What's Up November

Happy Wednesday Y'all

Today I'm joining  Mel, Shay, and Sheaffer for their What's Up Wednesday link-up. 

 

Every month we answer the same few questions based on how things are currently going in our lives. 

The questions are...

 

What am I eating?

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, a local Japanese restaurant sells tasty goodness at lunch time. I normally don't buy from them, as I typically have my lunch break earlier than the normal time when everyone else eats. But due to one of my students being absent the last two days, I got to eat lunch at the same time as everyone else. So I decided to try out the Japanese sushi roll. And of course, I bought myself a Dr Pepper from our school's Cantina (snack stand) too. And when I got back to my classroom to finish laying out supplies for our afternoon lessons, I took this picture, thinking... Here I am in Africa, enjoying Dr. Pepper and Japanese food. What's up with this? Where am I?! Ha! :) 
 

What am I reminiscing about?

Christmases in the past - The picture below is from our last Christmas with my dad. He had so much fun that day with us and his brother and sisters and all of their families. It was such a special day. One I'll always remember...

 

What am I loving?

I wrote a post about Giving Tuesday yesterday, giving people a way to support my ministry here in Senegal, West Africa. I'm loving the encouragement I've already received from people who have read that post. 


P.S. Did you miss it? If so, click HERE to check it out :)

What have I been up to?

With a few minutes left before leaving the other day, this guy asked if I'd listen to him read. All he wanted was my undivided attention while he read for maybe 2 minutes, max. So what have I been up to? I've been doing my job. I've been teaching the standards and loving on kids.

What am I dreading? 

Honestly... I can't think of anything that I'm dreading.

What am I working on?


My students are working on their latest Science project at the moment. All of them are in the middle of their units on the human body. I love when their curriculum matches up like this. It doesn't always happen. But when it does, it makes my life so much easier, planning wise. Anywho - They're all creating life size diagrams of the human body. Now, obviously, they're going to be including different things depending on their grade/ability levels. Some will have the bare minimum (major body parts). And some will have all the major "processes" included (bones, muscles, blood vessels, organs, etc.). They started the project yesterday. And so far, they're all enjoying themselves. And I'm enjoying seeing them having fun while learning :)

What am I excited about?


I'm excited about our next unit of study in Bible class. We're doing the Christmas story. My kids are excited. I'm excited. It's going to be great! :)

What am I watching?

Every afternoon/evening after my students leave, I sit in my classroom and either do prep work for the following day or if that's finished, my own classwork (as a student). And right now, I am enjoying watching the Christmas lights twinkle on our class Christmas tree and on the walls. I'm like a kid when it comes to Christmas lights. I love them. I always have. They're just so much fun.

 

What am I reading?

I bought this cuteness for a fun writing project I have in mind for my students. We've been working on writing good paragraphs/essays (depending on the grade). And any time we can incorporate some fun into the writing, they always seem to do so much better. So as their final writing project, they'll be describing how they'll make an Elf Trap. After all, we can't have silly elves running around our room, creating chaos while we're all at home. Can we?

What am I listening to?

Christmas Carols, of course :)

What am I wearing? 

The other night some co-workers and I got to hang out at a fancy party, celebrating the home country of one of my students. It's always nice to dress up a bit. And the significance of attending events like this is huge!

What am I doing this weekend?

Our Elementary Schoolers' Christmas Program is on Friday. So I'll go to that. Then as of now, the plan is to watch a couple softball games on Saturday. Then on Sunday evening, we have our Staff Christmas Dinner. And then past that, I will spend the rest of the weekend, prepping for the last couple weeks of school, since I'll likely be too busy the following weekend to do so.

What am I looking forward to next month?

Christmas fun in the classroom

Christmas Break

Christmas vacation with my family

Christmas

Oh, and did I mention Christmas? :)

What else is new?

I did a bit of fake Black Friday shopping the other day with some friends. This was definitely a new way of shopping, checking out the outdoor artisan market, chatting with vendors, bargaining/haggling for a good price on our finds, and hanging out with those cute, smiley kids in the back (along with their parents not pictured) as well. And I got Christmas gifts for almost all of my family, within the price range I planned, too. So yay for that! 

 
And that's what I'm up to this month.

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month?

Giving Tuesday

Who am I?

I'm a Missionary Teacher.

Sometimes I say that and it doesn't feel real.

How is it possible?

It seems like just yesterday that I was 18 years old, living at home with my parents and hearing God clearly telling me to follow Him to the mission field.

It seems like just yesterday that I was 19 years old, sitting at dinner somewhere in South Africa, while on a short-term mission trip and hearing God clearly telling me that I would be back in Africa again one day.

It seems like just yesterday that I was 23, fresh out of college, working in my first teaching position, and hearing God clearly telling me to apply to teach at a school for missionary kids in Senegal.

