I have started back at College for another year. I passed my Level 2 of a Child Care qualification and am now onto the higher level. We had the introduction on Wednesday. I was alright until she started talking about needing to think about things on a more supervisory level and the need for us to do a Longitudinal Observation of a child (translation: study one child over a certain period of time!) I have one particular child in mind and will chat about the possibilities of that with my Manager on Monday.
We have to write up regular log diaries of the work we do but this level needs it to be about situations I deal with (eg discussing with a parent about their child) rather than activities I am involved in (painting etc). OK, that sounds more tricky. I wasn't looking forward to it but once I started it I realised that I do like studying. My tutor wants to have a look at what we have written and will advise us if we have understood her instructions! We have to study more about Child Development theories, do more in-depth child observations on various children and also the Longitudinal Observation. I am really looking forward to this course. I do enjoy studying and I like observing how children behave and interact with their peers and adults. Believe it or not I also like studying the legal side of working with Children (eg Child Protection, Health and Safety).
I am also excited to see where this qualification will lead me. I know that God has a place for me and am very interested in finding out. If this year doesn't kill me (and cause my family to dread me looking at another text book!) I would like to study further and obtain a degree eventually. But God knows and for the minute I am going to enjoy this c
Thursday, 20 September 2007
Friday, 14 September 2007
From negative to postive - a work in progress!
I am learning more of God and His greatness over the past few months. One of the ways I am learning of it is through His people. I am naturally a negative kind of person and will often look on the bad side of peoples' motives (some would say this comes with the terrority of being a pastor's wife!). I have to fight this part of my personality. I have been blessed to come across Christians in the past year who without realising have been such an influence on my life by being positive about the Lord and other Christians. I thank God for the Internet for that reason. Unfortunately, (like a reformed smoker!!!) I get really sad when I hear such negative comments about fellow Christians. This is not the way I or the body of Christ should be.
I was able to go to the Bible study the other night. The church is working through Galatians and is on Chapter 6. We looked at bearing one another's burdens and that is the responsibility of all of us in a local church fellowship. The passage (verses 1-5) at first appear contradictory but the man leading the bible study clearly set out what it means. The burdens and load mentioned are different. It spoke to me that the load is to do with my responsibility as a Christian; my study of the word, my worship of God, my work that He has prepared for me to do. I sort that out between God and myself. The burdens of others we are to share, to allow others into our lives to let them help us if necessary.
The last few verses of the study (6&7) the man said they refer to the pastor (that being my husband!). He explained the responsibility of the church to look after the pastor because he teaches the word each week. I was amazed to hear the love that some of our church members have for my husband (and myself). As the pastor's wife it was good to hear. Praise God that they are blessed by his preaching and the way he deals with people.
It is my prayer that we both allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives to continue to be of help to this church, our community, amongst our friends and for me the 'cyber' world I frequent. Those of you out there reading this if you ever notice a negative complaining heart creeping in tell me and by God's grace I will accept your words and deal with it. I know that if that attitude takes hold again I am not much use to God nor man!
I was able to go to the Bible study the other night. The church is working through Galatians and is on Chapter 6. We looked at bearing one another's burdens and that is the responsibility of all of us in a local church fellowship. The passage (verses 1-5) at first appear contradictory but the man leading the bible study clearly set out what it means. The burdens and load mentioned are different. It spoke to me that the load is to do with my responsibility as a Christian; my study of the word, my worship of God, my work that He has prepared for me to do. I sort that out between God and myself. The burdens of others we are to share, to allow others into our lives to let them help us if necessary.
The last few verses of the study (6&7) the man said they refer to the pastor (that being my husband!). He explained the responsibility of the church to look after the pastor because he teaches the word each week. I was amazed to hear the love that some of our church members have for my husband (and myself). As the pastor's wife it was good to hear. Praise God that they are blessed by his preaching and the way he deals with people.
It is my prayer that we both allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives to continue to be of help to this church, our community, amongst our friends and for me the 'cyber' world I frequent. Those of you out there reading this if you ever notice a negative complaining heart creeping in tell me and by God's grace I will accept your words and deal with it. I know that if that attitude takes hold again I am not much use to God nor man!
Sunday, 2 September 2007
A work in progress ......
The Summer Holidays are nearly finished. I am not so good during this time as I am the kind of person who needs the routine of life to work effectively. I achieve far more with deadlines and business then when I have hourse to spare!
Over this summer I have learnt more about my personality and am trying to work against the parts that aren't honouring to Jesus. If I don't worship God as I ought I become too introspective and start looking around at what that person is or isn't doing and then I become disheartened - I become critical of others and myself. The more I seek to worship God the more I realise that I am a huge work in progress and His grace is sufficient for me.
Over the summer I have looked, listened and read many things. I am becoming more convicted that I have got to get out of my safe place haven and get to know people where I live. I have so many opportunities with my college course, my placement, the parents from the girl's classes, the Toddler group etc etc. I must pray diligently that I be a light to Jesus. He will answer that prayer. He has a work for me to do here. I am learning to be grateful for the gifts that God has given me and I now have to use them more and more for His glory. I must be a witness in word and deed. One isn't any good without the other so I have to put each day into the hands of my Lord. He has a plan for my life and I must trust Him daily for it.
I have also learnt that Jesus is all I need. I am to have faith in Him and not what He can give me. He may choose to bless me abundantly materially, emotionally etc but I am to be content in what I have and trust Him no matter the circumstances. Recently, I read 1 Timothy 6 to remind myself of this.
Praise God that He never gives up on His children.
Over this summer I have learnt more about my personality and am trying to work against the parts that aren't honouring to Jesus. If I don't worship God as I ought I become too introspective and start looking around at what that person is or isn't doing and then I become disheartened - I become critical of others and myself. The more I seek to worship God the more I realise that I am a huge work in progress and His grace is sufficient for me.
Over the summer I have looked, listened and read many things. I am becoming more convicted that I have got to get out of my safe place haven and get to know people where I live. I have so many opportunities with my college course, my placement, the parents from the girl's classes, the Toddler group etc etc. I must pray diligently that I be a light to Jesus. He will answer that prayer. He has a work for me to do here. I am learning to be grateful for the gifts that God has given me and I now have to use them more and more for His glory. I must be a witness in word and deed. One isn't any good without the other so I have to put each day into the hands of my Lord. He has a plan for my life and I must trust Him daily for it.
I have also learnt that Jesus is all I need. I am to have faith in Him and not what He can give me. He may choose to bless me abundantly materially, emotionally etc but I am to be content in what I have and trust Him no matter the circumstances. Recently, I read 1 Timothy 6 to remind myself of this.
Praise God that He never gives up on His children.
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