Last night at church we had our annual Senior Appreciation Banquet. It was a time for our church staff to come together and serve the more mature members of our church (and our parents) who mean so much to us. Thanks to our church life minister, we had fried chickens, along with mashed potatoes, green beans, a roll and then dessert. Soon after dinner was served the church staff, and their lovely wives, were the entertainment for the evening. We sang a few great old songs and had a blast. I know that some people would think that an evening like this would be boring, but I look forward to it every year.
Every month, this same group comes together on a Thursday night to share food, memories, games and fun. We are always priveledged to enjoy this evening with them which is something I love. There are many things that I love about sharing this evening with our "Yesterday's Youth" like great food, stories, and lots of laughter, but my favorite part is just getting to sit and visit with the generation of our church that has made it what it is today. In my opinion, South Union Baptist Church is the greatest church in the world. The main reason for this is because of the members of Yesterday's Youth. I love each and every one of them and I am so thankful that they are such great examples of faithful followers of Christ!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Substitute Teaching
For any of you that don't know, I am a substitute teacher. I have been working at Daingerfield High School for about 2 and a half years and I really enjoy it. Some people have asked why I substitute at the high school when I want to teach elementary. Here are the reasons why...
At the high school level:
1. you don't have to memorize names
2. you don't have to take children to the restroom
3. if you work for a coach you usually have a shorter day
4. and I really like the staff in the office
When working at the elementary level:
1. you work all day and are standing most of the day
2. you don't have a big break in the middle of the day
3. you have to know all of the kids names
4. there is more work involved
Now I know some of you are thinking, "it sounds like she is just lazy!" But how many of you would rather do less work for the same amount of money? I know I would, plus I get to see all of our students when I work at the high school.
Thankfully I will be finished with college in a few short semesters and I will be the one calling for substitutes! I know the day I get to walk across that stage and declare to all of my family and friends that I am a college graduate will be a victorious day in my life and I can't wait for it!!!
Until then, just keep me in your prayers because I know that I'm gonna need it!
At the high school level:
1. you don't have to memorize names
2. you don't have to take children to the restroom
3. if you work for a coach you usually have a shorter day
4. and I really like the staff in the office
When working at the elementary level:
1. you work all day and are standing most of the day
2. you don't have a big break in the middle of the day
3. you have to know all of the kids names
4. there is more work involved
Now I know some of you are thinking, "it sounds like she is just lazy!" But how many of you would rather do less work for the same amount of money? I know I would, plus I get to see all of our students when I work at the high school.
Thankfully I will be finished with college in a few short semesters and I will be the one calling for substitutes! I know the day I get to walk across that stage and declare to all of my family and friends that I am a college graduate will be a victorious day in my life and I can't wait for it!!!
Until then, just keep me in your prayers because I know that I'm gonna need it!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Busy Life!
Wow! It's been many months since my last post. I know there aren't many who read this blog since the only one who has noticed that lack of a post in the past 9 months has been Josh! Oh well.
To catch you up on what has been going on in the last few months, it's going to take a lot, so I will just make a list.
1. School
2. School
3. School
4. Summer
5. School
6. Youth Events
7. School
8. School
9. School
10. School
As you can tell, the majority of my time is taken up by school. This semester I am taking 12 hours again. I know that for a fresh college student, who is only going to school (and maybe working) this doesn't really seem like a lot. But for me it seems like an overload. I have class from 7-9:45 on Monday and Tuesday nights, then I have a class from 4-6:45 on Wednesday night, and then one online class. My prayer for this semester is that it will fly by so fast that I won't even realize that I had such a crazy schedule. I hate missing out on things with my family and with our students at church but I know that this is something that I must do now or it will only be harder to finish!
I will try to continue to blog as much as possible but please forgive me if it is not as often as you would like. God has done some awesome things in our life since January and I would love to tell you all about them, but I really need to do some homework right now, so that post will just have to wait until a later time.
Please be in prayer for me this semester...it's going to take a lot of prayer to get me through this one!
Until next time...
To catch you up on what has been going on in the last few months, it's going to take a lot, so I will just make a list.
1. School
2. School
3. School
4. Summer
5. School
6. Youth Events
7. School
8. School
9. School
10. School
As you can tell, the majority of my time is taken up by school. This semester I am taking 12 hours again. I know that for a fresh college student, who is only going to school (and maybe working) this doesn't really seem like a lot. But for me it seems like an overload. I have class from 7-9:45 on Monday and Tuesday nights, then I have a class from 4-6:45 on Wednesday night, and then one online class. My prayer for this semester is that it will fly by so fast that I won't even realize that I had such a crazy schedule. I hate missing out on things with my family and with our students at church but I know that this is something that I must do now or it will only be harder to finish!
I will try to continue to blog as much as possible but please forgive me if it is not as often as you would like. God has done some awesome things in our life since January and I would love to tell you all about them, but I really need to do some homework right now, so that post will just have to wait until a later time.
Please be in prayer for me this semester...it's going to take a lot of prayer to get me through this one!
Until next time...
Thursday, January 28, 2010
New Beginnings!
