Snapshots of January

 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

~ Lamentations 3:21-26

January was a great month and I'm thankful for God answering prayers, open doors to witness, spiritual growth, godly friends, and an abundance of good memories. Each new day God helps me and gives mercies and compassions.

January 1st, I learned how to change brake pads on a car and also went on a 10-mile walk. That's WAY too much walking at once - never doing that again. lol. 

If you're ever in this area, 10/10 recommend stopping by the Daily Dose Craft Bar. 😋

Went for a hike in a new park which is almost out in the middle of nowhere. Super serene and relaxing though. 

God paints the most beautiful skies. The early morning ones are my favorite, but hard to take pictures of since I'm usually driving. 

The cross in the sky reminds me of the song "People Need the Lord."

My friend and I went to the jail twice this month to share Jesus with the women inmates. When I was in college, God used a favorite teacher to open my eyes and heart to jail/prison ministry, and ever since then I've wanted to be involved in it. This is one area I don't hear as much about, but God is changing lives and doing a work in jails and prisons all across America through Christians who have a burden for souls. We had 11 women come the first time who heard a clear gospel message, and the second time 5 showed up for a personal Bible study. 

Some sights from a walk. 

Nothing like playing several games of good ole' fashioned cornhole. :D

My friend and I ate Hot Pot one evening. It's a buffet of vegetables, meat, sauces, noodles, everything you need to make your own pot of soup. There's different soup bases you can order, but the chicken bone broth is so good and all the food you cook in it adds so much extra flavor without the flavors clashing. 

Hot pot video

Coffee from my favorite Christian-owned shop called Grounds of Grace. They spread the gospel to the community through things like Bible clubs and sports on Saturdays. Whenever I visit, I'm reminded of heaven because Revelation 22:2 is on their logo- "In the midst of the street of it, and of either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."

Puerto Rican coffee from a food truck owned by a Puerto Rican couple. 15/10😀

Arsema is my little bestie, and we love hanging out with each other. Whenever I see this picture, it brings back great memories and makes me smile. :) 

During phonics one day the topic of the cross came up, and I was explaining how one thief went to heaven and the other didn't. Arsema crossed out one cross since one man didn't repent and trust Jesus, and she put check marks by the other crosses. 😅

We have had the most interesting conversations about the Trinity and random topics this month. Her love for God, willingness to believe, and enthusiasm for the Bible inspires me to have more of that simple faith in God. I've never met a girl like her. She asks genuine random questions and is a really fun friend. :) At lunch she continuously tells all the other students I'm her sister. 💖 They don't believe her at first, but when I confirm it, they say, "wow! I didn't know that!" 😁 She tells them they could be our brother/sister too if they would have Jesus in their heart. 

Other random parts from conversations: 

- One day we were talking about how God made Adam out of the dust and Eve from Adam's rib, and she says, "Wait! From only 1 rib?!" 

- Her: "I'm so excited to go to heaven! There's gonna be so many people. Can they all fit in heaven?"

"How did Jesus create people when he was a baby?"

"At the end of the world, it's too late for anyone [to be saved] right?"

"I love Christmas - it's so beautiful and fun. I still remember Christmas is God."

I've been teaching the boys to be gentlemen and open the door for women. One day there were no boys in our class, and Arsema said, "Awww, today is a sad day! There are no gentlemen here!" Then she thought for a moment and said, "Is God a gentleman? He can open the door for us!" 😅

Arsema starring at the clouds: "It reminds me of California."

"Can I jump on the trampoline to heaven?"

When we missed a couple days of our usual Bible time learning about Jesus's miracles to do the curriculum Bible book, Arsema said, "I miss the stories of Jesus." 

Kids ages 6, 7, 8 are my absolute favorite people. Their minds soak up tons of information quickly and they are so easily persuaded. I was reading 1 Thessalonians 1 and verse 13 reminds me of Arsema. 

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

She, and others, have received the word of God as truth and believe. She's growing in the knowledge of God, growing in grace and love and in knowledge of the Bible, and establishing her heart to follow Jesus. We often sing "I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back. Though none go with me, I still will follow. No turning back. 

I painted this for a friend whose verses for the year are Proverbs 3:5-6. It's easy to quote these verses, but living it is hard. It's easy to trust God with some things, but human nature has a tendency to want to hold on or control something. You might say, "Yes Lord, I trust you in everything except...." Trusting in God with ALL your heart leaves no room for exceptions. God is capable of handling all your problems and all your life. God knows the future, and when you trust him and choose to live by faith, you can do so with assurance knowing that you are following a perfect God and loving Father who only does what is right.

God always hears. I love this verse. When you cry, talk to God, he listens and gives you strength.

How was YOUR January?  What did God teach you?  

A Scrapbook of a Day on the Islands

  Monday, January 20th, was Martin Luther King Jr. holiday so I spent a day of exploration in Georgia.

First stop was St. Simons Island.

But of course, one must take a short detour to Kingsland to get some coffee. 😁

This coffee shop, Blue Bridge Coffeehouse, is worth the detour. It's only a short drive off the main interstate. The coffee is strong, and the sweetness level was just perfect. Not super sweet but just enough to give the flavor. 10/10! 

I love sky pictures. 

This fort was very interesting to walk through, though I almost ran through the whole place, taking pictures of all the signs to read later because it was so cold! There were no other visitors there- probably because it was 36 degrees. But I'd definitely recommend visiting as there's great history. 

Hut

Cooking oven

This sign gives information about Robert S. Abbot who founded the most influential black newspaper.  Since some schools place an emphasis on black history month in February, I like to find historical figures who influenced America that most people don't know about today and that most history books don't talk about and teach my students about them.

The scenery is stunning. General Oglethorpe built this fort to protect the southern British colony against the Spainards. Around 630 troops were stationed at the fort. 

This is the remnant of a candlemaker's place. Click on the picture below to read about the man who lived here. Super cool! 

Next.....to Jekyll Island we go! 

Here's the beautiful Great Dunes Park. 

This was the prettiest day. If you want to visit Jekyll Island without the crowds and don't want to swim in the water, a sunny winter day is the time to go. :) There were not very many people, and most places were quiet. 

A path leading to one of the coolest beaches I've ever visited. 

Driftwood Beach. Amazing views. You need to see it in person. :) 

Since it's a touristy spot, you not only have to pay to go on the island, but also most buildings require payment to walk through. However, there is an art gallery that's open for free. Here are a few neat sculptures. Pieces ranged in price from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. 

Seashell nativity

Look at this hotel. The second story is open and has shops and dining places visitors can walk through. 

There are a couple bike rental places if you want to bike around the island. The island offers many trails, and you can park the bike and shop in the stores, go to the beach, and eat at restaurants. 

This trail is really nice and one of my favorites. 

Well, that's a wrap! Thanks for following along and I hope you get to have an adventure soon!