Student Teaching?

As of Monday everything for student teaching next year was needed...
dePosit
Partner
Place

I had none of them

So, should I just not do it?

Oh, ye of little faith

Hebrew 11:1
Faith is the Substance of things hoped for and the Evidence of the UNSEEN!

Tuesday
I had partially all of the money and a hold on the now made dePosit
I had a Partner (the only two unplaced people)
I had 4 options in where to go... not Muslim countries
is this settling for less than God's plan or going with it?

Here are the option- All Internationally Accredited Schools in:
Germany
Prague, Czech Republic

and... looking into but not forward options
Norway and Azerbaijan

so... now...

PRAY!?

FAITH!?

TRUST!?

Will you join with me for this... His will is all I want

Honestly... wherever I can be His hands the BEST

Lord, place me in YOUR Placement- not mine...

WRECKLESS ABANDONEMENT!?!

Semester thus far...

The beginning of this semester started out a little strange, but it's all good. I have started my first practicum at school. I go to a school called Northwestern all day on Wednesdays and Fridays. It takes about an hour to get there, but it is well worth the drive. I have been blessed to be placed with an amazing teacher and class. My teacher knows what she is doing, wants me to be invloved and practices balanced literacy. The students are also amazing. They all want to be ther and they all want to learn. I realize that this is hardly ever the case in most classes, but boy am I blessed.

On Wednesday nights I also get to help out with a ministry at the church I attend here in Marion. I've been able to help teach the some of the local community kids who are bussed in. That as well has been amazing, as I have seen the Lord work through many people to reach these wonderful kids who are longing and searching for the hope that only Christ can give! They're fosheezy fojeezzy (a.k.a. they are for sure for Jesus).

Prayer Requests:
-Pray that the Lord will continuely let all of us (IWU Practicum students) shine for Christ as these praticums are an amazing oppurtunity to show the love of Jesus.

-Pray that the people who are in charge of placing us for student teaching put me right where God wants me to be. I have applied for Cross-cultural student teaching so this means that the experience will be amazing and stretching. Also pray that the Lord provides for this, for even the $300 downpayment is coming up on me quick.

-Continue to pray for our Brothers and Sisters around the World who are being persecuted, along with those who are persecuting them and need the True Hope that only Christ bring!

Let us continue on in His ways so that we may bring His Hope to the Hopeless!!
Perseverence is key in all that we do...
Life has no meaning until you come into a relationship with the its Creator.

While home we had a "new years flood" due to the Pineapple Express (weather pattern) this was the first big flood since the New Years Flood of 1997. 

2 boxes of candy canes: $3.99 6 rolls of clear wrap: $21.28 3 rolls of toilet paper: $1.58 3 friends getting together to prank their youth pastor: PRICELESS  

My friend Klinttin is quite funny. The first couple days I was back I was given the great honor of house sitting for his family. One night I get a call from Klinttin. He says "I don't trust you" and I asked- what do you mean. He then replies that he is a afraid I am going to do something to his room... I now had to do something to his room! After asking his Mom and getting a "I wont get mad at you response" we- I mean- I decided to think of something funny to do. We proceeded to rearrange his closet, switch his desk items around, hide his remotes, and short sheet his bed. About a week later we Christmas paper wrapped his- I mean- his mom's car and then proceeded to go into his house and watch a movie- without any suspicion. We had a blast being pranksters!! Here is a OCD before photo of the closet.

The Job. 

The "Barry" view of our "masterpiece"- how can you prank without a little bit of toilet paper- PLEASE! 

Bill (my borther in-law) and Madison and I went to the beautiful Kirkwood for a day of skiing. 

My stay ended with quality slope time. This is Madison and I as we prepare to race down the slope for the 4th time- the winner received... a back rub!!! (definitely worth the race!) 

Suddenly...

Suddenly by Superchic[k]

She feels lost in her own life
Treading water just to keep from slipping under
And she wonders if she’s where she’s supposed to be
Tired of trying to do it right
Her dreams are just to far away to see how steps she’s making
Might be taking her to who she’ll be

CHORUS

And suddenly it isn’t what it used to be
And after all this time it worked out just fine
And suddenly I am where I’m supposed to be
And after all the tears I was supposed to be here

She feels locked in her own life
Scared of what she might lose if she moves away from who she was
And she’s afraid of being free
There’s a way she knows is right
She can’t feel the things she knows
And so each step she’s taking is a step of faith toward who she’ll be…

CHORUS

And here where the night is dark
It’s black
She feels the fear
And the light is farthest back
And through her tears
She can’t see the dawn is coming
Skies will clear
And the light will find her where she’s always been…




update to come soon...

I'm HOME!!

I arrived Home yesterday morning at about 10:30 AM. The day went on as we went shopping... Yes- it was day bomb, and then my family proceeded to take me out to dinner for my birthday and my Dad's birthday!! We went to this place called the daily scoop where my Brother-in-law Aaron, sister's husband is the chef (there names are Clint and Sara). On a scale of 5 stars the food we had was 6 1/2... It was the most delicious food EVER!!! It was like a 4 course meal... AMAAAZING!!! First we started out with Sushi- yeah I didn't think I liked sushi either, but this was great, then we had this amazing gourmet salad, next was the meal, steak, a huge twice baked potato and squash with mushrooms and artichoke- it was delicious, lastly my Dad and I had lava-cake (wonderful chocolate) expresso bean ice cream with caramel drizzled over it. Out of all of the EXPENSIVE restraunts I have been to- this food was by far the best of its kind. Obviously, Rosy's is still the best Mexican food and my Mom is an outrageously wonderful cook as well, but for fancy smancy restraunts- this hole in the wall of a restraunt was the most Amazing I have ever had and to think it has been next to the movie theatre in our town for like 3 years. I then went home... and went to bed. Yeah I was a little tired, but that it how my break has been so far- JUST GREAT!!! And I can't wait for Christmas, it will be just amazing of not more so. I just pray that this Christmas we will be able to have our heart on the true meaning of Christmas, beyond presents and lights and food and even family, but remember that this holiday is to celebrate the birth, life, death, and the RESURRECTION of the One and Only Savior. Thank You Lord for sending your Son!! I pray that you will rest in His arms! I love you all!

It's coming...

1 Day of FINALS
2 Days in Indiana
4 Weeks at Home
3 Semesters of school
2 Summer breaks
2 Spring Breaks

5 Hours to study for FINALS
2 Days until I hug my Mom
2 Years until I go

5 people are freezing
100's are dying

It's coming...

end of semester
end of school
end of practice

end of peoples lives

What comes next?
life
reality
salvation

a choice

"What you do and say may be heaven or hell for another."

6 days and counting...

There are officially only 6 days until break... Wow! In one sense I feel a little overwhelmed know what all has to be done... in another sense I am sad because this semester I have had by far my FAVORITE classes... I am also totally excited, for I get to GO HOME!!!!!!! I really do miss my family and friends a ton! So it is all a little bitter aweet- ya know. I'm doing well though, after my all-nighter I have decided that I am not going to ever do that again- the first couple hours of the day were great, but I feel really bad for my afternoon Professor and the ladies I work with because I definitly was zoned out the whole time. The Lord is so faithful, I know that He is the one that gave me the endurance and strength to do everything thus far, and will continue to do so. All in all God has blessed me soooo much... even when things seem to get tough I then realize how trivial it all is... for I have the love of the One True All-Powerful Great Majestic and Magnificent GOD... amazing, I know- He's cool like that. As you go about your day don't forget about the joy of the little things... don't forget to thank God for His amazing love... and His hand in your life. It'll make Him smile, I'm sure!!

Stay STRONG in His Might and keep your eyes steady upon the goal of your faith!

My Life 101

In the following pictures you will come to know who I am a little more than ever before... You will see my Moutains... Job's peak is the one I take pictures of the most, my Family... the faithful and strong- it hasn't always been peachy but God is faithful, and my back "wrecking" yard. You are venturing now where some only dare to hear about (JK -it's not that scary, but I garantee you will laugh!)!!!

Mom and Dad... the beautiful and faithful couple of... a long time!! Yes, those are matching shirts and real smiles! What would you expect we are in Rosy's our absolute favorite Mexican restraunt (#8 is my favorite)!

I know you don't all believe me when I say my Dad has a pony tail, but he does (as you can see), and I have to say I think that he is quite handsome if I do say so myself. Not a hippie or a biker, just a good Daddy with long hair!!
Does this help you envision my family more Joe?

Chance the Monkey ( I know, he has the best monkey face I've ever seen). Son number two of Aaron and Traci! 

Traci and Aaron... don't worry they are married! Yeah, I know... how cute... 

Talin (yes, he is teething)... the adorable son of Aaron and Traci... the most recent addition to the family. 

The cute little family... Joel (the adorable little boy) Bill (the Daddy) and Hollie (my sister and the Mommy).