december/2013 highlights.

Has December already gone by? Wait. Has the year 2013 already gone by? I cannot believe it. This past month and past year has been full of newness, surprise blessings (I'll explain this in detail later), blogging!, hardships, adventures, laughter, tears, grace, forgiveness, and provision of Jesus Christ.

Here are a few highlights from the twelfth month of the year:

• Stephen asked me to be his date for his company's Christmas party. It was so much fun! I got to meet the guys he works with and his boss. I'm so excited for him and his new job. Jesus blessed him with the perfect job.
• My small group had our annual Christmas party. We did a potluck dinner and I brought boudin. Everyone loved it! We played games and visited. Still can't believe I have such an awesome Christian community to do life with. 
• I think the biggest surprise blessing of the month and year happened a few weeks ago on a regular Tuesday evening. After coming home from work and showering, I came downstairs to a house covered in sewage. Yes, you read that correctly. It was an absolute nightmare and I hope no one ever has to experience it.  Long story short Jesus TOTALLY blessed me through it. I had to have all my floors replaced and luckily, insurance covered all of it and MORE. I was able to upgrade to beautiful hardwood floors and put some money in the bank! Never would I have been able to afford it, IF my house hadn't been covered in crap. Gross. I know. Jesus truly does work in mysterious ways. 
• The sunset picture is one I shot while finishing a run in the park down the road from where I live. You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl. I am so thankful I have this park to escape to after a long work day...even if it's in the middle of the city. 

Here are a few highlights from 2013 (most of these have been mentioned in previous blog posts, but I wanted a quick summary of this eventful year!):

January: Started my very first blog "Sojourner Stories." No explanation for the start of this blog other than Jesus laid it on my heart. Praying about a change in my life. New city?

February: Visited with HR in Dallas to discuss a potential teaching job. Praying. Is Dallas the right place?

March: Spring break trip with my mom to the beach & celebrated my birthday. Praying about making a big move to TX.

April: Attended my first real Louisiana festival. More prayer.

May: Attended a teacher job fair in Dallas. Finished my first year teaching. Feverishly praying. Would I be in DeRidder another year?

June: Anxiously waiting for interviews...got two interviews. Got a job! Prayers were answered. Went to Boston and New Hampshire for vacay. Praying.. where would I live?

July: Hosted a baby shower for a dear friend. Signed three contracts of possible future homes, one of them was the answer to my prayers! Packed up all my belongings and...

August: Moved to Dallas. Unpacked all my belongings. Started my new job. Praying for strength. 

September: Faced major spiritual warfare with all the unfamiliarity in my new chapter of life. Struggled with working for huge school district. Found my new home church. :) Praying for more strength & discernment. 

October: Still battling spiritual warfare, but confident Jesus has me right where He wants me. Made new friends at church and joined a small group. Mom and dad came for a visit! Praying in thanksgiving! 

November: Peace was established at my job and confidence restored. Thanksgiving celebration at my house with the whole family and friends. Praying & thankfulness. 

December: Final exams (no fun for students or teachers!). Christmas vacay (fun for students and teachers!). Mom and dad came to the rescue during my house catastrophe. Traveled home to Louisiana for Christmas break. Caught up with old friends. Spent time focusing on the goodness and generosity of my Savior, Jesus Christ. In awe of His power physically, spiritually and mentally over the entire year. Never would I have been able to do an ounce of what He did THROUGH ME without constant prayer and discernment. HE LIVES. 

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities---all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV)

all things new.

I sit staring out of my new office window of my new house in a new city and I really don't know where to start. I am still trying to process all that has happened this summer... Jesus has moved in remarkable, unexplainable ways. I am still speechless. Humbled. Shocked. Excited. Nervous.

In early July I blogged about how I had gotten a new job in the Dallas area. Welp, I am finally moved and living here! My parents and I have worked like dawgs the past five days packing, organizing, loading, and unloading. You really do not realize how much you accumulate until you have to put ALL of your belongings in boxes and haul those boxes to another state. But I am finally starting to feel like I've accomplished a few things. I do still have to organize my new classroom at my new school (!), but that shouldn't take days of work. 

