Christmas Time is Here!

We’ve almost made it through the first semester! Josh is finished! One semester of seminary down. He had his last final exam Thursday after pulling an all-nighter . . . the joys of being a student. (For those of you wondering, he made good grades. The teacher in me is very proud of him. :)) I came home on Thursday to find him cleaning out our office. I was shocked and asked him what he was doing. “I don’t know what to do with myself,” was his reply. “I’m so used to having something I need to do.” We both took a break and went out to eat to celebrate.

It’s been a while since I wrote. The past few weeks have been a blur. We went to Georgia for Thanksgiving. It was wonderful to see friends and family! Josh’s family has moved to Villa Rica, so we got to see their new house.

This semester hasn’t seemed to slow down for either of us. I’m not sure if I’ve shared, but Josh has a job at Village Coffee shop. He works quite a few hours each week, which is nice to make a few extra dollars and get him out of the campus bubble. He was going a little stir-crazy only going from apartment to seminary classroom and back every day. Also, he’s had the opportunity to meet a lot of people with many, many different backgrounds, religions, and philosophical views . . . from atheists to anarchists. It’s given him the opportunity to take what he’s learning about in classes and apply it to the real world.

We’ve also become involved at Vintage Church and have joined a community group that meets weekly. We’ve Kaboomed a playground and worn tacky Christmas sweaters together. It’s been nice to make some more friends, especially since that is my only form of social interaction outside of school. :)

I’m looking forward to going “home for Christmas.” I put quotation marks because NOLA has become home for us. We like living here. There are definitely things we miss about Georgia, but I’m glad we like it here. It’s strange to be able to wear flip flops in the middle of December because it’s seventy degrees outside. People here don’t decorate for Christmas or really celebrate it in general like they do in the Bible belt. That makes me sad. But don’t worry, our little apartment is decorated, and I’ve been listening to enough Christmas music and drinking peppermint mochas to make up for some of the people here who don’t celebrate.

My 2^nd graders wrote letters to Santa this week. One of my favorite quotes was, “I’ve been a good girl this year. I’m going to leave you some chocholate dounuts with prankles on them there going to be yummie in your big fat tummie!”

Josh has a week off before we head to Atlanta for Christmas. I have a half-day with students on Thursday, the 22^nd, have to stay till 3:30, and then we’ll be jumping in the car to drive to Georgia. My mom’s side of the family always celebrates on the 23^rd, so we want to make sure to be there in time. I’m sad that we get out so incredibly close to Christmas. Hopefully we’ll see some of you when we’re in town! Merry Christmas!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

It's Been Too Long!

Sorry it’s been so long since my last post. The past month or so has been a blur! We’re just taking life one day at a time. School is still very stressful, but it’s getting a little bit easier week-by-week. I love my kiddos, even if they drive me crazy some days. The first quarter is over this Wednesday. Hard to believe I’m one-fourth of the way through the school year. Josh has mid-terms this week, so he’s studying as I type. Each day is long, but overall it’s going by so fast.

I feel like we don’t have anything too exciting to report. Let’s see, what has happened over the last month? We found a church! We’ve been regularly attending Vintage Church in Uptown, the “artsy” part of town. It’s a three-year-old church plant and has a lot of young couples/families. We just started going to a community group and teaching children’s Sunday School twice a month. The church loves New Orleans and works really hard to reach out to the community, so we’re excited to get plugged in!

We went to the Alligator Festival in Luling, where I work. We wanted to get a taste of true New Orleans. They had everything possible to eat with alligator in it, but Josh was disappointed that we did not get to see any live alligators. I saw a few of my students there and got the “oh my goodness, my teacher lives outside of the classroom” stare. That was fun! J

We like New Orleans and try to enjoy the city as much as possible between our busy schedules. I can’t say we’ve taken advantage of all the festivals and museums, but we’ve definitely had our share of delicious New Orleans’s food!

We’re not homesick, but we are looking forward to seeing people from home over the next few weeks. My dad and Philip are spending the night with us this Wednesday night on their way to Texas for Phil to look at colleges. So hard to believe my little baby brother is growing up! Also, a group from Mercer’s BCM is going to be in town next weekend doing disaster relief work, so we’ll get to see some fellow Mercerians. We’ll be home for Thanksgiving, the first time since moving. I’m not counting down the days yet, but the closer it gets I might start. Overall, we’re doing well. We miss and love you all.

We're Making It!

