He is so kind

In the quiet moments of the morning 

I lay quietly in my bed.

Often before I rise,

and put my feet to the floor

I pray.

In honesty,

sometimes the praying turns into extra sleep.

But, it is my routine to pray

for my people

for my day

for the things that 

plague me

press me and

present challenge.

I pray through my day ahead

I ask for wisdom

I align myself

I listen.

You see, I routinely struggle

to come to terms

to put to rest 

to lay down the

feelings of 

guilt

shame

and regret.

This morning, 

He spoke kindly to my heart

about His timing

about His provision

about His plan

He told me, without hesitation,

He has seen me through it all

He has known me through it all

He has loved me through it all

He has been there through it all. 

It wasn’t the first time 

I’ve heard these words.

He has repeated them to me 

Every. single. day for four years. 

But, this morning as He spoke truth to me 

so beautifully

so specifically

so directly. 

I felt a paradigm shift

A rearrangement in my thoughts

A letting go -- 

like the real kind of letting go

The never going to pick it back up again kind of letting go.

This brings me hope.

And hope walks hand and hand with courage!

Courage, to approach each day victorious 

because of He who lives in me. 

He is so kind to me.

52 Weeks of 52: Week 52

 Week 52
January 18, 2020

I am closing out and 
raising a toast to Week 52 of being 52
These 52 weeks were certainly unprecedented

filled with firsts for everyone

I have said at least weekly,

"This is such a weird year!"

This last week our toaster

gave up her life

I have never really grown attached to 

any kind of kitchen appliance until this toaster 

which holds special meaning to me.

When moving into our duplex

in April of 2017 

I was amazed and energized 

by the way the Lord provided.

It seemed at every turn 

I was reminded of His goodness.

On the day after we moved

I was savoring the reality of 

an unpacked and settled home

a stocked fridge

a place where so many came together 

and made it happen 

I was looking at a place

that would be our refuge

offering peace to my heart.

I thanked the Lord profusely for His goodness 

and remarked that as I looked over the list I had made 

of things I needed

I was amazed the only thing missing was a toaster. 

I figured I could do without

and find a cheap one somewhere

I left that morning 

to meet a friend for breakfast

and when I returned there was a vase of flowers on my doorstep 

that included a gift card to Bed Bath and Beyond.

The Lord whispered to me

"I want you to have the best toaster!"

The toaster in the photo was what I bought that day.

But more than a toaster --

I received a sweet reminder from the Lord.

He would provide whatever I needed

He would direct my steps

He would protect me

Better yet, 

He reminded me that I was not to worry about 

a single thing 

because he already had it figured out 

I could trust Him with it all.

He assured me that...

He sees me

He knows me

He delights in me.

As I wrap up year 52

I've seen 52 weeks  that have been like no other

We have faced 

uncertainty

sadness

and unrest.

We have seen

sickness

protests and

unprecedented discord

We had a front row seat

to bothers and sisters

once united

now spewing hatred and 

have witnessed

all things ugly

But as I prepare to make another 

trip around the sun 

(and retire this most special toaster)

The Lord whispers once again

"Do not be weary, I've still got this"

I  see you

I  know you

I  delight in you

There is nothing

NOTHING

that can change that!

52 Week of 52: Week 38

Week 38
October 14, 2020

There has been much discussion
and debate over the exact day
that declares when we 
first met
It is hard to define
since it took some time 
and text messages before 
we actually physically met
But I remember praying 
and letting the Lord know
I was feeling like I was at a point
where I didn't think I could make it
How was I going to support myself
How was I going to keep it all afloat
I sent out a bit of an SOS
one laying out specific things I needed
The prayer was long 
the prayer was detailed 
the prayer was heartfelt

and....
It was shortly after that, we met 
so while the meeting

centered around 
a laptop
and the exact date 

can not be determined
We look to the "book of face"
who helps us remember 
when we don't
when things actually happened
He friended me
to alleviate my fears,  I assume
that the guy I was meeting at the 
McDonalds for the laptop exchange 
was not a crazy ax murderer. 
So, October 14th is the day we celebrate
our “FB Friendaversary” 

which is followed by our “Meetavesary” 

and then is followed up by “a whirlwind” — and I’m living the most amazing dream possible.
#

52 Weeks of 52 : Week 35

 Week 35

September 23, 2020

I don't know who started
National Daughter Day
But I certainly have reason to celebrate!
These gals
who call me Mumsy
have transformed into
beautiful, young ladies
I now call friend.
Celebrating these beautiful gems

comes easy

My praise for them

falls quickly from my lips

without effort

I am moved with emotion

as I watch them

navigate life

Do the things they think they can't

I pray daily for them

to grow in grace

to see that the Lord is faithful

to see that HE is good

to know the HE delights in every single fiber of their being.

