What's Up April

     Happy Wednesday, Y'all

Today, I'm joining Shay and Sheaffer for April's What's Up Wednesday link-up. 

Every month we answer the same list of questions based on how things are currently going in our lives.

So let's get started...

What am I eating?

I made a big pot of pasta the other day and am eating that each day for lunch. I used bow tie noodles, some boursin garlic & herbs cheese, spinach, chicken, and some random spices/seasonings. It's super tasty and filling!

What am I reminiscing about?

The 9th anniversary of my dad's death was last week. So that's definitely been on my mind. I've been thinking a lot about him. He was always so incredibly supportive of me and my ministry here in Senegal. But he also made me feel like a million bucks when I'd come home for a visit. And I know if he were alive today, he would be so excited about me moving back to Alabama. Oh my, do I miss him!

 What am I loving?

I'm loving being back with my people after Spring Break ended a couple weeks ago. Whether that's teaching lessons, helping students in a Study Hall, watching their games, or attending events with them, I love it. I'm in my element when I'm with my people.

What have I been up to?

I've been applying to/interviewing for jobs for when I'm back in the US. I have a nice little set up at my dinning table that I use during the interviews and obviously, I only schedule interviews during the late afternoon/early evenings (my time), since I'm still teaching during the day. In that sense, the time difference works out well for me. Anywho - Since the beginning, my prayer has been that God would open the right doors and close the wrong ones and that if I received an offer of a job, He'd make it exceptionally clear what answer I should give. It's hard to turn down jobs, but I know what I'm looking for and I have to fully trust and believe that He knows what's best for me. Now, if the one that is best for me would finally just offer me a job :)

What am I dreading?

If I'm being honest, the goodbyes that are coming at the end of the school year are weighing on my mind. I always hate the normal end of year goodbyes when students leave or friends move away. But this year, I'm feeling the weight of this even more since I'm leaving. I'm leaving students. I'm leaving friends and co-workers. I'm leaving my school/ministry. I'm leaving this country that I love so much. Yes, I'm excited about what's next. But the goodbyes will still be hard. Boy, will they!

What am I working on?

I'm working on sorting and packing. There's just so much stuff. I guess that's normal when you've been in a place as long as I have. But seriously, I had no idea I had so much until the time came to pack to move back to the US in just a few suitcases... People have no idea.

 What am I excited about?

I'm excited about getting some fabric and having a couple things made before I leave. That is one thing on my "bucket list" and I'll soon be able to check it off. A couple friends and I are going to the fabric market this upcoming weekend. Then I'll visit the tailor at some point, maybe the week after that. Here's the style inspiration picks I've been looking at... I'm planning to get a dress, a skirt, and a jacket (not pictured) made. I'm not really sure what color, or even design, of fabric I want. So really, I'm just planning to look around until something catches my eye. So we'll see :)

What am I watching?

Nothing - I watched my way through Brooklyn 99 during Spring Break. But I'm back to ignoring TV shows/movies again. My brain enjoys the quiet in the evenings, more than the thought of watching a show.

What am I reading?

I was reading Romans 12 earlier, realizing I want this to continue to be my guide as I finish out my time here in Senegal. Then our school chaplain shared these verses with us in our staff devotions time this morning. So it was like a little further confirmation for me. Such a great group of verses!

What am I listening to?

Nothing new - Anyone have any suggestions? I'm not terribly picky :)

What am I wearing?

Nothing new or exciting - I've been slowly sorting through my clothes, as I get ready to head back to the US. My plan is to do one last sort next week, keeping out the ones I'll need for the rest of my time here in Senegal and go ahead and pack up any I'm taking to the US with me when I go. Then that'll be one more (well, more than one) thing I can get rid of...

 What am I doing this weekend?

I'm doing a CPR/First Aid training on Saturday morning. Then on Sunday, I will have church and afterwards will go to the fabric market with a couple friends. Then I'll need to do a bit of lesson planning and meal prep at some point too.

What am I looking forward to next month?

