I Passed the PPR - Woo Hoo!!!

I'm just dropping in to say, "Praise the Lord! I passed the PPR test (the one that I took last Friday. I only missed 10 questions." I am beside myself with joy! I received an email letting me know that my scores were in...and with one eye open and the other eye closed, I cautiously read my results. I was so excited. They should release my content area scores sometime next week.

TAKS testing has been...to say the least...taxing on everyone. I have managed to be in bed by 8:30 or 9:00 2 nights this week. Yes, it's real exciting around our house. I have been studying as much as possible for my Biology CLEP test tomorrow. My graduation hinges on this test. Oh, there's nothing like a little drama at the end. I'm claiming the promise that nothing is too difficult for Him and that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

I better run. I can't possible give the science TAKS test in my pajamas. Have a blessed Thursday!

Joyfully,
Kristi

Confidence to Endure

Good Morning, sweet blogging friends!

Oh, this is the day the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I'm so thankful for the morning. I have wrestled all night long. I think I was up walking nearly every hour. This is my last week of classes, with next week being finals, and then graduation on Saturday, May 9th. I have taken both teacher Excet tests and now I just have one MAJOR hurdle to go. After everything, I still need to pass the biology CLEP test. Oiy!

I have studied and studied and studied. I didn't see a lot of my family this weekend because I was locked in my office studying my heart out! And then came the knocking of the evil one...who convinced me that I would fail...and I'm ashamed to write this...I began to be convinced that this hurdle was impossible.

I know it was the evil one, because I have been stressed to the MAX. Can anyone relate? My mind was reeling: I have to give the TAKS test 3 out of 4 days this week, I still have my night classes, assignments that are due, papers to grade, and Friday's CLEP appointment is fast approaching; how am I going to do this?

Oh, the Faithful One let me wrestle all night long. I pleaded and prayed, and cried, and cried some more. This is too difficult I said over and over! Shame on me!!!! He patiently reminded me that nothing is too difficult for Him. He is the Creator of biology and He will be with me every step.

He called me to be a teacher and He will help me finish this race for His honor and His glory. Oh, His words to me in scripture just leapt off the page! His Word reminded me: "Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised." I have goose bumps typing those words.

Oh, yes my confidence is in Him and with Him I can endure to the end and receive His great reward. I have a fresh outlook today and confidence in the One who says that Nothing is impossible with Him! Glory!

Joyfully,
Kristi

Howdy

Happy Friday to all of you! I can't believe it has nearly been 2 weeks since my last post. A lot has happened that I can't wait to blog about, but for now it will have to wait. I am taking my last major teacher-related test for certification today at noon. Please, pray if you think about me. It is the PPR test that all teachers are required to take and pass. If you know me at all, I don't want to just pass, I want to Pass by a good margin. This test should only take 3 hours instead of 5 1/2 and I am thankful!

After this test I have only one MAJOR test to go, 2 little presentations, and then...I am so ready....my graduation! Praise You, Father!

I turned in my 100 page unit lesson plan this week and guess what, half of my brain returned (I just typed brian instead of brain, maybe 1/4 of my brain returned-ha!).

Anyway, I've missed ya'll sooooooo much and I can't wait to get back to blogging. I received a special award from the President and Chancellor of UT that I can hardly wait to share with you. It's a gift from the Lord for sure. I have a giveaway in the near future too, so be watching.

I better get back to my review session. Blessings to you!

Joyfully,
Kristi

Empty Tomb! Hallelujah!

He is risen, just as He said!

Oh, there is no god like our God!

He is risen! He is alive! Hallelujah!

PLEASE, take 2 minutes
out of your schedule and watch this video:

Easter blessings to you!

Joyfully,
Kristi

Easter Chicks & Sheep

Ya'll we have had the best time making these adorable Easter sheep and chicks.

I saw the idea on this website and just knew we had to try them!

We started with good old Betty Crocker strawberry cake mix (I had a coupon)

and strawberry frosting

We baked the cake, cooled it, then crumbled it in a large bowl, added the frosting, and made oval shaped balls. We then placed the cake balls in the freezer until we were ready to decorate.

