How do you keep that smile?

I think the following pretty much sums up my life.

A mom of one of the youth at our church came up to me the other day and told me that her son had came to her this past week asking how I always kept my smile with everything I do. He continued by naming what I did - teaching 1st grade, working out, teaching piano, leading kid's choir, directing UPWARD cheerleading, and the list goes on. She responded that she did not know. So, she came to me to ask.

I contemplated the answer, because I am not super human or anything like that. I have some major flaws! I believe that God put me on this earth to make a difference, and the categories that it falls under mostly is with kids and in music. He has instilled in me the quality of loving to stay busy. I know that sounds crazy, but I really hate to not have anything planned for a day. The smile comes from realizing how lucky I have things in life. I live each day thankful for the blessings in the past and the ones to come. For even with obstacles, it only makes me stronger.

This being said, I have majorly slacked on this blog. I am sorry! When I am on the computer, I am usually working on things for one of my many projects. I am looking forward to April, because I have some new goals. (I am a goal oriented and to do list type of person...haha) One of those goals is to get better at updating this for my friends and family. We will see how well it goes!

A Better Place

Thank you so much for your prayers, phone calls, and visits!

As most of you know, my grandmother passed away on January 7, 2009 after being unresponsive for five days. Her visitation was Friday night with the funeral following Saturday at 1:00.

This has been hard for the whole family, but we know that she is in a better place. The Thursday before her decline she had told my aunt that she was ready to meet her Father and did not know why he was keeping her on this earth. How great it is to know that she is rejoicing in heaven!

Please keep our family in your prayers! Each person has their own thing that reminds them of her. I have to say that mine will always be that we shared the same first name, Martha. I use to hate this name so much, but I have grown to appreciate it as I have gotten older.

I have had great friends through all this. One of them showed up for the funeral, but I did not know that she was even there until I received this message yesterday.

Hey Elizabeth, you were on my mind so I thought I would drop you a line. The funeral service was really special for your grandmother. I'm sorry I didnt get to see you afterwards, but I know how important it is to be with family then. From the testimonies of the men who spoke, I could tell your grandmother was a truly incredible woman of faith and prayer, and it would have been an blessing to have known her personally. But in a way I feel that I know her a little through you because you have carried on her faith in the Lord. Your walk with Him has always been something I admire about you, and now I know a little about the woman who must have been such a tremendous example and encouragement to you. She must have been extremely proud of you continuing on in the faith she so valued. I am praying that God gives you the time and space you need to grieve in the midst of your hectic busy life.

This really has kept me going for many reasons. First to know that I have an amazing friend that did not care about making her appearance known but just wanted to be there. Second,that others were able to tell what a prayer warrior my grandmother was through just what others had to say. Third, friends are able to see characteristics of her through me. I pray that I am able to be more and more like her though the years.

A Time of Prayer

Well I closed on my house on Tuesday! We had been working on it hours upon hours ever since. However, Friday night everything came to a holt. Here is what is going on...

My uncle, who lives with my grandmother, left the house Friday night at 6 to come help my dad out a little at my new house. When he left, my grandmother was her old self telling him what time to come home like he was still a teenager and such. He arrived back home around 9. My grandmother was slumped down in her chair, but he just thought she had taken a sleeping pill and was out. He tried to get her to wake up enough so he could help her to bed, but she wouldn't. He called my dad and they both tried to get her but they couldn't. My dad finally called 911. When the EMTs arrived they said not to try to follow them to Jackson. From this, we knew it was bad.

The hospital did as much as they could, but they couldn't get her to speak. She did have her eyes open, but as of 11 AM Saturday morning she closed them. All the family was called in Saturday afternoon, because they did not believe she would make it very much longer. However, she is still living right now but still not responsive. Doctors say it's a matter of time, but no one can tell you how long. It's all in God's timing.

No one has gotten much sleep since Friday. My parents got home Saturday morning at like 3 to grab a few things and head back. I was actually at a Game Night when I got the call Friday night, but my parents wouldn't let me leave to go to the hospital. I had UPWARDs on Saturday, but I left early when the family got called in. After about 6 hours of sitting in her room, I decided I was coming back to Brownsville. I told the family that my grandmother never wanted me to just sit around. She always may to be working to help others and that's what I was going to do. I came home and checked on all the houses of the families in Brownsville, fed the pets, and hung out with some friends to get my mind off things. I did not sleep much, because I just knew I was going to get a phone call in the middle of the night. However, I woke up to find out she was still alive. I went to church, because I knew that is where my grandmother would want to be. I have gotten a little rest today, but not much. I have to go back to work tomorrow, but I know that everything is going to work out. My parents came home today for a bit. However, my dad packed his bags to go back over there. Everyone is exhausted and is just sitting and waiting.

