spring cleaning

spring has sprung! or for those of you living in chicago-land... spring is in the long-awaited process of "spring=ing". our morning started with a nice thick layer of frost on all windows of the car, and ended with leaving the gym wearing a very light hoodie. no more coat!

spring means so much to me.

as a teacher, spring means that ISAT's are finally over, and i can resume a greater control in my classroom and lesson planning. today's vocabulary Word of the Week (WOW! how cheesy, right?) was "germinate": to sprout, to grow. we spent a good part of the beginning of class brainstorming the various ways we experience nature "germinating", to which we all looked longingly out the window for even the slightest hint of spring.

as a student, spring means that i have FINALLY finished my Master's program in bilingual & esl education and curriculum & instruction. Phew... this has been a long process, of about three school years and every summer in between. as i look forward to using all the lessons and experiences that i have gained in this educational process, i am grateful for the arrival of spring to remind me of "new" and "possibility" and endless "opportunities".

as a friend, spring means the arrival of so many birthdays! i celebrate your birthday with you all during this joyous season of new beginnings. happy birthday to: zach, kiss, becky, ryan, abbs, honk, grandpa huston, nana, brooky, dad, mckay, wells, jessie, and casers!

as a wife, spring means that i am reminded to renew my commitment to my wonderful husband, as we watch god's commitment to his majestic creation unfold with each blossom that opens and each bird that sings. i am so grateful for you, jas, and am honored to be called your wife and to walk this journey side by side with you. i love you with all that i am.

as an adventure-lover, spring means that we have four short months to pack our apartment, store our "things" and ready our hearts to move 4168 miles away to san pedro sula, honduras. geesh. not enough time. we'll get the logistical things taken care of for sure. i am more interested in preparing in more "important" ways. we look forward, this spring, to dinners with friends and family, laughter, sharing stories, hugs, tears, and many, many memories together. call us! :)

as a follower of christ during this lenten season, spring means the opportunity to reflect on what god is doing in and around me, and to center myself once again on his higher and greater purposes. jason and i have challenged each other to be more intentional with our time together and with others. "how" we are doing this, matters little when compared with the "why". spring reminds me that i am made in his beautiful image, and in that to desire beautiful things in life. as i ponder the beautiful ways god calls us to live, i am challenged to love more, give more and wait more in his sweet presence.

and, as with most of us this time of year, spring means that i can clean out the clutter, sweep away the dirt, shine the dusty, dull places around me, and gaze even more at the glorious light that surrounds each of us any moment we would pause to witness it.