Still thankful for my Belk girls

Even though I no longer live in Belk with all of my favorite freshmen girls, I still hold them all close to my heart.  Being a senior living away from all the girls who lived in the same building as me gets a little difficult because they aren't in my daily life anymore.  They can't just pop their head in like they used to be able to.  So last Thursday, I decided I was going to invite some of my girls over and make dinner for them!

What a success! I made chicken tetrazinni and everyone loved it!  We even did our high's and low's of the day which was always one of my favorite parts of the Belk Bible Study I led last year!  Being together was like no time had even passed.  I'm so very thankful for my freshmen (even though they're sophomores now).  They'll always be my freshmen who I love so much!

Thankful for my 3rd Graders!

Last Wednesday was my last day in Practicum and I'm so thankful for that class this semester!  As I have mentioned before, I was a little terrified of 3rd grade when I got my placement in August.  I had no idea I could actually enjoy 3rd grade that much!

I've always had my hopes on teaching Kindergarten but its so good to know that if I were to get a job in a higher grade, I wouldn't be scared away!  3rd grade is such a precious age because they're still young enough to need you but old enough to be independent.  I have definitely fallen in love with 3rd grade!

When Mrs. Moore told the class it was my last day, I was instantly attacked by all 27 students.  I got the biggest hug and kids that didn't want to let go.  Then, I was asked for my autograph...you heard me right, my autograph!  Who knew I was that famous that kids wanted my autograph?!  It was so adorable.  Naturally, I signed it as Rachel Fogle and not Miss Fogle.  Oh goodness, that was a mistake!  Then the kids who got my autograph were freaking out, "I know what Miss Fogle's real name is...its Rachel!!!"  Hahahaha all of it was just too precious.  I definitely wasn't expecting to give out my autograph.

I'm so thankful for my time in 3rd grade and even more thankful for these precious children who have left such a smile on my heart!  Maybe one day my autograph will even be worth something! ;)

Namaste

I realize most of my posts are serious and everything so today will be a little more random than usual.  Today I'm thankful for yoga.  I've never done yoga before this semester but I'm so glad I took the class my final semester!  I'm getting really sad thinking about how my time in yoga is almost up.  Thursday will be my last yoga class before my surgery. :(  It really hit me today on the way to class that I have seriously enjoyed my time in yoga and I've learned a lot along the way.  I could totally sign up for a yoga class on my own and know what's going on!!!  

Today's yoga class was even more amazing than usual.  I usually can't stand Tuesday's.  Somehow they always become the worst day of my week because they're soooooo long.  I typically start at 10:00 a.m. with class and stay busy all day until at least 8:00 p.m. when Chapter is over.  This semester, getting to have yoga in the middle of my day just makes the whole day better.  Its the only hour of my day that I don't feel bad not worrying about everything else going on in life.  Today's class was no different.  As our final we had to plan our own vinyasa's (combination of yoga poses).  Lauren and Taylor did their vinyasa today and they were the first group to incorporate music with the vinyasa.  I don't know if it was the vinyasa, the music, or just the fact that I'm in need of some relaxation but it was so perfect!  After doing the vinyasa a couple times through, our professor let us hang out in shavasana (my favorite yoga pose).  Shavasana is where we just get to lay on the floor and relax, to put it simply!  Getting to go into shavasana is the point in class I am always looking forward to.  Today was just what I needed in the middle of this crazy week!  I'm so thankful for my yoga class this semester because its really taught me how to relax.  Even if it means that I need to start including yoga in my daily life, I know I have to take some time to myself and just breathe.

Here's to hoping I get back to yoga pretty fast after my ankle heals up!!

I Believe...

Today I'm thankful for Alpha Delta Pi.  

