Thankful- day 3

A lot of the blogs that I follow regularly are posting something they are thankful for each day since Thanksgiving is coming up here pretty soon. I've decided as a way to keep you all updated on what's going on as well as a way to help me get back into the swing of blogging regularly, I'm going to do this as well! Plus, thinking about things you are thankful for is just an excellent way to see how God is working around you! So here is my first thankful post, which is technically day 3 of thankfulness posts in the rest of the blogging world. 

So today- I am thankful for my family. 

(Pics from a family photo shoot today) 

Quick Updates

Peeps- Life has been beyond ridiculous the past few weeks. I apologize for my blogging absence and to those of you who actually usually see me around, I apologize for not being around. My days have been filled with classes, baby Chase, teacher aiding, homework, devos, and if there is time left over, sleep. Currently I average about 3 hours night. 4 hours on a good night. And nursing majors think they are the only ones who are busy. HA! We education people are just as busy, we just have more fun. (No offense to you nursing majors out there. Earlier this week I heard a girl say that nursing majors were the only ones who ever had anything to do. It ticked me off a little more then it should have). 

So for now, I'll give you the quick rundown of things going on in the life of Emily.

• Classes are insane. My workload is crazy. That comes with taking 19 credits, but still, I have no idea how I function. November is going to be a crazy month for me, and if you ever feel like shooting me an encouraging text, or giving me a hug, I will not deny it. Just thinking about all the work I have to do this month makes me want to cry. 
• Baby Chase- pretty much amazing as always. Chase has definitely become someone I depend on. Funny isn't it? He is only a year old and already has people depending on him. I get a lot of energy and joy from spending time with him, and so often the times I do spend with him are times that help "fuel my fire" so to speak, for the rest of the day. Last week he had the chicken pox and I was unable to be around him. It didn't go well.
• Roseland- talk to me about it in person if you want to know.
• Roommates- I can honestly tell you that for the most part I absolutely love my roommates. Megan and Melissa especially. We get along really really well and I do love spending time with them. Things overheard in Tib 39 this week:
• "My eye is watering like freaking lava!" - Melissa
• "Oh Kids!" - me
• (Browsing christian mingle) "dónde está mi esposo?" (aka, where is my husband?) - Melissa
• "Lord just take me now." - me (studying for midterms)
• "A brownie is a brownie no matter what shape it is in." - Megan
• "OH MY GOSH, this is horrible! Oh no!!!" - Me "calm down, Emily, have you not seen this movie before?!"- Melissa "No I have!" - Me
• "What is my life?!" - me
• "I just want to poke his little beady eyes out!" - Brittany
• "If they kiss I'm going to punch a bat." - Melissa 
• God- the only One who gets me through my roughest days. I'm seeing him do amazing things in my life though, which is incredible.
• Teacher aiding- constantly shows me on a daily basis I am meant to be a special education teacher. I'm going to cry when I have to leave this placement. Hard. 

And I leave you with a little education humor. This cracks me up every time. 

Why Trinity Education majors are the Best

Trinity Education Majors are the best because...

• Trinity education majors look out for each other- always.

• Trinity education majors fill out someone's worksheets for them when they miss a class. 

• Trinity education majors help each other plan lessons.

• Trinity education majors understand that we are all equally stressed out. We help each other deal with the stress, don't let each other constantly complain about how much we have to do, and are continually encouraging each other to keep pressing forward. 

• Trinity education majors are there to remind each other that, "THIS IS FOR THE KIDS!"

• Trinity education majors laugh, cry, freak out, and calm down together

• Trinity education majors know that no matter what, they can count on one another to come through.

• Trinity education majors always have extra crayons in their backpack.

• Trinity education majors understand the excitement over a sale on Velcro.

• Trinity education majors let other education majors see their reading notes so that they can answer questions when they haven't had the chance to read the assignment. 

• Trinity education majors take turns making study guides and flashcards and email them to one another so that not everyone has to spend hours upon hours making them. 

• Trinity education majors can have 3am study parties at any random given time.

• Trinity education majors understand the excitement over shopping for school supplies. 

Basically, I am feeling blessed to be a Trinity education major this week.

In my class there are a solid number of girls who are very close and tight knit. We watch out for, love, care for, encourage, and support each other in awesome ways. 

This was made very clear to me this past week. I missed a whole day of classes because I was extremely sick on day this past week. 

Alyssa brought me tea.

Kari took my assignments to class for me and then brought me back the new worksheets and assignments for the next class so I wouldn't have to go pick them up. 

Brie filled out my worksheets for me in class so I wouldn't have to copy them later.

I felt loved and supported through their actions and it meant more than I think they even know.

