Hello from Mississippi

I am writing to you from the Smith home (our home) in Slayden, Mississippi. Today was declared, "The Day Aunt Ju Ju will Finally Play With Us" day! So, I have been in the floor the majority of the day playing Strawberry Shortcake jigsaw puzzles, Polly Pockets, Care Bears, Doll House, Sand Box, Art Center, and mask making. We even had peanut butter and honey sandwiches for lunch! Lizzie and Anna have been very determined to get Aunt Ju Ju to play with them since we got back home earlier in the week. The problem is, I have been leaving the house at 6:45 a.m. to go and work in my classroom. Most days I have not gotten back in time or have just not had the energy to play. But today, I have enjoyed being a playmate captive.

My classroom is coming along nicely....I think. This week I am sure Teri Holland (my very competent and kind boss) will be coming by my room to make sure it is taking shape. I am concerned that it looks to "kiddish" for 6th grade, so I have been to school everyday we have been back trying to make it is"mature." I am already enjoying Westminster very much. I have met SO MANY people this week at school....I am sure I won't remember half of their names! I have been presented with a few challenges, but God is teaching me to surrender early!

While working in my classroom, I have been listening to the new Caedmon's Call Worship CD (which I HIGHLY recommend). It has an updated version of "I Surrender All" on it. It has been my inspiration this week-----Surrender Early! I can spend lots of time these days being overwhelmed by all the changes! I made the comment earlier this week to Jonathan that the only things that seem normal are our clothes and our car! (And our clothes will be changing very soon since we both have to wear dress clothes to work. Yes--Jonny will be in a tie everyday and I will be in dresses and skirts!) Anyway--Surrendering it all to God has been the key to my sanity this week. (Thanks to Connie Zinkula for encouraging me to Surrender Early!) A new home, two new jobs, a new town, two new states, new churches, new friends, new co-workers, new expenses, new insurance, new grocery stores, new roads, new state troopers, new clothes, new responsibilities, new challenges, new humidity (which causes new hair), new oppressive heat, new everything........But fortunately, we are going through it all with our sweet OLD friends!!

Speaking of dress clothes, I have been having a crash course in "which-tie-matches-which-shirt" from Andrew and Keri. This is an entirely new dimension in fashion for us. We will be going out later today to purchase a few pants and shoes for Jonny's wardrobe, so pray for us as we make some difficult color decisions. :)

Well, I better get back to being Aunt Ju Ju! This is our first weekend since we moved here on July 3 that we have all been home on the weekend together! We are having a great time! It has been great to be here with Andrew and Keri and the girls.

I will write again next week! Love y'all!

Julie

P.S. Jonny and Al had a great time on Monday at the Titans training camp! They were mere feet from some of their favorite athletes! Also, we have not heard back from the comps yet...Keep praying for our nervous tummies!