Who am I? A wife for almost 40 years. A mom for over 36 years. A sister and a friend, of course. Each of these help describe me. But, even more, I have been a Christian since accepting Him as my Savior when I was 12 years old and, this truth defines each area of my life. I have enjoyed some mountain top experiences but have been through some very deep valleys as well. Valleys of incredible grief and even pits of depression. However, most of my days are ordinary, routine kind of days. But in every one of my days, God has been faithful. He has walked with me whatever the day. He strengthens, comforts, encourages and blesses me with life "most abundant."

A favorite life verse: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Why do I write? Though not quite as private as my dad, I am definitely my father's daughter. I find it difficult to share. And to let others in. But I do love to write. I love to put words into sentences and sentences in paragraphs that help express my thoughts. I hope my words help me share my heart. Share the life that God has given me and all that He has done for me and through me. I write with the hope of giving Him at least a bit of the glory He is due.

A verse to guide my writing: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:7

A Hodge Podge and (a Short) Blog Break

Posted on By jennifer

Welcome friends!  I hope you enjoy this week’s Hodge Podge.  I will miss visiting everyone’s blog…but will join the fun again in two weeks.  For now,

1. What’s something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to doing?  Well, I could say to blog consistently, but that would not apply just to this summer.  That is an-ongoing struggle.  I could also say lose fifteen pounds.  Again, that could apply to every season.  Ugh.  (This is why I don’t make bucket lists.  Then I do not as easily notice what is not getting done!)  I guess my answer would be tackling a huge (way too huge) purging/organizational project in our basement.  We are storing some things (way too many things) for someone.  It has been in the back room of our basement for waaayy longer than I anticipated.  I had really hoped it would be sorted, even gone, by this time.  Nothing has budged.  It is a difficult situation, to be sure.  Enough said.

2. Were you the student who sat in the front row or hid in the back of the class? If you could go back and take one high school class again just for fun, which would it be?  Definitely sat close to the front.  Sometimes the front row.  I remember the front row often being “reserved” for those who needed assigned seats (ahem).  As for taking a high school class again, I would take journalism again.  We basically produced the school newspaper and I loved it.  Although it might not be “fun,” I would also try French V again.  I was signed up for this class in my senior year but I did not last.  I was in a new school and my first four years of French (in a different school/different county) no way prepared me for that level of French.  I wonder if I could have stuck it out, muddled through and actually learned some “real” French!?!

3. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher? There are lots of charateristics that define those I know (and consider) excellent teachers.  They have a love, often even a passion, for teaching.  They know how to naturally engage students and, typically, have far more patience than I do.  But one of the things that I really notice and appreciate in good teachers is classroom management and/or control.  For many reasons, I think this is becoming harder and harder to do and the impact is enormous.  It is not easy but those who can not only create routines and clear expectations as well keep students focused, orderly and productive are top notch in my opinion.  I have been blessed to work with some teachers like that and they continue to be role-models for me.

4.  September 2nd is National Grits Day. Have you ever eaten grits? Are you a fan? If so how do you like yours? Would people describe you as ‘having grit’?  I love grits!  I was raised on grits and often fed my children grits, however, I do not think either of them eat them anymore.  Their loss, for sure.  I quickly looked through the internet for a picture of grits and, oh my, some of the photos were anything but grits like I know grits.  (I assume we are all talking about the same grits!? And who would serve their morning grits with tomatoes!??! Moving on.)  I do like cheesy grits but am perfectly happy with well-salted grits served with an oversized helping of butter!  What a yummy way to start the morning.  As far as being someone who “has grit,” I rather doubt too many (or any) folks would describe me that way.

5. What’s something you’re never too old or too young to enjoy? Being outside in the rain.  A nice back rub.  Silly dancing in the kitchen. Snuggling a puppy. And stories (read or otherwise) at bedtime that let you drift off to sleep.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  When this post is published, I will be on my way to the airport and at the beginning of my vacation.  We will be flying to Boston in order to catch a cruise that will go to Maine and then up into Canada.  This itinerary has been on my “bucket list” for years and, well, it is finally here.  Yes, I’m super excited.  I had considered taking a blog break but decided to get this one last post completed.  That said, it will be two week before I am home and able to blog again.  I also will not have internet ($25 a day internet!) on the ship, so no blog visiting or commenting for me.  I guess that is what a blog break means.  I sure do hope you will come back to my small space in two weeks.  Out of sight/out of mind is a real thing in blogland…but, I will return.  I might even have pictures.  Goodness, let’s hope so.  That said, enjoy the start of your September.  The “ber” months that so many of you love and enjoy!!  Here’s to all the fall fun that is on the horizon!:)

Hodge Podge

Comments (8)

  1. Jennifer, I hope you have an amazing time on your vacation. And yes, take a few pictures if for nothing else just to add to the memories of your bucket list item.

    I wanted to purge and organize the stuff in the basement. It is past time to get rid of the teacher materials that have been stored down there. I don’t like grits (it is a texture thing) and refuse to eat stuff I don’t like. If we weren’t seated alphabetically in the high school classroom, then I usually sat up front. I would take chemistry again. It was a hard class, but the teacher taught us a good bit about being responsible and having expectations.

    See you when you return!

    Reply

  2. Snuggling a puppy. 🙂 Loved your answer to #5.

    Enjoy your trip. I will look forward to hearing all about it.
    Love, Carla

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  3. I hope you get your basement sorted soon.
    I love the sound of producing a school newspaper and yes, teachers have to have a passion for it. I knew a few who didn’t when I was at school.
    I found myself nodding along to everything you said for question 5.
    Have a wonderful vacation!

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  4. Your trip sounds wonderful, and I trust it is everything and more that you anticipated. It is so good to read that someone else likes grits with their butter. LOL!

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  6. I hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise! Will you go all the way to PEI? I agree classroom management is such a challenge in this strange era we’re navigating. I think it burns teachers out too, which is a shame. I hope the storage situation is resolved soon. It sounds a bit stressful. I think grits are one of those foods that need a lot of salt, and definitely butter. Safe travels!

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  8. Ohhhhh! I cannot wait to hear all about your trip! I hope you are having a wonderful time, my friend!!!!! We will be here when you return.

    Reply

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