Extreme Days 2010

This week I have been volunteering at my church, helping with Extreme Days, our version of vacation bible school. It has been fun, exciting and exhausting.

Our theme for the week has been hero. We have been talking about different themes that heros and Jesus stand for.

Opening session praise and worship. We had over 200 kids this year!

Awesome stage.

Pastor Kevin and Pastor Alan giving a lesson.

One of the many messy games they got to play.

They had 7 different extreme classes they could take. I was in charge of the karate group.

We had a bunch of inner city kids come from the YMCA and Richmond police department. This was especially neat because most of these kids have never even been in a church before.

I am so tired, and there is one day left. But, despite my lack of sleep I am so happy I did this. It was an experience I will never forget.

Job Search Reflections

I have been reflecting upon my job search journey these past couple days. It is amazing to see how God works.

I was getting so discouraged. I had asked God for a sign, to show me that I was suppose to be a teacher. I was really doubting if education was the right field for me. Why had I applied to so many jobs and nothing had come of it?

Last Wednesday night I was so upset. I had 2 bad days at work and felt I was getting nowhere. I really was starting to give up.

Then Thursday morning, within 5 minutes I got 3 phone calls from principals to set up interviews. Thursday at 4pm I interviewed at Echo Lake and then at 5pm the principal called me and said she had called my references and offered me the job. It was amazing how fast it happened.

I was also amazed at how God came through. Not that I should be, but honestly I was. In the mist of my doubt and fears God did what only He could do. I just had to wait for His timing.

I know this isn't a teaching job, which is ultimately what I want. But, I am just thankful that I am moving forward. Thankful that I have a "foot in the door" job.

I am so sure that this is the right job for me. I am sure I am suppose to be a teacher, and I am sure God has a plan for me. I am thankful that He doesn't give up on us.

The Post I've Been Waiting For!!

This is the post I've been waiting to write!

I got a job offer!!! The job search is over.

Starting September 7, I will be working as an Instructional Assistant at Echo Lake Elementary School.

I am sooo excited. I will be working with special needs students who are developmentally delayed.

When on the interview I loved the principal. She was really excited about me using art with the students. I really feel like this is the right job for me right now. Before I decided to do art education I thought about doing art therapy. I love the idea of using art to help children.

This is also such a great "foot in the door" job. During the interview the principal also talked about how they always promote from within, the lady who did this job before me is now the new librarian.

Starting in September no more nights and weekends for this girl!

God is so good.

OBX

I just got back from a long weekend in the Outer Banks with some of my closest friends! I couldn't have asked for a better weekend. We planned this trip back in March, and I have been excited ever since.

We had a great time hanging out, going to the beach and relaxing.

Friday night we walked around the Manteo waterfront.

Then we went to see The Lost Colony. It was fantastic.

I have to add that my husband was such a trooper. He had a great time, but he was the only guy on the trip.

Saturday night we all went out to dinner. I wish this picture had turned out better, but oh well. The weekend went by so fast. I was sad when it was over, but I am so glad that we all had a great time.

Love This

Although why is it so hard to do?!?

Betty's Anniversary

I can't believe it has been a year since we brought Betty home.

I remember that day so clearly. We went to see the kittens we had seen an advertisement for in the paper. We knew we wanted a black female one.

She is such a part of our little family. Whenever we go out of town we can't wait to come home to her.

She has turned Clarke into a cat person, which is a big deal.

On Sunday we went shopping for her. We got her a bird feeder, one that sticks to the window, so she can watch the birds. We also bought her a harness and leash, so she can go outside with us. (I know we are crazy!) But, we just love her and can't imagine life without her now.

Happy Homecoming Betty!

Weekend Wrap Up

I am sad this weekend is over! It was a much needed weekend of relaxation and fun.

Friday night we went to a drive in movie theatre with a bunch of friends. It was so neat to sit under the stars and watch two movies. Plus, it's a great deal.

Saturday we played golf.

Despite the heat, it was really fun.

We were suppose to go camping Saturday night. But, the forcast called for rain and we didn't want to chance it. So instead we went to a party with Clarke's family.

They live right on the Rivannah river.

It was beautiful.

Sunday we went to church and then shopping for a bit. I also got to eat dinner with a friend from college. It was so great to catch up.

Well, that's all about my weekend. Not too exciting, but fun none the less.

Flowers and Anticipation

First off, I have the best husband ever! He brought me flowers the other day.

