Road Trip FLIPZ

Recently we went on a Road Trip! I absolutely love these kiddos! We had such a blast and they were so well behaved. We played many games like find the license plate, ABC game, I spy, Bingo, and many more...the Flipz were used as a snack and also reward for winning the games..

As you can tell in the 1st pic, A was very excited about the "candy". The 2nd pic, the boys just wanted to eat the pretzels not take a picture. And, finally the last pic, Lys and I with our yummy snack while everyone else was out of the car! Thank you Flipz for making our trip so much better with our free sample!!

Flip are great!!!

God is Amazing!!

      I love how God works things out! This past week has been a major struggle for me with things going on in my life. Today, though, was amazing!

       Our reading story was perfect. It was about a little girl who kept asking God for something, but in her eyes, God did not answer her. She realized later that God had answered her request, but it had been 'no'. If God would have answered her request, she probably wouldn't have found her family again.

       Then in Bible, our story was on Jarius, his daughter, and the woman with the issue of blood. Jesus wanted Jarius to trust him to heal his daughter. The woman who was sick trusted that if she could touch His hem, she would be healed. I love this story so much!

        As I was sitting on the floor reading this (we had Bible on the floor today) I realized God just wants me to trust and rely on Him. God told me 'no' about something I wanted, but He is not rejecting me; He is just redirecting me.

        I gave the kids this illustration today:

When using a GPS, but you know where you are going and decide not to follow it....what does it say....RECALCULATING!

We are the GPS while God is driving. We often plan our path the way we want to go. When God takes us down a road that we didn't plan on, we try to take control and recalculate. God is in control of our lives, and we need to let him guide and direct!

I love how He works! God is good all the time!! Totally needed all this today!!

A lot has changed!

When I last blogged, I was living in sunny Florida. In the last four months, things have slowly begun to change. I moved back home to Pennsylvania the beginning of June after I was hired by Blair County Christian School. I spent most of the summer just hanging out with family and friends.

August came and I started attending a new church - Foot of Ten Independent Bible Church. I absolutely love it and love the people. God has blessed me with a wonderful church family (don't get me wrong all of my church families have been wonderful but especially right now they have been a tremendous blessing!)

I absolutely love my job. I was hired to be the 6th grade teacher, jr/sr high PE teacher, girls soccer and basketball coach, and athletic director! It's crazy but I wouldn't trade any of it!  Soccer started in the middle of August while school started at the end of August. Since then it has been a blur of activity! Soccer is ending for the girls tomorrow and basketball begins in about 3 weeks! 

God has truly blessed me beyond my wildest dreams! I am learning many things, one of which is being content with what God has given me and not dwelling on what He hasn't given me. Well I guess this is enough for the 1st post in awhile.....if your along for the journey with me...I'll try to post as often as I can! 

Headed home in just about a week!

I head home next week! I cannot wait!! :-)

I had an interesting week this week...

Monday, I watched Will while Petra had her Dr. appt. Then headed to the hospital for Petra's test that had to be done. After we returned home a couple hours later to play some games.

Tuesday, I did not do much. I watched Will during naptime so Petra could teach her piano lessons.

Wednesday, I went shopping and out to lunch with a friend. Then went to church. After church, I went and played games with friends!W

Thursday, I went scrapbooked with Mandie and then went home. Little Jonathan spent the night at my house.

Friday, I went swimming with Petra, Will, LeeAnn, and Jonathan. I then went to a friends house and spent the night.

Saturday, My friends and I went to the beach and had a beautiful day!!

Jonathan spending the night at my house!

Will and the Zoo we made!

This next week I will be running a girls all sports camp! PRAY FOR ME! LOL I am excited and nervous about it at the same time!

Then next Monday (1st) I head home to Pennsylvania!

Quote for the week: "Sometimes I wish that I was a little more important to people! I don't wish to be center of attention or anything, I just hate being pushed to the curb!"

A visitor from home....

Its been an interesting but boring past few weeks. I know what everyone is thinking...*How can it be interesting but boring?* Let me explain....

Since the summer began I have basically done NOTHING but sit around in my little apart.

Occasionally, I have gone to the beach, to a friend's house, or something like that. Life has been a struggle with the day to day battles like the following: fighting the loneliness of being over 18 hours from my family, difficulties with friendships, and struggling in my walk with Christ. I know the Lord has a plan for my life but finding it has proven to be very difficult! Through these battles this summer, I have grown closer to the Lord, and I am truly thankful that He put me through some things.

