The 62nd Dear _____ Post

Dear Teaching ESL, I so want to be able to have you as my job next year. But I can't unless we get a first grade teacher to replace me. So I'm hoping,  and more importantly, I'm praying that we find somebody. Does this sound desperate? I'm sure it does. ...because even though I have absolutely, positively loved loved loved teaching 1st grade, I believe it's time for a change. I believe God's ready for me to move into the field of ESL. Plus, I'm getting old, so I need to use this recent knowledge I've acquired through my ESL Master's program before I forget it all :) 

Dear Camel, You are such a cool looking animal. I've always been fascinated by you. And earlier this week I was finally able to enjoy the cooked version of you. I must say... You were pretty good. I'm sure PETA would have a "fit" over this one. Ha! :)

Dear Thankful, You're how I feel for the people and events you bring into my life. I've been reading a book that talks about how NOTHING is a coincidence. ...nothing! Everything happens for a reason and the Master Planner ordains every single tiny (or huge) detail of our lives. It's so cool to see how it works out. Don't you think?

Dear New Fabric, I bought you earlier this week. You're this really pretty mixture of colors - green and brown and purple. Now I just have to decide what to make with you. Hmm... Decisions, decisions...

Dear Cooler Weather, Oh how I enjoy you. Cool breezes, low humidity... I often wish I could live somewhere that experiences you year round. Yep, that'd be nice...

Dear Sleeping Late, I could so get used to you. Anyone who knows me very well, knows you and I haven't always seen eye to eye. I've just never been one to sleep very late. But I've decided you are an awesome, awesome thing and I think the whole world should start enjoying you more. Who agrees with me? :) P.S. I think it's ironic that after writing this part of the post last night, I ended up being wide awake at 5 a.m. today. Boo :(

Dear Phil Robertson's Book Happy Happy Happy, I started reading you this week. I love the show, Duck Dynasty. It's so hilarious! And it's refreshing to see a show that doesn't hide a family's Christian values. So naturally, I wanted to buy you when I first saw you go on sale. And I'm glad I did. So far, you're pretty awesome. And I'm sure the rest will be the same.

Dear Drawing Circles, You're a concept talked about by pastor/author Mark Batterson. I've started incorporating you into my daily quiet time and am loving it. I'm learning so much from Batterson's 40 Day Challenge. Thanks for helping each of my days get started a little better.

Dear Answers, Lately, I've been asking God for a few of you. But I have to remind myself that you don't always come immediately after I ask. Patience seems to be the trait He wants to work on in my life at the moment... :)

Dear Change, Contrary to what one might think, you're not always a bad thing. You can be good. You can also be scary and unknown and even a little unnerving. But the One in charge of your life knows what's best for you and knows every single detail of your life. So why dread change? No. Embrace it. And just to clarify... I'm speaking to myself here too :)

Dear Isaiah, I've been having verses from you brought to mind a lot this week. ...especially from chapters 61 to 64. And all have been good reads. I'm learning a lot out of this!

Dear Obama Flavored Ice Cream, You are seriously my most favorite flavor of ice cream. One of the ice cream shops in town carry your amazing goodness. I went with a couple friends last night and had you. You definitely brightened my night and made me smile. It's the little things in life people :)

Dear Brazilian Food, You're what I'm having tonight. Yay! :)

Dear Shopping and Going to Lunch, You're where I'll be going with friends in a little while. I'm looking forward to it :)

Dear Patience, You're what God seems to be dealing with me about right now in a lot of areas. It's ironic. I am so incredibly patient with my students and with most people in general. But when it comes to my own life...not so much. It's hard sometimes. And I seem to be struggling with it a lot! And clearly, God sees that as something needs to be changed. So Patience, I'm asking that you come quickly so these tests can stop :)

Currently...

I'm currently eating an egg and cheese burrito with homemade salsa for breakfast.

I'm currently wishing I hadn't added that second hot pepper in my salsa. Wow! Is it hot!

I currently just finished reading for my morning devo's. This morning's read was Luke 1:45-56.

I'm currently claiming Luke 1:45 as my "life verse," clinging to the promises He will one day fulfill in my life.

I'm currently hoping my mom has an awesome Mother's Day and am currently wishing I could be there with her to celebrate.

I'm currently enjoying my new hair cut. It makes my head feel a ton lighter. Plus, it's not near as hot since all that hair's gone. 

I'm currently looking forward to the week ahead.

I'm currently looking through my ipod and thinking that I have quite the eclectic taste in music. It's funny to see the wide range of music that comes up when on shuffle.

