Merry Christmas to ya'll!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Our Savior Reigns!

I will be writing more in a few days with my yearly end-of-year letter to ya'll!

Here is a video that touches each person no matter who they are and is worth the 3 1/2 minutes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEdVfyt-mLw#watch-main-area

Aquaerobics

Ok, so you may be asking...what the heck is that? Well, it's a class at my gym where you do aerobics in the water (aqua-). I took the class with my mom and grandma tonight. It was an hour long and by far, the most exercise I've done in quite a while. It was totally awesome though. I can tell that I might be SORE tomorrow...I'll have to wait and see.

Horrid day to be a Bears fan!

What a horrible day to be a Bears fan. I don't think I've ever been as humiliated by my Bears as I was today. Tomorrow is a new day and I can't wait. To all those who make fun of me...you can this time but beware....when your team has an off-day....it's all game! :)

Oh well....at least that's not all I have to hope for my future...I have eternal LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wong/Heavey Wedding

Okay, so on Sunday I went to a wedding for some really good friends of mine. I loved it! It was one of the first of my friends weddings where I actually knew at least an entire table of people at the reception! We partied and danced til we couldn't anymore. My friend has just a few of the wonderful photos from the wedding on his site.

Go see it:

http://robbdavidson.wordpress.com/

Hope you enjoy it. It's labeled as Wong/Heavey wedding!

Church Plant

The church plant is full steam as we look forward to our March 7th opening date. We have many of our ministry teams formed or forming as we speak. I am a part of the youth and worship ministries. I'm more and more excited as the day gets closer. We have a name.....Four Corners Community Church. I look forward to sharing more with you as the next few months go by.

Quick Update

Since I last wrote, I have gotten an aide job with 3rd grade, joined a new church plant womens' small group, am leading a church plant high school girls' small group and my other girls' small group has started. I'm trying to make sure that I am keeping balance. I have also worked out at the gym 5 times in the last two weeks and ran a 5K. Hope all is well with you. I shall be back soon!

Desert Song

I know that many of you know this song and I wanted you to hear more about it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE33ejdgWIY

Photography

Just putting up these pictures and taking a picture the other day with my phone makes me really want to pursue photography even more. I've got the equipment and I've got a great teacher...if he agrees to it. Just looking at his site and blog make me love it too!

Check him out:

Website:
http://www.robb-davidson.com/index2.php

Photo Blog:
http://robbdavidson.wordpress.com/

It's a Record!

I think this is officially the longest it has been since I've updated in a VERY long time. I just don't know where the time went...well, I do but let's not waste our time here!

I wanted to update you to what is going on. Since I last updated:

-Spent a week leading worship and doing drama for Camp Discover at GEBC
-3 birthdays and a holiday during the 4th of July week
-serious relationship ups and downs
-an AMAZING missions trip to Minneapolis with 8 students from GEBC
-tutoring
...and learning to be disciplined and set boundaries.

I am going to post some pictures of a little bit of my summer. I need to figure out how to do more of this:

We packed enough food for 48 children for a year!

A view of the city (taken while driving):

My sister and I at the World Market:

4th of July Party Fun

My friend Katie and I had a little bit of fun with our homemade shirts:

Crazy girls...at least that's what the guys said!:

Here is the whole group...waiting for the GE fireworks to start:(Front L-->R) Amanda, Katie, me, Christine (and her husband), Matt (host)
(Back L-->R) Derek, C-Train, Matt's friend (name?)

Party Time in Nashville

A few weekends ago, I went back to Nashville to visit my dear friends there. I had a great time. Friday night I spent with my last roommate and her new husband. We made dinner at home, went and grabbed ice cream and then walked around downtown Nashville. It was so great to be there and it brought back many memories of times out with friends and times when my family visited.

Saturday, my best friend down there and I decided to sleep in then walk a trail for over 5.5 miles! Let's just say more than 5.5 miles in 83*F humid weather is not my favorite thing but we took some crazy pictures as you can see. It was so fun---I forgot it was nasty outside!

I have to go but I will post more later! :)

Each day...

is a new challenge. I'm never really quite sure what will happen or how I will feel when I go to bed that night. I feel as though the past 4 weeks have been the most up and down I've felt all year since moving back. Each day, I wake up hoping that today will be the day that will be happier than the past few and will catapult me into a new journey where I feel joy and happiness each day but that hasn't been the case. I think I'm having an 'up' day and then something goes fatally wrong and my day comes crashing down on me. I am reading my Bible more, praying more, and just generally trying to be thankful for what I do have and know that God's perfect timing is real and will happen--but I somehow seem to feel as though as quickly as the trying happens, my heart just feels broken and sad. (Sorry about the run-on sentence!)

I found 8 openings online the other night for jobs in DG which I about fainted when I discovered them, but haven't heard anything yet from sending in my applications. I'm still searching and trying to get myself out there but it is just hard.

My sister rocked her pops concert the other night and we had fun singing the last song together during the family choir portion of the show!

