My Loves!

I love coming home to these two every afternoon! Happy Wednesday to everyone!

Praise God that testing happens next week! I don't think I could handle another week of test preparation. For the last few days I've put my students into leveled groups to review for standardized tests, and for the first time today, my kiddos finally ALL made 100's! I literally mean that every single group answered every single reading question correctly. My "lows," "mediums," and "highs" each read a different passage and answered six to ten reading comprehension/reading vocabulary questions. It is just what I needed today! God is so good! I'm so blessed to be serving God's children. Thank you, Lord, for my job!

On a more serious note, please be in prayer for my brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Whitney. Their sweet angel daughter, Sophie, has been admitted to the hospital with pneumonia in her right lung. Please pray for God's healing touch on Sophie and for peace and comfort for Mark and Whitney. The whole family is extremely concerned for her health, but we trust in the Father to take care of her while we all feel so helpless.

However, I find comfort in James 5:16. It instructs us to "Confess [our] trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that [we] may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. " Join with me in prayer for Sophie. I hope you have an amazing week.

In fervent prayer,
Coty

Day 2 of C25K!

Although Mollie didn't join me, she totally enjoyed the sunshine this afternoon! When I came home from work, she was stretched out in the sunshine soaking up the warm rays! I had to laugh a little at her simple life. I know it might sound crazy, but she has brought a lot of joy to the Geohagan home!

Ok, so back to C25K. I hate to admit it, but I'm sore! I'm so out of shape that it's pathetic. It's truly amazing how much more energy I have after I exercise! I had no problem cranking out a decent meal for supper, washing the dishes (oh how I miss a dishwasher!!), and getting in a short blog post! Matt joined me for Day 2, and we listened to music as we walked and ran. Of course, he would run circles around me occassionally; however, I reminded him that "slow and steady wins the race!" In the end, he became distracted and stopped to talk to another coach while I continued for two laps around the track at the high school. That's what he gets for bragging about being such an athlete! I couldn't help but smile when he showed me his little blister from today. Aww...poor baby! :)

I've been looking for a Bible verse to recite to myself while I walk/run. I've decided on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. It reads, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (NIV)

Often times I forget that my body was bought and paid for by the blood of Christ. It is God's design that I honor Him by taking care of this temple that houses a part of Him, the Holy Spirit. Jesus bridges the gap that my sins create daily between me and my Father. Therefore, my prayer is that of thanksgiving for God making a way for me, a sinner undeserving of God's mercy and grace. I also pray that God may stir your heart to draw closer to Him. Join with me in prayer for our nation and each other to surrender our hearts and bodies to things that honor God.

In Him,
Coty

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Where did all the beautiful sunshine and warm weather venture off to? I mistakenly became excited with the few days of decent weather thinking that it might stick around for more than just a day or two. So that leaves Matt and me to sit around the house, watch television, and stare at each other while Mollie jumps from recliner to couch to floor and back to recliner again every time it thunders. Maybe I'll sleep well listening to the rain tonight.

School is going well for both Matt and me. At the middle school we're preparing for the ARMT and SAT 10. I guess since we live in a world full of alphabet soup tests...ACT...AGE...OLSAT...we might as well get used to teaching to the test. All my fellow teachers out there can sympathize with this nonsensical method of educating Alabama's youth; however, we must cooperate with the "powers that be," right?! My kids at school are TOTALLY burned out on reading passages and answering questions. Heck, I'm tired of going over the passages and explaining how to find the answers!!

Here's the highlight of my school day today: "Student A" stole "Student B"'s newest kicks from the locker room and wore them around school all day. "Student C" decided that I was the lucky teacher who needed to take care of the whole situation. Yay for me! Students have become professionals at wasting time and doing everything else in the world except English. In the same breath that I use to complain, I want to express my thankfulness to the Lord for my job and the blessing of His children in my life. I spend half my class time supplying pencils, paper, and kleenex to miniature people whom God created and loves more than I'll ever know. Welcome to my life, and praise God I have a job! Has God not called us to serve? I pray that God will give me a servant's heart. I truly desire to be His "good and faithful servant."

Tomorrow is day 2 of C25K (Couch to 5 K), and I'm hoping that I don't drown in the attempt! I'm hoping I'll enjoy being outside and spending time mellowing out after a day of work. Matt has track practice after school now, so I'm back to having some time to myself. I try to enjoy the time I have alone although I miss him dearly while he's at work. We're both extremely blessed to be working and busy doing the things we love.

I made hot spinach and artichoke dip with pita chips tonight. Here's the recipe I used:

2 boxes of frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed
1 can of artichoke hearts, drained
8 oz of cream cheese
1/2 cup of sour cream
1/2 cup of parmigiano reggiano cheese
1/2 cup of your favortite cheese (I used a cheddar and colby mix)

Mix ingredients and bake at 350 for about 20-30 minutes. Yummm...

Matt and I are still hoping our house in Russellville will sell soon. Please, please pray for us as we have this in the forefront of our minds. I can't begin to explain the peace we have with our decision to move or how God has opened our eyes to His will for our lives; however, our fleshy hearts desire for someone to come along and cherish our home as much as we did. Therefore, let me finish this post with God's direction for our lives. Even if we don't quite know God's plan, we can lean on His Word. Proverbs 3:6 promises us, "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Psalm 37:23 tells us, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord...." And Isaiah 30:21 informs us, "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left."

May God bless your week!

Searching His Will,
Coty