Just humor me...

I'm very well aware that this is semi-ridiculous, but I'm pretty smitten with this guy...

I follow him on Twitter and noticed today he posted his real facebook account. Of course, I go straight there and send him a friend request. He accepted really quickly, and I've been sitting here for the last few minutes looking at pictures of he and his wife, Sophia, before she died. Their wedding pictures were on here, and lots of other ones from years ago. There's just something about him that intriques me. I love that he loves God and was a worship leader. He's adorable! And he's so vocal about how much he loves his wife.

Go ahead and think I'm crazy, but you know you've had a celebrity crush before, too. Plus, what else is there to do on a Friday night when you're at home alone??

My home away from home beginning...WEDNESDAY!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??? It's that time folks...time for school to begin! My first official day was today, filled with teacher meetings and more time to work in my classroom. I've actually been there for days now trying to get my classroom just the way I want it. Let's face it: teachers spend more time in their classrooms during a typical day than they do at home or anywhere else. It has been my priority this year to get extremely organized and clean. If this place is going to be my home away from home, it definitely has to meet certain criteria. It needs to be colorful, bright, organized, clean, and that refrigerator better be stocked with some Diet Mountain Dew to get me through the really tough days! :)

I try to always stay organized, but this year there were a few things I had to change. All of my supplies were stuffed into this extremely unstable wire stack shelf. Things had already fallen off the top of it, on top of ME. If you touched it just the right way, it would wabble. Plus, it took up lots of space. So, I threw it out and replaced it with a small bookshelf that's hidden in a corner. Now, I have much more space and it's hidden, which is the best part. I also had tons of pieces of construction paper stored on top of a cabinet, which I attempted to keep straight but it just didn't happen. I went to Wal-mart and bought lots of rubbermaid clear tubs and stored all my paper and other supplies in those. Now I have nice and neat bins on top of my cabinets instead of random things spread out in not such an orderly fashion.

Here's a pic. I think I put one on here last year but this is the new and improved classroom number 4!

Speaking of being organized, check out my round table right at the door when parents come in tonight. There's a bouquet of fresh flowers in the center, with all folders, car stickers, forms, etc, that they need. I was pretty impressed with myself!

Wish me luck, friends! I want to be a more patient teacher, one that smiles a lot and provides an environment that feels comfortable and that encourages students to do their best and be their best. I want to see them as God sees them, and not get frustrated when they aren't perfect. I want to love them as He does and be an earthly example of God's love, especially for the ones that may not see that at home. I have some big goals for myself and only God will help me be this kind of teacher, because it's going to be a challenge for sure. I'd definitely appreciate your prayers!

Gulf Shores 2009

It's been a fun vacation. I always look so forward to spending time with my family, especially when it's at the beach! All 16 of us (We missed Ben, Anna, and the triplets this year!), left Friday night to head south. We got off to a rocky start, as my aunt and uncle's car broke down and then someone rear-ended my car on the interstate. We found out a couple days ago it was totaled, so I'll be going home to look for something else. Thankfully, no one was hurt and that's the only thing that matters.

Once we got here, we've had a great time. We've been to the beach, the pool, Waterville (in which they got me on a roller coaster...that I DO NOT typically ride), riding go-carts, bumper boats, skee ball, and eaten lots of "throwed" rolls. It's been so nice to get up when we want to, go to bed when we want to, swim as long as we want to, and not have to worry about a schedule. However, all good things must come to an end. We check out in the morning and head home. Back to reality for me, as I have a classroom to get ready for 20 little 4th graders that will be headed to me in a few short days.

Praise God for summer, for family, and even for the job I have to go back to. Life is good. Enjoy the pics!

Another Idea...

Hi friends-

I need your help! I have another idea for a craft (aka- a desperate way to make some extra cash). I'm still thinking on it and pondering exactly how I want to do it, but wanted to solicit your advice.

Once I have time, I will make a sample to post for you to see. My question to you is this...If it looks decent, what is the best way for me to advertise and possibly sell it? I know ebay is a possibility, but I just don't think it's the best avenue for which to sell this sort of item I have in mind. I have considered etsy, but am not familiar with how it works at all. Are there any other ideas? I've seen a friend put her work on facebook to sell. That is a good way for lots of people to see it, but is that tacky? I like to think it's not, but I just don't know. What are your thoughts my fellow bloggers???

It's me! It's me!

Yep- it's summertime. I always look so forward to being out of school and having time to relax, but it just hasn't come yet. Don't get me wrong, I have loved every minute of my break...it's just been crazy busy!

