My One Thousand Gifts #'s 70 - 74

One Thousand Gifts

Each week, I'm highlighting new items I've added to my list of one thousand gifts. These aren't always big things. In fact, sometimes it's the littlest things that stick out the most. 

This week, I've added 5 new things...

#70 - a game of Scrabble

Who would've thought that something as simple as this could bring such joy to some of my students? :)

#71 - nems

Have you ever had these delicious items? Well, there's a lady that sells them just down the street from my school for a really cheap price and they are absolutely delicious! I love 'em!

#72 - new recipes 

I love cooking and I especially love trying out new recipes! ...especially when they turn out well! :)

#73 - productive days

...those days when you're able to finally get a lot of items checked off your to do list. I love days like that! Here's hoping I have a lot more of those :)

#74 - seeing the sunrise

Is there anything more beautiful?

And in case you want a recap of the other things on my list, you can find them below...

1-3

4-16

17-24

25-28

29-34

35-40

41-43

44-48

49-55

56-59

60-64

65-69

Currently

Since this is my first "free" evening in a while and I had some time to kill, I thought I'd post a new "Currently in the Life of Moi" :)

Want to know what's currently going on in my life?

I'm currently...

...glad my dad's out of the hospital and am praying that this newest medication will do its job and help him to feel better.

...a little nervous about a meeting I have coming up soon.

...looking over my To Do List for the rest of this week. Wow! There's a lot on there.

...wondering what's up with the weather lately. One day it's super cold and the next it's hot and humid. Of course, I did grow up in Alabama, the most confused weather state there is.

And speaking of Alabama weather...

I'm currently praying for all those affected by this winter storm that's come through the state.

I'm currently in awe of the teachers that have stayed at school, taking care of all those sweet babies who couldn't get home. They've thought up fun activities for them to do. They've fed them. They've made nice pallets for them to sleep on. They've kept them safe and happy and loved on them 'til their parents are finally able to get to them. These teachers are amazing y'all!

I'm also currently annoyed with people that make fun of Southerners getting so worked up about this type of weather. Not cool guys...

And now back to my list. I'm currently...

...happy to hear news that corn on the cob is finally in season here in Dakar. Now if I could just find someone selling it...

...looking forward to the weekend already. Is that a bad sign? :)

...really enjoying a writing project I'm doing. I've always loved to write.

...thankful for leftovers in my fridge so I don't have to make dinner tonight. :)

So what are you currently up to? 

20 Questions

So here are my responses to 20 questions.  If you feel like asking or sharing, please post a comment with a question or response or two of your own.  Can't wait to learn more about you too!

What's your nickname? A few people call me "E." My niece calls me "Zizzie." But that's it.

How do you spend your days? teaching the future leaders of tomorrow :)

What's on the agenda for today? movie, lunch, & pedicures with a friend in a couple hours, then working in my classroom for a few hours until time for church tonight

What's the latest advice you were given? "Just pray about. That's all you can do."

What's the last advice YOU gave? "Remember to take care of yourself too"

If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go? definitely...London, England

What's the last reason you laughed? ...laughing at the movie I was watching with my friend this morning.

Have children? Want children? No children yet. ...hopefully will in the future, though. Of course I need a husband first :)

What ability or skill do you most wish you had (that you don't have already)? Being fluent in French would be nice.

What was your favorite subject in high school?  English

Last movie you watched? Letters to Juliet

Last tv show you watched? Home Improvement

Last song you listened to? "Follow You" by Leeland

Last website you visited? a friend's blog

What's your dream job? to run an orphanage in Africa

If you had to choose only one: cat or dog? dog - I hate cats!

Worst part of your job? the goodbyes

Aside from food, water, and shelter, what one thing could you not go a day without? my Bible

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? teaching in some way on the mission field. ...having a husband and a kid would be nice :)

Where do you see yourself in 20 years? teaching in some way on the mission field. ...preferably with a husband and children

What do you want to know about me? Ask away, readers! I promise I'll answer. :)

The 94th Dear _____ Post

Dear Wow, You'd what I've said to God a few times this week. He's just so amazing! I love how He works everything out just perfectly!

