Graduation and Christmas!

I am now an ODU alumnus (well I will "officially" be one when all the processing goes through in the next few weeks). Graduation was a fun (although cold) day, and it was really neat to be participating in a college graduation! In January I will begin the Masters program for Elementary Education, and, if all goes as planned, I will graduate with my Masters degree about a year from now!

This Christmas was an especially exciting one for us because we got our very first Christmas tree! It is a Fraser Fir and smelled so nice when we brought it in and opened it up in the living room

Christmas came and went much to fast for me. It is hard to believe that it came and is gone already! It was a nice time, however, spent with family and a beautiful Christmas Eve service at Sovereign Grace Church. This is also the last week of 2011! I wonder about all the plans God has in store for me in 2012.

Two Weeks

There is just a little over two weeks until graduation! While I am excited, there is SO much that I have to get done before then; 3 exams, a classroom management philosophy paper, a presentation (I already wrote it, just have to present it now), a geometry project, and several little two page papers. And this is just the school stuff!

I am excited to graduate, but it hasn't really hit me yet. Maybe it has at least partially to do with the fact that I won't be "done."  I plan on starting the graduate program for a Masters in Elementary Education in January. I should finish that in about a year after a semester and a summer of full-time classes (4 each) and a semester for student teaching.

Practicum

After a long wait, I was finally placed in my practicum! I have to spend a total of 70 hours in an elementary classroom before the end of the semester (35 in a Pk-3, and 35 in a 4-6). Right now I am in a 3rd grade classroom. I am really enjoying it, and I definitely have some funny and cute quotes from the kids. The hours have added a lot to my schedule though, and I have been pretty exhausted. Thankfully I do not have a whole lot of homework otherwise though, but projects will be coming up soon with the end of the semester approaching so I need to make sure I stay on top of things.

I am looking forward to the end of the semester, and having a break as well as Christmas! I plan on starting the graduate program in January, and I am a bit nervous about that.

The Gate

“I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.  The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep.  The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.  But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

John 10:1-10

I'm back!

I decided to start writing here again (not sure how many see it, but oh well lol). Anyway, things are going well for me. I'm finishing up my last semester of undergrad, and it's so hard to believe that I will be graduating in December! I have been accepted into the graduate program and plan to start that in January.

Pictures from Kait and Drew's Wedding

For more wedding pics click here

Photos taken by Melanie Wasko Photography & Amy Bare Photography
They are both really awesome photographers and you should use them next time you need a photographer! Click on their names to go to their website or find them on facebook!

Richards/Martin Wedding

Kaitlin and Drew's wedding was gorgeous and SO much fun! All of the bridesmaids and Kaitlin showed up early and Jacqueline, Rachael, and Chelsea were there to assist us with hair and makeup (Charity did Kait and Kara's makeup and their hair was done at the salon). Kaitlin was an absolutely GORGEOUS bride!

The ceremony itself was fun. It was so neat to get that perspective; it's the first time I've been in a wedding. There were pictures both before and after the ceremony. The reception was also really fun and then we sent the Martins off in a limo to their honeymoon! 

Shortly after the got back, I was able to meet them for dinner along with Alexandra and Aaron. It was so fun to see the newly married couple. They both seem so happy.

Congratulations Kaitlin and Drew Martin!

:D

Twenty-Two

Last Wednesday was my 22nd birthday! :D I had a great birthday which even stretched out to cover several days. Because Wednesday contained basketball practice for Philip, care group for Alexandra and I, and ladies meeting for my mom, we weren't able to celebrate as a family that night. However I received MANY birthday wishes from family and friends, and someone brought a cake to care group and they all sang to me :). Thursday evening I celebrated with my family with cake and gifts; Friday I celebrated by going out to dinner (Olive Garden) with a bunch of friends from care group as well as Laura.

Today at church they announced that they are doing an E-team to Rancho 3M this May! I really want to go, and I seriously thinking and praying about it. I've been wanting to go back there. In addition, I had been thinking it would be great to do a missions trip this summer, but up till now had not really found anything. I'm excited and hope it works out for me to go!

Kaitlin's wedding is THIS Saturday! I am SO excited for her and Drew, and so excited to get to be in there wedding. It still barely seems real to me that she will be married :D

Playing Catch Up

Well, I meant to update before now, but I guess I have to catch up now :). We had a great Christmas and New Years; Christmas was spent with my family and for New Years Alexandra and I went to the Richards' house. We were blessed with a HUGE snowfall starting Christmas evening that went throughout the whole next day ending up with over a FOOT of snow! They said this is the most snow we have had in a long time; it was a lot of fun to look at it, go for walks, and even play in it :).

School started about three weeks ago for me. I am taking two history classes (Va History and U.S. History from 1945-1991), Art Education, and an intro to Special Ed class that is talking about various aspects such as law and the various disabilities, etc. I am really enjoying my history classes; since they are more focused (one in location and the other in time period) we can spend more time learning some details about the various events that occurred rather than breezing by them to get to the next thing.

