BACKPACK!!

So, here I am with my lovely backpack for Erase the Dark. I'm so very excited to fill it with lots and lots of amazing school supplies for a great little 1st grader (Hello Kitty's still cool in 1st grade, right??!) If you are reading this, and have NO idea what Erase the Dark is, go check out the Stirring's web site PRONTO! So yeah, thumbs up for Erase the Dark, and my killer backpack! I'll be wearing it on Sunday night, with a smile  :) Now I'm off to work :(  

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart.... forever" -Psalm 73:26

Emotional!

School's overwhelming. My online class is a NIGHTMARE. I study so hard for it, and do so horribly in it. Has anybody ever taken an online class? What's the trick? Ug, well I stink at school this semester. I'm usually a really good student, but this time around, I'm just not cutting it. I don't sleep enough because I'm up late doing homework, but it just seems never ending!! 

OKAY, the Stirring Kids, they're amazing. We had such a good turn out tonight! We had 9 kids in the 1st-3rd grade classroom (4 of which were girls!!! That never happens!!!) I was a bit worried going into it because each class had about 9 kids and two of the teachers were out for the night sick, but everything worked out just fine! Another volunteer showed up, and was able to step into the classroom to help. These kids are so awesome.  My favorite part of the night is our time or worship with the kids. Just watching them dance and sing, praising the Lord is so great. 

So tonight, I was holding down the fort, trying to keep kids and parents out of the rain while keeping order at the sign-in table, when a woman I'd never seen before walked up with her son and daughter. She began asking me questions about our lesson tonight, wondering what we did, when we did it, did we have snack, what class were they in. I mean, lots of questions! I answered each one, with a warm, welcoming smile (of course!) I started to explain the sign-in process to her, when she asked me to give her and her kids a second to talk. I wasn't sure what they were talking about, but by the body language of her daughter, I could tell this wasn't going to be pretty. Once both kids had joined the other children playing some fun board games (boo for the rain!) the mom pulled me aside to explain: The mother told me that she hadn't been to church in about 3 months because her children just never felt safe or had fun at any of the child watch programs. I let her know that we tend to have a LOT of fun in our classroom, and not to worry about anything. Now, to make a long story short, that same mother came to pick up her son and daughter at the end of the service, and to her shock, neither one of them wanted to leave! The mother turned to me, about in tears, and said that she gets to come back next week because her kids will want to come back. It was one of those nights that makes me LOVE doing what I do. I can't wait to see those two next week. I'm stoked at what God's doing with these kids, and in my life alike!

Ug, I'm tired and going to sleep. 

Meet my Mamma!

Everybody, meet my mother. I don't know how to put into words just how much I love her. She's my best friend, my favorite phone call, my strength and inspiration. I only get to see her every once in a while because she lives over in my home town (Arcata) and doesn't get much time off from work to come visit. However, today was one of the rare occasions she DID get to come visit! She showed up at around 10 a.m. and we chatted over coffee for about an hour, then went to lunch, then headed off to shop. I just have so much fun with her whenever I get to see her. I love her company so much, and always find her advice the most useful! I'm so blessed to have a mother who has provided me with so much love throughout my life. Unfortunately she had to head to the Bay Area, and left about an hour ago (3:00) but it was such a refreshing visit! She loves me so much, and I know how lucky I am to actually KNOW how loved I am by her. If you ever get the chance to meet her, you will feel her love immediately! I love her! I guess ya'll get that point by now  :)

Wednesday = LONGEST DAY EVER

YEP! This is me with my Anthropology midterm THAT I GOT A 98% on! HECK YES! My professor, he's hilarious. I have my anthropology class from 7-10 p.m. It's basically torture, but Dr. Tate (he insists we call him James) is such an awesome professor, the time seriously flies by. I actually look forward to going to his class! So we got our tests back today in class, and when he hands mine to me, he folds it in half so that nobody near me can see my score, and tells me "Um, Miss Branca, I need to see you after class... I'm really disappointed with your score!"

When I open it up?? Oh yeah, I got an A. He was cracking up at the expression on my face. I mean, this guy is just great. I wish ALL of my professors had the attitude he does... maybe I can invite my Geography professor to one of my Anthro classes to give her a taste of what GOOD teaching is....

Okay, well I have to go get some homework done. Praise the Lord for my good score! He's been so good to me this past week. 

