The Thug Life.

Meet Janae. She is as cool as what she is wearing.

Janae and I first met freshman year while living on the same floor. Although we did not become friends at first, we can now say we are pretty darn good friends. It may have to do with the fact that we love the sport of basketball, love watching Friends over and over again, love to dance and sing, love to make fools of ourselves in the comfort of our own home, or the fact that we our pantry in the house contained the most food compared to the 6 others. Whatever it may have been, Nae has been not only a great friend to me, but an encourager, challenger, listener, and laugher (if that is even a word) to me.

Just this morning, I woke up to a text message saying, "Isaiah 40:31. Love you." She cares about me. I care a lot about her. She has taught me to be vulnerable with others. She has taught me what it means to study the bible and how to do it. I love, love this girl.

I do have to say I am quite proud of Miss Blea. Seeing her grow in so many ways these past four years has been incredible and I am proud of the many accomplishments she has made. I cannot wait to see her path in these next few years and am excited to see where the Lord takes her. Yes, I CANNOT WAIT.

Love you, Janae Blea and I am blessed to know you and be your friend.

Kiddos.

I really do love to take pictures of kids, especially ones that LOVE to be in front of the camera. What is funny about these pictures...I have no idea who these sweet kiddos are.

As I was enjoying my chai from Coffee Bean, these sweet girls began running around the fountain. I grabbed my camera and started taking pictures.....I am sure their mom's thought I was a little coo coo. As I continued shooting, the girl in the pink dress, came up to me and said, "Excuse me. You are in my way and I cannot run." Such sweet little girls.

Lauren.

So, I do know this little girl, but just a little. I babysat with my friend, Emily, and this is what I got to play with all night. 3 year old Lauren was "a show off" according to her mother, constantly laughing, smiling, and jumping all over the furniture. When bed time came around, Lauren did not want to comply. I quickly said, "Lauren, want to take some pictures?" I've never seen a little girl smile so fast and want to stay in front of a camera forever. The next morning, Lauren awoke, explaining she wanted to see "the Emilys".

Pop's Advice.

Graduation is quickly approaching and like any other college student, I have no idea what I am doing after I walk across the stage to get my diploma....although I do know what I am wearing on that day. Who knows where I will live, where I will work, my mode of transportation, and most importantly...if I will be able to keep my turtles.

You could say that I sort of had a minor break down about a week ago. Lots of thoughts were running through my mind as I tried to answer some of these questions. It is not good to think about this much heavy stuff in one setting, let alone as I lay in bed after waking up from a nap. To help answer some of these questions though...I called none other than my dad.

I have figured out who best to talk to in times of stress. Not my mom. She's great, but too much of a nurturer and always says, "ya, ya. I'm sorry." Not my sister. Because she's a bit young and doesn't understand most of the stuff I am going through. Ohh but she soon will. Not my brother. Because I have a hard time listening to him and taking his advice.

The best person to go to advice for is....my pop. He lays it out on the table. Always tells me to suck it up, life isn't fair and you will get through this tough time. He always says, "things will work out. Never does my dad feel sorry for me. He always tells me this is life and "if it were easy, everyone would do it." That is the honest truth. If this life were easy...attempting to be successful at your job and in relationships, maintaining a growing relationship with the Lord, etc...then everyone would really do it. But life is tremendously difficult and as you can probably see, not everyone does it. It takes perseverance, hard work, sweat and tears, but in the end, it is so incredibly rewarding.

When I called my dad last week, he never felt sorry for me, but told me one good thing that has stuck with me since then. "Emily, your life isn't that bad. Honestly, look at it. You are pretty lucky."

Once again, hearing that reminded me that I need to look at all the blessings I am given and quit looking at the ones I do not have. I am a pretty lucky girl. Amazing family. Wonderful friends who have challenged, encouraged, and uplifted me. A fabulous education. A house (I would put a nice adjective in front of it, but it would be a huge exaggeration) to live in. A car to drive. Food everyday....never on the table, but at least everyday. Clothes to wear..probably too many. A chance to be a teacher to some pretty cool students. The list could go on and on.

I am one pretty darn lucky girl who is blessed. God will put me where He wants me to go doing what He wants me to do. In time, He will do exactly that.

Melodies.

Francis Chan said that the music you listen to becomes the melody that plays inside your head over and over again.

These songs have become the melody of my heart...

If You Say Go by Vineyard Worship

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRQruZ_oX-8

Beauty of Your Peace by Tim Hughes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRJEBC-rCtc

I Will Lift My Eyes by Bebo Norman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtAjrNqEsoM

Let That be Enough by Switchfoot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9fPJM1qdWo

Cielo by Phil Wickham

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfjZGoXhuzE

Let Him Go by M.O.G. This one just reminds me of dancing every single night in Africa.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IvBH8fbarc&feature=related

I have no idea how you can click on the websites to listen to the songs, but bottom line, you should listen to them.

Sweet.

An e-mail I received from my African friends...

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy --"when I see my image in it."

happy easter.

I woke up with a stuffed bunny and a Starbucks gift card next to my pillow, and my mom whispering in my ear, "He has risen...He has risen indeed."

Thank you for Jesus and coffee.

these past 8 weeks...

...have gone by way too fast.

I was a student teacher to the best class of 22 1st and 2nd grade students who I love so so much. They made it worth my alarm going off at 5:45am every morning. I knew that as soon as I got to school, my desire to go straight back to bed would disappear. Every morning it did.

I worked at Pendleton Elementary.

Demographics:

-98% on free lunch

-30% considered homeless

-Most students live in surrounding hotels

-Most students have gone through more than the average human being goes through in a life time

-Many behavioral problems

-Many students come and go following whatever their parents "feel like doing"

-Many sad, sad stories

I experienced a lot while I was there. Just today, two boys were suspended on the account of swinging the door to my classroom open and throwing wood chips into it. Oh, and graffitiing all over the bathroom walls. One day, pot was brought to school. One day, students set the trash can in the bathroom on fire. That happened more than once. I could go on and on, but I won't.

My class was a little different though. We hardly had any behavioral problems, just many sad stories of places where these kids come from. But they always smiled. Some days were tough. Some days students showed their fears. But I always saw them smile.

In turn, they made me smile every single day I greeted them at the door. They were excited to be at school. The 8 weeks flew by and when today came, I couldn't hold back my tears. Pendleton became my home and when I was finally getting settled, Biola moves me to another school. My students knew I was leaving and would come in every morning telling me how many days I had left. They would always tell me to stay forever and become their teacher. I told them if they wanted, they could come to 4th grade with me. They all agreed and planned out our entire agenda for this upcoming week.

Saying goodbye was hard. I knew I would be sad when the day came, but I didn't think this place would mean so much to me. This placement has opened my eyes to a lot of the darkness in our world. It's been good. I've seen the bigger picture of life. I've become more selfless. I've learned to love a whole lot more. I've been confirmed that teaching is what I am supposed to be doing with my life. It's been good.

Kirstin, Freddie, Stephaney

Annie Bananie & Lilly Ann

All of us!

Ms. Sherman and I..learned a lot from this lady!

Next plan of attack. 4th graders.