Christmas

I think if you asked anyone, "what is your favorite holiday?" you'd hear "Christmas". Well, I am no different. I absolutely love this time of year. The lights, ornaments, Santa, the wishful dreams of snow, Christmas songs, family, the tree, gifts, Jesus. It's just magical.

My family has its' traditions for every holiday. This year was a little different because Sarah is now a nurse. And of course, she had to work Christmas Eve night and Christmas night. So she wasn't here at 6 am when Ben and I went downstairs to see what Santa left us. She wasn't with us when we went to Grandmother's house either. She and Drew were here in time for Christmas at Meme's though. Then we came back to our house and did gifts here. We were a little rushed because Sarah was closing in on being up for 24 hours!

We had a wonderful time. I think we finally finished around 3 pm. So it was a LONG day, but it was full of excitement, surprises, laughter, and love. Now comes the Debbie part of Christmas, taking it all down and packing it all up...until next year!

Graduation and Mission Arlington

Friday, December 9th, 2011, I graduated from Mississippi State University. I wore tassels from PKP and KDP. The words "Summa Cum Laude" were beside my name in the program. The ceremony didn't last too, too long. I just can't believe it's over. I'll start teaching January 9th in Louisville, MS. I'll be the new 4th grade Reading/English teacher. I'm ready to get my room set up, but right now, it just doesn't seem real. So glad I have a family that supports me through everything.

Shaking President Keenum's hand.

Graduation was a little different. Daddy and Ben were not able to come. The whole family came to Starkville Thursday night and we celebrated then. That was wonderful, but it still just wasn't the same without everyone being there. Thankfully, my wonderful mother and sister were able to come. And I know Daddy and Ben were with me in spirit the entire time.

Sarah and Drew got me a pretty Mississippi State picture frame (very suitable for the family picture with me in my cap and gown) and an insulated MSU cup! Momma and Daddy got me....a Cannon Rebel camera! I could NOT believe it! I was hoping to get a new camera, but I figured it would be a little Kodak one like I've always had. This completely trumps all the other cameras out there. I absolutely love it and I'm just looking for reasons to take pictures now! Meme got me a George Forman grill, so I'm going to try that gift out tonight for dinner!

The day after graduation, a group of us loaded up and headed to Arlington, Texas. We have done this for 3 years now. We go to Mission Arlington and volunteer for a few days. MA is absolutely amazing. Right now the Christmas Store is going on. Adults with children can come in and shop for their children. They get 1 large gift, 2 small gifts, and 1 book per child. However, before they can enter the store, they hear the Christmas story and have a chance to make a decision for Christ. We did a wide variety of jobs this year. We stood at the entrances to parking lots to direct cars, delivered bikes, went door to door at apartment complexes, moved a lot of boxes, worked in the Christmas store, and worked in the bins.

Mission Arlington has a special place in my heart. Blessings rain down on us whenever we go. Yes, they work us hard all day long, but it's all for the Kingdom. Even down to the smallest, insignificant job, it is something that has to be done, so why not us?

This is our group with Heather and Mrs. Tillie. Wonderful people, wonderful ministry, wonderful memories. Looking forward to going again!

Welcome to Adulthood

Well, it's official...I have a job! Starting January 9th, I will be the newest 4th grade Reading and English teacher at Louisville Elementary School. I am excited and completely nervous. But I guess that is good, right?

This is all happening so fast. I'll graduate in just a few short weeks. I will have a Bachelor's Degree on December 9th. Then, in one month, I'll be in charge of my very own classroom. How crazy is that!? I know I am so blessed to have this opportunity. So many other teachers are looking for jobs and I got one instantly. I know that time will definitely still be a learning experience for me and a growing time for me as a professional.

Yesterday I got to attend one of my dear friend's wedding. Ashley McGee married her best friend, Paul Hendrix. I was able to be there to share in their special time. I also had the hardest job at the reception, cutting the cake! It was a beautiful ceremony and I am so happy for them. I can't believe we are all old enough to be getting married and having babies. Side note: I got to see Whitney and Nathan and their beautiful baby Camden!

It's Thanksgiving week and looking back through the years, I know I have loads to be thankful for. I love our family traditions during the holidays. I am looking forward to seeing family that I haven't seen in a year. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and think about all the things you have to be thankful for! Gobble till you wobble!

I'm twenty...three.

I turned 23 Monday. It seemed like just another day. I went to my 4th grade classroom as always. That day (and the day after it) my mentor teacher was out of town at a conference. In other words, I had all the kids, all day, all to myself. I had to teach everything. I was nervous. When I walked in the classroom, I realized just how amazing my mentor teacher is. She made me a banner that said "Happy Birthday Ms. Mattox!" and hung it up. She also made a big plate of cookies for me and the kids during recess. Now wasn't that just precious?

