Snow Day!

I have just discovered yet another reason why I LOVE being a "teacher": SNOW DAYS!  Working retail meant no snow days EVER, but especially not 5 days before Christmas!  BUT... day care doesn't care about how many days there are 'till Christmas; they care about keeping us all safe!

Working at a day care has given me so many fantastic opportunities.  I've always wanted to be a teacher, but God never opened the door for me to see that dream come true.

Until now.

And the best part about it is that I didn't even know it was happening!  It wasn't until I started working at the day care and hearing children, parents, and co-workers referring to me as the "new teacher" in the two-year-old room that I realized my dream was finally coming true.

I loved watching my kids get excited about the snow when it started falling yesterday!  I loved hearing them talk about it, seeing the joy and wonder on their adorable little faces, and once again seeing snow through the eyes of a child.

In other news, I spent my snow day hanging out with my sister, Helen (who is staying with me this week so she can work), watching movies, and cutting a Mr. & Mrs. Potatohead out of felt.  SUPER cute and easy! Thanks, Pinterest, for keeping me entertained today!

Reflection

Lately, with all the changes goin on around me, I've been very reflective.  For the most part, I've been reliving my summer memories over and over again in my head.  I've gone through the hundreds of pictures I took this summer dozens of times in the last few weeks... just remembering.

But then it hit me.

I shouldn't be here.  If life had gone according to MY plan, I would probably still be living at home, working for the church, and enjoying life in a very different way.

Where was I a year ago?

Well, one year ago today, I was sitting in class at Iowa Wesleyan College, convincing myself that I belonged there... that I COULD learn to speak Spanish... that I WOULD graduate in two and a half years with a teaching degree.

I was praying desperately for my sister Helen and I to find jobs in our local areas.  I was missing her beyond belief as she began school at Faith, and I started at IWC without her.

I was enjoying having my big sister, her first grader, and her new baby living with us.  I was caught up in several new TV shows, including Pan Am and Once Upon a Time.

I was helping with AWANA at church, as well as playing the piano regularly, and teaching Sunday School.

I was working hard at making my mom my new best friend.  I was working hard at being friends with my littlest sister Leah.  I was working hard at being a good friend to my cousin April and my neighbor Sarah. I was looking to former teachers-turned-mentors for advice in my schooling.

I was pouring time and energy (both well spent) into growing in my walk with God.   I was praying for guidance and strength in my new endeavour with school.  I was seeking wisdom and assurance that I was doing what He wanted me to do.

REALLY?!  All of that was only a year ago?  It feels like forever.  Looking back now, I can see how insanely much I've grown this year. Now, I can say with confidence that:

1. I'm exactly where God wants me to be.
2. I'm a stronger person because of the past year.
3. I'm closer to all three of my sisters now than I was then.
4. My mom is one of my best friends in the whole entire world.
5. Several of the key people in my life... I didn't even KNOW them a year ago. Now I can't imagine life without them.
6. I have no doubt whatsoever that I did the right thing by walking away from teaching.
7. Somehow, I've lost weight. Random, but true!
8. God brings things in to our lives to grow us, stretch us, and make us into the people He wants us to be... even if it "hurts."
9. God will use whomever He chooses, even unexpected people, to bless our lives.
10. God has a plan for this next year of my life.  I can trust Him COMPLETELY, without worry, to do His will in His time.

If I hadn't paused to reflect on where I was a year ago, it would be easy for me to panic and fear the unknowns of this coming year.  There are so many potential life changes coming my way (most of which I embrace whole heartedly!), and it would be so easy to worry and fret!  BUT... looking at the way God led me from where I was a year ago to where I am now?  That's what gives me the confidence to embrace life.  To live without fear.

As my Yellow House brother recently reminded me:  You don't have to fear the unknown because you know the God who knows the unknown.

I'm excited to see whereGod takes me, and where I'll writing from NEXT September!

Seasons of Change

I think I may have mentioned this before, but just in case you've forgotten, this is my absolute most favorite time of year!  The weather is changing, and the promise of winter is in the air.  The changing leaves remind us of God's perfect plan for His creation as they drift to the ground.  My three favorite holidays are just around the corner:  Thanksgiving, the day AFTER Thanksgiving, and Christmas!