I visited a bible study at an awesome church on Saturday night and reallyyy enjoyed it! I already made new friends. Eek! Ellen is an elementary teacher that just moved to this area too and seems like one of the sweetest people in the world so that's exciting! I am actually having coffee with the young adults director for another church tomorrow morning. I am in prayer and seeking discernment on what church Jesus wants me to get connected with. 

It is already starting to feel like home around here and that is an answer to prayer. So thanks to any of you who have been praying for a smooth transition for me because your prayers are being answered! :) My sister is off of work this week and got here yesterday. Her, my mom and I ate at the cutest little cafe in downtown Frisco -- downtown Frisco is so cute and quaint. I loved it. 

Extremely excited about this new city, my new job, owning a new home (to me), joining a new church, and having the opportunity to meet new people.  

Home. 

My sweet friend, George, helped me move-in.

Hannah surprised me the day I moved in!

New school!

Dream job!

purified.

"I will set you on high because you have known My Name, but it must be a purified you to be so exalted."

Purified you...most believers, including myself, when they think of purity their minds usually go straight to sexual purity.  Purity is a very common topic to a lot of teenagers and young adults and the point is usually the same, "Wait until marriage to do the deed." (which is extremely important!) But oh, how many other meanings Christ implies when He calls us to be pure! 

This morning Jesus convicted me of having other idols before Him. I think this can also easily be translated into a call of purity. I am definitely not a "purified me" if I am putting material things before my Savior. As would if I gossip, lie, cheat, covet my neighbor, act selfishly, criticize...these are all impure actions. Not only can one's actions be impure, but also one's thoughts. Not only one's heart, but also one's mind. Thoughts of envy, hatred, fear, doubt, worry...these are all impure thoughts.

Purified you---that means so much more than sexual purity. Wow. That's something to rejoice about! Thankful for a Savior that guards our hearts so tenderly and lovingly. Thankful for a Savior that cares enough to warn and convict His children. 

"The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting." Psalm 50:1 (ESV)

six months of blogging.

I cannot believe I've had my little blog up and running for six whole months! Time flies by so quickly.

I can't tell you how many times I've said "I am so glad I started a blog." My main purpose in taking the time to write these posts is to have a collection of memories. I want to be able to look back in 5 or 10 years and see how much I've learned, traveled, laughed, loved, cried, worked, played, grown, and experienced. 

In my very first post, I explained a little bit of why I chose the title of my blog. Sojourner does mean to reside temporarily and I stated that I was a sojourner residing temporarily in my hometown of Louisiana. When I wrote that I was thinking only in earthly terms, not spiritual. Since then Christ has reminded me that we, as believers in Him, are all sojourners on this earth. For earth is our temporary residence and heaven is where we will one day reside eternally. Even though I will soon live in a new city that, at this point, I don't consider a temporary home -- it is. Our stay on earth is short. We are like flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow.  "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls." 1 Peter 1:24 (ESV) 
    

We shall wait patiently and hopeful for our eternal glory with the Father in Heaven! 

I can't wait to see the blessings that remain in 2013. Hopefully, I'll have the time to continue 1 year, 2 years, 3 years.... of blogging! 

my Jesus lives.

Before reading, I want you to know that I am not writing this post about a girl who got her dream job. I am writing this for one purpose. To share about the goodness of our Jesus and the activity in His children's lives NOW - on this side of heaven.

Here it goes.

For the past six months I have been praying and seeking discernment about where I am supposed to teach next school year. At the beginning of this past spring semester, I didn't know whether or not I was being called to stay in DeRidder or apply for a new job in the Dallas area. But by April I felt pretty certain that I was being called to apply for other jobs. So I signed up to attend a job fair the first weekend in May for Plano ISD. That weekend was incredible. I got to meet some really sweet principals and I had such a peace in my spirit about moving forward. See my "the heavens declare" post about the sign I received in the sky! Jesus lives #1.