Through everything I am learning some things....

1st - Don't ask God to lead your path if your not going to move your feet!

2nd - It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. It's worth the risk to open your heart. ~ thanks Scott

Anyways...back to my interesting/boring summer.

Well last week is where it got AMAZING! My amazing friend from home, Natalie, came all the way down to Florida to visit me before her big day! We had a blast just spending time together like we used to do when I was 11 and she was 9! We went to Islands of Adventure, the mall, the beach, and the pool! All the while talking about the past and what lie ahead of us in the future! It was so good to see her...especially because after I go home for her wedding...I probably won't see her for awhile! We had a blast together! Dropping her off at the airport on Friday night was one of the hardest things I have had to do!

Letting go has always been a hard thing for me...and this song truly has helped me out!

Here we are now, Everything is about to change

We face tomorrow as we say goodbye to yesterday

A chapter ending but the stories only just begun

A page is turning for everyone

So I'm moving on, Letting go,

Holding on to tomorrow

I've always got the memories while I'm finding out who I'm gonna be

We might be apart but I hope you always know

You'll be with me wherever I go

Here are some pictures from our time together!

Nata washing our supper dishes her 1st night here...crazy girl! The drive to Orlando and Islands of Adventure! Spider Man SAVE US!!! Super Heroes! Three girls having a blast at the park! LETS GO FAST!!!

Emma and I

waiting for Nata to come back with the cotton candy!!! :-)

The perfect ending to a GREAT day!

Sorry this has been one big jumbled mess of emotions...but this is my life! LOL and I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

Photo Shoot in the Park...kinda

We had a wonderful day! We headed to West Palm for Petra's Dr. appt. I got to hear their little baby's heartbeat for the 1st time! It was amazing! (Due Aug 7th) After the appt., we headed to the park to let Will get some energy out before the dinner meeting. We saw this awesome tree: and I couldn't pass up taking some pictures! **Granted these pics were taken with a phone camera**



After taking pictures, we headed to dinner. After that meeting, we went and had a tour of the hospital where Petra will deliver her baby in the next few weeks! So glad that they have let me be a part of this miracle! Can't wait for this baby to come!!

Fun in the Sun...

It has been a great week of doing not a whole lot! We had VBS all week and it was amazing to help out! I got to help do the skits and it was so much fun! Friday I went to the beach by myself just to read and relax. Then on Saturday I was not feeling well but my friends, Scott and Petra, and their son came and picked me up and we went to the beach!

• I LOVE THE BEACH!!!

Today is Father's Day! I miss my daddy like crazy...wishing I was with him today! I love my daddy so much! He and my mom have taught me so much and I am thankful for everything! They have instilled in me lots of things that I have needed throughout life! My mom and dad are always there for me and I thank them for that! I love you guys!!!

SCHOOL's OUT!!!

I had an amazing time with Pastor's kids this past weekend.

• Weekend with Pastor's kids (13, 7, 3 yr old)

Thursday Night - the three kids and I went shopping at Wal-Mart

Friday - Half day of school, then swimming, then to Kindergarten Graduation

Saturday - Swimming with the three kids, Katie, and Sarah; then to the mall with all five

Sunday - Church

Monday - Work, swimming, then Zapata's for dinner

Tuesday - Work, swimming, then Applebee's for dinner

Wednesday - Work, relaxation, dinner at Sonny's, then church where Pastor and Miss Rose met us.

"It was sad to leave them...they are so much fun!"

Summer has officially started! I am so excited! Finished out Teacher Work Week on Thursday by Pastor taking us out to lunch at Golden Corral! It was a sweet time of fellowship with all the staff and faculty of Faith Baptist Church, School, and Publications.

3 1/2 days

Had a great weekend last weekend...had a blast at the beach with my girl! I can't wait for summer to get here so we can be at the beach every day!

This past week of school was kinda rough in class! Some of the kids were HORRIBLE!! Thankful that there are only 3 1/2 days left! Friday will be a sad but happy day! I have almost completed my first year of teaching...and I LOVED IT!!!

Monday i will be headed to the beach for the day...hopefully to get a nicer tan than i already have! :-) Then will have school Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (half-day)

Thursday- Wednesday - I will be watching Pastor and Miss Rose's kids while they head out of town for a wedding! Its going to be so much fun..I'm excited!

A tragic but good week/weekend

Mama flew in on Tuesday night and we had a good night by heading over to revival services at Lighthouse Baptist.

