choosing joy

Testing season has opened in North Carolina Public Schools. Over the next eight weeks we will train for a field test, administer the field test, review the field test, train for the state end-of-grade tests, administer the state end-of-grade tests, remediate for re-tests and administer the re-tests. Sigh. Deep, heavy, ragged sigh. I want to teach. I want to help students explore culture. I want to tap into their creativity. As I reflect on the sheer number of hours we will spend in still, silent, sequestered testing sessions, I am faced with a choice: work myself into a frenzy, fretting over time boxes, answer documents, test booklets and data or focus on why I do what I do.

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linking with -

jen for god bumps
joy for life:unmasked
kimberly for painting prose

beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday

michelle for caffeinated randomness

studio jru for sneak peek friday

verse 19

462. reading to the three montana privettes!

james
the lord's brother
chastens...
be quick to listen
be slow to speak
i am usually
the antonym
chattering incessantly about the inane
restating my opinions
jumping in with stories
and
always always
seeking the laugh
and as i quickened my ears today
the words fell like rain
on
parched
soil

and for these i am thankful:

452. twenty-two years with my nephew cameron who left us two years ago
453. my brother, cam, who is serving our community in memory of his son today
454. students playing free rice to feed the hungry
455. wrapped presents
456. french roast coffee
457. christmas gifts from students - even some nutella!
458. cutting out heart biscuits with the montana privette girls (chris's nieces)
459. hearing little charlie (chris's nephew) try to say my name - kenling
460. my girl, the one i mentor, she is quick to listen and to forgive
461. my husband. he has loved me, does love me and will always love me:)

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linking with

michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday

ann for 1000 gifts

l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
richella for grace imparted
laura for playdates with god

jen for soli deo gloria
shanda for on your heart tuesdays
emily for tuesdays unwrapped