We got catching up to do.

Oh I am so behind.. I don't know where to start. Let's see.. I guess I have the whole summer that I missed..
Well, I am..

• DONE with grad school.. finished, finished, FINISHED! whoo!

• Moved off out of my house and in with my cousin for a few weeks.
• My sister AND my mom got married!
• Got a job teaching Preschool, like I wanted :)
• Moved into my own house (renting). I love it.
• The day after I moved in, I ended up in the ER and admitted for 4 days.. had a procedure/surgery thing to remove a stone that either a. has been there since my gallbladder was out 2 years ago or b. formed since, even though I'm gallbladder less, because, well, 1% of people without one still form them.
• Got out of the hospital and started my new job the very next day.. eased into the craziness of trying to be prepared for my kids to start.
• Kids started, a month into it, and things are going great.

Life really is pretty good right now. OH I forgot to mention.. during that time.. My poor Corsica was laid to rest. On my Friday night off, it started leaking Antifreeze like it was its job. The next day my wonderful friend went to look at it and it started pouring.. so since we thought it was the heater core and a few hundred to fix anyway, we went car shopping. After a week and a half of stress, I finally got a 2008 Honda Civic... which I LOVE.

So.. new job.. new house.. new car... things are pretty great right now. I'm enjoying everything in my life.

God is good.

the next phase of my life.

It’s been about three weeks since I’ve been back. It seems a whole lot longer than that. So much has happened. To start off with, the first weekend I was home I had a terrible ear infection. The inside of my ear was swollen shut, causing the area around my ear on the outside to swell, causing my jar to hurt, making me not eat… It was a terrible week that it lasted. I called off work one day, went home early another, had a sick day at school… I couldn’t hear anything out of it, causing me not to talk much since I couldn’t hear myself. It was one crazy week.

The next week I had an interview at Concord’s preschool. It was a pretty big church and I really liked the people there. Apparently I impressed them because they kept saying, “good answer” … “Wow..” I’m a better interviewee than I thought! That was on a Thursday and they called the following Monday to offer me the job. They kept saying, “What can we do to persuade you to come here?” That was encouraging. They wanted me to start my own class of 3 and 4 year olds and I would have a total of 6 kids. GLORIOUS. That would have been wonderful. They also wanted me there in the morning to greet the parents when the kids first arrive because they thought I’d be great with that. However, pay wasn’t much. I could probably make it work and I would have taken it (maybe).. but I didn’t. It also just didn’t feel right when I was there. And it felt more like a daycare. I DO NOT want that. I didn’t get my Master’s to be an over-priced babysitter.

So you’re probably asking yourself, “She didn’t take the job? Is she crazy? Does she know how teaching jobs are few right now? Knox County is talking about cutting 30 teachers!” Well, that Wednesday (last week) I had another interview at the ECLC (the preschool on campus that I worked at during my undergrad). That interview went great (it was different than your average interview because these two knew my answers already). That just seemed right though. So… things needed to be figured out to give me answers about other things.. And about a week ago I accepted the job! I have my very own, grown up, “big girl” job. I couldn’t be more excited. I sign papers on Monday (I think? I have a meeting at least).

Since then, I’ve been looking at places to live. On campus housing isn’t available for ridiculous reasons.. that would have been nice to fall back on. About ten minutes from campus, I looked at an apartment set up on the second floor of someone’s house. The outside is shady, but the inside is really nice. And my friend is looking to rent out his basement, so I’m also looking into that. I need to lay everything out and see what would be the best choice.. haven’t done that yet. Also, a friend of mine is needing a place and a roommate… yesterday we just looked at a house my friend and mentor teaching is renting. We both loved it (I think she did too?). It’s in a central location. It would take me about 30 minutes to get to work, but that’d be okay. If she gets the job she’s interviewing for, it’d take her about 30 minutes as well. We’re now waiting to find out if they girl that looked at the house before us wants it or not. We will see!

My Internship is also about over. The last day with my students was Friday and there are two inservice days that I go to Monday. Wednesday we defend our thesis, Thursday/Friday we correct it, the following two weeks is class, then NO MORE SCHOOL!! EVER! At least, that's the current plan.

