The Elisabeth Chronicles

Thursday, January 31, 2013

January Photo Challenge Days 28-31

In case you're wondering what the January 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 and then make a photo book using my 365 photos at the end of the year. Feel free to play along. :)

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Day 28's prompt was "Through..." Here is my class, through with school for the day, all lined up ready to go home. This group of kids is such a blessing to me. I thank God daily for the joy of being their teacher! They have taught me so much this year. They've challenged me every day (and that's a good thing). They're sweet and lovable and pretty adorable too. I must say :)

Day 29's prompt was "Grow..." I was working in our school's library this afternoon, checking in some books and came across this Berenstein Bears book. And since I hadn't yet taken a photo for today, I thought this would be perfect.

Day 30's prompt was "Down..." Looking down into my backpack, I spy... a baguette, the cord for my computer, the cord for my camera, and my wallet. P.S. (of no relevance to the prompt...) I love the way the red "pops" in this picture.

Day 31's prompt is "Yourself..." I was checking out this blog today and came across this quote. It says "Be yourself. Everyone is already taken," and is by Oscar Wilde. I love this!

2013's 2nd Thankful Thursday

people that have been praying for my dad and family.
that my aunt (mom's sister) and brother were with my mom at the hospital when my dad had his procedure done. It was nice for me to know that she wasn't alone.
my dad's miracle of his artery being only 40% blocked, meaning there was no need for surgery.
a dinner invite this past Monday night.
nice neighbors. I've been blessed since living here and have always had such nice neighbors. It'd stink to have neighbors you didn't get along with.
the knowledge that my mom mailed me a package a week or so ago. The anticipation is almost as exciting as the actual arrival :)
fresh veggies and fruit from my veggie guy, who is careful to pick out only the best ones for me.
a gift of a ziploc bag full of strawberries (already cleaned) from friends. YUM!
adding that big bag of dried cranberries to my Wal-Mart shopping cart back in December. ...such a nice treat. P.S. To anyone in the States reading this, feel free to send me more. :)
broccoli being for sale yesterday at only a slightly more than normal price. ...and the vendor giving me a smaller one as a gift :)
the possibility of me getting to go to General Council this year. I haven't been since I was a kid. So if the dates will all work out, I'll be set :)
a great class that challenges me every day. And yes, this is a good thing :)
a principal who's a dream to work for!
a job where I get weekends off. ...perfect for doing my own classwork (as a student).
the opportunity to be living out my dream of being a missionary.
plans to hang out with the AGWM Senegal ladies tomorrow night.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Miscellaneous Monday #1

Thanks Dictionary.com :)

Each Monday, I'll post a miscellaneous list of blog-worthy items going on in my life. Sometimes it'll be pictures. Sometimes it'll be words. Sometimes it'll be something different. Who knows? :)

So without further ado... Welcome to the 1st ever Miscellaneous Monday post on The Elisabeth Chronicles.

1) I started the next phase of my "Get Healthier in 2013" goal today. Starting today, my coke (...as in all soft drinks) intake will be cut dramatically. I will only allow myself 1 coke a week, starting this week. Wish me luck!

2) I'm getting together with a friend once a week on Mondays to have dinner. We take turns cooking each week. So that'll be nice. Plus it's nice to not have to eat alone for a change.

3) The price of bell peppers have gone up. Oh my word... They were 2300cfa per kilo (2.2lbs). That's almost $5. That's crazy!

4) The 100th day of school is on Wednesday. My kids are pumped! :)

5) Valentine's Day is in 2 weeks. I'll have a party for my class, but personally...I've pretty much boycotted the holiday.

6) Kids Club starts back next week. All weekend I looked through my craft supplies, trying to find something fun to make with them, but nothing "felt right." Then today, a lady from the team that was at our school last week, asked me to come over and guess what she gave me... Yep, a craft that goes PERFECTLY with what I was planning on speaking about in Kids Club next week. How awesome is that?

