Growing Up

     This week, I have realized that I am growing up.  I'm excited but still have those scared emotions going through my head.  One thing that keeps me going is that fact that I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I can see me actually having a job and being able to support myself.  I have many decisions that I have to start to make.
     I went to the Fall 2014 Student Teaching meeting this week.  They talked about everything that we have to do within the month.  Feeling overwhelmed is an understatement!  Not only do I have to fill out my application to Student Teach, I have to fill out my graduation application, meet with my adviser, make sure that everything on my e-portfolio is up to date (its not), write an autobiography, sign up for the Praxis test, and not freakout!  There is so much to do and only a month to do it!  On top of that, I have all my school work that still has to get done!  This is by far my hardest semester yet!  So many class equals so much homework!  My classes are all upper level classes for the most part which means they expect a lot more out of you than the classes from before.  
     I've started realizing that I am about to be an adult and have to get a "big girl" job.  That's what all my friends call it.  So many questions and options are going through my head!  Where am I going to be placed during student teaching?  Where am I going to work after I graduate?  When am I going to move out of my Mom's house?  How am I going to support myself?  Where am I going to go to graduate school?  What am I going to get my master's degree in?  
     I can't even believe that I am starting to think about graduate programs! I really am growing up! Remember all those times that I changed my major (more times than I am willing to admit)?  That will not happen when trying to decide what master's program I want to go for.  I will only stick to one!  You can hold me to that!  I have narrowed it down to two, but I'm more worried about the school!  Graduate programs are expensive!
     God has continued to show me how fortunate I really am right here and right now.  I continues to tell me to live today and not worry about what's going on in the future.  I will guide and take care of me.  It so hard not to worry though.  I have to learn that God is in control.  God is guiding me through this chaos called life and will help me make those life changing decisions when they come up. 

Kristin

And the Chaos Begins... Again

So tomorrow starts the Chaos again. I start back at school but this time with a much heavier load. This semester I will have the heaviest load I have ever taken with a whomping 22 hours! Yes, I am crazy! This semester will be my last semester of class before student teaching!! I can finally see the end of the tunnel!! But because of this, I have to take the rest of my classes in this one semester. You might be thinking well why not summer classes? Well I don't want to have that much pressure while working for CIY this summer! I had so much last semester. I can't even imagine putting an online class on top of that. So, 22 hours of classes + 1 1/2 part time jobs (I'll explain later) + college age leadership team at church + at least 16 hours of observation hours + 7 hours of community service = one chaotic lady! I am going to have my hands full this semester for sure!! My 1 1/2 part time jobs is taking care of my awesome cousin but the other is a sub position at the daycare that I did work at last semester. I decided that working 10 hours at that job a week is a bit too much for me so I am now just a sub. This lets me have the opportunity to say No if I am busy taking care of Trachelle or swamped with homework or have any other plans that I may have to get done. All in all I think it is for the best, but I wouldn't change the chaos in my life or at least not right now! I have something to look forward to. I can see what's ahead and I'm excited! God has started to open doors for me and I cannot wait to get started! This makes me nervous though! This time next year I will either have a big girl job or will be searching for a big girl job. I'm praying for the first option of course! I will officially be an adult that's on my own! How scary!! I'm not sure what God has in store for me but one thing that I pray is that he won't stop the chaos in my life because in the midst of the chaos I can always see the hope of God guiding me through.

Kristin

Announcement

I have some great news! CIY Move has offered me a team leader position for this summer! I'm so excited to begin this new adventure again with a whole new group of people. Last year, I had a fantastic team. I may be biased but I think I had the best team! I cannot wait to see the friendships that I make this summer with my teammates and the other event staff. As team leader, basically that means that I am a second year event staff that will help lead my team to make sure we work together and do everything correctly. I cannot even put into words how excited I am. I'm already eager to meet my team and to see all of the places that I will be going! I can't wait to see what God has in store for my team and I as we start this new adventure together. Last year, he opened so many doors that I wouldn't have gotten if I wasn't in the places or with the people he surrounded me. I got to get to know the leadership in our church better because they were at the weeks I was helping.  I cannot wait for May!
Kristin