Wow, so I am not good at this! I knew it had been a while but I can't believe I haven't written since August. I am sure most of you have given up on reading this, but oh well. I can post now.
I just finished what can only be described as one of the best and worst semesters of my life. School was insane and the amount of working and classes that I had nearly sent me over the edge more times than I can count. At the same time I worked in a 3rd grade and a 5th grade class and loved it! It made the crazy school work worth it. I so looked forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays (Okay well most of the time anyway). My kids were great, and the ones that were hard were always some of my favorites! They all just made my heart cry and rejoice at the same time. I can't wait to be working in a classroom with students every day. It is hard to believe that not so very long from now I will be teaching on my own. I still have a semester of core classes to take before starting to student teach but I have to remember that isn't very long.
I wrote my Senior Integration Paper (AKA The Paper of CC) and got to research recess. I started out by looking into Classical Education but couldn't find the research I needed for it so I had to change my topic half way through the semester. That was stressful but it worked out in the end. I did well on my SIP and found out that I am very passionate about making sure students still get their breaks every day even though many states no longer require the time to be taken in the day. I also wrote a management plan and did some tutoring with a student in reading. Those were huge steps for me! I taught lessons and loved on my kids the best that I could. I could spend a long time telling about them but not here. If you want to hear stories you will have to ask me in person!
Aside of the school side of life this semester was a roller coaster of personal drama! All I can say is that God is definitely working on teaching me about his perfect timing and will in my life. I have been angry, confused, hurt, and finally attempted to be submissive to what he is working out in my life right now. There have been tears of joy and surrender along side tears of uncertainty. I have learned a lot and have a lot more to figure out from here. He is far from done with working in me about these issues. The biggest lesson right now is waiting for he is God. I'm not a very patient person so waiting can be a problem, much more than I ever knew before these past few months. Isn't is amazing how the Lord teaches his children and sometimes they don't even know it is happening until they are in the middle of the lesson. It is pretty amazing to me to see how he has taught me.
Lastly, I grew in amazing friendships with people from my church and the rest of the girls in my major. I have truly been blessed through these amazing people and their love for me in the midst of troubled times, just as much as they are in the times of joy. Not to mention the ladies on my hall and my roommate who is now done with school. I don't know what next semester will be like without her but I do know it will not be nearly as laugh filled. I love these people in my life so very much and thank God for them daily!
Well, I am home for Christmas break it and it wonderful. I am getting the rest that was so lacking in the semester is wonderful. I have time with my parents that is uninterrupted and I get to be with my great friends from home. I love Christmas and the time to be with people, even though it gets so busy! I have lots of plans that will keep me busy and then I go back to take my exam to become a certified teacher (Ah!) in the beginning of January. I will spend my 23rd birthday away from family which will be hard but it is all a part of growing up. I am ready to grow up...most of the time. For tonight that is really all I have to say but I have been meaning to write for a few days. Merry Christmas all, in case I don't write again until the summer ;)
