Teaching

So,

I have survived my first week *4 days* of teaching!  I think I learned more in the past four days than ever before.  I also think that I have never been this busy in my life!!!!! Not only did I stay at school till (haha only 4 thats not bad) but I had something every single day which got my home around 5:30/6.

This is I NOT used to.  When I was a para... I did not really care too much & I just left.. came home at 3:30.. watched some TV, hung out.. this week not so much!  I have learned to love the students & really get so frustrated at the same time.  I have learned to laugh at myself, ask them weird questions that may be uncomfortable (we are learning about self esteem) and be so very productive!!!

I also had two interviews this week :) Please pray God leads me in the right direction to see His path.. I know he has a plan.  I would never had thought I would be a teacher at the end of this year.. which is scary but so awesome! Only 7 more weeks with my 6th graders and 6 with the 8th grade class.

By the way.. I really like the 8th graders, one students wrote me a note about how I am a good teacher, so encouraging,  but in all honestly the 8th graders care & listen..

Well, we are alive.. busy but alive and SO excited for this easter week/weekend.. tomorrow is Good Friday.. I pray we truly remember everything Christ did for us tomorrow on the cross, so that come Sunday we can REJOICE that HE IS RISEN!!! We all sin and fall short of the glory of God... praise God he made a way for us to have eternal life with him. One way.. one truth.. one light.. Jesus :)

Alisha

HOME!

So,

Mike and I are in the process of buying a home :) We have looked seriously (online only) the past 6 months.  Of course, fell in love with a couple homes in the Lake Zurich area and were just waiting for the right timing to go ahead.  It was Gods timing for us to save enough money, find a relator and go looking last weekend!!  We looked at 6 houses in LZ and LOVED one :)

Of course... it was a scary feeling of only looking one day, only seeing 6 homes, and all of a sudden were putting in an offer.  At the end of the day.. after some agonizing hours of waiting we went back & forth only twice and they excepted!!!

It has been a whirlwind.  I am sure more for Mike than me since he has done majority if not all of the calling to the relator, broker, inspector, ext.  Through this process we have learned a TON & are still learning.  We already had the inspection at this point and I thought it was safe to share to oh the slim few LUCKY people who will read this blog!  If your reading and I have not told you via phone I am sorry.

Part of me is scared its not ours... which technically it wont be till closing (May 4th). So, naturally I am a bit hesitant with telling people but SO EXCITED!!! To think Mike & I just bought our first home is c-r-a-z-y!

More updates.. soon! <3

a time of change

Well (deep breath),

The past two months have proven to be both the most challenging and yet the most exciting time of our life.  Mike and I have experienced so much change!  As February rolled around I realized (despite my extreme dislike) that jobs were opening up and I needed to start applying again.  I have to say that the past 8 months at Washington school have been great, but I have become very content there (not wanting too much of a change).

So, jobs opened up, I applied and many of my coworkers were getting the calls that I so longed to get!  I was mad, angry, very frustrated and not acting much like myself.  It was a hard time... this past.. about year I have had to ask God many times "why?" am I not getting a job, called back, looked over.. ext.

I have learned that I NEED to trust him no matter what! (1 peter 5:7 has been great).  It is still a struggle and I am still asking why every now and then but I am starting to feel His peace more and more as the days go on!

Which brings me to Franklin Park District 84!  There was a maternity position open (a teacher is having a baby soon and needs a "sub" till the end of the year).  I applied.. i think.. and got called while we were in Puerto Rico.  I had my first interview last Tuesday and as of Friday I am now a long term special education sub! yay! Now, I still need a job for NEXT full school year 2012-2013 but God has been faithful to allow me this position.  I am very excited to be THE teacher and have MY own classroom for 8 weeks!  It will teach me a ton.  I am still very nervous but I have 2 shadow days and spring break to work things out :)

Here is a pic of Mike & I in PR!  It was a blast.. having 90 people who all are from the same company was great!  We had so much fun hanging by the pool, having nice dinners, going on a Kayak trip and enjoying the SUN!!!

Outside the hotel pool by the beach.

Some quick other updates:

• Mike and I are now members of Harvest Bible Chapel 
• We lead our small group now on Thursday nights, going through Romans
• We are finally at the spot to look for houses, we are now pre-approved and ready!
• Looking in Lake Zurich!

the best 1 minute and 31 seconds you will spend today

Harvest started a new series this weekend.  I know some of you reading this probably have already wanted to tune out but keep reading anyways.  Some of you have no idea what Harvest is.  Some of you have no idea im a Christian. Let me explain..

Harvest Bible Chapel is the church Mike & I attend.  Its a bible believing church that preaches the Word of God, is not afraid to talk about Jesus, believes strongly in prayer and best of all shares the good news of Jesus!  Its a church that welcomes anyone and lets you know upfront that you need Jesus. 