After the job fair I did a lot of sitting, waiting and praying. School doesn't end until the first week of June in Texas so I knew I wouldn't be hearing back from any principals anytime soon. I went to Boston the second week of June (here) and hadn't heard a word from anyone at that point. I was definitely starting to get anxious, but trying my best to be confident in what Jesus had already spoken. While on my trip to Boston, my cousin and I road tripped to New Hampshire for a day of hiking. My "miracle on the mountain" post explains the exciting thing that happened once we hiked to the top of the mountain! Basically, after three grueling hours of hiking we finally made it to the top. Once we were up there I had cell phone reception and got a call from a school in Plano that was wanting to interview me! But it wasn't just any school - it was THE school that I wanted to work at more than any of the others! Jesus lives #2.

So I flew home and had my interview on a Tuesday. It was the longest interview of my life, but I felt really good about it. A few days after the interview, I really started to doubt. I thought I actually had a shot at getting the position which led me to start worrying that I wasn't capable of working at a big Texas school. I let Satan in and he started stealing, killing and destroying.  Quickly. Fast forward to the following Tuesday. I was having my quiet time and Jesus led me to Matthew 14:31. "Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him saying, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'"  In that verse Jesus is talking to Peter. Peter and the disciples are on a boat in the middle of a huge storm. And Jesus calls Peter by name and Peter WALKS ON WATER. But then Peter starts looking around him and sees the huge waves and the rain pouring down and he starts to doubt - worrying that he will drown and then he starts to sink! Jesus reached down and grabbed his hand and asked him why he had doubted. But Jesus didn't let Peter drown! He gave him a second chance. After reading that verse I was totally aware that I had doubted and my belief about what Jesus was doing had wavered....later that evening I got a call informing me that I did not get the job I had interviewed for. I doubted Jesus even after all He had confirmed up to that point. Jesus lives #3.

After not getting what I thought was the perfect job at the perfect school and knowing Jesus had ordained it all, I was pretty bummed out. On Wednesday (the day after I had gotten the disheartening phone call) I felt like my boyfriend had broken up with me! Not that I actually know what that feels like because it's been so long since I've had one of those but... you get the point. Then on Thursday morning I sat down to seek Jesus and see what He had to tell me. He had something to say all right. My devotional for that morning was titled "Miracles Again." The part that stood out to me the most was this: "I cannot do many mighty works because of unbelief. So only in response to your belief can I do miracle-works now." Wow. I don't think I have ever been convicted so quickly! After receiving Matthew 14:31 about doubting and then this about unbelief, I knew I needed to repent and ask for forgiveness. So I laid my hand on my Bible and repented of my unbelief and doubt and worry. I pleaded with Jesus to forgive me and give me a second chance like He had given Peter. Then I prayed and affirmed my belief in what He had done, what He was doing and what He was going to do. Then immediately my phone rang....it was another principal wanting to schedule another interview. Jesus lives #4.

My mom and I just cried. We cried because we had seen the hand of God SO at work through this whole process. He was so aware of what I had been thinking and feeling and He was so quick to convict me of my sin and then, once I repented, so quick to bless me!!! He gave me 2 Timothy 3:10-17! I still can hardly believe what I experienced. I didn't jump the gun though - I knew I still had to go through another interview process and another short period of waiting. My interview was the following Monday morning. My sweet friend, Lauren, let me stay with her the night before the interview. She just got a new teaching job (Congrats, Lauren!) so she helped me practice. After the interview, I felt confident as I was walking out of the school's front door, but as soon as I got in my car to leave I had a huge rush of doubt wash over me. Satan started throwing the doubt arrows at me once again, but this time I didn't believe them. Out loud I prayed affirming my trust in Christ and believing that He had not gotten me this far for no reason. I literally prayed that the principal would call me and offer me the job. 45 minutes later my phone rang....it was the principal offering me the job! Jesus lives #5.

