Growing

Oh dear me! It has been far too long since I've written! I can't believe I didn't even write about the newest member of my family! Lily girl! She is an adopted black lab, retriever, shepherd mix! She sure has grown over the past few months! I rescued her the second day I came back from Portland. My boyfriend new it was over when I said, "Will you help me put Lily back." Yes, I had named the pup before I even left the store. I held out one day and went back the next to get her! Little did I know she was a very sick baby! The reason why she slept so much was because she had no good bacteria in her! Once we got her healthy, she was a bundle of energy! Workin' on puppy training classes now at Petsmart! Didn't know training was so much work but Lily is a smart little, or not so little anymore pup!

A new school year has begun and I am still getting to know my 17 precious Fourth Graders! We do have a lot of fun together and laugh a lot! Most recently we enjoyed our study of Egypt by making each other toilet paper mummies. We also got to "part the Red Sea" for our Tirzah novel study! The kids decorated characters from the book and used the Popsicle stick to part the sea. The jello idea was not a Schreck original, found it online!

Thought I'd share my bulletin board and door theme...Time and the waterfall to represent the school verse: "Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23

Chapels have been a blessing too! Our kids were so excited to put together boxes for Operation Christmas Child and did such a great job!

One of my friends from High School had a long awaited wedding a week ago. We enjoyed sharing in her special day and pray for a wonderful and blessed marriage!

Lovin' the past six months with this special guy! He's workin' hard at USC finishing up his degree!

Momma turned the big 5-0! Be proud! We revisited Hawaii and enjoyed some delicious chocolate pie! So good to be home and share the love! Can't thank God enough for hand picking my momma-an amazing woman of God who fulfills Proverbs 31:30!

Can't praise the Lord enough for being able to share the Gospel with a student and rejoicing with others! Seeing a middle-schooler write "I gave my life to Jesus today!" is just incredible! God really is at work at NCA in a special way!

I feel like I am beginning to realize that teaching is a hard job, now more than ever. That being said, I had the song, "He is With Us" by Love and the Outcome in my head this afternoon. "We can trust our God...though it might hurt now, we won't be ruined." Trust. It brings freedom. All the thoughts, questions, and concerns laid at the foot of the cross, no better place to be.



As God continues to challenge me, I am blown away at how He always knows just what we need! I was reminded of the necessity of prayer in James 5:13-20. Always so many thoughts that could be shared but I'll leave it at that for now. What is God teaching you this week?

Sweet Things

I finally got to see my favorite Portlanders! It was a Schreck Family Reunion! We helped Josh and Alli build a garden and fence! Enjoyed my favorite Portland restaurants and sites together! We went berry and lavender picking and even got to see a Portland Timber's game! They won in the last minute! We all had trouble going to sleep that night as the excitement and energy was so lasting! "When I root, I root for the Timbers!" The chant will get stuck in your head, just you wait!

The weather was gorgeous and I think it even swapped from SC, instead of rain, there was sunshine and oh such lovely Spring-like weather! (I remember stepping off the plane in Columbia and boy did I get smacked in the face with some sticky humidity. Welcome home it said!) It was even a little chilly on 4th of July! Played Merchants and Marauders and learned that I can't play competitive games when I'm tired. I think I need a break from that one but if you like exciting strategic games-check it out! We got to go to a peaceful Japanese Garden along with the, as always, beautiful Rose Gardens. I also saw many friends I haven't seen in a while; sweet dinners and chats in the wonderful Rose City.

I got a puppy! Sweet Lily is about 9 weeks old now and ever so smart! Poor little baby has some health issues we are trying to clear up! She is so precious and a blessing! We sure enjoy our walks together! I'm learning a lot and am open to puppy training suggestions....

Youth group is back up and running we have our last Summer Refuel on Wednesday called "Prepare to Die"....it's a combo of all the crazy games we've been playing, hope we all survive!

You've got to check out this sermon, one of the best and most favorite I've heard in a while...."There is nothing I can ever do to make God love me more or less!" Go to the link and download "Say What Week 4," listen, be blessed!