I only have 3 weeks of teaching left. Then it's Thanksgiving break. After that I'll have a week and a half left to go to the school, but no teaching, then it's graduation! I can't believe I'm about to be completely finished with college. It doesn't seem real.

Tuesday is Education Interview Day. All education majors have to sign up to interview with at least 2 schools. I registered for 3: Rankin County, Madison County, and Starkville. I'm nervous about the whole interview process, but I do hope something good comes out of that day. *fingers crossed*

Student teaching is divided into 2 placements. Almost everyone stays at their first placement for both. That is what I was told was my situation...until Wednesday. I got a message from the woman in charge that I'd go somewhere new for the 2nd placement. Keep in mind that 2nd placement starts this Monday (tomorrow). I found out Friday that I would still be in Louisville, but at a new school, teaching 4th grade math, science, and social studies. I'm excited and nervous altogether. I'm ready for a change and hopefully better students/school. These weeks I've spent in 7th/8th grade has definitely been a learning, growing, thick skin obtaining time.

I have registered for graduation and ordered my cap and gown! The end is near. December 9th.

Passion Conference is coming up. I have been 3 times and this will probably be the last time I can go. So I definitely want to make it. Tickets are steep. Then you have to factor in gas, food, and hotel costs. The group I'm going with is doing a walk-a-thon to raise money. So I'm looking for people to sponsor me in this fundraiser. If you're interested, I would GREATLY appreciate it. I'll be walking 10 miles on October 28th.

Can I just say how much I love this weather? I wish it could stay like this forever. It is glorious!

Recently

Wow, it has been a while since my last update.

Let's see...

• At Nehemiah Teams debrief, I got baptized. It was an amazing experience and an amazing way that led up to that point. It was all God. Ask me about it, I will love to tell you the whole story!
• I went to Birmingham, AL to be a bridesmaid in my good friend's wedding. Kristen Mathews is now Kristen Finney. It was a wonderful wedding and we had a great time. It's so weird having my friends getting engaged/married. I can't believe we're that old now! Ashley McGee will be next on November 19th, she'll be Ashley Hendrix! Oh me!!
• We had BASIC Training at the BSU the two days before school started. I have 13 "children". They're a really great group and I'm excited to see what is going to happen in us and through us this semester.
• School has started. I go to Louisville everyday and teach reading to 7th and 8th graders. Thursday and Friday I taught 6th and 7th period. The principal, which is also my supervisor, came and watched me. He said I did good! That's encouraging. Starting tomorrow, I'll have all the students all day. I'm nervous! And of course, being in a middle school all day, every day, I have obtained "the crud". So I'm hoping that it will go away soon! Today, I taught all 7 periods. It went well! It definitely makes the day go by faster. Haha!

surprisingly hard

Today I had to write thank you notes to people for their support that was received after I left. That was surprisingly hard.

I know there was nothing I could do about the decision for me to come home. It just still makes me sad to think about all that time I could have been spending with those kids and getting to know the other adults and my teammates. As much as I have loved reading blog updates from other teams, it also breaks my heart.

A lot has been going on here in Aberdeen. Things that I know I needed to be here for. I wouldn't call these things "fun" or "enjoyable", but it would have been SO much more harder to have to deal with it halfway around the world. I have also seen how the Lord has been using me, too. That was truly a blessing, and still is!

I feel as though Satan is trying to control my thoughts and emotions to get me down and to thwart my trust in God. He's fighting real hard. Sometimes I just tear up for no reason other than the thought of "You're a failure. You are writing these people, thanking them for their support when you came home early. When you go to debrief and see all the other team members, they're going to have amazing stories and experiences to share; what are you going to say?" I can let these thoughts take over me or I can choose to fight back. I choose the latter. I'm not going to let him control me like that. My faith and trust is in the Lord and Him alone. So I turn on my music loud and sing praises to Him because I know He deserves it and how much it angers Satan. I get to go back to Alabama and see all my friends who have spent the summer expanding the Kingdom and hear their stories. This is my family and I am so proud of them.

I am having to move out of my apartment I was planning on continuing to live in again this year. However, miscommunication issues arose and I am now having to move out. It's hard enough trying to find a place to live and roommates around Spring Break, but it's even harder to do it a few weeks before school starts. I've found 2 roommates and a 4 bedroom house. So I'm still looking for a 4th. This is just one of those situations when I have to do all that I can, but for the most part, give it all to God. He knows what He is doing and there must be some girl somewhere that needs to be living with us this year. I know I am very impatient, so this lesson is hard for me. I'm just taking it one day at a time. That's all you can do, right? Right!

