New Day - New Smiles

Do you ever feel like some weeks are longer than others?  It reality each week only has 168 hours.  But in my life some of those hours seem to be on fast forward and at other times they seem to be marching time.  Can you relate?

I experienced the latter this week.  We had STAAR testing at the beginning of the week.  Therefore I didn't see some of my students for 2 days.  No worries... we had enough drama with them Wednesday & Thursday to last me for the rest of the semester!

But here we are (like every week) staring at Friday... finally!  I've already given this day - and all that it may hold to the Lord.  Even though it was a hard week - He has sustained me.  It didn't beat me!

Just a quick update on Franklin happenings....
1.  I only have 2 more online classes and an ESL test and I will be COMPLETELY done with my certification.  In fact, I've already signed my contract for next year with LHS Science.

2.  I'm speaking at a local church's Women's Retreat in April.  I'm really excited about this!

3.  Jordan & I are going to NOLA at the end of May for a wedding!  John's secretary is getting married.  I can't wait to share this super special day with them!

4.  JP has started T-Ball - Jordan's dance recital is in June.  It's going to be a busy season!

5.  The summer is filling up quickly with GA Camp, VBS, Youth Camp (I'm a counselor), Grandmother & Papa Camp, and just plain old relaxing.....  I'm NOT teaching Summer School!


In lieu of it being Finally Friday and the hope of all that's coming our way... I thought we could all use a happy song!  I pray you have a great "morning" - and an even better weekend!

Prop me up!

The Final Stretch!!

I can't believe my first year of teaching is in the final stretch!  What a year this has been!  There are only 9 more weeks of school left.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I only have 2 more G/T online classes and an ESL Certification test remaining and this excites me!

However, even though I'm excited, I still want to finish strong.  It's not over yet - so much can happen in 9 weeks.  I've had some recent days where I think all I can do is just survive until May.  I want to do more than just survive.

When Jordan first started preschool - she and I both were a little nervous.  I was sad not to see her all day and she was scared about going to a new place with new people.  So I gave her a kiss and told her to put it in her pocket.  If she got to a point in her day where she missed me - just take out that "kiss" and put it on her face and it would be like I was right there with her.

Somehow this worked for her!  Today I read a verse in Psalms that I'm going to treat like this "kiss" I gave Jordan so many years ago.  I'm going to tuck it away in my pocket and when I feel I can't finish strong - I'm going to pull it out and remember that the Lord is right here beside me.

Ready for the verse?  Me too!

Psalm 68:19 (ESV)

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; 

God is our salvation.

With His daily bearing up I can conquer these next 9 weeks!

Have a great day everyone!

His Word Sunday

Yesterday I went to Kilgore for the very last Saturday training session!  Victory!

I started this program in April 2011 and now I only have 3 more online classes and an ESL test remaining and in June I will have my Standard Certificate.

When it's all said and done I will be be certified in every Science 8-12th grade, ESL & G/T.

What a journey!  I could not have done this without the prayers of friends and family and of course the Lord.

I read this verse this morning and had to say "Amen" while reading....

Psalm 54:4 (ESV)

Behold, God is my helper;

the Lord is the upholder of my life.

The upholder of my life!  There are so many names of God.  We see them throughout scripture - Healer, Prince of Peace, Provider... etc.  I love them all.

But I think I just found a new favorite - the Upholder of my life.

This picture here represents the Upholder of my life.
(notice at the bottom right my total hours!)

I could not have completed all of this right after John's move to Heaven if the Lord had not been holding up my life!

Thank you God!

Live Like That

What a full week it's been!  I administered a TAKS test, a Chemistry Final, went to New Orleans and tomorrow I'm traveling to Kilgore for my VERY LAST Saturday training!!!  I'm so excited for that part of my new journey to come to a close!

On Friday mornings, during my prayer time, I typically reflect back on the week.  I'm often confessing that I could have done things better.  I could have been more compassionate.  I could have not gotten upset so quickly.  I should have shown more of Him & less of me.

I know, whether I realize it at the time or not, that I'm leaving my fingerprint every place I go.   I want it to be a positive one.  One that points to Jesus.

While in New Orleans I spoke about our current assignment from the Lord.  One of the things we talked about was "how will we be graded on this assignment".  Isn't this what every kid wants to know from their teacher?

With God it's pretty simple.  My life - the way I live it - will reflect what kind of grade I'm getting.  Does my life reflect the person of Jesus?  Does it show more of Him and less of me?

In my heart - this is the kind of life that I want to live.  I know I've got a long way to go.  I'm so grateful that He gives me grace upon grace to get it right!

I heard this song last week and have been so encouraged by it - I hope you enjoy your Friday!

Steady my heart

You know what one of my most favorite things about a sunrise is?  It symbolizes a brand new day!  You get to start all over!  It gives you an opportunity to take a deep breath and have a "do-over."

However, I'm realizing more and more at school, I have to pretend or rather treat each new class period as if it were a brand new day.  I can't carry over to 4th period what happened in 3rd period - that's not very fair to them.  Just so you know... this is SUPER HARD!

I have to consciously take a deep breath and somehow steady my heart from the drama that just happened and present a "whole new day, a whole new Mrs. Franklin" to the kids that are seeing me for the first time since yesterday.

I heard this song this week and fell in love with it!  It's all about how God is with us, even on those really hard days... and the process, He steadies our heart!

I hope you have a fantastic Friday!