Did I mention that I don't like change?  Well, I don't. I am a creature of habit. Boring, but true. Sometimes, I have to make a change. Change is part of life. So, whether or not I like it, here it comes.  When change definitely isn't on your agenda, what do you do?  How do you adjust?  How do you know if you made the right decision?  I had two reminders this week. One in the form of the printed words of my devotional and the other in the words of a friend.


In Mark 4:39, Christ used three words to calm the storm, "Peace be still".
He can, and will, use those three words to calm you or your storm.
Chaos and confusion isn't an option.  So, no matter what twists and turns life brings, I can be assured of one thing.  Peace.

On Wednesday, a friend pointed out that another phrase for the Promised Land was the Land of Rest. He said that any time we are in the will of God, we will experience rest, but when we are restless, we are not in God's will. Wow! I never thought of it like that. I have times when I am restless. I can't seem to settle down. I don't have peace either. Could it be that those are the times that I am not where God wants me to be?

If you are facing a change and you're not sure which way to go, check in with God. He will guide you to the place where he wants you. To the place of rest. If you feel restless about an option, revisit your choices and your decision. If you are confused, spend more time considering your options and in prayer. If you are not experiencing peace about your choice, chances are, you've made the wrong one.

The two ways to know what to do........ Ask yourself two questions. Do I have peace about my decision? or Am I restless?

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Well.... let's see. We attend classes or professional development seminars so that we can stay on top of the latest educational trends and make sure that we are using every strategy correctly and efficiently to give our students the best possible education that we can.  We also probe our brains for new and exciting ways to engage our students in the learning process and encourage them to become life-long learners.  We scan the internet for free or teacher-friendly- priced products that we can use in our classrooms.  We meet with colleagues to share plans and ideas and have brainstorming sessions. We teach summer school to earn extra income to take our family on a summer vacation. We attend district in-service events to write district curriculum or learn about new technology.

I know I haven't covered everything, but if I did summer would be over before I got this one posted!  In short, summer break isn't long enough to do everything on our "to-do list". We have big plans, but small time.  How do we fit in everything we need to do and everything we want to do. Prioritize.  Plan (yes, we even plan our summers).

What should we be doing?  Recharging our batteries. We all need to take a mental break, however

that looks to you.  For me, it is sheer joy to know that I don't have to set the alarm. I can take time to enjoy my first cup of coffee. I can allow myself the time to let my imagination go wild creating new lessons and re-doing old ones. I can spend more time with my family. I can enjoy an afternoon iced-tea break with my husband. I can spend more time reading God's word and learning more about my Lord and Savior. I can try new recipes. I can take a nap. I can read a book. I can take an afternoon off and go for a drive. I can watch for the doe and her fawn. I can count the hummingbirds at the feeder. I can enjoy the smell of honeysuckle. I can slow down and relax.  Beautiful words.  Summer vacation.

      
    

Whatever summer means to you, take time to do something you really enjoy and love. Take time to care for yourself by resting and relaxing.  Enjoy each precious day and gift.





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This is my latest project (I actually love writing these resources!!!).

Soon to be published at Chocolate 4 Teachers

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You may not understand now why your situation changed.  You may not understand cutbacks which made your job obsolete, or having to step outside your comfort zone to find a new job. But one thing remains constant. God is still in control.

This can be really hard to accept when you aren't sure how you'll pay the August electric bill or put your child through college. But it is one truth that remains.


A friend recently told me that he didn't believe in God. I was momentarily speechless and in that moment he quietly said, "I know Him. I don't believe in Him the way some believe in the tooth fairy or Santa Claus. I know Him here" and he gently touched his heart.  He went on to tell me that he knows God hears him, loves him, protects him, and provides for him, even when he is doubtful and afraid. He talked about his blessings and provision, through ups and downs. Through times when he didn't know how he was going to care for his family, God was caring for him.

I was ashamed. Ashamed of my lack of faith. Of my doubt. My worry. And, how I try to do it all- all by myself. It doesn't work that way. Christ is standing ready to take my burdens, my weakness, and my shame. I need to give it to Him and let it go. Easier said than done, but the peace is so worth it. I've never been promised an easy life, but I have been promised that I will not be alone.

