five for friday…on saturday

Just a whole bunch of randoms from the past week…

{one}

I spent the week in Raleigh, North Carolina helping a friend (Beth) in her very first kindergarten classroom. It was the sweetest. Beth discovered my blog nearly two years ago and sent me an email to introduce herself. We’ve exchanged too many emails to count since then and a handful of handwritten letters. She has been a steady source of encouragement so I jumped at the chance to finally meet in person and to spend time working in her classroom. We had the best time and I know her 19 kindergartners are gong to be blessed to have such a passionate, creative, and invested teacher.

{two}

I finally came up with a name for my soon-to-be teacher blog! It may be a little cheesy, but I’m loving “Field Trips and Paper Clips.” I plan to really get it going by the time I start student teaching in January. Stay tuned for updates! ;)

{three}

{Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina}

Driving through western North Carolina on the way to Beth’s couldn’t have been any prettier! Mountain drives will always be my favorite.

{four}

Falling asleep to the sound of rain is the absolute best. It’s been raining almost every night for the past week and it’s been so calming.

{five}

{source}

I can’t stop listening to Johnnyswim. Y’all, this husband and wife duo can’t be beat. Check them out and enjoy!

Happy weekend, friends!

{five for friday}

 

 

{one}

 

I can't stop listening to Mandolin Rain by Josh Kelley. It's the best country summer song to sing along to while out exploring or driving back roads.

 

{two}

 

Organizing the children's books and supplies {this isn't even half of it!} I've collected over the years.

Speaking of teaching, I'm making plans to start a my own teacher blog to use during student teaching and into my first year in my classroom. I've been faithfully reading teacher blogs for the past four years and I've been so inspired by the creativity of teachers around the country. I'm brainstorming blog names to try and come up with something that truly represents me as a {future} educator.

 

{three}

 

I'm roadtrippin' to Raleigh, North Carolina next week to help a sweet friend set up her very first KINDERGARTEN classroom. Y'all I feel like a kid at Christmas! I'm so excited to spend the week talking about all things teaching, Jesus, life, etc.

 

{four}
 

 

I started reading the Harry Potter series for the first time ever. Ohmygoodness. I've been missing out all these years! I can't put the books down.

 

{five}

 

 Skype dates are my favorite. So thankful technology has allowed me to connect with so many other girls who encourage me to keep chasing after Jesus.

Have a joy-filled weekend, friends!



declaring what we love

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“one of the ways we grow up is by declaring what we love" -Shauna Niequist

It's my 21st birthday and this quote from Shauna Niequist has been on mind the past couple of days. I thought one of the sweetest ways to celebrate my birthday was to be intentional about documenting where I am in this season. I want to declare what I love and what fires me up to inspire to keep chasing after these during the next year.

 

I love quiet mornings with Jesus.

 

I love sitting on the front porch listening to the creek. Hearing the wind rustle the leaves. Simply being still.

 

I love connecting with other girls who challenge and encourage me. Genuine conversation is my favorite.

 

I love being in the classroom and working with kids. That's my element.

I love connecting with teachers and other future teachers. Their passion and creativity ignites something in me.

 

I love dancing silly and laughing and singing along to the radio.

I love living in the mountains.
 

I love praying for my future husband.

 

I love hearing and learning more about adoption. It gets me going in a good way.

 

I love hearing about other people's dreams and passions.

Wishing you the sweetest day, friends!

 

July Goals

Hello again! I feel like I need to reintroduce myself...I'm Samantha and I'm no good at blogging consistently. I've let so many things go undocumented and that's okay, but I'm wanting to get back to sharing pieces and parts of my heart and life on this little space. So here's to fresh starts! I decided at the beginning of the year that I would do monthly goals to be more intentional about making things happen. Although I kept myself accountable for the first four months, I let May and June pass by without even writing down a single goal. So I'm jumping back into it wholeheartedly with the start of July!

Now for my goals...

1. Participate in the blog Bible study .

 I'm so stinkin' excited to work through Lord, I Want to Know You: A Devotional Study on the Names of God. Not only will I be able to learn from other girls online, I'm going to have weekly Skype dates with a sweet friend from high school to have a virtual Bible study/coffee date. I'm praying that we're able to encourage and challenge each other as we dig into this study together.

2. Send six letters snail mail style.

I have such a love for sending handwritten letters and connecting with other girls through this old fashion form of correspondence. I've gotten behind the past two months, but I intend to get caught up during July!

3. Blog 2-3 times a week.

I missing sharing what I'm learning and what's going on in my life, and I plan to get back to documenting here. I love looking back over my posts from the past two years because this small space is sort of like my online journal. I'm able to tangibly see how the Lord is working in my life.

4. Starting putting together a teacher portfolio, brochure, resume.

Y'all, I will be getting ready for my first year teaching this time next summer! So crazy that my dream of teaching and  being in the classroom is getting SO close to becoming reality. I'm reading different teacher books this summer (Whole Brain Teaching, Daily Five, Math Work Stations, etc.), but I also want to begin the process of getting a portfolio and resume together. I know I will be adding to them as I student teach so they certainly won't be finished products. I just need to start prepping for the job application and interview process as early as I can.

5. Commit to praying for others everyday.

I want to intentional about lifting up others who I have told that I would be praying for them. I'm going to keep an index card in my journal filled with specific prayer requests written on it to make sure that I am diligent about this practice.

Happy July, sweet friends!