A New Chapter

Hello I'm coming out of blog-hiding to give a little update on life.

I'm married & I am absolutely loving every minute of it!

May 12, 2012 was a beautiful day. It was picture perfect- everything was better than we could have imagined. The sun was shining, God was present and joy was abounding.

We took a week long honeymoon in the Dominican Republic getting spending time with each other and being fully disconnected to the outside world. It was wonderful.

The Monday after returning from our honeymoon I started my summer job. This summer I worked as a summer camp coordinator at a daycare center- it was such a blessing but the hours and the work was much more than what I expected. I had the privilege of working closely with two girls, who both got married within a month of myself AND who were both believers. It was such proof that God was in this job decision to have these two amazing girls to walk life with during the first few months of our marriages.
Camp was so different than any other experience I have had in the past- when we walked in that first Monday we had a blank slate to create nearly any type of camp program we wanted. We started with a schedule, some field trips and weekly themes. Our camp was to be academically focused and based around our state's learning standards. It was a lot of work but so worth it. I feel like after this summer I am fully prepared for any teaching job that is thrown my way! Pinterest, was such a huge help in planning activities & lessons- such a great resource!

Now, camp is over, life has slowed down and I'm beginning to catch my breath a little. Since teaching in this area is a highly competitive field, I am planning to substitute teach and get my foot in the door. I'm okay with not having a full-time teaching job right now but it's really been a struggle over the summer. There were times that I have been super discouraged- I spend time every day looking for jobs and applying in six counties and have yet to have an interview. God really has been showing me lately that this chapter of life is significant in His story and should not be spent hoping for something else, waiting for Him to grant my wishes. My God is not a genie, and as He's showed me many times in the past He provides in the very best of ways so I need to just enjoy the now and follow after Him.

So for right now, I'm enjoying this chapter of being newly married, living in a new place, settling into a new church and substitute teaching. He's blessed me immensely.

19 Days and Counting...

Nineteen days until I'm a wife. Nineteen. I can't believe it- it's coming and it's coming fast. Sometimes I'm filled with waves of nervousness when what-if's flood my mind, but most of the time I'm overflowing with excitement (the kind that makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time).

I haven't written much in well, a few months, because honestly I haven't been sure how to put everything into words. I am currently living at home, working as a substitute teacher by day and at a childcare center by night. My weekends consist of wedding planning, apartment cleaning and commuting back and forth between home and what will be home. I've been applying to any teaching job that I see- with no real response and spend far too much time on pinterest finding ideas for my dream classroom and home.
Lifes been busy, life's been strange but this season has been short.

Living at home has been difficult, after not really full time living here since high school it has been an adjustment. I've changed, my parents have changed and it's been a struggle at times to see eye to eye- but it has really challenged me to grow.

So many changes are coming, so many things I could worry about but I KNOW God's got it. I really need to rest in that.

God's really been teaching me in this season that, in all seasons, HE is constant and He is in control.

Example: just a few weeks ago I was really worried about what I was going to do for a summer job (since subbing would end in early June and my income would stop). I had a few interviews that in the end had sounded really promising but I hadn't heard a response. So two weeks ago I had some serious time with God where I decided to let it go and give it all to Him- and wouldn't you know I got a job offer for each of the jobs I had applied for, and not only that- one of the jobs I had applied as a camp counselor at a small camp and they offered me the position of camp coordinator! I am beyond excited about this job- so much work to do, but it's going to be so worth it- I can just feel it :) If that's not proof God is faithful, I don't know what is!

So right now, in these days leading up to one of the most pivotal moments in my life I'm taking time to just be with God. To anchor my heart and my life deep in Him.

If you think of it over the next few weeks, could you pray for us? Could you pray that in these days leading up to our wedding that Christ would continue to grow us and root us in Him, that our marriage would be fully founded in His truths and that the gospel would be evident not only on our wedding day but through our lives. That our focus would be now and forevermore on Him. Thanks :)

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

For the first day in a few weeks I had a day completely off- no where to go, no sub calls, no work, no nothin'. Soooo what did I do but get all dressed up to run regular errands like put gas in my car and run to buy some envelopes. (come on, we all need to do it every once in awhile, it's healthy- do it.) I didn't get to see Ethan, but I did get a sweet package from him and had a nice valentine's dinner with my parents :)

Life has gotten busy lately, so busy that I forget to sit down and just soak in some God time- necessary- I know. I've started substitute teaching in a few districts in the area, I got a job with a tutoring company, I'm babysitting occasionally, and I'm still working at the childcare center. On top of that the wedding is in just 3 months (ahh!) so we're beginning to make our ideas for decorations and such a reality. The other weekend we signed a lease for our first apartment- it's tiny and super cute and I can't wait to move in and make it ours (even if it's only ours for a little while :)!

I'll leave you with this, I feel like it's fitting for life right now:

"In him alone lie our security, our confidence, our trust. A spirit of restlessness and resistance can never wait, but one who believes he is loved with an everlasting love, and knows that underneath are the everlasting arms, will find strength and peace." - Elisabeth Elliot

"You're in control & You're all I need"

This song has been playing on repeat in my room all day- love Kari Jobe!

God is GOOD.

Hey!

My brother and sister have gone back to school, we finally had our first *winter* snow (it snowed back in October, but that was technically fall...so therefore it doesn't really count- right?). I'm getting into the groove of living back at home with my parents. I organized and cleaned the room that has been 'mine' for my entire life- came across a few treasures and a few changes to make it more home-y for me the next few months. I've spent my days applying to jobs, watching Friends, testing out some pinterest ideas and wedding planning (can you believe it's just 15 weeks away!).

God has been teaching me a significant amount during these days of quiet. He's been reminding me that life isn't about my plans and how I want things to go- but about Him and His perfect plans. He's been leading me in taking a look at where I place my identity and being defined by Him and nothing else. Finally He's been teaching me to let go, give Him control and rest in His provision and care. Some days this learning is tough and even painful but I know that He is using this season to refine me and draw me closer to Him- so it is beyond worth it.

In the past two weeks I have had five interviews, with a sixth tomorrow and I've gotten two job offers (which I have accepted)- talk about provision! God's also been opening doors for employment after the wedding, which is awesome! I went to an interview today for tssing/respite care and they mentioned they recently opened an office where I will be living after we're married and that they're looking to employ people there for those positions! How awesome is that! God is providing & I know He will continue to do so.

Perfect Plans

"When ours are interrupted, his are not. His plans are proceeding exactly as scheduled, moving us always (including those minutes or hours or years which seem most useless or wasted or unendurable) "toward the goal of true maturity" - Elisabeth Elliot