Secondly, I can't wait. For many things. I can't wait for this weekend. Friday night I am going to celebrate a friend's birthday. I am really looking forward to seeing all of my close friends. I feel like I don't see them enough. I have Saturday off, which is a big deal when you work half the Saturdays of the month. So me and hubby are playing golf and going camping!! Sunday I am suppose to have dinner with a friend from college I haven't seen since my wedding. It will be a packed weekend, but i'm so excited.

I am also so excited for next weekend. Me and my closest friends are going to the Outer Banks for a long weekend. Ahhhh, I can't wait for the beach.

Well, I am off to the gym. :)

Perseverance

Perseverance. Why is it so hard? In anything, in looking for a job, in eating healthy, in working out, in reading my bible. Why is it that so many times we want to be successful, yet struggle.

Is it Satan attacking me? Is it me just being lazy? I don't know, maybe it's both.

My pastor says that successful people are just ordinary people who make commitments that other people are not willing to make. I totally agree. So much of success is making a goal and sticking to it, even when it gets hard. Even when you would rather just give up because you are tired of rejection. Even when you would rather just eat the ice cream and sit on the couch instead of going to the gym.

And so many times, I beat myself up about it. If I thought I should have done something differently in an interview or application. I shouldn't have made the mistakes I made in student teaching, I shouldn't have even gone back to school to become a teacher in the first place. I should have just gotten a job right out of college, when there were jobs. At least I would have something now.

So where am I going with this post? I'm not really sure myself, but just need to vent. Vent about how the economy is in the dumps. Vent about how life isn't fair. Vent about my current job situation.

Yet despite my desire to throw in the towel and give up, and just be comfortable in my profession for once, despite the fact that I am a college graduate (from 2 great schools might I add) and I am working in a dead end job with no benefits or paid vacation, there is something in me that won't let me give up. Something that keeps pushing me to go on. Something that brings me to keep searching and keep applying.

I know that something is God. It's God telling me to persevere. It's God telling me that somehow through this all His plan for my life is unfolding. And somehow, through the unfairness and the rejections and the fear His plan will prevail.

 I know I have been called to be a teacher, and I know it will happen one day. And I know when I look back it will all be worth it. Someday.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9

Prayer Requests

First off, this is my 100th post! Woo hoo!!! I never thought I would make it to 100, but here I am! Okay, now on to the real post:

If you are reading this I would love your prayers.

For my uncle. My mom just told me that he had a heart attack. He is 46 years old, so I was shocked. He isn't unusually healthy or anything like that. At first I thought my mom was going to tell me something was wrong with my grandpa. But, I think my uncle is fine for now. He will be having triple bypass surgery soon, so I would love your prayers for a successful operation and a speedy recovery.

And as always for the job search. I am so tired of resumes and interviews and waiting, oh yeah and of course rejection. Please pray that I find something full time in a school for the fall. Just a great foot in the door job would be amazing. Anything would be great.

Thank you so much!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Finally got a good picture of me and Betty!!

Art Camp

Last week was my first week of teaching summer art camp at my work. The group I had last week was so great. I had such a blast with them I almost forgot I was at work!

It was a bittersweet reminder of why I want to teach art. Sweet because I love it, bitter because it's such a struggle to fnd a teaching position.

I will be teaching almost every week this summer. It is such a nice break from the regular work day.

Arn't their projects great? I took a bunch of pictures for my portfolio.

Love this kitty plate!

When I have children they are definitely going to art camp at All Fired Up. :)

The Animal Kingdom and Golfing

Our final day at Disney was a long one, we did so much! We started off the morning by playing golf at Disney's Oak Trail golf course.

Then we headed over to Animal Kingdom.

Through some glitch in the fast pass machine we got a lot of fast passes!

We saw a lot of cute animals, up close.

We ended the day by having dinner at Boma, in The Animal Kingdom Lodge. A friend of mine recommended it to me, and it was soo good. It was African food, so yummy!

Then we got in the car and drove to West Palm Beach to spend 2 days there.

Overall it was such a great trip. I feel so lucky that we got to do this together. When we left we said "I can't wait to come back with our kids someday." Now we have no plans for having kids anytime soon, but it is fun to think about Disney with them one day. :)

Epcot

Our third day at Disney was spent in Epcot. It was so hot, but we had a great time anyways.

We ate at Teppan Edo for lunch, one of those hibatchi places where they cook in front of you. It was soooo good.

We loved the world showcase, especially France.

We ended the night with another firework show.

And I loved how the ball was all lit up at night.

Well, that was Epcot!