consider many places home. I even consider other things home. This is a coping mechanism that I use when things get difficult for me in one way or another. I can sit quietly, close my eyes and imagine myself sitting, standing, or walking beside the ocean, a wonderful lake,  or on a sandbar on the Mississippi River. Water…the lovely sound and feel of water….Yes, that speaks home to me, too. So when things are stressful with my schedule, or someone is being extraordinarily chippy with me and I feel they should just shut the heck up and I am shook up from heart to head—well I try to go home…to my ocean/river/lake/forest….. Then after some prayer and reflection…I might call a friend or relative or read or even blog.

What does home mean to you? It means there is always, somewhere, someone to love me and for me to love. I can guarantee that, because God will always love me and be there to love me. Home means that the love you pour out ALWAYS eventually comes back to you a hundred fold—right when you need it and other times as well. It means sometimes my well overflows and sometimes it runs dry. But somehow it always works out, doesn’t it? Even if I am feeling blue and lonely, I can try to remember how it felt to feel at home somewhere, sometime.

Now, if all those things do not work—and trust me, somedays they don’t—-I pick up some of the books I read as a young girl (Little Women, the Betsy-Tacy series, and the All-of-a-Kind Family series plus Anne of Green Gables). Why these? They are about some really terrific girls. That reminds me of my own wonderful girlfriends (and guy friends, too of course)…and then I am once again on an even keel. When I am on an even keel, of course, I can create that feeling of “home” for others. For whom? Well, my husband and son and everyone else I encounter. That is my calling—to create home. To be welcoming…to try very hard NOT to tick people off and hurt their feelings…yeh. Indeed—there is no place like home.

Mama’s quick veggie soup

February 14, 2013 by Jennifer

Reblogged from Good For the Soul:

I really love that quote. Yes I love it because He either catches me or teaches me how to fly. But I also noticed something else about that quote. I have often assumed that those moments when I have found myself at the edge were just arbitrary happenstance. Of course, in reading that quote I noticed the part about “God pushing you to the edge”. Now I don’t think of that as a cruel or manipulative thing. Far from it. In this quote He is more like a personal trainer that is helping you to get fit.

When you sign on with a trainer, the trainer may shout or prod. The trainer may “make” you do 10 extra push-ups, or run longer on the treadmill, or some other form of exercise. Again, the trainer does not do that to be cruel. He/she does it because he/she knows it will make you stronger and healthier. Physical muscle and stamina does not just fall on us like rain. It is earned through sweat, work, and repetition.

So, too, will our spiritual muscle grow through reaching out for Him during challenging times. He may push us or prod us to that point. As we grow in maturity we are willing, even eager, to be led to the edge where we leap to Him. Indeed, we leap off the dock toward the lake of His love. We will be wrapped in His arms, and swim out to that distant dock. We will frolic and rejoice.

Ultimately, in moments of great joy, we do indeed fly, don’t we? Have you ever felt either so very happy or so relieved that you almost feel like you are flying? That moment when you feel like you could skip down the street laughing? Sometimes, after trying times, when I feel as though I am flying [with Him as the wind beneath my wings, of course] I feel the urge to do something I loved to do as a young girl. I would skip around my back yard until I was running. Then I would stand in the middle of the yard with my arms outstretched and spin, and spin, and spin……until I toppled over onto my back. I would laugh heartily as the earth appeared to tip back and forth. I felt like the sky was grabbing the lawn, and the lawn grabbing the sky.

What a sensation that was…..to be unencumbered….so when I feel that urge to leap to Him and am rewarded, time and again, by the sensation of Him catching me with sure hands……well, I am rejoicing, indeed. May today bring you spinning, skipping, leaping, rejoicing, and flying. If you are downhearted, discouraged, or just in the doldrums…..maybe it would be a good day to skip…..really, really fast…..

On the other hand, if I need quiet time because I am stressed, aggravated, or down, the best thing is to either:

1. get out in nature—walk in my neighborhood or a park, get near water [in my case a pond or little lake, since that is what is nearby).
2. stop by my church and pray
3. take a nap
4. get out my charcoals and paper and draw in my den
5. head to my room and think, pray, or read.
6. go to a bookstore or the library.
7. Keep the news programs and talk radio OFF

I find that it helps me stay centered to have some quiet time. Some days my quiet time consists of driving between errands and going to Sprouts or Whole Foods. Both places are brightly lit, full of lovely produce, and smiley-friendly yet non-chaotic and quiet. If I am at the library I can look out the window at a gorgeous nature scene. Wouldn’t that bring peace to your soul too?

