So thankful for these ladies!
Halloween: Look at these studs! :)
Roomies!
Skateworld
Passion
We might have been in Georgia, but it was COLD!
Steph graduates!
Fun weekend trips
Valentine's Day!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
A Look at the Year in Pictures: Friends
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
So thankful for these ladies!
Halloween: Look at these studs! :)
Roomies!
Skateworld
Passion
We might have been in Georgia, but it was COLD!
Steph graduates!
Fun weekend trips
Valentine's Day!
So thankful for these ladies!
Halloween: Look at these studs! :)
Roomies!
Skateworld
Passion
We might have been in Georgia, but it was COLD!
Steph graduates!
Fun weekend trips
Valentine's Day!
A Look at the Year in Pictures: Time Spent Outside
Today, I completed my second semester of grad school. So, I was going to do a whole post taking a look at this past school year in pictures. But, that ended up being A LOT of pictures. So, I am going to do a couple themed posts of pictures from the year.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1
Snow.
Hiking and Camping.
Football Games!
Did I mention we got some snow?
Fun times at the park!
Dates on the Parkway
Baptisms in the Creek.
A Little Bit of Snow...
God's Majesty Displayed for All to See!
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1
Snow.
Hiking and Camping.
Football Games!
Did I mention we got some snow?
Fun times at the park!
Dates on the Parkway
Baptisms in the Creek.
A Little Bit of Snow...
God's Majesty Displayed for All to See!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Spring Green
After the long snowy winter we had in Boone, I was so excited to see warm, sunny days! Thankfully, warm, sunny days bring new life as the earth begins to bloom again. Although the pollen was dreadful in Durham, it has not been bad in Boone. Therefore, the start of this spring has been an enjoyable one for me and a great time of reflection.
I took an American Literature class one of my first springs at Appalachian. The professor encouraged us to watch for the first sign of spring. He said it is so easy to miss. One day you just wake up and realize how much life the earth seems to have again. I never appreciated the first sign of spring until this year. Daffodils and Tulips always bloom first. The color that they brought when they bloomed this year was so refreshing.
Along with these lovely flowers come Bradbury Pear trees. They look pretty, but their smell is not so great. :) However, the sight and smell of them in the spring always bring memories of my days in middle and high school. For some reason schools like to plant rows of these trees up and down walkways around their campuses. Anytime I smell them, I am immediately back in school (pre-college) walking down the sidewalk with my friends discussing what that fish smell is. It never fails, every spring one of my best friends and I text each other the day the Bradbury Pear trees first start smelling. They bloom a lot later in Boone than they do in Durham. So, I had the privilege of smelling them twice this spring. Usually I close my nose and text Laura, but this year I took the smell in because I was thankful to be reminded of the beauty of new life.
Spring is quickly becoming my new favorite season.
I don't really have a favorite color. In my list of favorite colors, green usually gets mentioned near the end of the list. Like I said before, plants bloom a lot later in Boone than they do in Durham. So, although I have been enjoying the first signs of spring in Boone the past few weeks, it seems that Durham has been enjoying the beauty of the color green as they are much further along in the blooming process.
It has been about three weeks since I have been home. Spring seems to happen fast. So, as I pulled off the highway onto Cole Mill Road, the fullness and greenness of the trees was breathtaking. I have been enjoying the new blooms in Boone, but it was encouraging to be reminded of the fullness of new life that is to come in the color green.
This spring seems to be a very green one. And, hopefully the frost and extreme heat will hold off a while and allow the plants to flourish in health. However, the green I am seeing in Durham does not top the green I saw in South Africa. One day, before we transitioned to the last part of our three week trip there, we spent a day at a botanical garden. I was there in December, which is part of their summer months. It was already nice to be in a warm place in December serving the Lord and getting a tan (not that those two things are anywhere close to being equal). But, when we walked into that garden, the beauty of creation was like none I had ever seen and I've been to Yellowstone and live in Boone. I've seen some beautiful creation! What made this sight so different was the color green that was present. We could not stop talking about how green it was. Everything was so green.
