The 77th Dear ____ Post

Dear Rain, We had you almost continuously for a little over 20 hours, starting yesterday morning and ending this morning. You made for interesting conditions walking home from a friend's house last night and made for an incredibly cool night last night. I did enjoy the nice breeze and cool temps you brought. But I'm not the biggest fan of being drenched while walking home or wondering if the streets are going to flood, causing damage to people's homes around the city. I think you should just come in lighter doses from now on. Cool things off for a bit. But try not to bring so much that floods occur. Yep. That's sounds good.

Dear Fried Rice, You've always been one of my most favorite foods. I made you earlier this week. You may not have been as good as some I've had before, but you still were pretty tasty. I think you're going to be a fairly common meal from now on... Yay for easy recipes! :)

Dear Fish Tacos, I made you with a friend last night. You are probably my favorite dish made with fish. ...so good!

Dear Sabrina (the movie), I watched you for the first time last night. I was a little skeptical at first. But you know what... You turned out to be a really good movie. Yay for happy endings! :)

Dear Working in My Classroom, You were my plan for all day today. But considering it looked like a monsoon had hit when I looked outside this morning, I chose to wait to start you 'til a little later. Now I'm here, finishing up this post, and I'll start on you. It's always nice working in my classroom, playing my worship music, and talking to all the students that walk by my window and stop to say hi.

Dear Alabama Football, You start back today. This day always makes me a little homesick. I wish I could be watching that first game with my family, cheering on our favorite team. But that's ok. I'm wearing my Bama shirt here and will watch at least part of you tonight before heading to bed. Here's hoping for a good season and yet another National Championship title. Roll Tide! :)

Dear Updated Teaching Certificate, I finally have the corrected version of you. You came a couple weeks ago, but included a (pretty major) typo. So after one phone call with an incredible rude employee of the State Dept., I finally got the corrected version of you in the mail yesterday. It makes me happy seeing that extra line at the top, saying I'm qualified to teach ESL. It makes all those years of staying up late (and waking up early) to study worth it.

Dear Teaching ESL, I think I'm starting to love you...finally! It's been hard. Anything new and unfamiliar is often difficult at first. But I'm finally feeling like I'm getting the hang of it. I think I'll always miss teaching elementary school - just like I've missed teaching Special Ed. since I left that. But I do enjoy you. I love feeling like I'm making a difference in the lives of my students. I love when that "lightbulb" goes off and a student finally gets something they've been struggling with. I love getting to know a new group of students. I love having students ask me to come watch them play sports or listen to them play music. I just love my job! :)

Dear Lunch, Tomorrow I'll be having you with the other Kids Club workers. I've been praying that we'd have some other staff members/adults be willing to join with us and help teach our kids. And we got them! I'm so thankful for these people. I can't wait to see what God has in store for our elementary kids this year! I'm so thankful to be a part of this awesome ministry!

Dear Cutest Animal Picture, You're what a friend sent me this week. She knows I love these cute little guys, so she emailed me this picture. It definitely made me smile :)

Currently

I'm currently looking up recipes for new dinner ideas. Currently on the list... Stir fry with bean noodles ( yes, bean noodles!) :)

I'm currently full from supper. I made fried rice. It wasn't the best I've ever eaten, but it was the best I've ever made :)

I'm currently thankful for a chat with a friend I had today. I'm so thankful for people like this in my life.

I'm currently enjoying the breeze coming in my living room window. It's actually semi-cool for a change. Yay for it finally not feeling like a sauna! :)

I'm currently looking forward to a new "toy" I'll have in my classroom that will make my job just a little easier.  

I'm currently also looking forward to the weekend. Sleeping late, catching up on work, watching handball, and hanging out with my Jesus are on the agenda.

I'm currently feeling the effects of a long day at work. My body's telling me it's time to go to sleep, but my mind is still running 90 miles an hour. 

I'm currently smiling at the latest cutest-niece-ever picture that my brother just emailed me. Is she not the most adorable little girl ever?! :)

The 76 Dear _____ Post

Dear Last Night and The Night Before, You're when I had people over for dinner. I so love getting the chance to have people over AND I love cooking so much more when I know I am cooking for others, and not just for myself.

