Thankful Thursday #9

On this Thursday, I'm thankful for...

• the knowledge that exactly 1 week from today I'll get to see my family again and FINALLY meet my niece. That's 7 days people! :)
• dinner plans every night, but one, from now 'til the time I leave. It's nice spending time with friends :)
• the truth of Matthew 11:28...especially at this busy time of year.
• open suitcases on my bedroom floor, which mean it's time to start packing to go to sweet home Alabama :)
• watching my students' eyes light up when we do a new Christmas craft.
• how my students got so incredibly excited when we would do an "experiment" in science later this week.
• almost weekly neighbor dinners with my super fun neighbor, who's 77 years old, but is one of the coolest people I know. I'm so going to miss her when she leaves next week :(
• knowing that I had an awesome lady subbing for me yesterday, leaving me with a peace of mind, and not having to worry about my class.
• the knowledge that I took 4 exams yesterday and already knowing that I passed 3 of them. (...still waiting on the grade for the last one...)
• the knowledge that after I turn in the paper that's due on Sunday, I'll be finished with grad school for this semester, leaving me only 1 more class 'til I'm finished with grad school for good! :)
• a long talk with my mom the other day involving us both sharing our current highs and lows, but best of all, planning for our time together when I'm in the States for Christmas vacation.
• God, medicine, and lots of Vitamin C finally healing my body. 

What are you thankful for this Thursday?

December Photo Challenge Days 3 - 9

In case you're wondering what the December Photo Challenge is... This is a challenge to take a photo a day, using a prompt given here. I'll post my photos for the week every Sunday. Feel free to play along. :)

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

Day 3's prompt was "Something you held..."

This little man learned how to use scissors today. He proudly exclaimed, "Miss Nichols, I cut! I cut!" Look at his sweet smile while cutting out his Christmas tree. And while I wasn't the one that held something, it still went with today's prompt. Plus he's adorable :)

We made our class Christmas tree today. What do you think? :)

Day 4's prompt was "Black+White..."

...one of my favorite ornaments, given to me by a friend :)

Day 5's prompt was "Looking up..."

I visited a Senegalese pharmacy for the first time today. Boo bronchitis :(

Day 6's prompt was "Where you live/Where you're from..."

This cutie came to school today and said, "Miss Nichols, I'm wearing a flag of where you're from because I like you." Aww :)

Day 7's prompt was "Stars..."

We read the book, "The Christmas Star," and then made our own Christmas stars in class today.

Day 8's prompt was "Someone you love..."

This is the first thing I saw when I turned on my ipad today. This is my brother's daughter...my first niece. I so love this little girl and can't wait to FINALLY meet her! ...only 12 more days :)

Day 9's prompt was "Out and About in Town..."

I went to a craft fair type thing today with some friends. There were artisans from many African and Middle Eastern countries. It was pretty cool. I took this picture right before going in.

The 42nd Dear _____ Post

Dear 12, You're how many days are left 'til I get to finally meet my niece. It seems like just yesterday I got the text saying she'd been born, followed shortly thereafter by pictures and videos to show just how beautiful she is. And to think that in just 12 short days I'll get to finally see her in person. Oh, these 12 days are going to fly. I know it.

Dear Cold, You're how I've felt every day this week. ...not cool, not chilly, not okay, but cold! And I've loved every minute of it :)

Dear Bronchitis, I'm glad you're not contagious, so I can keep working. But man, you're kicking my tail, causing me to have to take a nap every afternoon (or not function), causing me to walk slower (or be ridiculously out of breath), and making me sound awful (thanks to crazy loud coughing). I'd really appreciate it if you'd leave. You've overstayed your welcome. Wait a second. What am I saying? You were never welcome in the first place. So get out. Thanks! :)

Dear Shopping List, I'm starting to make you now for my trip to the States. It's always a bit daunting to think of the food, health and beauty products, clothes, etc. that I'll need for the next 5 to 6 months. 

Dear Multi-Colored Christmas Lights, I put you on my tree the other day and you instantly brightened up my living room (literally and figuratively). I sometimes think that I could just sit and stare at you for hours and hours. You're just so fun.

Dear Duck Dynasty, You're such a funny show. You definitely make me laugh. And I just bought the book about your family to read on the plane in a couple weeks. I can't wait to start it!

Dear Packing, Even though I don't leave for 12 (...well, 11 1/2, but who's counting) more days, I'm considering going ahead and starting you. Why? Between teaching, taking my own finals, writing a few long papers, and other events going on here, I'm going to be pretty busy between now and then. So maybe if I pack a little each night, I'll get you done early. ...which would be soooo unlike me :)

Dear Christmas Shopping, I'm heading out in a few minutes to finish you. ...hoping I can find those last couple things I'd like to get for family...