I'm DONE!

I survived the Fall 2010 semester! Christmas break officially arrived last Thursday, and it feels wonderful to not be working on homework, tests, etc. Everything has still been really busy, however. The Thursday that I got on break I went with some friends to see Narnia and went to Ihop afterwords. That weekend also included the Access Christmas party and Chara's graduation party both of which were very fun. Now Christmas is almost here; time is really flying. I hope I am ready to start school by the time it arrives; I feel like break just started! Next semester I am only taking four classes, but two of them are history classes so we will see how that goes.

CrAzInEsS!

I'm sitting here waiting for a class to start, and I thought I would update this poor, neglected blog. School has been keeping me extremely busy this semester; seems like a never-ending stream of papers, projects, tests, and reading. This is probably the most stressful semester so far. But, the good news is, it's almost over; in a few weeks, I will be done with the semester! I am so looking forward to Christmas break. It will still be busy (what with holiday plans and helping with things for Kaitlin's wedding), but at least it will be fun activities and not homework. In the next couple of semesters I only have to take four classes each semester so that will be a welcome relief.

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:28-31

Campus Crusade for Christ: Fall Retreat

Last weekend I went on a retreat with Campus Crusade for Christ; we went to Camp Piankatank. Many of the local colleges have Cru groups and there were people there from ODU, TCC, CNU, and W & M. I had a wonderful time! There was good teaching by Roy Baker and Brian Barnett as well as worship, women's group (the guys also had their own group meeting), hilarious games, and lots and lots of fellowship! The fellowship was probably one of the several highlights for me (the others including women's time, skit-in-a-bag, extended worship time, and my morning quite time by the river Sunday morning). The friendships that were built and the new friends that were made were amazing. I hope to keep in touch with many of my new friends! Here are some pictures from the weekend.

We had "Sm'ores Indoors" with this huge fireplace due to their being a ban on outdoor fires because of the dryness



Some favorite quotes from the weekend:

"What were you doing on the night of tonight?"

"Well it happened on a night!"

"Are you wounding?"

And of course Brian's rap! :)

Congratulations!!!

Kaitlin and Drew are engaged!!!!! Congratulations you two!

Kaitlin: I remember all the times of dreaming and thinking about getting engaged, planning a wedding, etc etc, and now it is finally here for you! It's no longer just dreaming about "one day", but you get to actually plan your wedding! ahhh! I'm looking forward to seeing how you plan this out, and to helping you plan that special day! P.S. Since you will have had wedding-planning experience by then you can help me when my turn comes. : )

Drew: I can't think of anyone better to marry one of my best friends! I know you will take wonderful care of her, and love her your whole life. I'm glad that I have gotten the chance to get to know you and see your relationship with Kaitlin grow. I look forward to witnessing this next stage in your lives: Marriage! Wow!

First Week of Class

My first week back at ODU has gone very well! So far, the classes seem enjoyable and the professors seem really nice (though I am unsure about how I will like the TA for my physics lab). I think I am going to really enjoy my Short Story class. I love reading so what could be better than homework that I would actually enjoy doing on my own during free time! The homework for my PoliSci class seems like it might be annoying, but perhaps I will get used to doing it (we have to read 5 newspapers and listen to 5 newscasts per week and summarize the ones related to state and local government) this is in addition to other readings.

This week we also had a ladies' meeting for care group. We shared our trials, encouraged one another, and prayed for each other. It was a very refreshing night! Thank you Rebekah for your loving and faithful leadership of this group!

Farewell Summer

Well it is almost time to bid Summer farewell, in just three short days classes will start back up again! I am looking forward to it, but am a bit worried that it may be a heavy workload! haha. I am taking Teaching Math, Teaching Social Studies (those two have more complicated names, but that is basically what they are), Short Story (I'm looking forward to this one a lot), Physics, and State & Local Government (online).

This summer has been awesome; from Next (which you can read about a few posts below) to Busch Gardens and beach trips, to time just spent hanging out with friends, to bike riding in First Landing State Park with my family. All this and more filled my summer to the brim, not to mention I started my new job! Now, while I will be sad to lose a lot of free time, I am looking forward to classes, cooler weather, the fall colors, and more.

I will try to keep this blog updated, but due to the aforementioned "loss of free time" it may not be as often as I would like ;)

P.S. If you are reading this, could you leave a comment? It's fun for me to know who is reading, and what they think. Thanks!

Swing Dancing!

Saturday night I got to go swing dance! First there was a lesson led by my friends Karen and Andrew, then time for just dancing. This was not my first time, I have done both East Coast and Lindy Hop style swing dancing before. This was such a great time! I hope to be able to continue to do this, if you are interested let me know, and I can tell you when and where it meets. We could use some more people for sure!

