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

A Change

When I was 19 years old, God laid Mark 16:15 on my heart.

It was with that verse, that God first called me into missions. At the time, I couldn't fathom the thought of leaving my family, or small town Alabama behind. And all I knew about missionaries were that they were preachers and church planters and that just wasn't me. I was, by no means, a preacher. So how could/would God use me to further His Kingdom in that way? At least, that's the thought that started going through my head. But I trusted in Him, the One who called me, knowing He knew in which direction my life would go.

 On July 30, 2009, I arrived in Dakar, Senegal for the first time. I was a week shy of turning 24 years old and while I was, indeed, nervous, I was also so incredibly excited for what the future held for me as a teacher at Dakar Academy. When the then director and my roommate picked me up from the airport, I couldn't fathom all I'd experience in the next 14 years. In fact, in that moment, I truly couldn't see myself staying more than one year. But I did stay more than that original year. In fact, I stayed for 5 years before leaving the first time. Was it always easy? No. Was it exciting and fun? Usually. Was I 100% sure I was in line with what God had called me to do? You bet.

I did go back to Alabama for 1 year and 7 months. During that time, I worked as a teacher in Selma, Alabama, falling in love with that culturally rich city, my co-workers, and my students. I loved teaching those kids. Boy, did I. And I also, was able to have the gift of serving my parents. My dad's health had drastically deteriorated. And I will never ever regret those 9 months I had, living back with my parents, working in the US and being able to support/help my parents during that time, and the time after with my mom as well. But as ones called to the ministry, themselves, they understood the pull to get back to the field to which one is called. And for me, that was getting my feet back on Senegal's soil. 

So with the support and blessing of my administration in Selma, my parents, my pastor and church, AGWM, and most importantly, God, himself, I landed back in Senegal in February 2016 to finish out the school year with a group of 10 precious 4th graders, one of whom, I'd even taught as a 1st grader as well. I think due to the transitions they had that year, it helped us grow even closer and so when our principal at the time asked if I'd loop up with them to 5th grade, I happily jumped at the chance. We had even more kids join the class that year, including some who after that year would no longer have a spot available for them at our school, due to certain levels of special needs. But my heart and mind couldn't handle the thought of that. So I wrote a proposal, sat in meetings, was turned down twice, cried more times than I'd like to admit, and stuck to my guns knowing God, Himself, had laid this dream on my heart. And finally, in October 2016, I heard the "yes" I'd been praying for.

I spent time fundraising. I contacted embassies and mission organizations looking for more students. I worked hard. And sure enough... In August 2017, that dream God laid on my heart became a reality. We opened the doors to a self-contained Special Education class, the only one of its kind, at the time, in our part of Africa. That first year we only had 3 students, but God helped us grow every year, until we were almost literally bursting at the seams. It wasn't always easy and I faced a lot of opposition, especially in the beginning. But God knew and God continued to provide over and over again. I'd be lying if I said the last few years weren't difficult. But God continued to provide. And now, here we are in 2024, about to finish our 7th year in this classroom, with the last of the original class members soon to be graduating and heading off to college in the Fall. 

And that brings me to the point of this post. When I started my class, I made a commitment to certain families to see their kids through to graduation. So at the end of last school year, when I realized that time was approaching, I began praying, asking God to make the decision clear on whether I should stay or go. I prayed about it. I consulted with my pastor, my mom, my mission supervisors, and a few other close friends, asking them to help me pray as well. I knew the decision to leave my school would be a difficult one. I love the calling God placed on my life all those years ago. I love the reason my school was started over 60 years ago. And I love my students. So I knew, if I were to leave, again... God would have to make the decision crystal clear.

At the beginning of this school year, God placed Isaiah 43:19 on my heart. And so I spent lots of time in prayer and in my normal, annual "are you staying or leaving" meeting with my school supervisor, I felt total peace about my decision. God made it absolutely clear that it was time for me to go. And y'all... It was like a weight the size of an elephant had been lifted off of my chest. I knew that, even though it would still be an emotional exit, it was, definitely time to sign that form saying I would not be returning at the end of this school year. So after discussing it with my AGWM supervisors and my school supervisor, I turned in that form. 

And now that my missions supporters and loved ones have been notified, I can finally do what my external processing self loves to do... Write what's been on my heart. I can share about my upcoming change and ask for prayer. I will be resigning from both AGWM and my school at the end of this school year (in June). I still support both organizations. There are amazing men and women working for both of them, doing amazing things for God, in the goal of helping with the advancing of His Kingdom. My love for missions and education will never go away. I will always be a supporter and advocate for both. However, I do 100% feel God is calling me away from overseas ministry, and calling me back to the US. What will I do? Will I still be in ministry? Will I still teach? I honestly don't know the answer to any of those questions. All I know is that I am going to continuing following God's leading and I'm open to whatever that might be. I'm just taking the first step and waiting to see where He leads me.

