guess who got her ring back?!

I did!

I am one happy girl to have her ring back.  I was on the phone with mom (slightly panicking) asking "what do I do if they don't have it ready? That is simply not acceptable." when I got the beep in my ear of an incoming call.  After a squeal, I politely picked up the phone and was delighted to hear my ring was ready. In my defense, I did mention to her "I am working on keeping in mind that the day is not done yet, so they have not failed quite yet".  Unfortunetly, I was still freaking out a bit.  It was definitely a very long 2 and a half weeks.

For Friday night, my evening has been a bit dry.  I got on an academic kick and got a bunch done.  I have all my homework done for Monday through Friday with the exception of one assignment that is due on Friday.  I am feeling very good about that!  Hooray for a productive evening.  This will allow me to enjoy my time in VA all the more, wedding planning with my fiance and simply enjoying his presence.

One of my recent assignments has been to create a schedule.  It sounded fun and easy until she gave us the requirements and what has to be involved in our schedule. Such as: you have two students taking music lessons that will be out at such and such a time, you like to read aloud to your students every day, school ends one hour early on Fridays, you have lunch duty on Tuesday and Thursday and dismissal duty on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and so you will need to leave your class fifteen minutes early, this age group is required to have two recesses, and the list went on and on (a solid page).  I loved the thought of thinking practically, but quickly found myself severely intimidated.  This is really how it is.  Teaching is HARD work.  My heart goes out to the students with music lessons not wanting them to miss any important time, but that is simply not possible.  Reading and Math should be for longer then forty-five minutes, but that isn't possible when you are required to get everything else in.

if you have not yet noticed, if you click on the image, it will enlarge

I respect teachers, I respect them a lot.  Classroom  management is intense.  It is far more then your philosophy on discipline.  You have 5-30 little lives in your hands that parents have entrusted to you.  You are to teach them academics, while nurturing them spiritually, emotionally, socially, and all of the other -allys. It is such a huge role, and truly and honor.  I find myself feeling very inadequate and incapable, but I have to catch myself.  God has given me such a desire in my heart to love and teach children.  I wouldn't be able to settle for doing anything else.  This is God's call on my life, and I am to fulfill it.  Am I inadequate? yeah.  But God has called me to do this and therefore, He will carry me through it and help me every step of the way.  I am humbled to have been given such an awesome responsibility.

I ask two things of you...Number One: Think of the people you know in your lives that are teachers.  Think of your children's teachers.  Tell them thank you. Number Two: Pray for those teachers, and lift them up to the Lord because they have a huge (and awesome) task.

Senior Year Room

 Welcome to Room 119.  This year I am in the basement of the old dorm (different from last year).

 When you first walk in my door, this is the opposite corner.  I intend to put a sheet on my top bunk and use that for easy studying. 

 My bulletin boards are still quite empty, I realize.

 Do you see how this is different from my other rooms?  I have no sink.  That has added a big change, but I am adjusting.  My sink fits in that spot quite nicely.

 My desk area...the first time it has been clean thus far this semester.

 I like the Christmas lights around my dresser.

I love to decorate with pictures...and flowers, haha.

To see my room from previous years, you can check them out here: Freshman (no pictures, sorry), Sophomore, and Junior.

Snapshots Through Time- Junior/Senior Banquet

Last night, the ABC Junior Class put on the Junior/Senior banquet in honor of the 2012 Seniors.  We have been planning this for over a year and wanted to make it a special night for our seniors.  Our theme for the evening was "Snapshots through Time" with a vintage decor.  Each of the committees did a fantastic job, pulling off an amazing evening of fun, and time of honoring the seniors.  I was the chair of the niceties committee where we basically planned the evening and made sure the plannings of each of the other committees were all coming together, and that all the committees' plannings were melding together to make a great evening.  With that we were in charge of the scheduling, as well as ticket sales.  Kari went as my date, and we had lots of fun getting ready and going together.

 Kari and I before banquet

 The Junior Class Ensemble doing sound check to sing "The Potter's Hands"

 The time capsule

 The yellow jars on each of the tables had two black and white pictures (each table had different pictures of the seniors throughout their years at ABC), with oil around it.  The decorations committee did excellent!

 I worked on all of the nameplates for people to reserve their seats with and to let the servers know if they had ordered oven friend chicken or chopped steak.

 Kari and I welcoming people to the evening.

 Tom did an excellent job taking pictures.  They had several props and empty frames for people to take pictures with--I can't wait to see how they all turned out.

 Lee Ann Sharp provided music and singing before dinner, Mrs. Hontz played piano for the first half of dinner, and Daniel Kirkland played guitar for the latter half.  The live music was such a wonderful addition to the evening.

As our gift to the seniors, we gave each senior (in attendance) a copy of "Morning by Morning" by Spurgeon.