Dear Kids Club, You're starting back up next month. I can't wait! And the best news of all... I FINALLY found some teachers (and a spouse of a teacher) that are willing to help! Seriously...these ladies (and 1 gentleman) are quite possibly my new favorite people! I'm so grateful for their willingness to help! :)

Dear Teaching ESL, I think I'm finally starting to get the hang of you. I'm not going to lie. You were pretty difficult at first. You made me feel like a first year teacher all over again. You made me feel nervous and scared and worried. But over the past week and a half, I've come to enjoy you. I still miss being an elementary teacher. But, I do enjoy you and I'm grateful for you as my job.

Dear Lebanese Food, Our school is lucky enough to have you delivered twice a week by this amazing chef who specializes in your awesomeness. Deliveries started back this past Wednesday. You could totally hear happy cheers at lunch time :)

Dear Duck Dynasty, Season 4 of you came out last week. Let the awesome Cajun hilariousness begin :)

Dear Best Prayer Ever, A parent prayed you for me the other day. It was a sweet prayer, thanking God for me coming to DA and asking God to bless me in my work and ministry here. But the best part was at the end when he said, and I quote, "God send Miss Nichols a husband. Send him today God!" After I recovered from the shock of having just heard that prayer, I said "well, all right then" and smiled. I mean, what do you say to that? :)

Dear Bride and Prejudice, I watched you tonight with some friends. You're the first Bollywood movie I've ever watched. And I must say... You were quite hilarious. Thanks for the laughs :)

Dear Humidity, You've been pretty high here in Dakar. Feel free to lower yourself any day now...

Dear God, Thanks for loving me, for always being with me, for being in control of my life, and for always having my best interests at heart. Thanks for knowing what I need when I need it. 

Currently

I'm currently sitting in my apartment, thankful for the breeze coming in from my balcony and the fan on inside. Man is it hot right now...

I'm currently regretting talking about how hot it was in Alabama. Alabama's hot and humid summers are pretty awful. Don't get me wrong. But they have NOTHING on Dakar!

I'm currently blasting worship music via itunes. I'm also currently wearing headphones so I don't bug all of my neighbors :)

I'm currently writing out meal ideas for the week. Meal planning BEFORE going to the grocery store versus AT the grocery store saves me mucho money :)

I'm currently thankful for good friends. What a blessing they are!

I'm currently full from supper. Bacon + eggs + toast with apple jelly = awesomeness!

I'm currently planning to do a little "light" reading this weekend so I can better help a student. What's on my list, you ask? Beowulf and The Hobbit. And just so you're aware, I'm currently kicking myself for not paying better attention in my high school English classes where I had to read these two.

I'm currently reading the best devotional I think I've ever read. It's so applicable to my life right now and I'm getting so much out of it. I'm so thankful that God put it in my path this summer.

I'm currently fighting a war against mosquitos. Why do they like me so much? Can't they take the hint and leave me alone? 

I'm currently enjoying my new position at school. It's still weird at times to not be the 1st grade teacher. It's still sad not having the recess break time with my elementary teacher buddies. But all in all, I really am enjoying myself. I love my students! And I love the way my schedule is laid out! I love how I'm finally putting all that coursework to good use. :)

I'm currently waiting 'til I can call my mom. Skype is such a wonderful thing.

I'm currently looking up prices of flights for a retreat I'm going on in December with my fellow Africa A/G missionaries. It'd be really nice if those prices would make a significant drop real soon... Of course, I won't hold my breath waiting on that to happen :)

I'm currently loving this picture of my niece that my brother emailed me today. She is so incredibly adorable. 

11 Things About Me

I'm a sucker for surveys, especially at times when I'm bored and killing time before heading to work. So here ya go :)

1. It's your last meal EVER...what are you eating?

I'd be at my mom's table. We'd have huge, awesome grilled hamburgers, twice-baked potatoes, fresh corn on the cob, butter beans, and rolls. Then for dessert we'd have a hershey's chocolate pie (the frozen pre-made kind).

