The Life of a Teacher

I am now teaching special education to grades kindergarten, 1, and 2. My kids are so wonderful! They are curious, creative, silly, and absorb everything they are taught. They just have a hard time sorting through all the information they have to be able to spit it out when asked! I have 13 children who are with me all day long and 2 that are only with me for just mornings. I have 14 boys and 1 girl. Mostly all of them have ADHD + Autism, though those disabilities do not define them. They each have very unique personalities and languages... like "Shanese" "Alexinian". ;) Each day my perseverance and patience is tested over and over and over again by my children and also by adults! I am very happy to have my job and I know that God has placed me in this classroom for a reason.

So where have I been the past year? Oh tons of things have changed. I waitressed at Chili's, I worked for Alfred Angelo Bridal.... and didn't like it! Sorry ladies, but when I get married, I will not be buying my dress from them. I liked Chili's much better. So while working at these two places, I was working on applying to the school district I am now employed with, however, I was just hoping to be a substitute. I was hired as one and then over the summer I decided to apply for 2 elementary regular ed positions. I was then called to interview for a special ed position at the middle school - learning support. I did well very well at the interview and was later asked to take the former classroom of the man who took the middle school position - elementary life skills. I was hesitant and scared and said, while on the phone with the district superintendent "Sure.... I think I can do that." She said, "Oh! You can do it!" Then the Principal called and welcomed me and I went to see the room! 3 days later I started with in-service and a week later school began and my kiddos were with me.

God has blessed me with my job, family, and close friends. I still remain involved with Campus Crusade through my financial support - though I really hope to be involved as affiliate staff in the near future. Have a wonderful day! :o)

The Life of a.... Waitress.

It has been quite some time since I've posted last. For those who haven't gotten my updates in the mail, I am no longer working for Campus Crusade. :/ It makes me very sad and I miss it so much. God has me working as a waitress right now to pay down some debt and become more stable before I (maybe) resume working for support as a missionary. I also work another job at a bridal store... which is much different, but also pretty fun. I am working on my teaching application, but there is sooo much that I never knew I had to do! After I see my doctor (yes, I need a physical and some shots!), I can resume the process.

I've been wanting to post some gripes about my jobs: Let's start with waitressing...

Pet Peeves
1. I hate when customers ask for baked potatoes.... we don't have 'em! Look at the menu, please! 2. I hate when people snap their fingers at me.
3. I hate when people don't leave at least 15%... is it really too much to ask??
4. This Valentine's Day, I had a table WALK OUT ON THEIR BILL! ... yet they still tipped me $3?!
5. This Valentine's Day, I also had a table leave me a 35 cent tip... on a 30 dollar check.
6. I hate when people judge me for working where I do. Do you know that I make what I would make as a teacher in some of the school districts in Johnstown? And I actually enjoy my job... as I did NOT enjoy student teaching.
7. I hate when people call our Bottomless Tostada Chips.... bottomless tostitos... bottomless nachos... or the bottomless ::motions hands as if to signify 'dipping a chip'::
8. I absolutely hate the bottomless express lunch, the chips and salsa, and the sunset menu. They are cheap and as a result... not a great tip.
9. When people order water with lemon my blood pressure rises.
10. When someone is on their cell phone and/or texting and ignores the people they are sitting with.


What I Love About my Job
1. When tables screw me over, if nearby tables are paying attention, they more than make up for it in their tip to me. I get so happy almost to the point of tears. :)
2. My coworkers. They are soo much fun. We all get along really well. A lot of us have worked there since we opened four years ago.
3. Unexpected large tips.... well expected large tips, too. :)
4. When people are polite and say thank you when I do something for them.
5. Being tipped on to-go orders.
6. Being accomodated when I need off.
7. Talking to different people everyday.
8. Helping my coworkers... and then helping me.
9. Training new employees.
10. OMG, the food.

Community

Am I crazy or does everyone else constantly have songs in their head? Different, random songs. Yesterday, it was a bunch of 80s songs.. currently "never gonna get it, never gonna get it, never gonna get it, never gonna get it, never gonna get, never gonna get... whoa whoa whoaaa." Weird.

Things have been pretty crazy around the Gull lately. Lots of people are sick, there have been several trips to the ER, just weird stuff... what's up with that? I had the stomach flu for the past two days... I think I'm back to normal now.

