Life Lately

Well, that was a long break!

I’ve always been obsessed with initials. After a friend or family member has a baby, mentally I’m putting together the kid’s monogram to see if it makes anything ridiculous. I have a cousin whose initials are IMP. No joke. My initials happen to be RTS. I always thought it was so cool that they’re almost in alphabetical order. (There is a point to this story, I promise!)

Life lately hasn’t been easy. The growing pains of a new school, the driving back and forth, adjusting to life in a new state, and all that goes with, well, life.

However, I don’t back down from a challenge. Because I Refuse To Sink. (See what I did there?)

I’ve been clinging to this truth while being anchored by the One who holds me.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19

I refuse to let my circumstances dictate my behavior.

I refuse to be limited by my circumstances.

I refuse to be ruled by my attitude.

I Refuse to Sink.

Life in September: Day Four

Share something that scares you.

Well, first off, I’m pretty afraid what life path this child will be taking.

No, he’s not in my class and no, I didn’t put him up to it!

Moving on.

Not many things scare me. Plenty of things make me nervous and worried, but scared is not a word that gets thrown around. A few years ago I had a student that would routinely get in trouble for the same things. While he was being corrected or sent to time out he would scream This is not how I wanted my day to go!!! I would have to bite my tongue before hollering back Yeah, me too buddy.

I hadn’t thought about that until today. Being faced with the question What scares me?

This is not how I wanted my life to go.

My current life situation is not what I planned, but I know it’s where I’m supposed to be. I can have peace knowing that my life can still mean something regardless of how I feel about my circumstances.

 

 

 

Life in a Rut

Yesterday I mentioned that I’m finally settling into a routine, which can sometimes feel like a rut more than anything. One of the hallmarks of being a teacher is consistency. And while that is all great, wonderful, and comforting in the classroom it doesn’t always translate into the world outside of work. And, let’s be honest, the temptation to keep up with all those around us is super high no matter what profession you work in.

How do you break out of your normal?

I love to shake things up a little just to keep life fresh and exciting!

*Follow inspirational people on Instagram and Twitter.*

I can’t stress this one enough. Do you know how many amazing people are out there spreading creative positive messages all over Insta? Makes me giddy!

*Sing at the top of your lungs. Preferably in your car!*

I spend ten hours a week in my car. Crazy, I know. I’m really trying redeem that time by doing things I love. For me, worship music is energizing and makes the miles go faster. Blast your favorite music and dance along, trust me!

*Spread positive messages wherever you go.*

 

The bag on the right is my new purse!

*Try a new workout.*

Again, Instagram is your best friend. Use it to it’s full potential. People are amazing.

Life in May: Day Thirty One

*Blogging everyday in May*

Share a vivid memory.

Another picture that has zero to do with today’s post. It’s pretty awesome (hehe) and I’m pretty tired!

Put on a party hat, pop some bubbly, and celebrate! This month is o to the ver! Wow, I’m so glad I soldiered on through to the end. Now what do I do? Ha, I’ve got plans friends!

So…my vivid memory is actually the first thing from my childhood that I can recall. I’m around three years old, maybe a little older, and I’m sitting in our bathtub. To understand my memory, let me explain The Tub. We had this beautiful claw footed porcelain tub. Straight from the 1900’s. It was super cold in the winter so my mom would turn the water on as hot as possible while we waited for 20 minutes for the tub to warm up. The back of the tub was raised and created sort of a waterslide, not that I ever tried that or anything. Our tub was huge. It was the perfect place to beat the summer heat and warm up in the winter. 

I’m sitting in The Tub, singing my heart out to American Pie. Yes, Bye Bye Miss American Pie. There is no way I could have possibly known all the words and I definitely didn’t know what whiskey and rye were. But I was performing! The world (or bathtub) was my stage and I was merely a player. It was were I belonged.

Whenever I hear American Pie, I smile to myself a little bit. And now, I hope, you will too!   

Thanks for coming along this month. Be sure to stop by on Sunday when I announce next month’s theme! 