Hearing the seniors talk afterwards, I believe they felt honored, and that was our number one goal of the evening.  It was a great class, and they will be missed, but I know I am so thankful for the three years I have had with them.  I hope they have rubbed off on me.  I am so excited for the next phase of each of their lives.

After tearing everything down and getting things packed away we came back to campus, unloaded, changed, and headed to the Childs' for a bonfire.  It wasn't too big of a group, but it was just a nice time of relaxing, and I rarely turn down an opportunity to sit by a campfire.  We had to laugh though at the contrast of events for our evening.  We were in our hoodies, jeans, and sneakers, but most of us still had our hair up, pearls on showing the events of earlier that evening.  What a fun time.

I just got back from a surprise bridal shower this afternoon, and am now about to head out to go to the McGrews home for dinner.  The McGrews are on staff here, and originally from Vermont.  They try each year to have the Vermont students over to their home for dinner.  I believe roasted chicken is on the menu--yum!

Anyways, there is an update on the happenings in my life.  I trust you are enjoying your weekend.

$tar $tore Bulletin Board

I just finished getting my math bulletin board up!  Now I have to teach for the 50 minutes tomorrow.  Prayers appreciated.

Prayer and Incense

I am still alive.  I have simply fallen in the depths of an academic life that has taken over any social life I once thought I had.  I am a college student right now though, so I am okay with busy with academics.  After all, I am doing what I love.  I have been going through a book lately on prayer titled, Becoming a Woman of Prayer, by Cynthia Heald.  Last week the chapter was on intimacy and how God views prayer.  I love analogies and so this comparison analogy between prayer and incense struck me.


"There is a fourfold resemblance between them [prayer and incense]: 1. In that it was beaten and pounded before it was used. So doth acceptable prayer proceed from a broken and contrite heart.  2. It was of no use until fire was put under it, and that taken from the altar.  Nor is that prayer of any virtue of efficacy which is no kindled by the fire from above, the Holy Spirit of God, which we have from our altar, Christ Jesus.  3. It naturally ascended upwards towards heaven, as all offerings in the Hebrew are called "ascensions," rising up.  4. It yielded a sweet savour; which was on end of it in temple services, wherein there was so much burning of flesh and blood.  So doth prayer yield a sweet savour unto God; a savour of rest, wherein he is well pleased."

-John Owen

It has been fun doing this study and seeing how many times I am reminded throughout the day what I was studying in my quiet time earlier.  I like it when that happens.  I don't want my quiet time to go in one ear and out the other.

I do bring some prayer requests to you though:

• RA Retreat this weekend
• Getting all of my observations in is proving to be a struggle
• Many very in depth projects due before the end of the semester
• Summer plans: I have applied to Energy Express

I trust you are doing well and that the Lord is doing a mighty work in your life!  Let me know what is going on...please!

Happy...

Valentine's Day!

First of all, I would like to wish a specific Valentine's Day to those "Valentine's" in my life (perhaps that is a little corny, but oh well)...

 My Dad

My big brother, Scott (my other brother is married, so I will let his wife have him) 

Daniel!

I am so blessed to have each of these godly men in my life.  

Yesterday was an amazing day in terms of mail.  I got care packages and a letter from my grandma!  How special it was to feel so loved and special.  Thanks to those of you who contributed to that.

I wanted to do something special for my girls to show them how much I do love and appreciate them.  I was trying to find something fun, maybe tasty, and something my wallet could afford for 11 girls.  I found this great fudge recipe and tweaked it to make it Valentines focused.  I made my girls strawberry fudge with Valentines confetti.  It is very sweet, but isn't that how fudge is supposed to be?  

Above all else, Valentine's Day really brings to mind the perfect love every displayed--God sending His Son.  I am so thankful for that gift, and am thankful to claim Jesus as my #1 love. I trust you have a blessed day remembering Christ's love for you, your love for Him, all those dear loved ones around you!

a snowy Saturday

The snow here this morning is beautiful.  It has for sure brightened my day.  I sit here with a cup of coffee in hand working on a paper.  My paper discusses the different views concerning the interpretations of Genesis 3:16b "Your desire shall be for your husband,and he shall rule over you." Also on my list of "to dos" today includes studying for my History exam on Monday, doing my take-home math exam due Monday, take my Music quiz by Monday, and work on some biology homework also due Monday.  I also have high hopes to get my laundry and dishes done today.  Tomorrow I anticipate making a special treat for my girls for Valentine's Day.  All that to say, I am enjoying the snow very much and hope you have a wonderful Saturday.

the semester is wrapping up

The semester is coming to a rapid close.  I am long gone a week from now.  I will have classes on Monday and Tuesday, one exam on Wednesday, and two exams on Thursday.  After my last exam on Thursday, Daniel will pick me up and I will spend a few days with him and his family in Virginia before I fly home on Monday.  The end is in sight!

