A Sign of Love

Yesterday, I went to dinner with a friend. After we ate, it was pouring down rain. So we played cards and waited it out. The storm looked pretty bad there for a while. Once the storm cleared up, we went outside and there was a beautiful full rainbow. The colors were so vibrant; I could have looked at it for hours. I was awestruck. Everyone was out taking pictures. We were all fascinated by  God's creation. As people passed admiring the rainbow, I heard one lady say "Wow, it must be a sign or something!" I was still dumbfounded and captivated by the beauty of the rainbow to say anything, but it got me thinking. God promised to never flood the Earth again, which means He's in control of the rain, the wind, the lighting. Actually, He's in control of everything. He placed the rainbow in the sky as a reminder that He keeps His promises. His promise that He will never flood the Earth again; His promise that He is in control; His promise that one day we will be united with Him in heaven. It was then I was struck with peace and comfort. It was then that I was reminded that even though we live in a crazy and dangerous world, no one can be against us if God is for us. So to the lady who admired the rainbow before walking into Paneara, yes, it was a sign. It's a sign of God's promises to his children. It's a sign of peace and comfort to the troubled. It's a sign of love.

My Favorite Apps

We all love apps. I'm sure many of you have Instagram, Facebook, and etc. installed on your phone. I always enjoy looking in the app store to see if there's anything that is fun or can improve my productivity. I feel like I'm constantly downloading apps. Many of them I get tired of after a week and end up uninstalling. So from least liked to most liked, here are eight of my favorite apps that are worth downloading. Stick around for the last app that's currently my most favorite app ever!

8. Sky Map: This one I used for school when I had to find certain stars in the sky. It's now uninstalled on my phone, but it's really a neat app! If you ever want to look at constellations or certain stars in the sky, this app is perfect. You can search for whatever star or planet you are looking for and it will show you where in the sky to look. It shows just how big and majestic God's creation really is!

7. Aqualert: If you have trouble remembering to drink water throughout the day then this is the app for you. I actually uninstalled it because I got tired of it constantly reminding me to drink water (thanks, but I'd rather drink my Sweet Tea). Nonetheless, I find it's pretty cool that you can put in your gender, how much you weigh, and how active you stay, and it will tell you how much water you should be drinking every day.

6. ESV Bible: It's just handy to always have a Bible with you. It'll also let you highlight, so you can go back and look at all your favorite Bible verses that you've highlighted.

5. Colorfy: I'm sure there's several adult coloring apps out there, but this is the one I downloaded. I haven't used it in a while. However, I love that the pictures are detailed and you can zoom in to color those details. This would be a fun app for a long road trip.

4. Chick-fil-A One: Okay so I actually haven't used it yet, so I can't say much. I love the idea and it looks like a great app. It also comes with a free sandwich! I tried to use this app the other day, but was struggling to figure things out. When it comes to new technology, I'm a little slow, so it's probably just me. I'm really really hoping that I'll be able to use this app a lot.

3. The Decider: This is an app I use in my ballet classroom. As the name suggests, this app helps you decide using a wheel that you spin. In my class, I put the children's names on the wheel and whoever it lands on get to do something special (for example say the prayer). The kids love watching the wheel spin round and round. It's easier for me, too! I get less whining when I use the wheel.

2. Color Checklist/Checklist: I'm all about checklists. My room is scattered with papers that contain checklists, my planner has a checklist build into it, and of course, my phone has several checklists, too. I have two checklist apps. The first, which I've been using for forever, is simply called Checklist. It's easy to use but has one flaw. It can only hold one checklist. So I recently downloaded Color Checklist, which can hold several apps. In addition, you can even color code them!

1. 1 Second Every Day: This is currently my most favorite app! I just think it's so cool! Everyday, you film one second of your life. Afterwards, you can compile them. My goal is to film a second every day for a year! I think it'll just be so cool to look back and see what I was doing throughout the year!

Thanks for reading! I'd love to know what some of your favorite apps are!

Little Things in Life

As a child, I read inspiring stories of missionaries, people who were brave, and people who were remembered. I liked those stories. I always wanted to do something big, something that would be remembered, or written in books for future generations to read. I used to think you had to do something big to be important, but you don't.

Each and everyone in God's family plays an important role. I needed to stop waiting for the big amazing thing I hoped to do later in life and start doing the little things that are important, too. Things like helping a stranger, encouraging a friend, praying with the hurting, and loving the friendless. Maybe those things aren't going to be remembered years afterwards like the stories of brave missionaries, but they are important.

As I embraced this mentality, I think this is why I liked the idea of being an elementary teacher. Teachers can play important roles in children's lives. They help the child build a foundation on which to grow and learn. They teach and nurture individuals that will be our future leaders. It's a big job, but it takes the little things to get there. Things like helping students succeed, encouraging struggling students, and praying for and with students. These small actions may not be recognized by the public or make the front page of the paper, but they are shaping the lives of children, and that's big.

