Makenna Eden, you bring so much joy to my life. I love you.Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thankful!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! There is so very much to be thankful for! As I sit on my couch with a warm cup of hot cocoa in my hand, while watching the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, I type of the things that I am thankful for...a sweet reminder of how beautiful this life is to me! In no particular order of importance, here's a look into my life and what I am thankful for:
My God- Without Him, I would be lost. Without His unconditional love, grace, mercy, joy, and peace, I would be a wreck. Scripture says, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I have been so incredibly blessed this past year and continue to be amazed by His presence! My God, My Savior, My Rock and Shield...I am ever thankful!!!
My Family- My precious parents are continual reminders of how blessed I am! Although we may not have the "typical" family, I am so very thankful for the love that they each show me on a daily basis! Mom and Dad, you bring such love, laughter, and happiness to my life! My siblings are so dear to my heart and I am thankful for the memories we have made throughout the years! I am thankful for my wonderful grandparents, my cousins, my aunts and uncles! All bring such joy to my life!
My Friends- If there is one thing that God has strategically placed in my life, it would be my sweet friends! (there I go again Marianne...ha!) I am SO thankful for all of my beautiful friends, all the girls that remain close even if there are states separating us, all of the new friends that I have met recently, and all of the other people that have stuck through this crazy life with me! For you, I am ever grateful!!
My Johnsons- How crazy is it that not even quite a year ago I was still in Tyler, Texas, without a clue in the world who this family was?? How far have we come! Matt, Marianne, Micah, Makenna, and Marlee...I love you more than you know!! Matt and Marianne, thank you for being such wonderful examples to me, and for welcoming me into your family with open amrs. Micah thank you for your sweet loving spirit and your continuous prayers for your sister! Makenna...not sure where to even begin....thank you for changing my life and bringing unending joy to my life! YOU are BEAUTIFUL beyond words and I love you SO much!!! Marlee thank you for your comic relief and sweet spunky personality! Also, I am thankful for Matt and Marianne's parents, Peggy and Steve and Janey and Paul! Such incredible people with such HUGE hearts!!! Each and every one of you bless me daily!!
The list could go on and on of things that I am thankful for! I pray that each and every one of you have a beautiful day and are reminded of what all you have to be thankful for!! Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Peace, blessings, and much love!!
~Allie
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Life Plans :)
So let's just say that this week has been crazy insane. Things are starting to brighten up though! When I had my visit at Evangel and talked to the lady that would be my advisor or whatever its called for my education dept, I asked her several questions about being able to teach in Plano and what my plans were to do after I graduate. My ultimate goal is to come to Plano and teach because their special ed programs are incredible and I would love to teach in that district. I asked the lady if the degree plan, certifications, and testing would all get me to my ultimate goal of teaching in Plano for an early childhood sped alc/elc classroom. She told me she thought it would but that I needed to double check with the distirct to make sure I was getting what I needed to so that one day I could work there. I emailed several people this past monday, thinking there would be no problems at all, and came to find out that it was a good thing i asked...
In Plano they do things a lot different, especially in the sped world because they hold that department to such high standards. I told them that my ultimate goal was to teach for that district and I needed to know the best way to get there. They told me that they would be much more likely to hire me if I graduate from a Texas school, especially with what I am wanting to do. Each state, let alone each district, handles the sped world so different. I was told by administration and a teacher in Plano that I need to be taught by the Texas standards for this field and district, and the testing that I would have gone through in Missouri wouldn't match up with what I needed to teach here and would have to go through a completely different certification process.
All that to say, my plans have now changed. Knowing my ultimate goal, I had to be wise with my decision and think long term. As much as I love Evangel, it's just not the smartest move for what I am wanting to do. SO, now I will be staying in this area and going to the Collin Higher Education Center in Mckinney, which filters in several surrounding colleges. I will get my degree through texas a&m (commerce), but will be able to take the courses at the mckinney site. Also, once I get enough college hours I can start subing in Plano, which would be a great way of getting my name out there. I want to get my masters and they offer the program I want through TAMU, and Plano will possibly pay for me to get it once I start teaching. All in all it is just the smartest way to go.
Basically God has closed some doors, but has so quickly opened up others. I have already made a good friend this semester that's also going into the educaiton field and going to TAMU that wants to get an apartment together in the fall. I have also been going to the Parks church, a new church in Mckinney that I LOVE, and have met a ton of people my age. I went to a college group and loved it!! God has definitely been bringing me peace these past two days and is preparing me for this new journey.
