Saturday, February 4, 2012

DIXON DAZE LATELY

Well, I have gotten quite behind on blogging, so I thought it was time to do a little catching up.....
 TEACHING DAZE
I absolutely love teaching! My students are so sweet, and they always brighten my day. Bradley has also had the opportunity to preach in elementary and high school chapel once every month. He always looks forward to that!  My 3rd grade class is all boys except for one girl; however, my little girl holds her own with all of the boys. They are a very loving class and love to please their teacher. It has been so neat to see them grow up throughout the year. They are learning more everyday and before I know it I will be promoting them to 4th grade (Tear, Tear). I also get to teach some 4th grade in the afternoons. This class is a complete 180 from my 3rd graders. This class is all girls except for 2 boys! They are very energetic and lots of fun! As some of you may know, I started music lessons in October. I have LOVED teaching music. CurrentIy, I have 6 voice students and 3 pianos students! I have also been able to do some tutoring.I am so thankful that the Lord opened a door for me to be a teacher! Truly, there is nothing better than to be exactly where the Lord wants you to be.  There are time when I pull up to school in the morning where I can't help but smile and pray, "Thank you Lord so much for allowing me to do this!" I can't wait to see what the rest of the school year has in store!
CHURCH DAZE
Since my last blog, our church has had many new changes! In December, we were able to move in to our new auditorium. We are so thankful to have more room and to have a bathroom with more than one stall!!! I never thought I'd be so thankful for a water fountain, too! It has been really neat to see a mission work grow. I grew up in a large, multi-ministry church, so it has been neat to see a church grow from almost the beginning. We had to start another children's sunday school class because our children's ministry has really grown! I was excited to find out that I would get to be the teacher of the new class. I am currently teaching the 9-11 year olds. This past Sunday, we had about 30 children at church and 91 in total attendance! Beth Gwaltney and I have also gotten to start a Patch the Pirate program at church. On Thursday, we had 25 for Patch! It's so neat teaching the kids some of the same songs and Bible verses that I learned in Patch the Pirate!  We were so excited and encourages  to have 12 teens at church on Sunday and 7 teens  at church on Thursday night. Bradley just started a Thursday night Bible study with the teens. Please keep praying for our teens , children, and our church as a whole. We love to see physical growth, but more important we desire to see spiritual growth! I desire to see more spiritual growth not only in the life of our people, but also in my own life as well!
OUR DAZE
Bradley and I are so happy to be serving where the Lord has us. We have learned so much working with Brother Fred and Mrs. Joan Carraway. They work so hard,and we couldn't ask for a better Pastor and pastor's wife. I never  thought that the first ministry Bradley and I would serve in would be a mission work, but we LOVE where we are!  In December, we celebrated our 2 year anniversary! It seems like just yesterday, we were getting married. It's crazy how time flies. I am so thankful for the man God gave me!