Sunday, August 26, 2012

Wow

What a reminder...puts life in perspective.


Saturday, August 25, 2012

$20 or less!

Ok so I am just like all the other teachers in the world and decided to tackle a few projects before school. Well school starts next week (for teachers) and the following week for students. I know, I know, we start so late but I'm thankful!! So my two projects (well there's always more than that but I'll just highlight two) were re-doing a chair and fixing up a white board. So the whiteboard was quick and easy! Spray painted the once white edge black! I had to line it with brown packaging paper and blue painter's tape to protect the white board part. It turned out great! My plan was to add ribbon to section it off to use as a pass board (students sign out when the go somewhere during the day) which was a great idea from pinterest but I didn't get that far so we'll see what I end up using it for/how I end up using it. Anyway! The biggest turn around was a chair I got for five bucks! That's right people, not tax and five dollars...here's the beauty!



Ok, that's the before. It would have been a 10-12 dollar chair if I had all the supplies but I ended up having to buy another can of spray paint (probably because of my inexperience I used a lot ;) ) and batting (which I could have just used the old cushion but we thought it'd behoove us to add a little more cushy for your tushie!). Plus if you have the quilting batting on hand (like I do now) you wouldn't have to spend that extra 3 dollars. So with the spray paint (additional to the 3/4 can I had already) the chair came up to be about 20 dollars! The chair itself was the deal of the day and with the help of mom pulling the fabric taught as I stapled (my first experience with a staple gun!! ahhh!! I was scared but got sort of used to it) and dad giving directions on how to operate/handle/put away tools it only took about a week! Honestly, we probably could have done it in 2-3 days but you know how life gets busy! Needless to say, I finished a summer project!! It's my second piece of fix-up furniture and I'm so excited! It even goes with my other coffee table (the first experience). So how'd I do it?

1. bought a chair.
2. cleaned chair.
3. took off 3 layers of fabric and washed original cushion/batting
4. spray painted chair (multiple times...newbie, i know!)
5. stapled batting and cushion to chair
6. covered batting with fabric
7. trimmed fabric

and voila!

I'm excited to use it in my classroom! I think I will use it as my 'teacher desk chair' and a special chair for the kiddos every now and then!
Hey! I'm even like one of those designers who match the room they re-design with what they wear for the big reveal....I didn't intend for that to happen but cool! Thanks mom and dad for the help! Couldn't have done it without ya!



We love power tools....

We love power tools...well just using them...we're scared of the noises and heaviness (that's what boys and daddies are for) but they make for some great refinished chairs!

To good NOT to Share

Psalm 115: 1-2, 5-7, 16

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.

O Lord, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains.

Music

Just can't get enough of this song...every time I hear it I think of Portland and Josh and how this is such an amazing song-to praise the Lord with joy because he is Holy! It just makes me think of the mighty King we serve, like a battle song!! David Crowder finished the music race well! I think God well tell them "well done good and faithful servant!"



Also heard "I Turn to You" by Selah and that's my prayer, "I turn to you Jesus, what else can I do, I turn to you!"



I share a love for music like the rest of my family....my mom and dad passed on a love for great lyrics and sound to my brother and I!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Ellory Jane McFarland


I had the priviledge of seeing little Ellory (Evan's neice) get baptized today! She was beautiful and did a great job! We pray that she will come to know the Lord and He will protect and keep her throughout her days! I have loved getting to know Evan's immediate and extended family and their precious little ones!



Orientation!

So professional, i tried to spice up the uniform with a red head band!

On Saturday NCA had its back-to-school bash/orientation. We met our kiddos, played some icebreakers, parents got important information about the school, and then there was fellowship while the kids got snow cones and played on inflatables.  It's lookin' like it will be a great year! Can't believe there are only two more weeks 'til the first day! I've got a few things I need to get set up so here we go....

Long Time Ago


So I discovered this picture on my mom's camera from a long time ago! Well only about 3 months ago but it seems like a long time ago because so much has happened since my 22nd birthday!! The waiter was quite surprised when I told him how old I was but my family insisted the restaurant sing to me (there were quite a few other birthdays at Red Lobster that night too!) so I got some free ice cream out of it. I can't remember if Evan helped me eat it or not I just remember I was so full from the delicious shrimp and also my favorite garlic cheese biscuits!! Oh dear, if I can't remember I must be gettin' old or maybe the food and company was just so good it blocked my memory from everything else!


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Psalm 122:7

 
   "He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord."

We finally made it!!!



