Friday, December 6, 2013
A Different Way to Look at a Classroom
This is so exciting! A teacher in my school and I went to an amazing session at the middle school conference on student ownership. At the end of the session Phil and I were FIRED UP!! He came back and began implementing this whole idea of standards mastery in his classroom. Kids work at their own pace, and don't move on to the next standard until they have mastered it. This was a typical day in a first hour class. Talk about engagement. Talk about meaningful academic conversations. Talk about kids owning their own learning. I CANNOT stop talking about it.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Core Values Exercise
Last winter I had dinner with an old friend. We talked about an activity she had done to help her identify her core values. Through the activity, she was able to construct a mission statement for her life. I loved the idea, and asked her if I could try it. She sent me the information immediately, and I was excited to do it. True to form, I procrastinated doing it for months. In fact, until today. I am having dinner with this friend again, and couldn't show up without having completed this activity.
I spent a few hours doing it, and am quite pleased with the results. It's important to identify what you believe in, and why! Here are the results:
I spent a few hours doing it, and am quite pleased with the results. It's important to identify what you believe in, and why! Here are the results:
Kari's Core Values
*Spirituality: My faith is an integral part of who I am. I've seen God work mightily in my life and those around me.
*Family: My family unit is such a gift. Time spent with family energizes me and brings me great joy.
*Humor: Humor is what tempers life's situations. It keeps me sane throughout this journey!
*Honestly: Honesty is an imperative. To be honest in all situations, and to expect honestly from those around me is vital. Say what you mean, mean what you say!
*Passion: Passion plays out in all things I do and am. Living a passionate life makes life vibrant and worthwhile.
*Diversity: Equity work is a life's passion. Understanding how my perspectives are limited, and can color how I view others and the world around me is a key component in looking at others.My point of view is not the only perspective, and not necessarily the right one.
This activity challenged me to show these values to friends and family to see if others around me see me the way I see myself. So, here you go: What do you think? Is this me?
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
We Don’t See Racism? | Teaching Tolerance
My assistant principal sent this out today to our Equity Team at school.
I think it's excellent food for thought.
We Don’t See Racism? | Teaching Tolerance
I think it's excellent food for thought.
We Don’t See Racism? | Teaching Tolerance
Monday, July 30, 2012
Summer
Today consists of the gym, making pasta for dinner, and sitting by the pool. I may meet a few friends for happy hour later.
I plan to spend some quality time with my book by the pool!
Friday sees us leaving for San Diego for a conference.
I LOVE SAN DIEGO!!
After we get back, I'm working at least 3 days a week until school officially starts.
Having summers off is a beautiful gift!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
More Joy
Today Chloe is over 30 days sober. I think more like 36 to be exact.
Chloe spent the last 29 days at a residential treatment facility in Pine City, MN. 93 miles away from home.I have watched my daughter go from lackluster to serene and clear. She is in such a great place! It's amazing to talk to her; to hear her talk about the future!
I am so proud of Chloe, and the work she is going through to find herself. I cannot imagine how hard it has been for her to be away and in that facility for these last 29 days.
There has been so many people lifting her up in prayer! It's phenomenal to see God work in Chloe.
We went to Chloe's graduation ceremony last night. It was fantastic to see the varied women at the facility rally around Chloe, and give her advice and support!
On Friday Chloe comes home. I am so excited to have her back home. I have really missed calling her whenever I want to. I have missed going out to coffee. I have missed just chilling out at home together.
Please keep Chloe in your prayers as she transitions back into life. Pray for strength for her as well as opportunities to move forward in her life. Her number one goal at this point is to find a job.
Thanks to all of you who have been lifting Chloe up in prayer of the past 30 days, and earlier!!
Our God is Great!
Chloe spent the last 29 days at a residential treatment facility in Pine City, MN. 93 miles away from home.I have watched my daughter go from lackluster to serene and clear. She is in such a great place! It's amazing to talk to her; to hear her talk about the future!