So that’s my life, thus far. I’m going to be living in Knoxville!!!!! I HAVE A JOB!!! Grad School is almost over. I can’t wait. The next phase in my life will be starting. I’m scared. I’m nervous. I’m excited.

Thank you all for your continued prayers!

Estoy en la Estados Unidos

I meant to post this last night when I got home.. but there was too much excitement going on and I didn't get a chance.. but here you go:

I am currently (well, when I post this I won’t be, but as I type…) 28,000 feet flying over North Carolina on this short 30ish minute flight back to Knoxville. Somehow I managed to have an empty seat next to me, so I moved myself over to the window. It’s pretty cool to fly over all the lights. On another note, one thing now added to my list of things to see before I die is the sunset (or rise, I suppose) while in an airplane. I think that’d be pretty sweet to see.

My first flight was pretty good. I sat next to an older Puerto Rican lady who didn’t speak any English. In front of me was a marine and the flight attendant walked past and then turned around and came back to him and thanked him for his service. Not enough people do that and I think really take for granted what they actually do for us. I’m glad and am so very proud to come from a family that has had and has so many people in the military. Anyway, the flight was good. I played a game on my iPod that Craig told me to download and ended up getting up to level 52 before I thought I should probably turn it off! I did some reading in my Breaking Free book that my small group (which I am SO excited to get back to!) started studying right before I left. I love how God works and makes his presence known. I was listening to my iPod while reading and the song Better Than Life by Hillsong was on. As I’m listening to it and agreeing to every word and just loving the song, I’m reading a page in my book and it is talking about how David was so accustomed to God’s love that he considered it “better than life.” I just had to stop and smile to myself. We serve in awesome God.

As we were decreasing in altitude, everything, obvious, becomes more clear. This precious little girl behind me says, “It looks just like my Barbie playland!!!” Oh my goodness. I love little kids.
That’s another reason I’m excited to be home. I have had three phone calls (well, including the ECLC) about jobs and interviews and I get to go home and now set some things up and hopefully get a start to where my life may go and where God may lead me. I cannot wait.

I’m also so very excited to land. Erin had to work and Chad was going to pick me up, however, it was the last service of the church he’s attending of, of the summer, and he didn’t want to miss it and I didn’t want to be the cause of him missing it. So, Cora, Anna, and Rilee are picking me up WITH Chickfila in hand. I just LOVE them. I can’t wait to see my friends. God blesses me more than I deserve.

Tomorrow will be a day of working on my portfolio, along with a trip to Panchos (YES!), and a freaking Dave Barnes concert with two of my best friends (Cora and Erin). You know I love Dave! Friday will be another day of working and hopefully finishing up my portfolio and then working! Yes, I’m a freak. I’m excited to work. I also am going to stop by Mooreland Thursday or Friday and talk to Heidi (my mentor teacher)and see “the other” mentor teacher (haha! Just in case you’re reading this!) and see my kids too. Then I’ll be back to school on Monday to finish out the year strong!

Once I post this, it will obviously mean that I made it safe and sound. So if you are reading this, then know that I am. I’ll post a link to some pictures and tell you about my last few days in Puerto Rico sometime within the next few days.

I can’t say again my appreciation to all of you. I know NO ONE leaves comments, but I know there are a lot reading this and that have kept up with it since I left. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for your support during this trip and for your continuous prayers. Literally, without each and every one of you, I wouldn’t have been able to go. Thank you for being a part of this with me.

Feel free to keep up with the blogs. They may not be as often, but I’ll update you with my life as the time comes and things get more exciting :]. Like for the fact of defending my thesis, finishing grad school, interviewing, getting a job, finding an apartment… you get my drift.

I love you all.

Sharks, parties, and teaching.

So I'm grading papers today and this is the story that I hear:

Natalie- I've been on a boat with a hotel on it. Actually, that's when I saw a great white shark.
Miguel- A SHARK!?
Natalie- Yeah. I actually got bit by a shark. It grabbed me right here (holds waist) and right here on my neck.
Miguel- I can't see it on your neck.
Natalie- I know, it's not really there anymore.
Miguel- What did you do?
Natalie- Well, my dad jumped in to save me. So did my grandpa. But my grandpa got ate by the shark.
Miguel- WHAT!
Natalie- Yeah But the shark didn't eat his eyeballs. So I had to jump back into the water and kill the shark. I took his eyeballs. I still have them.
Miguel- WOW!
...A few kids walk by..
Miguel- Natalie got bit by a shark!
One of the kids- Yeah. So have I.