Dear Give Me Faith, You're the name of a song that I love! I'm so thankful for being introduced to you this week. And amazingly enough, I've had to put you on repeat a few times over the past couple days to remind myself of your meaning when I got some not-so-great news over the phone.

Dear To Do List, You're something I need to write pretty soon. It looks like it'll be a big list. So I better get started on it soon.

Dear 3 Day Weekend, You're what we have this weekend since we don't have school on Monday. I'm so looking forward to not having to set an alarm this weekend (well, most of it). Sleeping Late, here I come!

Dear Sleeping Late and Taking Naps Too, Is it sad that I'm excited about getting to experience you this weekend? Don't judge people. :)

Dear Tests, I gave 3 of you yesterday. Almost every one of my classes had one. While it was a nice idea to have everyone finish up their current chapters on one day, I'm thinking I'm going to regret that when I have all those tests to grade this weekend...

Dear Scrabble, I played you with one of my classes yesterday. You were quite entertaining. They thought I'd found a new, cool game for them. Yay for something old being fun and cool! Ha! :)

Dear T-Shirt Quilt, You're something I'm planning to start making in a few months when I get back to the States. Here is a link for a no-sew option for a blanket. For a non-crafty person such as myself, I must say... I'm pretty excited about this!

Dear Anticipation, You're what I'm feeling right now. How exciting it is to live a life serving my Maker and doing what He's called me to do! I'm so blessed!

Dear Spending Time with Friends, You're what most of my weekend will consist of. Last night I did so while watching this movie and eating this style of food and eating this ice cream. Then tonight, I'll be spending time with another friend doing "in-home pedicures" and watching a movie. I'm blessed with such good friends! What a gift they are!

Dear Using Up The Food At Home, You're what I'm planning on doing for a while. Yes, I have the money to buy new food. But why should I when I have so much at home?! Maybe that'll be a future blog post. I can see it now... Raiding the Cabinets, Parts 1 to 100 :)

Dear 100+, You're how many people (staff, students, & parents) went out to a village this weekend for DA's annual Outreach trip. They're doing all sorts of projects to help the people in the area, including working on churches, painting, building, evangelism, kids programs, etc. I love seeing anyone, but kids especially, excited about furthering the Kingdom! It's awesome! :)

My One Thousand Gifts #'s 65 - 69

One Thousand Gifts

Each week, I'm highlighting new items I've added to my list of one thousand gifts. These aren't always big things. In fact, sometimes it's the littlest things that stick out the most. 

This week, I've added 5 new things...

#65 - God's timing

Isn't His timing amazing?! :) 

#66 - friends that send you home with leftovers

...because it's not enough to invite you over to hang out and eat dinner with them. They have to go even further and send you home with lunch for the next day. I'm a blessed girl. That's for sure :)

#67 - seeing kids worshipping God

This is a definite perk of my job. 

#68 - apple & peanut butter

In the words of Rachael Ray... Yum-O :)

#69 - the song, "Give Me Faith"

This, quite possibly, may be my new most favorite song. Thanks Jesus for sending this song my way this week. I love it!

And in case you want a recap of the other things on my list, you can find them below...

1-3

4-16

17-24

25-28

29-34

35-40

41-43

44-48

49-55

56-59

60-64

The 93rd Dear _____ Post

Dear Weekend, Praise Jesus! You've arrived! While this week has been a fun one, with classes that went well, students that enjoyed learning, and a teacher that loved her job, it's also been a long, tiring one. So I am so happy to see you Weekend! I have somewhere to go today and I have a little work to do, but I'm looking forward to being able to enjoy some rest and relaxation tomorrow.

Dear Nap Time, I'm so sorry that young children don't appreciate you like they should. It's so sad. Honestly, I think we all need to incorporate you into our daily lives. Who's with me? :)

Dear Honey Bunches of Oats with Pecan Bunches, You are truly a box of amazing deliciousness. Thanks for being a fun surprise treat at the store. I'm so looking forward to eating your awesomeness.

Dear obama (the ice cream), Today was the first day since being back in Dakar that I got to have you. Oh I so enjoyed you! Thanks for being the best ice cream ever! :)

Dear Good Report, You're what my dad got from his doctor this week. Woohoo! :)

Dear A Little Over 5 Hours, You're how long the church dedication I went to lasted today. Yes I was tired (and ready for lunch) by the time left. But I did enjoy myself. What a joy to share in this special day.  I'm glad I went! 