The Light in a Dim Room

As I sat in a small room looking at a patterned curtain across the room, the small window in the tiny room let in more light. I wondered why light changes things and makes things look different. It seems like a childish question, I know. As the light came in, I could see the pattern more clearly and the colors more vibrantly. In that moment, the basics of Christian life came to mind. The small room represents our world. Our world is very small compared God's extensive universe. We are to let God's light of grace and salvation shine in our world. Our life is short. I watched the light appear through the window, and as the clouds shifted, it soon disappeared. Like the light, we are here for a short time. Let your light shine for God while you are here! Like the light made the curtain clearer, I hope and pray God uses you and me to share and make clear his gospel of salvation through grace. Much like God's gospel, we can not change the pattern on the curtain, but only make it clearer. However, we can't do it by our self. We'll need perseverance and God's help. By no means am I a theologian, but the illustration reminded me of why we are here and encouraged me, so I thought I'd share. We are here to glorify God. So don't hide that light!

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" Psalms 27:1

10 Things to Brighten Up Your Desk

I finished finals yesterday, and it feels so good to be done! When in school (and even out of school) it's encouraging to have a clean and cheerful desk to get stuff accomplished. So here's 10 things that'll brighten up a desk!

1. Flowers: I bought some big beautiful flowers from Hobby Lobby. They add a pop of color to my desk and they don't even need to be watered!

2. Erase board: I saw this on the internet somewhere (probably Pinterest). But the cool thing is you can customize it with paper however you like. I find it's great for checklists or reminders.


3. A picture of someone you love: I have an old adorable picture of me and my sister dressed up as Indians for Thanksgiving sitting on my desk.

4. Bible verse holder: When you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, scripture always has it's way of providing peace and comfort.

5. Colorful pens: I bought some pens from here that are really cute! I love the way they write, and the gold encouraging words written on the side are adorable. 

6. Pink pencils: Homework and taking tests aren't as bad if your pencils are bright and colorful!

7. A stapler: Yes, my stapler is pink, too.

8. A place to store all of them. I love this cute little wooden tray that holds my flowers, ball-point pens, sharpies, pencils, stapler, and paperclips!

9. A cheerful planner to keep you organized on on time.

10. And last, but not least, a lamp (taking things literal, here) will brighten up your desk!

Thanks for reading! I hope this gave you some tips on how to brighten up your desk a bit!

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day is Sunday, so this week's post is in honor of my mother.
My mom probably remembers me reading her some poems I made up when I was about ten. Quite honestly, they were terrible poems. Ten years hasn't changed much. I'm not a poet, nor do not have much experience writing poems. This poem below is far from professional, but it comes from the heart. So here's a poem for my lovely mom.

From diapers to college, you've watched me grow.
A childhood full of laughter,
Where did the time go?

You've bandaged scrapped knees,
and sympathetically wiped tears.
Being mom isn't always a breeze.

You've driven us thousands of miles,
for dance class, basketball, or friends.
So your day deserves to be full of smiles.

You patiently taught and home schooled me.
For over twelve years we learned together;
home schooling turned out to be a great academy.

I wanted to be just like you.
You were my inspiration.
I wanted to be a school teacher, too.

Two years of college behind me,
With your encouragement,
soon I'll have my teaching degree.

There's so much more to thank you for,
but I've ran out of words.
I hope this hasn't been a bore.

Thank you, that's all I have to say.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy your
Happy Mother's Day!

Thank you for everything have done and still do for me! I love you!

Prayer in a Fast Paced World

We live in a fast paced world. We have fast transportation like cars, planes, subways, and even Uber. I can get a meal to go in less than five minuets. Everyone seems to be in a hurry to get where they are going. Our world is constantly going, constantly staying busy.

In your busy world, how often do you stop and pray? If you are anything like me, you probably pray quite often. However, many of them are sent up hastily and frantically. So often I talk to my Father in heaven only when I need something like success, healing, forgiveness, love. Those are wonderful things, but how often to I pray to God just to praise his name and thank Him for all he has done for me? How often do I set a large chunk of time aside to talk with God? Not as often I as wish.

Don't misunderstand me, there is nothing wrong with sending up quick prayers to heaven. If fact, I think it's wonderful. It's pretty extraordinary that we can talk to the Creator of our world anytime and anywhere! However, let me tell you a story. During two days of spring break, I went to Lincoln Village with RUF. It was a fun time!  On our last day helping at Lincoln Village, we were directed to go pray for their organization in a room that held pictures of some of the kids from the school for about 30 minuets. At first, it was inspiring, but soon I started to feel tired. I could feel myself starting to want to drift to sleep. I felt like the disciples who fell asleep when Jesus was praying. I had a hard time concentrating for only thirty minutes, and it was then I realized that I too often approach God hastily and when in want.

Habits are hard to form, and time seems to be limited. Priorities get mixed up, and our world is in an impatient hurry. If you've gotten mixed up in the rush, slow down and take time to pray. I find it brings peace and helps sort through thoughts. Maybe you can't identify with me. Maybe you reverently pray every morning or evening, and that's wonderful! I look up to people who have that discipline. God's still at work in my life; I'm still learning and growing, and I'm comforted by that.