HA. There's never a dull moment.. Whether it's good or bad, it's never dull. It's hard believing it's my last day in this first grade classroom tomorrow. They have some sort of party of surprise planned. I thought there might be something because I walked into the classroom while they must have been discussing it and the kids freaked and just stared at me. The following day one of the boys brought money and I said, Bryan, is that for me!? And he said, Yeah! It's for your party! A few of the kids freaked out on him and he said, I didn't tell her the surprise! haha! Then today I was telling Maya that I wasn't able to go on the field trip next week because I had to go back to Tennessee and she said, Oh but, teacher, why!? And another girl came up and whispered something to her and Maya said Oh! Teacher, I know nothing. Nothing. And just smiled and walked away! Oh I just love them (or at least a few of them :)

They do make me laugh. That's for sure.

They also make me crazy. Yesterday I got a phone call at about 7:55 saying that my mentor teacher was sick, she wasn't coming in, and she'd call back during Spanish to give me her lesson plans (they were with her). I about freaked out. I didn't want to do this thing all day again because of the last time. Well, during Spanish she didn't call til it was almost over and had already made a lay out of how I wanted the day to go. Luckily I had a teacher's aide in there with me, who I just love. She's from here but taught in the states for 10 years and she is just so very encouraging. So we mapped out the day (edited it a little when Vivian called) and went from there. I won't tell you exactly how the day was, but I'll just tell you that I had about lost my voice by the end of the day, came home, and took a hardcore two hour nap. I forced myself to get up at 6 because I didn't want to be up all night (I was up until 1am).

Today I got another phone call. I freaked out when I saw her name on my ringing phone. She had said she was on her way... She was a few hours late, so I had the morning covered today. I'd be confident to say that even though the short amount I was able to teach here equals out to what I would have done in the states. Phew.

Speaking of the states, I head back in six days. How crazy. Tomorrow is FRIDAY! WHOO! Not sure what's on the agenda yet. Saturday I believe we're going to the Bacardi Distillery.. that will be interesting to see how everything is done. Sunday Craig has to preach on the West side of the island so we'll go to church, hit up the beach, and see Cabo Rojo.. ? Maybe? Something like that. It's a lighthouse on the beach. Looks pretty cool from the pictures. Monday I will go to school (stop in my classroom at the end of the day and officially say bye) and during the day I want to observe the Kindergarten classroom and the Preschool classroom. I'm anxious to see how things are done. In the afternoon I will probably sit in on Lindsay's class as well. Tuesday I am taking the day to clean my room, pack, and lay out and bake at the pool. Wedesday I'll make sure everything is together, once it is, I'll be at the pool until I have to come back and leave. Lindsay is picking me up from the house at noon, I'll be at the airport by about 12:30, flight leaves about 2:45 I think, I'll land in Charlotte, have an hour and a two hour delay (I think) and then head to Knoxville and land at 9:30 where Chad (and maybe Erin if she can get someone to cover her shift) will pick me up. Thursday and Friday will consist of being in the Resource Center and knocking my portfolio out of the way once and for all. How exciting to be done with that (Yes, I know I'll have to update it as I teach). OH. And Thursday evening will also be spent in accompanied by Dave Barnes at the Bijou. I'm freaking excited. Doesn't matter how many times I see him, I'm just as excited everytime.

Hopefully I'll get one more post in before I go. If not, I will let you know when I'm safe and sound at home, or as my mom puts it, where there's not an ocean separating herself from me :) Speaking of my mom.. I get to see my family two weeks from tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, Erin, for graduating. I'm soo stinkin excited to see them. I haven't seen any of them since December.

Less than 10 days.

Sorry for the delay in updates.

Field Trip!

