Life on the Ark

Sunday, August 9, 2020

I've finished one week of work in my new school. I am still absolutely in awe of God. Of the things He's lined up for me to see upon starting this new job. I've cried tears of joy and gratitude almost every day on my way in...on my whole 10 minute car ride! I know God is good and capable of amazing things, I just don't every remember being this aware of the things He is doing!

As exciting as it is to be back at work, at the job I've wanted for quite some time, there is still a level of uncertainty. I've watched and listened to teachers this week try to figure out just how this new way of school is going to exactly work. I've seen administration do and redo schedules and class lists over and over trying to make it all work. I've seen smiles of excitement and looks of fear. And I'm exhausted!

If you work in a school building and haven't gone back in yet, here's my advice...

No one knows all the right answers, because no one has taught like this before. Everyone is doing their best right now, and that is different for everyone. Kids are amazing, I truly believe they will roll right along with whatever we tell them is gonna happen.

We have to take our grown up expectations of "this is never gonna work" and throw it out the window. You are right, it's never gonna work if that's what we are bringing to the table. We have to put on our "Cool Blue Magic Sunglasses" (thanks Pete the Cat) and see things in a whole new way! Our students are finally going to get to see the people they love again. They are going to have routines and scheudles again! Kids are going to get their favorite school meals again. Teachers are going to get to create relationships with 10 kids at a time, instead of trying to get to know all 20 of them at once. Kids that never had an ipad before, will now have one for their school work...how cool will they feel?!?! The quiet kid in class, may now have a chance to speak up because they aren't intimated by the large room.

Is there going to be hard things...of course! Hard things can ruin us or make us grow. I pray that everyone headed back into a school building can remember that things will not be the same this year. We cannot change that and the longer we grieve over that the harder its going to be to get started on this upcoming year. I pray they will help each other come up with solutions and strategies. I pray they will listen to each other and maybe even feel safe enough to shed a tear of frustration and then move on.

You work in a school because you love kids and you love helping them. Let's show them that even a pandemic can't affect our love for them!

Prayers, Praise and Pink

~Carly

Sunday, August 2, 2020

A friend and I were talking this morning about going back to work, school start times, etc...and she said "it's truly going to take a village"

That simple little phrase stuck with me all afternoon. I kept thinking...what if this had happened 8 or so years ago. I didn't know the meaning of village at all...at least not how my friend intended it. I was not one to ask for help, at all. I'd try to fix it all myself. There were plenty of kind people around me that would offer help, but I wouldn't take it, or dare reach out and ask for it!

Thankfully with time, I've learned to let people in. I mean, God kinda forced me into it when Ellie got sick and we had to move 700 miles away, but I did learn the lesson! And for the next however long I've got my village helping out with my girls!

I'm sure so many people are faced with decisions they never thought they'd be making! Choices to stay home, to go to work, to keep their kids home, send them to school, figure out whose going to watch them when they aren't at school...and I'm sure there are so many more. Choices that probably involve spending more money or not having as much income. Choices that carry a burden.

May I suggest a village?

If you don't need a village, maybe you could be a village for someone else. I'm sure there are many more like the me from years ago, who are so scared to ask for help, or just don't know how.

Life just feels crazy, a tad out of control, but this weakness and loss of control is when we can shine brightest, when we can let Jesus shine through us!

As many teachers start heading back to work and soon kids start entering school buildings, pray for them. No one truly knows how this will play out, so give grace to those who have a different opinion than you. Listen to the overwhelmed momma who can't figure out where her kids are going two days a week. Reach out to your people, your village, see if they need help, need prayers, just need a break. Let someone help you. Be patient with changes as everyone is figuring out how to do life. Smile, even if you have your mask on! And above all else, trust Him!