Life in May: Day Twenty Nine

*Blogging everyday in May*

Share five songs that move you.

Hello friends! Today’s post is coming at ya straight from the floor. That’s right, after finishing a killer thigh, butts, and guts workout I can longer pick myself up of the ground. So today’s prompt seems fitting for my current state!

What is it about music that it is able to transport you to another place and time with a few simple notes. Full disclosure, Call Me Maybe made me cry a few weeks back. No joke, it totally put me right back into last summer (which kicked major butt I might add) and I was overcome with some pretty ridiculous emotions. I mean, seriously, the next time I admit to bawling like a baby at the sound of Carly Rae Jepsen, put me out of my misery. I beg of you.

Moving on… Let me explain my choices first. (I could only pick four.)

10,000 Reasons By Matt Redman- So so stinking good.

1,000 Years By Christina Perri- Say what you will about Twilight, this song is wonderful.

Brave by Sara Bareilles- This video alone should win some awards. Watch it! Directed by Rashid Jones, how cool is that?!

Mirrors By JT- Play on repeat at least four times.

Life in May: Day Seventeen

*Blogging everyday in May*

Share your favorite picture and why you like it.

Ugh, I can’t look at this picture without crying. Hard.

This beautiful lady is my Grandma Katie. Yes, that’s an ipad which she used everyday. She carried it around in it’s own purse. Such a classy lady.

At the time, we didn’t know how sick Grandma was. We didn’t know this would be the last picture ever captured in her 90 years. Cancer had taken over her small body, eating her from the inside. Seven months later she would leave us forever.

Three days from now another Monday will come and go like always. For me, I’ll drink coffee from her mug, wear her necklace and eat a BLT (our favorite). I’ll mark two years without her in my life. Two years of missing her everyday.

Life in May: Day Sixteen

*Blogging everyday in May*

What is difficult about your lot in life and what are you doing to change it?

Deep stuff here. Honestly, when I first saw this prompt I rolled my eyes. (sorry Jenni!)

Seriously? Just the fact that I am able to live in this country makes my “lot in life” exponentially better than most people’s. I like to think of myself as a positive -look on the bright side of life- person. People, my blog is named Life in the Moment. We’re not too serious around here.

So…umm…let’s make a list of things that I take for granted on the regular.

*A loving family that I actually want to be around!

*A job that offers me money for a pretty decent lifestyle.

*More food and clothes than I care to discuss.

*Friends who want to spend time with me.

*A Savior who died for me.

I’d call my life a cake walk. Have I had difficulties in my life? Yes, who hasn’t? To quote Steel Magnolia’s: If you can achieve puberty, you can achieve a past. 

I choose, daily, to move forward. Nothing in my life is so difficult that it can’t be fixed, changed, or prayed over.

 

 

Be happy, yo!

Life in May: Day Six

Blogging Everyday in May!

How would you describe your job if you couldn’t say what your job is.

Huh, this is a toughie. I’ve always thought it was so cool that once someone asks me what I do (teaching), the only other question I get it “Oh really, what grade?”

Then I tell them, “Four year olds.” After this, I get one of three reactions.

A: The-I want your job but I have no idea how hard it is-reaction.

“Oh, that’s so cute! You must have so much fun all day!”

Me: Yes, but most days I want to punch myself in the face by 8:06 am.

B: The-You must have the patience of a saint-reaction.

“Wow, four year olds. I could never do that. How do you handle that.”

Me: Beer, the answer is always beer.

C: The-Fellow comrade in arms but teaches a different grade that you could never in a million years teach-reaction.

“Really, four year olds. God Bless You. Can I buy you a beer someday?”

Me: “Wow, high school. God Bless You. Can I buy you a beer someday?”

Life in May: Day One

Linking up with Jenni for

Gah, I’m so stinking excited for this month! Want to join along?

Today’s prompt is:

Give the Story of Your Life in 250 words.

