Chrysalis

If I could go into full time ministry with teenage girls, I would do it! I was absolutely blessed to be a part of an amazing weekend of Chrysalis this past weekend! God worked in wonderful ways in many of the teenage girls at Chrysalis. It was such a tiring weekend but completely worth it. We ate ALOT, spent alot of time in a freezing conference room, and got to spend a lot of time praying and worshipping. I am so thankful for the friends that I got to meet and spend time with this past weekend. God is definitely moving in the life of teen girls and for that, I am SO thankful!! One of the greatest quotes of the weekend was:

"Your worth is not found in your circumstances or others opinions. Your worth is found in the favor of your Heavenly Father! You are a daughter of the King" - I think every girl (no matter the age) needs to hear that!

Halfway Through?

I cannot believe it is already almost the end of June! Where has the summer gone? I know where ours has gone.....traveling! It is so fun but we have spent more time on the road than we have at our own house this summer. My little sister, Avery, is getting married July 23rd so we have gotten to go to Memphis and help her and Curtis celebrate earlier this month! We also got to spend some good time with my mom and dad during that weekend in Memphis.

We have also spent a few weekends in Ashland with Todd's family. Unfortunately, two of those times have been for funerals.Todd's grandmother passed away on Good Friday and her funeral was on Easter Sunday. Todd gave the eulogy and did a fantastic job! But, Friday morning we received news that his grandfather was in the emergency room. His grandfather passed away friday at 2:30 and his funeral was on Father's Day. Todd gave the eulogy again and did a great job, of course!

We have also spend time at the my parents lake house and my favorite....THE BEACH! We spent a week in Gulf Shores (last week) and had such a fun time! As much as we desire to have children, we are enjoying the time that we get to just "run away" just the two of us! We just spent the days laying in the sun, went to dinner about 5:00 (surprised Julie J.?!) and went to bed early....it was perfect!

Todd and I still have tons more traveling to do this summer and are constantly praying for safe travels. Prattville, Selma, Nashville, Florence, Ashland, and Memphis.....here we come this summer!

We also started cheerleading back today. I missed those girls so much when we didnt have practice and am so glad to spend time with them. God has blessed me with another amazing group of young women. I love seeing them figure things out during their 9th grade year....what a year of change in young girls lives! We go to cheerleading camp in the middle of July.....pray for me! If we all still love each other after cheer camp, it will be a miracle! But, I'm enjoying them, for now =)

What a fun start to summer!

Wow, I finally feel like summer is in full gear! Todd is a 12 month employee so I get my days to myself to play and enjoy the summer but Todd also gets to come home a little earlier than during the school year, so I get to spend the evenings with him! We went to the lake for Memorial Day and spent time with my sister, Avery, my soon to be brother in law, Curtis, and my dad. (Kel and mom were moving Kel to Austin this past weekend) 

My sweet dad, he has spent 40 years watching my mom be a hostess to everyone she knows, including her grown children, so with her absent, he TRIED his hardest to be her replacement. He put cushions out on the deck, had wine in the wine cooler, and even cooked breakfast for 3 mornings (typical male meal: bacon, eggs, and oatmeal). One morning he even said "guys, I am going to make us some pancakes." We were excited until he pulled out the frozen pancakes and asked "how many do you want? I have to heat them up in the microwave!" Okay, nothing against frozen pancakes, I like any breakfast items, it just made me laugh because he thought he was the greatest cook ever! Sweet dad, I sure do love him!

We spent time with my parents best friends and their kids who are like siblings to us. It was such a wonderful relaxing time. Todd and I LOVE going to the lake because we truly relax. Our phones dont work all the time so the only people we talk to are the people we see. It is really a time to focus on family and just enjoy the lake! Cooper even took his first boat ride....wish I had a picture of it! I think he was scared to death but he didnt try to jump out so we called it a success!

Lastly, I am about to start a new devotional in the morning called Praying with a Purpose.  I think God is really trying to teach me about my prayer life and so, I am listening! Cant wait to find out what this book teaches me...I will keep you updated, and probably be praying for you too!

Did I mention, I love summer!

God proves Himself...again!

Okay, God is God and He does not have to PROVE Himself to us, but isnt it great when He does?! So, we all face things in our life where we wonder "Why me?" or "What am I supposed to learn from this?" Well, this year has been that way for me in many areas of life. Todd and I have spent many nights in prayer over certain issues and today seemed to be another dead end. I believe that God is tough enough and big enough for us to ask Him questions. I do not believe we need to doubt God but He knows our feelings, so I believe we are best to admit them to God. So, in the midst of tears and being brutally honest with God today, the radio in my car suddenly started playing the song "Blessings" by Laura Story. I have heard this song 100 times but suddenly it was VERY applicable. Isn't God good? While I am questioning God and asking why he lets certain things occur, he provides a song that proves He is listening to me (even me!) Hopefully the lyrics help others going through things that they dont understand!

We pray for blessings

We pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom

Your voice to hear

And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

All the while, You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have faith to believe

Isnt God great? In the midst of anger and questions towards God, He provides a love song! 

The life of a teacher....

As I count down the days left in the school year (12 to be exact!), I started to think about all the different aspects of being a teacher. Only as a teacher can you train your bladder to feel a sense of urgency exactly TWO times a day. Only as a teacher can you eat lunch in 12 minutes flat, while answering emails and controlling 27 ten year olds. Only as a teacher can you have parents blame you for their child's behavior in the classroom, on the bus, AND at home! Only as a teacher can you hear whispers behind your back and know EXACTLY who was talking, what they were saying, and why it isnt appropriate. Only as a teacher can you teach a child the required curriculum all while teaching them not to pick their nose, pass gas, hit the person next to them, and still maintain patience. LASTLY, only in MY CLASSROOM can you have the following conversations:

Teacher: Dear(student's name), this conversation is making me want to jump off a bridge!
Student: Mrs. Freeman, that is amazing....can I please drive you to that bridge!