I was initiated on this day 3 years ago and I can't even believe these 3 years have gone by so fast!  So much has happened and I've gotten so many sisters in that short period of time that I already feel like its been a lifetime of sisterhood.  I realize this post might sound a little cheesy to those of you non-Greeks, but ADPi has truly shaped me into the person I am today.  While I already knew what it meant to be a sister before receiving my bid on October 4, 2009, I had no idea what it felt like to have sooooo many sisters (since God only blessed me with one)!  Today, Eta Xi Chapter has 117 beautifully unique women in our chapter and I've already gotten to see nearly 100 other amazing women graduate before me.  Before being an ADPi I only knew what it was like to be the big sister!  I have gotten to learn what its like to have a big sister, a twin, and an entire family of supporters.  I don't think I can even compare my years in ADPi to anything else!

One of the best things I've learned from ADPi is how to be a leader.  Being a leader has always been one of my favorite things in life.  I'm not saying I've always been an amazing leader but I love to learn about how to be a better leader!  I like to think I succeed when I get to be in charge and tell people what to do, its just my thing.  I'm sure not everyone who's had to take my orders would say the same thing but I just like authority.  I was Spirit Chair then Executive Vice President and now President of Eta Xi and what a rollercoaster it has been!  I'm still learning every day how to be a better leader.  My favorite line from our creed that I hold on to every day is this,

...always remembering that leadership requires confidence tempered with humility and courage blended with tolerance.

I can't tell you how much I've been learning to implement this into my life as a leader.  I will continue to live my life with this quote in mind because its just so good!!!!  And I'm sure in my days as a principal in the distant future will require me to revisit this quote even more.  

Just like with a lot of my posts on thankfulness, I'm going to attach some pictures because it just makes my blog more exciting!

Clinton 4th girls on Bid Day before we all knew we'd be going ADPi!
October 2009

My sweet family: Keri, my twin and Elizabeth, my big
October 2009

Besties before our first Semi-Formal
January 2010

Throwdown for your Hometown Crush Party
March 2010

Our first Black Diamond
April 2010

Our first Mallard Ball and the first debut of my monogrammed camo overalls!
September 2010

P3 growing since I got Lauren as my little!
October 2010

Semi-Formal
January 2011

CRABS (Callie, Rachel, Anna, Blythe, and Sarah)
80's Prom Crush Party
March 2011

Love me some Callers!  She's been by my side since our first days of messaging on Facebook to roadtripping to Camden with Sarah!  Now we're sisters and make a pretty dynamic duo as Standards and President!  I don't know what I'd do without her!
Black Diamond
April 2011

The flock!!!!
This was our original crew and big thanks to Elizabeth and Kate for introducing us to so many awesome ADPi's, seriously love them!!
October 2011

Lucia is the definition of a sister!  I don't know where I would be without this girl, but she's got a whole blog post coming just for her!
Semi-Formal
January 2012

You gotta love Exec!  At least I do :)  I don't know how I would have gotten through this year without these girls and I'm so thankful I've gotten to serve next to each of them.
Bows and Beaus Crush Party
March 2012

Again, my little Lucia!  I just love this picture of us so I had to include it, duh!
Black Diamond
April 2012

Oh, just me and my sisters in Barbados!  I had to include a Barbados picture with the lion!!!
May 2012

This is my family at the 90's Mixer.  We've since added two new additions but we're a little slack and haven't taken a real picture yet!  I love them so much and I'm so happy I get to be the greatgrandbig even though it makes me feel ancient!
August 2012

I'm so thankful for these girls right here who have been my besties since the beginning.  I'm so happy we get to be sisters and best friends!  And this is when we were finally reunited after Abby and Taylor were Pi Chi's for what seemed like 12 years!
Bid Day
October 2012

So three years later I'm still ecstatic that I get to be a member of the Eta Xi Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi.  I'm so blessed to get to serve as Chapter President. Some days are harder than others but I know I'm learning about myself through it all.  My favorite part of the job is getting to be a supporter to my sisters.  No matter what that entails, it always keeps me on my toes.  Of course my least favorite part of the job is having the be the bad guy sometimes but its just preparing me for my teacher days!

Happy Veterans Day!

Happy Veterans Day!

Today I'm thankful for the veterans who have served our country.  I can't imagine the work that the men and women of the military do.  I know I'm not made for the military so I thank our veterans even more!  

