october highlights.

I think I've decided October is officially my favorite month of the year. The weather is absolutely perfect and there are so many good football games (thanks, Stephen) -- because of those two things everyone is just happier!

Here are a few highlights from the tenth month of the year:

• My mom text me the throwback picture earlier this month and said "Happy Fall!" I haven't posted very many throwbacks and thought this one was too cute not to post. That is my sister and I in about 1995.
• Stephen and I watched the very exciting Baylor game against TCU. It was such a great comeback for our Bears, I wore my green and gold to church the next morning.
• My nephews had a joint birthday party, Slade celebrated his 5th and Holt his 3rd. I cannot believe they are already that big and adorable!! Happy birthday, boys!
• Stephen and I went to Shreveport last weekend to celebrate our friend's, Chelsea, birthday. I managed to not take any pictures (because I didn't keep my phone on me). The only one I took that wasn't of dogs was the one above of Stephen making his own rice dressing! Happy birthday, Chels!
• Jesus shows up everywhere. You just have to look and listen for Him :)

Not pictured:

• Stephen and I went to the local winery again and enjoyed an outdoor concert complete with a lawn chair, brick oven pizza and wine. Again, I did a terrible job of capturing all of this.
• Last night we had a double date with L Rut and her new guy from Louisiana! It was so much fun. I think Stephen may have met his match.

Happy Halloween, y'all.

august highlights.

I officially said goodbye to summer on August 25th. It was a very sad day. I've never experienced such a bad case of the "Mondays!" I don't remember it being hard to go back to work last August, but this year was a different story. My first week of school couldn't have gone any better - I am extremely grateful!

Here are a few highlights from August:

• Stephen helped me get my classroom ready for the first day of school! He put together my lovely, new desk chair. I despearately needed his engineering skillz.
• My parents and I got to visit Katelyn for a weekend which never happens! It was so great to all be together as a family. Mom, Katelyn and I spend Saturday afternoon downtown for some coffee and shopping. Saturday night we did things real classy and had dinner at Whataburger!
• Stephen, L Rut and I went to a concert at a winery in McKinney. When we first pulled up, we thought it was going to be pretty redneck (and it was a little), but the jazz singer & wine were on point. It was a lot of fun!
• This Friday, Ashleyanne, Jenny & I had dinner at Zorba's. It was Ashleyanne's first week as a HS math teacher & she rocked it!! Back in February 2013 I visited her while she was still at Baylor and apparently I knew we would teach in the same school district one day. 
• Friday was National College Shirt Day and our math department had 100% participation! 

Not pictured:

• At the end of our last teacher work day, my co-workers convinced me to teach a yoga class. So Brittany and Kelli got to experience my practice first-hand. I loved every minute of it! (teaching yoga may officially be in my future :))

don't give up.

I feel like it's been ages since I've blogged. I guess that's what the job and life will do to ya.

The job. That's what's on my mind this Saturday. And not necessarily what I do at my job, but the people, the kids. These first few weeks at my new school have been everything but fun and easy. It's been the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.

Something I've learned over the past month: When newness and change enter your life so does the enemy.

Something I've learned over the past week: When blessings fall on you, temptation follows close behind.

Something I've learned (been reminded of) this past morning: When you're anxious and fearful, sit at the feet of Jesus.

I guess I should expand upon why it's been the hardest thing in my life. My first year of teaching I went back home. Almost every face was familiar. Everyone knew my heart and supported me and loved me. When all of that is in place, there isn't much need for adjustment. I was just "coming home." It was..... easy. It was.... fun.

Fast forward a year later. I am now at a new school. No one knows me nor do I know them. They don't know my heart. They don't know my sensitiveness. They don't know that I am a peacemaker by nature... it's been hard. Not that my co-workers or students are mean (well some of them are), but they are just... different. I've had to approach these "big city" freshman from a totally different angle than the way I approached my "country kids." I've had to approach my co-workers (with totally different spiritual beliefs) from a totally different angle. Through the newness and the adjustments, I've experienced the liveliness of the enemy like I never have before. He (satan) really does prowl around like a lion waiting for someone to devour.

I was discouraged after my first week of teaching. Not once did I doubt that this is exactly where I am supposed to be, but discouraged nonetheless. I began to wonder why do I even do what I do? Why do I even try to make a difference in kids lives? What is the point?! They clearly do. not. care.

But o how merciful a Savior we love and serve.

I was so clearly reminded of my purpose last Saturday night at church. I was reminded of the TRUTH. Jesus spoke to me through the pastor.

He read from Matthew 9:35-38 "The harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few."

"Jesus loves people because of the way He sees them. Jesus sees the hurt and how the enemy is tearing lives apart. Jesus sees the soul....We will never feel for people the way Jesus does, until we begin seeing people as Jesus does."