My brothers both had soccer games this morning and they both played really well. I am, however, very upset with the ref in the game because my brother was being bullied by a guy on the other team and a couple times, I thought my brother was hurt. The ref barely called anything. I'm not normally one to be hard on the officials of a game because I know they have a tough job. These were blatant hits that would never fly in the pros and would normally have someone red-carded!!!!!!!!! Needless to say, it was a bad day for him and he was upset--which is unlike him too!

I just went to lunch with some friends that I know pretty well and some that I don't know very well but they are also going on the church plant so I'm excited about getting to know them better too. Tonight I'm headed to a BBQ....we'll see how it goes- 'nough said.

Community

For so long, I've longed for community. It always seems as though when I try to be a "social person" it's ends up being a flop. I often try to get people together and then it feels like no one can come. I just want to get to know people and don't feel as though it works. If I start to feel a part of a community, then it seems to fall apart.

Longing for community...

Continuing down the road...

As I mentioned in my last post, it has been a tough week. I'm still feeling the distance and although I may have prayed for it in a sense, I didn't really expect for it to manifest itself in this way.

This morning, I ended up team-teaching Sunday Morning Discussion for the high school students. This week's topic was finding God and giving Him glory during the tough times as well as relying on Him. Although I had reminded myself of these very things this week, it was still hard just the same. I am sensing that this week will have its ups and downs as well but I hope to feel at peace and experience the peace that is talked about in Phillipians "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all human understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7).

I would also like for you to enjoy this fine video of my great aunt and her experiences:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhumYGZBXSs

Almost to the top of the mountain and I come falling down again...

...that is how the last 6 days have felt. I went on our women's retreat and felt like I had opened up and started dealing with some of the "gunk junk" that was building up inside of me. By the end of the weekend, I felt like God had done some great things in me and that hopefully things would start to be a little less draining...I guess I wasn't prepared for what was to come. I came home and was on a 'high' more or less just feeling like I was at peace and God had changed me in many ways...and he did. Then came the realization that I had to deal with all the situations I had spent time fighting with God about and trying to deal with. I feel as though I've lost God already....I'm feeling less at peace and many things have happened that have been different than when I left. 'Friends' aren't repsonding to attempts to communicate with them and they are people that have always been free and open in talking with me and wanting to know how life is going--suddenly, I feel as though they no longer care....about anything including whether I'm alive or not..... As I recounted the strangeness tonight to my mom and then to a friend, I realized just how much was different. I'm not really sure what this all means but if its what I think it is, God is planning something huge and I'm not sure its going to be easy in ANY WAY! Please pray for me as I enter into a very trying time...as if the past year hasn't been enough! I would love to crawl into a corner and not come out for a while...(I know its not good...its just the way I feel right now).

Day by Day

Each day, I'm amazed at what God has plans to do in my life in the coming months. I know that He has already done so much and yet I feel like there is so much more. 

This weekend, I have a wonderful opportunity to go on the Women's Retreat with GEBC. I know that it will be a weekend of inspiration and growing closer with Christ. I also have some fears and hesitant feelings because of some of the people going. I am praying for a peaceful heart to enjoy the weekend and the fellowship I know I will enjoy.

Finally, I'm still really excited about the church plant and can't wait to see what God is going to do through it. I'm nervous and estatic (sp?) each and every day!

Thank you for your support and friendship through this crazy year of transition!!!!!!

Catch up!

Anyways, this week I started my new job as an RTI tutor at Oak again and have really enjoyed it. My schedule is still being finalized but they've had plenty for me to do while I've been there.

I also have been watching the Wetherells' since Wednesday and will be here until Sunday. It has been really fun and we've had lots going on so it's normal life for me.

Last night, we had our 3rd church plant meeting and I'm really excited about the opportunity even though I have not made a final decision. I know it will create some change in the way I interact with my family and I will have to be more intentional about coming up here to see them...but I don't think that will be a problem though.

I am still looking for a job for the fall and can't wait to see what God has in store. I'm trying to be patient but I also am tired of feeling like everything is waiting until the last minute to be decided...not by me but by God. Please pray that I can have continued patience and perseverance through this process.

The Power of Love (and God's amazing miracles)

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby
was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling.

They found out that the new baby was going be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her.

The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member
of the Panther Creek United Methodist Churchin Morristown , Tennessee

In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every three, every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor.
Would a C-section be required?

Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born.
But she was in very serious condition.

With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the
infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville ,
Tennessee .

The days inched by.
The little girl got worse.
The pediatrician had to tell the parents there is very little hope..
Be prepared for the worst.

Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a
burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new
baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral.

Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his
sister...I want to sing to her, he kept saying.

Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come
before the week was over.

Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids
are never allowed in Intensive Care.

Karen decided to take Michael whether they liked it or not..

If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive..

She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him
into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket.

The head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, 'Get
that kid out of here now. No children are allowed.'

The mother rose up strong in Karen,
and the usually mild-mannered lady
glared steel-eyed right into
the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line.
'He is not leaving until he sings to his sister' she stated.

Then Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside.

He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live.

After a moment, he began to sing.
In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang:

'You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,
you make me happy when skies are gray.'

Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate
began to calm down and become steady.

