End of the School Year Thoughts

It doesn't feel like it should be the end of the school year. We only have a week and a half left of school and it just doesn't seem like it to me. Maybe I'm in denial. I'm actually really sad to let my 2nd graders move up to 3rd grade. They have been the sweetest class. But at least I'll have my 1st graders for another year. That is the silver lining. God has been so good to me this year. I love my kiddos. Sure we've had ups and downs, but overall they are such a good group. Between the 2 grades I have 3 sets of siblings which in some cases would cause problems. Not with this group!
What I'm most looking forward once school is out is my parents coming for a month. I'm in desperate need of some family time. I've been missing my family a lot lately. I need a hug from my mom and to curl up next to my dad on the couch watching a movie.

Tired = Emotional

For whatever reason Sunday nights are a hard night of sleep for me. Last night was a prime example. I'm pretty tired right now and it is quarter to 7. The problem with being this tired is that I start feeling emotional.
Found out one of my students got saved today...I cried.
My dad helped me finish the song I've been using for scripture memory in my class...I cried.
I posted on facebook about how thankful I am for my sister...I cried.
I looked through old pics of friends and family to find pics of my sister and I and came across a bunch of great memories...I cried.

Don't worry I'm not just sitting here on my couch blubbering. But tears of thankfulness to our great God are definitely filling my eyes right now. God is so good to me!

...and I'm going to bed early tonight.

Feeling so blessed!

I'm so thankful for the people God has put in my life! Recently I've noticed how surrounded (both local and long distance) I am by people who encourage me in my walk with the Lord. People who share what they are learning and get excited with me over what I am learning. My list of books to read is growing because of recommendations by these friends and I've felt so encouraged lately to dive deeper into Scripture. God is so good!

In Memory of My Grandpa

Yesterday marks 2 years that the Lord called my Grandpa to be home in heaven with Him. I have such mixed feelings of my grandpa being gone. On one hand I miss him terribly and wish he were here to say "Goodnight Sweetie" to me every night and watch The Andy Griffith Show with. But on the other hand I know that in heaven he is having a wonderful time. He has a new perfect body and is loving being in the presence of the Lord. 

My grandpa was a really neat guy. Not everyone knew that. He was very quiet. But those who knew him well knew how great he was. He loved is wife and would do anything for her. He loved his children and showed great pride in his grandchildren. He worked hard, and I mean hard, all of his life. He was dedicated to his church. He loved music. And he loved to laugh. It was so fun to see him full on laughing and wiping tears from his eyes. But really even his chuckle and shaking of the head was worth the effort. 

Even to the end of his life those character traits showed. He was a wonderful example of what a husband, father, and friend should be like. 

I'm especially missing him right now. He was a die-hard Cubs fan. And he would be so thrilled to see his Cubbies in the World Series tonight. I'd like to think that he is in heaven cheering them on, but in all honesty I think he's enjoying the Lord more than he would his baseball team right now. So, in loving memory of him I will don his favorite Cubs hat this week and cheer on his team! 

I love you, Grandpa, and miss you dearly! 

Go Cubs Go! 

Flight Over Wisconsin!

If I ever say that my life here in Wisconsin is boring then I am a big-old-liar! I've experienced so many things here that I don't think I ever would have done before! Today a cousin of mine took me for a ride in his airplane. IT WAS SO FUN!! I wasn't nervous about flying with him. I was more afraid of it being bumpy and feeling sick. But it wasn't bumpy at all. He even let me fly for a few seconds!! How cool is that?! He tried scaring me a few times with sharp turns (which he warned me about right before each one) but I wasn't scared. He told me after that I am fearless. :) I totally have an adrenaline rush from it! I saw my house, church, school, several homes of people I know, and the my grandpa's lake! We even went far enough that we could see Lake Michigan.
The fall leaves looked incredible from the sky! That was the main reason I asked him if I could go with him. And I wasn't disappointed! I'm so glad that God allows us experiences like that to see His amazing creation! God's love for me is so great! 

So...Much...Fun!!!

 

Aunt Jamie

God is so good to me! At times it is hard for me to see my friends with their families. Having a husband and kids is something I had thought I would have by now, but for some reason that is not was God had planned for this season in my life. Instead of having my own kids I've been so blessed to have friends with kids. Their kids have become so dear to me. Just like my niece, they are family to me. Some of them even call me Aunt Jamie. It may be that Aunt Jamie will be the only title I get in my life, and if that is the case I know that God will lead me through that. It's kind of a hard thing to think about. So for now I'm focusing on how thankful I am that the Lord has allowed me the privilege of being a part of these kids lives!

