1Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."
Thursday, October 13, 2011
I fell off of my bike
So, I fell off of my bike for a few months, but I am back. It has been crazy busy around here!! I will get back to finishing my story, but I just have to tell you about my trip to Cozumel this past summer. I love to travel, but hate getting on airplanes because they scare me. The weeks before the trip, I prayed everyday for God's will and that if it was my time to go, I was prepared. I can't ever eat before getting on the plane because I just feel like I am going to throw up!! We get on the plane and I just start crying praying for the flight crew and my nerves. Chuck is thinking "Oh, great!! Here she goes again!!" Anyway, we get above the clouds and I am just thinking the worst and every noise freaks me out. Then all of a sudden we are over the Gulf of Mexico with nothing under us but water. Scarey!! There are more clouds that we get above and finally stop ascending. I looked out the window as I am still praying and see that the shadow of the plane has a huge rainbow circling it. I finally felt a sense of peace and that the plane ride was going to be ok. God is so awesome!! Even when I am fearing the worst, he sends special signals to show us that everything is going to be ok!!
1Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."
1Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."
Monday, July 18, 2011
Blessings Continued...
I was given the job as a 2nd grade teacher on the spot. After meeting the team and interviewing, I went back to my principal's office. He gave me some dates that I needed in order to sign my contract and other things that I needed to take care of. While in there, he asked if we had a place lined up to move to and if we had any children. We didn't have anything lined up because we weren't sure if this was what God had in store for us and told him about my sweet family. At the time, Rainey was 7 months old and I told him that if I could have her go to a home sitter that I would prefer that instead of a day care. Of course, Chandler would be starting kindergarten at the school with me. While in the office, the principal made some calls and gave me some numbers. Again, I am in AWE of how God was working during this hour and a half time span. It all happened so fast!!! So, I left the school with a job, kindergarten papers for Chandler, numbers for sitters, and information for my contract. Talk about overwhelmed!!!
We spent that weekend in our hometown visiting for Memorial Day weekend and sharing the exciting news!!! During the weekend, I got a summer job lined up so that I could make a little extra money to buy stuff for my classroom and school clothes!! Once we made it back to our house, I started packing up the house and preparing things for our move.
During the next couple of weeks, I made several calls to several babysitters and looked online for houses to buy. After several calls, I found the lady that was going to keep Rainey. The lady that was going to keep Rainey, was the sister-in-law to one of my new teammates!!! I hadn't even met her in person, but as I was talking to her and asking questions, I just prayed and asked God to show me what He needed me to do. I felt at ease talking to her and she sounded like she truly cared. So, I had a babysitter lined up, but no house.
Toward the end of June, my mom and I went to look at some houses to buy, but I just was smitten with anything that I saw. One of my teammates mentioned that the house next to her was for rent, but nobody had rented it for a long time. She gave me the number to call. I called the guy and we talked about how long we would need the house and that he would like for me to see it before I said yes or no. So, I am thinking that it is going to be ok. It is in a neighborhood that I had heard nothing but good things about. I walked in and it had royal blue carpet, gold finishes, and just really outdated. I just looked at my mom. It had four bedrooms, two baths, 2 car garage, back porch, dining area, and was huge. We decided that we could make it work for as long as we needed to. Brace yourselves for more of God's divine plan because my new teammate was right next door AND Rainey's babysitter lived right across the street!!! Talk about a loving God who always watches out for His people. Looking back now, I don't know how much more perfect God could have planned it.
To ride a bicycle perfectly, you must keep your balance, keep your eyes forward, and God will take care of the perfect part!! The ride will be perfect every time. "Every good and perfect gift is from above" James 1:17
We spent that weekend in our hometown visiting for Memorial Day weekend and sharing the exciting news!!! During the weekend, I got a summer job lined up so that I could make a little extra money to buy stuff for my classroom and school clothes!! Once we made it back to our house, I started packing up the house and preparing things for our move.
During the next couple of weeks, I made several calls to several babysitters and looked online for houses to buy. After several calls, I found the lady that was going to keep Rainey. The lady that was going to keep Rainey, was the sister-in-law to one of my new teammates!!! I hadn't even met her in person, but as I was talking to her and asking questions, I just prayed and asked God to show me what He needed me to do. I felt at ease talking to her and she sounded like she truly cared. So, I had a babysitter lined up, but no house.