Things have been great here. Trying to relax as much as I can before I head back to the states in less than 10 days. That's just so crazy for me to believe. I can't believe this is my last week with my class! I will miss them dearly and their hilarious personalities, but then again, I won't! Haha, not after the week I had with them... I am not cut out to teach in this culture. It would be a huge challenge for me, but I am SO entirely greatful for the experience, for what it's taught me, and for the relationships I've built here. I wouldn't change a thing.
Fish Faces with Maya.
This past weekend I went to El Yunque rainforest. It's the "number one place to go when you're in Puerto Rico." It rained. No wait, sorry, it down poured on us the entire time. It was cloudy when we got to the top. I was completely sore the next day. But. It. was. awesome. Again, wouldn't change a thing. Well, I would have liked it to not rain as much because it made taking pictures difficult, but it was kind of fun to hike in the rain. Can say I've never done that before!
Craig and Linds climbing to the top/look-out point of El Yunque.
This sums up our view. We saw nothing!


Yesterday morning me and Lindsay went and watched the sunrise on the beach. It was incredible. So so pretty. I was exhausted yesterday and today, but it was worth it.






There's a few more things we're going to do this next week and my last weekend.. still is just so crazy to me. Even crazier, when I get back to Knoxville, I have SIX (thats right, count them up, S-I-X) weeks left of Grad School. Praise.the.Lord. I couldn't make it any longer.

As far as jobs go, keep the prayers coming please!

Just to Be With You

As I sit here and read the passage of Jesus' trial, death, and resurrection in Luke, I can't seem but to feel so many emotions.

Anger- Starting in Luke 23, Jesus is passed along to Pilate then Herod and back to Pilate. Even though he is already getting mocked by the guards, neither Pilate or Herod find anything wrong with him. Pilate says, "He seems harmless to me." And yet when they present him to the crowd, the crowd is the one that wants him crucified. After everything he's done for them, for their families... it makes me so mad. And then it makes me even more mad because Pilate GIVES IN. What kind of ruler are you that you give in and not stand your ground!?

Wonder- I also can't help to wonder about this all. It makes me mad, and yet, this is what God had planned all along. Jesus knew it and yet he prayed in the Garden and asked if there was anything else that could be done. So I know it had to happen. Because of this, it makes me wonder about Pilate and Herod's life. THEY chose to crucify him, even though it's what was intended in God's plan, so where does that lie in their life? They ultimately killed the Messiah. THE MESSIAH. Alpha and Omega. King of Kings. Adonai. Does that play a part in their life? I know it's not for me to decide, but it makes me wonder.

Unworthy- How can you read any passage about what Jesus went through and not feel like you're unworthy? WHO AM I to deserve what He's gone through? But that's the amazing part of grace... none of us are, and yet, He thinks so. Who am I to argue? Who am I to not live my life for him?

Relief- He rose. He rose! HE ROSE! Why do I worry about other things? HE ROSE to fulfill his promises. He died so I may live. He rose so I may live. HE'S COMING BACK SO I MAY LIVE.

Humorous- Jesus asks, "Do you have any food in here?" :] haha. "Ya'll got any food up in this joint?" makes me laugh.

Excited- for his promise. "I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high."

"Love Song" by Third Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ninMQnXoYnk&feature=related

Serenity

My first graders. More pictures to come.


Have you ever just felt like something was on your heart, but you didn't quite know what it is? I feel that way.. There's just something there but it's like I can't find the words for it.

Anyway. Let me update you on some things that have been going on.

God decided it'd be a great and humorous idea if not only I went to a jr/sr high retreat, but that I led a family group as well. Let me tell you, I changed my major to Early Childhood for a reason. My personality just doesn't go well with the "big kids." So when I heard I'd be helping with the retreat, I thought, "Okay, what's four days?" and when I got there and was told I'd be leading a family group with another person, I got a little leary. However, things went okay. If anything, the KIDS weren't opening up which was making it difficult. Luckily, I was with someone who works in student ministry at his church back in the States. I told him leading the discussions was all him and I'd chime in.. which is how it went. Our group started to open up more the last night, but it still wasn't much. The last night's session was really good though. God was apparent and it was clear. Not just that night, but all week. Keep these students in your prayers. A lot of them are going through a lot.. not just typical high school things, but things they shouldn't have to be faced with.