Two of my favorite veterans are my grandfathers!  My mom's dad, Russell Haines, was in the Navy.  He was even at Pearl Harbor when it got attacked!  My dad's dad, Govan Fogle, was in the Army.  Both of these men spent many years in the military to ensure that we get to keep our freedom and I couldn't be more proud to call them my grandfathers.  I didn't get the privilege of knowing Grandpa Haines because he died 6 months before I was born but I did get to know my Papa for the first 8 years of my life.  The work they did will forever make an impact on my life and others!

Thank you veterans for all you've done and all you continue to do each day!  We will forever be grateful.

Dear Ole Wonderful Dad

For the blog post I was supposed to write yesterday, I'm thankful for my Daddy!

Yesterday was my last Father Daughter Tailgate and I'm so happy my dad got to be here with me!  Today's post I get to brag about my daddy because I'm so thankful for him!  If nothing else, this will show just how goofy my dear ole wonderful dad is...and yes, that's what we call him (or what he calls himself!)

Just me and Glenn back in the day.  Growing up I was always more of a Mama's girl and my sister was more of the Daddy's girl but that definitely didn't last forever.  I'm so thankful for the relationships I have with my mom and dad and I'm so thankful that they're different from each other.

Awwww, aren't we just the cutest little family you ever did see?!  This is probably the most serious picture you'll see of my dad on this post!  We've been close from the start and we've gotten even closer as the years go on!

Yup, here's my dad being a goof ball.  It looks like he's even trying to throw up the diamond but this was before my ADPi days so I don't really know what he was doing.  My dad's sense of humor is like no other.  I don't even have the words to describe it but I'm learning every day that I have his sense of humor.  I definitely find myself making jokes that only my father would appreciate and then just laughing to myself because I know no one will quite get what I was trying to say. (just like my dad hahaha)

World's Best Father, y'all! This is actually Sarah's trophy from winning Miss Yellow Jacket but look how proud he is!  My dad is so supportive of my sister and me.  We know he would have loved a baseball player or a star quarterback but instead he got two sassy cheerleading sorority girls.  Sarah enjoyed sports a little more than I did but for the most part he's had to put up with 21 years of recitals, cheerleading competitions, plays, and sorority functions!  What a trooper!  I'm sure its not easy being the only male in the household, but he keeps smiling so that's all that matters.

This is me and my dad in San Francisco after my freshman year.  I would say it was between my senior year in high school and my freshman year of college that my dad and I got so close.  Senior year was a struggle in the Fogle household and it forced our family to get closer than we ever had before.  That meant my dad embracing 24 hours a day of in-laws and dealing with lots of emotions that went along with the situation with Nana and Laura.  I don't think any of us involved would have categorized this as easy, but my dad did it with the rest of us by his side.  I think one of the first moments during this time that I knew we were really getting closer was when I was nominated for Homecoming Queen.  I came home to tell my dad the news and my dad said, "You better not make me cry, now!"  My dad hasn't ever been a man of many tears (unlike my mom and I) so I didn't think much of this.  However, when he found out I was indeed Homecoming Queen, he couldn't help but to cry!!!  I loved this so much.  He was just so proud of me and didn't even care that he was crying, what a man!  (Boys, take note!)  So that was the first time.  The next truly defining moment in my mind was the fall of my freshman year.  I was still dating my high school sweetheart who had gone to school in Pennsylvania.  I wanted to go visit him on Fall Break and my parents wouldn't let me go alone due to the long drive.  My dad took it upon himself to take off work and road tripped with me the 10.5 hour drive up to Bucknell.  We bonded a lot in those 21 hours in the car as well as the weekend at Bucknell.  I'm so thankful for that road trip and that time we spent together.  We still talk about the trip and all the fun we had!  While there have been many many moments in my 21 years, those two stick out to me and reminded me just how much my dad loved me!      

 

Oh, just the usual Christmas morning around the Fogle household.