Dear Dessert on the Roof, My fellow apartment building dwellers and myself will be having you tonight as our annual Christmas get-together. Yummy snacks...Tacky Christmas outfit competition...Laughter with friends... I can't wait :)

Dear Answered Prayers, My family (and I, personally,) received some of you. I so love how God loves us, takes care of us, and knows what we need and exactly when we need it. Thank you God for answered prayers!

Dear Protection, You were given to my cousin after a really bad wreck the other day. When I talked to my mom and she told me what happened, all I could think about was how God has His angels camped around her for sure. Thank you Lord for taking care of her!

Thankful Thursday #8

On this Thursday, I'm thankful for...

• the knowledge that exactly 2 weeks from today I'll get to see my family again and FINALLY meet my niece! :)
• Christmas decorations making my apartment seem so much more cheerful.
• a great semester of Kids Club.
• my French improving enough where I could explain to the pharmacist here what my problem is, what medicine I need, and why I need it fast. :)
• finally starting to feel like myself again.
• fun Christmas stories and fun Christmas crafts to share with my class.
• a new recipe that turned out well this week (cajun chicken pasta).
• the knowledge that after next week, I'll only have 1 semester of grad school left.
• temperatures in the high 60s and low 70s this week here in Dakar.
• the 3 or 4 pairs of pants, long sleeved shirts, and thin jacket I have here in Dakar.
• being able to use a blanket every night this week (and not sweat while doing so).
• actually feeling COLD (not chilly, not cool, not okay, but actually cold).
• being able to say 4 thankful items that have to do with cold weather. :)

What are you thankful for this Thursday?

December Photo Challenge Days 1 and 2

In case you're wondering what the December Photo Challenge is... This is a challenge to take a photo a day, using a prompt given here. I'll post my photos for the week every Sunday. Feel free to play along. :)

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

Day 1's prompt was "8:00..."

At 8:00 p.m., I sat down to watch A Flinstones' Christmas Carol. ...such a fun movie :)

Day 2's prompt was "Peace..."

...listening to a sermon podcast, entitled, "The Promise of Peace," while getting ready. *FYI... I didn't plan for this to go along with the photo prompt for today. It just happened that way. How cool was that?! :)

The 41st Dear _____ Post

Dear 19, You're the exact number of days left 'til I get to see my family again and FINALLY meet my niece. I can't wait! :)

Dear Christmas Decorations, I will finally finish putting you up in my apartment tonight. I've done a little bit each night over the past 2 weeks (minus the days when I was too sick and the days when I was gone on my trip). But I'm almost finished! And it already looks beautiful, if I do say so myself :)

Dear God and Cough Syrup with Codeine, Thanks to the two of you for my first full night's sleep in almost 2 weeks.

Dear Bronchitis, Thanks for not being contagious, meaning I could still work. But if I'm being honest, I must say that you seriously stink. I pretty much hate you. Yep, I do.

Dear Strained/Pulled Muscle, I'm pretty sure I have you in my side thanks to the coughing I've been doing. Oh my word, do you hurt!

Dear Broccoli Cheese Soup, I made you this past Thursday night and you were incredibly delicious!

Dear Package, I received you in the mail earlier this week. You contained some handmade cards from my cousin. They are awesome! I love them and feel blessed to be her first (overseas) customer/recipient :)

Dear Hot Season, You have FINALLY left Dakar. I know I'm going to enjoy your absence :)

Dear Christmas Cards, I ordered and shipped you this week. I'm pretty pleased with how you turned out this year. Thanks for being such fun cards to make.

Dear Christmas Crafts, I'm starting you this week with my class (in addition to other more educational items, of course). ...such a fun time of year! I can't wait! Now I just hope they are as excited as I am :)

Dear Picture Below, You've been floating around Facebook this week. I'm so thankful for the King that was placed in a bed similar to this one over 2000 years ago. I'm so grateful for His birth, His life, and His death. I'm so thankful for what He's done for me, is doing for me now, and will do for me in the future.

Source

November Photo Challenge Days 26 - 30

In case you're wondering what the November Photo Challenge is... This is a challenge to take a photo a day, using a prompt given here. I'll post my photos for the week every Sunday. Feel free to play along. :)

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

Day 26's prompt was "In the Cupboard..."

...the cupboard holding all of my classroom supplies

Day 27's prompt was "Tree..."

I thought the little Christmas tree "tag" on this candle was cute :)

Day 28's prompt was "Vehicle..."

Meet Mahel. He says he loves this shirt because "it has the most fastest car ever" on it :)

Day 29's prompt was "Big..."

These are the only girls in my class. The one is quite bigger than the other two. Aren't they the 3 most precious girls you've ever seen? :)

Day 30's prompt was "On the Wall..."

Ziploc bags are a rare commodity around here. So I wash and reuse them. This is how they dry on the wall.