Olympiad 2009!!!

I have had so much fun this past weekend and it's not even over yet!! Olympiad kicked off on Thursday night and my friends and I were all decked out in pink. Here are tons of pictures from this weekend.

Us walking over for opening ceremony!!!

Bradie and I <3

My roomies!!!

Having fun at the events on Friday night

Emily dominating in the Relay Race!

Bradie and I all warmed up and ready for our three-legged race!!

It hurt so bad to duct tape our legs together!!

Finally ready for our race [both excited and nervous!]

Ready, set, go!!

I was dying on the way back down, but we WON!!!!

Bradie and I were SO happy that we got first place!!

Then after Olympiad we showered and dressed up like Ninjas to go to Sean's house!

We had a great time with Johanna and Emily!!

That's all for now though. Tonight Cassie, Emily and I are going to Ball State to visit Emily's friends. Happy Halloween everyone!!

So Insightful

Have you ever met someone that gave you the best insights ion life? I just find people some people to be so inspiring. This past week I had a really great conversation with one of my friends. He really inspired me and helped me get through some things that I have been dealing with. I feel like it's always good to get a boy's perspective on life and to find a guy who is actually willing to talk about deep stuff is a RARE thing! That is my exciting news for the week ha.

I found out that I could switch my junior block placement, so now I am in second grade. It's not a whole lot better but I'm just glad that it's not kindergarten.

Anyways, tonight there are more Olympiad events that I'm excited for!! Bradie and I are participating in the three-legged swim and I'm a little nervous about it. Oh well hopefully we just don't get last haha. Sorry this post was so lame, I will try and get some pictures on tomorrow.

Crazy Week!!

From now until November 11th is going to be crazy for me as I finish up all my units and projects for my junior block classes. I am trying not to stress out too much but I am already starting to freak out. And on top of all the stuff the homework and studying I've had/have to do this week, it is also OLYMPIAD! I am pumped for it to start but I can't get behind on my homework. Here are some pictures from last year...

Another random fact, I just found out today that I have been place in a kindergarten class for junior block and I am not thrilled about it. I have no desire to teach younger elementary but I guess I will just have to make the most of it. Please pray that I find a good attitude towards it.

Also this past week is the first week that I have actually been happy for like the past two months!! I just have a whole new look on life and I'm enjoying the freedom that I have been given. My family and friends are so awesome and I would be lost without them. I have received multiple emails that have really just been an encouragement to me! God has also been so good to me!! I'd like to share a different version of the James passage that I shared with you last week.

The Message James 4:7-10
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.

I just really love that passage and I hope it helps you today.

Favorite Songs

I just wanted to share with you my three current favorite songs. I listen to them everyday, multiple times a day. I hope you enjoy them!


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Also here are a couple of pictures I took over Fall Break. Sorry this post wasn't more exciting, I have so much homework to get done. Hope you all have a wonderful afternoon.

Encouragement

Last night I checked my facebook one last time before I went to bed and I saw that I had a message. It was from my senior high youth pastor Derry and his words really meant a lot to me. It's always such a great feeling to know when people are praying for you. He shared a verse with me and I wanted to share it with all of you.



Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Home Sweet Home

There is nothing better than coming home after one of the worst weeks of your life. It was so great to just be at home and to be able to spend time with my family. I wish Fall Break would never end!!

This is on a side note, but two of my best friends came to visit me on Wednesday to cheer me up and let me tell you the truly made my day. They both go to IWU so it wasn't too long of a drive for them! We also took a picture and it turned out perfect because Ben actually smiled! Thanks guys for visiting me!

Now back to my Fall Break: On Friday I went to my brother's football game. It was senior night and they won!! I was freezing during the whole game but it was worth it because my brother got a QB sack and had an awesome game!! I can't believe he is already a senior, where has the time gone?

Then on Saturday Steph and I stopped by to see Jordan our long lost friend who lives in Nashville. Alex came over too and we had a blast just catching up! We actually stayed up until 2:30 just talking and laughing. It was great! I love my awesome friends!

Then on Sunday I went to church and Pastor Dave's message was really good! It was about connecting with other believers during life's toughest challenges. At times I felt like Pastor Dave was speaking directly to me. We should not be ashamed of our baggage and we should ask people to join us when we are suffering so that we can help carry each other burdens. It was just great to be back at NMC, I really miss it when I'm at HU.

Then today I went shopping all day with my mom! It was great! She bought me a lot of cute new clothes, shoes and a new winter coat! I'm pretty excited about it all! Tomorrow I will post more pictures because you need to see the pretty trees behind my house and how huge my dog has gotten!

On another note: I'd like to share a passage that has really gotten me through this past week.
James 4:7-10 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn, and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

I love this passage because no matter what I feel, God will still lift me up. This week I have felt a lot of feelings and I continue to look at this passage daily because it reminds me that God is right by my side no matter what. I just love it!

Inspiration

This week my 7 friends and I had our first night of Bible study on Tuesday night. My amazing friend Kellyn had the brilliant idea to start this Bible study. She is the "leader" of the group : ) We are going to be going through the book of Psalms one or two chapters at a time. We went through Psalm 1 and each of us talked about what stuck out to us from the chapter. We got a lot more in depth than I thought we would and we had some really good discussions. This Bible study has inspired me to spend time with God daily. I actually desire to spend time in prayer and in God's Word, instead of it just being part of my to do list. I am excited to see where this Bible study will go and how I will grow in my faith!

On a side note: I am not doing as well in my junior block classes as I had hoped. The grading scales suck. 100-94 is an A, 94-84 is a B, 84-70 is a C and so on. So lately I would normally be getting a B, but instead I am getting a C!!! UGH its so frustrating!!! I hope the next time I have tests, they will go better. Well that's all for now. Tomorrow I am going shopping and I am PUMPED!!

Boggle Your Mind

This is my bulletin board that I did for Language Arts. I chose it because I want to teach upper elementary school students and I thought this board would be a fun way to start out spelling lessons. The students will play Boggle for three minutes and I will change the board letters after the end of each week.

Fun-Filled Weekend

On Saturday it was homecoming weekend at HU so we went to Davis Hall Follies.

Here's a picture of all of my friends after the Follies. We finally have a picture of all EIGHT of us! [Carrie, Bradie, Beth, Kellyn, Cassie, Brittany, Emily and I]. Kellyn was in the Follies, which explains the outfit that she is wearing : )

I love my awesome friends!!!!!!!!

Junior Block is Taking Over My Life!!!

Sorry that I haven't posted anything lately, I've be SO busy with all my education classes. To be honest this past week has been a week from hell. I have no free time ever!!!

Here's a preview into my crazy week:

• Monday I had a test and 5 classes. I also had a lot of stuff to work on for my bulletin board.
• Tuesday I had to observe story hour at the Huntington Public Library and finish my bulletin board! I was really stressed that night because I also had a lesson plan due for computers and a bibliography due for social studies. [oh and don't worry I will be posting a picture of my bulletin board soon.]
• Wednesday I had to work on my literature book set #2, journal questions and write a phonics mini lesson.
• Tonight I have to make a power point presentation for computers, read a book for Language Arts and plan out activities, and draw my classroom model for early childhood. Also Grey's Anatomy is on tonight so that makes my day so much better!

Sorry this post was so boring but expect some pictures SOON!!