My Christmas Break

Now that I am a teacher I think I can say that as a teacher I looked forward to Christmas break just as much if not more than my students did.  I found myself making a count down on the board and anxiously crossing off the days.  Once Christmas break did come it flew by all too quickly.  However, I thoroughly enjoyed my break and wished it would have lasted a little bit longer.

 This Christmas was very different from all others.  Christmas morning my older sister wasn't there to unwrap gifts with. However, she and her husband were able to come over in the afternoon to celebrate with us.  

This truly was an amazing Christmas.  Although part of me was sad to wake Christmas morning and just feel like it wasn't right without my big sister.  As I sat at the dinner table and looked around at my family I could not help but smile.  Nicole next to Jack..the two of them are perfect..that is just where she is supposed to be.  Seeing the two of them together fills me with a joy I can't explain.  I love Nicole and I love my new brother as well.  As my eyes shifted over to my mother  I couldn't help but silently thank God.  Just a few months before I heard the word cancer come across the phone.  Now, I was home with my cancer free mom- God is so good.  He never ceases to amazing me with His goodness. 

Having two photographers in our family now, we could not possibly let a holiday go by without a family picture.  I couldn't help but post the first two "oops" pictures. Apparently we didn't realize Jack  was taking pictures. 

A week after Christmas, Lauren and I were able to go over to Jack and Nicole's house for a couple of days.  We had so much fun just sitting around like little girls giggling and having fun.  Although, at one point I did have to stop and wonder: when did this happen?  When did we suddenly grow up?  I looked at my big sister who is now married to an amazing man and she herself is quite a wonderful homemaker.  I looked at my little sister who is in her second year of college and dating a nice young man. Time flies so quickly. We sat around reminiscing on old times and games we used to play laughing and sharing our memories with one another.  It didn't need to be said but I believe we all were thinking we have the best sisters ever!

Those two days went by to quickly, and once again before I knew it it was time to say good bye.  Although I hate leaving her and living four hours away I know distance won't change a thing we will always be there for each other. 

One evening before church I was able to go over to friend of mine's house.  I had the honor of being in Carla's wedding shortly before I moved to Ohio.  It was so nice to be able to catch up with her once again. While I was home I was also able to go for lunch with my friend Christina, who was visiting from Californian   The three of us started in kindergarten together and last May the three of us graduated from college together.  It is amazing to see how God is working in each of our lives in different ways.

ON the last day of my break, Kemisha flew back to the states from Grenada.  Although, I'm sure she hated to leave all her friends and family back in Grenada,  I was terribly excited to spend a day with my best friend before I had to head back to Ohio.  Although we didn't have much time together we always manage to fill the time we have with good laughs and wonderful times.

That same day Lauren's boyfriend flew back to college a little early and surprised her. My family along with Kemisha and Matt went to Chili's for a wonderful dinner.  

The four of us had a great time sitting around and playing games.

So thankful for these two.  They both have the ability to make me laugh like no one else. 

Although my Christmas break was a whole two weeks long.  It just didn't seem long enough.  However, part of me was also ready to head back to my church, friends, and students in Ohio.

But...I already put a countdown up on the board until Easter :)

Where has time gone...

I know..I'm sorry.  It has been an awfully long time since I last blogged.  So much has happened in the past few months.

First of all, my older sister, Nicole, married the man of her dreams!  November 2, 2012 was the most beautiful day ever.  Everything was absolutely beautiful.  I felt so honored to be able to stand up with my sister as her maid of honor.  

As I stood there, a flood of memories came rushing over me.  Memories of my big sister describing to me exactly what we desired in a man.  As I watched Jack intently  I realized that he was all Nicole ever wanted and so much more. They truly are made for each other.

I love my big sister so much, and seeing her get married caused so many different emotions come over me. I was so very thrilled yet also sad to know that life was changing,  We were all grown up now and all going our different ways.  However, I know distance will never change the relationship between sisters..we share a kind of bond that will never be broken. 

Just a couple weeks later I was once again able to travel home for Thanksgiving.  Although my stay was short I thoroughly enjoyed every moment with my family.

At this season I couldn't help but become quite overwhelmed with how blessed I truly am.  God has been so good to my family and I this year.  

  My dear friend, Kemisha, was able to share the holiday with us this year.  I always enjoy having her around.  I am so very thankful for our friendship!

 As a family tradition we always set up our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving.

 After setting up the tree, we headed downtown for the beautiful Christmas parade. 

 Saturday afternoon I made my trip back to Ohio, but this time Kemisha was able to come back to Ohio with me.  She was only able to stay a couple days before she had to return for college.  However, we had so much fun simply catching up.  I loved showing her around my new place.  She was able to come to school with me.  My students found it to be quite the treat to finally meet their teacher's best friend from Grenada!  For the next several days they were intently studying the world map to find exactly where she was from. 

