Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Let My Teaching Fall Like Rain


Let my teaching fall like rain and my word settle like dew,
 like gentle rain on new grass and showers on tender plants.
 Deuteronomy 32:2 CSB

I am 75 years old, and I honestly cannot remember a time when I didn’t think of myself as a teacher. As the oldest of five children, we spent a lot of time “playing school,” and I was the “head teacher” in all those scenarios, presenting report cards to our parents when they would return from a church meeting, during which time I had been “in charge” of the younger siblings. 

“Always the teacher.” That’s what my parents said. 

My first actual public school teaching experience was when I was in the sixth grade. Seriously. That year, at a little school in Jessieville, Arkansas, the fifth grade (my sister’s class) and sixth grade were all in one class. Our (frankly) incompetent teacher would sometimes direct me to teach reading to the fifth grade. I rather enjoyed it.

The phrase “I was a teacher” is really not a part of my vocabulary. 

I AM A TEACHER.

It is part of who God created me to be. It was always my calling. When I was old enough to think/talk about vocations (and calllings), I would always say that my first calling was to be a wife and mother. After that, it was to be a teacher. It went without saying that I would study education when I went to college.

At Southwest Baptist University, I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in social studies and minors in English and secondary education. My teacher certification from the state of Missouri was (and is—my Missouri certifications are lifetime) in 7-12 social studies and English, and K-12 Gifted. A few years after that, I completed the coursework to obtain a lifetime certificate in elementary (K-6) and subsequently earned a Master in Education from Drury University (Missouri).

Recently I read a blog post about living in the “now,” forgetting the past and not thinking about the future. I get it. There are parts of that philosophy that I agree with, and I certainly understand the “Look, I am doing a new thing” passage of Scripture. But, for me, while I am loving the “now,” I find it to be a good thing to reflect upon the past, because it is so full of blessings. I like to think about the future, too, as there is so much to look forward to. 

So, I believe I can appreciate and be blessed by the past and the future and the now.

Along those lines, recently when I was reflecting on the opportunities I have had to “be a teacher” (and the many lives I was blessed to touch—and be touched by), I made a list of some of those teaching experiences that came to mind. In all honesty, I’m not sure I remembered them all. But these made my list:


Piano lessons (off and on for years, starting at age 17)

Sunday School classes (children and adults)

Missions organizations (church)

Children’s Choir (two churches)

Children’s Ministry Leader/Teacher

Life Group Leader (church)

Ladies Bible Study

Color Me Beautiful classes

Substitute Teacher, Elementary (on USMC base)

7th grade English/Social Studies

High School Social Studies

Kindergarten

Grade 5 

Elementary Remedial Language Arts

Gifted students grades 1-7 (13 years)

School District Technology Coordinator

Adult computer classes

Adult Basic Education (those studying for GED)

College (English and Teacher Education) (3 colleges)


I know that I sometimes still slip into “teacher mode” when I am with my children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. But you know, I think I’ll stop apologizing for that. “Teacher mode” is how God made me, and I kind of like what He did there. I like me. In fact, I am one of my favorite people.


Just to prove that I can be “in” the now moment, too, here is my latest very quick, very easy art piece. I’m spending some time these days on Christmas art, but I painted this plum right before I started on the holiday projects (to be shared later).



I do thank God for the opportunities He has given me through the years to follow my calling. And yes, this continues to be my prayer, even now, for any ways that I am able to continue to BE a teacher…


Let my teaching fall like rain and my word settle like dew,

 like gentle rain on new grass and showers on tender plants.

 Deuteronomy 32:2 CSB

#teacher #calling #grateful #letmyteachingfalllikerain



Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Seasons

I have said this SO many times (for so many years): Fall is my favorite season. Always has been. I love everything about it (except in the PNW it is often the precursor to the rainy season—that I DO NOT like).


But, seriously, just some of the things…

Crisp temperatures outside, sunny and yet a little cool…

The cooking/baking (apple, cinnamon, caramel, soups, chili)

Baseball post-season, and even sometimes college football

Sweaters, sweatshirts, and boots

Autumn colors to use in decor and in wardrobe (this year’s trend is olive green—one of my faves, trending or not)

Autumn fragrances: spiced pumpkin and sparkling cinnamon candles

Playing my favorite “Autumn Leaves” on the piano


Autumn leaves—in MO there are so many oak and maple trees—yellows and oranges and reds. 


These are some pictures from the place where we lived in MO. 















We lived on five acres (Peaceful Acres), and though we love being out in Washington now, with several of our close family (son, DIL, granddaughter, grandson, granddaughter-in-law, great grandson, and great granddaughter), we do miss Missouri, especially this time of year.

In Washington, there are certainly colorful trees (maple, etc.), and the interesting thing here is the different picture that is painted, as you look into the distance—the colorful trees are always mixed in with the beautiful evergreens, and the contrast is stunning.


Another thing I love about the fall is the art projects, really fun for me since, did I mention, fall IS my favorite season.







So, I was going to talk in this post about “seasons of life,” but now that I have this warm, cozy feeling about autumn, I’m not in the mood to spoil it with thoughts such as this: I wasn’t even aware of the seasons of life when I was flying through them (the spring, the summer, even the autumn…)…but now that I suppose I must admit to being in the “winter,” it’s not such a warm, fuzzy feeling. 

So, I just won’t think about it….today.

On another day, I’ll write about the blessings of the “winter” (and there are many), but today I think I’ll just bask in the autumn sun and enjoy THIS season.


Ecclesiastes 3:1
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

#autumn #fallismyfavoriteseason #seasonsoftheyear #seasonsoflife #fallthemeart #mariaraczynska #annamason #watercolor #autumnleaves #toeverythingthereisaseason #ecc31 #homesickforMO #pensivethoughts #peacefulacres

Monday, October 10, 2022

September Catch Up

September always brings a special celebration for hubby and me! On September 8 we celebrated our 57th anniversary. 


I remember noting in my Wedding Memories book, on our fifth anniversary, that I couldn’t believe it had already been FIVE years, and I observed that time surely does fly.

57. Years. Wow. How very blessed we are! God blessed us with two wonderful children (son and daughter), a special daughter-in-law and son-in-law, four grandchildren, a grandson-in-law, granddaughter-in-law, and two great grandchildren (and another due in February). 

I could write blog posts every day with wonderful reports and beautiful pictures of our family, but it would be impossible to stay caught up!

Speaking of Catching Up…

September Art


This is an Australian bird called “Willie Wagtail,” because it wags its tail feathers while looking for insects. I am not pleased with this one, and after finishing it, I decided to switch to a different style for a while, with a different instructor. The bird was done following a tutorial by Louise de Masi.



I began doing some classes in Anna Mason’s School of Art. This style is more detailed (realistic) and is very challenging, much more difficult than the looser style of Louise. I find that it does fit “me” more, in that I tend to be a detail-type person. But, like I said, it is more difficult. Still, I am pleased with the result. This is a Citrus Swallowtail Caterpillar.



Another one from Anna Mason’s school, this succulent was tough. I always think of my granddaughter Tory, when I paint succulents, because she loves them!


So, September brought a special awareness that God has blessed us with another year together, and a sense of gratitude for His constant watchcare over us and our family. My husband and I thank God for bringing us together and for giving us a deep and abiding love only possible through Him.



#annamasonart #anniversary #blessings #williewagtail #succulent #citrusswallowtailcaterpillar #watercolor