Life on Des Moines Street

One year ago I moved to Ankeny.  I had grand ideas of traveling the world and moving away from Iowa...by traveling the world I mean moving to Colorado or wherever.  But obviously God knows me far better than I know myself and he planted me in Ankeny...just 20 miles down the road.  I applied for at least 60 teaching jobs out of state (no lie!) and applied to about 5 or 6 around central Iowa.  I got an interview for a job I didn't even apply for and got the job...insane!  If you want to hear more about that let me know...this post isn't about me.  It's about my roommates.  

So like I said I moved to Ankeny.  And moved in with 3 girls I hardly knew.  And it turns out that I couldn't love them more!  I live with Sam and Stacey (and Lindy for a few months before she got married and upgraded to a better roommate!).  Sam and Stacey are the greatest!  And I'm going to share my favorite things about living with them...

1. Stacey is one of the most laid-back, consistent and wise people I know.  For real.  She is a voice of reason no matter my mood or situation.  She has a way of putting everything in perspective yet not making me feel like a fool for being emotional or overreacting.  She has no idea how much I value her presence in our home.

2. Sam is Sam.  Our house is not the same without her.  She is funny, clumsy, an expert gardener and brutally honest.  I so value people who are open and honest and that is Sam.  She is also very disciplined in her walk with the Lord.  She challenges me daily.  And she has the best laugh!  She makes me feel like the funniest person alive when I am clearly NOT.

3. We spend hours laughing and bonding over tv shows.  Don't judge our choices: Dawson's Creek, Friday Night Lights, New Girl, The Bachelorette, Dancing with the Stars, Nashville, Modern Family, Grey's Anatomy and the list goes on...  

4. Sam makes the best chili and Stacey makes the. best. chocolate chip cookies. 

5. We are growing a garden and have fresh strawberries (ok only 3 so far but its a start!)

6. We go to the pool and lay out.  My love language

7. We go to movies together and eat ridiculous amounts of popcorn. Also my love language

8. Whenever one of us buys things, we present all our clothes to each other and oooh and ahhh.  You feel real good about yourself after that :)

9. Sam and Stacey are the best decorators.  Come see our place.  It's real cute!

10. Stacey mows the lawn so Sam and I don't have to :)

11. They ALWAYS understand me and somehow we have created a HOME.  Whatever I'm doing...I just love coming home.  

12. We've all read Harry Potter.  Yea we're dorky!

Someday God-willing I'll get married and get a new roommate which will be great.  But Sam and Stacey will always hold a special place in my heart as the best roommates ever!  Love you girls!

Overwhelmed

Well here goes the whole blogging thing!  Honestly I started a blog just so I could better follow other people's blogs...but now I think I might just try this whole blog thing out and see what happens...

It's Thursday night and I'm loving life!  Why??  Several reasons but...reason number 1 is that my Spring Break just started!  The last few weeks have been a challenge at school, and this kindergarten teacher was more than ready for a little break!  It's amazing how refreshed I feel even after a short break.  I'm looking forward to sleeping past 5:15, spending time with Jesus when I'm home alone, seeing friends that I haven't seen in far too long, and spending a little more of my boyfriend this weekend!  I know that break will go way too fast, but I'm going to enjoy every moment!

Lately I have been feeling extremely overwhelmed with God's goodness and blessing in my life.  At the same time I am feeling overwhelmed by my sinful nature.  Why is God so gracious to me when I am so undeserving?  I realize daily how selfish and thoughtless I am.  I am blessed to be surrounded by people who really challenge me to live outside myself and care for others.  I feel torn in my heart between being overwhelmed with grace and mercy and seeing how sinful I am.  I am so thankful that I can approach the thrown of God with confidence knowing that his mercy and love will surround me daily.  What a wonderful God we serve!