Vacation Part I: Israel

I could never put into words how incredible Israel was. And I'm sure I couldn't describe exactly how it felt to be there, but I'm pretty sure I'll never read the Bible the same. And what a blessing it was to be there with David and Teresa Ferguson. They're pretty amazing.

Hope you enjoy the pictures and soon I hope to create Jordan and Italy to finish off the trip. :)

Click here to see the slideshow.....
Israel

Our time in the Middle East

Our first week of our vacation is coming to a close tonight and I'm pretty sure I'll never be the same.

We spent 5 amazing nights in Israel. I cannot begin to share with you how incredible this time was. Brad and I watched the sunrise over the Sea of Gallilee, we walked in Capurnum, went to Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jeruselum, Jericho, and many small places along the way. We walked the path of Jesus ministry. And by walked, I mean drove, but drove just doesn't sound as dramatic :) Either way, it was pretty cool. 

I will not go into the conflict over here in the middle east, but it has definately opened my eyes to the conflict in Israel. My only question to anyone who has an opinion about the conflict over here would be "Have you had dinner in the home of a Palestinian?" I have and it has touched my heart. I'm no politician by any means and I offer no solution. But I've been touched by the friendships I've made over here and my heart breaks for the innocent people who have to live behind walls. It makes me grateful for my freedoms. No one tells me where and when I can't leave Houston. No one tells me how I can and cannot get there. This has been eye opening, to say the very least.

And then we spent 3 nights in Jordan and saw Petra.  So cool!!

I hope to post pictures when we return. But wow, this has been an amazing week.

Now, we're off to Italy...............

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane.

Ok, so I'm not exactly leaving on a jet plane...more like a very old 99 mustang. but my bags are pack and I'm ready to go.


I just packed the last of my classroom things. I put my little personal copier in my backseat and closed the passenger door and as I did that, I realized this is it..... I almost burst into tears in the parking lot.


A few months ago I put in for a transfer to Jersey Village High School. It will cut my commute in half and I wouldn't have the extra responsiblities of team leader, senior class sponsor and planning prom, differentiation cohort, school leadership, or even 2 preps. I will be a Spanish I teacher and will have so much extra time and less time in the car. More time for me to work on my school work. Did I mention I'm going back to school? Right after I accepted the job with JV, I was accepted to a Doctorate of Education program at UH. Go Coogs??! I am excited about this new time in my life, but in Ross' words "Well...no body likes change." Change is hard for me and I truly will miss my time as a Cy Springs Panther.


I came to Cy Springs in 2007 largely because it was a high school Spanish job (and not math) and because I had a good friend from college that worked here. I had no idea what was in store for my 4 years here, but I wouldn't change a thing. It was here that I learned how to be a leader. Let me tell you, that was not easy and there were some challenging times, but if you know me at all, you know I love being in charge :) I grew as a teacher and as a leader and I think i'll always look back on these 4 years as the most formative year in my teaching career.


I sure will miss my kids. I almost didn't leave because of them. I absolutely LOVE my students. I hope I never forget the conversations or the funny things they said. Almost everyday someone did something that made me laugh. Whether it was the girls that called me Mrs. Michelle (because they thought I looked like a Michelle), or the girl that asked what store my husband worked at when I told her he woked in the Galleria. I'll never forget the students that callled me OroSnead when I got married or the heart to heart conversations with high school girls.


Good Bye, Room 2205, you've been good to me.