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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!