As Thanksgiving passes once more, my family realizes that this maybe one of the last Thanksgiving that will not be a homecoming. So, I am thankful we were all together to share in each others lives as our children have grown into wonderful young women. God is Good!
Count Your Blessings, I am counting mine.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11.
This verse has always been one of my favorite verses and now I am leaning on these words from God more than ever as a new season of my life is beginning. I look back over so many years of my life, so many good times, and I know that this will just be another great chapter. As always a new season brings apprehension and uncertainty. As I sit at this juncture and look back at the past chapters and how God has worked then I know that he will walk with me once again through this time. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105.
I guess my adult story begins with meeting my husband. God placed a great man in my life. As I continue to walk through life with him, I pray that I am the mate that he always wanted because I am more than thankful and blessed to have him. Our story began in May of 1989. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24. When we reflect on this time in our life now, we wonder how we made it. Sometimes being young makes you more resilient. Although we struggled as a young couple, we endured and entered that next phase of our life in November of 1991 when our first daughter came into our lives, and again in November of 1994 with the birth of our second daughter.
November 1991 and 1994 our family grew and changed me so that I was no longer just a wife but a mother. God blessed us with two beautiful daughters who to this day we are so proud of. They are now strong independent woman. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 2:6. Learning to be parents as a young married couple is both challenging and rewarding. We learned many years later the reward was they left our home while we were still young enough to enjoy life and each other. Life continued to change as they grew up, entered school, played sports, danced, etc. While they were still young, I took the steps to receive my Masters in Library and Information Studies. Leaving the classroom for the school library was a big step but one that has made my career a special place. I have loved my job.
Sometimes their busy lives consumed ours and as they entered high school, my husband and I realized we needed to find each other again. No regrets on our children and our time with them, but we needed to reconnect. This became easier as they were older and heading toward high school graduation. During this time we added Harley to our lives, a new puppy. Our daughters had lived on a farm with dogs and horses, but never experienced a puppy. We all fell in love fast!
Each transition in losing a child from the home was bittersweet, but we reveled in watching them soar on God’s wings. “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31. High school graduation came for them both and off to college they went. Both in different directions to different types of schools.
We began enjoying the life as empty nesters and learning to enjoy each other again. This chapter of our lives was watching our daughters grow into adults and soar while reconnecting with each other and enjoying life to the fullest! College graduations came and went.
Our oldest daughter married and entered graduate school while working full time. Our youngest entered graduate school working full time and Mom and Dad are just not as needed in their lives anymore.
Now, here I stand again at a major life change and a new chapter to write. But as I wrote these few memories and dug out these pictures, I was able to revisit so many memories from horses to motorcycles, Myrtle Beach to the Caribbean trips, and all those special memories from Christmas to soccer tournaments and golf state qualifications. We have had so much fun. Then the memories of my career. Remember above I spoke of entering the school library and becoming a school librarian. This career is deeply planted in my soul. I love the kids, literacy, research, and the learning that happens in a school library, but it is time for me to write another chapter of my life. I am ready to hand over these reigns and enjoy day to day life with my husband.
I am planning retirement….
Yes, I am excited about the future, but torn with the deep love of my job. I didn’t know it would be this hard to let go, so I lean on my verse again. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11. I know that God has plans for my future and has already written these chapters. I trust in him as I walk this new path. I trust in him as I venture into the unknown. I trust in him to show me his glory and that I might have opportunities on this new adventure to share his love and grace with others.
Closing Verse:
Challenge: God knows the plans he has for you. Walk in his Word.
This is a post from back in April, 2018 , but after a week full of tons and tons of students running in and out of my life on a daily basis and trying to make sure each child received everything they needed from me with a smile on my face, well I just needed to repost for me. Not only does this remind that I am a Child of God, but the students I love each day are also, and times like this week I need to be reminded that each student is loved and created by God. God Loves his children….
I read this in my devotions written by Lysa TerKeurst from Proverbs 31 ministries. I just added my name. As you read today replace my name with yours. You are a Child of God.
Allie, the forgiven child of God.” and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” Romans 3:24.
Allie, the set-free child of God.“1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2.
Allie, the accepted child of God. “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:” 1 Corinthians 1:2.
Allie, the holy child of God. “ And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,” 1 Corinthians 1:30.
Allie, the made-new child of God.“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Allie, the loved child of God. ” even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love” Ephesians 1:4
Allie, the close child of God. “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13.
Allie, the confident child of God.“in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” Ephesians 3:12.
Allie, the victorious child of God.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37
I am Redeemed…
Closing Verse: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” John 1:12.
Challenge: Place your name in the statements above. Place a Child’s name in the statements above. We are all Children of God.
As life starts to get busy and summer is coming to a close, I think about the many different openings to school I have had over the past 28 years. I have always loved watching the excitement of students, even my own, as a new school year begins. Everyone is ready and excited about the new year, new experiences, and new relationships. As students begin a new adventure in a new classroom, the excitement of searching for answers and writing a new chapter of their lives seems reachable as a new school year begins. It gets me excited about what is to come. For some reason this experience brought the song Good, Good Father by Chris Tomlin to my mind. I guess just watching students at the middle school level searching for who they are and who they want to be just reminded me that God is where all the answers really lie. “But test everything; hold fast what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21.
