Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Rejuvinated

Being on spring break was absolutely stupendous, I just did not want to have to come back. Now that I am back, it has been wonderful and busy of course so sorry its been so long...I'll do my best to catch you up! :)

Break, what a good time of rejuvenation, time to unwind, and mentally prepare myself for the rest of the semester, which is so not much longer! I just love being at home and yes, over break I was able to spend time with my WHOLE family...Mom, Dad, Shelby, Evan, and Reed. That does not happen often so when it does...this is one happy girl! About to graduate from college, I cannot believe it, I have just been reminded about how thankful I am for each member of my family. Dad for teaching me how to love and what it really means to be a servant of a sovereign God, Mom to be there for words of wisdom and really understand and believe in the power of prayer, Shelby (seester) for being there to answer my zillion questions and to remind me to enjoy the simple things in life, Evan (brother) for laughing at the most inopportune times, for being so goofy, and hearing him talk about how the Lord has worked in his life the past year, Reed (baby brother) for always being there, he has a huge heart and just cares so much about me and all of us! He is also the one to remind us of the fact that yes, school can wait...don't you know hunting and fishing ALWAYS come first :) 

I am thankful for them for MANY more reasons but those are just a few. Easter might be one of my favorite holidays...yes mom will think I am copying her because it is her favorite holiday, but one thing I like about it is the real deep meaning of the holiday. AND ,it has not become so so so commercialized that everyone can enjoy their families and reflect on what it really be means to be saved by the blood of Jesus. Goodness, if it was not for Jesus dying on the cross, the grave NOT being able to hold him, and showing the world his power by rising from the dead, we would all be living in a sad sad world my friends. How stinkin' cool that he did that because he knew that there would be a Salley girl named Kendall that would be broken yet redeemed by the blood of Jesus! 

One of my absolute favorite things to do in spring/summer....you guessed it, being at the lake! I have grown up spending a whole heck of a lot of time at the lake and there is no place I'd rather be. I had friends and family there and could not have been happier. Yes, the water was ridiculously freezing but we had a blast nonetheless! 

Got back to school to my precious kindergarteners, whom I missed dearly, I didn't think I would miss them as much as I did. :) We've had a busy week...field trip to the strawberry farm yesterday, which was a BLAST and the strawberries delicious, field day tomorrow, and working on Mother's day stuff...makes for a busy week. We made homemade ice cream today with our strawberries..yummy! The children LOVED it!! 

Lots of exciting things coming up these next few days and weeks so I'll be sure to keep you posted. Happy Hump Day! :) 

Sunday, April 17, 2011

There's NO place like home...

Isaiah 40:29 "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak"  

Home sweet home! Ahhh how good it feels to be home with mommy and daddy and just be.  I am relaxed when I am home and I can just unwind, de-stress, escape, and just get some MUCH NEEDED TLC. I slept for TWELVE full, complete, undisturbed, peaceful hours at home in MY princess bed. Yes you heard me, the princess bed, fit for the princess, and that is exactly what it is :) As much as you, Caitlin O'Neill try to commandeer the bed and the title...keep tryin' you'll never succeed!! I tell you what, there is just absolutely nothing like it!

I was not planning on coming home until Sunday but I decided that I was ready to get away and so I decided to come home last night. A surprise for mom...needless to say she was VERY happy as was I! I was feeling very weary emotionally, physically and mentally and what better place to regain "strength" so to say than at home! I am so happy to be home and have a break. Although, I am going to have to work A LOT over the break on my student teaching portfolio (sigh) I can still be home where I am just so at peace and relaxed.

Things I am looking forward to while being home include (in no particular order):
  - The Princess Bed
  - Walks with Mom and Mrs. Lee Ann
  - Mrs. Lisa Wisa and Don-Don
  - Yummy mommy meals
  - My sofa perch
  - Being able to fast forward the TV
  - Watching TV
  - Watching Miss Kate and Mr. Mac Boland play baseball
  - Hanging out with the precious Boland family
  - Seeing Grandmother
  - Shopping with Mom
  - The Lake
  - Seester's Birthday Celebration
  - Daddy time
  - Hanging out with baby brother
  - Easter
  - Weekend quality time with Brother, Nealy, Taylor, and the rest of the crew :)
  - Caroline Ford
  - Family Time!!!




 

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

I got called the "G" word...

Isaiah 55:9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."    

Ironically enough today, exactly ONE MONTH until graduation day, I got called the "G" word! What is the "g" word you may ask...you guessed it, a GROWN UP! I do not like it one bit! I frankly said, I am not a grown up YET--i have at least a month before I'm  officially a college graduate and surely I'm not even a grown up then, right?!



The thought of growing up really is scary! But it is like any other phase of life. I graduated high school and I was fearful to enter a new phase and it turned out to be STUPENDOUS! There are a lot of unknowns going on right now about where I'll be as a grown up. I found out this week that I did not get into graduate school at USC and although that was and is disappointing, I am confident in knowing that the Lord's ways are bigger than mine and that is simply not where I am supposed to be right now! I will wait to hear from SC State, however, in the meantime I will be looking for a job! Eeeekkk...a big girl job-I don't know about all that! Please no?!?!?!?! So as I am fearful now, I do know that the Lord will mold me and shape me in this new very unknown phase of life as a "grown up!" But I can hold fast the the everlasting promises the Lord has given me!

