We’ve had a some really great moments in the last two weeks amidst two very busy weeks of soccer, cross-country, teachers conventions and school. We’ve had a little bit of down time and too much of being busy, but in two more weeks the soccer and cross-country season will be done. It’ll be a wrap for Garett’s junior year, Chandler’s sophomore year, and Wyatt’s 8th grade year, and Travis’s 7th grade year for fall sports, and that’s so hard to believe!
Last week I had the opportunity to attend a teachers convention. I was very thankful for this opportunity as I’m in the middle of teaching 200 plus students twice a week through art and library. I had planned to return to school this fall to begin my masters, but I’m really, really thankful that I didn’t try to take a bite out of that elephant! Attending a teachers convention is a little like drinking water from a fire hydrant as the water is good, but it’s fast and heavy! My favorite sessions were the ones on “ADD and ADHD” and “Read -alouds for children”. There was one that I attended that made me regret my choice. Sometimes the title sounds intriguing, but watching paint dry is more exciting! I found a few great ideas that I want to implement in either art or library, and I’m always happy to listen to other teacher’s perspectives.
While I was at the Teacher’s convention, the boys had the opportunity to attend the local fair in our county. They went with the Everett’s on Thursday night, and while it was crowded, they seemed to have a great time. They took pictures of the art that our school entered, and we did alright- I think. We entered 24 pieces of art and we took home 8 blue, 8 red, and 8 white ribbons (1st, 2nd, 3rd). I’m glad that event is behind us!
We went golfing last Saturday! (I did not golf, but I went to watch the boys golf!) Emma was able to spend the afternoon at Cynthias house which she much preferred to going golfing, but the boys were excited to go golfing. The Everett’s had given Travis a game of golf for his birthday, so he was eager to use that! It was a fun afternoon watching the kids interact with each other and laugh and make memories. Laura and I had a great time driving the golf cart and hunting for golf balls. It was a beautiful afternoon that made us think that perhaps FALL weather is going to come, and we enjoyed the moments.
I had the rare opportunity to run a cross-country practice this week, and it was a good reminder of why I enjoyed that sport so much during my college days. It’s such hard work, and running is such a mental thing; but when you see and feel yourself improve, it can be so rewarding. Some of the runners had a cross-country meet, so our AD asked me to run a practice with the runners that had stayed behind for practices in soccer or volleyball. I went out on my lunch break to walk out a trail that I wanted the runners to run. Cross-country is an easy sport to get beat at mentally, so I wanted the runners to run a trail where I could see them almost constantly. If you know someone is watching, typically, you’ll keep running! I was happy with practice went, and I was thankful for the opportunity. I got out for a run on Wednesday evening, and it was probably the best thing I did for myself all week. It was a mental reset, and it helped clear up a lot of “brain fog” in my brain.
The rest of the week was crazy busy with three soccer games with teams in our conference. The boys lost on Tuesday, but the teams won on Thursday and Friday. Garett, Chandler, Wyatt and Travis all got to start on Thursday and Friday’s games so that was especially fun for Travis. Jen had us all over for supper after Tuesday nights game, so I really appreciated that! It’s so nice to have her close enough to have supper with and enjoy life experiences with her.
On Friday night there was also a night cross-country run. I wanted Chandler and Wyatt to run in the race, but I could see that they were both really exhausted. Chandler has played 240 minutes of soccer this week, and Wyatt probably close to the same. Chandler stayed up late on Thursday night working on a paper, so he was really dragging by Friday after the game. We did go to the race to support the team, and that was about what we could manage. Chandler said that if he laid on the ground, he would fall asleep and neither boy wanted to run. So even though I kinda wanted them to run, we decided that it was enough that they had come to support their teammates. A person can only do so much before burnout, and it’s been a long week.
Jen, Emma and I left around 8:00am on Saturday morning to head towards the western part of the state. My cousin, Faith, was having a baby shower, and we wanted to go and show our love and support. It’s a bit of a drive across the state, but it was a good opportunity to visit with family. Emma and her second cousin, Lainey got in the swimming pool in the afternoon on the 7th of October! BRRR!!! They didn’t stay in long, but they did get in the pool and swim!
We drove back today after church to prepare for another week of school and sports. My aunt mentioned that there is a possibility that the Opportunity Educational Scholarship will become available for all families in North Carolina that want to send their kids to a private school. This would be HUGE for us! I love teaching, but what would it be like to teach simply because I enjoy it, and not because we need to pay a school bill?! I have no idea if it will actually come to fruition or not or how long it would even last, but it’s definitely a big one on my prayer list!
Through it all, God is faithful and good. We’ve had a lot of really great moments in the last few weeks, and I’ve had a few more awful moments than I care to admit. But in the midst of the doubts, discouragement, and depression, God has sent encouragement through His Word, His promises, and His people. I found a sweet note in my mailbox this week from an older teacher that has encouraged me in the past. A friend gave me a much needed hug this week and brought coffee. Sometimes no one can actually solve the problems, but God reminds me that He is the God of the “Parter of the Red Sea”, the “Protector of Daniel in the Lion’s Den” and the “Provider for Elijah”…He will never fail to supply our every need.
The weather this week held the faintest touch of Maine, and it made me miss some of the really good times we’d had there. Maine is a beautiful state (so is North Carolina, but there’s nothing quite like fall in Maine!) I miss the closeness I shared with the teaching staff and the feeling of being included. I miss teaching Kindergarten. I miss Becki Martz teaching and pouring Jesus into our children. I miss singing on the Praise team for church. I miss all the crazy ideas that Allison and I came up with together. There are some things that I do NOT miss, but in a few quiet moments of reflection this week, we did have a really great six years in Maine. But God is still faithful. He is still guiding and shaping our lives. May we live for His glory!
I was reminded of this song this week…”Weak made strong..through the storm, He is Lord. Lord of all!” Oh, Praise the Lord!
