Halloween!

I definitely should be writing lesson plans right now, but I'll get to that in a minute.

I had a wonderful weekend. Teaven and I had our version of a "date" since we are saving money now. I brought McDonalds to his room, and we watched Back to the Future Parts 1 and 2. We watched part 3 today after church. It was my first time ever seeing them, and I liked them more than I thought I would.

Saturday was Daddy/Daughter Day. I enjoyed spending time with my dad. We had a really good turnout. Afterwards, I went to Teaven's parents house and helped the kids get dressed for the Halloween Carnival. I got to dress up too. I'm 20 years old, and this was my first time ever dressing up. Yes, ever. It was a lot of fun.

Alice in Wonderland, Queen of Hearts (though most thought I was Snow White), and the Mad Hatter

Mad Hatter, Alice, and Hannah Montana

This week is once again going to be busy, but each passing day brings me a little closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks.





Lots of wedding planning has been going on around these parts. Teaven and I are about to decide on a caterer, Brooke, Robyn, and I are going dress shopping on Saturday, and Dana and I are getting ideas for decorations in a couple of weeks. I'm so excited for this day to come. :)





On to the countdowns:


- 38 days til my last final


- 188 days til graduation


- 230 days til my wedding!

Passion

I love my job. Have I stated that fact lately? I love being around the students and interacting with them. Yes, it has been very challenging. Some days I spend most of my time disciplining students and breaking up fights, but it has been such a great learning experience.

I've realized something about myself while working there and being in my last semester of classes. I'm really not that passionate about English. Sure, I love it, but I would much rather spend my time just interacting with the students, loving on them, and helping them learn and grow into better people. I don't know where this passion will lead me in the future, but I'm so thankful that Jesus knows.

For the first time EVER, I have looked into going to grad school someday. I have absolutely no idea what I would go for, but the fact that I'm actually considering it is strange to me. I don't like school. lol.

Life is challenging but amazing. I'm happy that Thanksgiving is almost in my reach.

Sweet memories

I've been meaning to update for a while now, but I just haven't had the time to get around to it.

God has been teaching me so much lately. When I have more time, I'll write all about it. It all relates back to the insecurity issues as well as learning more about the Holy Spirit (thanks, Be Transformed!). Praise Jesus that his faithfulness and love are never ceasing, and he's always there to pick me up when I've fallen.

Thursday was Teaven and my engagiversary! I can't believe that it's already been a year since he proposed. That is such a sweet memory for me, and I can't wait to marry that boy. We're at less than 8 months now! Can you believe it? We're starting to really get into more planning, and I love how involved he is. Most guys hate everything that has to do with wedding planning, but Teaven wants to be involved and help me out as much as he can. He brought me flowers Thursday night while I sat on duty. This engagement has been so great. As much as I want it to go by quickly, I wouldn't trade this time for anything.

If we ever find the time in our schedules, Robyn, Brooke and I will be shopping for bridesmaids dresses next month. I'm so excited about it because I'll be able to spend time with two very dear friends.

Continuing the countdowns:

- 30 days til Thanksgiving break
- 45 days til my last final
- 195 days til graduation
- 237 days til my wedding!!

Back to life

I realized that I haven't updated you all about my job. I love it! I love being around kids, helping them with their homework, listening to their crazy stories, playing hang man with spelling words. It's such a good feeling to know that I love my job. I have been reassured that this is the path God is leading me down, and I no longer need to doubt God's plans for my life. It's such a good feeling to want to go to work. Now, there are some days where I would rather be doing something else, but for now, my job is like my escape from the day. For 3 hours, I don't have to focus on anything other than my job.

I went to New Mexico this weekend and had such a fun time! I love being able to take a mini vacation with all of my friends. It was nice to hang out with them since I don't get to see them very often anymore. The balloons were amazing! There were so many different shapes.

Now, once again it's back to life, back to reality.

-57 days until my last final
-207 days til graduation
-249 days til my wedding!

Everything is getting so close!

Persevere

I stepped out of his car, grabbed my stuff from the trunk, and yelled, "I love you," over the loud music. As I walked towards the porch of my temporary home, I began to mentally list the things I needed to get done before I could go to sleep that night. I walked up the stairs and opened the glass door that led into an empty lobby. Suddenly, all of the stress that I had forgotten about over the weekend, pushed against me like an unseen rush of water. My thoughts became overwhelmed as I pictured all that lay before me. Tests, quizzes, papers, restless night, alarms, locked doors. All the things that came with being a student and an RA. I wanted to turn around and run towards the comfort of home. Why do I dread coming back to this place? I'm ready to be done. I'm ready to have my own home where I don't have to worry about whether or not I have updated my marker board or written 5 minute meetings. I want to have a classroom where I'm giving the tests instead of taking them.

I'm tired, and I know that will continue. I also know that God will give me the strength I need to persevere. He knew what he was doing when he laid that on my heart to be my prayer for the year. Perseverence. Even the weak will be made strong. "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" James 1:12

Back to my countdowns:
-5 days til I go to New Mexico
-66 days til my last final
-216 days til Graduation
-258 days til my wedding!!!!

p.s.
Can you tell I've been writing too much for Advanced Composition?