Wednesday Night we headed over to Gardens Baptist for revival.

Thursday Night we watched "Yogi Bear" together! It was funny! :-)

Friday was field day...took some pictures and had a great day!! Then mama and I watched a movie called "Like Dandelion Dust" LOVE THAT MOVIE!!!

Saturday was a tragedy! Mom and I went to the beach...we were messin around and we were playin with the seashells...I had my back to the water and was crouched down. I had been takin pictures so my cell phone was in lap. As i was playin with the sea shells, the waves came up and hit me so i stood up (normal reaction) well my phone went out to sea! I cried...and well it didn't help. I never found my phone...so mom and i headed to get cleaned up and went to Verizon. We took an old phone and now its my only phone! I miss my Chocolate Touch!!! :-( Sad to say that all my field day pictures were on that phone so no pics :-(

That night we went to Pizza Hut and had some pizza!

Sunday we went to church then to Scott and Petra's for lunch, then back to church!

Monday night we watched some Criminal Minds and just sat around!

Today I took my mama back to the airport! I miss her already! I wish she was still her! Only 10 1/2 days left of school!!! :-)

Four weeks til' school is out!

I am so excited to say that in four weeks I will have completed my first year of teaching! Its been amazing! :-) I love my little kids!

So Friday night was Spring Extravaganza, it was fun! My little 1st graders did an amazing job sitting and listening for two hours while it went on...it was great! All the students who participated also did an awesome job!!

After, we went to Steak and Shake! It was crazy but fun! Spent time with my friends and some of the high school students! :-) I just love them!

Well today is Mother's Day! So happy to have a mommy that I love! She and my daddy raised me differently than most parents...but I am so thankful they did...

Although I love my independence and living on my own...I miss my mom a lot and wish we could be together on special days like today!!

<3 She will be here on Tuesday afternoon!! <3

Friday is Field Day and an Elementary Soccer Game! Hopefully Pictures will come from Field Day!

A hard day....

Friday was a rough day...I cried most of the day. I couldn't get my grandfathers out my mind! It has been a little over four years since I lost them and not a day goes by that I don't think about them. My friend's grandpa was not doing well and it got me thinking. So many things that they missed out on... and will miss out on.

The last Christmas we spent together...2006

We knew it was Papa Hindley's last Christmas...we had been praying for him to make it that long so we could spend one last holiday with him. It was a bittersweet time! He got to see all eight of his grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He passed away four days later on a Friday morning. I remember coming in very late Thursday night--cause I had been out playing volleyball like I did everything Thursday night that I was home from college-- I remember telling him goodnight and that I would see him in the morning. He was gone when I woke up in the morning. It was so hard. The funeral was Sunday...New Years Eve. Then I went back to college two days later. It all happened so fast.

Papa and Gram with Alyssa and Ryan June '05

Papa with Justin Oct '06

Papa and Gram with Alyssa, Ryan, and Justin Oct '06

Pap Stroupe it was totally different. No one ever suspected it was our last holiday, or my last time to ever see my grandfather alive. I went back to college on January 2nd. Three weeks later on a Monday, I got a phone call saying they were rushing him to the hospital. He never made it to the hospital from what I was told. Later I was told was that he had slipped on the ice and his pacemaker wasn't working. Friday of that same week was the funeral...but i wasn't home... I was in TN at college. It was a hard day.

Pap with Jared, Faith, Me, and Ashley Prob '90

Pap and Gram with Alyssa and Ryan Dec '04

Since then...They have missed out on the birth of great grandchildren, my college graduation, and grandchildren's high school graduations. They will miss out on weddings, great grandchildren being born, and so many other great events.

I wouldn't wish them back for anything because I know they are both walking streets of gold right now with the Lord. I just miss them so much! Holidays are the hardest...specially Christmas...but seeing a friend going through what I went through is killing me!

All Good Things Must Come To An End!

Gettin' ready for the conference...hair that doesn't cooperate is CRAZY!

The conference was AMAZING! What else can I say! The speakers were amazing and the Lord truly blessed! I got to spend some times with friends whom i had not seen in a year...it was great! So thankful to my Aunt, Uncle, Amber, and Lizzie for letting me crash at their places while I was in Tennessee!

Well I drove back to FL on Tuesday and it was a great drive! Spring break has been ok..Its been boring but restful I guess..

Got to go to dinner with a friend on Thursday...then went shopping! :-) Even though i hate shopping it was fun!

Vacation!