2. Tell me about the last time you felt in awe of something.

It was a couple weeks ago, when I was at General Council and in the missions service. Here we are, thousands and thousands of people, with hands raised, all crying out to God, saying SEND ME. I give of myself COMPLETELY. To see that many people completely giving their all to God, asking Him to use them in whatever capacity that may be, to further His Kingdom. It was amazing!

3. If money were no object, what would you buy for yourself right now? And you CANNOT say you'd buy something for someone else.

1) I'd pay off my student loans. 2) I'd pad my missions account so I could stay on the field forever (well, maybe not forever - but so I'd only have to come back for short trips...no long itineration times)... 3) I'd save the rest for the future. ...wedding, etc. :)

I guess my answers aren't that terribly exciting... I just honestly can't think of anything I need/want that bad right now. Is that sad?

4. What is the most surprising thing you've heard yourself say?

Yesterday I told somebody that I (gasp!) actually like working with teenagers. I never thought I'd say that. Elementary school aged children are my favorite to work with. Big kids (a.k.a. Middle and HIgh School aged kids) have always been slightly scary, or so I thought. Now, I realize they're really not that bad... :)

5. Preferred method of travel? 

Flying for sure. Well, unless it's in the States. Then I love driving. Driving here holds no appeal for me. I'm not a big fan of the "fight for your life with no major rules being followed" type of driving. I know that I can drive here if I needed to. I just choose not to :)

6. What are you reading?

A couple different books... I'm doing a Bible Study on "Made to Crave" with some co-workers. I'm reading "Lady in Waiting" as my personal devo book. Both are looking really good.

7. Like surprises?

I do. It's funny, though. I am bad about asking questions about the end of a book or a movie. So in cases like that, I don't mind the surprises. But in day-to-day life, I love them. Does that make sense?

8. Best and Worst parts of your job?

Best - I get to teach kids from all over the world. I get to, not only teach them English, but also about the love of Jesus. It's such an awesome thing!

Worst - Having to say goodbye to family, having to miss birthdays, kids growing up, anniversaries, deaths, just missing so much... It's definitely the hardest thing about this line of work.

9. Do you see yourself doing the same thing 5 years from now? 10?

While I do definitely see myself still in missions, I don't know that I'll be in the same position in 5 or 10 years from now. Of course, it's all up to God...

10. Favorites...

Food? I love Mexican food! Then a close second to that would be Asian food!
Ice Cream? Chocolate! And if I'm in Dakar, my favorite is obama flavored :)
Soft Drink? caffeine free diet mountain dew
TV Show? Chopped, Army Wives, 19 Kids and Counting, Psych., and more...
Movie? The Notebook

11. Dislikes...

Food? cottage cheese
Ice Cream? I can't think of a kind of ice cream I don't like... :)
Soft Drink? root beer. yuck!
TV Show? There are quite a few...
Movie? Again, quite a few...

Now it's your turn! Pick a question from above and answer it in the comments below...I'd love to hear your thoughts!

The 75th Dear ____ Post

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for my job. Thank you for the chance to do what I love to do. Thank you for calling me to a profession where I'd actually enjoy going to work every day. Thank you for the boys and girls that I've been able to call my students. Thank you for the funny stories, the "teachable moments," the sweet spirits, and the loving ways. Thank you for the lessons they have taught me. Thank you for the ways they've challenged me to be a better teacher - to be the best I could be. Thank you for the parents that have given me the honor of teaching their children. Thank you for their support and encouragement (and constructive criticism too). And Jesus, thank you for bringing me to a Christian school. Thank you for the freedom to tell the boys and girls in my class about YOU. Thank you for the freedom to post Scripture verses on the wall in a child's native language who may have never seen that before. Thank you for the freedom to answer students' questions about you. Thank you for the freedom to pray with my students and their families, without fear of persecution. Thank you for the guidance, the discernment you've given me over the years - to know how to work my very hardest to meet the needs of each and every student. Thank you for loving each of "my kids" far more than I could. Thank you for making them "mine." Thank you for teaching me to love them. Thank you for these precious gifts.