And in the spirit of honesty, I want to also say, that while I do have peace about this decision and know it is definitely of God, I'd be lying if I said it isn't emotional/hard to think about the goodbyes I'll be saying in June. Goodbye to the city/country I've called home for the majority of my adult life... Goodbye to the school that I've taught at since 2009 (minus the 1.5 years in the US halfway through)... Goodbye to the friends and co-workers who I've made/met along the way... Goodbye to the culture and the goodness that this place has to offer... And hardest of all - Goodbye to the students and parents and families who I've gotten to know and love... While many of my (current and former) kids are graduating this year, not all are... And y'all, the goodbyes to the kids are what will be the most heartbreaking. 

But as a friend recently said... God knows.

God cares.

God loves me.

And God loves each and every one of those incredible kids.

And now, to wrap up this incredibly long post, I want to once again say, what a gift it's been to have had this life for 14.5 years. The memories I've made, and will continue to make in the next few months, are enough to last me a lifetime. I will be forever grateful to AGWM, DA, and all of the men & women and churches who have supported me over the years to continue in this ministry (and who will continue supporting me the next few months). I have been blessed. 

Change isn't always easy.

But with God, it's good.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

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.

Currently

    Happy Friday, Y'all

I'm joining Jennifer from Overflowing with Thankfulness, along with a few other bloggers, and sharing a look at what's currently going on in my life. The prompts for this month are:

* loving * looking forward to * planning * wearing * eating *

I'm currently loving the slightly cooler temps we've been having lately. Although, I'm sure I just jinxed us all by saying that. But seriously, y'all... Hot Season has drug on for a long time this year. So it's about time we had some cool breezes around here. Just saying :)

I'm currently looking forward to Spring Break. I love my students. I so love them. But y'all... Teaching during the time between going back to school in January all the way to Spring Break, which isn't until the very end of March/beginning of April with no breaks (unlike a couple that those in the US get) is HARD. It makes for a long long time. So yes... I am definitely looking forward to Spring Break :)

I'm currently planning out my next newsletter which will come out at some point in the next few weeks. I've got some big news that will be shared in this one. So if you'd like to hear my upcoming ministry update, let me know and I will add you to my list.

I'm currently wearing nothing terribly exciting. I did dress up for this first night of our Senior Cafe this past weekend though. Our seniors dressed up as various music genres. So thanks to my 80s girl t-shirt and a few cheap, neon pink accessories from Amazon, I was "80s Rocker." That was fun :)

I'm currently eating very boring, plain-ish foods and very little of it, since we're like 95% sure I have an ulcer (or at least, the start of one) or maybe some intense acid reflux. Partly due to gut issues. Partly due to anxiety/worry. Partly due to life and getting older and such. Partly due to other issues. It's also partly (well, more than partly) not fun.

And since it's my blog and I can, I'm including a few more currentlys in this month's post :)

I'm currently feeling thankful for a change of scenery while doing lesson planning this past weekend. There's just something calming/relaxing about sitting close to, and watching the water and hearing the waves crashing.

I'm currently enjoying looking back over the pictures and videos I've seen of this past weekend's Senior Cafe (a school-wide talent show put on by our senior class). It was such a fun weekend! I wish I could show you all the pictures I took of the kids. They were all dressed up and worked so hard, both in prepping before the event, during it, and then cleaning up after. 

I'm currently finding listening to hymns in the afternoons/evenings or when I'm working is a source of calm for me. There is just something so nice about these incredible songs - so many that were written long long ago. But they're just so incredibly peaceful.

I'm currently reading a book that I checked out from the school library. It's Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns. I'm only a few pages in so far, but so far, so good. I'm hoping to be able to read a bit this weekend.

I'm currently gearing up for a busy day tomorrow. I'm helping with the proctoring of the SAT on campus in the morning. Then I'll probably bring lunch with me and finish up lesson planning/prep after that. And then we have a get-together with the other AGWM-ers here tomorrow afternoon/evening. But as of now, I have nothing but church and resting planned for Sunday.

I'm currently praying for God to move in big ways for my students - both current and former ones. Will you help me pray for these incredible humans that I call "mine..." Because whether I teach/work with them now or I taught them a decade ago, I still call them "mine" :)

And that’s about it for me.

What  about you?

What are you currently up to?