Doors & Windows

With graduation, and student teaching approaching the half way mark, I've been thinking more and more about my future and God's direction in my life. I'll admit I am a bit nervous and scared, but oddly enough, not worried. For some reason I do have this peace that whatever happens will work out. There is beauty in thinking that it's just a BIG adventure about to take place and if I just take it one day and step at a time God will "make my path straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6). He opens and closes one door and another window one day at a time.

For me, I believe that one of three things will happen (although God has proven me wrong before and the following may or may not occur). Ok so there are three options or directions I feel that God could lead me. First off, as soon as I graduate, I'll be moving back home to help my parents fix up and sell their house so they can move to Roanoke, and my mother won't have to drive so far and so long everyday--plus it'll help them save on gas! I plan on putting a few applications in for substitute teaching in a couple of the surrounding counties and hopefully between fixing the house and substituting I'll stay pretty busy. But then what happens after that? Well (1) I could apply for teacher positions and get a job and start my first year teaching next Fall (2) I could apply to grad school at Virginia Tech--get accepted and attend next fall (still no idea what I'd go into) or (3) join the Peace Corps and serve in that for two years--the plus side of that is I could teach while I'm in the Peace Corps!

So considering those options, I'm not really sure where I'm headed. But, believe it or not, I'm really at peace with whatever door He opens, I'm just anxious to find out which door it is! I'm so excited for whatever the Lord brings. I know His plans are better than anything I could imagine, so I can't wait to see where I'm gonna go, who I'm gonna meet, and how my life will turn out! Please be in prayer over this decision for me. I currently go to a Bible study on Wednesday nights and the book we're reading is "Chazown" and it's about finding God's calling and direction! It's been such a huge blessing and help for me, so just continue to pray God will lead and I'll follow! And may you be so bold as to let God lead you as well!

Student Teaching

Ok so this is long overdue, but in all fairness I have been extremely busy as of late! First off let me say that the rest of summer was amazing! I was able to go with the SUB and Residence Life on their fall retreat to Claytor Lake and Carowinds! It was so much fun! I was afraid that I would feel out of place amongst them, but thanfully I did not. After returning from the fall leadership retreat, I left the van only to hop in Marcus' car and head back down to Mathews to see and spend time with Davis family. Again, that was such an amazing trip! Of course those days flew by and I had to come back to Bluefield, but this time Adam came back with Marcus and me, which made the trip go by even quicker (well minus that HUGE detour we took to swing by my house--thanks guys :-) ) Once we got back to Bluefield time with my friends was limited as I had to start preparing for student teaching.

We had to be there at the beginning for all the back to school meetings which started on August 18, but the students didn't arrive until that Thursday, August 21st. What a whirlwind of a day! I have 160 students to keep up with! And it wasn't until this past week that I finally remembered all of their names and faces. Overall student teaching is going much better than I thought it would. I'm with Mrs. Blevins teaching 8th grade Civics/Economics. I was a bit unsure of teaching this subject because this is my weakest area in History, but surprinsgly I feel very comfortable with it (at least for now). I love all of my students. There are a few trouble makers and a couple of students that are just crying out for attention, but overall they are a great group of students and I can already see how difficult it will be to leave them when I switch to my next placement. One thing I'm especially eager and looking forward to getting to the SOLs dealing with politics and the election coming up. I'm so proud of my students because they've been keeping up with each the Democratic and Republican Conventions. I was able to watch a bit of each, but I must say I'm sticking to my Republican roots and will be voting for McCain/Palin! Sorry Obama, although I will say that I have been keeping up with him just as much so I will be well aware of what his agenda will be if he's elected President. Ok so next week will be very interesting! Mrs. Blevins is handing over all her classes to me so I'll be teaching Periods 1-5 and 7 (6th period is our planning). So hopefully this time next week I'll be updating on that experience, just pray and hope it goes well!