As I wrap up another school year with my sweet students, I'm struck with how quickly the year went! We've had a truly fabulous year together.... one of the best! Every year, I'm thankful for the opportunity to be a part of a child's life (8 hours each day!), but at the same time I'm aware that my influence is limited to a period of time and then it's done. Once again, as the final days roll by, I wonder if I've done enough. Did I figure out how to motivate each student? Did I make them feel loved and safe? Do they know that I believe they are capable of greatness and that they inspire me each and every day? Teachers have this annual stewardship reminder with such a weighty role and influence in the lives of children for a time.
While teachers are given 9+ months to invest in the lives of students, parents are given 18 years of influence. As I consider the speed of this school year, it brings me to tears, because it marks the beginning of our final school year with our daughter. I ask myself similar questions as those of a teacher: Have I done enough? Does my daughter know how she inspires me? Does she know that she is capable of greatness? Does she know how much she is loved? (Mother/daughter tension leaves this in question many days, even today.) Have I taught her to make choices to enhance her safety? Not to mention, I still need to teach her how to cook and to be a homemaker. Here's hoping, like her Mama, she will rise to the occasion. I can barely hold it together as I consider the senior year and all the reminders that she is leaving. How have my relatives and childhood friends made it through this season with (seemingly) so much composure?!? I look at their graduation announcements on display in the kitchen with great joy, satisfaction and much sympathy. Senior year hasn't even started and I'm a bundle of emotion already.... a complete mess!
Lately, the increasing speed and passing of time both intrigues and frustrates me. Every May, after all the testing and end of year projects are complete, I tend to savor classroom morning meetings even more. I listen to their stories with added interest and realize our time together is precious and fleeting. I want to hold on to my sweet students and keep them in kindergarten a while longer. I wish there was a pause button. Still, there is no greater desire to make time stop than with my own child. We're living in those fleeting moments just before her inevitable launch to adulthood. This comes with obvious tension and sadness. I can almost hear the ticking of a clock and it nags at me.
Thankfully, there will be a day when the passing of time is no more. For eternity, we will never feel the ticking of a clock or the fleeting of days. When it is our time to go, we will be in the presence of the Lord forever. This gives such comfort and peace.
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Hope and New Life
After nearly 3 years of very consistent blog posts, I've had writer's block in the recent months. (Sure, there's plenty to write about-- In the recent weeks, we've happily used the term boyfriend in our house for the first time since becoming parents!) Surprisingly, my last post was in the heart of winter and now spring is fully under way in Texas. My goal in writing has always been to offer encouragement as I lift my gaze to Christ's goodness. In the midst of all circumstances, including great joy and deep sorrow, the Lord's faithfulness has been my comfort. Lately, I've been discouraged and have not had the motivation, desire or words to fit with this purpose for writing. The dreary and colorless winter days have been reflected in my dull attitude and this idle blog. However, in the recent weeks, the smallest signs of life formed throughout the neighborhood. Just last week, I took photos of many trees covered in tiny buds and I was struck by these miniature symbols of hope. When facing a dark providence, as many of our loved ones are, the smallest bit of hope reminds us of God's steadfast love and His promise to never leave us or forsake us, even as we "walk through the valley of the shadow of death".
As the landscape turns increasingly green with living things in full bloom, Christians all over the world celebrate Easter. You can taste a growing sense of hope as believers greet each other with "He is risen."...."He is risen indeed!" The power of the resurrection can be perceived as more effective during certain seasons of the church calendar. I will admit to being fully encouraged by this reminder of the Lord's sufficient work on my behalf. My prayers are more earnest as I reflect on the fact that Christ is alive and reigning.
Good Friday was the darkest day in history, unlike the most dreary of winter days, as our Lord suffered unimaginable torture while being forsaken by His father. However, through His crucifixion, death and burial, a most hopeless narrative, He defeated sin and death for the sinful souls of mankind. As reformed Presbyterians, we don't emphasize the church calendar, the "holy days", because we celebrate the resurrection every Lord's day. Every Sunday is Easter Sunday in our church, yet the power of the resurrection becomes distant and seemingly impotent as we settle into our weekly Sunday routines. The reality that Christ is alive and ruling in heaven should fuel my prayers and encourage my soul no matter the season or Christian holiday. Almost twenty-seven years ago, a tiny seed of faith and new life sprouted up in my soul. Since then, through seasons of doubt, discouragement, hope and renewal, He has been faithful to nourish and grow my faith in Him.