Hide God's Word in Your Heart

When I asked the Lord to help me make time to complete my Bible study lessons for the week I did have in mind sitting in the ER to do it. But that's what happened yesterday. I got a call from Grandma's Assisted Living home and left school early to meet Grandma at the ER. (She's doing ok now. Much better actually.) Not how I had planned out my Monday, but that is what the Lord had for me yesterday. Thankfully I had my Beth Moore study with me and was able to complete 2 days worth of my study. I was reminded of the importance of learning Scripture. I'm always telling my students how important it is to memorize Scripture, but am I practicing what I preach? If I'm honest, not regularly.

"Sometimes we don't know Scripture has taken root in us until we realize, in light of a particular circumstance, it was there, written in our hearts preparing us to navigate the moment. That particular word was alive in us and changed the way we acted or reacted in that impossible situation."

Such a good reminder. In the Beth Moore study I'm in she is suggesting that we memorize the entire book of 2nd Timothy! That seems so hard to me! I'm not sure if I should try to do it?! It seems impossible. Like something I'd give up on after a week of trying. Or I'd get busy and forget about it. On the other hand, the results of memorizing such a large portion of Scripture would be so beneficial. Still not sure what I will do. I just know I need to start memorizing scripture again.

Happy!

MY MOM IS COMING IN 25 DAYS!!!!! 

I'm just a little excited! Oh the fun we will have! 

My Dad

 I love that my dad loves leading worship. His joy in music has really made a huge impact on my life. He was the music pastor at my church when I was little, but I don't remember that a whole lot. I do remember him always being involved in the music at my church. He would fill in here and there and play guitar with the worship team. But over the last 5(ish) years it has been so fun to see my dad lead worship in his church. He stepped into the role and I feel that he is doing such a wonderful job. It's true that I'm not living in the same state, but the times I've visited over the last few years I've really loved seeing his commitment to leading others in worship to the Lord. His passion for music and praising the Lord really encourages me in my worship and love for music. I'm so thankful for the godly example of my father. 

Spring Break with Family

I LOVE THIS PICTURE! 

Seriously, my spring break was so fantastic! The best one I can remember. 

I wouldn't trade the time with my family for anything. It's true I spent some time with friends and loved it, but the time with my family was the most precious. 

Anyone who says they have the best family ever is wrong. I have the best family! We are not perfect at all. We have moments of frustration and getting on each other's nerves, but we love each other. Some days are harder to live far away from them, but the distance definitely made the week home extra special. There was laughter, singing, tickling, lunches, kite flying, egg dying, crafting, laughing, Jerry Lewis movies, did I mention laughing? It was such a great time! 

Bittersweet time of year

       It's been a while since I've written a new post. It is definitely a busy time of year for me. There are only 3 weeks left of school, which is so crazy to me! But with those 3 weeks comes many events.
       The end of the school year is definitely bittersweet. I'm sad that half of my class will be moving on to a new class next year. They have grown to be so dear to me. Thankfully I'll still see them, but they won't me "my kids" anymore. Teaching at such a small school does have some perks though! The other half of my class will be staying with me for next year! I'm excited to have them for another year. We definitely have our ups and downs, but I'm looking forward to another year of training them and seeing them grow closer to the Lord and stronger in their education.
       The big sweet thing about this time of year is SUMMER!!! I'm super excited to be going home next month!! I'm so looking forward to some time with my family! Honestly don't know how my mom moved to California when she got married without the technology I have now. Even though I don't talk to them every day we are communicating in some way every day. And Skype is a huge help! It's nice to be able to see them every once in a while. I'm also looking forward to some fun time with friends. Apart from my family, I'm not the best at keeping in contact with people who are not living near me. But I'm super thankful for friends who understand that. I love that we can pick up right where we left off. I know things will be different when I get back but I'm just going to enjoy the time I have with them.
       I'm so thankful that the Lord made it possible for me to go home for a good chunk of the summer. I'm not sure if I'll be able to do that next summer or not. Still haven't bought my ticket back to Wisconsin, and I honestly don't know what the rest of the summer, or 2015 for that matter, will hold for me. That is mostly because I'm not sure what my grandma will be doing. But even though I don't know what the future holds I do know who holds the future. My Lord and Savior has everything in His hand. And that everything includes me. I could look at the rest of 2015 with dread, fear and anxiety, but I don't have to do that. I'm sure there will be highs and lows, but in those times I can rest in the Lord and find peace in Him.