I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think you’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whispers of love in the dead of night
And you tell me that you’re pleased
And that I’m never alone
I love watching middle schoolers search for their identities and acceptance. This can be such a hard time for so many and sets them down particular paths in their lives. I pray for the students that I get the honor of building relationships with each year. I pray that God will somehow shine through me and they will find hope and strength in who they are. These students are seeking so many answers for their future. I pray that those who need a Good, Good Father may find the peace of God sooner in their lives. “May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.” Jude 1:2.
I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching
For answers only you provide
‘Cause you know just what we need
Before we say a word
You’re a good good father
It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are
And I’m loved by you It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
Treasure
As I write this I am in one of those situations where I stop and think this thought: (I am losing four hours of my life that I can not get back!). As I endure the slow passage of time, I write and ponder how much time I waste in my life. “Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”, Ephesians 5:16-17. Sometimes I am responsible for my own loss of time. My bad choices lead to wasting time when better use of my time was in order. Then again, sometimes I am just stuck in a situation out of my control where my time gets wasted! Both are frustrating, and I call to God to show me how to manage and control time better in my life. Yet, no matter what I lean including scriptures like Romans 8:28, ” And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
A few weeks ago I posted another blog on time where social media was a focus. Since that post the conversations I have had about social media and wasting time have been quite eye opening for both myself and others. I have found myself wasting time multiple times this way. This piece really hit home for many people. One discussion was about how social media effects our children and their time and learning. Something to ponder. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” 2Timothy #:16. What I can say is that I have become much more conscientious of my time and social media use. I actually believe I am finding some more time in my life! Here is my reminder put the phone down and live life a little more.
One definite change I learned from my first post is that God needed more time from my life, so I made some changes. I am getting up earlier sometimes going to bed later, while reorganizing and restructuring my time. Although, I still have to think specifically about my new routines until they become more habitual, yet I know I am headed in the right direction. My time is turning more to good and God. I must be conscientious and specific with my time, and planning some social media fasting in my future. How About You? “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.
Closing Verse: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,” Colossians 3:23.
Challenge: How much time do you waste in a day? How much time do you lose from your life?
#WatchGod
This past week my prayers have changed to ask the Lord to help this person through some struggles that have come into his/her life. Although, the weekend brought fun times and family the struggle for the family was still there. I know that he/she is leaning on the Lord and my prayers are that his arms are felt. I pray for more smiles in the week to come. I have finished up my 30 days but this person will find a permanent spot in my prayer life. May God Bless!
My family is a family of educators. Our history is full of educators, but I will not bore you with all the extended details. “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” Colossians 3:20. I do want to share my direct line:
My Grandmother (Father’s Mother): Swanee
My Father: Alfred
Me: Allie
My Daughter: Hannah
We are a lineage of public educators and I can remember some of my parent’s struggles growing up, but I know there was nothing else my father should have been doing except loving students. He was a middle school physical education teacher, a coach, and an administrator at all levels. People to this day continue to tell stories about his love for his job, other educators, and students. I followed his footsteps as a high school English teacher and finally as a middle school school library media coordinator. I found my passion! I love this age!
Now, as I near the end of my career, I pass the passion torch to my daughter who chose a harder yet fulfilling path. She loves her students deeply as she walks each day through the doors of a low performing school with low income students. She loves and cares for sometimes their physical needs, sometimes their mental needs. She celebrates their successes often and cries with them when they struggle. So yes, Public Education is personal.
Last week the country watched a unified effort as North Carolina educators stood up for their students. I am sad to see how others view educators. I know the evening news shows the bad most of the time in education, but the majority of educators come to work and love their “kids”.
I have seen teachers:
These are just a few of the things I know teachers have done for their students. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6. Honestly, schools nor educators are financially able to meet the needs of some of our students. I firmly believe the majority of educators want better for their students and classroom before themselves, but even educators deserve better. Yet, why don’t we want better for students and their teachers. ”
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.
I pray our “elected leaders” in both parties are doing more than listening because as our family motto goes, “Actions Speak Louder Than Words”. Act for our students and the educators who love them.”
Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,” Proverbs 1:5.
Jesus was our great teacher. “This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”” John 3:2. His example is one I see in so many teachers. Think about your favorite teacher, I know that when I compare mine to Christ, I see clearly God’s work. When I think of some of the great teachers who touched my life, I remember characteristics such as service, discipline, loving, passionate, and caring. All of these are characteristics of Jesus Christ, My Savior and Great Teacher. Yes, I believe teachers are the some of the strongest people I know.
Closing Verse: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19.
Challenge: Volunteer in your local school. They really need you in the coming weeks. Go and see God’s work. There is nothing better than touching a child’s life.
God continues to show his grace. God continues to bless. God continues to allow this person to shine. My prayers continue for God to bless and show his love in this person’s life.