I love to be called their Mumsy

It's not perfect

It's downright messy

But these three humans

have a piece of my heart

are fiercely loved

and I relish the moments we share.

We are traveling a journey together

that is unique

that is our story

52 Weeks of 52 : Week 34

 Week 34

September 16, 2020

A visit to my hometown

has stirred up quite a bit in my soul

that I can barely put into words

My connection to the Burg

has dwindled some

It has gotten more difficult to get back there 

on a regular basis 

since we live halfway across the country 

This visit was a reminder

of how this place

my childhood stomping grounds

had a huge impact on who I am today

This weekend was so special to me

I enjoyed being able to hear my Dad speak

and take part in an amazing 250th celebration

of Davids Church

I am so thankful to have made the trip

I am so thankful to have decided 

a trip during the first week back to school

 during a pandemic was actually not a bad idea!

Because it was JUST WHAT I NEEDED!

52 Weeks of 52: Week 33

 Week 33
September 9, 2020

A hometown visit offers

an opportunity to snag a few hours

with this gem. 
She is a beautiful soul and

my admiration runs deep for the

way she shaped and molded my life

I am forever grateful

and find myself trying to emulate her

every.single.day

I realize quickly

My life would not have been the same
Had it not been touched
And continue to be touched
Significantly
By this woman.
Mrs. June Baker
PE teacher
And now- my friend.
She always has a special ‘word’ to say
A significant way to make me feel valued
I only hope—
I pray
I can instill the same thing
To the students in my building
Mrs. Baker
Mrs. B
Life changer
World changer
Now— my friend
June
The deposits she made in my life
Now yield dividends
And spill out into the lives of
my students

52 Weeks of 52: Week 32

Week 32

September 5, 2020

Millersburg.

My hometown of 18 years

The place that molded me

The people who shaped me

Nostalgia

Reminiscing

So many thoughts

All the big feels

Every moment

Shaped by His hand

Ordained by Him.

I am blessed.

I am grateful.

Looking back- I realize

This truth remains

He sees me

He knows me

He delights in me.

Photo: the homestead

52 Weeks of 52: Week 31

August 26, 2020

Week 31

Suddenly, it seems, I have woken up and this one

the one who made me Mumsy

is blossoming and

becoming a woman of adventure

becoming a woman of strength

Her beauty shines from deep within.

She is my Sassafras

and I love her so!

Inquisitive

Tenderhearted

Invested

Funny

Sincere

Loyal

The real deal.

A true gem.

Born in the middle of a hurricane —

My special Sassafras

Celebrating another year

9/5

Happy Birthday Kathryn Brooke!

9/5 /2004

52 Weeks of 52; Week 30

Week 30
August 19, 2020

Junior year-

Mask in hand!

It’s going to be good!

It’s going to be grand!

Christ before you—

Christ all around!

He will make a way

From sun up to sun down!

It's crazy to think she is entering her junior year

Driving her to school will not be a thing again

The time left with her at home is waning

It seems like she will never grow up

Yet we are headed there at warp speed.

Praying she will enter this year

with the perseverance that will certainly be required

So many protocols and precautions

have been put in place

that seem to threaten the joys of high school

2020 will make us stronger.

52 Weeks of 52: Week 29

 Week 29
August 12, 2020

Starting year 29 with

anticipation

excitement and

determination.

.

.

I have never

thought about a year

planned for year

prepared for year

like I have for 2020-2021.

.

.

This staff

These teachers

All of them

Have been flexible

Have remained positive

Have worked willingly

Have gone above and beyond

and they Make Me Proud!

Let’s do this!

52 Weeks of 52: Week 28

Week 28
August 5, 2020

Me: Would you help me pick up some cafeteria tables?
Tim: Sure, where?
Me: Fort Wayne, IN 

I love that he loves my adventurous spirit and is willing to 

drop everything and help me 

carry out crazy plans

live out my crazy dreams

be the steady presence that keeps me grounded. 

 

52 Weeks of 52: Week 27

Week 27

July 29, 2020

I work with the kindest people.

I see their kindness everywhere—

Gestures

Random Acts

Hugs

Listening

Support

Devotion & Loyalty

Acts of Compassion

And little notes tucked in your laptop just so you can find them at just the

Exact

Perfect

Time!

Sure, planning to reopen has been challenging

stressful

busy

mind boggling &

tiring.

BUT.....

I work with the kindest people.

I work with the best.

And that makes ALL the difference.

52 Weeks of 52: Week 26

Week 26
July 21, 2020

Today is the day

52 weeks

365 days

8,760 hours

as Mrs. Vaughn.

Looking back,

I could not have imagined

All that would take place

All that would evolve

All that would change

by saying, “I do”

I’ve been challenged

I’ve been changed

I am better

because of you

This journey we’ve endeavored

is an epic adventure.

I wait expectantly

as He continues to write our story.

7-21-2019

52 Weeks of 52: Week 25

Week 25
July 15, 2020

Slower pace

Sun-kissed face

Girl time fun

LBI sun

Heart is full,

Practically exploding

His grace and mercies’re

overflowing.

The time has come

To return to the norm

My mind renewed &

Energies restored

My friend, the beach

Revives the soul

Making me new

Making me whole.

52 Weeks of 52: Week 24

Week 24

July 8, 2020

These song lyrics have been 

lingering in my head and 

made their way to my heart. 

The reality of their meaning

creeping into the crevices and

deepest parts. 

I dwell on the fact that 

No one 

Not one person 

has cared for me 

the way like Jesus has.  

I have been taking time  

to dwell and ponder on 

The ways

The countless ways

The immeasurable ways 

The unbelievable

you wouldn’t even believe it if I could explain it ways 

He has card for me.

My heart has been

Fine tuned & 

has captured and treasured 

the incredible ways 

He continues to CARE for me.

It blows my mind

Makes me speechless

and yet fills my heart 

with so. many. words

Words of thanksgiving

Words of gratefulness 

Words that bring JOY!

“No one ever cared for me like Jesus
His faithful hand
has held me all this way
And when I'm old and grey
And all my days
are numbered on the earth
Let it be known
in you alone
My joy was found
Oh my joy, my joy
Let my children tell their children
Let this be their memory
That all my treasure was in heaven
And you were everything to me”
(No one Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus by Stephanie Gretzinger)

 

52 Weeks of 52: Week 23

July 1, 2020
Week 23

I’m not very good at

Resting

Disconnecting and

Going off the grid

I see and know 

the benefit

the goodness

the need to slow it down

turn off the brain

Do things that aren’t connected 

To work

To the hustle or 

The daily grind

But yet it sometimes is near impossible and I’m easily 

Drawn back in 

By an email

A lingering thought

Or a task left undone

I’m not very good at it

The time I’ve spent this summer

Recharging 

Reconnecting and

Readjusting my mind and heart

Were at times

Hard for me to get used to

But I look back and 

Am grateful for the time 

and thankful for a husband 

who MADE me do it

and blessed by my girls 

who joined me.

I’m not very good at

Resting

Disconnecting and

Going off the grid

But I’m getting better.

52 Weeks of 52: Week 22

June 24, 2020

Week 22

I made myself do something
I never would have done
not because I didn't want to
but because I didn't think I could

I am coming out of period of
feeling foggy
feeling insecure
feeling like I just couldn't ever
think of doing
certain things
Why?
well because
I didn't have time
I didn't have the gumption
I felt foolish
I just couldn't see past the "fog"

On vacation, last week, I had a moment
where the choice
to say yes
to go on a bike ride
helped me
wipe away some of the fog that keeps me from
being adventurous

I don't know why I have allowed the fog to remain for so long
But this ride
invigorated me
made me look past my
insecurities
fears
can't dos and
will never dos

I am hoping to do more things.
No, I am GOING to more things
like this
It was fun
It was a little scary at times
(but really only when I was trying to video while riding)
It is the beginning of
trying new things
seeing more clearly
that doing new things
can be
just what I need.

Thank you Tim
for being present
for being patient
for helping me be adventurous
for pushing me to try new things.
But, also thank you for
NOT telling me
that the lady at the visitor center told you
she has seen snakes on this trail.
Yeah.... that was probably a good choice!

52 Weeks of 52: Week 21

June 17, 2020
Week 21

Dear Ten Years Ago Me, 

Hello this is your ten years from now future self I want to let you in on some things you need to know. 

I know you really were skeptical leaving the security of your job in Virginia, the familiarity etc  but seriously this place you’re going to is just what you need, and will be a place of learning, growing and deepening your love for teaching. You’re going to see that this change of course though trying— will be an incredible journey. 

Now, I do need to tell you.  All the days won’t be perfect but you will find among this staff — a group of educators who are the most committed and sincere group of people you’ll ever meet.  You will enjoy their friendships, admire their tenacity and feel safe inside these walls. 

The community is tight knit but very accepting and you need to let them love on you— because it’s what they do best. These kids will grab your heart and you will see some of the most amazing accomplishments achieved by some of your most challenging students. 

When Mr Brinkley asks you about taking on the administrative role — do it:  I know you will be nervous and think this was not exactly what you had even thought about — but do it. Trust me.  

Also you may not want to hear this but I want to tell you — there will be a time when your life is going to get — well a little rocky— but this is why I brought you here!!!  These people .:. your coworkers, this community — they will support you— love you!!  In fact, coming to work will be the sunshine that you need in your life.  They will get you to the other side and cheer you on.  I’m telling you these people are amazing. 

One other thing— they will eventually find out all about your tendency to never take attendance, leave coffee cups in the microwave, your perpetual messy desk, and well all of those things that make you you.... but the best thing is —- they will still love you for who you are... cause that’s just the kind of people they are.  Working at East Lynne School will be the best place — you’ll see!

Sincerely,

Your future Me

2010 - Right after signing my contract at ELS

2020 After finishing Year one as Superintendent

                                                                                       

                                                                                 

52 Week of 52 : Week 20

June 10, 2020
Week 20

Psalm 16:2

I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord;

I have no good besides You.”  

In the past weeks

Well, let's just say since March 13 
when school closed

No, let's make it about July 1, 2019

as I began the journey of 

Superintendent

I have found myself praying 
about all things.
The simple
The mundane
I have become keenly aware
that in this position
I NEED help!

At some point on this journey I realized 

I was asking for things that I already have

He is my Lord and I already have all I need

because of Him.  

This thought 

This idea

This framework

has changed the way I pray

has changed my mindset

has brought me confidence in my prayer.

Not "give me strength"

But "help me tap into the strength you've given me"

Not "be with me today"

But "thank you for your presence during this time"

Not "give me peace"

But "help me to understand more deeply the peace I have in You"

This seems like just semantics

But honestly 

it has been a game changer

in the way I approach God

it reminds me that 

in Him 

I have all that I need. 

52 Weeks of 52: Week 19

June 3, 2020
Week 19

As my children leave the nest

spread their wings

and begin that journey of 

growing up

being on their own

adulting...

I too start a new chapter.

The chapter of adult children

I am still the Mom

They are still the daughter 

But things change

Two of my gems have spread their wings

so wide

so much

that we mostly stay connected

through phone calls, texting and snap chat

One of the most exciting things

for me is when

 they come home to visit

It is a different dynamic

when they live so far away

You attempt to cram into 

a short amount of time

whatever you can

whenever you can

But, I love it

The incessant flow of coffee

combined with uninterupted conversations

fills my heart

Our rambling conversations 

peppered with stories of childhood

and tempered with current updates. 

creates large chunks of sitting, talking and 

my favorite ----

laughing

I am thankful for each moment.

It is a transition --

parenting adult children.

As I maneuver this new and unknown territory. 

I still have times 

that I have no idea what I am doing

that I fumble

that I wish I would feel more confident

But I am getting better at giving myself grace

and trying to find the balance 

of listening, talking and sharing.

I sure do love when they come around

when we can be face to face

share hearts

share time

and feel 

More connected

Amazingly---

one thing
that is consistent 

still the same

hasn't changed 

one iota

is the fact that

through all of these changes, rearranges and parental transitions

the Lord still uses

my girls and

my role as a parent to

speak to me

teach me and

make me more like Himself.

After 23 1/2 years,
I am still leaning on Him 

to help me parent.