Tea Rooms

Since our family is spreading out, and my sister and I are some distance from our parents, any visit together is wonderful. This weekend, my mom and sister, Meg met halfway from their homes to come visit me in Eastern NC. They visited my school, met my students, and saw my classroom. We spent time visiting and talking, enjoying the first meal I'd cooked for them in my "own household." Since the coast is only 2 hours away we took off together for Wilmington, NC.

When my sister got married, her rehearsal dinner meal was in a lovely Tea Room (English Country Tea Room in Greenville, SC) they are no longer in business, and the meal was more catered than a "Tea" but it was a beginning for us. When our parents visited my sister's in-laws, my mom was taken to a Tea Room in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. My sister has been able to visit a few other Tea Rooms with friends. For Mother's Day a few years ago, we went to a Mother/Daughter High Tea at my sister's church. Now Saturday, February 27th, we as mom and daughters, visited the Wilmington Tea Room. Proper serving, sharing treats, and tea. We enjoyed our brew on the boardwalk on a beautiful sunny day.

We have now set an official tradition. Whenever possible, we will try to go to a Tea. There is a Tea Room not far from our mom's work, so maybe we will go this summer. We'll see where else we get to go...

Victory in Jesus

A dear friend, mentor, and mom-figure for me during college passed away last week. I'm very thankful I was able to go to the funeral, and say goodbye. Thank you Mrs. Joyce Garland for the love and encouragement you gave me for all those years. I thank the Lord for the blessing you were to me.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalms 23

centres

After attending a teachers' convention in Myrtle Beach last week, I'm full of ideas and projects to put to use in my classroom. It's pretty exciting around my room. We are playing more games, and trying to make better use of time. The big difference that I'm working towards is incorporating learning centres into my regular scheduled day. Instead of a lot of busy-work that doesn't do much, I'm trying to create interactive/enjoyable centres or activities that my kids can do once they've completed the seatwork assigned. I have already cut their seatwork total in half, and am trying to get them used to accomplishing it in a better block of time since they will only have half an hour to get it done as compared to the 45-60 minutes they've been getting. In rotation, my kids will do 30 minutes of seatwork, 30 minutes with me (reading), and 30 minutes at centres. We'll see how it goes. Yes, I know I'm using the Canadian way to spell centers/ centres. I like the spelling better, and hey, I need to get out my Canadianisms somehow since I'm in Dixie now. Back to grading papers... :)

ups and downs

Seven and a half weeks into my first year of teaching. It seems incredible that the Lord has allowed me to teach, and be the sole leader for a classroom. It still strikes me at odd moments. I'm in charge, for better or for worse. The ten kiddos are learning from my example/good and bad.

Very humbling... Oh that I would be wearing my armor as I should (Eph. 6) and seeking the Lord as I should to be in the right spirit day by day.

open house

Hi,

Tonight was open house for my new school. I'm so thankful for how the Lord has provided me a job, and an opportunity to serve Him- and do what I love. I'm really excited about this school year. The staff has been having an incredible in-service week with a focus on Who God is, and the important thing for teachers is that we need to know God before we can live Him- for our students and their families.

I'm overwhelmed by the wonders He bestows. I don't praise Him enough, talk to Him, or seek His face for direction. But He is still faithful, and continues to bless me and show me that He is in control.

What an awesome God! :)

No news is good news (July 7th... ish)

Hello dear friends and family,

I have so much to tell, but not much time or space to tell it. Since my long ago note just before graduation I've worked many odd jobs including painting the walls of the pharmacy where my Mom works, put away items from two pharmacy orders, paint two store signs, babysat, garden, clean offices, tend counter at "Everthing Scottish" gift shop, and several other things that I'm not remembering. :)

I took one of our church girls (Megan) to the WILDs Christian Camp last week. We went for the day just to see what it was like. I'd had never gone, but I knew that it was a wonderful place for many people and I wanted to provide Megan with a way of growing and learning about our Lord.

Another reason I took Megan to the WILDS was because I've accepted a teaching job, and I knew that I wouldn't have much time left with Megan. She is like a little sister, so I didn't want to leave her without doing something special.

Jobs: Some of you may have read from my blog (the link should be at the bottom of this page) I haven't updated it often, but I have posted my job situation. Cornerstone Christian Academy in Fayetteville, NC (about 5 hours from my parents') has given me a position to teach 2nd grade in their elementary school. I'm really excited about working with this school. I found their website through the American Association of Christian Schools, and was impressed, so I sent an email with my resume attached during a time when I was sending out many resumes. The principal replied and wanted to find a time to meet. I appreciated the welcome, and the warmth of the people right away. Their philosophy and ministry focus was very refreshing.

During my school searching I got an email about a possibility to teach overseas in 2011. I hoped that by then my braces would be close to coming off, so I'd be free to help in a international ministry. I responded to an email and met with the principal for Condell Park Christian School in Sydney, Australia. They were looking for a teacher to come for July 2011 to teach a combined 5th and 6th grade class.

About a month after graduation, I got a call one early morning from Sydney asking me to come. I was shocked. I never expected to be the one chosen. It took some time, but I'm thankful for how the Lord did give me peace about this and is providing me with a way to get experience not too far from home this fall, then next summer go to Sydney and take this opportunity of a lifetime to learn and teach in an overseas setting. Cornerstone is understanding and willing to let me teach only a year. I think they'd prefer longer term, as would I, but my prayer is to give them my best, and learn this first year of teaching, then be ready for the next hurdle/learning opportunity as it comes.

Cornerstone classes start early August so right now I'm juggling a fews days of work, the rest is spent with family, and helping where I can. It will be a bit of a challenge to get back into teaching mode after my few months off. I really appreciate how so many of you have expressed interest, and encouraged me before and during my college years, and now as I go out to serve. I do have some struggles, the continual fight I have with trusting God, and getting used to the idea of living on my own. I'm packing away a lot of stuff, or trying to find people/places that can use a lot of the things that I've accumulated over time.

I will try to send updates. Please let me know how I can pray for you. I don't have many good ways to keep informed, and I do want to know how to pray for you.
in Christ,
Beth:)

Best laid plans

It has been too long. Oh, well. I'm learning I can't please everybody, or accomplish everything I want to. I can't fix the world's problems, and need to narrow my goals. (In other words, so I can say "no" once in a while, and make lists of things that need to be done...to prioritize.)

Job front, I've accepted a teaching position at Cornerstone Christian Academy in Fayetteville, NC. School starts August 11th. I never thought it would go through, but I also got a call to teach at a school in Sydney Australia, start date for June/July 2011. As far as I know, I'm going to leave mid June for Sydney next year.

Something I learned during college is that the Lord has his own plan. I'm not fearful about this (which is my emotional way of showing a lack of faith) so unless the Lord changes things it looks like close to this time next year I'll be down-under. :) I would rather wait to be sure about Sydney, but the school there needed an answer for their recruiting purposes. I know the Lord will help me keep my word.

I also need the Lord to help me focus on the tasks at hand, and help me be 100% in Fayetteville this school year. I've been able to visit twice and love the people. They are very kind. The more I meet my brothers and sisters in Christ the more overwhelming I realize that I long for the time when I'll never have to say good bye.

Ps. 63 to see thy power and thy glory...