Opening up and letting go

So I have 13 new fourth graders as of today. At 8:15 this morning I was required to open up my classroom and heart to 13 young and impressionable hearts. This is my second year teaching, so I've seen these first day jitters one time before. I knew this year was going to be different and a little more of a challenge, but today was a different kind of challenge than what I expected. I really missed my kids from last year. It was so good to see them. I loved their smiles and hugs and voices...it was all so familiar and fun. Sometimes during the day I would think about them right next door, behind the folding curtain...what were they doing? were they having fun? did they miss me? Sounds silly, right? So all in all, I learned today that it's hard to let go and open up. At every new beginning it's hard to see the end turning out to be as good as what came before. That has proven itself in so many areas of my life. I hold these truths to be self-evident: beginnings are scary, endings are usually amazing, it's the middle that makes you who you are. It's the middle where life happens. So I'm embrassing life. From Day 2 until the day before the end, I'm ebrassing the middle. I'm looking forward to getting to know my new kids, growing relationships with them, winning their hearts, and having fun. Praise God for the middle. Herein lies the growth, the life-changing struggles, the mountain-top days of praise. Thanks God for a new year.

Something Like Sara

I really enjoy listening to Sara Groves during the times when it's just me and God. I listened to Sara while lounging on a blanket in the middle of Lawther Field. Those are sweet memories. The Hawkeye blanket, spring time at UNI--the best time, headphones playing Sara, drinking deep the Word. Ahh! It's like an ice cold beverage on a hot, hot day.

Ok, so here's where you come in. Anyone out there in blog-land. What do you listen to? What music invokes sweet memories with the Lord? My other question is : what is some current music that is just amazing?? I'm interested to know what else is out there...

School

School inservice started yesterday. It has been a joy. I'm excited to be back. I'm actually thankful for something to do. I had an amazing summer of fun and firsts--I'm very happy with the way it turned out! Now on to a brand new school year. I'm praying that the Lord would help me get used to a new class; that He would help me lead them well; that they would see in me the importance of being God-focused, not just godly. So, Lord, renew my focus on You everyday.

I have 13 students. They better look out. They're in for a great fourth grade year! Throughout the year I will be updating Mrs. Demarest's class webpage. If you want to check it out: http://www.siouxlandcommunitychristian.com/demarest.htm

Go Bobcats Go!

This summer at camp we had six staff members from our beloved Marshalltown. This was an amazing thing. I'm pretty sure we could have taken over the camp. I mean when you have big names like Natalie Clark, Ben Heinrichs, and Emily Backes you can't go wrong. Not to mention other greats such as Ace (Andrew) Southern and Mary Stubbs. It was so fun to get to know all of them this summer. Believe it or not I was the oldest out of them all, not by much though. I knew of them before, but now I know them as friends and family in Christ. Praise the Lord that I can't count them as brothers and sisters in Christ--that's so much more than just passing each other in the hall at highschool.

Thank you

Thank you for 2 wonderful years, Luke! Last week was our anniversary, but we celebrate every day! Our actual anniversary was so fun. Luke surprised me with flowers--daisies, just like the first flowers he ever got me. Then we went to Sioux City to watch a movie. That afternoon we got a call to come play softball! It wasn't what we were thinking we would do, but I'm so glad we did because I love softball. All summer most of Luke's family played in a league, so we were subs last week. Later in the week we resumed our anniversary celebration by going out to eat at Village Inn-where we used to go a lot in Cedar Falls. Sioux City just got one. When I talked to Luke last month about what I would do if I were planning an anniversary celebration I said I would try to plan something meaningful, and Luke did just that. I'm so glad I married my best friend.

PAIGE

My sister Paige is here visiting me today and tomorrow! What fun we will have! I have a lot to report, for example: anniversary, great weekend, time with Paige...but now is not the time. It will have to wait until a later date because I am missing Frogger fun with Luke and Paige. Adios blog friends. Oh no! Now I'm missing PacMan.

