Thankfuls

As I am in Costa Rica and it is Thanksgiving, I have time to reflect on the blessings that the Lord has poured out upon me.  I can think very clearly on 6 of these blessings.  6 of my best friends.

SARA>>

Sara and I have been roommates for 4 years, in fact- that's how we met!  We got placed as roommates.  I am so thankful that we did.  She is a beautiful woman that God has used magnificently in my life.  We've had so many fun times together, and we've learned a lot from each other.  We've cried together, laughed together, and shared so many memories.  I cannot imagine what my time at Taylor would've been like without her.  Anyone who knows Sara could tell you that she brings joy.  She is very friendly and outgoing, and she is very good at having conversations with people.  She loves getting to know people, and she is genuine in her attitude.  She is very consistent in her beliefs, and she gives her sincere opinion.  I have learned so much from her, and I really miss her during my time here in Costa Rica.

ERIN>>
Erin and I have been good friends since freshman year as well.  She is a very strong woman, dedicated to her faith.  I have learned so much about the Bible from her, and she has definitely encouraged me in her faith.  She has great hippy hair, and she loves coffee.  Erin and I have shared great conversations about the things that we struggle with, and she always listens to me even if she may not agree with what I am saying.  She even made me a construction paper man one time.  

KARI>>
Kari and I have been BASSYCS co-leaders since our freshman year.  We have both grown to love the girls in our group, and leading together has been an awesome thing.  It has challenged us both, and it has strengthened our friendship.  Kari is also in education with me, and it has been awesome to have a close friend to share the love of teaching with.  Kari is very humble, and she is so kind.  I am always amazed by her willingness to listen and her genuine love for others.  She is definitely a blessing in my life.

ALLIE>>
Allie is an amazing woman of God, and she challenges me to be one as well.  She has a heart for doing what is right, and our conversations clearly reflect that.  She is a beautiful artist, and I am always amazed by the pottery, printing, painting, etc. that she does.  God has gifted truly gifted her.  Specifically she has taught me to seek the Lord and his glory before anything else.  I have definitely grown from our conversations, and she is a blast to be with.  

LIZZY>>
Lizzy is a great friend, who always genuinely wants to hear what's going on in my life.  She shows that she cares by the way that she responds when we have conversation.  She is encouraging, and it has always been a blessing to know that she is on my side.  Lizzy is smart, and it is always really cool to hear about the things that she is passionate about.  Her spontaneity and fun-spirit is contagious, and she is always fun to be with.  Her personality is consistent, and I enjoy spending time with her.  I'm so glad that she is in my life.

BRI>>
Brianna is a great friend, and I have learned so much from her.  She is a great leader, and I have enjoyed taking trips with her.  She has a definite commitment to the Lord, and she cares about the people that she is with.  She takes a stand for what is right, and she brings joy to those around her.  She can connect well with anyone, and she clearly shows Jesus in the way that she acts with anyone.

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I miss these girls.  I'm so blessed to share a house with them for the rest of our senior year.  What an amazing groups of girls.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Volcán Arenal

Yesterday we took a day trip to Arenal Volcano.  It was a great trip, and we got to truly experience the rain forest (which I have never gotten to do before)!

Our first stop was to see a beautiful waterfall in La Fortuna.  It was raining most of our hike, but it actually was even more enjoyable that way!  The sound of the rain and the sight of the rain forest were overwhelmingly beautiful.

After our trip to the waterfall, we visited the hanging bridges.  This was an unbelievable experience.  We literally walked over the rain forest.  We could also see Arenal Volcano from where we were, too.  It was incredible to look down and see so much beauty.  The pictures do not do it justice.

^ At the top, you can see the bridge we are walking up to.

^ This is looking back down at the bridge we were just at.  If you look closely you can also see the path on the ground that we were walking on.

Lastly, we stopped at a river where we could experience the hot springs for free.  (You know I'm all about for free :) )  It was such a funny experience because there were all these people just sitting in the river.  I didn't even bring a swimsuit to Costa Rica being the genius that I am (I only brought one pair of shorts for that matter), so I just put my feet in!  The water was very warm and felt nice!

What an amazing day trip.  Reminded me of the blessings that the Lord has given us and gave me an amazing appreciation for his creation.

Sunset on the drive home.

Learning about Discipline

Thursday was the first day that I began full time teaching for my class.  My teacher was absent because of her sister’s wedding.  This was a great opportunity for me!  I can honestly say that I know and love my class.  The students are really warming up to me, and I can tell that they respond well to me.  I am only ever excited and happy to be with them.  When leaving, my teacher reminded me that her students were AWFUL last time they had a substitute.  She said that a few had to be sent to the office because they had break downs.  She felt a lot more comfortable with me leading the class (someone that they were comfortable with), but she was still a little nervous.  We had VERY few problems while she was gone, which made me so happy!  The class as a whole worked very well, and they really impressed me.

There was one incident today that I thought ended up really well.  The one student who has a specific behavior plan created a normal classroom disruption.  (He has a hard time managing his feelings and frustrations.)  The substitute was not informed about his behavior plan and was the closest to him at the time, so she scolded him in a way that caused him to run out of the classroom and stay out.  She approached me and told me that he ran away from her, wouldn’t admit he was wrong, and wouldn’t come back in the classroom.  I left the classroom to go out and talk to him.  I approached him in a calm and “on-your-side” manner.  I asked him questions, and I could tell he was very upset.  He responded multiple times, “I don’t know how to say it” or “I don’t want to say it.”  I told him that we would go back into the classroom, have good behavior for the rest of the day, and then he would tell me what happened later when he had calmed down.  At the end of the day, we sat down to fill out his behavior chart.  He informed me of the situation and why he was upset.  He told me where he was wrong, and he accepted without complaints the marks that I gave on his behavior chart.  It was really cool to see that he respected me and that I could handle him when he was upset!  

I felt like my dealings with the class this week were very encouraging and showed me a new side of how I can best care for my students and keep them focused on learning.

2 1/2 Years

Today marks 2 1/2 years of dating for Joshua and I.  It was 2 1/2 years ago that Sara, Josh, and I were out in the rain running around and being weird freshmen.  That night he asked me to be his girlfriend in front of Olson Hall.  The memory brings a smile to my face.

These 2 and a half years have brought so many amazing memories for us and have marked growth in ways we could never have imagined.  We've learned to be selfless in ways we didn't even realize we were being selfish.  We've learned to love each other and serve each other.  We've begun to understand each other in new ways, and it's amazing how well we know each other.  Joshua is by far the best man that I could ever ask for.  He shows that he cares for me in the way that he treats me daily.  I never doubt that I can trust him, and he has given me so much including his time, his money, his affection, his care, and his love.  With the way the Lord has shaped us over the past 2 1/2 years, I can't imagine what he has in store for us in the future.  Whatever it is, I am so excited for it.  Praise the Lord for a beautiful relationship that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.