Let Freedom Ring

Happy day after the 4th of July 

Independence and Freedom

We take those things for granted WAY too much 

We had a lovely day celebrating freedom at the lake 

It was lovely to be playing on the water 

Laughing with friends and family 

Eating yumpcious food of course

Basking in the freedom we experience 

We are free to laugh, free to enjoy friendships, free to dance

free to read scripture

free to pray 

free to have accountability 

free to live in the freedom of GRACE 

We serve a sovereign God who gives us a huge umbrella of grace 

He died so that we can LIVE 

and LIVE to the full (John 10:10) 

What a blessing to have the freedom to dance through this life

(even WHEN we screw up) 

To live with the fruits of the Spirt

(even when its a struggle)

To live freely because of our sweet Saviors grace 

Happy Freedom Dancing!  

Small Summer Recap

I've been able to document a few things going on this summer

I miss these little ones a lot and I hope they are having a fantabulous summer 

We've celebrated a few birthdays in the Salley household 

Happy Birthday Mom, Evan, and Grandmother 

AND we have gotten to spend some time at the lake-YIPPEE

Heading back to the lake for fun on the 4th 

Taking pictures is my goal

Help me do it Court :)  

Looking forward to sun, laughter, water, boats, family and friends 

Y'all have a happy and safe Independence Day celebration! 

Flexible

Lamentations 3:22-25

"The LORD's lovingkindesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him" 

I have been a terrible blogger as of late

I am terribly sorry about that and I PROMISE I am going to try to get better 

I keep thinking I will get a second to breath but it hasn't happened yet

Summer school has been going on for about 6 ish weeks now 

It has been quite hectic, busy, and challenging 

We just finished our 1st summer session class

Are on the 5th week of ESY (extended school year) 

AND have begun our next TWO summer 2 classes 

F is all ready to be a famous cheerleader in Hollywood :) 

Thank you team California 

Therefore days are made up of entertaining children from 9-1:00 

Class from 1:30-3:30

A super awkward break and class again from 5-7:15 

Phew, does it make you tired?! 

Long days and I have never been more thankful for a sweet family that lives in Orangeburg...

You know what that means-no summer commuting, support, meals, and everything else I could possibly need-hallelujiah!

Y'all really are the BEST Mom and Dad-THANK YOU! 

As I have reflected on my first year of teaching, the main words of learning have been  dependence and flexibility. Jobs changed often, attitudes and actions changed and I had to remain flexible, learn to choose JOY, and to love well even when that was a challenge, which was more often than not!

What do you know...our Sweet Savior is still teaching me what it looks like to be flexible, what it looks like to work with challenging people, what it looks like to love well and have compassion.
Learning to have my full and COMPLETE identity in Him because I am redeemed and I am HIS!

All these precious children in my life, people I interact with, friendships, and relationships have been such a learning experience of the Lord's grace and mercy! I mess up every single day and I do not do things that I should and do things I shouldn't but there is a HUGE umbrella of grace. The Lord continues to delight in me, continues to use life and people to mold me and shape me into who He wants me to become, and continues to show me his mercies EVERYDAY!

Thank you Jesus for beautiful reminders such as these of your grace, mercy, faithfulness, unfailing and everlasting LOVE to us!

Dependence and Love

As school is coming to an end, Kindergarten school that is...

I cannot believe that I've almost completed my 1st year of teaching 

*Wedding season is underway-Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Bynum* 

I was talking with my parents last week and they asked 

"If you could sum up in one word what you've learned this year, what would it be?" 

I tell you what, they ask GOOD questions 

They had a word in mind already but guess what, it was different than mine

2 perspectives are always good and reflection is uber important 

So what are they...

I said I have learned dependence; dependence on the Lord and not being so self-reliant 

They said I have learned flexibility-this I have learned in a serious way as well (coming up next...) 

Dependence

~ More often than not I depend on myself for decisions, my physical and emotional state, my strength and joy. Funny thing is, it never works when I depend on measly me! 

I absolutely would not have made it through this year without my sweet Savior to depend on, to give me strength, perseverance, and joy! I have had wonderful friends, family and accountability to walk through this journey with me and help me learn what it looks like to seek the heart of the Lord, to dance under his umbrella of grace, to have a praying and teachable heart! 