'Keep on singing, Michael,' encouraged Karen with tears in
her eyes.

'You never know, dear, how much I love you, please don't take
my sunshine away..'

As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained
breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr

'Keep on singing, sweetheart.'

'The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held
you in my arms'

Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest,
seemed to sweep over her.

'Keep on singing, Michael.'

Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse.
Karen glowed.

'You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't take my
sunshine away.'

The next day...the very next day the little girl was well
enough to go home

Woman's Day Magazine called it

The Miracle of a Brother's Song.

The medical staff just called it a miracle.

Karen called it a miracle of God's love..

NEVER GIVE UP ON THE PEOPLE

YOU LOVE.

LOVE IS SO INCREDIBLY POWERFUL.

Finding.....strength...

I had a long discussion this week with a friend who challenges me in my thinking and although I love that, I have to say that it can bring out the worst in me, or maybe its just the insecurities in me that it brings out. In either case, I intend to change the way it can make me feel. I know that part of it comes from different struggles I have encountered in my life. I am praying for strength and challenge but when it comes--it scares me. I'm not sure where my life is headed but I know that God has great plans for me.

Another transition....could it be?

Well, the pattern continues! I am going to accept a position at my previous school (fall 08) to be an RTI tutor....basically an in-school tutor. The job is only until May 15th but that works for me. I have enjoyed my two weeks off and will feel good having some steady income. I think it will be a good experience and am excited!

Other than that, I've celebrated my "little" brother's 13th birthday this week and have learned a lot about who I am and what I have to look forward to in life.

Have a blessed Easter!

101 Things in 1001 Days

This is going to be edited so check back soon for any updates!


The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Learn More: Here

Start Date: Monday, December 22, 2008
End Date: Monday, September 19, 2011

Watch My Progress
Tasks that are in progress
Tasks that are completed
Tasks that have not been started

Because I Love My Family
1. Spend 5 days with Aleia (1/5)
2. Spend 5 days with Austin (3/5)
3. Spend 5 days with Pierson (1/5)
4. Write a letter to my family about what to should He take me home sooner than I expect
5. Make portraits of all of them and create a gallery for our house.

Because I Love Christ
7. Go on a short term missions trip (I went with Students to Minneapolis!)
8. Write my sponsor child 5 times (0/5)
9. Read all the Psalms
10.Write my own Psalm for the Lord

Fun Things I Want to Do
11. Go to 5 Bears games: 12/22/08 (Coldest in Bears history) (1/5)
12. Sell a piece of my photography
13. Have 10 parties at my house-baking night, movie night, game night, etc... (1/10)
14. Take a 3 dance classes (0/3)

I Want to Make a Difference
15. Serve with organizations like FMSC 10 times (1/10)
16. RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness) (1/100)

Because I should...
17. Learn to drive a stick
18. Find a new dentist
19. Find new health insurance
20. Update my resume

Because I WANT to....
21. Learn the sign language alphabet
22. Learn conversational Spanish
23. Write 3 songs and record them (0/3)
24. Finish at 1 scrapbook
25. Finish my pillows that are half done.
26. Organize the rest of my recipe collection in my self-made recipe book
27. Write a children's book
28. Paint my office
29. Make another scrapbook: "Adventures in Teaching"
30. Spend 25 hours practicing guitar
31. Spend 25 hours practicing piano

Because I want to Change
32. Read 3 leadership books (o/3)
33. Read 10 books (0/10)
34. Listen to John Maxwell's The 360* Leader on CD

Because I Need to...
35. Pay off my students loans
36. Finish my quote/vision board
37. Get one box of give away stuff and take it to Repeat Botique

To Make My Body Feel Better
38. Register and run a 5K or 10K with the Schuberts/Antho (Blackberry Farm 5K Spring Gallop)
39. Use my step at least 200 times (4/200)
40. Take a cardio kickboxing class at COD
41. Walk 100 times during the summer (0/100)
42. Go for 10 bikes rides (2/10)
43. Go rollerblading 10 times (0/10)

Other/The Rest of my 101 things--LOL! :)

44. Get a dresser for all my non-housed clothing
45. Throw a surprise party
46. Set up my keyboard and rearrange my office
47. Re-organize my office closet
48. Re-organize my shelves
49.

I'm having trouble thinking of more...let me know if you have any ideas....LOL!!!!!!!!!! :)

To Infinity....and Beyond!

(In case you don't know, that title is a line from Toy Story).

I know that this is only my 2nd post in a VERY long time. Things have been very busy. Early last week, I was watching the Johanson kids while working and finishing up my last week. Then I raced through the last couple of days and had a very stressful day on Friday. I was leaving my students, I found out that I didn't get the job I interviewed for on Wednesday and then on my way home....my car almost blew up--but at least it was something that could be fixed. I spent the whole weekend and first part of this week without a car. That's a hard thing for me to do. On Saturday, I ran my 5K and then I threw a surprise 50th for my stepdad and it was a success.

The 5K was a great experience. I had to push myself through it but I RAN the whole thing. I finished in about 33:34 which is good considering I had "trained" twice before the real thing. And my training....the most I ran straight through was 17 minutes the Saturday before!

