Update

My hiatus of four months has come to an end. Right before school started back, I had the incredible opportunity to start writing for The Odyssey so that took a good bit of my time and my creative writing juices for a couple of months. Now, the semester is slowing down, I am no longer writing for The Odyssey, so I can come back to my home, and post more. 

Wow, it has been a busy semester. My student internship in the elementary school started July 30th (Yes, you read that correctly... it was still the middle of summer basically), and I have had four amazing months interning in the elementary school. My first placement was with a class of twenty-two of the sweetest third graders you'll ever meet--and no, I'm not biased at all :). I never imagined the love that my heart could have for students older than five years old, and students who were in general education classrooms. The Lord taught me so much through my first placement; He taught me patience, resilience, and best of all, the pure joy of being around children for eight hours every day.

My second placement involved tantrums, snotty noses, and lots of Usher ABCs seriously, go watch the video. It's some of Usher's finest work). That's right, folks, I was in SPED Pre-K for six weeks. Wow did the Lord teach me a lot through that placement as well. My mentor teachers so well prepared me for managing all sorts of wild behavior, but the Lord taught me how to love so fiercely that it didn't matter if a child was wailing in my face and hitting me. Those babies have a special place in my heart and I would teach SPED Pre-K for the rest of my life if that where the Lord had me. 

Through both of these placements, I have had five classes with an insane amount of work to do, but all of the craziness has been preparing me to be the best teacher that I can possibly be. There have been tears, panic attacks, lots of laughs, frustration, hour-long car rides every.single.day, traffic, ranting sessions, microwave struggles, endless amounts of Chick-fil-A and Starbucks, Snapchat stories, and a PDC full of people who I have come to respect immensely. I wouldn't want to go through this program with anyone else, and I know after this semester that I am exactly where I need to be. 

Here's to hoping another four month hiatus will not take place. Until next time! 

"Where I was born and where and how I have lived is unimportant. It is what I have done with where I have been that should be of interest." -D.L. Moody

Always,

Caroline 

Why I Loved My Summer Job

This summer I had the awesome opportunity to work at my church as one of the youth ministry interns. My church is fairly big, so there are lots of staff members. There are activities with the kids every day of the week, and then of course church on Sunday. It was a busy summer. It was also an emotional summer. I don't know about you, but I was completely overwhelmed with having to get up, get dressed and look nice, and having to interact with people all. day. long. The youth ministry at my church is like a family. It has its ups and downs, and the staff can get testy with one another. Working in student ministry can get emotional, because there are real kids with real lives that have problems and sometimes it was just sad to be a witness to some stuff. I learned a lot of lessons in self-control, in patience. I learned that I am not cut out to hang out with middle schoolers day in and day out; bless those of you who do. I learned that working in a relationship-heavy job is emotionally daunting and exhausting. I know that as a teacher I will be working in a similar yet completely different environment, so I suppose it's good that I learned these things now. 

But on a happier note and the purpose of this post: one of those staff members happened to be a family member. That family member happened to be my dad. 

The absolute best thing about my job this summer was getting to spend so much time with my daddy. (I hope you're reading this and crying :P) 

There are so many wonderful things about my dad that I can't even begin to describe, but I really feel as though our relationship was strengthened in mighty ways this summer. At least two mornings out of the week, we rode to work together, and during these times (aside from listening to the Bert Show), we would talk about ministry, family, the Lord, and everything in between. We laughed and ranted together and even cried together (well, okay, that was just me blubbering). I have never felt more freedom to talk that open and honestly with my dad. It's not that we don't have a good relationship, because we do, but we've never spent that much time together that many days in a row, and ultimately we were working towards a common goal together within the youth ministry this summer. It was definitely part of the Lord's plan this summer to open a door for me to work at the church with so many wonderful people, but most importantly, my dad. I love you daddy.

"Listen, my son, to your father's instruction, and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck." -Proverbs 1:8-9

Always,

Caroline

And a happy father's day

Wow, it has been over a month since I last posted, which is kind of sad. A lot has been going on, but that is another post for another day... 

President Richard Nixon declared Father's Day a national holiday in 1972, and ever since then our society has made Father's Day (along with Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, etc.) into a huge money-making venture. However, I am all for holidays that are set aside to celebrate certain people, especially my daddy because he is worth celebrating. 