Youth Conference was great! I had a great time with all the kids!

Friday night at about 11 I set out on my first LONG road trip by myself! I drove till about 3 AM then stopped at a rest stop for some sleep! Woke up around 7:30 and got back on the road. Drove through four states - Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee - it was great! Arrived about 5 PM at my Aunt and Uncles. So excited to be back in TN! Had a great day Sunday at Temple - I hadn't been there since my graduation! Got to hang out with some friends that I hadn't seen since then also! We had a blast at Cheddars!

Today I stayed with my Aunt for most of the day just spent some time shopping and then laying around the house! I will be off to services later on tonight. Excited to hear Bro Roberson and Bro Lou Baldwin!

Unanswered Prayers

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

Remember when you're talkin' Him

That just because He may not answer doesn't mean He don't care

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

Sometimes the things we want most in life are not really what we are supposed to have. Many times it takes lots of time for us to actually realize this. Unfortunately, some people have to learn this the hard way. Why is it that we get out hearts so set on something even though we know that its not what we are supposed to do? I think it is because it is something we know we can't have. Every girl dreams of that perfect life-- a husband, children, and the little house with a white picket fence--but not every girl is going to get it. (I'm sorry girls, I didn't mean to burst your bubble, but its the truth.) We all can't have what we want all the time. If we could we would live in a perfect world, which again sorry to burst your perfect bubble but we don't. When things happen in our lives, we don't always understand why things don't go our way. Sometimes life is a climb.

I can almost see it that dream I am dreaming but there's a voice inside my head saying "You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm taking every move I make feels lost with no direction my faith is shaking
But I gotta keep trying gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain i'm always gonna wanna make it move always gonna be a uphill battle sometimes I'm gonna have to lose ain't about how fast I get there ain't about what's waiting on the other side it's the climb

The struggles I'm facing the chances I'm taking sometimes might knock me down but no, I'm not breaking
I may not know it but these are the moments that i'm gonna remember most, yeah just gotta keep going
And I, I got to be strong just keep pushing on

Praise the Lord! :-)

I am finally feeling back to a semblance of normal! Thank you Lord!!

Thursday night after the revival meetings, I was feeling very sick! I struggled through school the whole next day really not feeling well. By 3:30, I went home and just wanted to sleep. I did just that. I stayed in bed from 3:30PM (Friday) - 8:00AM(Sunday). It was a long weekend! But praising the Lord that I am feeling better. Still feel a little queasy every now and again but NOTHING like Thursday and Friday! Got sick again on Tuesday night and Wednesday! Now feeling better again!! :-)

I have some amazing students! For one of their seatwork pages, they were asked to write a story about Abraham Lincoln. Giving a title and by using the following words: log cabin, Bible, Kentucky, honest, books, brave, President, and United States- this is what they wrote.

Our Sixteenth President Saved Slaved Men - Riley

Abraham Lincoln was the President win the silver war hapind.

He was honest brave and he likes to read books.

He was President of the United States.

One day he was just reading his Bible then he wint to Kentucky and lives in a log cabin.

The Penny of Abraham Lincoln - Raegan

Abraham Lincoln read his Bible in the log cabin.

In Kentucky he was honest and brave.

He loved books so much that he became President of the United States.

Abraham Lincoln Is Brave - Melody

Abraham Lincoln licks to red the Bible.

He is President of the United States.

He lives in a log cabin.

The stat he livs in Kentucky and he is brave.

Abraham Lincoln President - Kaylee

Abraham Lincoln was the brave man in all the United States.

He lives in a log cabin and he was President.

He was from Kentucky and he was an honest man who like to read the Bible.

The brave President likes to read books about the United States.

The log cabin had books and Bible.

Abraham Lincoln - Mikey

Aberham Lincoln was honest.

He read the Bible.

He Lived in Kentucky in a log cabin.

He was a brave President of the Unites States.

Abraham Lincoln - Hannah

Abraham Lincoln lived in a log cabin.

And he is brave and honest.

He likes to read books and the Bible.

And he's President of th United States.

And he lived in Kentucky

Are Sixteenth President Saved Us - Bella

The President of the United States lived in a log cabin in Kentucky.

He was a honest man.

He was brave and he likes to read the Bible and books.

Sorry for the spelling of some things, :-) but I was copying it word for word, letter for letter. They are so precious!! I love them!

Revival!

The two bird pictures are from our visit to the Nature Center! I just forgot to put them up on the last post.