After my stay at the dog hotel (haha), we had VBS at church. I was in charge of crafts and it actually went very smoothly. Gena did a great job organizing things and I thought this year's "Say It! Yell It! Tell It" went wonderfully.

The day after VBS was over, we flew out for NEW YORK CITY! We left at four in the morning and our flight arrived at LaQuardia around 10:30 Thursday morning. We had such a fantastic time! Thursday afternoon we walked around Time Square. I was so amazed that the city is exactly as it is portrayed on television. Cabs galore, horns honking, people everywhere. I loved every minute of it! Friday we got up really early to go to the Today Show and see the Black-Eyed Peas. There were tons of people there, but we managed to catch a glimpse of Fergie! :) We also were actually on the show and didn't even know it until someone from home watched and told us! It was tons of fun! We also went to the Museum of Modern Art, SoHo, and on a harbor lights cruise at sunset. We saw the Empire State Building, sailed under the Brooklyn Bridge, saw the Statue of Liberty and took no less than hundreds of pictures. Saturday we went to Ground Zero. I didn't expect to be as emotional as I was there. It was so surreal to stand at the very spot that I saw on TV years before. We went in St. Paul's church, which became a shelter for all the volunteers. It has now become a museum and is full of letters, posters, etc. We went from there to the NBC studio tour. We saw the sets of SNL and Jimmy Fallon. It was really cool. Our page (tour guide) was from Birmingham and his mom actually used to work with my sister. So neat! We went from there to see Rock of Ages on Broadway. It was AMAZING! I LOVED it! I so had a crush on Constantine and was thrilled to get to meet him after the show. He's a cutie! Sunday we took a tour of Central Park and headed home around 3:30. It was a wonderful trip and definitely one I will never forget. Here are a few pictures from our trip.




I came home on Sunday and went straight to be with the Willinghams' after sweet Jon's death. I was extremely emotional and could not stop thinking about them. I felt terrible not being able to be back in time for the funeral, but my awesome friends sat with me in NYC and prayed for the family and for me to feel at peace until I could get back to them. I knew that was all I could do. It was great to finally be able to be with them and tell stories of Jon and our memories of him. They have shown SO much faith and I have absolutely no doubt that the story of Jon's life will impact people for years and years to come. We will surely miss him.

I got home from New York Sunday, spent time with the Willinghams, and left for Impact Wednesday. The theme this year was "Hidden" and we talked about how we hide our sins and allow Satan to talk us into carrying them all alone. So many people broke free from the chains that Satan had us bound to that week, and decided to live a life of freedom. I saw God in so many places, including friendships I made and also nurtured while I was there. There are no words to describe what an awesome experience being there is. I genuinely love my Impact family and plan to be a part of that staff as long as God allows.



This brings me to now. I got home from Impact this past Saturday and am going to attempt to have a few days to rest. I need time to do absolutely nothing in order to feel like I've had a summer. My plans are to be spontaneous and do as I please (haha) until I leave for the beach the 18th.

God is good and my summer has been fantastic to this point! I look forward to the rest of it!

Awe

I think all of us can admit to moments in our lives in which we question not God himself, but His plan for our life. I am there right now.

Finishing school was stressful, with lots of loose ends to tie up before I could leave. I haven't made time for God lately and have been hearing that little voice in the back of my head telling me "Amy, it's time...sit down and read." I had also been thinking about looking around for a book that would hopefully speak to me and encourage me throughout this time in my life. Looking back this afternoon, I'm in awe of how God has put this all together. I'm forewarning you now, this may be a long one.

I had time to kill the other day while I was waiting on my new laptop to be installed with all the latest virus protection and spyware, so I went in Lifeway next door and walked down aisle after aisle looking for anything that would catch my eye. Something definitely did...the "ON SALE NOW" signs. I spotted a book entited "Wilderness Skills for Women," by Marian Jordan. I had never heard of the book before but because it was on sale for $3.98, I grabbed it! I did think it was probably on sale because it wasn't that great of a book, but hoping I'd glean something from this lady's wisom, I finally started reading it today.

Wow- I can't even describe what I'm feeling right now. I have no doubt that God sent me into that store last week and led me straight to the aisle where this book was waiting especially for me. We all go through periods of wilderness and search through God's map for us in hopes of finding a way out. This author uses her experience and her study to share what she's learned. And, my heart feels lighter after only reading the first few pages.

Marian first talks about the wilderness of rejection. We've all felt rejection before, whether it be from a relationship ending, a divorce, abuse, neglect, career changes, criticism, etc. She then related this to the story of Joseph in the Bible. We're all familiar with what happened with him. His brothers plotted his murder because of jealousy, they threw him into a pit and left. Have you ever thought what Joseph must have been thinking when this happened? I'd assume it might be similar to what I think, and probably you too, when I face things in life I can't seem to understand. "Why me?"