On another note...I'm sorry but this weather is so stinkin' beautiful. It is hard to be inside when it's so gorgeous outside. Good thing my spring break is in TWO days! Wooooo Hoooo. We have been talking about spring and Easter this week and have done LOTS of fun things. We dyed eggs today, are having an egg hunt tomorrow, and have done so many fun work stations...all spring/easter related of course. I have just got to tell you the funny story of the day:

     Carson (whom I love dearly but he is EXHAUSTING and just drives me crazy to be quite honest) raises his hand as we are reading "The Most Wonderful Egg" with a very important question...according to him. As Ms. Pruitt and I are probably rolling our eyes and sighing "yes, carson" he, as serious as he can be says...."well, do you think it hurts the hen when she has to squeeze that egg out of her?!?" I'm sorry...completely caught off guard we could not think of anything to do but laugh. We laughed until we both had tears streaming down our face! Ms. Pruitt answered with..."she (the hen) does it a lot so it probably does not hurt her." Oh my stars, that was the start of a 20 minute laughing/crying spell for the two of us, we just could not even look at each other or we'd start laughing...and someone had to finish the book! Made for a good laugh when we are just trying to make it until Friday! :)


** The pictures are from the Zac Brown Band concert that I went to with a group of friends on Saturday night! It was on the lawn in Clemson and it was absolutely one of the most fun nights! The concert was great, the friends were even greater, we laughed and sang, and just had a big ole time!***

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Like Jesus

Titus 2:11-14 "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say "no" to the ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." 

I read this passage of scripture this morning in my own little church time and I found it so convicting, encouraging and comforting...all at the same time! WOW...I love when the Lord opens my eyes to different parts of scripture that I have just never seen before! He is faithful and sovereign to reveal himself to us EXACTLY when He needs to! 

This passage could not have come at a more perfect time! In my time of doubt, struggle, and just the unknown I have found myself in a pit per-say. This passage was convicting in that I have found myself fallings to the ways of the world-by thinking that doing it all myself and putting the pieces together with fulfill me and that I'll be able to do it alone! However, the GRACE of God...helps, encourages, and urges me to say "no" to the ways of the world. It assures me that when I fall, the Lord's grace is right there to pick me back up. It teaching me the ways in which I should live a godly life! The Lord's ultimate purpose and goal is make me more and more like Jesus everyday, to strive to do everything, take every step and breath every breath for His glory! 

Jesus was beyond reliant on the Lord's will for his life! He was willing to be put to death because that was the Lord's will and plan for Him so that I, Kendall, could be redeemed. Should it really be that difficult for me to be confident in the Lord's plan when I know that I have been redeemed and adopted as one of His own?! It should not be-doesn't mean it will not be--but I can take comfort in the fact that ultimately my sweet savior is trying to mold me, shape me into becoming more and more like him, each day, through each struggle, battle, doubt, and joy! I desire and yearn for that intimate relationship so that the Lord will continually reveal himself to me! My prayer is that each of us can be encouraged in the fact that we have been redeemed and the Lord desires to know us and for us to know him! Our identity is JESUS! 

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

7 Days and Counting...

That's right...SEVEN more days until I get a spring break. Can I get a hallelujah?!? :) As much as I have enjoyed the semester, I am not opposed to a much needed break! I was looking at my calendar and I really only have 4 more weeks with my precious kindergarteners. That makes me incredibly sad that I will not get to see their smiling faces everyday, hear their little laughs and giggles, and listen to their stories. However, I cannot think about that right now, I am thinking of the time I get to spend with them now and trying not to take one second for granted. Not gonna lie about it one bit but I am a little focused on the time I get to spend away from them--I do love them so much but I have come to REALLY enjoy the stillness and quiet! ;)

Spring is certainly in the air and our kids have SERIOUS spring fever! They are always absolutely crazy, but its been even more CRAZY (i did not think that was possible) over the past week or so. We had a field trip planned for last Friday (1st) and it got rescheduled because of rain and we went today. We loaded up and went to the Greenville Zoo. A very nice thing about kindergarten field trips, LOTS of parents come! Therefore, when we split up into groups, Crystal and I together only had 2 girls. 2 compared to 26---i could get used to that :) Just kidding...


The Zoo was a lot of fun and the children LOVED seeing all the animals! I think every single one of their favorite animals was the lion! When we were at the Lion exhibit, the lion stood up and pawed the window as our kids were standing there--it scared some of them but once they realized it was not getting them, they were absolutely fascinated. It was pretty cool, I must admit!
It's not obvious AT ALL that Carson liked the lion :) 

A great first Kindergarten field trip adventure but it certainly WORE me slap out! I am still feeling the effects today!! Enjoy the beautiful weather to come this week!
The zoo wore these little one's out also! 

Monday, April 4, 2011

Doubt.

"In Christ alone, my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song"

Have you ever doubted what will happen next? Doubted the Lord's plan for your life and maybe just been a little scared of what is next? I certainly have been struggling with that lately. I have had a GREAT last four years at Clemson and I am having a hard time grasping that the Lord is ready to use me in a new phase of life! It is an exciting yet very scary time in my life...

I am graduating with an early childhood education degree and if you did not know teaching jobs are SLIM! Ultimately my goal would be to do speech therapy in a school system with precious itty bits. I applied to two graduate schools, one for which I am on the waiting list for and one I have not yet heard from. The fear of the unknown is definitely present in me, which is when Satan can so easily get me and make me doubt the Lord's plan. If I thought my life has been good up until now, I can't imagine what GREAT things the Lord has for me in the years to come.

It does not do me any good to worry about the future, because that is me defying and questioning the Lord's PERFECT, get that perfect, without flaw, plan for me and my life. The future is not here right now and it is not mine to worry about. If I am surrendering my life to the will of the Lord, I am placing ALL that I am in His faithful and trustworthy hands.

My prayer is that my sweet Savior will guide my steps and that I will learn to trust the Lord in the face of uncertainty with my future, my fear of the unknown, my doubt. Let's spend our energy enjoying RIGHT NOW, being vessels for the Lord, lavishing in his love and grace instead of wasting that energy with worry, doubt and anticipation.

Isaiah 43:2-3 "“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior”