Leave of Absence

Hi folks! It has been a couple of weeks since I posted anything. In fact, I haven't even been reading my Bible. I hate to admit that.

My husband took a new job. I am more than halfway through pregnancy number two. My two year old keeps me active. Christmas is almost here. I am overwhelmed by housework, writing peices, and grading papers for my students.

I will not be posting until after New Year's Day. I have to reorganize my time and my schedule. I am not sure where this blog will fit in, but January always seems to be a great time to reorganize. Hopefully, I will talk to you all soon.


Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

Using Our Gifts

Each of us has God-given gifts. Romans 12 tells us that each of us are unique in our abilities. Instead of judging others based upon the gifts they have or don't have, we are to celebrate our gifts and use them.

I am trying to figure out how best to use my gifts. My husband's new position makes it possible for me to explore other career options. Today I pray that my gifts will be revealed, and I will know how to use them.


Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

Following Orders

While I am still not in a Christmas mood, I will follow orders.

In 1 Samuel, Saul does not follow the orders given by God through Samuel. Because of this, his army must fight without weapons.

I learned the importance of following orders as a young child. My parents taught me well. One of the orders I feel compelled to follow is to raise my son by teaching him the true meaning of Christmas.

We aren't wrapped up in decorations or parties this year. We aren't going big on the celebrations. However, my son and I made cookies this weekend, and yesterday we took him to see Santa. I feel that a belief in Santa helps them understand the omnipresent God when they are older. As long as SAnta is not the FULL focus of Christmas, I feel that it is an okay belief.

We may not be perfect parents, but my son will learn about the advent wreath and he will go Christmas caroling with our church. Come Christmas morning, we will be in church for a communion service. The Christmas spirit may not be in my heart, but the Holy Spirit is!

Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

December

The current temperature outside is 23 degrees. Christmas music plays on the radio stations. My mailbox is flooded with ordered gifts and Christmas cards. Unfortunately, the Christmas spirit just isn't in me this year.

I am tired. I am overwhelmed. I am sad for friends whose lives have been devastated by loss over the past four months. I don't feel like putting up the tree or decorating my house. I don't even feel like cleaning my house.

This sounds terribly depressing, I know. I am just not sure what the next step should be. I do not feel motivated by the calendar saying it is now December.

Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

Fairness

What does it mean to be fair? I teach my students three different types of fairness. The first is when the winner gets the trophy. The second is when everything is equal, such as when we tell them to bring in a Valentine for each of their classmates. The third is we all get what we need, equal or not. The low kids get more help.

God's view of fair doesn't always match ours. We can't understand his sense of fair, because we are limited to only human understanding.

Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

Start Here

Do you ever just need a starting point? Sometimes we know what the end goal is, but we don't know how to begin. I know I want my house clean and ready for Christmas, but knowing how to begin is daunting.

When trying to lead a Christian life, Romans 8 is a great beginning point. As I read it today, I am further convinced that Valley Mission is where my energies should lie. However, I kept thinking things like, "After report cards are finished," or, "After those two articles get written today, if I am not too tired."

It seems like good intentions won't be enough. I need to schedule a time to gather the items to give away. That is my beginning point.

Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.

The Difference in a Week

Tuesday night, not too long after my last post, a first grader from my school was taken off life support. The doctors told his mother there wasn't much else they could do for her little boy.

While many of us celebrated our Thanksgiving meals, she sat with her family missing her youngest son.

Yesterday in church, a family spoke to us about their upcoming mission to West Africa. They are asking for money so they can afford to move there permenantly.

I sat in my seat and asked God if there was something I was missing. My life is comfortable, but I came to church yesterday angry with my husband. I was feeling sorry for myself and the burdens placed on me. The answer from God was clear. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and make something of this life.

When my husband got home from work, I tried to talk to him about what happened at church, but he didn't want to talk. He wanted to sleep on the couch and nurse his cold.

My journey through the Bible in two years will take me more than two years. That is obvious now. In fact, this journey may be taking me for a ride throughout the rest of my life.

I have decided upon a local mission to devote some energy to. A local shelter runs a thrift store. All proceeds benefit the shelter and residents can shop with vouchers given by the shelter. I am cleaning house and delivering a load to the thrift shop.

I also am interested in helping by either shopping or volunteering there. I just don't know how to make it work yet.

I have decided that I have a bigger purpose than my everyday life. I need to get up from my comfortable "woe is me" place and move. Will I go to West Africa? I don't know! But I WILL do something!

Jessica is a fifth grade teacher and beginning freelance writer. She is the wife-extraordinaire to Josh and mother of two year old Devon. When she isn't teaching, mothering, cooking, cleaning, or writing, you can find her locked in a quiet room reading.