One thing at a time

Some days are smooth and you get everything done. Other days, not so much.  Some days you feel calm and focused. Other days, not so much.  Today started in the not so much category. First of all, Monday morning meetings just should simply not exist. Who's with me there? It's just not the way to start the week.  In said meeting a list was made of all of the things that need to be done, whether it was setting something up, editing, collecting information, being challenged to think outside the box, and on and on. I could just feel the tension rising in me. It literally felt like stress was being poured into my body and I could feel it rising and rising until it was up to my throat and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I assure you that I was, indeed breathing, and honestly on the outside showed no visible signs of this stress or tension (at least I think).  I made lists, took notes, and nodded along through the meeting. 

An hour later...meeting ends. I walk to my office, set my stuff down and feel like I'm starting to implode. So I "took a lap" (office speak for needing a hot second to collect ourselves) and walked around the halls one lap while intentionally breathing in and out slowly. I prayed. I said "Jesus, I can't do it all. There aren't enough hours in the day."  Back at my office and my admin assistant asked me if I was okay and I had a teeny, tiny meltdown.  No big deal! HA!  I vented a few minutes and then took a deep breath and said, "One thing at a time. I can do this". And I focused.  Like, big time focused. I organized my life...well, my work life and desk area and made an action plan. I closed tabs and started checking things off. And just an hour after feeling like I couldn't breathe, I was smiling and continuing to say "One thing at a time.".

My situation hadn't changed. My to do list was still long (and continuing to grow longer) and honestly overwhelming. But God swooped me up and whispered those words to me. "One thing at a time, Tricia...one thing at a time". I'm busy (aren't we all?). I have a lot on my plate. It's been a bit of a stressful couple of months. But God reminded me that I can do it with HIM, and by taking it one thing at a time.  Something tells me I might be repeating that to myself on the regular for awhile to come, but I have every confidence that I can keep on keeping on...one thing at a time.

Do you have a list a mile long? Do you feel pressure from all sides? Do you feel like you don't have the strength to face the next thing?  Stop. Take a little walk. Breathe in. Breathe out. Tell Jesus all about it. And then...just take it one thing at a time. 

And if you need someone to pray with you or for you...message me. I'm happy to fill in the gap.

Fun. Enough. Tattoo.

 Several years ago, I chose a word for the year. That is something that I don't typically do. It had been a special word for me throughout my adult life, but I felt the Lord telling me to remember it and to believe it. The word?  ENOUGH. It has honestly been a theme for me for years with some different meanings and I just wasn't sure where I was headed with it. While I'm not going to go into specific circumstances of how God used this word, I can tell you that it has been so so good.  It has been profound and at times I've been brought to my knees with the Lord reminding me that He provides. That He is enough. That I am enough.  That there has never been a day when I haven't had ENOUGH (fill in the blank...). There has always been enough.

So after this year of focusing on ENOUGH, I realized that it wasn't just the word ENOUGH...but that God provides enough.  He has always provided enough for me.  Jehovah Jireh. One of the names given to God which means "The God who provides".  So after that year, my theme (per se) became Jehovah Jireh...Enough.  Then the song came out (check it out here if you don't know it:    Jireh (Elevation Worship)    I talked about getting jewelry or something to commemorate it and found myself imagining a tattoo in my mind. But I'm not a tattoo kind of gal and I also didn't want to seem like I was just quoting the song. I don't have anything against others doing it, but it just wasn't my thing.  I talked about it with some friends for over a year but it was always a far off thing that I just talked about.  Until this year.  This year was deemed my year of fun, which is a whole different blog. One day I was talking to a co-worker and commented that I had a design in my mind but I didn't want people to think it was "just the song" because it meant so much more to me.  She quickly said...who cares? Who's the tattoo for? You know what it means to you.  WOW!!!  That night I went home and made a design. The next morning I booked the soonest after school appointment I could get and began the countdown.

So, on October 11, it was a celebration. A celebration of ENOUGH. A celebration of fun. A celebration of friends who have supported me and showed me God's love over and over.  Three friends came with me to celebrate God's goodness in my life.  And I have to tell you that I was nervous. Not of the pain...yes it hurt, but not horribly...not of regrets. I have none of those. But of the reaction of others. The funny thing is though...I didn't enter this lightly...I chose to mark powerful words of reminders to me. They aren't for anyone else. I've happily explained them to many people and been able to give witness to God's awesome love.  But when I look down...those words are for me.  A constant reminder of how over the years, no matter the highs and lows, God has always provided enough. Always.

Here's a glimpse into the process:

Cleaning the arm and putting the design onto the skin.

The very first needle puncture...no turning back and I was all smiles!

When I see those words every day, all day long, I'm constantly reminded...

