Quotes that Inspired me Today....
<3
Monday, August 29, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Holy Moly...this is for real
Flights are booked, contract is signed, I'm flying to Ethiopia on September 23rd.
If you would have asked me 2 months ago where I thought I would be now, it would be in a classroom, preparing for my 20+students to come in on their first day. Maybe 3rd or 4th grade?! I was applying for places like the Twin Cities, Madison, Denver, and Arizona. I felt "open" to where I was going to teach, but I never really thought it was going to be abroad. I made a decision to do this in 2 days, don't get me wrong, I don't regret it...but it's sinking in that this is the real deal.
My continued prayer through out this summer was, "Lord, send me where you want me to do your work. Open a door, and I will go..." I just wanted to be put somewhere, with an opportunity that would make me grow as an educator and more importantly enable me to work for something larger than myself. For some, that may be just humanity, for me it's God. This opportunity with IFESH is DEFINITELY in line with my heart, just not what I thought was going to be in store.
Now, it's just a matter of adjusting and getting ready. I can do this, I'm excited to do this and I know the Lord has amazing things in store through this experience. That definitely does not mean that I'm not scared or anxious about it. If you're a person of faith, prayers are always appreciated.
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear"
If you would have asked me 2 months ago where I thought I would be now, it would be in a classroom, preparing for my 20+students to come in on their first day. Maybe 3rd or 4th grade?! I was applying for places like the Twin Cities, Madison, Denver, and Arizona. I felt "open" to where I was going to teach, but I never really thought it was going to be abroad. I made a decision to do this in 2 days, don't get me wrong, I don't regret it...but it's sinking in that this is the real deal.
My continued prayer through out this summer was, "Lord, send me where you want me to do your work. Open a door, and I will go..." I just wanted to be put somewhere, with an opportunity that would make me grow as an educator and more importantly enable me to work for something larger than myself. For some, that may be just humanity, for me it's God. This opportunity with IFESH is DEFINITELY in line with my heart, just not what I thought was going to be in store.
Now, it's just a matter of adjusting and getting ready. I can do this, I'm excited to do this and I know the Lord has amazing things in store through this experience. That definitely does not mean that I'm not scared or anxious about it. If you're a person of faith, prayers are always appreciated.
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear"
<3
Saturday, August 20, 2011
To New Adventures
Last Friday after dropping of resumes at elementary schools, discussing life and possibilities with a close friend of mine, feeling discouraged about finding a teaching position, I sat upstairs with my puppy Lucy on my lap and browsed through St.Cloud Ed Post. The past 2 months I've checked Ed Post at least 5 times a day, and have applied for legitimately COUNTLESS positions...easily over 100. Well, one in particular looked interesting on Friday, so I clicked on a link that said, "VOLUNTEER NEEDED in AFRICA"...
There was a number on the link, and so I decided to call for more information, what the heck did I have to lose, right? I was connected on the phone to a sweet old man, who is a retired Superintendent from a school district outside of St.Cloud. After he retired, he started to volunteer with an organization called IFESH, International Foundation of Education and Self-Help. He did a 17 month stint with his lovely wife in Namibia and now that he is not in Africa, he works to recruit volunteers. After a 30 minute phone conversation, he told me that he wanted to get this process moving and he really felt that I could be great for the position. Since he was taking his wife to a baseball game on Saturday which he informed me, he asked if I would meet him in Monticello 2 hours later. Soooo...I said yes! The phone conversation started at 2:30, and I was meeting him and his wife at 4:30. Talk about an open door.
After our meeting, he spoke with the head of the organization and I spoke with the head of the org on Monday, then was offered the position on Tuesday. Two days later, I accepted the position. And now, I'm heading to Ethiopia on September 24th for 10 months to train teachers how to teach English, work with women and HIV/AIDS awareness and work with other NGO and peace corp volunteers. Holy moly, God is good.
The interesting thing, on Monday when I was called, I was also called from Rochester Public Schools, an Anoka Hennepin school, and an AmericCorp position all for interviews. I wasn't offered the Anoka Hennepin position, but was offered a supplemental program position in the school which is exactly what I would have needed to get my foot in the door. The interview was on Wednesday, I had a phone interview with Rochester on Thursday but then cancelled my face-to-face interview with Rochester which was scheduled for Friday.
Ethiopia is where I want to go, I want to be pushed, I want to grow, I trust that this is what the Lord has planned for me. Haiti prepared me for Tanzania, and Tanzania has prepared me for this adventure by myself. This has been one of the most insane weeks of my life but I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I've never felt legitimately called by the Lord, and there is no doubt in my mind that this door was opened by His doing, and I just have to trust. It was fast, it was spontaneous...2 ways I do NOT make decisions typically, but this time I think it turned out pretty dang well.
