To Sir, With Love

I have recently graduated from college... COLLEGE. *breaker breaker 1,2 am I coming in clear?* I am a COLLEGE GRADUATE!!! I am just about as shocked as anyone, believe me. I can NOT believe that this moment really has arrived. It is almost, but not quite, too good to be true! One of the biggest down sides to graduating from one of the most wonderful colleges in the United States... having to say goodbye for now, to some of the most AMAZING women of God that I have EVER had the pleasure of calling MY friends. 

This picture keeps finding it's way just about EVERYWHERE. This probably best describes the relationship that I have with some of the most amazing women on this planet. My heart misses them so much. But this quote is a comfort to me...

"A farewell is neccesary before we can meet again, and meeting again, after moments or a lifetime is certain for those who are friends."

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. " 
-Deuteronomy 31:8 

"I thank my God every time I remember you. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ- to the glory and praise of God."

--Philippians 1:3;9-11.

I love my girls. I am so THANKFUL that Rachel and I do not have to part just yet and I am hopeful  that Brittany will come back and live in Searcy for a little while! :D That would just be grand!


As for the Harding chapter of my life, we must say farewell. I know you will cross my path MANY times throughout this wonderful gift of life and frankly, I can't wait!


--in Christ,
 ~Marisa Lynn 

Just a Dream

"I wanna celebrate and live my life."

Here I am... standing on the edge of my last week in my first placement for student teaching. I can't believe that I am saying this but in just TWO months, TWO weeks and four days, I will be able to say that I am a COLLEGE GRAD! At that time, the outfits will be switched in the picture below... I will be WEARING a cap and gown and smiling like a fool because I will be OFFICIALLY a TEACHER!!!!

This semester has been full of interesting surprises, a few new unexpected friendships, and blessing up blessing. I have been observed in my classroom by my Harding University Supervisor and her opinion about my teaching means so much to me. She has helped me grow so much in my methods of teaching just in eight short weeks. Its been an AMAZING experience. I'm praying that once I get into my second placement, fifth grade, that I can take all that I have learned from my Supervising Teacher, Mrs. Wynne, and help my new kids get excited about education! 

I love the surprises that God brings into my life. They usually catch me off guard but they are always exciting. 

Eighties Nights are the best. I think in the future that all Girl's Nights out should be spent in this way. It made my week, easy.

I really am just incredibly blessed. Thanks, God. You're amazing. Words don't even begin to describe, but thanks.

-in Christ,

 ~Marisa Lynn

Wait... I'm an adult now? You're kidding right?!

This semester so far has been totally insane. I feel like I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I have REALLY enjoyed every minute of it but sometimes I just wish I could stop and breath for a second or two!


Last week I had my first observation for my supervised teaching and it went pretty well, I feel like. My supervisor didn't really say one way or another that I was awesome or terrible, but at the end she told me she could tell that I was going to be a good teacher because it is clear that I care for my kids. That meant a lot and was definitely a good thing to hear. And it helped me to not be as nervous about teaching and to be confident in what I do because I do care about what my kids learn. I can't wait to be a teacher! Last week was also "Snow Week". We only went to school one day last week and that was the day that I was observed. But it was good to get that out of the way and not have to reschedule it. 


So, I got a good little break. I spent Thursday and Friday doing absolutely nothing and playing in the snow and hanging out with my girls. I think that it is fair to say that we had ourselves a good little time. 


This week has just been a whirlwind but at the same time it has seemed to take FOREVER for it to be over. On Monday and Tuesday I attended a Job Fair where there were MANY great prospects for a job once I graduate. I am praying that something will work out and that I will know sooner rather than later. I like security but in the end I know that God is going to take care of me... I worry too much. Thankfully, He is in control! Friday was a messed up day because I had my times for seminar messed up. I somehow thought I needed to be at seminar at 9:30 because thats what I had in my planned... turns out, seminar was at 1 and had a paid any attention to e-mails or any other calendar or schedule I have, I would have realized that. So, I missed half a day of teaching because of a stupid mistake. It was frustrating! Now I will have to make that half day up, because I don't want to miss out on valuable experience! But I got it all worked out and I think I'm good. Just frustrated by yesterday in general. 


The evening did end on a high note. I went to work after seminar and then went to dinner with some friends. We hung out and caught up because we never really see each other except on the weekends. Closed the evening enjoying watching Spring Sing Practice and it was just a hoot. We heckled and laughed the entire time. It was great!


