Accept what is, Let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.

I have always enjoyed the summer months and the change in schedule.  

In the past, the days were full and busy with activities and caring for our children.  Now, the days are as full of activity as I want to schedule.  The children do not need the same daily care.  My responsibility is to care for my husband and our home.  The days are now quiet and at times slow.

Life has changed.

Life is changing again. 

 I think of Matthew 6:25-34.  In every change that God brings, He cares for us.  I do not need to spend time fretting and fussing...the birds and the flowers do not do that.  Why should I?  God has never once failed us.  He always directs and provides abundantly above what I can even ask or think.

Change is good for our life.

This school year, I have stepped back from teaching after ten years in the kindergarten classroom, two years in K3 and eight years in K5.  I am NOT retired.  I am redirected!  Our school does not have enough kindergarteners for two classrooms. 

  Someone was going to have to change.  

Hard decisions would have to be made.  Back in January when I turned in my letter of intent for the new year, I asked the Lord to give me wisdom and show me His way.  Our children are done with school.  Our focus in life has changed and Ted could use my help.  If I was more flexible throughout the year, I could travel with him.  There are so many more variables and opportunities that I have never considered.  There was a young, new teacher to keep children learning.  It was more important to me to keep that relationship and encourage her on this path.  Out of love for my husband and love for my co-worker, it was an easy decision for me!  

I have always wanted to be sensitive to not staying in my position too long.  I believe teachers can stay in the classroom too long and cause more damage than good.  We had a great year!  I thoroughly enjoyed teaching this year and feel like I really know what I am doing and why.  My students excelled.  God has shown clearly that this is a good time to quietly step back and allow another in to step into the role.  God allowed me to work with this new teacher two years and I believe she can do it!  It will be a challenge as the class will be double what she has been working with the last two years, but I get to still be around to help her as she needs, by her request.  To me, that is a great compliment and reward; and I will do my best to continue to be a help and encouragement.  I have been told multiple times lately that I have been a great mentor and will be missed in the daily mix, "Please, still be a mentor to me."  Wow.  I do not know what that will look like, but God is already planting seeds of ideas.  I do not want to miss opportunities to encourage fellow teachers.  My brain is scrolling through ideas.

So this change bring me to a new schedule.  

Now, the days are full of helping my love manage our rental properties and be a support wherever I am needed.  There is a lot of flexibility in this new routine and already I am seeing the value.  I do not know all the details, but God does!

My sister brought these flowers to me on Tuesday.  We prepare the ground.  God sends the sun and rain.  We plant the seeds.  We care for the plants.  But God brings about the change...the growth...that produces beautiful flowers...which provide more seeds...and the cycle begins again.

Change is a process that can be beautiful!

And in all the change, I am glad that I have a God who does not change! Malachi 3:6

 

It was good...but didn't work like demonstrated!

I like to try new recipes.  Ted found this one and wanted to try it.

The grease caused the meat not to stick to the tortilla...so I had to coax it off the pan and put it in the oven to keep warm while melting the cheese.

Big Mac style for me...and it was good.  I wouldn't call it a fail...just not likely to go how it was portrayed.

 

Words that make me think!

It is so hard to see in this picture.  I did not have my phone in my hand when I first saw the beam.  I forgot to go back and grab a picture.  In the old beam of the fireplace, well-worn with age, a quote was carved, "Let something good be said"!  I would love to meet the man that carved that on his fireplace mantel where his family, no doubt, gathered daily.  I'm thinking about how and where to place that saying in our home as a reminder to me!  It is easy to say something critical, unkind, not necessary, and "bad".  Words roll off our tongue so often without thought or care.  God's Word cautions us repeatedly about how we use our tongue/words.  When we are slow to speak, we have time to think about good things to say!  How beautiful kind and gracious words are to those that we spend time with each day!  As I am going through a transition in my life, I have had some very kind words shared with me.  I am grateful.  I am very aware of how these words affect my heart and mind.  I want to be someone who people know that when I speak, I have good things to say.  Not fluffy and flattering words, but words that speak life into others.  Some words can be hard to hear, but are needed for our good.  Being truthful is both loving and kind.  Lord, may I be able to speak good things...all the time!
 

Breakfast for my love

I am not a good through the week breakfast maker.  Never have been.  BUT....I figured out how to still have breakfast for my love!  Make a big batch of breakfast burritos or sandwiches for the freezer.

Wrap them up with love!

And then...make scrambled eggs for the puppies who are dancing around your feet !

 

It is wedding season...

I went to a shower for a friend.  Such a beautiful venue and a fun way to spend a Saturday!

Love these old houses with beautiful hardwood floors and old windows!

The flower were gorgeous around the house.