I grew up in a small Wisconsin town. Your “small” town has got nothing on my small town. Roughly 2,500 people call Wisconsin Dells home. Waterpark capital of the world, anyone!? I’m the youngest of four children. The only girl. And the baby. Talk about challenges. My home was smack dab in the middle of a dairy/beef farm. Hardworking farm blood flows through my veins, along with a hardy dose of Packers, Cheese, and Beer. Hey, it’s Wisconsin!

I’m the biggest girly girl you will ever meet. My mom says that she didn’t need to buy my first dress until I was 3 years old because everyone in our family bought them for me. After my growing up years, I moved to Chicago for college, meet the best people of my life, and got a teaching degree. From there I moved to Arizona for seven years. I’ve taught second grade, kindergarten, and preschool. This summer I’m starting a new journey in TEXAS!!

My family, friends, and Jesus are my life.

I love this picture!

Life with Gratitude

As cliché as it is to say this, I love this time of year. There’s a chill in the air, the days are shorter,and comfort foods can be found in crock-pots around the neighborhood. Fall is here! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas, but Tgives holds a special place in my heart.

With all that is going on in our world and lives, I’d like for us to take some time and reflect on all the things we can be grateful for.

I’m issuing a challenge. From now until Thanksgiving, let’s tweet, instagram, and blog all the things we are thankful for. Come back here on Fridays where we can link up anything and everything that we are grateful for. All I ask is that you follow me here or on twitter and instagram (racheltoo2) so I can follow along with you! Use #gratitudeproject12 or #gp12! Let me know if you plan to participate by linking up below.

Spread the word by using this button!

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Life With a Video

My new favorite song.

Life in Rewind

I have never tied so many shoes in my seven years of teaching than I have already this year. While I was tying a sweet child’s shoe for what felt like the 300 time that day,  I remembered one of the very first posts I wrote back in 2010.

Life in Red Heels!

I love shoes. I don't think the word love is strong enough! One of my favorite quotes is from the movie "In Her Shoes". Cameron Diaz's character is asking her sister Rose why she has so many shoes if she never wears them. Rose says, "Clothes never look any good... food just makes me fatter... shoes always fit." My obsession with shoes in a nutshell!
A few weeks ago I received a $10 coupon for DSW. A free $10. No strings. Money for shoes! It needed to be spent! As my mom would say, it was burning a hole in my pocket! I've been wanting a pair of fabulous red heels for as long as I can remember. This was my perfect chance. Someone was telling me to go out and buy shoes, I could not pass this up! I want to live life in the moment, right?! Anyway, back to the point, I found the pair. They were mine!
Sunday was the first outing of my fantastic red heels. I also wore them today to school. Nothing can be more uplifting then wearing red shoes to school. Little girls will think you hung the moon!
What really made me think was the passage from Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
"Your God reigns!"

I have a real problem with feet. It must have started when I was a dance teacher and I had to put on millions of pairs of tap shoes! I am very doubtful of the word "beautiful" being associated with feet, let alone feet from the first century! Talk about gross! However, being a messenger who brings good news qualifies you to have beautiful feet!
I still spend lots of time around shoes. I tie more shoelaces in a day then I can count! In fact, the inspiration for this post came while I was tying the shoe of one of precious kiddos. I used to think that in order to have an amazing faith story, I would need to move far away, give up the comforts of home and become a missionary. Because there is no way that I could spread the Gospel where I was, right? I'm not saying that people who become missionaries are more holy or more qualified, I just thought that their stories were so inspiring and I wanted to have that same zeal for God.
After tying my student's shoe today, I realized that I do have an amazing faith story. I get to tie shoes of 12 children of God each day! According to the above verse, I have beautiful feet. I proclaim the good news every day. How many people get paid to do this?
I do! And all while wearing sweet red shoes!

 

Life with Deep Thoughts

I wish I knew where this originally came from.

