Remembering 2011

If you've been around for a while, you may remember my Top Ten of '10 posts from last January (photos and media).  So, because I'm kinda nerdy and I like making lists, I made my own little group of lists for 2011.  A couple days late, of course.  :]  It was fun reflecting on 2011, and now I'm looking forward to 2012 and the changes it will bring.  So, before I start posting about the new things this year is bringing, let's look back on the challenges and joys of the past 12 months.

Music was a big part of my year.  Here are the three albums I listened to over and over and over again.

Hanson, Shout It Out

Coldplay, Mylo Xyloto

Passion Pit, Manners

I covered many different life changes in this little blog of mine.  

January: Insanity hit Georgia in the form of Snowmageddon 2011 that turned Atlanta into Hothlanta (as in the planet of Hoth from Star Wars).

February: I started thinking about another career path in the world of education while making great pieces of art.

March: I started thinking about how it is easy to love this world too much.  And I got some great quotes from the kiddos in art.
April: I wrote some letters in April.

May: This month is always a little bit crazy (especially with the end of school), so I tried to sum it all up.

June: A college buddy got married one Saturday, which was a great excuse for a bunch of us to get together.

July: My co-counselor and I played some awesome sneaky games with our campers.

August: The day before the kids came to school I shared my thoughts through some silly pictures.

September: I spent a lot of time pondering modesty and its role in the life of adults.  I also did some deep thinking on how to honor your parents in adulthood.

October: This month I had my third picture dump and I talked about one of my most faithful companions, my old car Mabel.

November: I made a little list of the many things I have to be thankful for this year.

December: I was displaced from my dream school, but tried to keep some perspective.

Like many others, I have decided in past years to not make New Year's resolutions.  After a conversation with Mr. Biz and a friend on Sunday, I have instead come up with some goals for 2012.

-complete a 5k

-read at least one book each month

-grow deeper in my relationship with Christ

-have a job in August

At church they encouraged us to reflect on five thruths we learned in 2011, and then pick the one thing we are definitely going to put into practice in 2012.

 

I am feeling convicted about my prayer life.  In about a week I will have a long commute (about 40 minutes--more details on that change soon), and I am committing to using some of that time in prayer.  It is a small change, but I believe it will be huge.  I am choosing to pray bold prayers and take the steps to grow closer to Christ. 

So there are my reflections on 2011 and goals for 2012.  I hope that you all had a wonderful New Year celebration and are settling back into work with a rested spirit.  My New Years was beyond wonderful and special--now it's back to the "real world."  :]

Love Is All You Need

     Hey, everyone.  It's been a while, huh?  Well, at least I feel like it has been.

     A lot has been going on lately.  Let me (quickly) catch you up on my life.  I've been subbing almost every day.  Through experiences subbing in every grade level, I have learned that my favorite grades are 2nd and 1st, with 3rd and K behind those.  I honestly don't like 5th grade at all, and 4th is ok.  It's easier for me to deal with the pants wetting and tears than the B.O., bad attitudes, and respect issues. 

     Second, my small group is amazing.  I am so happy with everyone in my group, and I have had such a fun time getting to know them.  Today I spent all day with my prayer partner standing on a street corner and waving at cars (trying to get them to come to a festival for autism awareness).  We're both super sunburned, but it was a great day.  Totally worth it.  :] 

     Speaking of autism awareness, I've had some really great experiences with autistic kids recently.  I've subbed in a 3rd-5th mildly autistic class and a K-2nd severely autistic class.  Honestly, I was super nervous to work in the severe class.  I had no idea what the day was going to be like.  I'd heard some horror stories about kicking, biting, and pinching, but less than an hour in I was hooked.  The kids were so sweet, and once you knew what to expect, their behavior problems were easier to deal with than a typical student's behavior issues.  I feel in love with the students so quickly; I really hope I get to sub in that class again.  I even loved the student who threw a major temper tantrum. 

     I think the point of all of this is that God has been teaching me how to love.  Autistic kids can be hard to love, but God reminded me that even though they act "different," they are still His precious children.  When I deal with those frustrating 5th graders, God is teaching me how to love people that are hard for me to love.  In my small group God is teaching me how to love Him, myself, and the beautiful girls I am sharing life with for these few months and beyond.  After all, in the words of my favorite philosophers, "all you need is love."

I saw this on the sidewalk by the playground last week.  Precious.