On Thursday we had study day, which is one of my favorite days of the academic year.  Our loving staff served us breakfast in bed (a continental 'brown' bag breakfast outside our door).  I allowed myself to sleep in until 9am, and then enjoyed my breakfast and got right to work.  My day's accomplishments were great...finished my Public School Policies and Procedures take-home final exam, got my room reorganized, got my room cleaned, laundry put away, got my dishes done, my case study started, and attempted to balance my checkbook.  We had a fresh snow Wednesday night, making being inside (looking at snow outside), Christmas music playing, and a balsam candle melting, the perfect day!

Yesterday was back to classes.  And then last night was our Christmas banquet.  In my three years, this was my first year going.  I had no date planned, but instead was trying to find things from girls around to make it so I could even go.  I got the dress from one friend, and sweater from another.  It was beginning to look like for sure I would be able to go.  I went to ask my friend to borrow her curling iron to learn she wasn't in her room but instead had gone to her house (5 minutes away) to get a dress.  I texted her and quickly learned she was going to banquet tonight (different from when I had talked to her that morning).  I quickly asked who her date was, to which she replied "you!"  Sweet- I thought.  We didn't think much of it, but had fun getting ready together.  When we got to banquet everyone kept complimenting on how well we matched.  Haha, we had been planning that for so long.  We had a fun time together and the others at our table (which my battery died before I could get pictures of them).  Here are some pictures from the evening.

After the banquet we went over to her parents house, enjoyed tea (for the first time in my life I did indeed enjoy tea), visited, and then played an exciting game of Phase 10.  We were there until about 11:30 when her dad drove us back to campus.  It was a fun night.

PS:  Here is the only picture I took over Thanksgiving break....Starbucks pumpkin scones

PPS:  This is what my current life consists on...lists, upon lists, upon lists...and cocoa/coffee.

Living

No worries, I am still among the living.  Thanksgiving break has come and gone, and I have hit the ground sprinting since coming back.  Tomorrow is a pretty big day on my schedule with two big projects due and a final exam.  Today we had class chapel though where the president of our class shared a devotional.  He referenced Jeremiah 32:27 and it hit me hard, "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh:  is there any thing too hard for me?"  Think about that for a while.

a few past due pictures and an update on life

Hello all,

Another weekend is here.  I am so thankful for weekends and the break from a regular class schedule that they offer.  This weekend has been a bit different as last night the girls (as an award for winning the Penny Wars) were allowed to stay up all night watching movies in their room.  After dinner, I went to some married students home with Kari as she 'babysat' (the twins had already gone to bed and were sleeping when we got there).  We watched one and a half movies and enjoyed some double chocolate brownies and milk that Katie had made for us.  Yummy.  We cried through the first movie, Though None Go With Me.  It was a very good movie, but brought back some memories of Grandpa.  And well, it just happens when there are two close friends (both of which are female), and you are overtired from school.  The tears just flow all too easily.  We came back and watched the rest of the half movie, and watched another.  Aah, the joys of friendship, young life, and good clean entertainment to unwind from classes.  Needless to say, I got no homework done.

 The end of a fun evening together

Today I took the morning off, and this afternoon have been working on history.  I am thankful to have finished the written assignment as well as a collage of the Growth of American Society.  Sounds fun, huh?

Mission's Conference went very well.  It wiped a fair bit of energy from me, but I had such wonderful conversations with so many of the missionaries.  Each year, I appreciate Mission's Conference more as I get closer to hopefully one day being on the mission's field.  It is so good to share with them my hopes in serving on the mission field later in life, and how I want to serve.  They were very encouraged and helped affirm there is the need.  I am sad it is over and my Mission's Conference planning is done.  It is by far the highlight of my college career.

In between things, I have been taking pictures off my camera card and putting them on my computer.  Here are some random ones (and some I promised a ways back)....

 Here are some of the photos from the Fiesta Hannah and Laura put on a few weeks ago.

 The hot pepper eating contest.  Jalapeno was the most mild one there that night.

 Pin the tail to the donkey.

 Laura with the Pinata her and Hannah had made.

 The lovely hostesses.

Photo booth

 Brother Sister Devos: Cheryl and Leslee (above), and Mike with his Minnie Mouse mug (below)

 Our first snow!  It wasn't much, but was still fun!

The countdown for break is 6 days, and I have a long list of things to do while home.  I can barely wait.  I don't know why, but I think I am most eager for break that I have ever been.  I have already told Mom that when I get home, I am going to spend half my time sleeping (I am utterly exhausted), and the other half cooking and baking in the kitchen.  That is 75% correct.  25% of my time I suppose I should spend doing some homework.  It shouldn't be too bad though since I am growing to enjoy most of my homework because I love education so much.  Anyways, it is almost here.  There is lot still standing between me and break, but it will be here soon enough and the Lord will help me get to that point.  Let me know what is going on in your life, please.  I blab all about my life, but would love to hear what is going on with you.