But the thing is...we all do this. All the time.

It doesn't matter who isn't there or what class it is...if someone is missing from our group we immediately step up to the plate and take care of each other in whatever ways that is...whether it is filling out worksheets or turning in assignments, we take care of each other. Or maybe it is that someone hasn't done the reading for class. We immediately pass over our notes so that the other doesn't miss the questions and lose points. We just take care of each other. 

I am thankful for those I can learn alongside. And I am so blessed. 

Go One More

My motivation for this week. Keep going guys. We got this.

Teacher Aiding

Let me just start off this post by saying there are not a lot of things in life that leave me so full of joy and energy that I can survive for 2 days on 5 hours of sleep.

My teacher aiding placement this semester is one of those things.

I am placed this semester in a high school classroom at Elim Christian School, which is a school for children with special needs. At first I was really nervous about being at Elim. We went through this training process to aide there, and the entire time the lady basically made it sound like we were not going to have ANY interaction with the students and we were literally going to sit in the corner and not do anything. That is also the idea I had in my head from other Trinity students who had aided at Elim before. So I went into it very nervous.  Add that I was placed in a high school classroom on top of those nerves? I was basically a shaking goose when I walked in on my first day. 

But I went in on my first day complete with a flipping cute outfit and my game face. The face that said "I am totally calm right now, this is no big deal, I'm going to smile and pretend I'm not freaking out and like I'm not acutely aware of every single move you make" face. 

I was showed to my classroom where I was instantly overwhelmed by 11 students and another 13 adults. 10 of which were one-on-one aids for the students, one speech path, my cooperating teacher, and then also the assistant teacher. 

Can you say intimidating?

Mrs. S immediately approached me with a huge smile on her face and welcomed me to her classroom. She is only about 26 years old, has been teaching at Elim since graduating, and is as sweet as can be. The love she has for her students was immediately apparent to me as she walked me around and introduced me to each of her students.

Nearly all of my students are nonverbal and are in wheelchairs, which makes the classroom really crowded. But let me tell you this: by the time I finished out that first day, I was in love with it and knew that is where I was supposed to be.

All of Mrs. S's staff literally just welcomed me in and took me under their wings. They filled me in on how long they had been teaching, how they became interested in Special Ed, and more importantly, on their individual students. I learned sooooo much.

I was also interacting with the students on the first day. I talked to several of them for quite a bit of time, went to lunch with them, and went to recess with them.

I can't tell you much about the students themselves because of how strict Elim is, but I can tell you this- each time I have gone to Elim I have left with such an incredible sense of "This is what I am called to do." The joy I get from being around these students is unreal and the energy it gives me is insane. 

I am growing. I am flourishing. I am bonding with the students and staff. I am learning. I am loving. 

And I can't not tell you this. The first thing I saw when I walked in the classroom was a pink hippo pillow. Not even kidding.

I am exactly where God wants me to be. 

Enjoying...

• The leaves changing color

• Making all things pumpkin

Pumpkin bread 

• This laugh

• Warm coffee on chilly mornings 

• Long conversations with dear friends

• Time spent with this girl

• Time spent with this boy

• Fall weather 

• Working on my YA book illustrations 

• Pancake breakfasts with the roommates 
• Making banana bread with the roommates

• Once Upon a Time dates with Melissa

Overall, I am feeling overwhelmingly blessed tonight. I hope everyone else can find some peace as well :)

Week Highlights

• Baby Chase's birthday. SO. MUCH. FUN.

• Conquering 2 huge tests 
• Babysitting baby Chase
• Date with Molly
• Teacher aiding
• hanging out with Lori and Kaity tonight (friday)

You can all expect a post on teacher aiding shortly. :) But for now, that is all! 

Happy Birthday baby Chase!!!

Well friends, baby Chase is no longer a baby! The little man is officially one today! I cannot believe how fast he is growing and changing and it is so awesome to get to play a role in his life! He is such a blessing and I am so thankful for him :) 

Refuge

"I'm finding myself, at a loss for words. And the funny thing is, it's okay.

The last thing I need, is to be heard. But to hear, what you would say. 

Word of God speak

Would you pour down like rain

Washing my eyes to see your majesty 

To be still and know, that you're in this place

Please let me stay and rest, in your holiness, word of God speak. 

I'm finding myself in the midst of you, beyond the music, beyond the noise

ALL that I need is to be with you,

And in the quiet, hear your voice. 

Word of God speak, would you pour down like rain. Washing my eyes to see, your majesty

 To be still and know, you're in this place 

 Please let me stay and rest in your holiness

Word of God speak. 

I'm finding myself, at a loss for words, and the funny thing is, it's okay.