Is it possible to be this free and happy and also this weighed-down and stressed at the same time? Apparently it is, but I don't recommend it. SO. MUCH. GOING ON. My life has changed greatly in several ways since my last post, but I can't update it all. In great big huge ways I need more love and help and prayers than ever. But amid all the hard things are absolutely AMAZING things and people who have brought me a lot of much-needed comfort and lessons. Thanks so much to those people!
A slice of my life lately: Babysitting, shopping, dishwashing, house-cleaning, Christmas decorating, work, SPANISH, serious conversations with many many people, a new family van, and selling two other cars.
God has blessed me beyond what I could ever deserve or fully comprehend, and I am so motivated to be better.
I feel like you ripped your first sentence right out of my mind right now. It's an amazing balance that God gives us, because He knows exactly what we need! Three cheers for Spanish work--you should visit North Terrace (the bi-lingual congregation) if you come down again this year. May our Lord bless your endeavors and keep you joyful in His service! :)
I turned 17! Still no driver's license; still no drving desire to do so. (Excuse the pun)
I brought electrical supplies to after-school care (batteries, leads, light bulbs, circuit breakers, a voltmeter, etc.). Maybe one of the best afternoons in my life. 2nd to 4th graders who listened to me teach, and then taught me so many new ways to use the things I'd brought... I love my job! I am so blessed to be able to do this!
I went to a Halloween party for little kids and had an amazing time. I babysit for the people who had the party, plus my littler brothers (not Ethan...) were invited. Rachel and Noah made me feel like the best babysitter ever--they stuck by me the whole night!
Election! So many good thoughts, prayer services, and encouragments to trust in God--let's have one of these every year!
Falcon Days...Too awesome to put into so few words. Got to see again and also meet SO MANY brothers and sisters at Florida College, I can't begin to link them all (except my lovelyhosts, one of whom is now ENGAGED!) There is something special about a place where you don't get to bed until 1:15 or 1:30 because you were with girls in the dorm studying James 3. A place where sorship (singing+worship ;) ), prayer services, devotionals, and textual studies are in no lack. A place where the teachers, classes, students, and campus are all indescribable! FC did not disappoint--in fact it soared way beyond my expectations!
We--my mom, Mrs. Vicki, Ben Copeland, Laura Picogna, Alex Dvorak, and Nathanael Hilliard--had a blast travelling there and back! Fast food, a smattering of homework, reading a Spanish pamphlet on Catholicism, movies, doughnuts, and getting married were a few highlights. The best was singing hymns on the trip home--we even learned a new one on our own, which was cool. Also our deeply emotional, guys-were-crying spiritual moment right before we dropped off Laura; it was one of those experiences that deepens your connection with people.
Glad you liked your visit to FC. It's a pretty special place. And, by the way, I didn't get my license until I was almost 17 & 1/2! I don't think it scarred me too badly.
I didn't get my license until I was 21 - yup! Glad you had a great time at Falcon Days. Your students are blessed to have you as a teacher. Learning from your students is also such an added plus.
Hahaha... sorship. Maybe I'll just keep that typo in there. ;) 'Twas really good to see you, Ben, and Alex again! Thanks for being such an encouragement. :) Will some of y'all be down for lectures or other visits?
Whoaaa...we're the same age now? I didn't know you were one of the older ones in the class! Don't be scared of DRIVING...be scared of YOURSELF. You're your worst enemy behind the wheel. *serious PSA face*
It really was too awesome for so few words. There was just so much encouragement from all the singing and devotionals. I can't wait until I'm there every day. Happy birthday, by the way. How many hours of driving time do you need in Alabama for your license?
Received my card - thanks - loved it! Loved seeing how you used the stamps - very creative. Glad you'll be able to use the set in your service to others.
I've decided that I love blankets. You know the cheap felt ones? I love those! But now it's official.
I have been trying to think of something I want or want to do, because it's been driving my parents crazy that I haven't made any specific birthday requests. But that led me to wonder: Why are birthdays such a big deal when you're younger and not when you're older? It doesn't make sense! When you're 3 or 10 or 16 you don't have half as many years to celebrate as somebody who's 63, and yet the kids are the ones who have big, expensive birthdays! Why is that?
