Me, Myself, and I {Link Up}

Today, I’m linking up with Breanna, Kristen, Amanda, Shane, Danielle, and Jenna to participate in the “Me, Myself, and I” link up.

Time to tackle those questions…

1. What is your biggest phobia?

I’m not sure if it’s a phobia, but I hate swimming in water where I can’t see what’s beneath me. I grew up in Florida where most of the beaches along the panhandle have crystal clear blue water. So, I don’t like swimming in murky water. Eeeek! It gives me the heebie-jeebies just thinking about what I may be swimming on top of…

2. If you could relive any day of your life, what would it be and why?

Oh goodness, this is the toughest question in my opinion. There isn’t one day that stands out in my mind…I have many days that bring sweet memories. But, I would like to go back a relive a day in fifth grade. There are so many things I loved about that year!

3. If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what would it be?

I’m only 19 now, so I have lots of living to do. But, my mom always says that each year gets better and better! If I could choose an age to stay, I would pick 30. By then I’ll be in my 8th or 9th year teaching, probably married to my best friend, and getting ready to have (or adopt) a child. What’s not to love about that?!?

4. Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?

I haven’t been mistaken for a celebrity before! But, I would love to be mistaken for Kate Middleton. I can’t think of one woman who would be opposed to that.

5. What songs are included on the soundtrack of your life?

-"To Whom It May Concern" by The Civil Wars

-"Dance With Me Baby" by Ben Rector

-"Dreams" by The Cranberries

-"Liberty" by Shane & Shane

-"Seeds" by Brooke Fraser

-"Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison

Now, it's your turn to link up! I would love to see how you'd answer the questions. 

When a Passion Becomes a Calling

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

{source}

 As I was having my quiet time yesterday, I kept coming back to the thought that God uses our passions to fulfill His purposes. It is an incredible truth to me that God places individual callings on our lives. Even more so, that our calling is much greater than just a culmination of our strengths.

I was thinking about the conversations I’ve had with friends recently. One of the topics that always comes up is what we’re passionate about. I treasure getting to hear about the passions that are deeply ingrained into who they are. These passions fuel them. Energize them. It’s the neatest thing to watch their eyes light up as they share their dreams and visions.

My friends have such unique passions. One has the biggest heart to work with women and to have them know their immense worth in Christ. One loves art history and dreams of working at a fine art museum one day. One has a passion for health care and medical missions. One has an eye for clothing design and a desire to see the fashion industry changed. One has a deep love for the Spanish language. One wants to be a business woman that uses her management to glorify God. One dreams of the day when she’ll be called “mama” for the first time. The list goes on…

My mind races back and forth with excitement as I think about my own passion{s}. My heart is to be in the classroom. I want to be a teacher that is marked with Christ’s love for my students and I know that God placed this passion on my heart.

We are all wired uniquely by God in such a creative way. Unfortunately, I’ve seen many believers discredit their God-given passions. They make the mistake of believing that you have to be called into missions or ministry in the traditional sense for your passion to have value in the Kingdom. This is not how it should be!

Whatever passion you have stirring in your heart, I believe God is saying “go for it!” Pursue that wholeheartedly. When you do what you’re passionate about with excellence you reflect the holy God of heaven.

If you’re a writer…write pieces that you’ll still be proud of in the future.

If you’re a nurse…treat your patients with gentleness and tenderness.

If you’re a photographer…invest in your clients as you capture those moments.

If you’re a musician…create music that has meaning.

If you’re a coach…teach your kids about leadership and integrity.

Etc.

You don’t have to separate your passions from how you serve God. It is not as much about what you are doing, but WHO is in your heart as you do it.

I will end with the same scripture I started with…

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

Little Things

These are a few of the little things that brought me joy yesterday…

Sitting in the rocking chairs on the front porch. I poured myself a cup of coffee, grabbed my Bible and journal, then headed to the front porch. I cherish these summer mornings.

Starting a new book that immediately captured my attention. It was overcast and drizzly outside, so I curled up underneath a throw blanket to read my latest memoir.

Listening to one of my favorite Pandora stations. The Civil Wars blended perfectly with a rainy afternoon.

Venturing outside after the rain passed. The air was damp and slightly chilly…a welcomed change from the heat and humidity.

Walking up the road a little ways to admire the beauty of this place I call home. Windy roads and lush greenery.

What I Wish I’d Known From Year One

{First grade...1996-1997}

My mom just completed her 30th year teaching and I want to brag on her a little bit. Anyone who has spent time around a teacher knows how hard and long they work. There is so much more to the job than just spending your days with kids. My mom has poured herself  into her students over the past 30 years and I admire her more than she knows. I’ve grown up in her classroom and spent countless hours in the place that has been her home away from home. I've also had the joy of watching her in action many times where she transforms from "mama" to "Mrs. Shepherd." She has such a calm and loving presence as a teacher while maintaining a firm grasp on behavior management. There is no doubt that she was meant to be a teacher.