School is going really well.  I absolutely love being a teacher.  Here are a few shots of our day to day activities:

 Friday we had a Christmas party with the kids.  After our gift exchange. We went to a nursing home in town and put on a little Christmas program for the residents and passed out some crafts that we all worked very hard on

 After the nursing home we came back to school where we enjoyed fun, games, and food.

 As I look back over my first semester as a teacher, it has been quite an adventure.  It had its ups and downs and of course a few times when I thought to myself.."what in the world am I suppose to be doing?"  But now that I have successfully completed my first semester as a teacher I can say it truly has proved to be the most rewarding job ever.  I absolutely love my school, my church, and everything about my new hometown.  I thank God every day for my new friends as well. Especially my coworker: Shauna.  She has become a very close friend, one that I know will last a lifetime.

Family Visit

This past weekend my entire family was able to come over and visit me.  I had such an enjoyable time simply being with the entire family again.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with my mom.  She is doing very well.  Monday she starts radiation please continue to keep her in your prayers.

This was the first time Lauren had come to Ohio.  I enjoyed showing off my classroom,church and new home.

Saturday afternoon we spent several hours at the Apple Festival. It was so much fun to be with my sisters again...

After spending the afternoon at the Festival we went back to my little house and I made my family dinner.  I really have enjoyed being able to be in the kitchen more.  I have gotten the opportunity to try out so many new recipes. 

My move to Ohio helped me to realize what means most to me in life..and these dear people mean more to me than I could possibly describe.

I love you all dearly and I miss you so much.

Home Sweet Home

I know it has been quite a while since I last wrote.  So much seems to have happened since my last post.  I am now three weeks into the school year and I am thoroughly enjoying teaching.  On top of teaching, two weeks ago I moved into my own little place.  I absolutely love my little "home sweet home."  I have had so much fun decorating it and making it my own.

God surely has been so good. 

 Every time I walk into my home I can't help by smile as I look around throughout my home. My beautiful dining table and chairs was given to me by my mom who  was able to get it for absolutely no charge! My living room is filled with a couch and chair and side table, which was given to me by a member of my new church. A bed, dresser, lamps, toaster, pots and pans, microwave, plates and simply EVERYTHING in my home was given to me by my new church family.  God truly is taking care of me better than I could have ever imagined.  

Here are a few pictures that my sister was able to capture when she and my parents came up for a visit shortly after my move:

I am so blessed!

All that I need

I have now made it through a week in Ohio.  At times, I feel so alone and simply long to talk face to face with someone from Indiana.  It is the little things I miss most. 

 I miss my dad making coffee every morning.  I miss our family devotions together.  I miss my mom coming and sitting on my little chair in my room and simply chatting with me as I got ready for work. I miss her coming up the stairs saying, "It smells like fire...Brooke, your burning your hair!!!"   I miss simply sitting on the couch with Nicole and catching up after a long day of work. I miss beading with her.  I miss  watching her take pictures of anything and everything we did and then quickly sharing it with the world on Instagram. I miss the smart little comments Lauren use to say to me.  She could always make me smile and laugh. I miss my cat..and I miss the pounce I would get on my bed in the middle of the night.  I miss his morning cries insisting that I feed him right NOW!  I miss my dear friend Kemisha. I simply miss spending time with her.  I miss "working out" (I don't know if you would really call it a work out..our brisk walks were more like a stroll) I miss laughing together and sharing so much with one another. I miss my church terribly.  My church really is more like a family to me.  There are so many people that I miss seeing on a regular basis.

One night was especially difficult for me.  I remember feeling so absolutely alone.  I knew no one in Ohio and I longed to simply be with the people I knew and loved.  I felt like I could not make it all alone.  However, the following morning God truly revealed Himself to me.  Through His Holy Word, the Lord reminded me time and time again that He was with me.  I am not alone.  I spent a long while with God that morning and I truly felt His presence with me telling me He would not send me somewhere without His presence.

It seemed like as soon as I told God your right..."You are all I need." God put me to the test.  

Monday, I got the call saying, "Brooke, mom has cancer.."

The first thing that came to my mind was why?  

Why now? 

Why her? 

I was sitting in my classroom lesson planning..I immediately gathered my stuff and left.  I had absolutely no one to talk to.  If I had gotten the news in Indiana I know I would have immediately ran  to someone for comfort.  But here in Ohio..I had no one to run to..no one that is but God.  I gathered my Bible and my journal drove to the lake and sat there for three hours...

After those hours alone..I can honestly say I truly learned God is all I need.

I don't know why God chose my mom

I don't know why God chose now...I hadn't even been Ohio a whole week when I got the news.  My older sister's wedding is rapidly approaching...why now?

I don't know.. I simply don't know the answer to all the questions that are flooding my mind.  But I do know God has a reason for allowing things to happen. I may not understand his wisdom but I must trust His will..He knows what is best.

"When my heart is overwhelmed lead to the rock that is higher than I."