commencement

The definition of the word "commencement" is the time at which something is supposed to begin.

Many schools refer to their graduation ceremony as a commencement ceremony. Well today was the Rice High School graduation. It was a time for the graduating seniors to reflect on their lives up to this point and to "commence" life in the real world (or at least go off to college and postpone the real world for a few more years).

An interesting observation about today is that it was also our last official last day at Rice High School and we are also commencing a new journey in our lives.

It was a little sad to think that may be the last time I see some of those kids. I did not think it would be this difficult to leave my job. The truth is I have never really grown attached to my students before. In the past when I left a school it was easy, because I never let my self get too close. These kids were different or maybe I am different. Either way this move is going to be harder than I thought.
I will miss these kids.

I know that I need to take a break from teaching. I may never go back to it, but in all of my frustrations I have always loved my students. I don't always show it, but I love our students as if they were our own. Most of the time I am glad they are not ours and at the end of the day go home to their families. However, I feel sorry for them when I see the pain they suffer from family problems or friends stabbing them in the back. I laugh at them when I see the joy and excitement they have over some of the silliest things. I am still not sure why God sent me to Rice, but I am so glad I was able to have met and known the students we had in band class and will miss each of them.

One of my students got me a gift which had a bible verse on it. The verse was Jeremiah 29:11 and it is perfect reminder that God is control. It is a special reminder to Misty and I that He is control of this journey that we are about to begin.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.--------Jeremiah 29:11

preparing to move

Well one of the first steps in preparing for the big move was to sell our Mazda Miata convertible. On Monday we took it to CarMax and they bought it for a pretty good price. It was a very fun car to drive, but we decided not to keep since it will just sit in storage for the next nine months while I am in training.
Here are some pics of the cute little thing. Enjoy!!

run & not grow weary

²⁸ Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV

I can't wait to see the day when I run and not grow weary!!
Since January we have been exercising almost on a daily basis. I say we because Misty has been faithful to help me along in this process. It has been a great help to have her helping me through this. Since March 10 (when I officially joined the Army) we have been on an exercise program developed for "future soldiers". Of course part of the program is running. I am not a runner. I thought I was going to die the first time I had to start running. Unfortunately even weeks later I still feel the same way. It has become easier, but when my body gets used to the running then the program increases the level of intensity. I am up to running a full mile, but still need to shave off a couple of minutes. The entire time that I am running I am praying for strength to finish. And of course every time it works! I may be huffing and puffing and feeling close to death, but God gives me the strength to get through it!

Even if you are not literally running, we all face struggles where we need strength to get through it. In Isaiah 40:28-31 we are told that God will give strength to the weary and that those who put their hope in the Lord will have their strength renewed. I find great encouragement and comfort in these words. I believe that God cares about each and every little detail in our lives, even if it is something as trivial as getting in better physical shape. I hope that you find encouragement through this passage and pray that you too will be able to "run and not grow weary".