Inspritation from Maya Angelou

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."

Let It Snow

Most memorable moments of snowpacolypse 2011! We loved being snowed in together and snuggling to keep warm... at least that's my personal favorite!

You Have a Voice

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." - Proverbs 31:8-9

To: those who struggle to speak and overcome. You are my inspiration and heroes.

New Every Morning

I am BLESSED because...
Of God's endless love, grace, and goodness.

I am THANKFUL that...
God captured my heart with His love.
I am married the man of my dreams, my best friend, Parker.
I have the greatest family and friends who make my world a better and brighter place.

My DREAM is to...
Live a life that is full of love for all people.
Always live in joy, peace, and victory {no matter the circumstances}.
Give to others in a way that is meaningful.
Love others more than myself.

A New Spin On New Years

I was telling Parker a few days ago that I really love New Years. To me New Years means new beginnings, fresh starts, time to rethink and recreate my plans and goals for my life now and in the future.

Most Americans love to make New Years resolutions. I use to be a die hard "resolutioner" and my promises of new behaviors almost always were associated with working out or not biting my nails. Parker and I actually just wrote in my journal a few days ago some “resolutions” for this year. Our focus is on a lifestyle change, a change of character, something we all should do aim to do everyday... to be more like Jesus. We are always on the Potter's wheel being broken and reshaped into a more beautiful image of Christ. It's a glorious process to be embraced with an joyful heart.

Resolutions to remember for 2011
~ Eat healthier.
~ Run my first half marathon! 3.20.11
~ Read my bible EVERYDAY.
~ Trust in God for everything daily!
~ Rest in God everyday in every circumstance.
~ Make no excuses for my actions that are immature or selfish.
~ Be at peace in God in the middle of the storms of life.
~ Spend more time with my family.
~ Love unconditionally, forgive like crazy, and have tons GRACE for myself and others around me.
~ Join a married couple community group with my hubby.

Prayer for 2011
God help me to honor you in all these goals this year. I open and welcome your plans for my life. In all things I surrender my life to you and offer it up as a living sacrifice of praise to you. Let it be pleasing!! No matter how I feel I will to pick up my cross and follow after you. Speak to me about your will and let me follow the lead of the Holy Spirit in my daily interactions, conversations, and being. Shine through me brightly! Thank you for giving me the best year of my life last year. I can't wait to see what you have in store this year. <3

Lessons My First Graders Taught Me

{My adorable class on pajama day! They earned this by filling up the marble jar with good behavior moments.}

At the end of this year I will have taught 1st grade consecutively for three years!

It has and hasn't felt like I've been working in the "real world" for 3 years.
In this time period I've moved 3 times, meet tons of new amazing friends, started to truly grow up {yay for wearing big girl pants}, started attending a new church, AND changed my name {my personal favorite}... but wait... I was just wearing that cap and gown. Oh, for the love of the journey!

As you can imagine I've had the honor of teaching some really adorable, hilarious, bright, fantastic 6 and 7 year olds. My students are my absolute heart- the reason I smile at my job more often than not. Truly they are like my own children. They have taught me just as much as I've taught them, they just don't know it! So here {lifting my glass} is to lessons taught to a 20 something first grade teacher by many 6 to 7 years olds. Cheers!

The Art of Asking For Help

Growing up I always felt like I was inferior and this dictated many of my actions. I needed to prove that I was not the lesser being. Admitting that I didn't know how to do something or even that I needed help felt painfully threatening. To me asking for help let others know that I was not equal to them and that they were better than me. I had to prove my worth and I was desperate to do so.

I'd like to tell you that this is how it was during my childhood years and I quickly outgrew this as an adult, but that's not the case. Thinking back to my college days at wonderful Emmanuel I remember so many moments when I didn't want to give anyone reason to think that I was anything but great at ALL things. The sad news is that I didn't view myself as good at really ANYTHING and so I felt the need to appear to be good at EVERYTHING. It wasn't until after college that I invited God to work on this issue for real. I had prayed about it in the past {mostly because I felt guilty and silly} but I hadn't truly surrendered it to him and put my "work boots" on yet.

Now I wear the work boots daily {I'd like to imagine them as pink with white polka dots, thank you very much}. I am learning to be more open about my weaknesses and strengths. I'm also truly forgiving myself and MOVING ON!!!!

The best part of asking for help is what you get... HELP! We weren't meant to walk this life alone and try to piece things to get on our own. I'm so thankful God is gracious with me and loves me when I don't do this well and I pray that he helps me to always walk in his way better each day.