Friday, April 29, 2011

Life as Miss Bittner

As of today I have successfully completed my first week of student teaching at Charleswood Junior High and what a week it has been! Its funny to think that only a few years ago the thought of going into Music Education hadn't even crossed my mind, and now I am finished two years of my degree and loving it more and more with each passing day. I am encouraged and uplifted to think that even though I had not planned on doing this with my life, God led me to a place He knew I would love. I am so filled with joy to know that God will guide me along the best pathway for my life. As it says in Psalm 32, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." (verse 8) If you're ever uncertain and worried about the future, remind yourself of this beautiful promise! Gods dreams and plans are often a million times better than our own! Try to trust him! 

I'm really excited with how my first week of student teaching went, so I thought it might be nice to  share some of my favorite moments so far:
  • A couple students telling me that no one has been able to get them to be THAT quiet since the beginning of September and that they were amazed by my teaching! 
  • Being greeted as Miss Bittner 
  • Figuring out the students master plan of making up fake names (they were so disappointed that I knew what they were going to do!)
  • Teaching a full day of classes on my fourth day of student teaching! Crazy but such a fun time. 
  • Having the students laugh at my jokes!!! ( best thing ever!) 
  • Two girls coming up to me saying, " You're such a great teacher! Seriously, you're sooo good!"
Hope your week was amazing too!! And here is a little challenge for your weekend: 



Monday, April 11, 2011

This is Life

Today marks the last day of classes in my second year of university. I still remember being nervous as can be on my first day in Brandon but it didn't take very long before the university became my home and my new friends became my family. Throughout these past couple of years I've had many moments when all I wanted was for time to go by faster. "If only this aural skills studio would be done" ... or " I wish it was Friday already so I could go home" ... or "I can't wait till university is done and it's summer!" I've heard people wish every monday that the week would go by fast and be over soon. And although I understand that it's never fun to go through stressful times, I refuse to live my life just hoping that the day will be over. 

God has blessed us with an amazing life to live. It is our choice to embrace this beautiful thing we call life. We can't allow ourselves to get stuck in the routine of everyday and ordinary. This world is far from ordinary. God has given us wonder, amazement and beauty. Incredible things are taking place all over the world at this very moment. 

When I was the valedictorian I quoted Albert Einstein in my speech: 

"There are two ways to live: 
You can live as if nothing is a miracle, 
or you can live as if everything is a miracle."

I want to challenge you, as well as myself to not just live life, but LOVE life. Each day is a miracle and a gift from a God who loves us. It is now up to us. Will you live a beautiful, adventurous, passionate, faithful, wonderful life or will you fade away amidst wishful thinking for the day to be done? 



Here are a few pictures to document my first two years out here in Brandon: 











Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Unchanging

I've been thinking about the people in my life lately.  My friends, my family, my professors, my church. People who've been in my life since I was a baby and new friends that I've just met this week. I've been thinking about people who I continue to grow closer to and people who grow more distant with each day. Sometimes I wonder how friends can so quickly lose touch? How is it that one second you can know everything about a person and the next have no idea how they are? 

Whether you've lost loved ones as a result of circumstance, or distance, or a simple growing apart, we've all lost someone. Sad to say I've lost more than I would have liked this past year. I don't really think anyone can replace those friends but I can confidently say that through the hurt I've experienced God has challenged and forced me to grow in my faith. I know that my life will continue to be filled with hurt and loss. People will come into my life, and people will leave my life. Amidst these uncertainties I can find peace and joy in Christ because He will always be there. Others may leave, but God will remain. 


"Every good and perfect gift is from above, 
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, 
who does not change like shifting shadows." 
James 1: 17


For all the people who have ever been a part of my life... Thank you.
You have inspired and encouraged me to grow into the person I am today.
I feel blessed to have you in my life and thank God daily for who you are.
If we ever grow apart (which I hope we don't) I pray that the Lord will bless 
you in all that you do. Thank you for changing my life.