tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42660718076909524702024-03-05T18:14:08.958-08:00{today I am}Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-52962454240819016222017-05-31T13:22:00.004-07:002017-05-31T13:28:48.081-07:00Year Two Down - Lessons Learned from Teaching So Far! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just finished my second year teaching third grade at a title I school in Florida. Craziness! My mom taught for 30 years, and I spent countless summer days and afternoons in her classroom while growing up. I watched her spend Sunday afternoons working on lesson plans for the upcoming week. I watched her invest so much of her own money to make her classroom a home away from home or buying materials to make lessons more engaging. I watched her connect with students and have them come back years later to tell her of her impact. I grew up in the shadow of an incredible teacher, and saw all of the difficulties of public education firsthand. But, nothing can fully prepare you for what it's like to be a public school teacher until you have your own classroom and you are the one responsible for those students walking in each morning.<br />
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I'll never be a first year or a second year teacher again, and the fact that I've packed up my classroom and I'm getting ready to close out this season in Florida that jump started my career blows my mind. There have been days where I have left my classroom so frustrated that I chose teaching, and other days where I couldn't wait to tell my mom or Alex about what happened at school and how much I enjoyed teaching that day.<br />
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Before I start my third year in third grade (but in a new state!), I want to make sure I reflect on some of the lessons I've learned during my first two years. Maybe a student teacher will read this or someone who is spending his or her summer dreaming and preparing about the group of students that will enter their first classroom ever in August. Either way, here's a glimpse into what I've learned during my first two years teaching.<br />
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<b>1. Don't Compare Yourself to Others </b><br />
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Ah man! This one is something that I think all teachers struggle with, but it can be especially debilitating for new teachers. You come out of college with a thousand different ideas and strategies that you want to implement. Your district will no doubt have new programs or assessments or whatever else that they're implementing. You will see ideas on Pinterest and teacher blogs that are phenomenal that you will want to implement right away. You will have veteran teachers on your grade level that are doing incredible things that you will want to make happen in your classroom too. As a new teacher, I have definitely struggled with wanting to be able to do it all, and then feeling defeated when my best efforts fell short and my classroom didn't look like so and so's or when my science block wasn't as "good" as the teacher bloggers. JUST STOP. One of the best pieces of advice I was given was to pick one thing at a time to become an "expert" on. Pick one aspect of your teaching that you really want to hone in on, and become really good at that before moving onto something else. Last year, I chose to become an "expert" on math small group instruction. Next year, I want to focus on integrating science and social studies into math and reading more. Never stop learning and growing as a teacher, but realize that comparing yourself to other teachers is a waste of time. You have a set of skills and strengths that are uniquely yours.<br />
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<b>2. Don't Be Afraid to Ask Lots of Questions</b><br />
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How do I take attendance? What does DEA stand for? Where do my students go for rainy day dismissal? How do I look up STAR assessment data? What do I do to help a student who has TERRIBLE handwriting? What can I do to deal with a student with this type of behavior problem? How do I contact DCF about suspected abuse/neglect? You will have no less than a million questions throughout the year. Don't be afraid to ask them. Other teachers and people at your school are usually more than willing to help you in whatever ways they can. There was a time when they had to ask the same questions. It's how we learn. There is so much newness that comes with teaching, and you learn by asking questions.<br />
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<b>3. Have Fun With Your Students </b><br />
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There is plenty of time throughout the year when you're in "business" mode, so it is totally okay to take time to let them be kids. My kids love doing brain breaks (GoNoodle is the best!) throughout the day when we transition subjects. I always dance and sing along with my kids during the brain breaks. If you're using manipulatives (i.e. Geoboards) as part of a math lesson, give your kids a few minutes before you get started to "explore" and play with the materials. Plan lessons that are engaging and fun! Get your students up and moving frequently. Even if it's as simple as getting them up for 30 seconds to do jumping jacks or hopping like a frog. If I ask my kids what they remember about our year they often say things like "when we made ice cream!" or "when we had a rounding snowball fight" or "when we dabbed during a brain break!" <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgU6ho_gKW6-vmO2wqhCDeFvQVo_YrU21hkQ3Dd5TAZRMfPW8nE5yxdsxwmrwHTvRvnz4a97k7SLV2TGtYTkUjqHHB7bWeUKlmAr_WIea9-xLVXH7UR6jXgwoQS5kILazGK6lpzhCFiDU/s640/katniss.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="489" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That one time I dressed up as Katniss for "Book Character Day." </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFc_P3AOPjIoXmMfIT7GY4T_pJLerGm9LCIxzJHdKCC3rzngr5C0B4x7OYjmnL1-VDfD_Y9dGSQfg0AlBe_AfpQikmG2Nl3s5dYYcZaC5fDco51KbB4FW3qqR24eGMHrsKMowv3Zk8I9Q/s1600/brain+breaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="678" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFc_P3AOPjIoXmMfIT7GY4T_pJLerGm9LCIxzJHdKCC3rzngr5C0B4x7OYjmnL1-VDfD_Y9dGSQfg0AlBe_AfpQikmG2Nl3s5dYYcZaC5fDco51KbB4FW3qqR24eGMHrsKMowv3Zk8I9Q/s640/brain+breaks.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brain breaks = awesome</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEkX5b_mWnqJzZbqtw9HRJ2kMOyc3nPGXJPtsWLcrpW84VaBDV0vYM6Ixpfnw-4o5swKswZeUCoqU-7GjD-coV_U3nJgSm9c9aLwIMweKjAA3B1Qf8ZjVd6RZRhOSpXhedKiQ9ivEmHA/s1600/division.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="960" height="515" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEkX5b_mWnqJzZbqtw9HRJ2kMOyc3nPGXJPtsWLcrpW84VaBDV0vYM6Ixpfnw-4o5swKswZeUCoqU-7GjD-coV_U3nJgSm9c9aLwIMweKjAA3B1Qf8ZjVd6RZRhOSpXhedKiQ9ivEmHA/s640/division.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Any lesson that is edible is a good one!</td></tr>
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<b>4. You Need a Personal Life</b><br />
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It's okay to turn off "teacher brain" on the weekends. In fact, you need this time! There are going to be times in the school year that are extra busy (back to school and February for some reason!) and require you to work extra on the weekends. But, for the most part, you NEED time to step away from thinking about teaching in order to really thrive when you are at school. Use your planning times efficiently so that you can take less work home with you.<br />
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<b>5. It's All About Relationships </b><br />
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Get to know your kids. Ask them questions about their home life. Find out what games they like to play or what shows they like to watch. Find out if they love Minecraft or Pokemon the most. Kids are forever telling stories so pay attention to their ramblings (at least some of the time, lol!) because they will teach you a lot about who that kid is beyond just being a student. Within appropriate bounds, open up and share about your personal life. Kids love to know what their teacher does outside of school. One of the coolest things this year was getting to share about my engagement with my kids because they had heard about Alex all year long. Being a teacher is so much more than just impacting their academic growth! You get to spend 180 days with them. Make them count.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaM9XIGa1ztxiTlQRNYiWmI1YfDufPlJ2KSK741oF73CiKT3Fb-DIvYrbreElKEhegK6WgD7Eltko9FLOzsWXkpJPInqKxqnnb-DLmT8ePoBFdHUjbAYmXCL_KlzNSeaku_eZDVR5Z690/s1600/thelma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="697" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaM9XIGa1ztxiTlQRNYiWmI1YfDufPlJ2KSK741oF73CiKT3Fb-DIvYrbreElKEhegK6WgD7Eltko9FLOzsWXkpJPInqKxqnnb-DLmT8ePoBFdHUjbAYmXCL_KlzNSeaku_eZDVR5Z690/s640/thelma.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the students that made my first year teaching so memorable!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJPGi16mP7jhUpbVFTIhnU3OQz1YVgqxFJR6FnV3DZ1fCfHKMVC9Wf5HcifoPMStqf8f2LjSc_jr3uqSQST8w3NXYCB8Xn6o0j3P-x5YHuRDXt9s9s_GpBa79gmAVh5KljUTrpWQf6e8/s1600/alex+at+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="509" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJPGi16mP7jhUpbVFTIhnU3OQz1YVgqxFJR6FnV3DZ1fCfHKMVC9Wf5HcifoPMStqf8f2LjSc_jr3uqSQST8w3NXYCB8Xn6o0j3P-x5YHuRDXt9s9s_GpBa79gmAVh5KljUTrpWQf6e8/s640/alex+at+school.jpg" width="508" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the most fun days this year was when I got to bring Alex to work with me. My kids loved having him there</td></tr>
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<b>6. Always Look for How You Can Learn and Grow </b><br />
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When a lesson goes wrong and then the fire drill goes off. When you get a complaint from a parent. When you get a new student in April that speaks zero English. When a student cries because a new concept is so challenging for her. When a student drops his pencil box and everything in it goes EVERYWHERE. When some sort of hot mess happens at dismissal and you end up crying in front of a grandparent.<br />
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Things are going to happen that no class in college could ever really prepare you for. One of the best things that my mom has done whenever I call to tell her these stories is to ask me "how can you learn from this?" Even in the situations where I'm frustrated and feel like I'm not in the wrong she'll have me reflect on how I can learn and grow from it. This has been huge! Everything that happens is meant to grow you as an educator and person. A fun bonus is that you can usually find some sort of meme or quote to relate to any situation that will make you laugh about the situation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnMgHA-IV8BNUsgXIi7dcveC82PRxOLLwOvzke4k5ugnoPDg1lhrtprPp593BUMnHuMk6EuUdEBTgVhFbKsj3CMrotAjb-Aj7Mf2kPJssn50VH9nzQ-XDqU94BGA81N3FDhU1A6e4jvI/s1600/dismissal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="490" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnMgHA-IV8BNUsgXIi7dcveC82PRxOLLwOvzke4k5ugnoPDg1lhrtprPp593BUMnHuMk6EuUdEBTgVhFbKsj3CMrotAjb-Aj7Mf2kPJssn50VH9nzQ-XDqU94BGA81N3FDhU1A6e4jvI/s400/dismissal.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TRUTH.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ALSO TRUTH.</td></tr>
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<b>7. The Full Moon Effect is LEGIT</b><br />
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I don't know what it is, but there is something about kids' behavior when there is a full moon. Also, the craziness before Halloween, Christmas break, Valentine's Day, and spring break is unparalleled. I don't need to say much more other than that you can pretty much always tell when there is a full moon. You'll understand once you've been in the classroom!<br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznWlv7yGzaMaMtJBoJR7AZc4Mbh7Bo4CnzDWXdzbFYcuvu2W1xWkUCmiDq7eJ-I68zOQrAitxNrgR5Z4rODgMmlgUK4bH0JqkKMiAlgrFBVdHoQgcFnQQFwJsKu6WVW7iu52emTyZlLY/s1600/full+moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznWlv7yGzaMaMtJBoJR7AZc4Mbh7Bo4CnzDWXdzbFYcuvu2W1xWkUCmiDq7eJ-I68zOQrAitxNrgR5Z4rODgMmlgUK4bH0JqkKMiAlgrFBVdHoQgcFnQQFwJsKu6WVW7iu52emTyZlLY/s400/full+moon.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b>8. You Are Never "Just a Teacher" </b><br />
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Most people will never see how hard you work and all the hours that you put in, and that's okay, but don't fall into the trap of saying "I'm just a teacher." There is no one else that can teach those kids entrusted to you like you can! You will mess up and make mistakes. You will have to apologize to your kids sometimes. You will fulfill a million different roles (nurse, counselor, problem solver, organizer, etc.). You will learn and grow and be stretched more than you thought was possible. But, you will also get some things right and it will make your whole year when a parent tells you that this is the first year that her son has loved coming to school.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEK4H96SST0Hkcm6qVZV1NE0-JVkfIXCBx5ZmpvuJ-YPKm64XTqpIKlu_wAsPCfZ7t1Q30jN3e_Zv_7_h3zc0p-39tCdQ-q8x6Zw94mZXCBiSoV2LBRe-81aq2xZ_-jHHxPmuA0fV_4o/s1600/note.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="648" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEK4H96SST0Hkcm6qVZV1NE0-JVkfIXCBx5ZmpvuJ-YPKm64XTqpIKlu_wAsPCfZ7t1Q30jN3e_Zv_7_h3zc0p-39tCdQ-q8x6Zw94mZXCBiSoV2LBRe-81aq2xZ_-jHHxPmuA0fV_4o/s400/note.jpg" width="388" /></a></div>
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Now to enjoy the rest and relaxation of summer vacation, and to get recharged for starting year three in August! </div>
Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-36477594690725728132017-05-29T10:02:00.000-07:002017-05-29T14:12:02.531-07:00Our Engagement Story I've been wanting to sit down and write out our engagement story for a while now, and I should probably start with some of the background details. Alex and I have been doing the long distance thing since January when Alex moved to New Mexico, and I stayed in Florida to finish out my school year. I wouldn't trade these months apart for anything because they have strengthened our relationship in ways that I couldn't have imagined beforehand. We started talking more seriously about the future and started reading through a book called <a href="http://rickthomas.net/portfolio/want-get-married-pdf/" target="_blank">So, you want to get married?</a> by Rick Thomas. We were having lots of conversations geared toward marriage and Alex really grew in his role as the leader of our relationship during this time. I knew that marriage was in our future, but I had no idea when or how he was actually going to ask!<br />
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On April 14, 2017, my best friend, Janice, was in town for one of our girls' weekends. Over the years, we have taken turns traveling to see each other. and it happened to be her turn to come visit me. This time was extra special though because this was the first time that she was able to bring her daughter, Charlotte, to join us for one of our girls' weekends. Janice and I have been best friends since sixth grade, and she has been such a constant in my life. I remembering us having a sleepover one night in high school when we first started dreaming about what it would be like to let God write our love stories one day. Since then we've been able to celebrate her marrying the love of her life, and more recently her becoming a momma. She has been there to encourage me in every season, and I had always secretly hoped that somehow Alex would involve her in the details whenever he proposed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53EDKtBwZHGUNJ7W9-N95DjvQ2VDwdIPnViQw2vc9JVQ_NPKlxRHSreAAJ9SbaCUPctF2e37b3Uz-9MjqS2zadaWG-5qAt2y56UJEnDJI8TbyNOjTRb_XWw-QwWwnI16A67avGXaW_-o/s1600/jan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53EDKtBwZHGUNJ7W9-N95DjvQ2VDwdIPnViQw2vc9JVQ_NPKlxRHSreAAJ9SbaCUPctF2e37b3Uz-9MjqS2zadaWG-5qAt2y56UJEnDJI8TbyNOjTRb_XWw-QwWwnI16A67avGXaW_-o/s1600/jan.jpg" /></a></div>
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During the time that Janice was here, Alex was supposedly somewhere in southwest Texas on a land navigation field training trip. He told me that I probably wouldn't be hearing from him much while he was gone. Although I thought his trip was planned a little at the last minute, he went on field training trips like that all the time while we were dating, so I convinced myself that I was overthinking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Eqkqtzrm9LduLyas20ixrOyw0nmDqIb3OD_BYLzccVqqVt-RUWt-XLm5hyphenhyphen-arELjaVcB_IJrZ2fG8HrKz6erknACKF8ufG-CeBrUKT8jJVSIQQVgI9UuhU2iQt1_62k3Y4ZVOYX0uAo/s1600/engagement2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Eqkqtzrm9LduLyas20ixrOyw0nmDqIb3OD_BYLzccVqqVt-RUWt-XLm5hyphenhyphen-arELjaVcB_IJrZ2fG8HrKz6erknACKF8ufG-CeBrUKT8jJVSIQQVgI9UuhU2iQt1_62k3Y4ZVOYX0uAo/s1600/engagement2.png" /></a></div>
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To make his field training trip sound even more convincing, Alex texted me at midnight to let me know he was going out on a night mission. Prior to this text, I had told Janice how strange I thought it was that they would have a training trip on Easter weekend. But, then I got these texts and I thought that there would be no way that he would be up so late texting me to check in if he wasn't really in Texas! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvryXiw9b83L_ijzjxtwhi0qmvInAmvtG8ieuRQyqVQYt-WJkqJ6AnjfKnAhwYXdgXeYTopSjBpYlOLaGUpa638auc2csIiyz5RpROozDcCxlLDQz3SzbdZFRqgtrlQ7OLEoHPMQ7i2wI/s1600/engagement.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvryXiw9b83L_ijzjxtwhi0qmvInAmvtG8ieuRQyqVQYt-WJkqJ6AnjfKnAhwYXdgXeYTopSjBpYlOLaGUpa638auc2csIiyz5RpROozDcCxlLDQz3SzbdZFRqgtrlQ7OLEoHPMQ7i2wI/s1600/engagement.png" /></a></div>
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Fast forward to Friday night, and Janice and I had plans to go over to my aunt and uncle's place for dinner. My aunt and uncle live right on the Bay in Fort Walton Beach, and their condo is pretty special place to me. Not only are they like a second mom and dad to me, but their place is where I first met Alex last May at a dinner party. It's so special to me that Alex had them in on the surprise, and proposed at the same place that we first met. </div>
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Anyway, when we pulled up, my uncle met us down at the car and suggested that we go out on the dock to see Landon and Johnson who were fishing. We walked out there and made the different introductions and were making small talk. I saw someone with a hood on behind the gate, and I also remember noticing that there were white string lights on part of dock, and how it was kind of weird for those to be out still in April. Then all of a sudden, those white lights were being flipped on and the guy with the hood came walking through the gate, and it was Alex! I was in complete shock that he was there. He didn't waste any time, and dropped down on one knee and said, "Samantha Grey, will you marry me?" I was so surprised that I said "Yes!" three times. I didn't even look at my ring right away because in typical Samantha fashion, I started asking lots of questions. I was in awe that Janice and my roomies all knew about the proposal, and had kept it a secret. </div>
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After I started to calm down, Alex pointed out my parents up in the condo balcony and showed me how he had his best friends from California watching on the Facebook Messenger video app. He had planned it all so we could celebrate with some of our family and closest friends right after it happened. I found out that the he formally asked my parents for permission to marry me back on February 1st, and that he had most of his family and friends in on the surprise since January. His proposal far exceeded any expectations I could have ever had! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn76U-DxHnIUI3Dw7paT8pctYIMW0lTbaVnotIMPytaZWKmJj_-oxJBvm_HEkZjSmwDPeHT9kPQJVFsPZVn7jU_B7AZJH534R8a9DIZsQGpAwMdJkKNGnKLBcxHs_yCavgIUZOsfq-urk/s1600/proposal+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn76U-DxHnIUI3Dw7paT8pctYIMW0lTbaVnotIMPytaZWKmJj_-oxJBvm_HEkZjSmwDPeHT9kPQJVFsPZVn7jU_B7AZJH534R8a9DIZsQGpAwMdJkKNGnKLBcxHs_yCavgIUZOsfq-urk/s1600/proposal+3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZ4ZL2LHz3um5KJbNvZbL23WhayAi1c2wieoqNYgEzfGGcremSYNE1gsM1ZnBNGcYjrwvCg7VJ2QSBM5f05zdHiJJ_ZIHcArQeDV7wRxgCD6dTaREicfgoS53Bjoie4E9PRT9kIGSbuk/s1600/proposal+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZ4ZL2LHz3um5KJbNvZbL23WhayAi1c2wieoqNYgEzfGGcremSYNE1gsM1ZnBNGcYjrwvCg7VJ2QSBM5f05zdHiJJ_ZIHcArQeDV7wRxgCD6dTaREicfgoS53Bjoie4E9PRT9kIGSbuk/s1600/proposal+4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDL22XDsP23CcTQKomyZwitRvsx_pUl5vKi2pQh3Tz3Hp5LhS0CLIkcK-lLmaSE5spSz03MIGQgh-U_KgO0FOxke2ovLCgUZlO5StxCdm8RJJVVeJUi38Hw3608zjqBCbdbRHvKm3OSw/s1600/engagement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDL22XDsP23CcTQKomyZwitRvsx_pUl5vKi2pQh3Tz3Hp5LhS0CLIkcK-lLmaSE5spSz03MIGQgh-U_KgO0FOxke2ovLCgUZlO5StxCdm8RJJVVeJUi38Hw3608zjqBCbdbRHvKm3OSw/s1600/engagement.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I still stare at my hand sometimes in amazement for what this ring symbolizes!</td></tr>
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<br />
There is also a video of the proposal <a href="https://www.wevideo.com/view/895994697" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></b></a> that makes me slightly embarrassed because of how distracted I was by everything until I started to calm down. But, I think it perfectly captures the joy and surprise of that moment! Gosh, I love this man and feel so privileged that I'm 62 days away from being able to call him my husband.Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-73780105938305881522017-05-20T13:42:00.002-07:002017-05-20T13:42:35.095-07:00Engagement & Expectations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVz90xiq15bSOEW8bJS_MH3XUfXUlQwxdNpGFbiXpGJhGmF3XKRu01cvkX3TYDtV5429SzeERVIsNz_3S0_AZdVpBV6OfNmK9vDZ9Fatapkp6OHaslD3aY5_F1TJfTgVtt4Db_D7h7lU/s1600/proposal+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVz90xiq15bSOEW8bJS_MH3XUfXUlQwxdNpGFbiXpGJhGmF3XKRu01cvkX3TYDtV5429SzeERVIsNz_3S0_AZdVpBV6OfNmK9vDZ9Fatapkp6OHaslD3aY5_F1TJfTgVtt4Db_D7h7lU/s640/proposal+2.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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The Lord has done so much during our engagement season so far, and I don't want to miss what He is teaching me or forget the small details of how He has worked in my heart. I wrote about how I will be moving to New Mexico next month to join Alex when I first wrote about our story. He has been there since January while I have been in Florida finishing my second school year. We are just about three weeks away from kissing this whole long distance thing goodbye for a while! We will continue to live separately even once I'm in New Mexico until we are married on July 29th, so I'm excitedly counting down the days (<b>70 days!</b>) until we can officially start experiencing everyday life together as husband and wife.<br />
<br />
One of the biggest things that the Lord has been teaching me is that our marriage is a total gift, BUT I can't be holding onto my expectations for it so tightly that I miss how He wants to work. When I'm relying on my expectations to bring me joy, I'm always going to be disappointed and let down. Alex called me a couple of weeks ago after I got home from school, and started the conversation off by saying, "so I have some news that I want to share with you...I got a spot to go to SOTAC school, and I'll leave mid August."<br />
<br />
My first reaction was total surprise because this was a different team than what he was supposed to be assigned to. My second reaction was disappointment because thinking about my new husband leaving was less than desirable. I'm not proud of my initial reactions, but I want to be honest with how I felt and share my thoughts.<br />
<br />
"Lord, this isn't fair! Other new wives get to keep their husbands home with them."<br />
"But, why does he have to go then?? I never imagined my husband of two weeks having to leave."<br />
"I know being separated is part of the military, but the timing of this just sucks."<br />
<br />
Writing some of those thoughts out makes me want to cringe for how limited my perspective was. Instead of celebrating an incredible opportunity for Alex, I let my disappointment of unmet expectations take over. I was really struggling with thinking about already being a part so much this year, and then having him leave our home once we're finally able to start our lives together. It may not seem like a big deal to more seasoned military wives, but the thought just made me ache.<br />
<br />
Alex was very gracious with me as I worked through my emotions, and the Lord
is using this to teach me about laying my expectations at His feet. Outside of
my salvation, Alex is the best gift I’ve been given, and yes, our soon to be
marriage is a total gift too. However, Alex and our marriage ultimately belong
to the Lord. Our marriage is meant to glorify God and it’s an opportunity for us
to model God’s grace and redemption to others. It isn’t something that is there
to fulfill all of my needs and meet my expectations. If that’s how I enter our
marriage, then I am always going to be let down. <br />
<br />
God has a purpose for choosing to send him off for training at that
particular time. What I initially see as sucky timing, the Lord sees as the BEST
timing. It is an opportunity for us to grow our dependence on Him. It is an
opportunity for me to learn more about how to be my new husband’s helpmate. It
is an opportunity for us strengthen our communication skills and to grow our
spiritual intimacy. It is as an opportunity for me to develop relationships with
other girls in my new community.<br />
<br />
It reminds me of Psalm 84:11, and a quote that I wrote in my journal years
back…“I realized that because the Lord God is my provider (the sun) and my
protector (a shield) and because He knows best as my Father – if something is
good and right for me to have today, He would give it to me. He does not
withhold any good thing. And therefore, I can trust Him.” <br />
<br />
<br />
Even though I will never like being separated from my soon to be husband, I
can trust that God’s timing for sending him off is GOOD.<br />
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<br />Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-50088402897204269352017-05-13T11:34:00.002-07:002017-05-13T11:44:03.336-07:00Our Story #BenkoOrBust <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgez-gcH9i_W3MYjWBR1iNA31djFryORl6KaBZLsllu_t_ODR_-Bck0iNFiXpHjXy6-jIEQPc6Hzxyy6x126o2APB7m92gmXevC4-fBWJN3RjB1K0d5e0NjzcZs9alJ7bxX74fArazzaFM/s1600/alex6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgez-gcH9i_W3MYjWBR1iNA31djFryORl6KaBZLsllu_t_ODR_-Bck0iNFiXpHjXy6-jIEQPc6Hzxyy6x126o2APB7m92gmXevC4-fBWJN3RjB1K0d5e0NjzcZs9alJ7bxX74fArazzaFM/s640/alex6.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Quite a few things have changed since I last wrote and shared
anything on this small space of the internet almost three years ago. This
biggest change of all has without a doubt been the introduction of this blonde
hair, blue eyed California guy into my life! Throughout college, I wrote a lot
about my season of singleness and waiting, but since then the Lord has started
to script a new story. I was hesitant to share and even write in my own journal
about it for a while. I have been hurt and disappointed in the past, and I
guess there was a small piece of me that didn't want to write about this story
yet for fear of being hurt again. I want to make sure that I write about
our story and share how the Lord has had His hand all over it. If someone
would have told me a year ago that a year later I would be getting ready to
move to New Mexico, buying/renovating a house, planning a wedding for this
summer, and preparing for marriage with the man I love most...I wouldn't have
believed her. BUT GOD. The only way I can think to explain it is with Isaiah
43:19..."Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it. I
will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." </span></div>
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</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Before I get to the night
that we met, I want to make sure to include some of the background details.
