Merry Christmas

Remember and thankful that this season brings love and hope

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

It's so nice to be home for Christmas
It brings so much more joy to my heart that we are ALL here
All 6 of us :)

Shelby flew in on Tuesday, so nice for her to be home
We've had a great time all together

Do you have special Christmas traditions?
Do they stay the same year after year or do you shake things up?

We began a new tradition in the Salley household
Gingerbread house competitions

3 Gingerbread houses, 6 contestants, 3 teams, 2 judges... 1 winner
Does that sound like fun or what?!

We had a great time decorating our houses
The judges came, we waited with anticipation
...drum roll...
The BOYS won--'The Cabin'-complete with guns, ducks, and dogs
They were slow and precise and it payed off

Watch out next year brothers..the battle is on, sisters WILL win :)
What a fun new tradition!

What are your favorite Christmas traditions?

Happy December

Tis the Season 

O Holy Night

Jesus-the reason for the season 

O Night Divine 

What Child is this?

Silent Night 

December is here...Christmas time is here

Lights are up, decorations galore, just a joyful/happy feeling

I decorated at my apartment in college 

but this is my first "home" and I LOVED decorating it 

Just little things here and there but it feels pretty homey
December is already flying by
Can you believe that Christmas is in 2 weeks? TWO weeks?
Hard to believe

Tonight I just feel in the Christmas spirt
Mom and Grandmother came up for 'The Singing Christmas Tree'
at Shandon Baptist!
It was such a great performance and I just enjoyed spending time with them
...and my sweet roommate Sarah Beth of course!

Just have to make through the next 4 1/2 days and I'll really be singing hallelujah 

Happy Christmas Break it will be!
4 1/2 days, I think I can I think I can :)

Merry Christmas Y'all!

Breath Again

I kinda feel like I haven't been able to breath the past week
Finals were lurking around and hung on pretty tight

Studied a lot and now they are DONE!
You know that "weight off your shoulders" feeling
I finally felt it about, eh 30 minutes ago

In my jammies watching some TV and am going to enjoy a relaxing evening before a BUSY, yet fun, weekend ahead :)

Many more to go but ONE semester down! Hallelujah!
Now to rest the weary little brain a bit...

Thankful for the little things

It's that time of year
Fall is here
The holidays have officially arrived


And we ALL think about the many things we are thankful for
The emphasis to give thanks is now, but shouldn't that be a daily habit?
I think so...


I am guilty of it not being
However, I want to live life, each moment of each day with a thankful heart
Thankful for the little things that mean so much
How about you?


When I think about what I am thankful for I can't help but think about the little things along with all my blessings...
Here is my top 10 ( I am sure I could do top 100 but I don't want you to be reading forever)


1. I am thankful for our sweet Savior-goodness he is so gracious, just, forgiving, and loving when I am so undeserving. Thanks Jesus for your grace and love!
2. My Family-I'm convinced I have the BEST family in the world. Really, they are awesome! Last weekend we were ALL together, you heard me right-all 6 of us-I was one happy girl!
3. Friendship: Along with that great family I have some seriously solid friendships. Friends that aren't complacent, friends that love me enough to tell me the hard truth sometimes, friends that hold me accountable, friends that love me unconditionally, friends I can cry with and laugh with! Fun Friendships. Thanks Courtney, Kristin, Sarah Beth, Margaret, Molly, Charlotte, Lucy,Bets and Meggy. Love y'all!
-Could be a new one but i said 10 so i will stick in with this one :) I am thankful for new phases of life. They are hard and unfamiliar and sometimes they are no fun but this the start of something new the Lord is doing in my life! New friendships have come (Go Dawgs) and I am learning so much in my new, grown-up (bleehhh-it's so overrated) phase of life :) 
4. I have a job! It has its ups and downs but I am thankful
5. My little rascals-goodness my sweet little 4 and 5 year olds bring so much joy to my life. I just adore them
6. Running-I am so grateful I have legs (and lungs) that allow me to run and enjoy the Lord's beautiful creation. And keep me sane :)
7. Fall-It is my all time favorite season. Although we have had a bi-polar fall, I still love the changing of the leaves, the cool mornings, the warm sunshine. Ahhh wonderful
8. My church-I have a great sunday school class of girls and I am thankful for the beginning of something new
9. Home-I have a beautiful home, both in Orangeburg and Columbia, that keep my safe, secure, and warm/cool :)
10. Hugs and Smiles-silly I know but I love good hugs and a smile to brighten your day! Have you smiled at someone today? Given someone a hug? I tell you, its a little thing that I just love so much!


