Every year I choose one word to focus on that year. This year I happened to choose the word Embrace. Boy! Did God have an amazing season in store for me! I embraced moving in with family to pay off school debt, finding a new church home, making new friends and finding a new life group, I officially own my own photography business now, relationship/dating experiences that made me learn so much about myself, and the most recent thing was stepping into the role of Director at my school and continuing my education! God has done more and provided so much for me in many ways this year! I guess what I'm trying to say is Embrace what God has for you no matter how
scary it may be. His ways are higher and he thinks of you highly and sees way more potential in you than you'll ever see in yourself.
Here is a fun slideshow of pictures I put together to show some highlights of my year!
2014: A Season of Embrace
Monday, December 29, 2014
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
My Primrose Adventure
Tomorrow I’m celebrating two years of working as the
Assistant Director of the Primrose School of SW Oklahoma City! For those that
know me well, you know what an accomplishment and milestone this is for
me. Two years ago, I had so many doubts
about whether I had what it took to be in the position I was about to
embrace…and years before that I would’ve never guessed I’d be in a Leadership
role. But, here I am two years later and through all the ups and downs I can
truly say that I’m happy! I also know that God still has me right where he
wants me J
I work for two of the most wonderful people! They have been
there for me and taken care of me since the beginning. They have helped guide
me, shape me, and have supported me in my role. They aren’t just my employers…they
are truly my family. I love you Angela & Helen.
We have encountered so much in two short years to name a few
things: The hand, foot, & mouth epidemic, strept throat outbreaks, vicious stomach
bugs, that one time Angela & Helen got covered in water (haha), and staff turnover…among other things ;)
We survived our first year of holidays including Primrose
Election Day, our first Christmas Program, and the Parade of Costumes. We’ve
had two very successful Spring Fling events and have also grown the enrollment
in our school from around 25 students in attendance on our 1st day
of school to 143 students today.
We had to rally around our staff and families to pick up the
pieces after the May 20th Tornado struck the Newcastle & Moore
area and destroyed the homes of some families and staff. We somehow found peace
through the comfort of each other when just a few short months ago a tragic car
accident took the lives of two of are very young students and their
father. (Rest in Peace Blake, Asher, and
Todd it still brings tears to my eyes when I think about you being gone)
I’ve grown so much as a person and a leader since I’ve been
in this position. I’m still so thankful for the opportunity I was given two
years ago. I know that each day brings
its own strengths and its own struggles and its up to me to make it the best
day I can & to teach my staff to do the same. I’ve learned that you can’t
just give up and quit when things get hard, the hard times are actually when
you learn and grow the most. J
I’m so thankful for the staff that works beneath me and
truly believe that each one of them brings something different and good to the
table that our school needs. Sometimes its taken some shaking up to make sure
all the parts are mixed well, but we’re definitely getting there!
So here is to what I hope is many more years at the Primrose
School of SW Oklahoma City! I love you gals!
My first visit to the school when it was still under construction
Doing what I do...One of the first few days of school.
Grand Opening w/ my supportive friends
Our 1st Winter
Happy 1st Birthday to us!
Red Mud Run 2013 with some of the staff
Red Ribbon Parade 2013 and one of my favorite pics of Angela & I :)
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
A Word for 2014
A couple of years ago I adopted the idea of throwing out the cliche "New Year's Resolutions" and simply choosing one word to focus on for the year and I have really enjoyed this new concept!
Before I jump into this year I want to take some time to look back at 2013.
Last year I chose to focus on the word "Create". This word came to me after a conversation I had with a friend about Ephesians 4:1 which states, "...Lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God." God has blessed me with creativity in a couple of different areas and I didn't want to hide that anymore but to share it with others. Last year, a friend of mine decided he was going to commit to completing a different project every month for the entire year. I thought that sounded like a fun idea and wanted to do my own spin on it. So I thought I could do one creative project each month for the whole year. Now, I think by the time April rolled around I lost track of my month to month projects, but overall I feel like 2013 was definitely a year of creativity for me and I was happy that I used my talents to "Create" last year. Here is just a glimpse of some of the things I was able to create through painting and photography in 2013.
One of the most exciting things for me was that I even had a logo made for "KasKas Designs" so that I can advertise my art & photography!
... I know I'm a late bloomer and we're already almost 9 days into 2014. But, I've finally decided that my word for 2014 is going to be Embrace.
One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Isaiah 43:18-19:
"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."
This year I want to embrace all that God is doing in my life. Frankly, right now I have no idea all that God wants to do or is going to do this year. But, I do know that I want to be a part of it. I want to embrace it.
It may mean bringing new people into my life. It may mean letting go of some "former" things and embracing some new opportunities. I know that it also means embracing challenges, struggles, and disappointments. It means embracing not only the victories but the defeats. I know that God is ultimately refining my heart and my character and making me more like him. Its hard and not always pretty but I know that he loves me and he wants me to embrace moments like that too.
A few other scriptures the Lord has revealed to me for this Journey are:
Philippians 3:13
"But one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead."
Ezekiel 36:26
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
Ecclesiastes 3:1
"For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven"
Haggai 2:19
"Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you." (Count on it!)
2 Timothy 1:12
"That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return."
I'm going to embrace this season of my life believing that God is able and holding onto God's truth knowing that he will bring about good in everything--nothing is wasted.
Before I jump into this year I want to take some time to look back at 2013.
Last year I chose to focus on the word "Create". This word came to me after a conversation I had with a friend about Ephesians 4:1 which states, "...Lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God." God has blessed me with creativity in a couple of different areas and I didn't want to hide that anymore but to share it with others. Last year, a friend of mine decided he was going to commit to completing a different project every month for the entire year. I thought that sounded like a fun idea and wanted to do my own spin on it. So I thought I could do one creative project each month for the whole year. Now, I think by the time April rolled around I lost track of my month to month projects, but overall I feel like 2013 was definitely a year of creativity for me and I was happy that I used my talents to "Create" last year. Here is just a glimpse of some of the things I was able to create through painting and photography in 2013.
One of the most exciting things for me was that I even had a logo made for "KasKas Designs" so that I can advertise my art & photography!
.jpg)
... I know I'm a late bloomer and we're already almost 9 days into 2014. But, I've finally decided that my word for 2014 is going to be Embrace.
em·brace
1 [em-breys]
verb (used with object), em·braced, em·brac·ing.
1.
to take or clasp in the arms; press to the bosom; hug.
2.
to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly: to embrace an idea.
3.
to avail oneself of: to embrace an opportunity.
5.
to take in with the eye or the mind.
One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Isaiah 43:18-19:
"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."
This year I want to embrace all that God is doing in my life. Frankly, right now I have no idea all that God wants to do or is going to do this year. But, I do know that I want to be a part of it. I want to embrace it.
It may mean bringing new people into my life. It may mean letting go of some "former" things and embracing some new opportunities. I know that it also means embracing challenges, struggles, and disappointments. It means embracing not only the victories but the defeats. I know that God is ultimately refining my heart and my character and making me more like him. Its hard and not always pretty but I know that he loves me and he wants me to embrace moments like that too.
A few other scriptures the Lord has revealed to me for this Journey are:
Philippians 3:13
"But one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead."
Ezekiel 36:26
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
Ecclesiastes 3:1
"For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven"
Haggai 2:19
"Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you." (Count on it!)
2 Timothy 1:12
"That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return."
I'm going to embrace this season of my life believing that God is able and holding onto God's truth knowing that he will bring about good in everything--nothing is wasted.
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