Just Us

Here I am. Leaving the sunshine and flexibility of summer behind for the first time Forced to unload armfuls of new ideas and lamination in the hallway So I can pat down pockets to locate my keys. Slowly I prop open the heavy door. With a quick flick, fluorescent lights flood this familiar space. The musty smell of books and untouched stacks piled high greet me Hello old friends. Here I am. Being a teacher would be awesome to have your summers off. They say. And here I am late Sunday night. Shuffling furniture can feel as heavy as the weight of this calling at times. Moving piles of new curriculum to their home And supplies as numerous as the individual needs that will soon fill this space. Here I am. Overwhelming feelings bring into focus the huge task ahead. Stress starts to creep in Threatening to suffocate and paralyze my best efforts. So much to do to prepare, so many needs, create the perfect space How to fit it all in, create the ideal schedule, communic...

A sweet friend of mine, who also happens to be a beautiful writer has been encouraging her followers to write. In the midst of all the turmoil going on in our small town....I’m brought to a pen and paper..or I guess my computer. :) I moved to this friendly little treasure of a town, Glenwood. Over ten years ago, I knew very few people and wasn’t sure if it would be a place I would call home for long.  It didn’t take long to realize this bustling little community was unique.  Not only did it have a smalltown Homecoming that somewhat resembled a national holiday and cute little business store fronts, it had these people. These rather strange, overly friendly people that would go out of their way to welcome a newbie or offer to shoulder a heavy load for a stranger they barely knew. These caring, hardworking people kept popping into my life, uninvited really. Ya know, there are lots of things people say about a small town. Small town living isn’t for everyone....everyone knows...

Many times I write a quick blogpost and it stays in drafts. This morning I came across this one...one I wrote right before the start of the school year. Funny how it spoke to me today. Praying it encourages you as well. Perspective -A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view. As I begin this new school year, I've decided my word for the year will be perspective .  Over the past few weeks, the theme of how my own personal perspective impacts my life has continually surfaced through books I'm reading and through my own personal devotion time.  Here are a few thoughts that have been challenging me as I go into another school year: Though I cannot control what will happen in my day, I can control the perspective that I use to determine my attitude when unfavored things occur. Perspective: When I wake, am I waking with a grateful heart toward God for giving me another day to simply be here and breathe?  Am I choosing to wake grateful t...