7) My dad goes into the hospital today at 1pm (central) for his heart cath (with the knowledge of a potential surgery). My heart feels guilty for not being there. My mind keeps reminding my heart that God has me where He wants me and that He's got everything under control.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

January Photo Challenge Days 21 - 27

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Day 21's prompt was "What you do..." I love my job. It's such a joy to be able to teach such an awesome group of kids :)

Day 22's prompt was "Corner..." Every Tuesday afternoon, I work in the library for about an hour and a half. It's a nice time to get a little work done and to be able to meet and interact with some of our older students. Not to mention...the library has A/C. So it's really nice in the hotter months :)

Day 23's prompt was "Electric..." We've been in Spiritual Emphasis Week this week at school. It's such an amazing thing to see students from all around the world, representing multiple religions, all standing together, having fun while praising the Lord through the singing of Christian songs. :)

Day 24's prompt was "Stripes..." I think this might've been their favorite game...playing with the parachute :)

Day 25's prompt was "Landscape..." I got together with some friends today to watch Duck Dynasty and eat some delicious Cajun food :)

Day 26's prompt was "Together..." My dad had a heart attack late last night and I wrote this Facebook status on Saturday. It's so hard, not being there together with my family at a time like this. I know I'm where God wants me to be. It's just hard...

Day 27's prompt was "Sun..." One of my sweet girls drew this picture for me last week and taped it to my wall. It was the first thing I saw when I walked in my classroom this afternoon to do some work, so it was a nice thing to brighten my day :)

Saturday, January 26, 2013

The 47th Dear _______ Post

Dear 8, You're how many years my dad has been cancer free :)

Dear Spiritual Emphasis Week at My School, You were this week. My 1st graders loved the Bible stories, Christian songs, and fun games. There was a team of people from the States leading our SEW this week that loved on our kids and treated them (and us teachers) so amazingly the whole week.

Dear Grad School, All my issues with you finally got all worked out this week. Praise the Lord! :)

Dear Last 2 Berean Courses, I registered for you this week. After these courses, a test, and an interview (that scares the daylights out of me just so you know), I'll have my Certified Minister's license with the Assemblies of God.

Dear Cajun Food, A few friends and I enjoyed you today. Gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans and rice...Yum! :)

Dear Duck Dynasty, Those same friends and I watched a mini marathon of you. We enjoyed the Cajun-ness and embraced our inner rednecks. Ha! :)

Dear Financial Blessing, I received you earlier this week. Thanks for showing up when I needed you the most :)

Dear Rulers, Who would've thought you'd be so much fun for my first graders? They've loved measuring things in the classroom and are looking forward to doing so around our campus on Monday. I love when they get excited about learning.

Dear Cooking for People, I really enjoy you. It's so nice being able to do it so much. I love being able to entertain/have people over any time I want. ...one of the perks of living by myself, I suppose :)

Dear Cooking in General, You're so much fun. I never thought I'd say that, but you really are. I really do love cooking :)

Dear Washington D.C., It's looking like I may get to visit you this summer on my way home from Dakar. If it works out, that'd be so awesome! Now I just wonder if I'd be able to meet Mr. Obama :)

Dear New Knife, I was happy to see you in a goody bag I got from a friend for Christmas this year. I used you for the first time last night. You work wonderfully. ...so wonderfully, that you not only cut the veggies for supper, but also cut through two of my fingers. Can we say ouch?

Dear Answered Prayers, I'm a big fan of you. ...just so you know. And my dad needs a big one right now, so feel free to come his way. :)

Dear 2 a.m., I've never been a big fan of you. And when I get woken up at that time by a phone call, telling me that my dad's been rushed to the emergency room due to having a heart attack, I like you even less. Boo :(

Thursday, January 24, 2013

2013's First Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for... a great Spiritual Emphasis Week. My class has had so much fun (and has learned a lot too) all week! :)...safety and protection from God of a friend who needed it earlier this week...a half day of school tomorrow...a fun afternoon/evening planned with some friends tomorrow after school's dismissed...a financial blessing that arrived this week...that everything FINALLY got worked out in regards to my grad schooling issues...that I should graduate with my Master's degree in May...that I only have two more classes (and a test and interview back in the States hopefully this summer) and then I'll have my Certified Minister's license with the Assemblies of God...getting notes from 3 different people this week saying they're praying for me. Mail's always a nice surprise...those few really good friends that know the meaning of true friendship. I'm a blessed girl :)