A lot of nothing...

There are a million things I could, and possibly should have, done tonight. But I didn't. Normally when I blog and say I sat around and did nothing it means...

• came home
  
• changed clothes
  
• cleaned up the apartment
• laundry
  
• made a real dinner
• sorted through e-mails and facebook messages
  
• read blogs
• made some phone calls
• read or watched TV/movie
  
• blogged
• go to bed
  

Yes I know that really isn't nothing but for me it is. However, tonight I did much less.

• warmed up leftovers
• read a few blogs and facebook messages
• watched tv (three cheers for The Office!)
  
• blogged

That will probably be the closest I'll ever get to nothing. It was wonderful but there is no way I can do it often. I feel like I wasted so much work time. I guess I'm starting to get this idea of down time. May be by the time I'm 80 I'll have it.

Just for laughs...

Only about two of you will even get the humor of this but I don't care. I was reading David Joe's blog tonight and he mentioned Sweetwater's Donut Mill in Kalamazoo. I've only been there once with the camp staff. The following conversation took place during that visit. But first a little background info.

1. I can't eat wheat, which includes donuts and communion bread.
2. Before I take communion I always pray that the wheat won't cause me a ton of pain for then next 2-3 weeks.
   
3. I had just finished doing a huge study on transubstantiation in one of my seminary classes.

Sarah: I don’t think any of these are good for you and not just because I can’t eat it.
Heidi: When we want your opinion we’ll ask for it.
Kelly: Yeah we aren’t allergic to wheat.
Sarah: Well I’m giving it anyway.
Heidi: And you can eat it but you are choosing not to.
Sarah: I could eat it but I don’t want to die.
Kelly: I don’t feel like spending the night at the hospital either. May be you should pray, like you do for communion.
Heidi: That is a good idea.
Kelly: Oh hey! Transubstantiation! Look I’m eating flesh not wheat.

--------------------------------------------------

Another funny quote from that same week.

Sarah: It isn't clergy appreciation month is it? (after reading newspaper) Hmm…well I guess it is.
Kelly: Thanks for being a clergy.
Sarah: Umm…I don’t think you can say that.
Kelly: Sure I can. If not thanks for being a member of the clerg.

Colossians Journey Class

I just finished my first adult journey class, taught by my good friend, Jason Miller. I'm proud of him. He did an incredible job teaching and leading us this month. Here are some highlights.

• You might be running interference so others are safer for the moment. (1:24-25)
• If you want to grow in Christ you have to connect in different ways.
• Everything is measured by Christ.
• We are tempted to think Christ isn't enough. (2:16-23)
• To be "in Christ" is to be YOU. You don't lose your personality. Your character might need to change.
• We know we are in Christ and we know who Christ is...so what?! (Chapter 3)
• We tend to keep things just below the surface. Still does no good.
• The line between good and evil never runs through us and them but always through the center of ourselves. (Some Russian dude whose name I don't remember.)
• We should love each other in a way that calls out the the best in each other. (3:18-4:1)
• Need to go from our knees to our feet. Prayer to Action (4:2-5)
  

Another Opinion

Yes, this is yet another post about the Beautiful series from NewSpring. I thought some of you might want a second opinion. So go check out Allison's blog and her thoughts on week 1 of the series. But really I think you should just check it out for yourself.

Great Messages, Charlie Brown and Football

I listened to week two of NewSpring's Beautiful series tonight. There is a small group of us who are going to listen to the entire series. I'm sure it will prompt some great conversations. So far I've been challenged in several ways.

I watched It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown tonight. I love Charlie Brown. There are a couple clips that may be useful in a message or two at some point. I might even blog about one of those clips later this week if there is time.

I used a football analogy with my 8th graders today in class. The first class laughed at me as I tried to act out the idea without a football. So over my plan time I went and got a football. I asked one of the football players in the second class to help me demonstrate. They loved it and were shocked at my knowledge of football. They laughed...a lot!!! This is probably one of my better ideas in teaching. However, the flutes did not like me comparing their part to the role of the cheerleaders.

A Little Rant...

Okay God. What is this? A funny joke? Because I'm not laughing. Snow in October? A forecast of 60 degree temperature in a few days? Is that just to tease us? I'm not ready for this. I need time to prepare. I need warmer clothes, more blankets and more tea. I'm not ready I tell you!