Toward the end of June, my mom and I went to look at some houses to buy, but I just was smitten with anything that I saw. One of my teammates mentioned that the house next to her was for rent, but nobody had rented it for a long time. She gave me the number to call. I called the guy and we talked about how long we would need the house and that he would like for me to see it before I said yes or no. So, I am thinking that it is going to be ok. It is in a neighborhood that I had heard nothing but good things about. I walked in and it had royal blue carpet, gold finishes, and just really outdated. I just looked at my mom. It had four bedrooms, two baths, 2 car garage, back porch, dining area, and was huge. We decided that we could make it work for as long as we needed to. Brace yourselves for more of God's divine plan because my new teammate was right next door AND Rainey's babysitter lived right across the street!!! Talk about a loving God who always watches out for His people. Looking back now, I don't know how much more perfect God could have planned it.
To ride a bicycle perfectly, you must keep your balance, keep your eyes forward, and God will take care of the perfect part!! The ride will be perfect every time. "Every good and perfect gift is from above" James 1:17
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Time Flies...
With spring break and a load of work for grad school, I have had little time to post. God is working with me to get through this, but I have felt bad for not posting.
Today I want to leave you with a song that I heard on 94.9 KLTY this afternoon. My son and I always listen to 94.9 on the way to school, on the way to get my daughter, on the way...Actually anytime we are in the car, we listen to it. It is the best Christian radio station I have ever listened to. This afternoon, I was talking to my cousin who is a teacher and was informed today that because of budget cuts, she would not be returning next year. That just broke my heart because she is a fabulous teacher and students will truly miss out learning from her. I think her school just lost their biggest asset. However, God has a bigger plan!! When I heard of this song, I immediately thought of my cousin. Listen and see how AWESOME our God is!!
Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain't right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you're asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather
Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares
When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Believe me, this is gonna make you ...
Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
God's right there
Even when you just can't feel Him
I promise you that He still cares
'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this
When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
In time it's gonna get better
Believe me
Today I want to leave you with a song that I heard on 94.9 KLTY this afternoon. My son and I always listen to 94.9 on the way to school, on the way to get my daughter, on the way...Actually anytime we are in the car, we listen to it. It is the best Christian radio station I have ever listened to. This afternoon, I was talking to my cousin who is a teacher and was informed today that because of budget cuts, she would not be returning next year. That just broke my heart because she is a fabulous teacher and students will truly miss out learning from her. I think her school just lost their biggest asset. However, God has a bigger plan!! When I heard of this song, I immediately thought of my cousin. Listen and see how AWESOME our God is!!
Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain't right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you're asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather
Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares
When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Believe me, this is gonna make you ...
Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
God's right there
Even when you just can't feel Him
I promise you that He still cares
'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this
When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
In time it's gonna get better
Believe me
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Never ceases....
We arrived in Dallas without any problems. The closer to the time I was supposed to be there, the more nervous I became. Friday morning, we woke up, went to the mall, ate lunch, and headed to the school. Since we weren't from the Dallas area, we didn't know how bad traffic would be. I had printed off directions, but it didn't say anything about traffic. I called the secretary and told her about the traffic and wanted to make sure exactly where the school was. We arrived to town, but couldn't find the school to save our life. It was about the time that I started freaking out and knew I wasn't going to get the job. I called the secretary back and told her we were having trouble finding the school. The school had been built the previous year by a farm and was hidden from the road. She lead us straight to it. By the time I arrived at school, I was 30 minutes late. I figured they would give me an interview because I showed up, but I wouln't get the job. Chuck and the kiddos stayed in the car in the parking lot waiting for me.
I waited for the principal, checked over my portfolio, and made sure that I had plenty of resumes to pass out. I met the principal and he said that we were going to talk to another room to have the interview. (I was thinking it would be in the conference room, very formal) I was so wrong. The school had their field day that morning, so they were all in t-shirts and shorts. I hadn't told my best friend that I was coming. So, when she saw me in the hall she started screaming!!! That helped me to calm down. We all sat in the hall and had the most informal interview I have ever had in my life. We were laughing and cutting up with each other. In my mind I am thinking, "God, this would be the perfect team to work with. We are already getting along, but I don't want to get my hopes up." We finish the interview and Linza wanted to introduce me to her students because she had talke about me so much during that year that she wanted to "show" me off. Another teacher, Blake, then called me to see her room. I am thinking, I just met you and I think it is weird that you are showing me your room. What I found out later was that while I was in Linza's room, the principal was asking the team if they would like to hire me. They had a unanimous yes!! The principal wanted to tell Linza before telling me, so Blake called me to her room so that he could tell Linza. See how AWESOME our God is!!!
