Pages

Chevron Background

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Waking Up Early



Ever since schools started back up in August and I had a little mini-meltdown that I wasn't a teacher this year, I have felt God pushing me toward this revelation.  I pouted and cried a little one day, when it seemed like every single one of my sweet teacher friends was posting cute pictures of their classroom, or something about "first day jitters," because this is the first year I miss the classroom.  I miss the kids, the creativity, the planning, the fun, the singing, the camaraderie of teachers, the fulfillment of a job well done, the interaction with so many families, the smiles, the hugs, the "Aha" moments when a kid finally understands something, the funny things they say, the joy of praying for the kids and their families and seeing prayers answered.  I miss it all.

However, I am not called back to the classroom right now.  Not this season.  My husband began his first full-time ministry position as Associate Pastor back in May, and we are only now just starting to catch our breath.  We have a two year old wild boy and an 8 month old baby girl, and I am needed at home and in our church right now.  I just could not physically juggle a full-time teaching position and give it my 110%.  Some moms absolutely rock at this, I know and love several, and I am in total amazement and admiration of them.  I'm just not there yet.

Here was my take away from my mope day: My teaching career and classroom ran smoothly because I was on a specific, intentional, planned SCHEDULE!  I had an alarm set, I got up, I did my morning thing, and I drove my happy teacher booty to work.  My "job" right now is of just as much value, importance, and meaning.  However, as long as I am just haphazardly trying to survive it, instead of intentionally thriving it, I am not doing my best.

Waking up when the kids do, trying to fit my Bible time in between naps and meals and using the TV more than I ever thought I would to distract my toddler so I can just try to sit down and THINK about what the heck I am supposed to be doing is NOT ok...you get the picture.  It's been rough, but I think this is the answer.

I always wanted to participate in this October daily writing challenge, and so now I have a real reason.  This is my accountability.  This is my goal.  Every single day of October, get up when I set my alarm.

7:27 am.

It may not seem early to you, but with a co-sleeping 8 month old who loves my boobs more than I ever thought possible, this is early for me, folks.

I am not going to map out a complete "daily schedule" yet.  I am going to take this one step at a time.  The first and most important step though, is a consistent morning.  Hence, the wake-up time business.  This picture has long inspired me as well.
photo credit

I have had excuses and freedom and late mornings long enough.  This is a writing challenge and a life challenge.  I'm ready to embrace it.

Photo credit

Here we go!

This is the coolest 31 Day Writing Challenge explanation.

This is also going to be my "Landing Page" where you can find every day from this challenge in one place.
I think the most funny/interesting posts will be found on Day 2, 8, 10, and 16.

Then Days 18-23 are where I decided to abandon the time challenge, and instead embrace the task/Spirit-led challenge.

Day One: Roadtrip

Day Two: Conference

Day Three: More Conference

Day Four: Anniversary

Day Five: Sunday Morning

Day Six and Seven: Back to Reality

Day Eight: Embracing My Mary Heart

Day Nine: Friends Help

Day Ten: Sad Soup

Day Eleven: Alone Time

Day Twelve: Prodigal Son Sermon Summary

Day Thirteen: First "Sleep In"

Day Fourteen: Puddles

Day Fifteen: Ebola FREAKS me OUT!

Day Sixteen: Why Ebola Should Not Freak Out Christians

Day Seventeen: Instagram

Day Eighteen: Tired

Day Nineteen: More Questions Than Answers

Day Twenty: Plans Trump Time

Day Twenty-One: Ladies Bible Study

Day Twenty-Two: 8:07 and Happy

Day Twenty-Three: All Things Well

Day Twenty-Four: Sweet Morning

Day Twenty-Five: Pumpkin Patch

Day Twenty-Six: This Challenge is OVER.

Waking Up Early: Closure

3 comments:

  1. I never took early classes in college or grad school and always dreaded the day I would have to wake up early to go work... Of course I'm used to it now, but I still feel like an old woman when I have to go to bed by 10:00 :D

    Don't be sad that you are not teaching this year. I agree that you were GREAT at it, and believe me when I say this world needs a LOT more teachers like you. But you are raising amazing kids that will be great human beings like yourself, and that's not a small thing... I'm sure soon enough you will get to go back to teaching and being your wonderful, patient and inspiring self.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ghazal! I am going to have to get better at going to bed earlier!

      I love being a stay at home mom, and I know lots of moms wish they could be, so I try not to take it for granted. This was just the first year I actually really missed teaching. However, God has given me some other outlets to be able to teach lately, so I'm doing a lot better than I was in August.

      Delete
  2. Awesome! I have felt similarly lately. I have felt in many ways like my classroom worked like a well oiled machine (sort of ;)) and that my days now are not. I've thought of getting up earlier, but yet the idea of not doing it and thus 'failing' keep me from it. I look forward to reading about your 31 days.
    -Katie

    ReplyDelete