Spring Break Recap

I had been counting down for a while, but FINALLY the day arrived for my SPRING BREAK! It had been a long time since the Christmas break. You could tell everyone was in desperate need of a break.

As soon as the bell rang on Friday, I watched my students walk out to the bus and then I grabbed my stuff and was out the door. I felt like skipping and singing to my car. I rushed home to quickly change. Then, Lee and I jumped in my car again. He was taking me to Durham to meet up with Ben who was my ride home. Ahead of me was a 10 hour car ride with Ben and Jesse.

We arrived at my house at about 1:30 A.M. My parents helped me unload my stuff and then when my mom finally left my room, I was able to go to bed.

On Saturday, I had a roomies photo shoot with my former roommate and best friend, Courtney Carr. We took pictures at Willow Walk and Landmark Park. It was a hard day for a photoshoot because the wind was blowing like crazy. When our hunger got the best of us, we made a quick stop at LaBamba’s to grab a snack. Then, we went back to Courtney’s house where she made chicken and dumplings. We later ate that along with peas and rolls….very yummy dinner. We also watched the new Harry Potter movie.

On Sunday, I attended church with my family and then we had our traditional Sunday lunch at LaBamba’s. I was so excited at church because we sang one of my favorite songs-“Hosanna.” That afternoon, mom and I watched a movie and then I took a nap. That night, I was excited to get to attend the youth musical “Prodigal.” The youth and Bro. Tim did a great job! It really made me miss my days in youth choir. After church that night, I met Ashley for dinner at The Red Elephant and dessert at California Yogurt Kraze-another yummy dinner and dessert.

I spent most of Monday hanging out with my Meemaw. I also got a chance to do a rockin’ body workout with Lindsey, Courtney, and Caitlin. Next, mom took me to my cousin’s house to give him and his wife a baby gift and to see their nursery. My new little 2^nd cousin, Evan DeShazo should arrive in the next month. Then, I had a delicious dinner at The Blue Plate with my entire family plus Jacob’s girlfriend.

I spent Tuesday morning at the daycare with mom. It’s so fun to see those kids growing up. Mom got off at lunchtime and we went to eat at LaParilla for Lee since he couldn’t be there. Then, we went shopping. I was able to get more clothes that I can wear to work. I also was able to visit the Dothan Hobby Lobby. Visiting Hobby Lobby is always fun! Tuesday was also Lindsey’s birthday and her mom wanted to surprise her. So, her mom took her shopping and then brought her to O’Charley’s where her dad, Courtney, Caitlin, my mom, and I were there to surprise her. After dinner, I went to Courtney’s to watch a few of our favorite shows that she had DVRed.

Wednesday morning, I tried to relax. Although, I admit I got kind of bored because I was home alone. That afternoon, I went to Justin and Jessica’s to visit with them and see their house. Andrea came over after school and then we all went to 5 Guys where I also got to meet Andrea’s boyfriend. I had to leave soon after getting there, though, because I had to go back home and cook lasagna for dinner. My Meemaw came over to have dinner with us on my last night at home.

Thursday morning we woke up early and packed the car. My parents drove me half way where Lee met us at Cracker Barrel for lunch. After visiting for a while, I got in the car with Lee where we headed back to Roxboro while my parents headed back to Headland. Thursday night we had to stay up late because we were going to have to stay up late Friday night. I only made it to midnight. (I don’t do late).

Friday morning we slept in and then got ready to head to Wake Forest. We ran a few errands and ate at Moe’s. Then, we went to the seminary for the Secret Church simulcast. This was a very interesting experience. It was an intense, fast paced Bible study led by David Platt. Its purpose is to bring awareness to the persecuted church in other countries and to create in us the same desire they have to study God’s word. This simulcast ended at about 1:30 A.M. So, we didn’t get home and in bed until about 3:30.

Of course, we slept the entire morning. Then, Lee ran some errands while I sat home and was very lazy. When Lee got home, he cut the grass and cleaned up the yard while I continued to be very lazy.

I can’t believe that Spring Break is almost over! I’d been counting down and looking forward to it for weeks and now it’s almost over.

