5 on Friday

Happy Friday Y'all

Today I'm joining April, Natasha, and Christina for their 5 on Friday linkup, where we share five random bits of our lives from the week.

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Every Friday during 8th period, we have a time of Social/Conversation Skills, where we'll sit and chat, play games, something... The rules are simple. You must participate with the group. We take turns choosing games. And you must play with the group. You must exhibit good conversation skills during this time... Listen well. Don't interrupt. Answer questions appropriately. Ask follow-up questions. And so on... My kids have come to enjoy this time at the end of every week. Of course they love game time. 

But I believe the reason they've loved this time the most is because of Sheila. Sheila has come and hung out with us almost every single Friday afternoon since school started. My boys have gotten so excited to see her walking towards our room. It truly has been a highlight of their week (and mine too). Today will be our last Friday game time with Sheila, as she heads back to Canada next week. And even though we know we'll still see her once or twice next week, it's a bit bittersweet having to say goodbye to this incredibly beautiful soul who's invested so much into our lives.

We're so happy for you Sheila. 

But we sure are sad to see you go.

In Kids Club this week, we used apples to help us learn more about the Trinity. And I must say, the kids were so engaged this week. I believe I had their attention more this week than I have in a long time. They were answering questions. They were listening well. They were amazing! And I loved every minute of it :)

I got to overhear a fun conversation between two of my students earlier this week, in which one shared with the other all about why the Bible is such a good book. And I realized, yet again, one of the many blessings that is the existence of this class!

For Pi Day on Wednesday, our school held a costume contest, among other fun activities. And even though I didn't personally dress up, I helped my crew get into the spirit. We had a clock, roman numbers, a calculator, and a math riddle represented by our class. This crew makes my life so much more enjoyable :)

 

Let's be honest.

I'd like to say that I'm over here killin' it, day after day, being the rockstar teacher I daydream of being. But I'm not. Because, while I put on a fake brave face and say I'm doing great, I'm tired. I feel like I've fallen behind and that I'm that person in the picture below. 

But y'all... 

We only have 1 more week 'til Spring Break. And while I do love my job and my students, I'm so incredibly ready for Spring Break to get here as well.

March's Coffee Date

Happy Monday Y'all!

Today, I'm joining Erin for her monthly Coffee Date link-up, where we pretend we're on a coffee date with a friend and we share whatever's on our hearts at the moment.

If we we're on a Coffee Date, I'd skip the coffee and would instead be drinking a Dr Pepper, and since we're daydreaming here, I'd probably be wearing this shirt I found online (HERE) recently, and am totally adding to my "wishlist" :)

It's perfect, huh? 

Anywho, on to the post...

If we were on a coffee date...

I'd tell you that God is really working on my heart at the moment, teaching me, (yet again 'cuz I'm apparently hard-headed/stubborn) that it is just so incredibly necessary to put my entire trust in Him.

I'd also tell you that I truly love this job of mine and even though it can be hard (often), I cannot imagine doing anything else.

I'd tell you construction work is STILL going on in my building. I'm trying really, really hard to be positive about how long it's taken. But I definitely do not always succeed at this. Especially when they're still banging on my wall at 7 pm. Or when they're outside my window at 8 am. Ha! And actually, even more than that, I'm ready to have people over again. This week will be the third week I haven't been able to do so since my kitchen/living room has been a construction zone. So here's hoping it's done by the end of the week :)

I'd tell you plane tickets are expensive. Oh my word, are they expensive. I'm getting ready to purchase my tickets for the summer. And contrary to what some might think, the cost of my plane tickets come out of pocket. So since tickets cost more now than I was expecting and since I just found out that my income tax refund check is far less than I was expecting, it'll take me a while longer to save up the funds for this.

I'd also tell you that while we're on the subject of money... We're starting our unit on US money (and adding/subtracting decimals) in Math this week. Aren't these task cards super fun? I found them on TeachersPayTeachers (HERE) for free and I totally can't wait to share them with my kiddos later in the week - once we actually know what each coin/bill looks like and stands for...

I'd tell you that I had big plans to work a lot in my classroom this weekend, totally revamping how I do a lot of my teaching. But instead, I took some time to take care of me and I spent the day Saturday with friends. Then Sunday I woke up with a massive headache, and took it as a sign from God that I needed to rest and take it easy. So I went back to bed, and woke up a little after lunch time, ready to cook/bake some for the week ahead (since Sundays are the only days my kitchen is usable). Then I went over to my classroom and prepped for the beginning of the week ahead. And I realized that even though I had big plans for revamping things, it's okay that I didn't. What I'm doing now is indeed working with my kiddos. So I'm going to choose to be happy with that and the fact that I got some well needed time with friends and also, some truly well needed rest time as well this weekend.

