Its the little things

I'm in my 6th year of teaching and I have learned A LOT. I teach jr. kindergarten so I have a song, poem, or activity for just about anything. I've learned how to make boring stuff fun, how to transition a million different ways, how to distract a clinging child... you get the idea. I've also learned just as much if not more through my mistakes. Yep I can tell you what happens to a room full of jk'ers when you're not prepared, what you should do vs. what you should not do with a child throwing a tantrum... or just throwing wet paper towels on the wall, how to not handle disgruntled parents, how not to respond to a skinned knee, etc. Teaching is definitely learned by experience... both good and bad.

I have not only learned about how to better teach and train children, but I've also learned what I would and would not do as a parent. You let me spend 5 minutes with your child and I can tell you what you're doing or not doing at home. I have by no means mastered parenting... I don't have kids. I by no means have mastered teaching... I've only done it 6 years. But in my 6 years, one of the best things I've learned is how to better appreciate teachers. Some parents do a fantastic job of making sure their child's teacher knows they are appreciated. Others feel they are paying you (if you teach at a private school) to teach their child therefore their job is done. Moms out there, make sure your child's teachers know you appreciate them. (whether school teachers or church teachers) It can be as simple or as extravagant as you'd like.

I've had several moms have me fill out questionnaires like this:

Name
Birthday
Favorite cold drink
Favorite hot drink
Favorite fast food (what would you order)
Favorite salty snack
Favorite sweet snack
Favorite baked good
Favorite store
Favorite scents
Hobbies
I collect
(You can make up whatever categories you'd like)

This is a great way to not only get to know your child's teacher, but also a great way to minister to her and show your appreciation. It's amazing how much a sweet note or .75 donut can make you feel appreciated! It's not about how much you spend but the thought behind the gesture.

It really is the little things that make our days sweeter.
 

When did I become an adult...

I have never had a defining moment in my life when I was like, "Yep, I'm officially an adult." Is it when you start college? Get a full time job? Get married? To which I would say no to every single one of those. Babies are getting full time jobs and getting married earlier and earlier...  and not all of them I would consider an adult. I know looking back we looked like babies when we got married but I still stand next to giving my life to Christ, marrying Daniel Jerkins at 20 was the best decision I ever made. But back to the topic... when did I officially become an adult?

I have no idea.

I'm now 27, own a house and 2 cars, pay pills, cook, clean and take care of another human being (even though he's 28 that still counts) make doctor's and dentist appointments... so technically I am an adult.

Yesterday, however, I never felt more like an adult as I walked into the dermatologist office. Teenagers go to the dermatologist with their moms because of acne and old people go to the dermatologist to have moles removed. I am neither. Yet there I was surrounded by both in that freezing waiting room.

I had a few spots I wanted checked out. Yes, that officially makes me sound old. Good news I was all clear. My concern spot was from an old mosquito bite that never went away and turned weird looking. I thought for sure it was skin cancer. Nope. Just a mosquito bite scar. What?! I put off this appointment for a year for a mosquito bite scar?! They are apparently pretty common so my option was to leave it as that scar or she'd take it off and I'd have a tiny line scar. I opted for the knife. :) So one numb spot and one stitch later I am happy to say my first big girl derm appointment  was a success.

Some questions you might be asking:

-Where did you go? Mid-South Dermatology in Bartlett

-Why did you choose that place? Most places didn't have an appointment until the first of the year. I was able to see a nurse practitioner a month after my initial phone call.

-Who did you see? Loree Easly

-Did you like her? Loved her! Will def go back to her again if needed

-Did you have to strip down? No. I was told most places make you completely undress so they can check every nook and cranny. She did check me, but I kept my clothes on and just lifted and moved what was needed for the exam.

So... when did I become and adult?

I have no idea, but after yesterday I'm pretty I qualify as one now.

What a difference a year makes

Allie sent me this pic the other day.

 It was taken this time last year as we began our "serious" running venture. I've run for the past 3 years, but it wasn't until this time last year that allie and I began working out together and from there it led to a passion to pursue training at a different level.

Bigger goals.

Faster times.

This was the first 5k we ran together at the beginning of our training. We were dying! And still had terrible time. My trainer says someone my age should never be running more than a 10 min mile pace. Well, thankfully we've come along way in a year! Our 5k now is a/r 28 minutes.

Allie posted this on her blog about our run the other day. I had to blog about it just so I could remember how hilarious this experience was!  Maybe you just had to be there... but man are we chickens!

