What I have learned in the place where I live...

I moved to Rosedale this past summer after growing up in beautiful, eclectic, and unique downtown Bakersfield (laugh away at my adjectives you non-Bakersfield readers), and what I have learned has been astonishing. As I sit in my bed writing this, my education about this west part of town has been increasing...at this very moment.

Facts about Rosedale:

1. It is true. Everyone drives a mini-van.

2. Police officers live at every other house. There are two police cars parked at the entrance of my neighborhood and I laugh every time I drive by there; the cars are never gone. Do the cops even work?

3. There are dogs and cats absolutely everywhere. They bark. They meow. They sit at your doorstep. They try and enter your house. They run through your backyard. They get hit by cars. They chase. They growl. They trip their owners while on a walk (sad to witness that one).

4. There are solicitors that come by ALL THE TIME. While on a run one day, I saw a sign taped on someone's door that read, "No Soliciting." It made me laugh. Who would tape that tacky piece of paper on their door? But then I learned....now I don't blame them! It seems like every other day, a new group comes by, either offering bibles or the perfect stain remover to get that black stain behind me out of the carpet.

5. It feels like it's SO far away from the rest of the world. Maybe times are changing, but if I ever want to drive to "town" I want to pack a suitcase just in case I don't make it home that night.

6. Most people who live in these houses are the typical American family...2.5 children, 1 dog, a mini van, soccer games every Saturday, on and on. Not that I am ragging on the American family, but where is the diversity?

7. Christmas decorations are out of this world.

8. The fog is pretty thick.

9. Every other house is the exact same. I would say there's no character here, but that may be offensive.

With all that said, Rosedale is not my favorite place; I would prefer living somewhere else. But on the flip side, I live conveniently close to work (as close as you can get at least) and I live with some sweet, fun, caring, and joyful roommates who always do the dishes.

little white house and lots of prayer.

There's this little white house I drive by every day to and from work. There are no other houses that surround it. I have never seen anyone outside of it and I have always wondered who lives in it. The house is beaten up. The walls look like they may fall down any day now. The grass is dirt. There is a metal swing set in front...with no swings. There is one tree. And I think that is about it. I drive so fast past that house and always, I mean always, wonder who lives there.....

....a few weeks ago....I discovered it was one of my student's. He lives there.

.....a few weeks ago.......I began to pray. I began to ask myself why I went to work everyday and why I drove past that beaten up white house everyday. I was drifting from the idea that I am at this school for my students and falling into the trap of getting my job done...almost feeling as though I am teaching in an empty room. I forgot these kids are MY students and they are REAL and I am there for THEM.

Teaching has been tiring. I feel like a failure everyday I leave that campus and drive the long trek home. I was mad at myself because I felt like I was not working on my relationship with my students. But then I began to pray that God would put a desire on my heart to love these kids with a love they have never received before. I asked Him to give me certain kids who had lives that you only see in awful, made up movies. I asked Him to give me patience. I asked Him to remind me everyday why I drive that long trek past that beat up white house.

My prayers have been answered. This past week has been incredible. I can't describe the love I have for my students and how I got it. There is no description but the Holy Spirit inside of me, guiding me, giving me the words to say, and ultimately loving these kids. He's answered those prayers. I drive past that house each day, pray for my day, pray for my students, and pray for that little one living in the house.

Just yesterday, one of my toughest students, who I do not get along with to say the LEAST, approached me with this statement: "School is cool, but even cooler because you are my teacher."

That's why I drive that long drive past that white house everyday. But thank GOD tomorrow is Friday. :-)

up again.

I'm up and running again. We'll see how long this lasts.

A few weeks ago, I decided to once again start blogging. Mostly because I wanted to have a safe place to share my experiences in my first year of teaching. By safe, I mean a place that I know my thoughts will be there when I sign back in. The few weeks went by and I did nothing to make my dreams become a reality...

...it wasn't until I began to read the book, Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist. I was given the book by a good friend who had also given me another one of her books awhile back that I could not put down. To no one's surprise, I can't put this one down either. I love it. I love the way Shauna shares her experiences. It is literally like reading someone's blog and not wanting to stop. As I read each chapter, I kept telling myself that I have got to start blogging again. So finally...I sit in my bed, the new Phil Wickham CD softly playing in the background (very good, but just like his others FYI), the window open with the cool Fall breeze running into my room, and the thought running through my head that I need to close my computer and go to bed. I have an early morning tomorrow. And a busy week. Lord knows my students do not want to see me grumpy. We've already discussed it.

Tomorrow begins Week 8 (or 9, I'm not sure) of school. I cannot believe how quickly these first two months have flown by. The weeks have been fun, exciting, tiring, stressful, overwhelming, rewarding, tough, and worth it all. I love my students, love the people I work with, and love the place I am at...which makes up for all the stress pimples I get on a weekly basis. Here's to another week full of surprises and many learning experiences. Not just for my students. Mostly for me.

call me an intellectual nerd.

I am totally okay with that.