The speaker for the week was a friend of Craig's from Rainbow Christian Camp in Indiana. Joe, the speaker, his wife Melissa, and their adorable son Jake stayed with us while they were here. It was a house full, but it was a lot of fun. Having a baby around made me realize how much I DO NOT want kids for awhile :] Luckily that works out since there isn't even an other half to that equation around. They are great people though and I had a lot of fun getting to know them.

After the retreat, Craig, Joe, Melissa, and I (Linds stayed home with Jake) drove about 2hrs to the center of the island to Torre Negro. On our way there we stopped at a point where you could see both sides of the coast.. as in, I look North and there's the ocean, I turn around and look South and there's the ocean. Pretty stinkin cool if you ask me. It was cloudy and dreary outside so the pictures aren't the best. And speaking of pictures, my batteries died. I stole Joe's pictures and I need to get Craig's. Anyway. We hiked up the mountains to el Torre.. which is the tower. I've never hiked for the sake of seeing a tower, but again, pretty stinkin cool. On our way back, we stopped at a beautiful waterfall. I wish we would have had time to get in it. Craig says the waterfalls at El Yunke are better.. that's the rainforest. I can't wait to see more of this beautiful island.

On the way back from the retreat, driving past the ocean on the Beach Road, I thought, I've missed seeing this everyday. Then I got to thinking how I am half way through this already. HALF WAY. wow. It doesn't feel like I've been here almost a month already. I'm going to have a rough time when it comes time to leave. God has given me such a feeling of serenity, that if that was the only reason I was here, it would be okay. Words can't even begin to tell you how much I needed that... How much I longed for that. All the time... God is good.

Please continue to be praying. And why you're at it, through in the job hunting too. I have all the applications that I've been in the process of working on, sent out. I was praying about it yesterday and I just have this strong pull towards Knoxville. I really can't see myself leaving. I can't see myself saying goodbye to the relationships that have formed there. I know a lot of people are just, "Well, where I get a job is where I get a job!" And don't really care where it is.. But there is just this tug on my heart saying Knoxville. I know that God will provide.. But I don't know if that tug is for my own selfish reasons or if it means something. I don't want an opportunity in Knoxville to come up, and me just take it because it's Knoxville.. And I'm sure when the time comes and I go through interviews and the decisions are sought prayerfully, I'll know. But I just ask that you keep that in your prayers, please.

On this Friday.. On this weekend... I pray you not only remember what it's about, but that you live it daily, everyday. Don't make what He did not worth it.


Isaiah 53
1 Who believes what we've heard and seen? Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?
2-6The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling,
a scrubby plant in a parched field.
There was nothing attractive about him,
nothing to cause us to take a second look.
He was looked down on and passed over,
a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.
One look at him and people turned away.
We looked down on him, thought he was scum.
But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—
our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him,
that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
Through his bruises we get healed.
We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost.
We've all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong,
on him, on him.

7-9He was beaten, he was tortured,
but he didn't say a word.
Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered
and like a sheep being sheared,
he took it all in silence.
Justice miscarried, and he was led off—
and did anyone really know what was happening?
He died without a thought for his own welfare,
beaten bloody for the sins of my people.
They buried him with the wicked,
threw him in a grave with a rich man,
Even though he'd never hurt a soul
or said one word that wasn't true.

10Still, it's what God had in mind all along,
to crush him with pain.
The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin
so that he'd see life come from it—life, life, and more life.
And God's plan will deeply prosper through him.

11-12Out of that terrible travail of soul,
he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it.
Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant,
will make many "righteous ones,"
as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Therefore I'll reward him extravagantly—
the best of everything, the highest honors—
Because he looked death in the face and didn't flinch,
because he embraced the company of the lowest.
He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many,
he took up the cause of all the black sheep.

For you complainers..

For you complainers who like to complain but don't even leave me comments to read...

We're headin out to a Retreat for the Jr/Sr high schoolers. It's like camp pretty much. We're leavin in a few minutes and will be gone til Tuesday.. I'll update this when we come back!


Have a great weekend!

End of Week Two.

I miss one week and I'm getting harassed. I have been meaning to update this though. My goal is at least once a week. Apparently, I missed that. Sorry.