Then there's my car....well, it's just another bump in the road but its driving again and I'm going to get a couple more things done here soon once I get a little more in order.

Hope all is well! I'm free to do lunch, coffee or whatever you need! Let me know!

The past few weeks

I know its been a long time since I posted on my dearly beloved blog. I honestly can't tell you where the last few weeks have gone. Last weekend, my sister stayed over for most of the weekend and we just hung out, relaxed, had a nice little spiral mac-n-cheese dinner with applesauce followed by a decadent dessert--orange cinnamon rolls! :) We washed it down with pink lemonade that we found at Wally World! :) (Picture to come!)

This past week, I was totally engrossed in getting my students ready for their Family Celebration program. They did some speaking, singing and reciting of poems. We had completed 5 large projects for the parents to see after the show so it was a lot of preparation. The students did an amazing job and pulled it out with none of the kinks we had in rehearsal. The parents and grandparents and other family members were SOOO AMAZED!!!!!!!!! My class also gave me a dozen beautiful roses. I shall post a picture of them here when I get one made. I will probably do it today but I don't know when I'll be able to post it.

This week is my last week and then I'll be on my way. I'm going to be observed by my principal and I have an interview with my previous boss for another long term position beginning in May.

After all the craziness this week, I'm going to run a 5K on Saturday for the first time in probably a decade! I have only been training since last Monday...oops! I ran/walked for about 35 min last Monday and then today I ran for 17 minutes straight. I wasn't fast but all I WANT out of this race is to finish it. Then each race after that will push me to gain more and more speed and run more "efficiently". Have a blessed week ya'll!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Dancing with the Stars....

....ok, so I might not be dancing with the stars but I'm going to learn to dance even if I have to do it alone. I plan to take dancing classes and get my 'groove' on. I'm INSPIRED! If you want to join me, let me know and we'll get it in gear for REAL!

Just vote if you would: Julianne and Chuck, Shawn and Mark, and Melissa (recently rejected Bachlorette) and Tony!

Pictures of Me as a wee little one...well, sorta

Here I was opening some gift....
look closely and you'll see my favorite pair of slippers--EVER!

HERE I AM! Everyone look at me!
Guess I wanted to dance and show off my Garfield pj's!

Makin' a wish....wonder what I wished for?
(I think my grandma told me I was turning 4.)

THIS IS WEIRD!!!!!!!!

This lady did what?????

GROSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://news.aol.com/article/british-tongue-biter/372205

I want to have kids but I would never do that!

Church Plant and more...

Where to start?

I guess I'll start with the Church Plant since its fresh in my mind from the meeting tonight. My home church here is in the process of planting a church...in the town where I'm currently living--go figure. It opens in 1 year from this Saturday!!!!!! I'm really excited about it and terrified all the same. There is nothing more than another transition and unknown situation I would NOT like at this moment in my life. WHY ME GOD???? Well, I'm not sure He's completely called me to go but I feel like He might be. I told Him I wanted to grow in Him and be more bold with my faith...I think this is what He's giving me! Please pray for the formation of the team, the rising up of a second staff member, and all the other million details that must be figured out!

Then there is work....I have 3 weeks left and I have the exciting job of filling out report cards for this weekend. Then what? Good question! I've been asking myself the same thing. I can't believe that the last 9 weeks have already flown by. I can't believe all that I've done in that time. Please be praying for a new job and one for next year. I don't know what God has in store for me but I hope that I can get settled in here sooner rather than later!

I love my friends!

What a Monday morning for the books!

Well, needless to say I got here at 7:45 and started getting ready for the day. I got the new month up on the calendar, changed the stations, looked for new poems for our Poem of the Week, went to open my lesson plans and POOF!!! They were overlapped and scrambled on one another. In an attempt to fix the problem, I opened a different copy from an attachment I had sent myself to work on at home...no luck--then it froze Word. I couldn't do anything. I thought I wasn't going to be able to shut down or use the computer until they fixed it...luckily, after much distress and the students arriving, I was able to go into Safari and then restart the computer. But in the chaos, I realized I hadn't copied the lunch attendance forms and didn't have a blank one for today! YIKES! So I had to make a makeshift one until I got a copy from the office. I spent 20 minutes trying to fix my computer and get all settled...not a good start to the week especially when I only have 4 weeks left!!! :( 

Then I just opened the kids' folders as lunch started and one of my parents wrote this to me (with the other stuff which I can't post): "We really appreciate all the hard work you've put into the class and our [son]! You've been a pleasant surprise as a long term sub and I know [he] is learning a lot. Thank you so much!" ----That right there, makes it all worth it!!!! :)