I know I'm a little late on the "New Year" blog entry but I'm just a little behind. Please forgive me.
I have officially completed all of my "first days" of college! I am taking Children's Lit, Advanced Expository Writing, Advanced Technological Communications, and Reading Overviews and Strategies. I actually think I am going to really enjoy all of my classes. The only negative is that there will be a lot of homework in every class. Usually you get one or two that are a little easier on the homework but all of these have about the same amount. Even though it will be a lot of work I really think I am going to learn a lot and I am excited about this semester!
Ashby is doing lots of new things since the last time I talked with all of you! She is using the potty almost all of the time. We still have quite a few accidents but it is getting better and better everyday! She has 16 teeth so her smile is beautiful!!! She has been moved up to the 2 year old class at Mother's Day Out and she loves her new teacher, Mrs. Stacey. We have watched Strawberry Shortcake and Cars more times than we can count in the past month and we are lovin every minute of it! She has started talking like crazy and you can actually understand most of the things that she says! She is growing up so quick and time is flying by but we are trying to make the most of every minute we have with her.
As far as church goes...IT'S AWESOME!!! On our first Wednesday night of the new year I was privileged to lead one of my junior high girls to the Lord! It was such an awesome way to ring in the new year! Our first big event was Hot Hearts in Beaumont Texas. We took 19 kids and had a blast! On the first night we had 3 students that changed their eternal destination!!! As if God hadn't blessed us enough on Friday night, He decided to show off a little more and 2 more of our kids got saved on Saturday!!!! Josh and I are still beaming from a wonderful weekend and wonderful blessings!!
So far this has been an awesome year and I only expect it to get better! I hope this finds all of you having a great week!
I have officially completed all of my "first days" of college! I am taking Children's Lit, Advanced Expository Writing, Advanced Technological Communications, and Reading Overviews and Strategies. I actually think I am going to really enjoy all of my classes. The only negative is that there will be a lot of homework in every class. Usually you get one or two that are a little easier on the homework but all of these have about the same amount. Even though it will be a lot of work I really think I am going to learn a lot and I am excited about this semester!
Ashby is doing lots of new things since the last time I talked with all of you! She is using the potty almost all of the time. We still have quite a few accidents but it is getting better and better everyday! She has 16 teeth so her smile is beautiful!!! She has been moved up to the 2 year old class at Mother's Day Out and she loves her new teacher, Mrs. Stacey. We have watched Strawberry Shortcake and Cars more times than we can count in the past month and we are lovin every minute of it! She has started talking like crazy and you can actually understand most of the things that she says! She is growing up so quick and time is flying by but we are trying to make the most of every minute we have with her.
As far as church goes...IT'S AWESOME!!! On our first Wednesday night of the new year I was privileged to lead one of my junior high girls to the Lord! It was such an awesome way to ring in the new year! Our first big event was Hot Hearts in Beaumont Texas. We took 19 kids and had a blast! On the first night we had 3 students that changed their eternal destination!!! As if God hadn't blessed us enough on Friday night, He decided to show off a little more and 2 more of our kids got saved on Saturday!!!! Josh and I are still beaming from a wonderful weekend and wonderful blessings!!
So far this has been an awesome year and I only expect it to get better! I hope this finds all of you having a great week!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Christmas!
Who loves Christmas? Since I was a little girl I have loved Christmas!! I learned, growing up in church, that Jesus is the reason for the season, Joy to the World the Lord is Come, and it was a Silent Night! I know that without Christ there would be no Christmas. I am so glad that Jesus came to earth and died and rose so that I could have everlasting life through him!!!
Every year at Christmas time I would look so forward to going to Granny's for Christmas Eve and Grandma's Christmas night. On Christmas Eve we would listen to the same cassette tape and make sugar cookies, date nut balls, and rolls at our house. Then we would travel the long 5 minute car ride over to Granny's to share our goodies with all of my cousins. There are six siblings on my mom's side of the family and I have 18 cousins (and now between all of the cousins we almost have 40 kids) so you can imagine that it was a little hectic at Granny and Pappaw's house. I loved getting to play outside until it was time to eat, then eat all the scrumptious holiday food, then beg our parents to let us open the presents under the tree! Among the many traditions that I share with my family is Christmas Caroling. Before we could open any presents,the girls would pile up in our van and the boys in Aunt Phyllis' van and off we went to sing to all of our close family friends! The list has changed over the years but it is still a tradition that must be carried on. We would finally get back to the house and open our presents, then our parents would rush us out the door to get back home before Santa came to visit our house! I could go on and on about Christmas, but I will stop here...some of the greatest memories of my life are from Christmas time!!
Now that I'm older and I get to spend Christmas with Josh's family, I realize that not everyone shares a crazy Christmas with a house full of screaming kids, but I still love it! I cannot wait to step into Granny's house on Christmas Eve this year and start making memories with Ashby! Her memories will be different than mine, but they will be filled with love. Big families are crazy but I wouldn't want it any other way!