Take a look at this video, I promise you its worth it :)



Big God Small Me from Harvest Bible Chapel on Vimeo.

Now that your hooked go ahead and go to watch this video.

If your sick of trying to "do the right thing", take after your families choices,  be filled with knowledge and no answer, have passion for ____ but not for life... watch here!

If your tired of having no hope and living with anxiety and fear and you have never heard the good news... here it is!

Have a great week!  I promise you, when/if you watch the video... it will make a difference in your life if you let it.  Its simply less than one hour of your time.

Alisha

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Hoping this 2012 has started off well for you :)

This past week Mike & I took a little vaca to Fort Myers to visit grandpa & grandma and take some time to relax before the new year was in full swing!  It was great to spend time with them, relax at the pool, get to know them better, and see Mike enjoying his time too! He even got to golf with George Anne!

Coming back this week has been rough.  Not rough, just busy.  Mike had to go to the doctor last minute on Monday and all of a sudden they are calling me in saying, "wait here while we do the **procedure**"!!! I had no idea what was going on.  Turns out they just did a small cut on his back to remove some pressure from a cyst (HOWEVER) if you know me I jumped to the worst conclusion.  Anyway, he is fine (as am I after having a bit of anxiety from hydrogen peroxide cleanings).  I am in a new Zumba class that started this week.  I like it.  Its a bit more fast tempo than the last class & the instructor is great!  Nothing like dancing in front of 20 other people while trying to not look like a fool in the mirror. Its good to get back into the swing of things.  I am happy at work, I feel like I have made some really great relationships with people and am apart of a team that cares about students needs.  This week was a good start (after 3 weeks off it could have been a bit hard). Our small group is back after taking a Christmas break and we are studying Romans while going through "Romans by John MacArther".  Its a good study to keep me focused on my readings throughout the week.

Not sure how all of you felt about the snow but I loved it.  At school on Thursday we watched the storm start through our classroom windows while explaining to the students that snow = winter = cold = gloves/jackets/hats. Our curriculum depends on hands on instruction so the snow helped!

After this busy week its been great to relax this weekend.  Mike & I got to go to a bulls games (love the bulls!) and it helps to have Monday off for MLK Day!  Have a great week, take some time to thank God for all he has blessed you with even in the midst of the storm.  He always is in control working His will... even when we do not see "something happening".  As christians we are called to be holy, supported by our church, small group, personal studies and strong biblical friendships. Our lives should show fruit just as a tree planted by streams of water. Even when we have trials, hardships, stress, our lives are to reflect a gracious, humble God! Psalm 1:3-4 "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither (continues to be fruitful). Whatever he does prospers.  Not so the wicked! They are like chaff (weak, shells of grain, pushed over easily) that the wind blows away.  Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous."

Love,

Alisha

Christmas Music after Christmas

I start to listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving.. or the day AFTER (I have not decided what I like best).  However, after Christmas I start to miss Christmas.. every year it passes too quickly no matter how much time I try to take to enjoy it.  So, here is a Christmas song from Harvest that I keep listening to!  They have more if you like this one :)


All the Poor and Powerless from Harvest Bible Chapel on Vimeo.



Mike & I are very grateful for all we have received not only this Christmas but this past year God has blessed us beyond what we could imagine/pray for! We are both employed, enjoy our jobs, have each other, our health, our families, a home, and a church family that we continue to grow and learn from! Often at this time of year people go the route of "new years resolutions" but what I like better is looking back on the previous year and pick 2/3 lessons God has taught me...

Stay tuned!

Christmas :)

Mikes & My Christmas Season in photos..

I decided to be a bit crafty and make Santa Hat trail mix for gifts this year :)

Our tree :)

The only time in December that it has snowed so far :(  I love snow in December, on Christmas Eve & Morning... but this year it just did not come.. it doesn't look like snow anytime soon either..oh well! (they say this will be the worst winter yet.. are we in for another 2 footer??)

One of the pretty houses in the Sauganash nieghborhood.  We had dinner with Mikes Grandma Jo and she took us through the neighborhood afterwards.  I LOVED it! We took Kyla back a couple weeks later!

Our Home

Just about 1/2 of the sweets we received this season... 

Us on Christmas morning!

A secret about me.. I love stuffed animals.  Im not sure 100% why!  Anyway, Mike is the BEST husband because he puts up with my ridiculous love for them! Best Christmas gift!

We got to stop by a manger with live animals.. reminded us of the first Christmas, the reason we all celebrate - Jesus Birth!

Katie & Jared (Mikes sister & her husband) came in for Christmas this year.  This is their second child, Ellyanah! This was our first time meeting her :) She is adorable! She is only 2 1/2 months.. and the next time we see her will be in Florida when she is 9 months old!  It was great to spend time with her :)