Deeper Than My Feet Could Wander

My first day of teaching first grade is complete!! As I sat on the floor of my bedroom yesterday reflecting on the day, I couldn’t help but think of how differently I felt compared to my first day of teaching preschool at GSCA in 2016. It’s hard to believe it was two years ago; so much has happened in my life. My first day of preschool was a disaster. I left the classroom thinking I was a failure, and that my day one stories could most certainly go in the record books for “worst teachers ever” or at least “worst first day ever.” As I thought about my first day, I remember vividly posting a picture of one of my sweet 4 year olds passed out on the floor of my classroom for nap time. She looked exhausted. I remember posting this picture with the caption saying something along the lines of “Current mood/ feeling.” Frustrated. Defeated. Exhausted. Lifeless. I followed this caption with a few thoughts. Yes I’m weak, but I’m “excited to see myself grow as a teacher, and as a daughter of Chr...

While talking with an old friend tonight, I was reminded of the blessings that can come in the waiting seasons of life. This friend quickly said "I do not enjoy waiting" to which I responded, "Why? There can be excitement found in waiting.. I've learned that I may never be in this place again, so I might as well enjoy it while I'm here." While I don't necessarily mean "this place" as in my home in Quakertown, PA, I do mean the jobs I have, the people I'm in contact with, my friends, the classes I'm taking etc. The last 4 years of my life have brought about lots of unexpected twists, turns, mountains and valleys.  If I'm being completely honest, I feel like I'm unsure of where I am right now.. I'm not necessarily in a valley, but I'm not on a mountain either. Since arriving home from Spain in May, my walk with God has not been where I want it to be. For me (being totally transparent), my walk with God can be at its lowes...

Last week I was down. I felt discouraged, frustrated, sad, and just not like myself, which frustrated me even more. I think I finally figured out the few reasons why. The first is my foot. I fractured my fourth metatarsal playing soccer 9 weeks ago, just 5 days after arriving home. I've never broken a bone before, so when I went to the doctor and he told me to come back in 3 weeks I thought, "Ok, I'll be good." However, when I went back 3 weeks later and he said 3 more weeks, I got a little frustrated, but figured it'd be fine, I'll still be out before the brunt of the summer. Fast forward 3 weeks, 6 weeks out from the initial injury and I was feeling good. I went into the doctor with my right sneaker, confident I'd be walking out with two shoes. When he came back in and told me it still wasn't healing, 3 more weeks in the boot, I could feel the tears coming. I choked them back, went to the front desk and made another appointment for 3 weeks later. Ju...

A s I sat under the stars sifting the softest sand through my fingers I had to pinch myself. After months of excitement and talking about this trip, it was finally here. After more than 15 hours of travel by bus, ferry then another bus on day one, then even more hours on a bus then 4x4 jeeps on day three I had finally made it; I was in the Sahara desert in Morocco, Africa..... I was in the Sahara desert in Morocco, Africa! What is this life? I still find myself pinching myself daily asking this very question. Never in a million years would I imagine being able to say I layed under the vastness of the beautiful stars in the Sahara desert. God is good. L ets backtrack a little. Thursday morning we woke up bright and early, at a time that shouldn't be known to mankind, 3am. We finished packing our bocadillos  for the day and snacks for the week and met a friend outside for our taxi. (30 minute walks at 3:30 am--not a thing!) 210 college students packed on four tour buses and headed ...

Buckle up, it's been an exciting few weeks, so this will be longer!!  "Ignorance is bliss": a phrase I've heard many times, yet never thought about, until arriving in Spain. One would assume that with technology where it is before arriving to a country I would excitedly look up all of the random facts, places to go, sights to see, and important information about that country. Key words:  One would assume. But, not this girl. Nope. I didn't look up a single picture of Sevilla, surprisingly only slightly stalked my now roommate on Facebook, didn't look up any facts about Spain or its traditions-- nothing. So, whenever a conversation about Feria, cities to go to, countries to visit or sights to see get brought up, you can imagine the looks of confusion I may portray. (In my defense, I was learning how to be content and enjoy the moments I was in while home?!) The lack of knowledge of these cities, countries and adventures, however has worked in my favor, espec...

This summer I promised myself that I would be vulnerable, open and honest, on social media and in life. It's so easy to paint a perfect picture of life on social media. It's easy to post the "perfect picture" to get the most likes, gain approval from others, and show the world just how "great" my life is. What's not so easy is being vulnerable and honest, but it's rewarding. I've been encouraged in my relationships here in Spain what the outcome is when I am raw and honest with a person sitting across from me.  So, I want to update everyone on how life has been the past 6 or so weeks. The first month being here in Spain was hard.  I was missing and wishing I was in Honduras more than ever. I was trying to accept that God had me here for a reason, but it was difficult to truly enjoy being in Spain when my heart was longing to be in another place.  These peacocks have been a highlight of my times in the park,  and on Monday he finally fanne...