My dad has brought me up in the ways of the Lord, and for that, I can not be more thankful. Rarely as a six year old are dinner conversations about theology and church history, but that was my life growing up. The Lord really blessed me with a father that is so knowledgeable about God and one who shared the love of Christ with me and my brothers every single day. My dad loves to have fun, he loves to watch football, he loves to watch us play sports and instruments, and most importantly he loves Jesus. I couldn't have asked for a better role model or a dad who loves his kids more than mine. Thank you for being awesome, Daddy. I love you! 

Always,

Caroline 

Mother's Day

My poor mom doesn't get much credit or recognition around our house. My brother was born on her birthday, so she has to share a birthday, and Mother's Day has fallen on my birthday numerous times, and if it is not on my actual birthday, then it falls right around then and the family is focused on me. Oops. So this post is to give Mom a little recognition. 

I am very fortunate in the fact that I have grown up with my mom around all the time. When I was born she started working part-time and when I was still little she started working from home. My mom homeschooled me from the time I was in kindergarten until I started high school. That is a feat in and of itself, because I wouldn't have wanted to deal with the boys and I for 24/7. But she did that for us, to ensure that we were safe and loved and received a good education. My mom works three jobs and is so daggum tired that she goes to bed at 8:30 every night. Neither of my brothers drive, so she drives them around to all of their activities and school, and she did the same for me before I got my license. 

Mom is one of the most selfless people I know :: She loves her some coca-cola and some Big Bang Theory :: Mom loves to watch and talk about soccer, and the Braves are her favorite :: She loves her family, her jobs, and Jesus :: She diagrams sentences in her head when she reads :: She loves the mountains and hates missing our activities :: She loves Candy Crush and Frozen Free Fall :: She has a Book of Life where she writes grocery lists and plans and everything else down :: She is one of the strongest people I know :: 

I love you, Mom. Happy Mother's Day. 

Always,

Caroline 

20 Blessings & Counting

20 years old sounds so much older than 19. In reality, I don't feel any different, and 20 isn't a huge milestone year, but nonetheless, I am old. I might look 12, but look out world, this girl is 20. I know you're all excited for another one of my lists. Here are 20 blessings and so much more on this birthday! 

I am blessed beyond measure by all of the following (but in no particular order):

1. Parents who love me and support me
2. Parents who have brought me up in the Word and taught me to live my life for Christ
3. My goofy brothers
4. A great church that employs me and both my parents-- and with this a pastor that continues to preach the Gospel! 
5. A Nana. Because everyone needs a Nana, and mine is the best! 
6. A roof over my head
7. Teachers who inspired my love of learning and who cared about me during those dreaded high school years
8. Professors who have pushed me and challenged me and made me better for it
9. A college and a town that I hold so close to my heart
10. My amazing friends who I would not be here without
11. Friendships that have lasted for 16 years and are still going strong
12. RAs and older friends in college that have loved me so! 
13. The opportunity that I've had to watch so many different little bitties in my life. I love me some babies! 
14. Potato salad and queso. I mean come on, let's be honest. Two of the biggest blessings we've all had the pleasure of experiencing 
15. Family on both sides that love me and cheer me on
16. A passion for soccer that took up a good part of my life. So many memories made
17. The opportunity to see some of the world (HELLO, PARIS) 
18. An amazing group of men and women (past and present) at church who have poured into me and loved me when I really needed it
19. Modern technology, so I can keep up with people I don't see all the time. Also for keeping me safe. I think we forget that this is a blessing in our lives that many people do not have access to
20. A Lord and Savior who is sovereign 

This weekend is obviously not all about me. It's also mother's day! I hope everyone has a blessed mother's day weekend. Hug your mamas, and hug those who have lost their mamas. 

Always,

Caroline 

Am I really a Junior?

As I sit here in my room back in the 'ville, I'm feeling a bit nostalgic about my sophomore year of college. It ended very abruptly and I did not think much about leaving, and I got the heck out of D-Town yesterday without looking back, but now I'm feeling a tad upset. Even though I can move into my apartment in a little over a month, and I'm even going back up for a doctor's appointment next week, it will never be my sophomore year ever again. So, here are my humble reflections and thoughts about my sophomore year, and even some advice for people going into their sophomore year: 

Reflections:

Sophomore year was by far one of the strangest, hardest, and most rewarding years of my life. God blessed me infinitely, and I wouldn't have changed anything about this past year. Well, maybe I would have changed the building I lived in, but that's pretty much it; Lewis was scary, but it's fine. My classes were definitely more difficult in the spring, but they taught me more than I think I will ever realize. I was stressed out because of housing and getting into the Education Program, but both worked out, and I cannot wait to start my placement in the fall in Forsyth County. I strengthened existing friendships, and made more friendships that will last a lifetime. All the friends. I gained some great experience by going through several interviews, I got new leadership positions in two things I'm involved in. Last but not least, my relationship with God was strengthened and I pray that it continues to grow every day. 