And now Jesus, I pray for each and every one of my students - whether I am currently teaching them or not. I pray that you flood their soul with your awesomeness. Jesus, I pray that you'll meet each of their needs. And more than that, Jesus, I pray for their souls. Whether they're from a Christian home, a M*slim home, or any other religious background, I pray that they see the love of you. I pray that the TRUTH of the ONE true God penetrates their hearts in a way that only you can do. I pray that those of us around them will show them the Light. I pray that we will show them the love of you. I pray that I will show them the love of you. I pray that I am a good witness. I pray that I am sensitive to the leading of your precious Holy Spirit at all times. And Jesus I pray that you will work in every situation any of them may be going through. I pray that your love will be so overwhelmingly evident to them, that they have no choice but to turn to you.

And Jesus, lastly, I pray that you'll give me strength to handle whatever situations I'm put in, in regards to school. I pray that I'll handle any situation with grace and humility and with respect. I pray that you will help me to be not just a good teacher and role model, but a good Christian example. I pray that I will show YOU - not me - in all I do.

Sincerely,
Me

The 74 Dear ____ Post...otherwise known as the '13-'14 Back to School Version

Dear 1st Day of School, You are tomorrow. I can't wait!

Dear New School Supplies, There's just something fun about opening you and laying you out for my students. I was so blessed to receive so much of you this summer from an amazingly supportive church and when I combined you with all the supplies already there, I had the perfect amount of school supply awesomeness :)

Dear Higher Than 5th Grade, This is the first time I'll be teaching anything higher than you. I'd be lying if I said I was not nervous. I'll be teaching students, ranging from 1st grade through 9th grade. So this will be partly new territory for me. But I am so excited for this new adventure. I can't wait!

Dear Polka Dot Duct Tape, You are an amazingly fabulous invention and I love you! You have come in handy so much in decorating my new classroom. Yay for cheap and fun looking decorative items :)

Dear Air Conditioner, Guess who doesn't have you in their classroom. Yep, that's right. I don't. But with that said... I've come to now appreciate the teacher's lounge as a place to work so much more than I ever did before. :)

Dear 1st Grade, I must admit that it made me a little sad today to see our old room all decorated and ready to go for the new teacher, and to know that it's not going to me teaching in there anymore. Don't get me wrong. I'm so excited about teaching ESL. I am. I just didn't realize how sad it'd be to leave elementary... Does that make sense?

Dear Presentation, I had to give you to the staff today during our orientation. I was extremely nervous. Talking in front of adults is scary, you know :) Anyways, I am always my worse critic and was hard on myself as usual. So it was incredibly nice and encouraging to have a few people come up to me later and tell me I did a good job or thanking me for the handout with helpful hints I gave. 

Dear Dakar Academy, You are such a great school to work at. Thanks for that!

Dear Blessing, You're what it is to work in such a great school, to work with such great people, and to be in a Christian environment where Christ is, as He should be of course, the center of it all. I love how very year I'm able to post Bible verses on my wall. I love how I am able to have a Bible sitting on my desk. I love how I can have children's Bibles included in my classroom library. I love how I can be blasting worship music while I'm working late after school in my classroom. What blessings indeed!

Currently

I'm currently sitting in my apartment, typing this. I loved my time in Alabama, but man is it nice to be back in my own apartment in Dakar :)

I'm currently listening to Steven Curtis Chapman's "Deep Roots" cd. It was a last minute purchase at Cracker Barrel towards the end of the summer, and contains some hymns. ...so good!

I'm currently looking over my To Do List for the staff meetings & working in my classroom the next 2 days and for the first day of school.

I'm currently glad to be back in Dakar. I'm so thankful for the call God has placed on my life, and I'm thankful that He has made this place "home."

I'm currently drinking some chai tea. It's definitely not he same as Starbucks, but its good :)

I'm currently starting to feel more comfortable, and less nervous, about my new job at school.

