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!
P.S.Tomorrow is my first day of work at my new school...I'm like a kid of Christmas Eve!
Prayers, Praise and Pink
~Carly
My husband Richard (who I usually call Richie, and get constantly reminded that I am the only adult who is allowed to call him that) have been together for seven years, married for 3. He works as a retail manager and I'm a school counselor at an elementary school. Richard is the down to earth, practical one, and I'm the one that usually needs to be pulled back down to earth...makes life more interesting!
Our first child is Mandy. No she doesn't normally wear clothes, it was a Christmas present. Mandy is the true definition of a female dog. She doesn't like a whole lot of people or other animals...she barks too much, growls at people, but I love her, she's just misunderstood! 
After a few years (and in true ark fashion - gotta have two of everything) we had to get another dog...I think Richie just wanted a "real" dog. We then welcomed our second child into the home, Kapone. Kapone came into our lives this cute, cuddly, non-shedding puppy.
Two years later we now have a 80 lb., drooling, shedding, but still cuddly, thinks he's puppy, dog! Love him to death, and he's the best toy Noah could have. Mandy has learned to love him, but its definitely a sibling relationship!
Now to our human child! Noah entered this world June 8th, 2008, 2 in the morning. He arrived two weeks early because he was tired of waiting...and he's been ready to go ever since. After 38 weeks of swollen feet, gestational diabetes, two trips to the hospital for high heart rates, being breach, Noah decided he was choosing his own birthday, not the one the doctors had chosen for him. We were so happy to have him out and with us. At 8lb 12oz, and an amazingly large head, he was a big guy, but we loved every piece of him. Having Noah has taught me what life is all about, loving each other no matter what...life is too short to worry about the stupid fights, enjoy every moment, no matter how exciting or boring and be thankful you have that moment.
