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smilesnky207
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Name: Kim
Birthday: 9/15/1984
Gender: Female
Interests: growing closer to Jesus, spending time with friends, volunteering, spending time with children, teaching, loving, encouraging, playing the flute, seeing the world...
Expertise: staying up late, not hearing my alarm clock, cooking/baking...
Occupation: 5th Grade Teacher!
Industry: Education/Research
Message: message me
AIM:  smilesnky207
MSN: smiles_4ever_247@hotmail.com
Member Since:
1/18/2004
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| For those who know me, this last year has been exceptionally difficult. I have faced many challenges both in my personal life and in my professional life. The end of the school year brought the end of my time where I was teaching. It was certainly a difficult transition, but I could tell God was up to something in my life. My own family, as well as the families of my students, were unbelievably supportive of all I was going through. After much searching, prayer, and many nights of tears, God has opened new doors for me.
A few weeks ago, a college friend told me of an opening at her school. I submitted my application, made it through a preliminary interview, and a collaborative interview. I interviewed for a first grade position. When I received a call from the principal, she offered me a position teaching fifth grade. I couldn't be more thrilled! Since beginning in first grade, I have desired to teach older students. I know I have many, many new challenges ahead of me-- changing districts, schools, teams, and grade levels. Yet, I have felt God's amazing presence in it all.
Just prior to my preliminary interview, a dear friend and colleague had reminded me of Jeremiah 29:11. As I was waiting for my time to go into my interview, I was reading my Bible, trying to calm my spirit. God reminded me of this friend's e-mail and I turned to the reference. I know it well-- and have trusted in it many times. This time, however, it wasn't verse 11, or even verses 12 or 13 that spoke to me. Rather, verse 14 jumped out at me. It reads, "I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." Wow. I couldn't help but relate this verse to my situation. At that very moment, I felt God bringing me back to the place from which I had been banished. Wow.
I'm halfway through my graduate program and starting a new chapter of adventure in my life. The presence of God is one I could not live without. I am ecstatic to see how He works in my life and in the lives around me as I embark on this new adventure.
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| It's Spring Break. I LOVE Spring Break. This break has been one that was especially needed for me. For the first time in a very long time, I have not felt stressed. At all. For those who know me, they know this is huge. I have actually enjoyed my break. I've done some work for school, but I've also enjoyed just resting and spending time with friends. Today, I went shopping and actually found several things that I loved! I found a super cute dress, but now I have to find a reason to wear it... hmmm. 
The last day of school before the break, our school celebrated "Diversity Day." It was mandated by the state, so we all did as we were told. My class had colored some "diverse" paper dolls in art class, we glued them in a circle, sang "Make New Friends," and had a discussion. They're first graders mind you. I talked with them about how people are different. We related it to lunch-- that day was cheese or chicken quesadillas. I asked who ate which and if it made them any different. Of course, the kids said no. Then we talked about spaghetti. We figured out who liked noodles only, who liked noodles and sauce, who liked noodles, sauce, and meat, who liked noodles, sauce, and something else, who didn't like spaghetti, etc. I again asked if that made us any different, or if we should treat each other differently. The answer was a resounding no. After getting my kids thinking some, I started making it more personal. I chose kids in the class and named reasons I just "couldn't possibly" be their friends-- eye color, hair color, skin color, glasses, etc. By the end of our discussion, I had a rather heated group of first graders. They were now standing up and yelling at me, "It doesn't matter what color hair, it doesn't matter what color skin, it doesn't matter what color eyes, it doesn't matter what size nose, it doesn't matter how big/small, etc." I LOVED it.
I've been thinking about that discussion all week. My kiddos have such a sweet innocence about them. They really and truly accept everyone for WHO they are. I wonder how long it will actually last. I wonder what the world would be like if we all had the innocence of my first graders. I think this world would be a very different place-- perhaps a much better place to live. I hope that my kids' innocence lasts for a long time still to come. I hope they are protected from the cruelty of the world. I hope they grow up really and truly continiuing to accept every person they meet for who they are and not what they look like, where they're from, or what they believe. I hope and pray that I am always able to set that example for my students and that I can share in their innocence. What a blessing kids are.
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| Usually spring is one of my favorite times of year-- the trees turn green again, the flowers bloom, and new life can be seen all around. Spring also means summer is coming; and, summer means not working. However, it seems like spring is one of the most challenging times in my life right now. Every spring I have to start asking the "What if I don't have a job next year?" question. As a non-tenured teacher, my job is far from guaranteed. With budget cuts and new staffing formulas, this year is even more so uncertain. Add to that uncertainty the car troubles and apartment woes I'm currently experiencing and I find myself extremely confused and at a loss for what the next six months hold for me.
In the midst of life's chaos, I have begun to feel my heart tugging at my soul again. I have a heart for military children. I have a love for military children. I long to teach military children. More than ever before, I can feel my heart's longing to be there for the children of our service men and women. And, I don't know what to do. This summer I will be a little over halfway through my Master's degree-- too much invested to just give up on it. I have always dreamed of getting my Master's, and with the help of Kentucky's "gentle nudge" requiring it of teachers, it's a dream I refuse to give up on. Yet, that not-so-quiet tug continues to pull at my heart.