Dear Good Day, You're what I had today. Thank you for a long talk with a good friend, a job I love, going to church here, good food, obama ice cream, and an early bed time :)

Dear 8:15 p.m., You're what time it is at this very minute and this old fuddy-duddy is going to bed :) 

Dear Prayer, You're what I'm spending quite a bit of time in. God and I have some things to discuss. Well, actually my plan is to zip my lips and open my ears so He can do all the talking. Anyone reading this? Feel free to help me pray. God knows the details.

My One Thousand Gifts #60 - 64

One Thousand Gifts

Each week, I'm highlighting new items I've added to my list of one thousand gifts. These aren't always big things. In fact, sometimes it's the littlest things that stick out the most. 

This week, I've added 5 new things...

#60 - a good start back to school

School started back this past Tuesday and couldn't have gone better. I definitely enjoyed it! It was so good seeing all the kids again and hearing all of those "Hi Miss Nichols!" being yelled across campus from students of all ages. I loved it :)

#61 - nice smelling candles

Mango Pear, Fresh Cotton, Apple Cinnamon, Pumpkin Spice, Sweet Cranberry, Green Apple... The list could go on and on. Something I'm always sure to include in my suitcase on the way back to Dakar is candles. I love 'em!

#62 - surprise packages from the States

Imagine my surprise when the day after I get back to Dakar, I find out that I have a package waiting on me. A sweet couple from Georgia had sent me a box full of goodies. It's not just receiving a package that's so great. It's the fact that people you've only met a few times cared enough about you to send you a box full of stuff. Way to make a girl feel loved! 

#63 - a toothless grin on a 1st grader

The other day one of my sweet 1st graders came into class and said, "Miss Nichols, you take my picture. 'kay?" And then she smiled the biggest, cutest smile ever - showing that she'd lost her two front teeth over Christmas Break. I was definitely thankful for this sweet moment brightening my day :)

#64 - prayer partners around the world

This one's pretty self-explanatory. I'm so thankful for the men, women, and children that are partnering with me in prayer. What a great feeling to know people are praying for me and my ministry in Dakar. I'm so blessed!

And in case you want a recap of the other things on my list, you can find them below...

1-3

4-16

17-24

25-28

29-34

35-40

41-43

44-48

49-55

56-59

Currently in the Life of Me

Hi. Thanks for stopping by. Are you curious about what's going on in my life right now? I know you're just dying to know :) Here's what I'm currently up to.

I'm currently...

...happy with how our first day back at school went today. I missed "my" kids :)

...happy with how productive I was this weekend. I'm striving to not be such a bad (or would it be good?) procrastinator this year. 

Speaking of which... I posted my New Year's Goals the other day. If you missed it, click here and you can see them. I'm currently working towards these goals and plan to incorporate them into my life all year.

And back to the list. I'm currently...

...loving being back in flip flop weather. This girl loves her flip flops :)

...reading the Yada Yada Prayer Group series. I'm on book #1 and am liking it so far. One of my New Year's goals was/is to read for fun more. And thankfully, our school's library has an amazingly extensive collection of books. So between that, and the free books on iBooks, I'll be set for a while. 

...planning to incorporate some new, fun things in all of my classes.  Yay for having a job I love! 

...working on a couple writing projects. I've always loved writing, so this is something I'm really enjoying.

...enjoying reading and journaling through the Bible. My goal is to read through the entire Bible and journal my thoughts, things I learn, things God teaches me, etc., as I go. The Bible is such a fascinating book. I've read everything in it many times already, but each time I open it, I feel like I learn something new. Seriously... This happens every single time. How many other books make you do that? Not many... 

My New Year's Resolutions for 2014

1. Read and journal through the entire Bible. I've read through the Bible many times and each time I have learned something new. But I've never journaled through the Bible. This is the year to change that. I found a plan that allows you to start at any point in the year (not just January 1st). I'm going to be loosely following that plan, but mainly seeing where the Lord takes me from there.