Just a few more days and my people will be flying home! I am so ready to see them all and hang out with them for a few days. Praying for safety and continuous opportunities to share the Gospel.

In His Name.

Home

Where You go, I'll go.

Where You stay, I'll stay.

When You move, I'll move.

I will follow You.

Well, I'm coming home. It has been a very emotional past week. I did get to come with my team to Davao for our mid-summer break. We got to hang out with another orphanage team. So I was able to chill, relax, see some sights, and make more memories with my sisters. However, today my team went back to Malaybalay and I stayed here. I'm still coping with this whole situation. I've learned a lot just in the past week. The lyrics above have been playing in my head for a few days now. I have to be obedient and follow Him; even if He's going to Aberdeen.

I was obedient in the fact of following His call on my life to come halfway around the world to the Philippines. However, He never gave me a time frame. He never told me I'd be here for 2 months. I just assumed that. I guess 1 month was all that He needed me to do here. It was hard saying goodbye to the kids and it was just as hard saying goodbye to my teammates/sisters. I feel as though there was so much more that I needed to learn about them. It's okay, though. We all live fairly close to each other and can visit. I know my parents are ready for me to come home. I'm sure it's been just as hard if not harder on them than anyone else.

I ask that you continue to pray for me, my team, and my other brothers and sisters that are still serving the Lord. Who knows what He has planned for me back at home?! No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind can conceive what God has planned for those who love Him. - 1 Corinthians 2:9. You can't out-dream God. He is sovereign.

Love you all very much. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!

Bittersweet

The people in charge have decided that I would be a danger to myself and the kids here. In that case, they are sending me home. I'm in Davao City with my team and another orphanage team for our mid-summer break. They'll all go back on Wednesday. In the mean time, my parents are working on getting my ticket moved up to this week. Sad doesn't begin to describe my feelings. I keep telling myself that the Lord has a bigger plan for me back home. He wouldn't send me halfway across the world and bring me home early if He didn't. So we'll just see what He has planned for me in Aberdeen.

This past Sunday some guys affiliated with the children's home took us to a shooting range. I have never shot a gun before, but I was the first one to fire. We shot a 9mm, 45mm, and a small automatic gun. With the 9mm, we had 4 metal targets. When you hit one, it would fall down. I was the only one to get all 4 of mine down! I was most proud of myself. Haha!
Monday's have a different connotation to the nannies. It's our free day, so we LOVE Mondays! This past Monday we were taken to a town north of us to go zip lining. On the way we stopped and gazed at an amazing waterfall. Gorgeous! The zip line consisted of 3 different lines. For the first 2, you were harnessed in and you rode the line sitting down. The 3rd, and longest line, you were put in a new harness, laid down on your stomach, and was connected to the line. So when you rode down the line, it was like you were really flying over the land. We got some good pictures!
After the zip line, we went to another town and went to a mall. It was HUGE! We all got a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses and some books for cheap!
Wednesday morning was a not so good day for me. I had overnight duty Tuesday night from 10pm-6am with my teammate, Joelle. I was up every hour with a 2 month old baby. So I didn't get much rest at all. After our shift, we ate some breakfast, and went back to the room to shower and rest. I remember getting in the shower, but the next thing I know I'm laying in a bed. Apparently, while I was in the shower, I collapsed and had a seizure. Another one of my teammates, Maicie, is a nursing major. So she has been taking care of me. While I was laying in the bed, Maicie was brushing my hair. After a while I turned my head and grabbed her arm and proceeded to have another seizure. Finally I came to and got ready, but I was still out of it. Our supervisor, Mark, came and picked us all up and brought us back to his house. I went upstairs to the guest bedroom and laid down. Apparently, I wasn't through shaking yet, because I fell off the bed and had another seizure on the floor. Three seizures in one day! I have NEVER had that happen before. Scary is an understatement.
My parents were informed and I'm very thankful that so many people called them. However, I'm sure it scared them even more hearing all this from people they didn't know. I was still too out of it to talk to them just yet.
Maicie and I spent the night at our supervisor's house. She's been on "Claire Duty". I'm feeling better after having rested for so long yesterday. But I am still very sore, bruised, and cut up in places. Of course my tongue is gnawed on both sides really bad. So it hurts to talk and eat most things. BUT, I'm making it!
We have our vacation this coming Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Then we'll have the rest of that week and 2 more weeks and we come home. It doesn't seem like I've been here that long, but I guess I have.
Continue to keep us in your prayers! Love and miss you all VERY much!