So many neat ideas for weddings...and my favorite...dessert tables!  

 

Working through the week of emotions

A day to catch up with my sis about her trip to Germany!  We went to a favorite spot...First Watch.  It is a bright, pretty place.

and tried some new things and I got a favorite salad from a previous time.

We made sure to stay hydrated with a refreshing tea from Alisa's favorite spot!

Christmas in July with a Claus Colada...with aloe and collagen!  It made us laugh...so we don't get wrinkles!

A special delivery and visit when I most needed it brought tears!

I am now learning the world of land-lording!  When a tenant's children rip the pedestal sink off the wall...you go a different route for liability sake.  And you learn that sometimes you just can't have a cheap fix.

This man is very smart in a lot of areas.   I often sit and listen to him and wonder how he can store all the things in his brain!  I am very aware that God has given him a gift, and I have chosen to help him in this season of our life.  God works in ways that we don't always understand, but He sure gives wisdom when we ask.  I am thankful for His timing and His direction in our life to bring us to this point.

A picture of the poster I had in my room to give a snapshot of who I was...as I look at it...I could have had 14 posters to include all the lessons I have learned through the years and the people who helped me.

The last load and two bags for the garbage.

Friday night date to Buca...thanks to a gift card from one of my students!  A new place to try that was local and a little eclectic/scary in the decor.

The food was great!!!  And the man across the table funny and loving as I work through the unexpected emotions of stepping out of the classroom.

 

What are you doing now?

Well...we went exploring!  Ted was greatly intrigued...me...not so much.  Ha ha!  Sometimes I get grossed out before I get excited.  

How we spend a rainy afternoon!  

This is more my level of a comfortable mess to deal with!   I made homemade play dough for my friend's children as they deal with her recovery from surgery.

MMM...the smell of grape and tropical punch flavored dough.

Now...for the big job...clearing out my classroom.  After eight years in Kindergarten, I am stepping back and out of a lead position.  We are down in our student count for K5 classes.  I am at peace with God's gentle leading in this change. 

There are lots of thoughts and emotions that go with a change like this. "How much stuff do you have?"

Well...more than I thought!  

Alisa loved me through the day of purging and moving.

Ted brought comedic relief on the second trip.  Summer brings odd things to classrooms!  And he had fun playing and we continued some more sorting.  

Change is inevitable.  Life is impacted by growth and change.  I am thankful for how God orchestrates change in our life.  I am thankful for opportunities to grow through change.  
 

Catching Up!

Lots of weeding...and that is ok because there has been rain and everything is green.

Back to duties of property managing...inspection time.

Poor Ted...had to bake his own cookies while I was gone.  Putting on my chef hat...

Mr. Fixer lives in our home!  When the cap goes on backwards, things are seriously getting done!

Little cuddlers are not good for productivity!  Chica will do anything to not go into her cage when we have to leave.  We just don't trust the girls enough to leave them out and about for long periods of time.

 

All Will Be Well

While in Florida, we joined the chapel time on Thursday morning.  Dad led the 8:00 time with singing, prayer time, and a challenge for the day.  I have been thinking about this song ever since!  It seemed to swirl through all the different activities and unexpected events of each day as we were in Florida and continues now that I am home.  I am thankful for good music that points our hearts and minds on the truth of God's Word.  It this crazy, man-centered world that is ever-changing, there is peace in knowing that all things that I experience have passed through my Heavenly Father's plans and I can trust that He does all things well.
 

A beautiful day for traveling

I said "Goodbye" and headed to the WaWa for gas before I headed to the airport.

Baby orange trees on my left.  Grown up orange trees on my right.  And bear crossing signs.  I counted two alligators on the side of the road!  One had been smooshed and the other looked like it was deciding whether to cross the highway.

I drove into a big thunderstorm as I neared LaBelle with lightning strikes from sky to ground.  I was thankful for a good set of windshield wipers and rain-x treated windshield on the rental car!

Such a pretty airport and easy to navigate!

Everyone that I encountered was very helpful and friendly!  Who knew that a man working the parking lot and waving a flag to show you where to go could enjoy it!

Our little chariot worked perfect for our adventure.  I highly recommend using Turo for ease and cost savings!  

Texting with my sis as they were checking in at DTW getting ready for their flight to Germany!

Headed home and got the complimentary luggage check due to a full flight!

Thankful for a safe and smooth flight...and getting to see this man in the pick up line!  I'm usually in the cell phone lot waiting for him.  This time...he got to figure it all out.

It is fun to go...but it is wonderful to be welcomed home with hugs and kisses!  Everything looked so pretty and green.  And my furry babies were glad to see me and cuddle.

Now to catch up on the things I am responsible for around home...and look forward to a date with my love tonight!