There was a number on the link, and so I decided to call for more information, what the heck did I have to lose, right? I was connected on the phone to a sweet old man, who is a retired Superintendent from a school district outside of St.Cloud. After he retired, he started to volunteer with an organization called IFESH, International Foundation of Education and Self-Help. He did a 17 month stint with his lovely wife in Namibia and now that he is not in Africa, he works to recruit volunteers. After a 30 minute phone conversation, he told me that he wanted to get this process moving and he really felt that I could be great for the position. Since he was taking his wife to a baseball game on Saturday which he informed me, he asked if I would meet him in Monticello 2 hours later. Soooo...I said yes! The phone conversation started at 2:30, and I was meeting him and his wife at 4:30. Talk about an open door.
After our meeting, he spoke with the head of the organization and I spoke with the head of the org on Monday, then was offered the position on Tuesday. Two days later, I accepted the position. And now, I'm heading to Ethiopia on September 24th for 10 months to train teachers how to teach English, work with women and HIV/AIDS awareness and work with other NGO and peace corp volunteers. Holy moly, God is good.
The interesting thing, on Monday when I was called, I was also called from Rochester Public Schools, an Anoka Hennepin school, and an AmericCorp position all for interviews. I wasn't offered the Anoka Hennepin position, but was offered a supplemental program position in the school which is exactly what I would have needed to get my foot in the door. The interview was on Wednesday, I had a phone interview with Rochester on Thursday but then cancelled my face-to-face interview with Rochester which was scheduled for Friday.
Ethiopia is where I want to go, I want to be pushed, I want to grow, I trust that this is what the Lord has planned for me. Haiti prepared me for Tanzania, and Tanzania has prepared me for this adventure by myself. This has been one of the most insane weeks of my life but I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I've never felt legitimately called by the Lord, and there is no doubt in my mind that this door was opened by His doing, and I just have to trust. It was fast, it was spontaneous...2 ways I do NOT make decisions typically, but this time I think it turned out pretty dang well.
SO! Ethiopia here I come. Let the countdown begin.
<3
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Happy Birthday Madre :)
My lovely mother's birthday today :) I'm so lucky to have a mom in my life who loves me as much as she does and is by my side through whatever comes my way. When I'm not living at home, we talk quite often and now back in the basement I don't take advantage of her living here as often as I should. Regardless, I know that she is always there if I need her and has helped shape me into who I am. I look up to her, aspire to be like her as a mother and love her to the moon and back. Happy birthday Mom! :)
A picture of us in Monterey when we road tripped out there to drop me off at school in San Jose. It was windy, so we're a little squinty :)
Thankful today for..
1. My mom :)
2. Spending time with quality people.
3. Sundays that I can have coffee dates and relax
4. Aveda hair products and Aveda candles that smell like heaven
5. Organic brown eggs, because they taste so much better than the white ones.
<3
Friday, August 5, 2011
Gratitude.
Not going to lie- this transition from college into the real world has been a tough one for me. Lots of uncertainty, too many rejection letters, so many job applications, living back at home.. etc, etc..
SO...instead of complaining and having a pity party about the fact that I'm not exactly where I want to be, I'm going to try to look at things in a more positive way. Someone gave me the idea of making a gratitude journal. And I think it's a brilliant idea. 5 Things a Day that I'm Grateful for. I love it. Helps keep it in perspective, and a reminder that I have so much in my life to be thankful for. When I stop, look around I am so abundandtly blessed with big and little things in my life, and I love the idea of giving them a little recognition.
Sooo... DAY 1of my Gratitide Journal
1. Fridays off work...seriously, they are my sanity.
2. Coffee from Tanzania. Burka Plantation (one of my student's families owned it) Best coffee ever...even better when mom made it for me this morning :)
3. Working at a salon where I can paint my nails. It's really my new found hobby. Not sure what's going to happen when I'm done working in a few weeks..
4. Cream of Wheat. Delicious, and nutritious.
5. Pinterest. Have yet to make an actual "board" but I search it enough where I think it's about time.
That's all for now. Lunch time with the parents now, then they're heading out to Fargo for the weekend. House to myself with the pups. :)
Happy Friday my friends
<3
SO...instead of complaining and having a pity party about the fact that I'm not exactly where I want to be, I'm going to try to look at things in a more positive way. Someone gave me the idea of making a gratitude journal. And I think it's a brilliant idea. 5 Things a Day that I'm Grateful for. I love it. Helps keep it in perspective, and a reminder that I have so much in my life to be thankful for. When I stop, look around I am so abundandtly blessed with big and little things in my life, and I love the idea of giving them a little recognition.
