A Perfect Day

Yesterday was such a great day...for so many reasons. First of all, it was Friday and the last day before Spring Break. It was also the day that some dear friends from Raleigh arrived. Oh what joy!! I had looked forward to this day for quite some time and was thrilled when it finally arrived. I had a few fun things planned for the afternoon - dying eggs and my kids had earned a ice cream sundae party for learning all their times tables - and so I knew I needed some help. I was going to ask a few parents to come in, but then thought I would ask to see if my friends wanted to help. They were such troopers, especially since they literally stepped off the plane and came straight to my school.

They are not words to adequately describe how incredible it was to see all their sweet faces and get some hugs. Having them at school with me all afternoon – helping in my classroom and playing with my kids – was wonderful. I have had friends/family come visit and have always taken them out to my school to show them around. But this was the first time I have had friends spend the day with me at school. Here are some pictures from my perfect day :)



Daniel and Andrew played Hangman with my kids - this entertained them for a long time and they loved it!Sitting with Quinn and catching up - priceless!Quinn surrounded by my 3rd graders - helping them dye eggs.In line for the Easter Egg Hunt. Paige was so kind to stop by CVS last minute (like an hour before going to the airport) to get me some eggs. It was great, some of my kids had never done this before.Multiplication Ice Cream Sundae Party...everyone was such a HUGE help!

Take Me In

My heart has been heavy all day. Good stuff, just weighty.

This past week, I have been studying the Tabernacle with my kids. I've studied the Tabernacle several times throughout highschool and college. In 7th grade at HCA, I had to make a Tabernacle (with the help of my daddy). My junior year of college while studying Hebrews with some girls, I once again did an indepth look at the Tabernacle. I have heard countless talks and songs about the Tabernacle. I can tell you all about the pieces of furniture, exactly where everything was located, what the furnishings were made of, the types of fabrics they used, etc.

But today as I explained the connection between the OT and NT to my precious 8 year old children, it really hit me. What would it have been like to be an Israelite thousands of years ago? To have been slaves in Egypt for 400 years and watch God miraclousy free you. To be caught in a terrible cycle of sin and regret. To sacrifice animals for your sins, yet it never really clear your conscience. To not be allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, but to have to send the High Priest in for you. To sit outside the Tabernacle, hoping forgiveness would come. Hoping your offering would be pleasing to God. Hoping it would be enough.

Sacrifice after sacrifice, day after day, year after year...it was never enough. The law required blood, because blood signified death. And death showed that some price had been paid for the sin. I can't imagine the remorse, the guilt, and helplessness they must have felt as they wandered and hoped that a better way would come. A more reliable attonement. A true forgiveness.

I closed out the lesson by playing the song "Take Me In" It is one I have heard over and over again, and often skip when playing my AD album. But today tears were brought to my eyes, as I sang the simple lyrics with my kids:

Take me into the holy of holies
Take me in by the blood of the lamb
Take me into the holy of holies
Take the coal, touch my lips, here I am

Take me past all the people, past the altars, even past the priests. I want rightousness. I want God's presence. I stand in awe of a God who provided a better way. A better sacrfice. A better Savior. Hallelujah!

February Update

February was an extremely busy (and somewhat stressful month). Kinda bizarre since it is so short and the 1st week we were on semester break from school. I spent that whole week grading projects, meeting up with friends, and attending 2 teacher inservice days. At the end of it all I felt like I needed a vacation. And the 3 weeks of February that I was in school was craziness...I started these new Reading Centers with my kids, which has been great but means a lot more planning and grading on my part. Plus one of my TAs (a parent) has been out for the whole month, I didn't realize how much I depend on her help. Needless to say my weekends have been very important and at times, my saving grace. It is crucial for me to have time away from school. The best weekend by far was the weekend of Valentines' Day, and it wasn't because I have some love interest :) Friday I went over to some girlfriend's house for a delicious dinner and a movie. I was able to see some girls I hadnt seen in a very long time and it was great to catch up. Saturday evening was the High School Hoedown at my school. I went last year and helped teach a few dances, and was looking forward to going again. Let me just say that it was a blast! You all know that I LOVE LOVE LOVE to dance and I dont get many opportunities here (except in my apartment) to dance. And you probably also know that I LOVE to teach people new dances and get them all into it. So I just had to teach the Hannah Montana dance to Hoedown Throwdown. It was simply amazing.

And then on Sunday after church a few friends went over to Chili's for lunch. It was delicious as always, and the manager said, "Well hello again Jules, I see you more than my family!" He is the one from NCSU. I loved all the fun Valentine's decorations around the city!