Life

How do the "daily" bloggers do it? I haven't posted since last April....I don't have what I consider is an "ordinary" life, though. Most people my age are winding down in their careers, enjoying their homes and their grandchildren, and are looking toward financial freedom in the near future. In many ways, my life is like that of people in their twenties and thirties....I have begun many new ventures including returning to classroom teaching in public school, getting my ESL certification, remodeling the preschool addition into a rec room, and still continuing on the journey toward preparing for retirement financially, but in no way seeing that time on the horizon. Whew! One of my favorite phrases from my grandmother was "It's a great life if you don't weaken." STAYING STRONG!

In many ways, my transfer by the district to teaching First Grade at Washington has been like moving to a foreign country. This is the closest to being a missionary that I have ever come. The culture and socioeconomic status of the students is different, the home language is different, the accent is different, the customs are different, the climate of the school is different, and the teachers and administration is different. Different is not bad, different is just something to adapt to and learn to fit in with. So far, I have been like a duck out of water, but I am trying to fit in. One of the biggest changes I made was to try and be more social, and less work-oriented. My natural nature is to stay in my classroom and complete more tasks for my classroom and students. But if I do that, I won't get to know the teachers and develop the bond that is necessary for working as a team. I am really trying to be a team member!

Another challenge I have had is to be less judgmental and replace it with grace and forgiveness. One of the most important articles I have ever read from Kenneth Copeland was in the recent partner letter when he challenged believers to forgive. The way he uses the word is not in the traditional sense--a moment of forgiveness, but to LIVE forgiveness. To go in to work every day and say "I forgive the students, I forgive the teachers, I forgive the administration, I forgive the parents" and I added one yesterday--"I forgive myself."

I will keep "keeping on " for Jesus. I couldn't do this without Him. He is my Savior. He has commissioned me for this, though  i have tried to deny it. As I sit here with a stack of books for planning measuring one foot high, and my whole house is in a dirty, cluttered state, I commit this day to Him. Be with me Jesus, as I live out this day for You, and plan the upcoming week with You in mind.