Now, I'm sitting at work trying to find the motivation that I need to get going on my lesson planning for this next week. This is my last week to teach in my 6th grade classroom. Then I have a week of observation. After that I will be moving onto my fifth grade class, which will be a whole new experience! I'm excited!!


-in Christ,
 ~Marisa Lynn

Oh My Whoa... Children Everywhere: A Middle School Teacher's Adventure

“If the school sends out children with a desire for knowledge and some idea of how to acquire and use it, it will have done its work”

--Richard Livingstone 

This past week I started my first week of student teaching

I turned 24 (ahhh!)

 I witnessed the Razorbacks loose to a team they should have beat,

 I recommitted my life

and I taught my first official class all on my own, no teacher, just me against the world.

That sure is a lot for one person to absorb in just one week, wouldn't you agree?

 I have heard

 "Excuse  me, Miss... uh... Teacher lady..." so many times this week, that I am seriously considering changing my first name to Miss, my middle name to Teacher and my last name to Lady. That way, there won't be any confusion! ;o)

It has truly been nothing but a blessing to be in the classroom this week, I'm looking forward to what the rest of the semester could possible have in store, I just can't imagine all of the great things the future coming my way!

Tomorrow I get scootin on my resume

 which I MUST finish this weekend.

 Soon this will all be over and I will wonder where all the time went, although I must admit, I can't wait to have my own classroom, just can NOT wait! It's all just around the corner!!

-in Christ,

 ~Marisa Lynn

~It's a New Year, right?~

"We young people are constantly under the pressure of planning, of choosing the right college and finishing college in exactly 4 years. Of choosing the right spouse and just in the right amount of time. Of choosing the right career and finding the perfect big city in which to live. We're asked to be certain in a world full of uncertainty. To feel secure when only one wrong step breeds insecurity and to simply answer the questions in front of us instead of questioning the answers."

--Charissa Collins

Part of me just wants to leave my post with that statement. It is everything that I am feeling at this very moment. Some days, I don't know how to even face all of these pressures, but then I remember this...

"But your love, your love the only thing that matters is, your love. Your love, it's all I have to give. Your love is enough to light up the darkness, it's your love, your love all I ever needed is your love."

--Brandon Heath 

I plan to make no resolutions this year, at least not in the sense that resolutions are typically made. I'm praying for the strength to keep this in mind...

‎"If only you could see me yesterday, who I used to be before the change, you'd see a broken heart, you'd see the battle scars. Funny how words can't explain, how good it feels to finally break the chains. I'm not what I have done, I'm what I've overcome"

--Fireflight 

 This year I'm not hoping for the strength to keep my resolutions, no this year I'm praying for the strength and the bravery to remember that I am NOT what I have done, I AM what I've overcome! And the greatest thing about that realization is that, I didn't overcome ANYTHING, not on my own accord anyway! I AM overcome everything! It's such a great thing to realize! This year I pray that it is not something that gets pushed in a corner, convinced that I can handle everything on my own. Who am I to think that I can handle this life on my own. God has blessed me immensely and how do I thank him? I most often do not. It's time for this to change, 2011 is the year in which I really care enough to change. Cause thats the problem, isn't it? I haven't cared enough. 

"They say it sounds insane, we say that we've been changed by the power of crazy love. This world looks at us like we're ridiculous Baby it's all because of crazy love."

--Hawk Nelson

This band  got this song idea from a book by Francis Chan called Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a relentless God. My prayer is that I can become so wrapped up in God's love that I can overwhelm him with my love and devotion for him. Sure, in this life I will never be perfect but the promise of perfection is enough to make this life worth living. Why I've been waiting 24 years to figure this out is beyond me. But, I'm done waiting. 


If you're reading this I'm hoping that you can help me. Prayer, asking how I am, Caring, Loving, simply being there... all ways that will be encouraging and uplifting. 


I'm tired of living a life in which I feel guilty for not reading my bible every day or praying often enough. I do not want to live a life like that any longer. Who wants a relationship like that? Certainly not God and certainly not I. I want to DESIRE to talk with my God, my SAVIOR, my REDEEMER, my LIGHT, my LIFE, my LOVE, my FATHER, my best friend. Only he knows the desires of my heart, only he can fix what I have broken. 


So, 2011 let's do this. I have set out the past 24 years with my plans, never truly considering what God may have in store for me. In May, I will graduate *finally* with my bachelor's degree in Middle-Level Education with an emphasis in Social Studies and Language Arts. I am being blessed with an opportunity at Pangburn Middle School for my Student Teaching semester which starts in just one day! I'm excited to start this adventure. It's already begun, this is exciting!!