I am still speechless when I think about the past two weeks. To think that the Savior of the world cares enough about me, a nobody, to plan every little detail of this job process. He blessed me all along the way too. Indescribable.

I do want to be clear about a few things though. The first being that just because Jesus didn't grant my heart's desires right off the bat because of my unbelief doesn't mean He would do that with every other person in their own situation. Jesus works differently in each person's life. I believe Jesus has hundreds of ways of speaking to His children and teaching them about His sovereignty. For me, He used this job process to show His control, provision and activity in my life.  I totally believe that He works on and through everyone according to each person's heart and where they are in their spiritual walk. Yes, there is only one way to Heaven and that is through Jesus Christ, but there isn't just one way to know and see Jesus Christ. He is everywhere - the mountains, the trees, the flowers, the animals, and His people. He is a multi-tasking God!

I hope you are encouraged through reading this post. I hope that you strive to live Heaven in your heart today and not tomorrow.

My Jesus lives and yours does too.

one really good question.

I felt Jesus tugging at my heart with this question today:

What do I thirst for first?

Examine your words, thoughts and actions.

Examine your motives. 

Examine your heart.

Examine your soul.

my first year of teaching. done.

Love. Encouragement. Forgiveness. Kindness. Respect. Patience. Endurance. Affection. Sympathy.

These are the words that I would use to sum up my first year of teaching-- the short version.

Here goes the long version. I thought that being back at my alma mater would be weird and boring and that I would hate it, but it was everything but all of that. I literally loved my job at DHS. I loved my administration, my co-workers and I adored my children. One teacher asked me a few weeks ago whether I had decided if I actually liked being a teacher or if I was looking for a new career after this year. I simply told that person, "Teaching is the hardest thing I have ever done, but the most rewarding at the same time." I say it is hard because every single day all day I am interacting with and talking to people and doing all I can to meet their needs. And lets be honest, sometimes you just want to sit down and do paperwork and not talk to anybody. But on the days when I woke up not wanting to put my big girl pants on were actually the days that I came home happier because I had put myself aside and focused on others. The day when my CP kids actually understood the domain of a piecewise function was a rewarding day. The days when my students said "I get it, Miss Belvin," were rewarding days.

Since teaching is supposed to be all about the students, I want to take some time to write about them and a few of my favorites in particular.

Most people give me the most disgusted look when I tell them I teach high school and when I say I teach math, they fall out of their chair. It hurts my heart. High school teenagers need just as much love, if not more, as little kinders. After spending every single day with my kids, I learned what made them laugh, how they thought, and how to really communicate with them.

I learned that my morning classes were still half asleep (even if it's 10 a.m.!) and by being sympathetic about their busy sports schedule or lack of sleep because of family problems, they were so much more engaged and willing to learn. Everyday my class right after lunch (with their full bellies) just wanted to take a nap so I basically had to do a little song and dance just to get them to start on their bellwork. And my last class of the day was my weakest and most needy of all my classes. Children with no parents, children that live with friends, children that have to do pushups in order to attend sporting events, children that have siblings fighting cancer, children who don't know their dad, children whose mom wants nothing to do with them.....when I learned all of this about my kids, I couldn't believe it. All of the brokenness. People wonder why kids get in fights or drink themselves drunk or do drugs. This is why! They are children with broken hearts. Children who just want someone to see them and care about them---because they are children. A 15 year old is a child. Plain and simple.

At the beginning of the fall semester, I was warned by a fellow teacher about one of my female students that she had the previous year. She warned me of her disrespectful attitude and I quote, "I have no love for that little girl." So of course this made me want to love her even more! I am glad I was warned because the little girl was a ball of fire. But I didn't let up on her. I talked to her multiple times one on one and prayed for her continually. By the end of the fall semester, she would smile at me when she walked in the door and would even compliment me! She is one of my sweetest students---because I showed her I cared.