Alex grew up the youngest in his family of four kids in Santa Cruz, California.
He spent time surfing, ski boarding, playing sports, getting involved with Boy
Scouts and becoming an Eagle Scout. He worked odd jobs such as manning the
local Christmas tree lot every year, and was even voted Homecoming King. He
never loved the academic side of school, and after deciding that community
college wasn't for him either, he joined the Air Force. The particular job that
he chose to go into in would take him over two years to complete the pipeline.
Over those two years, he spent time training in several different states, and
settled in Florida for the last and longest portion of his training. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">While Alex was in California, I was over 2,000
miles away growing up as an only child in Tallahassee, Florida. I spent
countless days swimming in our pool, riding bikes around my neighborhood, and
having sleepovers with friends. I enjoyed school and academics came pretty
easily to me. I never went to prom and only went to two Homecoming dances.
After graduating high school, I decided to move to a small town in Tennessee to
attend college where I didn't know a single person prior to moving into my
dorm. Those four years shaped me and stirred my passion for teaching more than
I imagined. I learned that I could move to new places, and build a life there.
So much so that once I graduated I decided to move back to Florida, but to a
completely different area from where I grew up. I got a job teaching third
grade in the small town of Crestview, Florida, and the Lord used that year in
mighty ways. No one can really prepare you for what first year teaching is
like! The Lord taught me about being faithful in the small things and pressing
into Him in new ways. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
At the end of my first year teaching, my aunt and uncle invited me over to have
dinner at their house on a Friday night. This was a normal thing for us as I
usually had dinner with them at least once or twice a month. However, this time
was slightly different as they had also invited two young men from their church
over for dinner. I had heard my aunt talk about the group of church guys in the
Air Force over the year, but didn't think too much about it with the busyness
of first year teaching. So that night I walked into their place wearing my blue
floral dress and the first thing I saw was Alex sitting at the head of the
table in his khaki pants, blue long sleeve t-shirt, and all black converse. I
remember thinking to myself "oh my gosh! He's handsome. And so
blonde!" We were introduced and managed to carry on a conversation across
the table all throughout dinner. Once we finished eating, we ended up talking
more out on the balcony of their condo. We realized that we were overlooking
the pool when we could have been facing the Bay the entire time we talked. When
we walked out together we made small talk about the weekend and our church
plans, and he eventually managed to get my number with the help of his friend,
Landon. I watched him ride off on his moped that night wondering what in the
world I was possibly getting into. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It turned out to be one of the sweetest summers of my life. I
thought that I would get lonely and restless while being out of school, but the
Lord brought so much newness into my life. Two days after meeting Alex we made
plans to meet up at the beach with two of his friends. One week later I asked
him if he wanted to join me and two of my friends at the beach to celebrate the
end of the school year. My friends left early, and the two of us stayed for
several more hours talking before he asked if I wanted to get dinner on the
beach at Rockin' Tacos. Two weeks later we met for dinner at Mary's Kitchen and
shared the best blueberry cheesecake ever for dessert. That night we continued
to talk and danced in the parking lot by my car, and while I danced standing on
his feet he leaned in to kiss me for the first time.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
Throughout the summer, my respect and affection for this man grew. We had the
best time together and hours would go by without us realizing it. We went
shooting at the gun range. Went to the beach. Got my first tattoo (!!!)
together. Played Goofy Golf and made wagers over it. Bought our favorite candy
at Dollar Tree and ate it by the Bay. Set up our own photo booth. Showed him my
classroom. Started going to church together. I remember driving to a 4th of
July party, and him initiating the conversation about our relationship. He said,
"Just so we're on the same page, I will be introducing you as my
girlfriend." My heart sang!l</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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My second school year started, and what started as a summer crush was
continuing to develop deeper roots. He asked about meeting my parents for the
first time, and my dad even mentioned that he "wasn't the normal
father-in-law" that night and Alex stuck around. We went on night walks at
the beach. Made dinner together often. We went rock climbing and found new
spots to hammock. I baked him blueberry muffins and cheesecake. We went to
church together and really started to make our faith the foundation. He helped
me with school work on Sundays.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
In September, we had two huge conversations in the development of our
relationship. On September 10th, we were driving back from playing Goofy Golf
and we were playing the word association game that we liked to do a lot. We
would say a word and then the other person would have to say the first word
that came to mind (i.e. "Thanksgiving" -- "Turkey", "Beach"
-- "Sunscreen"). It was my turn to give him words, and halfway
through I said,"Sammy" and he looked over at me, and said "I
love you." I remember just staring at me him because I was so surprised
before I told him that I loved him too. A week later, we had another huge conversation
about where our relationship was going. What I haven't mentioned much about yet
is that Alex is in the Air Force, and about a month after we started dating he
found out that he would be moving to New Mexico once he finished training in
Florida. We didn't talk about it in depth at the time because he was going to
be in Florida for seven more months before moving, and we figured we would
address it once our relationship was more serious.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
Well, on September 17th, we were talking about the seriousness of our
relationship and Alex asked me if I would be willing to move to New Mexico in
the future. When I shook my head yes, he said, "well, that's exciting to
know."</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
During those fall months, we also learned more about how the military impacts
relationships, and spent a lot of time apart. Alex would have field weeks where
he would be gone from Monday until Friday, and wasn't allowed to bring his
phone, so we didn't have any sort of communication. I especially loved the
weekends during that time. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
December was a whirlwind month for us! Alex's best friend got married and he
was the best man. I got to fly home with him to California and meet all of his
friends and family for the first time. It was the sweetest getting to see where
he grew up and getting to meet all of the people who loved him. One week later,
his family flew to Florida for his graduation. Then we started the road trip of
a lifetime together! We loaded up a Penske truck with all of his things, and we
drove from Florida to New Mexico to get him moved into his new apartment. We
left New Mexico and drove up to Colorado to hike Pike's Peak. We drove through
Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada before making it to Santa Cruz, California
on Christmas Eve. We spent Christmas with his family, and went to Yosemite
before New Years with a big group of friends.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
On January 3rd, we started the long distance portion of our relationship as I
flew back to Florida to finish my school year, and he moved to New Mexico. I
wouldn't trade these months apart for anything because they have strengthened
our relationship in ways that I couldn't have imagined beforehand. We have
learned more about communicating well, making Christ our foundation,
appreciating the time we do get together, etc. During this time, we started talking
about preparing for marriage and buying a home together. Alex really grew in
his role as the leader of our relationship and made me feel so valued by the
way that he was preparing for our future.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
In a span of five months, we've been able to see each other in person twice. I
flew to New Mexico to spend my spring break with him, and I never want to
forget what it was like seeing him in person for the first time in two and a
half months. I never really got butterflies when we first started dating, but I
had them like crazy that day when I was waiting for him to meet me in baggage
claim. When he walked up to me and pulled me in close for a hug and kissed me
on the forehead, I felt like I was dreaming. I'm pretty sure I didn't stop
smiling that entire first night we were back together.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
Not only did that week provide the best quality time, it turned out to be
extremely productive for us as well! By God's grace, I was offered a teaching
position for next school year AND we found a house that we both loved, and put
an offer in on it. I flew back to Florida with a renewed sense of excitement
for the future, and a determination to finish out the second half of our long
distance season.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
When I said "see you later" to Alex at the airport, I didn't think
that I was going to see him in person again until mid June. That assumption
turned out to be entirely wrong because one month later on April 14, 2017, Alex
surprised me by showing up in Florida at the same place we met to propose! He
formerly asked my parents for permission on February 1st, and had his family
and friends in on the secret since January. It's the sweetest story, and I
can't wait to write out the details.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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One of the verses I've always landed back on since I first started praying for
my future husband in high school is Psalm 127:1 where it says, "Unless the
Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." I've seen this verse
come to life in the development of our relationship. When Alex joined the
military he didn't think that he would meet anybody during that time. He
thought that he was committing to singleness for the six years to avoid
"dragging" somebody else into the military lifestyle. I never thought
that I would end up growing in love with a man that has to leave a lot. BUT GOD.