Praying for the Future

I have only 4 weeks left at my current job. This would be a sufficient enough reason for anyone to freak out given the current state of many people's current job situation but its going to be my 4th job transition in 8 months. I, as of now, am not totally freaked out and have a sense of peace in that people have told me they will request me as a sub during the month of April until I can hopefully get in one of the maternity leaves at my previous school. I know I will be fine until the summer, no matter what happens, I will be employed. It's more the summer and beyond that concerns me. Today in Sunday School we talked about how God often closes doors and I'm really hoping that He's not closing this door so quickly. I'm trying to seek His direction for my life but sometimes its hard when so much is at stake. I don't think it's that I'm worried about my current "lifestyle" disappearing but more so my ability to give and care for others. I love taking someone out to coffee or buying them a little trinket to brighten their day. I also sponsor a child through World Vision--a life-changing experience--so check out how you can do it too: HERE. Sponsoring my child would probably be the last thing I would give up if I had to "cut" something from my budget. I can't say that everything else in my life is more important than providing a child half way around the world with the basic necessities that I enjoy every day. No matter how stripped down my lifestyle has to be, it's much more than she'll probably ever know in her lifetime. Who am I hat I deserve all that I have? I'm a sinner that fails and doesn't deserve what I have! I'm praying for the next step in this journey and I hope you will join me too! :)

I survived!

I made it through my tests today. The first one took me about 4 hours and then I took about 30 minutes to check back through everything. The second one took me about 2 hours and 10 minutes. In TN, we were unable to leave during the tests once we were finished but here they let you go. Instead of staying 'til 7:15, I was able to escape at 4:10! :) I can't say I wasn't exhausted after getting up at 6:10am....earlier than I've gotten up in a LONG, LONG time! :)

What a random week!

Well, it has been a very interesting week to say the least! Wednesday was Ash Wednesday and beginning of the Lenten season. I went to my first every Ash Wed. service. It was a neat experience and gave me time to be with God. Then a bunch of us hung out afterwards and I didn't get home until MIDNIGHT. That right there is a crazy thing...at least for those of you that know me well...my bedtime is 10pm if not earlier! That was really fun though. Then on Thursday, I was the Schuberts lil' Haley while everyone was out. I had so much fun! We were playing and being silly even in spite of the crazy storm outside. I had gotten a text from a friend when I was leaving school to see if I could meet for dinner at O'Hare and I knew I couldn't because I had to get to Haley. This wasn't just a friend from here, it was my friend in Alaska that I hadn't seen in like 2 years!!!!!!!!!!!! I told him that if they got home and his flight was delayed, I would come visit for a few minutes. Well, they came home and his flight had been delayed until 11:07pm so I drove like crazy around all the flooded portions of town to get there. We got to hang out for like 4o minutes and then he had to get inside and make sure he was at the gate so he wouldn't miss the plane! It was fun to hang out with him and it didn't cost me a flight to Alaska....which he continually reminds me I owe him because I told him I would come visit someday. I got home at like 11:20 or so! I am sooooo tired! Today I took a 3 hour nap when I got home from school!

I got through this week, now I must get through tomorrow. I have to take my certification tests for my IL teaching license. I thought "oh this will be no big deal, just a couple tests that take a couple of hours" because that's how my previous 4 tests were in TN....well, they take approximately 5 hours. My first one starts at 7:15 am (and you need to be there 30 min early) and goes until about 1pm. Then the second one starts at 1:30pm and is expected to last until 7:15 pm! Ok, my idea of a relaxing Saturday is not 12 hours of testing! What in the world are they thinking--I guess they aren't!!!!! :)

Tenderfoot

My little bro earned his Tenderfoot advancement tonight! I will try to get a picture but I had forgotten my camera! Way to go brother! I'm so proud of you! :)

Highlights from "Ski Your Buns Off 2009"

My sister and I drove down separately from the rest of the family after school on Friday. That was an adventure...more below!

One of her quotes for the weekend was "You are driving faster than I can run so you are driving too fast." She is in driver's ed and speed is not her friend, so to speak.

Her and I got off at an exit in Madison, WI thinking we would be able to find a Taco Bell and a Wal-Mart. Boy, were we wrong! We searched for over 30 minutes for it. We really wanted Taco Bell otherwise we would have stopped at some other place since every other store and restaurant in history was at that exit! It was very funny! So then we went on to the next exit that said there was a T B and got off. I really had to go to the bathroom so we went in, took care of that, got my sister a drink, and was about to order our food when we realized that it was a T B Express therefore they charged twice as much for food and a bean burrito was $1.69....almost twice as much as here...not happening!!! So we waited and kept driving. As soon as we got back on the interstate, I said, "God, all we need is a Wal-Mart with a Taco Bell in the outlot. Please give us one--that would be really great!" So we kept driving waiting to see a Taco Bell sign. Then 30 minutes later we saw one, and we could see it from the exit and what should it be sitting in front of, but a Wal-Mart....God answered our prayers!!!!!!! I didn't really think we'd find that combination but apparently they exist!

I was able to snowboard really well this weekend and just take my mind off life! It was a lot of fun and I had some good moments with my brothers and sister on the hill! :)

I only have five weeks left at my current job so please be praying for the next step in this specific journey! :)

Girl Scout Cookie Catastrophie and Reaching Beyond Your Comfort Zone

OK, this is never the news you want to hear:

Dear Neighbor,

I regret to inform you that I will be unable to fill your Girl Scout cookie order that you placed about 1 month ago. The cookie mom lost my order form and therefore I have no record of what anyone ordered. I apologize for the disappointment of not getting your annual Girl Scout cookies and any inconvenience. Hopefully you will place orders next year and this won't happen again.