Typical...Mama and I trying to look cute and my dad making a funny face.  I wish I had more pictures of all the facials he used to make especially when Sarah and I were cheering!  He would love to make up his own facials and really show us how its done.

Hahahaha no words.  Love this man!

 

Daddy with his girls.  Again, he's making a crazy face but I warned you early on that there wouldn't be many serious faces.  He's so proud of Sarah and I and makes that so apparent in his life.  But we're the lucky ones because we have two awesome parents who love us and would do absolutely anything for us to be happy.

Daddy jumping on the technology bandwagon.  My family isn't much for knowing what's going on in the world of technology.  I get many phone calls of "How do I do this again?" or "Where did you say that file was?" or even "How do I fix my printer? I swear its broken!"  I bet you didn't know I was so good with computers, ha!  My dad started a project during the fall of 2009 to transfer all of his dad's picture slides into digital files.  Its been a long process that I've helped him through but I'm so happy to report he got the hang of it.  He's still not the biggest fan of much technology but I'm trying.  I still haven't won the battle of getting him to switch to a digital camera but now that he has a digital camcorder, maybe he'll make the big switch soon!  (Keep your fingers crossed.)  As much as my dad might not enjoy technology, it sure does liven up my life getting to help him out!

There they are, my biggest supporters on Homecoming.  I'm so happy God has blessed me with such awesome parents who believe in me.  My mom and dad have stuck by my side through thick and thin and I could never thank them enough.  So this year when I called my dad, I asked, "Hey Daddy, what are you doing on October 13?"  He said, "What's that, a Saturday? I'll probably be working in the yard or something?"  I said, "Nope, you'll be escorting me for Homecoming!! I get to represent ADPi!!!"  He said, "You're not going to make me cry or anything, are you?"  I didn't win this time but getting to have him by my side meant the world to me.  He still shed a tear or two but shhhh don't tell. :)

And now for all of the Father Daughter Tailgate pictures through the years...

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

I think one of the things I love most about my dad is that he just gets me.  He knows what to bring up and what not to bring up.  He knows when my heart is broken or when I'm having a rough day and I need to go on a Daddy Daughter date.  (And yes, we still go on those even though I'm almost 22.)  I hope I get to have those until my daddy's old(er) and gray(er).  He has always supported the boys who make me happy even if they're total losers.  He has always supported my dreams even if it means I'll be a broke teacher with 20+ snotty nose kids as he would say.  He cheered me on as a dancer and a cheerleader instead of the all star athlete.  He knows when to leave me alone because I'm about to lose my temper that I got from him.  He always knows how to make me smile and I love him so much for that!  I'm so thankful I got so lucky to get such a great dear ole wonderful dad!

Thankful for the Doctors!

Today I'm thankful for the doctors in my life.  

I seriously can't even count how many different doctors I've seen this year.  I saw three following my car accident for my back, 2 doctors before referring me to the endocrinologist, 4 doctors for my ankle, and I've been sick a lot so a couple random doctors here and there.  Needless to say, its been a year full of lots of doctors.  I'd say some days I'm bitter that I have to go see another doctor for another problem.  However, today I'm thankful for the doctors in my life.  

I had a check-up with my endocrinologist, Dr. K this morning.  If you remember she's my precious Iranian doctor whose English isn't the best, but she's a sweetheart.  My check-up was all good, she just wanted to run some tests to make sure everything was still the same.  

While I was getting my blood work done, I remember just how much I love the blood work lady.  Again, if you remember when I had to get 3 hours of blood work done before they could diagnose me with anything, this is the same lady who did all my blood work that day.  She's soooooo adorable!  You know those days where people just can't tell you enough good things?!  Today was one of those.  The precious blood word lady, wish I could remember her name but it doesn't matter, she's still awesome!  Anyways, we got to talking while she was getting everything together about if I was going to the USC game and I reminded her I went to PC and we had our own game this weekend.  Then she kept telling me I was a beautiful young lady and how pretty my blue eyes were.    Then she asked how old I was.  I said 21 and she said, "Oh my!  You are going to make such a beautiful bride one day!"  My response of course was, "I have to find someone to make me their bride first!"  She said, "Oh Miss Rachel, don't you worry, he's going to find you!"  She kept reassuring me that God had a plan and to just wait!  I realize this conversation was totally random and this lady doesn't know much about me besides what I'm getting my blood work done on and the generic things that have come up in our few conversations, but whoa, talk about making me feel better about life.  All I need are some reminders every now and then of who is really in control.  