I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I am counting on it being even better than today. When God moved me from my comfort zone into the unknown, He moved me into a closer walk with Him and blessed me far beyond anything I could ever imagine or deserve.

If you are facing the unknown, or being pushed out of your comfort zone, take the Master's hand and get to know Him.


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Make your 'end-of-the-year' easier with these products available at Chocolate 4 Teachers

Memorial Day 

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Let’s face it, you have counted down the days, and you were just as excited as your students for the end of school. There was something magical in those words…. “summer break”.  But for some of you those words don’t represent a relaxing summer, but one of stress and anxiety because you will not be returning to the same classroom next fall, or you will not be returning to any classroom.

Before you pack up the last book or take the last load to your car, take a moment to reflect on your relationship with your students and parents. As teachers we evaluate every lesson we teach, so we should also be evaluating the most important piece of our responsibility- our relationship to our students and parents.  After all, this is who we truly work for- not our school district, not our principal, and not our superintendent. We work for our kids.

If you are satisfied, than you can close this chapter of your life and move on. If you feel that you let someone down or didn’t handle a particular situation well, make note of it and how you wish you had handled it. Then let it go.  You can’t change the past, you can only learn from it. Dwelling on past mistakes will not help you in the future.  Face the future with confidence and courage. 

Paul tells us in Ephesians to do our work “as unto the Lord”. This means to give all you do to God and trust Him with the outcome.  There are brighter days ahead for you. There is a place where you can use your teaching talents.  Trust me, I’ve ‘been there and done that’! God had a better plan for me and He does for you too.  I won’t say your journey will be easy or without doubt, but your destination is better than where you are standing now.

So, at the end of the year, shed a tear or two, say your good-byes, but walk away with contentment knowing that you did your best, and with a commitment to do even better in your future endeavors.

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When testing ends, our thoughts turn to summer. I never could understand why we still had school after testing was over??????  Makes no sense to me.  Students have mentally turned off academics in favor of dreams of summer. And, to be truthful, so have teachers.  We're ready for that mental break, for some R&R, to sleep in, to eat at a normal pace, to give our teacher voices a break.  But, are you ready?  I like to plan ahead, procrastination is not my thing. And, for that matter, neither is going to the classroom to work during my summer break. I want a break from the classroom.  I want to see the sky and clouds, to know that when my alarm goes off my feet don't have to hit the ground running. I want to enjoy a cup of coffee or glass of iced- raspberry tea on the back porch. I want to unwind. In short, I want to rest and be free of time restrictions.

For me, preparing for summer break is a tradition. I start taking a few extra minutes here and there to get my room ready.  Where do the minutes come from? Ten minutes of plan time, five minutes before school, 30 minutes after school. Where ever I can find them! Even though, I am mentally ready for a break, I know that by taking a few extra minutes now, I will not be so pushed this fall.

Fortunately, for most of my years, I have been able to leave my room pretty much together. Some years I even put up my "Welcome Back to School" bulletin boards and cover them with a piece of bulletin board paper or cloth.  I've even gone as far as writing my lessons for that first week of school.  Why?  So, I don't worry and think about being prepared for 'Week One' over the summer. I can rest knowing that my room is ready and my first week is ready.

Impossible you say!  My district requires me to take down bulletin board displays and pack everything away.  If that is the case, then pack your "Welcome Back" things in a place where you have easy access (and will remember) so that putting them up won't be a major chore.  Don't just shove stuff here and push stuff there. Take your time now to organize and put things up where they belong. It will save you time this fall.

Does your school pass out lesson planning books in advance?  Or do you plan on the computer? Did you have a great idea for back to school?  Put it in your plans. What if your plan flopped? Hopefully, you put notations in your plans telling you what went wrong and why. You can decide if the plan is worth saving or not. If it is, tweak it now. If not, start shopping around for ideas.  I have a free back to school plan that has served me faithfully for years. Better yet, it lasts longer than a day!

 I enjoy having time during the summer to plan lessons. I love to write lessons! (Call me crazy!) Summer is perfect because I have time to search out new ideas and write new plans. I am not rushed or pushed. If you are one of the crazy planners, like me, allow yourself time to check out resources and ideas.

Above all, plan on a great and relaxing summer!
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