Detention

I even get Detention as a teacher!!

I had to stay back at school until 5.15 last night because my supervising teacher had to stay back and do work and just stuff around, and I can’t leave until she says I can go!!

I was supposed to be helping Em at 4.00 to put together some important work that she has been working on for about 2 months now and I had to let her do it all by herself, Sorry Em.

I only had 3 detentions in high school,
1. For making Ms Harie (the most disrespected fill in teacher in the school) angry and gave the whole class detention (thanks Daniel Cameron)
2. For waging PE class (I’m a Muso, although I wish I had been more sporty)
3. For aggravating another student until he threw a chair at me (sorry for that JM)

But none have been for over 2 hours.

Life in the 'Fast Lane'

I have found a new saying, it keeps going over in my head, everytime i get angry, frustrated, annoyed, impatient. I feel God give me these words,

"Those who live in the fast lane, die in the fast lane"

I am really liking having this in my head, it stops me from rushing, from
wasting my life running from place to place.

I really like the idea of being able to take a step back from this hustle and bustle of life and just say 'God, lead me in your direction, in your time'.

"Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!" 1 Samuel 12:16

"Be still, and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10

Homework!

I finished school 4 years ago now and i am still being set homework! Why!!!

It is ridiculous, my supervising teacher has told me i have to go home and write out a report on a classes behaviour, due tomorrow. What is it with teachers and things due tomorrow!

I had my night all planned out, leave school (after staying back to observe a junior choir rehearsal, great fun...Not!)the home, grab my stuff and go to the gym before band rehearsal tonight at 8pm. Well i guess that's not happening, I'm writting a report on a year 7 class instead.

Hope everyone else has a good night because mine is ruined.

"The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry"

Robert Burns -To a Mouse

Anzac Day

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them."

Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14

Mr George Baby!!!!

I had a very interesting thing happen to me in class today,

Whilst teaching a year 7 music class one of the year 7 girls in the class was calling out to get my attention, i don't answer there question unless there hand is up and i will then go over too them.

This girl knew that and was calling out, I looked at her and made her put up her hand. so she did that but still kept calling out my name whist i was walking over to her. I got within about 5 steps of her and she called out 'Mr George Baby', i was stunned, i had no idea what to do, I told her that it was ok and that we will just ignore that, but i tell you what, she was embarrassed, her friends gave her such a hard time after i left.

My supervising teacher looked up in shock as well, at lunch time my supervising teacher went and told everyone in the staff room. evidently it happens all the time, but usually the kids call out 'Mum', i was the first to be called 'Baby' and i am quite proud of it too.

May people in the bible have called out:

• Abraham called out 318 men (Genisis 14:14)
• the angel of the Lord called to Abraham (Genisis 22.11)
• Gideon called out to his troops (Judges 7:15)
• David called out to Saul (1 Samual 24:8)
• Jesus called his 12 desciples (Mattew 10:1)

But none of them called out 'Mr George Baby!"

"In my distress I called to the LORD; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears." 2 Samual 22:7 (NIV)

Teaching - the fall.

Why is it that when you think you are up, someone always brings you down?

I am still on my teaching rounds and i taught a year 8 double classroom music class, now there are three difficulties with this:

1. it's a year 8 class
2. it's a double period
3. its classroom music

there was also a forth problem:

4. I only found out about it yesterday, and only got the topic last night.

it was about 70's music, i thought this would be ok because i know a little bit about the development of jazz/soul/funk music in that era. But i wasn't allowed to teach on this stuff, it had to be rock music, which i don't have a clue about, i was stuffed.

I stayed up too late last night preparing for it and i was in tears this morning, praying that it would be ok, it was, i did really well. I was thanking God and i was really excited, until my supervising teacher gave me her notes on my lesson.

The only positive feedback was that I marked the roll well. I almost cried again right in front of her (me a 6foot guy, crying because a 5 foot, seven month pregnant woman who wouldn't be able to reach my head, had told me it wasn't good)

I knew it wasn't great and i knew where i went wrong but i just wanted some encouragement, if i hadn't already thought about giving up now was the time i was ready.

I don't know maybe it will strengthen me to be bought down to earth again, but it sure hurt.

"Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor." Proverbs 18:12. (NIV)

"encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today" Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

VCE

Long hours, never-ending piles of homework, no life!

Because of my teaching rounds i was required to go along to a VCE Solo Performance (music) lecture on a Sunday, Horrible way to spend a Sunday.