Things didn't get better for Joseph very quickly. As his brothers sat down conversing on what to do with their brother, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites approaching. When they decided there wasn't much in it for them to kill Joseph, they sold him to Potiphar. Potiphar found favor in Joseph and made him his personal aide. From there, we see that Potiphar's wife is relentless in pursuing him. He rejects her and runs away. But of course, she gets mad and has him thrown into prison. So, Joseph's trek in the wilderness isn't over yet. While he's in prison, he interprets dreams, which leads him to interpret Pharoah's dream. Can you see God's plan unfolding yet? In a matter of minutes, Joseph is taken from prison straight to Pharoah's house. Through Joseph, God warns Pharoah that a huge famine is about to occur. Because of this warning, they step into action. Joseph is now looked upon as a blessing and is seated in high rankings among the people.

Here's the application: This wasn't a situation of being in the right place at the right time. This is destiny! God brought Joseph to Egypt precisely for this reason. If his brothers hadn't hated him, then he wouldn't have been rejected. If he hadn't been rejected, they would have never sold him to the Ishmaelites. If they hadn't sold him to the Ishmaelites, he would have never interpreted Pharoah's dream. And you know what would have happened then.

In the end, Joseph forgives his brothers and can finally see the purpose in God's plan for his life. Marian says what seems like rejection is PROTECTION. God protected so many people through the life of Joseph. God makes known the wisdom of His sovereignty as He takes the events of our lives and shapes them for good. When Joseph stood weeping in front of his brothers, he unveils for them the awesome plan of a loving God who allowed the painful rejection to occur so that a great and marvelous plan could happen. We do not fear, we do not dread, we do not lose hope because we know HE IS IN CONTROL! My favorite thing she said in this chapter is this: "Did you ever think about the fact that the caravan was on its way to Egypt long before Joseph was ever thrown into that pit?" Wow- God's vision goes way past ours and His plan for us is in motion as we speak. It has been even before we were born. Aren't we so blessed to serve such an AWEsome God?

So as I sit exactly where I sat a little over an hour ago as I began reading this book, I now feel like I am sitting in the very presence of God...a God who is repeatedly telling me to not lose hope like I've been so tempted to do, but trust in Him and believe that "ALL things come together for good..." I hope that God has used this book and this blog to encourage someone, somewhere reading this to keep the faith and never, ever question our lots in life. God is good..and I'm so blessed to have been reminded of that in an ever so powerful way today. Praise Him!

NO VACANCY at the Dog Hotel!

Yes, I'm definitely living in a dog hotel! Some of my best friends in the world (the Rutledges) are gone to the beach and asked me to stay at their house and keep their pets for the week. I have three dogs (Ruby, Percy, and Lucy), a cat (Ethel), and a beta fish (Rainbow). If you know me well, you know I have never been a huge animal lover. However, I do have a bond with all these dogs since I'm around them so often. Plus, I consider these people my family and would do anything in the world for them anyway. So, here are the all-stars.

First, we have Percy.

He's much smaller than the other dogs here at the Compound. He's for sure not intimidated by the bigger dogs though. He holds his own very well and actually chases the others around the room barking if they attempt to touch his toy. He is very strong-willed and no amount of begging him will convince him to do anything he doesn't want to. He's really sweet though, and loves a little attention every now and then.

Next, we have Lucy and Ruby.

Lucy is the Boxer. She is Haley's dog. She is absolutely precious and definitely one of the smartest dogs I've ever seen. She can let herself in and out when she needs to "go potty" and is very protective of those she loves. She acts like she understands every word I say and is very well-behaved. She's lots of fun. Ruby is the bulldog. She's Adam's dog. Let's just say calm isn't exactly a word I'd use to describe her. When she was little, she would snuggle with you and lay on your lap forever. Now, not a chance. She's always excited and running around playing. I can let her out fifteen times a day, but when I come in from being gone or come downstairs, she pees in the floor from excitement. It never fails...The first time she did it she hid from me behind the curtains. HA! I love her, though.

Next, we have Rainbow. I don't have a picture, but here is Ann Marie's note she left me with a schedule of when to feed her.


Lastly, Ethel. HA- ETHEL the cat. She stays in the garage and I don't see her much. I'm allergic to cats, so thankfully she doesn't stay inside. She's very calm and isn't a bit of trouble.

So yes- this house is full for the week. I won't know what to do with myself next week when I'm away from my little friends. If you're going out of town and you need my services, let me know. JUST KIDDING!