I'm currently counting down to when I get to see my family again. ...one month from today! :) Can you tell that I'm currently excited about that?! :)

I'm currently typing my last blog post for a week, as I'm planning to be as internet-free as possible this week. It'll be nice :)

The 61st Dear ____ Post

Dear Technology Break, You're what I'm going to be taking next week. I think it'll be nice to not be "tied" to a computer for a few days. And to my parents - Don't worry. I'll try not to ignore you completely, and will let you know I'm alive :)

Dear University of South Alabama, It's been nice saying I was a student of you. However, I must say that I am beyond excited to say that, as of today, I am FINALLY finished with grad school! :)

Dear Going to Dinner with Friends, You're what I'm doing tonight. Yay for good food and more importantly...good friends :)

Dear Homemade Chocolate Milkshake, I got to enjoy you earlier this week. After a particularly rough day, you (and a long chat with a friend) were quite the mood lifter :)

Dear 6 Almost 7 Hour Power Cut, We had you on Wednesday. And after not having a power cut like that for a while, I must admit I wasn’t totally thrilled with you. However, you weren’t all bad. My computer battery ended up being drained, so I chose to take a long nap and then I woke up to have a long chat with my Maker about all sorts of things, so that was nice :)

Dear Mother’s Day Craft, I found the idea for you on Pinterest last week. Then one of my teacher buddies gave me an idea for thumbprint flower-painting to go along with it. And I must say, you turned out pretty awesome-ly. Thanks for being such a fun craft for my class to make and for making them (and me) smile so much.

Dear Haircut, I got you the day before yesterday. You left me feeling ten pounds lighter :) I’m so glad the sweet lady that did you is here in the country and is so good at what she does. I’ve always preferred my hair short. And this time didn’t disappoint. Thanks for being a nice part of my day Thursday :)

Dear Good Luck Card, My 1^st graders asked me if we could make you for our high school aide that helps us out 2 days a week to wish him Good Luck on his exams this week. So they dictated what was possibly the sweetest letter ever and even asked if we could give him an Iron Man pencil because, and I quote, “He needs a superhero pencil Miss Nichols, so he can make a superhero grade on his big tests.” I wish I’d taken a picture of the letter. Seriously…it was the sweetest thing ever! And they were so happy to give it to him! :)

Dear ESL, I really want to teach you next year. But we still haven’t found someone to take the 1^st grade position, meaning I can’t leave it to teach ESL. So, to anyone dying to teach 1^st grade at an awesome school in West Africa… Come on and apply. We need you! :)

Dear Whistling, This week, my class all realized they are able to do you. And oh my word, that sound… Wow! You sure can get loud!

Dear Marriage, You were the topic of conversation between two of my 1^st grade boys earlier this week. According to them it’s yucky and gross because you have to kiss girls and that’s disgusting! Plus, you have a butterfly that lives in your belly telling you to be in love. Ha! :)

Dear I Heart Gelato, You’re the name of a gelato place here in Dakar. You have a nice selection and you’re prices are pretty reasonable. I must say… I think you’re pretty great. Now if we could just get you to start carrying obama flavored ice cream like N’ice Cream does, we’d be all set…

Dear Killing Trees, I didn’t realize how much I do of you, ‘til I was making copies for the entire week of school. Wow! Sorry environment…

Dear iPad, You fell earlier this week. You were sitting on the corner of my coffee table and when I walked by, I accidentally bumped into you, causing you to fall, screen first, to the floor. Now you have a lovely "smashed" look in one corner. You're still usable, though, thankfully. Your appearance is just a little sad at the moment...

Dear Life, It’s interesting sometimes, the things you bring about… The way things happen… The people that come along… I often wonder why things in life happen the way they do. Then I remember… It’s all a part of the master plan of the One who gave me life. I’m thankful for the life I have and all the things in it – the good, the bad, the otherwise…

Dear Unrestrained By Mandisa, Someone played you in staff devotions yesterday morning. If it wasn’t for being in a room full of people, I probably would've cried like a baby. Your lyrics are so amazing. Thank you for reminding me of the love of the Father and how unrestrained I should be in my worship and adoration of Him.

Thankful Thursday

This week I’m focusing on just a few of the many people I’m thankful for, like…

• people that treat me like I’m a member of their family.
• friends that have recognized my upcoming graduation, leaving me feeling encouraged and loved.
• friends who’ve let me “cry on their shoulder” when tough things have come along and have offered advice and encouragement when needed.
• the lady that’s going to cut my hair this afternoon. I’m so ready for it to be cut and thinned and am so thankful that this lady could fit me in.
• men, women, boys, and girls that are supporting me and my ministry here. I don’t know how to ever thank them enough for the endless amounts of support through prayer, encouraging notes, and financial support.
• the 4 boys and 4 girls that make up my 1^st grade class this year. I am so thankful for them. They have challenged me so much this year (in a good way) to be a better teacher. 
• teachers I have had, especially Mr. Jerry Strickland, who passed away this week. I’m so thankful for teachers that took the time to pour into my life, teach me about more than just the required curriculum, and to make me want to become the teacher I am today. I only hope that one day I can be half the teacher Mr. Strickland was and that I can be an inspiration to at least one of my students like he was for me.
• my Savior and the hope I have in Him.