Revival has been amazing! Monday night was good, but Tuesday was AWESOME! There is no better way to describe it but to say that God met us there! It was the most unusual service I had ever been in, but the Lord moved mightily! I could not stop crying while watching the Lord work in others lives and also in my life!

Wednesday was a good day didn't really do much. Had Juniors for Jesus. Then went home, talked to my brother, and went to bed

Tonight is the last night of revival! I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for me tonight!!

Lilly and I waiting for revival to start on Tuesday!

So much to do...So little time!! :-)

Wednesday = red, white, and blue day

Me and my baby Will sportin our red, white, and blue...

he's kinda hiddin my blue!! :-)

Thursday = Hawaiian Day/Field Trip to Hobe Sound Nature Center

I made the skirt outta a green table cloth!! :-)

The beach at the Nature Center!

The kids got to make their favorite animal in the sand!

More kids....

and more kids...lol

Friday = School Shirt Day (did not have one...so no pictures...LOL)

Saturday was great!

Jeremy, Diane and her two grandsons, Amanda, and I went to the fair! We had so much fun just walking around hangin out!! Amanda, Jeremy, and I went and watched the rodeo...which i thoroughly enjoyed...but i don't think that they liked it. I had never seen bull riding that up close and personal before! IT WAS GREAT...along with everything else!! Then we got caught in the rain! I was having fun running in the rain, jumping in puddles, and just messing around!

Sunday...I am paying for being in the rain! I could not stop coughing through Church this morning! Church was amazing!! The message was on....There is no restraint on our Lord! It just blessed my heart!! After church, we headed back out to the fair! (Thanks to Amazing Grace Ministries for the free passes) We ended up riding one ride and walking around for the rest of the afternoon! Now off to church tonight! Praying for the Lord to move mightily!

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday - Revival at Bethel!! So excited...This is the fourth straight week of revival!!!

On monday, my class and I had an ice cream party for winning the banner contest! The ice cream was very yummy! :-)

This week is Spirit Week! I will post as many pictures as I can! Monday was Occupation Day. I did not take any pictures of myself because I dressed as..... A Teacher! (Who'da Thunk It) LOL

But today is Hillbilly Day! I of course went for the cute hillbilly cause i didn't wanna embarrass myself! :-)

I DO have pigtails, but since my hair is short you can't really see them! :-)

Things Are Looking Up!!!

It has been a fairly good day today! We really have not done anything in school today but work on our banner for the pep rally! The kids have been so funny to watch! They love having this distraction, but what they don't know is that the teacher loves it too! :-) I told them this morning, "If you do not work on your seatwork, you will not be allowed to color on our banner!" Well everyone of them had their spelling words and Bible verse written by recess and right now most of them have ALL their pages done! It is a miracle! I need to have something like this everyday!

Last night's revival was good! They sang two songs that I had never heard before this week and I feel in love with them! Here are the lyrics to both songs!

Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord

As the sun rose that morning on the day of Job's trials,
He rose up to serve God as any other day;
Bound and determined to live in God's favor,
And nothing would stand in his way.

But then the messengers came one by one with their story,
In just a few moments Job lost all he had;
Great wealth and riches the health of his body,
And even his children were dead.

Chorus: The Lord giveth, he taketh away,
Blessed be the name of the Lord;
I served him before and I'll serve him today,
Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Then his wife came before him to voice her opinion,
She said, "You should end this, just curse God and die."
But Job he rose from the ashes, he looked toward the heavens,
He brushed back the tears in his eyes.

And He said:

Chorus

When troubles come suddenly,
Blessed be the name!
When strong winds blow violently,
Blessed be the name!
When Satan comes oppressing me,
Blessed be the name!
I'll still serve God faithfully,
Blessed be the name!

Chorus

Help Is On The Way

A woman in the Bible days
Her last meal almost gone
But God sent Elijah to make His Word known
He said woman don't you worry
For God sent me today
And before you even asked Him
Help was on the way

Just hold on a little longer
Help is on the way
A brighter day is coming
For those who believe and pray
Help won't help tomorrow
If you give up today
Just hold on a little longer
Help is on the way

Troubles of this life come by
And burdens get you down
You think no one is listening
You think no one's around
Just remember what His Word says
Trust Him and obey
Keep your eyes towards the Heavens
For help is on the way

Just hold on a little longer
Help is on the way
A brighter day is coming
For those who believe and pray
Help won't help tomorrow
If you give up today
Just hold on a little longer
Help is on the way