Don't you remember that year I prayed you wouldn't let it snow until after my birthday? You have to remember that one because around 7 PM on the night of my birthday you sent the first snowfall of the season. It was the greatest birthday present ever. Why can't you do that every year? What a great tradition you could start! I would be completely okay with it.

I'm not prepared and I can't change what is falling from the sky, so I'll add a few more layers, curl up in my bed and thank you for the changing seasons. I'll thank you for the reminder that once I was without life, cold, afraid and alone and you were quick to rescued me. But I'll be honest and still tell you I'm not thrilled with the snow. Please bring summer quickly!!!!


Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds. In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence. Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.
Hosea 6:1-3

A Series to Follow

I've heard several messages about women. Most of them include all kinds of thoughts about being submissive or being a great wife or mother. Very few of them touch on the fact that God is where we find out identity and our worth is greater than we even start to imagine. I've been trying to think of message I heard growing up that included anything close to that and I can't.

This evening I was listening to first message in NewSpring's Beautiful series, which is all about how God views women. It was great message for anyone, not just women. As I listened, I kept coming back to our GSM students. I pray our girls understand how much they are loved.

You can check out the message here or on NewSpring's podcast.

Too tired to blog...

I can't explain how tired I am right now. Evidently living outside your shape may be stretching but is also incredibly exhausting. Spending an entire weekend without any definite plans in one of the most nerve wracking things I've lately. It was a great weekend though. My family is fun. You can read my twitter to find out more about the weekend. I'm too tired to blog about it and I forgot my camera so there isn't as much motivation.

Speaking of SHAPE...we kicked off our new series at GSM tonight. Square Peg Round Hole...Find Your Fit. Seth and DC kicked of tonight teaching about how God created us with a unique SHAPE. And of course Jeff gave everyone The Box Challenge. It is going to be a super fun series. Come join us!!!

Secret Plans...Part 2

Two reasons for keeping this weekend's plans a secret.
1. I'm surprising the person/people I'm going to see and they may just read this blog.
2. I don't really know what we're doing. This is a weekend of playing everything by ear. Eeek!

I enjoyed having the afternoon off and took a nap. The nap was much longer than planned so I'm behind schedule and didn't get as much done around the apartment as I wanted. Like any road trip, the iPod is charged and the bag is packed. A few quick errands and I'm off...to take over the world.

...or to Sonic...

Isn't that just like God?!

Afternoon conferences are the worst! I sit in my room alone bored out of my mind. No one ever comes to see the band director. This afternoon was no different. But then this happened.

Miss Koutz: (in my head) Man I wish that group of students were here to just hang out. Imagine if they started living for Jesus. I guess I'll pray for them. God, student #1 and student #2 need you...

Student #1 & #2: MISS KOUTZ!!! We came to hang out with you.

Miss Koutz: That is awesome!!!! Seriously, I was just thinking about you guys. I'm so excited you guys are here.

Isn't that just like God?! You guys know I'm not good enough to make that one up. They stuck around for about an hour and helped me with some things in the room. We continued an earlier conversation about GSM. I love how God opens doors. I have such awesome students!!!!

Off the top of my head...

Jon I'm so glad you got my vague Pinky and the Brain reference. Love that show!

Unlike some of you assumed, my secret plans have nothing to do with boy. Good effort kids. My secret plans to take over the world will start at Sonic with a strawberry limeade...during happy hour!!!!

I'm completely exhausted. Why am I still up? I had more parents come to conferences today than I have in my entire teaching career 0r at least close to it! And, praise Jesus, they all went well.

I started a new healthier diet this week that includes actually eating breakfast. I actually did that for the first time today. Not off to a good start.

I finally broke down and turned the heat on today. Growing up we waited as long as possible to turn it on, all in an effort to save money. We don't pay for our heat but it is still ingrained in my mind.

If you have enjoyed the random comments from my students check out this blog. Students Say the Darndest Things is a collection of quotes from different student ministries. I love it!

I spent 12 hours at work today. That is too much! Praise God for a half day tomorrow. I can clean my apartment!

Secret Plans...

