Wow! It's been a long time since my last blog. It's almost Christmas! I'm so sad that all of our things are still in storage in Meridian and we can't decorate the house. Oh well. Hopefully we will be in our own home soon. The Veteran's Home Purchase Board is supposed to meet on Friday to decide whether or not to approve our loan. Please keep praying. If they agree, this is the house we will be moving into.

It is a 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath home with a swimming pool, a two car attached garage, a 2 car detached garage, and an office. It is perfect for our family! If it is God's will, I know we will be approved. If not, we will begin looking again.

Things have gotten better here since Thanksgiving. I'm not sure if it's because I spent a lot of time in prayer over the Thanksgiving holiday or if the students just feel sorry for me because I have been in so much pain lately. Or maybe it's a combination of both. Plus, I decided that they just weren't going to be disrespectful to me any longer and have given a few of them ISS.

Speaking of the pain, for those of you who don't know, I have had a pinched nerve since the day before Thanksgiving and have been walking with a limp since then. I finally had the MRI today and the technician said there was a lot of damage, but I will meet with my dr. on Wednesday to see what our next step will be. We may be looking at back surgery again. I'll keep you updated.

We are still looking for a place to worship. I really like Oakland, but it is soooo big. I miss Midway, but I know that we have to get connected here. I loved taking the sign language class at Oakland and that it is a ministry that they offer there. The deaf are hugely unreached. I hope Jamey will offer the class again next year so I can continue learning. She has such a sweet spirit. The preacher at Oakland is really great. He seems to say just what we need to hear when we visit.

Well, I am going to close for now. Goodnight my friends!

Hey everyone! Please pray for me and my family. I am not sure what direction He is calling us in. I am not sure right now if I've even misinterpretted His calling us to Corinth. I am so homesick for Meridian, Midway, and my wonderful and supportive friends. I have never felt so much disrespect and apathy in all my life and it just makes me weary. Please pray that I will not lose my joy. I am trying really hard to stay tuned in to God and I just can't shake this feeling of sadness.

Love you guys. Missing you in Corinth,
Candace

Happy Halloween~

Happy Halloween everyone!

We had a great time tonight at the Sportsplex. They had a space jump and some other bouncy things for the kids and Mackenzie and Alyssa had a blast. Lots of candy. The Wizard of Oz even showed up!

Hope everyone is having a safe and fun time.

Monday

Well, another Monday is over in 20 minutes. I can hardly believe that we are already 1/3 of the way through with this school year. This morning I decided to do something different. I went in early and prayed over every desk in my classroom. Some I stopped and prayed real hard over. I had a pretty good day. Until 7th period really. I'm not sure why that class is so frustrating. They just aren't getting it and instead of asking questions or trying harder, they just turn to the person next to them and start talking while I'm teaching. Even so disrespectful and rude as to get out of their seats and walk across the room while I'm attempting to teach. 7th period huh? Why can't I have that time for prep?

Well, hopefully tomorrow will not be another Monday. Have a great day out there you guys!

En los brazos de Dios!!!!!

Book Study

Hey everyone~

I have begun reading "The Power of a Positive Woman" by Karol Ladd and thought I would just blog about it. Anyone who wants to read along with me and post comments, please do. Some of you may remember I taught "The Power of a Positive Mom" bible study at Northcrest. It was a great study and I feel this one will be too.

The first thing I wanted to point out is in the introduction. If you wish to continue having an unhappy life, here are the 10 Commandments for an Unhappy Life:
1. Thou shalt hold onto bitterness and anger.
2. Thou shalt never get too close to anybody. Keepeth all of thy relationships at surface level.
3. Thou shalt wear a glum expression on thy face at all times.
4. Thou shalt put aside play and shalt inflict upon others that which was once inflicted upon
thyself.
5. Thou shalt grumble about the small stuff, forgetting the bigger picture.
6. Thou shalt forget about others' needs, thinking only of your own.
7. Thou shalt hold regular pity parties, inviting others to joinest thou.
8. Thou shalt not take a vacation.
9. Thou shalt expect the worst in all situations, blame and shame everyone around thyself for
everything, and dwell on the feebleness, faults, and fears of others.
10. Thou shalt be in control at all times, no matter what.
Got it? How many of us are doing some or all of those things and staying miserable on a day to day basis? I for one do NOT want to be miserable. So, get with it! Pray, seek His will for your life, and let's do this book study together and find out how we can become more positive.
I just loved this quote by Serita Jakes too, "Our Creator designed His daughters to be the glory of men and the mothers of all living things. We were the final touch of creation and the solution to lonliness in mankind." Wow! Doesn't that make you proud to be a woman? Remember the key word here ... designed. Our Creator designed us. He made us perfect, who we are, who He wanted us to be. And He loves us just as we are. Are we behaving lovable?

