On the move...again!

That's right....I am moving back to Rock Hill!!! I will be teaching 4 year old kindergarten next year at Larne Elementary in Clover, SC.


I could say that I am such an incredible planner and this past year was all planned out and everything fell right into place...but never in a million years could I ever plan this out...all credit is due to the Lord! It amazes me everyday how He orchestrates every little detail in my life, how He always provides for me, and how He is always in control! Sometimes I am fooled into thinking that I am in control, but God quickly puts me in my place. You see, as much as I like to think that I am in control, I love even more to rest in the fact that God truly is. He has shown me that time and time again this year.


Last year when I left teaching in Chester I needed a change. I was reaching burnout at work. I was working 12 hour days teaching, leading an afterschool club, and was involved with way too many committees - PTO, SIC, Leadership, etc. I began looking around for a new job and found one in Columbia. The thought of moving by myself to Columbia scared me at first, but I knew that God would provide for me! I packed up and moved here last July. For the first time in my life I was out of my comfort zone and away from my friends and family. I won't say that it was easy or that I didn't question God on why I was here. It was hard. I cried......a lot. I prayed.....a lot. I wondered if I had made the wrong decision on moving. The first few months were especially hard. I missed my friends, my old job, and the comfort of Rock Hill. I went through a time of true loneliness; and then I realized that even though I felt alone, I really wasn't. God was there for me. He was providing for me and He was waiting on me. He never left me. He is my Rock and my Comforter. He was there for me when nobody else was. I drew closer to Him and learned so much about my relationship with Him. As I drew closer to the Lord, I also learned more about myself. I learned how to lean on Him and not try to do everything myself. I learned that I am very strong and can accomplish the goals I set before myself. I learned that I am free to be myself and am proud of who I am - especially in God's eyes.

So as I prepare to pack yet again and move back to Rock Hill I feel completely blessed for the experiences that God has provided me this past year. I went through the valley, but am on my way back up the mountain. I can do all things through Him! I know that I would not have this insight had I stayed in my comfort zone, in my comfortable job, and surrounded by everything I knew. I needed a change, needed to experience things for myself, and needed the time to draw closer to the Lord...and for that I am thankful.

I am so excited to see what God has around the next corner...

One goal down...

A while back I wrote about my "List." On the list are some things I would like to do in my life. This past weekend I had the opportunity to mark #11 off of my list!!! I (along with Kristen, Jocelyn, and Jena) ran in a 5K! I ran the whole time and finished in a little over 31 minutes :) I could not have met this goal without these awesome girls and their constant encouragement! I now have a new goal - 10K this fall!

Pre-race photo - Jena, Kristen, Jocelyn, and Me!

These are a few of my favorite things...for April

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites

When the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things

And then I don't feel so bad

Cami's new love for coupons and organizing them!

The Pope blessing one of my cakes!

An upcoming wedding of friends - Derek & Lesslie

April 25th, 2009

Great girlfriends! Couldn't live without them!

An exciting surprise engagement! Congrats Kristen & Jason

Baby fat rolls...I could just pinch her!

Celebrating Easter...complete with the making of an Easter bunny cake.

Spending time with my family over Spring Break...oh yeah, and animal print of course!

Absolutely Adorable!

I would love to know what Maggie is thinking here. Probably something like "Seriously...we are at the ballpark again!"

Prayer

For quite some time now I have been reading MckMama's blog. I don't personally know her or her family, but I have been drawn in by her writing, her honesty, her faith, and her funny stories about her 4 children. Did I mention that her 4 children are ages 4 and under? Her youngest, Stellan, is in the hospital with a very high heartrate (like 300 beats per minute). He had this problem last summer when he was still in MckMama's belly, but the condition went away when he was born. When I read her blog this morning my heart imidiately went out to them, and so did my prayers. I'm asking you to also be in prayer for little Stellan. Prayer is a very powerful thing.

My First Decorated Cake!!!

So tonight was class #2 in my cake decorating course at Michaels. I had a blast! As promised, the pictures below document the process. I think I got a little carried away with pink....or maybe I was just too lazy to mix up another color :)

Baking Genes

Since I can remember I have enjoyed baking.

In kindergarten our classes each set up a "city shop" for the week and my classroom was the Bakery. I was thrilled! I even made it in the local newspaper with a picture of me at the Bakery cash register.

In third grade I called my mom at work and asked her if I could bake a cake. She appologized and said that we didn't have any cake mixes at home. Side note here - I think I was home by myself "sick" and she allowed me to use the oven. I must have been responsible :) So anyways, I decided that day to bake a cake from scratch! Thats right, in third grade I got out the cookbook and found a recipe and made the cake. It was yummy too!

I was also surrounded by baking during my childhood. My mom baked cheesecakes for a local Italian restaurant, so at night when she got home from work she would make cheesecakes in our kitchen. Needless to say I didn't eat cheesecake as a child because I smelled it ALL the time. Now, I eat cheesecake, but only my mom's :) Its the best!!! Two side notes here - 1) I loved delivering the cakes with her because Sergio (the restaurant owner) always let me get Andes mints from the bowls at the bar. 2) Bill Cosby has eaten my moms cheesecake! Seriously - how cool is that!

As you can see, baking is in my genes! When I was little I wanted to be a Baker when I grew up. I've enjoyed it over the years, but have decided to take it to the next level. Starting tonight I will be taking "Cake Decorating" classes. I'm starting with the basic class with hopes to learn some new techniques. I also plan to take the other classes in the coming months. Be prepared...you may be getting some yummy homemade goodies....no wait, yummy homemade beautifully decorated goodies...from me in the coming months!

Stay tuned for pictures from my classes...