These pictures do not begin to do it justice. But, it's the most my little digital camera was able to take in. After a picnic, we had a time of prayer for about 2-3 hours. Although this was the result of those 2-3 hours in the sun (can you tell that my face is the same color as the coke bottle?,
it was one of my favorite memories of the trip. The grass was so soft to lay in. The sun warmed our faces and the time we got to spend at the Lord's feet in prayer was humbling and refreshing as we rested, rejoiced, and worshiped in His creation. At some point during that time of prayer, I believe each of us got a power nap. That is one of the best naps I have ever taken. I usually feel bad for being sleepy at church or in prayer time, but I truly believe my rest there, in the garden with my Savior that day was a blessing from Him and re-energizing for my body.
Green is quickly becoming my new favorite color.
Lessons I've learned/been reminded of this spring:
New life is what the Lord gives us when we surrender and accept Him as our Lord and Savior.
We're going to have rough winters, but the newness of life after the winter makes us healthier and stronger in our walks with the Lord.
Christians who are full of life and "green" in their walks are encouragement to others of what is to come as we walk with the Lord.
They too will have rough days (pollen), but the cleansing from the Lord (rain) will wash all their troubles away.
Rest at the Lord's feet in His creation is necessary for a vital full walk with Him.
Life and this journey with the Lord won't always be full of color (easy and happy), but spring always comes and life blooms again (healing and restoration).
I'm sure there are many more lessons the Lord has prepared for me through His creation or that can even be pulled from these observations. I'm thankful that the Lord has a lot to teach us and He reveals His truth to us in a variety of ways. Spring green is what is reminding me of His awesomeness currently.
I took an American Literature class one of my first springs at Appalachian. The professor encouraged us to watch for the first sign of spring. He said it is so easy to miss. One day you just wake up and realize how much life the earth seems to have again. I never appreciated the first sign of spring until this year. Daffodils and Tulips always bloom first. The color that they brought when they bloomed this year was so refreshing.
Along with these lovely flowers come Bradbury Pear trees. They look pretty, but their smell is not so great. :) However, the sight and smell of them in the spring always bring memories of my days in middle and high school. For some reason schools like to plant rows of these trees up and down walkways around their campuses. Anytime I smell them, I am immediately back in school (pre-college) walking down the sidewalk with my friends discussing what that fish smell is. It never fails, every spring one of my best friends and I text each other the day the Bradbury Pear trees first start smelling. They bloom a lot later in Boone than they do in Durham. So, I had the privilege of smelling them twice this spring. Usually I close my nose and text Laura, but this year I took the smell in because I was thankful to be reminded of the beauty of new life.
Spring is quickly becoming my new favorite season.
I don't really have a favorite color. In my list of favorite colors, green usually gets mentioned near the end of the list. Like I said before, plants bloom a lot later in Boone than they do in Durham. So, although I have been enjoying the first signs of spring in Boone the past few weeks, it seems that Durham has been enjoying the beauty of the color green as they are much further along in the blooming process.
It has been about three weeks since I have been home. Spring seems to happen fast. So, as I pulled off the highway onto Cole Mill Road, the fullness and greenness of the trees was breathtaking. I have been enjoying the new blooms in Boone, but it was encouraging to be reminded of the fullness of new life that is to come in the color green.
This spring seems to be a very green one. And, hopefully the frost and extreme heat will hold off a while and allow the plants to flourish in health. However, the green I am seeing in Durham does not top the green I saw in South Africa. One day, before we transitioned to the last part of our three week trip there, we spent a day at a botanical garden. I was there in December, which is part of their summer months. It was already nice to be in a warm place in December serving the Lord and getting a tan (not that those two things are anywhere close to being equal). But, when we walked into that garden, the beauty of creation was like none I had ever seen and I've been to Yellowstone and live in Boone. I've seen some beautiful creation! What made this sight so different was the color green that was present. We could not stop talking about how green it was. Everything was so green.