Not all of my 130 students were that difficult though. They were all angels, but some had bigger wings than others. Angels. Literally. Polite and thoughtful. Kind and respectful. Generous and funny. So willing to help if I needed it and a desire to learn most of the time. My heart smiles and tears stream down my cheeks just thinking about all their faces. I hate to see them leave my classroom. So many things I want to tell them...."guard your heart" "cling to Jesus" "persevere in prayer" "don't grow up too fast" but all I am is their math teacher and "that would be weird, Miss Belvin," is what they would want to say! Maybe all I am to most of them is a math teacher, but Lord Willing to a few I am more than that. I hope that some saw the love I had (and still have) in my heart for them and most of all, I pray, they saw their Savior, Jesus Christ. 

my mission field.

I usually wrote Bible verses under the date, but never referenced them.

a few of my favorite responses on the final exam. 

The math department! (from left) The woman in the purple LSU shirt & the woman in the yellow   
LSU shirt were my math teachers in high school! Blessed to work with them my first year.

university day during homecoming week.
(This girl, Alex, is a family friend--that's the only reason I was able to upload one of a student)

Happy summer!

a call of conviction.

"And now thus says the Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel:...They have not humbled themselves even to this day, nor have they feared nor walked in my law and my statues that I set before you and before your fathers." Jeremiah 44:7, 10 (ESV)

"He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good." Romans 2:6-10 (ESV)

Conviction. Comfort.

Jesus is so kind to give us so many teachings through His Word. We need and we must be convicted--continually. After reading these verses tonight, I sit reflecting. Am I humble? Am I fearing my Savior? (by fearing I mean--reverence for Christ, not scared of Him) Am I doing what is good in action, word and deed?

If I am honest with myself, there were multiple incidences this week that I would answer "no" to the questions above. And this is precisely why we, as human sinners, must reflect and let Jesus convict our hearts every single day. With conviction comes repentance. And when I sit at my Savior's feet repenting and weeping for His forgiveness, He gives it. But He doesn't forgive grudgingly, He forgives freely and lovingly. O, what a Savior! 

I am comforted tonight because my Jesus paid it all for me and all to Him I owe. I am comforted tonight because even with the sin that remains, He still chooses to make me new. pure. holy. Christlike.

May I continue to strive for the selflessness and humility of Jesus Christ.

the heavens declare.

This past weekend was one of those weekends that my Spirit felt total peace.

My mom and I went to Dallas and my sweet sister got to meet us up there! I hadn't seen her since Christmas break. A visit way long overdue. On Saturday, early evening, my mom and I were headed to the mall--killing some time before Katelyn made it to Dallas. And I was thinking about Jesus and how I need Him to direct my footsteps over the next few weeks and wanting Him to speak to me clearly and then my mom said, "Look at the sky!"

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaim his handiwork." Psalm 19:1 (ESV)

Do you see the Christian fish in the clouds?! Jesus straight up ANSWERED me. He told my heart, "Do not worry, Mary Kathryn, I have it all under control."

Be encouraged that Jesus always keeps His promises.  He has promised to love His children unconditionally.  He has promised He will never leave us nor forsake us. 

"He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies." Psalm 25:9-10 (ESV)

little secrets.

You know when you're spending time with your grandmother or an old friend, and they pull something out of their cabinet or buy their regular thing at the grocery store and you're like, "Why haven't I ever heard of this?!"?

Well if it hasn't happened to you, its happened to me numerous times. So I wanted to share a few of my little secrets.

>>The best coffee since sliced bread: HEB Cafe Ole--Texas Pecan.

I came across this coffee at my home church in Waco, TX, Highland Baptist. The college ministry served it every morning for all of the 900+ students to enjoy while fellowshipping and worshiping Jesus. You will not be disappointed.

>>The best topping for your toast: Mayhaw Jelly.

I couldn't tell you the first time I had my mayhaw on my toast. Maybe I was 4? I have grown up on it my entire life. Honestly, you probably won't find this at your local grocery story. You'll need to find a good ol' grandma around your neighborhood who knows a few things about canning. Mayhaw is a type of small berry and may not grow in your neck of the woods. If that is the case, you can get it at Amazon!

