Spring Break in America

Happy Tuesday Y'all

Today, I'm joining Ashley and Erika for their monthly Tuesday Talk link-up, where we, bloggers, come together and talk about whatever is on our mind at the moment. I typically try to think of one specific topic to talk about.



In January, I shared an introduction of myself and in February, I shared a random list of little things that had made me smile recently. Then in March, I talked about being a Special Ed. Teacher. And now, here we are in April, ready for me to talk about what's on my mind at the moment... And today, what's on my mind is Spring Break.

First of all, this trip, in itself, was such a blessing.

I got to speak at my alma mater, Florala High School, telling a bit about life and ministry in Senegal. It was such a fun experience for me!



It was so nice to see friends and former teachers while there. I wish I'd thought to take a picture with all of them I saw. But I didn't...



And of course I got to soak up all sorts of family time with my mom, my adorable nieces, and of course their parents too (even if I ended up somehow not getting any pictures of them while I was there).




I ate some good food and drank fountain Dr. Peppers loaded with ice.

I spent lots of time laughing.

And even a bit of time working/studying.

I spent a bit of time on the road, but thankfully more time at home. 

I loved visiting my mom's church, refreshing my soul with good ol' fashioned hymn book singing, an amazing sermon, and Communion.

 I enjoyed seeing the beautiful flowers blooming in my mom's yard.

I read a bit. Not nearly as much as I thought I would. But, even more fun than reading books, myself... I was read to by my oldest niece :)

I got to see one of my aunts and a few of my cousins.

And I was especially nice to spend so much extra time with my mom. 



 
And I enjoyed it all.

It was such a nice, nice trip!

And here are a couple extra cute niece pictures for good measure :) 


   

 

Currently

Happy Friday Y'all

Today I'm joining Anne from In Residence for her monthly Currently link-up, where we share what's currently going on in our lives.

Each month, Anne gives us a list of prompts to use to guide our posts. 

April's prompts are...

* experiencing * appreciating * wishlisting * posting * considering *

I'm currently experiencing a lot of flashbacks of time in high school, considering I visited my high school the other day, sharing a a bit about my ministry and also about the culture and history of Senegal. It was so much fun!

I'm currently appreciating this unexpected time with my mom. Well, all of my family. But especially my mom. Once I finished speaking at the school this morning, she and I went to get lunch at a local place. And now we're heading to our hotel to hang out together, eat yummy junk food, and chat the evening away.

I'm currently wishlisting a few items that I'd like for my class. I have them saved in my Amazon cart. That way I can save up a bit more $$ before summer when I'd need to buy them.

I'm currently posting very little... Other than cute niece pictures of course ;)

I'm currently considering cutting my hair. It's gotten so long. And I love that I have the option of wearing it in a ponytail. But I do sometimes wish it were shorter. I don't know. We'll see.

So what about you?

What are you currently up to?

Dear Senegal

Happy Thursday Y'all

Today, I am joining Kristin for her monthly Little Letters link-up, where we write "letters," as a way of sharing a bit of our lives at the moment.  

And today, it's all centered around one main topic. 


 


Dear Senegal,

Today, you celebrate Independence Day.

Thank you for providing a home for me all these years.

Thanks for being the country I fell in love with back in July 2009.

Thanks for all the happy memories with friends and co-workers and students, with your generously hospitable countrymen/women, with random shop owners and fruit vendors, and anyone else I meet.

Thanks for having delicious food and beautiful colors all around.

Thanks for being a relatively safe place to live.

Thanks for not being closed to the work that my friends and co-workers are here to do. Thanks for being willing to hear what we're here to say. Thanks for being open to learning something different from what you've always known.

I love you, Senegal.



Thanks for being YOU!

Sincerely,
Me

Growing in Gratitude

Happy Monday Y'all

I'm scheduling this post to be published automatically. And by the time it goes "live," I'll be somewhere in the air, flying from Senegal back to my sweet home Alabama for a quick vacation of sorts. 

Want to know what I've been grateful for lately?

I was grateful for a fabulous field trip with some of my favorites.



I was also grateful for an awesome lady subbing for me 4 days last week, so I could attend our AGWM Conference/Retreat. I was also grateful (as I am every single other day) for the incredible lady who works in the room with me/my students (who can be seen in the picture above). I definitely couldn't have rested like I did this week, if it would not have been for knowing these two ladies were there.

And speaking of the AGWM Conference/Retreat...

I'm grateful for time with friends. I'm thankful for times of laughter and late night chats. I'm thankful for playing games even if we were all too "blind" to see the cards so late at night. I'm thankful for swapping stories and for sharing prayer requests and praise reports, as well.

I'm grateful for lessons and workshops and sermons.

I'm grateful for a hotel with an amazing pool, which is where I spent my free time, sitting and reading a book or studying (when I wasn't napping, that is).

I'm grateful for the cooking staff at that hotel who made the most amazingly delicious food for every single meal, 3 meals a day. 

I'm grateful for the Assemblies of God World Missions Department. I'm thankful for the support, love, and encouragement they give their workers. I'm thankful to be a part of this incredible organization. 

And outside of the Conference/Retreat...

I'm grateful for good books and time to actually read them.

I'm grateful for the gift of a trip to the US.



I'm grateful for time with my favorites which will be happening in just a few hours (from the time this post goes "live").



What about you?

What are you grateful for?

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

Today I'm joining Julie from Fall into Life for her monthly Growing in Gratitude link-up, where bloggers share a bit of gratitude each month.

 

And in case you missed my previous month's posts...

You can click below to read them.

February - My Why

March - Photos from February