Advice:

• Traditional dorms (especially ones that are almost 80 years old) are scary. Mold, mice, broken kitchen equipment from the RA desk, birds flying in from who-knows-where, dis-functional water pressure, clogged sinks, a laundry room with dryers that don't actually dry anything, loud neighbors with thin walls. It's a great time.
• No matter how hard you think freshman year is, it's got nothing on sophomore year. So be prepared.
• Be prepared to be thrown to the wolves when it comes to housing. Better to call 20 properties and ask a lot of questions and deal with scary realtors than to be homeless. 
• Join organizations. If you never joined anything your freshman year, join something. 
• On the other hand, do not join a million things if you don't have time. Know what you're capable of, and only do what you know you can do with the amount of time you have. You're all adults. Figure it out.
• Make connections: get to know your professors, your RA, your hallmates. The more people you know the better time you'll have. 
• Don't wait until the last minute to do assignments. Because that's just miserable.
• Realize that people are going to be dumb, people are going to be rude, and people are going to make mistakes. But still have faith in people. 
• Join a small group or get connected with an on-campus ministry if that's your thing. The more people you have surrounding you encouraging you in your faith, the better. 
• Find something to interview for. Going through an interview process is super scary but it's great experience for the future. 
• Never let anyone tell you that you can't do something. Whether it's making an A, getting a job, joining something, or doing anything. You can do it. 

I pray that for every upcoming sophomore, and every college student in general, that the Lord will bless your time in college. It is the best time of your life, so live it and live it well. 

Always,

Caroline 

"May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed." -Psalm 20:4

Remembering God's Faithfulness

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations..."    -Deuteronomy 7:9

This morning was a cool morning for me. I watched my home church's service live stream from my dorm room in D-town, and I got to worship and listen to Zack's sermon. It was Zack's (the former college pastor at the church, the new families ministry director) first time preaching in "big church", and I had in my mind that I was going to watch the service. I had no idea, however, that I was in for a big blessing. 

Zack preached on The Greatest Commandment, from Deuteronomy 6, and at the end of the sermon, he talked about God's faithfulness. He said that if we are in a place of complacency with our faith and with the Lord, then we need to sit down and make a list of ways that God has been faithful to us. Well, I did that, and I realized that there is literally no comparison to the insurmountable ways that the Lord has been faithful to me throughout my entire life. Most of the things that I am about to list will probably not seem that big of a deal to the average person-- I have not survived an incurable disease, God has not brought me out of homelessness or anything super dramatic. But that's what so cool about God's faithfulness. Even in the mundane of our everyday lives, He is constantly blessing us and proving His faithfulness to us, even if we do not realize it! So as you read through my list of the ways God has been faithful to me, I challenge you to make your own list. The reminder of the blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon you will be great. 

• First and foremost, the Lord has been incredibly faithful in that I grew up in a Christian home with supportive, loving parents who brought me up in ways of the Lord
• When I think about a time of complacency, I think back to my sophomore and junior years of high school... I wasn't in a place of complacency, I was in a place of outright denial. The Lord was so faithful and so good to bring me out of that place
• During "the dark years" as I call them, the Lord placed friends in my life. These friends, even if I did not realize it at the time, literally saved my life
• It was such a blessing that I was referred to a Christian doctor who was able to help me figure my life out 
• God's continual faithfulness in the people that He placed in my life, very intentionally. My wonderful teacher, and the amazing adults in my church who poured into me got me through high school, and I can't thank God enough for putting those people in my path
• Even though I was in a better place emotionally when I came to college, the Lord still was faithful in the people that He placed in my life. Shoutout to my small group girls, and my RA and the girls who lived on my hall last year
• When I thought I would have to endure another year of random roommate, the Lord's faithfulness came through once again and blessed me with an amazing, Godly roommate for this year and it has been awesome! 
• And as of yesterday, when I was convinced I was going to be living out of my car next year, the Lord has provided an apartment for Carley and I
• The Lord was faithful in putting people like Zack in our church who preach the truth! 

These are just a few short and sweet examples of God's faithfulness in my life. How has He been faithful in your life?  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtnE_e1LylY (consider the first words of this song... "Great is Your Faithfulness Oh God!")

Always,

Caroline