Well, goodnight for now.
Candace

Wow!

Can you believe that it's already time for progress reports? The school here is on a 6 weeks schedule so... we've been in school for 3 already. And still not time for a holiday yet. We get Labor Day. The day after is staff development. We were thinking about going to Florida for Labor Day, but I think we may just wait a bit.
Please pray for Philip's dad. He went in for a heart cath today and has 3 valves 99% blocked. He also has an aneurism. He needs triple bi-pass, but may not be a candidate for surgery. Philip is in Meridian with his parents right now. Thanks ahead of time for the prayers.

Love to all,
Candace

Moved!

¡Hola amigos!
We have officially moved to Corinth, Ms. Well, it was actually official at the BEGINNING of August, but it has been such a whirlwind that I haven't had a chance to blog about it. I am teaching 4 classes of Spanish I at Corinth High School and 2 classes of Spanish I at Corinth Jr. High! Me encantan mis clases. Yo tengo once estudiantes en la primera clase del día. Joshua tiene español este año también. Hay muchas cosas para recordar. (Los planes, las reglas, el tiempo para viajar a ambos escuelas). Necesito organizar mi tiempo.
OK - for those who don't speak Spanish... I love it here. That's all you need to know. I do miss my friends in Meridian. I wish I could have packed up Midway Baptist Church and Barbara Henson's to take with me to Corinth, but sometimes you have to leave what is comfortable to go where God is calling you to. I know that He has a plan for me and my family, and that His hands were in this move. I trust that He will guide us in all our directions here. We are seeking a new church and praying about where He wants us to serve. Please pray with us. We want to be in His will.
Well, that's it for now. It's time for lunch!
Love to all,
besos y abrazos,
Candace

Well, I know it has been a LONG time since I have been on here so I thought I'd give everyone a little update. My sister took me on a cruise with Carnival to Cozumel, Mexico. We had a blast! I was a game-show contestant (my sister assured me I was hilarious - I wasn't really trying to be, but hey! it was fun!), we learned some disco steps on stage, we learned how to fold towells into those cute little animals they leave in your rooms while you're at dinner, and we ATTENDED karaoke. Some of the girls from our table of all SISTERS and one mother were really good singers, but we are not so good so we just listened. Dinner was the absolute best. We had the very best waiters on the entire ship. They were just so much fun. And so funny! Nyoman was from Bali and Ricky was from the Philippines. (Nyoman is the taller one). They sang for us, they danced for us, they danced WITH us... they were just a lot of fun. I thought maybe when I arrived home I could have the same treatment but alas, no. As a matter of fact, nobody was even home when I arrived. I took a very long nap in the empty house all alone by myself. So sad. And yet, so nice. We had a great time in Mexico too. The water was absolutely beautiful. And hey! We got to pee in some really cool toilets as well.

See what I mean?

Almost a shame to pee in there. Almost. We really had to go.

I had sooooo much fun practicing my Spanish. The more you speak, the better you get. I loved it. And we met so many interesting people. Like the man who looked like he was in the Mexican Mafia who wanted to marry my sister and move her to Mexico. Fun stuff. Our steward was great too. So sweet and accommodating.

Let me post one more photo and I'll close for now.

This was our table of sisters (and one mother). Don't we look cute??????????????????????????

Love to all and God Bless!

It's Over!

Can you believe that the day finally arrived. I walked on that stage, shook a bunch of hands, and received my very own diploma cover. The real thing should arrive in the mail in the next few weeks. Now, all I have left to do is apply for my teacher's license and find a job. Anyone out there hiring Spanish teachers???
We had a really nice awards banquet on Thursday night that Piggly Wiggly of Collinsville did an awesome job catering. My sister and her hubby drove down (or is it up actually) from Florida. The graduation was held at the Riley Center ... very beautiful but the auditorium only seats 1000 so we were scrounging for extra tickets. Joshua and Zachary skipped school to come, Pat and Henry came, and Donna and Howard as well as my wonderful and very supportive husband of 17 years.
I had many wonderful people come to my party. No one stayed long enough. I was hoping to party til midnight. My sister, Howard, Pat and Henry were there. Mrs. Hawthorne, my wonderful teacher supervisor, and her lovely daughter Lydia came. Stephanie and Lonny came with the sweet babies as well as Phillip and Jessica Simpson and their sweet babies. Rachelle and David came with Evan and Emma. Mellisa came and Daniel and the band played (- Alex but + a guy named Josh on drums). Lucy, Daniel, and Argen came from Starkville. Lilly came after work. Brad, Penny, Christian, Brittney, and little Maddie came. Bryan Trest came. Mrs. Katie also came. Becky, Mark, and Brett came. Brett was a little sleepy, but he woke up. All the little ones played at the front with the band, it was so sweet! Hector and Emily came with their crew but had to leave really early. Rodger and Kathy came and thank you so much for all the help. T.J. and Thomas and Trey came too. Thank you everyone for coming and supporting me. I love all of you!!!!!!!!