Everything has been really good. I was telling some people that that's what it just is.. GOOD. No drama. No stress. No working on the weekends. It's just simply good. I'm enjoying my time with my kids. I feel like I have a story everyday from them. They are so stinkin funny. I'm enjoying my time with Lindsay and Craig, spending nights that I'm laughing so much I'm crying, spending nights staying up late and just talking with Linds, like the old days :]. It's just been so relaxing.

Last weekend we went to the beach and the largest mall in the Carribbean, along with the largest Old Navy. This weekend we didn't have school Friday or tomorrow, so we went to the beach in San Juan on Friday, the outlets yesterday, Old San Juan today, and tomorrow we're going to another beach on the opposite side of the island. I think this one is one that's part of the Carribbean Sea, so it's crystal clear water. So pretty.

Um. What else.. I tried what I think is the most popular form of puerto rican food.. monfongo. Look it up. It's like mashed plantains. It wasn't terrible, but I didn't think there was much taste to it.

I did end up talking to my teacher on her expectations of me. She said I've about finished my student teaching so she didn't think I was expected to teach at all and it was more observance and if I did teach, it wouldn't be until after I've been there a month. Lindsay said it's more because I need to get acquainted with the culture before I'm able to teach the kids.. that's understandable for sure. I talked to my internship coordinator and he said that this placement is different and my requirements are not the same. He said whatever I do will be between me and my mentor teacher and what she wants me to do. He said I will gain the teaching experience being there and helping when needed and just being involved in that way. I can see that too. What makes it hard is that I don't even feel like there's "teaching" anyway. The only thing that seems to be taught is Math. I haven't really seen a lesson in anything else. There's so much I wish I could do and change as far the teaching methods go. It's very teacher-centered and not student centered, which is what I've been taught. For those not familiar, teacher-centered is workbooks and the basic solid teaching in that matter. Student-centered is more focused on getting the students involved and doing something other than worksheets and workbooks. It's more hands on learning and instruction that will best meet their form of learning. So it's been rough in that aspect.

Other than that, things are good! I got a call about a week ago about a potential job at a preschool opening up in Knoxville. He left me a message, I called him back and got the voicemail and left him a message. Last week I hadn't heard from him and every time I got the voicemail. I left another message on Wednesday just forming him that I was interested and would like to talk to him more about the preschool and everything. We'll see where it goes. It was really, really exciting getting that first call. It also helped because someone talked me up to him and said he had nothing but great things to say. The guy happened to be one of the officers that does security at the theater. Picks on me all the time but told them I was a great worker and that I would fit right in with the people there. :] We'll see what happens. Hopefully this week I'll get a call back. Be praying. I've also got 3 more applications I really need to get on the ball with. That will be my goal this week. It's mid-March. I am definitely slacking.

Sorry it's so long. I will really try to update more frequently so each one isn't a novel.

Instead of trying to get pictures on here (it's a pain), you can go to the following links to see some. Let me know if they don't work.

Where I'm staying:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2016174&id=157200049&l=a2deeb5392

Beach Number One:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2016177&id=157200049&l=2211baab6c

Beach Number Two (visit from my sister) plus more pictures including Old San Juan:

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=2016254&id=157200049

here's the mail it never fails...

Okay.. I've been asked for an address.. so.. if you'd like to make my day, you can send something to:
Craig and Lindsay Beatty (Katrina)
Cond. Lago Playa
Apt. 2621
Toa Baja, PR 00949

I should receive it then and you'd make me happy :]

So today.. me and Linds went grocery shopping and I went to pay and had my first official moment where I was spoken to in Spanish and just kind of froze. Lindsay finally jumped in and helped and told me he wanted my ID. haha. And then we went to Taco Bell (yes, they have Taco Bell!) and as we were walking in Linds was like, let's see how good my Spanish is when ordering! ...DUH! I'm not even thinking when it comes to that. Luckily, this girl was like, I speak English.. and she was from PR but her English was sooo good. So yeah.. it was a pretty relaxing evening. Now we're just hanging out watching American Idol. This time last night, I was already in bed. I don't know what it is about this place, but it SUCKS the energy right out of you. I slept for 9hrs last night and couldn't manage to stay awake this morning. I also had felt like a truck hit me.. don't know why.. but my body just ached.
anyway.
Didn't get a chance to talk to my teacher today.. She kept me busy grading and running copies.. this placement really is going to be rough. I don't see me teaching much... so that's going to have to be okay with certain people back at home.
um... so I got called a name by one of my students. Have no idea what it was.. but one kid was like, he's telling jokes about you. And then another one gasped and said, he called you a really bad name! And the teacher dealt with it.. but I have no idea what he said! The little punk.
Another kid asked me if I knew that Hannah Montana lived in Tennessee where I lived :] And then she was like, when is she going to come to Puerto Rico!?? aw. poor girl. I should have been like they were in the movie and be like, I know Hannah Montana. :] hahaha.
Oh. and we have a student with ODD.. which I've never heard of. It's Oppositional Defiant Disorder. HA. yeah.. no joke. it's a disorder. Anyway. He was really sweet to me. He kept coming to me for help and then in the cafeteria we have to sit with them (I know, it sucks) and he was like teacher! teacher! here! (The students called you "teacher"). Anyway. At least he's not being crazy for me.. yet.