Access in August

We had not had Access in a few months so I was very excited when I knew we would be meeting in August. This meeting was SO good! Eric spoke on Philippians 2: 12-13 which says "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." He focused on the part which says "it is God who works in you"; this went along well with the worship song we sang "the same power that conquered the grave lives in me, lives in me. Your love, that rescued the Earth, lives in me, lives in me." It is so encouraging to know that God Himself is at work in me to make me more and more like Christ!

Summer: Work, Aikido, OBX, etc

My summer is continuing to be a great one. I am enjoying not having the responsibilities that homework brings with it. My new job is going very well. I enjoy the people I work with, and the work, while not necessarily the most fun, still keeps me busy which I am glad for.

I am also really enjoying the Aikido class I signed up for at ODU. It is nice to keep up practice, fine tune some techniques, as well as learning some new ones. While I am excited for next semester, and the Aikido club hopefully staring up again, I am not looking forward to this class ending (I can't take it during the semester due to money and time constraints). There was a huge rainstorm tonight (or rather yesterday as it is past midnight now), and Norfolk flood. Thus the usual 20-30 minute drive home from ODU after class turned in to about two hours! Everywhere I tried to go was flooded; I drove through some water, but other spots were just to risky looking. Seemed like I was on an island! lol. I made it though, thankfully. :)

Alexandra and I had the opportunity to go with Kaitlin and her family to the OBX (Outer Banks)! We stayed in a beach house located in Duck, NC. Alexandra and I were there from Sunday afternoon until Monday night. It was a lot of fun. We swam in the pool, walked on the beach, stayed up late, saw the sunrise from the beach, went on a walk/run, took a nap (waking up at 5:45 to see the sunrise makes you sleepy lol), explored the town, and spent some more time at the beach (the water was FREEZING) and the pool. Monday evening we drove to Timbuck2 (lol) and explored the shopping area there. Thanks so much for inviting us! I still don't have a camera, but here are some pictures Kaitlin and Alexandra took.

I have also been doing various other summer activities such as Busch Gardens and the beach.

Read this book!

I am in the church book club that is reading "A Praying Life" by Paul Miller. It is a GREAT book; so very encouraging and applicable to daily life. I have even started to put into practice some of the things I am learning. I HIGHLY reccomend this book! Here are just some of my favorite quotes from the book:

"The criteria for coming to Jesus is weariness. Come overwhelmed with life. Come with your wandering mind. Come messy"

"How do we learn to talk with our Father? By asking like a child, believing like a child, and even playing like a child"

"Don't be embarrassed by how needy your heart is and how much it needs to cry out for grace. Just start praying"

"We become anxious when we take a godlike stance, occupying ourselves with things too great for us. We return to sanity by becoming like little children, resting on our mothers"

"When you stop trying to control your life and instead allow your anxieties and problems to bring you to God in prayer, you shift from worry to watching"

"Instead of fighting anxiety we can use it as a springboard to bending our hearts toward God"

"When you pray, your are touching the hopeful heart of God. When you know that, prayer becomes an adventure"

I will say it again; READ THIS BOOK! :D

Trusting in man vs.trusting in God

"Thus says the LORD:

Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.

BLESSED is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit"

Jeremiah 17:5-8

"The Saving One" by Starfield

The Saving One from Next Level Bergen on Vimeo.

Working

I have finished my first week at my new job! It feels good to be earning some money again, and the timing was great as I am on summer break and I didn't have to worry about getting time off for Next since I started right after. I worked about 14 hours this week. My main responsibilities are; confirming all the appointments for the next day (think around 100 plus phone calls lol). filing papers, pulling patients folders that will be used two days from then (they keep the next two days worth pulled), and filing back folders that the doctors and therapists are done using. Everyone I have met seems nice, and I think I will enjoy working with them.

Next 2010

This year's Next conference was amazing. I came home physically exhausted, but spiritually refreshed, and I am so glad that I was able to go. The time passed by all to quickly, and I am already looking forward to Next 2011 (which will be held in Orlando, FL)!

To get to Baltimore, I rode with Kaitlin, Drew, Liz, Chara, Alexandra, Jeremy, and Andrey. Eight people in eight seats plus luggage made for a slightly tight, but very fun ride. There was lots of laughter in our car especially on the way home when I think the exhaustion made us all a little extra goofy :). I have so many good memories from this drive.

Worship at Next has always been a highlight for me, and this year was no exception. It is so wonderful to praise God with thousands (I heard around 2,500!) of other Christians. I loved how the songs we sang were related to what we were learning in the sermons that day. I loved having the choir that sang with the worship team during one of the sessions. It was also neat to have, during another session, a string band (which Jessi and Jenni participated in) joining.

The teaching that we sat under for several hours each day was also amazing. Here is a brief summary of what was taught.