I made an A!!!

Guess who made an A today? Duda, Duda! That's right kiddos...I made an A on my final evaluation. And my students had a great day! It was a fun lesson so a really good one to evaluate. We worked on large numbers in Spanish, Vocabulary, and I even brought some mango for them to taste since we have been studying about food. Now, hand over that diploma, give me a job and a classroom to decorate and I am ready to roll!!!!

The Final Stretch...

Hey everyone! I am sorry I haven't written in a VERY long time, but it has been very difficult to keep up with teacher-interning, 4 kids, a husband, a part-time job, church stuff, AND a blog. I promise to do better once I am finished with school.
Well, speaking of that, I am almost there. My last day at Meridian High is April 30 (both sad and happy). I will graduate May 1!!! Yippee! That's the good news. The bad news is that I still don't have a job! Even though I am in a critical needs subject area, apparently it is not critical needs in Lauderdale County and the surrounding areas. Please pray that something will come up so I don't have to stress about paying back my scholarship. I would love to teach at Meridian High, but they already have 2 Spanish teachers and one more coming up with the construction of the 9th grade academy.
Well, I better get busy. Write more soon.

Whoduthunkit???

Who would have thought that SMASHING office equipment would be so much fun?????!!!!!!!!! Our youth group hosted "Smash" tonight at our church. They listened to some music from our wonderful Junction Band, broke up into small groups for prayer, then they went out into the parking lot and smashed old computers and printers with crowbars (Not sure how to spell that, it's not something I typically use) and sledge hammers. Toward the end, I picked up a crowbar, put on the gloves and safety glasses... stepped up to the office equipment... and let loose some built up tension. I have to say that it was very relieving. Wow! I really think it would be therapeutic to do this once a week at my house. After computers, maybe I could move on to bigger things. Philip suggested that everyone wear rain ponchos and smash full soda cans. Then I thought, maybe we could fill the slip and slide with chocolate pudding and just get really messy.
I don't know... will we ever grow up?

Spring Break!!!

Yes! It's Spring Break! It has finally arrived... and guess what I am doing... that's right. I'm working. Since I am at the school until 3:00 every day now, I rarely have adequate time to work my part-time job so I am trying to make up for it this week. I will probably be driving about 700 miles this week to catch up all my stores. Then, we will be spending the weekend in New Orleans. Philip and Joshua will be refereeing this weekend so the girls and I will follow along. Zachary may or may not go. He may stay with Nana and Papa. That's where Joshua is right now. Zachary is currently in Arkansas with Philip who is working claims from the recent ice storm. Hard to believe anyone could have a recent ice storm if you were judging by our weather in Mississippi. Can you say time for shorts and t-shirts?
What else is going on......... Not much really. I am halfway through my internship. After this week, I think I only have about 6 weeks to go. I finish up April 30 and graduate May 1. Yes we are planning to have a big party. After all, it has only taken me 20 years to graduate from college. And with honors I might add.
Well, I am only taking a few minutes break and I am off to my dr. appt. so I will catch all of you in cyberspace later!
Love ya
Candace

Thrift Store Prom

Yes, it was the Second Annual Thrift Store Prom. It's been a few weeks now, but I wanted to get these pictures posted. Daniel (our youth minister) does a great job putting this together and it's a lot of fun for the kids. Philip and I chaperoned this year and had a blast. I have to say that we are as goofy as the kids.

By the way, that is only a balloon under my shirt. Don't get any ideas!

Have a great week!

I PASSED!!!!!

Well, I can hardly believe it! After a month of sweating it out and wondering, "will I have to pay to take this test again?" ... I passed the Spanish content of my Praxis exam!!! That's it! That's all of the major pressure just lifted off my shoulders! I passed and now I just have to make it to graduation and I'll be able to get my license and I will be a Spanish teacher! Can you believe it?
I had my second evaluation on Monday. Pray for my university supervisor because he is really sick right now and is in the hospital. Another supervisor actually did my evaluation this time and I got an A! Yay! I just have the principal evaluation on Friday and hopefully, that will go ok. She seems very nice, but I haven't had much of an opportunity to get to know her. That will be it for Meridian High, just teaching left there until my next placement at Northwest. I will go there for about a week and 1/2, then it will be Spring Break!!!! Which I am sooooooo looking forward to. I really need that break to regroup and rest. I would love to sleep til 10am every morning that week, but I kind of doubt that will happen.
Take care everyone!