I am so proud of Chloe, and the work she is going through to find herself. I cannot imagine how hard it has been for her to be away and in that facility for these last 29 days.
There has been so many people lifting her up in prayer! It's phenomenal to see God work in Chloe.
We went to Chloe's graduation ceremony last night. It was fantastic to see the varied women at the facility rally around Chloe, and give her advice and support!
On Friday Chloe comes home. I am so excited to have her back home. I have really missed calling her whenever I want to. I have missed going out to coffee. I have missed just chilling out at home together.
Please keep Chloe in your prayers as she transitions back into life. Pray for strength for her as well as opportunities to move forward in her life. Her number one goal at this point is to find a job.
Thanks to all of you who have been lifting Chloe up in prayer of the past 30 days, and earlier!!
Our God is Great!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
When it Rains.....
When it rains, it pours.
Not only am I on day 5 of being sick, but yesterday our water heater went out. Hole in the bottom, needs to be replaced. Because I don't know this type of stuff, I called Jon (the ex), and asked him where I should go to get a new one. Lo and behold, his company has them and installs them. What an answer to prayer. He also said he would give it to me at employee pricing. So, this morning Jon and Seth drained and took out our old water heater, so that the technician who is to put in the new water heater, wouldn't have to clock hours to charge me for it. Nice, right? Seth hung around and worked with Don, the technician. While they were working on the installation of the water heater, the furnace came on.
Our furnace is is old and when it starts up, it makes a ridiculous sound. I know this, and it's been like this for a long time. Don, being a professional, decided he had better take a look at the furnace, because it shouldn't sound like that. His inspection revealed that there are several holes in the heat exchanger. (If I said that wrong...go ahead and laugh!) Don immediately disconnected the heater and put a CONDEMNED sticker across the heater.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??
After the technician left, Jon called me and apologized, but asked me what we wanted to do. Honestly? What were my options? You hear the stories on the news: the families who die from Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Unsafe levels of c02. What options do we even have?
I sent a quick email to Angela, who said she was going to lunch and would call me when she got back.
In the meantime, the house is getting colder and colder.
So here I am in my raspy sick person voice, telling Jon that I guess we don't have a choice. We need to replace our 20 year old heater. Of course I'm not feeling well, I'm stressed about all this money that we have to come up with. So, I'm crying on the phone, telling Jon that I guess we have to replace the furnace. I was just sobbing on the phone. Not exactly my finest moment.
SO, now I have two gentlemen in the basement working on tearing out the old furnace and getting ready to put in a new one.
Such are the joys of home ownership. I don't know how I will be able to afford all this, but I do know that there were no options.
So, I guess the way to look at this through the lens of divine intervention. Had Don not heard that noise, we could have all not woken up some morning.
SO, while we are not looking forward to paying for a new furnace and water heater, but realize that these are the joys of home ownership!
Never a dull day!
Not only am I on day 5 of being sick, but yesterday our water heater went out. Hole in the bottom, needs to be replaced. Because I don't know this type of stuff, I called Jon (the ex), and asked him where I should go to get a new one. Lo and behold, his company has them and installs them. What an answer to prayer. He also said he would give it to me at employee pricing. So, this morning Jon and Seth drained and took out our old water heater, so that the technician who is to put in the new water heater, wouldn't have to clock hours to charge me for it. Nice, right? Seth hung around and worked with Don, the technician. While they were working on the installation of the water heater, the furnace came on.
Our furnace is is old and when it starts up, it makes a ridiculous sound. I know this, and it's been like this for a long time. Don, being a professional, decided he had better take a look at the furnace, because it shouldn't sound like that. His inspection revealed that there are several holes in the heat exchanger. (If I said that wrong...go ahead and laugh!) Don immediately disconnected the heater and put a CONDEMNED sticker across the heater.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??