His hand has so clearly built every part of our relationship, and we are
humbled and grateful that we get to learn more about this gift of marriage
together. </span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-38612086336899008982014-07-19T13:52:00.001-07:002014-07-19T13:52:25.029-07:00five for friday…on saturday<p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="fiveforfriday2_thumb[3]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y5_daSp8i0A/U6NunGMZeMI/AAAAAAAAYLk/JLK0S-DBLH4/fiveforfriday2_thumb%25255B3%25255D_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="425" height="305"></p> <p align="center">Just a whole bunch of randoms from the past week…</p> <p align="center"><strong>{one}</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TG0i6Bul3x8/U8raVQVg-XI/AAAAAAAAEg8/7zVwvow2EaE/s1600-h/kinder3.jpg"><img title="kinder" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="kinder" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGf_wsZSTMnlny8j_J3hdC1ze18fELCoDLxjts-RijSYV1i5YSM8VnKJNLn-C9J6AqJKUcqRBNaJWLX-ehuCQSHNqFcJfQ6izzjtUsgjPYtF4Iej6p0zv9esZRgO4qMkGjDxhGKFAF78g/?imgmax=800" width="454" height="454"></a></p> <p align="center">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. </p> <p align="center"><strong>{two}</strong></p> <p align="center">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! ;)</p> <p align="center"><strong>{three}</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AuPR5fe7NWWiiLUQvk8SLUX60M5ndT20vNZaCm8oM1d_QyaD5PtpyD93kpDSConB0MQv9ilJ6rsYsWofptSZjLcOyTWzKnk2sKh26pfFip7YQ0QFy79TI3yQjMt9KeHLcymztQngG5c/s1600-h/afterlight-141.jpg"><img title="afterlight (14)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="afterlight (14)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1ndCLXhemEo/U8rahk8DunI/AAAAAAAAEhU/PawZlWW_idM/afterlight-14_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="454"></a><font size="2">{Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina}</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Driving through western North Carolina on the way to Beth’s couldn’t have been any prettier! <font size="2">Mountain drives will always be my favorite. </font></font></p> <p align="center"><strong>{four}</strong></p> <p align="center">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. </p> <p align="center"><strong>{five}</strong></p> <p align="center"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="http://sacksco.com/photo/hi/johnnyswim-cover.jpg" width="470" height="470"><a href="http://sacksco.com/photo/hi/johnnyswim-cover.jpg" target="_blank">{source}</a></p> <p align="center">I can’t stop listening to <a href="http://johnnyswim.com/" target="_blank">Johnnyswim</a>. Y’all, this husband and wife duo can’t be beat. Check them out and enjoy!</p> <p align="center"><strong>Happy weekend, friends!</strong></p> Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-35985265661612786012014-07-11T13:39:00.001-07:002014-07-11T13:39:56.303-07:00{five for friday}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong>{one}</strong></div>
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I can't stop listening to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36IRUf8PkYM" target="_blank">Mandolin Rain</a> by Josh Kelley. It's the best country summer song to sing along to while out exploring or driving back roads.</div>
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<strong>{two}</strong></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Displaying photo.PNG" aria-hidden="true" class="aLF-aPX-J1-J3" height="289" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=53ccfd98f1&view=fimg&th=14726a7e4f2dcaeb&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ_-TZi9KAw3suIxw7CAL6Vubm6Une-4vFsL2_vZ5lZQZ9WZQJDQETPrJcQkT4gpbokH68JD7N4JdjweRRHEg7cNHQRTteiWLMyoBQerQlzEUh1J-saFQ0hiAxA&ats=1405103043659&rm=14726a7e4f2dcaeb&zw&sz=w1332-h531" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organizing the children's books and supplies {this isn't even half of it!} I've collected over the years.</td></tr>
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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.</div>
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<strong>{three}</strong></div>
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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. </div>
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<strong>{four}</strong><br />
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<strong></strong> <img alt="Displaying afterlight.jpeg" aria-hidden="true" class="aLF-aPX-J1-J3" height="400" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=53ccfd98f1&view=fimg&th=14726ecbac997ead&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ_eTlMn6T6n0d_od6vOgZcNyoHSvC0QCwvvm1NrxQbD3ozN4wLNnCpxbo5GT_dXArUDxhQEpZQACHqWDJTBi2a17KviKg924hCEM8MYxdFcscdNqm_Z0CNwAjk&ats=1405110856233&rm=14726ecbac997ead&zw&sz=w1332-h531" width="333" /></div>
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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. </div>
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<strong>{five}</strong></div>
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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. <br />
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<em>Have a joy-filled weekend, friends!</em></div>
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Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-5921331444084347222014-07-08T13:39:00.000-07:002017-05-13T19:56:59.542-07:00declaring what we love<div style="text-align: center"> <div style="margin-bottom: 1em; float: left; clear: left; margin-right: 1em"> <div style="margin-bottom: 1em; float: left; clear: left; margin-right: 1em"><img class="slideshow_stream_img" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="http://scontent-a.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xfa1/t51.2885-15/10549889_1444262802508509_1852885723_n.jpg" width="450" height="450"></div></div></div> <div style="text-align: center"><br><strong></strong><br><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong></strong> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><strong>“one of the ways we grow up is by declaring what we love" -Shauna Niequist</strong><br><strong></strong><br>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.</div> <div style="text-align: center"> </div> <div style="text-align: center"><em>I love quiet mornings with Jesus. </em></div> <div style="text-align: center"><em> </em></div> <div style="text-align: center"><em>I love sitting on the front porch listening to the creek. Hearing the wind rustle the leaves. Simply being still. </em></div> <div style="text-align: center"><em> </em></div> <div style="text-align: center"><em>I love connecting with other girls who challenge and encourage me. Genuine conversation is my favorite. </em></div> <div style="text-align: center"><em> </em></div> <div style="text-align: center"><em>I love being in the classroom and working with kids. That's my element. </em><br><em></em><br><em>I love connecting with teachers and other future teachers. Their passion and creativity ignites something in me. </em></div> <div style="text-align: center"><em> </em></div> <div style="text-align: center"><em>I love dancing silly and laughing and singing along to the radio.</em></div> <div style="text-align: center"><em></em><br><em>I love living in the mountains. </em><br><em> </em></div> <div style="text-align: center"><em>I love praying for my future husband. </em></div> <div style="text-align: center"><em> </em></div> <div style="text-align: center"><em>I love hearing and learning more about adoption. It gets me going in a good way. </em></div> <div style="text-align: center"><em> </em></div> <div style="text-align: center"><em>I love hearing about other people's dreams and passions.</em> <br><br>Wishing you the sweetest day, friends! </div> <div style="text-align: center"> </div>Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-31873454816133019332014-07-01T13:11:00.000-07:002014-07-01T13:11:30.664-07:00July Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
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! <br />
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<strong>Now for my goals...</strong><br />
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<strong>1. Participate in the <a href="http://www.bloomtheblog.com/2014/06/a-blog-bible-study.html" target="_blank">blog Bible study</a> . </strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
I'm so stinkin' excited to work through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Want-Know-You-Devotional/dp/1578564395/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404238085&sr=8-1&keywords=lord+i+want+to+know+you" target="_blank">Lord, I Want to Know You: A Devotional Study on the Names of God.</a> 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.<br />
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<strong>2. Send six letters snail mail style. </strong><br />
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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!<br />
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<strong>3. Blog 2-3 times a week.</strong><br />
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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. <br />
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<strong>4. Starting putting together a teacher portfolio, brochure, resume.</strong><br />
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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.<br />
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<strong>5. Commit to praying for others everyday. </strong><br />
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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. <br />
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<strong>Happy July, sweet friends!</strong></div>
Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-60277059015419207162014-03-31T18:56:00.001-07:002014-03-31T18:56:40.975-07:00March & April Goals<p>As I shared at the beginning of January, I’ve decided to have monthly goals this year in order to truly be diligent about making things happen. Before moving into April I want to revisit my March goals to keep myself accountable… <p><strong>1. Limit my trips to Starbucks.</strong> <p>Success! I only stopped at Starbucks twice and both times were while I was traveling over spring break. <p><strong>2. Learn more about adoption.</strong> <p>Adoption has been on my heart for a while now. Every time I hear another story something within me gets excited and I want to learn more. I started to learn a little bit more this month. I watched <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stuck-Mariska-Hargitay/dp/B00CWVEPGK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396314796&sr=8-1&keywords=stuck+documentary" target="_blank">Stuck</a>, a documentary focusing on international adoption. I’m barely scratching the surface, but I’m slowing becoming more aware. <p><strong>3. Road trip to Florida to see one of my best friends.</strong> <p>Oh goodness. This trip was the best! I’m so thankful for the time I got to spend just hanging out with one of my best friends and her hubby. They opened up their home to me and I felt so welcomed. We explored Jacksonville and St. Augustine. We talked about anything and everything. We chased sunsets. We baked cookies and made face masks. Ahhh. It was just too sweet. We’re already talking about them spending some time with me in the mountains this summer. <p align="center"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="http://distilleryimage9.s3.amazonaws.com/350f04b8a72211e3b0940e1d597a2c69_8.jpg" width="495" height="495">{Exploring St. Augustine} <p align="center"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="http://distilleryimage11.s3.amazonaws.com/c8778cfca98911e3b523122a12c5375b_8.jpg" width="495" height="495">{Chasing Jacksonville sunsets} <p><strong>4. Be intentional about giving at least one compliment every day.</strong> <p>This one is a work in progress. <p><strong>5. Learn more about slavery.</strong> <p>There are 27 million men, women, and children still trapped in slavery today and that just in not okay. I need to become more informed about what’s actually going on. And I know that I need to be intentional about praying specifically every day. I’m not really sure about what this goal is going to look like. I just know that because I have been set free by Jesus I have a responsibility. You can learn more about the <a href="http://enditmovement.com/">End It Movement</a> as well. <p><em>I was not as intentional about this goal as I should have been. I did pray specifically, but it was not every day. I am still very unknowledgeable which is not okay. </em> <p align="center"><em>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</em> <p align="left"><strong>Now for April’s goals…</strong> <p align="left"><strong>1. Eat more fresh fruits and veggies. </strong> <p align="left">I notice such a difference in my skin and energy when I’m intentional about my diet. I’ll often leave fruits and veggies out of my meals which is no good. I plan on making sure to include lots of fruits and veggies in my diet this month. <p align="left"><strong>2. Go exploring on mountain adventures.</strong> <p align="left">I’m going home two weekends this month and I’m bringing friends each time. So fun! When I’m not at school in southeastern Tennessee, I go home to western North Carolina. I actually live right in the corner of North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee so it’s a gorgeous area. I plan to explore new places and old favorites with some of my best girls. <p align="left"><strong>3. Start making it a priority to manage my checking account with a register. </strong> <p align="left">I’m awful when it comes to keeping track of my receipts. I never write it down when I use my debit card…I just keep track online to make sure I don’t overdraft. My mom convinced me that I need to start keeping a register as good practice. So I’m making it a priority from now on so I’ll be in the habit when I have a greater amount of money to budget in the future. <p align="left"><strong>4. Remind myself to <em>speak life. </em></strong> <p align="left">Words are powerful and I need to be using mine wisely. I need to think before speaking. I need to remind myself to SPEAK LIFE. When you’re intentional about speaking life, it’ll be hard to complain or speak negatively. <p align="center"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="Speak Life! Love this song! Have I said that yet? Baha!! :)" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/42/16/ff/4216ffb17122e92cda51684d20a6ac65.jpg" width="495" height="495">{Source unknown} <p align="left"><strong>5. No social media after 11PM. </strong> <p align="left">I had this goal in January and it was so good to “shut down” after 11. I don’t need to be staring at a screen before I go to bed. However, after January ended I slowly started to ease back into my old routine of checking Instagram/Facebook before falling asleep. Without having it as an ongoing goal, I was not purposeful to keep the habit up. So I’m bringing this goal back for April. <p align="center"><strong>Happy April, friends!</strong> Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-30209833928544387562014-03-10T12:54:00.001-07:002014-03-10T12:54:12.640-07:00Creator, not Duplicator & Comparing Stories<p align="center"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="http://distilleryimage5.s3.amazonaws.com/22979814a7ee11e394490e427cf85841_8.jpg" width="450" height="450"><font size="1">Catching the sunset at Jacksonville beach over the weekend. I love watercolor sunsets.