I'm trying to keep positive and know that He has it all worked out. And even financially, I am able to save a ton for my next few years. This is going to be a growing experience for me and I'm already learning how to get out there and be more independent, learning how to come out of my little bubble and experience new things, on my own!
In Plano they do things a lot different, especially in the sped world because they hold that department to such high standards. I told them that my ultimate goal was to teach for that district and I needed to know the best way to get there. They told me that they would be much more likely to hire me if I graduate from a Texas school, especially with what I am wanting to do. Each state, let alone each district, handles the sped world so different. I was told by administration and a teacher in Plano that I need to be taught by the Texas standards for this field and district, and the testing that I would have gone through in Missouri wouldn't match up with what I needed to teach here and would have to go through a completely different certification process.
All that to say, my plans have now changed. Knowing my ultimate goal, I had to be wise with my decision and think long term. As much as I love Evangel, it's just not the smartest move for what I am wanting to do. SO, now I will be staying in this area and going to the Collin Higher Education Center in Mckinney, which filters in several surrounding colleges. I will get my degree through texas a&m (commerce), but will be able to take the courses at the mckinney site. Also, once I get enough college hours I can start subing in Plano, which would be a great way of getting my name out there. I want to get my masters and they offer the program I want through TAMU, and Plano will possibly pay for me to get it once I start teaching. All in all it is just the smartest way to go.
Basically God has closed some doors, but has so quickly opened up others. I have already made a good friend this semester that's also going into the educaiton field and going to TAMU that wants to get an apartment together in the fall. I have also been going to the Parks church, a new church in Mckinney that I LOVE, and have met a ton of people my age. I went to a college group and loved it!! God has definitely been bringing me peace these past two days and is preparing me for this new journey.
I'm trying to keep positive and know that He has it all worked out. And even financially, I am able to save a ton for my next few years. This is going to be a growing experience for me and I'm already learning how to get out there and be more independent, learning how to come out of my little bubble and experience new things, on my own!
Please be praying with me that God continues to help me through this and walk me through these next steps of life! Sometimes, life is a little bit of a rollercoaster, but it is SO worth the ride! Going to take every new opportunity and make the best of it!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
God in a box
It's been a while since I have updated, but as most of you know, that simply means I've had no time. However, a lot of big things have happened during that time and I continue to face big decisions. I have now entered my twenties! My teenage years have come to an end, and to be quite honest, I am perfectly okay with that. I am excited to be in a new season of life and to leave the past in the past and have a fresh start. It is refreshing, as cheesy as that may sound. This entry is long, but it is filled with some of my deepest thoughts.
Throughout the past twenty years I have been faced with many challenges, and many blessings. But, what I get out of all of this is a God that carries me through and lights my path in the darkness, constantly giving me reminders of His beauty and grace. I am human and I do make mistakes and I often times walk in seasons of confusion, but somehow, someway, He works all things together for my good.
I have several goals and ambitions I want to accomplish in these exciting years to come. Many of you already know my dream to become an early childhood special education teacher for children that are severely and profoundly disabled. I can't begin to express the excitement I have just doing my observation hours this semester at Pearson ECS in Plano. I can't wait to have my own classroom!! Some of you may think this isn't the route I should take because it may not pay much, or it may be stressful at times. Some may think I should choose a specific therapy to go into. But to be quite honest, those things aren't what I feel called and led to do. I want to make a difference, I want to be more than just the run of the mill teacher, I want to do something bigger and greater. I feel called to teach, to teach those that can't teach themselves, the ones that may need the extra attention or even just the extra love to be reminded that they are worth something. With every career comes stress, and I understand that, but knowing that I am walking in His ways...there is nothing more freeing than that.
A couple of days ago, while I was at Makenna's house, our friend Bethany from down the street came to visit. She is also in her twenties and has Aspberger's syndrome. Her honesty and perspective on life is so real and incredible. As Marianne and I were talking to her about her future, we began to encourage her to chase after her dreams, to not let anything stop her. We told her that she had an amazing gift of working with and understanding animals. She shared some things with us about her growing up and I became very emotional, on the inside, when we were talking to her about Makenna. She asked us if Kenna liked to draw, because she thought it would help relay her feelings to us, due to our lack of understanding sometimes. We then told her that Makenna couldn't hold a pencil, so she didn't know how to draw. Bethany looked at us blankly and simply said "Yes she can...she just has to learn how to do it." WOW. Ya know, she is so right, but too many of times we assume we can't do things due to our lack of knowlegde or understanding, and we choose to give up or move on to something easier.
