[WARNING! This one's got a whole lot of writing.]
As most of you probably know, I really, really, really love math. You might have asked me for some help throughout our high school years (sorry if I told you the wrong answer) or called me from hours away in Tuscaloosa (Zach) to help you out on your homework and quizzes. Last year, my love for numbers and my love for people led me to change my major to Secondary Math Education. I am super excited about becoming a teacher! Being around students all day and helping them understand a subject that is without a doubt loved hated by pretty much everyone sounds like so much fun to me!
With all that said, right now there is just one tiny thing standing in the way of me and my dream job... That would be... Calculus II. (Oh yes. I am aware that I have circa 34802 Math courses left to take before I graduate, so I'm sure there'll be much more complaining in the future!) I just don't even know how to explain how I feel about this class. I honestly enjoy doing the math and figuring out the answers, but the problem is that getting an answer correct is a rare occurrence. I try! I really do! I always complete my homework, write problems on the board whenever my teacher calls on me, and I have been to his office more times that I can count to get extra help. But WHY do I always do so bad on the tests?!? I am most confident that I am in the major that God wants me to be in, but why does it have to be so hard? I know He has a plan for it in the end, though. Gotta keep focused on that!
The whole point of that little spill on my Cal II drama was to give you a background of what my Tuesday (before the test Wednesday) was like:
To sum it up in one (hyphenated) word, my Tuesday was mind-numbing. ALL I did was go to class, eat, and study Calculus. The hours seemed to drag on and on, while at the same time, I don't know where they all went. Learning how to tell if a series converges or diverges and memorizing endless amounts of theorems all day can make ya crazy! I'm just glad I have Virginia to experience it all with me.
Math Education majors unite!
[A True Life Saver]
I just read over this post a couple times and realized that it could not be more uninteresting. So, I'll add a little something that's not boring in the least bit. My Jesus Calling devotion that I read this morning couldn't have been better for this hectic time of anxiously studying. Sarah Young wrote:
"Take time to be still in My Presence. The more hassled you feel,
the more you need this sacred space of communion with Me.
Breathe slowly and deeply. Relax in My holy Presence while
My Face shines upon you. This is how you receive My Peace,
which I always proffer to you.
Imagine the pain I feel when My children tie themselves up in
anxious knots, ignoring My gift of Peace. I died a criminal's
death to secure this blessing for you. Receive it gratefully;
hide it in your heart. My Peace is an inner treasure, growing within
you as you trust in Me. Therefore, circumstances cannot touch it.
Be still, enjoying Peace in My Presence."
Jesus went through all of that torture and brutality for us - He went through it so that we would never have to worry about a thing when we submit ourselves to Him. Why is this such a hard concept for me to grasp sometimes? God is literally handing me peace and a free chance to relax and not stress about mundane things, yet I focus my time and energy on all of this earthly stuff when it should be directed towards Him. God comes first, and the rest comes after.
[Okay, last thing. I PROMISE!]
All of these thoughts about striving to putting God first led me to visit the "I Am Second" website. I am sure you all have watched a few of these videos before, or at least heard of them. (Click on this to read about their mission) The video that made the biggest impact on me was that of Bailee Madison. Bailee is a 10-year-old actress living out her dreams in Hollywood. She's been in a bunch of movies that you have probably seen.
I can't even find the words to describe how much I love this video. She knows who she's living for and why she's living for Him. Watch it for yourself, and see how clearly the Lord's love is shown through this precious little girl.
Try not to cry like I did. :)