Thursday, Aug 23, 2012

"Today's run was really good overall.  We were spooked 2 separate times by barking dogs that we were convinced were out to attack us!!! It was quite hilarious when we realized they didn't want to eat us but in the moment, it was quite scary!  The first dog encounter was me spotting 2 dogs chasing each other a few houses away. I wanted her to be aware of the possible danger as well so I said - hey, there are 2 dogs running up there.  She misunderstood me and thought I said 2 dogs were running for us. She screams and in turn I start screaming.  We quickly realize the misunderstanding and die laughing.  Not 5 minutes later a dog that must have been sleeping on the porch starts barking and scares the mess out of us! We both scream and do the scared dance! Oh goodness, we are crazy.  Its a good thing in our flailing around we didn't spray each other with pepper spray! (yes we both carry pepper spray!) We were quite the site! Needless to say all the excitement slowed down our first mile significantly.  The following 2 miles, however, were much faster.  Maybe subconsciously we thought if we ran faster, the dogs couldn't catch us. LOL.

Mile 1 - 10:43

Mile 2 - 8:47

Mile 3 - 8:53

Total distance 3.15

Time 29:39"

So... scary dogs and all we have dramatically improved our pace from over an 11 minute mile to mostly 8:30-10:00 min pace. Well, Jason for the most part we are adhering to your advice... except when we get spooked by vicious dogs and it takes a mile to recover from it!

This past Saturday for our long run, it was time to embark on: 7 miles. That just sounds daunting. And feels it at times! But we did it... in the rain!

Mile 1 - 9:46

Mile 2 - 9:46

Mile 3 - 9:42

Mile 4 - 10:12

Mile 5 - 10:11

Mile 6 - 9:47

Mile 7 - 9:43

Total distance - 7.01

Time - 1:09:12

7 Miles - done!

So thankful for this friend who challenges me step by step and makes running so enjoyable.... even on mile 7!

Us at mile 3 a year ago:

Us after mile 7 on Saturday:

 

What a difference a year makes!

Friday Morning Heart Attack

During the night last night, my left hand was doing weird things. My fingers felt swollen one minute and then asleep another. The problem being I was sound asleep. I remember thinking my fingers feel funny but then I just adjusted my wedding rings (they are sautered? together so really I refer to them as just one ring). I got up this morning ready to head to the gym when I went to put on my runner ID... which normally I have to lift over my ring and I realized MY RING IS NOT ON MY FINGER.

What. in. the. world.

I never take it off unless I'm playing sports. So I began to slightly freak out. I lose things from time to time... my keys, my phone, but never my rings! I do not remember ever taking my ring off. In the past when my fingers have felt swollen, I have taken it off and put it on my nightstand, but thats on a rare occasion. I looked there. Not there. I looked on the floor by my nightstand. Not there. I looked under my pillows and covers. Not there. I looked under the bed. Not there. By this time I had woken D up and he reassured me we'd find them. I took a deep breath and headed to the gym hoping some cardio would refresh my memory.

I spent some time on the bike and then on the elliptical. I finished my workout by doing some strength via weight machines. All the while, I was praying for total recall of what I did with my ring and that I would find it. The last machine I sat down at had sweat on the handles so I went and got a paper towel to dry it off. No joke, I sat back down on the machine and there was my ring on the floor right beside me! It was seriously as if it had appeared out of no where! I had to do a double take. At first, I looked around wondering if someone else had lost a ring. I picked it up and sure enough it was my ring (dirty and all) and fit perfectly as before. Again, I looked around blown away that the ring I lost at home appeared right by my machine at the gym.

The only thing I can think is maybe my ring was stuck in my tank top somehow and fell out at that last machine.Let's remember I walked around my house like a mad woman, got in my car in the garage, parked and walked into the gym, walked to the far side of the gym, used 2 cardio machines, and 3 different strength machines. Crazy!

I went from devastation to elation! My ring is back securely on my finger now and I haven't stopped saying Thank You Jesus!

My running story

I don't know that I have ever shared my story on how I began running. Really one bone chilling statement sums it up.

I was fat.

Growing up I always felt very average weight wise. I def had pudgy phases, but overall average. I was never in love with my figure, but it worked for me. When I started college the weight gaining started... not a whole lot but a little at a time. Before I knew it, d and I were engaged and I was looking at numbers close to 160 on my scale.

I didn't feel fat, but I was definitely chunkier for my build than necessary. With a ring on my finger and a wedding day approaching I knew I wanted to lose weight.