I had another emotional conversation with Marianne today about my future and school decisions. At this point and time I am having to make a huge decision of where I want to go to school next semester. Since I am beginning to get into my education classes, I can no longer stay at community college. The decision lies between a private school in Missouri and some public school in this area. Marianne kept enforcing the importance of not relying on my own understanding... but His. For the past few weeks I have been telling myself, "Ok, God...if you provide the finances to get me to Evangel, that's the only way I could go...so it's all up to you." After our talk I realized how ridiculous I was being. I need to stop putting God in some box, setting limitations. He doesn't work that way. If I want to go somewhere, do something with my life, or accomplish a certain goal....then I need to just do it. Go for it. Let go, let God. God WILL provide the ways, it's not an IF, it's a WILL. I have to trust Him, and not just 90% of the way. He puts desires and wants in my heart at certain times for certain reasons and I need to listen to them. Although I am still trying to listen for His voice, I feel at peace. Just knowing that whatever I do, He will be there and continue to walk with me through this life, is enough in itself.
I have been a person of comfort for so much of my life. The past 2 years though have taken me out of that element and have rocked my world. I have been challenged, I have felt defeated at times, I have overcome, I have held on, I have been blessed beyond measure. These past 2 years have been answers to prayer, and I thank God that He so deeply listens and HEARS.
I don't know what's to come, and I ask that you be in prayer with me as I make this huge decision. I know that I serve a God that hears all and knows all, someone that will place together every missing piece of the puzzle HE wants to create, that I cannot handle alone. I am ready for whatever is thrown at me. I'm ready to be uncomfortable, if need be. God, come out of the box and work in me however you please.
Throughout the past twenty years I have been faced with many challenges, and many blessings. But, what I get out of all of this is a God that carries me through and lights my path in the darkness, constantly giving me reminders of His beauty and grace. I am human and I do make mistakes and I often times walk in seasons of confusion, but somehow, someway, He works all things together for my good.
I have several goals and ambitions I want to accomplish in these exciting years to come. Many of you already know my dream to become an early childhood special education teacher for children that are severely and profoundly disabled. I can't begin to express the excitement I have just doing my observation hours this semester at Pearson ECS in Plano. I can't wait to have my own classroom!! Some of you may think this isn't the route I should take because it may not pay much, or it may be stressful at times. Some may think I should choose a specific therapy to go into. But to be quite honest, those things aren't what I feel called and led to do. I want to make a difference, I want to be more than just the run of the mill teacher, I want to do something bigger and greater. I feel called to teach, to teach those that can't teach themselves, the ones that may need the extra attention or even just the extra love to be reminded that they are worth something. With every career comes stress, and I understand that, but knowing that I am walking in His ways...there is nothing more freeing than that.
A couple of days ago, while I was at Makenna's house, our friend Bethany from down the street came to visit. She is also in her twenties and has Aspberger's syndrome. Her honesty and perspective on life is so real and incredible. As Marianne and I were talking to her about her future, we began to encourage her to chase after her dreams, to not let anything stop her. We told her that she had an amazing gift of working with and understanding animals. She shared some things with us about her growing up and I became very emotional, on the inside, when we were talking to her about Makenna. She asked us if Kenna liked to draw, because she thought it would help relay her feelings to us, due to our lack of understanding sometimes. We then told her that Makenna couldn't hold a pencil, so she didn't know how to draw. Bethany looked at us blankly and simply said "Yes she can...she just has to learn how to do it." WOW. Ya know, she is so right, but too many of times we assume we can't do things due to our lack of knowlegde or understanding, and we choose to give up or move on to something easier.
I had another emotional conversation with Marianne today about my future and school decisions. At this point and time I am having to make a huge decision of where I want to go to school next semester. Since I am beginning to get into my education classes, I can no longer stay at community college. The decision lies between a private school in Missouri and some public school in this area. Marianne kept enforcing the importance of not relying on my own understanding... but His. For the past few weeks I have been telling myself, "Ok, God...if you provide the finances to get me to Evangel, that's the only way I could go...so it's all up to you." After our talk I realized how ridiculous I was being. I need to stop putting God in some box, setting limitations. He doesn't work that way. If I want to go somewhere, do something with my life, or accomplish a certain goal....then I need to just do it. Go for it. Let go, let God. God WILL provide the ways, it's not an IF, it's a WILL. I have to trust Him, and not just 90% of the way. He puts desires and wants in my heart at certain times for certain reasons and I need to listen to them. Although I am still trying to listen for His voice, I feel at peace. Just knowing that whatever I do, He will be there and continue to walk with me through this life, is enough in itself.
I have been a person of comfort for so much of my life. The past 2 years though have taken me out of that element and have rocked my world. I have been challenged, I have felt defeated at times, I have overcome, I have held on, I have been blessed beyond measure. These past 2 years have been answers to prayer, and I thank God that He so deeply listens and HEARS.