Want to join along? I'm starting on January 15th. You can find the plan here. 

2. Do a journal of thanks all year. My grandmother gave me a beautiful journal that was just what I'd been looking for to do this project with. On the cover it says to be thankful for what you have and to trust God for what you need. This year I'm going to look for the little things God sends my way every day that I'm thankful for. So every night, I'll be listing at least 5 seemingly "little" things from that day that I'm thankful for.

The Bible contains many, many verses that teaches us to be thankful. You can find just a few of them here.

3. Take a photo a day every single day of the year. Then compile them into a 365 photo book at the end of the year.

I follow a list of photo prompts found here. I may use my own from time to time, but it's nice having a list to go by. 

4. Get serious about getting in better shape. I've lost inches, causing my clothes to fit better and causing me to go down a size, but I've only lost a few pounds, which is discouraging. So I've decided to get more serious about my physical shape altogether. I'm going to be planning my meals each week, making healthier food choices, and exercising more.

I'm using an app on my ipod to help me keep track of my eating/exercise plan. You can find a description of it here.

5. Get more organized. As much as I hate to admit it, I like to keep things. I always think that something will be useful later on, so I shouldn't throw it out, even if I haven't touched it in forever a while. So this is the year to change that. Each week I'm going to tackle one area of my home, classroom, or life in general, and get it organized. I'll give myself a full week (or longer, if needed) to finish it and then write about it on here. *After all, I know you're all just "dying" to read about it. Ha! :)

There are lots of plans online for getting organized. I wrote my own. But if you need one to follow, this a good one.

6. Read more books for fun. I read a lot for my job. I read textbooks, journals, online articles, children's books, etc. But I've found that I don't read as much for fun anymore. Unless I'm on vacation, I just don't do it. So this year, I'm making one of my goals to change that fact. This year I'm going to read more for fun.

Here is a link to a list of 1000 books that people should read before they die. I wonder how many I could read this year. 

7. Blog more. I do weekly a few different weekly "series" on my blog. I do my 1. Dear ____ 2. Currently in the Life of Me and 3. Thankful Thursday. I'll keep doing those posts, but I want to try and write different types as well. I have a few started already and a few other ones still in the brainstorming process in my mind. So stay tuned :)

Do you blog? Are you wanting to? There are many different sites, but I personally love Blogspot.

So now... How am I going to hold myself accountable? Easy.

1. One of the New Year's Resolutions on this list was to blog more. I'm going to blog my progress on my Resolutions each Sunday (starting next Sunday). By doing that, it will force me to be more accountable. I'll know that people (...even if it's just my family) will be reading my posts each week and will see if I'm doing well or bombing miserably :)

2. Follow 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Apply it to my life. Allow the truth in it help me to reach the goals I've prayed about and feel God leading me to work toward, using His guidance to achieve them. Everything I do should be for His glory. And I feel that I can use the above 7 goals for that purpose. ...that is, if I allow Him to guide my steps all the way.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The 92nd Dear _____ Post

Dear Dakar, It's nice to be back. I've missed you, your people, your warm temp's, and more.

Dear Mommy, Tomorrow's your birthday. I hope you have an absolutely, positively, amazingly perfect day. You totally deserve it! :)

Dear 1 1/2, You're the number of days that we, teachers, have been in meetings. Thankfully they were interesting. I don't think my jet lag experiencing self could've handled them if they hadn't been :) I learned some new things, confirmed other things, and made some plans for how to better myself as a teacher at DA.

Dear Jet Lag, Just so you know... You're being a major pain in the rear. I'm trying to do all of the right things, but wow are you kicking my tail. Feel free to leave.

Dear Pizza and Movie Night, You're what I'm headed to tonight with some friends. Yay for homemade pizza, watching 42, and hanging out with friends that make me feel like family :)

Dear Grits, You were on sale at the American-food-importing-awesomeness-of-a-store in town yesterday and guess who bought you. Yep. That's right. This girl! :)

Dear (Lesson) Planning Ahead, You're what I'm planning to do when I'm finished with this post.