Enter the L.G.N. diet. (look good naked) I "tried" working out... tried isn't really accurate when my couch is more fun than the elliptical. I tried watching what I ate... yea right. I like food way too much. Then I heard about a magical pill called phentrimine.

It was the greatest thing every invented. I paid $25 to cordova medical clinic and then $14 for the pills. I dropped 30lbs starting in November and then got married in May. I was the smallest I had ever been. I could eat what I wanted, not exercise, and the pounds still melted away! I had more energy then ever in my life! It was fantastic. And I even wore a bikini on my honeymoon!

But like you know once you get married you can pretty much guarantee weight gain. I had stopped taking the pills and little by little the weight came back. 3 years of wedded bliss began to really show on my butt. I was uncomfortable, my clothes didn't fit right... it was time to make a change. I didn't want to do the pills again b/c the price went way up, they gave me so much energy my heart was racing all the time, and I wanted to do something healthy and active.

 A fiend of mine was looking to lose weight too so she said let's do the couch potato to 5k training. I seriously laughed at her and proclaimed, "I am not a runner." But b/c I wanted to lose weight and this training program seemed easy, I thought I'd give it a try.

Easy my foot! The first part is run for 1 minute- walk 2 minutes. I couldn't even run 1 minute! I thought I was going to die! My friend, Stephanie, continued to encourage me and before I knew it I was running in my first 5k: Bellevue's Hope for Haiti. The first 2 miles were no problem. I really began to feel it on the last one... and wasn't sure I could finish it running but I was determined. I was quoting ever scripture I could think of... yes I was so desperate even "Jesus wept"came out! When I crossed that finish line, that was one of the most rewarding, satisfying feelings ever. I worked hard for this goal and completed it. I didn't quit. I did it.

 That's when my love for running began.

My friend Stephanie moved to olive branch so we weren't able to run anymore together, but she def gets credit for pushing me out of my comfort zone and introducing me to this sport I love so much.  I found other friends (mainly Allie these days) who enjoyed running also. Last fall I was running with my friend, Amanda. She was training for the St. Jude marathon. I def credit her for encouraging me to up my mileage. Now I run 4-5 times a week, do races throughout the year, the running club July-Sept, and am currently training for the St. Jude half.

Running has been such a huge part of my life the last couple of years. It helps relieve stress, keeps your heart and lungs healthy and helps maintain a better figure. Weight Watchers helped me drop the 20+ lbs that needed to be dropped, but running has helped keep them off and tone my legs.

I'm no where near where I want to be, but I've come so much further than I ever imagined. Even D was shocked that I kept this up. After running my first 6 miler a year ago... I think I gained quite the respect from him in my running efforts.

Though I have and continually work my butt off, I realize its not my own glory/strength that pushes me through. I realize I am so unworthy and inadequate but for whatever reason God has chosen to use this sport in my life for more reasons than I'll ever know.

*"All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time!"
Jude 1:25* 

And that's my running story. The end.

Revival

As our church prepares for the Fayette County revival next week, it has brought up much talk  in our church obviously but especially between d and I. What is real revival? Is it something we can do or is it simply supernatural?

I looked up the official definition of revival online and its defined as:

1. An improvement in the condition or strength of something: "an economic revival".
2. An instance of something becoming popular, active, or important again.

 The world clearly defines it as something renewed.

I feel like many times we miss the boat on what true revival is. Many talk about wanting an "old fashion revival." What is that? What does it look like? People crying and running up and down the aisles? To me it sounds like we are putting the pressure on ourselves to bring about this revival. We must repent, we must make amends with others, we must be ready.... but when did it become about us? What about the lost that happen to show up to these events and God miraculously turns their worlds upside down? They didn't come in clean and prayed up. Yet God moved and dramatically changed their lives.

I definitely think we need to pray for revival, but revival shouldn't be an event we attend but lifestyle brought about by the miraculous workings of God in our lives.

 Love this...

Many Christians world wide are praying for Spiritual Revival to sweep across our globe. Some are seeing incredible revivals in their areas, such as parts of Africa, South America, Asia and Oceania.

-----But what does it take to experience revival where you are? First and foremost, Spiritual Revivals are not the work of human hands. Despite the advances in technology and media, man made programs do not generate nor guarantee Spiritual Revivals. They are the product of the Sovereign Work of God, but it is a Work that is done in response to the devotion of even one godly man or woman.

(http://www.biblestudycd.com/Spiritual%20Revival/Revival.html)  

 ( I know nothing about this site other than this little bit that I read.)

