Wrapping the year up...

I finished off my first year as a preschool teacher a few weeks back. What a growing year for me! I went into this past year completely confident that I could handle a classroom of four and five year olds and...well let's just say, they gave me a run for my money! So many nights of feeling completely exhausted with no more ability to add emotion or enthusiasm to anything I did. Working with preschoolers is quite demanding! I admire those who persevere year after year. I will definitely miss all of my students. I fell in love with each and every one of them. Somehow, someway, even the most difficult of my students managed to steal a piece of my heart:)

I will not be returning to North Heights next year. God has actually called me on to a new position. I will be moving to Mexico City in the fall. I am thrilled for this next phase of my life to begin! I did not think I would be able to return to Mexico this soon. My plan was to work at North Heights a couple more years, save money, pay off student debt, ect. When I was asked to sign for next year, something in me couldn't. I spent a few months praying about it and God told me it was time for me to go back to Mexico! The past few months I have been seeking where God would have me. In the most amazing way, God has opened up the door for me to teach at a bilingual preschool. It is a beautiful school and has potential of turning into an elementary school. I am exited to think that I might be a part of growing and developing Sunrise HIlls.
This is going to a big transition for me since I am still learning the language and I will not know anyone where I am going. I am looking forward to being in one of the largest cities in the world and being immersed in the hispanic culture. Once I get down there I will keep my blog updated with pictures and info!!

Where I will be teaching: http://sunrisehills.jimdo.com/

My job:)

There are so many reasons why I love my job. Just to name a few: I love the funny remarks that are made on a regular basis. I love the rewarding feeling that comes after working on something with a student day after day and then they FINALLY get it. I love the constant hugs and kisses and creative artwork I receive. I mean really, who could have a better job?

Last week we were able to spend alot of time talking about Easter. Many of the kids had never dyed eggs before so that was so fun being the first person to do it with them. We made Easter baskets and filled them with goodies. The kids were so excited to show their parents what they had made. This activity definitely affirmed in their minds that Miss Deiss was pretty much the best teacher in the world as one of my students is always telling me:)

The other day God must of thought I needed a laugh. The things that kept coming out of my kids mouth were hilarious! Just to share a few:

>"Something smells really good", Paige said. " Oh it's Ari, she wears shampoo", Keira replies.
> Teacher you have two friends? I can't believe it!
> Teacher, why does Addison have a crack in her butt? (as Addison is bending over and her pants sag, I just laughed and could not reply!)
> Teacher when I grow up I want an earring in my nose just like yours, but don't tell my parents..

My calling. My passion!

Today I was reminded of what my calling and deepest desire in life is. Through time this has evolved as I have matured and as God has revealed more of His plan for my life. This calling consumes my heart and overwhelms me with such joy and passion. I cannot imagine doing anything so rewarding and exciting!

God has clearly shown me that I am called to, with others, raise up a generation who takes ahold of Christ in a way that is so real and so strong that the Christ in them will change the world around them. He is calling me to train and equip children for this very purpose.

God is calling for a generation of people who are after His heart. He is searching for true sons and daughters. We are in a time when doctrine, works, words are not going to get us by. The world will not stop for the things stated above. What the world is looking for and what God is showing those who are after His heart is, a true love driven, love changed relationship with a personal God will bring in the searching and longing.

This morning I had the privilege of leading my students and a few other classes in a time of worship. As we began to worship the presence of God became so strong! All of the teachers noticed and as we looked around the room the children were singing with such passion and sincerity. God was present and He was showing us that He was pleased and overcome by the sincerety of our praise.

In the short period of time God showed me that He inhabits the praise of his people. He is looking for His true worshipers. I want more then anything to be a true worshiper in spirit and in truth. And out of this passion I want to help raise a generation of worshippers who will bring honor and praise and glory to our Savior!!