It has been such a privilege to see so many people sharing the Gospel, living the Gospel, and accepting the Gospel! Just this past week I have heard numerous stories of God at work! How have you seen God at work, I'd love to hear! Many people were baptized at our church last Sunday, one of which planted a seed in a fellow who  later accepted Christ after the service! It truly was a powerful service and caused many challenging thoughts! Baptism is a weighty, public expression of following Christ! We were encouraged to "have some pride" in our faith and the work of Christ in us!

I heard of another house church ministry in which a believer decided to propose to his girlfriend and stop living in sin!

Still another story I heard of a friend who I've been praying for (for quite a while now) to return to the Lord, has had a new desire to do so! Hallelujah! What an encouragement!

Alas, I need to clean, run errands, and make food. The new school year is just around the corner! Need to finish up some summer reading and start some school projects. Hard to believe-round 2 is just about here!

Summer Time!

The long awaited summer is here! Kids get so excited about summer but I think teachers are right up there with them!

I can't believe it is already almost July!!! I have a mountainous list of things I wanted to do for school that I've just barely touched! Pinterest has offered some great teacher ideas and sometimes it's even a bit overwhelming but hey, one day at a time!!

So what have I been doing this summer, besides failing at posting? Sleeping. Somehow I just sleep a lot. That's not all though!

Been enjoyin' helping with "No Guts, No Glory" with the Radius Youth Group- a study on courage, 2 Timothy 2:8-13. Spending time with the girls getting frozen yogurt or talking is always a treat!

Mr. M.C. has been quite busy as well and we've enjoyed some sweet times together! Even if it involves making dreams come true through mock Nickelodeon slime!

The roommate and I visited Salisbury, Maryland for one of her dear friend's wedding. Let me just say it's always an adventure when we road trip! Ended the trip with some time at Holden Beach, NC in which I discovered once again why I never tan and spray suntan lotion should NOT be my lotion of choice. Hello lobster sun burn! Aloe was my new best friend.

Headed to see my favorite Portlanders next week!! I'm so excited! The whole family will be together on the West Coast!!

Take a look....

I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done. -Psalm 118:17

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. -1 Peter 1:8-9

New Seasons

Whew! Has it really been that long since I've posted???? So long that I thought I needed to change the layout of the blog, pull up the page and think oh that's nice, I just changed it!

The school year is wrapping up and boy has it been a whirlwind! Many of my afternoons/evenings have been spent grading, grading, grading. Sometimes I feel like Dori on finding Nemo..."Just keep grading, just keep grading, what do I do but grade, grade, grade!" It's worth it though and next year I think I'll have a better system! I've consumed quite a bit of Mt. Dew and realize I need to cut back on that one :)

We had our Spring Musical, Silent Auction, and so much more! Choreographed a 4th Grade Hoedown and helpin' with the Faculty and Staff surprise talent show entry! Made chocolate with the silent auction winner-3 of my fourth grade girls! Little Rascals and chocolate makes for a great afternoon!

Yep, I got up there on that stage too for the Hoedown!

I turned another year older and enjoyed so many goodies! Mr. Headley played the birthday song for me, my parents got me lovely flowers, my dad's class came and sang Happy Birthday and there was lots of cake and flowers! My roommate decorated my room and got me beautiful flowers too!  How could I forget the Red Lobster dinner! So delicious! I had some challenging packages to unwrap from my uncle and some incredibly sweet surprises from Mr. M.C. (his were quite interestingly wrapped as well!)

Field Day was quite the afternoon! My kiddos were dying to get wet in the kiddy pool during tug-of-war! There wish was granted!

We had teacher appreciation week and I was so blessed to get so many treats! From my favorite candy bar and soda to flowers to movie baskets I felt the love!

Spent a great weekend with the Radius Youth for Disciple Now! Reminded to be courageous! Had some fun game challenges too! Spent the afternoon at Wal-Mart as an "Amazing Race" stop.

Summer is fast approaching and I can't wait for those warm summer nights. Nothin' like 'em!

I'm also thankful for seasons. Changing seasons. Seasons where one is challenged, learns, and grows. I'm thankful that God loves me too much to leave me where I am. I'm thankful he brings new people into my life each and every day! Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 sums it up so well!

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens...
 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance...

Spring Break!

"Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."-2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Blessed to begin moving today! Feel like it's college packing round I don't know what but this time it's different!! God's plans are amazing and truly beyond what I could ever dream or imagine!