And how does Jesus see people? Children? Muslims? Murderers? Homosexuals? He has compassion for them. He has steadfast love for them. Yes, He LOVES ALL OF THEM. Am I saying Jesus doesn't have a problem with the sin in their lives? No, I am not. He has a problem with the sin, but He loves the sinner.

So what do I do? I LOVE ALL OF THEM. It is my purpose. It is my calling. It is my job. I will love the disrespectful student and hate the disrespect. I will love the short-tempered co-worker and hate the temper.

What is our call as Christians? To be more like Christ. So we love --- like Christ loves. If Christians can't love, who can? Who will? We need to be more loving today than we ever have before. We must go to war with the evil one. We have to fight! 

And the pastor left us with this: "Don't give up." So I persevere. Until His Kingdom work is done.

my first year of teaching. done.

Love. Encouragement. Forgiveness. Kindness. Respect. Patience. Endurance. Affection. Sympathy.

These are the words that I would use to sum up my first year of teaching-- the short version.

Here goes the long version. I thought that being back at my alma mater would be weird and boring and that I would hate it, but it was everything but all of that. I literally loved my job at DHS. I loved my administration, my co-workers and I adored my children. One teacher asked me a few weeks ago whether I had decided if I actually liked being a teacher or if I was looking for a new career after this year. I simply told that person, "Teaching is the hardest thing I have ever done, but the most rewarding at the same time." I say it is hard because every single day all day I am interacting with and talking to people and doing all I can to meet their needs. And lets be honest, sometimes you just want to sit down and do paperwork and not talk to anybody. But on the days when I woke up not wanting to put my big girl pants on were actually the days that I came home happier because I had put myself aside and focused on others. The day when my CP kids actually understood the domain of a piecewise function was a rewarding day. The days when my students said "I get it, Miss Belvin," were rewarding days.

Since teaching is supposed to be all about the students, I want to take some time to write about them and a few of my favorites in particular.

Most people give me the most disgusted look when I tell them I teach high school and when I say I teach math, they fall out of their chair. It hurts my heart. High school teenagers need just as much love, if not more, as little kinders. After spending every single day with my kids, I learned what made them laugh, how they thought, and how to really communicate with them.

I learned that my morning classes were still half asleep (even if it's 10 a.m.!) and by being sympathetic about their busy sports schedule or lack of sleep because of family problems, they were so much more engaged and willing to learn. Everyday my class right after lunch (with their full bellies) just wanted to take a nap so I basically had to do a little song and dance just to get them to start on their bellwork. And my last class of the day was my weakest and most needy of all my classes. Children with no parents, children that live with friends, children that have to do pushups in order to attend sporting events, children that have siblings fighting cancer, children who don't know their dad, children whose mom wants nothing to do with them.....when I learned all of this about my kids, I couldn't believe it. All of the brokenness. People wonder why kids get in fights or drink themselves drunk or do drugs. This is why! They are children with broken hearts. Children who just want someone to see them and care about them---because they are children. A 15 year old is a child. Plain and simple.

At the beginning of the fall semester, I was warned by a fellow teacher about one of my female students that she had the previous year. She warned me of her disrespectful attitude and I quote, "I have no love for that little girl." So of course this made me want to love her even more! I am glad I was warned because the little girl was a ball of fire. But I didn't let up on her. I talked to her multiple times one on one and prayed for her continually. By the end of the fall semester, she would smile at me when she walked in the door and would even compliment me! She is one of my sweetest students---because I showed her I cared.

Not all of my 130 students were that difficult though. They were all angels, but some had bigger wings than others. Angels. Literally. Polite and thoughtful. Kind and respectful. Generous and funny. So willing to help if I needed it and a desire to learn most of the time. My heart smiles and tears stream down my cheeks just thinking about all their faces. I hate to see them leave my classroom. So many things I want to tell them...."guard your heart" "cling to Jesus" "persevere in prayer" "don't grow up too fast" but all I am is their math teacher and "that would be weird, Miss Belvin," is what they would want to say! Maybe all I am to most of them is a math teacher, but Lord Willing to a few I am more than that. I hope that some saw the love I had (and still have) in my heart for them and most of all, I pray, they saw their Savior, Jesus Christ. 

my mission field.

I usually wrote Bible verses under the date, but never referenced them.

a few of my favorite responses on the final exam. 

The math department! (from left) The woman in the purple LSU shirt & the woman in the yellow   
LSU shirt were my math teachers in high school! Blessed to work with them my first year.

university day during homecoming week.
(This girl, Alex, is a family friend--that's the only reason I was able to upload one of a student)

Happy summer!

seawaddle.

Rest. Healing. Play. Laughter. Celebration. 

These five words sum up my past two days.

At the start of this weekend, I thought it was going to be another boring one. Boy was I wrong!

Saturday morning started off with coaching my precious little Upward girls at church. Upward is a program through my church, with basketball and cheer teams,  that our children's ministry provides. The Lord asked me to coach the 4th-6th grade cheer team this spring. It has been a lot of fun! Little girls are a breath of fresh air after a long week of dealing with high school teenagers.