I read this in my devotions written by Lysa TerKeurst from Proverbs 31 ministries. I just added my name. As you read today replace my name with yours. You are a Child of God.
Allie, the forgiven child of God.” and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” Romans 3:24.
Allie, the set-free child of God.“1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2.
Allie, the accepted child of God. “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:” 1 Corinthians 1:2.
Allie, the holy child of God. “ And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,” 1 Corinthians 1:30.
Allie, the made-new child of God.“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Allie, the loved child of God. ” even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love” Ephesians 1:4
Allie, the close child of God. “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13.
Allie, the confident child of God.“in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” Ephesians 3:12.
Allie, the victorious child of God.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37
I am Redeemed…
Closing Verse: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” John 1:12.
Challenge: Place your name in the statements above. Search the scriptures. You are a Child of God.
Loss of Innocence:
Today is Valentine’s Day and a day that should be filled with loving those you have been blessed to live life with, but I sit and watch the sadness of another school shooting. Deep down in my soul I ache and cry for the innocent lives lost and the innocent lives scarred once again. As a public school educator, my heart is breaking. I hold the tears back and just wish that I could make the world a better place for every child. I look back on this year and the loss of two young lives in my community who chose to take their own life to end the pain deep in their soul that could not be filled. I find myself once again praying hard for the students that I love each day who just need someone to say good morning, call their name, and make them feel important, put clothes on their back, and food in their bellies. I pray as 1 Thessalonians 5:17 teaches, “Pray without ceasing,” God has blessed me with the privilege of watching children struggle and bloom, yet either way I walk in a world where children just have different lives. I ask the questions Why? But I already know the answers.
Loving thru the Darkness:
I watch the news coverage of the shooting, and again I ask Why? Why God is there so much darkness in the world? Then I remember that Man made the choice that brought sin into this world, and no one is immune from the darkness and pain that sin brings not even an innocent child. Genesis 2:17 explains, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” It is hard, so hard to watch the lives of so many children, and it is hard to accept the loss of young lives cut so short in their prime. To know their dreams, their families dreams are shattered in one brief moment, yet I feel so blessed each day to go to work and serve children. My prayer has always been that I am a catalyst that brings some hope, love, and joy to their lives. I pray to God that I am an example of your love for these children you have placed in my life and that I am able to touch their lives each day, each month, each year. As 1 John 2:6 reads, “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” May my walk show Christ.
Walking in the Light
“Walking in the light may sting a little, but it is far preferable to life in the dark. And on top of that, it is the only way to healing.” -Jared Wilson. I read this quote at church on Sunday morning and it just resonated with me. I have been searching the scriptures this week and seeking the light in the darkness of our world because scripture is clear in 1 John 1:5, “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” To walk in the light is to walk with the Lord. God’s light is the one true light that can bring healing into my life, my students lives, and our world. A world that is hurting and in need of so much healing light. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”Psalm 147:3. I know that seeking the light will bring healing in the darkness. 2 Corinthians 4:6, ‘For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.’
Following the Light.
When my heart is broken from the darkness of the world, I seek healing in the light and I find comfort in his word. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105. These words of light written so long ago in such a different time, but yet so relevant today because God knew that the darkness would never leave and his people would need to continue to seek the light. Comfort is what his word brings to my life. I pray for a country that will heal in the words of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 and bring comfort to others, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” I pray that I can bring comfort into the world or at least the lives of the children I love each day. Ephesians 5:8, “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
Closing Verse: ‘Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”‘ John 8:12
Challenge: Do you find yourself in the darkness? Does the pain of the world seem hard? Seek the light of Christ for your life, so you can Be the Light for someone else who needs to find their way out of the darkness.
This past week students came back to school. Seeing their smiling faces and the attitude of a new year gets me excited about not just what the year holds but their future. I have been in education long enough to know that many are coming to school seeking a safe haven. I have always felt blessed that God called me to love all children, and there is nothing like building relationships with young people that last a life time. I pray that God gives me the wisdom each year to plant seeds that will grow and flourish in the young students that he has brought across my path. As I meet and greet all these smiling faces I am reminded of the verse in Mark 10:16, “And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.”
This week also gives me pause when I think of all the teachers who have opened their classroom doors across this country to love all of God’s children. I am always amazed when I meet teachers across this country at the passion they have for their students. It is contagious. Teaching is truly a calling for so many who want to love, inspire, and challenge our children to find the best inside of each of them. These are the innovators thinking outside of the box to challenge our students to reach deep inside themselves and dream big. Educators across the country are opening their arms and hearts to these children. Watching educators love children is an example of Christ calling the children to him in Mark 10:14, “But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”
Beginning a new year is exciting and like a rebirth. The innocence of children and the exciting of a change to start over is a perk to educating children. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reads, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” The old has passed and the new school year has come and may God bring blessings to those passionately educating our future and the children who walk through their doors each and every day. Jesus spoke in Matthew 18: 1-5, “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,” to remind us that we should also be like children as we search for the kingdom of heaven. Watch a child learn, Have you Forgotten?
Allie's Way 