After the technician left, Jon called me and apologized, but asked me what we wanted to do. Honestly? What were my options? You hear the stories on the news: the families who die from Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Unsafe levels of c02. What options do we even have?
I sent a quick email to Angela, who said she was going to lunch and would call me when she got back.
In the meantime, the house is getting colder and colder.
So here I am in my raspy sick person voice, telling Jon that I guess we don't have a choice. We need to replace our 20 year old heater. Of course I'm not feeling well, I'm stressed about all this money that we have to come up with. So, I'm crying on the phone, telling Jon that I guess we have to replace the furnace. I was just sobbing on the phone. Not exactly my finest moment.
SO, now I have two gentlemen in the basement working on tearing out the old furnace and getting ready to put in a new one.
Such are the joys of home ownership. I don't know how I will be able to afford all this, but I do know that there were no options.
So, I guess the way to look at this through the lens of divine intervention. Had Don not heard that noise, we could have all not woken up some morning.
SO, while we are not looking forward to paying for a new furnace and water heater, but realize that these are the joys of home ownership!
Never a dull day!
Monday, January 30, 2012
A Mother's Joy
As I write this post, my youngest son Luke, is in a residential treatment facility in Chisago Lakes, MN.
We've been working on trying to get Luke help for his drug addiction for quite some time. It's been a slow progression on this downward trajectory for many years. Things got quite out of control over the past 10 months, where we realized that he needed more help than we could give him.
Those who know my story, know that I've had a very tumultuous relationship with Luke for the last 8 years. He has had the hardest time moving forward after the divorce, and has let much of his anger fester in his heart. Add this to anxiety and lots of opportunities to make his own decisions, and it was a recipe for disaster.
We had tried this whole rehab thing before in October, but it was not successful. Neither Jon nor Luke were quite ready for it, and things went back to the way they were before, only much worse. So, on Friday, January 20th, we drove Luke back down to Fairview Riverside's locked chemical dependency unit, and we admitted Luke for 5 days. During this time we had no contact with him. We really wanted him to dig deep within himself to see just how far he had fallen.
This seems like it was a good approach to take, and Luke is now at Chisago Lakes for 28 days. He will get out on February 22nd.
While we continue to be cautions, Luke seems to be taking this all very seriously. He is owning his addictions, realizing just how far he has fallen, and working hard to mend relationships that he has been destroying over the years. We see the hand of God all over this! One answer to prayer has been Luke's openness to me. He said that he realizes that he has shut me out and held on to resentment. He told me that he misses me and just wants to spend time with me, make up for all the time that was lost over the last many years. These are words I had begun to think I would never hear from this son. There is no doubt that the Lord is at work in Luke's heart!
Speaking of heart, the heart picture at the top is a craft that Luke made for me. The morning that we picked him up at the hospital to bring him to the rehab facility, he gave it to me. He had made it in the hospital. He told me that the multiple colors of pink and red were to signify the many layers and difficulties that our relationship has gone through. The blue bead in the middle represents Luke. He told me that he was in the middle of my heart.
"But it goes both ways Mom. That blue dot also represents you. You are in the middle of my heart too...forever!" Yes, there were tears.
Luke is working hard daily in the facility. He is committed to sobriety, and reclaiming his life. He greatly appreciates all your prayers, so please keep them coming!
God DOES answer prayers.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Make Crafts
I would like to spend more time making cool crafts.
Now that Ashley is here, living with us, I can see us making cool craft ideas.
I found a website that has a woman making 52 crafts in one year.
Does anybody else have a desire to make fun crafts?
Does anybody want to set aside one Saturday a month to work on some cool ideas?
Now that Ashley is here, living with us, I can see us making cool craft ideas.
I found a website that has a woman making 52 crafts in one year.
Does anybody else have a desire to make fun crafts?
Does anybody want to set aside one Saturday a month to work on some cool ideas?