All the end of year fun with our seniors (especially the senior trip), along with other stuff happening at school. I'm also looking forward to finishing the big sort and packing for the US (minus the clothes I'll be wearing between now and then). I'll also need to sort through/pack up my classroom since I don't know what's happening in it. And since I purchased a lot of what's in there, I'm planning to sell a lot of that stuff as well. And yes, I'm also looking forward to the random Wednesday we'll have off from school in May, thanks to Senegal having Labor Day then. I'm also planning to take the two days after that off to do that last big sort/pack that I was talking about earlier. 

May is always a super busy month for us at school. But this year, it'll be even more so with all the graduation related events, since I'm one of the senior class sponsors. And while the thought of that causes a roller coaster of emotions in my gut and heart, I'm choosing to embrace it all, deal with/work through the hard times as they come and live in the moment, enjoying the time I have left with the people (and in the place) that I care about so much.  Here's to May!

Favorite recent Amazon find?

I ordered this "belt bag" off Amazon for someone to bring out to me. Yes, I'm about to leave but the smaller purse I use all the time is slowly unraveling. Clearly, I use it every single day. Anywho - I needed something new. And this one met all the criteria: small, nothing fancy, cheap good/safe for travel, and black so it'd go with everything. So yeah... When I realized someone was coming this way, I asked if he'd be willing to bring it out for me.

What's new this month?

My decision to take a picture each morning on my walk to my classroom isn't necessarily new. But the picture below was new, as I took it yesterday. My goal a couple months back was to take a picture each morning on my walk to school. It forced me to stop for a second, take a breath, and look at the sky, marveling at God's handiwork. I'm currently in a busy, stressful, emotional roller coaster time of life, as I finish up another school year and prepare to wrap up my life in Senegal, a place where I've lived and worked for the majority of my adult life. And even though I know that I am 100% lead by God to make this change, it's still hard y'all. So hard. And I don't want to get so caught up in the busy-ness and stress that I forget to notice the seemingly little things that God is doing in my life and the lives of the incredible people He's placed in my path. I want to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. Or in this case... I want to stop and marvel at the beauty of the clouds or the sunrise.

And that's what I'm up to this month.

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month? 

Hello Monday

  Happy Monday, Y'all

Today I'm joining Holly and Sarah, and a few other bloggers, for today's Hello Monday link-up, where we say Hello to Monday with a look at what's going on in our lives at the moment.

 So what's on my mind?

A lot. But 'tis the norm with me, I suppose.

Things like...

JSB - Our Junior Senior Banquet (similar to a prom in the US) was this past weekend and as one of the sponsors for the senior class, I got to attend. It's so fun to see the kids excitedly milling about, all dressed up in their fanciest clothes, having the times of their lives. It was a great night!

Job Search - People keep asking me if I've found a job for when I get back to the US. So far, my answer is still no. I'm applying and interviewing and waiting... I'm still holding out hope for a couple that I haven't heard back from. That, and still applying when good ones come open. Ah, waiting and unknowns... You're such a not so fun part of life. Just saying.

9 - That's how many years it's been (today, actually) since my dad's funeral. I wrote some reflections on the anniversary of his death the other day, which you could read HERE. Thankfully, it was a school day and clearly I was busy with teaching incredible humans all day so I was busy. But after school, when I was left alone with my thoughts... That's when the sadness hit. I wonder if it'll ever not hit me so hard on the day.

Dress Ideas - I want to have a couple things made before I leave Senegal. I'm planning to go fabric shopping next weekend. The pictures below are what I've gotten my inspiration ideas down to. I'm not saying I necessarily like the same colors/fabric designs. But I do like certain elements of each one. And once I find the fabric I like, I'll settle on which dress I want made...

What I'm Reading - I wanted to read a fun "fluff" book, as I call it. Nothing heavy or super thought provoking... So when I saw this one on the shelf in the library at the school, I grabbed it.  I haven't finished it yet. But so far, so good.

And I guess that's about it for today.

What's on your mind today?

9 Years

  On this day, 9 years ago, my dad passed away.