Hello, friends,

Wow, where do I even begin?! So much has happened in the last month. I moved to New Orleans and started new teacher orientation. Josh joined me in a week with my parents, Philip, and Jeremiah, who helped us move in. In exchange, we took them downtown and fed them beignets at Café du Monde before they left. :)

On August 11, I started teaching 2^nd grade. It’s hard to believe it’s been two weeks already! I have to admit, it’s been a very hard two weeks. My students are good for the most part, and I’ve already grown to love them. Aside from a few chatterboxes and some not wanting to do their homework, I have a good class. We’re still working on getting down the routines and procedures. I feel like I’m learning as much as them each day about how all of this works. There’s so much to do and not enough hours in the day to do it. I get up early to make my 30 minute commute to school. I stay late at school, come home, and work until the wee hours of the morning to get everything ready for the next day. In a way I feel like I’ll never catch up. I’ve had my moments where I feel completely overwhelmed, but Josh has been a great encouragement. I know teaching is what I’m called to do, and I’ve heard the stories about how difficult the first year is for everyone, so I try to keep that in mind. It’s just hard to remember that at times. Prayers are welcome.

Josh has been wonderful! I call him my “house hubby.” :) He cooks dinner for me and has it ready when I come home. He’s even started doing laundry again! (Something he hasn’t done since getting married.) In a way it’s hard, because I want to be able to do all of this for him. He’s the one going to school full-time. But it’s going to be a little while before I can manage school and life again, so he’s helped me a lot. 

Enough about me . . . Josh started seminary classes this week and so far he is enjoying them. As expected, he has a lot of reading and writing to do. It’s a good thing he was a Lit minor. He’s meeting people in his classes and is getting back into the routine of school again. He thinks it’ll be a good semester. He’s looking for a part-time job, preferably in a church somewhere, but ministry jobs are hard to come by in a city with few Baptist churches and a seminary full of students. We’re praying the right job comes along soon, in ministry or not.

We like New Orleans so far. It’s very different, but we’re getting used to it. We’ve been getting to know people on campus and visiting different churches. It’s strange to start life over in a way, but it’s been an adventure. We heard "Livin' on a Prayer" the other day on the radio, and I joked that it's our theme song right now. Haha! We’ll keep you updated. Please stay in touch with us and let us know how life is outside of the NOBTS bubble. We love you all!

It's Here!!

Well, moving week is finally here!! But before I get to that, let me catch you up on a few things.

 

1. I GOT A JOB!! Praise the Lord! I accepted a position at Luling Elementary, about 30 minutes away from the seminary. I was originally supposed to be the fourth and fifth grade interventionist, working with students who have already been retained a grade or are in jeopardy of failing. It was not my ideal position, but I accepted the job. The principal called me early last week and informed me that a 2nd grade regular classroom position opened up, and he wanted to move me into it. He asked me if this was good news, and I replied, "Yes, that's great news!" It is a public school with a very high poverty rate and sounds like it could be a challenging environment. I know that working in Macon schools has prepared me as much as I can be coming from Georgia. I'm full of the usual excitement/nerves that come with a new job. This is my first year in the regular classroom, and first year for teachers is always the hardest. Please be praying for my students and me.

That reminds me. I joined a website specifically to help teachers stock their classroom with supplies. Because of our current financial restraints, I am very limited in how much I can spend to get my classroom ready for students. Having all of the necessary resources for an entire class is much different (and more expensive!) than working with small groups.  If you or any businesses you know might be interested in giving a tax deductible donation, you can see my "Wishlist" at http://www.iloveschools.com/teacher/sbcookwishlist/view/1. The total cost of the supplies I need is around $315. If y'all could spread the word, I'd REALLY appreciate it!

2. We bought a car! We bought a 2001, silver Acura 3.2 TL from a lady here in Macon. It was fully loaded when it was new, and while that was a few years ago, it's actually the newest vehicle I've ever driven. :) It's strange to be back in a car since I love our Jeeps, but it's a comfortable drive and gets much better gas mileage! We'd originally planned on selling the green Jeep back to my dad, but that will have to wait a little while until we get moved and settled and save up a little bit more for the next vehicle. For now, I'm glad to have a car to drive to school and back.