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
A Few Words by Bob Lenz
I just finished an assembly program with 400 junior high students in the state of New York. There are some days when I feel the pain of the kids that I speak to more than others. Today is one of those days. I can’t stop crying. I can’t stop hurting. It’s like I feel what they’re feeling, and I sense the hopeless of their questions, “Why not just die? Why not just end it all?”
In my assembly program I talked about bullying and showing respect. A boy that is in a special needs class came up to me afterwards and started sharing about how others call him retarded and make fun of him. He shared about a class that he said would probably be his favorite, but he hates going because he feels so bad about himself when people make fun of him and put him down.
Then a sharp-looking red-headed kid with freckles all over his face came up to me. I imagined that he should have had the bubbly joy of my daughter Joyel, but instead I saw pain in his eyes. The pain reminded me of a victim of war, which wasn’t far from reality for him. People ridiculed and laughed at him, calling him unspeakable names. While waiting at the bus stop, kids would throw rocks and make fun of him. He feels like he’s all alone. “What do I do,” he asked? “How do I deal with it when they call me these names?”
All I could wonder is, “Where are the followers of Jesus that will stand up for the least of these? Who is there to love, encourage, and tell him he’s been made in the image of God? Who is there to give him hope?”
Then a senior in high school came up to me. I was surprised to see a high school student among all these junior high kids. It turned out he was there because he was tutoring a photography class for 6th graders. His name was Josh. I’m not sure how to say this, but his attributes were a little more feminine. He began crying. “I didn’t expect to come to an assembly program today,” he said, “but it’s what I needed so bad.”
Tears streamed down his face as he began crying uncontrollably with snot coming from his nose. “I had a horrible weekend,” he continued. “Six of the jocks in school followed me to my car and called me names and kept saying I was gay, and they beat me up.” My heart sank as I watched his pain-filled face. “But the worst thing was when no one would even stop the junior high kid from spitting on me.”
No one. No one. No one deserves to be treated like this! May the people of faith be the ones that are leading the way to seek out opportunities to love, to understand, to invite, to care, to defend, and to stand for justice. Real righteousness is found when you care for the dignity of every person, even the person you disagree with.
The principal came up after witnessing those three kids talking with me. “I can’t believe the impact you just had on 400 kids, and you held their attention for 45 minutes,” he said. “They laughed and cried and absorbed every word you said. But to have them trust you so much to share these deep stories – that says a lot. This is a gift back to you, showing the difference you’re making. Thank you. This is exactly what our school needed.”
He continued to tell me there are three things the school is trying to teach students: respect for themselves, respect for others, and respect for property. “You hit every single one,” he said. “It’s like you designed this talk for our school, and we want to get you in every school possible.”
Honestly, it pains my heart that we have allowed some of the struggles that these kids are dealing with to become an issue to debate, instead of loving people. No matter what stance you feel you need to take on an issue, God has commanded us to love others. There are no disclaimers. God forbid that we allow some of the struggles that these kids are facing to become a political platform, a theological issue to be debated, or something that we want to protest and picket. Because in the mean time, kids are struggling with their value and worth as others who are fueled by self-righteousness treat them as sub-human. And we silently stand by.
God help us to stand up for the value of every person.
This is what we’re called to do – to bring hope to the kids who are ready to end it all, and to challenge people to treat each other with love and respect. We get to tell people they’re valuable no matter how people rip on them, beat on them, or put them down. Thank you for supporting this ministry, and those kids, through your prayers and support. Thank you for standing with us and being another voice that wants to not only proclaim the love of Jesus, but show it.
For the Kingdom,
Bob Lenz
In my assembly program I talked about bullying and showing respect. A boy that is in a special needs class came up to me afterwards and started sharing about how others call him retarded and make fun of him. He shared about a class that he said would probably be his favorite, but he hates going because he feels so bad about himself when people make fun of him and put him down.