As some of you know (and all of you will know after reading this post), life has been pretty crazy for me over the last few weeks.  I'll give you the short rundown here, but if you really want to know every single little detail, I can probably send you a seventy-five page e-mail later. :)  Last weekend, I had a little mid-life crisis.  This scares me a little bit because I'm only 22.  I hope that doesn't mean I'll be dying at 44!!

Anyhow, I was sitting at my desk working on my homework, and it hit me:  I really don't want to do this!  Now, it wasn't just the typical college kid "I hate homework and would rather be doing ANYTHING else!" kind of thing. It was more of an "I definitely do not want to do this for the rest of my life" kind of realization.  This realization, combined with a large number of other things God brought to my attention sealed the deal. So the short version is that last Monday, I withdrew as a student at Iowa Wesleyan College effective immediately.  I got a pretty sweet refund out of the whole ordeal, and I am SOOO much happier and at peace with my life!

God is so good to us, is He not?  I knew for positive sure that He was leading me back to school, so it was hard for me to understand at first why He would lead me away from college half way through my first semester back. However, after thinking it over during the last week, I came to this conclusion:  God led me back to school so that He could SHOW me why He doesn't want me to be a teacher.  I tend to be a little hard-headed, and God knows that, so He told me the only way I would listen (or at least the way I would listen the fastest).  I'm so thankful that God works very suddenly in my life; otherwise, I'm afraid I would over think things and rationalize my own agenda.

So now what, you may ask?  Well, that's a very good question.  I applied for a few full-time jobs.  One was in Des Moines, the other is pretty close to home.  Again, in keeping with the "short" version, I can tell you I'm pretty sure that I will NOT be moving to Des Moines.  I have not yet been offered the job, and there were just a number of other things that led me to believe God had other plans for me at this time.

I have applied for what I think will be the perfect job (close to home!!), but I have yet to hear whether or not they are considering me for the position.  I am definitely qualified, as it is a secretarial position, and that is what I went to college for!  I'm really hoping and praying that God will open the door to this huge potential pseudo-ministry! 

As soon as I know for sure what's going on in my life, I'll be sure to let you all know too!  Thanks for stopping by!

Teaching & A Parade

Upon my sisters untimely (at least in my opinion) departure, the role of 3-6 year old Sunday School teacher became mine... kinda.  I didn't actually start teaching until... today! Anyhow, most of you won't care whatsoever about this, but for my wonderful sister, here are a few pictures of my first bulletin boards in my new classroom.  Enjoy!

Attendance: each student chooses a leaf to staple to the board

Harvesting Love, Joy, Peace, Faith, & Gentleness 

 The somewhat festive hallway...

We also took in the Rodeo parade in Ft. Madison this weekend.  

Bethy is a huge fan of parades where they throw candy!

It says "Cute & Adorable Cowgirl in charge"

The Bestest Friend I Love

It's been awhile since I did a post for the Photo Challenge, so today I'll be doing just that.  Enjoy!

A picture of the person you have been 

closest with the longest and/or your best friend:

My Sister Laura!

The Lion King

Des Moines Civic Center

 Swinging at the Park

Christmas 2009 

Nebraska

Painting Laura's Room

(At the time, it was going to be OUR room.)

Laura hasn't always been my best friend.  We didn't get along so well when we were in Elementary/Jr. High.  BUT, my Senior year of high school, she was a Freshman.  And that's when we became best friends.  It was natural, really.  We hung out with the same people, had most of the same friends, and did things together.  Now, I can't imagine NOT having her as my best friend!

My top 10 favorite things about my best friend 

(in no particular order):

1. when she tells me "You have beautiful eyes!"

2.  Reading Junie B. Jones books out loud

3.  Late night babblings 

(I talk... she listens)

4.  Breaking out in random song & dance 

(she sings... I dance!)

