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.