My grandmother did not want anything done to her, because she said that she has lived 88 great years on Earth and is ready to meet her Father. Wow what can you say to that! So she is not on anything at the hospital. We know that God has a timing, and we have been through this before years ago with her. If this is her timing, we have a peace because we know she will be in a better place. I hope I can be a strong Christian woman like her when I get to be that age. Please keep our family in your prayers as we go through this!

Christmas Time

Well Christmas has come and gone! It was really weird this year. I was no longer a student studying for finals awaiting to get out for winter break, I did not have to drive back and forth to Jackson everyday, and I was not rushing from party to party in one night. It was a busy season, but I had time to sit back and grow in the true meaning of Christmas - Jesus!



My first Christmas party was on December 1 with my Sunday School class at Lilie's. Oh how I have enjoyed this class! Even though it is titled Adult Couples and of course I do not have a guy, they have welcomed me in with open arms. I love the fellowships that I am able to attend, the Bible Studies with the women of the class, and just the unity we have. What a way to start the month off with other believers!

At school, I was asked to be the assistant director for the Music program. This was due in part that they were not sure that the Music teacher would be able to make it through. She was due to have her third baby a week later. Luckily, she was able to direct the program. I still had to assist, but it was such a relieve not to have to do the program since I really did not know the motions to the songs. I had to be at the rehearsal, the program, and the community program at College Hill. It was so good to see those kids singing about Jesus's birth at a public school function. That is the true reason for Christmas!

When I became in charge of Music Makers at church, I had to begin arranging materials for the Christmas program. Luckily, they only had to sing a couple of songs. They did such a good job in learning their stuff. I was a little worried at first, but they pulled through. My favorite song had to be "Christmas Started With a Present". I was so blessed that some of the kids in choir even discussed during one of our practices how it really did start with Jesus being born as a present and what else did we need. Oh what a joy to know that they are learning the truths!

An annual Christmas event at our church is the Carols of Christmas program. Oh, how I look forward to getting through these two programs by the time they arrive. It is not because I do not love to sing, but it is time consuming. However, I realized this year during the first performance that it was the least I could when during our last song, "Hallelujah to the Lamb", the majority of the congregation stood up in praise to the King. Why can't we always have this awe in our hearts and souls?



On the last full day of school, my class had their Christmas party. My kids always surprise me in what they will say. One kid got up before we ate the pizza I had ordered for lunch to ask if he could lead the class in singing "Happy Birthday, Jesus". We had been reading different books throughout the month, and the kids always had questions about the birth of Jesus and the others that were involved. I graciously let him lead the class, and then he prayed over the food. I am so lucky to work in a school system that we are still allowed to let the kids do this. Although the party was full of fun and chaos, the kids had learned the true meaning of Christmas!

I was asked to attend the 11th and 12th grade girl's Christmas party from our church. It was held at their Sunday School teacher's house. There are only like 3 girls that are actually in this class, but they are devoted to attending even with the low number. The teacher gave them the book, Lady in Waiting. One of the girls knew I had read this and how firm I stand on things like this and asked me to lead a small group on the book. I hope we are able to do this! We talked for hours this night about church and things. I was so thankful that these girls would open up to me about things and ask for advice. I really think the Lord is using me!

These are just some things that have went on in this crazy season that I have realized great things are to come. I cannot wait to see what else is going to happen in this upcoming year.

Long Awaited

So I haven't blogged since the summer. My has time past! Can I just say that life has been crazy. Here is a quick update. Hopefully I'll post more often. I am really going to work on it.

Job- I started teaching 1st grade in August. I LOVE IT! I have 18 students, 5 girls and 13 boys. My class makeup is very different, but it keeps day-to-day interesting. It isn't weird to have my assistant speaking Spanish to some of my students, to hear an awful buzzing coming from a kid's hearing aid going dead, or random people knocking on the outside window. This all makes it the best. It has been difficult getting everything together and getting use to it all, but I finally feel like I am making progress. More to come later and even pictures!