I am ENOUGH. (regardless of how I feel, am told, or see)

What I do is ENOUGH. (even when made to feel otherwise)

He always gives me ENOUGH (sometimes JUST enough) of everything 

            (patience, strength, compassion, energy, etc)

His strength is ENOUGH.

He will supply ENOUGH of what I need.

When I feel unloved, He is ENOUGH.

When I feel lonely, His presence is ENOUGH.

When my strength wavers, His strength is ENOUGH.

Jesus, My Provider.

He provides enough. Jehovah Jireh. Enough.

A few of my favorite things

 When the dog bites...When the bee stings...When I'm feeling sad...WAIT. This is not a Sound of Music song post!!!! I was thinking on the way to school the other day how so many little "things" I could say, "Oh, I just love ____________________"! I made a mental list and used it as praise and gratitude during my prayer time. When I got to school, I wrote a few down to remind me throughout the day to find things that I love about life, my job, friendships, etc...Today as I cleaned my desk, I found the list and it made me smile again, so I thought I would share. Here are some of my favorite things...

• the pallet of colors in the sunrise
• the feeling after my morning workout
• that first sip of coffee in the morning
• getting out the door early enough to NOT get behind a bus
• hearing Kiara's Christmas playlist through her headphones while I pray and have quiet time
• the spinning pen holder on my desk
• the desk calendar on my desk filled with my silly friend that always makes me smile
• an email of thanks for something little
• a student asking how they can challenge themselves more academically
• passionate people who show their passions
• google chats
• memes in google chats
• memes in general!!!!
• seat warmers in the car
• fresh snow covering the ground
• my office looking like an elf threw up Christmas
• sitting/relaxing to get my hair cut
• laughter!!!!
• tik tok and instagram reels
• having my whole family home for Thanksgiving
• Christmas lights in a dark room
• fuzzy socks in the winter
• warm blankets to snuggle

It's funny how we can take so many things for granted and feel like the world is so heavy. And it can be, don't get me wrong...But it is amazing that when we stop for a moment in our day to consider some of our favorite things, we can truly be thankful and find a smile.  What are your favorite things???

Life is better with laughter

 The title says it all, doesn't it?  Life is simply better with laughter. At the start of 2023 I had a friend dub this my year of fun. And it truly has been. That's a separate post than this one though that I will recap the year in late Decmeber or January. Lately (as in the last few months) I have become keenly aware of my laughter. I love to laugh. Sometimes even when things aren't all that funny. My bestie and my school family especially have helped me to expand my laughter and joy this year.  And I am incredibly thankful for that. In my day to day work there are some really heavy moments and those moments are filled with stress, hurt, compassion, and times my heart is ripped out for my students. But in the midst of that, I have found joy and laughter in a job that I love...with friends to support me...with co-workers that have become part of my family. This past week  Kiara had a meeting in the evening at school and I had one right after school so we didn't come home in between. I had all of these plans of all the work that I was going to accomplish during this time and while she was at her meeting. I had goals. But laughter and fun and adventure trumped all of that and I had an evening full of laughter. After my own meeting, my office became a hodge-podge hangout of a couple of colleagues and a few of Kiara's friends hanging out for the evening meeting. It was mix of generations...yes I was the oldest...and I just loved listening, interacting, and laughing...at each other, at myself, and at silly things. Instead of getting down to work, a friend/co-worker and I decided to venture off on a walk outside since it was so nice.  

When I say that we walked, most would think we just took a nice walk, chatted, and came back to school refreshed after exercise.  We chatted, obviously because we are both chatty, but the walk was filled with more than chatter...it was filled with laughter.  We: 

• ran into trash cans (well one of us did...)
• almost fell off the sidewalk (the other one of us)
• nearly got hit by a car when another car waved us on in front of them
• wondered outloud random things
• got stopped by a former (and current) student driving around who spotted us and knew it was us, even though it was very dark out
• imitated slow-motion running (which in reality is my running pace--which was funnier)
• had to stop to go inside to go to the bathroom, because the adage that you walk faster if you have to pee simply wasn't true for us.

THEN...we adventured around the school to places we hadn't really explored before because we are too busy during the day. While we are sworn to secrecy as to exactly where we explored...we laughed so much more as we:

• planned a podcast (we've been talking about it for awhile and even have a name)
• "practiced' the opening of the podcast
• explored possible topics for said podcast
• dreamed bigger into our own youtube channel (you guys...no one wants to see this)
• sang solos in the spotlight (well one of us did)
• took "live" pictures that turned out HILARIOUSLY
• checked out some vintage workout equipment
• learned that doors are how people get to different places (don't ask)
• peeked in like spys to the scrimmage basketball game (when we could've simply gone in)
• snuck some food from the FFA Thanksgiving feast meeting (we were invited...didn't just steal it)

After the meeting, another colleague and Kiara joined us where we continued to laugh to the point of floor laughing. If you don't know what this is, we are experts at falling to the floor because we are laughing so incredibly hard. Before it was time to leave, I ran to the bathroom. Upon my return my dear friends and daughter played a little trick on me...there may have been hiding under my desk and scaring the bejeebers out of me (which was videotaped--thanks girls), followed by major floor laughing and hysterics as we rewatched the video.