She spent the majority of her 30 years in the primary grades until she decided to take on middle school the last four years.

She has taught:

3 years of pre-k {2 of which were ESE}

5 years of kindergarten

15 years of first grade

3 years of second grade

2 years of 6th, 7th, 8th grade reading {ESE}

2 years of 6th grade language arts

{Second grade...she was pregnant with me here!}

I find myself going to her all the time for advice and questions about teaching. I love hearing her stories and soaking up the wisdom she has. I asked her to share what she wish she had known from year one. Here is what she said:

1. Keep a journal of all the funny things your students say and do.  You can pull this out when you're having a stressful or rough day to remind you why you went into teaching...the kids.

2. Have a set time for schoolwork each day (you NEED a personal life).  This becomes even more important when you're married and/or have children! It's okay to stay late one or two days a week, but have a set time to leave the other days and stick to it.

3. Be open to teaching a different grade level (you may love it!). I spent many years in the primary grades and was hesitant to teach the upper grades. When I moved to middle school, I discovered that I loved the older kids just as much as the little ones. I wish I had tried 3rd, 4th, or 5th...I would have loved it.

4. Understand that even the best teachers will occasionally be criticized by a parent. There will be many parents that encourage you, but you won't always "jive" with every single one. Know that this happens to the best of teachers!

5. Know that God gave you that challenging student to teach you something. They will stretch you and test you, but you will also learn from them.

{Second grade...I absolutely adore this picture.}

I can't wait until my mom can help me in my classroom! I'm sure she will see many of her strategies utilized in my classroom that I've learned from her over the years. After all, they do say "like mother, like daughter."

Dear Samantha…

Hey you! You’re now 35…what a great age. Your mom always said that each year gets better and better. :)

I know it seems as if your first year teaching was ages ago, but I hope you haven’t forgotten the passion that you had for education. Teaching brings you so much more joy than you could have imagined. Know that you will have days where you’re completely overwhelmed and stressed. But don’t let those days steal your love of being in the classroom. Remember in college when you dreamed of the day that you would have your very own classroom full of munchkins? Remember that passion always! Never stop learning. Laugh with your kids. Be their biggest encourager. But most of all, love on your kids. Invest your time in each child…even the ones that challenge you the most. You may be their only example of Jesus.

Be sure to love on your own kids every single day! Remember that you don’t want to just be a mother, but a mama. There’s big difference. Rock them to sleep when they’re little and cover them with kisses. Notice how they change and grow. Play with your kids. Dance in the living room. Run around the backyard. Tell them every day that you love them more than they’ll ever know. Tuck them in at night and pray over them. Discipline them. Know that they’ll frustrate you and make life messy, but you wouldn’t want it any other way. Be an example of a woman that seeks the Lord…they will learn from you. May they see a vibrant relationship and not a pious religion.

Whenever your husband gets home, greet him with a kiss that makes your kids embarrassed! Remember how you longed for the day that he would enter your life? Remember how you so longed to know his heart? To know his passions. To know his voice and his laugh. To know the light in his eyes as he talked about the Lord. Well, don’t take any of that for granted now that he is a part of your everyday life! Pray for him…that he continues to love the Lord more than he loves you. Pray for him as he leads your family. Oh, may you still be giddy when he kisses your forehead and feel so secure when he wraps his hand around yours. Let him hold you always. Kiss him lots! Be silly with him. Remember how he made your stomach do somersaults (in the best way possible)?  Tell him that you respect him. Remember how important your words are! Know that you won’t always agree...you will have arguments. He will make you mad and disappoint you, but you will do the same to him. Set aside time for just the two of you…have date nights. May you cherish and honor this man that holds your heart.

Be sure to call your parents often! They mean the absolute world to you, and love you more than you could ever know. Spend time with just your mom. She is one of your best friends and you’ve always had a special relationship with her. She has always been your biggest supporter!. Be sure to go on daddy-daughter dates. Your dad loves you so much more than you realize…cherish the relationship you have with him. I can only imagine the proud grandparents they’ve become!

Most important of all, may you seek the Lord each day! Remember that you’re the bride pursued and get to live daily in the greatest romance of all. Pursue intimacy with Him. He will be found when you seek Him wholeheartedly. Read through some of your old journals to be reminded of His faithfulness in your life. Know that the Word is your lifeline. Spend time in His presence. Remember you can’t give out what you don’t have yourself. Remember that He isn’t a stoic God that is far off, but a God of intimacy that is present at all times.

Be intentional about the relationships God has placed in your life. Be the best teacher you can be. Love your own kids fiercely. Grow more and more in love with your best friend. Seek to live with the attitude that all glory belongs to Him. Don’t rush away your days.

Update: I'm using this post I wrote over a month ago to link up with Harley & Jane for their journal prompt series.