~ I am so thankful for this year I have had at East Point Academy. The precious children who have taught me much more than I could every teach them, the wonderful co-workers I've had, the trials and challenges, the fun and laughter!  

My dear friend and accountability partner Lucy and I have been reading the book called "A Praying Life" by Paul E. Miller (fabulous book) and it is so packed with rich truths! Everyone has their own "desert," big or small, at different times of life: this is a quote that I really love: 

    " God takes everyone he LOVES through a desert. It is His cure for our wandering hearts, restlessly searching for a new eden...The best gift of the desert is God's presence...The protective love of the Shepherd give me courage to face the interior journey." 

~Jesus LOVES me--the Lord's love doesn't always mean roses, smiles, happiness and acceptance. No, it means going to whatever means necessary for you to rely and DEPEND on him! The Lord's love is displayed in so many ways throughout scripture, because the Lord LOVED Job, he took everything from him; because the Lord loved David through his trials, because the Lord loved Jonah, he kept him in a whale for 3 days...and so many more stories throughout scripture
I am so thankful for the ups and the downs, the struggles and temptations, the joys and mountain tops because in the midst of ALL that has gone on this year, and it has been a WHOLE lot...

I can say with sure confidence and a heart learning dependence its because

HE loves me enough...

Psalm 36:7 "How precious is your steadfast love, O God..."

SEESTER

As many of you know 

my sweet seester Shelby has been home

since May 16 

It is now May 28 and she is STILL here 

That is like 12 days and we still have one more day with her

It has been so wonderful having her home

We have played, she's met and hung out with my friends, we shopped, we giggled, and have spent some great quality time together

And now it will be sad to see her go 

She is going back to her home in CO to start a new adventure 

For those that do not know, Shelby and I could not be MORE different 

However, I could not ask for a better best friend 

Her life is an adventure, she is brave, she takes huge leaps of faith

like moving to CO (I think she forgot that's like 1200 miles away) 

I see her trust in the Lord displayed in her life 

She is carefree, silly and goofy, always keeps me laughing, and just enjoys life

I am happy to say that she is going back to start nursing school at the University of Colorado 

She'll make the best nurse

She is compassionate and loving, patient and kind 

Everyone will LOVE her

Here's to you my dear sister 

Until I come to you in CO

Which is very soon I HOPE (hint hint wink wink mom and dad)  

And we can hike a 14er and do fun Colorado things

I'll miss you! 

I love you to Denver and back double infinity times :) 

The Time

Spring is IN the air 

Although I highly dislike the pollen 

I LOVE the spring
Well, I guess now it's officially summer  

The cool mornings 

The gorgeous sunshine

Flowers blooming 

Frolicking outdoors, I think so 


Just thinking about this time and season 
Makes me very thankful for the different seasons of life 


I got to spend all of last weekend with my dear friends at the lake 
9 of us all together and let me tell you...
ALL in varying stages of life 


From singles, to daters, engaged, married, and pregnant 
Is that a variety or what? 


My eyes were just open to what a blessing that is 
How much I can learn from EACH of them  
How much the Lord is using EACH of them 
To bless me at this time of my life 
In this season of my life 

(*thanks for letting me steal the photo KK*) 


I will boast proudly that I truly have the best friends 
They are encouraging, LOVE Jesus, beautiful, fun, love to laugh, and we just know how to have a good time together 
Someone even commented how the fact that I have good friends TODAY (thanks Jennifer) 
I gladly responded with YES I DO! 


Thankful for friendships varying across spans and seasons of life 


Psalms 16:11 "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever!" 

Saturday Project

School is done until May 21st

What to do with this time 

A hobby, I think so 

Saturday project...How about gardening?!
Yes please 

23 and single is the time to learn, right?  

Let me tell you that I had and still have no idea what I am doing 

But i have had fun learning 

Thanks from the help of my dear friend Lucy 

And the sweet support from Sarah Beth 

I made our little patio more like home 

Still a work in progress, yes 

All the supplies were gathered

Rake, tools, flowers, knockout roses

Potting soil and annuals for my hanging basket

Playing in the dirt really is a lot of fun

We forgot that worms were involved

Needless to say we screamed like little girls at their surprise visit 

Still excited to learn more about this little hobby 

And continue to make it elamagorgeous 

Watch it grow...hurry quick would ya

But my saturday project is complete 

Up next...

pine straw, more flowers, herbs, table/chairs

Until next time :)