Monday, April 11, 2011

Scotland Field Trip

Saturday, March 26th, 20011

My Scotland teams went on a field trip to Little Rock today, and we had an incredible time laughing, learning, and bonding with each other! I am SO excited for Scotland this summer, and incredibly grateful for such a fun group of people to experience it with!

Here is a top 10 list today of things we learned (complete with  quotes for your entertainment).


1. Tours are so much more entertaining with Dr. Woods handheld boombox    " Make your smart remarks now and get it over with!" -Dr. Wood



2. Mini busses do not have to abide by rules demanded of "regualar buses"
    " Oops, did that sign say no busses? Well, it's doesn't say no MINI buses!" -Dr. Wood

3. Inappropriate things might be heard from  the back of the bus 
     "Diarrhea!!!!!! Ummm...sorry guys, scrabble..." - Niki Hitt


4. Know where the restrooms are located at all times
    " I have a bladder the size of a polly pocket!" -Emma Poe

5. Bill Clintons life is not nearly as interesting as the Dr. Suess playstation

We got to make our own Dr. Deuss Characters at the Clinton Library


6. Niki is really a superhuman spy. She was caught pick pocketing locks, making questionable phone calls, and "walking on water"



7. All we know about Derek is that he's from Weattherford, OK
    " Oh, my boyfriend is from Weatherford, TX..." -Caity Oliver

8. We make for some very attractive fish


After eating lunch at the Flying Fish
9. Dr. Wood can sometimes be seen under the disguise of Humpty Dumpty
 
" Ahhh...don't push, don't push! WOAH...!!!" -Dr. Wood while trying to get over a wall...I wish I
      had caught this moment on camera!


10. This summer in Scotland is going to be AMAZING!
Scotland Team, Summer 2011

Friday, April 8, 2011

A note that melted my heart

Friday, March 18th: Later that afternoon

As I was frantically packing and attempting to finish all I needed to  get done before the long drive back to Arkansas, the doorbell rang. I opened it to find three precious angels, Ava, Annika, and Lily, who were holding a note for me. I took the note and couldn't hold my tears back.
They had written me a note after I left them at school, and had everyone sign it, including my old 3rd grade teacher Ms. Samide, and Mr. O, the school principal.


This is what the note said:

Dear Natalie,
We love u! Why did  you have to leave? =( After you left we were heartbroken. Your smile lights up the world. all the girls you met today will never forget it. When you talk it's like music to our ears. You are so smart, nice, and pretty. Keerrigan says "Hi!"" (she's the funny one). You are fabulous! Jesse (the girl that acted like a soilder) says that you're her idol. You should teach at Hygiene! Please....we are soooooo so SOO sad 'cuz you left. =( Please come back to Hygiene!

Then on the bottom of the note about 20 little girls had signed their names, drawn hearts, and little notes. It was precious!

Here are some pictures of me saying by to Ava, Annika, and Lily:


Ava, Lily, and Annika


Wednesday, April 6, 2011

A Wonderful Surprise

Friday, March 18th, 2011


How do words on a page even begin to describe memories that were made today? How can my human processing and faltering words depict the way my heart was touched by children and their love for me?
Last night while we were playing school, all the little girls were begging me to come each lunch with them at school the next day, (which happened to be my last day home for Spring Break). I told them I didn't want to make a promise I couldn't keep, but that I would try to come see them tomorrow before I left for school.

This morning I woke up excited to surprise all of the girls at school. I arrived a few min. early, so after signing in at the office and fastening my fashionable visitors badge to my cardigan sweater, I headed to Ava's classroom. It just so happened that she not has the same teacher I had when I was in 3rd grade, (Ms. Samide).
I could hear all the children bustling around the classroom, making their way into an orderly line for lunch. The door creaked open. and my old teacher, Ms. Samide, came out from around the corner. Startled to see me, she stepped back and said, "Natalie?" We exchanged quick hello's and hugs. and suddenly, a very beautiful little girl was jumping into my arms =)


Ava and I walked hand in hand to the cafeteria, and I smiled as she talked quickly and excitedly! As we walked around the corner, Annika saw me and ran across the cafeteria shouting, "Natalie!!!!! You came, you came, I'm so happy you came!"
In an instant, little girls lunch boxes and laughter were swarming all around me.