Sincerely,

Your dear Girl Scout

Luckily, she is a dear little friend of mine and I totally understand. I didn't need the calories anyways...I'll just say it's God's way of telling me that! LOL! :)
____________________________________________________________________

Next, my dad sent me a little Valentine's gift that was so cool! It's a wall tile that says, "If you keep reaching outside your comfort zone, you'll make it!"

Then the little tag on it had this great little reminder:

Comfort Zone

Most of us spend our time
Neatly tucked away,
All safe-and-sound, in our tidy little lives.
It's not that we don't long for a change,
It's just that sometimes we get so busy
And caught up in the thick-of-thin-things,
That we forget how to really live.
Everything in our lives
Begins to take on a shade of gray.

That's when it's time to bust loose,
Abandon all fears and push ourselves
Out of our comfort zones
Into the magical, mystical,
Uncharted territory called
"Possibility."
Oh, sure, it will be hard at first.
You may even get bumped back a few times.
But in the end, it will be worth it.
Because if you keep on reaching,
One of these days you'll make it,
And nothing will ever be the same again!

I shall bid you all farewell. Enjoy your weekend!

Fudge Stripe Cookies and Milk

Ok, so I've eaten 2 bean burritos, 1 cheese and beef burrito, and now the Fudge Stripe Cookies and milk. I think I've blown the eating healthy for today. OH well! I eat less during the day anyways and I'm fighting a cold! LOL! Good excuse, huh? Anyways, I had very little voice this morning when my students arrived and they were all like "are you ok?". I said yes and told them that I needed a little extra cooperation and listening today. Did I get it? No! LOL! Oh well. I just coughed and they ignored it...I guess they don't understand! I also figured out that I can get help in the classroom with clerical and other little things an hour a week-ish...I haven't used any for 6 weeks since I didn't know and so I think I can take a little extra...especially when they have nothing else to do! It shall be an interesting week for sure! I get to snowboard this weekend...woohoo! :)

Hanging with family!

Today I got to see my cousin that has been in Korea for the past 8 months. It was great to see him and hang out with that side of the family. I enjoyed the taco eating contest I had with my cousin. He beat me with 8 tacos and I had 7...I can't say it was a good idea in the long run but it was fun nonetheless! I will try to post some pictures tomorrow.

Blessings for a wonderful week! No work tomorrow! WOOHOO!!!!!!

School Valentine's Parties

WOW! I had a busy yet great day! I really had fun with my class. I got some really sweet Valentine's from my students and felt very loved! I will try to post some pictures of some of the things I got! :)

I came home and slept for many hours, ate, and am about to go back to bed...my eyes are already drooping! :) I shall see ya'll tomorrow!

Have a great long weekend!

One more day...

...until the 3-day weekend! YEEHAW! I can't wait. Please do not call me tomorrow afternoon because I will probably be passed out in my bed! LOL!

I went to see Danny in the play tonight at GW and it was good. I was tired so I think if I wasn't so tired, it would have made sense...WAY TO GO DANNY!!!!

One day at a time...a good way to live sometimes!

Tomorrow is our class Valentine's Party...oh the days when it was innocent and fun--at least I get to re-live them every year. I have lots of fun planned for the kids and I can't wait. I think it will just be a relaxed day.

My cousin is home...

My cousin that was serving in the Army is finally home. I will get to see him this weekend and I'm really excited. Its about the only exciting thing I have this weekend since I will be doing nothing but cleaning house, grading and just enjoying my 3-day weekend...oh, the blessings of being a teacher! :) Grandma is gone so I plan to clean until my little heart can't clean anymore. I have the world's largest stack of grading that needs to be done--one of the very FEW cons of teaching! Those are my ambitions for the weekend. I plan to show the ones I love that I love them!!!


I just realized that it is past my bedtime so I will have to write more tomorrow...I spent my lunch online looking at and writing posts. :)

Rainy Day

It is a rainy day here in Chi-town. I can't believe how much it looks like I should be able to be home and sleeping. :) Today is the day that my grandma left for Israel. I think I could pass out I'm so tired (I was falling asleep while tutoring..with the bobbing head and all yesterday). I had trouble sleeping last night and was up every hour probably from 2am til I got up at 7am. What is wrong with me? Well, I think I just have a lot on my mind and I'm trying to take care of it all but I have to take it one step at a time. I have youth group tonight and I think that is about it. I am on my lunch break and I've been checking my friends' blogs and decided to write a little on mine. I'm sure I'll have more to write soon...in fact, I would love to write a book on my life...maybe I will. 

Laters and have a wonderful day! :)

Life is never the way you expect...

...you'd think by now that I would realize that but there are just times when I'm blown away by how big the world and my life really are. Not that I'm important, by no means is that what I mean, I mean that I live in this little bubble of thinking and it takes a friend to jolt me out of it. I try to be open to what life has for me and be adventurous but one little thing can hit straight at the heart. I was hanging out with some friends that really hit me with the truth in confronting a situation in life head-on. They assured me all would be fine but I'm trusting that it will be. I had asked a friend recently to pray for discernment...well, I think God sent it via people-mail...as in friends (not email). There's a reason for the season I'm in.