Tomorrow is Easter. A day when we remember what Jesus did for us on the cross and how it allows us to have a personal relationship with God. It’s also a day that I traditionally spend with my family going to church and eating lunch and just hanging out. I’m sad knowing that they will be doing all that tomorrow without me. It makes it even sadder thinking that tomorrow is also my last day before getting back into the routine of work.

I had a great Spring Break-I just wish it was longer. :)

What's the Point?

Tonight, Lee and I hosted the youth at our house for a movie night. We ate pizza and other junk food and watched the movie, “To Save a Life.” If you haven’t seen this movie, you should go rent it and watch it.

I appreciate all of the people who work to make Christian movies to send out a powerful message to the world through the outlet of movies. However, a lot of these movies tend to be kind of “cheesy.” Some of them also make it look like being a Christian is easy or everything will work out for you when you become a Christian. This movie was not like that. It has a PG-13 rating because it includes issues that teenagers really have to deal with-drinking, drugs, partying, sex, suicide, cutting, bullying, etc. It was more realistic because unfortunately this is the world we live in.

I also enjoy this movie because it touches on something that is close to my heart as a teacher-bullying. It breaks my heart to think about the way children/teenagers treat certain people. It breaks my heart even more to hear of how this can lead some young people to feel like their only option is to take their own life. Why do we put a value on people? Why are some people worth more than others to us? What makes us think we’re better than anyone else? This is a huge problem that only seems to be getting worse. This scares me.

The main thing I got from this movie tonight was a quote that should be every church’s motto. During a youth group gathering, the youth pastor in the movie asked the students to take a moment to think about something he had just spoke on. During this time, the students start to whisper, play, text, etc. This upsets the main character in the movie so he stands up and basically tells off the youth group for their hypocritical actions. One thing he said stuck out to me.

“What’s the point of all this if you’re not going to let it change you?”

What is the point of church, bible study, or any other Christian related activity if we’re not going to let it change our lives?

Too often, we think it’s enough to just go to church or be a “good” person. Maybe we just go to church because that’s what we’ve always done or because it’s the “right” thing to do. Maybe we go because everyone else does and it makes us look good. We may also think it’s enough to simply believe in God. James 2:19 says “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”

Matthew 7:16 tells us that we will be able to recognize true Christians by their fruit. Fruit can only be produced if we have a changed life because we have Christ living in us.

Christianity should be about a relationship not religion. I have so much more I could say on this subject. This is something that God is constantly showing me more about. The state of many churches today scares me. It makes me ask “What is the point?” Why are you going to church? Are you letting it change your life? Or is church just something you do on Sunday’s? Is God an active, living part of your life? Are you bearing fruit?

What is the point…

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary

Recently, I mentioned to Lee how it would be neat (in the future) when we have children to grow a small garden. I thought it would be a fun learning activity plus we could have some fresh fruits or vegetables. Shortly after this statement, I find myself in the Wal-Mart gardening department with Lee telling me to pick out what I want to grow. We got caught up in the moment and bought some flower seeds, gardening tools, pots, soil, and vegetable and fruit seeds.

Later, I’m thinking….what in the world are we doing? I’ve never worked out in the yard in my life. It was the one thing at home that I begged not to do. I made a deal with my parents that I would do ANYTHING to clean inside the house as long as they didn’t make me work in the yard.

Well, this weekend…I worked in our yard. We spent the whole day Saturday outside. Lee worked in the backyard tilling up land for our garden and I worked along the side and front of the house cleaning out flowerbeds and planting new flowers. Every pack of seeds we bought said “Guaranteed to Grow.” So, we’ll see about that!

I’m planning to blog about our progress. Below are some pictures of our yard before and after. Also, there are some pictures of the work that took place Saturday.

Corner between house and laundry room
Before:


After:


Flowerbeds beside steps leading to laundry room
Before:




After:



Our Garden Spot (it's still a work in progress, so there's no after pic yet)
Before:


Working Hard:




I hope everything turns out like it is supposed to. I will keep you posted.