So most days I can't stand the doctor visit after doctor visit but today was so reassuring.  Not only did I have a pretty painless doctor visit with a precious woman but then I got to have more reminders of how perfectly God is taking care of me, I just have to wait and see what His plans entail.

"Oh Miss Rachel, don't you worry, he's going to find you!"

Home

Today I'm so thankful for home.

I had to come home for my appointment with the endocrinologist tomorrow and while I may not even be here for 24 hours, I'm so thankful that I have such a wonderful home to get to come to.  I wish I could stay longer but I got to spend some time with my parents tonight and it was much needed!  

One of the best parts of being home?  I get to be lazy and not think twice about it.  And I get to sleep in my big comfy bed!! I love home.

Keep me in your prayers as I go back to Dr. K tomorrow!  This is just a check-up to see how I'm doing with my medicine and everything!  And I get to tell her I've lost 17 pounds!!!!!!!!! God is too good to me :)

Thankful for Student Teaching

Yesterday I received my placement for student teaching and I'm soooooo excited!  I'm so thankful that I get to be in Kindergarten at Plain Elementary for student teaching next semester.  

We got our whole big binder full of all the goodies we'll need for next semester.  School starts January 2 so I get to move back super early and get started with the kindergarteners.  Oh my goodness, I'm going to have so many great stories!  I just can't wait to get started.  I'll be going to meet my teacher and students next week, hopefully.

I can't believe student teaching can be here already.  I don't think I should be this close to the real world.  I don't think its hit me yet that I only have 2 weeks of classes left and then my last exams everrrrrrr (until I get my Master's but that's not anytime soon).  EEEEEEEKK!!! I can't even control my excitement.  I can't wait to see what all God has in store for me and I'm so thankful for everything He's provided me with so far.

Worn

I don't know how to put into words what I'm thankful for today but I'm very thankful my dear friend, Miranda Burr showed me this song.  Worn by Tenth Avenue North couldn't explain how I'm feeling about life any more than it does right now.  As silly as it might sound, I'm so thankful to have songs that I can relate to.  So check this song out, its awesome!

I think my favorite line is... 

"You can mend a heart that's frail and torn." 

There's so much to be thankful for in that phrase alone.  

God's Peace

I've been trying to figure out all day what I'm most thankful for today and I figured it out.  God's Peace.  I feel like I'm in the middle of a storm but God's peace is saving me.  I don't know when this wonderful peace stepped in, but I'm so appreciative of it lately.  While I've never been so stressed in my life, it doesn't show on the outside.  All I can do is thank God for His wonderful peace that He has given me!

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let you hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 16:33

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.

I pray that God's peace is working in your life just like it is in mine!  I'm so thankful for that feeling of peace, especially in life's biggest storms.

Thankful for my Mama!

Today its a no-brainer what I'm thankful for.  While I'm thankful for my mom every day, I'm especially thankful today.  Like I mentioned last week, its a difficult time right now and my mom fully understands that and supports me in every way possible!  

My mom took a couple hours out of her super busy Sunday to come and spend time with me because she knew that's what I needed most right now.  My mom made my apartment and some friends baked ziti, salad, big and buttery's (just for London), and banana pudding!  I don't think I realize how much I miss home-cooked meals until I finally get to eat a real meal.  She didn't get to stay long but just getting to sit down and enjoy my time with my mom made me appreciate her so much more!  She spent as much time driving as she did to actually be here but she sees no harm in that.

I love my mom so much!  I hope I can be as wonderful of a woman, wife, and mother as she is!  I know she doesn't get enough credit for all that she does, so I'm going to take this post to brag about how awesome she is.