I'm currently looking forward to school starting Wednesday. I will have students from all levels - elementary, middle, and high school. I'm looking forward to seeing all of our kids get back at school. And I'm looking forward to the 2013-2014 being the best yet!

I'm currently reading Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson. I highly recommend it. Go on. Get it. You know you want to :)

I'm currently experiencing jet lag. I kind of thought I would. Oh well. I guess it's been a good thing. I've almost finished unpacking. I've prepped my notes for a presentation I have to give on Tuesday. And I've caught up on emails I've been putting off for a while.

The 73rd Dear _____ Post

Dear Family, I have so enjoyed spending so much time with all of you this summer. It's so hard being so far away from you for the majority of the year. But times like the ones we've had this summer make up for that at least a little. I love you all so very much!

Dear Daisy, You are now 1 year old! You can walk and say a few words already. My favorite is when you say "Lizzie" and reach for me. Talk about making my heart melt :) When I say goodbye to you tonight, I know I won't see you again for 10 months. I'm so sad, but I know your parents are good about sending pictures and videos, so that helps. I love and am going to miss you so much sweet girl!

Dear 9, You're the number of states I've visited this summer, counting the state I live in. And that's not counting Washington D.C.! I've visited New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Florida, and of course, Alabama.

Dear Rental Car, I put a total of 5768 miles on you, thanks to quite a few out of state (and long in-state) trips I made this summer. Thanks for being a safe, reliable, and nice to drive vehicle.

Dear 10 Months, You're how long I'll be gone once I leave for Dakar. While I realize that's not very long for some people, that will be the longest I've ever been gone...

Dear Paperwork, I have you in my bag, ready to hand to the customs agents in Dakar, who'll hopefully take you and not require me to purchase a visa to get in the country.

Dear Dakar, I'll see you on Sunday!!!

Dear Power Cuts in Dakar, They say you've been pretty rough this summer. I think you should stop happening when I get there. Sounds good, right? :)

Dear Jet Lag, You seem to always attach yourself to me when I arrive back in Dakar. I'll be landing on one day and then going straight to work the next day, so Jet Lag, I need you to not be so bad this time. Pretty please? :)

Dear Luggage, You're all packed and ready to go. I need you to stay safe through every leg of my flight back to Dakar. I need you to also arrive in Dakar at the same time as me. Don't get lost along the way please. Thank you!

Dear General Council Services, You were so incredible! I'm so glad I got to be here this week! I have felt the presence of the Holy Spirit so strongly in every single service! 

Dear Calling God's Placed on My Life, I so love you. I honestly feel so incredibly blessed to be fulfilling you by doing what I do. I'm a missionary. How cool is that?! :)

Dear ESL Teacher, You're my new job title at DA. I'll be honest. I'm still a bit nervous. But at the same time, I'm excited. This is a new adventure and I can't wait to get started :)

Dear Kids Club, I bought a year long curriculum for you earlier this summer. I've bought new craft supplies. I've browsed the Internet for new game ideas. Now I'm ready to get you started back up again. I really need another adult to help me lead you though, so I'm praying that I can get that when I make my plea at our staff meeting next week. *Hint, Hint to any of you reading this :)

Dear Wednesday, You're the day our students start back to school. I can't wait!

Dear Churches, Families, and Individuals that Support My Ministry in Dakar, Thank you for joining me in this adventure. Thank you for your continued support in the form of prayer, finances, love, and encouragement. Thank you for your help in ministering to the children of Dakar Academy in in Dakar, Senegal. Thank you!

Dear Memories from this Summer, Thanks for being so awesome!

Dear God, I don't thank you nearly enough for the blessings you've given me. So thank you! I don't deserve any of this, but you give it to me anyway. Thanks God!!!

Currently

I'm currently realizing that as of 2 days ago, I'm 28 years old. I'm so old!

I'm currently happy for all this time spent with my Mama. Yay for a road trip with my best friend! :)

I'm currently thinking it's cool that the Assemblies of God will be turning 100 years old next year! How cool is that?!