Pancakes and Love

I know that there are many instances where I try to please someone and fail miserably...please forgive me....this story lets me know I'm not alone! :)

PANCAKES AND LOVE

Six year old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents
pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter,
opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on
the floor. He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed
in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the
floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten. Brandon was covered
with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good
for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad. He didn't know what to do
next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove, and he didn't
know how the stove worked!

Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push
her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to
clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas
white and sticky. And just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big
crocodile tears welled up in Brandon's eyes. All he'd wanted to do was make
them proud. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But
his father just watched him. Then, walking through the mess, he picked up
his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and
sticky in the process.

That's how God deals with us. We try to do something good in life, but it
turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a friend or we
can't stand our job or our health goes sour. Sometimes we just stand there
in tears because we can't think of anything else to do. That's when God
picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess gets
all over Him. But just because we might mess up, we can't stop trying to
"make pancakes," for God or for others. Sooner or later we'll get it right,
and then they'll be glad we tried...

-- Author Unknown

I wish it was the weekend...

....I am not going to lie! I'm sooo pooped this week! :) In just a week in a half, I will have a day off! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!! :) Pray that I don't fall asleep teaching....LOL!!!!!!!! Just kidding...it's not quite that bad!

25 Things About Me

1. I work with high school students because I love to be an encouragement to them. I know how much it meant to have devoted leaders when I was in HS and want to be there when they feel like no one else is there! :)

2. I moved back here to start my "adult" life so I could be by my brothers and sister. They mean the world to me! :)

3. I'm on my 3rd job since moving home just 7 months ago and it ends in 2 months. There are opportunities abounding and I'm in an amazing place being an out-of-state transplant and being this embedded in a school district already where people know my name! :) I think the day is coming for my own classroom..... :)

4. I've been blessed with amazing friends back here now where I wasn't sure I was going to have any. I know you are thinking, "Duh Danielle" but I wasn't so convinced...I felt very alone when I moved back! Weird how life changes so quickly! :)

5. I have only dated one person in the last 10 years (and it was only for like a month-so I'm not sure it even counts). I'm not really sure how I feel about that but I do know that God has taught me a lot of things in those 6 years that I would not have learned had I been in a relationship. I love just chillin' with my friends. Someday I know I will have my prince charming and then have my little kiddies that I will love unconditionally! (For now, I'm borrowing my friends' kids as my own....that's where Auntie Danielle comes in!) :)

6. I have a crafting addiction! I love to scrapbook, take pictures, sew, embroider, paint, make cards, woodworking and other crafty projects. I have all sorts of stuff that I want to do yet time becomes a factor. I pray that soon I will be able to enjoy all my hobbies, including all my musical endeavors. :)

7. I am an organizer from the inside out. I'm pretty sure most people think I'm crazy but it helps me in my efforts to do a gazillion things at one time (teacher, sister, daughter, granddaughter, small group leader, worship leader, student worship secretary, youth group volunteer, tutor, servant of Christ, friend, babysitter/nanny, mentor and whatever else I am!). :)

8. I am a Bears (and sometimes other teams) football fanatic! I saw my first live game at Soldier Field during the COLDEST Bears game in history vs. the Green Bay Packers. WE WON! We blocked 2 field goals...normally, you are lucky if you block one! I had such a great time. I got the tickets as a present from a friend and went with another good friend! Thanks to both of you for making it AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

9. I'm going to write a 101 things to do in 1001 days just like Katie....you rock girl! :)

10. I love HGTV! I don't get to watch it often but oh do I ever love it! It's educational in my mind so I somewhat feel justified in sitting down to watch it. I'm learning new things each time I watch it! :)

11. I LOVE SLEEP!!! 'Nough said!!! :)

12. I LOVE KIDS! I want my own...but don't worry....I know there are steps before that can happen! It's hard when your job makes you want kids and you can't have them! LOL! :)

13. I want to be: classy, sophisticated, elegant, kind, gentle, graceful and so much more... :)

14. I would rather have a "chill-stay-at-home-in-our-sweats" date than any fancy, schmancy hooplah!!!!! :)

15. I want to change the world--starting with me! :)

16. I don't like when people are disrespectful!!!! :)

17. I like lots of pizza and I'm pretty sure I could eat it every night!!! :)

18. I have realized that my life is not going to go as planned if I tried to be OOBER-organized so I'm trying to lay low and chill on that one! :)

19. I love to encourage people and be a mood-lifter of sorts! Anything I can do for you? :)

20. I can barely see my home desk right now which is driving me crazy. I try to keep up but I am barely ever here! Oh dear...just livin' life I guess! :)

21. I work for one of my old fourth grade team teachers! :)

22. I'm very contemplative and think about life....a lot!!! I'm pretty sure it could be a full time job for me....(you have to check out my other blog for some of the ooze that comes from my contemplative times)---or just call me! LOL!!!!!!!!! :)

23. I'm not afraid to say what's on my mind...most of the time. I also am very open about my life, struggles and triumphs! :)

24. It has taken me 4 days to come up with this list! :)

25. I love smiles on real people, I love to smile and I love smilies on the computer! (In case you couldn't tell with all the smilies in this post!) :)

Oh my dearest Katie....