This is definitely an interesting topic. What are your thoughts on revival?

Hello 2012-2013 School Year

School is back in full swing. I do miss my days of laziness but there's something about a routine that works best for me. I have 11 sweet new faces and 11 very sweet, supportive, helpful mommas who are already spoiling me. I'm really ok with that though. :)

I talked awhile back about some ideas I got from my conference that I went to. Some were new ideas and some were inspiration to spice up what I already had. Here's some pics from my classroom.

Big bulletin board... make into three smaller ones.

my desk during nap time

not ready (pencils), lost and found (crayons, glue.. whatever), ready to use (pencils)

line up time made much easier and cuter

Whole board

Close up on letters with straight pins for 3D effect

Window/center station during nap time

I'm looking forward to a great school year! And my suspicions are confirmed with all 11 of my kiddos snoozing it up right now.

Back Home

4 months ago we never would have imagined God would call us right back to where we were. It still is crazy to us, but we are so thankful for what He did in us these past few months through FBC Millington. The relationships that were built, messages taught, encouragement given, and not to mention how it strengthened our marriage. I am so thankful to have been on this journey with D. Never have I loved or respected him more. What a sweet 4 months its been.

Everything God has been doing in us we feel led up to this past Sunday. The beginning of a new chapter: associate pastor. To walk in and smell the familiar smells, see the familiar rooms, hug the familiar faces... and there was such sweet peace.
 
He preached a hard message on unity. Boy did it step on toes... mine. Such a timley message that we all need to hear and practice. My notes do not even do it justice!

Phil. 2:1-11- Unity

How can we be light in a dark world when we can't even get along with fellow believers?

We must:
 *Recognize the motive for unity (Jesus' love)- vs. 1-2- (My translation of these verses say  "if" you have encouragement, comfort from love, etc. In the Greek, the work "if" is translated as "since.)
-since we have encouragement in Christ
-since we have comfort from love
-since we have fellowship
-since we have compassion/mercy

We have these things because of Christ and his great love for us. We have no excuse.

We must:
*Practice the method of unity vs. 2-4
- like minded- Christ focused Col. 3:2
-humble ourselves

We must:
*Follow the Model of unity vs. 5-11
-Jesus is our ultimate example (humility, sacrifice)

Even in a disagreement our response should not be about us but all about Jesus and how he can be glorified. Who cares what color the carpet is, or who is chair of that committee... though these things are important and necessary decisions.... in reality they're aren't worth causing division over. We must get over the It's all about me mentality and take on It's all about Jesus. If we do so, it will change our marriages, families, churches, and communities for the better.

It was a sweet, sweet Sunday and boy did it feel good to be home again.

Consider it a great joy

I am a huge Beth Moore fan. Through the years of following Beth, I've also come to respect her daughters. I read this on her daughter Amanda's blog and couldn't help but be overcome with emotion because it is exactly what we've been going through as well.

"I can't stop thinking about a video clip I saw of Michael Phelps' swim coach last night while I watched the Summer Olympics. Bob Bowman said he had purposely created chaos and caused many things to go wrong on competition days through the years so that Michael would be prepared to handle anything. He said he'd stepped on Phelps' goggles right before a race so that they'd fill with water. (Phelps went on to win a gold medal in Beijing with goggles filled with water.)  He'd even hidden his goggles before. He'd also caused them to get a late start to a competition so that Phelps would feel frazzled by the time they got there. Bowman had made Phelps miserable at times so that he would become steadfast and unshakable. This obviously bore good fruit, seeing as how Michael Phelps won his 19th Olympic medal last night and officially became the greatest Olympian of all time.

Curtis and I have definitely had some curve balls thrown our way this year. Some of them have been directly related to our church and others have been more personal. The hardest ones have been a combination of both. There have been times when I've thought, "Lord, what is going on here? Why are such weird things happening to us all the time?" Please trust me when I say that some of these things have been weird. I've always had a weird life but a few of these situations have been BEYOND. God has repeatedly reminded me of the words in 1 Peter 4:12, which says, "Dear friends, don't be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you." 

When I saw the interview with Bob Bowman I was deeply affected by it. It was obvious that Phelps' coach, who loved him and had his ultimate good in mind, had done him a huge favor by allowing him to go through all sorts of crazy trials. In that moment I thought of the most recent things we've gone through and I felt God's love for us. It was an incredible reminder that our Father is purposeful and loving when He plots our course. The minor irritations and the major tribulations are given to us - for us - to help us finish (and win!) our races.  

"Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing," (James 1:2-4)."

 

 

I would def say the last few months God has made 1 Peter 4:12 a life verse for D and I: "Dear friends, don't be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you."

Surprised... fiery ordeal... test... as if something unusual was happening... yes, yes, and yes... all of which is how we've felt. But thank you Jesus it was not done in vain. It was done purposefully and lovingly... for our benefit and for His glory.

"...and lean not on your own understanding..."

"... and lean not on your own understanding." These words come from one of my favorite verses found in scripture. They have never rang more true than in our lives these last few months.

God called us to FBC Millington when we weren't looking to leave Hickory Withe. We assumed d's next job would be a pastoring one, yet God said Go so we obeyed. We didn't understand what He was doing or why, but soon learned we don't have to.

Our transition to Millington was hard because we so loved the people of Hickory Withe. The job was an ideal one: great student ministry, great students, great adult leaders and staff, and a very supportive church... yet God was up to something. We questioned God and His plan. Knowing for certain He called us there, yet we couldn't seem to shake the feeling that He wasn't through moving in us.

Crazy circumstance after another, God began to reveal to D that he was to pursue pastoring. We fought it because God had just brought us to Millington, how could He be calling us to something else?!

One particular conversation he had with his worship leader intern, Bobby, was the defining moment. Bobby has a genuine passion and love for not only leading in worship, but for preaching. He loves what he does, but really feels like God is calling him to be a pastor. D encouraged him that these feelings weren't selfish but that it clearly sounded like God was moving in his life. He encouraged him that God had given him these desires and passions and how we will never be fully satisfied until we surrender to what God has called us to. It was in that moment that God showed D he was to listen to his own advice.

The feeling of unsatisfaction had nothing to do with the job, or the church, both are great, but his feelings came from the desires and passions that God had given him that he wasn't pursuing. We truly believe it took being in an ideal youth minister position for God to reveal these truths. He used FBC Millington: the pastor , several leaders, students, and then Bobby... to really make this clear. There was also tons of prayer, counsel from Godly men, and lots of scripture to confirm he was to pursue pastoring.

Meanwhile, Hickory Withe was still without a youth and recreation minister. One guy was hired and resigned his first day. We were shocked. And we didn't understand. Thankfully Bro. Eddie (pastor at HW) and D had a great relationship and kept in touch. This was how we found out about the other guy resigning on his first day. Bro. Eddie was also one of the men that D sought counsel from. After D shared what God had been doing, he also shared his desire to be trained, mentored, have preaching opportunities, etc. before God called him to pastor his own church. Bro. Eddie presented him with the opportunity to come back as the associate pastor. Because that guy had resigned his first day, it left a staff position open. They created this new position for D. He will be the associate pastor who will also be over several ministries. He will have scheduled preaching opportunities every month and the freedom to travel and preach. He will also be involved in the inner workings of the church (deacons meetings, business meetings, etc.) as well as accompany Bro. Eddie to hospital visits, funerals, etc.

Let me back up and say though.... even with this amazing opportunity to be trained, we still weren't confident that was what God was calling us to. It was def. enticing, but we wanted to make sure this was God's doing and not our own. We prayed and prayed and prayed some more. We read and read and read some more. We talked with our families and sought godly counsel. And found God clearly was directing us back to Hickory Withe.

We secretly met with the HW personnel committee without anyone at HW knowing. They were in favor of us continuing in this process so we set up a time to come in view of a call. Sunday, July 22 was the day. We were actually on a family vaca and drove back that morning to be at their service at 10:15. We had no idea how people would respond. Here's a glimpse:

I think they were in favor. :)

One of our friends found out that we were the secret couple coming and took pictures. We were overwhelmed by the love and support of this church. We shared our story with them and they voted us in this past Sunday, July 29. Which meant we had to do the hard stuff again... telling people goodbye. I hate to disappoint people so I dreaded this, but was confident in what God was doing. All I can say was there was peace. D did a fantastic job communicating to the congregation of Millington about our crazy journey. We were blown away by Millington's encouragement and support as well. I'm sure people talk and have negative things to say about us. We understand that people don't and won't understand b/c we don't either! But we trust the One who does.

Our first Sunday back at HW will be August 12th. We are sad to say goodbye to some awesome people, but are so excited to be doing what God has called us to do. We are so humbled that for whatever reason, He chooses to continue to work in us and use us. We are so unworthy, but so thankful for His goodness and faithfulness to us.