We start walking back toward the office and the principal stops me in the middle of the hall and asks if I would like the job, because he wanted to offer it to me. I was in shock and started crying. Of course, I said yes, but was overwhelmed!! Thinking of all of the applications I had filled out and interviews that didn't get any where, and here I am being offered a job on the spot. :) We went to his office and we talked for a few more minutes. I told him about my kiddos and he gave me a number for several babysitters and kindergarten information for Chandler. Amazing!! He gave me some specific dates to sign my contract and other such things.
I left the office and walked outside to find Chuck. I forced myself to not cry or smile. I wanted to make Chuck think, but as soon as I got in the car Chuck asked "Well?". I couldn't hold it in!! I started crying and told him I got the job. He couldn't believe me!! Talk about a huge sigh of relief!!
Psalm 40:1-2 "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."
When we "fall" off of our bikes, God hears our cries. He rescues us, builds us up, and places us on firm ground. Stay tuned for more blessings!!
I waited for the principal, checked over my portfolio, and made sure that I had plenty of resumes to pass out. I met the principal and he said that we were going to talk to another room to have the interview. (I was thinking it would be in the conference room, very formal) I was so wrong. The school had their field day that morning, so they were all in t-shirts and shorts. I hadn't told my best friend that I was coming. So, when she saw me in the hall she started screaming!!! That helped me to calm down. We all sat in the hall and had the most informal interview I have ever had in my life. We were laughing and cutting up with each other. In my mind I am thinking, "God, this would be the perfect team to work with. We are already getting along, but I don't want to get my hopes up." We finish the interview and Linza wanted to introduce me to her students because she had talke about me so much during that year that she wanted to "show" me off. Another teacher, Blake, then called me to see her room. I am thinking, I just met you and I think it is weird that you are showing me your room. What I found out later was that while I was in Linza's room, the principal was asking the team if they would like to hire me. They had a unanimous yes!! The principal wanted to tell Linza before telling me, so Blake called me to her room so that he could tell Linza. See how AWESOME our God is!!!
We start walking back toward the office and the principal stops me in the middle of the hall and asks if I would like the job, because he wanted to offer it to me. I was in shock and started crying. Of course, I said yes, but was overwhelmed!! Thinking of all of the applications I had filled out and interviews that didn't get any where, and here I am being offered a job on the spot. :) We went to his office and we talked for a few more minutes. I told him about my kiddos and he gave me a number for several babysitters and kindergarten information for Chandler. Amazing!! He gave me some specific dates to sign my contract and other such things.
I left the office and walked outside to find Chuck. I forced myself to not cry or smile. I wanted to make Chuck think, but as soon as I got in the car Chuck asked "Well?". I couldn't hold it in!! I started crying and told him I got the job. He couldn't believe me!! Talk about a huge sigh of relief!!
Psalm 40:1-2 "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."
When we "fall" off of our bikes, God hears our cries. He rescues us, builds us up, and places us on firm ground. Stay tuned for more blessings!!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Testimony continued...
Looking for a job was quite a task. I would get frustrated and wonder if I had earned the wrong degree because maybe God wanted me to do something else. My patience was running very thin. My best friend was in her first year of teaching at a school in the Dallas area. My husband kept telling me that I needed to contact her and see if there were any jobs opening in her school or area schools. I kept telling him that I wasn't going to bother her with that because I knew God had a job for me, I just didn't know where. Well, it was now May and I hadn't heard back from anybody. As I was playing with my little babies, I felt God pulling me to email my best friend. In my mind I was having an argument with God. My argument went something like this:
God: Britni, you need to email Linza.
me: God, she is in her first year, the school year is almost over, and I don't want to bug her about a job. Plus, I don't think she will respond right away.
God: Britni, I command you to email her.
me: God, I don't want to. It will be a waste of my time. I don't want to move from College Station. Can you please find me a job here.
God: Britni, I have greater things in store for you, just trust me.
me: Fine, I will email her, but I can promise you that this is a dead end.
This is on a Friday close to the end of may. I email my best friend and she replied back in less than 10 minutes with some of the best news I had ever heard. She said that one of the ladies on her team was having a baby and had just told them not even 5 minutes before I emailed her that she wasn't returning to school next year. She also said that she had talked about me all year long to her principal and that he would tell him that I was interested in teaching at their school. I replied back that that would be great. She replied about 10 minutes later saying that he wanted my resume. I replied back to her asking for his email, but didn't get a quick response from her. So, I found his email address, attached my resume, and told him that I was headed to the Dallas area the next weekend to celebrate Memorial Day with family. I also said that I wanted to stop by to see where the school was and visit. He responded immediately and asked if I could be there around 1:00. He didn't say that it would be an interview, so I wasn't sure how to take it. I was so excited, thanked God for this break through, and told him that I would be there.
I scheduled a hotel and started planning and packing. I decided to treat this as an interview and knew I needed the "wow"-ing interview suit. I spent the next day shopping and found a shirt to go with a skirt I already had. So, I had everything lined out and pretty much packed way before it needed to be. The following Thursday, after Chuck got off work, we loaded the car and kids and headed to Dallas. I started getting nervous and prayed for calmness.
Colossians 1:10-14, "And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, gorwing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Patience is the one lesson that God keeps teaching me over and over again. Patience is needed when riding the bicycle called life, we may want to get off and take a break, but we need patience to listen when God tells us its ok to stop and take a break. That means we have arrived at our next check point.
So it continues...
God: Britni, you need to email Linza.
me: God, she is in her first year, the school year is almost over, and I don't want to bug her about a job. Plus, I don't think she will respond right away.
God: Britni, I command you to email her.
me: God, I don't want to. It will be a waste of my time. I don't want to move from College Station. Can you please find me a job here.
God: Britni, I have greater things in store for you, just trust me.
me: Fine, I will email her, but I can promise you that this is a dead end.
This is on a Friday close to the end of may. I email my best friend and she replied back in less than 10 minutes with some of the best news I had ever heard. She said that one of the ladies on her team was having a baby and had just told them not even 5 minutes before I emailed her that she wasn't returning to school next year. She also said that she had talked about me all year long to her principal and that he would tell him that I was interested in teaching at their school. I replied back that that would be great. She replied about 10 minutes later saying that he wanted my resume. I replied back to her asking for his email, but didn't get a quick response from her. So, I found his email address, attached my resume, and told him that I was headed to the Dallas area the next weekend to celebrate Memorial Day with family. I also said that I wanted to stop by to see where the school was and visit. He responded immediately and asked if I could be there around 1:00. He didn't say that it would be an interview, so I wasn't sure how to take it. I was so excited, thanked God for this break through, and told him that I would be there.
I scheduled a hotel and started planning and packing. I decided to treat this as an interview and knew I needed the "wow"-ing interview suit. I spent the next day shopping and found a shirt to go with a skirt I already had. So, I had everything lined out and pretty much packed way before it needed to be. The following Thursday, after Chuck got off work, we loaded the car and kids and headed to Dallas. I started getting nervous and prayed for calmness.
Colossians 1:10-14, "And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, gorwing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Patience is the one lesson that God keeps teaching me over and over again. Patience is needed when riding the bicycle called life, we may want to get off and take a break, but we need patience to listen when God tells us its ok to stop and take a break. That means we have arrived at our next check point.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
God's Blessings continue...
During my last year at A&M, my husband and I started talking about having another baby. Our son was 3 about to turn 4 and I thought this would be the perfect age gap. I prayed multiple times a day for God's will of another baby. I wanted another one so bad, but knew God's plan was better than mine. After praying for 8 months, day in and day out, I wasn't feeling so well and thought I was coming down with the flu (since it was flu season). I just felt lethargic, couldn't eat anything, and the smell of anything would send me flying towards the bathroom. My mentor teacher (I was student teaching at the time), suggested that I might be pregnant. I told her that I didn't think so because I was praying and hadn't seen a sign from God. The following weekend, I bought a pregnancy test to see. It came back positive!! The day I found out I was reading in my Bible the following verse out of 1 Samuel. 1 Samuel 1:27 "I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord." Our daughter joined us in October 2007.
During my student teaching semester, I was trying to get a teaching job in Aggieland or surrounding schools, but the administrators were looking for someone with years of experience. I was frustrated, but realized it was a blessing in disguise because that meant I was able to stay home with Rainey during her fir year of life.
