Another December Photo Challenge in the Works

Hello my fellow twenty somethings! i hope i am not alone in thinking where the heck has this year gone? There are only 25 days left in the year of 2016 WHOA pure craziness! As the Farmers Daughter mentioned in her post yesterday, this year we are doing our December photo challenge a bit differently by using 1 second video clips meshed with multiple days photos together. Shout out to Granny Eyre for suggesting the 1 sec video app as a way to compile our pictures. So onto the actual photo compilation. This first video of mine encompasses Days 1,2,3,5,6. These photos represent, light in its true December form, a tradition of watching my most favorite Christmas movie, a morning of a capella singing of Christmas tunes, a tree that most definitely was not manmade so it counts as homemade in my book, and lastly a glimpse of my to-do list on this particular Tuesday in my life. Without further ado my video!

Days 1-6 but minus day 4 

If yall could please let me know if the link works, and if it's causing you any trouble, that would be great.

Captain Something Fun signing off for the night

December 1 Second Challenge

It has been way too long since I've posted....

Captain Something Fun suggested we do a photo challenge for the month of December. We morphed that idea into a 1 second a day video challenge using the following photo-a-day prompt.

Using the 1 Second Everyday App, I have been capturing my days. I forgot yesterday which was a bummer but I'll get back on track today. I have been busy this weekend. My aunt hosted her annual girl's Christmas craft exchange and party this part Saturday. It was great fun and the food was amazing as usual. I got a pretty stained glass bell one of my other aunts had made. I can't wait to put it (and the rest of my decorations) up in my apartment!
I am also sharing a photo of my brother's neighborhood. His neighborhood reminds me of the Christmas with the Kranks neighborhood. I told Mom and Andrew, everyone needs a Frosty on their roof. On Sunday, Andrew's neighbor was putting lights on the roof and it looked just like a scene out of the movie. I can't wait to watch that movie again this year. 

Take note of the man on the roof

So far I have recorded: 

Dec. 1: Lights: The city of Berea lights

Dec 2:  Tradition: Spending most of my Friday nights with my beau. Sometimes we relax and take it easy (which is what I documented), sometimes we spend the night out. It depends, but we try to spend it together. 

 Dec. 3: Morning: Make coffee, this is a must. 

Check back for another update from me in about a week! 

The Farmer's Daughter

My Dream Home

Friends,

Lucas and I have been perusing realty and home-buying websites for months trying to figure out where we're going to end up this time next year once I'm officially an OT/R (hopefully!) and have acquired my first job.

Right now, my aunt has offered to let us stay in her lakeside cottage from January 'til June. After that, our living situation is still up in the air. BUT, Lucas and I have fallen head over heels for the Sugarberry Cottage house plans from Southern Living's House Plans. We have both agreed that it meets our dream home criteria in every way:

• It's not too big -- a little over 1600 square feet. Big enough to entertain, small enough to maintain
• It has an open floor plan that's perfect for entertaining with the kitchen, dining, and living room all essentially part of one larger room
• Two big covered porches -- swoon
• The master bedroom is downstairs -- practical for when we get older (we're definitely thinking long-term here!)
• The fireplace -- again, swoon

When I found these plans, I knew this was our #goalshouse. It suits us both in every way. Even though we still may not know where we're going to be a year from now, we do know where we want to eventually end up. I have been so giddy about finding this that I couldn't wait to share it with you all! I know Mrs. Stewart would approve ;)

Happy Monday,

Oneida

I've been at Oneida for over a month now, so it would seem logical that I would have made a blog post by now. Alas, it hasn't happened. Overall, I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to be here and to serve Jesus.

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service (1 Timothy 1:12)

I realize that my first year of teaching anywhere would be difficult, but being here is just a little bit better because I am surrounded by like-minded people and I'm able to freely share my faith. I also really enjoy the break after 3rd period for chapel, which definitely wouldn't happen at a public school.

This is not to say that my time here has not been met with its own share of difficulties. I've had to adjust to a different pace of life, learn to live with less internet and cell coverage, find my niche in an established community, balance the demands of first-year teaching, try to say no to some opportunities, build a support system, learn two curriculum, develop tougher skin, and make time to simply rest. If you know me even a little bit, that last one is very difficult for me because I tend to run myself dry.

Through it all, God has provided. I have found ways to communicate with the outside world, learned to appreciate the good conversations and the loneliness, learned to keep the books for volleyball games, given up on creating everything from scratch, listened to student complaints without second-guessing my decision, and found a good walking path. I'm still learning every day and finding that the best advice about the classroom and adjusting to this life comes at the least expected moments.

It's been a journey thus far, and I expect the journey will continue throughout this year and for however long God keeps me here in Oneida. If you're looking for something to pray about, ask God to continually give me patience, tenacity, love, and his eyes as I teach these students about English and God.


Granny Eyre

Pictures Not Included

Hello fellow twenty somethings! It's been a while since my last post. Summer wasn't even here yet and now what do you, summer only has a month left. Crazy. These past couple of months have flown by. Lots of new music, an app that keeps getting better, and some fun adventures with all of you. Currently, well the last week and half, my life has consisted of watching the Olympics. By far my most favorite sport to watch is women's indoor volleyball. As a player of the sport sporadically in my mere 24 years of life, i very much get into the sport and of course i have to root for the USA. So far the team has been undefeated. After a complete shutout of Japan 3 sets to 0, these women are on their way to the semifinals on Thursday. Something that sort of bugs me about the Olympics is Micheal Phelps. i do give him props for doing so well in his swimming career. My qualm is with the way all these people are calling him the most decorated Olympian. In my opinion I do not think an athlete deserves that title unless they have competed in different sports not just one particular. That's all i have to say about that. i have made a couple of post about music in the past but haven't in a while so i want to catch you up on what songs are currently on my playlist, mind you some of these are a few months old but still on my playlist don't judge.
1. Charlie Puth- One Call Away (because you all know i'm only one call away)
2. Love Yourself- Justin Beiber (just tell it how it is bro)
3. Here's My Heart Lord- Passion Worship Band (i owe everything to God this song sings that)
4. To Live is Christ- Sidewalk Prophets (my life is lived for His glory)
5. How You Get the Girl- T. Swift (what's a playlist without my girl T. Swift)
6. Let It Go- James Bay (not to be confused with Frozens hit song)
7. One Step Away- Casting Crowns (God is always near)
8. One True God- Steven Curtis Chapman
9. Home- Blue October (i heard a song by them years ago and this song is just as good)
10. Fight Song- Rachel Platten (if ever i need motivation this is where i go)
11. 7 Years- Lukas Graham (reminds me life is an ever changing adventure, live it)
12. Stand In The Light- Jordan Smith (don't be afraid to go and do)
13. Between the Lines- Sara Bareilles
14. Lost Boy- Ruth B (my sister introduced me to this)
15. Refuge- Finding Favor (God is a safety)
Something i've been doing a couple days a week for a few hours on those days, is volunteering my time at the library. It is good for me, having a bit of structure. i have been mostly shelving books. It is a peaceful go at your own pace kind of task. This kind of task is a perfect fit for me, i very much enjoy it. A goal of mine is to start riding my bicycle at least 3 times a week. i think it will be helpful to stay active in this way. Well that's a bit of what's happening on my end. Captain Something Fun signing off.