joy can be found everywhere

at home ...

• a prized date night with my love
• out for dinner, in for a movie
• playing on the iPad, finding fun apps for kids
• the whole family together to watch a big game
• making them laugh with our silly shirts
• a great day for them - her getting a job, him making a sale
• lost mittens now found
• her care for me, buying me vitamins
• devouring chips and salsa with a good friend after school
• her calling in at just the right time, putting her on speaker phone
• the ways we can communicate with far-away college friends
• trying new recipes
• making progress on my scrapbook, spending the day crafting with a friend
• delicious meals at mom & dad's
• Grandma's dark chocolate chip brownies
• discovering we can go to Florida for Spring Break!

at school ...

• their prayers to ask Jesus into their hearts
• a secretary so willing to fill in and make copies
• report cards complete, earlier than they had to be
• kids with no jackets at recess
• having her all to myself
• parent meetings going smoothly
• bucket filler certificates stuffed in with each report
• a bus (and driver) available to take us on our field trip
• how their faces lit up seeing the inside of a police car
• the officer's appropriate answers to their questions

at church ...

• a good message from a guest pastor, leading to possibilities
• singing on the music team
• helping in Disciple Land
• both of us feeling more involved and connected

all around ...

• snow for them to shovel (extra income!)
• a white blanket covering
• watching the savings add up while checking out at the grocery store
• trying out a local gym, for free
• selling my camera for a great price
• his big hug when he saw me unexpectedly

a full-of-blessings week in 2JB

• a Monday that feels like a Saturday
• being treated to a pedicure with mom and sister
• helping her shop for curtains
• finding time to catch up with a friend
• looking for potential getaways
• him making dinner for me, a few nights in a row
• the first snow we've seen in a while
• "My Brother Martin," hearing their own dreams and ideas

"I have a dream that everyone will have enough money. I can work toward my goal by earning money and giving it to others." 

"I have a dream that people from different countries will have fresher water. I can work toward my dream by building a water tower with a filter inside." 

"I have a dream that everyone can have a car. I can work toward my dream by building Lego cars and then building real ones when I grow up."

• changing the hallway display
• strawberry cake, with fresh berries
• free samples
• iPads arrived!
• a package in the mail that will make our lives easier
• another visiting student, who didn't want to leave
• the smell of fresh air
• the way they listen attentively during story time
• their excitement for international show and tell
• moms who came in to help with our baking project
• putting together our own 3-D town

• how cute they looked in their pj's
• an excuse to wear footie pajamas to school
• a half day, time to make huge progress on report cards
• breaking out my scrapbook gear
• well done pizza
• an all-school movie to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• so many sweets to choose from
• sharing pictures with others
• getting some answers

• hearing he made it safely
• friends and/or family to keep me company every night while he was away
• convincing a friend to walk with me after school
• being able to attend staff devotions
• sleeping in the middle of the bed
• warm, gooey brownies
• getting our money back
• finding out that trial iPads are on the way
• embracing community, collecting items for ditto
• hearing his voice on the phone at the end of another day
• possibilities at The Depot
• His holding out the rain so we could still go on our field trip
• walking alongside them, laughing and talking like friends
• "The Help" On Demand
• a 3 day weekend
• camera shopping
• his return to New Jersey
• free personal pizza
• a larger and warmer home for the week, getting paid to live in it!
• surprising her with a birthday cake

an escape from reality

• a relaxing weekend getaway in Vermont
• gathering around the table with family
• amazing views of the mountains
• seeing their beautiful home, the best "bed & breakfast" in town

• hiking through the woods, snow crackling with each step
• water rippling, creating a path through the snow
• laughing at ourselves when the icy patches took us out
• not hurting ourselves more seriously!
• enjoying the hot tub on cold nights

• a trip into town, finding good deals at the outlet stores
• an early birthday present
• "lake-style" happy hour
• starting a new book, reading for pleasure
• getting home with time to spare, resisting the impulse to work

the list goes on and on

This is just the beginning of God's blessings in 2012...

