august highlights.

I officially said goodbye to summer on August 25th. It was a very sad day. I've never experienced such a bad case of the "Mondays!" I don't remember it being hard to go back to work last August, but this year was a different story. My first week of school couldn't have gone any better - I am extremely grateful!

Here are a few highlights from August:

• Stephen helped me get my classroom ready for the first day of school! He put together my lovely, new desk chair. I despearately needed his engineering skillz.
• My parents and I got to visit Katelyn for a weekend which never happens! It was so great to all be together as a family. Mom, Katelyn and I spend Saturday afternoon downtown for some coffee and shopping. Saturday night we did things real classy and had dinner at Whataburger!
• Stephen, L Rut and I went to a concert at a winery in McKinney. When we first pulled up, we thought it was going to be pretty redneck (and it was a little), but the jazz singer & wine were on point. It was a lot of fun!
• This Friday, Ashleyanne, Jenny & I had dinner at Zorba's. It was Ashleyanne's first week as a HS math teacher & she rocked it!! Back in February 2013 I visited her while she was still at Baylor and apparently I knew we would teach in the same school district one day. 
• Friday was National College Shirt Day and our math department had 100% participation! 

Not pictured:

• At the end of our last teacher work day, my co-workers convinced me to teach a yoga class. So Brittany and Kelli got to experience my practice first-hand. I loved every minute of it! (teaching yoga may officially be in my future :))

my Victor.

vic·tor 

ˈviktər. noun.

1. a person who defeats an enemy or opponent in a battle, game, or other competition.

Today I finished my third first day of teaching. Even though this wasn't my first rodeo, I experienced major anxiety about going back. Last year was extremely challenging for me in numerous ways. I was in a strange, big city teaching the most failed course in the entire state of Texas. I had challenging students, challenging parents, and challenging co-workers. With all of those factors combined, I was faced with major spiritual warfare. This summer, I completely checked out... until August rolled around and then fear... overcame me. I was scared to death.

Twelve days ago, I woke up and didn't think I could go back. I was convinced that this year would be a repeat of last year and I wouldn't be able to handle it. I immediately went to the Scriptures and prayed. I was lead to go to my classroom and pray over it. I anointed and prayed James 5:13-15 - the Prayer of Faith - over every single desk in my room. I proclaimed angels and the Holy Spirit in A214 and cast satan out from all four corners. After taking action, peace did come. Last week during teacher work week, I was okay and confident until...last night.

Last night, the same fear bubbled up inside me and spilled into this morning. I immediately dropped to my knees and opened my Bible.

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith....Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:14-17, 20-21 (ESV)

These verses and Ephesians 6 were at the forefront of my mind today. Jesus could not have been more faithful, gracious and merciful in answering my prayers (and all my prayer warriors prayers!) and sending angels to fight for me. At times, my students literally left me speechless because of their respect and good behavior. I was told some of my new students would be awful and today they sat and listened. Praise! Praise! Praise!

Christ truly is Victor. There is a battle going on between the forces of evil and of good. If we would just call on Our King, He would fight for us! Today I had victory because Christ fought for me!  When we call on Him, He wins the battle every single time.

Christ is your Victor too.  

an angel to remind me we are surrounded by His Love.

home sweet louisiana.

Oh, how lovely it was to be home longer than a weekend! I planned my trip around three events, a friend's bridal luncheon, a friend's graduation from PA school & an anniversary. There's always something to celebrate!

The first few days I was home was nonstop appointments and catching up with my favorite people. I got to spend time with Mrs. Susie, Alex, Brother Truett, Mrs. Sherry, & Courtney & Ella. I can't believe it was this time last year we were anxiously awaiting Ella's arrival and now she will be a year old soon! Courtney, you and Nehemiah are doing an awesome job - Ella really is a piece of sunshine.

Ella loves blueberries.

In the evenings, my parents have a routine of driving the Ranger out to the airport to watch the sunset, walk & let Pecos (their new pup) run all of her energy out. My favorite part about this routine is the quiet - one thing I miss most about home. It was great to be able to spend some quality time with my parents! Mom & I got to cook together, we visited my Mawmaw, & I got to hangout with my dad & eat lunch with him almost everyday. Also while I was home, my parents celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary - what a testimony to a Christ-centered marriage! For my mom, the most meaningful way to celebrate was to renew their wedding vows in the chapel they were married in. I love you, momma & daddy!

FBC Shreveport

Well you know it's not a trip home unless I get at least 3 good workouts and prayer time with my girl, Hannah. There is never a dull moment with this faithful friend of mine. We got to do some much needed yoga, pray together & had a movie night, watched Notting Hill & made pumpkin pancakes. It was so great to get to spend a week with her. Then on Saturday, I celebrated my friend, Chelsea, at her bridal luncheon. We've been friends since 4th grade and soon I'll watch her say, "I do." So excited for her and David as they prepare for marriage!

yogis4life.

celebrating Miss Chelsea Clay.

Stephen came home too for a few days. I'd been dying to meet his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Reed. So I was real happy when he agreed to go to Oberlin for a day. I didn't snap any pictures as I had intended :(. We spent the afternoon visiting with them and they prepared an amazing meal for us - basically, it was like Louisiana Thanksgiving. I have a much clearer understanding now of why Stephen has such high expectations for my cooking...he's grown up with Louisiana chefs!

While I was home I made the sad decision to let my pet turtle, Rafael, be free. I really didn't want to see him go, but I know he was real tired of his little box I forced him to live in. So we let him go in a pond on the golf course & I know he's much happier with his life now.

last few moments with my turtle-friend.

The last few days of my trip were spent with my lifelong friend, Eleni. We celebrated her graduating from PA school! I am always terrible about taking pictures when her and I get together because it's just nonstop talking. I did manage to snap two photos while we were at a coffee shop though! We got to have dinner, shop & walk in the park when we weren't doing grad. festivities. Eleni, you're going to be an awesome PA & congrats on your new big girl job!

proud of this girl!

As a child, I definitely overlooked the beauty in my small hometown. The beauty of everyone knowing everybody. The beauty of everything being within a 5 mile radius of your house. The beauty of quiet. The beauty of being able to hear dozens of birds singing out of your window.  The beauty of a slower pace of life. The beauty of simple living.

I'm thankful for every moment I spent with my family & my friends these past two weeks. I feel refueled & refreshed as I prepare for year three of teaching!