Be thankful for the little things that amount to BIG things! Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

Happy Birthday CC :)

Let me tell you about my sweet friend CC
Her name is Charlotte Katherine Perrow
Where I got CC from, is beyond ALL of us
BUT, I do believe it started here...

CC and I became good friends when we played club volleyball together
Let me tell you, I have been so blessed by her friendship

These are going WAY back kinda photos
CC is so thoughtful
Has a HUGE heart
Is patient and brave
Caring and loving
Diligent and intentional

I love birthdays and CC has been so good about coming to celebrate with me on my special day
Today is HER special happy happy birthday and she moved to ILLINOIS
Phew, thats a far way away
But I know that she will prosper and that she is being loved well WAY up there

I am so happy to see how the Lord works in her life as she has taken this huge leap of faith
I am overjoyed to see her happy and at peace with her move

CC, and no I will NEVER go back to calling you anything different, thank you for your precious friendship
Thank you for ALWAYS being there for me
For picking up right where we leave off
For being so intentional, for loving me so well and for being so encouraging!
Happy happy 23rd Birthday!
I LOVE YOU! :)

Daddy's SPECIAL Day!

Today is my Daddy's BIRTHDAY
How fun are birthdays...it's a celebration ALL about you

I am so thankful to have a day all about MY dad

MY dad is...
-unconditionally loving
-kind
-a man after God's own heart
-a teacher
-wise
-a prayer warrior
-a great example
-funny
-likes to be a "play farmer"
-is compassionate
-is the best DENTIST ever
-has a HUGE heart
-generous

**my list could go on and on and on**

Daddy, thank you for being such a wonderful Dad and treating me like a princess!

Happy Birthday! 

Too Long...

May 16, the journey began

Mom, Shelby, and I began the 3 day trip to Denver, CO 

The trip was full of laughter, fun, and some serious quality time 
I would not change that time I got to spend with Mom and seester for the world 

The whole time of fun, the fact that Mom and I would fly back to good ole SC without Shelby laid heavy on my heart 
May 21-Mom and I flew home, leaving my sweet sister to start a new journey in the beautiful state of Colorado 

Today is November 8...that is 5 months, 3 weeks and 2 days...I haven't seen my sister 
That is bad news bears-I don't like it ONE bit
Another reason this grown up thing is so over-rated 

BUT....guess what?!?!??? November 17...that's only NINE days...did ya hear me, NINE, I will get to see my sister! 
To say I am excited is the understatement of the century 
I know we should take each day as a gift and a blessing and I plan to do so, however, the next 9 days could not come FAST enough :) 

Counting down the days...Welcome HOME seester :) Hugs and love comin your way, oh YEA! 

:) who wouldn't miss this family :) 

My Heart's Prayer

Yearning for this to be the constant prayer of my heart...

I need you, to soften my heart

To break me apart 

I need you to open my eyes 

To see that you're shaping my life 

Give me faith to trust what you say 

That you're good and your love is great 

I'm broken inside, I give you my life

I need you, to soften my heart 

To break me apart

I need you to pierce through the dark

And cleanse every part of me

Give me faith to trust what you say

That You're good and your love is great

I'm broken inside, I give you my life 

ALL I am, I surrender... 

Transformation through Grace...

It never ceases to amaze me that time flies
Sometimes I feel like days go on and on and weeks will never end...
Then, I blink my eyes and its a new month--it's nuts, seriously!