Grandma

Grandma and I showing off our White Elephant gifts. 

I've been trying to get my grandma out of the house a little bit more. Hard when it is so cold outside. She doesn't like to be cold. Here we are at our church Christmas party. I have to say that I think she is adjusting well to my Grandpa being gone. I know that it is hard for her at times. I'm excited when I can take her out to do things since she is stuck at home alone all day long while I work. The biggest outing will be in a few weeks when I take her in California with me for Christmas. That will be a big adventure...I haven't told her yet. I know that sounds terrible, but she is such a worrier that I was afraid she would be miserable for a month. Miserable with worry for a week and a half is much better...hopefully. I'm prepared for the fact that she may be very mad at me for just buying her a ticket. But in the end I think it is the best decision. She needs a big distraction from the first Christmas without Grandpa. And my mom and I need her around so we don't worry about her the entire time I'm in CA. Praying that God keeps us safe and healthy while we travel.

{Day 12 - Friends}

God has been so good in blessing me with wonderful friendships. I'm reminded of how much God cares for me when I think back on the friendships I've had over the years. There have been seasons in my life where God has placed the exact friend that I needed right then to encourage me and point me to Christ. One of the things I'm the most thankful for in my friendships is that even though I'm not the best at long distant friendships we are able to pick up where we left off when we do talk or see each other.
I have to say that the friendship I'm the most thankful for is from my sister. Growing up we got along ok. We didn't fight all the time like some siblings, but we weren't super close. What's funny is that when I went away to college our friendship clicked. I love my sister so much. I'm so proud of the amazing woman she has become. I love talking with her, shopping with her, watching Doctor Who with her, and our random usies (is that how you spell it?).
Julie, you challenge me to walk closer to the Lord, make me laugh, and bring so much joy to my life. You are beautiful on the inside and out. You are my best friend! I love you!

Grandma's Birthday

I really enjoyed planning my Grandma's 90th birthday party. 

This was one of the pinterest ideas I found and was able to do as a decoration. It was a very fun puzzle. And even better my grandma wanted to put it up on her living room wall to keep looking at it. That meant a lot to me. My grandma can be very hard to please so when she wanted to put it up at home I knew she liked it.  

I copied a bunch of pictures in black and white and glued them down. 

The key though is to make sure you copy different sized pictures. I needed several small pictures to cover up little spots. A couple of them had people cut out, but the goal was to get a bunch of pictures of my grandma. 

The brown paper was paper that came in a package I got not too long ago, but you could use wrapping paper as well. 

Silly Girls

 I love sleepovers with this silly girl! She is so much fun. Here is our froggy picture. Haha! It hardly looks like us! Kinda creepy. 

Our morning has been full of donuts and Wild Kratts. Perfect relaxing morning! 

A Big Change

My grandma and I making pie last summer. 

       It is hard to believe that there are only 2 full weeks left of school! (I'm totally not counting the last week of school -- it consists of a big party on one day and a half day) Usually at this time I'm super excited about summer coming. This year I am excited about summer, but at the same time I'm feeling sad. This last day of school this year will be my last day teaching at RVCS. I've been teaching at RVCS for 6 years and it has been so much fun! Leaving is hard for me to do, but at the same time I'm excited about what the future holds.
       Where am I going? Wisconsin! I've accepted a job at a small Christian school around the corner from my grandparent's house. For the last few years I've thought about moving there to help them out. They are in their early 90s and probably shouldn't be living on their own anymore. I thought about going out there last year, but a teaching job wasn't open anywhere around and I need to work. I prayed about it and the door just seemed to be closed.
       Apparently that closed door was only temporary. This January the door flew open. I wasn't expecting it. It is neat when you can look back and see how God is working in your life. His plan is so much better than mine. I was asked by my grandparent's pastor to consider the 1st/2nd grade teaching position at their school. I prayed a lot about it and applied. I figured I'd apply and see what would happen. I continued to pray for the Lord's leading and peace. In February, or March...can't remember which month it was, I heard from the school about a phone interview. After the phone interview I flew out there during my spring break, touring the school, and had another interview. 2 days later they offered me the teaching position. Whoa!! More praying!
       So many thoughts were going through my head. As I went into that tour and interview I prayed for lightning from the Lord. Lightning didn't come though. There was no absolute clear sign of what I should do. My friends and family asked me how it went and what I was thinking about doing. I didn't know how to respond. So I kept praying. About a week after my trip to Wi I felt an incredible peace about teaching in Wi. It was such an amazing feeling.
       Needless to say, my grandparents are thrilled. I told them I'd be moving out there in July and they wondered why I was waiting so long! Ha! I'm so excited to be able to spend time with them and hopefully be a blessing to them. But at the same time I'm sad to leave my parents, sister, Danika, friends, and school.
       Ca is definitely home for me. This move to Wisconsin is going to be shocking I'm sure. I wonder how this California girl is going to do at shoveling snow for several months out of the year?!