I received the official word today that the high school retreat this weekend was canceled. Disappointing. I was really looking forward to meeting up with some campers and former students but that will have to happen through other means.

I couldn't handle the thought of a free weekend so I made plans. Top secret plans...to take over the world!!!!

2nd Quarter Goals

For most of you this will be a boring post. Those of you who teach will only find it slightly more interesting.

We just finished our first quarter last week. Grades were entered into the computer and parent/teacher conferences are this week. This is a perfect time to step back, evaluate, adjust and push forward. I spent some time doing that today. Here are three goals I have specifically for this quarter.

1. Quick Pacing, Adequate Content - There isn't much down time in my class. I don't like wasting time so my pacing is pretty quick. That is a good thing for middle school student...unless you push the content too fast. After grading some end of the quarter quizzes and a few playing tests I think may be going over content a little to quickly, especially in the younger grades. Or I need to adjust the way I teach the content. Time to tweak!

2. Stay on Top of Paperwork - I use to be just like my dad. Collect an assignment, grade it, record it and return it the next day. That hasn't happened once this year. I don't like that at all. The administrative paper work has piled up quicker than it should as well. No nonsense this quarter my friends!

3. Consistent Documentation Plan - One thing I often hear from colleagues is that they appreciate how well I document things. What they don't know is that all of that documentation is in the form of post-it notes, scrap paper, computer files and all sorts of random places. I'm always coming up with a new way to organize it. I try it for a week and think of something better. This quarter I have one strategy and I'll use it the entire time. Then re-evaluate and revamp. This should be fun!

Goals for the Year:
(rated on a scale of 1 -10 with 1 being complete failure and 10 being pure success)
-> Implement new approach and document once a week. - Implementing = 7 Documenting = 2
-> Make relationships a priority = 8
-> Leave work at work = 6

Chaos Theory Reflections

This series is one of the greatest student ministry series ever! We all find ourselves in that place where our plans don't meet up with God's plans. It's pure chaos and nothing makes sense. I'll be the first to admit I've been there. What do you do when your in that place? I don't have all the answers but I do this series has tons of great starting points. The progression of the series just happens to be the same progression of lessons I had to learn on my journey. Isn't that just like God?! Here's a brief look at each week.

• Week 1: Check Your Posture - Are you caught up so much in what is going on in your world that you are missing the ways God is working around you? Shift your perspective back to Him.
• Week 2: Live Out Your Responsibility - There are things that God has already called you to do despite the chaos in your life. It is easy to forget about being obedient in those areas when it feels like your world is crashing in around you. What is God calling you to be responsible with right now?
• Week 3: Wait On God - We can be so quick to just want everything fixed and back to "normal." We don't care out just so the end results get here NOW. But what about the process of getting to that end result. Perhaps that process is far more important than the actual ending point. Are you waiting patiently and learning through the process or are you complaining in hopes the end result comes quicker?
• Week 4: Trust in the Lord - God has our best interest in mind. He isn't out to make our lives miserable. Beneath all the chaos is a heart issue...trust. Do you believe that God's plan for your life is far greater than anything you can ever imagine? Are you still hanging on to your plan or are you trust God and his plan?
  

I wish someone would have sat down and shared all this with me when I was in middle school or high school. The prayer of the teaching team has been that our students have taken these four weeks to find where they are in their story and listen to what it is God is trying to say to them. Twice in the series we gave our students the space to ask God questions and to listen to him speak. How much time am I taking to listen to God?

Seriously a great series. God did awesome things!

Quick Question

Answer this question for me. What is one thing you wish you would have known or been taught about prayer when you were in high school?

Recent Discovery

I recently discovered the greatest popsicles EVER!!!! I think I could probably eat the whole box in one sitting. My favorite flavor...blueberry-lemom. Delicious!

You should try them!!!

Looking Forward...

A few things I'm looking forward to in the next couple weeks:

• Teacher Record Day - No classes tomorrow. Just a day to work on finishing grades and preparing for conferences. I'm cleaning my office!
  
• GSM! - We wrap up the Chaos Theory series talking about trust. This is going to be an incredible week.
• RLCA's High School Retreat - Next weekend I get to spend the weekend with some of my incredible people including some awesome campers!
• Parent/Teacher Conferences - Only because we have half-days. No one ever comes to see the band director during conferences so they tend to be rather boring.
• Journey Classes - We are looking at chapter 3 of Colossians next week. Have I told you how much I love that book.
  

