9:15 PM
I needed a sugar cookies recipe and this one was a hit!!
INGREDIENTS:
3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS:
1.Sift flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream butter with sugar, beat in egg, then stir in sour cream and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture 1/3 at a time.
2.Wrap dough in wax paper and chill.
3.Roll out 1/4 inch thick. Cut out cookies with your favorite cookie cutters. Put on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 minutes.
(http://allrecipes.com/Recipe-Tools/Print/Recipe.aspx?RecipeID=10923&origin=detail&servings=60)
I recently finished teaching a lesson to my 8th graders on the value of eternal rewards. I introduced the unit by discussing some of the tokens of wisdom from the book of Proverbs; so much insight to take from there about the "wise man."
I put them into groups and taught them about scavenger hunts. We discussed the meaning of rewards and how to write clues in a creative and imaginative way.
Within their groups, they were responsible for coming up with their own scavenger hunt with rhyming clues and correct subject-verb agreement (that was the grammar concept I was tying into the fun:).
Then, they had to come up with prizes for the hunt incorporating tangible rewards as well as character or spiritual qualities such as knowledge, wisdom, appreciation, love, joy, patience, etc. They wrestled with this a lot since it is hard to actually "give" a spiritual reward..but, they got creative!!
Finally, I gathered their clues, arranged them into one scavenger hunt and let them loose into the school to solve the mystery and claim their prize!
For each clue, their group had two rewards to choose from. They were asked to discuss the options, as a team, and then circle which one they wanted. At the end of the hunt, I collected their choices.
The next day, I brought in plates full of frosted sugar cookies with the words: joy, kindness, peace, love, patience, etc. Each team was given as many cookies as they had chosen "spiritual/eternal" prizes. We talked about how the tangible reward options such as a K-pop CD, candy or 500Won would fade away as soon as they used it up, but that choosing to think of someone else, save their prize money or obtaining to the ability to control their tongue would have eternal significance when they get to heaven. The cookies represented the crowns that they will get in heaven if they choose to honor God in this life with each of their daily choices.
They appreciated the sweets :)
I hope they learned even more.
9:06 PM
I came in from lunch to find two of my old students welcoming me with a serenade! For my birthday last spring, a group of 9th grade boys from my homeroom last night sang Mariah Carey's "Hero", knowing that what I wanted most for my birthday was a ticket to her concert....of course, that wasn't going to happen in South Korea so they SOO THOUGHTFULLY sang to me instead! There were hand motions and everything! Yesterday, these two sang J. Mraz to show off their talent. SO many of our kids play guitar and are really good! I love how musically-inclined they are! And- I really love my students!
9:04 PM
We hit up a wine bar last Saturday for live jazz, fun with new friends Zack and Kristine and some great, red wine! The atmosphere was lovely!!
10:00 AM
part of my daily routine is to walk/run the campus at the the end of the day. The cool, almost crisp air is refreshing, a beautiful sight and a rejuvenating break from being in a classroom all day. My favorite part of the walk, however, is my smashing new playlist for the season. Check it out :).....the only thing missing: a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks to top it off afterwards!!
PART ONE
Stronger- Kanye West
Extraordinary- Mandy Moore
Supermassive Black Hole- Muse
Million Dollar Bill- Whitney Houston
Party in the USA- Miley Cyrus
Sweet Dreams- Beyonce
Breathe- G-Dragon (K-Pop)
DISCO- Uhm, Jung Hwa (K Pop)
Marionette- Nell (Kpop)
Lucky- Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
You Belong With Me- Taylor Swfit
Fallin' for You- Colbie Caillat (LOVE HER!!!!)
FIre- 2NE1 (KPop)
PART TWO
Let Everything That Has Breath- Matt Redman
God Be Merciful to Me- Jars of Clay
Your Love is Extravagant- Casting Crowns
It's All About Jesus- Planetshakers
Unchanging- Chris Tomlin
All I Really Want- Lincoln Brewster
Open Skies- David Crowder Band
Wedding Dress- Derek Webb
Wholly Yours- David Crowder Band
Stars- David Crowder Band
Lead of Love- Caedmon's Call
God of This City- Chris Tomlin
Need some new Christian tunes.....any suggestions??
11:59 PM
The last 4 1/2 days have been a short fall break for us as it's the annual Chuseok holiday in South Korea. Chuseok is similar to an American Thanksgiving; centered around food and family. Traditionally, Koreans go home to their parents and/or grandparents for the weekend, eat apples or pears, fried food and honor their ancestors. Our students look forward to the long hours of computer games and being away from school. We look forward to sleeping in, spending time together and finding ways to enrich ourselves with more of the culture. This break, Adam found himself heavily involved in several Settlers of Catan games (not so Korean, I know) while I visited a jim-jil-bang- literally meaning "stream room" I believe. We also got our small group off the ground, went for an afternoon hike to view waterfalls and checked out the new Kraze Burger place. We also made orange crepes and sweet potato fries- both turned out awesome! The next month is pretty insane for us, so it was really nice to have some down time before heading into the whirlwind that is the life of a teacher.
Thinking about how full the calendar is and knowing that our schedule doesn't allow for us to get home until at least 6:30 every night this semester, has forced me to recognize and appreciate that I have a relationship with God and not a religion to abide by. It's been a good reminder that I'm not bound by the stipulations of rules or laws or really anything that I can do, but that God eternally loves me and is working in me- period. Regardless of my surroundings, my schedule or what unexpected events may pop into the day, I have freedom in knowing that I can turn to God and plug into His power source at any moment. When I don't have the energy to engage, the patience to listen, the ability to remain calm, the drive to do my best- I am able (and commanded, actually) to plug into Jesus and let Him be my everything. That is real freedom. There's not judgement or condemnation, there's open arms, a loving embrace and a God big enough for all of me, waiting for me just to humbly receive.
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