I don't know what's to come, and I ask that you be in prayer with me as I make this huge decision. I know that I serve a God that hears all and knows all, someone that will place together every missing piece of the puzzle HE wants to create, that I cannot handle alone. I am ready for whatever is thrown at me. I'm ready to be uncomfortable, if need be. God, come out of the box and work in me however you please.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Makenna's 6th Birthday!
Happy Birthday sweet Kenna Bear! You are 6 years old today and growing so fast! You have been such an incredible blessing to my life and to so many others. You, my dear, are quite the miracle.
I have known you for almost a year now and it is incredible what God has done in my life, all because of you. Although you may not realize how much of an influence you have on the people around you, you brighten people's lives daily. You have such an inspiring love for everyone and anything. Your smile lights up the room and your laugh is the absolute best. You bring peace to my heart. You bring faith to me when I am discouraged. You challenge me to be a better person. You have redefined prayer for me, having absolute faith that He can do anything and everything and believing that He WILL! Your innocence is beautiful. Your joy in the simple things, like Dora and pudding, are gentle reminders of just how precious this life is. You accept me for me, you love me for me. You are a BEAUTIFUL child of God and you amaze me.
I pray that this year brings many miracles!
I love you from the bottom of my heart Makenna Eden!!!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Legacy Brain Foundation Scholarship Application!
I recently applied for a scholarship with the Legacy Brain Foundation. This scholarship helps out students whose parents in the North Texas area have been affected by a brain tumor. Well, as most of you know, my father has. I was required to write an essay explaining what kind of effect brain cancer had had on me. I am hoping that this scholarship can help out with next semester's tuition, wherever I end up going!! Please join me in prayer that this story will touch the scholarship board's hearts! Below is the essay that I wrote and I hope you enjoy reading it!!!
"Most little girls grow up dancing around the living room on top of their daddy’s feet. They twirl around in their pink and purple nightgowns, putting on a show for anyone willing to watch. Those little girls are their daddy’s princess, his everything. Every step he takes, they follow, knowing that he would never let them fall. He would always be their knight in shining armor, their hero.
Although I was never a dancer, my father’s footsteps were always the ones I wanted to follow. I knew, as his oldest and wisest princess, that he would never lead me astray. He would, forever and always, be my knight in shining armor. To my little eyes, my dad was the bravest, strongest, most powerful man I had ever known.
Through the years, a majority of these qualities remain true. Unfortunately though, as I got older I realized that I couldn’t live in the fairytale world of princesses dancing around their living rooms with their main man. My world had come to a halt during my junior year of high school when I received the heartbreaking news of my knight, my father, being diagnosed with brain cancer. All of a sudden my father became a little bit weaker, a little bit discouraged. However, he remained my earthly king.
There were several months and even years that were the toughest we had ever faced as a family. Some of these months we continue to face as we try to pay back all of the medical debt, while still keeping me in school. Thankfully, he has remained a strong fighter and has been able to remain in remission for almost three years, including about two years of chemotherapy. His determination and driven soul have challenged me in incredible ways. He is a constant reminder of the value and blessing of life, how beautiful it is that we are privileged with this experience.
During the past year, I have been blessed with an invaluable experience. I am currently a respite care taker for an amazing five year old special princess, Makenna. Throughout her five years of life she has had four brain surgeries. She has been diagnosed with cortical dysplasia, cerebral folate deficiency, epilepsy, and more. Makenna is a living miracle, another beautiful reminder of just how sweet and precious this life is.
My life experiences with my father and with Makenna have led me into a career goal I would have never fathomed without them. I am majoring in early childhood special education and would love to receive my masters in special education. With this degree I want to work with children who are severely and profoundly disabled, children who some fear, children that many just want to give up on. These children deserve the same fairytale we receive as we dance around the living room on our daddy’s feet. Although it may be a different version of this, there is still so much potential in these children. All they need is a set of footsteps to follow.
Throughout my life experiences these past four years, I have come to see just how beautiful this world can be, how much of fairytale we can choose to make it. Granted, it may not be perfect, but it can be made into our own version of a wonderful story. I pray that my footsteps can continue to dance through this life just as my knight’s led me as a little girl."
May those of you that have been affected by cancer be filled with His unconditional love and healing power! Hope you all have an incredible weekend!!! Much love!!
Monday, September 13, 2010
MIRACLE MAKERS
If you have never been to my website, you should definitely take a look!
All proceeds go to help families with special needs children!
Open donations are also accepted!!!
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