10-5 non-stop aural studies, for those who don't know how that would feel try listening to Britney Spears all day on repeat, your mind swells up and it feels like your brain is so full it will soon come out of your ears.

Horrible torture, good luck to anyone facing this pain. Good Luck.

"Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body." Ecclesiastes (NIV)

Happy Birthday Mim

21, it's a crazy age, big party, no real change in life. To me 21st birthdays are just a good time to reflect on life before it becomes hectic.

Miriam turned 21 on Saturday and had a English tea party for over 100. It was very Australian and social but with a tinge of Asian thrown in (much like an accurate description of Miriam should be).

Homemade spring rolls, prawn toast, little sandwiches but i didn't get any dim sims, i think the Asian got to them before anyone else.

But honestly it was a good party with many good friends and good laughs.

Happy birthday Mim, we all love you and wish you a happy day.

"We rejoice and delight in you ; we will praise you more than wine. We will celebrate with you, How right we are to adore you!" Song of Solomon 1:4 (NIV)

Stand Firm

In last nights Salvo basketball games we saw a big hit, it is not often in a basketball game you see a 20 year old girl fly.

Last night, 'menacing Miriam Pho' took a huge hit on the half court line, she, in the perfect defensive position, has absolutely steam-rolled by an oncoming player, through no fault of either player, we say a huge head clash, leaving both on the ground.

So Miriam, i salute your braveness, and strength, if it were me, i would have screamed like a little girl.

I think your new nickname may have to be "Mighty-Mean-Manly-Muscular-Miriam Pho"

"Do not be afraid. Stand Firm" Exodus 14:13

"You will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear." Job 11:15

Mr George

As part of my Education degree at uni, i have to go out and do teaching rounds. For this lot of rounds i am spending 10 days teaching at 'Ringwood Secondary College'.

So there were may questions i was going through in my own mind this morning:

• what do i wear? (i got it wrong and got in trouble)
• what if the teacher doesn't turn up? (it happened, she was half an hour late and i was left standing outside with her year 12 class)
• what if the kids don't like me? (i think i did ok with the year 9 girls)
• what do they call me?

I wanted to be called Dave, but evidently i have to be called Mr George. My dad is a teacher and he is 'Mr George' but his kids call him 'Muzza' why do i have to 'Mr. George' I want to be the cool teacher not the loser that follows a heavily pregnant music teacher around the school.

I like my name why can't i use it?

"God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?, Job 36:22"

Sydney

Well what a weekend, it was a fantastic time of sharing in worship, singing and fellowship with a very great group of people at the Parramatta Salvation Army. Both the songsters and Big Band were ‘on fire’ and a fantastic witness for God. I had a great time, making some great new friends. Thankyou to all involved in the weekend and I appreciate all the effort that went into the preparations and organizations for this weekend, I hope to do it again soon.

God bless Parramatta.

“Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy; let
them sing before the LORD, Psalm 98:8-9”

Toothache

Have you ever had the feeling your ear is going to explode? Well I am experiencing that right now.
On Wednesday night we went out for dinner to celebrate Em’s birthday with her family, and her brother recommended the ‘Mixed Grill’, (basically a large platter of meat with one lettuce leaf to make it look like a balanced meal). It was really good but I think I bit down too hard on one of the ribs because I now have a big crack in one of my teeth, it really hurts.

Last night part of it chipped off. I can’t sleep, I can’t eat and I can’t talk properly. Although I would love to run into Jesus today, for once going to the dentist is just as exciting to me today. I am looking forward to conquering this, if Jesus can make it through the pain of the cross, I’ll make it through until 2.15pm to see the dentist today, but only just!!

"I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me.Psalm 69:29"

The week that was

well, what an eventfull week it has been,
'Cause for celebarations' all around me

• Jesus' Death (not so good on its own)
• The atonement of the world
• the Resurrection of faith and life
• My girlfriends 20th birthday
• The birth of the newest Collinson
• Shirl restoring order to the Lewis house
• so many great things

but there have also been some very scary and non-celebratory times

• the scare of potensial lost fingers
• the trials of a broken family at Easter
• the demons lose at the hands of Hawthorn and the shattering news of David Neitz and Russel Robertsons month-ending injuries.

But i am happy, i have 'holidays' and i enjoy feeling free from uni (at least for today), and i thank God for everyday that he has given me that freedom.

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed, John 8:36"

Welcome Back

Well it has been a while but, i thought that i should start again. I know that my blogging was a useless last time, so i'll try to be better, i know i won't be though. Sorry