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6
As the landscape turns increasingly green with living things in full bloom, Christians all over the world celebrate Easter. You can taste a growing sense of hope as believers greet each other with "He is risen."...."He is risen indeed!" The power of the resurrection can be perceived as more effective during certain seasons of the church calendar. I will admit to being fully encouraged by this reminder of the Lord's sufficient work on my behalf. My prayers are more earnest as I reflect on the fact that Christ is alive and reigning.
Good Friday was the darkest day in history, unlike the most dreary of winter days, as our Lord suffered unimaginable torture while being forsaken by His father. However, through His crucifixion, death and burial, a most hopeless narrative, He defeated sin and death for the sinful souls of mankind. As reformed Presbyterians, we don't emphasize the church calendar, the "holy days", because we celebrate the resurrection every Lord's day. Every Sunday is Easter Sunday in our church, yet the power of the resurrection becomes distant and seemingly impotent as we settle into our weekly Sunday routines. The reality that Christ is alive and ruling in heaven should fuel my prayers and encourage my soul no matter the season or Christian holiday. Almost twenty-seven years ago, a tiny seed of faith and new life sprouted up in my soul. Since then, through seasons of doubt, discouragement, hope and renewal, He has been faithful to nourish and grow my faith in Him.
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Steps
2015 begins with a frequent and often annoying question around the Oliphint house. "How many steps do you have?" Everyone got a fitbit for Christmas and some of us are tracking our steps daily. Sadly, it doesn't really motivate us to exercise (not much of a New Year's resolution family), but it does give a clear picture of active days, days when we are resting or even when we are just being slugs. As a kindergarten teacher, the accumulation of a lot of little steps is not hard to accomplish. Weekends leave me feeling sluggish as my daily total cuts in half (or less) of weekday activity.
While it's beginning of a new year, it's also the end of the semester-- the half way point for the school year. This is the time of year when kindergarten teachers (I assume all teachers) see their students take off with confidence using new skills and strategies. Dozens and dozens of little steps add up to create precious readers and writers. Every August I think to myself: the task it too hard, there are too many individual needs, there is too much material to cover and too many little steps on the road ahead. So, we begin with the basics- one day at a time: Letters have names and sounds. Letters make words. Words have spaces between them. Words combine to make (complete thoughts) sentences. We move from left to right and top to bottom to make sense of these sentences. Oh, right after we get a handle on individual letter sounds, we discover that letter combinations make a mess of everything, so we have fun tackling the crazy combinations of letter sounds. It's all these tiny steps that build something beautiful and bigger than any of us, something as natural as learning to speak.
Just this week, we observed a school holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Over the break, Kyle and I went to see the Oscar nominated film Selma, which portrays some of the small steps along a very long road to freedom. The movie literally shows thousands of people stepping arm in arm to advance the movement towards racial equality. It struck me that this movie, filled with brutality, hate and evil, took place within my husband's lifetime and just before I was born. Upon returning to school, I read an age-appropriate story about MLK to my students. Beautiful faces of every color listened intently as we read some of our country's recent past. Millions of steps in history (from Lincoln to MLK) worked to form this image of God given equality before my eyes on the classroom rug.
Finally, tonight our church family- Grace Community Presbyterian Church- celebrates a decade of ministry together in Ft. Worth, Texas. When the Oliphints moved to Texas ten years ago, our girls were 2 (and three quarters), 5 and 7 years old. We joined a church plant, not yet an organized church, where we worshiped in a strip mall, a day school and a local elementary cafeteria. Over the years, our family has had a front row seat-- witnessing God's blessing on this body of believers. Our faithful Lord has ordained countless steps while building His church. As I look back over the decade(s), I am increasingly mindful of His powerful presence every step of the way and His redeeming work in my life.
"Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep your precepts. Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law." Psalm 119
"I waited patiently for the LORD, he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure." Psalm 40
"The heart of a man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." Proverbs 16
While it's beginning of a new year, it's also the end of the semester-- the half way point for the school year. This is the time of year when kindergarten teachers (I assume all teachers) see their students take off with confidence using new skills and strategies. Dozens and dozens of little steps add up to create precious readers and writers. Every August I think to myself: the task it too hard, there are too many individual needs, there is too much material to cover and too many little steps on the road ahead. So, we begin with the basics- one day at a time: Letters have names and sounds. Letters make words. Words have spaces between them. Words combine to make (complete thoughts) sentences. We move from left to right and top to bottom to make sense of these sentences. Oh, right after we get a handle on individual letter sounds, we discover that letter combinations make a mess of everything, so we have fun tackling the crazy combinations of letter sounds. It's all these tiny steps that build something beautiful and bigger than any of us, something as natural as learning to speak.