These pictures do not begin to do it justice. But, it's the most my little digital camera was able to take in. After a picnic, we had a time of prayer for about 2-3 hours. Although this was the result of those 2-3 hours in the sun (can you tell that my face is the same color as the coke bottle?,
it was one of my favorite memories of the trip. The grass was so soft to lay in. The sun warmed our faces and the time we got to spend at the Lord's feet in prayer was humbling and refreshing as we rested, rejoiced, and worshiped in His creation. At some point during that time of prayer, I believe each of us got a power nap. That is one of the best naps I have ever taken. I usually feel bad for being sleepy at church or in prayer time, but I truly believe my rest there, in the garden with my Savior that day was a blessing from Him and re-energizing for my body.
Green is quickly becoming my new favorite color.
Lessons I've learned/been reminded of this spring:
New life is what the Lord gives us when we surrender and accept Him as our Lord and Savior.
We're going to have rough winters, but the newness of life after the winter makes us healthier and stronger in our walks with the Lord.
Christians who are full of life and "green" in their walks are encouragement to others of what is to come as we walk with the Lord.
They too will have rough days (pollen), but the cleansing from the Lord (rain) will wash all their troubles away.
Rest at the Lord's feet in His creation is necessary for a vital full walk with Him.
Life and this journey with the Lord won't always be full of color (easy and happy), but spring always comes and life blooms again (healing and restoration).
I'm sure there are many more lessons the Lord has prepared for me through His creation or that can even be pulled from these observations. I'm thankful that the Lord has a lot to teach us and He reveals His truth to us in a variety of ways. Spring green is what is reminding me of His awesomeness currently.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
First Legit "I'm old" Moment
I'll preface this by saying I know I'm not really old, but experiences like this make me aware that I am getting older.
I was getting coffee with a girl from my Bible study this week who is a freshman. When I came to college, age and class in school lost all meaning. Everyone suddenly became "my age" in my mind. Yes, I understood that some people were a little older or younger than me, but overall, we're all the same age. That is how it's been my four years at App, in my mind. So, when the new class of freshman came in this semester, I continued with this thought until the other day when I realized they are quite a bit younger than me.
So, as I sat at coffee with this girl and we discussed school and life in general, she asked me how old I was. I told her I was 22. She said, "That's how old my brother is...I think...He's so old I don't even keep up with his age." aka you're old.
So, I started thinking about this and this is what I realized:
This freshman class was born in 1991
I was 4 years old
We haven't been in school together since elementary school
Even then, they were the little kids and I was the big kid getting ready to go to middle school
How did they get to college so fast?
How did college go by so fast for me?
Why didn't I hang out with younger people back then? They're fun!
Even if they think I'm old, I think they're awesome and I'm glad I have been here this year to get to know them. I have been so encouraged by the freshman that have come in this year and gotten involved with CCF. Coming in strong in their faith and staying strong and growing in it their freshman year is awesome! I know God has great things in store for them during their four years at App, and I'm excited to watch that even if I'm not up here anymore. I am a pro facebook stalker! :)
I was getting coffee with a girl from my Bible study this week who is a freshman. When I came to college, age and class in school lost all meaning. Everyone suddenly became "my age" in my mind. Yes, I understood that some people were a little older or younger than me, but overall, we're all the same age. That is how it's been my four years at App, in my mind. So, when the new class of freshman came in this semester, I continued with this thought until the other day when I realized they are quite a bit younger than me.
So, as I sat at coffee with this girl and we discussed school and life in general, she asked me how old I was. I told her I was 22. She said, "That's how old my brother is...I think...He's so old I don't even keep up with his age." aka you're old.
So, I started thinking about this and this is what I realized:
This freshman class was born in 1991
I was 4 years old
We haven't been in school together since elementary school
Even then, they were the little kids and I was the big kid getting ready to go to middle school
How did they get to college so fast?
How did college go by so fast for me?
Why didn't I hang out with younger people back then? They're fun!
