Vacation?

So I decided to deactivate my facebook for a while. This is a huge deal for me because, quite honestly, I am way too "addicted" to facebook!

I just needed a break. Now that I'm back in school, I find myself using facebook as an excuse to not do schoolwork. It also walks a fine line of distracting me from time I could/should be spending with Parker and Trent. So... I'm on facebook vacation. Not sure how long. Hopefully my break there will help out my blogging frequency. I need to get back in to writing something other than a status anyway!!

So here's to one less distraction in life.... Let's see how long it lasts!

Starry Night

We heard this song while we were out on the boat on False River last weekend, and I think we've listened to it about 87 times since then! I love what it says...

Starry Night- Chris August

From the Birds that Sing, In the Tallest Trees.
To the Human Life, of you and me.
From the Desert Sands, to the place we stand.
He is God of All, He is Everything.

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only son, who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring, 'cause he is everything
'Cause he is everything

From the Autumn Leaves, that will ride the breeze
To the Faith it takes, to pray and sing
From the Painted sky, to my plank filled eye
He is God of all, He is everything

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun
On that Starry Night, He changed my life.
I'm giving it all to the only son who gave me hope when I had none.
So let the praises ring,
Ohhhh Let the Praises Ring

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only son, who was and is and yet to come
Let the Angels sing, that he is Heavenly

So let the Praises ring
'Cause he everything

So Long, Insecurity?

One of my favorite things about the summer is the fact that I get to attend our church's Stay-At-Home-Moms Bible study. The women who meet each week are as diverse as can be, and each one has a beautiful testimony of the Lord's faithfulness, unique gifts and talents they use in ministry, and not to mention, pretty cute kids! This summer's study is a journey through Beth Moore's So Long, Insecurity.

Let me start by telling you that the title of the book alone evoked much fear and hesitation in my heart at the beginning of the summer. The fact of the matter is-- I have insecurities. Some of them are extremely silly and could be considered "unfounded"... others come from very real hurts and struggles in my past. I was scared to even do this study because I often find myself "insufficient" in the Lord. Like, I don't read my Bible enough; I don't pray enough; I don't go out doing street evangelism or go on mission trips enough....

While this book has been challenging and eye opening, the Lord has really used this time to affirm in me that He has NOT given me a spirit of fear... He HAS given me everything I need for life and godliness... He rejoices over me with singing...

The lesson may be difficult, but His truths have been SO CLEAR. I am by no means at all "there" in being totally secure... but I am wholeheartedly embracing the Lord's truth in my life, and that has been so freeing. I cannot wait to see what He has in store for my heart and the women walking through this with me.

But as with anything in life, it seems that as the Lord does a great work in my heart.... the Enemy tests my faith. It has been wonderful to see God's hand at work in these trials and tests.... but whoever out there is praying for patience for me... you can stop now! Ha!

Show Us Your Life- Favorite Bible Verses

I've been reading Kelly's blog for a long time, and finally decided I'd participate in her Friday "Show Us Your Life".... this one is easy for me! Yet hard to narrow down!! Go to Kelly's blog to see other posts! :)

My favorite Bible verses RIGHT NOW....

"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." ~Psalm 84:10

*This verse has been a favorite since high school... because truly, better is one day with Him than a thousand without Him!

"The Lord your God is with you; He is mighty to save! He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing!" ~Zephaniah 3:7

*Even though I don't understand it, I totally love that MY God could be delighted in ME!

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." ~2 Peter 1:3

There are so many things about this verse.... HIS divine power... EVERYTHING we need... CALLED US by his own glory and goodness. Love it.

New Name?

I'm thinking of changing my blog name....

New name/new look/new post in the works...

Summer Reading

I just finished my first book of the summer, and it completely gripped my heart! I have been reading Angie Smith's blog "Bring the Rain" for quite some time, so I was very familiar with Audrey's story. But this book....I Will Carry You... Wow. I'm just speechless at Angie's willingness to let the Lord use her loss and heartache to speak truth about how He sustains. If you've never read her blog, link to it from the button on my sidebar and read back to hear her heart. It will be worth it!

FIVE years!!

Today officially ended my FIFTH year of teaching. It is SO hard to believe it has been this long already. Thinking back, my life has changed SO MUCH in those five years.

Year 1- English I and English IV Honors teacher at Zachary High. I got married that April, switching from Ms. Wilson to Mrs. Allen mid-way through the second semester. I was new, young, wide-eyed, and completely clueless. Katrina happened. I experienced MAJOR ups and downs with some great kids.

Year 2- English I and English IV-AP teacher at Zachary High. Also Senior Class Sponsor. I got pregnant that fall, and spent the year extremely crazy and hormonal. Ha. This was also the first year of Zachary's "Freshman Academy," and the teaming aspect of the Academy taught me SO much about "relational teaching." I became MUCH more effective.

Year 3- English I and English IV-AP teacher at ZHS. No longer Senior Class Sponsor, but I did start the "Scrapbook Club." I had a newborn. I had no sleep. I had a GREAT year. I finally felt like I was "in the groove" of teaching.

Summer between Year 3 and Year 4, I got a call *TOTALLY* out of the blue from Central High. I called my friend Meg and basically said, Ok, if this is supposed to be my job, I'm gonna pray they offer it to me in the interview, and that will be my "sign" from the Lord. I went in for the interview. Principal said "I don't really want to interview you, I want to offer you a job." Ok, Lord. That was easy. The goodbyes and transitions... not so easy.

Year 4- English III Teacher and Co-Yearbook Sponsor at Central High School. I LOVE teaching at my alma mater. It was definitely a year of transition, but I grew a lot and taught some kids that I know will be special to me for the rest of my life.

Year 5- English III Teacher and Co-Yearbook Sponsor at CHS. MY BEST YEAR YET! As those of you who have been reading for a while know, this was definitely not an easy year at Central. It was a year full of great tragedy, and great triumph. Unspeakable sorrow, and elating joy. It was a year of learning and growing and really falling in to what it means to teach as a very significant ministry.

I am SO thankful that the Lord called me to teach. I am SO thankful for the lives I've been able to *hopefully* change in some way, the kids I've been able to love with His love. Five years down.... 25 to go.... unless He calls me elsewhere.

Now, my summer of being a Stay-at-Home-Mom begins!

Let the SAHM Bible Study, crafting, "swimming" in Parker's pool, sewing, lesson-planning, "field-trip"-ing, FUN begin!!