Thoughts about Teachers...

I haven't said anything because it almost feels like tragedy, especially when it's widespread, especially when it's as heartbreaking as some of those our country has experienced lately, shouldn't be spoken of other than to say "we're sorry."

I don't like it when people use tragedies for agendas. And I hope and pray this doesn't come across that way. I'm completely agenda-less here. But I want people to realize something.

Teachers care about their students.

A few months ago, a teacher died for her students, literally laid down her life so that they could live, the very thing Jesus tells us is the greatest love anyone can have, in the Sandy Hook shootings. I cried when I saw her picture. I cried because she was so young. Because she did the right thing.

Because I could so easily have been in her shoes.

Anyone who has been a teacher has probably been forced, at one point or another, to consider the 'what-ifs'. To think through all of the unthinkable threats that could face their students and to wonder, to plan, what they would do. And for all of the mistrust of teachers these days, all of the assumptions that they're 'in it for the money' (haha!), almost every teacher I've ever met I believe eventually came to the same conclusion.

Teachers are responsible for their students. Sure, on paper, maybe their contract says they're responsible for the students' learning. But in their hearts, they feel responsible for their safety. For their lives. When I became a teacher, I knew that whatever happened, my number one goal was going to be to keep my students safe. And I'm not heroic by nature. It's just the way I knew it would have to be.

This Moore, Oklahoma tornado has brought more brave teachers to the forefront of public attention. And I believe they ARE heroes. For sure.

But you know what? I'm not surprised.

The idea that a teacher would lay her body on top of her students and pray that they'd be spared from the fury of an F-5 tornado? It seems completely natural. You know why?

Teachers. Love. Their. Students.

Let's honor these teachers for the heroes they are. Let's tell them thank you, let them know that we're watching and that they did the right thing. But as a nation, could we take this to heart? Maybe see that for each of these teachers who does have the occasion to prove that they'd lay down their lives for their students, there are hundreds--thousands more who (thankfully) will never be given the opportunity to prove such a thing, but who feel it in their hearts? Parents, can you know that almost every teacher your child has truly does care about him and they make the decisions they make in the classroom because it's what's best for your child? Can you acknowledge that we're on the same team?

Teachers everywhere--thank you. Thanks for your love, that covers a multitude of talking without permission, not-turned-in homework, episodes of plagiarism, and misbehavior. Thanks for caring about the people these kids are.

Teachers in Oklahoma--thank you. Your love for these kids has shown them and has shown a nation what love really is. I pray for you in your recovery from this tornado, and thank you for the testament you are to a whole profession of people whose immense love for kids sometimes goes unnoticed.

Progress!

Y'all, do you ever feel like you just can't quiiiite get it together? Like if you just had one more thing, one more organizational tool, one more calendar, one more hand, one more sip of coffee, you could be one of those people who doesn't constantly look like you're about to lose it?

Okay, yeah, maybe it's just me.

So I've been working a lot on priorities lately. Here are some of the things I've been working on this week.

1. Time with God. I know I want this to be a bigger part of my life, not out of obligation, but because I really do want to be walking with Him.

2. Time with my boys. The little ones and the big handsome one. Because they're my family. And time with my other family, like my parents and sister too. And friends. Basically, relationships are important.

3. Writing. It's my dream, and it really is coming true, so how could I not invest in it?

4. Housework. And not just making sure I can check off an impressive list of what I get done in a day (although, haha, you wouldn't be all that impressed...). What I'm working on here is doing things AS. I. GO. and putting things away RIGHT AWAY and taking care of little jobs immediately so they don't pile up.

So far for the day I'm doing pretty good! But #3 is calling, so this is short. I just wanted to pop in and say hi since I never wrote that post I promised (time is flying so fast!!!!) and I miss talking to y'all!

Hopefully more soon!

Happy Friday!

Visit me today at Scribble Chicks!

And for y'all who just came from there and popped over here to see if there were any new posts--I'll have one up for you tomorrow! =)

Happy May 1st!

So my family members and I have a habit of texting or calling each other every time it's a new month and being the first to say "Happy (Whatever-month-it-is) First!"

My sister got me today. I got a Happy May 1st text this morning, before I'd even have coffee. Watch out, Sissy. June is mine. ;)

I'm excited that it's May because that means summer's coming and I'm excited because it means Talon, the next book in Ronie Kendig's A Breed Apart Series, is officially out today!

Seriously, y'all. If you like romantic suspense and you haven't discovered this author yet, you're completely missing out.

Aspen Courtland, the heroine of the book, is someone readers of the first book in the series have already met. To be honest, while I liked her fine in Book 1, I was surprised my how much I utterly adored her character in this book. She's got depth, spunk, plenty of temper, and a romantic heart. What's not the like there? Seeing her spar (verbally and physically) with the hero was great and I loved the chemistry between the two of them. Sparks were practically flying off the pages of the book, I'm telling you.

The suspense in this book is excellent. The pacing is just right and I never felt like the more romantic scenes were rushed, but there was plenty of rapid machine gun fire and plenty of explosions to keep my heart pounding and keep me reading way (too) late into the night. The plot was complex and kept me guessing and trying to figure out how everything tied together.

Ronie Kendig, who I just started reading a couple of years ago when I read Digitalis (book 2 in an incredible series--read book 1 first!), is quickly becoming one of my top five favorite Christian fiction authors of all time. I loved her first series, and the main thought it my mind when I finished Talon a couple days ago was that she just keeps getting better.

The only bad news? I have to wait until next year for Book 3. But it'll be worth it. Check this one out, you'll be glad you did--even if it keeps you awake half the night like it did for me. =)








***I forgot that I'm supposed to tell you I received a complimentary copy of this book. I wasn't, however, required to post a review at all, and would never tell you a book was awesome if it wasn't. This one was. Trust me.***