And why don't people want to be old? I love old people! They are so sweet, and interesting, and they know a lot so they make great teachers! Proverbs 16:31
Anyway, you can see why I'm having a problem focusing on birthday requests...I am so distracted ;)
This second is an opportunity, so seize it! Do something good! Don't waste any time with pointless things or sin. Be full of good works and diligence! Titus 2:14; Ephesians 2:10
When I think of you as the little girl you were here, and the poised Christian you've become, I always smile. It's such a pleasure to see your growth!
I hope and pray I'm one of those older people who is a good teacher. I keep learning with every class I teach, and I think that's what's important. So are you getting a cheap, felt blanket for your birthday??? Have you ever thought of making a patchwork quilt from pieces of cloth that have a memory for you? Instead of quilting it the usual way, you could adhere it to one of those cheap, felt blankets!!
Have a happy birthday! When is it? And how young, may I ask?
Another thought I'll share about birthdays. As I've gotton older, I'm quite for someone to just remember me with a (this day and age!) a pleo message, a card, a phone call, or just telling me Happy Birthday. There's nothing I need. Stuff can have a cluttering effect after awhile. I have a friend who usually comes and gives me a facial and a foot massage. NOW, that is a gift I will take anytime!!!!! :)
It's all in how you look at it. Getting older has its perks but on the physical side, of course, there are several more cons. But the alternative would be so much worse.
I completely understand. My bday is in like 2/3 weeks and everything I'd like to have is either really expensive or really not something I can just...go out and do at this point, ya know? Goodness.
Happy Happy Birthday to you!!!! (So, did you ever give your parents a gift idea???? I can just hear your mom saying, "Amanda" in her excitable voice! You have sweet parents, but I know you know that.) Hope your day is a very special one. When are you going to senior days at FC? Are you coming by here?
I've been sick since about Friday--stuffy/runny nose, sore throat, congestion, etc. Even though I was sick, I had a GREAT Friday night at Cub Haunted (Boy Scouts Halloween themed camping trip)! Pack 25 is the best :) Saturday I stayed in bed in the tent, though...
So I've been laying around the house, sleeping and such.
Anybody got a good costume idea for Halloween? I usually don't dress up, but I think when you work at an elementary school a costume is probably encouraged. Which is fun. I love my job!
The title is a reference to Mckenna Carr. I was talking to her on the phone the other day, and I left that conversation impressed and encouraged, as I usually do. Those of you who are blessed to know Mckenna, or people like her, may know what I'm talking about. Thank God for the encouraging brothers and sisters He blesses our lives with! They help me get moving when I don't even realize I'm stuck in the mud, standing still.
I spent way too much time trying to go through the whole writing process, instead of just writing the essay. The essay was incredibly short because I ran out of time. haha
Skip the next paragraph if you don't want to read an ad for the junior class pecan sale.
Picture yourself happy, rich, and famous. That picture could be you! For the low, LOW price of $6.00 YOU can own your very own bag of pecans! Yes, you read it right, PECANS for only $6.00 a bag! Support the juniors, and enjoy delicious chocolate covered or regular pecans. Freeze them! Give them as gifts! They're so practical! Remember that's one easy payment of $6.00 for your very own PECANS, in two AMAZING varieties, tasty regular or luscious chocloate-covered.
It's a strange and wonderful thing to have no real homework today. I'm on the computer!
Summary of my life recently: Babysitting, SPANISH, costumes/play, selling mums, Trig, mafia, Arthur, Mama now works at ABS, robotics, Boy Scouts, soccer, elder selection at Kelly Spring Road, movie night, English worksheets, Falcon Day registration, yearbook ads, golf tournament, duck duck goose, PSAT, October birthday cards/candy, mercy, love, and blessings I don't even realize.
I love Psalms. They express my heart in perfect words, and help turn my attitude around. Specifically today, Psalm 119:73-80 and 81-88. Also today I read James 5, (which for some reason I mix up with I Timothy 6 in my mind). I love reading it, because so much of it talks about/to those with physical riches, which I know that I have. I want to remember that and use it, instead of serving those things.
Does anyobody know someone who could use a pre-used NKJV or KJV Bible? I've got maybe 3 that I would love to send to some place that needs them.