>>The best hydrating drink on a hot day: Sonic lemon water with cranberry juice.

I know that it doesn't sound that special or yummy, but trust me it is so refreshing AND cheap! And healthy. It obviously doesn't contain any of the bad ingredients that diet drinks do and it doesn't have a lot of added sugar. I have been to a Sonic that told me they couldn't make it for me, but I think it was the new guy taking my order. The Route 44 costs $0.65. I'd say that is affordable.

>>The best home remedy for highlights (yes, hair highlights!): Hydrogen peroxide, water & sunshine.

If you are looking for a way to lighten your hair for under 80 bucks, get to the nearest Wal Mart and buy that pricey bottle of hydrogen peroxide for $0.85. I have been highlighting my hair this way for the past 7 to 8 years. All you have to do is get a spray bottle, fill it with about 3/4 to an 1 inch of HP and finish topping it off with water and then shake it up. Spray it on your roots and hit the sunshine! Be sure to condition your hair afterwards. I have never had any problems with it drying my hair out.

>>The best restaurant in the state of Texas: Homestead Heritage.

There really are no words to describe this hidden community just 10 miles north of Waco, Texas. It is a group of people that actually live and work on the land. They grow all their own vegetables, have their own gristmill, raise their own cattle, and have their own cheese factory! The food is so delicious and fresh and clean. They also offer woodworking, pottery, and sewing classes, but my favorite part is their restaurant. You can read more about Homestead Heritage online! Below is the only picture I took the last time I ate there for "Italian Night." This was the best cheesecake I have ever eaten. It had a chocolate crust with a raspberry topping. Divine.

These are a few of my little secrets. Hope you can enjoy too!

Happy Tuesday y'all.

my first purchase: adventure.

Adventure. That is why I enjoy biking. I love exploring the countryside of my hometown on a bicycle. I love exploring a new city on a bicycle. I love exploring. Period. But especially on a bike!

For quite some time now, I have really been wanting a new bike. I have never been super pleased with the bikes that I have had in the past. They weren't bad, but I was never fitted to them so they weren't the best size for me and my legs.

And by the grace of God, He provided an opportunity for me to test ride one that was affordable and also by the grace of God, He provided the funds to make a purchase! This was my first big purchase in adult world and I was pretty excited about it.

So what bike did I decide on? An Ariel Elite Disc Hybrid.

It's between a road bike and a mountain bike. Meaning that it can handle pavement and gravel. Which is much needed in this neck of the woods. I purchased mine from Capitol Cyclery in Lake Charles. I would recommend this place to any of you out there that is considering purchasing a new bike. The owner and employees are incredible friendly and they know their stuff. You will not walk away disappointed. There are two other Capitol Cyclery's located in Lafayette and Baton Rouge.

super pumped at this point.

It took a week for my bike to come in and I picked it up this past Friday. First thing Saturday morning, I was hitting the roads with my BFF, Mrs. Susie! She is my dear friend and she also owns an Ariel Elite. Her bike is actually the one that I test rode and fell in love with. I did get a new seat on mine. The one that comes with the bike doesn't have enough cushion for me! Ha. I decided on a women's gel seat. I still wore my padded shorts yesterday because I knew I was going to be riding for a few hours. Along with the gel seat and padded shorts, I was totally comfortable.

Her and I rode all over this little ol' town. We did 23 miles and it was great! The weather was only mildly windy and it was partly cloudy. I think the high was about 75---perfect day. I am extremely pleased with my purchase. I would recommend this bike to any woman out there!

before our adventure.

Mrs. Susie is one of my favorite people in the whole wide world. She is a Christlike example of what a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, and friend should be. I am so thankful for her encouragement, love and support she shows me every time we are together. Love you, Mrs. Susie, & can't wait until our next adventure!

