What’s Up June

       Happy Wednesday, Y'all

Today, I'm joining Shay and Sheaffer for June'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 bought a bag of salad and a few random salad toppings, along with some cotton candy grapes and have been eating that for supper each night in my hotel room instead of running through a drive-thru. Although, I did have a Chick-fil-A gift card that I used yesterday to get a peach milkshake for my “appetizer” last night on my way back to the hotel. :)

What am I reminiscing about?

Graduation - These 25 will always hold a special place in my heart. It was such a blessing to be one of their class sponsors for the 4 years they were in high school. 

 What am I loving?

Time with my Mama :)

What have I been up to?

I’m currently on a mini road trip. I’ve been able to visit some family and friends. And I’ve had lots of time in a hotel, reading my Bible, journaling, praying, and thinking through this last phase of my life. I was basically at the point of burnout when I left Senegal a couple weeks ago. And while some mission organizations provide a time of debriefing and re-entry for their workers who leave the field, mine didn’t. So thanks to a friend from a different group who shared some of what her organization had given her, and some resources I found online, I’m doing my own. I’m loving being back in Alabama, but leaving Senegal was difficult. And yes, it was 100% of God and I know that. But that place, my ministry/work, etc basically consumed my life for close to 15 years (which isn’t a bad thing but still)… So I recognize that is only natural that I’ve been struggling since being back. So yeah… The past few days have been really good for me. It really has.

What am I dreading?

Nothing much at the moment… Other than maybe going outside since it’s like a bazillion degrees outside everyday. 

What am I working on?

I suppose I could say a similar answer to how I answered the question before last… But to be different on this one, I’ll say that I’m working on doing better at embracing the fact that it’s ok to be sad. I feel like too often we (especially as Christians) focus so much time and energy into telling people to always be positive, to the point that people end up just faking it. But why? Accept the sadness. Find out the root cause of it. Work through it. Then the happiness will come. It really is okay to be sad sometimes. Just saying…

 What am I excited about?

My new job… I was able to visit my school, see my classroom, and meet my principal and some of my co-workers while in Mobile a couple weeks ago. Am I nervous? For sure! But I really am also excited about what’s to come. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me in the upcoming school year :)

What am I watching?

I went to the theater yesterday and watched Inside Out 2. It was so good! 

What am I reading?

I’m reading and rereading Psalm 139 each day, as part of a devotional I’m doing. It’s such a good chapter - so full of goodness that’s needed for this very time in my life. 

What am I listening to?

I’m enjoying being back in the US and being able to listen to the radio and hear new (to me) music. 

What am I wearing?

I’ve been wearing my hair down almost everyday since I’ve been back. However, as the temperature and humidity keeps rising at an awfully quick rate, this may not last very long. Just saying :)

 What am I doing this weekend?

I’ll probably help my mom out a bit around the house. We’ll go to church and then I’ll meet up with more former DA friends in Birmingham.

What am I looking forward to next month?

Fourth of July, fun times with my nieces, family time, and heading back to Mobile

Favorite recent Amazon find?

I anctually haven’t ordered anything since being back in the US. I know. I know. I’m surprised too. Ha! 

What's new this month?

I mailed out my last ever missions newsletters last week. It’s such a weird feeling for that part of my life to basically be over. I have more I could say, and probably will eventually, once I’ve had time to process things. But for now…

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

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month?

Hello Monday

      Happy Monday Tuesday from Alabama

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. Only, I’m posting mine on Tuesday because I was a little out of pocket yesterday, due to having a 24+ journey from Senegal back home to the US. So here we go..

 What’s on my mind?

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

Things like...

Seniors - Oh how I love this class. I will so miss working with these kids. I’m so proud of them and the work they put in to make it to this point. It was such a gift to work with their class for so many years!

Leaving Senegal - The decision to leave wasn’t one I made lightly. It is something I’ve been thinking about on and off for a while, and seriously considering for the past 2 years. And when the time came to tell my principal my decision earlier this school year, I’d already spent time in prayer and even told God for me to take this step, then He’d have to make certain things either happen (or not happen). And He did. God made the decision perfectly clear for me! 

