My day began with a morning walk. This summer my mom and I joined a walking group. Everyday, Monday through Friday, we get up and walk from around 7 am to 8 am. If you haven't picked it up yet, I am slightly aprehensive about starting different things. So when June came around, I was just not sure if I wanted to join the walking group. The group consists of 5-6, sometimes 7 faithful walkers-all of which are retired teachers...except for me and one other person. I thoroughly enjoy working out and especially walking, so I decided to give it a whirl. I will have you know that I have only missed the mornings when I have been out of town. I LOVE the walking group. We do the same route everyday, but there is always a new conversation to be had. The group is very encouraging and fun to be around. While everyone walks at their own comfortable pace, the aura of our group is positive and fun. After walking each morning my mom and I come home to big cups of coffee and back to back episodes of Saved By The Bell- we call this our hour of real comedy. I can almost say everyline of every episode, and they never get old. These 2 hours of my summer schedule will truly be missed.
After the second episode of Saved by the Bell, we headed off to take showers and bring on the rest of the day. We stopped by the district office, where my mom made a change in her retirement plan- you got it- she's no longer retired, instead the newest 8th grade teacher at Jonesville Middle...we hardly even saw this coming.
We moved on to our other errands and back home to await the arrival of a dear friend. Ashley, my cooperating teacher during my student teaching, a roommate, and a best, best friend came to visit me today. We have a very ironic story. While at Presbyterian College, I majored in Early Childhood Education. When it came time for student teaching I was freaking out just a little. I applied to student teach at an elementary school in Simpsonville, SC. Remember-PC is in Clinton, South Carolina. What was I thinking applying to student teach in a town I new very little of, much less a school I hadn't ever been to. Obviously God was at work in many different ways. I was placed in a first grade class with a teacher by the name of Ashley Spellman. I researched Ashley on the school's website and became a little intimidated by her own class webpage. Through Ashley's webpage I learned that she was very tall, enthusiastic about her work, and too cute for words. Here I am short, not too cute, and frightened like there was no tomorrow. Being a student teacher, we had to move back to school before the rest of the campus after Christmas break. The campus was so quiet, and I was in a house with lots of other nervous student teachers. Luckily, I had atleast 2 other friends that were going to Simpsonville and student teaching in first grade, also. The three of us were not super close, but worked out a car pooling system to save on gas. So Monday morning rolls around, we pile in the car and go. Plain Elementary School became a place I never wanted to leave- and we often stayed way past the quitting hour. Ashley had welcoming posters, teaching supplies with my name on them, a special place for me to be in the classroom, and a heart of gold. I knew I was in the right place. After a couple hesitant days, we became a little more chatty. Through our chats, we learned we had a lot in common. Ashley graduated from PC as well, she has a sister who goes to Newberry who happens to be great friends with my boyfriend who graduated from Newberry, we are teachers, and we share the same passion for children. We learned that we were one in the same. Through the semester I realized God knew exactly what he was doing when placing me with Ashley at Plain. Throughout the semester I did not only become close to Ashley, but the two other girls from PC both found special places in my heart, too These three were all blessings from God. We all needed each other in more ways than in the classroom, especially Ashley and me.-That semester proved to be a tough few months for the both of us. I couldn't have done it without Ashley. We became best friends who know each other's Chic Fil A orders without fail. After student teaching, I was blessed to find a job in Greenville- And what do you know, Ashley had a bedroom with my name written all over it. So, we became roommates- a dream come true. We made it through the school year as best friends, roommates, and haven't had an argument yet. Ashley and her family have been a huge blessing in my life and without them I know I couldn't have made it to where I am not without shutting down first. It has been a bittersweet move back to Union, so we have tried to see each other through this busy summer. Ashley opted to come to Union today to see my new classrom and my house. We had a ball getting to catch up, exploring my new school, and visiting one of the cutest stores in Union- Almost Pink. We both walked out with some great purchases- including a pair of purple boots, $10. GO CLEMSON!!! I had a fabulous afternoon with Ashley. Even when my spirits are high, she always seems to lift them higher.
After wrapping up the afternoon with Ashley, I find myself exploring Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook-keeping up-to-date on what's happening out there!
Today, I leave you with a verse that seems to be very fitting for my family- especially my mom and I as we embark on two new journeys. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matt 6:34
Today's Blessings:
1. Ashley Clemmer
2. A Classroom
3. Air Condition
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