</font> </p> <p align="center">I’m sitting in a corner at Panera in Jacksonville, Florida as I write this. It’s spring break and I came down to see my best friend, Janice, and her hubby. Janice is in class for a few hours so I snuck away with intentions of writing a little and exploring Jacksonville on my own. I’m having the sweetest time adventuring and simply getting to hang out. We go exploring. We bake cookies and dance in the kitchen. We go for beach walks. We talk about anything and everything. We have genuine conversation and I love it. I never imagined when we met in gym class in sixth grade that we would still be building our friendship ten years later. I’ve seen her romance with Stuart, her hubby, grow deep roots. I’ve see how excited she gets when we talk about kids and the future. I could go on and on. </p> <p align="center">I really want to share my heart and what I’m learning from the Lord right now. <em><strong>Being here has been such a fresh reminder that the Lord is faithful and that Janice’s story is not my story.</strong></em> I love seeing the way that Stuart looks at Jan. I have never seen her as happy as she is when they are together. They laugh and kiss and hold hands in the car. They know each other fully and love each other completely. They are best friends. But above all their marriage is rooted in Christ. </p> <p align="center">I remember when Janice and I first read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/When-Writes-Story-Expanded-Edition/dp/1601421656/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394477027&sr=8-1&keywords=when+god+writes+your+love+story" target="_blank">When God Writes Your Love Story</a> in tenth grade. We sat on her bedroom floor talking and dreaming. We started to realize just how much the Lord cared about this area of our lives. God isn’t stoic, distant, or detached…He is anything but! We started to realize that the Lord is in the details of all things. He has better stories for us than we could imagine ourselves. We started to dream about the men who would one day become our husbands. We didn’t have to settle. We also started to realize just how intimate our relationships with Jesus could be. The Lord used <a href="http://www.amazon.com/When-Writes-Story-Expanded-Edition/dp/1601421656/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394477027&sr=8-1&keywords=when+god+writes+your+love+story" target="_blank">When God Writes Your Love Story</a><em> </em>to reveal just how much more He pursues me in a fresh way. Although I had believed in Jesus before that, I hadn’t really thought about how close and real He was. I could and do have a vibrant and life-giving relationship with the Creator of all things. </p> <p align="center">That revolutionized the way I approached spending time with Jesus. My identity is deeply rooted in Christ. I am a sinner in desperate need of the grace that He covers me in. I am messy and broken, but yet He still pursues me. This continues to draw me to want to know Him more. This year especially I’ve pressed into Jesus in a fresh way. I’ve been genuinely thankful for this season of singleness. My heart hasn’t been distracted and I’ve been given this time to be reminded over and over again that my roots need to be deep in Him. I’ll never be prepared for a future relationship with my man if I’m unaware that my security and significance can only come from being in Christ. </p> <p align="center">But then I came down to see Janice and Stuart and if I’m being honest I got a little jealous of what they have. I started to wonder when will I meet my man. When will I have someone to grab my hand as we’re walking down the sidewalk. When will I have someone pursue me with intention and honor all the days before and after marriage. When will I get to do everyday life with my best friend. I know that marriage is tough and challenging in a way that I can’t picture now, but I know that it is sacred and beautiful. </p> <p align="center">It may sound crazy, but I got jealous that I don’t have what Janice has yet. I’ve flashed back to dreaming in tenth grade of the stories that the Lord would orchestrate one day. Now I’ve seen each stage of Janice and Stuart’s relationship grow and develop. I have seen just how faithful the Lord has been with every aspect of their relationship from friendship to dating to engagement and now in marriage. </p> <p align="center">Sometimes singleness is just plain hard. Especially when I start to compare my story to others and take my eyes off of Jesus. Then I read a quote by Francis Chan that convicted me in the best way possible. </p> <blockquote> <p align="center"><strong><font size="2">“Be careful not to turn others’ lives into the mold for our own…We have a God who is a Creator, NOT a duplicator.”</font></strong></p></blockquote> <p align="center"><font size="2">Y’all I needed to read that. My story is not Janice’s story and that is a good thing. My story is uniquely my own. The Lord is far too creative to script duplicate stories for anybody. And my goodness I am thankful for that! The Lord is Creator and He is faithful in all of the details. Janice’s story is uniquely scripted just for her by the Lord who loves and pursues her passionately. My story is uniquely scripted for me by the Lord who loves and pursues me passionately. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">In Isaiah 43:19, the Lord says “Behold, I am doing a new thing!'” He doesn’t say that He is recycling something old, but that He is doing a NEW thing. That means we each have our own stories tailored just for us by the Lord of infinite creativity! </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">I am so thankful for how patient Jesus is with me. He is always growing me in the midst of my story. He is faithful. He is close and intimate. I’m beyond excited to meet my man some day soon and see how the Lord scripts every detail; he will be one of my biggest blessings and our marriage one of my greatest joys. BUT the Lord is reminding me that the absolute greatest part of my story is my relationship with Christ. He is the foundation of my story. </font></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">My heart pretty much just spilled out on the page as I sit here in Panera watching people come and go. May it remind you that the Lord is Creator and not a duplicator. Happy Monday, sweet friends! </font></em></p> Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-63608647763324230022014-03-01T12:54:00.001-08:002014-03-01T12:54:35.026-08:00February & March Goals<p align="center">As I shared at the beginning of January, I’ve decided to have monthly goals this year in order to truly be diligent about making things happen. Before moving into March I want to revisit my February goals to keep myself accountable…</p> <p><strong>1. Read two books.</strong> <p>I finished reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Nothing-Everything-Tullian-Tchividjian/dp/1433507781/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1391187788&sr=8-3&keywords=tullian+tchividjian">Jesus + Nothing = Everything</a> and it was so full of truth. I kept coming back to how the gospel continues to impact every aspect of my everyday life. I started to read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Million-Little-Ways-Uncover-Were/dp/0800722442/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393705110&sr=8-1&keywords=a+million+little+ways" target="_blank">A Million Little Ways</a>, but I’m only a chapter in. So I only half accomplished this goal <p><strong>2. Go hiking.</strong> <p>This didn’t happen. I had planned to take a few friends home with me to the mountains over Valentine’s weekend, but we got snowed in at school. So hiking didn’t happen, but we are definitely making plans to go on a different weekend. <p><strong>3. Be intentional about living in and embracing the ordinary moments.</strong> <p>I’m growing more in this habit daily so I would say this is an ongoing accomplishment <p><strong>4. Have at least four coffee dates with friends.</strong> <p>I wanted to spend time with my girls and be intentional about continually developing rich friendships. I had exactly four dates although only one of them was actually over coffee (one was a lunch date and the other two were frozen yogurt dates). So this goal was accomplished. <p><strong>5. Pray for my future hubby and marriage consistently.</strong> <p>I can’t say that I’ve prayed for him every single day, but I have been consistently praying for him. I’ve also started to pray more specifically and to pray scripture over him. This is a habit that I always will be growing in. <p align="center">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <p><em>Now for March goals…</em> <p><strong>1. Limit my trips to Starbucks.</strong> <p>I love coffee. I make coffee everyday at home, but I can also easily spend an additional $30 at Starbucks each month. I need to be more aware of where I’m spending money and Starbucks is definitely not a need. With the money that I would normally spend on Starbucks, I bought coffee from <a href="https://justlovecoffee.com/shop/product/awaa-coffee/" target="_blank">Just Love Coffee Roasters</a>. When you purchase this particular coffee blend, 100% of the proceeds go to support <a href="https://www.awaa.org/default.aspx" target="_blank">America World Adoption</a>. Making a difference starts with the small things. <p><strong>2. Learn more about adoption. </strong> <p>Adoption has been on my heart for a while now. Every time I hear another story something within me gets excited and I want to learn more. I want to become more knowledgeable. I plan to read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Orphanology-Awakening-Gospel-Centered-Adoption-Orphan/dp/1596693029/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393706128&sr=8-1&keywords=orphanology" target="_blank">Orphanology: Awakening to Gospel-Centered Adoption and Orphan Care</a>. There is also an adoptive mother at the preschool that I work at…I plan to ask her if she would be willing to have lunch with me. I want to hear her family’s story with all the challenges and triumphs of adopting. <p><strong>3. Road trip to Florida to see one of my best friends.</strong> <p>Hello spring break! I’m driving down to Jacksonville to spend time with one of my best friends, Janice, and her hubby. I’m excited for lots of adventures and laidback moments. <p><strong>4. Be intentional about giving at least one compliment every day.</strong> <p>There have been so many times when I’ve thought something, but then I didn’t tell the person. I’ve let moments pass where I could encourage someone. Words can be life-giving and I plan to be intentional about giving genuine compliments. <p><strong>5. Learn more about slavery.</strong> <p>There are 27 million men, women, and children still trapped in slavery today and that just in not okay. I need to become more informed about what’s actually going on. And I know that I need to be intentional about praying specifically every day. I’m not really sure about what this goal is going to look like. I just know that because I have been set free by Jesus I have a responsibility. You can learn more about the <a href="http://enditmovement.com/" target="_blank">End It Movement</a> as well. <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="http://distilleryimage5.s3.amazonaws.com/4c7f6804a00611e3bac91267b8fd1d29_8.jpg" width="470" height="470"></p> <p align="center">"The blood of Jesus covers every inch of my mind, soul, and body. Because I have been painted red by His blood, I go out to set others free..." -Christine Caine // It starts by raising awareness and shining a light on the fact that slavery still exists. </p> Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-77722088331963848542014-02-22T15:15:00.001-08:002014-02-22T15:15:58.737-08:00life lately<p align="center">Hello friends! I can’t seem to keep up with blogging, but that’s okay. My spring semester is in full swing and that plus work fills my weekdays. I’m trying to be purposeful in finding joy in the everyday so here’s a glimpse into what those days have looked like lately…</p> <p align="center"><strong>Friday nights with these two girls are one of my favorites. We cook dinner and bake yummy desserts. We take silly pictures. We talk and laugh. We study scripture and push each other to press more into Jesus. I’m just grateful that I get to do life with friends like this. </strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HD0z_9OZRI8/Uwkvh30IeFI/AAAAAAAAEc4/LliqVcNh9fU/s1600-h/photo%2525201%252520%2525286%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 1 (6)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo 1 (6)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nWYvKUWoCqU/UwkviuyiFcI/AAAAAAAAEdA/WIvOh1LN7yU/photo%2525201%252520%2525286%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="374"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r80pMQiGD6c/UwkvjB-xqFI/AAAAAAAAEdI/1hbFxOjX1Zw/s1600-h/photo%2525202%252520%2525288%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 2 (8)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo 2 (8)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k7hWHgD5F-s/Uwkvk6cqqLI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/PpI62wdkUoI/photo%2525202%252520%2525288%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="374"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z0sZD8hn_H8/UwkvlXFVJaI/AAAAAAAAEdY/nWRPYdZaaLk/s1600-h/photo%2525203%252520%2525284%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 3 (4)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo 3 (4)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-icV45FPKi9s/UwkvmNUVmiI/AAAAAAAAEdg/F1P9Kk6TsCM/photo%2525203%252520%2525284%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="374"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>I have the biggest love and appreciation for snail mail. I’m constantly in awe of how the Lord uses others to uplift and encourage me and I hope I’m being intentional about doing the same. </strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8h1j81Gf4Jg/UwkvmkegY_I/AAAAAAAAEdo/11A4EM1eW6Q/s1600-h/photo%2525202%252520%2525281%252529%25255B5%25255D.png"><img title="photo 2 (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo 2 (1)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DhjyTxFXfP8/UwkvnCRdk1I/AAAAAAAAEdw/QlNNyeJJ_10/photo%2525202%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="499" height="374"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>Cozy nights spent inside with friends as the snow starts to fall. </strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CHhR0B6d5yk/Uwkvnk9yDdI/AAAAAAAAEd4/Ta0zqK1IJ64/s1600-h/photo%2525201%252520%2525287%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 1 (7)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo 1 (7)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ubCJlj8M8Eo/UwkvoKtcNEI/AAAAAAAAEeA/sZeydT0Y7Ag/photo%2525201%252520%2525287%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="374"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>Cooking dinner and baking sweets on Valentine’s night. SO yummy.</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kJlVmQNcGXk/Uwkvoy5SpoI/AAAAAAAAEeI/66lPUtYaAZI/s1600-h/photo%2525201%252520%2525282%252529%25255B6%25255D.png"><img title="photo 1 (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo 1 (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DZXWLVmTup0/UwkvpbslMTI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/EfwCdAE5PD8/photo%2525201%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="374" height="499"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>I walked out to my car on Monday to head to work and caught a glimpse of the sunrise. I just wanted to stop and whisper “thank You Jesus.” The colors faded fast and I kind of viewed this as a special gift just for me. I felt like the Lord was reminding me that He is real and near and intimate. I can’t think of a sweeter way to start a new week. </strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-131UWbb88f4/Uwkvp9hAhGI/AAAAAAAAEeY/ml9nclXhxHU/s1600-h/photo%2525202%252520%2525289%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 2 (9)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo 2 (9)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mxcBANEyKN8/UwkvqR9svTI/AAAAAAAAEec/b_286WxZvgg/photo%2525202%252520%2525289%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="374"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>I was able to get off campus on Wednesday to spend time with a friend. We sat on her back porch talking and drinking coffee. Ahhh. Evenings like that are perfection. And it was 70 degrees in Tennessee. </strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CDLnp_ZSomc/UwkvqqITNoI/AAAAAAAAEeo/WPM_31wWT0w/s1600-h/photo%2525203%252520%2525285%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 3 (5)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo 3 (5)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X3HTKWWGnpQ/UwkvrElF9MI/AAAAAAAAEew/zVW0zHDWtVw/photo%2525203%252520%2525285%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="374"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>Hope your weekend is full of relaxation and joy-filled moments!