What I did this summer...a report by Me

These are some of the pictures I took this summer. I definitely don't claim to have any talent in this area, but I really enjoyed doing it. If you need anyone to take pictures at your wedding or the next special occassion, let me know! I'll do it with a smile!



p.s. today i ran in the rain. i almost stayed inside, but then i remembered that kelli said she loves running in the rain, so i did. it was enjoyable because i never got too hot. i was soaked though. also today: i went to watch a softball game. i love softball! i wanted to be out on that field so bad. i was beaming the whole game--i loved everything about it. Next summer's to do list: join a softball team. also today: luke and i sang "Call me Al" by Paul Simon at the top of our lungs. i also loved this part of the day. we both really like that song, but for different reasons. I like it because it reminds me of my Allison. My dear Al-Pal.

Luke likes that song because it reminds him of when he first heard it: in marching band. He told me all the parts he would play on his euphonium. I wish I would have known him when he played in marching band...if I only would have gone to more UNI football games...I still would not have known who Luke was because he was not even a glimmer in my eye yet. But I think the fact remains, I should have gone to more UNI football games. I think I only went to three. I went to two basketball games, but that's only because the Hawks were playing UNI...and they LOST both times! ugh! That is, Iowa lost, UNI won...yep, I'm still upset about the outcome of those games. Anyway, I wrote about this to say that I thought of you today, Al! You're wonderful!

Happy Internet Day

So my life has changed once again. I like the way things go. I do one thing for a little bit and then it ends. Then I get to go do something else. Now that's over. Luke and I were done with camp last weekend. And now is the waiting game until school starts. That will be on August 21. We have been doing some great things, but I realized this week that I'm really glad we went to camp this summer. There are things I miss. I miss the excuse to be outside. I miss the excuse to be social and fun. I miss the college students. Even though I've been out of college for almost two years I still identify with them the best. I also identify with people who act like college students. I think what I mean by that is people who haven't forgotten how to have fun. They haven't let the "day to day" change who they are. Sometimes I fear that this is happening to me. College students don't even know what day-to-day is. I want to live like that.

So what's been happening since the end of camp?

1. Luke and I went to Omaha. We went to the zoo, stayed in a hotel, swam, and saw Rob Bunch. I'm pretty sure he didn't remember who we were. That's ok. If it were Andy Bunch I'm sure the story would be different. It gave us a good laugh. We had a great time in Omaha--our own little vacation. FYI: the zoo was nothing compared to the San Diego Zoo. Wow! I loved that zoo. If you ever are in the area, GO! And, I'm not really an animal person. In fact, I get frightened by many of them.
2. Speaking of frightening animals, Luke and I have been fighting the good fight against bats at our house. I am so sick of rodents. Once we got home from camp at an insane hour we lost one of our cats to one of the crawlspaces we didn't know we had until then. We've closed up a lot of places the cats were getting into hoping that we are also closing off where the bats are getting in through. Yesterday I got REALLY disgusted and frustrated with the littlest of creatures living in this house besides me, Luke, Han, and Pumpkin. I'm praying for the day when I get to live somewhere and have no fear of pests. Luke says this will never happen. I guess my definition of pests is a little too broad.
3. I've been running a little, and I mean a little. I'm working into it. I'm realizing Luke's sister Charity is getting married soon and I want to look better in pictures. Happy day coming! September 23! Yay for Charity and Paul.
4. My parents are celebrating their 10th anniversary on August 10th. Maybe that means it's their golden anniversary. On Thursday morning we will make the trip to Marshalltown to celebrate. I can't wait! We get to stay with Amanda and Greg and their three kids: Sam, Elijah, and Clara. Here I come Sam! They bring me such joy!
5. Today I had many laughs. I laughed at my cat who looked so cute laying on my bed. I laughed so hard because I was invited to join this myspace group: http://groups.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=groups.groupProfile&groupID=100308416 I have no idea why I got an email wanting me to join the Muscular Training Development group, but it made me laugh looking at this site showing who belongs to this group. Needless to say, I will not be joining this group.
6. I'm really looking forward to Saturday! On this day Luke and I will be in Spirit Lake once again for the official last staff night. Here we will say our goodbyes and some will go back to school, some will stay in the area and teach, some will embark on unknown territory, but all of us will leave having been touched by the experience of serving the Lord side by side. I am amazed at how God uses the camping experience not only for the campers, but for the staff.
7. Today was Internet day at our house! We are now connected! High speed internet is great.
8. Monday, August 14, Luke and I will be celebrating the beginning of year #3 of marriage. Yay! Time goes so stinking fast.