A few weeks ago I shared my feelings towards regret. Basically, I don’t like it. I feel that God puts us in places for a season for our growth. On Sunday, my pastor shared that we tend to think blessings are the “good things” that happen in our life, but blessings tend to be things/situations that have the most growth potential. Much like this song from Laura Story (which is, incidentally, named Blessings)

I can’t tell you how much the Erma Bombeck quote fits into my life right now.  I want my life, the good and the bad, to mean something. I want to draw closer to God and bring others with me. Know what I mean?

On a day like today we look back and reflect on our lives 11 years ago. We remember where we were, what we were doing.

Do we count that time as a blessing?

I can’t help but think of all the first responders who literally gave all they had to save others.
I can’t help but think of my dad, who on September 12th was struck by a car while on his motorcycle. He was on his way to give blood. 

Do we count these hard times as blessings?

Life With Deep Thoughts

 

I’ve been thinking lately about regret. I’m not one to regret many things, I see all the parts of my life as stepping stones. But, are there parts of my life that I wouldn’t want people to know? Are there things that I wouldn’t be proud to write about?  (Full disclosure, there’s not much that I DON’T share with you all!)

Do you remember the part in The Hunger Games where reporters go to the Tribute’s hometowns to tape propaganda pieces for the viewers? These pieces were meant to make the Tribute seem more likeable and therefore creating buzz for possible sponsors.

The same could be said of the Olympics. Reporters spend months digging into people’s past trying to find anyone who will speak positively about an athlete.

Where I see the connection to regret and the life application is this:  What would people say if you were about to win a gold medal? If you only had the people back home to speak about you, what would you want them to say? Is there anything you would regret? Would your testimony be front and center?

What would people say about you?

Would people say, “Eh, she’s a nice girl, but she didn’t really help others around here.”

Would they see your strength of character and courage? 

I would want my interview to say, “Above all, she served God with all her heart. She pointed us to Christ, and herself second.”

It is so easy in our social media saturated world to think, It’s all about me. I’ve fallen prey to this ideal. What funny thing can I post or tweet about today? How many pageviews and followers do I have today? (PS, I love you all! I’m so grateful that you read this little blog!)

When all of this is gone, I want people to say, “Rachel walked with her eyes upward because she was focused on the Lord.”

My new mantra this year

Life with Christ

 

“Life is very short, so break your silly egos, forgive quickly, believe slowly, love truly, laugh loudly and never avoid anything that makes you smile...”

As a general rule, I’m a pretty happy person. It’s no secret that I love to laugh, dance, and sing. I love to make others do the same. In recent years, I’ve tried to bring joy to all situations.

The older I get, the more I realize that we are stuck in our roles. I slip very easily into the “little sister” role. I joke, I tease, I fiercely defend others. These actions aren’t always appreciated. People around me seem to think that because I’m an “adult” I should act like one. What part of becoming older equates with losing our sense of humor? Just because we pay the bills and have to worry about putting food on the table, doesn’t mean that we have to forgo joy.

Nothing is better to me than sharing an inside joke with a friend. A good belly laugh can take years off your life. Seriously, google it.

I realize that I’m a nut, I’m goofy, I”m silly, and very rarely serious.

God has blessed me with friends who get me and family who understands my quirky side. But this is only part of the reason I feel so comfortable in my skin. I’ve learned to find my identity in Christ alone. His approval means more to me than the approval of others. The more I draw close to Christ and his message of salvation, the more the worldly voices which say “Rachel, you’re not enough.” fall to the wayside.

“So when I make a big mistake
When I fall flat on my face
I know I'll be alright
Should my tender heart be broken
I will cry those teardrops knowin'
I will be just fine
'Cause nothin' changes who I am…

Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy
But I've got friends that love me
And they know where I stand
It's all a part of me
That's who I am” –Jessica Andrews

Life Together

*Alright friends, I’m sure you are tired of hearing about the Olympics. Bear with me for one more Olympic themed post! Please and thank you!*

The other day my director said to me, “Your room looks so much better than last year, I love it!”

I wanted to punch her.

Now, I’m normally not prone to fits of rage, and I definitely would never hit someone. But I was so close.

