One // Sunny, cool, crisp, colorful autumn days!
Two // Breakfast, or rather going out for breakfast at cute little places!
Three // 'tis the season for Hallmark Christmas movies! Can't wait to watch them all season long!
Xo,
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Returning Home
You’re back! How was it? What’re you doing now? Are you happy to be home? Are you going back? Are you going to get a job?
These are questions and comments that have been used to initiate conversation since I’ve been home, and even though I’ve been home over a month now, if I run in to someone who I’ve not seen yet, I can bank on hearing something similar.
It’s cute to know that people care or are interested, but goodness the PRESSURE! I honestly can say that I am happy to be back home right now, and I couldn't imagine being anywhere else during my favorite time of year. I don’t know what I’m doing now, and my life is one giant question mark.
And as scary and confusing and difficult as that can be, it’s okay. Although I don’t know what is in store, God already knows. He has never failed me and won’t start now.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
Isaiah 30:21
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way. Walk in it."
Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
So, here's to the unknown, but also to the here and now. One step at a time, one prayer at a time, and one day at a time.
Xo,
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Three Things Thursday
Sometimes we all can use a little reminder:
What are you thankful for today?
One // It's fall and I just love this time of year so much! Harvest, pumpkins, visits to the apple orchard, pumpkin flavored and scented everything, cozy sweaters, bonfires, and the feelings that come along with all of it are just a few reasons why this is my favorite season.
Two // Friends who are there for the good, bad, highs, lows, confusion, celebration, and everything in between. I couldn't do it without y'all.
Three // Pink nail polish. No explanation necessary.
Xo,
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Hey There Pumpkin!
I love everything about this time of year: the weather, the harvest, the sights and smells, and the PUMPKINS!
Orange is not my favorite color, and carving can get kind of messy, so that is why I generally take to painting or decorating pumpkins. It's one of my favorite fall activities and has been for quite a few years.
These are just a few of my favorites so far from this year! Do you prefer carving or painting your pumpkins?
Xo,
Friday, October 4, 2019
An Ode to ACLE
The best summer of my life has came to an end, and after about a month of being back home I've had some time to process what exactly made it so wonderful. In short, the best part of this summer was the people I met and the places I went. But none of this summer would have been possible without ACLE - the program that made this summer what it was. Thank you, ACLE.
ACLE, thank you for the first week of orientation. This is where I not only learned the information I would be teaching throughout the summer, but also where I met many friendly faces that I would be excited to see throughout the summer. I never learned so much in such a short period of time and laughed so much than I did this first week, and I knew this was an indicator of what was to come. I was so happy to be surrounded this week by people who chose to spend their summer in the same way I had. A special thanks for giving me my roommates this week. We had so much fun together this week, but we kept in touch all summer, supporting each other through whatever came our way.
ACLE, thank you for all of those sweet Italian families who I stayed with weekly. I feel so blessed to know these special people. From Tuscany and Piedmont, to Veneto and Lombardy, I now have a connection with people from these regions. It is with them that I was able to live the Italian lifestyle and be immersed into their culture. It is amazing how quickly a relationship can grow throughout the course of a week. Each week I went from not knowing anything about a family, to being so full of love (and pasta) that my heart broke saying goodbye at the end of the week. There were many tearful goodbyes because these families made such a lasting impression on me and I knew it would be some time before we meet again. I am so thankful for these incredible families who truly opened their arms, hearts, and homes to me.
ACLE, thank you for the other tutors I met each week at camp. It was really great working with and getting to know people from all around the world! I met tutors from South Africa, England, Ireland, Wales, Canada, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, and from all over the US. So much culture! I learned something new from each tutor I worked with, and was excited weekly to discover who I would be working with at a camp.
ACLE, thank you for the helpers, camp directors, and especially for the adorable children at each camp! The majority of each week was spent at camp, where the first half of the day I was in the classroom teaching lessons to my students and the second half of the day completing games, crafts, and activities together with the other classes. Some lessons went smoothly, and other lessons had a lot of room for improvement. Some days my classes were well behaved and attentive, other days not so much. But, each week I was so impressed with the ability of my students to learn and improve their English skills in ways that I would not have imagined. These students taught me to never give up, to keep trying, and that it is okay to make mistakes. Mostly these kids taught me the value of a smile and a big hug. Because when words fail, emotions speak. And words always failed when it came time to say bye to those sweet faces.
ACLE, thank you because I truly can not imagine a sweeter way to have spent my summer.
Xo,
ACLE, thank you for the first week of orientation. This is where I not only learned the information I would be teaching throughout the summer, but also where I met many friendly faces that I would be excited to see throughout the summer. I never learned so much in such a short period of time and laughed so much than I did this first week, and I knew this was an indicator of what was to come. I was so happy to be surrounded this week by people who chose to spend their summer in the same way I had. A special thanks for giving me my roommates this week. We had so much fun together this week, but we kept in touch all summer, supporting each other through whatever came our way.
ACLE, thank you for all of those sweet Italian families who I stayed with weekly. I feel so blessed to know these special people. From Tuscany and Piedmont, to Veneto and Lombardy, I now have a connection with people from these regions. It is with them that I was able to live the Italian lifestyle and be immersed into their culture. It is amazing how quickly a relationship can grow throughout the course of a week. Each week I went from not knowing anything about a family, to being so full of love (and pasta) that my heart broke saying goodbye at the end of the week. There were many tearful goodbyes because these families made such a lasting impression on me and I knew it would be some time before we meet again. I am so thankful for these incredible families who truly opened their arms, hearts, and homes to me.
ACLE, thank you for the other tutors I met each week at camp. It was really great working with and getting to know people from all around the world! I met tutors from South Africa, England, Ireland, Wales, Canada, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, and from all over the US. So much culture! I learned something new from each tutor I worked with, and was excited weekly to discover who I would be working with at a camp.
ACLE, thank you for the helpers, camp directors, and especially for the adorable children at each camp! The majority of each week was spent at camp, where the first half of the day I was in the classroom teaching lessons to my students and the second half of the day completing games, crafts, and activities together with the other classes. Some lessons went smoothly, and other lessons had a lot of room for improvement. Some days my classes were well behaved and attentive, other days not so much. But, each week I was so impressed with the ability of my students to learn and improve their English skills in ways that I would not have imagined. These students taught me to never give up, to keep trying, and that it is okay to make mistakes. Mostly these kids taught me the value of a smile and a big hug. Because when words fail, emotions speak. And words always failed when it came time to say bye to those sweet faces.
ACLE, thank you because I truly can not imagine a sweeter way to have spent my summer.
Xo,
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