I just got done eating dinner with 2 of my most favorite people in the world.  I have 3 ladies that I have come to  rely on for all things "teacher" and for their beloved friendship.  We try to get together around once a month and talk about jobs (we are all teachers), kids, boys, and life in general.  It was so much fun to see them, and play host to them as we celebrated Christmas.  Thanks girls!

As I was showing them around my apartment tonight and chatting I became in awe of how wonderful my life is.  I know what you are thinking... CONCEITED, much?  You could say that, I guess.  There, as ashamed as I am to say it, haven't been many times that I can say I am content.  There has always been something that I wanted, needed or complained about.  I don't think I have it all together, by any means, but I feel happy and content in where I am.

I have, in previous posts, talked about my family, friends, job, etc.  I am grateful for those.  If someone asked me to explain how I feel about those, I could go on and on.   In the past, there has always been the "This is great, but I wish..."  The "But" clause, as I have just now called it, has been a source of discontentment.

" My life is great, BUT I wish I made more money"

"My life is great, BUT I wish I had someone to come home to."

"My life is great, But I wish I had this car, or these clothes, or this TV."  

These are all things that, yeah, I still want.  I can wait, though.   I have a drive in me to become a specialist in the teaching field.  I have, somewhere in me, the ability to stick to a budget and use my money more wisely, which would allow me to have the material things I want.  I am also learning that God's plan is more important than my plan.  My plan has been out the window a long time ago.

I am happy with the fact that I can (as I am right now) sit in my pj's with a glass of wine, typing away to a world beyond me while Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald play in the background.  I can put my all into my job and focus on my 18 little babies and into my walk with the LORD.

I am happy that I can pay my bills and have some left over for fun.  I know that many people in the world cannot do that.  I am learning to live within my means and take pleasure in providing dinner for my friends without it costing me anything extra.

In his book, Authentic Faith, Gary Thomas says:

 Contentment is a conscious decision to rest in the providence of God, a humble embracing of the fact that we can learn lessons where ever we are.  It doesn't entirely preclude working for something "better", but cultivates a spirit of thankfulness even in less-than-ideal situations.

 I don't necessarily think that just because I say I am content means that I don't want anything to change, ever.  I would love to have someone to come home to and to live in a house that I own.  I would love to take extravagant vacations and have a media room.  But God placed me here, for a reason, in the situation I am in.    I am happy and willing to wait on the Lord to show me my next step :)

Christmas has been so much fun this year! From having Keith and Sarah with us for a little more than a week, to Eli's first Christmas, we have been enjoying the holiday! Because Keith and Sarah had to leave this morning for Chicago, we had Christmas morning yesterday. After eating a yummy breakfast, we opened presents, and opened more presents. We even managed to convince mom to let us open our stockings the night before. Santa was really good to all of us this year, especially Eli! Uncle Keith and Daddy (Russell) helped him open presents. Eli got fussed over all week from Honey (mom), Uncle Keith and Aunt Sarah. I even got a few kisses in :) I hope everyone has had a Merry Christmas!

This is probably the most random post I have ever written, but I have had a very quick and busy two weeks.
   Friday was the last day of school.  My kids were hyped up on sugar and had a million times the amount of energy they usually do.  Needless to say, I was glad when 2:05 came around and they all went home.  I am sure I had 19 mommas cursing me for the amount of sugar that I allowed them to eat!  We really had a good time during the day and they were sad to leave me for two weeks.  I, however, am super excited to have the 2 weeks off to recuperate and hit the ground running Jan 3.
   Friday evening, my brothers and their families came down from their homes and graced me with their presence.  It was a short visit, but it was fun!  It was nice to be able to show them the apartment and have some "sibling" time.  On Saturday, the Martin's all descended on the uncle's house in Rosharon, Tx.  Not everyone was able to come but the three newest Martin's did get to meet and it was nice to see my cousins.  We always do a gift game and I came out with a pretty good gift!  My cousin Lindsey, sells Scentsy so I got a warmer and 3 bars of scents.  I can't wait to make my house smell good :)  I was planning on buying one anyways, so I was glad that I ended up with it!
   After the party, Russell, Meagan, Eli and I packed up and left to come up to Texarkana.  Since I have a break, I decided to come up with them before Christmas.  Keith and Sarah stayed behind with my pup and will be coming up tomorrow, and the parental units will be here on Thursday.  The trip was long, but I slept a lot of the way and have been able to relax and enjoy my "vacation"  I will come back the 26th, and am looking forward to working on my apartment a little bit.
   I have been able to spend some one on one time with the adorable Mr. Eli, and I am very grateful for that.  I love his hair and his smile.  He lights up the room whenever people see him.  The best moment was when Keith got to hold him for the first time.  Eli was taken with Keith and Sarah, both!  :)
I have enjoyed hours of TV, reading books, surfing the internet, going shopping and SLEEPING!  I came up to Texarkana not to get sympathy, but to leave my reality for a little bit.