Piano- I started teaching piano a couple years ago to two kids in our church. I really enjoyed it so I added to the number last year. This year I took on 10! The ages range from 8 to 15. Most people think I am crazy, but music and kids are my life and I love it. I only teach Tuesdays through Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:00 so it's not that bad with only one being Tuesday nights. Next week, I will begin getting music ready for a Spring Recital. I would love to see some of you there.

Church- I began attending Brownsville Baptist when I was a Freshman in high school. I have been very active with the church even throughout college. However, I waited to join until I knew what my future would hold. Since I got a job here in Brownsville and decided to stay around, I finally joined. Since I was baptized in another faith, I had to be rebaptized as well. Luckily, the night I had to get baptized one of my best friends from high school was getting baptized as well. Also, my best friend Jonathan was being ordained as a deacon in the church. So what a blessing to know that I had two friends deciding to make their life solid in the church as well.

Music Makers- Upon joining the church, I was asked to become the leader of a kid's choir. I have worked with the Young Musicians choir (4th to 6th grade) for a couple of years as an assistant, but this would be with the Music Makers choir (1st to 3rd grade). I prayed about it and decided that it was what God wanted me to do. A couple of weeks ago, I led my first Christmas program performance. I believe it went well. I have already picked out the Spring Musical and can't wait to see how it turns out.

A HOUSE!- Well for the most exciting thing that has happend these past few months, I am buying my very own house. I have been saving up and have been looking around the area. A few times, I thought I found the right one, but something always happend. Well a good friend of our family told us about this house and persisted that my parents and I looked at it. We put an offer on it the night we looked at it. I just knew it was meant to be! Well it's been a long process, because the house is under foreclosure and needs a lot of remodeling done. However, if you know my family and I we love to remodel. I close on the house next Tuesday and cannot wait to start working on it. More to come later!

Well it's Christmas Eve, and I hope you have a blessed one. Remember that Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Christmas is about me, it's about Him!

Summer Update

Well, life has been extremely crazy since graduation! Here's a little update to what has been going on.

Babysitting- As a summer job, I decided to work for the Lea family staying with their older kids all summer and occasionally babysitting their little ones. I have worked for this family for 5 years and have loved it. It's nice to feel at home at their house and be able to get things done while I'm there. This has occupied most of my days. Occasionally, I have been working in Memphis for another family when they need me, and I'm not busy doing something else. It is great to be employed with great Christian families that care about my needs and pray for me on a daily basis.

Music Camp- My second week of summer vacation, I volunteered leading a Music Camp. This is a thing my church does every year a few weeks before Vacation Bible School. However, this year was different without a full time Music Minister to take control. I think I can say that we pulled it off though! We had around 50 kids learn the words and motions to 6 songs in four days and perform it that following Sunday night. Though it is Music Camp, the week is full of team activities where students complete for points. It is tons of fun for the kids and the leaders!

Vacation Bible School- This week has been full of Vacation Bible School. I once again took on the role of the Preschool Music teacher. I have four classes which totals about 60 kids. It has been fun getting to know the kids. Tomorrow will be the test though if they can perform the songs for their parents in our Worship Rally!

Workout- So, I decided a couple of months ago to start working out even though my knee is still really bad and in need of a 3rd surgery. I have been doing fairly well trying to make the classes 3 times a week at the YMCA. My next goal is to start working out on my own a little more and training for a 5k which I hope will lead to a Half Marathon one day. I know I picked the hottest time of the year to do this, but I think I can do it if I keep my mind on it.

Job- Well a couple of weeks ago, I found out I was officially hired to teach in Haywood County. The only problem was that they would not tell me what grade at that point. Though I was glad to know I had a job, I was getting a little inpatient. Yesterday, I found out I'm teaching 1st grade! This was my second choice, but I'm really excited about it.

Well I think that is about it. I've been slacking on taking pictures, but I'll try to get some new pictures up within the week. I have three parties on Saturday so I'm sure I'll have plenty of opportunities to take pictures!

Graduation!

Well I did it! I finished my undergrad work at Union University. Saturday, May 17th, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Learning Foundations K-6.

I have been so fortunate to meet so many great friends at Union. This semester was one of the most trying, but we made it through it with God's help. I am never going to forget all the time I spent at Union. It has truely impacted who I am today.

Family and friends gathered on the Great Lawn to watch with hundreds of others as I walked across the stage to receive my diploma. It was a joyous time! After the 400 students plus received their diplomas, we went to Perkins to celebrate. I was not feeling well so we had to cut it short, but it was good to catch up with everyone.

Here are some pictures from the night!