</strong></p> Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-15653583240676700542014-01-31T09:23:00.001-08:002014-01-31T09:23:41.537-08:00January & February Goals<p align="center"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/71/fc/74/71fc7431d904c236cf03041ad7c0c59d.jpg" width="335" height="400">I’m not sure the source of this print, but I love it. I want to embrace each day with an excitement and expectation. There is joy in the ordinary! <p>As I shared at the beginning of the month, I’ve decided to have monthly goals this year in order to truly be diligent about making things happen. Before moving into February I want to revisit my January goals to keep myself accountable… <p><strong>1. No social media after 11pm.</strong> <p>This goal was just what I needed. I had made such a habit of lying in bed and scrolling through Instagram for 20 to 30 minutes before falling asleep, and that’s not what I want to fill my thoughts every night. I plan to keep this habit of unplugging from social media after 11pm going strong in February. <p><strong>2. Write down simple joys each day in my journal.</strong> <p>One of my favorite habits! Every day I write down two or three things to my list of 1,000 gifts. I’ve become so much more aware to the beauty in ordinary moments through this practice. I also plan to keep this up! <p><strong>3.</strong> <strong>Send five letters snail mail style.</strong> <p>Handwritten letters and encouraging cards get me fired up. I met this goal by sending six during January. Yay! <p><strong>4. Clean the entire house for my parents.</strong> <p>Mission accomplished. I loved being able to serve my parents in this small way and I know my mom appreciated it when she came home from being out-of-town. <p><strong>5. Be intentional about speaking to store cashiers when checking out. {AKA say more than just “How are you? Good.”}</strong> <p>I didn’t succeed at this one every single time, but I always made it a priority to smile and make eye contact when checking out. I plan to continue working on being more intentional with this goal in the next month. <p><strong>Now for my February goals…</strong> <p><strong>1. Read two books. </strong> <p>I’m currently working through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Nothing-Everything-Tullian-Tchividjian/dp/1433507781/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1391187788&sr=8-3&keywords=tullian+tchividjian" target="_blank">Jesus + Nothing = Everything</a> and I would highly recommend it. I’m learning more about how the gospel continues to impact every aspect of my everyday life. Next on my list, is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0310325633/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=27S0GN6MR1YMJ&coliid=I2B6H292SO6NGP" target="_blank">Veneer: Living Deeply in a Surface Society</a>. It focuses on having real and genuine relationships which is something that I want to continually be intentional about cultivating. <p><strong>2. Go hiking.</strong> <p>I haven’t been since the fall and I miss it. I have a day planned with a few friends over Valentine’s weekend and I’m so excited for it. <p><strong>3. Be intentional about living in and embracing the ordinary moments.</strong> <p>This builds on my habit of writing down the simple joys (AKA 1,000 gifts). There is so much beauty to be had in the ordinary and I don’t want to miss it. <p><strong>4. Have at least four coffee dates with friends. </strong> <p>We don’t necessarily have to get coffee…lunch, frozen yogurt, dinner, etc. I want to spend time with my girls and continually develop rich friendships. <p><strong>5. Pray for my future hubby and marriage consistently.</strong> <p>This is another things that gets me fired up! I want to honor him before we even meet and this is one way that I know I can do that. Although I miss him, I plan to live fully in this season of singleness. Instead of “pining” for him, I will use my time to lift him up. That is one way to pour into him and our future marriage before we ever even meet. <p align="center"><strong>Happy Friday! </strong></p> Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-50933520642441773482014-01-30T05:00:00.000-08:002014-01-30T05:00:03.298-08:00lately & celebrating life<p align="center">I’m just going to go ahead and jump right into this…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9cApuLus3zo/Uumll9bBGJI/AAAAAAAAEZo/dfqYRLFFk-w/s1600-h/photo%2525201%252520%2525285%252529%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 1 (5)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo 1 (5)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qEd-sKy-v0Y/UumlmdKmquI/AAAAAAAAEZs/8Q4qs5S_jc8/photo%2525201%252520%2525285%252529_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="496"></a></p> <p align="center">Friday night. Such a sweet and fun night! It was rather chilly so I went grocery shopping with a couple of friends and we got ingredients to make homemade pizza. Yum! We made pizza while talking about anything and everything. Jesus, teaching, gratitude and 1,000 gifts, families, and so much more. We had the best time and ended the night playing a card game that got pretty intense. I love laidback nights spent talking and laughing with my girls. Be intentional in your friendships! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EKF6tO-YaTs/Uumlm-w0IGI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/0c_wrVJ0H1k/s1600-h/photo%252520%25252841%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo (41)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo (41)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T3NRPobhdeQ/UumloXM5H3I/AAAAAAAAEaA/-o1XZrvLX-Q/photo%252520%25252841%252529_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="454"></a>One of my favorite old photos. </p> <p align="center">Monday night. My grandpa passed away. He left his earthly body that was failing him and traded it in for a NEW and GLORIOUS body in heaven. It seriously overwhelms me when I think about the fact that he’s now fully healed and with Jesus right now. There’s such beauty and joy in that. I’m so thankful for my roomie because she sat with me after I got the news and let me share memory after memory. Also, one of the last coherent conversations I had with him, he told me how proud he was and that he loved me. Y’all I’ll always be grateful for that.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3RSa7TQuliQ/Uumlo7UFLiI/AAAAAAAAEaI/o5E7a1-DPWo/s1600-h/photo%2525202%252520%2525287%252529%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 2 (7)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo 2 (7)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IVkzv-fRHCM/UumlpkLABEI/AAAAAAAAEaM/Ky2dYEkpMdY/photo%2525202%252520%2525287%252529_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="454"></a></p> <p align="center">Tuesday morning. A reminder that His pursuit is relentless and I don’t want to become numb to that. It was also such a sweet reminder that my grandpa is experiencing the fullness of Christ’s love in an unimaginable way.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiH4traFRLlaCYcVdMwyLONZu6gMJIxZZtf3rDOKY21FWHYoCngB-DrpRShktRzpRwdRl5yx74wQtG0lZqFmLqa7De-6arbGsv-TdpuJRX4jkojsbm9JeOSw96kOALFK7N0bpSa7UWBGA/s1600-h/photo%2525203%252520%2525283%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 3 (3)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo 3 (3)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2tKeGAQSO1w/UumlqbI8PsI/AAAAAAAAEag/5XZ3c4WTMhw/photo%2525203%252520%2525283%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="484"></a></p> <p align="center">Tuesday afternoon. It started snowing! It was magical and everybody on campus seemed to be extra energized. It was gorgeous to see campus blanketed in white and students out enjoying it. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YtCYEr1q6DA/Uumlq_DeXuI/AAAAAAAAEak/Mx0L895AKNg/s1600-h/photo%2525204%252520%2525282%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 4 (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo 4 (2)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JbTb9-UtpgU/UumlrZtKsqI/AAAAAAAAEaw/2Vkj6t8Yn3I/photo%2525204%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="384"></a></p> <p align="center">Wednesday morning. I work at the early learning center on campus and I usually would get there at 7:15am. BUT there was a two hour delay and then I had a snowy view from my classroom. So cold but so beautiful. Once I left work, I checked my email to see that all of my afternoon classes had been cancelled. Hooray! I was perfectly content with a cozy afternoon free of classes. </p> <p align="center"><strong>I’m so thankful for everyday moments. There really is beauty in the ordinary and I’m embracing the here and now.</strong></p> Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-49515210277557619402014-01-22T05:00:00.000-08:002014-01-22T05:00:01.890-08:00our story of redemption<p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cGNAeWLAXTU/Ut84PkP2RuI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/WtYl_w53JhA/s1600-h/photo%2525204%252520%2525281%252529%25255B11%25255D.png"><img title="photo 4 (1)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo 4 (1)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pW0A-HnOyt4/Ut84QRAnmvI/AAAAAAAAEZY/ExNW82ifYvY/photo%2525204%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="474" height="474"></a></p> <p align="center">Good morning, sweet friends! Classes and work are back in full swing for the spring semester and I’m loving it. As I’m slowly figuring out my routine for this semester, I wanted to share with you the Bible reading plan that I’ve started this year. Last year, I read on <a href="http://bloomtheblog.com" target="_blank">Nicole's blog</a> about how she had started to read the Bible chronologically. I was struck in the best way when she wrote, “The Bible is <i>not </i>just a book of random stories. From the first page to the last, the Bible is Christ's story. The story of grace, mercy, and His glory. From start to finish, it is about our redemption, our need of a savior.” </p> <p align="center">As I was thinking about what I wanted my quiet times to look like at the beginning of the year, I kept coming back to the truth of her words and committed to working through the Bible chronologically. I want to dig into the stories of the Old Testament and see them come to life. I want to learn and grow. I want to see how it all points to Christ.</p> <p align="center">I know it will take me longer than a year to work through, so I’m not setting any kind of timeline. I’m just planning on working through the Bible slowly and steadily. So far one theme that repeatedly stands out is that I'm messy, broken, and ordinary, but the Lord redeems and includes me in the story. That’s the sweetest. </p> <p align="center">---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p align="center">If you’re interested in the chronological plan, you can find it <a href="http://70030.stablerack.com/images/BibleinChronologicalOrder.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. I plan to write about what the Lord is teaching me, but I tend to use <a href="http://instagram.com/samantha_grey" target="_blank">instagram</a> mostly to share glimpses of what I’m learning. I’m excited to continue digging more into His word through this study! </p> <p align="center"><strong>Do you have a Bible study that you’re currently working through? I’m interested to know how you study the word!</strong></p> Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-38275983542496103612014-01-18T10:16:00.001-08:002014-01-18T10:16:51.313-08:00life lately<p>Good morning, friends! I’m slowly easing into this Saturday. I’m on my second cup of coffee and I still have my pajamas on. The past week has held some of the sweetest everyday moments. Laughing so much at work. Handwritten letters in the mail. Genuine conversation over lunch. Making plans to spend spring break with my best friend. Encouraging phone calls from my dad. That just scratches the surface…</p> <p align="center"><strong>Sunsets, the best Ben Howard playlist, and north Georgia back roads.</strong> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xJQG_z1a2YM/UtrE94wWV4I/AAAAAAAAEXk/ID729u3A0hQ/s1600-h/photo%2525201%252520%2525283%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 1 (3)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo 1 (3)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ANW_jlPoMBY/UtrE-UcjuzI/AAAAAAAAEXo/v0aocjOX9h0/photo%2525201%252520%2525283%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="374"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>Exploring railroads tracks along the Toccoa River.</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tyqzcx04zcU/UtrE-3LpoyI/AAAAAAAAEX0/64kIqiTfWlU/s1600-h/photo%2525202%252520%2525285%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 2 (5)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo 2 (5)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9ROm8BQtMgo/UtrE_laB0eI/AAAAAAAAEX8/QNLxvRbgn2g/photo%2525202%252520%2525285%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="374"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>Laughing until we cry with my mom.</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aV-0cofarMs/UtrFANnPxoI/AAAAAAAAEYA/CEi6uhZAmow/s1600-h/photo%2525203%252520%2525282%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 3 (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo 3 (2)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7WTgXZ4N0EE/UtrFAxb7nQI/AAAAAAAAEYI/t3UyLQpPuHs/photo%2525203%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="374"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>Catching the sunrise over the mountains. </strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ALUbZnAj3A0/UtrFBe8JxnI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/RETKruL3lqo/s1600-h/photo%2525204%252520%2525281%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 4 (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo 4 (1)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cnfOuS2Nuuw/UtrFB7B6AEI/AAAAAAAAEYY/XFaOnq3gIhI/photo%2525204%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="374"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>Sunshine and blue skies that almost makes you forget it’s winter.</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Nm_VZ65FIrQ/UtrFCZ-vaFI/AAAAAAAAEYk/MhiSgR9CcsY/s1600-h/photo%2525201%252520%2525284%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 1 (4)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo 1 (4)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7qTWfifD0Yo/UtrFDIM3vMI/AAAAAAAAEYo/qs1XdWaCLMI/photo%2525201%252520%2525284%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="374"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>Friday afternoons.</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nufdD5j5L2s/UtrFD6v2auI/AAAAAAAAEY0/DQ6lEdmdkbc/s1600-h/photo%2525202%252520%2525286%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 2 (6)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo 2 (6)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2e0lt4xmV1w/UtrFER1xZQI/AAAAAAAAEY4/Bz_sn-Ssqcc/photo%2525202%252520%2525286%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="374"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>May your Saturday be filled with joy! Embrace those everyday moments. </em></p> Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-75101721500161290322014-01-15T04:00:00.000-08:002014-01-15T04:00:04.044-08:00let them be little<p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--0KU_5c6n4o/Us2-MY1m6sI/AAAAAAAAEUM/0CxAMra2zYk/s1600-h/raina%25255B5%25255D.png"><img title="raina" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="raina" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xKK4gZJUSrA/Us2-d98NEBI/AAAAAAAAEUU/-tdzrQga2O8/raina_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="384" height="499"></a><em>One of my 1 1/2 year olds from last semester. This sweet girl woke up early from nap so we had a little extra one-on-one time.