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Joy in the Journey

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Our Homeschool Space

Take a tour of our homeschool/playroom space and get some inspiration/ideas for how to set up your functional and peaceful homeschool area.

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A few years ago my husband and I were planning a l

A few years ago my husband and I were planning a little getaway from our home in Seattle, Washington - we were going to spend the day exploring and learning about Mount St. Helens, the volcano that erupted and caused devastating damage in 1980. I looked online for a hotel room and found this cute little inn that boasted of cleanliness, safety, and proximity to the visitors center. I scanned the pictures, read some recent reviews, and booked a room. After a long day of driving, sight-seeing, running through a torrential downpour, and an explosive diaper from our 5-month-old baby, we pulled into the "inn." The pictures in my head of where I thought we would be staying were vastly different from the reality in front of me: The inn was actually a motel, the room was very dirty, we could hear sirens ringing, and there were suspicious characters loitering in the parking lot and outside of the room right next to ours. It wasn't long before my husband shepherded us back to the car and we drove late into the night, seeking the safety of home. There was a major problem with this hotel's advertising: what we saw definitely wasn't what we got. There was zero consistency between the account we read online and the reality we experienced. We felt cheated, deceived, and unsteady. It was a terrible experience, and one that we hope to never repeat.
So what does that trip have to do with our lives as teachers? Our students need consistency. What they see (and hear) is what they need to get from us, every single day.
As we prepare our minds and our hearts for a new week, let's pray for CONSISTENCY.
According to Webster, Consistency is "marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity : free from variation or contradiction."
Let's face it: Life is unsteady. People are inconsistent. Emotions are fleeting. Our situations can change week-to-week, day-to-day, even moment-to-moment.
So let's not focus on ourselves or our environment - let's fix our eyes on the One who never changes.
Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."
CONTINUED IN COMMENTS...

"Dear Lord, I need strength" is a prayer I have ut

"Dear Lord, I need strength" is a prayer I have uttered countless times:
--when helping a struggling student
--when dealing with a difficutl parent
--when working through an issue with a coworker
--when dealing with a heart issue with my own child
--when struggling to get everything done
--when I'm tired of wearing so many hats and trying to please so many people

Anyone else relate?

This week's prayer prompt is for STRENGTH. If you are tired, overwhelmed, stretched, burdened - know that I hear you and I see you.
But more importantly - God hears you and He sees you.
Scripture says that "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer" (1 Peter 3:12). Dear teacher, you have never slipped the Lord's mind. You have never escaped His attention. You have never outrun His love. If you are weary, overburdened, and in need of strength - run to the Source. He is faithful and He will supply everything you need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

Psalm 119:28 says, "My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." Is your soul weary with sorrow? That's a pretty apt description of how many people are feeling these days. If so, where do we go? To the news? To social media? No - we find strength in the Bible. When you've come to the end of yourself and can't muster up strength, dive into God's Word. Nehemiah 8:10 says "...the joy of the Lord is my strength."

I am praying for strength this week:
--Strength to honor the Lord with my words, actions, and attitude.
--Strength to work hard at my job
--Strength to love and serve my family well
--Strength to look to the Lord as my source of peace, comfort, and joy
--Strength to overlook offenses and give grace whenever I can
--Strength to tune out the noise of the world and listen to the One who faithfully hears my prayers
--Strength to share the Good News of Jesus whenever an opportunity arises

What are YOU praying for this week? Please leave a comment and let me know - I'd be honored to lift your requests to our great God.

I’m leading this Bible study at my local church

I’m leading this Bible study at my local church this fall: God of Deliverance by Jen Wilkin. So far, I’m loving it! Has anyone else done it?

First day of preschool for these cuties! 😍😍

First day of preschool for these cuties! 😍😍

Tomorrow (Monday, September 6) we celebrate Labor

Tomorrow (Monday, September 6) we celebrate Labor Day to honor and commemorate those who work hard at their jobs. It's a day to rest, to reflect on our work, and to gather with friends and family.
Teachers are among some of the hardest-working people I know - they arrive early, stay late, bring work home, and give up their weekends to plan for and invest in their students. It is a noble profession - and a high calling! It is truly a labor of love. As I was reflecting on the word labor, other words came to mind: work, toil, exertion, effort, productivity, etc. Teachers put forth a great amount of effort into their jobs - but if we're not careful, we will labor in vain.
The Bible says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves." (Psalm 127:1-2)
Teachers, tonight I am praying that you would remember WHO you labor for. It's not just for your class, for their parents, for your administration - we need to change our perspective and remember that we are working for the Lord! Pray that you would honor Him through your actions, your words, and your attitude. Pray that He would give you a fresh zeal and desire to work hard - not to impress your coteacher, not to reach a certain benchmark, not to get a pay raise - but that you would labor for God's glory!
Invite your Heavenly Father into your classroom, into your planning time, into your afterschool activities. If the Lord is not involved, we will labor in vain. Let's join Him on mission to reach the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ! Pray for opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus in your classroom. Pray for an eternal perspectice, so that you can properly prioritize what needs to be done so you don't burn yourself out, laboring over things that don't matter. We are called to work hard - let's labor on kingdom work!
I pray you take some time tomorrow to rest, recharge, and renew your perspective - remember that God put you in your classroom on purpose and for a purpose!

Donut date with my middle munchkin today! 😍🍩

Donut date with my middle munchkin today! 😍🍩
On Saturday mornings we often do the >Date Divide!< One kiddo gets highly coveted one-on-one time while the other two still get a fun outing with the other parent (and honestly an outing with only 2 kids feels like a vacation 🤪). It’s nothing big: a trip to the park, Target or Home Depot and maybe a treat at Dunkin or the Dollar Tree. The kids LOVE these times - and it’s a good reminder to not just see them as a unit, but as individuals with sweet and funny personalities that we actually enjoy ❤️❤️❤️

FRIDAY FREEBIE! This fall-themed syllable counting

FRIDAY FREEBIE! This fall-themed syllable counting activity will engage your little learners with hands-on practice! Let me know if you want a copy :)
#fall #fallactivities #fallactivitiesforkids #preschoolactivities #preschoolathome #fallprekactivities #fallpreschool #freeontpt #tptfreebie

Sneak peek: ESTHER! I’m so excited about my curr

HIP HIP HOORAY - IT'S A SALE DAY! 🥳😍🤩 Tod

HIP HIP HOORAY - IT'S A SALE DAY! 🥳😍🤩 Today and tomorrow, all of my Preschool Bible Lessons will be on sale! Use promo code BTSBONUS21 to save 25% off EVERYTHING!!!
Make the Bible come alive for the little ones you care about: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Joy-In-The-Journey-By-Jessica-Lawler/Category/-Preschool-Bible-Lessons-292056

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