I think I could never be more tired....and then it happens

Often, I find myself thinking, I don't know if I've ever been more tired than now but I suppose that is all relative. Whatever the case, I have been rather tired the past two weeks but let me tell you it is a tiredness that is beyond worth it. I praise the Lord because I get to serve Him by teaching and daily he reminds me that He has specifically orchestrated my life to fulfill the purpose and call He has given me. I get to teach fourth graders about the love of Christ and academics!

I get to see this at about 7:00am every morning, what a wonderful way to start the day!

Mom and Dad welcomed me to my classroom with Flowers, my favorite candy bar, and a memory jar for my class to complete throughout the year....so beautiful it was a great start to my very first year teaching! My students, too, have showered me with fun gifts throughout the first few weeks!

I have thought about schedules (which if you knew me is quite an accomplishment....i always had trouble with schedules in college) and lesson plans more than I would have imagined but I'm thankful Belhaven educated me well.

We have enjoyed supporting our up and coming athletic department! The Volleyball team almost won and the football team, well they played hard and it was just the first game!!

Saw a rainbow at the first home football game, the rain held off and it was a glorious reminder of God's hand at Northside Christian Academy!

We've shared some laughs. My dad brought a surprise visitor to my fourth graders and I practically sat on it, much to my fourth graders suprise and joy, I turned bright red! Yes we had a slug and a huge moth as visitors on Fun Friday. It was a day to remember! By the grace of God, which I learn more about each and every day, I survived my first week of school! Here's some pics of my classroom! Kudos to Evan who helped me think of my bulletin board theme, my parents for recommending I keep Shrek...he is quite helpfu, and pinterest for helping with my 'Take a Look' walll! Though I still mix up some names, my kids love it because they get one rock closer to a party every time! One of these days I'll get it!

Forgiveness.

Tenth Avenue North - Losing (Official Music Video) from tenth-avenue-north on GodTube.

Wow

What a reminder...puts life in perspective.

$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!

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!

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!!

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!

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 ;)!

Goodmornting!!!!

In the words of Katie Miller.....Goodmornting!!!!!

Reminder

Reminder: "No problem is too big for God."

some of Psalm 107
"Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress! Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men."

May I never stop praising and thanking the Lord (Psalm 107:42)



"This is my story. This is my song, praising my Savior all the day long."

My Favorite Portlanders!

I finally got to fly all the way to Portland, Oregon to visit my wonderful brother and his wife! It was so special and perhaps a once in a lifetime experience! I boarded a plane all by myself 3 weeks ago and traveled most of the day, passed different time zones and temperatures. I flew SouthWest and they were great! They have a new boarding method where you line up by numbers and once you get on the plane the seat choice is first come first serve. This was really different to a veteran flyer but it worked out because I got a window seat every time! I think if you pre-check in the day before (which I HIGHLY recommend, it is so quick and easy!) I think you get a closer number. Anyway enough about flying oh wait the stewards were also quite witty, always an adventure when you fly SouthWest!

Once I got to Portland my two weeks were full of adventure! We got to celebrate fourth of July, go camping and hiking, visit the Zoo and Rose Gardens, eat A-mazing food, celebrate birthdays, read, sleep, watch soccer (Portland Timbers are the best, love the Rose City!), pack boxes, look at houses, take walks, Blues Festival, Warm Springs, Volcanoes, Saturday market and for a country girl, experience all forms of public transportation, oh and shop!

It was all wonderful but I especially loved talking and catching up with my brother and his wife, they are such huge blessings! We laughed and cried together and I was even more excited to hear about new happenings in their lives! This is just a small glimpse into two unforgettable weeks!

Sunshine on the water front!

Settlers of Catan. Enough said.

Fragrant roses....

Not so fragrant roses.

Little Bear, Scary Bear

Blue's Festival

Fourth of July Picnic

Fireworks

Picking Raspberries!

Update

I'm sorry it has been so long since I have posted. I suppose a big post hasn't come in about 2 or 3 weeks that is because so much has happened in 2 or 3 weeks! As always, this is a summer of learning for me. One of the biggest life lessons I am walking through is remembering God's unconditional love and trusting His timing. There are many things that I simply don't understand but it's ok. I will forever praise the Lord! It is interesting to me as I read more and more scriptures that declare that walking with the Lord includes constant praise and thanksgiving. I never really knew what that looked like but am perhaps discovering it now. God is good, all the time. All the time God is good. Our timing is far different from His and even though 3 weeks or perhaps 2 or 3 months feels like a lifetime, if we simply strive to be patient and rest and trust, I'm sure we'd save ourselves a lot of stress and heartache. Though I have a long way to go to master this, when it happens....when God shows up and shows up big time, like He promises, I am constantly humbled and reminded that He provides. Oh me of little faith. Hallelujah God is good!

Things I am thankful for/news in the Schreck family....

-The house in GA is selling.
-Moving back to SC.
-The amazing love of my life whom I get to see almost every day now.
-My dad got a job.
-I got a job teaching. (My dad and I are working at the same school!)
-I got to visit my favorite Portlanders (Josh, my brother and Alli, his wife!) for two weeks!
-Doctors
-Fresh summer fruits and smiles

Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits— 
 who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases, 
 who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,  
 who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 
         -Psalm 103:1-5

Blueberries!

 As promised here is a peek into our blueberry picking experience!

  


Most recently we were very sad to hear that the fields are all closed. If you'd like to find out more about our favorite field, check it out! The site also has REALLY good recipes!! Trust me they are doable (not hard) and so worth it! There was a hail storm a few weeks ago and we think that damaged a lot of the crop! I am so glad we went so early to have a taste of the fresh deliciousness! I actually went twice in one day! I got to go with mom and dad so we could make treats before I left for Portland and then with Evan (great date idea for those of you in the dating field!) It was a lot of blueberries in one day but both times were wonderful! Until next year....

God is good all the time, all the time, God is good.....and a little bit of Portland!

In Christ Alone

Come Heavy Laden

Two great songs worth listening too. God is powerful! He is at work! Thanks to the reminder of a very wise woman quoting scripture-When we are faithless, God is faithful!! 2 Timothy 2:8-13

Enjoying two weeks in Portland visiting my brother and sister-in-law. Thinking of family back home. Difficult times for many but God is faithful!!

I've been enjoying the big city and walking beautiful parks. Sunny weather fluctuating around 80-sure can't be that, thank ya Jesus! Blue's Festival, Rose Garden, Saturday Market are all ahead!

Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend! Will try to post updates with pictures in a week or two!