Happy Wedding Day Claude and ME!!

Waaaaaay overdue is an understatement. On July 16th, we headed to Athens to celebrate the marriage of two of our couple friends!! I just love Athens weddings. It is so much fun to be back in a city we love, eating at the restaurants we love, and being around all of our friends that we love!! Happy Belated Wedding Day Post Claude and ME!! Love you both so much and it your wedding day was absolutely fabulous!!

Weddings are for modeling...

... and jumping...

... and barefoot dancing.

Pure Grace.

School has started. Life is crazy. And my to-do list feels like it doubles every day. The first week back to school is always a little hectic. This week has been nothing short of hectic. At the end of last week, I found out I was getting a new student. On Monday (our first day of school), I found out I was getting ANOTHER new student. Class count update... 6 students, 2 paras, 1 teacher. Going from a 1:1 ratio to a 2:1 ratio has been a huge adjustment, especially when I have some difficult behaviors in my class. Tuesday wins for officially the worst day ever in my teaching career... so far at least. The details are of little importance, but I will just say that my patience, perseverance and love for my job were definitely questioned after the events that occurred. As I made my way out of school, I was feeling really down. I had errands to run. Pictures to get printed. And a headache that throbbing does not even begin to describe. I headed to Costco to get my new kiddos' pictures printed and while I waited, I made my way through the aisles. When I came across this little friend, I couldn't help but smile. Never have I ever seen this in the aisles of Costco - which I frequent very often, especially when I'm bored. But on a day where I needed some goodness for my soul, God showed up. He showed up in the aisles of Costco. Soooo you are probably thinking how on earth would God show up in Costco? Well as I made my way up to the front to pay for my chocolate covered pomegranate pieces - which are AMZING - this is what I saw...

And because that print is so incredibly tiny, here is the translation...

philosophy: one of the best tools for longevity and good health is not just taking a walk outdoors but taking your walk while holding the hand of God. when we walk in gratitude for each and every moment, we empower ourselves by empowering our spirits. when we breathe in nature through our eyes, ears and lips, we become certain that not only are our souls eternal, but that God knows how to manage our lives, our troubles, our worries and our days better than we do. so today and everyday "let go and let God."

Amen to that.

Jamaica.

     It has taken me a while to gather the words to describe this experience... and then as life continues to happen, it has taken me even longer to get this post written. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the events leading up to this mission trip reminded me that God has a plan and has had one for a while... He was just waiting for me to say yes. In the planning and amongst all the details, God’s graciousness was shown to me through three simple words, “We can wait.” All of the pieces fell into place in a way that could only have been orchestrated by my God. 
     Then the journey began... we flew out of Atlanta on June 27th, headed for Kingston, Jamaica. Over the next 8 days, we would lead Vacation Bible School, love on children in orphanages and spend time with the people of Majesty Gardens, a neighborhood in Kingston. Throughout our time in Kingston, we met some amazing children who changed our hearts forever. God's grace and power was seen in the relationships that were developed and the emotions that were evoked in our hearts. I can honestly say that my heart has been forever changed since returning home. My priorities have shifted. After spending time in a community where an uprising occurred over travel size toiletries, the material things in life seem of little importance now. I was also reminded in the beauty in the simplest of things... a smile, a hug, a touch. My heart aches for the children we left behind but I know that God has awakened in my a new passion and I can not wait to see what He does with me next!

Tyreke. The child that completely stole my heart.

Our home for the week.

“I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.” 

- Psalm 86:12