You see, last year was, to put it mildly, crap.

Lets take moment for a quick recap:

*January: Found out my school was closing at the end of the year. The first, and only, school I had ever worked at. *February: My grandma was diagnosed with terminal cancer. *March: Started job searching. *April: My great aunt, who was like another grandma, passed away from the same cancer as my grandma. *May: Grandma passed away five days before the end of my school year. Flew home to Wisconsin, stayed until June. *June: Packed up my classroom and house. Moved some of my stuff into my new classroom at new school. *July: Moved into a new apartment in a new part of town. *August: Started my sixth year of teaching, new school,  new grade level, new struggles.

Now, I’m not writing this to say, Oh look at me I’ve been through so much I deserve to be held and coddled. I’m using this to how much we need the Body of Christ. I’m so grateful that I have such a strong support system. It hasn’t been an easy road at all. There have been plenty of tears, sleepless nights, and panicked calls/texts to friends. I’ve never needed my supporting cast more than I have in the last year.

*Umm ok, so let’s see how I can tie this all in to the Olympics!*

I was struck this week during the prelim relay races by the way the US team decided to stack their relay teams. I was so confused as to why they would swim the prelim with one team and use a completely different team for the finals. I was shocked! What? You can send one team in, expect them to get a good position, and say Thanks so much for your time, let’s have the A team take it from here.

What if they won a medal? How would the prelim team feel? (I found out that both teams get a medal if the final team wins.) I was reading the swimmers twitters (I’m obsessed by the way!) and they were congratulating the prelim team for getting them to the finals. Talk about teamwork. I admit, I was a little more impressed when I thought the prelim team didn’t medal!

The swimmers all knew what was best for the team. If their coach said, “You’re swimming the prelim, go out do your best, your team is counting on you.” They did it. Why?

Because they believed in the team. They were willing to literally “Take one for the team”.

My favorite swimmer this Olympic time has been Allison Schmitt. (known to most, and me, as Schmitty)

Schmitty is most known as being Phelps training partner. According to MP, he credits Allison with a lot of his maturity during these games. She made him laugh and kept him loose during all their training sessions before the games. He, in turn, helped her to become more focused and calm. She credits him with most of her success this time around. Sister friend broke TWO world records! (She only swam in one relay in 2008.) I loved reading their twitter exchanges and to see the brother/sister love that they have for each other.

Most of the team has said that Schmitty is always laughing, dancing, and joking around. She brings joy to all of those around her.

This, perhaps, is the best example of Michael and Allison’s relationship.
Here they are at their last practice together, and what are they doing? Laughing, holding hands, and taking one last leap into the pool. Together. Each knew what a big moment this was and didn’t want to do it alone.

She’s my new hero!

So, do you have a Schmitty in your life? Perhaps you’re a Schmitty to someone else.

We were not created to go through this life alone. Praise God that we don’t have to!

 

 

 

Life on Thursday

It’s Thursday!

Around here that means another round up of random thoughts/brilliantness and my weekly recap of dresses.

But something pretty remarkable happened today, a story too good to pass up!

We’ve been having some shake ups at the school I work for. Nothing too out of the ordinary, nothing earth shattering, but enough annoyance to warrant complaining!

After a long, frustrating and non-linear staff meeting, we retreated to our classrooms where we all regrouped. All I wanted to do was go home and think some unkind thoughts, I tried to focus myself on being positive and going about my business is the kindest manner possible. However hard that would be for my stubborn German brain to comprehend. 

The aftershocks of “the meeting” were felt again today. I was very out of sorts, short with the kids, moaned about my aide (who is a dream to work with, by the by!), and was a overall pain in the biscuit to deal with. During my lunch time (which I share with three other co-workers) we rehashed the meeting for the two teachers who were not present. This of course, brought up more bad thoughts, more ugly comments, and all around ungrateful behavior.

We were all in agreement that next year would not be easy, we figure that this is God calling us to our Esther moment. This is our “such a time as this” God is asking us to be warriors even when the odds seemed stacked against us. (If you can’t tell, I work at a Christian school!)