"Redeem the years I've thrown away I'm ready to make good on what I've wasted. I'm asking you to shape my heart, I want to be Your work of art. Cause when You change me and make me more like You, It's Beautiful, you can turn mistakes to miracles. The way that you still love me after all, it's BEAUTIFUL! So, help me God forbid I never take for granted this endless gift you give." 

--ElventySeven 

 Thanks for reading till the end, if you made it. ;)


-Marisa Lynn

...When I see your face...

To the people who have made a lasting impression

I love you.

Thank you. 

You Rock

Here's a little thanks and something that will constantly remind me of you.

"I thank my God every time I remember you. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ- to the glory and praise of God."

--Philippians 1:3;9-11

You will forever and EVER be a part of my life.
"You'll be in my heart, no matter what they say. From this day on, now and forever."

You've seen the good the bad and the ugly... thanks for putting up with it. Believe me, I know its been hard!

"You must know, surely you must know it was all for you."

We're old and I refuse to get any older, Are you with me?! I hope so, can't imagine you not being with me

"Something about just being with you when I leave I feel like I've been near God

and that's the way it ought to be"

 You never fail to listen without judging me and ALWAYS give me your opinion whether it hurts or not. I will forever be grateful for that and always love you. New York better look out baby, we're comin!

"All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost"

You never fail to make me laugh, a good time is always in store if you're around. Thanks for being so uniquely you!

"I can finally see that you're right there beside me."

Oh how our journey has been a roller coaster, can't imagine the twists and turns that are just around the corner. I can't wait!

"Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."

I love that you are always there at just the right time. I hate that I don't see you nearly enough. You're amazing, Spencer.

"This is kind of inappropriate... but remember that conversation with your sister and brother at lunch that one time... yea."

I love our late night talks, they are DEFINITELY talks to remember. But don't forget...

"You can't step aside for something you aren't in line for." ;) 

Harry STINKING Potter!! When no one else is around to match my enthusiasm, you jump right in! Thanks for putting up with me, girl!!

"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."

You're like a little brother to me, you love me despite the fact that I am probably one of the more strange people you know!!

In reference to Harry Potter

 "since there is no one cool enough to talk about this with at home, i though i would share my thoughts. thanks for listening..."

You ladies light up my life. I can't believe we graduate soon. AhhhH!!

Sometimes I forget just how blessed I really am! Thanks so much for staying by my side all of these years you guys. It means the world to me! God really knew what he was doing when he put you all in my life.

-in Christ,
 ~Marisa Lynn

The Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 was one of the best movies that I have ever seen. I loved Lord of the Rings, all three of them, and I went to all of the premiers but this movie topped it. Maybe because I love the books so much, I'm not sure. I know that the only movie that will top this one is Pt. 2 and Pt. 2 alone. I cannot wait.

Sure, the movie wasn't the most accurate interpretation that I have ever seen but all things considered I walked away very satisfied with the end result. Sure, there were things that irritated me a little on the interpretation but all in all... Well done. The cast, as usual, was AMAZING. Its sad to think that this is all going to be over in July but at the same time, I bet that the cast is ready to move on to something different. This has been such a HUGE part of their life, it's lasted a decade.

These two are possibly my favorite characters from the book. They could not have cast them better for the movies. I just can't imagine anyone other than Oliver and James Phelps playing the Weasley Twins. When Fred dies, I'm going to ball my eyes out. I probably won't be able to stop crying from beginning to finish with the last one. No sense in pretending.

I cannot wait for this man's redeeming moment. When I was reading the book, I just knew that it had to be coming. While watching the movie, even though Snape lends himself to being an evil and loathsome character, I couldn't help but have a soft spot for him. I think the fact that the actor chosen to play snape was Alan Rickman might have had a little bit to do with the soft spot. I always like Snape though... and I'll cry when his time comes too... probably more than any other character in the final movie, because of the memories and truths that will come along with it.

I can't believe that it is almost time for all of this to come to a close. I do not want it to... but someone famous somewhere once said...

"All good things must come to an end." But do they really? I'm not so sure. I'll just keep reading them over and over. I'm certain I will never grow tired of this great literature. Thank J.K. Rowling for such a wonderful and magical world. I've loved every minute of it. Every. Minute.

-Marisa Lynn