I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas! We certainly enjoyed spoiling each other this year. We can't believe that every Christmas after will be much different. We treasured spending time together and can't believe how our lives are going to change. Deric is truly such an amazing husband. He does so much for me..considering now that I'm sick all the time. I couldn't have asked for a better husband. 

This holiday season I had to just keep reminding myself the reason for the season. God sent a precious gift to Earth. Jesus would change the world forever. I'm am looking foward to telling my little one all about Jesus and the love He has for each of us. 

Deric and I are anxious and earnestly praying for wisdom in these next couple months.  We need to find a place to live and figure out how much I need to work to make ends meet. We both trust that the Lord will provide for us and guide us in the right direction. So, if you know of anyone who can give us a place to live, let us know! We may rent or buy a house. Wherever we live we will be together, forever. 

I'm really excited!

Well Deric and I are officially expecting our first baby. We are really excited and can't wait to see what God has planned for our lives. We know we have a lot of decisions to make, but we are thrilled to have a little one of our own. The countdown is so cool! Enjoy watching a fictional picture of my baby grow!

You Be Lifted High

Hi folks! It's been such a long time sense I wrote. Did you miss me?? Life has been going by so fast. There are have been a lot to take in. Above is a beautiful picture of one of my students. The doctors have discovered 2 tumors in Erin. One in her hip and 1 on her skull. I have full peace that God will heal her. It won't be an easy process. But, with God's strength this beautiful young girl will make it through. I pray that God will use this family and this circumstance to impact others for Christ. Many could be angry at God. Every right. But God is God. He knows why she has this. He didn't do this to her. He allowed it. It doesn't seem fair or right. But we are human and things happen we can't explain or consider fair. We can only take this circumstance and use it for good. God is faithful. He will never leave us or forsake us. FOREVER GOD IS WITH US.

On another note, I've been having difficulty with work. Nothing I do seems to be okay. Someone is always trying to change things. But, especially this weekend, I had a reminder. I am living so others will see Christ. My life is suppose to point to Him. I know sometimes it doesn't. I get mad, caddy, full of frustration. But then the Holy Spirit quietly reminds me, I am here for Him. Not for me. I leave you today with lyrics from one of my favorite artists, Michael W. Smith. 

You be lifted high

You be lifted high

You be lifted high in my life oh God

And I fall to my knees

So it's you that they see not I

Jesus, you be lifted high

It's Thanksgiving and I'm thinking Grinchmas!

For those of you who don't know me, The GRINCH IS MY FAVORITE! Some people may say he is crabby and mean. But he is truly cuddly and cute. One of my favorite scenes, in both the cartoon and real-life version, is when his heart grows 3 sizes and he saves the sleigh. He has realized the true meaning of Christmas. It's not about the presents or the roast beast. Christmas will come without those things. As the Christmas fastly approaches, I get so excited. I love all the holiday decorations. Especially all my Grinch stuff. (I even do an entire Grinch day at school!) I need to remember, bc I do forget, that it doesn't matter if I have 3 storage cases of Christmas decor. I really don't need that stuff. Why do we celebrate Christmas? 

Christ came to earth so we can have eternal life with Him. It all began on that night. I wonder what the Grinch movie would be like if he visited Christ instead of the town of Who-ville. I think the movie would end with the same meaning, just with a bit of a Christ twist. 

Let's remember this Grinchmas, not to worry about the things. Or if my tree will fit in my living room....but let's remember that Christ is the reason for the season. Without him, there would be no tree and no Grinch. Now that makes my heart shrink 3 sizes. :( 

"JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON."

God's Beauty

Ahh! It's been a week since my latest entry. I apologize to my fans. :) Nothing too exciting happening today. I'm looking forward to having no school on Monday. It always brings me joy to sleep in. I'll leave today with a picture from my favorite place in the whole world- Big Bear Lake, CA.(Granted, I've never been out of the U.S.) Someday I'll be back....hopefully soon.

Here's a picture of the beautiful flowers my amazing husband got me! 

Today was a much better day then yesterday. I talked to my co-worker and even though we didn't see eye-to-eye, we are not on bad terms anymore. I really enjoyed teaching and seeing the kids today. A couple of them said they missed me. That made me feel a million times better! My Pa gave me this chapter in Pslam to read. Chapter 20:1-2 says,"May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble. May He send you help from the sanctuary." 

The Lord sent me comfort and peace. Chapter 20 concludes by saying in verse 8, "They have bowed down and fallen, But we have risen and stood upright." I can say, I'm still standing with the Lord right by my side. :)  

Betrayal

So as many of you know, this year has been extremely difficult for me. I've had a lot on  my plate with work. On Friday, my co-worker quit. Now this may not seem like that big of a deal, but I wasn't there on Friday. She didn't even tell me she was going to quit. She just did it. At our school, we work so closely together that if that was me who was quitting, I would have informed my partner before I told the principals. But, she didn't. In fact, she just wrote me an email for me to read on Sunday night. This morning I told her my feelings. I explained to her that how she went about communicating to me she quit really hurt. She could have called Thursday night. She was so rude and just said, "ok." Luckally our principals were understanding. They let me go home. She said I was selfish. I was only thinking of myself. All I was trying to do was tell her my feelings. I understand she needed to quit for her family. I would do the same. But, to respond to me, her friend like that, really hurt. It took a lot for me to tell her how I felt. Quitting affects everyone, not just yourself. I've never felt betrayal until now. In mind I keep hearing, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." I know God is right here, in control. He sees the bigger picture. He has a plan for my classroom. I'm also reminded of the verses Pslam 118:8-9 that tells us that it is not wise to put your trust in men. It is better to put your trust in God, He is our refuge. God will never disappoint us. Even though this school year has been a mix of difficult parents, students, and long hours, I know I have forgotten to trust God in these areas. I have trusted that my partner would be with me and help me through the hard moments together. That is what a partner is, right? However, men will let you down. I have been let down. How great is God that He will always stand by my side. He is who I need to fully trust through the hard times. I can't rely on humans. 

I wish I could change how things were handled. I don't know why she chose not to tell me. Was she afraid? Did she think I wouldn't be upset? I need to respond in a loving matter. Even if she never tells me she was wrong, I need to try to accept that is how she is. I pray that our classroom will be blessed with a new teacher. Maybe my old partner will return!! 

I leave this blog with lyrics based upon verses in Romans 11:33-36. "God is God and I am not. I can only see a part, of the picture He's painting. God is God and I am man. I'll never understand it all, for only God is God."