Friday: Josh Harris spoke on doctrine, and the need to have the right foundation. He said that we need to make sure that our lives match what we say we believe about God, as well as making sure that our doctrine is correct. "We are not here just to learn facts, but truth and meaning." We need to be doers of the Word, and not just hearers- James 1:22

Saturday AM: Mark Dever spoke on "Christ's Work Accomplished and Applied." He spoke about Christ's work on the cross to save us, and he also spoke on our need to follow His example. We need to follow His example in what Christ didn't do as well as in what He did; when Christ was persecuted He did NOT retaliate or threaten, he DID trust God with Himself as well as with His persecutors and the entire outcome. "out answer to being unjustly treated should be to deeply trust God."

Saturday afternoon: Kevin Deyoung spoke on the Bible. He said the first reason that we should trust the Bible is because that "the Spirit testifies to us that this is the Word of God" "We HAVE to start with God" and we cannot use "fallen human reasoning" as a starting point for proving the Bible. It is reasonable to trust the Bible as well, there is more proof for its validity than for many other historic manuscripts. We need to believe what the Bible says, and it is possible for us to understand it. "God gave us His Word, and God wants to be known", "The main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things." He also encouraged us to read the Bible frequently as well as to "approach the Bible with the same reverence we would Christ" We also need to spread His Word to to others.

Saturday PM: C.J. Mahaney gave a sermon on sanctification. He reminded us of the difference between Justification ("being declared righteous), and Sanctification ("being made righteous"). We do not have any part in sanctification, but we do play a part in sanctification, it is active not effortless. We are not, however, self-sufficient in this, God is working in us; "our part is only possible because of God's part and we cannot play our part without His power" this power is the same that raised Christ from the dead! "Apart from His work for you [on the cross] there would be no work in you." A struggle against sin is a good sign because before you were saved there was no struggle, you simply just gave in.

Sunday AM: D.A. Carson gave a message on "The Doctrine of God." He noted while describing that God is all-knowing that He even knows what would have happened in different circumstances. He also says that our response to God's revelation of Himself should be unqualified submission.

Sunday PM: Kevin DeYoung gave a message on the Church. He taught that although the Church has its faults, the Church is still Jesus's bride and we should not tolerate insults on Jesus's bride although she may be very ugly at times. We also need to have the right expectations of the Church. He also said "we need fewer revolutionaries and more plodding visionaries" we should not "despise the day of small things" but rather "get on the right road and keep going." We need to attend, pay attention, serve, and love the Church. It takes humility to be a plodding visionary, but "you can be a part of the crowd because God knows your name" and "in all the smallness and sameness God works like a small seed becoming a plant." He called this "a long obedience in the same direction." We should "not despise the days, and weeks, and years of small things"

Monday AM: Jeff Purswell gave a message on the end time. He said that the focus of studying the end times should be to remember that it is Jesus who is returning, and His return will be climactic and triumphant. God's justice is coming, He will make all things right."The purpose of eschatology is to provide hope and motivation for our daily lives now" It can encourage us because there is a certain future, and nothing can cause Christians ultimate harm. We get ready by: "You live your Christian life-rest in Him and live by His Word. Our thoughts when we think about Christ's return reveals how we view the world, what our heart is set on, and where our hope is. "Is Christ's return your blessed hope? Let us yearn for that day of His return"

The fun and fellowship with friends was also great. It was so much fun to spend all day with them worshiping, listening to sermons, eating, talking, etc. Next 2010 was so great, I really hope that I can attend Next 2011!

Job!

Well I know I thought that last post would be the last one before Next, but something has come up that I wanted to blog about. I got a job! Riverpoint Psychiatric Associates (where I interviewed at a while ago, and since I had not heard anything assumed they hired someone else) called me today and said I was hired! I will be working as an office clerk and start on Tuesday. I am so happy and grateful to God for this!

May

Wow, I can't believe it is almost June already! May has flown by! Next is finally almost here! I will blog about it afterwords. I am so excited, and hoping and praying that God does a wonderful work in each and every attendee.

I do not have a job yet despite the fact that I have been looking and have even had a few interviews! I am really hoping to get one soon especially since I am hoping to take an Aikido class this summer, and that costs money.

I just finished a great book that I would highly recommend. It is written by Andrew Murray and called "Abide in Christ." It is so encouraging and wonderful to read. The book increased my awareness of the incredible love God has for us and His longing for us to abide in Him! Best of all we cannot do this on our own, we must simply trust Him to do it in us!

Well this is probably my last post before Next, it you are reading this could you be praying for the conference and everyone attending? Also, I am sure there are people attending who are not yet saved, please pray for their salvation as well!

2010 Greek Festival!!!

Strength and Gentleness

"Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and His arm rules for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him

He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young"

Isaiah 40: 10-11

Zoo