My goals for the summer are to become less introverted and to get rid of my anxiety. Why did I have to choose such huge goals? I'm giving them to God. I know that my introvertedness is not always a bad thing.. it can be a great thing at times, but I think sometimes I take it too far.

This summer I'm discipling four college women - from actually all over the country! They are such sweetie pies. I'm excited to work with them. I'm also co-leading the Community Team. The Community Team facilitates community within our project. The idea of a transformational community was first introduced to me in Ocean City, on summer project, in 2006. The concept is not from Campus Crusade, it actually comes from the Bible.

Acts 2:42-47
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[i]), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[j]—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
(from Biblegateway.com -New Living Translation)

Ephesians 4:2-6
2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.
(from Biblegateway.com -New Living Translation)

It has been really fun and encouraging watching the students bond. They just met each other last week and already I can see lifelong friendships forming. When someone needs help or is in trouble, everyone else drops what they are doing until the problem is solved. When this project is over, the students and staff will go home with a better understanding of what true Christian community and fellowship are.

Tonight Stephen and I are leading the Community Team meeting - we have some great ideas for our project! I can't wait for some of those things to start. Woohoo :)

Hampton Beach

Heyyyy there!

The sweet alure of New England has called me back again. I'm here in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire! One thing I LOVE about working for Campus Crusade for Christ is being able to travel to so many cool places. For the next 6 weeks, I will be living and working here, serving as staff for a summer project for college students from around the country. I am discipling students, teaching and training them in ministry/outreach, leading a ministry team, and sharing my faith on the beach! It is going to be a PACKED summer - but I'm so excited. The students have not arrived yet, but I'm looking forward to meeting them next Monday. :) Right now we are preparing for their arrival by preparing Bible study and discipleship times, going over rules, learning new things, spending time in the Word, and getting the house ready. The house we live in is actually right on the ocean block. It's an old, former hotel. Very quaint and modest rooms.

I had my quiet time this morning out on the sand. I'm learning a few different things in my quiet times. One book I'm reading is teaching me how to become a woman of God. Today I read about how important it is to pray for your family and also how to make the house a home. Pretty good stuff. Yesterday I read about how faith often begins as fear. God often uses the times when we are most afraid to give us an opportunity to step out in faith and see some amazing results. Just like how Peter was afraid of the storm and it wasn't logical to step out ONTO the water, but he stepped out in faith and experienced something amazing!

What is one thing that you're fearing lately? How can you step out in faith?

new stuff

So I told everyone to read my blog and I've written nothing interesting in quite some time.

What's new with my job, you may want to know.....

Well, currently, we are getting ready for a fundraising fellowship dinner for alum of Campus Crusade for Christ in Southwestern PA. I've been making posters and bookmarks - I love being creative. It's a huge ordeal and I'm actually kind of looking forward to it. I think Katie's gonna come and hang out, too! Yay :)

I'm raising support right now. I need a couple thousand dollars so that I can finish out my internship and head to Hampton Beach! Woo! If you'd like to give, please visit: https://give.ccci.org/give/0597862 Thanks!

That's about all that's new job-wise. Since I haven't had enough support, I've been off-campus most of the time. Meaning, no discipleship or Bible studies with students until my support is in. Yuck. Please help your sista out! OK, no more asking for support right now.

In other news, things with my boyfriend are going GREAT. I've never known anyone like him. He's so amazing. Can't wait for everyone else to meet him! <3 I get to go back to Maine soon and spend some quality time with him and his family. He wants to keep me there. Hmmmmm :)

I'm getting ready to go watch a movie w/ my roommate. Laterrrrrrr :)

A Bunch of Random Thoughts

So, it's been a while since I've posted something other than my love for my boyfriend. So I decided that I would write a little somethin' before I go to bed tonight.

I'm a little frustrated with the distance that is between Pennsylvania and Maine.

I had a good time speaking at Emmanuel tonight - looking forward to going back tomorrow ...though not looking forward to getting up at 6:30.

I'm getting very excited to go on summer project in Hampton Beach, NH! I wish I knew more details - I think there will be around 75-100 students and staff. I'm very excited to find out which girls I'll be discipling and what my condo will look like! Though I'm sure I will be busy with ministry most of the days and nights, I'm looking forward to being at the beach.

I need to order more contacts.

It's time for bed!!!

Good night :)

I love Seth Adam.





That is all.