As we continue to talk about grace, the Lord is uprooting things in me through this wonderful Sunday school class
This week, something so simple that I am SO guilty of...i am down right a people pleaser
I would HATE to hurt someone's feelings, I'd love for everyone to be happy

Wouldn't that make life easy, if everything went as planned
All were happy and you never had to stand up for yourself
Ha-wouldn't that be nice

Too bad it is just not that easy
People pleasers tend to be push-overs, say yes even when we want to say no,
say I "should" have done this, and is absolutely BAFFLED by the concept of take it easy and relax
If that is not Kendall Blair in a nutshell I am not sure what is

Thankfully, the solution is God's grace
Robert S. McGee says "Grace says, I am deeply loved, fully pleasing, totally forgiven, accepted and complete in Christ."
When I focus on giving thanks for God's abundant grace, the focus is drawn off of me and onto others..as it should be

Striving to grasp onto the fact that grace can CHANGE me
and doing that by searching for the "but when God" moments each day (Galatians 1:15)

How is the Lord transforming your life through HIS grace?!

Romans 5: 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! 

Pumpkins

I LOVE the fall

It is my absolute FAVORITE season

The cool mornings, pleasant afternoons

The leaves changing colors

Red, yellow, orange

The crisp air

I love pumpkins

Scarecrows and mums

Fall decorations

I just love them

Did you know that fall is SO much fun in Kindergarten?

Especially pumpkins, digging out the seeds-how exciting is that?

The squeals, ooo's, and eeeks at the goop...priceless

 Don't you LOVE this face! :) 

Hope you have some valuable moments like this during this splendid fall season :)

Grace

It's been a while

What can I say, life is BUSY to say the least

Can you believe it is already the end of October

I certainly cannot, time is flying by 

This busyness of life continues to throw me curve balls left and right

Deciding how to handle those is quite a challenge

However, I am getting by with a little help

okay okay A LOT of help from a multitude of people 

I do have to shout-out to my amazing family, ALL of them

They are unbelievably wonderful, supportive, encouraging

and they are so good to me and I so do not deserve it AT ALL 

Thankfully, there is a huge umbrella of grace that covers me

I've started going to Sunday School at Shandon Baptist church and I am really enjoying it

We have been talking about dancing through life lavished in our sweet savior's grace

How often do we forget about that grace?

I can say wholeheartedly that I can get so wrapped up in the world's ways and fall into the trap of an undeserving heart and mind that I so don't go through life as FREE as you and I were born to live

YES we deserve NOTHING but death 

However, God's great grace is bigger, deeper, and so bountiful

Let's get out of that shell we encase ourselves in and

DANCE for joy in the abundant life we live thanks to our GRACIOUS savior!!! 

Wake up every morning and remind yourself of that precious umbrella of grace that extends over us. Thank you Jesus :) 

Hearts of Servants

Jesus always meets you RIGHT where we are

Isn't that such a blessing?! 

He is leading me where He wants me to go

And guess what, he wants me to willingly follow  

With glad anticipation of what is around the corner 

We are coming full circle here

For those of you that have been following me from the beginning 

I am back to where the Lord is screaming SURRENDER 

Why is that so dagblassted difficult? 

I know Jesus would not give me anything I cannot handle

I know that He has promised to be with me EVERY step of the way

At this phase of life, I spend a LOT of time in the car

To and from Columbia 3 times a week 

It is sometimes in that still quiet driving along that the Lord really speaks to my heart

Last night was one of those nights 

I was listening to the song "Heart of Servants" by Shane and Shane 

The chorus says "Give us a picture of your face, show us the measure of your grace, reveal the love of the Father, put within us tenderness, release from us all selfishness, we'll consider them better, we're yours, gives us hearts of servants" 

A few words/phrases really got to me, selfishness, better, hearts of servants...

I am in a unique situation in the bilingual immersion school

Why am I NOT surrendering?

Why AM I being so selfish-thinking me me me?

Why do I NOT have the heart of a servant that the Lord requires? 

Simple-I am a sinner in need of a sweet savior! 

Thank goodness for that GIANT umbrella of grace

For His overwhelming mercy 

I am so thankful the Lord meets me EXACTLY where I am 

even driving down 26 listening to some tunes :) 

I am praying and desire to have a willing servants heart of surrender 

Planning

Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a persons heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." 