I felt like I was going to say something else... but I don't remember.
Anyway. Keep on reading. Keep on praying. Send me mail. I love you all. :]

I'm gonna go with Molly's title... Sorry for the book.. but its my first update in PR!

I wish I could tell you I was in the beautiful city of San Juan (or right outside it), but I can't. I'm here, but with this weather, it hasn't been beautiful. I refuse to take out my camera until the sun comes out! It's been in the 70s which feels nice, but this gloomy rain thing has got to go. And when it goes, it can take my allergies with it. My nose has been nothing but stuffy and I have done nothing but sneezing!

To back it up a bit, I came in on Saturday. My flights were good. The first one from Knoxville to Charlotte was a little rough, but luckily, it was only 30-40ish minutes. It was on a teeny plane with two seats on each side. Lucky for me, I sat next to a bigger gentleman, making me lean into the aisle a little bit. Just like in the movies though, I fell asleep and then someone walked down the aisle and hit my shoulder. Nice, huh?

So I got to Charlotte, which was a nice airport, and had about an hour and a half wait til my next flight. This one was a lot better. The day before when I checked in online, I changed my seat to a window so I can take some pictures (it was cloudy so that didn't happen). I sat next to a girl my age that was on her way to relax for Spring Break. We got to talk a lot and she happened to be from CA, which some of you know I'm applying for a job there. She was telling me how pretty that area was and how I needed to just go for it. She's studying in DC in International Politics. Crazy, right? I know. Anyway. She was sweet and it was good to talk to someone... as well as good to sleep during the flight!

Craig and Lindsay were there to pick me up. It was sooo good to see them. I'm so excited I get to spend this time with them and it's so comforting and such an enouragement to have them here as well. Like I said, it's been raining, so the drive wasn't too much to see. It all just looked so crummy. We dropped my stuff off at the apartment and went to the mall to go to Chili's for dinner. Okay.. When people asked me how I was going to do this teaching thing here, I kept saying, oh! It's an English instructed school.. no big deal. But what I didn't think as well is how everything else around me would be Spanish! The menu for instance. I could read like every other word so I figured it out, with Linds' help as well. But everywhere you go it's Spanish.. street signs, menus, receipts... and then you'll run into Puerto Ricans who speak better English than you. But it was a little bit of a culture shock because I wasn't thinking of the obvious.

Sunday we went to church... it's no Crossings, that's for sure. And I wasn't expecting it to be. It's a small church, the organ plays 2 songs and then the guitar and drums play 2 songs.. and that's because they can't agree, but that's another story. Craig preached though, so that was good.
We did some shopping at Costco and came home and all three of us slept the afternoon. It was kind of nice to nap. That evening we went to one of their friends' house to celebrate Lindsay's birthday. They are all super sweet and very welcoming. They made some kind of Puerto Rican steak on the grill, which was soo good. I think it's called... chureso? Or something along those lines. But I had a good time. It was nice to get to know everybody right away.

And today... it was my first day at school. I'm going to love these kids. One of them came up to me and started talking in Spanish and I just looked at him and smiled and then he was like, Are you from another country? And I laughed and said yeah.. so he got out a map and I showed him where.. then he said, You speak in Spanish? And I told him very little and he just laughed and said, hok. I talk to Ingles. haha.