This is such a long set-up to a quick ending, but I promise I’m getting there!

After lunch, I walked back to my classroom still gloomy with a touch of grumpiness. I unlocked the door for my afternoon bambinos to come to school. The first family to walk in happened to be the twins in my class with their grandma. She and I have talked many times about our Bible Study friends.

Here comes the best part:

She stopped me and said she had a word from the Lord she would like to share with me. Her friend had sent it to her and she thought it was so beautiful.

*This never happens to me, I repeat, NEVER HAPPENES TO ME!*

Romans 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Grandma kept repeat over and over “Patient in affliction, patient in affliction.”

I lost it.

I was overwhelmed with Love from my Father.  Only a gracious God could have known what I needed to hear and when I needed to hear it.

Even through the mess of my easy life, God brings to me a word of comfort through a person who has no clue what we are dealing with.

Amazing, simply amazing.

AND, if you sat through all that (Told you it was good!) I’ll reward you with my dresses from this week!

Monday

Spot the Bindi! I swear that dog thinks she runs this show!

PS. This pink skirt was the BEST $10 I’ve ever spent at Old Navy.

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Finally, a new pose!

 

Linking up with Sar

and

Life in the Resurrection

A very blessed Easter/Resurrection Sunday!

I’m so grateful that today Christ defeated death and the grave for me and you!

No longer do we have to live in the shadow of our sin.

Come awake and live a new life in Jesus.

 

Life on Good Friday

I think one of the biggest struggles in a pastor’s life must be bringing new insights to the stories of Easter and Christmas. Year after year, people are presented with the same narrative while pastors must find a way to engage their “audience”.  As I sat through my 27th (give or take a few years) Maundy Thursday service, my pastor pointed out one phrase that replayed over and over in my head.

In Luke’s recording of the Last Supper (Luke 22) he writes in verse 15: “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.”

Eagerly desired.

Not your run of the mill excitement about being with your friends. No, Jesus had waited with great anticipation for this night. This night that would be his last on Earth.

He EAGERLY desired to be with them. 

To Jesus, this supper would not be an ordinary Passover. He took these men away from their families on the greatest night in all of Israel because he wanted, no needed, to share this meal with them. He needed to reiterate one more time that He was the Savior who was sent to suffer and die for all humanity.

Jesus doesn’t only eagerly desire to be with his disciples on a special night, he eagerly desires to be with us on a daily basis. He calls us to come to him, lay down our burdens and take part in his abundant grace.

“Thank God we have a Savior who was willing to love us to his very last breath. Thank God he held nothing back. Thank God we are no longer slave to sin and the fear of death.” –Mark Neilsen from Springs of Living Water Devotional

 

(Via)

Christ is Risen!

Life with Me

Put quite simply, Life with me is never boring!

I’m loud, I’m proud…get used to it!

(Oh Will Ferrell how I love you!)

I’ve come to realize in the last couple of years that I only need to live this life for God.

Sure, I have expectations at work, with my family and friends. But ultimately God is the one place I need to go to find my reason and strength.

The last few weeks I’ve struggled with parents who aren’t happy with the way I run my classroom. A few years ago this would have turned me into a weepy mess and I would have found a thousand ways to defend myself.

This time around I’m confident in myself and my abilities that I can kinda let this roll of my back. It makes it easier knowing that I have over 80 parents to deal with and it is impossible to keep everyone happy 100% of the time!

God is pleased with me when I work with His joy in my heart. His grace covers a multitude of sins and annoyances. I have learned to take set backs like these and use them as an opportunity to pray for the people involved. These moments won’t break me, just make me stronger.

In my small group, we’ve been discussing living life together. The last two weeks we’ve always come back around to my motto in life.

Live life in the moment.

 

 

Your past can’t hurt you, your future is mapped out.

God is already there.

The present is all you’ve got to work with.

Make it great!

  

PS…Yes, I’m a dork…