I have the application filled out for a DODDS school here in Kentucky, but I can't find the courage to press the "submit" button. What is it that I'm afraid of? Why can't I just press that one little button? Maybe I'm afraid of not getting the job. Maybe I'm afraid of getting the job. I think it's a combination of both. I've always hated change. It takes me a long time to adjust to major change-- and moving locations, finding a new church, leaving friends, and a new workplace would be an awful lot of change. Below the fear though is still my heart's desire to love and serve the children who are living the life I lived. I am at a loss for what to do right now. Following my heart puts me in two different locations with two very different outcomes. I know God has a plan for me, and I know He wants to give me the desires of my heart, but I also know I have to step out in faith, trusting that He is in control. If only I knew what my next step was...
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| My title alludes to several events that have occurred recently in my life. Friday I was privileged to be part of my dad's retirement ceremony. He "officially" retires August 31st, but he's on terminal leave until then. After 26 years in the Air Force, he's moving on... to another job on the base with the same squadron. Now when I call for him, it will be "Mr." instead of "Sgt."... and I couldn't be more thrilled! My dad's commander looked at our family and told us that we now can have our dad back--he will never again be placed in harms' way. In other words, he will not have deploy and he will never again be sent to war. I know my dad loved serving his country, but I am so glad to have him completely back to our family. I'm a bit of a daddy's girl.  To help my dad enjoy his retirement, I got him to (help) wash my car on Saturday. He thought I wasn't scrubbing enough so he had me rinsing and told me I could wash my tires. As I started to scrub my front, driver's side tire, I noticed a bump in the wall of the tire. My dad let me know that wasn't good so we took my car up to Wal-mart, where the tires came from just 15 months ago. Along the way, my dad commented on how much my car was "shimmying." After looking at my tires, I was told I had two tires about to blow-- and they needed to be replaced-- of course, before driving some 300 miles back to Kentucky. The very nice manager, Nate, agreed to pro-rate all four of my tires if we wanted all four replaced. For the deal I got, there was no way I was turning it down. I saved almost $300 because of Nate. And, I managed to arrive safely back in Kentucky, not completely broke from spending money, because of the grace of God. I'm so glad He was watching out for me! Before leaving Kentucky, a friend of mine and I chose a book to study together this summer. We chose Navigating Route 20-Something: A Lifemap for the Road Ahead by Erin Keeley Marshall. I also chose Set My Heart on Fire: Experience the Power of the Holy Spirit by Catherine Martin. I started reading both books this weekend and absolutely love them! What a blessing to have these books to help guide my spiritual growth. I'm praying that this summer will provide the renewal I am desperately seeking in my relationship with God. For the next few weeks, I'm back home in Kentucky. I can't dance to save my life, but I'm always up for a good time! There's a swing dance in Lexington Saturday, June 28th from 8pm-12am (dance lessons 8:15pm-9:00pm, dance from 9:00pm-12:00am). If you're interested in going, let me know... | | |
| It amazes me that another school year has come and gone. I hope and pray that I was able to positively impact each child's life that I came into contact with, especially those in my class. I had a special class this year. It is one that will always be dear to my heart. As I say good-bye to them, I can't help but wonder what next year's class will be like. I'm taking a few weeks away from my classroom this year, but then I'll begin preparing for the next set of little ones. And, next year, I will be back to the little ones-- good 'ol first grade. I can't say I actually enjoy teaching first grade, because I don't. But, I do enjoy getting to be with children every day and getting to learn from them just as much as they learn from me. Kids see things in the world SO very differently. I often wish I had the eyes of a child again-- always finding joy in the smallest of things and instead of worrying adult worries, such as which friend's dad will be sent to war next, or who will win the presidential election, or how I'll ever afford to buy a house, etc. I'm convinced these kiddos will always keep me young at heart. My devotions recently, though not as consistent as normal, have been the recurring theme of receiving the desires of our hearts when we are pursuing God. I love that when we are in such close relationship with Christ, our desires become the desires He has for us. It is my prayer that each day I am growing closer to Christ and discovering His plan for me more and more. In church this morning, the message was about being loved unconditionally. Periodically I find myself asking God why He would choose ME... why He would love ME... why He would care about ME. Sometimes I just need the reminder I received this morning and that is that God chose ME because He loves me unconditionally-- demonstrating that love through His Son's death and resurrection. I want so desperately to share His love with those around me through the little things in life-- a smile, a friendly word, encouragement, a prayer-- whatever is needed. I hope that when people see me, they first see Christ and His love radiating from within. If I'm not standing out from the world, then I'm not doing something right. I love that my job allows for my summers "off." I'm looking forward to spending more time with friends and renewing relationships that have been somewhat neglected this school year. I'm also looking forward to getting to know some friends that I've just recently really begun to get to know. I'm truly blessed with some amazing friends-- new and old. :) | | |
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