So, with that said…

Even though, this move is 100% God lead, it was still difficult to leave. My feelings/emotions have been all over the place, y’all. This is the longest I’d ever lived anywhere. This is the place I lived the majority of my adult life after college. This is the place where I made amazing friends. This is the place where I met and taught over 100 students, each who stole a piece of my heart. This is the place where God placed a dream on my heart to start a class to reach a group of students who had no other schooling option (at the time) AND where He allowed me to see that dream become a reality. This is the place that I called home. So yeah… It was hard. And that’s okay. It’s okay to feel a little sad at times about leaving. It was such a huge part of my life for such a long time. And just because I’m looking forward to my new job and just because I’m excited to see my nieces (and the rest of my family too, of course), that doesn’t mean the sadness will automatically go away. 

Anywho, I’ll step down off my soapbox now and get back to this post. Want to know what else is on my mind? 

Luggage - I was in the middle of packing, or prepping to pack, and trying to decide what to (or not to) take back to the US with me when a sweet friend said “hey, we’re going to be driving to Birmingham in July. How far are you from there? We could bring a bag for you. Maybe even 2.” Y’all… That made packing so very much easier! So I packed two duffels with stuff I wouldn’t need right away (things like warmer clothes, school/classroom stuff, household decor, dress shoes for work, etc.) and brought them over to the school’s office where my friend picked them up the other day. Yay! :)

Oh, and speaking of packing… Want to see what it looked like before I started? Or rather, after I’d chosen what I thought I wanted to pack… For the last couple months, I’d been just throwing stuff in a suitcase if I thought I might want to pack it. Then, my plan was to sort through it later, actually pack it neatly, and if necessary, to make final cuts. However, thankfully, I didn’t have to make too many “cuts” while packing :)

I shared the picture below on Facebook last week, pointing out that I’d seen a much larger ridiculously expensive, but still including the classic, brightly colored Senegalese fishing boat in a store a while back. However, due to its price and its impractical size/weight, I chose not to buy it. However I kept thinking about it… Fast forward to a week ago when a sweet mom of students at our school (who’s also an Italian AG missionary which is a fun coincidence), gave me this painting that she, herself, paint d as a goodbye gift to me. And not only did she give me a gift that was something I really wanted (but hadn’t told anyone about), but she included the sweetest note too. Such a nice surprise gift :)

Flights - They went well. I flew from Dakar to Paris to Atlanta to Mobile. And as this (below) was my view for the majority of the time, I must say… It really does feel like they pack everybody in like sardines on these flights ;)

Mobile - You were my final destination yesterday. I’ll be here in this area for a few days, taking care of various things in preparation for the new job starting in August and collecting the vehicle someone is generously letting me borrow for a bit, until I’m able to buy my own. Then, I’ll head back up to my mom’s house later this week. 

And that’s about it for my scattered brain today. 

What about you?

 What’s on your mind today?  

Currently

      Happy Wednesday, Y'all

It's been a while since I joined Jennifer from Overflowing with Thankfulness, along with a few other bloggers, and shared a look at what's currently going on in my life. But I thought today would be a good day to get back at that :)

Want to know what's currently on my mind?

At this point, it's our seniors. 

Yesterday, they picked up their caps and gowns and checked in all over their textbooks. Today, they'll have their first graduation practice. And tomorrow, they'll wear those caps & gowns, take all the photos, walk across that stage to collect their diplomas, and then be ready to spread out, literally, all across the globe.

When I first graduated college as a teacher, I said, I would NEVER teach high schoolers. At that time, I honestly just could not imagine ever teaching students older than elementary ages. But if there's one thing I've learned over the years, it is to never say never because God does tend to have a sense of humor ;) 

Because, somehow I made it from teaching kindergarteners during my internship all those years ago to me teaching and working with secondary students (middle/high) the past 7 years. And that just blows my mind at times. 

So yeah, back to the seniors...

