9 years ago...

9 years

It’s been 9 years since I landed in Senegal for the first time.

How is that possible?!

I remember, as clear as if it were yesterday, stepping off the plane, taking a whiff of that signature smell in the early morning air, and thinking...

This is it.

I’m where I’m meant to be.

I’m home.

I truly believe God let me immediately fall in love with this new “home” because I was, indeed, where I was meant to be.

Leaving Alabama was hard. 

I was leaving my extremely close-knit family, a familiar style of church services (in English), and all sorts of the comfort type things that made sweet home Alabama, “home.”

But I swear...

The minute I landed, it felt like I was “home.”

Now, fast forward 9 years.

I taught 3rd grade that first year at Dakar Academy and those kids are about to start their senior year of High School (minus the two who graduated a year early). 

I’ve also taught 3 more Elementary grades. Plus I taught a year of ESL, in which I had students in 1st through 12th grade.

And then this past year, I helped reinstate a class that was so desperately needed at DA. A class for students with moderate to severe special needs... 

And while I had 4 last year, I’ll have almost triple that amount when school starts back in a couple weeks because I’ll have 9 students. And to keep things interesting, those 9 will include Elementary, Middle School, and High School students, with a wide range of cognitive, behavior, and physical needs.

And I’m so excited! 

Over the past 9 years, I feel I’ve grown tremendously in my role as a Missionary Associate with the Assemblies of God and in my role as a Teacher at Dakar Academy. My confidence has soared. And even though it’s a challenging position, I truly do love it so incredibly much!

I can’t say that I saw myself at this point when I first arrived in Senegal 9 years ago. But that’s okay because this point has far exceeded any plans I could have made for myself :)

And you know...

I can’t wait to see what God has in store for the next 9 years!

What’s Up July

Happy Wednesday Y'all

I totally goofed and forgot to post this yesterday. So I’ll say... 

Happy Thursday instead :)

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

 

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

The questions are...

 

What am I eating?

Chik-fil-a, of course :)

After all, in a little over a week I’ll be back in the land of no Chik-fil-a. So I’m definitely taking advantage of its delicious goodness while I still can.

What am I reminiscing about?

Memories in Dakar...

The 30th will mark the 9th anniversary of my arrival in Dakar, Senegal. It really seems like just yesterday, though... 

What am I loving?

This incredibly huge blessing of a gift...

What have I been up to?

I’ve been traveling around to various churches in my sweet home Alabama, sharing my heart for Senegal and for the incredible kids I get to work with. The support these churches and individuals have showered on me and my ministry have been so overwhelming. 

What am I dreading?

Saying goodbye to my family next week, especially these two lovebugs...



What am I working on?

Making plans for the upcoming school year with these 4 and the 5 new ones who’ll be joining them :)

What am I excited about?

I must admit... As sad as I am to say goodbye to my family next week, I am so excited to get back to Senegal, and start setting up my classroom for the upcoming school year! I have so many plans! I can’t wait!

What am I watching?

mostly just Food Network shows

What am I reading?

I’ve been reading through Hebrews a lot recently. Good stuff...

What am I listening to?

I’ve had my Worship Music playlist on shuffle while sorting through my purchases and starting the packing process. There’s something about it that helps push me to work harder. I love Worship music playing while I work!

What am I wearing?

I’ve worn this Africa t-shirt a lot this summer. It’s definitely one of my favorites.

What am I doing this weekend?

On Friday and Saturdays, I’ll have my annual Aunt/Niece “dates” with each of my nieces. They’ll each get the day to themselves. And they’ll get to pick the restaurant we eat at. And l’ll take them shopping for a new outfit and a new book or toy. And I’ll soak up every minute with them I can. :)

And then on Sunday, I’ll go to my Family Reunion with my dad’s side of the family. Then after that, I’ll spend the day with my mom and then either finish packing or at least I’ll get very close to doing so :)

What am I looking forward to next month?

My oldest niece graduates Preschool.

I leave for Senegal.

My birthday is the day after I arrive.

I can start setting up my classroom.

I’ll see my Senegal friends again.

School starts.

I’ll see my old students again.

I’ll meet my new students.

What else is new?

While my dog is definitely not new, her latest prognosis is new. Due to her old age and various health issues, we know she probably won’t live much longer. So I’ve been loving on her as much as possible, knowing she likely won’t be around the next time I come back to the States...

Then there's always a special question each month.

July’s question is...

What is your favorite summer memory?
My best memory of this summer is all the time spent with my mom. She’s been such a trooper, going with me from service to service, being stuck in a car with me and my music and non-stop talking, and providing needed road trip companionship/support. I have definitely enjoyed my time with her this summer. She’s the best, y’all!

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

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month?

Currently

Happy Friday Y'all

Today I'm joining Anne and Shelly and sharing a bit of what I'm currently up to.