It seems like just yesterday that at 1 week shy of my 24th birthday, I landed for the first time in Dakar, Senegal, and immediately felt as if I were "home."

And here I am today, still teaching at that same school in Senegal.

 I love what I do.

I teach an incredible group of kids.

My mission field is my classroom. 

This year, I have 5 full-time students (and others who come in part-time), from 5 different countries, from both Christian and non-Christian families.

And while I teach the usual Math and Science and Reading...

I also teach more.

I teach the Bible.

I teach the TRUTH and PROMISES of our Savior.

I teach the love of Jesus.

I teach the power of our Heavenly Father.

I teach some who have never heard the Good News before coming to our school.

I teach some whose parents are freed up while their kids are in school to take the gospel to our Senegalese brothers and sisters who have yet to hear the Good News.

I pray.

I teach.

I love.

I do what God called me to do.

I am a Missionary Teacher.

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P.S. Did you know today is Giving Tuesday? 



The only way I continue what I'm doing is through incredible generosity of men and women from around the world, who sacrificially give to support my ministry. 

Would you prayerfully consider giving to support my ministry in Senegal?

If you feel led to give, there are a few different options for doing so...

* Click HERE to give online.

*Send me an email at enichols85@gmail.com to find out how to give via check.

* If you would like to send a care package with supplies or a gift card to buy supplies for my students send me an email for a Wish List and address in the States for where to send the package that I can pick up while visiting next month. 

* If you would like to join my prayer team and to receive updates about my ministry, send me an email and I'll add you to my mailing list.

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. And while I'm a couple days late, I still wanted to join the Currently fun :)

Each month, Anne gives us a list of prompts to use to guide our posts. The prompts for November are:

* appreciating * researching * posting * getting * cooking *

I'm currently appreciating the lady that works with me, teaching our kiddos in the mornings. Every single day, I think, Wow! My job would be so much harder without her. She's definitely a blessing!

I'm currently researching (or at least, I was researching...) fun ways to teach writing. One of my co-workers let me shamelessly "steal" her bulletin board/decor idea to go along with it. So then I asked one of my more artistic students to draw this hamburger for me to go along with it. Hamburger Paragraph Writing, here we come :)

I'm currently posting countdowns 'til I see my family again. And in case you're wondering... I see them exactly 6 weeks from this past Wednesday :)

I'm currently getting to hang out with this fun bunch every week day. And I must say. No matter how difficult my job is and no matter how tired I am every single night... It is so 100% worth it. I love that I get to teach this incredible group of kids (and others)!

I'm currently cooking nothing. Or, at least, I won't be cooking anything this weekend. I'm heading out for a mini getaway with some friends and co-workers and plan to enjoy someone else cooking for me :)

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

Here are a few more currently's. 

I'm currently enjoying our Thankful Tree. Didn't it turn out nice? :)

I'm especially enjoying this addition to our tree. Ah, my heart... :)

And that's about it for me.

What are you currently up to?

What's Up October

Happy Wednesday Y'all

Today I'm joining  Mel, Shay, and Sheaffer for their What's Up Wednesday link-up. 

 

Every month we answer the same few questions based on how things are currently going in our lives. 

The questions are...

 

But first - a question of my own...

How is it already the last day of October?! 

Can y'all believe it? 

Anywho - on with the post...

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What am I eating?

This past Friday, we did a fun activity in class. The students became the teachers and taught us how to make peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. We followed their instructions exactly (much to their dismay). And once they realized the point of the lesson, things went well. And y'all... By the end of the day, everyone was still laughing and having a good time, telling parents about the fun we'd had. It was definitely a lesson to remember. :)

What am I reminiscing about?

My school celebrated International Appreciation Week earlier this month. There were all sorts of fun activities planned for the whole school, including dress up days, games, tasty treats, and even a Parade of Nations. And in my room, we learned about and celebrated the "homes" of the friends in our room. It was such a fun week and another reminder of the beautiful diversity of our school. :)

 

What am I loving?

I loved the visitors who came to my classroom the other day. Seriously... Could they have been any more adorable? I'm definitely not a fan of the evil/bad parts of Halloween. But cute kids in costumes walking with family and friends, greeting people, talking and enjoying a fun afternoon? That, I enjoy :)

Photo Credits: My friend (and mom of cute karate star up front and superhero in the back).

What have I been up to?

I spent 4 days last week at a Teacher's Conference here in Dakar. It was put on by AISA - The Association for International Schools in Africa. A handful of people from our school went. I honestly didn't know what to expect, going into it. But I was so pleased. What an informative time. I'm so grateful for the opportunity.

 

What am I dreading praying for? 

I typically shy away from including something I'm dreading. Honestly, there's usually nothing that I'm dreading anyway. So instead, I've decided to change "dreading" to "praying," and instead, list what I'm praying for...

So what am I praying for at the moment?