Obviously there are SO VERY MANY MORE people I could list on here. But these were the main ones that have stuck out in my mind this week.

So who are you especially thankful for this week and why?

Currently...

I’m currently enjoying having a tiny bit more free time now that all of my grad school assignments have been turned in.

I’m currently waiting to receive my grade for this semester. If I pass, I get my Master’s degree. If I don’t, I’ll be a sad, sad person… :)

I’m currently happy that my jeans are getting looser, causing me to have to wear a belt with them. ...such a nice feeling :)

I’m currently relieved that I finally got all the necessary paperwork taken care of at the embassy this week.

I’m currently enjoying seeing how excited my students are getting about correcting grammar and the like. I write a few sentences on the board and include a few spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Then we work together at correcting them. If I choose not to do them one day, or if I simply forget to write them on the board before they arrive, almost all of my students will beg me to write some on there. I think that they think it’s a game. And I guess that’s a good thing :)

I’m currently sitting in the library at school. I volunteer in the library, manning the check-out desk, one afternoon a week. I’m also currently still laughing at the “Miss Nichols, you are awesome sauce!” comment I got from a high school kid a few minutes ago, all because I helped her find a book for a project she’s doing.

I’m currently downloading the Duck Commander, himself, Phil Robertson's book, Happy Happy Happy and am planning to start reading it this weekend :)

I'm currently writing out my prayers, and have been for a while now. I've found it helps me stay a little more focused. Plus, it's nice looking back and seeing how God's worked in my life and those around me.

I'm currently questioning why certain things happen the way they do. But at the same time, I'm currently thankful that our Maker has our best interests at heart. He loves us and cares about us and knows exactly what we need, when we need it. 

I’m currently considering taking a mini technology break next week. I think it’ll be nice not to be “tied down” to facebook, email, blog posting, etc. for a few days. To my parents… Don’t worry. I’ll still check in every once in a while, so you know I’m alive. Ha! :)

The 60th Dear ____ Post

Dear Elisabeth, Did you realize that you are FINISHED with grad school? Now you just have to wait on your final grades and your diploma, and you, Elisabeth, will have your Master's degree? :)

Dear Parking Lot Duty, You are typically a responsibility of my job that I don't enjoy. But this week... This week you've been all right :)

Dear The Notebook, You are such an awesome movie. I totally heart you :)

Dear Videos of My Niece, You make me smile. ...especially the ones where she's giggling :)

Dear Cookies Made From a Boxed Strawberry Cake Mix, You started as a lazy alternative to making treats. But you know what... You actually turned out pretty tasty. I was pleasantly surprised.

Dear Last Grad School Assignment, I turned you in yesterday around 6:00. Do you know what a relief that was? I wonder if I'll be bored now... Ha! :)

Dear Cinco de Mayo, You're tomorrow. I'll be having a tasty lunch full of all sorts of Mexican yumminess with co-workers. Yay for Mexican food and hanging out with a great group of people.

Dear Skype, Thanks for making it so easy (and cheap) to talk to my family. You are an awesome invention! And I just thought you should know how I felt about you :)

Dear 30 Day Shred (workout video), You are hard work! Oh my goodness... But you are so very worth it!

Dear Elf (the movie), I watched you the other night while finishing up my grad school work. I realize it’s the beginning of May and nowhere near Christmas, but I was in the mood for something funny, but not totally distracting so I could still work. Anywho… Elf, you did the trick. You are such a funny movie! P.S. “I like Smiling. It’s my favorite.” is a quote from the movie that I love and use quite often! :)

Dear Words That End in “en”, You have always been hard for my Southern accented self to pronounce correctly. But for whatever reason, this week, I’ve been “magically” able to pronounce you correctly. I’m not sure why… I guess all of my learnin’ :) has finally paid off. Ha! :)

Dear Someone Who Teaches 1^st Grade OR Someone Who Teaches High School Math, We need both of you at Dakar Academy for the 2013-2014 school year. You’re the only 2 positions left open at this point. So if anyone reading this post knows of anyone that would be qualified for either of those positions, PLEASE let me know and I’ll put you into contact with our principal.

Thankful Thursday

This week I’ve been thankful for…

* the new recipes I’ve found online. I really love cooking and I’m always looking for new ideas, so it’s nice to know I can easily search for recipes to try.

* the knowledge that I'm almost finished with grad school. The plan is to turn in everything tomorrow night, so my weekend is free.

* Kids Club this week. It was a little "funny" how the lesson the Man upstairs placed on my heart to share with the kids was one I needed to hear as well. While I was teaching them, I was also being taught. Go Man upstairs! :)

* the friendships that God has brought into my life since moving to Dakar.

* those 4 pounds that I've lost AND the tiny bit of inches I've lost in my waist - noticed when I realized my jeans are starting to get a little loose. It's not much, but it's definitely a start! :)

* the peace that can only come from above.