I'd tell you that I'm working on my next missions newsletter. My goal is to finish it up in the next week or so and get it sent out. I need to fill up one more spot on it. And I'm not 100% sure what to add. Thus the hold up. I'm hoping that the reason God's had me wait to send them out is that He has something awesome in store for that last section needing to be completed on my newsletter :)

I'd also tell you that I'm so incredibly grateful for all of the men, women, families, and churches who sacrificially give financially to support my ministry here in Senegal. Because of those financial blessings, I'm able to continue doing the work God's called me to do. And I don't take those gifts lightly. What a blessing!

And last, but certainly not least...

If we were on a coffee date, I'd tell you that I'm so thankful for my mom. She's truly one of the most inspiring women I've ever known. She's gone through so incredibly much and has always risen above. I'd tell you that she's supportive, encouraging, loving, and kind. She's the one who, only after God, I most strive to be like. My mom is my absolute best friend and advice giver and I'm so blessed to call her mine!

CURRENTLY

Happy Wednesday Y'all

Want to know what I'm currently up to?

I'm currently PLANNING a surprise (involving hot cocoa) for my kiddos on Friday (or maybe Monday - I haven't decided yet). At any rate, I can't wait to see their faces! It's going to be awesome!! :)

I'm currently SEEING a new seating arrangement in my classroom. I had to move things around a bit since my new students started this week. Well, one started on Monday. And as of now, the plan is that the other will start either tomorrow or Friday. Anywho, the other day, I changed our seating arrangement. There are two reasons I arranged the desks like I did. #1) A few of my kids asked to have independent work areas. So separating the desks helped with that. #2) By arranging them in this way, they can do independent work at desks OR move them together for small groups. And I can pull them to the table for whole group activities OR small group work with the teacher. I know it's only been a couple days so far. But I really like this arrangement. We'll see how it goes...

I'm currently MAKING an effort to sit and do more prep after school each evening, in the hopes that I won't have to spend so much time working every weekend. And for the past few weeks, I've done pretty well at this. Here's hoping this continues. After all, I could get used to not spending ALL day long on Saturdays in my classroom :)

I'm currently PRETENDING that I'm not seeing/hearing construction madness at home. I realize that when they finally finish (although, at this point, that seems so far away), it'll all look nice. So I can appreciate that. But y'all... After hearing/seeing madness for almost one full year...

I'm currently WEARING my favorite pants. They're dressy and cute. So they're perfect for work. Plus, even better than that... They're super comfy. I took this picture before work today, while I sat with my feet propped up, waiting on today's lunch/dinner to cook before I left for work this morning. *Because Wednesdays are a late day for me, I almost always bring dinner with me and eat while doing prep work in my classroom after Kids Club is over. 

And because it's my blog and I can...

I'm adding in a couple more Currently items to my list :)

I'm currently MISSING my Mama and wishing I could see her. Only 3 more months... :)

I'm currently READING and studying my Bible more and more. I'm learning so many lessons from God, through His Word. In fact, I wrote about this the other day. If you missed that post, you can read it by clicking HERE. 

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Today I'm joining Anne and Sarah for their monthly Currently link-up, where we are all sharing a bit about what's currently going on in our part of the world.

Lessons Learned Through Bible Reading

A little over a year ago, I wrote a post in which I flipped through Bible, sharing some of the verses and passages that have been significant/meaningful in my life.

If you missed that post, you can check it out HERE.

And as I flipped through the other day in church, looking for a verse the speaker was preaching on, I realized I've added even more notes since that blog post.

So then that evolved into a blog post idea.

And here we are today.

Here are just a few lessons God's taught me recently through my Bible reading.

Lesson 1 - God's taught me the prayer/power of " IF "

Lesson 2 - God's taught me to be ready to tell my story.

Lesson 3 - God's taught me the faith/trust needed to accompany the words, "even if He doesn't..."

Lesson 4 - God's taught me what our mission is, as Christians...

Lesson 5 - God's taught me that He's not slow to fulfill His promises.

Lesson 6 - God's taught me to be a voice for the voiceless.

Lesson 7 - God's taught me to trust Him for safety.

Lesson 8 - God's taught me to have faith like Abraham.

Lesson 9 - God's taught me how He tends His flock, just like a shepherd.

Lesson 10 - God's taught me to have persistent faith.

What has God taught you through His Word recently?

5 on Friday

Happy Friday Y'all

Today I'm joining April, Natasha, and Christina for their weekly 5 on Friday linkup, where we share 5 random things about our lives at the moment.

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This is how I've looked every evening this week upon arriving home from work.

There's been construction going on in my building. They've been working for like 893 months (or so it feels), putting in balconies. Then this week, they started knocking holes in our walls to put in the balcony door (which I must admit, does look nice). And since I have a rule about not hanging out in my apartment when men I don't know are working in my apartment because that plays on some major fears I have, I have chosen to stay in my classroom til about 6:30 or 7 each night. 

