Settling in

We've been guest-less for a few weeks now, and I finally feel like I am starting to settle in for the first time since we moved here. We've put some pictures on the wall, we're more relaxed and are enjoying our time together in new ways, we are enjoying our jobs, getting more deeply involved at church, meeting more people, and we're settling in to a few routines. 

I've been reading a lot, and I've been working on a writing project that I had put on the shelf for most of the last year because, well, I just couldn't. Writing just doesn't work when you're living so scattered and unsettled. It's amazing how easily I could get back into it once we set up a small office/writing space for me. I'm also working on some artsy stuff to make encouragement cards based on Scripture for the women's ministry at church. It's a small step toward getting more involved in a ministry that is so close to my heart. Little by little the new acquaintances I've made at all the events are starting to become new friends. In fact, the lady leading the Bible study I'm going to right now is in the middle of writing a book! We connected right away and have even talked about possibly trying to gather a little writer's group together at church. :) 

We are loving our church and are in the process of becoming members. We went through the 3 hour meeting that ended with a luncheon where we connected very well with two of the elders, one who is leading our community group and who leads the Biblical counseling ministry, and the other one is one of the founders of the church who came from Dallas 20 years ago and is a good friend of some of our closest friends in Texas. Small world. To finalize our membership, he and his wife and are going to meet with us over lunch or dinner soon to get to know us better and help us plug in to the ministries that we are gifted in. 

I absolutely love teaching at New Song, and I've grown a deep love for each of my students. It is such a privilege to pray over them each morning, to teach them about godly leadership, to teach Spanish in a very unique way (we learn phrases and vocabulary one day, travel virtually to a Spanish-speaking country one day, and cook a treat from that country on Fridays), to fill the walls with our daily gratitude lists (we are working together on a goal to list 1,000 gifts from God--we're currently around 425, almost half-way there!), and to watch them participate and learn in Bible class. My team is amazing to work with, as well. That's not to say we haven't seen and dealt with difficult behaviors or situations, but we have definitely seen a lot of growth in all of our students. 

Here are some random pics of life these days:

My walking route, right in front of my house. I try to walk a mile or so every day that the weather lets me. It's so delightfully peaceful around here.

Our Friday Spanish treat this last week, a tropical drink from the Dominican Republic, called Morir Soñando (to die dreaming).

The kids showing off the things they bought in our school store with their hard-earned play coins.

Admiring the beauty at New Song with the creek a little fuller than usual. 

Celebrating a student's birthday

Sporting my Valentine headband that my last teammate in Garland gave me. I sent her a pic of me wearing mine, and she sent me a pic of her wearing hers. :)

So thankful for a perfect spot on my couch to watch the sunrise on the weekends.

The wall in our bedroom from the view of my bed. 

Our wedding pic wall in our bedroom. Funny how much that makes it feel more like home. 

Students happily doing their Friday clean-up chores. 

Just sitting in class, getting ready to start the day. 

Fun after-school activities when it's raining outside

A new step Mike was building for us. 

My babies, much closer than we ever see them. 

Every Tuesday is Together Tuesday where we all get together for a fun activity. One night we had puzzle night with brownie sundaes. 

The first way we had the room arranged. Unfortunately, we had to change it to give them more structure for now.

Fun Science experiments on Thursdays in class. 

Game night for a Together Tuesday. We played Spoons and Sorry. 

The cold weather can be a real drag, both at home and at school, but warm, sunny days make everything better. Those days just change my whole perspective. Thankful today was one of them.