It was the day before my dad’s 56th birthday and only 9 days before my parents' 31st anniversary. My heart was feeling the intense weight of such a painful loss. And as time has passed, I can't help but wonder what if... What if he hadn't died so young? What if he'd been around for all that's happened in the past 9 years? 

As I prepare to move back to the US, I'm realizing one thing I'm missing in this process is my dad. I'm missing his advice and his prayers. I'm missing his support and encouragement of my ministry here and I'm missing his excitement over me coming back home too. There have been so many times in this process that I have wished I could talk with him about what I've been thinking or feeling and to get just a small bit of his wisdom, and to hear him pray for me again. I always knew I could count on him to do all those things.

By the end, my dad was so sick, though. So even though, I do so desperately miss him, I wouldn't dare call him back. Heaven is such an incredible place, a place where he's no longer sick, no longer hurting. He's whole again. And Heaven is for sure better than the mess of a world we're all living in now :)

 

While I had a few months shy of 30 years with my dad, I'm secretly (or maybe not so secretly) annoyed that that 29.5ish years was all I got. 

And sometimes, I truly wonder why... 

I wonder why he had to pass away so young. I wonder why our family had to deal with this huge loss. I wonder why, if I ever get married or have children, he'll never get to meet them. I wonder why my mom has to be a widow. I wonder why my nieces will only have just a few memories of my dad - a man who absolutely, positively loved being a Pawpaw to those girls. In fact, I've known few other men who were made to be a grandparent like my dad was :)

But even in the sadness, I'm still thankful for all the time and memories I did have/do have. I'm thankful for a Christian heritage he continued with our family. 

I'm thankful for the love of learning he passed down. 

I'm thankful for the memories of his laugh and his joy for life.

I'm thankful for 29.5 years worth of happy memories.

I'm thankful, that even though, I'll never get to experience having him at my own possible wedding or births of possible future children, I was able to see the immense joy/pride/love he showed on the day of my brother and sister-in-law's wedding and of all the time he joyfully spent with my beautiful nieces.

I'm thankful for so much.

And yes, I do still miss him terribly. 

But, I can smile, thinking of him hanging out with Jesus and talking to all the people from the Bible whom he loved to read/study/preach about for all those years. What a fun time that must be! 

My dad loved the Lord with all his heart. And he loved sharing about the Lord with anyone who would listen. In fact, my dad preached his last sermon from his hospital bed exactly one week before he passed away. Using Romans 8:18 as his primary verse, he reminded us that, though we may experience suffering and pain here on earth, we can trust in the hope of our Savior. We can trust in the knowledge that if we are saved, we will experience that glory that is beyond compare.  And now, today, I am so incredibly thankful that his words are permanently etched into my memory. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I've written memories-filled posts every year on the anniversary of his death, which can be found below. While still sad, it's nice for me to be able to look back and remember how God's been with me through the past years' anniversaries...

1 year

2 years

3 years

4 years

5 years

6 years

7 years

8 years

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today, I'm linking up with  Erika and Andrea for their weekly Friday Favorites link-up. Because, while thinking about my dad's death isn't necessarily a favorite, thinking about him is. After all, my dad was one of my favorite people.

Hello Monday

 Happy Monday, Y'all

Today I'm joining Holly and Sarah, and a few other bloggers, for today's Hello Monday link-up, where we say Hello to Monday with a look at what's going on in our lives at the moment.

 So what's on my mind?

A lot. But 'tis the norm with me, I suppose.

Things like...

People - Spring Break was so quiet. I love having a couple days of down time, but I can't seem to enjoy going too long without seeing people. I guess that comes with being surrounded by people/noise all the time. You get used to it... Not to mention the fact that with me leaving, I'm feeling the desire even more to spend time with friends. I didn't get to do so as much over Spring Break as I would've liked. But I definitely enjoyed the couple of times I did.

My Mom - She's been my "secretary" the past few weeks, as places have called wanting to set up an interview with me. She takes their name and number and then I call them back. 'tis the best solution for me since I'm overseas, in a different time zone, and don't have a US number. Anywho - I told her I should be paying her for working so hard. 

