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Farm Life Fridays

Farm Life Fridays – She Calls to Me

Wendy

Every morning I drive by her and imagine who she was and what she will become.  

She begs me to come and spent some time (and money). To clean away the cobwebs, sure up walls (scratch that – I want to shore up walls instead) and expose all her hidden features.  

“Be patient,” I tell her.  “Our time will come.”   

Wednesday is my last day at work…Thursday I am meeting with the plumber.

This summer I will show her all the tender care she deserves.  She, I hope, will respond in kind.

I am beyond excited!!!!

Teaching Tuesdays

Teaching Tuesdays – I Thought I Would Be More Natty!

Wendy

Today is my birthday.  My cough 50th Birthday!?!?!?   And I am nearing the end of my 22nd year as an educator.   

I thought I would feel differently, look differently, behave differently. I remember  starting my career and listening to veteran teachers and thinking I will never be so cynical, frumpy, grumpy and judgmental (ha ha).  I would be, should be, hip and smart…i.e., natty! 

But the truth is…I am far from it and I am OK with that.   Here is what I am…I am a problem solver.   I am usually tired and if not tired, then frazzled,  I am a constructivist who often relies on behaviorist tactics.  I am a learner.   I am sometimes a leader.   I am flexible,   I often worry I give more time to my students than my own kids.   I am loyal and dedicated.  

Does any of this give me natty status? Am I where I should be as a educator? As a 50 year old woman?   I will let asomeone younger be the judge of that.  

 Several years ago I heard a motto that has stuck with me.  

Don’t should on yourself and don’t should on others!

As a present to myself, I am adopting as my own…natty or not!

Farm Life Fridays

Farm Life Fridays – What’s that Smell?   

Wendy

I began these farm blogs in the hopes of writing and sharing the song of farm life.   Well let me tell you,  if there is a background melody to this life on the farm is certainly one you smell.   

Of course there are the expected animal smells:    But there is a reprieve, in the  sweet scent of flowers.

And there are chemicals…

That one can tolerate when one knows what lies ahead is the smell of a fresh cutting!

And right now?  Right now, I am loving the smell of the Russian olive trees.


I look forward to there fragrant song every year!   Always have….always will.  

Breathe in my friends!!!!

Math Mondays

Math Mondays – Riddles

Wendy

I really should be studying for my teaching license math exam and writing about it,  but eh….no thanks!   

  I think I have reviewed my calculus enough, know my weakness with combinatorics, and that I need to make sure to multiply or divide by two when solving some geometry problems.   

So what am I thinking about instead?  Riddles.  If you have never done so,  google ted ed riddles.    I guarantee you will find plenty of material to occupy your time.  And if you are a teacher, you fill find some last days of school material to engage your students.

Today, I got to solve the river crossing riddle.   

As they say in England…Give it a go!  

Sacred Sundays, Uncategorized

Sacred Sundays – Rconciled 

Wendy

Today I am pondering 2 Corinthians 5:

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

I find it interesting that reconciliation is a ministry and that God has committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  I want to better understand how?   
This is how Safari defines reconcile:   

rec·on·cile  (ˈrekənˌsīl/). verb

  • restore friendly relations between.

synonyms: settle one’s differences, make (one’s) peace, make up, kiss and make up, bury the hatchet, declare a truce.

  • cause to coexist in harmony; make or show to be compatible.

synonyms: make compatible, harmonize, square, make congruent, balance; rare syncretize.

  • make (one account) consistent with another, especially by allowing for transactions begun but not yet completed.

When I hear or read the word reconcile, I tend think of the third meaning…Every month I reconcile my checkbook. Occasionally, I hear of two people reconciling their differences.   However, when it comes to my relationship with my Heavenly Father, my mind typically does not settle on the need for reconciliation.  (Mind you, I am not saying there is no need…I just would not use the word as part of the description.). But here it is written in the scripture and I am not sure how I feel about it.   

As I contemplate my feeling about the word of reconciliation…I find it actually has a negative connotation for me.   Perhaps, I have spent too many hours looking for a missing penny?!? Or maybe I do not fully trust a reconciliation when there are so many reasons to mistrust?!?  And in this realization I see the ministry.   

This is not about what I need to do to live in the presence of God. The ministry happens in The Atonement.  

He will restore relationships…if I let him.  He will always trust in me and my worth.   He will cause me to trust in Him, in others, and myself…if I ask him.  

Because he is always seeking after the one, and has paid the required ransom, He will. balance the accounts….if I let him.  He will make my actions consistent with his commandments.  His sacrifice will make up the difference when I am found lacking…If I ask him.

Ultimately, if I continue to receive the ministry and trust in God’s commitment to the word…reconciliation, I will be found worthy to coexist in harmony with my Heavenly Father.  Not because of my actions, but because of His.  His ministry and great commitment to the word…reconciliation.