This little girl has my heart.

After two hours of cheering and a nice nap, my friend Stacey and I headed to dinner and a movie. Can I just say that I hadn't been to see a movie since June? Yeah. I don't get out much. We went to the matinee (yes, the matinee---a. otherwise we would fall asleep and b. all the old people go at that time and you can actually ENJOY your movie) to see Les Miserbles! It was AMAZING. amazing. I saw the play in London last year and really enjoyed it (when I was awake) so I had been dying to see it in theaters. Afterwards, we grabbed dinner at Luna Bar and Grill. It's a pretty cool place. It reminds me of Chelsea's in Baton Rouge, but a little less eccentric. We ordered spinach and artichoke dip for an appetizer. It was divine. I got the grilled chicken caesar salad as my entree and had no complaints. Stacey and I had a lovely time. We always have a good laugh. :)

Back up a few minutes. When we got to the restaurant my friend, Courtney (the one that got married in November), texted me about going to church the following morning. I didn't respond until we were done with dinner and I told her that no I wouldn't be able to because I was going to visit my brother and nephews. She then proceeds to tell me that the reason she couldn't walk on Friday was because she was at the doctor and found out she is PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I then proceeded to call her and freak out and celebrate!!!!!!!!!!!!! I still cannot believe she is pregnant. Am I actually old enough to have friends get married AND have babies??! It is so exciting.

No text response from me. I immediately called.

On Sunday I drove to Lumberton, in the abundant sunshine!, to visit my brother, Grant, and two nephews, Slade and Holt (Momma Shelley was headed to the Super Bowl). I don't get a chance to visit often so I was really excited to spend some time with them. Slade is three and Holt just turned one. They are both bundles of pure joy. After we had some lunch, Grant and I decided to take the boys to the park. Slade is now at the age that he repeats everything he hears. We had the radio on KLOVE in the car and Slade just started singing. It was adorable listening to him sing about Jesus. My heart melted. Then the radio host started talking about some event in Seattle and Slade proceeded to tell everyone in the car that "My momma is in Seawaddle." Haha. I don't know why he decided that his mom was in Washington, but he did. At the park, we swung and dug in the mud and threw sticks (child's play). The boys had a wonderful time and so did I. I am thankful for the time we had together.

Holt.

Playing with daddy.

Slade.

My sister's 21st birthday is later this month. I really wanted to give her her birthday present so I mailed it early! I got her a heart necklace that I knew she would like. She wore it tonight and sent me a picture. I miss her and cannot wait until we can see each other again. Happy early birthday, Katelyn!

I am thankful for a weekend spent with children, family and friends. I am thankful for time to rest and time to heal. I am thankful for a loving Savior that never ceases to provide.

P.S. I had to wait to post this until Courtney had announced she was pregnant. 

kids just need love.

I just finished my second week of the SECOND semester of my first year teaching. Time is flying by. Flying.

Tonight I've got sweet faces on my mind. My precious students.

Many times over this past year, other teachers have made the comment, "You don't get paid over-time outside of school so don't spend your time worrying about your students." Wait. Really? I am a teacher. And I am not supposed to worry or care about my students? Isn't that why I chose teaching? To care. To teach. To grow. To nurture. To motivate. To encourage. To love. 

Aren't we, as believers in Christ, called to love and to encourage others? To pray for others? To confront others? To discipline? To keep accountable?  Why yes, I believe we are and THAT is why I've got my kiddies on my mind.

I got nine new students this semester. One in particular is my favorite. He moved here from Texas and calls me "Mizzz." It reminds me of all my inner-city Waco students... they all called me "Mizzz" too. Last week he came to class and I could tell he was on the verge of tears all throughout the class period. I found out a few days ago, his mom got arrested and went to jail. he just needs love.

Right before Christmas break, another one of my boys came to class all slumped over and looking miserable. Half way through the class, I had a minute to chat with him and ask him what was up. He told me his house had gotten broken into the night before and had most of his belongings stolen. he just needs love.

Last week, one of the brightest girls that I teach mom passed away. I know that she was very close to her. She is 16 years old. she just needs love.

One of my weakest students hardly ever comes to class with a smile on her face nor has anything to say. She informed me one day last semester that she would be out of school for a funeral for a week. I wanted to ask more, but could tell she didn't want to offer any information. I later learned that her aunt had committed suicide. The aunt that she lived with because her own parents aren't in the picture. she just needs love.

What I wish that educators could see is that if we approached our students with love and care through prayer and the power of Jesus, students would change. It says so in the Word of God. He reminded me of this this morning before I headed to work.

"And now, Lord...grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." Acts 4:29-30 (ESV)

So we, as believers in Christ, speak the Word and proclaim the Word and do the Word and JESUS stretches out His hand and heals and works the miracles. 

So I, as a teacher, let Jesus speak through me. Work through me. Love through me. Because kids just need love.