Sunday, April 22, 2012
Bethanie
Amy's Graduation Photos
Amy was one of my very best friends in college, and my roommate senior year. I'm so thankful that we've remained close, even living in different cities now. We had so many adventures together in college. It is just so much fun to live life with Amy. She is graduating with her Master's this May (woot!) and we went around WBU's campus to get a few snazzy graduation shots.
Meridith & Colby
I need to get into the habit of posting to this blog frequently for when I go to China, so I'm going to start now with just posting everyday things, and some of my photo shoots that I do. This couple is awesome. I've known Meridith since I moved back to Lubbock. She's super sweet and fun. Colby seems like such a good match for her. He made her laugh the entire time we were taking pictures. :)
A Paint Photo Shoot
Great friends.
Beautiful people.
A gorgeous day.
Lots and lots of paint!
I had so much fun taking pictures of Kerry & Lizzie. These two are so in love. They were up for anything with pictures, including a paint fight. SO much fun!
Beautiful people.
A gorgeous day.
Lots and lots of paint!
I had so much fun taking pictures of Kerry & Lizzie. These two are so in love. They were up for anything with pictures, including a paint fight. SO much fun!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Chinese New Year Celebration
Last week, I got to go to the the Chinese New Year celebration at our local university. There are over 500 students from China studying here, and I think they all decided to come to the celebration. It was so much fun, and I spent quality time with some of my closest friends.
The show was great. They had singers, dancers, comedians, and a big marital arts display. I think that was my favorite part.
After the show, we ate a big meal with all who came. It gave me a glimpse of what my life will be like over the next two years. I was surrounded by people speaking a language that I didn't understand. The culture is beautiful, and the food is wonderful, but I know that it will be hard to be in a place where I am constantly confused. Our Rescuer is worth it.
The show was great. They had singers, dancers, comedians, and a big marital arts display. I think that was my favorite part.
After the show, we ate a big meal with all who came. It gave me a glimpse of what my life will be like over the next two years. I was surrounded by people speaking a language that I didn't understand. The culture is beautiful, and the food is wonderful, but I know that it will be hard to be in a place where I am constantly confused. Our Rescuer is worth it.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Student Teaching
I have an inkling that the time leading up to my departure date is going to fly by. I only have 192 days before I go! What will I be doing in that time, you ask? Student teaching! I will be finishing up a post-baccalaureate certification in English. I just found out today what school I will be at, and which teacher I will spend the semester learning from. I also found out that I will be with high school seniors!
Can I just say that student teaching in an American high school makes me far more nervous than teaching college students overseas? However, I know that the time I spend in the classroom this next semester will prepare me even more for the journey ahead, and I am thankful for that time of preparation. I know that the Father is working. Once again, I'm thankful that His purpose prevails over my puny plans.
I was reminded by a friend tonight of the very important truth of keeping my gaze fixed on what is ultimate. She shared with me the passage in 1 Cor. that speaks about living as though not living. It specifically mentions several areas: marriage, mourning, rejoicing, buying, and dealing with the world. We should do all of those things as though not doing them, meaning that while we engage with the world, we should always remember that we have a higher Hope. This life is momentary, and we should fix our gaze on what is ultimate. So, we mourn and we rejoice, remembering all the while that our Rescuer is standing sovereign over our mourning, and that our greatest joy here is but a mere glimpse of future glory.
So, to apply this to now, I hope to student teach as though not student teaching. I will work to my fullest, all the while remembering that my joy is not found in how well I do here. I will work hard and do my best, all the while remembering that it is not ultimate.
As John Piper put it, "We should not withdraw from business. We are involved, but as though not involved. Business simply does not have the weight in our hearts that it has for many. All our getting and all our having in this world is getting and having things that are not ultimately important. Our car, our house, our books, our computers, our heirlooms—we possess them with a loose grip. If they are taken away, we say that in a sense we did not have them. We are not here to possess. We are here to lay up treasures in heaven.
This world matters. But it is not ultimate. It is the stage for living in such a way to show that this world is not our God, but that our Savior is our God. It is the stage for using the world to show that our Hope is more precious than the world.
As we deal with the world, we don’t give it our fullest attention. We don’t ascribe to the world the greatest status. There are unseen things that are vastly more precious than the world. We use the world without offering it our whole soul. We may work with all our might when dealing with the world, but the full passions of our heart will be attached to something higher. We use the world, but not as an end in itself. It is a means. We deal with the world in order to make much of our Rescuer. "
I am so encouraged and challenged by those words. My they be true in every area of my life, including my relationships, my work, and my leisure.
Can I just say that student teaching in an American high school makes me far more nervous than teaching college students overseas? However, I know that the time I spend in the classroom this next semester will prepare me even more for the journey ahead, and I am thankful for that time of preparation. I know that the Father is working. Once again, I'm thankful that His purpose prevails over my puny plans.
I was reminded by a friend tonight of the very important truth of keeping my gaze fixed on what is ultimate. She shared with me the passage in 1 Cor. that speaks about living as though not living. It specifically mentions several areas: marriage, mourning, rejoicing, buying, and dealing with the world. We should do all of those things as though not doing them, meaning that while we engage with the world, we should always remember that we have a higher Hope. This life is momentary, and we should fix our gaze on what is ultimate. So, we mourn and we rejoice, remembering all the while that our Rescuer is standing sovereign over our mourning, and that our greatest joy here is but a mere glimpse of future glory.
So, to apply this to now, I hope to student teach as though not student teaching. I will work to my fullest, all the while remembering that my joy is not found in how well I do here. I will work hard and do my best, all the while remembering that it is not ultimate.
As John Piper put it, "We should not withdraw from business. We are involved, but as though not involved. Business simply does not have the weight in our hearts that it has for many. All our getting and all our having in this world is getting and having things that are not ultimately important. Our car, our house, our books, our computers, our heirlooms—we possess them with a loose grip. If they are taken away, we say that in a sense we did not have them. We are not here to possess. We are here to lay up treasures in heaven.
This world matters. But it is not ultimate. It is the stage for living in such a way to show that this world is not our God, but that our Savior is our God. It is the stage for using the world to show that our Hope is more precious than the world.
As we deal with the world, we don’t give it our fullest attention. We don’t ascribe to the world the greatest status. There are unseen things that are vastly more precious than the world. We use the world without offering it our whole soul. We may work with all our might when dealing with the world, but the full passions of our heart will be attached to something higher. We use the world, but not as an end in itself. It is a means. We deal with the world in order to make much of our Rescuer. "
I am so encouraged and challenged by those words. My they be true in every area of my life, including my relationships, my work, and my leisure.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Birthday
I celebrated my birthday this month. It's amazing to see how much life has changed, and how much hasn't worked out like I planned for it to. It is comforting to know that "many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand" (pro 19:21). It is so encouraging to know that my life is in His hands, and that He has given me a great hope.
My birthday was great. I got to skype with my amazing friend Jessica for a while. There are some friends who are only in your life for a season, and others that stay forever. She is one of those life-long friends. After our talk, I joined my GC at the Holly Hop Ice Cream Shop. We had a good time, but ended up sharing the place with about 50 giggling 8-year-old girls.
That night, my Dad treated my sister and I to Olive Garden. It was great, and nice to just sit for a while and talk. I'm so thankful for my family. Afterwards, we went home to watch a movie and relax. I opened presents, and what did I receive? Two large suitcases!!!
These are what I will packing away my life into come July of next year. How in the world will I fit everything I need want to take? Maybe I should get some space bags. :)
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