Guess what?????

I finally took down the Christmas tree this past Saturday!!! Can you believe it???

Plus, I gave Alyssa her first haircut.!!! One little snip and she now has bangs so her hair doesn't hang down in her nasty runny nose!! Yay! for Alyssa!!!

LATER
Candace

¡Hola! Es un buen día. Me gustan los estudiantes en mis clases. Estoy enseñando dos clases ahora y continuare enseñar más cada semana.
West Lauderdale soccer played their final game last Saturday. If they had won, they would have advanced to play Caledonia for the championship. They had a terrific chance, but the ref's made terrible calls. I got a sunburn out there. Can you believe it? A sunburn in January!!!???
Bro. Wayne Edwards preached his first sermon at Midway Baptist this past Sunday as our new pastor. I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for us. I am anxious to serve with Bro. Wayne and his sweet wife Patti.
¡En los brazos de Dios!
Candace

Hey everyone!
I have completed one FULL week of my teacher internship at Meridian High School and I am still alive! The students have been very nice to me. I did my first lesson last Thursday and it was ok. It could have been better; I needed to speak louder, I forgot to model the activity I wanted them to do first, I wrote on the bottom of the board, etc. But, all in all, I was not nervous of the students. More nervous of making mistakes. But, I AM human so...
My teacher supervisor and my university supervisor are both nice. Not scarey people at all. I know... everyone was at this place at one point in their lives, but when it's you...it's different. My teacher supervisor is very knowledgeable and I am gleaning some helpful tips from her.
I found this in one of my old notebooks and wanted to share it. I know some of you have already seen it, but I absolutely love David Nasser. He is such a terrific youth speaker. Anyway, I think it was published in Family Life or Parent Life, one of those magazines you get at church:
Lavish Love: Let it pour over you by David Nasser
God wants to forever win our hearts and steal our affection. He's constantly looking for ways to suck the air out of the room so that we have no choice but to recognize His glory. But sometimes, just like in any relationship, we begin to take His love for granted. Instead of being quieted by His all encompassing love, we whine.
Look around you. You have more than one book to read. More than just a slice of bread to eat. More than one shirt to wear. Do you ever lose sight of how many blessings touch your life? Do you ever let yourself come to expect it? Is it time to reflect upon just how much He's done for you?
How does He love you? Let me count the ways. God loves us so lavishly that in addition to the ways He pours out His love on our lives now, He left us a trail of love letters through His infallible Word. He created a masterpiece that speaks to us from history even as He speaks to us through blessings and grace in our everyday lives. Talk about leaving us speechless!
Adapted from Glory Revealed: How the Invisible God Makes Himself Known by David Nasser, Redemptive Art Publishing.
How about you? Have you been walking around day after day just expecting to be blessed? Have you forgotten how much He loves you? Are you complaining about every little stroke of "bad luck" you've had? Or are you reading His love letters to you and remembering that you have a Savior who loved you enough to give His life for you?
I love you guys and pray that you are drawing closer to Him every day!

¡Hola! ¡Feliz año nuevo!
My sister is awesome! Can you believe she drove all the way to my house in Mississippi from Florida on Friday and helped me CLEAN all day on Saturday. I don't think my kitchen cabinets have EVER been so white. If you could find a way to keep the plates from falling, you could literally eat off of the cabinets. If you haven't ever used Greased Lightening to clean, get some! It cleans everything. We went from the kitchen to the bathroom. A little bleach on the tile and it is shining so bright it nearly blinded Joshua when he took a shower!!! I said nearly, it did not hurt the eyes he desperately needs for sending and receiving texts one little bit. (No children were harmed in the actual cleaning of my home!)
I really wanted to share something from my Sunday School lesson this week:
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24
The author of this particular lesson is Chip Ingram and I have really enjoyed these lessons. (The title is The Miracle of Life Change). He says that as believers, we are called to lead lives that are progressively characterized by moral purity and that this change in our lives happens because of who and whose we are. We have been changed and no longer belong to the world but to Christ. He goes on to say that a "good moral life is simply the natural by-product and reflection of a genuine, loving relationship with God." These verses deal with the past, present, and the future. (put off your old self - past; to be made new in the attitude of your minds - present; and to put on the new self - future). All three of these things work together to transform our lives, to make us more like Christ. Putting off your old self is getting rid of the past - we have to get rid of all that stuff. We can't move forward in our faith if we are holding on to the past. God desires to grow us, not keep us in the same place. As we grow, our relationship with the Father becomes so much more beautiful.
Just wanted to share.