 

3. I move TOMORROW! I'm packing like crazy today and heading out early in the morning. When I accepted my job offer, it made our move a little more complicated, because new teacher orientation starts Wednesday, the 27th, and we weren't even moving until Saturday, the 30th! My mom is once again making the road trip with me so that I can be there in time. Josh will finish working this week and head over on Saturday with the moving van and the rest of my family as planned on Saturday. The Cooks are coming down this week to help him finish packing up. Our families have been a big help! Yesterday was our last Sunday at Ingleside Baptist after five year of attending, and Josh working there for three and a half. Such a strange thought. Time flies. We will miss our friends there so much.

Finishing up work, packing, moving, and starting a new job all in one week has been slightly stressful (for me, at least). I'd been lying if I didn't admit that. I've been reading Charles Spurgeon's devotional Morning and Evening, and one morning this past week I read, "Thou shalt yet, amidst the splendours of eternity, forget the trials of time, or only remember them to bless the God who led thee through them, and wrought thy lasting good by them. Come, sing in the midst of tribulation. Rejoice even while passing through the furnace." No, this is not a great time of tribulation in our lives, but it is a little crazy. It was a good reminder that we will look back on this "to bless the God" who led us through it. I know this is what we're supposed to be doing. He will continue to provide and help us work out all the details. Please pray for a smooth move, and that we'll trust in God as we go through this big change in life.

We love you all and will let you know how life in NOLA is going soon!

~Sarah (and Josh)

 

The Countdown Is On. . .

Hi everyone,

 

We’re staying busy, and the summer is flying by! As I mentioned in my last post, Josh and I are both working at Ingleside Baptist, our church in Macon, over the summer. Josh has been on staff for over three years, and he’s working with the high school ministry. I’m the Children’s Ministry Intern over the summer. It’s fun, but it’s definitely confirmed that I’m not meant to be in an office from 9:00-5:00 everyday. I miss teaching, and while this upcoming year will definitely be different than any before, I’m ready to get back in the classroom.

It’s hard to believe it’s already July. Saturday, July 30^th is our official move date, and it’ll be here before we know it!

A few praises and prayer requests to catch you up on life . . .

1.       We found out that we got a 2 bedroom apartment instead of the 535 sq. ft. dorm-style one we thought we’d be assigned. We applied for student housing and knew that the “shoebox apartment” (as I’d come to call it) was the only option for married couples without children.  If they have left over two bedroom apartments after all the married couples with a baby move in, they pass them on down the line. I said I’d put a pillow under my stomach or play the sound of a crying baby all night if I had to in order to get the bigger apartment. :) Just kidding! They definitely know we do not have children! The Lord provided, and moved us up! The news definitely came at a time when we needed a boost to our spirits.

2.       Josh is helping lead a high school mission trip in Peru this week. He left July 4^th and will be gone until next Monday, the 11^th. I’ve talked to him, and he’s doing well. Please pray that they will have a good trip and really be able to minister to the people in the village outside of Lima where they are working.

3.       I’m heading to New Orleans tomorrow (Thursday) with my mom in order to follow up on some phone interviews as well as have a few new interviews for teaching positions. I’m trying to not stress as we are moving in a few weeks, and I still do not have a job. I’ve interviewed with public and private schools in the area, and I know there’s a job out there for me. Pray that I will trust in the Lord’s plan and timing . . . and that I’ll come away from this trip with a job!

4.       We sold the red Jeep this past weekend. I think it was harder for me than Josh, even though it was technically “his” car. Watching the new owner drive away in it was the first moment that it hit me, “We’re really doing this. We’re moving.” We need a more efficient vehicle to take us back and forth to New Orleans, and as much as we love our two Jeeps, they just don’t make the cut. My dad is buying my green Jeep from us for Philip, my younger brother, to drive. I’m glad it’s not leaving the family. :) We’re going to buy a car for me to drive, and we’re still not sure what Josh is going to get. We had to sell both vehicles in an effort to combine our financial resources. I’m really hoping and praying that God will provide the right cars for us. If you know of anyone who is willing to donate/sell for less a car to a couple moving to seminary, please let us know!

I think those are the major things for now. Thanks to everyone for all of your prayers and encouragement. It's wonderful to have such a big group of family and friends who are supporting us as we go through this big change in life. We'll keep you updated over the next few weeks!

Home Sweet Home

Hello again, everyone!


Well, time's flying by quickly. Too quickly. I just finished my first year of teaching on Friday. It's hard to believe! Last week, I started working as the Children's Ministry Intern at Ingleside Baptist Church, where Josh is the High School Ministry Intern. We'll both be working there full-time until we move in July.


