"Get to" not "Have to"

We spent last Sunday serving at church.  That's nothing new for us.  We spend most Sunday mornings serving at church.  As I was serving, the idea of "get to" vs "have to" popped into my mind.  I remembered that I "get to" serve at our church.  I also remembered why I do it.  It's not for the honor of my peers.  It's so that others will be fed and led to Jesus. 

Sometimes when I do something I do it with the "have to" mentality.  To be honest, there's little I "have to" do.  I have to eat.  That's not an option.  I have to drink, again not an option.  Most other things I "get to" do.  I "get to" drive my children around to where they need to be.  I "get to" support them in all they do.  I "get to" clean my house.  I "get to" cook dinner for my family.  When I remember that so much of what I "get to" do is fleeting, it really puts things in perspective for me and makes me thankful that I do get the chance to do all of these things.  There will be a day in the all too near future, when my kids will be out of our house.  I'm reminded of that everytime we make future plans for our oldest. My life will change and I don't want to look back and be sad that I didn't "get to" do more for them or that I didn't "get to" be there more for them. 

I want to live in the moment that I've been given and know that I am blessed I "get to" live this life. 

National Jr. Honor Society induction

Our August was inducted into the NJHS.  This is a huge honor and we are so proud of her.  Our girls know that academics come before athletics.  August was selected based on her grades and recommendations from her teachers.  Glad to see the teachers see something wonderful in her like we do.

Signing the book

getting pinned

She's a poet

Recently Reagan's class put on a poetry night.  They all dressed black and instead of clapping, we snapped our fingers to show appreciation.  

I hope you enjoyed listening...*snap* *snap* *snap* *snap* *snap* *snap* *snap*

Academic Awards Banquet

"C" stands for Concord.  This is the academic letter that Shelby earned last night at the Academic Awards Banquet. 

The school honored the kids that have GPA's of 3.67 or higher with a dinner and award ceremony.  It was a wonderful evening!  The top 10 from the Sr. class wrote a speech and recognized the teacher that meant the most to them throughout their years at Concord.  I was so impressed and entertained at the way these kids honored their favorite teacher.  They had me laughing and crying. 

As I was sitting there last night beaming with pride for my Shelby, I remembered sending her to school for the first time.  My dream was then, as it is now, that she will be able to absorb every academic drop that the school has to offer.  I did not send her to school when she was 5 in hopes of her getting a basketball scholarship .  My hopes was that she would learn well and that her academics would take her to wherever she wanted to go.  I know she has a good academic environment at Concord and I'm excited to see where the next 3 years take her.

50th Wedding anniversary

Tim's parents recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.  We surprised them with a party.  The weather was wonderful and so was the company.

George, Judy, Tim, & Peggy

Tim's family (missing Jeremy)

Peggy's family (missing Nathan)

Judy's brothers and sisters and their spouses

Daddy with Shelby & August



The power of a preschool teacher

 

Last weekend we traveled back to PA to celebrate an amazing woman! She has been teaching preschool for 25 years and has decided to retire.  Linda Whitling is incredible! When I say she ALWAYS has a smile on her face I mean ALWAYS.   She once said to me "I just want to be used as a vessel.  Use me as a vessel, Lord".  She has been such a vessel that I'm not sure her vessel would fit in the Atlantic Ocean. When I had Rori, one of the disappointing things was that she would not be a little lamb or a shining star.

I don't know that I've ever heard Mrs. Whitling refer to her students as "students".  They have always been her little "friends".  She is as close to a celebrity as you can get in Clarion.  She exudes happiness and sunshine!

The evening was a surprise for Mrs. Whitling (or Mrs. Whitwing as she's known by from her "friends").  She was incredibly surprised and kept saying she didn't deserve this.  The 250 people there definitely disagreed with her. 

Preschool is the first structured school that little ones have.  Mrs. Whitling showed the love of Christ to each and everyone of her little "friends" for 25 years.  She also showed Christ's love to the parents.  I cannot say how grateful I am for her.  She made a huge impact on my life.  I believe God put Linda in my path to help me develop a relationship with Him. 

Mrs. Whitling's place marker.  I think the tissues were aptly placed

the children waiting for Mrs. Whitling to arrive

her reaction once she realized something was up

turning back to get confirmation

and then she was overwhelmed

it wasn't long until she was back to that smiling face & waving to her little friends

a snapshot of Linda and her friends

The kids then sang some old favorites with Mr. Doug

Swimmer #2

Reagan has started swimming! She didn't want to like it.  She knows the hard work that goes into it.  That's probably the part that scared her the most.  But let me tell you, so far, she's a natural!

I took pictures during the first practice.  She told me she felt like I was the papparatzi because I was taking so many.  I took that as a compliment.  I will only share a few here. 

This is what August did during practice

In case you haven't heard me say this before..Coach Michelle is the BEST coach ever!