(Bakerella's instructions are the best)


Here is the decorating cast:

And crew:

And our first little sheep...oh so cute!

We dipped the chilled cake balls in meltable white chips (we purchased them at Michaels) and then quickly placed a Junior Mint for the head, cut black licorice for the feet, and sprinkled white edible pears all over. We then placed them on a Styrofoam sheet to dry.

And we dipped and dipped until we had a whole flock of sheep:

We used decorating gel to put the heart candies on for noses and used white frosting and black gel to make the eyeballs.

Then we added a few chicks to the mix:

Aren't they cute?

I placed foam blocks in the bottom of 2 old Easter baskets, threw in some Easter grass and placed our little cuties inside and finished it with a bow.

They bring such delight!

Don't they make you smile?

We can hardly wait to take them to our Easter celebrations tomorrow afternoon.

Happy Easter everyone!

Joyfully,

Kristi

Remembering on this Good Friday

Wow! This has been a full week. I can't believe that I haven't posted anything all week long. I am afraid that this may be the norm for me until my graduation which is just around the corner. Woo hoo! Praise the Lord!

Oh, there is so much to share...but for today I want my focus to be on my Precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Today is the day we remember His amazing sacrifice for us.

I couldn't let this day go by without posting this incredible video.

It may be Good Friday....but Sunday is coming! Praise the Lord!

(This video came from www.sermonspice.com)

Lord Jesus, we remember Your ultimate sacrifice for us. With humbled hearts heavy with the thought of how much You love us, we praise and honor You this day!

Joyfully,

Kristi

Pardon the Interruption

* Update: I'm among the land of the living again, I think. The test lasted 4 1/2 hours. It was the hardest test I have ever taken, ever! I don't know how people just wing it.

I'm thankful that it is behind me although

I will be anxiously waiting for the next 4 weeks for my score.

90 questions and 1 six page essay....oiy!

Thank you for your prayers.

I'm hoping that this cartoon does not become a self portrait in the morning.

I am taking my much anticipated content area TExES/ExCET exam

at the early hour of 8:00 am.

I have studied, and studied, and studied some more. I've taken the pre-test, answered all of the online practice tests and prayed and prayed and prayed.

I think I'm ready; I hope I'm ready; I'm definitely ready for the test to be over and for my brain to return. Hello my name is....um...next question please!

My family sweetly reminded me that if God has brought me this far, and shown Himself faithful every step of the way, He will help me finish this adventure with Him victoriously...because we are more than conquerors and all things work together for the good for those that are called according to His purpose. Yes, He graciously called me out of my comfort zone three years ago to go back to school and become a teacher. This is His calling and His purpose. I know that I am in good hands, faithful hands, His hands.

Whew! I feel better now. I better get back to my studying. If you think about me in the morning I would really appreciate your prayers. I am asking the Lord for a score above 250 out of 300 on the test.

Okay, I really need to go now.

I'll try to post something tomorrow afternoon, if I remember how to log on. What's my name? LOL

Joyfully,

Kristi

Blessed is He

Hallelujah! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! John 12:13

I just had to post this slide (which came from Imagevine) in honor of Palm Sunday.

Can you imagine what that day must have looked like?

I always enjoy getting a palm branch to take home on Palm Sunday and displaying it at our

kitchen table. It is a visual reminder that blesses me all week long.

He is so worthy of our daily praise!

We have had a little set back with Rachel's progress.

Instead of falling apart, I'm choosing to thank and praise the Lord for:

Our neurologist and his nurse; they called us back 2 times yesterday. We didn't have to wait hours or days. Thank You, Father!

I'm thanking the Lord for new medication that seems to have fewer side effects.

I'm thanking the Lord that He is with us in the midst of it all and that nothing is too difficult for the King of kings and Lord of lords! Nothing is impossible! I love that!

My flesh wants to fall apart, but my soul longs to praise!

I would rather praise any day, how about you?

What are you praising the Lord for today?

Joyfully,

Kristi