</em></p> <p>I’m back in Tennessee and it’s the first day of classes. Hello spring semester of junior year! I genuinely love the start of new semesters and I’m especially excited for this one because my classes are all education courses. Sweetness. It energizes me to learn from professors passionate about teaching and alongside girls (and an occasional guy) that long to be in the classroom already as much as I do. </p> <p>New semesters also mean a new classroom at work for this girl. I work at the early learning center on my campus and it has been one of the best pasts of my college experience. I’ve had challenging afternoons (I mean I’m working with preschoolers…). I’ve had frustrating moments. I’ve asked so many questions about behavior management and learned a great deal on my feet. BUT I’ve also had some of the best afternoons. These kids have made me laugh and smile over and over again. They’ve opened up my heart more and more. </p> <p>I’ve been placed in the infants classroom this semester which is completely new ground for me. I’ve primarily worked with the “older” (2 1/2 – 3 year olds) kids with the exception of last semester where I had the toddlers (1 1/2 – 2) year olds). So I’m really looking forward to spending time loving on the babies.</p> <p>One of the the things that I’ve learned working at a preschool and as a future teacher is just how much parents LOVE their babies. That seems so incredibly obvious that you’re probably wondering where I’m going with this. Well, it has really highlighted the hugeness of my responsibility of taking care of their children. They bring their babies into our classrooms every morning and leave trusting that they will be cared and loved well by us teachers. It’s our job and responsibility to create and maintain safe, fun, and joy-filled environments for their kids. What a responsibility and privilege that is! </p> <p>I’m also constantly reminded to let them be little. They are learning and growing and developing. They are learning as I model how to correctly share for the 100th time. They are developing as they learn how to say more words or make sentences. They are little and I’m there to hopefully protect that innocence. I want them to have joy in discovering the world and learning something they didn’t know before. I know this probably seems pretty obvious too, but sometimes I place expectations on them that are way beyond their age. Then I’ll get frustrated with myself. So my goal is to let them be little. I’m just really thankful for the opportunity to have a job that I love as I work toward being an elementary school teacher. </p> <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="a reminder." src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/d7/59/61/d75961db5ab424a81a4687da64c9ba36.jpg" width="272" height="350"></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://brickyardbuffalo.com" target="_blank">{via}</a></p> <p>P. S. Can I just take a minute to appreciate the cheesy sweetness of school/staff pictures? This is from last October and I kind of love that I have a future with lots of teacher pictures in it. I always loved when my mom would bring home her teacher picture every year and now I’m following in her footsteps. :)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t6Lqu9FRJUA/Us2-kO3RIBI/AAAAAAAAEUc/n45W9tCOa_w/s1600-h/ELC2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="ELC2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="ELC2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cOSdv-6g_Wg/Us2-rgBiOXI/AAAAAAAAEUk/ZI6B8yYXAGY/ELC2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="484"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>Have a sweet day, friends!</strong></p> Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-70357574177378810042014-01-10T05:00:00.000-08:002014-01-10T05:00:00.766-08:00five on friday<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="THE GOOD LIFE BLOG" src="http://i1351.photobucket.com/albums/p782/thegoodlifeblog/5onFridayLogo-Final-forblogsidemenu_edited-1_zps7fcf6068.jpg" /></div>
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My mom comes home today! She’s been gone two and half weeks while I’ve been home for Christmas break caring for my sick grandpa in Florida. I’m excited to have her back because she really is the best. She’s the most encouraging momma and truly has a servant’s heart. She reminds me I never have to settle while keeping my grounded when needed. We laugh a lot too. </div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6QHNi7VwZuU/Us9OSc9XfpI/AAAAAAAAEU8/ttDqr-SxkVY/s1600-h/afterlight%252520%2525287%252529%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="afterlight (7)" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OTolJnJ6Ya4/Us9OZd9rhsI/AAAAAAAAEVE/WDwyNdhH-Oo/afterlight%252520%2525287%252529_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="409" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="afterlight (7)" width="499" /></a><br />
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I want to live in the mountains forever. </div>
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Front porches and rocking chairs. Winding back roads. Sunsets that look like watercolors. Cold energizing air during the winter. Always somewhere to explore. I love it all and so much more. </div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FtN8DFSiCxY/Us9Oc7BW12I/AAAAAAAAEVM/XXxRduJB2Ss/s1600-h/vscocam464%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="vscocam464" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U2nPDVQCBuw/Us9OhBJafmI/AAAAAAAAEVU/Zg-mpbqZJLg/vscocam464_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="499" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="vscocam464" width="499" /></a>One of my adventures a couple of weeks ago…iPhone photos don’t do it justice.</div>
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FaceTime dates with blog friends turned real-life friends are so sweet. <a href="http://sweetnessoflaughter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sarah</a> and I have corresponded over the past year and a half and our conversations encourage the heck out of me. We talk about everything from coffee and tea to relationships to Jesus. Sarah is genuine, radiant, and sweet. She loves Jesus and others so well which encourages me to do the same. I’m thankful for her. </div>
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I couldn't agree more with this…</div>
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<img alt="mmmm coffee." src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/82/d5/70/82d570521fd642ea750041c96d3f69b7.jpg" height="490" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="370" /><a href="http://lostbumblebee.blogspot.ca/2013/10/love-is-in-airand-it-smells-like-coffee.html" target="_blank">via</a></div>
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This song needs to be my anthem because my goodness I need Jesus. Above all and before all I need Him. May it encourage you as much as it has me.</div>
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"And let my life be for Your glory</div>
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Woven in Your threads of grace"</div>
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Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-29613451816757401652014-01-08T05:30:00.000-08:002014-01-08T05:30:01.106-08:00cozy winter nights & mornings<p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1518642_10200451220401316_2137281657_n.jpg" width="480" height="480"></p> <p>Y’all I’m absolutely soaking in these cozy winter nights and mornings during the last week of Christmas break. It doesn’t get much better than comfy clothes, no make-up, and second cups of coffee. Monday night was a sweet one. My mom is out-of-town so it’s just me and my dad. We spent quality time watching the BCS championship game cheering on the Florida State Seminoles which was pretty special. You see, I was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida. My mom graduated from FSU along with several of my friends. Although I now go to school in Tennessee and come home on breaks to North Carolina, it was so fun to see my hometown represented AND then to see them win the championship. </p> <p>Mornings around here are slow-paced and I wouldn’t trade them. After sleeping in, I usually sit on the front porch with coffee and spend time with the Lord. But it’s been too cold the past couple of mornings, so I’ve swapped the front porch and rocking chairs for the fireplace and couch (no complaints). </p> <p>Yesterday morning I opened Psalm 100 with intentions of focusing on verse 4...”Enter His gates <sup></sup>with thanksgiving, <i>And</i> His courts with praise.Give thanks to Him, <sup></sup>bless His name.” This verse has been foundational as I write down 1,000 gifts (aka simple joys). However, it was verse 3 that grabbed me. I sat there and read it out loud and then had to write it down. </p> <p align="center"><em>“Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves…” </em>Psalm 100:3 (NASB)</p> <p>The Lord is Creator; I’m not. It sounds so simple, but way too often I think that I’m inclined to know what’s best for my life. I’m not. I keep coming back to this…my perspective is limited and flawed. Therefore, I do not know best. The Lord Himself is Creator and His perspective is infinite and without flaw. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ifDbaNRV8qw/UszTwufDH9I/AAAAAAAAET0/Fuyj7FkLOM4/s1600-h/afterlight%252520%2525286%252529%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="afterlight (6)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="afterlight (6)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fooI4241QC4/UszT0M1R20I/AAAAAAAAET8/gfoYvMeOyC8/afterlight%252520%2525286%252529_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="474"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>Hope your mornings and nights are cozy too! </em></p> Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-76837645674385400432014-01-06T06:47:00.001-08:002014-01-06T06:47:52.737-08:00What fires me up…& January goals.<p><img src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1524673_10200421693823170_1824966255_n.jpg" width="485" height="485"></p> <p>I’ve never been huge on making resolutions and this year isn’t much different. However, I knew I wanted to make a list of a few of the things that fire me up to remind myself to pursue what inspires me. </p> <p align="center"><em>Joy-filled classrooms…</em>Without a doubt my heart is in the classroom. I want to continually learn more and more about creating such an environment in my future classroom</p> <p align="center"><em>Coffee dates…</em>This is all about being intentional with the friends in my life. </p> <p align="center"><em>Mountain adventures and exploring…</em>Y’all my love for the mountains knows no bounds. Going to school in Tennessee and coming home to North Carolina on breaks makes it easy to get out and explore. I plan to do lots of it too. </p> <p align="center"><em>Praying for future hubby and marriage…</em>THIS gets me fired up! I know that one of the ways I can honor my future hubby before we even meet is by praying for him {read more about how I specifically pray for him <a href="http://samanthagreyshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/07/how-to-pray-for-your-future-husband.html" target="_blank">here</a>!}. </p> <p align="center"><em>Encouragement…</em>My words should be used to build others up and I want to be more intentional about doing so.</p> <p align="center"><em>Snail mail…</em>I mean who doesn’t love receiving sweet cards or handwritten letters in the mail?! </p> <p align="center"><em>A marked up Bible…</em>Being able to look back on what the Lord has taught me is <font style="background-color: #ffffff">special</font>. I’ve started to read through the Bible chronologically and I want to see and reflect on what the Lord is teaching me. </p> <p align="center"><em>Becoming stronger at running…</em>I slowly started to get into running last semester and I really love it. It feels so good to notice my stamina and endurance improving. </p> <p align="center"><em>Writing down the simple joys…</em>This is about cultivating gratefulness {Psalm 100:4}. I started my list of 1,000 gifts in 2011 and lost count somewhere around 500. So I’m starting from the beginning and writing down the simple and ordinary moments that really do make life sweet. </p> <p align="center"><em>Embracing this: “Wherever you are, be all there.” {Jim Elliot}…</em>Not much explanation needed for this one. </p> <p>I’ve also decided to make a few goals each month that I’ll share to keep me accountable. Instead of having goals that are unrealistic and that I quickly forget about, I’m focusing on small and practical goals that I plan to accomplish. It’s all about making things happen. </p> <p>So my January goals…</p> <p align="left"><strong>1. No social media after 11pm.</strong></p> <p align="left">Personally, this is a tough one. I have such a habit of grabbing my phone once I’m in bed. I’ll scroll though Facebook and Instagram and before I know it 20 or 30 minutes has passed. I don’t want what’s on my newsfeed to be what I’m focusing on before falling asleep. </p> <p align="left"><strong>2. Write down simple joys each day in my journal.</strong></p> <p align="left">I mentioned this in more detail above. I really love this habit because it has made me SO much more aware throughout the day of all the “gifts” that I used to miss.</p> <p align="left"><strong>3.</strong> <strong>Send five letters snail mail style.</strong></p> <p align="left">I’ve already sent two this month…three more to go! </p> <p align="left"><strong>4. Clean the entire house for my parents. </strong></p> <p align="left">While I’m still home for Christmas break I want to do this to serve my parents. My mom has also been out-of-town taking care of my sick grandpa so it would nice for her to come home to a clean house. </p> <p align="left"><strong>5. Be intentional about speaking to store cashiers when checking out. {AKA say more than just “How are you? Good.”}</strong></p> <p>This may sound like an odd goal, but I usually try to engage in conversation with store cashiers. I learned this from my mom growing up and it’s the neatest to see them light up. I don’t want to be just another customer who passes through their line without even making eye contact.</p> <p align="center"><em>May your Monday be so filled with joy. It’s currently 15 degrees outside and there’s snow on the ground so I plan to stay warm and cozy inside by the fireplace!</em></p> Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-60198200773576132092014-01-02T16:14:00.001-08:002014-01-02T16:14:47.109-08:00Hi again…I’m back.