My Dad - This Friday will make 9 years since my dad passed away. It's hard to believe that it's been that long. Boy, do I miss him!

My Apartment - It looks like a tornado hit. I've got piles everywhere, as I've started sorting through every drawer, cabinet, shelf, etc. There is a method to the madness. But I will be so very glad when this part of the big move is done. That is for sure!

Job Search - It's still going on. I've applied at a lot of places, interviewed at many of those, and even had to unfortunately turn down a couple jobs that just weren't the right fit for me at this point in life. I'm still praying that the right one will come along. And while I'd like to say I'm being patient in that waiting, I must admit, I'm not feeling as patient as I probably should. Ah, the unknowns in life...

Peanut Butter Cookies - I found THIS recipe for peanut butter cookies online the other day and I think I'm going to try it tonight. The best part of it is that it only uses 3 ingredients: peanut butter, sugar, and eggs. I'm a little skeptical, if I'm being honest. But we'll see.

Brooklyn 99 - I watched a lot of this show over Spring Break, in between sorting and packing. And sometimes, I just had it playing in the background to make a little noise. It's such a funny one. I'm not sure why I didn't get into it when it first came out.

My Students - School starts back today. And we only have 7 1/2 weeks left before this school year is done. I've always said that time seems to fly by after Spring Break. And I imagine it will even more so this year. This time is so bittersweet. I'm, by no means, ready to say goodbye to these kids who have stolen my heart (whether I teach them or are their class sponsor). But I'm so excited to see what God has in store for all of these kids - whether they're graduating this year or not. I've been so blessed to have had the opportunity to teach and/or work with such incredible kids. I really have been!

And I guess that's about it for today.

What's on your mind today?

What's Up March

    Happy Wednesday, Y'all

Today, I'm joining Shay and Sheaffer for March's What's Up Wednesday link-up. 

Every month we answer the same list of questions based on how things are currently going in our lives.

So let's get started...

What am I eating?

This week, I made orange chicken and sauteed veggies for my lunches, which has been super tasty. The veggies are especially good. They were the last thing to cook. So thankfully, when the cooking gas ran out, I could easily transfer them to the electric griddle. Anywho - It was just a frozen bag of mixed veggies. So I cooked them with some onion powder, ground ginger, and salt. If I'd had garlic powder or black pepper, I probably would've added those too. At any rate, I just cooked them, stirring a bit here or there, cooking 'til the liquid was gone. Seriously, y'all... I get it's such a simple accompaniment to my meal. But it really was (is) so good!

What am I reminiscing about?

My cousin's birthday was the other day. And this picture popped up on my Facebook memories for the day. So while I obviously don't remember this picture being taken, it did make me start reminiscing about all sorts of fun memories over the years. When we were little, it was fun to have a cousin so close in age. My cousin is only 7 months younger than me. Then she's only 11 months older than my brother. So we all 3 always had all sorts of fun, playing with one another. It was great!

 What am I loving?

Lately, we've been having some really nice weather here in Dakar. I'm loving stepping outside and feeling the cool breeze blowing. After having such a ridiculously long Hot Season, and thinking Cool Season would never arrive, I must say, this change in temps lately has definitely been nice.

What have I been up to?

Working on my computer a lot... Lesson prep for a few online classes I've been teaching plus my normal lesson plan prep for my in-person classes, finishing up paperwork getting ready to transfer student files to a more "shared" electronic location for the person taking over with my students next year, making schedules for kids who need it, emailing teachers and students for quarterly progress monitoring of my people, filling out job applications and participating in video chat interviews, researching potential doctoral programs, etc. etc. etc. I'm hoping to give my computer a bit of a break during Spring Break, which is happening soon. Wish me luck on that :)

What am I dreading?