I'm a planner
I am type A
I live by lists of all sorts and post-it notes galore

My planner is full of sticky notes here and there
If I didn't have that structure
my life would be a HOT mess

The part that just ruffles my feathers is...
my plans, notes, and lists just DON'T always go my way
It has happened oodles and boocoodles of times
yet I still continue to plan, plan, plan and make list after list

In the past couple of days,weeks, and months, Jesus has just been working through me in some super REAL ways
As hard as it is, my sweet redeemer has been ruffling my feathers right up and showing me that my plans are not his purpose


Effective planning is important and is very biblical!
On Sunday, our sermon was about planning and being successful in that! (I think Jesus knew what I needed to hear, ya think?)
There is a challenge with effective planning
Ensuring that your plans are serving both you and the Lord

Huh? You mean it's not all about what I want and how I plan it to happen
Ha-that's a funny joke! Does it ever happen that way?
No say I...

If I am being completely vulnerable, I usually lose the battle on this challenge.
When I plan...I think, how will this help me? How is this going to make me more successful? 
I am clearly missing a real big part of my planning equation...jesus! 

The bible says "don't worry about tomorrow" but that does not mean do not plan for tomorrow.
Plan for tomorrow but SURRENDER those plans to the one who is mighty to save, to the one whose thoughts and ways are higher, and to the one who is the author of the book of life...

Crossing the lines.

I am on a journey that involves crossing some lines

Crossing lines culturally

Crossing lines spiritually

Crossing lines mentally, phsyically, and emotionally. 

God has promised that EVERYTHING has a time

Ecclesiastes 3 is a beautiful promise 

Yet, sometimes it feels like that promise is extremely far fetched

Friday was one of those days

One of those days that I really just wanted to quit

One of those days where I was thinking, Lord is it supposed to be this hard?

God, will I make it through? I don't think I am strong enough to endure this task! 

Two things happened that got me to thinking

I texted my mom to ask for some extra prayer on Friday cause it was just "one of those days" 

Her response was of course that they'd be praying right then but also the encouragement that the Lord NEVER promised easy

However, he did promise that he'd be there EVERY step of the way 

I am having to cross the lines of learning

how to depend on the Lord

how to give up control that I SOO want to have

how to function on not so much sleep

how to manage my time VERY effectively 

Second thing, as I was boo-hooing to my principle, who is great

She said, "Kendall, this is challenging because we are having to cross cultural lines that are unfamiliar..." 

How true is that, unfamiliarity is hard because it is so not comfortable 

What she said after really got me to thinking

She said, "we will all be richer for it in the end" 

Now richer, not in wealth or gifts 

but in our knowledge and experience

How true is that, The Lord is using me for "such a time as this" 

I am crossing so many lines but I do confidently believe and am clinging to the hope that my sweet savior makes "everything beautiful in it's time" 

Adjectives

Does this give you an idea of my classroom? 

Let's think of some descriptive words...

Spunky, Sassy

**Please notice little girl in the back-feet above her head-why yes she beats to her own drum**

 Unique, Goofy 

Loving, Precious & Adorable

Needless to say...they keep me on my tippy toes :) 

Priceless Challenge.

   Remember that time I said Kindergarteners say really funny things...well they do! I am so enjoying my precious kiddos and they really are so stinkin' cute! I guess I am just looking at them as my priceless challenges for now! Each one of them bring so much enthusiasm to the class, have such varying personalities, and each have their own unique stories-priceless!

They might make me go crazy at some point but goodness I do love them a whole lot! I told them they are going to make me go coo-coo for coco puffs-funny thing-I don't even like those but they thought it was the greatest thing they've ever heard!

So I have this little boy-who is just ALL boy. That being said, he really has been quite a challenge. I am just having to figure out what works for him and how he will work with the rest of our class-my other boys tend to feed off of him! He came in the other day-this was a week or so ago-and at about 10 he just lost it! I mean on the floor crying saying "his stomach hurts." I knew that he was hungry-lunch was in about 15 minutes-but he just couldn't get himself together. He was sitting on my lap and we were just chatting and he said "Ms. Salley sometimes I just get grouchy when I'm hungry..." in just a precious little voice. How cute is that?! I kind of had to turn my head to laugh. I told him that the same thing happens to me sometimes and he was amazed!

Another challenge I am having is with my afternoon bunch. Phew, I just cannot even seem to manage them. I know part of it is the time of day and that they haven't gone outside or really much of anywhere all day but goodness they wear me out. So suggestions would be so helpful! The Lord is using this time to really teach me to rely on him for strength when I am so weak!

I keep forgetting to take my camera but I promise I will be putting up pictures oh so soon! Thank you for all your support and prayers as I continue to embark on this journey that has become a priceless challenge!

