My Dad

I just wanted to post a few thoughts about my dad after celebrating Father's Day yesterday. I was blessed to be able to spend Father's Day with him for the first time in four years. I have always looked up to my father. He has always been there for me and modeled what it means to be a man. He works so hard to support all of us and never complains. I am especially thankful for his support as I have taken a few extra years to complete my Masters degree to teach math. I know he was proud of me when I accepted my first full time job offer. I am so appreciative of him for being by my side every step of the way. God has blessed us with dad. It is only by His grace that dad is alive and healthy today. Dad had a liver condition for many years and two liver transplants later, he is doing great. Thanks to everyone who has prayed for him over the years. God has truly answered those prayers! Dad has always been our strength and he has received that strength from God. So dad, if you get around to reading this, thanks. Thanks for being a role model, a teacher, a provider, and most importantly, a friend! May God bless you with many more years on this Earth so that you may bless others with your life. I love you dad!

Employed!

Today I accepted an offer to teach at Pulaski County High School this upcoming school year. God is so faithful! Life is funny sometimes. Last week I was eager for any opportunity I could come across. By this morning, I had two offers, one at Pulaski and one at a middle school in Roanoke. There were times today when I wished I only had the one offer! It was a tough decision to make, as both schools offered a lot of positives. In the end, I went with my gut. I got a really good impression of the administration at Pulaski when I visited and trust that they will help my transition to teaching be as smooth as possible. It has been a long journey to this point, but here I am with my first real job. I am so thankful for the support my family has given me throughout my life leading up to this point. I look forward to seeing how God will use me at Pulaski. Exciting times are ahead! Thanks to everyone for all your prayers and support!

Seeking God's Direction

I have not updated in a while! It is hard to believe that it has almost been a month since the semester ended. I have been substitute teaching in NY and enjoying time spent with family and friends. During this time I have been seeking leads for teaching jobs. Last week I got a call to interview at Pulaski High School and so yesterday I drove the 9 hours down to Blacksburg. I have an interview tomorrow at 9 am. Please pray for this opportunity and any others that may come. Getting a job for the fall would go a long way to helping me support myself fully as well as start paying off loans. I am just praying that I can have patience if a job is not in the Lord's plan. If I don't get a job, then I will most likely be student teaching. I know this would be a valuable experience if that is the case. God is good and His will be done! Thanks for your prayers!

First Trip to Citi Field!

I arrived in Pleasantville last Thursday night. It is great to be back in NY spending time with family and friends. I know my parents were happy to have all three of us home for a little while, before my sisters headed back to Virginia. On Tuesday I had the opportunity to see a Mets game at the new Citi Field for the first time. I went with my mom, Karen, and Kristin Proft. The weather was really nice and we were able to enjoy a Met victory in ten innings. The stadium is absolutely gorgeous! As historic and familiar as Shea Stadium was, it was not the nicest ball park, so watching a game at Citi Field was a real treat. Unfortunately the game was really boring for the first seven innings, as the Mets couldn't hit a lick. Then in the eighth, the bats came alive, and they eventually tied the game in the ninth. Carlos Beltran walked to bring in the winning run in the tenth. Another item of note was that in the fifth inning, a streaker ran onto the field and slid into second base, providing the stadium with a laugh. Though I miss all my Hokie and Highlander friends, it is great to be home for a little while. I am going to enjoy it for all it's worth!

The outside of the stadium may be the nicest feature.

The Fan Walk

The NYC skyline was a nice backdrop

Me, mom, Kristin, and Karen after the game. Mets win!

A Weekend With Family

Last weekend I traveled down to the Charlotte area with my sisters to visit our family. It was nice to be able to have my sisters join me. It was the first time they had been down there in two years! My Aunt and Uncle live in Waxhaw, a town south of Charlotte. My cousin Christy lives close by with her husband Scott and their three kids, Eli, Lilly, and Zach. My cousin Jen came down to visit with her husband Shawn and their three children, Caleb, Josh, and Lauren. It was a great opportunity to have so many family members together. I wish the rest of the family could have joined us. God blessed us with beautiful weather throughout the weekend and we took full advantage! My uncle coaches the Charlotte Eagles soccer team and we went to go see their first game on Saturday. My buddy Justin came to the game as well. It was great to catch up with him and discuss his wedding plans for September. Everyone is getting married!

After the game we all had pizza together at Christy's house and played some soccer. I then had the chance to catch up with my friend Amanda while my sisters took the time to catch up with Christy about wedding plans. On Sunday we went to my cousin's church, The Gathering. Pastor Derwin brought a great message from James 1. Afterward we had lunch and on our way back to Radford we were able to stop by to see the Appleton's. Mark and Leah Appleton were the associate directors at the Virginia Tech BCM for three years and were a big influence on me. It is always great to see them.Their daughter Abigail is getting so big and is talking up a storm! I had a wonderful weekend and cannot wait to get back down there to see everyone again!

Caleb and Josh

Me and my sisters

My friend Justin

Aunt Diane and Zach

Rebecca and Rachel pushing Lilly and Lauren

Lauren having fun on the swing

Eli being silly

Eli, Josh, and Caleb

Me and Lilly

Rachel and Lilly