It was beautiful. I loved every moment <3

Girls and boys all around me were whispering, "It's her, It's her...", so I asked Annika how they all knew who I was. She proudly stated, "Natalie, everyone knows who you are. I talked about you today at show and tell. My teacher knows all about you!"
What can you even do but smile after hearing that!?!
After eating lunch we went out for recess. All the kids showed me around and clung to my arms. The whole time we played, they shouted proclamations of me being their new best friend =) I was so incredibly humbled and awestruck by the love and acceptance these children had for a complete stranger. I only knew Ava and Annika, but they introduced to to all their friends. Here is a picture with these sweet girls. It was pajama day at school: God, you work in BEAUTIFUL ways!
















After recess was over, I went and met Annika's  teacher and said my goodbyes to the kids. Some of them were in tears begging me to stay. I was again, humbled by their love. I saw before me precious kids who just wanted to be loved.


As I walked past the teachers lounge I heard someone say, "Natalie Freeman?" I turned around, and standing there was my old elementary school principle, Mr. O, and Mrs. Sandoval. I hadn't seen either of them since I was in 4th grade! It was a wonderful reunion, and they were both ecstatic to hear that I am going to school to be a teacher!


It's days like today that I simply cannot wait to be a teacher.
God, I pray that you continue to help me touch the lives of children all over the world. and use me as a tool to pour out the love you have given me into the lives of others!
May YOUR glory be shown in and through me!

The Sweetest Reunion

Thursday, March 17th, 2011: Spring Break (My blog wasn't working for a while, so these are the actual dates these events happened).

There isn't anything in the world that fills my heart more than God pouring our His love on me through children. They receive me with love and acceptance in it's purest form.

As I was walking outside to the car on my way to get coffee with a friend, I saw little Ava across the street. I called her name, and as she turned and met my eyes, the scene that unfolded was like that of a movie. Time stood still as she dropped everything in her hands, and ran full speed towards me with arms open wide, and a huge smile that would melt anyone's heart in an instant. She yelled, "NATALIE", as she bounded across the street towards me and jumped into my arms.

It was a beautiful moment.

Her arms latched around my neck tightly, as we both poured out how much we had missed each other. I have been watching Ava and her brothers since Ava was a little baby. I can't believe she is in 3rd grade this year! Time goes by so quickly....Here are some pictures of Ava and her brothers, Jacob and Liam:









Ava's mom came over, and after hugs and kisses, she told me they were having a St. Patricks day party and would love for me to come. I already had plans, but I told her I would stop by after I got home.

As I rang the doorbell a few hours later, I was welcomed by 9 little girls screaming my name and jumping up and down. Everyone at the party knew I had arrived, as all of the kids were shouting, "MOM, DAD, Natalie is here, Natalie is here!" They had been waiting hours for me. My face was glowing =)

I was immediately pulled down to the basement, where all the girls were waiting to play school. They had everything all set up, even a white board which read, "We love Ms. Natalie." All the girls sat around me on the floor, begging me to teach. It was a moment I will never forget!
They wanted to learn geography, so I shared with themd stories from when I went to Africa. After, we made a list on the whiteboard of all the animals we could brainstorm that might live in Africa. Once our list was made, I gave them each paper and pens and asked them to draw one of the animals and write a fact about their animal. After, we went around the room and shared them. They were SO cute!

Tonight God reminded me of His love for me by the love I was shown through these children.

It's moments like these that I cannot wait to be a teacher and see how God will use me in that role to change lives, and to be changed =)
Captivated By His Love....