As I sit here watching a handful of students try (hopefully) their hardest to write an essay worthy of a score of 200+, I was looking back at a blog that I posted about 6 months ago….there have been updates, and I smiled as I read it and thought about just what God has done….in honor of that, I thought I’d repost and add a few things...
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June 4, 2009
Work? Who wants to work when there's blogspot? (If I could get on facebook from here I'd be there, too.) :) I was just looking back over the last several posts and realized that a year ago, I blogged from this office about my new job. It's been a whole year that I've been out of the classroom and in a new position. That being said, it's been an eventful year...both on campus and off.Workwise, I've learned so much.

• I worked with a PHENOMENAL group of people--many new to our campus and some veterans--and was blessed to make some great new friends (Cathy, Heidi, and Holly...you guys are the best..even though you will probably never see this post!) :) I look forward to continuing to learn, do things better, and make new friends next year.
  I started grad school and am almost done. I kept a 4.0 somehow or another and got inducted into Phi Kappa Phi. How this benefits me, other than an extra line on my résumé, I'm not sure. Nevertheless, the Lord has helped me. Praying for help through the next 12 days and 7 assignments. I finally graduated! I have sought an administrative position, but the Lord has seen fit to keep me at Rockdale for another year (and possibly longer). Through the course of the first semester of 2009-2010, I learned SO much about having to rely on the Lord as well as being content no matter the circumstances (Paul wrote, “I have learned that in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” That had to be my go-to verse so many times last semester when I was simply overwhelmed at all that was ahead of me. Six months later, I’m still alive.
• I've gained a stalker. Well, I don't know that I'd go that far...well, maybe I will. His name is Shakim. He was a freshman this year so he'll be with me for 3 more years. I took down all the cards he drew for me--I think I counted about 20. Casey suggested I start a scrapbook to give to his mom when he graduates. Shakim hugged me every morning at the front door (where I had duty), found me at least one more time throughout the day (either in the cafeteria or in my office) to give me another hug, and told me on a regular basis that he "likes me very much" and "likes white women." I love it. Shakim still comes to see me on a daily basis and makes a point to hug me. On the days when he has art, I still receive a card from him. Sometimes it has words about how we’re buddies, and sometimes it’s just a picture. Either way, it reminds me that someone is thinking of me.
• I baked. A lot. No, really. I also had to defend the Fridays when (a) I had no groceries, (b) got in too late to bake, or (c) forgot that it was Sweet Shoppe day. I tried to follow in Tracey's footsteps. Sometimes I was successful and sometimes I wasn't. Sweet Shoppe day? What’s that? I have seriously fallen down on the job. Sad. I should bake this Friday.
• Speaking of baking, I learned how to make homemade fried chicken this year when it was requested that I bring it to the Carey's house as a "congratulations-you-had-twins-and-I-want-to-help" gift. A special shout out to Stacey for her Crocker advice and moral support through the whole process. Stacey, Stacey, Stacey. Moral support doesn’t even begin to describe what you’ve been to me over the last several months. I’m so thankful she agreed to be my matron of honor (and I hope I’ve fulfilled my promise thus far not to turn into a bridezilla as my day approaches!). Stacey, I love you more than words can say and I’m thankful you’re my friend.
• I made decisions not to suspend kids who very well deserved it. They probably have no idea what the term grace means, but it just makes sense in my life--God's given me grace more times than I can count and I'm thankful. For some, I looked back on their reactions to said grace and probably should have suspended them. For others, I'm glad I made the decision I did and that they took heart to the second..third...fourteenth chance they were given. Grace….greater than all my sin. The Lord chooses not only to forgive me each time I fall, but to pick me up and dust me off. Time and time again over the last several months I have seen specific instances of grace played out in my own life. Lord, thank you for forgiveness.
• I almost had to confront angry magnet parents when I forgot to order late AP exams. Again...the Lord handled it and things got taken care of; mercy was shown when I had to admit my mistake to my principal and the magnet principal....I didn't get yelled at, not even once. I'll have you know that I’m actually ahead of schedule with the AP exam this year…can you believe it?
• One word: Roz. Holly, you know who/what I'm talking about.
• I was humbled on more than one occasion. One time that specifically comes to my remembrance was graduation test week...I felt about like I'd have to get better to die but couldn't take off; Heidi took over to get things done for me that I absolutely could not do. Again, a picture of God's mercy. (There was a lot of "God art" going on in my office this year.) I miss Heidi this year. I have had to do lots on my own. I don’t think I realized just what a huge help she was. Heidi, thank you again for all your work last year. It didn’t go unappreciated.
• Though I wasn't in the classroom, I had the chance to build some relationships with former students. I was given the opportunity to laugh with, counsel, pray with, and comfort them in a way that reminds me that God wants us as Christians to have LIFE ABUNDANT. That's the best way I know to describe it. Mel, Kayla, Quimichia, you guys are the best. I mean that. As my former students are moving on and graduating, I have fewer and fewer students who know me well enough to ask for advice or stop by for a chat. I miss that. Whether or not I’ll ever return to the classroom remains to be seen; I do know that my ultimate desire is to make an impact on this generation of youth. I want to leave a footprint in their lives that is filled with the blood of Christ, and I want them to know that there’s something different about me because of what He did in my life.
• I had a colleague come into my office, close the door, and, without being asked, pray for me in my capacity as testing coordinator (I think I had exams scattered all over the floor at the time..). I almost cried. Neodesha, you have no idea how thankful I am for you.
• I had a group of ladies promise to plan my bachelorette party when the time comes, quiz me about "the new guy," and threaten his life if he doesn't treat me right. Myra, Khalisha, Neodesha, Therese, Monica...you guys are awesome. I am thankful that you'd take an interest in my life. Casey proposed on December 5th in my daddy’s front yard….the bachelorette party is still planned, now that I’m officially getting married. Casey has indeed treated me right and won my heart. Oh, he’s so good to me—I love him more every day , through every hug, every conversation, and every mundane decision that has to be made about daily life. I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with him!
• I got to watch a young lady walk across the stage at graduation who was given less than a 20% chance to do so. This young lady is proof that miracles happen, and reminds me on a daily basis that I have absolutely, positively no reason to complain about anything. I have never seen Raven without a smile plastered across her face, even when I could tell her body was racked with pain and it was all she could do to sit through a class or meeting. I am thankful for her example of thankfulness. (And in her words, at graduation, she was preparing to "blow this popsicle stand." :)) Sadly, Raven passed away in September of 2009. It is rare that you see such a young person who makes such an impact in such a short time on earth. This year’s Black History Show was dedicated to her, and she wrote a book before she died that has since been published. Raven’s legacy lives on in the hearts of many of our students, and it is good for me to read this on the days when I feel like a pity party would be the best thing for me. Who am I to complain? What right do I have to say that life is hard or that I can’t go on? If the Lord gave such a small, frail, sweet Raven the strength and perseverance to continue her journey until He called her home, how can I think He would not take care of this sparrow?
  

Yeah. Good stuff. God's been awesome to me and I'm so thankful. And now I should get back to moving all my furniture "3-5 feet away from the walls" (you do the math...my office is about 10 feet by 15 feet....add in the all the furniture, and there's no way this will happen. They'll have to be satisfied with "walking room.")
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