Reflections from the Classroom

I'm pretty frustrated with how this week went. I feel like we wasted a lot of time. My pace was slower this week and we didn't cover as much as we should have. In fact I feel like I just wasted an entire week worth of rehearsals. On a better note, my advance classes have started to focus a little more. That is, those students who have actually come prepared.

I have a handful of 8th grade students that are really starting to share my vision for the year. They are in the class I thought would be the least receptive. They are incredible musicians and I hope they will encourage their classmates to move forward.

After this next week the school schedule gets a little busier. More after school rehearsals and Jazz band begins. I have a lot of work to do before then. My students are anxious for it so it should be worth it.

Tomorrow is a teacher record day. That makes me happy. I need some time to catch up on paperwork and clean my office. My desk is a disaster! The best part is that I get to sleep in an extra 30 minutes!

Not the greatest post but it is where we are at this week.

On My Mind

Lots on my mind today...that means it is time for a nice bullet list. They are my favorite.

• Good day at school despite not feeling well.
• Presidential debates make me angry.
• There are a couple friends that have been on my mind a lot lately. I miss them and hope they are doing well.
  
• Jason stole one of my illustrations I planned on using this weekend. I'm still using it.
• I'm proud of myself for setting a curfew and sticking to it tonight.
• I love the rain. It makes me smile. I love the sound of water rushing into the drains in a parking lot.
• My 8th grade students were awesome today. Both classes. My trumpet players make me laugh. My clarinet players tend to make me crazy.
• I'm wondering what the best way to invest into a couple different relationships is.
  
• I love my family. I get REALLY angry when people mistreat them.
• Why can't school start at 10 AM?
• I'm a little anxious about my message this weekend. I'm struggling with how to articulate one of my main points effectively?
• These mosquito bites are driving me nuts. I love my thinking spot but the bug bites I could have done without.
  
• I've never been so at piece with the chaos in my life. I find that interesting.
  
• Politicians know absolutely nothing about education and I can't tell you how angry it makes me. Try teaching for a year and then tell me your plan to improve our education system. In my opinion, they would never make it!
• I loved our journey class tonight. I love the book of Colossians and J is doing a great job teaching what it means to be in Christ.

My Thoughtful Spot

Winnie the Pooh had a thoughtful spot. It is where he went to think about what he wanted to do for the day. I went to one of my favorite thoughtful spots yesterday and spent a few hours talking with God about my journey, trust and this weeks GSM-Middle school message. It was amazing.

I have lots of different places I go when I need to think. Each place has it's own distinct environment. Some places can get a little noisy. Some are so quiet it kind of scares me. Some are close to my apartment and some are hours away. The thoughtful place I choose to hang out is determined by the kind of thinking that needs to be done. Do I need to write? Grade papers? Write lesson plans? Listen to God? Pray for friends?

To some it seems a little insane but it works for me. Here are a few reasons why.

• Eliminates Distractions - When I'm at home all I can think about it what needs to be done around the apartment. It overwhelms me and I get nothing done.
• Different Environment - Sometimes just the different surroundings help the creative juices flow. When I'm staring at the same walls in my apartment or office it scenery never changes.
• Simplicity - Several of my favorite thinking spots are out in the middle of no where. When I'm surrounded by God's creation in the middle of the woods or a field, life slows down. There is no cell phone reception or internet. The fast-paced culture disappears and everything just seems a little simpler.
• It's a secret! - People can't come interrupt me if they don't know where to find me. There are two or three thoughtful spots that people know about, the rest are top secret. I intend on keeping it that way so don't ask!

I think everyone needs a good thoughtful spot or two. If you don't have one, you should find one.