I'm dreading job of sorting through almost 15 years worth of stuff in my apartment, deciding what clothes, books, furniture items, kitchen things, household stuff, etc. to sell/give away, what to trash, and what to take with me back to the US (in the 3 free bags I'm given since I'm cheap and don't want to pay for more bags). I've done a little bit already. But I'd already decided to save the bulk of this massive undertaking until Spring Break, which starts this weekend. Thankfully, I'll have a week and a half at home to work on it before we start back to school for professional development days. So I'll have plenty of time to pace myself. But I'd much rather get it all done during the break. I don't want to get to the end and be scrambling. So my goal is to work far enough ahead, I won't have to do so much at the end, and can instead just enjoy those last couple months, supporting my students in all their activities/events after school each day/on the weekend instead of sorting/packing so much. Wish me luck :)

What am I working on?

Tomorrow is Parent Teacher Conferences. I've been compiling reports from other teachers on my students, notes from my own work with/observations of them, report cards, etc., getting ready for conferences. I can't say conferences are my most favorite part of the job. But I do, indeed, see the value in them. 

 What am I excited about?

Spring Break, of course!

What am I watching?

After a Facebook friend shared an image from The Breakfast Club the other day, pointing out that it debuted 40 years ago (wow!), I, of course, decided I wanted to watch it again. So I'm think I might just do that this weekend. Anyone local want to watch it with me? :)

What am I reading?

I sold one of my bookshelves at home. So I had to take the books off of it. I figure before I totally get rid of the books, I'll reread a couple of them. I have no problem rereading books. Which is good, considering how many I have at home at the moment :)

What am I listening to?

Nothing new... Anyone have a suggestion for me? I have quite the eclectic taste when it comes to music. And I'm always up for suggestions.

What am I wearing?

Nothing new or exciting :)

 What am I doing this weekend?

Spring Break starts on Friday (Good Friday)! And this weekend is Easter. I haven't made any official plans. But I think I'll probably just hang around home and sleep. During the first few days of Spring Break, you can usually find me crashed and catching up on sleep :)

What am I looking forward to next month?

Since Spring Break starts at the tail end of March, but goes into April, I can answer this question by saying... Spring Break and not having to set an alarm clock. Can I get an Amen on that?! :) Past that, I'm looking forward to starting down the "slide" that is the last few weeks of school after Spring Break. Although, I must say... It is most definitely bittersweet because while I am, indeed, quite excited for and proud of my seniors for making it (well, almost making it) to the end of the school year, I'm sad... I hate goodbyes. Hate them. So between saying goodbye to my seniors graduating and since I'm leaving, having to say goodbye to my other students and my friends (and saying goodbye to my life in Senegal, in general)... Well, yeah. It's bittersweet for sure.

Favorite recent Amazon find?

I would've said the same thing as last time, since I'm trying not to buy stuff and instead save money. But I did have to buy one thing, which a relative of a student graciously brought out for me. It's now the new addition to my morning routine. I'm not back at 100% yet and I do still have to be careful and not eat too much of certain kinds of food (Hello spicy foods and chocolate... I'm talking to you.). But if I stay away from those, and then other random things here or there... I am able to have a little reprieve from the insanity that my gut has experiencing for the last few weeks. Now, if it'd get all the way better, I'd really be a happy lady.

What's new this month?

I shared the news that after 14.5 years, I'll be leaving Senegal for good in June. You can read more about that in the post I wrote last week HERE. It's such a weird, bittersweet kind of feeling. I do feel peace in the decision I've made to leave, knowing it is definitely 100% led by God. But I'd be lying if I said it wasn't still hard to think of leaving after being here for so long. And the goodbyes... Oh my word, y'all, I'm dreading the goodbyes.

And that's what I'm up to this month.

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month? 

Hello Monday

Happy Monday, Y'all

Today I'm joining Holly and Sarah, and a few other bloggers, for today's Hello Monday link-up, where we say Hello to Monday with a look at what's going on in our lives at the moment.

 So what's on my mind?

A lot. But 'tis the norm with me, I suppose.

Things like...