Wisconsin Diaries - Baby Shower

From 7.7.13

Today I finished up a baby quilt and stuffed monkey for a baby shower that I’m going to. I’m not sure if I mentioned it before, but I don’t even know the woman having the baby. Haha! She is my mom’s cousin’s daughter-in-law.My grandma was invited and it turns out that she doesn’t even want to go now. I laughed when she told me that after I had already finished the gift. Oh well, I’m still going to go. I’ll know some people there and this is a good opportunity to fight the fear of man that I so easily struggle with.

I finished reading the book “When People are Big and God is Small.” Everyone should read that book! I was challenged so much with my view of people and my view of God. Since reading the book my prayer on a daily basis is that I will fear God more.

Pre Wisconsin Diaries

There aren't many days left of school and my brain is definitely thinking about the summer! I'm so excited to spend the next couples of months in Wisconsin with my grandparents. It will be fun spending time with them. I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but I love drilling them with questions about our family. I keep a journal of the stories they tell of when they grew up. I'm hoping that by the end of the summer I'll have to buy a new journal. :)

I'm also looking forward to just a slower pase for a while. I'm bringing books, sewing projects, my guitar and walking/running shoes. Those are all things that I don't have time to do on a regular basis. It makes me so happy that I can spend time doing those fun things I love to do. (Let me clarify -- I don't love running, but I'm hoping to like running by the end of the summer)

So my question for you is:

How many books do I take? 

While I was there for 1 1/2 weeks at Christmas I ready 3 books and was ready to start a 4th. I went through my bookshelves last night and pulled out the ones I've been wanting to read and I have 15 books in a stack right now. Lol! That is a lot of books! Is that too many? Space won't be the issue because I'm going to ship a box of books and fabric so that I don't have to pack it for on the plane. (Thanks Steph for that great idea!)

Looking forward to seeing you soon Grandma & Grandpa! 

Happy Mother's Day!

I'm so thankful for the wonderful mom that God gave to me. I'm told on a regular basis how much like my mom I am. It is such a wonderful compliment. I love spending time with her. She is a great listener and gives great advice. I love that I can talk to her about anything. I especially love how she encourages me in my walk with the Lord. 

Love you Mom! 

It is in sight!!

Yes, I know it is still early...But after the rough day I had today all I can think about is...

SUMMER!!

It is just a little over 1 month away. I'm so looking forward to relaxing this summer. This will be the first summer that I won't spend the entire break working. I'm praying that I'll come back in the fall feeling very refreshed. In case you didn't know I'm going to be spending the summer in Wisconsin with my grandparents. I'm so excited to spend a long period of time with them, hear stories of when they were growing up, learn how to make my grandma's cinnamon rolls, sewing projects, read (lots of reading), and go for walks in the evening. (Sigh) Doesn't that just sound wonderful! I feel relaxed just thinking about it.

Here are two of the projects I am planning on doing while I'm in Wisconsin. 

This one is for me. I already own this fabric too! Yay!

 This will be the first time I'll actually finish a quilt for myself. 

I'm excited for this one to cover my bed.

Not sure who this one will be for...I might just keep it too. :)

Now, to keep my brain focused on work for the next several weeks. Ha!

Ooo, but my birthday is coming up!! Yay! 30, here I come!

Off to grade papers!