It's more of a praise report. I'm thanking God for answered prayers and the gift of teaching such an incredible group of kids. Teaching these kids is a literal, God-given dream come true. Not sure what I'm talking about? Check THIS out.

 

What am I working on?


My newest class started a little over a week ago. I only have this one and one more (in the Spring) and I'll be able to renew my AL teaching certificate. This class is all about inclusion practices and the Universal Design for Learning. And it's full of all sorts of info that I wish all teachers could/would learn.

What am I excited about?

I'm excited about a day full of watermelon themed lessons and activities. We're going to read, write, draw, carve, and eat. There are Math lessons, Language lessons, Reading and Writing lessons, and Science lessons too... We're going to embrace our inner writers and artists. It's going to be a fun day.

** Be on the lookout for a blog post later in the week, recapping all the fun. **

What am I watching? 

Nothing new... However, I am thinking about binge watching a show or two over Thanksgiving Break, since I'll actually have time to do so. 

Anyone have any good suggestions?

What am I reading?

We started our book studies as part of our Reading/Language lessons this week. Each student is reading a different book and will be completing different lessons, based on his/her grade level and individualized plans/needs. Today is only our 3rd day with this, but I can tell it's going to be great. They are loving reading!

What am I listening to?

I love this whole album by Lauren Daigle. She has such a beautiful voice. And the messages in each of her songs is so inspirational. I love it!

What am I wearing? 

This week is Spirit Week at school. Monday was MOVIE MONDAY. Yesterday was TACKY TUESDAY. And then today, it's WAKE UP WEDNESDAY.

And in case you're curious, Thursday is THEME DAY THURSDAY and Friday will be FAN DAY FRIDAY. We're all having fun showing off our creativity this week :)

What am I doing this weekend?

I have had something planned literally every single weekend this month. So I'm looking forward to actually doing nothing this weekend (other than church and studying for my class as a student and doing lesson plan prep, I mean) :)

What am I looking forward to next month?

Women's Retreat
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving meal with my AG co-workers
a few days off from school
No alarm clock for 4 whole days in a row!  

What else is new?


We started something new in Bible this week with my older students. We're doing a Bible Study type format, individualized for each of the students. Each child has a list of assignments they'll need to complete each day, whether that be through independent work, partner work, working with a teacher, or through class discussions. We may only be three days in. But my crew is loving this new Bible lesson format. And if they're happy, I'm happy :)

And then each month, there's a special question.

October's question is...

What's your all-time favorite Halloween costume? 

I'd have to answer that by sharing these pictures of my nieces from a few years ago. I mean, seriously... Could they be any more adorable? :)

And that's what I'm up to this month.

What about you?

What are YOU up to this month?

Growing in Gratitude

Happy Friday!

Today I'm joining Julie and Trista for their monthly Growing in Gratitude link-up, helping us to focus more on having a more grateful attitude.

 I'm actually a day late posting.

But it's always a good time to show gratitude. 

Right?



Anywho - On with the post...

Want to know what I'm grateful for at the moment?

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I'm thankful for learning opportunities.



I'm thankful for biblical lessons teaching character traits.



I'm thankful for pops of color in this dry, dusty land.



I'm thankful for Dr Pepper and sub plans.

And furthermore... I'm thankful for an AMAZING sub!



I'm thankful for the group of kids I call "mine."

I'm also thankful for the beautiful poster shown below (and I'm thankful, too, for the sweet girl who created it, as well).

I'm thankful for Wednesdays being my longest day each week.



I'm thankful for a new note-taking strategy, making Science lessons actually "stick" in my crew's brains :)



I'm thankful for more than one "home."



I'm thankful for #thelovedbibleproject.



I'm thankful for dreams placed on my heart by my Creator.



So what are YOU thankful for?

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Wednesday, Y'all

Today I'm sharing a (mostly) wordless Wednesday post, in efforts to share some of the pictures I've taken lately, but just haven't shared on here yet.

So here we go...

Last week was International Appreciation Week at my school. We spent the whole week celebrating all the places around the globe we call "home."

A couple weeks ago, I got this sweet note from a student.

This shot was taken one day last week.

Each day last week, we dressed up to represent a different region of the world. On one of the days, we were supposed to wear the clothes of "home."

I included The Rainbow Fish in my Kids Club lesson this past week. I also may or may not have broken my "no glitter whatsoever" rule in craft time :)

One of our teachers is an AMAZING baker who baked over 2000 international recipe cookies for our students and staff to enjoy last week. Can you imagine? 

Ah, Children... They're so innocently nosy and inquisitive. Ha! :)

I ordered a pizza last night and ate it in my classroom so I could use the wifi (since mine's out at home) so I could finish up my last big assignment for my class.

 

I've been slowly adding to my sub plans for the beginning of next week. I'll be missing two days to go to a Teacher's Conference. 

 

And now I'm off to work a super full day and hopefully get home before dark tonight :)