Every year at Christmas time I would look so forward to going to Granny's for Christmas Eve and Grandma's Christmas night. On Christmas Eve we would listen to the same cassette tape and make sugar cookies, date nut balls, and rolls at our house. Then we would travel the long 5 minute car ride over to Granny's to share our goodies with all of my cousins. There are six siblings on my mom's side of the family and I have 18 cousins (and now between all of the cousins we almost have 40 kids) so you can imagine that it was a little hectic at Granny and Pappaw's house. I loved getting to play outside until it was time to eat, then eat all the scrumptious holiday food, then beg our parents to let us open the presents under the tree! Among the many traditions that I share with my family is Christmas Caroling. Before we could open any presents,the girls would pile up in our van and the boys in Aunt Phyllis' van and off we went to sing to all of our close family friends! The list has changed over the years but it is still a tradition that must be carried on. We would finally get back to the house and open our presents, then our parents would rush us out the door to get back home before Santa came to visit our house! I could go on and on about Christmas, but I will stop here...some of the greatest memories of my life are from Christmas time!!
Now that I'm older and I get to spend Christmas with Josh's family, I realize that not everyone shares a crazy Christmas with a house full of screaming kids, but I still love it! I cannot wait to step into Granny's house on Christmas Eve this year and start making memories with Ashby! Her memories will be different than mine, but they will be filled with love. Big families are crazy but I wouldn't want it any other way!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Maybe Not How You Wanted Your Life To Turn Out...
Please read this carefully...
What do you think God's view of your life's puzzle looks like? Do you think it has any resemblance to what you see when you think of your puzzle? We all know that there are pieces of our puzzle that don't match up to what we think the whole thing looks like. We can't see it all so to us some of the pieces are a very big disappointment! Some people feel like just because God hasn't made our puzzle look the way we want it to look means that our whole life is a mess. I believe that even when things don't turn out exactly like you want them to, God is still in control! Instead of looking at only one piece I think we should look at all the surrounding pieces. The only way we can have blessings in our lives is if we let them be blessings. Take a look around you and instead of counting everything as loss, reach out for the blessings! As all of you know there have been pieces of my puzzle that I would love to rip up and throw in the garbage, but I know that the puzzle is a beautiful creation. So, I take the messed up pieces, hand them to God and allow him to continue to piece together the puzzle of my life. He tells me that I am beautifully and wonderfully made and that he holds every bit of me in his hands. So why be bitter about the things I don't like. Just take it all in and give it to him and he can make a masterpiece out of a bunch of scribbles!
I hope you can look for the blessings in your life and concentrate on that instead of wallowing in thoughts of your life not turning out the way you had planned!
What do you think God's view of your life's puzzle looks like? Do you think it has any resemblance to what you see when you think of your puzzle? We all know that there are pieces of our puzzle that don't match up to what we think the whole thing looks like. We can't see it all so to us some of the pieces are a very big disappointment! Some people feel like just because God hasn't made our puzzle look the way we want it to look means that our whole life is a mess. I believe that even when things don't turn out exactly like you want them to, God is still in control! Instead of looking at only one piece I think we should look at all the surrounding pieces. The only way we can have blessings in our lives is if we let them be blessings. Take a look around you and instead of counting everything as loss, reach out for the blessings! As all of you know there have been pieces of my puzzle that I would love to rip up and throw in the garbage, but I know that the puzzle is a beautiful creation. So, I take the messed up pieces, hand them to God and allow him to continue to piece together the puzzle of my life. He tells me that I am beautifully and wonderfully made and that he holds every bit of me in his hands. So why be bitter about the things I don't like. Just take it all in and give it to him and he can make a masterpiece out of a bunch of scribbles!
I hope you can look for the blessings in your life and concentrate on that instead of wallowing in thoughts of your life not turning out the way you had planned!
Monday, November 16, 2009
What a mighty God we serve!
There have been times in my life where I knew that God was real and that he did awesome things but I didn't really understand it like I do right now. Nine months ago, right before Boomer's birthday I spoke at a women's meeting at a church in our area. The whole experience was awesome and I really felt like I was able to share Boomer's story in a way that would help someone that might need it. Little did I know, a woman was there that had been dealing with some of the "God" issues that I had dealt with during my grief journey. Her husband passed away a few years ago and she was still feeling angry with God. I was told today that because I shared Boomer's story, this woman realized that she could get on with her life and do something with what God had given her. As my friend told me this story and as I told Josh this story and as I told my mom the story....all I could do was cry! GOD IS REAL AND HE DOES AWESOME THINGS!! My prayer was that God would use me (and Josh) in anyway that he wanted to help others who had been through the same things that we have been through. I am so thankful that he can turn something completely negative into something so totally positive! As long as someone asks I will travel wherever it takes to share Boomer's story!
Now, here we are in November and I have been asked to come and speak at a women's meeting in a town about an hour away in January. Please pray that there will be some woman there that will benefit from Boomer's story. God does not ask us to move mountains, he only asks us to BE WILLING to pick up one small stone at a time.
Now, here we are in November and I have been asked to come and speak at a women's meeting in a town about an hour away in January. Please pray that there will be some woman there that will benefit from Boomer's story. God does not ask us to move mountains, he only asks us to BE WILLING to pick up one small stone at a time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)