Even if they think I'm old, I think they're awesome and I'm glad I have been here this year to get to know them. I have been so encouraged by the freshman that have come in this year and gotten involved with CCF. Coming in strong in their faith and staying strong and growing in it their freshman year is awesome! I know God has great things in store for them during their four years at App, and I'm excited to watch that even if I'm not up here anymore. I am a pro facebook stalker! :)
High Dive
Do you remember when you were little and got on a high dive for the first time? If you're like me, it probably wasn't long after you finally got brave enough to jump off of the low dive and be in the deep end by yourself. That first time for me was at Eno Valley's pool in Durham. My knees got shaky the closer I got to the top. I wondered if I would belly flop and yell like the guy in front of me did. I wondered if I would be able to hold my breath long enough. It was 12ft of water I was jumping into. Fear. Did I jump the first time I got up there? No. Was I able to stay standing to pass the rails? No. Did I get on my hands and knees and crawl back to the stairs to go down? Yes. And, I did not care that there was a line behind me having to wait on me to get down the stairs with my shaky knees. Because of my fear, I turned back and didn't do it.
It took me several more tries, progressing a little further each time, before I finally jumped. I even got all the way to the edge a few times and still chickened out. Finally, one day, I jumped. And, my stomach felt like it was in my throat. I landed without a belly flop and made it up before I ran out of breath. It was awesome! And, I did it again. And, again. And, again. My knees still get shaky as I walk pass the rails. And, my stomach still feels like it is in my throat, but it's so much fun! And, I always want to do it again.
Life can feel like this at times. But, we don't always have the option to go back. The low dive and deep water for me, I feel like, was high school. Then, I got brave enough to head toward the high dive. I got a little ways up the stairs my first year at Elon. And, a little farther when I got brave enough to transfer to App. I actually made it onto the board and walked towards the end when I finished my 4 years and graduated. I don't know if grad school was step back in fear of the deep waters ahead or a few more steps forward. Either way, I am quickly approaching the end of my graduate work and the end of the high dive. However, there is no turning back from here. I no longer have the option to turn around and crawl back down. But, the scariest thing is I can't see what lies ahead. I don't know if the waters are clear, or muddy. Rough, or calm. Or, a mixture of all. All I know is that I have to jump. And, I am scared to death.
I am leaving Boone, but I don't know where I am going. I don't know where I'll be living. I don't know where I'll be working. I don't know. Even as I typed all of these "I don't know" statements my freak out level reached an all time high. You see, I like to be in control and know what's going to happen. However, that's not how my Savior works. He calls me to trust in Him. He knows what the future holds and as long as I am willing to follow His guidance, I'll be fine. The thing is, I know this and I know His plans are best for me, always. I just struggle when it comes down to me putting my total trust in Him; because, like I said, I want control. But, His Spirit quietly whispers to my heart,
"For I know the plans I have for you. Plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God. And, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
And, let me tell you, His peace really does surpass all understanding. When I run to Him in prayer with thanksgiving, His peace is like no other feeling.
Lord, as my heart and soul worries and is anxious about the future and the unknowns, as my knees shake in fear while I prepare to jump, fill me with your peace. Guard my heart and mind. Take captive of my thoughts and quiet my anxious spirit. Thank you for your peace and guidance. Help me to follow your will. I surrender my desire for control. I know your plans are better for me than anything I could think up. Your will be done. Be glorified through me. Love, me.
It took me several more tries, progressing a little further each time, before I finally jumped. I even got all the way to the edge a few times and still chickened out. Finally, one day, I jumped. And, my stomach felt like it was in my throat. I landed without a belly flop and made it up before I ran out of breath. It was awesome! And, I did it again. And, again. And, again. My knees still get shaky as I walk pass the rails. And, my stomach still feels like it is in my throat, but it's so much fun! And, I always want to do it again.
Life can feel like this at times. But, we don't always have the option to go back. The low dive and deep water for me, I feel like, was high school. Then, I got brave enough to head toward the high dive. I got a little ways up the stairs my first year at Elon. And, a little farther when I got brave enough to transfer to App. I actually made it onto the board and walked towards the end when I finished my 4 years and graduated. I don't know if grad school was step back in fear of the deep waters ahead or a few more steps forward. Either way, I am quickly approaching the end of my graduate work and the end of the high dive. However, there is no turning back from here. I no longer have the option to turn around and crawl back down. But, the scariest thing is I can't see what lies ahead. I don't know if the waters are clear, or muddy. Rough, or calm. Or, a mixture of all. All I know is that I have to jump. And, I am scared to death.