Cross Country Sectionals

After I was finally able to leave school today, I rushed home to quickly change clothes and head to cross country sectionals. One of our amazing GSM students, Heather, was running in the race. She did an incredible job and ran a great race for Penn. I was so proud of her. She stayed focused and pushed herself hard until the very end. Seriously, I don't know how she does it. She makes it look so easy and almost graceful.
Grant is another awesome GSM student who was suppose to run today. He runs for Clay. Unfortunately he ran the same course last week in the all-city meet and hurt his leg. Instead of sitting at home and moping about how he didn't get to run, he came to the meet and cheered on his teammates. He kept track of their times and yelled out advice as they ran by. He demonstrated well what it means to be part of a team.
As far as I know both Heather's and Grant's team made it to regionals. That made the meet even more exciting. There is a chance Grant might even be able to run if his leg has healed in time. How awesome is that!!! We are so blessed to have so many great students at GSM. I love them!!!!

Congratulations Heather and Grant!!!!

Chaos Theory

I'll probably blog about this again tonight so here is a short preview. I'm going to be speaking to our middle school students next weekend to wrap up our current series Chaos Theory. It is about the will of God and what happens when our will doesn't line up with his. What do we do when that happens. I've been working on the message most of the afternoon and am blown away by how great our God is. He never fails. Why do I always try to put my plans above his when I know his are so much greater?

I've been praying for weeks about this series. If our students can begin to wrap their hearts and minds around this concept, look out. We have such incredible students and when they start to put God's will first, no one will be able to stop them. I am confident God has huge things in store for this year.

Movie and Milk Duds

I was a little disappointed I was spending another Friday night sitting in my apartment since my plans didn't work out for the evening. I decided I would check to see what was on TV and found The Princess Bride. I love that movie. I know some of you are shocked by that.

When I was in college, one of my roommates and I would watch movies and eat popcorn and milk duds on roommate nights. I was too lazy to pop popcorn but I randomly bought a box of Milk Duds the other day. This made the decision to watch the movie much easier.

When I was in high school, my friend Pam and I watched and recited this movie all the time. Pam had the whole thing memorized. I'm not sure why we loved it so much but I still do. I wish she were hear watching with me.

There are some great quotes and I've been trying to decide which my favorite is. What's yours?

Scatterbrained

Two nights in a row of randomness means one of two things: 1) too many thoughts to share OR 2) my brain is to tired to actually write a post that makes sense. You be the judge!

• I enjoy The Office.
• I'll never forget the road trip Becky and I took a few years ago when we got stuck in traffic.
• I don't enjoy my office because my desk is a disaster.
• Miss Koutz it is a giant bumblebee!! (Insert Flight of the Bumblebee on xylophone here)
• Bouncy balls are dangerous.
• Winter is closer than I like. Some days I wish I lived in California.
• I want some pizza.
• Tomorrow is pay day.
  
• Sweetest Day = flowers on sale = fresh flowers to brighten the apartment.
• Camp...oh how I miss thee.
• Rock Lake's high school retreat is coming soon! I'm excited to do some teaching during the weekend.
• Two excited weeks of teaching coming up at GSM. I did some studying for it today.
• I heard an incredible bass and vibe solo on NPR tonight. However, the drummer was horrible. I had to change the station.
• Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!
• We found a dehydrated frog in the library this week.
• I wish I was taking another road trip this weekend.
  
• Grades are due very soon and I got nothing done tonight. Not good.
• How much am I letting the Holy Spirit guide my conversations?
• Are my priorities lined up in a way that pleases God?
• If I could tell my students one thing about prayer, what would it be?
• Surely my readers (all four of them) have some great thoughts on this. But will they comment?
• People who don't return e-mails or messages drive me nuts. I'm guilty.
• Ha remember that one time I sent myself a facebook message instead of the other person. I'm an idiot.
• Who puts salt in a caramel hot chocolate?
• I have "grading papers hair" right now.
• Spent too much money on books this week!
• TOMORROW IS FRIDAY!!!!!
  

Twins?

This is my niece Heather. Several have called her a miniature version of me. We get called by each other's names all the time. A few even call us twins. What do you think?

Scatterbrained

A look into my randomness tonight.

• Great journey class tonight. I still laugh at the fact Jason started college as a Music Ed major.
• Tyler Perry makes me laugh!
• I miss workout parties with Brooke.
• I wish I lived closer to my camp friends.
• Our students are asking some tough questions and I love it.
• I love the Cincinnati Reds but man are we a bad team.
• I don't understand everyone's love of the Cubs. I'll probably get shot for saying that.
• College football is better than professional. I know at least one person that won't like that statement.
• I wonder how many days of school. That tells me how many days before summer.
  
