A Mere Thought

Babysitting Eli

2008-05-31T11:06:00.000-07:00

Thanks Amanda and Wes!!! I babysat Eli last night and had a blast!! Eli is like the greatest kid on earth. He never cries. He just smiles and squeals all day long. It's awsome! I love this kid!!

Amanda and Mere's Birthdays!!!!

2008-05-16T06:42:00.000-07:00

I took off of work today to drive to Abilene for Cassie Darby's wedding shower! I can't wait to see her! Anyway, I guess my students wanted to celebrate my birthday early so they brought me some gifts. Ha ha ha....oh gosh....they are so sweet....and I had to show you some!! I love my job.

Demarcus is my 16 year old grown man in 7th grade student. He is huge and hugely gangster. He is actually scary, but he's a good kid. He was wearing this neclace, and took it off and gave it to me. I was like 'Thanks Demarcus....now, what is that exactly?" He said, "A gangster, Ms. Kalina. Happy Birthday."

Esveidy gave me this sweet, slightly used, pink frog. How sweet...

Yosbelia got me this beautiful sweater from Dress Barn. Isn't that belt just wonderful?? She told me to wear it soon.....

Brianna made this mirror for me. Isn't that the sweetest thing? I get their TAKS scores back next week...and Brianna and I are excited to see how great she did!

Amanda Tarter turned 30 on Thursday, so we went out to celebrate her birthday and mine -which is around the corner! We had a great time.....thanks to her crazy fun husband. Happy Birthday, Amanda! I'm so thankful for your friendship!

I survived the TAKS

2008-04-29T18:13:00.001-07:00

The TAKS test is over. I survived.

I hate the TAKS. It is stupid beyond belief. I hope my kids didn't all fail.

Crackhead on my Porch

2008-03-17T20:23:00.000-07:00

I'm not trying to be funny or insensitive, but yes, I found a crackhead on my way out to my portable this morning at school. I was pushing my cart o technology out to my room, looked to the right, and saw this guy....

Now, I call him a 'crackhead' because that is what all of my students called him as they came into class this morning. "Ms. Kalina...did you see the crackhead outside?" I have gotten a little bit used to the craziness of the neighborhood and situation in which I teach......the stories and attidudes and things that I see have stopped being so shocking and overwhelming. Today, though, when I saw this man...my heart broke. There are men and women in our city that are addicted, lost, homeless, hurting, pregnant at 15, angry, and hopeless. I pray that this picture forever reminds me to fight for the lives and hopes of the people I have been entrusted with. I pray that this picture refuses to let me forget to love on the people around me. God is good....and he loves that crackhead outside of my school......and he loves even me.

I promise I actually teach.

2008-03-14T22:39:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I really do teach.....I swear. But, I mean, come on...who posts videos of themselves teaching angles or the properties of multiplication? No one. Amanda, this is the kid that sang Beyonce's 'Listen' out on my portable porch when he was pissed at me. Ha ha ha....I had a small class this day because a large group of students were in an assembly so we took a few minutes to share some talent. Ha ha....sorry it's sideways...I forgot that I can't rotate. What a special character...

I also started off my Spring break heading to Atlanta with 120 of our top students for 3 days. We had a great time....I really enjoy spending time outside of school with these kids. Here are pictues of my group of girls on the trip.

Sunny South Dallas....

2008-02-19T16:18:00.000-08:00

Wow. My job is so bizzare. My students are crazy! Each day is different and full of randomness. This week has been pretty tough. I've been tired, my students have been wild and sometimes rude. BUT, something will happen everyday to remind me why I am doing what I am doing. I'm reminded that God has called me to love these crazy, wild, funny, and awesome kids. I wanted to share with you some of the students that brighten my day.....

He gets on my last nerve......but I love him to death!!

Flowin the last 3 minutes of class...

Some of My Favorite Things: Babies and Chocolate

2008-02-11T17:08:00.000-08:00

I never blog. Ever. But, I have a few extra minutes...so here I am.

Sunday was a good day. Mandi and I went to church and got to see Amanda and Eli. He is getting so big and even more adorable! He's so great. Then we played outside because the weather was so awesome. That night, we met up with Laura and Chrissy at the Melting Pot. If you haven't ever been there, you must. Chocolate. Lots of chocolate and things to dip in chocolate. Good conversation, good friends, good food. Good day.

Dave Matthews Band. Amazing!

2007-09-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

We went to the Dave concert last night, and it was awesome!! It was probably the best concert I've ever been to (and I've seen Amy Grant live) :) !!!!! He was great! Here are some pics and videos to enjoy................