5.  Going to school together- this time to become teachers!

6.  Watching my favorite movie together

7.  Family Vacation 

8. Using names like "Helen" and "Grandpa Frank Miller" 

in public

9.  Any meal in the privacy of our own home... where we can be ourselves!

10.  She's my sister, which means we LIVE in the SAME HOUSE!  That's the best part of all!

A Compass

Mr. Holland's Opus  is one of my all-time favorite movies.  The poignant story is of would-be music composer turned teacher Glenn Holland.  His goal is to work a few years teaching music until he has enough money to support his wife while he composes full-time. But, as in most stories, things don't work out quite like planned, and Mr. Holland ends up teaching for many, many years, never finishing his one life-changing composition.  In the end, he is let go due to budget cuts.  On his final day as a teacher, his wife orchestrates a large farewell celebration; many of his students return to take part, proving that his greatest composition was created not in sheets of music, but in the lives of those he influenced.  

These are two of my favorite quotes 

from the movie:

"Mr. Holland had a profound influence on my life and on a lot of lives I know. But I have a feeling that he considers a great part of his own life misspent. Rumor had it he was always working on this symphony of his. And this was going to make him famous, rich, probably both. But Mr. Holland isn't rich and he isn't famous, at least not outside of our little town. So it might be easy for him to think himself a failure. But he would be wrong, because I think that he's achieved a success far beyond riches and fame. Look around you. There is not a life in this room that you have not touched, and each of us is a better person because of you. We are your symphony Mr. Holland. We are the melodies and the notes of your opus. 

We are the music of your life."

~Adult Gertrude Lang, former student of Mr. Holland

"A teacher has two jobs; 

fill young minds with knowledge, yes, 

but more important, 

give those minds a compass 

so that that knowledge 

doesn't go to waste."

~Principal Jacobs

It began when, as a little girl, I played "school" with my little sisters & stuffed animals.  From there, it progressed to a love of books, reading, and writing.  Throughout Elementary School, Middle School, and High School, I attended 5 Young Writers Conferences.  I constantly asked for permission to go to the library.  Books were a staple in my backpack.  When high school rolled around, my English/Literature teachers were always encouraging me to broaden my reading horizons, writing topics, and life goals (note: for most of my high school career, my "life dream" was to be a chef living in New York City). 

By the time my Senior year rolled around, I had big plans to study culinary arts in college, graduate with honors, and move to the big city, much to the dismay of my beloved English/Literature educators (who had mentioned a number of times that I should consider pursuing a degree in English education). However, God had other plans, and I ended up with a passion for secretarial things like organization, public relations, and (big surprise) words!  

I went to Faith Baptist Bible College in the fall of 2008, and I graduated two years later, in the Spring of 2010, with an AA in Administrative Assistance.  God threw open a fabulous door of opportunity for me to use my newly acquired skills (or rather my newly acquired degree... the skills were mostly already there before I went) right away. For the last year, I have worked as the office manager at Calvary Baptist Church. I love my job!  God brought me here for a reason, and I think the growth in my life is great evidence of His purpose.

My love of books, words, and (believe it or not) High School has never really gone away.  AND..... the time has FINALLY come to do something about it!  I can't tell you all how hard it was to make this decision, but it's settled: in August, I will be leaving my oh-so-love-it job and returning to school for a degree in Secondary English Education.  If you keep up with my posting, you may recall that this is one of my life dreams.  I'm so excited!  I received an e-mail this morning telling me that I've been accepted as a full-time transfer student at Iowa Wesleyan College for Fall 2011.  I dearly love the people of CBC, but I can't deny the hand of the Lord in this.  I'm very VERY excited to be finally doing what I've always wanted to do!

I simply cannot present this news without taking a moment to recognize a few people who made this dream possible.  So, in closing, here's to you:

John Grunwald, my MS & HS Vocal Instructor, for never letting me settle for being "good enough", and for always pushing me just a little further than I thought I could go.

Audrey Ekle, my High School English/Literature teacher , for first planting the idea in my head, and for being the best drama teacher/director ever!

Andrea Crooks, my other High School English/Literature teacher, for encouraging me to pursue a career of changing lives by being a teacher, and for being my godly mentor/encourager!

You not only inspired me to be the best version of myself, but you also set the best examples of what a good teacher looks like.  To you I say "Thanks!"