Favorite Time of Year

This is my favorite time of year. The weather in central Florida is wonderful and with that, I love nothing more than lighting my "fall" candles. I just love this time of year.

Things in the Bennett household are going well. Luke and I have finished all of our course work for our Doctorate! We are so happy! Now, if we can just get through this dissertation, then things would be even better.

Luke and I had a really good weekend. Friday night we headed out to the high school football game. Those are always fun. Then Saturday morning we met up with our friends Mandy and Micah for breakfast. We also went to church with them on Sunday and then had lunch at their house after church. Then, Sunday afternoon Luke's parents came into town and we spent time both on Sunday and Monday going to the stores, eating out, etc. It has just been a great weekend and I have to admit, it will be tough going to work tomorrow. Really, I just want some more days off.

As I mentioned in a previous post, Luke and I had the opportunity to go visit one of our students in Georgia at Berry College. It was a great visit! We took the dogs and they were so good! They loved staying at the hotel and reallly, just did a great job.

In October I also had the opportunity to speak to students and parents about purpose. It was great-recieved some great feedback. Looks like the PTO wants me to come speak at one of the meetings/events. Should be interesting.

Other than that, not a whole lot going on. Luke and I would really like to purchase a Jeep Commander but, we are waiting for the right time. We were also in SHOCK when we saw brand new homes today at unbelievable prices. A 3500 square foot home for $192,000. WOW! The market has really taken a dive. Praise God though, our mortgage on our house is not upside down. God is good!

Ok, I think I'm out of here. Just enjoying the weather!

God is up to some good things!

Here it is, another WONDERFUL Saturday! You know, taking only one class that only requires two papers for the semester, is great! I feel as though I once again have my weekends back. Today, Luke and I actually slept in. Once we got out of bed, we headed over to Downtown Disney to watch the Billy Graham movie. It was great! I don't know about you, but I really like movies that explore a person's life and how God has moved through it. These kinds of movies and books just inspire me beyond words. They also remind me that God is not yet done with me. Luke and I are now home so that he can watch the Miami/UCF game. Once that's done, who knows what we will go do. It's just so nice to have that freedom again!

Work is going really well. Tiring, but all is good. We REALLY enjoy our jobs and are just really enjoying the way that the Lord is using us. On Friday we had the principal from the school we visited, come and lead our in-service for our teachers. It was TERRIFIC! She spoke about Bloom's Taxonomy and the need to implement higher order thinking skills within our students. Everything she spoke on is exactly what I hope for our teachers and students.

Here's the deal-as a Christian school, if we are not teaching students how to think critically, we are doing them a disservice. If students do not know how to think critically, how will they ever come to understand the Word of God and in turn, really understand what they believe? Needless to say, this is an area I am passionate about, along with assisting students in discovering their purpose.

Speaking of purpose, I really think God is up to some great things! This upcoming summer, I have the opportunity, along with the guidance counselor at the school, to lead the very first "College and Career Connection" group! This will be a week long course that will give high school students the opportunity to discover their gifts, skills, passions, strengths, etc. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to research colleges and careers, while filling out applications and essays. In all honesty, Melody and I have some BIG ideas and are just thrilled with the direction the Lord is going to take all of this. Not to mention, Melody's father is a "biggie" within the Christian school arena and in the future, plans on promoting C3 (college and career connection) amongst Christian schools. As I mentioned, we have some BIG ideas and are excited about where God may take this!

Also, on the 20th, my school is hosting a "His Child" event which will feature a variety of speakers speaking on teenage issues. The event is open to parents and students. I will be presenting a workshop on how parents can assist their children in discovering their God-Given Purpose! Should be good!

This upcoming Friday, Luke and I will be heading out to GA to visit one of my former students who is now attending Berry College. We are excited about this being that Luke and I LOVE visiting college campuses! And of course, I love the student that we will be visiting! Should be a nice get-away. We are actually thinking about taking the dogs with us-should be an interesting adventure. Especially since last weekend when we went over to my parents house, they came with us and decided to be NAUGHTY! They decided it was a good idea to jump out of the car without leashes and in turn, run around everywhere, sending Luke and I on a wild goose chase. After hitting the concrete (yes me-nothing new-I fall all the time) and banging up my knee pretty good, they made it into the house safely. So again, should be an interesting trip!

Ok, I'm off to either watch some football, read, or nap-can't decide!

Cooking

So, I sit here at home while Luke is finishing the paper that we both have due tomorrow. Lucky for me, I am done!

Anyway, as I sit here, I can't help but thinking that I really want to start cooking more. You know, a few weeks ago I told Luke that I wanted to get a casserole dish along with a crock pot and his response was, "Who are you and what have you done with my wife?" Of course, I couldn't help but to crack up!

The truth of the matter is, I really want to start cooking some easy, nutritious meals for Luke and I-but I have no clue where to start! I need help!! Any ideas?

