Feels Like Starting Over

It also feels like I have just begun. :)

I finally have what I've been needing- time.

Time to breathe.

Time to recollect my thoughts and reconnect with my heart.

Time to be with family and friends.

Time to meet new people and let go of whatever was holding me back from doing that.

Time to . . .

write

play

explore

brainstorm

I feel like I am living an undiscovered life. One where I'm not working all the time and instead pushing toward the life I want.

And it's hard.

Uncertainty clouds my joy at times, but He is with me.

I wonder if this is all crazy - quitting my job and redesigning the ground rules of my life- and already know that it is.

But

It all feels worth it.

I'll have no regrets.

Music and videos can be viewed on my YouTube channel here

Floods

Who would have thought? And where to begin?
(I'm fine and had no damage.)

Unbelievable.

Nashville is under water.

Today is Tuesday and it is a beautiful day. Such a testimony that His mercies are new each morning. Yet such a temptation for me to forget that there are people whose business will close as a result of this past weekend's severe storms, or have to start over- losing precious memories along with common day comforts. Nashville is coming together to provide needed supplies for displaced people and starting the process of cleaning up and assessing damages.

My camera phone pics.

These first two pictures are of a golf course!

Next three pictures are from Hermitage- down the street from where my friend Rebecca lives.

These last two pictures were taken 1/2 mile from my apartment.

This video is of local footage around where I live.
More Pictures

Faith

Break through . . .

I have walked through this last month a bit dazed. Was hope on the horizon or another hill to climb?

People have been asking me questions that I just don't have the answers to. But I have one now. :)

My friend Julie has offered me a place to live, rent free. I know . . . crazy cool, right? This act of generosity has restored my waning confidence in this new chapter of life.

A friend of mine writes a blog and a recent post felt like my life.

(You should go back and read it.)

Church has felt like an obligation and frankly, pretty boring. I am not involved in a Bible study currently and have felt so far away from God's Word. I wish I could say this was a recent development. But then came church on Sunday.

Unexplainable comfort.
Passion.
Rescued.

The message was called "Learning to Swim." I linked to it so I could share with you the encouragement I received. He met me right where I was, when I couldn't take anymore, with words that spoke clearly to my heart.

I pray the same comfort and passion over you and a soft landing in His arms as you take your leap of faith.

Gross Yet Amazing

Kids, I tell ya!

Musicians- How I love them :)

Love Teaching Kiddos

THEY

ARE 

SO

 

FUN

Taking Care of Business

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Today is all about loose ends and catching up.

• Budgeting
• Financial planning Appointment and subsequent To-Do list
• Email updates
• Looking into subbing for next year
• Watching the snow fall while at Barnes and Nobel
• Facebook - why exactly are people on so much?
• Thinking about lunch - leftovers, I'm pretty sure
• Letting the "shoulds" roll around in my mind.

I love not working.  Perhaps I will write. :)

Clock Making

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Okay, more like vinyl decal art work. :) This was so much fun and added a neat unique kick to my room. I know I am leaving in a couple of months, but it still felt worth it. :) I think I will put up some vinyl quotes in my classroom next. Who knew I would be so into vinyl?

Step One- takes the most amount of time and precision. I am so not a detail person!


Step 2- rub-a-dub-dub


Step 3- Repeat process


Step 4- attach clock piece. Ahh,sweet success. :)

Here is the latest blog from Haiti for the APparent Project

http://apparentproject.blogspot.com/

If you can help . . .

This is from a good friend of mine:

Our friends, the Clays, run and orphanage and other ministries in Port Au Prince, Haiti. Please pray for Corrigan & Shelley, their family and the orphans and kids they lead. They came through the earthquake alive but their buildings are not safe to return to. Last night they slept on the street and have reported that t...he conditions where they live are very bad.

If you want to get involved with helping in Haiti I can think of no better people to support than people who are on-the-ground with the orphans and poor already. Check out their web site at

http://apparentproject.org/

Thanks for spreading the word and helping out!

Snow Day(s)

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What a long absence from blogging. I think I was so frustrated with work that I stopped taking the time to capture the FUN and sweet moments. No more!

Snow Days

Let's talk about the glorious unexpected, unearned, and perfectly indulgent gift that is a snow day.

I am unashamed to say that I slept peacefully for most of the first one. Nowhere to be. A day without lesson plans or convincing a student to care about inner and outer planets.

Just a slender covering of white and the peace that comes and whispers, "Take this day. Rest." So I did. I made biscuits . . .It was very domestic of me.

Smudge loves the snow and continued begging to go outside.
She looked frosty out there. I made her come in shortly after.

Work returns tomorrow, Monday, but I am re-created and ready. As it should be. :)