Just this week, we observed a school holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Over the break, Kyle and I went to see the Oscar nominated film Selma, which portrays some of the small steps along a very long road to freedom. The movie literally shows thousands of people stepping arm in arm to advance the movement towards racial equality. It struck me that this movie, filled with brutality, hate and evil, took place within my husband's lifetime and just before I was born. Upon returning to school, I read an age-appropriate story about MLK to my students. Beautiful faces of every color listened intently as we read some of our country's recent past. Millions of steps in history (from Lincoln to MLK) worked to form this image of God given equality before my eyes on the classroom rug.
Finally, tonight our church family- Grace Community Presbyterian Church- celebrates a decade of ministry together in Ft. Worth, Texas. When the Oliphints moved to Texas ten years ago, our girls were 2 (and three quarters), 5 and 7 years old. We joined a church plant, not yet an organized church, where we worshiped in a strip mall, a day school and a local elementary cafeteria. Over the years, our family has had a front row seat-- witnessing God's blessing on this body of believers. Our faithful Lord has ordained countless steps while building His church. As I look back over the decade(s), I am increasingly mindful of His powerful presence every step of the way and His redeeming work in my life.
"Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep your precepts. Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law." Psalm 119
"I waited patiently for the LORD, he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure." Psalm 40
"The heart of a man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." Proverbs 16
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Bitter and Sweet
Here it is the last day of December, not to mention the last day of the year, and I haven't written anything this month. Our calendar has been packed with celebration, so why don't I feel like writing? Even this post is just an attempt to check the "December box" with a self-imposed obligatory update. Two words capture the Christmas holiday season in my mind: bitter and sweet. For me, it is so different from Thanksgiving where the overwhelming theme is one of gratitude.
We started off the month with a luxurious overnight in Dallas celebrating our anniversary. The hotel staff greeted us with enormous strawberries completely covered in dark chocolate. Kyle insisted that I should try them, as they were beyond delicious, but I just couldn't. Bitter and sweet do not mix well in my mind (or my taste buds). Still, I wonder if I'm missing something. Is there something profoundly good in the mixture of these two "tastes".
So much of life is a combination of bitter and sweet moments and the Christmas season seems to magnify this experience for me. With all of the joy and festivity (sweetness) surrounding the holidays, I tend to be sad this time of year, especially mindful of great loss (bitterness) in our lives. Every time I turn on the computer or the television, I read another story of tragedy and suffering. Just yesterday, I read a blog post of a young mother suffering well; I was stunned as she wove the bitterness of a life crushing disease with the sweetness of her faith in Christ. Unlike this dear saint, I am relatively untouched by the harsh realities of life in a fallen world or of a broken body. Her testimony of faith (see below) including the strength and peace that comes only from the Lord Jesus encourages my soul as I anticipate 2015.
Happy New Year, friends! May we taste the sweetness of God's amazing grace in the year ahead and be transformed by "the hope of Christmas".
http://myjourneywithibc.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-hope-of-christmas.html?m=1
We started off the month with a luxurious overnight in Dallas celebrating our anniversary. The hotel staff greeted us with enormous strawberries completely covered in dark chocolate. Kyle insisted that I should try them, as they were beyond delicious, but I just couldn't. Bitter and sweet do not mix well in my mind (or my taste buds). Still, I wonder if I'm missing something. Is there something profoundly good in the mixture of these two "tastes".
So much of life is a combination of bitter and sweet moments and the Christmas season seems to magnify this experience for me. With all of the joy and festivity (sweetness) surrounding the holidays, I tend to be sad this time of year, especially mindful of great loss (bitterness) in our lives. Every time I turn on the computer or the television, I read another story of tragedy and suffering. Just yesterday, I read a blog post of a young mother suffering well; I was stunned as she wove the bitterness of a life crushing disease with the sweetness of her faith in Christ. Unlike this dear saint, I am relatively untouched by the harsh realities of life in a fallen world or of a broken body. Her testimony of faith (see below) including the strength and peace that comes only from the Lord Jesus encourages my soul as I anticipate 2015.