I can think of a few things I would like 500 more of. 500 more days of being on retreat or vacation with my husband comes to mind. We just begin to relax, and then we are each back in the saddle again. It would be lovely to have 500 paid days off (in a row maybe, or scattered)–to really re-connect.

I would like 500 more days with each of my friends and relations that are far away from here.Or maybe even far beyond the horizons of this life.  I would like 500 more days with my son at his various growing up years. 500 more nights to read him bedtime stories. 500 more days to look for frogs and bugs.

I would like 500 more seashells to skip into 500 more ocean waves on the Jersey shore followed by 500 more meals of seafood and 500 more walks on the beach.

500 more songs by the Beatles (in the pre-sitar years)—500 more days with some of my favorite teachers.

On top of all of that how about 500 more books with plenty of bookshelves to store them in. Oh wait! That is why I got my kindle!

But tell me this—–what would you like 500 more of?

The lovely thing that keeps me going is that heaven contains 500 infinities of time with those we love.

So today, as you consider the meaning of love, Valentine’s Day, people, life….remember that always God grants us more, and we grant each other more. What will you fondly wish for more of this day?

I love that statement. Think bout that. If you can get yourself—your mind, heart, actions, and reactions—to see every day as a miracle, perhaps we then will live each moment doing what love requires. it reminds me of the song about live like you’re dying. If you know your time is about up, you see every moment as precious. Each moment is poignant. But we can go ahead and try to see each moment as poignant.

We can try to create an expectant heart. Each day something good can happen. Believe me, I know how it is when their is a very, very long line of junk happening every day. We have had our share of tragedy, loss, suffering, etc, But I am certain they are outweighed by the good. I cannot even begin to enumerate the number of people in my lifetime that have been friends or acquaintances or complete strangers who have smiled at me and wished me well.

So why bother looking at life negatively? What fun is that? Remember sweet Pollyanna and her glad game? I know, she had a tragedy that made her question the game. But those who grew to love her picked her up. You just know that she re-learned it. Each day we renew our spirits in Him and those he places in our path.

It brings me comfort and joy to consider that those who read this little post may now be reflecting on this: Can you even begin to enumerate every kind and lovely moment and memory from your entire life? No—don’t go off into the ditch and weeds thinking over the bad, sad, painful things. ONLY think about trying to remember even every moment of the past month when something loving or kind happened to you…..yep, may well be impossible!!

So, every day God gives you and me a miracle. The crown of joy that God adorns for you each day is sparkly and fine. It is good. You are beautiful. In your sun dappled and overcast days, the songbirds sing in your ears and heart. Love to you today!!

The President will deliver his State of the Union address this evening. As usual, there will be sniping and strutting among our elected officials, members of the press, and the general public. It becomes difficult in this climate to safely express your opinion if it is in the minority. You open yourself up to potential ridicule and public shaming. People can misjudge you and make incorrect presumptions about your stance on other issues (related or not to the issue at hand). So what can one do to effect change? One can live an authentic life, authentic to one’s principles and codes. Leave the judging to others. Speak with actions and votes. Be authentic. Your life and your principles are honorable if and when they honor God.

Live a life of love and honor. Treat others with respect whether or not you think they “deserve it”. You see, a respectful climate doesn’t just happen. For instance, if you are with a group of people and they start speaking in a bigoted fashion, or telling dirty jokes or prejudicial jokes, you can do something. You can say, “would you mind if we changed the channel? I am really uncomfortable, and I would really appreciate it”.

The group’s decision is beyond your control, of course. They can kindly or begrudgingly honor your request. To which you can respond, “gosh, thank you!”. Or they can attack and say you are too sensitive or have no sense of humor. To which you can say, “by your definition, I would say that is true. I understand, and I will leave so that I do not bring your gathering down. ” But here is the key. You can’t act bratty. You act as though their and your stance are both reasonable. Doing it that way honors your OWN decision to create a respectful climate filled with your care and kindness, wherever you go. It can make you bold, brave, principled yet kind.

Will any of this change the behavior of those in Washington DC? Oh probably not. But YOU will have honored your principle. You will have brought that to the feet of God. That is the true point, after all! During the speech tonight, God will have me elsewhere. One of my students just so happened to need to switch to the time tonight when the speech and follow-up haranguing will be taking place. God is so subtle !

“Always vote for a principle, though you vote alone, and you may cherish the sweet reflection that your vote is never lost. ”

— John Quincy Adams