My mom loves my dad so much!  They've been married 24 years and still going strong!  She has shown me a real love that doesn't give up even when tough times come their way.  She even puts up with how picky he is.  And they're still pretty cute, too!  

I've always been a Mama's Girl so I had to throw in a picture of us from back in the day!  I got to be the lucky first child, and what an angel I was!  That's how I got the nickname Rachel Angel! :)

She wouldn't be a good mom if she didn't put Sarah and I in matching Lion King outfits!

My mom has slowly become the matriarch of the family over the past 4 years and its been so rewarding to watch, not easy but definitely rewarding getting to look back and see how things have changed!  She takes care of everyone in this picture just to count a few of the lives she's touching on a daily basis.  There are many great women in this picture but I know in my heart they wouldn't be that way without my mom.

The relationship I have gotten to witness between Mama and Nana is one that I try to mimick between my mom and I.  They've been honest, best friends, and they always put their relationship as a priority which was obvious to me even from a young age.  My mom and I are best friends and I hope our relationship can be this beautiful when she's in her 80's and way past that!  My mom does so much for Nana and Aunt Laura and still has such a heart of gold!

I don't believe any relationship should exist without laughter and especially the relationship between a mother and daughter.  My mom is always making me laugh whether she's making weird accents that all sound the same, creeping on a certain someone on Facebook, or just trying to cheer me up.  She always knows how to make me laugh and if nothing is working, she isn't afraid to look a little crazy in the process.

One of my favorite things about my mom is that she knows me so well.  That hasn't come from her just being super psychic, its taken a lot of hard work!  She knows what to say, what not to say, how to say it, and definitely how not to say it.  She knows that something being "fine" is in no way good enough!  She continues to get to know me better and better.

My mom is my biggest supporter.  This was from the ADPi Mother/Daughter Tea and it has reigned true for every event in my life, especially while I've been President of ADPi.  My mom will do anything to be here for support!

My mom is an angel and I'm so lucky she gets to be my mom.  I'm so thankful for my mom and the impact she has on my life.  She has raised me (with my Daddy, of course) to be the woman I am today and I wouldn't want to claim anyone else as my mom.  I strive to make her more and more proud each day.  I know she will always stick by my side and be my best friend and for that I am so thankful!  Thank you God for such a wonderful Mama!!!

3 is the Magic Number

On the third day of November (sorry I'm late again) I'm thankful for my roommates.  There are 3 of us in 3E, so 3 is kind of our number!  

Yesterday I took the Praxis and PLT and the first thing I saw were some good luck presents from my roommates!  They have been so encouraging this year and I was so happy to see they were still thinking about me this morning!  I don't know how I got so lucky to live with them but I'm so happy God brought the 3 of us together!

I think my favorite part of 3E is our laughter!  Whether we're interrupting Anna's hot Skype dates with a lovely serenade of cow bells or making fun of London's love for bacon, there's always laughter to fill the apartment.  Sometimes London hates on our excessive playing of Taylor Swift and sometimes we leave the apartment too messy for London's liking.  Sometimes my roommates get tired of listening to the wedding videos I find and they don't understand why it takes me too long to wake up, but they love me and encourage me!!  London's blunt, Anna's a worry wart, and I'm a little too sassy but we work so well together!  I don't know how I got so lucky to have the 3 of us living together but I'm so thankful for my roommates!!!

And we're pretty cute too...

Day 2 of Thankfulness

So I'm two days late but for my second day of thankfulness, I'm thankful for precious children!  I think all children are precious and I love getting reminders of what I'm supposed to be doing in life.  No matter what I do in life, it will be revolved around children.  I think children are such a beautiful gift from God and they bring so much joy to the world!