Unlike most schools where graduates might leave and move a few cities or potentially a few states away yet still could potentially see each other somewhat regularly, if they wanted to, our students are already from so many different countries, plus they end up in universities and/or jobs literally all over the globe. So while some may see each other again, the possibility of that could potentially be slim. It's hard. But it's a part of this life.

I taught a few of them when I was an elementary teacher at our school (their 1st, 4th, and 5th grade years). Then, when I started my class, I began teaching others of them. Then I've also mentored, been a small group leader, led clubs with them, etc. over the years. Plus, for the past 4 years, I've been one of their class sponsors for various fundraisers and other class events. 

It has been such a joy and a privilege to have had the opportunity to be around for so much of these kids' educations/lives. Some I've known since early elementary days and some I've only known a year or two. But no matter the length of time, one thing is for certain...

I am so incredibly proud of these kids.

I told someone that I don't know how their parents do it. I'm all teary eyed and feeling such intense joy and pride (and sadness too at saying goodbye to them). And I'm not even their parent. So yeah, I don't know how they do it.

At any rate

That's what's currently on my mind today. 

So, Happy Almost Graduation Day 

to the 

Dakar Academy Class of 2024

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

So what about you?

What’s currently on your mind? 

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...

6 Days - That's how long it is, from today, until I leave Senegal...

Ignore the fact this says 10 days. I posted it to Facebook at that point. 
The sentiment is still the same...

Empty - That's how my classroom feels. Oh my heart, did it hurt to pack everything away in bins/cabinets and shut that door yesterday. I'll still be in my classroom today, tomorrow, and a 1/2 day Wednesday, giving exams for all of my people and also being the room for seniors to pick up their caps & gowns tomorrow. But still... Packing it all away made it final. Last week, a friend said it's like the end of an era. And it kind of feels that way. It's definitely time to go. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't call my mom in pretty intense tears yesterday because of how much it hurt my heart to have it all packed up.

The cart is my teacher supply cart. I'll wrap it up for the next teacher.
The red bag is a surprise gift in the works.
The water is left out because it's Senegal and a bazillion degrees outside :)

Packing - I finally packed up my classroom this weekend and tonight, I will finish packing up at home (minus the clothes I'll be wearing this week). I'm pretty sure this is the earliest I have ever (will have ever?) been packed. But I know this week is going to be super busy full of exams for my students, all sorts of graduation/senior related events each day, all the normal end of a school year checklists, and last bits of time spent with friends. So I wanted to be able to be fully present and not stressed about packing. And while it is sad to see the empty walls, shelves, etc., I know I will be so glad it's done.

One Last Senegal AGWM Dinner - We had that the other day. It was nice to have the time to get together, eat good food, and reminisce about life and ministry in Senegal. 

Saying Goodbye to My Students - I did that with my middle schoolers this past Friday. Then, after exams this upcoming week with my 9th-11th graders... And then at graduation on Thursday with my seniors. Have I mentioned lately how much I hate goodbyes? Boo.

Senior Reception and Senior Worship Service - This was yesterday. I may have teared up at multiple points during each of these events. But it was definitely happy/proud tears. Y'all, this class has held a special place in my heart for so many years. And I will always be so grateful that I was able to stay and finish out my time at DA with this crew.

Embracing All the Emotions/Feelings - That's my current thing. I'm recognizing that it's okay to be both sad and also ready about leaving. And you know... It really is okay to be both nervous and excited about what's coming next. It's okay to feel happy and proud of the incredible students I've worked with - whether that's been just year or for many years. It's okay to be happy and sad and scared and excited all at the same time. Humans are not meant to be emotionless robots. Ok, off my soapbox now ;)

Looking Ahead - A week from today, I'll land in Mobile, AL where I'll spend a few days getting all the necessary background checks/screenings, etc. done, get paperwork signed, hopefully meeting with my principal and seeing my classroom too, and visiting with a few people too. Then, once all that's done, I'll drive up to be with my family, ready to spend the summer with them before heading back down to Mobile at the end of the summer, ready to start my new job. I can't lie. I'll probably still shed a few tears when the time comes to leave this place. But y'all, I'm ready. Let's do this!

What's on your mind today?