• colleagues I can open up to, sharing our hopes and dreams together
• a new look in the faculty room
• starting up our Monday night get-togethers again
• those rare, but sweet times when they work quietly without needing constant reminders
• finishing a book that I've had laying on the nightstand for a while
• a visiting student (who later made the choice to attend our school!)
• my class' participation in our school's praise chapel
• new lyrics to a familiar song
• encouraging words from parents and fellow teachers
• his offer to warm up the car even when he isn't going anywhere
• discovering the secret to delicious homemade pizza
• evaluating and learning more about our spiritual "styles"
• an adorable "Save the Date" card
• her reliance on God even in an uncertain situation
• a new episode of my favorite show after 3 weeks without it
• tuning to a new favorite radio station
• finding no cavities
• a belated Christmas present, seeing how much they enjoyed the meal we prepared
• fresh strawberries with cool-whip
• looking forward to a restful weekend away with family

a new year to strive for the same goals

I set out the current school year with lofty goals. I even wrote them out and posted them on our refrigerator where I would see them daily and have no excuse not to remember them. We are now approaching the end of the 1st semester, and as I look back on the goals I set out to achieve, I have mixed emotions. I am proud of my commitment to some of these goals, but yet embarrassed and disappointed in myself for not making others a higher priority. You  can probably assume which goals have been more difficult to achieve:

2011-2012 goals:

1. Avoid the computer before getting to school in the morning.
2. Carve out time for daily devotions and/or journaling.
3. Exercise at least 3 times a week.
4. Do all weekday lesson prep at school. Only grading at home.
5. Lesson plan on Saturday mornings in order to leave Sundays free from schoolwork.
6. Commit to a time each night when we will both stop working, even if there is more that could be done.
7. Spend 1-on-1 time with my husband each night.
8. Make dinner more often. Try a new meal per week.
9. Make a weekly meal plan and grocery shop during the week to avoid the weekend rush.
10. Dedicate at least 2 hours a week to my creative side -- design, photography, crafting.

Maybe I set the bar too high? While I have been better about sticking to some of these goals than others, I have "messed up" on all of them at various times. Thankfully, I have not let my mistakes frustrate me to the point that I throw all of these goals out the window. Every day brings an opportunity to try again.

Though we have entered a new year, my goals remain the same. But for resolution's sake, I have added one more. 

Drink more water.

Hopefully this one will be more manageable. Though for someone who could go most of the day without thinking to take a drink, it's going to take some adjusting. I hope that by drinking more water, I will have more energy to do all of the above! 

I also encouraged my students to come up with goals for 2012. In doing so, I told them my ambition to drink more water. I'm still deciding if this was a wise move. Since then, I often hear the question ... "Mrs. Beverly, did you drink enough water today?" or better yet, the command ... "Mrs. Beverly, remember to drink your water!" I wouldn't be surprised if they simply start handing me my water bottle. They have also used my goal as an excuse for more frequent and lengthier trips to the drinking fountain. Nevertheless, they are much better than me at remembering my goal on a daily basis. (They can't remember to write their name on a worksheet, but they somehow remember to remind me to drink water?!) Perhaps I should tell them my other 10 goals? :)

the top ten of 2011

Happy 2012!


The start of a new year is a natural time to look ahead with hope and anticipation for what is to come. It is also a time to reflect on the ups and downs of 2011. Before falling asleep just after midnight last night (actually, this morning), I turned to him and asked ... "What was the best and worst of 2011 for you?"


We laid next to each other and threw out memories - the good and the bad. I found it interesting that the first things to come to my mind were some of the most painful moments of the past year. Saying good-bye to a beloved grandfather and great-grandfather within just a few weeks of each other. Spending two months apart during the summer. Grieving with others we care for as they also felt the pain and loss of cancer.


Yet it was not long before the wonderful memories and blessings of 2011 poured out in abundance ... a great reminder that though days may be hard, and though it will always be easier to focus on what is "not right," "not done," or "not fair," God continues to flood our lives with peace and joy. We just have to look for it.


I looked back through my iPhoto library from 2011 and here are the highlights. My top ten of 2011:

visiting her in Boston, amazing friends through life's ups & downs

our first niece, a healthy & happy baby girl

graduations for both brothers,
supportive family to "take me in" for the summer

an amazing opportunity for him to see the Middle East

all of us together for the first time since graduation

my husband's return from Jordan

committing to see each other every few months

gaining a sister

them being together,
two great neighbors!

one of several great Broadway shows