Dear Sharpie Pens, You are awesome and I love you! I bought a pack while in the States and it reignited my love for your awesomeness. Thanks for being such a great pen. You write well. You don't bleed through the paper. You come in a wide array of colors. And let's face it... You're simply awesome! I'm a big fan! :)

Dear A Time of Praise, You're what my fellow staff members and myself shared this morning. It was so nice hearing everyone's praise reports and seeing smiles and laughter and joy over what God's doing in all of our lives, our family's lives, and our school.

Dear A Journal of Thanks, You're one of the things on my New Year's Resolutions list this year. Every day I'm listing the little things I've found throughout the day that I'm thankful for. Too often we focus so much on the big things, which is great...don't get me wrong, but it seems like sometimes we forget to pay attention to the seemingly "little" things that we encounter every day. These are little gifts that God places in our path that we should definitely be thankful for. So far, I'm on Day 11 (duh...it's the 11th) and I'm still going strong. It's really making me feel more joyful and helping me to be more aware of the awesomeness in my life.

Dear Answered Prayer, You're what I received yesterday to an unspoken request. Thank you Jesus for answered prayers - no matter how long they take to be answered! Thank you for your perfect timing, for your grace, for your awesomeness!

My One Thousand Gifts #'s 56 -59

One Thousand Gifts

Each week, I'm highlighting new items I've added to my list of one thousand gifts. These aren't always big things. In fact, sometimes it's the littlest things that stick out the most. 

This week, I've added 4 new things...

#56 - good neighbors

I've been blessed in my time in Dakar. It's so nice living where I do, having neighbors that are so friendly, invite you over for a meal or just to hang out, help you out when you need it, pray for you, fellowship together, etc. 

#57 - time to "recharge"

Christmas Break was amazing on so many levels. It was so nice being back with my family, seeing friends, catching up on all sorts of awesome American-ness, etc. But one of the best things was being able to "recharge," so to speak. Spending time with my family always helps me do this. It gives me a little escape from "the real world" or work, etc., and allows me to just relax and get refreshed. Then when I come back home to Dakar, I'm refreshed and ready to start back to work.

#58 - a Daisy/Zizzie date

It's hard being so far away from my family for the majority of the year. This became even harder when my niece was born last August. I knew I'd be missing the majority of her life. So I planned right away that when she was old enough, I'd start a tradition of Daisy/Zizzie Dates, where she and I could go out to eat and then go shopping together. Well, last week we had our first (of many) Daisy/Zizzie Dates. We went to lunch at Panera Bread. I had a yummy turkey sandwich & a Dr. Pepper and she had some yummy yogurt, a banana, and milk. *It's what she wanted y'all. :) Then we went to Target, where she got a stuffed dog, a book, and a cute t-shirt with a dog on it. FYI... The kid's obsessed with dogs. She loves 'em! :) We laughed and talked all day. She's quite the talker these days. I love it! :)

#59 - large cups of ice water 

Praise Jesus for America and their awesomely clean/filtered/safe to drink ice and water :)

And in case you want a recap of the other things on my list, you can find them below...

1-3

4-16

17-24

25-28

29-34

35-40

41-43

44-48

49-55

Currently

I'm currently sitting at my gate in Charlotte, waiting on my next flight on my trip back to Dakar. I was sad to leave my family, but I'm glad to be heading back home to Dakar. Since I had some time to kill, I thought I'd write a new "Currently..." post. Want to know what I'm currently up to? Read on :)

I'm currently...

...hoping jet lag isn't too bad this time. 

...having mixed emotions about the weather. On one hand, I'm looking forward to finally not feeling like I'm constantly freezing. But on the other hand, I think I'm going to miss being able to bundle up in a hoodie and a fleece blanket. 

...thankful for the opportunity to make this trip. What a blessing it was! 

...hoping my mom has an awesome birthday on Sunday. This lady deserves the world y'all!

...looking forward to my brother and sister-in-law finding out whether their new baby is a boy or a girl. Of course I still have some time to wait, but I'm still excited :)

...doing well at keeping my New Year's Resolutions. Here's hoping I keep that up all year!

...eavesdropping on this cute elderly couple sitting at the end of my row of chairs. They must be hard of hearing because they're talking so loudly! But they're adorable, so it's sweet :)

...hoping I have a love like that couple one day. What an adorable couple they are :)

...praying that the rest of my trip back to Dakar goes just as smoothly as this first leg has and that both of my bags arrive right along with me. 