Count Your Many Blessings. Name Them One By One.

2007-09-10T20:38:00.000-07:00

So, hi. Long time no talk. Amanda has been desperately prodding me to start blogging again, so here I am. Well, I started teaching 2 weeks ago, and it has been crazy. I'll write more about all of that later (when I am not super tired because I just graded 5644 papers)! But, I did want to acknowledge a blessing I got today. My portable has been surrounded by dirt for the first two weeks of school.......mud when it rains. It is a total disaster. Today, I was near death while driving to work because it was raining. I was just bracing myself for the distressed outcries from my students and the mud-caked shoes on everyone! Then, as I am dragging myself down the hall, I turn the corner and see..................

So, this Monday, I find myself counting a small but Meredith-significant blessing.

Little Greggory

2007-02-15T09:07:00.000-08:00

This is my little buddy Greggory. I have been thinking about him a lot this morning for some reason. I mean, I think about him and miss him, but he's just been on my mind a little more today. Isn't he just so dang cute? Greggory is one of the many kids I met in Chicago while doing ministry there. He lived in a house with a bunch of kids, all being raised by Grandma Davis. The first time I met Greggory or 'GG' was an interesting event. I was walking to the school on Pulaski and decided to stop off at Super Nicks to get something to drink. I walked into the familiar yet always mysterious corner store and saw little GG getting yelled at. All I heard the cashier say was, " I saw you steal that candy''. Oh Lord I thought. Sure enough, Greg had stolen some candy from the corner store. He was so dang cute. And, it's not that he even was cute because he looked like he was really sorry about what he did nor was he looking afraid of getting in trouble. He just looked cute- mischievous and cute. So, I bailed him out...and we've been buds ever since. I love this kid.

When I look at Greg....I see so much potential. He sort of looks like a young Snoop Dog to me. He's funny and too mature for his age. He's behind in school a bit. He doesn't have anything. He gets in a lot of fights. He causes most of them. But he is great....and I want him to do great things. I want him to graduate, be respectful to girls, go to college, play football, get married, have a nice job and family. I guess dreaming dreams for the people we experience life with is important. I want to much for him but can't give it to him. God can, though.

Barack the Vote 08

2007-02-12T06:10:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama officially running for the Presidency!!!

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid416308493/bclid416343960/bctid494649996

Much of Him

2007-02-09T09:20:00.000-08:00

"God does not exist to make much of us. We exist to make much of Him." - John Piper

Remind me daily of this, God. May I not become so consumed with my plans, my agenda, my feelings, and my desires that I forget all of that is for you, by you, and through you.

Take Possession.

2007-02-07T10:01:00.000-08:00

So, I started this blog today, but am posting twice because I want to remember something really cool from the One Year Bible I read yesterday. Amanda, Rachel, Sarah and I are going through the One Year together and e-mailing each other what God might teach us everyday. It has been really awesome. We are reading in Joshua chapter 18. Verse 3 really spoke to me......

"So Joshua said to the people of Israel, 'How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you'?"

The people of Israel had, time and time again, seen the provision, power, and protection of God in their lives. They had also been promised and given land by the Lord. I find it so strange that they stood, unable to move or act, in the face of the fullfillment of promise they had been given.

But, is that really so far off? I guess not. How often are we given something good from God, a promise from God, or a calling from God....and stand at its feel- unable to move or act. Be it fear, confusion, or distraction that delays us, how long will we put off going and taking possession of what God has given us. I want to be the kind of girl that will bravely demand possession of the gifts, promises, and callings that the Lord gives me.

Joy In the Mourning?

2007-02-07T09:17:00.000-08:00

OK, so I've got this friend who is very sad today. She was actually very sad yesterday and the night before, also. Her heart is broken and she is left confused and devastated. I woke up this morning and started praying Psalm 30:5 over her ....."Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning." You know what? This verse might not immediately speak to the hurt heart of my friend today, but it sure spoke to me.

In reading and praying over this verse today, I was struck with the genius irony of the words our Lord uses in this text. "Joy comes with the morning".........

1. After we cry all night, feel alone, defeated, sad and heart broken......the sun will shine again. The morning promise of a new day, a new start, a new mended heart can provide joy to those that filled pillows with tears the night before. Our God is one that makes the sun shine new on us every morning.

2. A play on words...."Joy comes with the MOURNING". Even when we are broken, bruised, alone afraid....God is there. He is there to whisper love, offer hope, and hold our hearts. Is it possible to experience the joy of God's presence and love right in the smack dab middle of our mourning? I think so.

I think that might be the point.