So Friday (the day I was supposed to write this) I got to go to Practicum and spend a couple hours with some pretty cool third graders.  Between Recruitment and not feeling well lately, I hadn't been to Practicum in a while.  As soon as I got to the classroom, the kids were yelling my name and jumping out of their seats to welcome me!  Of course some of my huggers ran up to me first thing to get a hug from Miss Fogle.  I can always count on precious Gurpal to give me a hug first.  He seriously cracks me up and always makes sure he gets a welcome hug as well as a goodbye hug.  After the hugs come the questions.  "How's your foot, Miss Fogle?"  "Is your foot all better?"  "Do you get to stay with us today?"  "You're not leaving yet, are you?!" and "We've missed you, Miss Fogle!"

Usually I don't get to do much during Practicum, but Friday was an exception.  I got to teach a mini lesson to a group of students on subtracting 3 or 4 digit numbers.  I was working with 5 students who were struggling with borrowing from next door.  They had a cute little rhyme to help them out, but they just weren't making the connection.  I think this is the part of teaching most people question me on.  I always get the question of, "...but how can you not give up on kids when they just don't get something?"  I seriously get asked this question all the time when I tell people I want to be a teacher.  I think this is something all teachers struggle with because some students just don't get it, no matter how many times you go over something.  

I sat there with the 5 students and first 2 children understood it, then 1 more, then it was just me and 2 students.  They knew they were still with me because they didn't understand yet.  They wanted so badly to just understand what I was telling them.  I can't say it wasn't frustrating, because it was.  But you know what, they were trying so hard and they finally got it!!!  While it may be frustrating having to teach the same thing over and over to a child who just doesn't get it, its beyond rewarding when they finally look up at you with a big smile because THEY GET IT!!!!!!

It was one of my more frustrating visits to 3rd grade, but in the end it became one of my favorites!  I got a chance to really teach and see the effect of my teaching.  I love the little reminders God puts in my life that I'm doing what I was made to do, be a teacher!  We find out our placement for student teaching this Wednesday and I'm soooooo excited!!!  I can't believe the days of student teaching are quickly approaching, but I'm beyond ready!

Perfect Time to be Thankful

Happy November!  

What a better time to be thankful than now?  I've decided for November that I'm going to try to write a blog post every day about something I'm thankful for.  Obviously I'm thankful for way more than 30 things but I'll try to pick 30 of the most important things or at least 30 things that are on my heart this month!

On this first day of November I'm oh so thankful for the difficult weeks.  While I've felt like this semester has been a non-stop ride on the struggle bus, its in the more difficult weeks that I can look back and recognize that obviously some weeks were easier than this one.  I didn't think of this on my own, however.  It wasn't until Lucia brought to my attention that she does the same thing when life gets tough.  Its in the difficult moments in life where we can reflect and be so grateful for the easier moments.  This week is no exception.  I've never felt so tested in so many ways.  I've never felt Satan trying to attack me so directly.  I was seriously tested throughout this summer as well and I'm missing my support system so badly who never let me give up or give in!  They've been my prayer warriors during this difficult week and I only wish I could be with them in person to get a big hug at the end of the day or even have one of them literally carry me when I can't keep going just like they did many times this summer.  I don't think I thanked them enough at the time but I'm so grateful for the lessons they taught me through our theme verse of Galatians 6:2, 9-10.  

Doing Good to All

² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

My biggest support system

I got to see these verses carried out in my life this summer.  My staff showed me what it truly means to carry one another's burdens and I'm so thankful for that.  All I can do in this week is cry out to the Lord for some help because I know He is so much more powerful that any negativity in my life right now.  I've found so much comfort in the following verses. (Big thanks to Taylor for reminding me of them.)

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlesslymake known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains.Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

I'm so thankful for the difficult weeks in life that remind me of how wonderful the easier ones can be.  I'm also thankful for the difficult weeks because they only make my relationship with God even stronger.  I just ask for your prayers as I'm in the middle of some serious spiritual warfare, but I know my God is so much greater than anything else in this world.  It doesn't matter how down things can get me, God will always prevail.  I'm so thankful for the Armor of God that I get to put on in this battle.  
I'm thankful that I know my God will always win the battle for my heart.
I'm so thankful for many many things that God has given me!  Join me in November as I share these with you.