And no... I'm not working the entire time. I mean, I am some. But I'm also reading, studying and writing, scrolling through Facebook, etc. 

And I found out this evening that they'll still be working a few days next week, replacing my kitchen windows. So who knows when I'll have a normal afternoon/evening at home.

But such is life.

*FYI  to anyone wondering... Because I live in staff housing on my school's campus, one of our school employees is with the workers, letting them in/out of my apartment. So my stuff is safe. So, no worries there. And I'm sure I'm being totally irrational not wanting to be at home when they're all there, but it's just not my thing. So whether it makes sense or not, that's where I'm at.

But with all that said, I can't complain much. I told a friend yesterday that staying late is a good excuse to go down the road and get some ice cream. Right? :)

But enough about that...

If you need me tomorrow, you'll be able to find me in my home away from home (my classroom). One of my new students will be starting on Monday. And the other new one will hopefully be starting at some point in the next week.



So I will be happily working in my classroom, prepping for them (and my others too, of course). I need to rearrange my room to make separate learning stations, new group arrangements, and planning lessons for 2 new levels of ability.

I am so over the moon, excited about getting new kids!

Getting these students is a HUGE blessing. 

Plus, any time I can play a small part in helping a child get the education he/she deserves, I am a happy, happy teacher :)

As of now, I'm cautiously optimistic in thinking that I've finally figured out my teaching certificate renewal issue. I'm still praying/keeping my fingers crossed, though :)

It looks like I won't have to take the GRE again. 

PRAISE THE LORD for not having to take that test again!

And since there's no way I can get enough Professional Development hours in the amount of time I'm in the States each summer, the only other option for me was to take a 3-credit hour course, which will run from May 1 to June 26. And considering, I have to have everything turned in to the State Dept. by June 30, that works out.

So as soon as all of my paperwork is approved, I'll officially be a student at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida.

Ironically, as a teenager, I dreamed of attending SEU. But due to the cost off tuition, there was just no way... So, it's kind of fun that I'll finally be able to do so. And I don't know if I'll do a full degree through them or not. But I know I'll be taking 3 to 6 hours, starting in May. Then I'll check out finances after that point and re-assess.

I enjoy decorating bulletin boards. It's one of my few creative abilities. And I've done two recently... One for our students and one for our staff.

And I must admit... I'm pretty proud/happy of how they turned out.

February 2018 in Photos

Happy 1st Day of March!

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

Here are February's photos.

Days 32 - 35

32) Day 32 included a picture of the seemingly never-ending construction on my apartment building.
33) Day 33 included a picture of this happy, smiling crew.
34) Day 34 found this friend and me unintentionally dressed like twins :)
35) Day 35 started off with a surprise in my mailbox at work.

Days 36 - 39

36) Day 36's dinner was an assortment of Omani food from a parent.
37) Day 37 included watching some of my kids play soccer.
38) Day 38 included mail and a bag of pretzels.
39) On Day 39, I realized that sometimes I just have to leave my room a mess and deal with it later.

Days 40 - 42

40) Day 40 was a happy day :)
41) On Day 41, I spent the day making 130 heart shaped crayons.
42) Day 42 started with fruit loops and prep work before church.

Days 43 - 46

43) On Day 43, I made a King Cake to share with my Bible Study ladies.
44) On Day 44, we had our Friendship Club party and passed out Valentine gifts to friends.
45) Day 45 started off with my crew giving the preK class gifts of coloring books and heart shaped crayons.

Days 46 - 48

46) On Day 46, one of my kiddos was having a blast, writing "scripts" for puppet shows.
47) On Day 47, Friday afternoon game time with Sheila was a highlight of the week in my class.
48) On Day 48, we were headed to the first day of the big softball tournament...

Days 49 - 51

49) On Day 49, I was reminded of how wonderful it is to work at a Christian school.
50) On Day 50, I put up this bulletin board.
51) Day 51 included some research in the Bible to help us complete our lesson for the day.

Days 52 - 54

52) On Day 52, I caught this sweet interaction between one of our workers and 2 of our elementary schoolers.
53) Day 53 kicked off Olympics at school with races between our youngest students.
54) Then on Day 54, we participated in Olympics all day at school.

Days 55 - 56

55) Day 55 ended with a delicious dinner at a friend's house.
56) On Day 56, I prepped my apartment for the construction work that would begin the following day.

Days 57 - 59

57) Day 57 ended with my "assistants" and I putting up the latest bulletin board in our lunch shelter.
58) On Day 58, one of my kiddos and I tried out a new Math game.
59) Day 59 was the first day of our newest unit in Kids Club.

And that was my February.

And in case you missed them, here is a link to the previous month's photos.

JANUARY