Post Graduation

Last I had posted I was unsure of where God was leading me, and I was still student teaching. So to catch you up, I ended my first placement of student teaching on October 3rd and started my second placement on October 6th. My second placement was at Graham High School with Mrs. Peggy Scott, teaching U.S. History to juniors. I was apprehensive and nervous about having an older group of students, but as the weeks flew by, I loved every minute of that experience! It was such a joy and blessing to work with everyone at Graham. My students were great, Mrs. Scott ever helpful and encouraging, and the faculty/staff friendly and eager to share stories as well as give helpful advice. Of the two experiences, I am so thankful that I had the worst first and the best second. God definitely blessed me in that situation!

Student teaching taught me so much. There are so many experiences that showed me how to better reach people, as well as how exciting it is to see students learn and get excited about History! After completing all the requirements for student teaching, I finally, after all the hard work of 3 1/2 years at college, graduated with honors (Magna Cum Laude) on December 13, 2008 alongside some of my greatest friends :-) It was such a joy and honor to graduate from college. I felt proud and thankful that the Lord had taken care of me and allowed me to do so. He is good! And I'm especially thankful for all the support of my friends and family. They have made these some of the best years of my life!

Surprisingly, I was ready to graduate. I thought I'd never feel that way, but God's timing is indeed perfect and I'm happy to say that it felt right to finally be done. However, do not be misled, for I truly miss all the wonderful people I have come to know and love at Bluefield College! And although I have graduated, I know that this will not be the last time I see or hear from them; just as I have kept in touch with other Bluefield Alums before me. The friendships I made in Bluefield are the kind of friends that I know I'll keep in touch with for the rest of my life. Their friendships will last far beyond my days in the dorm of Rish, or Wednesday mornings spent in convocation, and fun-filled nights spent in the SAC.

Now, nearly three months have passed since graduation! The holidays were split between time with my family and time with Adam. After the new year, on January 10th, I moved in with the Davis family and have been staying with them since then. Some may see this decision as impulsive and rash, but it has turned out to be a wonderful blessing--not only in my relationship with Adam, but in my relationship with the Lord as well. My parents, whom I thought were ready for an empty nest, proved otherwise and this move has made me value them even more since I see less of them now. *I do hope that within the next month I'll be happy to make a trip out there to see them* Despite our nation's economic crisis, I have put in applications in five different counties and have been subbing for Mathews County only. Though my licensure to teach is in 6-12 History, I have subbed at the local elementary school three times and the middle school twice. I am hoping that I will be called more often, but we'll see how things go! I did put an application in at the Mathews Yacht Club, and praise the Lord, I got a job there as a waitress/hostess/kitchen staff! I start this Friday and am eager to begin, so for those of you reading this, please keep me in your prayers!

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!