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! 

Music Daze

For as long as I remember, I have always loved music! I remember singing all the time, whether at home, at church, in the car, or wherever! The Lord has recently opened a new door for me at my school.

I always hoped that I would be able to teach elementary school (just like my mom and grandmother). When I began teaching, I also began to have a desire to teach music. Music is such a wonderful way to worship the Lord, and I am so thankful for the training that I had throughout high school and college. Last week, I was talking to my principal about offering music lessons at my school. I was so happy when she gave me the okay! I sent home flyers to the students. I wasn't sure what to expect. I figured if no one contacted me, I could always offer lessons for the next year. It never hurts to ask. I have been praying that the Lord would at least provide a  couple of students for me; however, I realized that whatever His will for this new adventure would be, it would be the best thing for me. This will be my first time teaching music lessons, so although I wanted a ton of students, I knew that just a couple would be best for me, as I'm getting started. I was so happy when I received an e-mail from one of my parents. I am going to have the privilege of teaching her two students voice and piano! I was so excited about this opportunity! I began lessons the first week of October. The Lord has blessed me with 5 voice students and 2 piano students! Please pray with me as I begin this new opportunity. I am so excited, but definitely a little nervous. Can't wait to see what this new adventure has in store!!

School Daze

     Well, today was my first day of school! It went so well! I got up great this morning. I was so excited! I went to iron my clothes and everything was moving great....UNTIL..... I head in to the bathroom and plug in my straightener. To my dismay, I discovered that my straightener would not turn on. Yes, it's true! My straightener worked yesterday, but on my first day of school it broke!! I was determined that this incident would not get me down!! I got to school a little early just to make sure everything was ready and some of my students arrived like 5 minutes later!! 

     I was a little nervous about meeting the student's parents. Considering this is only my 2nd year teaching, I was expecting to be grilled by them; however all of the parents were so nice and welcoming to me! I was so thankful for that support so early on in the year.

     I have never seen a class so excited to be at school! They all came in with huge smiles and were so excited to get started!  One student said that, "Today was the best day ever!"  Today was only a half day so we were not able to have a full lesson in all of our subjects. As the students were packing up, I told them that we would have Math on Monday. I then heard cheering! 

     When one of my boys got in his car, he looked at his mom and said, "Mom, I LOVE 3rd Grade!" What a great start to the year They worked so hard and did a great job! Hoping that they are this enthusiastic a month from now! Monday will be our first full day! 

     I learned a few days ago, that I will be teaching two classes in 4th Grade this year. I will finish teaching my 3rd grade class in the afternoon, and will have a teachers aid to come in for an hour or so while they work on seatwork. I am excited about this extra opportunity to teach more students. I will teach them spelling, science, (1st semester), and history (2nd semester). I will definitely be busy, but I am so excited for this opportunity!

     As the school year goes on, I know that there will be great days in the classroom and some, well, not so good days; however, I am so blessed that today was a great day! The Lord has been so good to me. I am so thankful to be a teacher! As the school "daze" go on, I know that I will have so many sweet and absolutely hilarious stories to share!

Psalm 18:30- "As for God, His way is perfect..."

Why Blog?

     Well, I have decided to enter the blogging world. The purpose of my blog is to first of all glorify the Lord. The Lord has blessed me in so many ways, and I feel as though it is my duty and privilege to share that with other people. I would also like my blog to encourage other bloggers.

     On December 19, 2009, I married the man that God created for me! I am so thankful that the Lord brought Bradley and I together. We have a blast being married and seem to laugh all the time! Cooking has also been quite an adventure to me!

      We are privileged to serve with Brother and Mrs. Fred Carraway at their mission church- Freedom FWB Church- in Roanoke Rapids NC. We work with the teenagers and children. We have learned so much working in a mission church and thank the Lord for the opportunity to serve here!

     The Lord has also given me the opportunity to be a teacher. I am about to begin my second year of teaching! I am so excited about the new school year! My first year of teaching was a blast, and I am looking forward to what this year holds!

      The Lord is so good to me....I love the life that he has given me!