Now if I could just get out of bed this morning.....

Mid Easter Weekend

Had a lot of thoughts about Easter yesterday and today. I've enjoyed sharing them with my mom and talking about all of it. First, I sort of feel like Easter should be celebrated every day! After all, the cross and resurrection are the foundation for my life!

I watched a few scenes from the Passion last night. I have never seen it and I still only saw some of it. The violence is tough to watch and it certainly makes you wonder, why? Why would someone go through that. The Scriptures have the answer! He did it for me. (Hebrews 9:16-29)

Sin is awful. Sin is black. Sin is that violence. It had to be that way to defeat sin.

I sat there and during the scene when they bring Jesus before the Sanhedrin all I could think was it seems so impossible. It's SO impossible and unusual that the fulfillment of Scripture, well there's no other explanation than that it was the Lord! It was possible. It did happen.

It seems so wrong. The people lied. The people believed lies.

5 days ago they were worshiping and celebrating Jesus. What changed?

The Sanhedrin couldn't even legally crucify him so they had to take him to someone who could.

Pilate himself wrestled vehemently with what is 'truth'.

Peter denied Jesus three times. How do you come back from that? Jesus restored him three times.

Judas tried to give the money back.

Everyone knew He was innocent. He was who He said He was.

There were so many people Jesus encountered in the last days of life. Think of all the lives that were forever and historically changed!

"...But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself."-Hebrews 9:26

This last verse in John makes me smile....Jesus is truly incredible! Our words can not even begin to give Him the glory due!

"Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." -John 21:25

Sportsmen's Classic

Last weekend I did something I've never done before. I went to the Sportsmen's Classic! It was much better than I expected! They had a lot of great vendors and food! I was even blessed to receive some South Carolina activity pages and posters for my kiddos! Tried some alligator and no, it's not quite like chicken. It was more fishy and is a darker meat. Got some PepperSpray and saw a giant bear and learned that Bear Mace is rather expensive and quite different from normal mace. Saw some precious pups. If you want to learn more, check it out here!

A Teacher's Desk on Valentine's Day

Happy late Valentine's Day!
How did you celebrate???

I am beyond blessed to have 13 Valentines, 2 extra special Valentine's and many more Valentine's!

My two extra special Valentine's, also known as mom and dad, sent me a singing gram to the song "God gave me you!" and boy did I tear up, at the first line of the song....click here to listen! Now this music video was originally written for a couple but I think it works for a family too!! A fourth grader with a beautiful voice shared this lovely song!

My 13 students truly made the day special! It was full of gifts, precious notes, singing grams, bingo, laughter, excitement, and of course lots of candy and chocolate!

One of my kids won bingo and yelled so loud you woulda thought he just won a million dollars! It's the simple things in life!!

Photo Credit: this was one of my student's desks! We had a great day!


I praise the Lord for making my day so special! He truly does LOVE His children!! This was definitely a Valentine's to remember!

Wish I could post pictures

Whew! What a week/weekend! God has been so good to me and I am lovin' opportunities to serve and live life with others!

I am learning that sometimes, when God takes away people in your life and ties your hands in the sense that no matter how hard you try you know and realize that waiting and trusting God is your only option, new joys arise in the waiting.....

This week was a roller coaster! We had our first field trip (I'm a newbie teacher.) to EdVenture and it was great! The kids didn't want to leave! We learned about 'Magnificent Magnets' and exploring the life-sized Eddie was probably the highlight of our trip! What great memories!

Fun Friday was full of pizza and of course fun in the indoor playground and some visitors/shadows to the school!

Friday night my sweet friends, the Eastman's, stopped by for a visit! They have recently been in Africa for some missionary training. They will be home for 6 months. On the way to visit family they stopped by and we enjoyed dinner at Groucho's and Scrabble! I don't get too many visitors right now in good ol' Columbia so it was a special treat!

After they headed out, Aubrey and I headed over to the new NCA campus to help paint a playroom! Orange and black reminded me of a tiger!

Ran home and wrapped up some baby gifts for Mrs. Longpre and precious Ashleigh who is on the way!

