Five Minute Friday: Afraid

The above song is one of my favorite songs to sing. It really helps me to turn my focus and thoughts on Christ when I am afraid. "How can I Fear with Jesus?"--I am thankful that every moment of everyday that God is with me. There are times I am so scared and nervous and night that I have to turn my focus on God to get some sleep. I am thankful for the passage

 Psalm 56:3 "What time I am afraid I will trust in thee."

 

All I need to do when I am afraid is trust in God. God is always with me and God will always be with me.


Now for some humorous stories for when I was afraid (but yet God was with  me)

****I live in an interesting part of town. A day does not go by when I do not hear sirens....sometimes I might hear the search helicopter. My first year living in a house all by myself was a restless time....then one night I hear a helicopter. Well my curiosity got the better of me and I peek out my door and there was a helicopter flying around with  a light shining it around the are I lived....okay well for a single girl on her own and by herself I was terrified. I go crawling along the floor in hopes that the guy they was looking for wouldn't see my shawdow...well needless to say who did I call---DAD who was eight hours away! He did make me feel better....but I was still a little scared BUT GOD WAS WITH ME.

***Coming to Florida for a job interview where I knew no one was terrifying. I do not do well in new places and new situations. A 8-9 year old girl on the plane reassured me flying was fun and not scary at all


Sadly, I admit I went over time telling me stories...but I am a Kindergarten teacher....therefore a story teller! :) 

Starbucks kinda days

The past few days at school has been several words....TIRING, REPEATING RECORD, and at time FRUSTRATING! I know though its Satan fighting to win because I have church tonight. It seems the more and more I have to get on to my students the more exhausted I am at the end of the day. I mean really...Satan wants me tired...he doesn't want me to go to church....and he definitly wants to make be feel like I have been in a knock out drag out fight. Yesterday, I wanted to get Starbucks....Oh Starbucks Oh Starbucks how I love thee let me count the ways....I love thee.....well you get it. Well yesterday and today was defintly a Starbucks day.

A Starbucks day is when a day has been rought and I relax by sipping a cup of java made by my {hopefully} favorite barista Brandon or Jason. :-) What can I say I love my Starbucks and love my baristas that always bring a smile to my face. Then I sit in my room or on my couch and hope no one bothers me.... :-)

So today after school I shall make my trip to Starbucks with a smile on my face and get me a grande {decaf} vanilla spice latte.....and home to enjoy a quiet afternoon doing absolutly nothing until its ready for me to go to church.



After I posted this I had a little blessing happen: I am about broke....the joys of being a grown up. Anyway, I have budgeted in Starbucks into my budget each paycheck. Well this paycheck I knew only one would come my way....instead of two or three....well I received a card in the mail and in that card were two Starbucks cards!!!! The total of the two are about or close to the amount I usually get in a two week period! What can I say...God is good! <3

Five Minute Friday: Again

"IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED....TRY TRY AGAIN."


I have always had a determined spirit. If there was something I couldn't do, I was determined to get it done. Sometimes I think my parents should have given me the middle name "determined." When I had a professer in college tell me I set my expectations too high to make dean's list while still on academic probation it made me even more determined. Although at times I did want to give up I would remember that nothing gets accomplished by not doing anything. My parents and teachers instilled in me to keep on trying and to never give up. Although at times it was frustrating, I am thankful that the people throughout my academic life and childhood encouraged me to keep on going. To this day I am still at determined as ever. My first year of teaching was HORRIBLE! I could have given up....but that determination and my strong-will kept me going (and of course God's help) and today I can say I have learned a lot. and have become a better teacher and now am in my 6th year of teaching! Today, I encourage my students to keep trying and never to give up because again again they can fall....but eventually suceed! :)