As usual, we're given five prompts to guide our Currently post for the month at hand. So this month is no different. July's Currently prompts are...

* celebrating * visiting * baking *

* wearing * loving * 

So here we go...

I'm currently celebrating the 4th of July. On Wednesday, it was just my mom and me since my brother had to work. But yesterday, my brother and his family came over and we grilled out and had fun watching the girls play outside.

I'm currently visiting a different church each weekend, sharing my heart for the ministry God's called me to. It may make for some tired Sunday nights after having driven so much during the day, but I don't mind. I enjoy visiting each church, meeting new people, reconnecting with people I already knew, and all the while, sharing my heart for these incredible kids God has allowed me to work with.

I'm currently baking nothing. But last weekend, I baked cookies with my nieces. It may have been a bit messy, but it sure was fun :)

I'm currently wearing my hair up in a ponytail a lot. It's so hot and humid in Alabama right now. The crazy part is that it's hotter and more humid here than it is in Senegal.

I'm currently loving knowing I'll be in Mobile this upcoming week for Alabama's annual MEGA Conference for Educators. I'll be learning all sorts of new things to help me teach the sweet babies God will be placing in my care this upcoming school year. I'll be working to renew my teaching certificate. And I'll be in one of my favorite cities in Alabama. 

And since it's my blog and I can do what I want, I'm adding a few more :)

I'm currently drinking lots of fountain drink Dr. Peppers (well, Diet Dr. Peppers). Ah, delicious fountain drink goodness, I've missed you...

I'm currently enjoying having so much time with my nieces. These girls take up such a huge part of my heart and it's so hard being away from them for so much of the year. What a blessing it is to be with them so much this summer! 

I introduced my nieces to the deliciousness that is chocolate covered dipped strawberries :)

I'm currently reading a LOT. And knowing I'll have even more down time next week, I'm planning to pack a few books to take with me to read in the hotel each night. 

I'm currently soaking up all the time I can with my Mama. I love that she is my road trip buddy and biggest supporter/encourager as I travel from city to city, church to church, sharing about my ministry in Senegal. She's such a blessing!

I'm currently needing to raise a bit more to fund this ministry God has called me to. Want to know more about what I do? Want to support my ministry of working with a truly incredible group of kids? Send me an email at enichols85@gmail.com and I'll give you more info.

And that's what I'm currently up to.

What about you?

What are you currently up to?

June 2018 in Photos

Happy Tuesday Y'all

At the beginning of each month, I'll share the previous month's photos. I'm sharing, if for no other reason, to help me remember some memories and thoughts that went along with each of my 365 photos from the month at hand...

So here are June's photos.

Days 152 - 155

152) Day 152 was my last day with this crew for this school year.
153) Day 153 ended with my school's Junior Senior Banquet.
154) Day 154 involved cleaning out my desk and finding this new pack of Goldfish. Yum!
155) Day 155 ended with laundry.

Days 156 - 159

156) Day 156 included a bit of prep for work I needed to do over the summer.
157) Day 157 ended with laughing with this lady.
158) Day 158 ended with out high school's graduation.
159) Day 159 included a whole lot of flying.

Day 160 - 162

160) On Day 160, I had Chik-fil-a with my family after 10.5 long months away :)
161) Day 161 started with church with my Mama.
162) On Day 162, I spent the whole day out and about with my Mama.

Days 163 - 166

163) Day 163 was spent with my two favorites.
164) On Day 164, I got to see this cutie dance.
165) Day 165 ended with a sweet example of good ol' Southern ingenuity and kindness.
166) On Day 166, I wrote a paper and my buddy did a bit of writing of her own :)

Days 167 - 169

167) On Day 167, I picked up this blessing.
168) Day 168 started with me hearing my friends share about their ministry in Italy.
169) On Day 169, we went shopping for gifts for our baby cousin, Zoey.

Days 170 - 173

170) Day 170 ended with this little one cutting me the side eye during church :)
171) On Day 171, we played in the play place at our favorite restaurant.
172) On Day 172, someone thought my shoe was the perfect bed for her baby.
173) Day 173 included a selfie with my favorites.

Days 174 - 176

174) Day 174 included a bit of driving time.
175) Day 175 started off with a helper carrying my big Africa :)
176) Day 176 ended with microwaveable popcorn and a movie.
177) On Day 177, I reflected on how much I so love these two goofballs :)

Days 178 - 181

178) Day 178 ended with me picking up my brother and sister-in-law at the airport.
179) On Day 179, I found a good deal at Wal-Mart.
180) On Day 180, I hit up a local bookstore.
181) On Day 181, my two favorites and I made chocolate dipped strawberries.

And that was my June.

And in case you missed them, here are the links to the previous months' photos.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY