A great two weeks!

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT)

What a wondeful two weeks.stephanie and I just returned from two glorious weeks with our grandkids. It was a whirlwind from Florida's beaches to camping in Missouri it was a great time. I am a blessed man and praise God for watching over us, protecting us in nearly 4000 miles of road time and countless hours away from home. The memories are well worth the time spent on the road.

Now it's back to school and the rush to finish the end of the school year. We have 36 days of school left and it will definitely be a busy time at school. With CMA Sonrise Riders and with family time. 

Dear Lord, please watch over me and my family as we wind up the school year and head into summer. I don't deserve your wonderful love but you give it freely every day. I praise you for your love. I praise you for the joy you put in my heart. Thank You Lord! Amen!

See you in 9 days!

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:52 NIV)

It's here! Just a few hours from now GHS will officially be celebrating Spring Break! I can't think of anyone not ready. I also can't think of anyone who doesn't deserve it! 

I am so proud of our community, students, staff, and support staff for enduring such a difficult school year. The weather has such a huge impact on education. If you aren't directly involved in teaching or learning you probably don't understand. Continuity and routine are such important parts of an effective education. The snow days are always fun, but even the students were tired of the endless winter. Our great custodial and maintenance staff can finally get something done besides plowing snow. Now we get that break we need and when we get back, we will have a mad 9 week dash to the end of the year. 

We are provided times like this to remind us of the joy only God can provide. Sure we can simulate pure joy as we enjoy vacation, or a needed break. But the real joy can only come by turning over life's chaos to the God that created us. The peace we need to fill our hearts, minds, and spirit is found through the daily walk with the Holy Spirit. We don't get to experience the ultimate joy until we spend it in eternity. Until then, we will take moments like Spring Break, stretch out, and live in the temporary joy of a quiet 9 days away from the world!

Have a great Spring Break GHS, we'll see you in 9 days! 

IT"S PURE LAZINESS!

Psalm 55 (New International Version, ©2011)

 ⁴ My heart is in anguish within me;
   the terrors of death have fallen on me.
⁵ Fear and trembling have beset me;
   horror has overwhelmed me.
⁶ I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
   I would fly away and be at rest. ⁷ I would flee far away
   and stay in the desert;^[c] 
8 I would hurry to my place of shelter,
   far from the tempest and storm.”

God is just about to give me the wings of a dove and Fly away to be at rest! Spring Break begins in 2 days and I just can't wait. We are heading south to a place of rest. God has blessed us with the means to do this on an annual basis. We just love spending the time with the grandkids and the family. (Although all of us don't get to go this year.)  Our Day consists of getting up and having breakfast then heading straight to the beach. We then spend the rest of the morning laying around and trying to decide when to eat lunch and what to have. We then play some more or lie around on the beach. Then we talk about what we are doing for supper. Then we lay around some more, eat supper, go to bed, and start it all over the next day. IT'S PURE LAZINESS and I can't wait. 

I just love to spend time recharging the batteries and doing it with my great family. Sometimes life is so stormy and the tempest is overwhelming. Our shelter should be God. But, in our fast paced society where we rush from one event to another, we often forget to take the time to find God and enjoy his peace. Sitting along the peaceful shore of the Gulf of Mexico, I have often found the peace of God far away from the hustle and bustle of Garrett and GHS. 

Dear Lord, Thank you for providing the opportunity to get away. I know that so many people don't get the chance to do this. I know it is only by your grace. Help us to relax, enjoy each other, and enjoy your presence while we are away. I praise you for your blessings. I praise you for the gifts you provide. I praise you for the gift of your son. Amen!