I am leaving Boone, but I don't know where I am going. I don't know where I'll be living. I don't know where I'll be working. I don't know. Even as I typed all of these "I don't know" statements my freak out level reached an all time high. You see, I like to be in control and know what's going to happen. However, that's not how my Savior works. He calls me to trust in Him. He knows what the future holds and as long as I am willing to follow His guidance, I'll be fine. The thing is, I know this and I know His plans are best for me, always. I just struggle when it comes down to me putting my total trust in Him; because, like I said, I want control. But, His Spirit quietly whispers to my heart,
"For I know the plans I have for you. Plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God. And, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
And, let me tell you, His peace really does surpass all understanding. When I run to Him in prayer with thanksgiving, His peace is like no other feeling.
Lord, as my heart and soul worries and is anxious about the future and the unknowns, as my knees shake in fear while I prepare to jump, fill me with your peace. Guard my heart and mind. Take captive of my thoughts and quiet my anxious spirit. Thank you for your peace and guidance. Help me to follow your will. I surrender my desire for control. I know your plans are better for me than anything I could think up. Your will be done. Be glorified through me. Love, me.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Teaching to Learn
So, I decided to start a blog. I joined Twitter because a lot of my friends were on it, but I quickly got bored with that and rarely tweet now. I am starting a blog for a few reasons:
Some of my friends have a blog and I enjoy reading their posts. Maybe people will enjoy what I have to say.
Sometimes I just need to flesh out my thoughts.
I am getting ready to start teaching and need a place to record the happenings in my classroom.
The last reason is my main reason for starting this blog. Several teachers I have had have expressed that they wished they had journaled more throughout their years as teachers to have record of the happenings in their classrooms. I've always wanted to have a journal for when I start teaching. I have several journals that I journal in on a fairly regular basis. While I will not stop journaling there, I thought I would use a blog to journal through my first years of teaching and maybe more after that. I can type a lot faster than I write. And, if I have people reading my blog, I think I will have more motivation to blog consistently. Hopefully this won't be a fad like Twitter was for me.
Teaching to Learn:
My awesome roommate came up with this title. She is so creative like that! :) I don't know what I am going to do without her.
I know that I have a lot to learn and that the classroom is where I am sure I will learn many new things from my students and colleagues. So, this is where I will discuss the lessons that I learn. I promise to be open and real about my experiences. Good days and bad days. Happy times and sad times. Triumphs and failures. I know I will have them all.
Join me on this journey of a new chapter in my life, which may turn into several chapters. I welcome your thoughts, comments, questions, concerns, and prayers!
Some of my friends have a blog and I enjoy reading their posts. Maybe people will enjoy what I have to say.
Sometimes I just need to flesh out my thoughts.
I am getting ready to start teaching and need a place to record the happenings in my classroom.
The last reason is my main reason for starting this blog. Several teachers I have had have expressed that they wished they had journaled more throughout their years as teachers to have record of the happenings in their classrooms. I've always wanted to have a journal for when I start teaching. I have several journals that I journal in on a fairly regular basis. While I will not stop journaling there, I thought I would use a blog to journal through my first years of teaching and maybe more after that. I can type a lot faster than I write. And, if I have people reading my blog, I think I will have more motivation to blog consistently. Hopefully this won't be a fad like Twitter was for me.
Teaching to Learn:
My awesome roommate came up with this title. She is so creative like that! :) I don't know what I am going to do without her.
I know that I have a lot to learn and that the classroom is where I am sure I will learn many new things from my students and colleagues. So, this is where I will discuss the lessons that I learn. I promise to be open and real about my experiences. Good days and bad days. Happy times and sad times. Triumphs and failures. I know I will have them all.
Join me on this journey of a new chapter in my life, which may turn into several chapters. I welcome your thoughts, comments, questions, concerns, and prayers!
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