The Lord is teaching me some amazing things these days. I WILL share soon. I had an amazing weekend filled with Beth Moore, Bible Study, and girl time with Carrie Beth! Lots of pics to upload soon too.
Tonight was my second night of Jonah. One of my neighbors came with me, and then another teacher friend came to my house before and we all rode together. Our supper and our lesson were both amazing. Ha ha ha! My good friend, Robin, LOVES sweets A LOT :) (she will kill me if she reads this...and she sometimes does)! She filled a littler tupperware full of cookies. They were very good.
Also, look how cute Blakely was snuggling with her toy dog tonight. Could she be any more sweet?
I just started reading Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks. It is really good. My cousin, Carina, is so lucky. She got to meet him yesterday.
I have a busy day tomorrow with work, meetings, and then Chick-fil-A night for my school. I am excited about Glee starting back too! I hope that everyone has a blessed Tuesday. The countdown to FALL is on! “Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.”- Joel 2:23
We have been way too busy lately. But I did manage to take a few pictures here and there.
Me and my hard working husband!
Matt's cute clothes folded so neatly. :)
I gave my kids a Pinkalicous Party today for filling up our compliment chest. Pinkalalicious by Victoria Kann is their favorite book ever, so they were thrilled. Matt helped make the cupcakes. Such a good hubby!
I found Blakely hanging out in our "empty" room tonight. She is too cute! And she never sits like that. I love it!
I am so happy that today is Friday!!! I'm really excited about hearing Beth Moore and Travis in the morning!! I am praying that the word of God speaks to my heart! It's going to be a great day of worship!
Originally I wanted to paint our dining room when we moved into the house to a deep red. But I loved having the burnt orange color for fall. And I have really grown to love the color. I can't wait to put all my pumpkins out.
Matt has been crafty tonight. He is currently mowing the lawn, but before he went out he was working on painting this old mirror that we had with chalkboard paint. I love the way it turned out!!
We went to church tonight and I saw this cute poster for my Sunday night Bible Study. I don't know how I missed it before.
I had a really good day at work. I am caught up! It is always a great feeling. But as most teachers would tell you, you are never caught up for long. Tomorrow I'll be behind again...it is a constant race. :) I am thankful for my school, co-workers, and absolutely love my principal. Tonight I'm organizing a few things and doing a little bit of paperwork to get ahead. I also updated a few pictures on my desk in my classroom this afternoon. My desk is always crowded with drinks too. A lot of times, I'll have coffee, water, and diet coke...any only take a few sips from each. Life in kindergarten is CRAZY! Ha ha!
Have a great Thursday everyone!
Psalm 130:1-5 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.
What a great day. I got a VSU practicum student...which always reminds me of my days spent in practicum in college. I learned so much and always loved my mentor teachers. And I also attened two JSL meetings. One was for planning Bargain Bazaar in February. I CAN'T wait! And then we had a general meeting. This JSL year is just fabulous. I have found a great fit for my life. I LOVE volunteering and LOVE the organization. I am so blessed to be able to serve with lots of great women. I think this year is easier because I've done it once before and sort of know what I'm doing now. Plus, we are in the middle of planning a huge Christmas event at the Cultural Center...which is where we hold our general meetings. And you know Project Rosebud? Well, our provisional class is extending the project and meeting with girls several times a year. I would love to help with that. I really do love my class (we're known as 2009-2010). I feel really close to all the girls in it. I am so so thankful for the Lord and His blessings!
I had some down time in between my two meetings so I thought I'd capture where the magic takes place...ha ha ha! It is a cute little room, huh?
Matt got home by 8pm tonight. I was so happy to be able to sit and talk with him. I've missed having him home at night. We had breakfast for supper.
Blakely and I are ready for Rachel Zoe Project! Ha! :)
I am very tired, but so happy tonight. Nothing beats a day doing what I love with babies that I love, an evening with great friends, and a night spent with my little family. Thank you, Jesus!
The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. Psalm 145:17
Oh my word. I am LOVING my new Bible Study. There are about 50 women in this one, where my other one only has about 10. It was good to see so many friendly faces again, and a few new ones too.
There was delicous food...and cake. We hear that there is a special surprise "hot drink" in our near future...when this SGA weather cools off a bit.
My prayer partner is actually the leader of the study. Yay! I love her!
Priscilla Shirer asked if we are in a season of our life that we never expected. She wanted to know if our plans got interrupted. She was wondering if we are not where we thought we'd be at this age or in this point of time.
The little book of Jonah is about a big, powerful, and merciful God. I think I am more excited about this study, and this season in my life, than ever before. We were reminded that as Christian women, we need to say "I got it" and mean it when the interrupted life comes.
