School's out for the summer!
Time to clean, make lists, organize, trim those stinkin bushes, swim, visit family and the beach, and soooo much more...but for now...it's time to reflect.
My 5th school year began as a kindergarten teacher in August...I can't believe it...5 years I have been teaching...and each year gets better and better...I could imagine doing nothing else that would bring me a greater joy that loving on 5 and 6 year olds every day...trying and tiring yes, but SO worth it!
August brought with it not only the beginning of my 5th year at PCES, but also my 3rd and 4th trips to Philadelphia. As you may or may not know last June (a YEAR ago) when I was about 20 weeks pregnant my son was diagnosed with CDH- congenital diaphragmatic hernia. There was a hole in his diaphragm which allowed his bowels to move into his chest cavity and put pressure on his left lung which in turn put pressure on his heart. This was a very serious condition in which only 50% of babies make it full term, and 70% survive after that...wow...if that was a lot for you to take in as a reader...just imagine how it was for Chris and I as first time parents. We were referred to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and went for 3 visits. Everything was looking good- well as good as it could given the diagnosis. The original plan was that I would teach for 4 weeks and then head to Philadelphia when I was about 36 weeks just so they could keep a closer eye on me...well...I taught 10 days and long story short Gage came at 35 weeks and 2 days...and praise the Lord I was in Philadelphia just in time!!
Time...it is a precious thing. As I said Gage is 9 months old and I am so thankful for the time he has been with us already, and am even more thankful for the time I will be able to spend with him this summer. 3 whole months of time together! He has beaten all the odds that were stacked against him and is performing as any other "normal" baby would be. He is eating, laughing, and growing with the best of them. He is basically the most beautiful boy you have ever seen. As I have been reflecting on every single thing that has happened since this time last year it all comes down to one thing...Jesus Christ.
I was reading today in the book of Luke chapter 2 verses 41-50 about how Mary and Joseph were leaving Jerusalem and just assumed that Jesus was somewhere in the caravan...however he stayed behind to listen to the teachings and ask questions....when his parents finally found him they asked "How could you treat us this way" and Jesus basically replied...where else did you think I would be than in my Father's house...which also translates...I was all about my Father...wouldn't it be so awesome if when people looked at you and me they could say- wow she is all about her Father's business- not that she is a nice person, not that she was a strong mother in Philadelphia, not that she is a faithful member of __________ church, but that she is all about her FATHER! That is my prayer and main goal of this summer- to be more about my Father and less about...well anything else. Everything is all about Him anyway- and if its not- it doesn't matter- its not worth the time. If you are grocery shopping- make it all about Him- smile and greet the people at the store with kindness...you get the idea. Just as in Colossians where it says to do everything as unto the Lord...take the Summer challenge...and ultimately life challenge...lets be more about our Father and less about ourselves!