• Summer = camp
• Have I mentioned how much I miss camp?
• I've been thinking a lot about my GSM message in a couple weeks. It is a great topic...TRUST!
• God has been teaching me so many things in the past several months. It is a bit overwhelming.
• There are some interesting possibilities on the horizon. I'm looking forward to see what God does with those.
  
• I'm in the need of a good crunchy snack.
• Where did today go? How did it get late so fast?

Curveball

This was week two of Chaos Theory. (More on that later) Sunday night Ted lead our high school students through part of his story and what it means to live out our responsibility when chaos breaks out. He challenged us to ask God what it is we need to be responsible with in our lives. Where is God asking us to live out out responsibility? Then he gave us some space without distraction to listen and talk to God.

I went into that time fully expecting to get a certain answer. As Ted shared, I was pretty sure I knew what God was getting at. So I found my space and prayed, "God I'm pretty sure I know what you are trying to tell me but I'm going to just sit and listen. What is the one area where you are specifically asking me to live out this responsibility?" Then I listened...

WOAH! Was I ever wrong? God threw me a curve ball that I was not expecting. I liked his answer far better than mine but it sure is a lot harder. All week I've been praying for wisdom and guidance because I'm not quite sure I know how to hit this curve ball. I'm laying in bed listening to the rain fall outside my window and I'm dreaming about where God may be going with this.

It is exciting. It is nerve-wracking. I'm humbled. I feel a little inadequate...okay a lot inadequate. I'm praying God will use me and speak through me. We'll see what happens!

Road Trip Recap!!!!

How do I fit all of the excitement from this trip into one post? It was a fantastic trip and I had an incredible time.

Friday I went to Great Lakes Christian College to spend some time with some of my favorite people friends. James, Jon and I sat in the cafeteria and talked and laughed for hours. They are hilarious. You are guaranteed to do some of your hardest laughing when they are around. How I managed to not get a picture of this fun, I don't know.

Then we watched Kari dominate the volleyball court. I had dinner with Wally, Steph, Hannah and a friend from their church before it was back to the school for more volleyball and catching up with Kari.


After the tournament on Saturday, I drove to Vestaburg for the Mother-Daughter Banquet at my home church. Why I didn't get a picture of the whole family together, again, I don't know.


We had a great time but the real fun started after we got back to the house. DANCE PARTY!!! The boys were still at the movies so my nieces and I had a big dance party and we loved every minute of it.

An Alexander Day

Today was one of those days. You know...an Alexander day...a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

Even though I'm not real happy with the progress my classes are making (we are behind!), this year is leaps and bonds better than the last two years. Today, however, felt like many of the days I had in my first two years of teaching. I left school so discouraged and upset with myself. These days are very discouraging. I'm extremely grateful this is the first one I've had all year. I just don't know how to push my students past this rut.

Most of the time when I get down, I find friends to hang out with. Today, since I've not been feeling well I just wanted to go home to a quiet apartment and relax. My apartment has been far from quiet all evening. It is still loud. So I pulled out plan B, drive and pray.

I love to drive and pray. Tonight I drove through the neighborhoods my students live in and prayed for them. I know I'm not going to be the one that helps these students. Ultimately, they need Jesus. He is the greatest thing I can share with them. So that is what I prayed for.

update from the phone

The internet is out at my parents so I wasn't able to post pictures and posting from my phone is annoying. So far this has been an exciting trip. I've been hanging out with my family this evening and loving it. Full update on Monday!

The Amazing Kari

This weekend is off to a great start. I'll write more about all of that later. Tonight I want to share about my good friend, Kari. I wrote about this a little bit in a previous post but I wanted to add a few reasons why I'm proud of Kari.

• She has a full load of classes, has a job and plays on the volleyball team. All of these things she does well and to the best of her ability.
• She is a good friend. I sat and watched her interact with the girls in her dorm and smiled. She was quick to clarify misunderstandings, share a good story, make someone laugh or simply share a quick hug.
• She is living out her relationship with Christ with boldness. She isn't ashamed of what she believes and continues to stay faithful even if other friends aren't.

I'm telling you Kari is AMAZING!!!! You should meet her if you haven't.