Happy New Year, friends! May we taste the sweetness of God's amazing grace in the year ahead and be transformed by "the hope of Christmas".
http://myjourneywithibc.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-hope-of-christmas.html?m=1
Monday, November 24, 2014
Teach Me to Number My Days
Christmas cards have been ordered. Sparkling lights brighten the outside of our home and tubs of decorations fill the inside just waiting for a team of girls to go to work. The tree is up and Christmas music adds festivity. It's Thanksgiving break and we're so thankful for the week off-- including plenty of rest and time with extended family. My oldest daughter and her friends fill our house with delicious baked treats as they try out new recipes. The scene is picture perfect in many ways and I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for all of the rich blessings around us. So..... why do I feel so bah humbug as we welcome another holiday season? Even the annual tradition of watching "Elf" felt odd to me this year. It's not the typical to-do list, the shopping requests or the commercialization of Christmas that gets to me. I think it's the passing of time and the increased speed of each year that gives me pause. I keep thinking, "Didn't we JUST welcome the New Year?!" "2014-- where did it go?" "It seems we just celebrated Thanksgiving in Katy, Texas." These thoughts go on and on as I feel like it should be spring or early summer, NOT quickly approaching winter already! And, whatever happened to fall in Texas?! It's my favorite season and it lasted close to 10 days with the late departure of unwelcome heat and the early arrival of freezing weather. Of course the year was a full one-- we savored the busy days! We have multiple photo albums of memories reminding us of the Lord's goodness to us. I have no regrets. Still, I'm amazed by how quickly the weeks passed in 2014. It's as if the planets raced around the sun in their orbit making the seasons shorter somehow.
Maybe, this perspective is a normal mindset for those entering the mid-forties.... a midlife shift of sorts? Is this what they call a mid-life crisis? In the recent weeks, our church family welcomed two sweet baby girls and a baby boy to this world with great joy. At the same time, we celebrated the home-going of a dear sister-in-Christ as she entered the glories of heaven. Both beginning and end of life give us pause and cause us to offer much praise and thanksgiving to God. While these precious babies know none of the sufferings of life in a fallen world as they begin their days on earth, our amazing friend, who endured suffering through the various seasons of life, knows only peace in presence of her Savior as she also knows none of the sadness of this world anymore. Unlike these dear souls, I am in the middle of life on earth and all too aware of the tragic and horrific circumstances filling the news of our days. Thankfully, I am acquainted with the One who numbers our days and who rules over the the seasons with unending faithfulness. I rest in His care as He holds my days with steadfast love.
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want ......... Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever." from Psalm 23
Maybe, this perspective is a normal mindset for those entering the mid-forties.... a midlife shift of sorts? Is this what they call a mid-life crisis? In the recent weeks, our church family welcomed two sweet baby girls and a baby boy to this world with great joy. At the same time, we celebrated the home-going of a dear sister-in-Christ as she entered the glories of heaven. Both beginning and end of life give us pause and cause us to offer much praise and thanksgiving to God. While these precious babies know none of the sufferings of life in a fallen world as they begin their days on earth, our amazing friend, who endured suffering through the various seasons of life, knows only peace in presence of her Savior as she also knows none of the sadness of this world anymore. Unlike these dear souls, I am in the middle of life on earth and all too aware of the tragic and horrific circumstances filling the news of our days. Thankfully, I am acquainted with the One who numbers our days and who rules over the the seasons with unending faithfulness. I rest in His care as He holds my days with steadfast love.
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want ......... Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever." from Psalm 23
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Old Blog, New Name
For some time now, the name of my blog has bothered me---"Teacher's Notes". Originally, I started writing to keep notes while teaching in Africa, kind of a travel blog for family and friends back home. I never intended to continue writing after the summer of 2012. However, in God's providence, the "notes" continued following Dad's tragic accident and untimely death. Then, in the midst of a new season of parenting multiple teenagers, the words seemed to flow even more. Still, I'm not trying to TEACH anything to those who stumble across this blog, so the name seems unfitting. Sure, I'm a teacher, but I have no intention of sharing information from my classroom. My teaching profession is just one of the many aspects of life.
I've considered some questions to come up with a more appropriate name: Why do I write and what is the purpose? Is it just an online diary of sorts? As one who is prone to wander from the Lord in my thoughts, words and deeds, just as a sheep wanders from the fold, I hope my writing reflects a journey of stumbling faith in the midst of this broken world and mostly a faithful Shepherd who continually protects, guides and sustains me. I hope the grace and mercy of the Lord shines through my weakness and that fellow stumblers will be encouraged to seek Christ as well. In those moments when I feel the most vulnerable, such as middle of the night anxiousness, (most especially at my father's bedside during his final hours) "the Lord is my shepherd" plays over and over and over in my mind and heart. No matter the role-- teacher, mother, wife or friend--- I am no more than a needy sinner (a sheep) in need of the steadfast love and unending faithfulness of the Lord Jesus. His forgiving mercy and abundant goodness should be the theme of my writing. So much of life is confidential and not appropriate to share in a blog, but my journey with the Lord, in the midst of it all, is an open book and one that I will continue to record if the Lord wills.
"Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever; and his faithfulness to all generations." Psalm 100: 3-5
" Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43
I've considered some questions to come up with a more appropriate name: Why do I write and what is the purpose? Is it just an online diary of sorts? As one who is prone to wander from the Lord in my thoughts, words and deeds, just as a sheep wanders from the fold, I hope my writing reflects a journey of stumbling faith in the midst of this broken world and mostly a faithful Shepherd who continually protects, guides and sustains me. I hope the grace and mercy of the Lord shines through my weakness and that fellow stumblers will be encouraged to seek Christ as well. In those moments when I feel the most vulnerable, such as middle of the night anxiousness, (most especially at my father's bedside during his final hours) "the Lord is my shepherd" plays over and over and over in my mind and heart. No matter the role-- teacher, mother, wife or friend--- I am no more than a needy sinner (a sheep) in need of the steadfast love and unending faithfulness of the Lord Jesus. His forgiving mercy and abundant goodness should be the theme of my writing. So much of life is confidential and not appropriate to share in a blog, but my journey with the Lord, in the midst of it all, is an open book and one that I will continue to record if the Lord wills.
"Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever; and his faithfulness to all generations." Psalm 100: 3-5
" Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Calculating 20 Years
We've seen a couple of movies this week relating to the theme of marriage, both including great infidelity--- In one of the stories the marriage was redeemed by God's grace and in the other it was broken. As I look back over the years, I'm especially thankful for God's faithfulness and his goodness to us. While our blessings are countless, I've done some calculating of the details of God's provision for our family. It is only by his grace that we anticipate our 20th anniversary together-- on December 10th.
What goes into twenty years of marriage?
1 faithful Lord-- Christ Jesus
2 needy sinners- thankful for the mercy of God
3 beautiful daughters who are growing in grace
4 cities-- Jacksonville, suburban Philadelphia, Tampa, Ft. Worth
5 zipcodes (including apartment living)
6 churches-- under the shepherding care of loving elders
7 pets-- lots of dead fish
8 cars-- many car payments and repairs
9 countries visited-- expanding our vision of world and the kingdom of God
10 years in TEXAS-- ten more on the east coast
11 employers/job titles between the two of us (including security detail, UPS and Barnes and Noble)
12 years with Kelly-- blessed by her joyful and abiding presence
13 summers hiking in Crested Butte
14 years of pastoral ministry (many more including youth ministry and young life)
15 years with sweet Caroline-- blessed by her depth, thoughtfulness and passionate ways
16 years as homeowners (3 homes)-- mowing various lawns with the SAME lawnmower
17 years as parents (nearly)-- blessed by Katie Belle's strength, determination and grace
18 anniversaries celebrated at home (pizza, finals, packing to move, & Lonesome Dove Bistro)
19 family vacations to CB (including ski trips)
20 glorious years together
Kyle, it's been quite a journey. I'm crazy thankful for the blessing of doing life by your side.
I love you very much!
Your Bee
What goes into twenty years of marriage?
1 faithful Lord-- Christ Jesus
2 needy sinners- thankful for the mercy of God
3 beautiful daughters who are growing in grace
4 cities-- Jacksonville, suburban Philadelphia, Tampa, Ft. Worth
5 zipcodes (including apartment living)
6 churches-- under the shepherding care of loving elders
7 pets-- lots of dead fish
8 cars-- many car payments and repairs
9 countries visited-- expanding our vision of world and the kingdom of God
10 years in TEXAS-- ten more on the east coast
11 employers/job titles between the two of us (including security detail, UPS and Barnes and Noble)
12 years with Kelly-- blessed by her joyful and abiding presence
13 summers hiking in Crested Butte
14 years of pastoral ministry (many more including youth ministry and young life)
15 years with sweet Caroline-- blessed by her depth, thoughtfulness and passionate ways
16 years as homeowners (3 homes)-- mowing various lawns with the SAME lawnmower
17 years as parents (nearly)-- blessed by Katie Belle's strength, determination and grace
18 anniversaries celebrated at home (pizza, finals, packing to move, & Lonesome Dove Bistro)
19 family vacations to CB (including ski trips)
20 glorious years together
Kyle, it's been quite a journey. I'm crazy thankful for the blessing of doing life by your side.
I love you very much!
Your Bee
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