The 2013 Christmas Vacation Dear ____ Post

Dear Blessing, You're what this vacation has been. I wasn't expecting to be able to come home for Christmas vacation this year, but thanks to an amazing blessing of a gift from some incredibly generous people, I was able to. And you, Blessing, are something I'll never forget.

Dear Health Issues, You're still plaguing my dad. I just wish we could know what all's going on. While I know his doctor needs a vacation like anyone else, I can't help but think... If he were in our shoes he'd be wanting to know what's going on with his loved one too. You know? It's just frustrating...

Dear Memories, You're what I've gotten the joy of making with my family during this vacation. I'm so thankful for and will cherish each and every one of these memories, too.

Dear Family, I've so enjoyed my time with you these past 2 1/2 weeks. I'm so blessed to be able to call you mine.

Dear Christmas Gifts, You were more fun than usual this year because my niece could actually open her own gifts this year. It was so sweet watching her tear open the paper and grin and say "Oooh" at the sight of each one. What a joy that was :) 

Dear The First Daisy/Zizzie Date, You happened last week. You're a new tradition I'm starting with my niece. Anytime I'm in the States, the two of us will go to eat and go do something fun together. It was fun the other day. And I can't wait til she get seven older and can pick what she wants to do or where she wants to go. I so love that little girl!

Dear Today, You're when I'll have to say goodbye to my niece and sister-in-law. Boo :(

Dear Brother, You're driving me to the airport tomorrow since our dad has to work and our mom isn't a big fan of Birmingham traffic. I hope you know how much I appreciate you doing this. I know that you 1) took off work specifically for this and 2) just how much you hate waking up early on an off day. So knowing all of that makes this mean even more to me. Thank you! I love you!

Dear Tomorrow, You're when I'll have to say goodbye to my parents and brother. Boo again :(

Dear Healing, I'm still praying and believing for you to take place in my dad's body. Please happen soon!

Dear Anticipation, You're what I'm feeling over my trip home this summer. Why? Besides the usual being happy at seeing family, I get the joy of meeting a new niece or nephew who will be born a couple weeks before I get home. Yay for new babies :)

The 91st Dear ____ Post

Dear 2014, You've arrived! Here's to an awesome year! I look forward to seeing what awesomeness you'll behold.

Dear Zizzie, You're what my niece calls me since Lizzie seems to be a bit tricky. And you know what? I love it! ...especially when it comes from her cute little mouth. I so love that little girl!

Dear Turnip Greens and Black-Eyed Peas, In keeping with tradition, we had you on New Year's and oh my goodness were you amazing!

Dear Bama, I was happy to be able to watch you play on a big screen tv as compared to my tiny laptop screen for a change. I just wished the outcome would've been different. Oh well. I guess you can't win them all...

Dear 18F, You're what it was this morning. What's up with that?! I thought I was in Alabama. We're not supposed to have weather like that! 

Dear Heater in My Car, Praise Jesus for you! You are absolutely positively amazing! I totally heart you :)

Dear Blessing, You're what I received yesterday "out of the blue" from one of my supporting churches. I'm so thankful for you and for the way God's children listen to his leadings. 

Dear Frustrated, You are how I feel over the fact that my dad's doctor has yet to tell him results from all the tests they've ran over the past couple weeks. It's ridiculous to make someone wait and suffer like my dad is. He's losing weight at too fast of a rate (79 pounds in 2 months). He still has an incredibly small appetites and he's still getting sick. I just don't understand why they're making him continue to wait like this. It just makes me sad to see it. It's not fair. That's all.

Dear Packing, I suppose I should start you pretty soon. After all, I do leave in 4 days. 

Dear Dakar, I'm happy to be heading back to you pretty soon. But at the same time, it's going to be so hard to leave my family, especially since my dad's health issues are still a bit up in the air. It's always bittersweet...

Dear 2013 Christmas Vacation, You've been amazing. What a huge, huge blessing to even be able to come home this year! I'll cherish the memories made during this time for sureand will never, ever forget what a blessing you were!