Teaching Writing - I love to write. Love it. I also love teaching it. So it's a bonus when each of the classes I'm teaching are in the middle of big writing projects. Research, citing sources, combining information into one big cohesive paper, seeing kids interested in writing too... I love it all :)

Job Interviews - I've been looking for jobs based in Alabama. I've applied for lots (both teaching and non-teaching) and y'all... I'm remembering how difficult this process is. Scouring the websites of various places, searching job sites, emailing people, interviewing, etc. It's a lot. But my prayer is still, as it has been since the beginning, that God would close the doors that aren't right and open the one that is. ** Shameless plug... Anyone want to hire me? I'll be back the second-ish week of June, ready to work :)

Reminders of the COVID School Year - I'm in the middle of planning online lessons for a student. And while it does make for more work, I do like it. I've always liked teaching online, having to be creative with activities and methods of assessment, all of that... And yes, it does remind me of the COVID school year, when we got out mid-March and didn't return to in-person learning the rest of the school year. And while I, obviously, would have preferred to have been with my students in person, I loved that time with my students. It may have made for super long hours for me, since my situation, as a Special Ed Teacher for kids in middle and high school was unique with working with so many different students in so many different subjects in so many different grade levels. But still.. It was just so much easier to give one on one attention that way. So yeah... I keep having flashbacks to some of the positives of that weird school year :)

Apples - Lately, I can't seem to get my fill of apples. Apples and peanut butter, apples with chocolate drizzled on top, apples dipped in caramel, just plain apples... Yum!

Isaiah 43:19 - This is the verse God laid on my heart at the beginning of this school year. The one that eventually helped me while making the decision to not renew my contract/term with my school and with AGWM. I printed off this image of the verse written out and attached it to my computer so I'd see it each day. 

Spring Break Plans - It's hard to believe it's already (well, almost) time for Spring Break! Our last day before Break is this Thursday. So I've been making out a list of all I hope to accomplish during the break. What's on the list? Every single drawer, cabinet, shelf, bin, and any other nook & cranny I could think of, that's in my apartment... I'll be sorting through it all deciding what to keep, what to give away/sell, what to trash, etc. It's amazing how much stuff you can collect in close to 15 years. Between stuff I've brought from the US or bought here or stuff people have left here (since I've always had a hard time saying "no" when missionaries would leave and ask if I'd like to take what they couldn't get rid of)... Yeah, it's a lot. But I have a plan and I want to be done by the end of break. And any time I have a deadline, I'm much more willing to work on something. That's for sure.

Getting a Doctorate - It's something that's always been in the back of my mind. But I vowed I would not get another degree while overseas. I did two master's degrees fully online, while living in the land of spotty electricity and internet and that was enough for me. But now that I'll be heading back to the US... I'm considering it. Teachers who have gotten theirs while teaching... What are your thoughts? Doable? Not?

My Mom - She's great, y'all. She really is. And one of the big perks of going back to the US for good is being back near her. Possibly even living with her if I get a job close enough to do so (which is what I'm hoping will happen)... It's been fun daydreaming about it with her :)

Reading Psalms - I'm slowly making my way through a study on Psalms and I'm loving it. Just yesterday I was reading Psalm 16:8, which says, I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. I know I've read this so many times in my life. But for whatever reason, yesterday they stuck out more. It's just such a good reminder. I need to keep looking ahead at the Lord, letting Him keep His place before me, and if I do, then I will not be shaken. Why? Because I will not be trying to take control of my own life. Instead, I'll be trusting fully in my Savior, that He knows what's right for my life, that He is in control and He will provide. I don't have to worry. I will not be shaken. And while I won't lie and say this is always easy for me to do, I will say that it does take a little of the pressure of life off my shoulders. And for that, I am grateful.

My Nieces Boy do I miss those girls... I was looking through some old pictures this weekend and came across this one, from during the COVID school year. Since they were home all day, we had fairly regular video chats. And it became a tradition, of sorts, to do a weekly read aloud over Skype. On the day I took this picture, I was reading a book to the girls. And then after that, they each read to me. Such a sweet memory :)

And I guess that's about it for today.

Happy Monday Y'all