Stomach Issues

Well, here I am in bed, dealing with stomach issues. Yesterday, Luke and I had the opportunity to go observe another school with our headmaster, elementary principal, and elementary curriculum coordinator. The school we visited was in St. Pete and the reason we went was to see how they "survived" accreditation and in turn, what their research project was on . You know, maybe I'm a nerd at heart, but I LOVE visiting other schools and seeing how they do things-it always excites me about the possibilities we have at our school. The school I work at is accredited, but we just have to go through the process again.

Anyway, after visiting the school, we all went to eat at Applebee's in order to discuss our thoughts. Needless to say, I ended up having Quesadillas (SP?) that just tore my stomach up. I literally thought I was going to hurl at the restaurant. Of course, I looked at Luke and was like, we need to go. Nothing like ending a good time by being the one who tells everyone, if I don't go, I may be hurling in here.

So, needless to say, I'm still trying to get over this deal. Of course, I've had lots of people question whether or not I am pregnant-NO I'M NOT! :)

Last weekend Luke and I were at the Westgate resort with his family. It was so nice to just get away. I think what I love the most about getting away is that not only do you feel as though you are on vacation, but you can make a mess and it's actually ok-you don't have to worry about cleaning up. A great time was had by all.

This Saturday, Luke and I will be heading over to Tampa to visit a couple of recent graduates who are now attending school there.-The University of Tampa. Luke and I will also be visiting my cousin and her boyfriend who live in the area also. We are looking forward to it!

There's our life in a nutshell again. I think I better go rest my stomach again. It's starting to cramp! Yay!

Another Weekend

It's been a pretty good weekend! Friday, I had the opportunity to go to the State University Admissions Tour at UCF. All Florida state universities were represented by the director of admissions. It was really great because it just confirmed what I have been telling parents and students for I don't know how long-students need to take rigorous courses that require critical thinking skills in reading and writing! One of the points they made is that students are hitting college campuses totally unprepared for what lies ahead academically and socially. Thus, it just confirmed the reasoning why I push my students to work so hard and in turn, why I'm so passionate about assisting students in knowing who they are and how God has uniquely created them so that when they do hit the college campus, they are fully aware of what direction they are to walk in at that point in their life.

Friday night I went to the Foundation football game-we lost, again. I do hope we can get on a winning streak here soon! Saturday, Luke and I did things around the house and then, we had our cable reinstalled!! I know this made Luke very happy. We did have basic cable but you know, it's football season, so, it was time to reinstall it. Then, Saturday night we went out to eat at PF Chang's with some friends. It was GOOD!! It's been forever since Luke and I had been there. We had a gift certificate to use, so it was all good!

Today, we went to church, did some yard work, and now, here I am. Trying to gear up for the work week. Next weekend Luke and I get to go to the Westgate Towers resort in Orlando! We are so excited! Luke's parents will be there for some kind of reunion and we get to tag along for free-so needless to say, we are looking forward to it!

Ok, I better run! Hope all of you are doing well!

People

So, here I sit watching TV and you know, I just can't help getting upset with the way people treat each other. Let me explain.

I have been watching the nightly news with Charles Gibson who is "interviewing" Sarah Palin. You know, as he talks with her and asks her questions, I can't help but get upset with his facial expressions. Each time she talks, he makes these facial expressions that read, "you don't know what you are talking about", "this is going in one ear and out the other", "how can I corner you", "are you done yet". You know, it just annoys me. Why can't we just treat each other with respect?

Second, as many of you know, there is all kinds of outrage with the Caylee Anthony case. Well, people have begun literally camping out in front of the Anthony home. People have actually gotten into fist fits in front of the house. People are there camping out protesting the family, the case, etc. The news media actually showed a family going to the front door of the house banging on it demanding answers. Who do these people think they are?

I just don't understand people who feel the need to just be rude to people. It drives me crazy. It drives me crazy when people think they can just spat off rude comments about other people. I saw this today with one of my former seniors. The comment she has on her facebook profile about someone else, just deeply saddened my heart. Who do we think we are that we can just be rude and make comments about people when the reality is, we have no clue as to what they are going through or experiencing?

It reminds me of when my students were talking about the death of Anna Nicole Smith and a few students actually said that she deserved to die. WOW! Of course when I heard that, my lesson plans went out the door. We immediately had a "teaching moment" on Jesus and the woman that was caught in adultery who was also viewed as someone who deserved to die. Gosh, who do we think we are that we can make comments and statements like this?

I don't know, but it just really bothers me. It's like people who are rude to the waiter or waitress that may be having a bad day, or the waiter or waitress who gets the order wrong. I don't know how many times I've heard "Christians" state that that person is not getting a tip because they messed up! UGH!! Again, we have no idea as to what that person is going through. Instead of taking away the few bucks that could literally make or break them, why not offer to pray for that person? Maybe that's what they need-someone that actually cares.