Humbling

First week is DONE! I think the first week of anything new is the hardest. This was no different.

I have realized that what I thought was necessity at home are really just comforts. So the first few days of not having those comforts at all were pretty hard. Each day is a struggle, but each day is a learning experience. God is molding, shaping, and humbling me.

We started our shift work Tuesday. There is always at least one of us in with the babies/toddlers all day. Two of us are partnered together twice a night to do an overnight shift which is from 10pm to 6am. They give us mattresses on the floor so we can sleep. I was expecting the worst, but it really wasn't that bad. The older kids are in school during the day. So one person will have a shift at 5am to wake the boys up and get them ready, eat breakfast, and get them off to school. The kids come back to the home for lunch, so one of us has a shift then to make sure they eat, do their chores, and get back on the bus. Then, of course, there is a shift for the same reasons at dinner.

I have absolutely loved getting to know the kids. I would much rather be spending time with the older kids, so I hate that they are at school all day. The majority of our time is spent with the babies/toddlers. It's hard to see that we are doing work for the Kingdom because we can't really disciple them. I've realized just how little faith I've had. I doubted for a while that I would raise enough money to make the trip. Well, God completely blew that out of the water! I know God doesn't waste time or make junk. I just have to trust that His light is shining through me daily and that someone is catching its' glimpse. If anything, I know God is growing in me, and that in itself is marvelous.

The children range in age from one month to 14 years old. There is one baby who has cerebal palsy and another child has a cleft lip. They all speak English. Of course, 4 Southern girls in the Philippines, they have a hard time understanding us sometimes. Yes, I've already picked out a kid who I'd take home with me if I could. He's absolutely precious, but then again, they all are!

My team is phenomenal. We aren't all together anymore because of our shift duties, and we are sad about that. However, on the weekends, no one has overnight duty, so we can catch up, chat, and just goof off then.

Our living conditions aren't terrible and I know that compared to some of the other teams, we are in luxury. We have showers, toilets, beds, and electricity. The water we bathe in is colder than the water we drink. So that definitely wakes us up in the morning! We do have to wash our clothes by hand. Thankfully, I brought some jump ropes for the kids, so we've used them to create a makeshift clothes line in our room. It's quite the sight and quite the obstacle to get from the door to our beds, especially at night.

Having Mondays to get online and call home is such a blessing. Being halfway around the world is hard, so being able to hear familiar voices is VERY comforting. Some amazing people got together and each wrote me an encouraging letter a week for the summer. You have no idea how precious mail is when you're so far from home. I've had to restrain myself from opening all those notes at once!

Please continue to pray for us. So far no one has gotten sick or gotten lice! (Knock on wood.) Which is a miracle in itself. Homesickness and just sheer tiredness can really affect you, if you let it. So pray that those things don't hinder our work here in Malaybalay.

Next Monday we are going to ride the longest zip line!! It's over 300 feet long and you ride it laying down like Superman. AHH!! So excited! (and completely terrified!)

I love you all and miss you all very much. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Worthy is the Lamb!

Malaybalay

Hello!!

I am officially in the Philippines. It is 4:20 pm Monday the 13th right now. It is about 13 hours difference.

We had orientation in Rainsville, AL. It was filled with A TON of information, team building, and security training. I got to know so many people so quickly, we all became such good friends in a short amount of time. My team is amazing. It's me and 3 other lovely ladies. We are truly turning into sisters now. :)

We left the States (wow, that's weird to say) on Tuesday and arrived in the Philippines on Thursday. We did not get to experience Wednesday; time change is so strange. After a very long 16 hour flight, we landed. Whew! We spent the night in Davao City with our supervisor, Lizzie. Then took a 5 hour bus ride north to Malaybalay.

Lately we have just been observing and getting to know the kids a little bit. We just got our schedules and the kids started school today, so hopefully a routine will start. There are 27 kids at New Faith Family Children's Home. They range from babies to 14 year olds. They are all so very precious in their own way. They try to say my name, but it comes out "clear". Apparently that is a type of shampoo here, so they relate me to that.

It's been different adjusting to the culture and climate here. I never realized how much I loved and depended on the comforts of home until they were taken away. I actually never realized how everyday things were "comforts". We see them as necessities.

This town is absolutely beautiful. We are surrounded by mountains. The home is about 3 miles from the town, so it is really peaceful.

We have rice with EVERY meal. So that's....fun. Ha. I've tried a lot of new Filipino foods and I'm learning some Cebuano phrases and words.

I'm sure I'm leaving out a lot of information, but I'm trying to write this quickly. We don't get a whole lot of time for communication purposes, especially since there are 4 of us that need to use the computers.