After having her, I tried to sub at least 3 times a week so that my name would still be out and around all throughout the district. I didn't want to leave College Station because I loved it!! Chuck and I had learned so much and grew during our time there. Aggieland had (and still has) a special place in our hearts. I prayed for a direction of where to start looking and applying for jobs. I sent applications all over the Houston and Dallas areas. I really didn't want to move any where, but believed God had a job for me somewhere, I just needed to have faith.
Mark 11:20-26 talks about the fig tree that Jesus had walked by in a previous chapted. Jesus had told the tree that no one would ever get fruit from it because it had not produced fruit for him to eat. In Mark 11:20-26, they walk by the tree again and it is withered. Peter told Jesus to look at the tree and how it had withered. Jesus replied "Have faith in God".
With God in control of your handlebars, you must have Faith in God to lead you on the path to righteouness.
During my student teaching semester, I was trying to get a teaching job in Aggieland or surrounding schools, but the administrators were looking for someone with years of experience. I was frustrated, but realized it was a blessing in disguise because that meant I was able to stay home with Rainey during her fir year of life.
After having her, I tried to sub at least 3 times a week so that my name would still be out and around all throughout the district. I didn't want to leave College Station because I loved it!! Chuck and I had learned so much and grew during our time there. Aggieland had (and still has) a special place in our hearts. I prayed for a direction of where to start looking and applying for jobs. I sent applications all over the Houston and Dallas areas. I really didn't want to move any where, but believed God had a job for me somewhere, I just needed to have faith.
Mark 11:20-26 talks about the fig tree that Jesus had walked by in a previous chapted. Jesus had told the tree that no one would ever get fruit from it because it had not produced fruit for him to eat. In Mark 11:20-26, they walk by the tree again and it is withered. Peter told Jesus to look at the tree and how it had withered. Jesus replied "Have faith in God".
Saturday, March 5, 2011
And it continues...
Before I continue with the "rest of the story", I want to apologize for the lack of posting. God placed on my heart this blog and to spread the word, but I have been neglecting it for a couple of weeks. I am getting my master's right now and have had multiple things due over the last few weeks as well as my own job's responsibilities, that I have been so tired at night. However, it is behind me and I am ready to share what the Lord has put on my heart.
So, my husband, son, and I made our way to Aggieland. The atmosphere in Aggieland is hard to explain other than the fact that the Aggies are the main focus of the town. My favorite quote is "From the outside looking in, you can't understand it. From the inside looking out, you can't explain it." That is so true. Looking back at our time there, I can't tell you how we made it except by the grace of God's hands. Chuck was working full time at Lowe's and taking 12-15 hours a semester. I was working part time and taking 15 hours a semester with a family to take care. At the end of each semester, I wanted to quit. Working and school took all of my energy and I didn't want to do it any more. God, my family, and friends, wouldn't let me quit and gave me the strength to make it through the each semester.
I am now the PROUDEST member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2006. The last year at A&M was an emotional roller coaster. I earned the coveted ring that Aggies receive when they have completed 90 hours of course work, I made it through my student teaching semester with a great mentor teacher, and I walked across the stage and received my diploma.
Romans 5:3-4 says "Not only so, we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not dissapoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
As we journey on our bicycle through life, our perseverance will land us at the feet of Jesus.
So, my husband, son, and I made our way to Aggieland. The atmosphere in Aggieland is hard to explain other than the fact that the Aggies are the main focus of the town. My favorite quote is "From the outside looking in, you can't understand it. From the inside looking out, you can't explain it." That is so true. Looking back at our time there, I can't tell you how we made it except by the grace of God's hands. Chuck was working full time at Lowe's and taking 12-15 hours a semester. I was working part time and taking 15 hours a semester with a family to take care. At the end of each semester, I wanted to quit. Working and school took all of my energy and I didn't want to do it any more. God, my family, and friends, wouldn't let me quit and gave me the strength to make it through the each semester.
I am now the PROUDEST member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2006. The last year at A&M was an emotional roller coaster. I earned the coveted ring that Aggies receive when they have completed 90 hours of course work, I made it through my student teaching semester with a great mentor teacher, and I walked across the stage and received my diploma.
Romans 5:3-4 says "Not only so, we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not dissapoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
As we journey on our bicycle through life, our perseverance will land us at the feet of Jesus.
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