Then a sharp-looking red-headed kid with freckles all over his face came up to me. I imagined that he should have had the bubbly joy of my daughter Joyel, but instead I saw pain in his eyes. The pain reminded me of a victim of war, which wasn’t far from reality for him. People ridiculed and laughed at him, calling him unspeakable names. While waiting at the bus stop, kids would throw rocks and make fun of him. He feels like he’s all alone. “What do I do,” he asked? “How do I deal with it when they call me these names?”
All I could wonder is, “Where are the followers of Jesus that will stand up for the least of these? Who is there to love, encourage, and tell him he’s been made in the image of God? Who is there to give him hope?”
Then a senior in high school came up to me. I was surprised to see a high school student among all these junior high kids. It turned out he was there because he was tutoring a photography class for 6th graders. His name was Josh. I’m not sure how to say this, but his attributes were a little more feminine. He began crying. “I didn’t expect to come to an assembly program today,” he said, “but it’s what I needed so bad.”
Tears streamed down his face as he began crying uncontrollably with snot coming from his nose. “I had a horrible weekend,” he continued. “Six of the jocks in school followed me to my car and called me names and kept saying I was gay, and they beat me up.” My heart sank as I watched his pain-filled face. “But the worst thing was when no one would even stop the junior high kid from spitting on me.”
No one. No one. No one deserves to be treated like this! May the people of faith be the ones that are leading the way to seek out opportunities to love, to understand, to invite, to care, to defend, and to stand for justice. Real righteousness is found when you care for the dignity of every person, even the person you disagree with.
The principal came up after witnessing those three kids talking with me. “I can’t believe the impact you just had on 400 kids, and you held their attention for 45 minutes,” he said. “They laughed and cried and absorbed every word you said. But to have them trust you so much to share these deep stories – that says a lot. This is a gift back to you, showing the difference you’re making. Thank you. This is exactly what our school needed.”
He continued to tell me there are three things the school is trying to teach students: respect for themselves, respect for others, and respect for property. “You hit every single one,” he said. “It’s like you designed this talk for our school, and we want to get you in every school possible.”
Honestly, it pains my heart that we have allowed some of the struggles that these kids are dealing with to become an issue to debate, instead of loving people. No matter what stance you feel you need to take on an issue, God has commanded us to love others. There are no disclaimers. God forbid that we allow some of the struggles that these kids are facing to become a political platform, a theological issue to be debated, or something that we want to protest and picket. Because in the mean time, kids are struggling with their value and worth as others who are fueled by self-righteousness treat them as sub-human. And we silently stand by.
God help us to stand up for the value of every person.
This is what we’re called to do – to bring hope to the kids who are ready to end it all, and to challenge people to treat each other with love and respect. We get to tell people they’re valuable no matter how people rip on them, beat on them, or put them down. Thank you for supporting this ministry, and those kids, through your prayers and support. Thank you for standing with us and being another voice that wants to not only proclaim the love of Jesus, but show it.
For the Kingdom,
Bob Lenz
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Summer
Oh how I love summer!
Today, my goal is to read, write and do some cleaning!
Maybe posting this will make me do it!
In other words, get off the stinking computer!
Today, my goal is to read, write and do some cleaning!
Maybe posting this will make me do it!
In other words, get off the stinking computer!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Osama Bin Laden is Dead!
Last night we were informed that Navy Seals had killed Osama Bin Laden. While many cheer, I still realize this is a person, and cheering at his death might make us no better than the terrorists. On the other hand, I guess it's hard for me to truly wrap my mind around the war on terror.
Mostly what I want to know is this: What's Next?
Is the war over? Did we win? Will Al Qaeda disband?
My guess is NO!
No to all of them.
I would love to see this as a time when the United States unites. There has been SO MUCH dissension in our country. There have been embarrassing controversies over Obama's birth certificate. Right Wing vs. Liberal.
I am just as guilty at times.
Hoping this can bring us all together today!
Friday, March 25, 2011
A Father Gives Good Gifts
For my quiet time, I am going through The One Year Book of Hope by Nancy Guthrie.