I love my reality, I really do... but like all things, you need a break sometimes.

Tomorrow, Keith and Sarah will be here and my life will be a fairy-tale, seeing that I like nothing more than to be with all of my siblings at the same time :)
 

I have read the Christmas story a thousand times.  Every year, as I sat at the midnight Christmas Eve service, the story would resonate through the brick building and in and out of my ears.  I can tell it back to anyone that will listen with little hesitation.  Tonight, I was reading over it again because I love the story of obedience and loyalty to God.
While I was reading, I had a thought that had never come across my mind.  What an incredible man Joseph was.  I can't imagine what he would be thinking as Mary told him that she was pregnant.   Can you imagine how that conversation had gone?

 Mary:  Uh... Joseph?  Yeah, umm... I am pregnant but still a virgin.

Joseph:  And how does that work exactly??

Joseph was so faithful to God and his plan that he married a woman that he could have sworn off.  She would have been shunned in the community and her reputation would have been ruined.  Joseph however, believed in the Lords plan and honored his commitment to Mary.  

Everyone talks about how I need to wait for my "Boaz"  but this evening has made me think that maybe I should wait for my Joseph.  

 

 

 

 

 

My church did a candy house village this year. We had the unveiling tonight. The mosaic class had the church. This thing was huge!!!





We used cinnamon gum, graham cracker, cookies, peppermint sticks and other various items to create the house. It was a lot of work, but turned out amazing!! Rayna, my friend and awesome artist, led the team and we all pitched in! Great work guys!!!

The summer went by quickly.  I worked (a lot) and filled out applications.  All of the school districts had let go of teachers in anticipation of the budget cuts.  This meant that positions were few and far between.  It was a very worrisome time for me.  I managed to take time to visit Russell and Meagan and even went on a retreat as a junior high counselor with my church. My cousin got married in Florida right after I graduated.  It was a great week and my dad and I went para-sailing! It was awesome!!  In July, I took on the job of decorating the church for VBS.  It was a huge job but I had lots of help and it turned out well. 

If I was honest....
I would tell you that I am happy in most areas of my life.
I would tell you that I struggle with the lackluster passion for the Lord I seem to worship with on a daily basis lately.
I would tell you that the Lord's plan and mine have not been jiving lately.

If I was honest......
I would tell you that I get bouts of envy that fade away slowly with each wedding invitation addressed to me.
I would tell you that I am sick of hearing my name being called 20 times a day.
I would tell you that living alone can be lonely at times.

If I was honest.....


Jeremiah 29:11

Because of my newly acquired apartment I had to delay my trip to see my brother and his family for a couple of days.  It was well worth the wait!  After stopping in Jacksonville to see my college friend and her classroom, I drove the rest of the way into Texarkana last night.  I was greeted by my sweet monkey!  I am so blessed to be able to spend the next few days with Russell, Meagan, and Eli.  I can't wait to celebrate Eli's first Thanksgiving!!  There will be new pictures coming but here are some taken today.  :)

In bible study, we are studying Romans.  My friend Becky was the teacher this past weekend.  She taught on loving others for who they are and where they are.  It really spoke to me and I thought I would share my notes on it.  

Hello all!  I hope this finds you well....