Side note: I passed my Praxis!! So I can officially teach...once I graduate in December!

If you have a chance, you should look at my teammates's blogs:

Joelle: www.ashleyjoelle.blogspot.com (She should have pictures/videos up!)

Maicie: www.maiciehammons.blogspot.com

To see what my other brothers and sisters are doing and updates on our team please visit www.nehemiahteams.blogspot.com.

I love you all so much and miss you all terribly! Please continue to lift us up in prayer.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow is a big day.

Tomorrow my big sister marries the love of her life.

She will go from Ms. Sarah Mattox to Mrs. Sarah Powell.

She is such an amazing big sister. She has always been there for me; through thick and thin.

Yes, we fought constantly, and still do sometimes, but when it comes down to it, she is my sister.

Tomorrow is also a big day for my best friend.

She has completed the criteria for a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders as outlined by the University of Mississippi.

She has worked incredibly hard these past four years.

We are all SO proud of her.

Amy and I met waaaay back in the day. We lost touch, but the Good Lord brought us back together at the wonderful, ICC.

She has been there for me in absolutely everything.

Tomorrow is a big day for both of my families.

I love you both so VERY much!

It's getting closer

In five days my sister will be married! We are all so excited!

In twenty one days, I will say goodbye to my family and friends. May 30th, I start team leader orientation for the summer. June 2nd, begins general orientation for the summer. On June 7th, I will fly out for the Philippines. Ah! It's all starting to happen so fast!

I do have an address for the summer:

Claire Mattox

c/o Mark Hymes

P.O. Box 47

8700 Malaybalay

Philippines

Who doesn't love getting snail mail? I certainly do! Keep in mind that it'll take about 2 weeks for it to get to me. However, I would absolutely LOVE to hear from you!

Mondays will be my day off, so I will be able to get on Facebook, update the blog, and check my email. If you'd rather shoot me an email, that'd be lovely, too. claire_mattox@yahoo.com

Slight change of plans

I know I told you that I would be spending the summer in Davao City. Well, one of the characteristics of a missionary is flexibility. With that being said, I will be serving in the town of Malaybalay. It is still on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. It is just more north than Davao City.

I will be serving at New Faith Family Orphanage. I was told that the children range in ages from 5 months to 14 years. Mainly babies and toddlers. That excites me!

Every Monday will be my day off. We will get to shop, sightsee, and communicate then. So be on the lookout for new blog posts on Monday! Well, it will be Sunday evening for you. I'll be 13 hours ahead!

Continue to pray for myself, my team (Victoria, Joelle, and Maicie), and for the children in the orphanage.

As far as school goes...I'M DONE! I took my last final Tuesday. It's been great to have such a stress-free exam week. I had time to complete a 1,000 piece puzzle!

Fundraising

I am selling t-shirts as a fundraiser for my Philippine trip this summer. Here is what it is going to look like:

The gray is going to be a lot darker on the actual shirt. The top right corner will be on the front and the rest will be on the back.

T-shirts are $12. You can also order this shirt in a V-neck style for $15.

I am hoping that through this fundraiser, I will raise the rest of my cost for my trip. So tell everyone about them! :) Let me know if you'd like to purchase one.

Summer Plans

Well, if you can't tell from the pictures above, I will be spending my summer in the Philippines. I will be on the Southern most island of Mindanao in Davao City. I will be staying at an orphanage and working there all summer. I fly out June 7th and return August 4th. I bought my plane ticket and looked at my flight itinerary and with all the time changes and such, I will land in Davao City on June 9th. The longest flight will be from Los Angeles to Manila which is a 16.5 hour flight. Eesh. I've never been on a plane for that long; not really looking forward to it.

I am really excited about this experience though. It'll be my first time overseas. I'm not taking my computer, nor will I have my phone. However, Davao City is a very urbanized city so there should be plenty of internet cafes that I can use to update. I feel like this summer is going to be very liberating, humbling, and eye opening.

My biggest concern is the money situation. Which I'm sure is normal. I have an amazing father who someone got the money together for me to purchase my plane ticket before the price went up any more. When I first found out about going to the Philippines, the ticket cost was $1775. However, when I purchased mine, it had gone up to $2202. My cost of living while I'm there is ~$1050. I know there is no purpose in worrying about the money. God has called me to go to the Philippines to love on the orphans there. So of course, He is going to provide the way for me.

My family has been very supportive of me. It's a situation in which they are excited for me to go, yet want me to stay here. The not having a phone thing kind of worries them, but it will be okay. I ask that you pray for me, my team, and my family. It's going to be different, but He is making the way for me. I'm just following.