This was a devotional I really wanted to go through as I work to move past the heartbreaks in my life.
I have spent years begging and pleading to God about my kids. I have cried out to him to bring Luke back to me. I have yelled at God for Luke not being with me instead of Jon, as I am obviously the better parent. I have cursed God for his unwillingness to answer my prayers. I have prayed, and prayed and prayed. Relentlessly!!!
Today in my quiet time I read this:
"I recognize that as much as I might want God to give me what I ask for, I trust that my heavenly Father know what is best. Sometimes his "good gifts" don't appear that way to my limited perspective. He gives me broccoli when I want ice cream. Sometimes he uses frustrating circumstances, unwarranted criticism, or disappointing delays to develop in me the good gifts of patience and humility. He calls me to trust him, to know that he is my wise and loving Father, and my ultimate good is his heart's greatest desire.
Would you be willing to stop pounding on heaven's door, to stop begging for God to give you what you believe is best,and to open your hands to receive the good gifts your heavenly Father wants to give to you?"
WHOA!!
Am I willing to STOP POUNDING, TO STOP BEGGING FOR GOD TO GIVE ME WHAT I WANT??? Is he giving me broccoli when I am asking for ice cream?
Yes!
Yes Lord. I will stop begging. I will stop pounding...and rest on the promises that YOU HAVE GOOD GIFTS to give to me. I am ready to receive them!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
SBC
Throwing their heads back; mouths open
Trying to catch a breath
Common experiences
Uncommon backgrounds
Centered around a book
Which may or may not have been read
Tears shared openly
Sisterhood across the ages
Limitless friendships
Tied together forever
SBC
Trying to catch a breath
Common experiences
Uncommon backgrounds
Centered around a book
Which may or may not have been read
Tears shared openly
Sisterhood across the ages
Limitless friendships
Tied together forever
SBC
Monday, March 14, 2011
The Beauty of Facebook
Those who know me well, know how much I LOVE the internet, and technology!
Through the beauty of Facebook, I have been able to connect with people that I would NEVER otherwise have contact with. Jodi Picoult and Chevy Stevens are two people in that category.
Tonight I spent several hours working on writing.
At one point, while I was off task, I sent Chevy an email asking for advice. Within a VERY short amount of time, I had a reply:
Kari Henderson Simonson
Through the beauty of Facebook, I have been able to connect with people that I would NEVER otherwise have contact with. Jodi Picoult and Chevy Stevens are two people in that category.
Tonight I spent several hours working on writing.
At one point, while I was off task, I sent Chevy an email asking for advice. Within a VERY short amount of time, I had a reply:
Kari Henderson Simonson
- Chevy Stevens Hi Kari. I set myself little goals, like I am allowed to check at a certain time, or after I finish so many pages or words. I try to get most of my emailing and blog/Facebook stuff done when I'm having my first cup of tea in the morning. Then I have a five page a day rule. I try really hard--unless it's an important email--to stay of the Internet until I've finished my pages. Then after that I can still work, editing or marketing, while allowing myself little breaks to play on Facebook etc. Good luck!
- I feel quite blessed to have so much access to people, whose opinions I truly respect. For those of you who DON'T KNOW Chevy Stevens...check out her book Still Missing!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
WINNING!!!
Charlie Sheen is all over the place. His downfall is the topic of conversation for so many peoples. The man is literally imploding upon himself. I feel afraid for Charlie Sheen. I feel terrible for his children. I wonder what the "Goddesses" are thinking through this whole thing?
I pray that Charlie can survive this! I pray that he can come out the other side with more clarity and deeper understanding about who he is!
I pray that Charlie can survive this! I pray that he can come out the other side with more clarity and deeper understanding about who he is!
Charlie Sheen on 20/20
Charlie Sheen Quotes
Charlie Sheen on Twitter
Charlie Sheen in Major League
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