40 Days & 40 Nights Challenge

It's time for me to admit, I've never fully read the Book of Mormon all the way through on my own. Throughout Seminary, Institute,  Sunday School, Young Womens, etc. I know that I've read the content of it, but never cover to cover.

Once I got pregnant I made the goal to do so before I had the baby. Unfortunately, I would start a routine and quickly fall out of it. I was looking at my I'm Expecting app yesterday and realized, I only had 41 days left until my due date! Thus, the 40 days and 40 nights challenge was accepted!

I knew it existed but never dared to try it before. I'm determined. So far I've completed the first 2 days. It's a lot of reading but I'm hoping to receive a lot of support and personal revelation about some decisions in our near future.

I plan to at least take a picture daily of a scripture that stood out to me and upload it to this blog. If nothing else.  I'd love to be able to briefly comment on the scripture but I'm not making that big of a commitment.

Here are the first 2 pictures of what I've been reading.

Until next time,
Xoxo

Luck, Love & Support

So, the sister missionaries just left my apartment.  After the baby shower this past weekend, Skyler and I decided to set up the nursery and rearrange our apartment for Family Home Evening.  It didn't happen on Monday night because we had things to pick up before we could get everything built and moved.  So we decided tonight we were going to do it.

I only had one appointment this morning and came home with the goal to clean everything and start clearing paths for when Skyler got home.  I can't move anything, so I wanted to make sure it was a little easier on him.  I've been feeling a little beat up lately, I'm not quite sure what it is.  Probably my body just recovering from traveling all weekend.  So I haven't really been able to do too much without getting extremely worn out and my back and feet aching.  I was honestly just thinking about leaving everything to when Skyler got home when I got a knock on my door.

I recognized the knock and knew....the sister missionaries were here!  They were on their bikes and heading past our place when Sister Baxter wondered if I was home.  They turned around and decided to knock on my door.  They came in, helped me clean up and move a few of the smaller things around and even did my dishes for me before they left!

We've had the sisters over countless times for dinner/service/Family Home Evening.  They helped me finish unpacking everything when we first moved in so it wasn't uncommon for them to be at my door.  But I sure am grateful for them today!  I'm so thankful for the support we continue to receive here from my in-laws which are only 40 minutes away and from the members of the ward.  I'm really starting to feel like this is my home now.  I know that Heavenly Father is looking out for me and He sure is blessing me abundantly lately!  Thank you to the sisters! :)

Once we get everything set up and moved around I'll take some new pictures of the nursery and apartment for everyone.

Blessings in Disguise

I started working in my dream job a couple of months ago.  I am a state employee with the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind.  My title is Parent Advisor, which means I go into the homes of families who are raising deaf babies (0-3) and offer the support and services they need/ask for.

Two or three years ago during one of my classes at Flagler, we had a guest speaker come in and talk about the Early Learning Center which is found at FSDB in St. Augustine.  It's a preschool program that was developed for both the Visual Impaired and Deaf/Hard of Hearing children who are three- and four-years old getting ready to go into Kindergarten.  This is the only program on the campus that combines both schools.  She also started talking to us about the Ski-Hi program and told us stories of visiting homes and helping families raise their children.  I immediately knew this is what I wanted to do.  The only downside, I couldn't take the training until I had a Bachelor's Degree and I still had two years of schooling to go.

Fast forward to this past December.  I had (honestly) forgotten about that guest speaker and dream job until the end of my internship at FSDB.  I was in a 7th grade classroom, ew, and I really wanted to go around and visit the younger grades on campus.   After my internship in Kindergarten I knew this was where my heart lie! :)  I decided to go observe in the ELC and see just what they offered.  It is a Montessori Approach which allows the students the freedom to choose their learning style and explore different subjects and topics on their own.

While I was there the director of the program approached me and introduced herself.  IT WAS THE GUEST SPEAKER FROM TWO YEARS AGO!!!  She started talking to me about my interests and educational philosophy and I mentioned that we were moving to Gainesville once I graduated.  Her eyes lit up!  She offered me a job on the spot...as a PARENT ADVISOR!  I couldn't have been more thrilled!  I immediately accepted and left with tears in my eyes as I called Skyler to tell him the great news.

I had to go back to St. Augustine in January and February for weekend training for the Ski-Hi program, but I couldn't wait to start.

I honestly love my job, but there is only one problem with it...I don't have any benefits and there is no retirement for me.  So I've been praying about what I need to do and whether or not I need to try and get into my own classroom next school year.  My only doubt is with having a newborn at home, I'm not sure if I would be able/willing to leave him to teach for 7 hours a day.

However, I have been diligently praying and seeking for an answer.  Yesterday, I was prompted to go online and look at any available postings.  There were three jobs at a Title I school in the area, so I applied.  Let me preface this by saying I have not heard back or been asked for an interview yet....I've only APPLIED!

Last night, I went out to check the mail and there was a huge packet in there addressed to me.  I didn't recognize who it was from but opened it and began to read.  I had been enrolled in Medical Insurance through the state!  Since I've been pregnant, I've been on pregnancy medicaid. However, with the new Healthcare Reform, it will no longer cover me once I have Nicholas.  So Governor Rick Scott took it upon himself to find an insurance that matched my needs.  I have no monthly payment, no co-pays and it covers medical, dental, vision and mental.  Also, once I have Nicholas I will be able to enroll him.  Heavenly Father has answered part of my prayer!  I've been worried about not having any benefits when starting a family but didn't know what to do about it.

I still don't know whether I should or will get into my own classroom this fall, however I do know that I don't need to be worrying about it.  Heavenly Father will take care of me.  I can't help but feel like this is a blessing in disguise.  I took action by applying to a teaching position and was granted with insurance.  Maybe that's all He wants from me.  To see me try.  I'm not sure what the future holds, but I know that I am going to be able to continue what I love...whether it is as a Parent Advisor or Elementary Teacher.