I am actually going riding again today with another friend! Excited.

P.S. The pic at the top of this post I snapped in Capitol Cyclery. Also, if you have any questions about the Ariel Elite shoot me an email.

Happy Sabbath. All for His Glory.

spring break in almost-heaven.

Just my momma & me went to Orange Beach, Alabama, for spring break.

I am a lucky girl being a teacher>>>>spring break will happen every year for the rest of my life.

We really did have a delightful time! Just relaxed and ate and ate and ate. Those of you who do not think that I eat listen to this.... seafood, TCBY, Mellow Mushroom pizza, Krispy Kreme, large homemade cookies, large homemade muffins, candy, Arby's (complete with the curly fries), and Waffle House waffles for Easter Sunday breakfast. I must say I have never in my life felt like such a large pig. Haha. It was great though!

I was determined to do a really good job photographing the whole shebang, but that of course didn't happen. Here are the few pics I ended up taking!

the best royal red shrimp ever is located here.

these are seriously shrimp. and yep we dipped em' in butta'!

Madre insisted on go carts.

Jesus gave us a pretty sunset.

i spy something blue.

Waffle House didn't disappoint. 

Thankful for the quality time with just my mom & I. Thankful for the time on the beach. But we were ready to head west! Nothing beats LA & TX (emphasis on the TX:)).

all for His glory.

As I sit reading on the balcony of our condo in Orange Beach, I realize that the author (James Bryan Smith) put perfectly what I have been striving to pursue over the past year. I am awakened to a new sense of healing. Healing of my heart and healing of my mind.

Tears streamed down my face as I read it aloud to my mom.

"When I get out of bed tomorrow morning, I will arise with the sense that I am okay. More than okay, actually. The world around me, the one I step into when I leave my house, will tell me that my value and my worth are found in my abilities or performance. But I know better now. I have died to that old way. I have risen with Jesus, who lives in me and loves me. In other words, I am safe and secure. The old me that needs to compete, to impress, to dominate and to control has died. I am putting on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of Jesus. I don't need to worry today. I am at peace, because my life is securely hidden in Christ. I will set my mind and heart on the victory of Jesus, my Lord and King and Teacher, who has created me for something wonderful." 

from The Good and Beautiful Community by James Bryan Smith (you can find it here)

As soon as I get home, I am writing that down on paper and sticking it on my bathroom mirror to read each morning before leaving for work.

Praise the Father for His Mercies!

Today is Easter Sunday. The day that we celebrate the resurrection of our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ. "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
Jesus died on the cross... all for His Glory and our good. All because He loved us and wanted to save us from our own sin. He died for us so that we could become holy and righteous as our Father is Holy and Righteous.

May we remember this sacrifice, Jesus dying on the Cross, each and everyday of our lives on this earth. Waiting patiently for our future eternity in heaven with Jesus!

blessings. that i often overlook.

A dear friend of mine, Carla, told me about a 3 book series by James Bryan Smith that I should read. I didn't hesitate and immediately bought two of the three. I am now reading through the first one titled The Good and Beautiful God: falling in love with the God Jesus knows. Already I have been reminded of many truths.

This book is a "curriculum for Christlikeness." Its goal is to teach and actually train one how to become more Christlike through "soul training." Each chapter ends with a particular training to try for the week. I just finished chapter three and the "training" for this chapter was to "count your blessings."

I started writing.

Blessings---that I often overlook.