Tears and Joy

Last week was going great. I experienced God's presence throughout my week in such amazing ways. I was filled to overflowing with His love and joy. Then it happened, I woke up friday morning filled with such sadness and hurt. Those feeling overwhelmed me throughout the remainder of that day and well into the night. Past memories flooded back into my mind. Fear overwhelmed me and crippled my spirit. Why all of sudden this experience?

We have a choice in our Christian walk to have joy, to have peace. It is not something that is depicted by our circumstances or how we may feel on any given day. God has been showing me that it is a choice no matter how we may be feeling or how circumstances in our lives may look, we can have joy and peace. I have been learning to praise God even when I don't feel like it. As I begin praising Him,my fears being to disappear. My heart becomes filled with love. We are in a daily spiritual battle. The enemy wants to rob us of our joy. He knows that when our joy is taken from us we will no longer desire to praise our Savior. When we stop praising our Savior, we no longer are fulfilling what God has designed us to do.

I praise the Lord that in the most difficult times God is teaching me how to praise Him and how to find joy in some of the most difficult of circumstances!

Living in Fear

"Regret of the past and dread of the future are both thieves of joy." Wow, I read this statement and realized that probably eighty percent of my life I have lived in either regret of the past of dread of the future. So often I look back and I am so saddened by past mistakes, past circumstances and I allow my past to come and rob me of my present joy. As I look to the future I begin to dread that in my future I might repeat the past. I feel this is so easy for many of us to do. I believe this is one of the enemies ways of hindering all the blessings that God intends for us for our future!

I know that this has been such a struggle for me especially recently. I have begun to identify the fear I have allowed myself to walk in for so long. Jesus you have overcome my past. You have cleansed me of all of my sins. You have made me a whole person again and you love me more then to let me stay in lies of the past. I praise you for all that the future holds. By your grace and mercy I will not repeat the past. What a beautiful future lies ahead. Teach me to walk in your joy which overcomes all fear of the past and future!

Psalm 62

Who am I placing my expectation in? What am I placing my hope in? What do I look to for fulfillment? All of these questions hit me this morning as I read in my devotions Psalm 62:5, "My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him!"

This passage says, "wait only on God". So often in my life I find my self waiting on the next relationship, the next paycheck, the next event to attend...(let's be honest, we all do it)
God had to gently remind me today that I am to wait only upon Him. He will never disappoint me, He will never arrive late or fail my expectations.

Thank you Lord for this reminder. In you alone I place my expectation. I wait on you alone. You alone satisfy and bring fulfillment to this life!

For Ever Changed by Your Love

Here I am humbled by Your Majesty,
Covered by Your grace oh friend.
Here I am knowing I'm a sinful man,
Covered by the blood of the Lamb.
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine,
Since You laid down Your life,
The greatest sacrifice.

Majesty, Majesty.
Your grace has found me just as I am,
Empty handed but alive in Your hands.

Here I am humbled by the love that You give,
Forgiven so that I can forgive.
So here I stand,
Knowing that I am Your desire,
Sanctified by glory and fire.
And now I've found the greatest love of all is mine,
Since You laid down Your life,
The greatest sacrife.

Majesty, Majesty.
Your grace has found me just as I am,
Empty handed but alive in your hands.
Singing Majesty, Majesty.
Forever I am changed by Your love,
In the presence of Your Majesty.
Majesty.

We're singing Majesty, Majesty.
Your grace has found me just as I am,
And I'm nothing but alive in Your hands.
We're singing Majesty, Majesty.
Forever I am changed by Your love,
In the beauty of Your Majesty.
Majesty.

Jesus, thank you for you love! I am nothing without it. In my natural I am such a selfish, empty person. I so often turn to other things to fill up that emptiness within. Seeking love from things that are fleeting. I have found Jesus, that your love is the only love that satisfies. Your love is the only love that sees me for what I am and excepts me that way! Nothing compares to your love, it takes my breath away! Jesus as I behold you, I am changed. In your presence I am singing and transformed by your grace. I will declare you love, because of your love I am forever changed! Thank you Jesus