Five Minute Friday: Cherished

I do not have a boyfriend, husband, or children of my own (except for the ones I have taught and "adopted" into my heart). But I do have a wonderful family. I grew up in central Arkansas, my family was close knit. I saw my most of my cousins, my uncles, and aunts and least every week. This are times I remember. But one Uncle in particular stands out. I like to think I was his favorite for we had one special thing in common---a "zipper" to show that we both had open heart surgery. I loved my Uncle David more than anyone (except my dad). He was special to me. I enjoyed leaning up againt him and his giving me a hug....when I was young I would sit in his lap. He promised once to take me hunting---we never got to go. He gave me my first taste of bbq venison. He had a hearty laugh. I was sad to leave Arkansas to go to Indiana, I wouldn't see Uncle David again.
When I was 13 he was told he needed a heart transplant. He died before he was able to get a new heart. He died in December. Dad, Beth, and I drove down for the funeral. I was sad. My heart was broken. I wished he could still be around.

As I still miss my Uncle David oh so much, I will never forget the wonderful times at his house. I especially will not forget his hugs. The thing that makes me most sad...my mind is a blur how he looks like---except for his smile.

I cherish those times with my Uncle and will never forget them. :)

Five Minute Friday: Dive

It is hard to believe that 2013 is here. It seemed like yesterday it was 2012 and I took a breath and *poof* 2012 was long gone. I am "diving" into this new year with a bit of apprehension for some reason. I have made some goals (read below) and hope to achieve them throughout the year.
But, once I got back it was time to get back into the gear of school. My students have been very excited and full of energy since coming back from Christmas break--me on the other hand has been exhausted!!!! This week I had one added to my class which made 20 kindergarten students all together. I am thankful for my kids and the way they keep me smiling---and they def. keep me on my toes. The first semester is ending today and now we are going into the second part of the year---its intense....My students will be busy with seatwork, reading homework, and written homework....soon to follow spelling!
So not that five minutes is over I really talked more about diving back into school....what can I say I am a teacher and I love what I do! =)
P.S. TODAY was carnival day for the K4 and K5 and we had a BLAST!!! :)

New Year--New Goals

It is that time of year. That time I pray and decide what changes I want to make in my life and what goals I want to reach in 2013 (almost wrote 2012). I have to say 2012 was an okay year over all--lots of changes occured--some changes I did not like at all.....but have learned to accept them. The highlight of my year in 2012 was directing my first Kindergarten Graduation--can we say OVERWHELMING....but fun! I feel last year I really didn't grow much in my spiritual life---which is my own fault because I failed to spend time with the Lord. As I reflect on 2012, I have to admit it wasn't my best year spiritually and physically. I was diagnsosed with Utricular loss in my right year---inner ear--and Vestibulo-Oculer Reflex (something like that)--basically this is why I've been lightheaded since before school started. I was also hoping to lose 30 pounds...instead I lost 10 and gained 15. So as I have refelected upon last year I hope this year is better.

So here are my goals for the year.

NEW YEAR GOALS

Grow closer to the LORD

Eat healthier

Drink less coke

Lose 10 lbs by summer

Redecorate room

Keep house neater

Be fully content with social status

Pay off surgery

Pay bills on time

Serve and focus on others more

 

 

I have also invted my friend Angela Wilmoth to write on the blog as well. We would like to share what the Lord is teaching us in our devotions and how our goals are coming along! :) 

CHRISTmas!

I love Christmas! Christmas has always been one of my favorite holidays to celebrate! For one, 10 days before Christmas on December 15th, I received Christ as my personal Savior. I love the smell of peppermint, holly, gingerbread, pine trees, home-baked goodies, I love the sight of Christmas decorations..especially white twinkle lights, ornaments, tinsel, and ribbon. I love eating peppermint bark, fudge, and other delectable treats I know I shouldn't eat but do. I love Christmas music of all kinds, dancing around the house, and singing. While all these things are wonderful and fun my favorite thing about Christmas is the reminder that God keeps His promises. Many years ago, He promised to send a Savior to save people from their sin. It humbles me to know that Christ came to earth just to die for my sins, and the sins of the world. It makes me sad that consumers are taking the true meaning out of Christmas. Although all these things are fun let us remember the true reason for the Season. 

Merry Christmas friends!

Christmas Classroom board--The REAL Reason for the Season

My porch all decorated for Christmas

Love my Tree!

Hallway Christmas Board