I'm currently believing for a miraculous answer to an unspoken prayer request. I can't give details at the moment, but I thought that any of my faithful blog readers who are pray-ers could help me in praying for this situation. Our God is in the miracle business, so I know He can handle it. Thanks! :)

I'm currently remembering the statement Jeanne Mayo made during Monday night's service. "I hope that I'm being Jesus in skin." That's my hope too. How many of us, Christians, are really being "Jesus in skin?" 

I'm currently LOVING being at General Council! Seriously... The services have been AMAZING so far! I'm getting to see people I haven't seen in a long time, getting to see friends and co-workers, and getting to hang out with my Mama all the while. I am so glad I was able to come this year!

I'm currently rereading my notes from George Wood's sermon Tuesday night. Oh my word! ...such an anointed sermon and incredible presence of the Holy Spirit.

I'm currently loving being a part of this organization, being a part of something bigger than me, and most importantly, being a part of fulfilling the Great Commission. I love that God called me to this line of work. I love that God has equipped me with the training to do what he's called me to do. I love that God believes in me enough to trust me with that calling.

I'm currently waiting to Skype my niece to wish her a Happy Birthday. It's crazy to think that she's already a year old! Yay for technology and a brother willing to indulge my mom's and my desire to see Daisy on her birthday, even if we're a few hundred miles away :)

And on a much less serious note...

I'm currently (FINALLY) growing out my fingernails. I realize this isn't that big of a deal for most people, but y'all... I've gone about 3 weeks without biting my fingernails. And anyone that knows me well at all knows that this is a huge thing for me! :)

I'm currently drinking peach soda and feeling a teensy bit sad that it doesn't exist in Dakar. Boo to that :(

I'm currently realizing that in a little over 48 hours, I'll be boarding the plane for the first leg of my flight back to Dakar.

The 72nd Dear ____ Post

The 72nd Dear ____ Post

Dear Saying Goodbyes, You stink. ...big time!

Dear Packing, Guess who's waited 'til the last minute to do you again. I'll be working on you this afternoon/evening when I get home.

Dear Dental Work, I had you done earlier this week. Normally, I'd dread you, but the dentist was AMAZING and totally gave me the biggest blessing ever by doing all the work (over $1000 worth) for free! 

Dear Birthday Party, I am going to you tomorrow for my niece. I can't believe she's about to turn 1 year old! Where did the time go? :)

Dear Orlando, My mom and I leave for you tomorrow night. I get to have a road trip with my Mama, visit a city I've never been to before, and go to General Council and hang out with my AG buddies. I can't wait!

Dear 8.5 Hours, You're how long the GPS says it will take us to drive to Orlando. Of course that's not counting traffic or pit stops, so I'm betting it's gonna be a long one.

Dear Animal Kingdom, Guess who gets to visit you on her birthday. This girl! Thank you to the sweet person that paid for tickets for my mom and me to go! Happy Birthday to me! :)

Dear 3, You're the number of days left 'til my birthday. I'm excited! :)

Dear 1 Week Exactly, You're how much time I have left until I leave for Dakar. This summer has just flown by!

Dear iTunes Card, You're what I received from somebody this week for my birthday. Yay for free music and that new book I've been wanting to buy :)

Dear Suitcase FULL of School Supplies, You're what a church sent to me, along with the money to pay for it to be brought to Dakar. There was over 100lbs of stuff sent! Oh my word! I was so incredibly overwhelmed by this generosity! 

Dear Mountain Dew, I'm planning to buy you at the airport in New York. You'll be my caffeine of choice to keep me awake during those all day staff meetings the two days after I arrive back in Dakar. Here's hoping you help fight the jet lag that I'm sure will be coming.

Dear New (and improved) Smile, I love you. For the first time in my life I don't mind smiling for photos :)

Dear Next Weekend, You're going to be a busy one. I'll be driving back from Orlando on Friday. I'll be leaving, flying to Dakar on Saturday. And I'll be landing in Dakar on Sunday.