<p>Hi…I feel like I should reintroduce myself. I’m Samantha and I used to keep up with this small space on the internet. Then my junior year started and I haven’t blogged since the first week of classes. Woops. I had many times where I could sit down and blog, but my heart just wasn’t in it so I chose to take an extended break. There have been some really sweet moments over the past few months that have gone undocumented. I haven’t shared pieces of my heart or life. But I’m okay with that. </p> <p>With all of that being said, I’ve really missed blogging. There is something special about being able to look back through old posts full of adventures and lessons learned. One of the things I love most about reading blogs are the genuine glimpses into the hearts of other young women and getting to connect with y’all. So I’m ready to jump back into blogging. </p> <p>Instead of sharing all that has happened since I last blogged, I’m going to start fresh with what the Lord has been teaching me. One thing is for certain…I am constantly learning and growing. Thank goodness the Lord gives grace upon grace because I need it. Sometimes I run away from the Lord’s pursuit. Or I become numb to the grandness that Jesus desires intimacy with me. I’m messy and broken. My actions and words often do not reflect Christ. But still He gives grace and mercy. </p> <p>As the new year starts, the Lord keeps pressing into me that seasons of waiting are not without purpose. I’m about to start the second half of my junior year and as much as I love college, I dream about the future A LOT. I’m getting closer and closer to my dream of being a teacher, but I don’t have my own classroom yet. It may sound silly to dream about finally having my own classroom, but this is one of my passions. I have so so many ideas and I’m ready to have a classroom full of kids to pour into. Although I’m closer to that becoming a reality than ever before, I’m not quite there. </p> <p>I dream about moving to a new city on my own as a first-year teacher. I could share with you the crazy mix of emotions I have over that dream, but that’s an entirely different blog post. </p> <p>Most of all, I dream about when I’ll meet my future husband. Is it crazy to miss someone you haven’t even met yet? Y’all this is one of the hardest things for me to wait for. My best friend is married to an incredible man that so sweetly pursues her which makes me so happy her. But it makes me wonder when I’ll get to experience that. I know marriage is far from easy, but it doesn’t get any better than growing in love with your best friend and I get really excited for that. Then it seems like there’s an endless amount of dating or engaged couples on my campus. Whenever I come home, people will ask if there’s a young man and seem surprised when I say no. I know people only have kind intentions when asking, but if I’m not careful I can let those expectations get to me. I can start to idolize marriage and question why I haven’t met my man yet. </p> <p>Through these ambitions, the Lord keeps teaching me that there is SO much purpose in this waiting. When I’m inclined to think that I know best, I’m drawn back to Isaiah 55:8…”’For my thoughts<sup></sup> are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.” I may see this as a time of waiting, but the Lord is constantly refining me. I’m growing and learning right now. I’m being reminded over and over that my biggest need is for Jesus. Not a future classroom or husband. Those are both huge blessings, but my real need is a relationship with Christ. And I’m learning that to fully embrace “wherever you are, be all there” (Jim Elliot), I must rejoice in the waiting. I don’t want to miss what the Lord has to teach me TODAY because I’m too busy asking “why, how, when??”</p> <p>As much as I may think that my plans are best, they’re not. My perspective is limited and I only see what’s right in front of me. My plans are flawed. Thankfully God works in His own timing, and has a plan much higher than my own. Praise Him for t<sub></sub>hat. I’m learning to continually surrender my desires and ambitions to His timing and plan. He is at work in the waiting and I don’t want to miss all that He has in the here and now. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-11Y_hW8j12E/UsYA5OtmsTI/AAAAAAAAENE/tJ9C38Jfj-k/s1600-h/photo%252520%25252834%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo (34)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo (34)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9ZxoSBmP5pc/UsYA73Q5LxI/AAAAAAAAENM/LC_LZ4pZfqI/photo%252520%25252834%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="404"></a></p> Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-79873827428430193332013-08-26T05:00:00.000-07:002013-08-26T05:00:07.031-07:00back to school {hello junior year!}<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kX58nOd4ioU/UhqSdn8s3nI/AAAAAAAAEKU/szv4zLI7fcc/s1600-h/august25.jpg"><img title="august2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="august2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZNEcongeB6A/UhqSeCYM1-I/AAAAAAAAEKc/eLHsQps1S-0/august2_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="394"></a></p> <p>Well, classes are back in full swing which is slightly exciting and overwhelming. I’m starting to fill my planner up with due dates and I can tell it’s going to be a busy few months. I also started back working at the early learning center on Thursday. I’m with the younger toddlers (1 1/2 – 2 yr. olds) this semester. It was the sweetest getting to see my older kids from last semester outside on the playground. They came running up to me to give big hugs. Two of my girls even ran back to get “one more hug and kiss on the cheek.” Talk about melting my heart. </p> <p>Friday night was sweet. I went with my roomie and a couple of our friends to get frozen yogurt at our favorite spot for dinner and we just sat around chatting. Afterward, we decided to head over to Panera to get bagels for our “dessert”…we’re super healthy like that. Oh my. The cinnamon crunch bagel with cheesecake cream cheese is to die for (so good!). We came back to watch You’ve Got Mail (always a favorite). </p> <p>I’m just feeling extra thankful for this new season. I can’t wait to share this semester’s adventures with y’all! </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fypRDJrdqcQ/UhqSenDXz0I/AAAAAAAAEKk/OH99EUJ-OBM/s1600-h/august5.jpg"><img title="august" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="august" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-33sb2koAOxQ/UhqSfF_j03I/AAAAAAAAEKs/rwwp4a-7izA/august_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="394"></a></p> Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-56873022528964711672013-08-21T05:00:00.000-07:002013-08-21T05:00:10.248-07:00mid-week randoms<p align="center">I’m linking up with <a href="http://www.inthiswonderfullife.com/" target="_blank">Megan</a> today. </p> <p align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlL4UIrDVlKO_ylPM2KPifo9YkhxxqJ1teLdTfyIH1V7DK_e8BJ1Wm1OrTZ4Ns4TEixBeIdkI1ry5_IW0hFzjKXuE8Pd6114tKjV806rpLDJsWTMAg74_jz726LhTtkyuYqtHL4vlK8O4_/s1600/Recently+Updated130.jpg"></p> <p align="center"><strong>{one}</strong></p> <p align="center">Classes start today. I kind of love the beginning of new semesters.</p> <p align="center"><strong>{two}</strong></p> <p align="center">I’m still going through Kelly Minter’s Ruth study with <a href="http://www.eleanormharte.com/" target="_blank">Eleanor</a>. On Sunday I read ahead slightly and was stopped by Ruth 4:14…”Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today...’” Wow! What a needed reminder that was!</p> <p align="center"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="http://distilleryimage4.s3.amazonaws.com/cd536c2e080c11e393f522000aeb4102_7.jpg" width="495" height="495"></p> <p align="center"><strong>{three}</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.benrectormusic.com/" target="_blank">Ben Rector</a> has a new album out. Go buy it! I’m going to see him in Atlanta over my fall break and he’s seriously one of my favorites.</p> <p align="center"><strong>{four}</strong></p> <p align="center">Getting to have dinner and hang out with my roomies from last year was the best.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JDJjGNE_hRE/UhO0Zl-JXVI/AAAAAAAAEIw/yLIa0Fc6tYI/s1600-h/photo%252520%25252822%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo (22)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo (22)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2o_DQnezPGg/UhO0asBR5XI/AAAAAAAAEI4/m2IK7OOkxiM/photo%252520%25252822%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="374"></a></p> <p align="center">Trying to get a group photo is harder than it looks… </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Zmwau_pWZno/UhO0bvhqCmI/AAAAAAAAEJA/mKoh5KOJEDg/s1600-h/photo%252520%25252819%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo (19)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo (19)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GewdZlYF3kc/UhO0cw2cIDI/AAAAAAAAEJE/NzgNcth7ElQ/photo%252520%25252819%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="374"></a></p> <p align="center">We’re fun. Be our friends? ;)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZSkv6RM0F_k/UhO0deP3QaI/AAAAAAAAEJM/eRvAgC1tLOM/s1600-h/photo%252520%25252821%252529%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo (21)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo (21)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YB9ILrjLXT8/UhO0eRyoFrI/AAAAAAAAEJU/92okJDqdgSk/photo%252520%25252821%252529_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="374"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J89zoDUwahw/UhO0fasj2mI/AAAAAAAAEJg/tr0Z6H7u6dM/s1600-h/photo%252520%25252820%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo (20)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="photo (20)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1G5MPI0ksrU/UhO0gcxuBLI/AAAAAAAAEJo/Q8VA47XHdLc/photo%252520%25252820%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="374"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>Happy Wednesday, friends.</strong></p> Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-13966060958991183692013-08-13T07:08:00.001-07:002013-08-13T07:08:50.460-07:00Teaching is… {Guest Post}<p align="center"><em>Good morning, sweet friends!</em> <em>I am SO excited to share with you a guest post on a topic that gets me fired up…<strong>being a Christian teacher in public education.</strong> It is my hope that <a href="http://amgray18.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Amanda's</a> insight will encourage and challenge you.</em> <p>When Samantha asked me to do a guest post about my experiences teaching I was thrilled. I have never done one before and the content is definitely something that needs to be heard. I prayed hard about what to say and how to share. <p>First a little background… <p>I am Amanda and I blog at <a href="http://amgray18.blogspot.com">life.faith.travels.love &food</a>; blogging for me encompasses a lot. I love to write and to scrapbook so it’s somewhat that, but then I figured out that I do have a lot to share about teaching and my faith. I am now in my second year of teaching fifth grade and the school that I teach at is Title 1 [or for non-teachers, inner city- low income & low test scores]. Last year I really had no clue what I was getting myself into and this year my group would be your typical definition of inner city kids. <p><b><i></i></b> <p>As Samantha has mentioned many times on her blog, teaching is so much more than being in the classroom. I actually<i> wish </i>my job was thinking of creative ways to deliver the content. Sadly, most days, lesson planning actually gets put on the back burner. <p>My job title is teacher but my job description cannot be put into so many words. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that most do not even see. There are meetings with other teachers to plan, trainings to make sure we are doing the right thing, testing to prove that we are teaching, paperwork <i>again</i> to prove we are teaching, meeting with parents to develop some sort of relationship (this is hard for me especially because most of the parents at my school hated school or just automatically assume a phone call is bad) so it’s my job to convince them to try to work with me for the benefit of their child. Then there is a lot that the government puts into place where depending on state/county can change, but politics will always be politics and I will just leave it at that. <p>Even though I just listed a huge list that could be discouraging, the one thing that I really do wish would change in our public school system was the view on Christ. I pray every morning on my way to school and every afternoon on my drive home for my students, the other teachers, and for myself to let God use me as his tool for that day. Instead of being able to teach about God’s love I have to show it. <p><i>Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity…</i> <b><i>Titus 2:7</i></b> <p>In my experience, with some students, they have never heard [or been shown] how to treat others with kindness and love. God has me going to battle every single day in my classroom without even being<i> allowed to mention Him. </i>I have to break down walls of children who have seen more in their short life than I would have ever thought a child would have to experience. They don’t know any other way and it constantly breaks my heart. I am their confidant when no one else will listen. I have to be strong with some of the stories I hear. I have to hold it together and teach them how to love one another as Christ loved us. I have to love them when all they want is to push me farther away with an attitude you would not believe. <p>Teaching is so much harder than I thought it would be. Yet, with all that being said I don’t even know if I could do anything else. I know I am where I am supposed to be, with the population I am supposed to be with. [yes, I do have extra paperwork because I am at a title 1 school]. I don’t know if I could teach at a “better” school as some have told me so it would be <i>easier. </i> <p><b>God didn’t intend for it to be easy or he wouldn’t have sacrificed his only son for Love. </b> <p><b></b> <p>I know this didn’t make teaching look glamorous and happy as most view it as but I do love it. I love seeing a child grow and learn how to interact with someone they thought they could never get along with. I love that moment when they “get it” and a student knows they have something to be proud of. I love the hugs I receive as I load them on the buses. I love sharing my life with children in hopes that through me they will see the Lord and come to know Him and have a relationship with Him despite the fact that it is “against the rules” in public school. <p>I believe that I am a teacher for a reason. I know I am good at it. I know I have a lot to learn. I trust that God has a plan for my students.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQ9GHUbYOzHJ089FK0vU2iTaRGpne9YQud9ztUxUOe0HvPfael3XWEWvzWGw8csyKmfn7BsNsumYOz6EyLBp4P69s35ZTrLc2DMv0enGTotmENYtSZVY8UDdSUsEBv19CvFpca-XQMeAv/s1600/IMG_20130606_193307.jpg"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQ9GHUbYOzHJ089FK0vU2iTaRGpne9YQud9ztUxUOe0HvPfael3XWEWvzWGw8csyKmfn7BsNsumYOz6EyLBp4P69s35ZTrLc2DMv0enGTotmENYtSZVY8UDdSUsEBv19CvFpca-XQMeAv/s320/IMG_20130606_193307.jpg" width="450" height="450"></a>{Amanda and a few of her students last year}</p> <p align="center"><em>My respect for <a href="http://amgray18.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Amanda</a> continues to grow more and more as I get to know her heart. Teaching is one of the hardest jobs and I am grateful for how she provided a realistic perspective while still conveying her passion. Be sure to visit <a href="http://amgray18.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">her blog</a> and send some encouragement her way!</em></p> Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266071807690952470.post-61864971331610412792013-08-12T06:00:00.000-07:002013-08-12T06:00:03.248-07:00I believe…<p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-05lNfWTcCHs/UgbYy2oJjNI/AAAAAAAAEIA/KPZh83rjkps/s1600-h/vscocam396%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="vscocam396" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="vscocam396" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Hym73-MQtgc/UgbY1Ywrp4I/AAAAAAAAEII/UZ5-89kkw4I/vscocam396_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="499"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>I believe…</strong></p> <p align="center">in dancing for joy to your favorite songs.</p> <p align="center">in having a second cup of coffee.</p> <p align="center">that handwritten letters can be such sweet encouragement. </p> <p align="center">in giving compliments to strangers.</p> <p align="center">that sometimes you just have to go out driving country back roads.</p> <p align="center">that catching glimpses of the sunset never gets old. </p> <p align="center">in front porches with rocking chairs {simple joys}.</p> <p align="center">that classrooms should be places of joy.</p> <p align="center">that an intimate relationship with Christ is always life-giving. </p> <p align="center"><em>Happy Monday, sweet ladies!</em></p> Samantha Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05396959079578872977noreply@blogger.com5