Today...

June 16th. Today has always been a special day for us. Granted it's lost a lot of specialness now that we're married, but still, I'd like to mention it. 7 years ago today, Cody and I became an official couple. We went out on our first real date. We ate dinner at an Italian restaurant and followed it up with a game of miniature golf -at the end of which we were feeling kinda spunky, and so we got soaking wet by climbing into the fake waterfall/river thing at the park. We splashed and played and after losing feeling in our freezing fingers and toes (and realizing if we didn't leave soon I'd miss my curfew), decided to call it a night. Once back in Cody's car- after a lot of smiling and staring, he finally asked me to be his girlfriend. So that's the lovely story of our first date and how we officially started dating back in high school. It was a fun and wonderful evening, and I will never forget the way he looked at me right before he asked me to be his girlfriend... Anyways... I just felt like reminiscing and sharing.

On a separate note, today was also our first FUEL Home Group! We are members of Parkhills Baptist Church here in San Antonio, and are a part of a Twenty-Something & Married group called Exchange Couples. Lately we've also started becoming a part and helping out with the youth group, called FUEL. Over the summer instead of their regular FUEL night, they do Home Groups. We decided we'd like to lead one to become more involved with the youth, and so tonight we had our first FUEL Home Group! We were unnecessarily nervous going into it since we've never lead a group like this before, but we only had 2 students tonight, so it wasn't much of a group! We actually really enjoyed it and had a good intro talk and hopefully our group will grow in the coming weeks. So that's something new we're trying and are excited about over the summer. We'll keep posting about how it goes. Hopefully the 2 students from tonight liked us and will return next week!

Day on the River

Today (I'm referring to Sunday, even though now technically it's Monday) we enjoyed toobing the Guadalupe with Sue, Steve, and a group from their church -Riverside. I haven't gone toobing since high school, and Cody hasn't in a couple of years either. I was somewhat nervous... seeing as I am deathly afraid of things like bugs and grass and of course the thought of fish or snakes in the water around me. Fortunately I encountered none of the above -minus some annoying dragonflies that kept landing on my legs (I am proud to say I only screamed and kicked the first time they landed on me). It was a very relaxing and enjoyable day out in the sun. We were very glad to have been invited. Now that it's been several hours and we're at home though, we've noticed that we both got a little sunburned. Neither of us are badly burned... we're red but not in pain thankfully. What I want to point out is the following: I am sunburned ONLY on my upper back -where I needed Cody to sunscreen me because I couldn't reach, and Cody is ONLY burned on his chest and stomach -where he sunscreened himself. Coincidence... I think not. Clearly one of us is a poor sunscreener, and I think we all know which one!

Let's consider it a practice round.

Yesterday I had the interview for a 6th Grade English position. I don't think it went badly, just I don't think I stood out to them as a candidate either. I was ridiculously nervous... like nauseous. While I am qualified with my certifications for a middle school English Language Arts/Reading position, I have no experience in a middle school classroom. Would someone even consider hiring me with no experience in that setting? At least now I know that no matter how crazy nervous I get beforehand, I will be able to calm down and be composed for the interview. I would be significantly more confident going into an interview for an elementary position... yet I would be equally excited about either a middle school or an elementary position. So I'm pretty much just considering the interview from yesterday a practice round, and hoping I get another opportunity to interview. Prayers for the right position to come along would be appreciated!

Ready to be hired!

So far I have attended six teacher job fairs. I've had three pre-screening interviews. I had an interview with a principal at the Judson job fair. I am so ready to be hired! I trust that the Lord is preparing a position for me and that I will end up wherever I'm suppose to... just the waiting period stinks. I'm excited for this coming school year, and I want to know my district, campus, and grade level so that I can specifically be excited for what and where I will be teaching. I actually got a call this morning and I have an interview tomorrow afternoon for a 6th Grade English position at a nearby middle school. While I am certified for the position, I'm nervous for the interview because I have zero experience in the middle school setting. Would someone even consider hiring me with no experience in a middle school? I'm trusting that it'll work out however it's suppose to, and I'm glad for the opportunity tomorrow. I'm so ready for my first classroom though... I wish I could just fast-forward to knowing where I'll be in August!

Blessed

This evening we had both of our families come over to hang out and celebrate Cody completing his first year of teaching. It was a wonderful evening. We had a lovely dinner followed by multiple games played of both Wits & Wagers and then Catch Phrase.

I love our families so much. I am so thankful and blessed that my family was reunited two years ago. In a time with my family when I became hopeless and lost faith in the situation, God remained faithful, making our family not only whole again, but stronger, happier, and healthier than before. Every time we get together, I am reminded of the blessing that our family is, and that the Lord always has a plan, even when we fail to trust Him.

I'm also so blessed to have married into such a loving and supportive family with Sue, Steve, and Kari. I am so grateful about how they embraced me into their lives even while Cody and I were just dating. I couldn't ask for a better mother, father, or sister-in-law.

I cannot express the joy I feel when I think about where my family has been and where we are now. The Lord has truly blessed us with both our families, and it makes my heart glad.

PS - My Online Teacher Portfolio

PS - I've just created an online teacher portfolio! If you happen to know anybody (in San Antonio) who needs a teacher for next year, they can view my portfolio website me and contact me through it.
Please send them to: http://Samantha-Henderson.weebly.com

Let's Get Up-to-Date

I figured it couldn't hurt to fill everybody in on where Cody and I are at currently before this blog continues to advance.

So, last May we both graduated from Texas A&M University, and last summer we moved down from College Station back here to San Antonio. Cody was hired immediately and this past year he taught Geometry and Algebra I at Alamo Heights High School. I, on the other hand, was not hired immediately... or sadly at all. I ended up substitute teaching in the Alamo Heights district and working part-time at Housing and Community Services, Inc. (HCS happens to be where Steve [Cody's dad] works, -thanks Steve for the suggestion about that position!)

While initially we were both disappointed I hadn't gotten hired, I now fully believe that this past year was all part of the Lord's plan for us. Our relationship this year has been amazing and I feel so blessed to be Cody's wife. I think if we had both been first year teachers at the same time, we would have likely neglected each other in order to just be prepared for each day. Hopefully for this coming school year (with Cody now going into his second year while I will be starting my first) we will be able to balance work and our relationship and be able to encourage each other throughout the school year.

As it is now June, Cody is finishing up at Alamo Heights. This Friday is his official last day! He is of course more than excited to start some well earned time off. I will continue working in the afternoons at HCS through June 24th (I'm counting down to my last day there) and after that Cody and I will both relax through July before starting to prepare for school in August.

I am still searching for a teaching position for this upcoming school year. I am confident and trusting in the Lord to prepare a position for me where I can enjoy my students and succeed in the classroom. I have already attended multiple Teacher Job Fairs and have had one interview with an elementary principal. It actually went incredibly well, and I am hoping to hear back from him within the next couple weeks. He really seemed to like me, and leaving the interview I was completely confident I would get a callback. I'm trying not to get nervous that I haven't heard anything yet. I know the end of school is hectic. I would really appreciate prayers about peace in waiting for a job, and in a teaching position being offered to me... hopefully sooner than later.

So basically that's where we are. Sorry that got much longer than I expected! Cody is wrapping up his first year of teaching. I will work part-time through June and then we will enjoy July together. And I am still searching for a teaching job for August.