Fundraising for Guatemala

Over the last 2 1/2 years I have had the opportunity to go to Grace Chapel Church in Sanford, NC. Before I started going to Grace I hated Sanford. Sanford wasn't home and I didn't have friends here. Then I found my home! I got involved with our college and career group, but as a church we were challenged to serve. I started working with our youth group. Every summer the youth group goes on a mission trip. For the last two summers I haven't been able to go, but this year I have the opportunity to go to Guatemala.

While we are in Guatemala I get to help lead the girls on this trip. We'll be building houses and doing work in orphanages and do VBS with local children. I'm so excited to share God in Guatemala!!!

The total cost of the trip is $1200. As a girl with only part-time job I began to panic. I didn't have any extra money to spare. A week ago on Wednesday I only had $555 paid for by church sponsored fundraisers and what I personally paid. Our plane tickets alone were $700 of the cost. How was I going to possibly go? I had only gotten $50 back from the support letters I sent. I was doubting God.

On Friday afternoon I checked the mail after my subbing job and I had $475 in the mail! Another $25 came on Saturday. God did immeasurably more than I dreamed possible. I only have $145 left to raise! Wow!

I know God is going to bring in the rest of what I need for this trip. He's a big God. Please pray for not only my fundraising, but for the people of Guatemala. Pray for their hearts to be open to what God has to say. If you want to be involved financially you can either donate over there to the right with the yellow button or I can send you information about sending a check!

Thanks in advance for your prayer and support!

Giveaways

Y'all I love Children's Books I know I know... Surprise, surprise. The kindergarten teacher loves children's books. I really do though. When I first walk into Barnes and Noble the Children's section is the first place I go. I love the sweet simple stories and how they capture children and adults alike. I love diving into a story and letting my imagination run free.

Speaking of awesome children's books, my sweet friend Julie is giving away three awesome books away on her teaching blog. She hit 100 followers and is celebrating the milestone with a giveaway. The books are a part of the Gilbert series authored by Diane DeGroat. These books are great for the classroom and you can use them in so many ways. Each book has a character trait or life lesson mixed into the well crafted stories. The illustrations are also fantastic. So many details and bright colors are always included!

So, if you want the chance to win these books like I do... Head on over to her blog and enter to win!

Chick - fil - A

I love Chick-fil-A. Cow Appreciation Day is one of my favorite days of the year. It's the day where I can get free Chick-fil-A all day long just for wearing spots from head to toe.



This song by Tim Hawkins aptly displays my feelings for Chick-fil-A:

Much to my dismay Sanford did not have one of these delightful restaurants when I first moved here last September. I was quite disappointed, and would stop into Chick-fil-A of Apex whenever I was home visiting the family. One day this Spring I read a newspaper article though... Sanford was getting its very own FSU (that's Free Standing Unit)!!!!!

At that very moment living in Sanford just become a little more awesome...

Around this same time I realized I would need a summer job. Being a grown-up means the bills keep coming in the summer, and a teaching career means my summer pay is almost nothing! I had Chick-fil-A experience. I knew applying would be a must. As soon as the applications were available I put mine in. Then a month passed...

I never got called in because my application was taken out of the box! Thankfully I have connections in the Chick-fil-A world. I got an interview and was hired about 10 minutes later. It was going to be "my pleasure" to serve the people of Sanford their Chick-fil-A.

You may have noticed my summer hiatus from blogging, and this is because I was working a lot. I even managed to become a manager. Managing may be stressful at times, but I still love Chick-fil-A!

Blue Lights In My Rearview Mirror

This morning I was driving to school when I see something beautiful. The usual 55mph Speed Limit sign now said 65mph. It may not seem like much, but those 10mph feel very different. I sped up and was on my way to start the school day earlier than I thought I would.

At least I was before I saw the worst thing to see on your way to work, an unmarked police car pulling behind you with its blue lights on! I immediately pulled over. I had my license and registration out before he approached my car. He asked if I knew what the speed limit on the road was because I was going 68 in a 55. I was stunned. I quickly explained that I knew that until today I knew it was 55mph. I told him I didn't intend to question him, but that I was 95% certain I had seen a sign posting a 65mph speed limit! He asked if I had any tickets, and thankfully I haven't! He was very nice about the whole thing and said that I was lucky. He was going to let me go with simply a verbal warning. He also was going to check on the speed limit and call me this afternoon to either apologize or tell me I should slow down! I drove away after a deep breath. I was so thankful...

5 minutes later I get a phone call from a number I didn't recognize. The nice officer had immediately checked with the people in charge above him. They had changed the signs yesterday! They were supposed to inform their officers, but it hadn't been communicated yet for some odd reason. He apologized for the mistake, and that was that!

This afternoon I enjoyed going 65mph carefree in my P.T. Cruiser! I'll post a picture tomorrow of the sign I saw.

My New Tattoo

To begin my tale I start a week ago when my school had their Celebration of Learning in our auditorium. The auditorium is in our 2-story building on campus, which has been around since the 1930's. Considering the age the seats are the really old wooden sort!

Any of you who know me well know that I am a klutz! I bang into things, and then I have no earthly idea where they came from. At the celebration I was walking quickly to give some directions when I suddenly feel pain shooting through my leg! Ouch! Yes that's right I banged my leg into one of those antique wooden seats! I knew with that much throbbing the bruise would be brutal... and it was!!!

Fast forward a week to Monday when my bruise looked like this:

I am sitting at the bean table in my classroom when I suddenly hear, "Ms. Robinson when did you get a tattoo?" I quickly replied, "What tattoo?" His answer, "The butterfly tattoo on your leg."

Did I get a tattoo? No, but today I am appreciating all the funny things my 1st graders say!

Jumping Into Blogging

I always enjoy reading my friend's blogs. It's such a fun way to keep up with the day to day happenings of people I can't see on a daily basis. I have no idea if anyone will read this, but I'm going to give it a try!

Thanks for joining me in this journey!