Life has been INSANE for me!  No matter what I seem to do, I cannot get caught up.  But, I love every minute of it.  I love that my kids tell me daily how much they love me and that I am their favorite teacher.  I love that I have a few that make me want to scream and shake them, telling them to get their act together.  I love that I have a family that understands the craziness of my life is okay with it.  I love that I have a nephew waiting for me to love and hug and kiss.  I love that I have a best friend who found a blessing in disguise and is the happiest that I have ever seen her.  I love that her fiance is the best match for her, knew it, and stuck to what he felt.  I love that I try to think of ways that I can be a better teacher and ask questions to get the best help for my students instead of being okay with the status quo.  I love that I have a church group that will catch me when I fall and lift me up in prayer and in spirit.  I love that I have a little girl half way around the world writing me letters and sending me words of encouragement...when she has 1/8 of the resources and material items that I have.  I love that I work for a school district that is helpful (sometimes too helpful) and is very willing to help when needed.  I love that I have the most amazing co workers and team.  Each one of them is willing to answer my silly questions and lift me up when I need an encouraging word.  I love that I have grandparents still living and functioning.  There is nothing like a "granny dinner" to look forward to!  I love that I have two sister in laws that were God-sent and a perfect fit for my two goofy brothers.  I love that I have the ability to be financially stable and live a comfortable life, when so many are struggling.  I love that I am able to "pay it forward" and give back in honor of so many that helped me when I was struggling.  I love that I have an adopted family that loves me as their own and unconditionally.  I love that I have so many people in my corner, cheering me on and encouraging me to succeed in ALL I do! Most of all... I love that I have a GOD who crossed my path with every person that I needed meet and put me in every situation that I needed to mold and shape me into the person I have become.  What an amazing God that we serve!  He knows every hair on my head and every thought in my heart...and he still loves me!

I am so very blessed and could never find the words to express how truly thankful I am!

My favorite seven year old...
Is funny....
Charming...
Loves the Lord...
Loves his family...
Is An athlete...
Is a lover of the video games...
Never wants me to leave...
Makes me smile...
Is Growing up too fast!!


I love this blonde-headed cutie!



Jeremiah 29:11

Her name is Morine and she lives in Uganda. She is the little girl that I now sponsor from Compassion International. I have always seen the ads to sponsor a child and have felt God leading me to do it, but it seemed like such a big thing to do. I never felt that I was financially stable enough to actual take the leap and be a sponsor. A few weeks ago, I got an email from Compassion International and decided that I could make the monthly criteria and did it. I am so glad that I did. I have not recieved anything from her yet, but I have been praying for her. I have decided that I am even going to use this as a lesson in letter writing for my kiddos at school. We are going to write a letter to Morine as a class and make sure it is in the correct personal letter structure. I am so excited to start corresponding with this beautiful almost 6 year old. I can't wait to see what God has in store for her and what I will learn from this.

In other news...life has been crazy. Between school and trying to find an apartment, my life has been occupied. I have so many things on my plate that I have had to take a few "time outs", which basically means I left school at 3:40 instead of 6:30 :) I have managed to have a little fun in the past few months since school started.

The amazingly cute, but married, bass player!!

Last month, I went to a concert at The House Of Blues. It was so much fun! We went to see Hot Chelle Rae and The Script. It was a great concert and we got to meet the bands! My friend Katie and I felt like we were 18 again, but we stoood around at the back entrance to the House of Blues for a while to meet The Script.   I have never done anything like that before.  Definitely something I will do again, though!!

The "husband catcher dress" :)

So much fun!!!

I just got home from bible study.  It never fails that the moment I begin to think about skipping bible study that God puts a plan into motion to get me to the church.  Today was nothing different.  I was in the middle of grading papers, fully intending to sit and continue grading when my good friend text me and asked if I wanted to go to BJ's to get some dinner before heading to bible study.  I apparently cannot turn down food :) I quickly finished up my grading and drove quickly to meet her for a quick dinner.  After dinner, we drove to bible study and I was NOT feeling it.  I didn't want to be there.  I have this feeling generally when God is going to reveal something to me.

I am not one to say,"the devil is getting to me" or anything to that effect, but I know the feeling when I get it.   It is this feeling of nothingness.  A feeling of pure awkwardness came over me as I sunk down in my seat.  It was weird, but a feeling that I have had before.

As I worshiped through music and scripture, I felt my heart open a little bit more than when I sat down.  I started to feel better as I listened to my sweet friend, Heidi, talk about Ruth and Boaz.  Through out the whole night, all I heard was a small whisper saying, "Let HIM go"  Although I do not wish to fully disclose on a public blog what HIM is all about, it was what I needed to hear... and I finally am ready to do that...no matter how late it is.

Dear Eli,
My, what a whirlwind you have led our family on.


From coming home sooner than we thought to going to your first Astros game, you have become the center of our world!


Grumps and Honey light up when someone asks about you and all of my 4th graders know who you are! They always ask, "did you see Eli this weekend?" it is fun to show you off. Everyone thinks you are adorable at my school.

I am having so much fun watching you grow, and grow! Christmas is coming soon and I can't wait to share our family traditions with you, especially watching you open your gifts and learning about the true meaning of Christmas.

Keep growing sweet boy and remember that I love you and will always be on your side!
I am so glad that God chose you to be a Martin :)

Aunt Manda

Jeremiah 29:11