Lately, I have been reading books. And lots of them. It is most likely due to the fact that since Borders is going out of business, I spend lots of time and money there buying these incredible books that I can't wait to read. The last one I just read was Prodigal God by Tim Keller, a must read if you want to know all about the "other" brother. It's a short read, small book with big letters and lots of spaces. That is my kind of book.

Before that book, I read Radical by (I forget) while I was in Mexico. I highly do not recommend that book if you are on vacation at an all inclusive resort. You will leave feeling very spoiled and guilty for the vacation you thought you would greatly enjoy. Read it and you will competely understand.

Currently, I am reading Letters to a Young Teacher, which is just okay, but very encouraging as I begin a brand new year next year. This is the kind of book you can just pick up and read little bits at a time when you feel like it. I really like those kinds of books.

Along with that book, my true nerdiness is beginning to shine. Teach Like a Champ is what I read when I bask in the sun on a warm, bright day. The title says it all. Most girls read these Karen Kingsbury novels, books that make them cry...the list can go on, but I am not that kind of girl right now. I am the kind of nerdy girl who is reading lots of books, constantly writing intriguing quotes in my journal, and beginning to watch the Real Hosewives less and less.

Who knows how long this will last, but for now, I will continue to read these books, make frequent stops to Borders as they lower prices everyday, and watch the crazy moms on Real Housewives every so often when I get a chance. Like I said, I am totally okay with that.

my sweet bargains.

I am all about the bargains these days. I have always wanted to be a true bargain shopper, but never took the time to educate myself, set aside a good part of my day, and actually bargain. But those days are over and I have an empty classroom with not much dinero to fill it with.

And that is okay...because I am now a certified bargain shopper.

Today, I went to a "Junkster" sale...so it was called. It happened to be at my old elementary down the street from my house. My sister and I trotted down to the school in our "workout" clothes only to be asked by my dad on the way out, "You're wearing that? You are representing the Pierce family now, you know." Oh please Pop. I said no more and headed for the door.

This "Junkster" sale gave me three filled grocery bags of BOOKS. I was thrilled. I immediately began grabbing as many books as I could see in sight. I figured the seller would sale them for a dollar or so. Not too bad. When I asked her how much they cost....a quarter. That is IT. Just a quarter. 25 cents for chapter books that will work perfectly in my classroom.

I walked away with 40 books today. Not bad.

Another bargain came last week when GW School Supply held a yard sale. Can't be any more perfect than that. Teachers selling their old things to me, a brand new teacher who has no idea what she is doing. I once again grabbed as much as I could and thought would be useful in my classroom. Although I did find many bargains, some of those teachers were STINGY. And by that I mean, when I tried to bargain, they would not budge. Please, their stuff wasn't THAT great.

That is my hunt this summer. Find yard sales and great deals at local stores. I want to be able to say that everything I found for my classroom was bought at a very inexpensive price.

....let the hunt begin...

Three tacos, a margarita on the rocks, and a bowl of ice cream later....

......I'm full and ready to blog.

These past few weeks have been...whoooo....hoooo.....CRAZY. As I look back at the past years, April and May seem to always be the craziest months out of the year. These past two months of this year have been nothing but crazy. So the trend continues on.

With all that said, what attributes to this crazy time is the fact that God answered my prayers in a way that I can do nothing but thank Him, praise Him, and fear Him more and more each day.

My one prayer request this past year has been answered. I was offered a teaching job.

Beginning in August 2011, I will open my classroom door to 24 fourth and fifth grade students. Man, am I excited!! I have never been more excited actually. When I got the phone call, I screamed, could not stop shaking, and yes, I began to cry. It truly is an answer to prayer and I can do nothing but give the glory to God.

Now the fun begins. I have a blank slate for a classroom, no money to fill that space up.......but I do have lots of energy! Let the fun times, the hard work (the very hard work), and the chance to be a light in little ones lives begin....

pray.

I think prayer is such a simple task, yet hard to accomplish...for me at least. I can pray. I will pray. But I don't always believe what I pray. I am like the father in Mark with the sick daughter and Jesus tells him to believe. The father replies...."I do believe, but help my unbelief." I am that Father. I can sit and pray. That's easy, but I don't always believe that what I pray will transpire.

This leads me to the prayer that I have been praying for over a year now. I want a teaching job. I am ready for one. I feel prepared. I am excited. I am willing. I know God has this specific place for me. A specific classroom with the name "Miss Pierce" inscribed on a wooden block placed perfectly in the center of my old, antique looking wooden desk right next to the apple a student brought me last week. So I not only pray for the opportunity to have that teaching job this year, but I pray for His Will to be done.

Now it's time to believe all that I pray. I have an interview this coming Monday at a school I would LOVE to teach at. It is exactly the kind of place I want to be. I pray for it and I ask you to pray for it as well. I want the job...I get the chills just thinking that I may possibly have this opportunity.

God plainly tells us that He answers our prayers when we ask. So why I don't believe that, who knows. But it is time to start believing what I pray. Sit back and watch the Lord provide.

"To the faithful, He shows Himself faithful..." -Psalm 18:25