We did it!! Went to the beach for the day!! It wasn't Hilton Head and mucking but we'll have to save that for another day!! The water felt glorious-just the right temperature! Took a lovely walk on the beach and picked up a few sea shells. We love the butterfly ones! Finally got my toes in the sand and mountain dew can (yes I just rhymed for all you who appreciate those little things :) )! Put a big dent in my book, did you ever guess it? I finally finished it a day or two ago and really enjoyed it. Now on to reading for NCA aka school!!! I got my burn for the summer and we made it to the car just before the big storm!! Due to laying on the fine sand I somehow ended up with sand everywhere!!! It was rather windy and well I'll let you figure the rest out but it was worth it! We enjoyed a picnic lunch and dinner at McAlister's! Dad and I have been splitting the roast beef, onion, cheddar, horse radish (a new favorite, i know can you believe i like the horse radish? I promise it is not too spicy!) and the grilled chicken, peppers, pesto? panini! It was a long drive home but we enjoyed our little summer vacation!!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Testimonies, beach, and books

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am amaking a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."-Isaiah 43:19

Sometimes God shows up big. I mean really big and it's so big that a. It could only be the Lord and b. you just have to say something about it and give God the glory!! After all, that's what we were created to do and God never forgets his kiddos! Always protecting, providing, and loving; it truly is amazing!!

So this summer was yet another time in which God showed up big. He is always there and always working but often I get so impatient and frustrated I forget to trust him. Then I am always humbled and say ok God, foregive me for doubting, you came through like you always do! And once again I say, I need to remember this the next time things get rough or I find myself in a desert wasteland!

And now to testify (though some of this you have already heard)

I graduated college in Jackson, MS. I had a job offer in Florida. My boyfriend lives in SC. I am from SC. Can you connect the dots?? Problem 1. I need a job. Problem 2. Job offer is far away from boyfriend. Problem 3. I need a place to live. So what does God do? He gives me a job and the boyfriend!!! In the same place, after four years of being away!! Oh ya and a place to live too! Hallelujah!!

The school my parents worked at was downsizing. Daddy needs a job. Problem 1. He would prefer to teach at a Christian School. Problem 2. GA isn't hiring at their Christian school. So what does God do? He gives dad a job at a new Christian school, in our old hometown, working with his old love-comptuers! at the same school as me to boot!

My family had two houses. One in SC that had been on the market for 6 months (this after putting in tons of updates and work because there were renters in it previously). The other house in GA. So what does God do? He sells the GA house in little over 3 months, after getting 3-4 offers that all fell through, the best offer was the one that sold the house! The house in SC doesn't sell and the Schrecks return to their house of 22 plus years.

There is more to the story than that but for now, can I get an Amen to the fact that, God is good, all the time, God is good!!!!

I like to catch up on friend's blogs every now and then. If you'd like to see what I read, check out my tab of links on the right of this blog. I read one today that I just had to share.... check it out! This girl also has an amazing story, she wore one dress for one hundred days to help raise funds for orphans. It's been at least a year and money is still being raised for the orphans! She's got an eye for style so it's fun to see all the outfits she puts together! My sister Alli shared this blog with me and I've enjoyed following since then, hope you do to!

In other news, it is finally the weekend! There might be a beach day trip in the future! Summer is not summer unless there's at least one trip to the beach! Growin' up in the South on the East Coast summertime means beach!! The waves at your feet, a good book, and an ice cold mountain dew, mmm can't wait! Oh and I even have a good book! A book I've been waiting for about 3 months to come out on paper back finally came out! I bought it as soon as I found it and have enjoyed it so far. Among working on our new/old house and transfering paperwork with moving, my days have been quite full so it might be nice to just sit and read for a few hours and soak up some sun! If you are curious about the book, take a guess and look here! I'll give you a hint it's one of my favorite mystery authors/series and it's got some royal spice to it... Happy Friday!

Thursday, August 02, 2012

Chick-fil-a and summer time!

Went to Chick-fil-a today and the line was out the door!
Waited for an hour but it was worth it!! Prayed for those working shifts at our favorite fried chicken fast food place!!!



Summer is winding down and I'll start at Northside Christian Academy the end of August and beginning of September. Helped out with some inventory today and we are all getting very excited! Ready to rejoice as God works this school year!!



Can I just say, dates are great!! Went to the Riverwalk and enjoyed a Zesto's dipped cone! Only one Zesto's people and it's great!! Unfortunately I waited a little bit too long to eat it and the melting commenced. It made eating it quite challenging and I'm sure very humorus!!



I think it is safe to say that we are flipping our house. For the past two years I would come home and always be surprised at the updates that have taken place. Now I come home every day and see something new. It's pretty funny because I find myself going into a room and saying oh that's different.

Bowling!!! So I just can't get that last pin but we all make really fun victory and defeat faces and stances aaannnddd struggle with high fives every now and then ;)!