Life
So as you may know, I went to university so that I could pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at New York University. After four long years of learning so many new things, meeting amazing people, and seeing a bit more how the world works, I took all three of my teacher certification exams and passed two of them, all except the edTPA. I have to pass all three to become a certified teacher, simply, as of May, there was no way that I was going to be a teacher. So, I graduated, came home, found a job, and mourned over this dream, a dream of becoming a music teacher, a dream of about a decade old that was actively pursued. Until, I sought some advice about what I could do from a dear friend, a friend who went through the same thing. Upon her advice, I asked for an edTPA ATS-W exam fee waiver, and was granted one! After which, I signed up to take the edTPA ATS-W. I studied, prayed, and had confidence in myself before, during, and after the test, for a while. As the score release date approached, I had a sinking feeling that I had failed the edTPA ATS-W, all of my studying was for nothing, the past four years was a waste of time and money, and other negative thoughts. On the day that scores were to be released, I spent as much time away from my phone (as if avoiding my email would prevent more bad news). And, then, around 9:30 PM, I got it, I got the email with the information that could drastically alter the course of my life, as I had planned. I opened the email, read it numerous times, and I could NOT believe my eyes. I passed, I passed with some wiggle room! I informed my advising professor so that I could become professionally certified. I was told that the state of New York does not accept edTPA ATS-W’s as a safety net for initial teacher certification and my only option would be to ask if it could be applied toward my certification via email. I sent the email and, to my chagrin, I never received any confirmation email of reception or any potential further steps. Begrudgingly, I checked the status of my certification. Much to my surprise, I am a certified music teacher in the state of New York now through August 2023!
Route & Squad
As you may know, I leave for Launch in TWO WEEKS. My first scheduled stop is Haiti. As you may also know, Haiti has been experiencing numerous riots and other civil demonstrations as a result of the extreme gas price hikes over the past two weeks. Several people have been killed & injured, businesses were destroyed, Haitian airports are not sending or receiving many (if any) flights, and the Prime Minister has resigned from his position almost immediately. Simply, it may not be the safest place for my squad, my team, and myself to be, and it definitely would not be the best way to start off the Race. So, authorities at Adventures in Missions announced that my squad would not be launching to Haiti for our first month. Earlier this week, I was under the belief that I would be leaving for the World Race with nowhere to actually go to. Then, I received word: where we would be going, what we would be doing, or who else we may be doing it with– my squad will be launching to the Dominican Republic (my original second month destination), we will be serving a ministry called H.O.P.E. (Helping Others Pursue Eternity), and my ENTIRE SQUAD will be at H.O.P.E.
Finally, I am doing really well as far as support raising goes, but some of my squadmates need help getting to this month’s funding goal ($10,000 by July 20). I have prayed, they have prayed; I have asked, they have asked; I posted on social media, they posted on social media platforms, but we all (my entire squad) is not there yet. My squad, my friends & family, my ohana is not currently able to launch, so we NEED YOUR help. ‘”Ohana’ means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten” (Lilo & Stitch, 2002). You have supported me so generously, please support them (Cimone, Amanda, Hannah, Elle, Levi, Tyler, and Sarah) as well!
TL;DR: there is some grass sprouting from the concrete blocks in my life!
Angie
Prayer Requests:
- Support my squadmates (Cimone, Amanda, Hannah, Elle, Levi, Tyler, and Sarah),
- Cover Haiti in prayer, from forgiveness & caring for one another to rebuilding & reshaping their communal & governmental structures, and everything in between, and
- The Northeast Navigators team that is/will be serving in Croatia over the next weeks and that God uses & moves through them to touch the hearts & souls of the Romani children and their families.
Praise Reports:
- I am a certified teacher,
- I will be serving alongside, living with, and learning from my entire squad next month (#TrainingCamp2.0), and
- There is life & beauty coming from some unforeseen places in my life.
