Budding Creative Writers

Writing is a major component of our tutorial classes, and I can be a bit of the academic writing nazi, driving them as they work to improve their essay writing skills.  My students work incredibly hard and have a lot to show for their labors, but I do know that in all that work, they long for greater writing freedom and creativity.

We are currently right in the midst of a wonderful story writing project, and there is no doubt that all of my students’ previous hard work is paying off now.  Their enthusiastic and fearless approach to writing is quite a sight to behold!  It is music in a teacher’s ears to be repeatedly asked if a student can turn in an assignment early, or if they can have a little more time to edit and revise (not because they haven’t already completed the expected work, but because more class discussion leads to more refinement.)

I love giving students permission to re-write, and revise their blood, sweat and writing tears.  Mind you, I am not assigning more editing and writing and hearing moans, groans and seeing the eyes roll.  They ask to edit.  They want to write one more page or one more chapter and totally revamp a character.  Peer review is marked by meaningful comments and thoughtful reception of these comments. They want to hear my critiques and criticisms, and they follow them. 

This my friends, is the unique joy in teaching.

Random Shopping Thoughts for the Day

I am not pretending that my random thoughts are particularly interesting, insightful or impactful, but this is all that comes to mind and I promised myself that I would post more often.  But don’t worry, there is nothing on my list of goals that says you have to read every post, so everything is good!

Why do we, as educated, civilized Americans, think it is somehow ok to leave our trash, quite frequently fast-food trash, in the parking lot?  What have we not been passing on to subsequent generations so that now it seems to be acceptable among far too many people to simply open your door and set your lunch trash on the ground? 

What makes a person a grocery cart returner?  And not just a returner, but a neat stacker of carts?  How can we get more of these?

Did you know that people still buy Wonder Bread, even here in the enlightened state of California?  I knew that people must, since it is still on the shelves, but I was none the less surprised to see it in the groceries in front of me.  I don’t think I know anyone who buys it (my mom never did, even when we wanted her to), and if you are a Wonder Bread purchaser, feel free to come clean here, but know that it might make me wonder about you, even if I love you. 

And for my final thought, why oh why does my Safeway now have all kinds of photocopied sale sheets plastered on the front doors and all around the cheese/deli case?  It looks so supremely tacky, and it will only serve to drive me to the new Whole Foods…

Hard Work

CFT is blessed in so many ways, through so many people, and last weekend was just one manifestation of this.  Our staff was able to get away from everything and dedicate time to our vision, goals and day to day plans in this incredibly beautiful place.  It was very hard work.

Twin Lakes Beach

Wordless Wednesday

a special gift

Gluten Free Dining: P.F. Chang’s

One element of my gluten-free existence is the anxiety I now face when I go out to eat.  This is very, very new to me since I love food and have an iron stomach.  Nothing has ever bothered me before (expect one Lyonnaise sausage.)  It is unsettling to eat at a restaurant, trying to communicate to the staff what you need, and just hoping that it all got passed on correctly to the kitchen. Having been not careful or explicit enough at a couple of different restaurants so far has resulted in morning after pain and distress, so I get a bit anxious eating out, and I am still wrapping my brain around my attitude about this….

So when I have great success it is exciting, thrilling, and oh, so worth sharing.   Last week I ventured out to P.F.Chang’s (in Walnut Creek) and enjoyed a delicious, relaxing, gluten-free meal.  The chain has a dedicated gf menu, offering everything from an appetizer, many main-dishes, sides, and a dessert, and our server was well-versed in the safety of everything, even each sauce.  Apparently the gf menu for the whole chain was developed at this location.  I have read mixed reviews about the gf experience here, but I have no complaints, only very high praise for the quality of my dinner, the knowledge of the staff and the care of the manager (plus I had a great time at dinner with my friend!) So I heartily recommend P.F. Chang’s for my fellow gf-ers!

One of the Valuable Lessons I Have Passed On…

During class today some of my students reminded me of something I had enlightened them on a couple of years ago.  This great lesson was not last week, mind you, but at least 2 years ago. 

I have no great recollection of this monumental lesson, but one student mentioned this lesson and several others immediately began talking about how I had taught them something new, those many days ago, something that they remembered often. 

Of course all of the non-enlightened students became quite interested in this well-remembered lesson and begged to be brought into the circle of special knowledge.  

So the older students began to explain the lesson.  “Don’t you remember the time you taught us about the banana?” they asked. Umm, no, I had absolutely no recollection.  I am a humanities kind of gal, not a science chick, so I had no idea what I had taught them about this yellow fruit.  “It was in writing class!”

All of the new students were feeling a tad left out, wanting also know this notable lesson.  So some of the olders began to explain-”Miss Lutz showed us that a banana has 3 sections!”

What!?!?  The newbies were understandably confused-”3 parts, what do you mean?  I don’t get it!” 

So being the dedicated teacher I am, I taught the new kids.  I pushed my banana into 3 neat and equal parts.  Nifty, huh?!?  None of the new kids knew that a banana naturally has 3 segments before this lesson (and apparently I was the first to enlighten all the older kids too.)  

I am doing my part to revolutionize my students’ understanding of and appreciation for the orderly, fascinating design of God’s creation, I just never expected it to be this lesson.

Celebrating God’s Faithfulness

I had a marvelous weekend attending the Valley Church 50 Year Anniversary Celebration.  Since I spent my growing up years at this church, I have many wonderful memories of events and people that all came rushing back.  Two days of catching up with people who saw me grow up, who inspired me to serve the Lord in many ways, who worked alongside of me, and who allowed me to teach their children was quite the experience!

As I reflect on the weekend, I could go on and on (and then this post would never actually get finished), but two ideas are most prominent on my mind-the role of older Christians in my life and the importance and impact of a community driven by a vision to serve God. 

During my time at Valley, God had me surrounded by faithful servants of His.  How can I not be blessed and pointed to God through the lives of couples who continue to actively, daily, sacrificially serve God even while in their 80’s, widows who joyfully meet the daily needs of others in the body, and entire families who have dedicated so much of their lives to the service of the church?  I can’t begin to name all of the people from Valley who have been an example and model to me as the list would just go on and on!

These many people are clearly living a life of purpose, driven by a vision to serve Christ and to see His kingdom advanced.  I love the people who model Christian service in their faithfulness to their families, their dedication to local and world missions, their never-ending service to the church, and their genuine concern for the people in their lives.  The Church’s theme verse for 50 years has been Colossians 1:18, “that in all things He might have the preeminence.” 

Thank God for the many faithful people in His church!