The teacher's aid that's in there will not be in there while I'm there. She's on doctor's orders not to go back to work, so my teacher said it was like a blessing in disguise that I got to come be here. It was a little rough today, but we're meeting during their Spanish class first thing in the morning tomorrow to talk. So I kind find out what she expects of me, what I expect of her, etc. Hopefully it will get better than what it was.

Anyway. I won't keep writing a book. They'll be pictures soon, I promise. Maybe next weekend when the sun's out? And I can show you mi casa as well :]

Taco Bell and the Moon

So I guess I do all my thinking when I’m driving. I had two random thoughts the past two days that led to being even more in awe with God.

Thought 1:
I went to Taco Bell before work on Saturday and I got one of those 5-layer burrito things, theyre really good and theyre only 89 cents! :] anyway. I forgot to say NO SOUR CREAM. I HATE HATE HATE sour cream, if you didn’t know that already. Well, I didn’t want to get out of my car because it was cold and snowing/raining. So I got out a napkin and opened up the burrito and grabbed the chunk of sour cream out and went on my way. As I was eating it, I was hesitant with every bite thinking I was going to bite into nastiness at any minute.. I really do have a point.. stay with me… So I finally get to a point where I taste it.. and maybe it was all just in my head, I don’t know, it’s a possibility. Anyway, it was gross and needless to say, I didn’t finish it. It got me thinking though how Cora loves sour cream and how I despise it. And then it got me thinking… how amazing is the God we serve? He created us all SO different. I mean, in looks and personality and all of that.. but even with the TASTE BUDS on our TONGUES! Think about it. Think about all those tiny and irritating little things we have and how everyone likes different foods. That’s because of our taste buds! I was really just taken a step back by that thought.

Thought 2 (See pictures below):

This time, I was driving home from work.. and the moon was absolutely BEAUTIFUL tonight. I mean, it looked bigger than I could ever imagine… abnormal even to the point I lost my breath. I grabbed my phone and texted my roommates (old and new :] ) and said, LOOK AT THE MOON! I almost hit the car in front of me because I was so distracted. It was bright yellow and BIG, if I haven’t mentioned that already, and you could see the craters and everything in it. Well, that got me thinking… do you realize how much time and thought God put into creating this universe and everything in it?? I mean, to sit there and think, “I think I’m going to put this ‘moon’ in the air by the earth, and you know what? I think I’m going to make the Sun reflect it at a perfect point to light up the entire sky. And you know what else? Why not add beyond billions of speckled bursts of light in the sky as well?” Again, I my breath was just taken away THINKING about our Creator. Just thinking how He times everything so right, and yet, we QUESTION Him??? WHO ARE WE? It is only by HIS grace that we even MATTER! I fully believe He plans everything for a reason. I believe he puts people in our life to get us through the day, to give us hell and problems that we learn and grow from, to comfort and talk to and build us up when we’re low… he strategically has it all planned out. So why must we question? It’s our nature and that SUCKS. I don’t want to question my life and the problems I may have when my problems are nothing compared to what others experience or are going through. Even those problems that are bigger than mine, are nothing compared to others… and so it goes on. I am beyond blessed more than I deserve. I have absolutely NOTHING to complain about. My God will get me through everything. It reminds me of one of my favorite verses in 1 Corinthians:

13No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.

God’s not going to put anything in your life that you can’t handle.
That rant was not intended to go in that direction :] The moon just made me realize how God timed creation out so amazingly.. and then that just got me thinking as I was typing.. So yeah.. those are my thoughts.

God is good. What else is there to say?

These verses also popped into my head..

Luke 19:40
(referring to the disciples) "If they keep quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise."

Psalm 97:4-5

4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.

quick update.

just a quick list and some pictures of what's going on:

1. bought my tickets for puerto rico! no turning back now :] march 6-april 28.

2. my moms engaged!

possible date is july 10.

3. im back in 1st grade starting wednesday.

4. i filled out my first "real: job application (for the position of the lead teacher in the ECLC :)

I haven't turned it in yet.. still need to revamp my resume.

I'm a fan of in there :]

5. i feel like there needs to be a five... um..

home was great. Christmas was great...

and I was back in Knoxville for New Years Eve, which was great..

I guess that's all for now :]