Making a Radical Difference

I recently finished reading Radical, by David Platt.  The book talked about how Christians today need to be more risky in being a witness for the Lord.  It was very convicting because I know I'm not doing everything I can to bring people to Him!  I want to live every day glorifying God in all that I do-- and I want to rely on Him for strength to accomplish goals I've set.  This library building project is proof that I need my Heavenly Father in every situation, especially for this challenge.  From now on, I am going to constantly ask Him what to do next and who to ask for help.  I can't do this alone!

Radical has completely changed my outlook on life, so I definitely recommend it to everyone!

www.radicalthebook.com

The More I Seek You

The more I grow closer to the Lord, the more I realize how much He loves me, no matter what I do.  This is such a comforting thing to know! He motivates me to do my best in everything, and even though I am definitely not perfect, I choose to glorify Him in all that I am... especially in my future teaching career.

I have always had a love for reading and teaching.  Even in second grade, I was playing "school" with my younger sisters... of course, I was the teacher. My passion for teaching children has only grown stronger over the years. After doing my pre-teaching at Richland Elementary School and service-learning at Yarbrough Elementary School, I know that teaching is for me.  It's going to be so exciting to see how God will use me to help my students to learn to love reading as much as I do!

"But if there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul."

~Deuteronomy 4:29

Library Plans: Vintage With a Modern Twist

The Auburn Spririt

What is Auburn?

     Far be it from me to try to answer that question. There are as many definitions of Auburn as there are Auburn men and women.

     It would be safe to say, however, that Auburn is much more than a football game. It is much more than winning and losing.

     It is a spirit. It is an attitude. It is a way of looking at life and at one another. It is, almost, a way of living. Unless you have experienced it, you will never know what it is; you will never understand it. Once you have experienced it, you will never be the same. A part of you will, forevermore, be an Auburn man or an Auburn woman.

                                                              ~David Housel


Growing up in Auburn, I have come to appreciate the Auburn Family and its uplifting, selfless spirit. I always knew I wanted to attend Auburn University because I couldn't imagine going anywhere else! It is great to know that even at such a huge university, the people here truly care for each other and the community around them. So let's continue this attitude of service and branch out to the surrounding areas of Auburn, especially Loachapoka!  I know that my classmates at Auburn will be willing to volunteer time and energy to raising money for the future Loachapoka public library, and I am excited to get the word out about this project!

Auburn University's Cater Hall was the original library

RBD (my second home Freshman year)

Saying Y.E.S. to Reading

This has been such a busy and exciting week... I found out that I made the Auburn University majorette line, my boyfriend made Auburn University Cheerleader, and my little sister ran the mile in 5:49 at her high school track meet!  

Even more exciting:  I talked on the phone with both the principal of Loachapoka Elementary School and the temporary mayor of Loachapoka.  Next week, I will be meeting with them to discuss the Loachapoka Public Library fund and how this project will begin.  I look forward to talking with them about my fundraising ideas!

This week was also my last day (for this semester) to volunteer at Yarbrough Elementary School.  I enjoyed working with children from different types of families and unique home environments.  Some children’s parents are very involved in their child’s school life, while others leave all of the teaching to the teacher. One particular first grader named Jesse* has really captured my heart. He comes from a low-income family that lives in the housing projects on North Donahue.  He does not have any books at home, and his parents do not practice reading with him or help him with his homework. Jesse was held back in Kindergarten, so he should be in second grade, but he is still at a Kindergarten reading level.  Each day off from reading puts him behind, and the summer slide is especially visible each year for Jesse.  Even with the Title I reading practice at school, Jesse is still in desperate need of his parents’ support at home.  I have decided to continue volunteering my time by helping Jesse with reading after school this semester, over the summer, and in the fall, so that he is able to catch up with his fellow classmates in reading.  As a future teacher, I can't wait to see how God will use me in helping my students learn to love reading as much as I do.

Thanks so much for your support and prayers!


In Christ,
Sara

*Names are changed for confidentiality reasons

A few weeks ago, one of the majorettes, Taylor Wood, and I had the chance to read with elementary school students at Ogletree. It was so much fun!

Reading is FUNdamental

This year, I've been volunteering at local elementary schools by helping low-achieving students with reading.  After working with these students, I found out that most have no books of their own, and their parents don't read with them at home.  Just down the road from Auburn University, the city of Loachapoka is struggling even more to provide a proper education for their children.  They have a travelling library once each month, but there is no public library nearby (the closest one is 20 minutes away in Auburn).  I have decided to dedicate the remainder of my college years to raising money for the future Loachapoka Public Library. 

 I am so excited to see how God is going make this library become a reality!

In Christ,Sara 

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything you gave me." 

~Erma Bombeck