Our go-to source.

Where do you go first in time of need?
Do you call your friend, your mom, husband, boyfriend, etc?
Do you try to make sense of what is happening?
Seek to understand?
Take action?

My first instinct is of course to understand what is going on and figure out how I can take control of the situation.
We want to have that sense of control...
We want to be able to "do it on our own"
What should our attitude be?
Why do we try to do what WE can do before going to the Lord?
Why is he not our very first go to source of strength, comfort, wisdom, and advice?

This was the main idea of the sermon at Shandon Baptist on Sunday.
In this phase of life I am in right now with the challenges it has presented me, this was EXACTLY what I needed, thank you Jesus, but so convicting at the same time.

I can't tell you how many times I've cried
how many times I have just about lost it
how many times I have just been beyond flustered
how many times I have wished I wasn't a grown-up
AND
who did I go to first
my mom!

Don't get my wrong
my mom has a heart for the Lord, is the best example and role model I could have
is a woman of wisdom and discernment
gives truthful, real, and loving advice

I am so beyond thankful for her but she is not the one that can give me strength in my weakness
She can't "fix" my problems for me
She can't impress upon me what I should do and
She can't give me peace that passes understanding

I, like so many of us, need to make our FIRST go to source the Lord
Our first instinct ALL the time should be prayer
and then seek those loving people that the Lord has placed in your life for understanding, action and wisdom!

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."   

It's been awhile...

It's been awhile since I've done a lot of things
Like update my blog.
Life has been pretty hectic
pretty challenging, extremely overwhelming
very stressful and quite the roller coaster ride...

BUT
through all of this I really have learned a lot
I have been tested a whole lot
I have really struggled to trust and surrender
and I have really had to rely on the Lord for my strength

I am so weak at this point, however
I am confident that the Lord's overwhelming power and strength
is made PERFECT in my abundant weakness.

Why has it been so overwhelming...
let me give you the abbreviated version of my life as of the last few weeks

Living: I am loving life in my house in Columbia! It is so precious and it just says "welcome home." We have actually named it "The Doll House," cute right?! I could not be more thankful for my sweet roommate Sarah Beth. Although we do not see each other that often, because we are both busy first year teachers, we are able to encourage and support one another well! 


Grad School: Phew, were classes overwhelming this past week but I really think I am going to enjoy school. I know it will be challenging and that I will have to practice time management like no other but it's possible. So thankful I have my great friend Courtney to go through this journey with me! Let me tell you a little story: Tuesday was a particularly rough day for me and when I went to class on Tuesday my teacher was such an answer to prayer, just what I needed that day. Isn't it cool how the Lord does that?! She loves Jesus, she is HYSTERICAL, and she was so inspiring. She so wonderfully reminded me that we are at a phase of life that we are swimming up stream and there will be time to rest but what is at the end is worth the swim. 


East Point Academy: WOW, has work been quite interesting. First let me tell you that I am 500% positive I have the most precious children EVER! Really, they are so stinkin' cute-not an exaggeration. I have taken on a lot more responsibility than intended but I know the Lord would not give me anything I cannot handle. So I will learn to get in the swing of things and will try to do it all with a smile on my face because I am working for the Lord not men! (Colossians 3:23) 


Life: Overall life is a journey right now. A ride of ups and downs but I am thankful for this time the Lord is breaking me down in order to build me up and make me into the woman he has called me to be. This weekend my dear best friend Kristin came down for the weekend to visit. I cannot tell you what that did for me...just to have her HERE! We didn't do much of anything but her just being here did wonders for me! I am so thankful for her friendship! 


Still working on getting in the swing of the things and this new phase of life and I will do my best to keep you updated as often as possible :)

Philippians 4:13 "I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength!" AMEN

Almost there...

This will be a picture post...the classroom is pretty much done! 

Little things to tweak of course, but we are ALMOST THERE!!! :) 

 Welcome to Kindergarten :) 

 Back: Math manipulatives and puzzles center

Two small tables-art and playdough

 That little corner will be the library-just need some fun cozy pillows and bookcases would be nice :) 

 Teacher desk and housekeeping center

 Housekeeping center 

Housekeeping/ Dress-Up :)