2020 Word of the Year

Back in January

When the year was brand new,

I chose my one word,

“Seek” is what I’d do.

With all the to do’s,

Basketball in full swing,

My word was the answer

Purpose it would bring.

Like all things in hindsight,

2020 made it clear,

The word I had chosen

Was perfect for this year.

Seek more time with family

Shared moments could be found.

I envisioned evenings together

But whole months were brought around.

Good books I would seek out

For reading is my thing.

78 now and counting,

So much time this year did bring.

Life is all about the learning,

Which 2020 didn’t hide.

Technology I did seek out

When learning changed it’s tide.

New skills now were needed,

The tried and true had to change,

Seeking how to do just that,

Was exciting but also strange.

Teaching took a turn

Creativity had to shine,

Had to think outside the box

Change my ways...realign.

For solutions were needed

To get us through the days,

We spent time seeking answers

Running through the changing maze.

The adventure that I sought,

Was not as I had dreamed,

The journey proved much better

Than if I had planned and schemed.

For it took a lot of seeking,

To find the good in each day,

Negativity abounded

But through it all I’d pray.

As I focused on the moments

Those of promise and of peace,

I felt a closeness to the One

Who can help our stress decrease.

And as I strove for balance,

He made it very clear,

Contentment can only be found,

If it’s His love that we hold dear.

I shall seek His face always,

It’s what He’s here for.

It took 2020 

It couldn’t be ignored.

God used this crazy year,

To seek Him in all things.

Instead of a burden,

It’s my heart that sings.

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God.

And His righteousness

And all these things shall be added unto you

Hallelu, Hallelujah."

The Extras

 

When the extras of life

Seem to bear down

We turn it inside out

A smile from a frown.

We find positives

In our long to do list

As all the extras

Get checked off, not missed.

For its in the extras,

That make it worthwhile

We’re making a difference

Going the extra mile.

It’s exhausting and tiring

It’s just not the norm,

But there might be a rainbow

After this storm.

We may not see it now,

Might be years down the road

When we see the results

From this extra load.

Sign Up For Jesus

I didn’t sign up

For this whole confusing mess.

The good stuff was my choosing

More fun and way less stress.

I didn’t sign up

For what lays out of my control.

I like to check things off my list

Working towards that dream, that goal.

I didn’t sign up

For this negativity that abounds.

It’s taking its toll, pulling me in,

As it moves and makes its rounds.

But while I didn’t sign up

For everything that comes my way

I signed up for Jesus

In Him my trust will stay.

For I will just lean harder

As I strive to obey

In my God, my Lord and Savior.

He’s the Truth, the Light, the Way.

So even though the bad may come,

The unwanted and not so good,

I signed up for Jesus

I need to live just like He would.

 

be joyful

In a world darkened by mistrust and questions,

I’m gonna be joyful because of Jesus.

In a world puzzled by fact and fiction,

I’m gonna be joyful because of Jesus.

In a world focused on all that’s lost,

I’m gonna be joyful because of Jesus.

In a world blindly stumbling forward,

I’m gonna be joyful because of Jesus.

In a world alone and locked down,

I’m gonna be joyful because of Jesus.

In a world stifled by cries of injustice,

I’m gonna be joyful because of Jesus.

In a world divided where kindness seems lost,

I’m gonna be joyful because of Jesus.

In a world seemingly spinning out of control,

I’m gonna be joyful because of Jesus. 

I’m going to be joyful because of Jesus,

In a world where our God reigns.

I’m gonna be joyful because of Jesus,

In a world where His light leads the way.

I’m gonna be joyful because of Jesus,

In a world where hope can still be found.

I’m gonna be joyful because of Jesus,

In a world where prayer can move mountains.

I’m gonna be joyful because of Jesus.

In a world where peace can prevail.

I’m gonna be joyful because of Jesus,

In a world where our goal is to be like Him.

I’m gonna be joyful because of Jesus,

In a world where the future wins.

(Inspired by today's sermon and small group discussion)

 

Cheers to 50 Years

50 years ago 

When you both said “I Do”

The world together 

Seemed brand new.

All the dreams, 

All the plans

Everything you’d create,

Now lay in your hands.

The home you’d build

To raise us three,

A girl and two boys

And a big apple tree.

The memories kept growing

As the years moved along,

And through it all

Your love stayed strong.

The family grew larger,

As we all would marry,

Eight instead of five,

For Ag and Duane Larry.

And then the grandkids came

Adding more joy to the crew.

What started as two

To sixteen it grew!

As we celebrate these years

In the craziest of days,

Where travels have been suspended

And at home is where we stay.

We give thanks for a love,

That has guided us throughout

Showing us the way

Mapping out the route.

So Happy Anniversary

We celebrate you today,

50 years in the making,

With many more we pray.

Dear Students

Until I know for sure,

If I’ll see you in my room

I’m dreaming of the day

When we can start school and resume.

Until I know for sure,

If I’ll see you on a zoom,

Know that my lessons

Are taking root, waiting to bloom.

Until I know for sure

If I’ll see you face to face,

I already have my plans

To have my mask in place.

Until I know for sure,

If I’ll see you on a screen

I’m researching all the options

All the ideas I can glean.

Until I know for sure,

If I’ll see you in my class,

I’m adjusting the routines,

Adding cleaning to my tasks.

Until I know for sure,

If I’ll see you virtually,

Online teaching do’s and don’ts

Are on my mind continually.

Until I know for sure

How this year will work out,

I’m dreaming of your future

So learning can go about.

Until I know for sure

How school will look this year

I’m praying for you, my students

For in my heart, I hold you dear.

Until I know for sure,

The direction we will take

A time to learn and grow

Is a promise I can make.

But this I know for sure

We’ll make the best of all the things,

For learning can definitely happen 

If we can just give it wings.

Turn Your Eyes...

In education right now

There’s the COVID slide,

But all I can focus on

Is this COVID divide.

I should just be focused

On all the skills lost,

But instead all I see

Is what this virus has cost.

Fear is instilled

So we don’t know the way.

What’s right? What’s wrong?

Seems we don’t have a say.

Who to believe?

There’s so many sides.

I walk in the middle

In this turning of tides.

Then a melody rings out,

So right and so true

That I know exactly

Just what I should do.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.”

For this is the way,

Through this whole virus mess

He holds the truth,

No need to second guess.

With a guidance so great

And a love so pure,

Jesus is the answer.

Jesus is the cure!

As my frustrations lessen,

In this world so dark and grim,

I am very thankful

And I owe it all to Him.