Adoption Update

Lots going on - substitute teaching and PRIDE (Provincial Adoption/Foster care classes) take up most of my time along with other commitments. Here's the latest update: www.canneyland.wordpress.com There are some crucial things to pray about so please check it out!

For the Love of Teaching

I love teaching. I love walking into the classroom and having the privilege of shaping young minds. I love knowing that there's power in words and that what I say can make a child's day and encourage a sense of self worth. I love receiving hugs and being followed on the playground. I love working with children, and I feel especially blessed to be receiving at lot of work at a nearby elementary school.

Today I was followed by a little guy who must be after my own heart. He is in grade 2. If any of you know me well, you know I love to make up songs. I could hardly believe my ears today when while strolling out onto the playground he said, "Mrs. Canney, I love making up songs. Would you like to make up some songs with me?"

"Sure," I replied, and so, as we patrolled the playground, we sang about soccer, we sang about the weather, we sang about children. It was great! A little girl in kindergarten joined us and scampered about picking up garbage, and before long, we had a following of different children holding hands and hopping along.

When you love what you're doing for a profession, it really doesn't seem like work. Yes, teaching does have its stresses, and there are times when you're fighting cold and flu because you're with kids all the time, but it's so rewarding. For me, teaching isn't just a profession; it's a passion. It's a part of who I am.

For the love of teaching I am willing to take those early morning phone calls, work with different children in different schools, and try to work my way into another district. At first it was frustrating trying to find an "in," but praise be to God, He is opening doors and enabling me to see that substitute teaching may not be such a bad option for me at this time. I haven't got everything figured out yet, but like everyone else, I'm taking things one day at a time. I am grateful for God's favor and provision, and I feel blessed that He has equipped me with the ability to teach.

Quick Update

**update on adoption blog: www.canneyland.wordpress.com**

I will be writing about some things pertaining to other things in my life soon, but since the adoption seems to be occupying a lot of my life write now, that's what I'm mostly writing about. I have started substitute teaching again, so that should allow for some fun stories soon. It certainly is great to be back in the classroom!!

Just to Let You Know...

*I've updated our adoption blog: www.canneyland.wordpress.com

*I'm finished working at Bethany.

*I'm going to Boston to hear Rob Bell this month. Ben and I will be traveling with Mike and Colleen MacNeil and then enjoying the weekend in Boston. Woot! Woot!

*I'm officially a substitute teacher in School District 6.

*I'm grateful for God's blessings in my life.

Hello Uncertainty!

Okay, so I'm about to embark into some unfamiliar territory in more ways than one. First, unemployment. I'm hoping I wont' have to rely on this, but considering the numbers for Ben's salary alone just don't add up I need to investigate this should I not get the substitute teaching I had hoped for. However, I hope to prevent this by going to meet some principals after I'm completed at BBC a week from today. That being said, I am embarking into more unfamiliar territory. A new school district...new schools...new people to meet. It's a bit nerve racking. Nothing job wise has really been made available for me to apply for in this district. It's just not a great year for teaching jobs. Therefore I will resort to the 6 AM phone call, and pray that it is for an elementary school. "Oh Lord, PLEASE let it be an elementary school." Seeing as God seems to enjoy having me face my fears, I have visions of me being in middle and high schools. Oh have mercy on us all! Just please let it ben an English class. I could live with that...maybe.

Sometimes it's hard to understand God's timing, but I guess that's how we grow. I mean, I usually think I have everything figured out, and then He goes and stretches my faith even more. I mean, I might have a baby come February, and as it stands, I have no full time work which means no maternity leave. I am on a leave of absence from District 14, mainly as a "safe guard" for myself and Ben for various reasons, but if I can't return there come next year, my "B" contract will be officially gone. I was told that it might help me in this district, but I'm still waiting to see the dividends of that.

Wait. Wait. Wait. Well, I will hopefully be updating this more often with my teaching adventures. Despite the uncertainty, I am excited to return to the classroom - where I belong. I'm even willing to volunteer in the meantime while I wait for some phone calls to help get my foot in the door, but even more so to be around the children.

Well, amidst all of this uncertainty, at least I know that one thing is for certain. God. He has proven Himself to me time and again, and so, though my knees are shaking, I must choose to look at Him and not at the waves around me. *sigh*

Quick Update

So I've finally taken the time to post an update on the adoption blog (www.canneyland.wordpress.com). I apologize that it's a long one, but I've been holding in some information for a little bit now as I've had to wait for some things to progress. I will post something in my own notes/blog soon with regards to reentering the world of substitute teaching. I am looking forward to it...not the six o'clock phone calls or the butterflies I get in my stomach when teaching a class for the first time or trying to locate a new school...I'm looking forward to the children. Once again, I am going to have to trust in what I can't see. I am going to have to trust that the Lord will provide the work. In all honesty, I could use a week off from any form of work. I could use some time for myself. I'd love to relax, read, and work around the house on things that I just haven't had time for - especially before a baby may arrive come February (see adoption post). It's like you wait and pray for things to happen, and then when the floodgates open it's like you say, "Whoa! Slow down. This is happening so fast." Go figure.

It certainly has been a busy summer. When I'm not at work, I'm making the most of my weekends. The thing I hate the most about working during this particular summer of all summers is that my nieces and nephew are living next door with mom and dad right now and I haven't been around to play with them. I've missed out on so many play dates it's not funny. I could be around to help my family out, and I'm not because I have to go to work. My sister Maridel and her husband Ryan are going to be moving to Nackawic come the end of August, and at least they'll be close enough for me to go visit. Oh how I'm going to miss the little faces of their children waving and calling to me from the house next door! Sheridan has said various times this summer, "I wish you were a teacher."

"I wish I were one too," I reply. "And I'm going to be come this September. Next summer will be different."

Indeed, next summer could be very different.

Adoption Blog Post

As much as I loved the many suggestions that were given and had plans of going with a much more sentimental title, time and experiences wore me down to Ben's beloved Canney Land. I figured that this would be fitting for after the children came along as well, as it seems our life has been quite the adventure. The web page still has some design and kinks to figure out (i.e. I'd like to find have some fun pics of us, more questions need to be answered, etc. etc. I'm hoping to finish up some aspects of it tomorrow night and refine it some more). Anyways, there is an updated post here:

http://canneyland.wordpress.com/