In other news, Matt has been working long hours and when I got home tonight it was just me and my Blakely girl. So, I took a few pictures of me and my clean pup. We had to give her a bath at midnight last night...because she got in that same stinky stuff as last week. It wasn't really fun. I just wish we could figure out what it is.
I'm about to get busy on some school work, but I want you to remember, God often sends us into the helpless place because it's in the hopeless place that we can see the hope of God.
"The word (instruction) of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me." Jonah 1:1-2
Sadly, I have no pictures from this weekend. I left my camera at school. But I have had the BEST day in the house of the Lord.
We got up and went to SS and church. It was Squad Day, so all the high school athletes from 3 schools and 1 college in our town were there. One of my friends that is in my SS class re-committed her life to Christ. When our Pastor asked her what she felt now and what the decision meant to her, she said "Peace". I was so proud of her! She is a great Christian mom and she was courageous to step out on Faith in front of so many people. I am glad that she feels a peace now.
After we came home and ate lunch, I got out my laptop to begin working on schoolwork. I love my job, but I felt like I was in a deep pit, just completely overwhelmed and discouraged. Missing 1 day really put me behind. I told Matt that all I wanted to do was worship my God and spend time with Him, not do work. I was being whiny and selfish.
Lets put it this way, this week alone I have 2 bible studies starting up, 2 JSL meetings, a women's ministry event, the Beth Moore Simulcast, and a few other things that I can't really talk about yet. A little busy you think? And this is all after work. Matt said I needed to skip my Bible Study and church tonight so I could get my work done and rest up from having strep. I decided to go.
And I am so glad that I did! My Sunday night Bible Study is a continuation from our study this summer. Wising Up by Beth Moore. We have a listening guide and we watch Beth discuss many different interesting topics and issues for women. A different one each week. Then we discuss. There is no homework and it is a nice refreshing time, filled with laughter, and wisdom. Today was "How Wisdom Looks on a Wife" and Beth said the funniest quote, "The art of submission is learning to duck so God can hit your husband." What a great quiet afternoon, taking notes from Beth Moore, sipping on my Diet Dr. Pepper, surrounded by Godly women wanting to grow closer to Christ.
My study got out just in time for church. Our Youth Praise Band sang tonight. They totally rocked. They were soooo soooo awesome. And our Pastor changed his message, to speak on something that he felt was laid on his heart.
Hello! Did he know I needed it? He spoke on these verses. Matthew 11:28-30, Mark 3:12-14, and Luke 10:38. He talked about spending time with Jesus and how Jesus gives us rest. He spoke about putting aside activities that fill your time and keep you too busy. He reminded us that Jesus wants us, time with us, even more than He wants our services and performances. If you know me, then you know, that I seriously LOVE my pastor. I am so thankful that the Lord led us to our church and that our sweet pastor baptized me. :) He really is a great, Godly, leader. Matt looks up to him so much too!
I realize that I do overcommit and I stay really busy. But when I'm in church, and in Bible Study, the Lord is rejuvenating my spirit. He is letting me rest in his arms and I am learning more about Him and just completely content growing and being surrouned by His presence. I also find a great joy in serving in the church. And I do serve with the Women's Ministry. However, I don't help with the Chilren's Ministry anymore. I did need a break from that and it was causing me to feel burned out. Probably because I work with kids for a living. So, right now, I have found my place. I'm being discipled and serving a little bit with amazing women. And I am so completely happy with this.
We always end our service holding hands and singing together. Lately, we have been singing these words...
Jesus Messiah Name above all names Blessed Redeemer Emmanuel The rescue for sinners The ransom from Heaven Jesus Messiah Lord of all
It is a powerful ending to a family-like service. Our Sunday night services are quite a bit smaller, but more intimate and when they dim the lights the spotlight is on the cross...oh I just love it.
And...I did put what I learned in my Bible Study to good use (trying to be a wise wife) and went out to eat with my hubby for supper (inside) istead of just picking it up and working while we eat, like I would normally do if I was way behind. When we got home, the Lord cleared my head and helped me focus and get everything and more that I needed to get done tonight. I am so grateful. He is my everything and gets me through everything. Even the little things that seem silly. :)
Tomorrow I will post about my Bible Study that does have homework and a book. And I'll have my camera back. Praying for a great week!
And if things get too tough, or you are just TIRED. Remember this. Cling to His promises.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
you know I love them! Looks like I'm on a blogging spree today..ha ha!
Some new stuff from their awesome album, Stories.
It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. How great are your works, O LORD, how profound your thoughts! Psalm 92:1-2,4-5
I am a wife, teacher, grad student, and wanna-be mama :) The Lord is my strength in everything and He guides me every step of the way through this crazy, busy time in my life.
