Makin' the Money...

...or at least we tried. 

Unfortunately, we only made $136 but we have high hopes that the Lord will continue to provide the funds that the team needs (and it's A LOT of funds). We have a Sonic fundraiser this Saturday from 10-6:00. Our team will be car hopping and all tips donated will go towards the cost of the trip. 

*Check out my Facebook for more information.

Workin' the sign at the Chick-fil-A drive-thru.

P.S. Only THREE weeks until we leave!!!! YAY!

Sudan Fund Updates

Here are the updates for how God has been blessing the fund to pay for my mission trip to Sudan, Africa. 

He is so good and beyond faithful!!!

Total Goal: $3,500

April 27th: $215.00, need $3,285

May 4th: $900.00, need $2,600

May  17th: $1,540.00, need $1,960

*This is the money that has been sent in to The Village Church.

Year 22: Come and Gone

Here is the list of the goals I set for myself when I turned 22 last May. I wanted to accomplish all of these things before my next birthday. Well, my birthday was on Sunday and as you can see I accomplished about 1/2 of the things.

Those items in brown I did not accomplish :( and those in green I did accomplish :)!

1. Graduate TWU

2. Learn to drive a stick-shift vehicle
3. Take a cake decorating class

4. Blog twice a month (I didn't accomplish this one last year so we will see how well I do with it this year ;) (Answer: I rocked it!)

5. Go to at least four musicals

6. Write in my journal three times a week (lasted for about 3 weeks...pathetic)

7. Read (listen to) 15 books on CD

8. Read Boundaries in Dating by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

9. Become a covenant member at my church, The Village

10. Complete a Summer Equipping class at The Village

11. Paint my bathroom (I'm getting a new bathroom so this one is irrelevant. I think I should be able to cross it off because of this, lol!)

12. Keep the inside of my car clean (It is pretty much amazing and shocking that I accomplished this!!!)

13. Use corrugated metal to make some decor for our pool area with Kristy (I'm resigned to the fact that this will never be...sad times, Twisty!)

14. Transfer my banking to Compass (I am actually going to do this one within the next month!)

15. Go to Walt Disney World with the roomies

16. Support a Compassion child (I WILL do this beginning in the fall because I'll have a full-time job!!!)
17. Memorize verses that will help me share my testimony
18. Speak more positively about myself (I believe I can still improve upon this.)
19. Watch the first season of The Good Wife (And now that I have procrastinated on this one, I have two seasons to watch, haha! Maybe I'll give up on that; I'm not as interested anymore.)

20. Cook/bake a new dish each month (I love this one and think I'll keep it one next year's list!)

21. Exercise...any amount would be an improvement!!!

22. Be a bridesmaid...I realize this is going to have to be someone else's doing, so all of you eligible bachelors better start asking my friends to marry you (no pressure!!! ;) (Definitely keeping this on next year's list because I have a feeling that this will be happen by next summer! Now, which friend(s) am I thinking of??? ;)

 I'm thankful for the opportunities and new experiences I had this year and hope to accomplish more things in year 23! (List of 23 things to do before I'm 24 will be posted soon.)

He IS FAITHFUL

"For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all he does." ~Psalm 33:4

I am THRILLED to share with you that the Lord had His hand on my interview and I got the job!!!! God was SO faithful throughout this entire process! As you well know, the education world has taken an ugly turn. Many wonderful teachers are loosing their jobs, new teachers can't find jobs, and drastic budget cuts are about as common as the mosquitoes in Africa (of which I am not looking forward to encountering). To sum up the education climate around here, one word comes to mind: debacle. The promising news is that my God is always faithful! He has designed a perfect plan for my life! I have been dreading teacher interviews for the past year or two, but the Lord gave me complete peace about this (my very first) interview. I know that God wants me at this school and He was faithful to give me the desires of my heart (Psalm 37:4)! 

So, all of that to say that I could not be happier and more grateful that I will be teaching 5th grade at (in my opinion) the BEST school and one that seeks to honor God in every way!!!! Remember, God is faithful and if He hasn't answered your prayer then know that in His perfect timing He will give you the desires of your heart if you trust Him! 

Also, I must thank you all from the bottom of my very happy heart for your faithful prayers!!!

Ready to rock the interview ;)

DONE and lovin' it!!!

On Friday, I completed my 14-week long assignment of student teaching!!!! I enjoyed the two classrooms I was in and more than that, I loved my two mentor teachers! One of them happened to be my 2nd grade teacher many years ago...fun! 

Today, my first day of "freedom", I accomplished nothing but making dinner, unloading the dishwasher, and tutoring. Of course, my list of things to do was like a mile long, but sleeping and clearing out my DVR seemed to take precedence. Tomorrow I shall be much more productive...maybe! ;)

Flowers from one of my sweet students!

#9: A Member of the Club

#9: Become a covenant member at my church, The Village

I am super excited to say that in March I went to the two-day membership class, shared my testimony, and signed the covenant!!! It was quite a process but I am so thankful for it because it forced me to take this decision very seriously. In the past, I have always been a part of churches that simply have you walk down the isle, talk to the preacher, and presto...you are a member of the church. Because it is all that I have known, it seemed like the right way to do things but I'm not so sure of that anymore. I believe that it is invaluable to know the doctrine of the church and what standards the church will hold you to. The idea of the church holding you to a standard may make some people uncomfortable but what I have learned (and feel like a bit of a moron for not previously thinking this way) is that being a Christian does not afford us the easy life and as a community of believers we are called by the Lord to be honest with one another and point each other to the cross. Without this serious accountability in our lives, we can not live to the standard in which God has called us to.

All of this to say, I am grateful that my beliefs align with this fabulous church and more importantly, I urge you brothers and sisters in Christ to become committed to a church body in which your beliefs align! If you are not a believer, know that Christ loves you and that the church should be a place in which you are loved and accepted. If you live in the DFW area and do not have a church to call your home, please check out The Village Church on a Saturday or Sunday! 

#7 Books

#7: Read (or listen to) 15 books.

I have successfully read 17 books, not including the books that I have read for classes. See if you can catch the unintentional theme.

 

 

 

  

In all honesty, this book is AMAZING but I am still working on reading it! I suppose I have just been so busy and I tend to lean toward books on CD...maybe I'm just a lazy reader. ;) 

Unintentional Theme: I tend to find an author I enjoy and stick with her. This year I discovered Jodi Picoult (thanks to my friend, Angie) and have LOVED reading her books! The best part...she has sooooo many books to choose from, so the fun never ends!!! 

Please excuse the teacher in me that is currently coming out, but I'm just sayin', you should be a reader! It is the best entertainment, free thanks to the library, and a great example for the younger generations! Pick up a book today!!!