Of Bruises, Beaches, and Burns

So I think I decided to make it a goal just to see how many small, stupid pains I could inflict upon myself.

First of all, I played volleyball with my girls. Let's just say it's been a while. After an hour and a half of practice, bumping, setting, and attempting to spike, my arms had turned a pretty shade of purple. I am trying not to think about the fact that none of the actual players had bruises.

Then, the whole high school went to the beach. What a great day of interaction! Students intermingled and cliques were almost nonexistant for the entire day. We played volleyball, soccer, American football, and went swimming. It was wonderful to just be able to relax with the kids and have the opportunity to see how they are outside of the "schoolwork" setting.

Yet, with me, playing volleyball, soccer, and American football means really playing. Diving for a volleyball that is headed for the dirt (especially after one of my kiddos told me I was lazy... I sure showed him! ... with a shirt and a mouth full of sand...). Trying to tackle someone about to make a touchdown. Stepped on toes, bruised arms and knees. I decided I needed a short break. How about laying out in the sun!!! Great idea Stace. Except that you have very white, sensitive skin. The burn wasn't that bad, I guess. Just a few days of my skin being as red as a skittles bag.

Oh well. C'est la vie!

And then I thought it was over. Surely one week was all the small pains I needed for the year. No. My girls have made sure that at every volleyball practice, I come out with another minor injurie. First, I ran into a girl trying to smash the ball over the net. My thumb was so jammed that half of my hand was a pretty dark purple. I thought for a while it may be broken. Then, at the next practice, my knees turned the same pretty purple after I decided to dive for a ball. And, as if that was not enough, later, one of my girls served the volleyball right into my back. Obviously, we still have a lot to learn (like where the net is!).

Anyway... a lot of rambling. Little point.

A New Year

A new year. New students. New classes. New classroom. New information to give these students. New responsibilities.


High school. Freshman class advisor. Assistant volleyball coach.


New is scary. New is exciting. New gives the chance to start over and also to learn. And learning I am. From where to seat certain students to history facts. For example, did you know that on Nov. 8, 1910 a man alarmed friends, neighbors and the medical world as a business deal tickled his fancy so much that he nearly died of laughter? That's right, "S.H. Schrapp conned a local farmer into believing that a shaved-tail horse was actually a mule. The farmer bought the tale and the horse, much to the amusement of the tongue-in-cheek Schrapp, who began to smirk. The smirking turned to chuckles, the chuckles to giggles, until finally he was convulsed by laughter." He laughed for twelve hours straight until finally, a doctor "applied a heavy electrical shock to Schrapp and suddenly the laughter stopped." Found in a book full of newspaper articles from the twentieth century, I must admit, after reading it, I thought I might need a little electrical shock therapy!


The first week of school has been a whirlwind, and I am sure the year will be likewise. I am looking forward to the year, however, with excitement. I look forward to building relationships with my students, to growing as a professional, and to experiencing God in new ways.

I am glad life is full of new. New breeds growth.