My portion is running over!

My heart is so full of joy and contentment in God. I honestly don't even know where to begin in describing how GOOD our God is! Let me begin by just sharing that I am about to graduate college. And over the past few months I have felt the Holy Spirit calling me to remain. To remain in the church. To remain in Asheville. To Remain.

You can imagine how frightening this could be as a young person, about to take on finances all on her own, and about to enter the dreaded "real-world". But with a dream and conviction in my heart, I said "Okay, Lord. I will Remain." And from that day on, I BELIEVED with every fiber inside of me that God was going to provide. At first I would just say to myself, "He will provide" And I partly didn't even know to what extent... or how it would look. Then as time progressed, I began believing and SPEAKING OUT LOUD, "He will provide a job for me in this city"

During my student teaching experience, I came across many people who would casually express to me their sorrow/regret/sympathy in the fact that a) I am graduating and would be searching for a teaching position mid-year (MID YEAR folks!) and b) that this economy would not prove to deliver a job for me.

And you know what my response was, EVERY single time?!?

"I am Believing that He will open up doors for me." I began reading about Abraham, the father of our faith. And do you know what the word says about Abraham? That his righteousness was credited to him by BELIEVING!! That he understood the power of God enough to understand that our God is a God who brings LIFE to the dead. And so with everything inside of me, I believed.

Well about 2 weeks ago I just sat before the Lord. And in my time I thought, what the heck. I'm going to pray Big. So I said, "Lord, I am asking you to Bless me! Show your favor for me!" And what would you know, the next day TWO jobs opened up in Buncombe County! So I applied- sent resumes- got an interview- and got hired! ALL within a two week process.

This is all God! He is SO faithful. All of the Glory is His. And I believe more than ever in the power of speaking Truth over your life, and believing God's word! It's real. It's living.

And as I sit here and reflect over the past year of my life... Last Christmas, I asked God to set me free. And He has taken my world and flipped it upside down. Literally. It is completely transformed. And it did not, by any means, happen over night. But I am a totally new person, and God is setting the Dream that HE placed in my heart into motion. And I am utterly thankful. Forever.

"I'll make a covenant with them that will last forever, a covenant to stick with them no matter what, and work for their good. I'll fill their hearts with a deep respect for me so they'll not even think of turning away from me. Oh how I'll REJOICE in them! Oh how I'll delight in doing good thins for them! Heart and soul, I'll plant them in this country and keep them here!" Jer 32:40-41

Tis the Season

Okay- So I am getting excited for Christmas! Today I just randomly started singing Christmas songs... And it put me in the BEST mood!

Things I LOVE about Christmas

1) My family does Christmas BEST- I love my siblings and when we all get around the kitchen counter, there ain't nothing in the world like it.

2) Homemade cinnamon rolls. Family Recipe. Perfection.

3) Music for 2 months to put you in a cheery mood!

4) Decorating!!

5) Hot cocoa, a fireplace, AND "A White Christmas" (my own personal tradition- I HAVE to watch it every year- even if I am doing it solo- which is usually how it happens)

Nerd Alert? Yes... Yes, I think so.

Yes. It indeed has been a while since I have updated this thingamajigger. But for good reason, you see. I have been swamped with finishing student teaching, cramming for a praxis exam (which I take in 2 weeks by the way! ahh!), writing a research paper, AND attempting to apply for teaching positions. But wait- the madness doesn't stop there.

You may be asking yourself, "But how could it get any crazier, my dear friend Katie?"
And I will tell you, on Friday I woke up so early- I'm talking crazy folk may go to bed at the hour in which I awoke from my sleep yesterday. And why did I do this? So that I could drive to Greensboro to attend the North Carolina's Council of Teachers of Mathematics conference!!

YIPEE! It was splendid! I learned so much about teaching and math, I was like a little kid in a candy store. AND... I also got to share MY experiences of student teaching with other soon to be math educators. It was an honor. And I received many encouraging words/words of wisdom about the life calling of education.

It is just that- a life calling. So yesterday was a treat for me, because I once again was reminded of the joy that goes along with the journey of teaching! It is my passion. It is in my gut. And I LOVE what I am doing!!

Yes- you may think I am a nerdball for attending a math conference. But who cares? It's me! :)

(Oh and then I got to the awesome day in prayer and worship with some of my favorite people ever. Yes, I'm spoiled.)

"We are not saved by making promises to God; we are saved by believing God's promises to us."

So today I am believing.

I am believing God will provide a job for me come December/January.
I am believing God will continue to foster fellowship and community in my life.
I am believing God will raise up an Army of dreamers in Asheville.
I am believing the desires of my heart will be given to me.


These things I am believing because He has promised them to me.

Quinn Rea

Today

on this day

more than any other day

I wish I were home. Home in Ohio. A two hour drive from my sister, my brother-in-law, and my 11 hour old niece!

Isn't she gorgeous? Gah. I am so proud of my sister! I cannot wait to meet this beuatiful child who is an incredible gift from God. Healthy sister, healthy baby girl, and I cannot be more pleased.

Thank you God for your goodness every day!

All's well that ends well.

So today was a crazy day!

I woke up at the ugly sound of my alarm at 5:45am. And when my feet hit the floor I literally wanted to cry because I didn't think I was going to make it one more day in the middle school. But I made my coffee- took a shower- and attempted to put a smile on my face.

Then next thing I know, it's 1:20pm and I am saying goodbye to my last class of students. Whew... how did I do it? (really- I have no idea) It was just one of those weeks. And as soon as the last child was out of my sight, I wanted to CRY. But I didn't because I was in front of my superiors. (I have to keep it together in front of them, right? errr something).

Well anyways, I can't really explain why teaching was so difficult this week- but it was. I guess the authority thing is harder for me than I thought it was going to be. And I am ON these kids' side! I am NOT against them- but they think I am. Or maybe they are just testing me to see if I will turn against them. I don't know... but anyways. Tough week.

But worry not- after school I ventured to go get my hair cut. This is always a wonderful time 1)because I have the coolest hair stylist, who is a dear friend to me. And what a divine appointment it was to meet her! and 2) she always gives me rockin' hair do's. Thus I go home feeling like a cool-hip chick. (Always a good thing!)

For those of you curious- I chose NOT to chop my hurrrr. I was too scared- So I just cut bangs. That's hip right? Haha.

Afterwards, I grabbed myself a pumpkin spice latte (the drink of choice for the entire month of October- and even into November. Woot) and a little bowl of chili. I then put on the most comfortable clothes I own and snuggled into my couch for a little R&R with my t.v.

Needless to say, "All's well that ends well"

Yay or Nay?

For almost 6 months now I have been debating whether or not I want to cut off all my hair? I haven't taken the plunge yet... but part of me just REALLY wants to do it! Whadya think?