Okay, so it's 1:45 in the morning, and I should be sleeping, but I can't. "Emily, why can't you sleep at 1:45 in the morning?!" you ask in alarm.... The answer? Because my back is in so much pain that I can hardly sit without wanting to scream out. It started this morning when I woke up. My body is so predictable. I can feel the pain approaching, and I know exactly how it will advance. It started with a tiny little pinch in my lower back, but throughout the day it turned into this gnarly, painful, swollen knot in my lower back. The only answer? Dr. Frank. He is my only hope! This man, Dr. Frank, is the MAN! He's my chiropractor, and I am going to see him FIRST THING TOMORROW MORNING! My favorite thing about Dr. Frank is the fact that I can walk into his office without an appointment, anytime, any day, and he will fit me in within about 5 minutes. Dr. Frank is going to be my new favorite person tomorrow!!! Pray for my back. 

And one more thing, this week is going to be FANTASTIC because my long lost friend is coming to visit me.... okay, well she's not just coming to see me, maybe her family lives here too, and her husband's family too, but I'd like to think that I have something to do with her trip home  :) I miss her a TON, and really need her friendship right now. Kayla Platt is one amazing woman, and I can't wait to spend some good, quality time with her. 

Okay, perhaps I'll try sleeping now... maybe if I take some Tylenol PM it will help... 

Goodnight!!

Accomplished!

So today has been a fantastic one. I got to hang out with some awesome kids (thanks Stirring Moms!!), I vacuumed my house, I washed my dishes, I swept my kitchen, I paid rent, and it's only 1:00 p.m. I'm feeling very accomplished today. I've got to say that by far the best part of the day thus far was hanging out with the kids. There were seven total. Ages ranging from 8 months (I think? I don't know exactly how old the little guy was) to about 4 (again, it's a guess). They were so much fun! I get to do it once a month for a group of moms from the Stirring. I watch the kids while they get a little "mommy" time- they go get some coffee and talk about a book they are reading. It's such a blast for me, and I don't think they even know it. The mom's look at is as though I'm doing them a favor, but in reality, THEY are doing ME a favor!!! Those kids seriously bring so much joy to my day. I get to re-evaluate my busy, hectic life, and realize that time is so precious. I need to enjoy the little moments- like dancing around the living room with 7 kids- it's fantastic!!!

The Lord continues to show me my passion for kids. I think He has huge dreams for me with children, and He continues to lay these dreams on my heart. 

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

Here's a picture Erika Edwardson (one of the amazing moms in this group) took the last time I got to help them out. I love how much is going on in this picture. 

Everybody, meet ROCKY

Here he is, in ALL his glory. My cat Rocky. He's such a character. I've been sitting in my living room for about 2 hours now doing some lovely homework (uggggggg) and Rocky has been seriously running ALL over my tiny one bedroom apartment. At every single movement I make, he freaks, and takes off in the opposite direction. He's up on the counters, on the couch, in the bathtub... he's CRAZY! I don't know if any of you reading this have met Rocky, but he's one unique cat. Very wild and FULL of personality. I mean, look at his picture. It kind of speaks for itself! This is his favorite pose. He'll strike it anytime. Usually on the arm of the couch. I love him, but at 4 a.m. I just can't deal with his freakish behavior. OH ROCKY! 

I'm glad that you've now been properly introduced. If you ever come over to my lovely house, I'm sure he will greet you with a carefully planned attack... usually to the leg. You've been warned!

it's offical

I'm exhausted. End of story. My mind is exhausted. My body is exhausted. My heart is exhausted. I'm starting to slowly fall apart. This is something I do when I get to the point of a meltdown... I get extremely overly anxious, and feel claustrophobic around just about anybody. I think this is my body's way of telling me I need to chill out a little bit. No more of this staying-up-until-2am-and-waking-up-at-7am business anymore. 

I think I'm going to go take a nap until I have to work at 4. Doesn't that sound glorious? I really wanted to get some "God time" today, but I have a feeling God wants me to get some "sleep time"... Pray for my body to quickly recuperate. Thanks.

lovelovelove

School!

Only three weeks into it, and I'm already counting down the days until this semester is over. I made the mistake of signing up for an online class... what a disaster! I'm such a procrastinator, and this online class is like the procrastinator's nightmare.... or dream, depending on how you look at it. I have an essay and a 60 point test due by the end of today. I haven't even started either of them. I'm beyond stressed out. Why do I do this to myself?! I have to leave for church in two hours. I haven't showered yet. I'm ridiculous. My choices are basically do a poor job on the essay, and have enough time for church tonight, or skip church and turn in a well written paper. I don't like either one!

What to do what to do.... Oh well, I suppose it will all work out just fine. 

My final decision? Going to church. School's overrated anyways! HA. Only 3 years left. Sheesh, that's kind of depressing. 

I guess it all comes down to just having a bit of faith... good thing I've got a LOT of faith, huh??