Picked up pizza on the way home and ended the night with some Firefly and an early bedtime (I'm still workin' on staying up late ;) )

Superbowl Sunday fun tonight and throw in some grading papers...I still need to make that Roller Coaster display, hmmmm..... and

I do believe that's wrap!

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.-Colossians 3:17 (it's become our class verse I think!)

Can't get enough

Sang this at church today and I just can't get enough of it!

"I've found a love greater than life itself. I've found a hope stronger and nothing compares I once was lost now I'm alive in you!"

Summertime in January

Summertime in January! I'm pretty sure half of Columbia had the same idea....the beach is just calling my name! I settled for a run through the park. — at West Columbia Riverwalk.

Airports and Starbucks

So I have been blessed to have my fair share of airpots and starbucks!

I love to fly and well starbucks is usually just a give-in when you do so....on my way home from MS I got a hot chocolate and it was delightful! I have come to realize that just plain old hot chocolate is probably one of their best drinks (or one of my favorites there) but GASP! low and behold I tried a Peppermint Mocha the other day (in SC, not an airport) and dare I say, I liked it! I almost went out the other day to get one!! I claim the fact that it was so much peppermint and whipped cream that it wasn't much coffee but I still tasted the coffee!! I was a little worried but it was good!

Christmas! and more!

I guess I was behind in my postings! We have enjoyed skyping with my brother and his lovely wife in Portland, Oregon! They just got a new house so we like to help out from far away!... we also like to have fun with google plus

We also like to celebrate Christmas beyond the 25th! Josh and Allie sent me awesome magnets for school-they are matrishka dolls (I know I can use them to help teach fraction), mustaches-you know we are up on the crazes, and some nice pretty birds! Mom got lots of gluten free things and Dad got an awesome Timbers poster and a poster handmade by Josh!! He's great if you need some cool posters or photography!

I was also super excited about my gift from my uncle! Sue Thomas FBI on dvd!! Great show from Pax in the 90's finally came available on Amazon!

We also of course had to celebrate daddy!! It was his birthday!!! He's a Christmas baby and just the best!

December 25-Happiest birthday to my daddies! To my Father in Heaven, thank you for loving me always, despite my flaws and the fact that I'm from an 'Island of Misfits'. To my daddy here, Mike Schreck thanks for the memories, I love you! I am beyond blessed to call you Dad!

Kimber and Thomas Callen

My friends got married!!

December 22, 2012 my two good friends tied the knot!

I was so blessed to be able to share in this special time. Nothing like it! I loved all the girl talk and catching up with old friends. I didn't give a toast but left my sentiments in a note....we've cried and laughed a lot and I will forever be thankful for their friendship! I loved cheering Kimber on at soccer in the cold and Thomas' epic stories. The two of them gave us a lot of college memories! I still remember Kimber bringing in an interesting looking skittle cake and Kim saying, we need to get to know that girl!

I have been praying for this couple for quite some time and will continue to do so! God has great plans for them!

 Congrats Kimber and Thomas! We love you!

Here it is!

So I was replanting our class bean and apple plants..in the winter!! I couldn't believe I was gardening in the winter. Our class bean plants had grown quite a bit and I knew that over break if no one cared for them, they'd die! I gave a last ditch effort to see if any of my kids would take it home but alas no green thumbed families volunteered. So I packed them in the car along with all kinds of other things I had to take home over the break and headed home. I stuck them in the garage and the next day went to MS for a wedding (more on that later!). Bad decision. The garage location, not the wedding. I came home and my mom had to break the news that well...the bean plant wasn't fairing so well. So dad dug out some pots under the house and I re-potted them hoping things would get better. As I walked down the stairs from their new, indoor home, I was thinking about how it's tough for a plant to grow in the winter. You have storms, cold, people trappling on you, knocking you over, etc. Without the right light, water, and care, the plants won't survive.

Sounds like us.

Life is hard. When the hard times come, the winter, the freezing, the storms, the trampling, it's hard to keep our heads up. Especially when we don't get the right care, our hopes are shot.

I've been learning that the water and light I need, well that's the Word of God-every day!

When those storms come, and we are growing against the odds, well that's because we can "be confident that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion!"

I am so thankful for all the promises and words of encouragement that are found in the Word! I challenge you to discover some this week and share them in the comments!

As always, God is good all the time, all the time God is good!