Jesus                                                     compliments
the Cross                                               coffee
the Holy Spirit                                       running water
new life                                                 fans on a hot day
forgiveness                                            paved roads
grace                                                     pizza
mercy                                                    having a childhood
love                                                       laughter
peace                                                     cool sheets
joy                                                         doctors
God                                                       vacuum cleaners
Creation                                                wisdom from elders
lady bugs                                               bike rides
birthday cards                                        the ocean
life-long friends                                     legs that take me places
sneezing                                                a child's smile
birds                                                      new socks
blue skies                                              the Bible
my 5 senses                                          our immune system
pop sickles                                            banana muffins
my car                                                   random acts of kindness
worshiping with other believers             swinging
sharpened pencils                                  encouragement
puppies                                                  nail polish
prayer warriors                                      morning greetings from my co-workers
candles                                                  community
pictures                                                  sunshine
education                                               solitude
nature                                                    naps in the afternoon
books                                                   warmth from a fireplace
rocking chairs                                       lunch with my grandmother
fishing                                                  water with fresh lemon
curiosity                                                faith
family                                                   people
hugs                                                     spaghetti squash

This is just the beginnings of my list of overlooked blessings.

you can find this book on Amazon.

teacher of the month.

"Teacher of the month? As in I AM the teacher of the month?"

That was my response when the yearbook editor comes marching into my 6th period with his Canon Rebel in hand telling me he needs my photograph. But not just a little snapshot to say "cheese." Nope. In front of all of my 26 little teenagers, he says "I need a full body, one of you standing up, one behind your desk, one of you teaching, and one helping a student."

I wanted to say, are you kidding me?? You do realize that you have just completely ruined the rest of my class period! My students, of course, loved this disruption---not only not having to do work, but getting to see Miss Belvin being photographed ON TOP OF not having to do work. Needless-to-say, I was sweating. If this situation has never happened to you, please know that it is embarrassing. 

After what seemed like a zillion pictures, I was actually a little excited about the fact that the administration picked me for "Teacher of the Month." :) I had never even thought about getting selected, as I am a first year teacher. I must be doing a few things right!  One of the study-skill teachers was in charge of making a poster for the "Teacher of the Month", so I took a few pictures and posted them below.

P.S. I did end up threatening to send a few of my boys to the office after the camera man left my classroom. Luckily, we were able to finish up our lesson on graphing quadratics!

my "bio"//short version

Stephen's response :)

kids just need love.

I just finished my second week of the SECOND semester of my first year teaching. Time is flying by. Flying.

Tonight I've got sweet faces on my mind. My precious students.

Many times over this past year, other teachers have made the comment, "You don't get paid over-time outside of school so don't spend your time worrying about your students." Wait. Really? I am a teacher. And I am not supposed to worry or care about my students? Isn't that why I chose teaching? To care. To teach. To grow. To nurture. To motivate. To encourage. To love. 

Aren't we, as believers in Christ, called to love and to encourage others? To pray for others? To confront others? To discipline? To keep accountable?  Why yes, I believe we are and THAT is why I've got my kiddies on my mind.

I got nine new students this semester. One in particular is my favorite. He moved here from Texas and calls me "Mizzz." It reminds me of all my inner-city Waco students... they all called me "Mizzz" too. Last week he came to class and I could tell he was on the verge of tears all throughout the class period. I found out a few days ago, his mom got arrested and went to jail. he just needs love.

Right before Christmas break, another one of my boys came to class all slumped over and looking miserable. Half way through the class, I had a minute to chat with him and ask him what was up. He told me his house had gotten broken into the night before and had most of his belongings stolen. he just needs love.

Last week, one of the brightest girls that I teach mom passed away. I know that she was very close to her. She is 16 years old. she just needs love.

One of my weakest students hardly ever comes to class with a smile on her face nor has anything to say. She informed me one day last semester that she would be out of school for a funeral for a week. I wanted to ask more, but could tell she didn't want to offer any information. I later learned that her aunt had committed suicide. The aunt that she lived with because her own parents aren't in the picture. she just needs love.

What I wish that educators could see is that if we approached our students with love and care through prayer and the power of Jesus, students would change. It says so in the Word of God. He reminded me of this this morning before I headed to work.

"And now, Lord...grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." Acts 4:29-30 (ESV)

So we, as believers in Christ, speak the Word and proclaim the Word and do the Word and JESUS stretches out His hand and heals and works the miracles. 

So I, as a teacher, let Jesus speak through me. Work through me. Love through me. Because kids just need love.