Moving and Thoughts for the Semester

I spent the weekend moving into my new apartment. It's coming along amazingly- definitely hope to post some pics! However, we do not have internet for the week and I'm starting school again so it may be a while. Just wanted to share that God is fabulous, as usual. He totally designed this living situation for D and I and has already showered us with grace. True story: The day I got home from the hospital I was praying for my living situation/this next year on the way to school. 5 mins after I got there this new friend/classmate (but GF of one of my guy friends)asked me if I was needing a place. The rest is history :-)Love when He does that. He provides so well for our needs when we trust Him!

We have had some amazing conversations already- thank you Lord for ministering through us. I can tell it is going to be a very peaceful year even though we are both tackling difficult 1 yr school programs. This is going to be a great year of leaning into Him, and growing both in the vocations He has called us to as well as in our relationships with Him. As I begin the new semester this quote by Nelson Mandela strikes me:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

This light is a GOD-GIVEN light, unique to us, created for the purpose HE has for us in the world. It can be scary to let shine, it definitely isn't easy, and the world for sure doesn't support us in it. But Lord, please fill us more with your Light so that we may set this world ablaze. Please help us to surrender to you more so that you in turn can work through us. Help us to calm our fears and our sense of control. We want not ours, but YOUR plan for our lives. Help us even in our business of daily life to minister to others and spread your LIGHT! In His name,

Summer Vacation!

I am blessed with 2 weeks of break in between semesters- my mini summer vacation! Can I say how amazing it's been? I may or may not have slept in til 1 today (PM) and then took another nap as well. Just because I could...or maybe I needed to! Here's what I've been up to.

Up North with my Family-
"Up North" is Michigan lingo for heading to the northern part of the state, usually to a cottage on a lake. I did just that and enjoyed spending time with some of my family at least before I move out again.

Mackinac Island-
Definitely one of my favorite places on this earth! Mackinac is a historic island between peninsulas where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet. There are NO cars allowed on the island, just horses, bikes, and 2 feet. Great exercise...to work off the amazing Mackinac fudge. My mom and I rode 9 miles, stopping sometimes to read and relax along the shore. Just being in God's amazing creation! It was definitely a powerful realization that I'm really getting my strength/endurance back! Yeah! I'll post some pictures soon.

Wedding-
One of my dear friends, Sheila, got hitched! I had several weddings this summer, guess I'm getting to *that* age, but this was first time I was a bridesmaid. What an honor to stand up with her as she gave her heart in union with her new husband's heart to the Lord. They sang a beautiful duet to Charlotte Church's The Prayer, that made many of us cry! Sheila has walked through many crosses the past few years and I am so excited and hopeful for this new journey she is beginning. Praise God for new beginnings. For family, that we are not meant to walk life alone. For love, that is God himself and his tangible touch in our lives. Pray for Sheila and Dustin on their honeymoon this week!

Next up- The Move! But that's another post. Goodnight friends, hoping that you are all enjoying this last bit of summer as well.

Cursive, Multiplication...

It's back to 3rd grade for me! I just received my student teaching placement for the year. 3rd grade is such a fun age and I hope it'll prepare me to teach up or down if need be when finding a job! My CT (mentor teacher) is a graduate of my masters program- how great to share a background and have her guidance through this crazy year. The school's a bit far from my apt but right down the street from my Church and close to my parents too. Can't wait to meet you Ms. Warner! What's your favorite thing about 3rd graders? or What's your favorite memory of 3rd grade?

“Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.” John F. Kennedy

Finals.

Yep, last week was that time once again. That also means its time to facebook, upload new music, organize my room...basically any excuse I can think of. I am, without a doubt, one of the world's best procrastinators. Yet, it always gets done. And weirdly enough, I find finals week to be a pretty productive time. Like my cohort (classmates), I was pretty stressed about the first finals of grad school. Unlike most of my classmates, I was not out of finals practice...I did just graduate 3 months ago!

So while it's so easy to find things to complain about...ahem those 54 essays for the literacy exam, it's all about perspective. Yes, finals are part of my vocation right now as a student, but no, a year down the road they are not going to matter. No one looks at those numbers anyway. What matters is who I live my life for and how I do it. Perspective. That's what I kept in mind this week. I have a lot to be thankful for. So while I still had stress and dropped the ball on a few things, sleep for instance, it was a pretty good week.

I made it!

And now...it's time to play and spend some much needed family time before I move. Here's where I've been:

Hanging out with this great sister and pet ('rents and cousins too)

Here's a hint to where I'm going tomorrow:

Any ideas?

It's Time...

...To enter the Bloggy World as a writer. A little over a year ago I began a medical blog via Carepages and was introduced to the drill- you know, the post updates, wait for comments, comment on others' pages, become a part of a community- drill. And I liked it. Yet, I felt limited and grew tired of only posting on topics relating to my health. I thought, "One day, when I have a real career or a family of my own (with things to share) I'll start a blog."

I resorted to reading blogs to get me through some long and challenging days. I "met" real people, from their little corners of the world, who posted on every day experiences. Sharing a common creed, they shared the tough stuff along with the blessings, rejoicing in all times. These blogs made me laugh, made me cry, & motivated me towards my future goals. And I rejoiced in my circumstances. Our Lord loves me enough to have allowed me to walk through such times, to change me, to shower grace upon me. Who am I to keep it all to myself?

So here I go-
Sharing the big things
the Lord
has impressed upon my heart
The everyday moments
of life
Searching for His
Extraordinary Grace
In an
Ordinary World.