This Blog is sadly neglected, but there have been a whole ton of "fursts" in my life lately.
Number ONE on my list, and affecting all other areas, is my engagement to whom I consider to be the most shining knight alive - Benjamin D. McEndarfer. ~ <3 ~ (For those of you who missed the one-year romance, don't worry! I will be posting the background story.) Being engaged - feeling the peace of God that you have found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with - is blissful, and joyful, and comforting. It can also be seriously difficult, since Benjamin and I are going to be so far apart this year. Benjamin will be taking construction classes at NMCC in Presque Isle, Maine, this year and we don't want to get married during the school year; however, this leaves me a little up in the air about what to do while waiting, and I do want to make the most of my time in serving the Lord and preparing for marriage. We will see what God does. This is going to be a huge lesson for me in waiting patiently, taking one step at a time, truly trusting God and loving others, and being content to serve in every small area of life instead of looking for something big and exciting to do. Please pray that Benjamin and I will grow in maturity this year and in love for each other, and that the Lord would reveal His will for our lives that we may continue to follow Him.
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| The Newly Engaged! |
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| Hiking with my Best Friend. |
Another furst is teaching at Camp Shoshanah this summer. I have been working here for the past four years, but have never been in a teaching position - I have always been babysitting or assisting another teacher. There are only 2 weeks of Camp left, but I am currently teaching 3 classes a day, one to each age group. This has been an ENORMOUS step in my teaching career. I asked to be on the teaching staff this summer so I would have the opportunity to learn and grow under mentors that I know to be godly and supportive, but it truly has been stretching. The children here are all wonderful and it is a blessing to interact with them and share with them during classes, but it can also be very draining to prepare for and lead classes every day.
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| Chillin' with Shoshanah Students |
I am also trying to officially graduate from TESU. One possibility for this year would be for me to acquire my TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certificate and teach English online. There are many programs for that now which would provide me with more teaching experience as well as income during my "year of transition."
Well, that's the official update! I am struggling right now to have peace and joy and wisdom, without knowing exactly what my next steps will be - but that is the essence of faith! Being able to maintain your trust and buoyancy in God, ESPECIALLY when you can't see clearly ahead. It is easy to "trust" when the sun is shining and flowers are growing and you know exactly what you should do. I am very blessed to be surrounded by Christian friends and mentors right now who are willing to invest in me and pray for me. I am truly thankful for all that I have learned while preparing for my classes this summer, as well as the daily devotions that Benjamin and I have together which are so refreshing, and I am looking forward excitedly to what God is going to do in and through Benjamin and I this year!
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| Me and My Sister <3 |