Ok, so my friend Katie has a blog:

http://myfirstyearasawallace.blogspot.com/

This blog has some of the coolest things! She is part of a group called "My Husband Rocks Friday" where she explains and expounds on one reason she loves her husband EVERY single Friday. Now, I can't quite do that yet but hopefully someday I will. Then she has her list of 101 things to do in 1001 days. I need to do that...I know I could! Then she just posted "25 Things about Me". Which I also could do. I will be working on these and hope to have them up on here soon! :)

Just keeping up with her could be my part time job! :) I have enough to do already but I LOVE her soooooooo much, I don't mind! :)

And I think her and I might just be almost twins.....note-her crafting addiction....me too.....

Each Day New

Each day is becoming more and more new to me. I see things I never saw before, I experience things that I haven't before, and lastly, I learn more than I knew the day before.

Over the past few weeks, as I've started my new job, I have noticed that sometimes, you have to work alone (with God of course) to get things done. I've experienced many new situations and people and so far, it's been good. I have struggled with feeling like I'm sorta creating the classroom on my own yet feeling so different from the other two in my grade. I'm looking for the next step in this journey as a teacher but I am coming up short with no leads thus far. I'm praying that God will provide a job for me even though I know he'll lead me in the right direction.

This past week, I was able to get together with two friends to talk. Sometimes hard talks can be the best because you learn more about yourself and the other person. The times where you can get together and share life with one another and learn from one another is always an exciting time.

This next week, I am going to have parent-teacher conferences. We have choir rehearsal and I will meet with a friend I haven't talked to in what feels like forever.

Dear God, I pray this week will be a great week for Your children to learn and grow in Your Spirit. Amen

The days go by so quickly...

These days, life is passing me by like I'm on a train in another country. I look out and don't recognize what is around me, I'm going so fast, I don't know what's going on, is this train going a safe speed or is it out of control? I've been going a hundred miles an hour it seems. It is nothing short of a miracle that I'm making it where I'm supposed to be and when I am!

I have really enjoyed being in the classroom. I am full of joy as I am in a place I love to be. I am still adjusting and trying to make everything work so things aren't all settled yet but I have felt tremendous peace even in the midst of feeling completely overwhelmed with school and the rest of life. My students have been, for the most part, patient with me and the parents have been great.

This weekend, I had the glorious privilege of going with the high school students at GEBC to Baraboo, WI for their Winter Retreat! I knew God would do amazing things there and He definitely did! Barriers of great height were broken down. On Saturday, I got to go snowboarding with my new snowboard and then spent 5 hours in the ER with our youth pastor and one of the students from my cabin! I was glad to be there to support them in their time of need....I drove them home to the camp with my snowboard boots...what an adventure that was! Then on Sunday, I was part of an intense Broomball tourney...that we almost won! I was one heck of a defensive player--if I may say so myself. I have more glorious bruises to show for it too! Then, it was all about community and life change that night as our speaker, Johanne (/Joe-haan/), challenged the students, and leaders alike, to be part of life change in our community as a group. It was a really neat experience. I wish I could go again! I had a small moment of wondering whether I should have gone into youth ministry but then I pinched myself and realized, I liked the way things are now with a classroom of little cuties and then hanging with the students outside of that.

I feel so blessed to have friends around me that will support me and encourage me when I need it! It never ceases to amaze me how God brings the right people into my life at just the right time. I was blessed to have dinner with a friend tonight that was really encouraging even in the midst of trial and pain of his own. I am daily reminded that I am not alone, even when it feels that way. I dearly miss Audra and my other great friends in Nashville but I feel as though God has orchestrated my life to be this way and that I will see them soon! :)

WOW!

Well, yesterday was my first day and it went better than I expected. Today was a little rocky but until we have a calmer week, it will be that way. I am enjoying the break times to get things accomplished and I can't say I miss lunch/recess duty. Well, I'm going to be a little scattered the next few days so please forgive me if I don't write for a while.

Tomorrow is the Big Day....well, one of them at least.

Tomorrow I start my new job. As I went through the day, I have become more and more nervous but I know everything will work out just fine. If you read this Monday, please say a quick prayer for me.

"Thank you LORD for a new job and new opportunities. I thank you for the opportunity to share what You've been doing in my life today with the high school students of GEBC and I ask that you would bless them and allow me to live my life wholly devoted to You and Your Kingdom. Amen."

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope you are as excited as I am about the journeys that 2009 holds for us!

Here are my goals-you can help keep me on it:
-eating more healthy
-toning my muscles and building some more
-getting more organized!!!!!!!! :)
-not worrying as much

I'm sure there is more but given its 1:27am.....my brain has shut down! :)

Have a blessed year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!