Anyway, I just had to let it out. I must say, this is probably one of my biggest pet peeves. It's drives me crazy!

Ok, I'm done now!

Down with the Cold

Well, even though I didn't want it, I got it-the dreaded cold! I am doing better today, although, it is still no fun.

Luke left this afternoon for the middle school retreat. Poor guy, he is just worn out. The good news is, he will be back tomorrow evening. While he's gone, I'm hoping to get in some reading and quiet time. I have to admit, I'm really yearning for the word of God. I think I'm really looking for Him to just speak to me. I have a lot of thoughts on my mind and I guess I would just really like to hear from Him.

This past Friday I had the opportunity to take a group of students to Leadership Rocks which is hosted by Jay Strack and Student Leadership University. This organization is amazing. What I'm really excited about is the fact that Foundation Academy will begin a Student Leadership Institute within the year and I have the opportunity of helping head this thing up. So, needless to say, I really need to hear from God as to how this "thing" will look on our campus.

I came across this scripture today that I just absolutely love. Romans 12:1-2:

"Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."

I LOVE this scripture because it's so true! I know from personal experience that so many times I get boggled down into my everyday, ordinary life and in turn, I don't even think about how God may be using me or wants to use me. I tend to focus the on the ordinary without realizing what it is that God wants to do in my life. I tend to focus on everything that has to get done without realizing what a joy that stuff can be. As the scripture states, I become so well-adjusted that I just fit in and do without giving any of it any thought. I instead, don't focus on God and in turn, am not changed from the inside out.

I don't know about you, but is not the kind of life I want. I want to wake up each morning ready for God to do what He wants to do in my life. I want to realize the big and little things that God is doing within my ordinary life. And you know what's crazy, so many times what we tend to view as ordinary, God views as extraordinary. Oh that I may realize this on a consistent basis.

Ok, I think that's enough of my rambling. I'm off to do a tad bit more writing and reading of my Bible.

Jen :)

Thoughts on Presidential Election

The past few days have been great! Luke and I were in Boca Raton Friday night for the high school football game. We ended up winning in the last five minutes of the game. Our boys raised the score from six points to 23 points-two touchdowns in the last five minutes of the game. Amazing!

On Saturday we spent some time with Luke's parents and his brother's family in addition to going over to Palm Beach Atlantic University to visit one of my senior graduates. Sunday we hung out with my brother and his wife and then on Monday, we just did some things around town. All in all, it was a great weekend.

As I sit here at home I can't help but think about the Republican Convention tonight. You know, as I read the comments of others regarding who they are voting for, the reasons, etc., I can't help but be saddened by the "comments" everyone makes against this person, that person, that stance, etc. Now, I definitely have my own ideas and opinions and in turn, know who I will be voting for come November, but what really bothers me is the division amongst Christians. You know, while I do tend to think who would be best, is it really worth getting in to arguments with people about who's right and who's wrong?

All I can say is, we need to live as Christ would have us live. We need to be against those things that Jesus was against-those things that sadden His heart. With that being said, we also need to be for the things that Christ is for. If we question what it is that Christ is for and against, all we need to do is look into His Word. In many circumstances, He was very clear as to His stance. As Christ followers, we need to live as Jesus lived. End of story!

Time for Change

Well, as you can see-I have officially changed the name of my blog! While it's not much of a creative name, I do like it better than "The Life of Luke and Jen". I'm also thinking that I am going to update this blog even more in order to make it look better. Anna from Innovative Impulses always does my web work for me and she always does a TERRIFIC job! So, I think I might have to get her to play around with this to make it look even better!

Things in Orlando are going well. Luke and I have REALLY been enjoying our break between classes. It's so nice to wake up on a Saturday not having to worry about school work. While that is the good news of the whole school process, the bad news is that I will most likely not finish my dissertation until the end of the summer in 2009. As many of you know, my dissertation is going to focus on how a college/career mini-course will affect students. My original plan was to have a mini-study in January. As time has moved on, the student advisor at my place of employment has some stuff that she would like to do with students also during the summer. So, to make a long story short, we have decided to team up and just have an INCREDIBLE "camp college" mini-study at the beginning of the summer in 2009. I have no doubt that the study will be great, but it will just prolong the graduation along with costing me more money. Such is life. Of course, our goal is to make this mini-study absolutely outstanding that in the future, we will have a waiting list. I see no reason why this won't happen. We are excited about the possibilities.

In my last post, I talked about the possibility of me going to England in March with some of my students to see things like Shakespeare's home, the Globe Theatre, Bronte Museum, etc. Well, the GREAT news is that it is happening! I'm going to England in March and I CAN'T WAIT!! How awesome it will be to be able to see the things I teach to my seniors and AP students. I truly can't wait! March can't come quick enough!

Ok, that should do it for now. I must get to bed! More to come soon!

Jen