Sooo... DAY 1of my Gratitide Journal
1. Fridays off work...seriously, they are my sanity.
2. Coffee from Tanzania. Burka Plantation (one of my student's families owned it) Best coffee ever...even better when mom made it for me this morning :)
3. Working at a salon where I can paint my nails. It's really my new found hobby. Not sure what's going to happen when I'm done working in a few weeks..
4. Cream of Wheat. Delicious, and nutritious.
5. Pinterest. Have yet to make an actual "board" but I search it enough where I think it's about time.
That's all for now. Lunch time with the parents now, then they're heading out to Fargo for the weekend. House to myself with the pups. :)
Happy Friday my friends
<3
Friday, July 22, 2011
Rooted in Love
I sat at Caribou today for a few hours doing job applications and writing e-mails to contacts and principals to try to be a little "smarter" about this job search. I messaged a friend I used to work with at Park and Rec who I've re-connected with recently, and works in a school I'm applying at. She is a woman of faith, which is evident through her spirit and energy. I asked about the church she attends (since I'm currently "church shopping") and asked her to keep my job search in her prayers. She lovingly accepted my request, and told me to check out the verse Ephesians 3: 20 and shared it's been a verse that has helped her get through some rough times. I tell ya...exactly the verse I needed to hear today. I also am in love with etsy.com, and came across this quote which fits well for the theme of the day ;)
Trust. Apply. Pray. Repeat. (This should be my new mantra ;) ) T.A.P...haha, I just made myself laugh a lot there..I love me some acronyms.
Ephesians 3: 16-20 "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints the grasp how wise and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."
My heart is much more peaceful after reading through those verses. Exactly what I needed to hear today...especially after applying for so many jobs today. Woof.
On a lighter note- highlights from today: Great workout, catch up session with Alex, free cold press coffee at Caribou, homemade pad thai adventure with Alissa AND ice cream date at a new place in Anoka :)
Good things to come: Trampled by Turtles concert tomorrow night, new nail color at work, run in the am, new church to check out on Sunday, and farmers market time!
Have a wonderful weekend!
<3
Sunday, July 10, 2011
10 Great things about This weekend.
In no particular order....
1. Facial and serious haircut on Friday (the hairs of chopped off..and i love it)
2. Harry Potter Weekend...ALL weekend :) (getting ready for #7 next week)
3. Breakfast with Alex on Friday...so good to catch up.
4. New nail polish color at work. Every day is a new color for me when I work, I'm really productive :)
5. Quality time with Bekah. Including a trip to the Farmer's Market in the city where I got nectarines, blueberries, snap peas, organic hamburger, green pepper, onion, tomatoes, mushrooms, mangos AND flowers for myself ! (all for 17$...Steal of a Deal).
6. Fresh sheets (if you didn't know, one of my favorite things in the whole world)
7. Yoga on Sunday morning
8. Homemade Cauliflower Mac n' cheese made with the Gillard kids and Mary and homemade roasted red pepper hummus ready for the week!
1. Facial and serious haircut on Friday (the hairs of chopped off..and i love it)
2. Harry Potter Weekend...ALL weekend :) (getting ready for #7 next week)
3. Breakfast with Alex on Friday...so good to catch up.
4. New nail polish color at work. Every day is a new color for me when I work, I'm really productive :)
5. Quality time with Bekah. Including a trip to the Farmer's Market in the city where I got nectarines, blueberries, snap peas, organic hamburger, green pepper, onion, tomatoes, mushrooms, mangos AND flowers for myself ! (all for 17$...Steal of a Deal).
6. Fresh sheets (if you didn't know, one of my favorite things in the whole world)
7. Yoga on Sunday morning
8. Homemade Cauliflower Mac n' cheese made with the Gillard kids and Mary and homemade roasted red pepper hummus ready for the week!
9. New mustard, over the shoulder purse from Target purchased for under 20$
10. A growler, yes GROWLER of cold press coffee from Dunn Brothers that Bekah bought, I'm on my way after this to make a purchase of one for myself. Cold Press at home? Yes please.
Great weekend if I do say so myself :) Here's a few pictures of the market, my new purse and of course, the growler of cold press coffeee...
Happy Sunday :)
<3
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