As for jobs, I've applied all over the New Orleans area and interviewed a few places, but no job yet. Please keep praying. I'm starting to get nervous, but I'm working hard to trust in the Lord. I spoke to the children at church yesterday. The passage in the curriculum was already assigned, and it was Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." While this applies to first graders, I knew I was actually speaking more to myself.


Even though we're leaving in a few months, I thought I'd give you all a tour of our little love nest. :) We love our apartment here in Macon! It's an old house that burned in a fire ten years ago. Our landlord is a contractor, and when he bought the house, it was condemned. He's redone the entire inside. It's split into two apartments, and we live on the left side. 

 We're trying to enjoy it as much as possible because we'll be living on campus at seminary. Our apartment will literally be half the size of the one we're in now. I'm not sure how we're going to fit all of our wonderful new stuff into the tiny "shoebox apartment" as I refer to it. It's a good thing we're newlyweds, I guess, and like being close! :)

One Month and Counting . . .

Well, we’ve only been married one month (today), and Josh is leaving me. I guess things are so bad he has to run away to a different country. Actually, I shouldn’t even joke about that. Josh and I promised each other before marrying to never talk about the “D” word (divorce), even in jest. It isn’t an option and shouldn’t be in our married vocabulary. Nonetheless, he is still leaving me – going to Peru with our church’s youth pastor to prepare for a student mission trip this summer. Three days without him. I’m not sure if I’ll make it!

“So, how’s married life?” is the big question we hear over and over nowadays. “It’s wonderful! .  . .” Or “It’s amazing! . . . all [fill in blank with number] weeks of it” is my standard reply. I don’t keep count of the days we’ve been married the way I kept count of the days until the wedding. (It’s just the bride thing to do.) But I did log into theknot.com the other day to get addresses for thank you notes. I noticed that instead of counting down to the wedding like it did before March 19^th, it now informed me that I’d been married for 25 days. “That’s pretty neat. I wonder how long it will count after the wedding . . . forever?” I wondered. I started doing some math, and thought I would share it with all of you. When you’ve been married one year, it’s 365 days, of course. But did you know . . .

5 years = 1,825 days

10 years = 3,650 days

25 years = 9,125 days

50 years = 18, 250 days

*leap years not factored

Both Josh and my parents will have been married for 27 years this summer, which is 9,855 days. That is just amazing to me. Wow, thank you, parents, for setting such a great example for us!

People also ask us if we’ve learned anything new or crazy about each other that we didn’t know before being married. Josh and I were talking about this the other night. I can honestly say not really. So far my expectations of marriage were pretty accurate (except it’s even better than I imagined, of course!). But I was expecting to never have a made-up bed, to always be picking up someone’s shoes, and to have double the laundry after saying “I do.” I told Josh this and he said, “Really?! I feel like there are a lot of things I’ve learned about you over this past month.” I was a little scared. “Like what?” I asked. “After four years of dating, I had no idea you loved the movie Men In Black!!” I never knew I was so mysterious. :) Ahhh, married life. It’s the best.

One month down . . . thank you notes are all finished and mailed! Hooray! (So sorry if you didn’t get one for some reason. Please let me know and I will be sure to send you one.) The wedding gifts are all put away (just don’t open our closet!). I’m applying to jobs in New Orleans, please be praying. No job; no seminary. I’m trusting God to put me in just the right school.

Thanks for checking in on us. Stay tuned for the big move. We love you all! I plan on updating the blog about once a month (unless something crazy happens!). One month down . . . 12 zillion more to go!

Sarah's First Attempt at Blogging - Welcome!

If you are reading this, then Josh and I are married! Hooray!! It seems like we waited so long for March 19th to get here, but in a way the months flew by. After three and a half years of dating and six months of being engaged, we were ready.


Josh had the idea of keeping in touch with our friends and family through a blog. He has his own blog (http://joshcooks-lostandfound.blogspot.com) full of witty, deep, and spiritual musings. Mine will be more narrative in manner - keeping you updated on our new life as a married couple.


We're moving to New Orleans for seminary sometime mid- to late-July this summer. We'll keep you all informed of our life after moving away from Georgia. As we stated in the wedding program, the plan is for me to teach elementary school full-time while Josh is getting his M.Div and working at a church. We'll let you know how the plan works out.


That's it for now. Thanks for reading our blog! Be sure to check back from time-to-time and comment. We want to stay in touch with all of our friends and family.


Love,
Sarah and Josh