Teacher: Dear (student's name), you have started tap dancing on my last nerve....
Student: ohhh man, I didnt know I knew how to tap dance, I was hoping to jump and land on your last nerve!

Teacher:  Okay (student's name), please listen this time. I have given these directions 12 times.
Student: Well, I guess you need a little more patience. Twelve doesnt sound like alot

Teacher: (Students name), why are you making those weird noises?
Student: What noises?
Other Student: Havent you met him, we got a class of whackos!

Teacher: How was your weekend, (student's name)?
Student: You want the truth or you want me to tell you it was okay?
Teacher: What do you mean? Was it bad?
Student: No it was awesome, but if I told you the truth I would probably get in trouble, so Ill just lie and say it was fine!

Student: Can I show you how to do this (whatever the popular dance was at the time)
Teacher: Sure (teacher tries to dance)
Student: ummmmm, you are definitely white!

Student: Why do white girls have different hair than black girls?
Teacher: What do you mean?
Student: white girls never hit their heads when they itch and they cant take their hair out in the middle of class, thats boring!

and my very favorite......
Student: Mrs. Freeman, you got a hot legs!

Okay, so it sounds like my classroom is crazy, and that is because it is! God has blessed me with this group of kids. They are funny, keep me guessing, and definitely keep me praying!! I am so excited for summer but I will be honest, I will miss these sweet kids when they venture to Drake Middle School.

I promise, all those conversations have really happened in the last few weeks!

Its beginning to feel like spring!

Fall and Spring are my very favorite times of the year! Of course it is also the time that my allergies are at an all time high. The idea of sounding like a man and coughing up my lungs for 3 months in a row....wonderful! But, I have to admit....this weather is completely worth it! With this weather comes the huge sense that summer is coming!! Only 7 more weeks of school! The end of this school year will be bittersweet. As I have mentioned before, I will be teaching 3 year old preschool next year at the church next door to my house. I could not be more excited! I have a few friends that already work there and I believe it is exactly where God wants our family for this time in our lives but it will be extremely hard saying good bye to my close friends at Richland! The women at Richland have been the women that I have spend the majority of my life with for the past 3 years! No worries, Shay, I will be bringing you lunch often =)

Have I mentioned that I am currently coaching TWO cheerleading squads. Yes, TWO! There is currently no 8th grade cheerleading coach so I am doing my own squad (JV) and the 8th grade squad as well. These girls are going to be wonderful! My JV squad is going to be hugely talented, no thanks to me! They came to me this way! But, needless to say, 27 8th and 9th grade girls......whew! Thats alot!

This week my dad sent me an email with a prayer in it. He said it was a wonderful prayer to pray for people in your life. So, I printed it off and I thought it was one of the most wonderful prayers we can pray for our friends, family, and people that we know need prayers. So, here is a prayer for you my friend:

The HEALING PRAYER


I pray you see in your mind and feel in your heart the height and depth

and breadth of God’s love for you in Christ Jesus;

I pray you err on the side of believing God is too big rather than not big

enough; that He loves you too much rather than not enough to heal

your pain and longing;

I pray you visualize love overtaking every part of your body and mind,

restoring wholeness to areas of deep pain, hurt, unforgiveness and

decay;

I pray that you let His perfect love cast out all fear; that you step

boldly into the place of confidence, claiming restoration over the

places the enemy has gained a foothold and destroyed;

I pray you see rivers of living water washing over every cell of your body,

making you clean and whole again;

I pray you let the word of God dwell in you richly, creating a warrior spirit

within you;

I pray you fix your mind on the things of heaven—the joy and perfection

and beauty of the kingdom of God—not on the physical symptoms

and circumstances of the moment;

I pray you let the peace of God rule in your heart; and that you choose

thanksgiving and rejoicing, believing the battle is already won,

already accomplished, already completed;

Let it be so in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and Amen.”

—from THE SPIRIT TO HEAL by Doreen Lecheler

Spring Break over already??

I feel like just yesterday Spring Break started and here we are starting school again tomorrow! Todd and I had such a fun and relaxing spring break until.....the sinus infection started!! We spent some time in Ashland with Todd's family, a few days in Florence with my parents at the lake and then headed home...UHAUL in tow! Todd didnt know that when we got married that he married into a VERY bad habit of furniture swapping in the Edmundson family! So, when my grandmother was put into a nursing home, Todd and I inherited a whole bedroom suit and some other odds and ends. So, thank you Blake (and Anne) Busbin for interrupting your date to come help us move furniture! All furniture is placed, pictures hung, and the UHAUL is returned! What a successful few days! But, the week just kept getting better! Thank you Uncle Sam, we got a few extra dollars back from the government last month and Todd let me choose what we did with SOME of it. So...(drumroll please...) - We bought a coffee table and a DYSON ball vaccuum! I am a dyson vaccuum fan for life!! If you want to spend an astronomical amount of money on a vaccuum....this is the one for you!! It picks up dirt and hair that you didnt even think you had in your house! Now, all that I have left to remember SBXI is a good old sinus infection! Let Spring begin!! Well, with two days before testing begins in school....time to get those little ones motivated for the tests!! Yay!