Certification: CHECK

Teacher certification is a STRESSFUL process in Texas. Statistically, only 5% of applicants pass on their first try. Yes, they tell us that at the beginning on the semester when they are explaining all of the hoops that we have to jump through in order to get certified.

This fall, we had to take 2 of our certifications: the ESL Supplemental and the Generalist Exams.

They are nearly impossible to register for, and they are SO uptight about testing. You have to take them at a licensed place; that's understandable. The fact that you couldn't cross your feet, you weren't allowed to push up the sleeves on a long-sleeve shirt, you weren't allowed to take off a jacket... GEEZE! Oh, and did I mention you get fingerprinted EIGHT times in the process? Yeah. Talk about crazy!

I took the ESL exam 3 weeks ago. It was 70 questions and I left very unsure of how I did. I knew that if the passing rate was 70 or 75%, I would have been fine; unfortunately, that's not the case. Passing is 80% or 240/300. Two days after I took the exam, my score was published. 276/300 -- essentially a 91%!

I was estatic.

This week, I took the Generalist exam. It is essentially the content covered in pre-k through 6th grade. Doesn't sound too challenging... But then you look back on all the crazy social studies details you once knew in 6th grade and quickly realize "oh hey, I don't actually know ANY of this stuff!" Stress. Lots of stress.

The testing environment for the Generalist was ROUGH. The girl to my left was taking the GRE, so was pecking away at a keyboard the entire time. Click click click click click click. Definitely helps concentration ... NOT! Then the guy on my right was throwing up constantly. It was disgusting. Thankfully he always made it to the trashcan by the door. But STILL. So nasty. This test was 140 questions; I was so frustrated that I finished the entire thing quicker than I did the ESL test. I left with a really bad feeling, I was mad at myself, it was just a rough situation.

But, GOD IS GOOD! I got my results halfway through my seminar today -- I PASSED! I ended up getting 32/40 reading questions right, 24/24 math questions, 22/24 science questions, 18/22 social studies, and 12/15 of the PE/music/art for a 273/300 overall. 91% again! WHOOP!

All that to be said, I am PUMPED for a weekend off. I have some grading to do this afternoon, but for the most part I am just going to ENJOY my weekend! I will spend tomorrow with Laura and her family for the Aggie game against Mizzou. Then on Sunday I will relax and possibly do a few of the easier assignments due next week.

I will get to be home for 10 days for Thanksgiving, then will come back to College Station to finish up my LAST week of the semester. Y'all. It's almost over!!

Hosea 2:14

"Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her" -- Hosea 2:14

I read this verse today, and it definitely spoke volumes of my semester. This has been easily the hardest semester of my college career. Stress was taken to a whole new level and I did not handle it well. I was frequently a train-wreck frequently. It did not take much to make me melt and completely fall apart. Crying was a regular thing; my parents and my best friend got many phone calls where I was sobbing and couldn't put words together to explain what was wrong. I began to isolate myself from friends because I always had too much to do. I would go days without seeing my roommates because I would always be in my room. I was in a pretty dark place.

"Dark places" are found easily in the Bible. They are often referred to as "the wilderness" or "deserts", but regardless, they exist. God will take us into the wilderness, into these dark places, for a purpose. He uses these times that we often view as isolated and lonely to grow us. He equips us and makes us stronger; ultimately, He creates us to be more of who He needs us to be for the next season. He tenderly speaks, He softly calls our names, and beckons us near. He whispers gently, calls us by name, and breaths life back into our heavy hearts. He leads us into the desert and then He speaks tenderly to us.

But the most glorious thing comes next. He leads us out. Take Moses - He spent 40 years in the desert where the Lord prepared him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. It took 40 years of following God into the desert and Jesus speaking tenderly to Moses, reminding Moses of His Goodness, before Moses could accomplish God's Will for his life.

Deserts are hard places to be. But God promises to speak to us while we are there and to lead us out. I've been in a desert, and it's not fun. But I take hope in knowing that He is preparing me for what is next and that is enough to cause excitement. My heart starts to race and my dreams begin to run wild as I imagine what could possibly be in store at the end of this desert season.

Until then, I will continue to follow my King throughout the desert, listening to His soft whispers and quiet reassurances of His truth as He speaks tenderly to me.