Once again, it's been forever and a year since I've updated this thing...but here goes... So what all have I been doing lately?  Well I'm teaching 4th grade at Community Elem. School in Unionville and I'm absolutely loving it!    I know that seems crazy but it's true....but it's a great feeling knowing that what I'm doing right now seems to be where God wants me for the time being.  I mean, the kids aren't perfect by any means but there's just something about it that makes me really happy-something about being responsible for a whole class gives me a frightening but awesome feeling knowing that they are "my kids." I do get stressed out about some stuff though 'cause there's a whole lot to teaching, but I think it's all going just about as good as it possibly could.  Also, my sister, bro-in-law and beautiful baby niece just moved to Athens, Georgia-like 5 hours away   And this is sad 'cause I won't get to see them all that often and Katie Mei is just 9 months old -I can't stand not getting to see her...but I guess it will make it that much more special when I do get to see them.  And I also have the best roommate in the enitre world- Kim McKnight!  We always have lots of fun at our place!  Well I hope that everyone's semester is off to a great start and that you're having a very blessed week!  love ya, Heather

  We've been back from Utah for about 2 days now and it still definitely feels different being back.  I mean I'm glad to be home and all but I feel like I just left part of me out there.  Our trip was so amazing that I could never even really put it into words.  I miss the kids a lot and it breaks my heart the way that so many of them have such tough lives and have to go through a whole whole lot. A lot of people have asked me if I feel that our trip was worthwhile and my answer is "yeah I definitely do."  If we could make the difference in even just one of their lives then I feel like we fulfilled our purpose for the time.  I know that God will take care of them...I just pray that the kids feel loved and safe.  And they definitely still need lots of prayers from everyone.  When we were leaving for the trip I thought "wow 6 weeks is a really long time" but actually the time flew by really fast and before I knew it we were leaving.  But I had such a wonderful time and made so many memories out there that it's crazy!!   I really don't think there could have been a better way to spend my summer though.  I've learned so much from the trip...from the kids, the Whaleys, and my teammates.  I know that the full effects of the trip won't all sink in right now-but a little at a time.  But I guess that's the way it should be and that's the best.  I find myself thinking about certain situations from the trip and it makes me smile.  But for now I guess it's back to the "real world."  Which don't get me wrong-it's great too-I just don't feel completely back yet...but I'll get there.  However, part of me doesn't want to-it just wants to stay kinda "frozen in time" because that's really kinda what it felt like to me.  So now it's back to looking for a job-yuck... but I know that God will provide and His plan will come through so I shouldn't worry.  I actually had an interview this morning which was amazing since we just got back-so that was an answered prayer and even if nothing comes of it-to me it is God looking down and reminding me that everything will work out.  Well I guess that's about it for now.  I hope that everyone is having an incredible and blessed summer!

love ya, Heather

 Wow-Utah is AMAZING!! I absolutely love it out here! The kids are incredible and it's just awesome being around them! Our Vacation Bible School has gone really well...and the water gun fights are out of this world!   There's not a day that goes by that i'm not soaked-but it's too much fun not to do!  And it's just so neat because we have kids around us all the time-if they're not here extra early and late for vbs then they're staying the nite-but it's fun and i love playing with them and hanging out with them! it is such a great feeling to really be able to tell that God is working in this place! Just tonite one of the girls was baptized and that's incredible and not something that you see very often out here.  It's also sad though because of how bad most of the kids' home lives are-it breaks my heart and i just want to take them back home with me...and that's where i pray that God will protect them and watch over them and keep them safe....I just feel so blessed to be able to be here...and our team is working really great together and we're having lots of fun times and memories as well! And it is so gorgeous out here...just tonite we went to "the top of the world" where Ray took us and it is so pretty-you can see really far from up there and you can see all the stars....and he was telling us stories and all-i could stay outside here forever and just stare at the stars! It really reminds me of how BIG God is when i'm out there under this huge sky gazing up at his beautiful creation...We have camp starting this Sat. thru Thurs. and i'm excited about that too- i know that we'll all be smelling really "pretty" when we get done after having no showers, toilets or anything but it's all for God's glory so i think we can get over that-but i'm super excited about going and i know it will be awesome! Well there's so much more but i guess i'll stop with that for now. I hope that everyone is having an incredible and blessed summer!

love ya, Heather

Currently Listening Me and My Gang By Rascal Flatts see related

Today was my last day with my first graders-which is actually kinda sad...I mean they were my first group of my own kids and i loved every second of it! They are so sweet and gave me some awesome presents too  So now I have two more days that i have to go to school and that's it for the summer.  Plus, I've been searching for a teaching job and I feel like I have really given it my best effort so far.  I wasn't offered the job there which really disappointed me at first but then I realized that it's all part of God's plan and that He has something else in store for me.  Plus that woulda just been too easy-but it was strange cuz my principal said all kinds of positive things about me and right after she told me she didn't have a spot for me she told me that she'd already recommended me to other principals-so it's not on bad terms or anything. But it's really all about politics and who you know there-which is sad but true-as it is in most places...But still it worries me some cuz after Sat. i am officially unemployed...but I've already had a few interviews that have seemed to go really well-but we'll see-but I'll work somewhere in the fall-just not sure what I'll be doing yet...and we leave for Utah Sunday morning early!! I am so excited and definitely need to start packing-yikes! To be completely honest part of me is nervous because it's something new and unknown to me-but I know that God will bless us and that it will be an amazing trip! I hope that everyone's summer is off to a great start! God bless!

ya, Heather

  Wow-it's been way too long since I've updated....well this past week was my spring break and i really enjoyed it!  I went with the fam to see my grandparents and aunt/cousins in Alabama last weekend...then during the week i got to hang out with my sister and absolutely adorable baby niece!!!! She's so precious and is really starting to be a lot of fun to play with-she makes the cutest faces and will just laugh forever  And it's really sweet when we take our naps together-i love those times!  Then i just relaxed some and stayed arond the 'boro and then went on girls' retreat-and it was incredible! it was short but definitely amazing-I was really uplifted just by being around all the Christian girls and getting to have some time to slow down and really talk about things and most importantly about God and our relationship with Him and with others.  I feel that i really grew a lot through this weekend and hopefully everybody else did as well!  Well teaching first grade is going really well.  Parent/teacher conferences are over with for the most part...and i havta tell ya that i was scared to death before they started, but they really didn't end up being too bad.  I'm really enjoying the kids even though there's some days that they really try my patience-but I think i'm slowly getting better at this.  Sometimes i just have to stop and remind myself that they are little and that i can't expect them to be perfect   Well i guess i should go and get my lessons ready for the week...i hope everyone has an amazing and blessed week!     ya, Heather

"...I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.  I make known the end from the beginning., from ancient times, what is still to come. I say:  My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please."  Isaigah 46: 9-10