Some things we discovered:

• Never go on a run for a first date...that could be dangerous and requires the right attire (don't ask)
• Don't eat fried chicken on a first date. Trust us.
• Always check under your desk or at least be more observant of feet sticking out
• Work will still be there tomorrow...take the time for fun!
• It's ok to laugh at yourself. 
• An evening at school of doing "nothing" can be the BEST time.
• Our ab muscles got a great workout for the night.

What have you laughed about lately?  Take time to laugh because life truly is better with laughter.

Needing a reminder

It's wedding week! We are all so excited for it to finally be here and to welcome our new daughter-in-law and sster-in-law into the family. We are feeling all of the emotions and we are so happy for them.  

Allergies, lack of sleep, exhaustion, a few stressful work situations, a botched pedicure, among other things had me feeling all of the feelings and I found myself camped on the negative...looking at the things that have gone wrong instead of looking for the things that are oh, so right.  So tonight...I am needing a reminder. A reminder that God is good all of the time, through all of the emotions, ups and downs, celebrations, and messiness of life.

--Penn State game last weekend as a whole family get away before the wedding.

--GORGEOUS views on the way home from PA in the mountains

--Safety in travels and fun despite the rain that DID. NOT. STOP!!

--Celebrating my daughter-in-law-to-be's birthday on Sunday.

--Hair cut and highlights with my girl for wedding prep

--Friends that remind me to take care of myself, even if it means shutting my door to cry for a hot minute.

--Offers of hugs and prayers by text or google messages.

--Fresh coffee on a chilly afternoon

--Watching a student grow and learn through mistakes

--Friends that leave me out of group chats and talk about me, because they want to lift me up and do something so sweet. (My work family are truly friends and I'm so blessed)

--Marigold moments (my marigold crew knows)

--A bestie that takes a picture of herself riding on the back of a duck statue

--Heat pads and hot tea while relaxing

--A pedicure re-do for the wedding

--Seeing a normally somber student smiling and laughing

--Memes, giphs, and tik-toks that make me laugh

--Caramel apples and pretzels dipped in honey mustard dressing

--Laughter...I have grown to love laughter and am so fortunate to have a lot of it!!!!

--Sticky notes

--Breaking out in song randomly at work...and a friend that joins in with me

--Fuzzy socks when my feet are cold

--Bargain Lane and finding deals and laughter throughout the bins

--A short school week due to Fall Break on Friday and Monday

--Having my whole family at home for this last week before the wedding

That's really just touching the surface too...I could go on and on, but honestly, I've been reminded of all of my positives and have had a reset in my focus.  And that, my friends, was the whole goal.  God is good, all the time...and when we question it, all we have to do is stop and look for the good, for the joy, for the positive.  Be blessed friends and look for it!

Loving what I do

This week was a long one...lots of hours at school, some by choice to watch sporting events and some not so much by choice with meetings and "situations". My days were non-stop and I had a couple days that I didn't sit down at my desk or check my email until after 11:00 AM, which is very unlike me.  Another day I left school for the day well after school hours and still had 20+ emails that were unread, which is REALLY not like me.  One day an administrator stopped to check on me because he knew that it had been crazy busy for me and I said I was good. He gave me a look and I said "No, I'm really, really good!'.  I realized as I left school that day that I was indeed good.  Very good.  And that felt amazing! I even text a friend with this message: "You know what's awesome? Today was LONG and a LOT but I left feeling energized and purposeful."  As I drove home I waited for the exhaustion to kick in because it had been a lot that day...but it didn't.  Instead I was content and thinking how much I love my job. I truly do, even the hard parts of it. I can deal with a lot of heavy on a daily basis and trust me that not every day do I feel energized and puposeful. Some days just are hard and I'm wiped out and weary.  But even on those days...Man I love my job!  It is amazing to be right where God put me doing what He wants me to do. There is no other explanation. 

And my co-workers??? So thankful to call so many of them my friends. They are people I enjoy and love being around. I know I've mentioned it before, but throughout my teaching years, I was often an island...music teachers (or any "special"--I hate that name for it...but I won't go there today) especially in an elementary school are on there own.  Everyone has a "team" but specials are so vastly different and often on such different schedules, that I never really felt like I fit in at any of the schools I was at.  Meetings?  They would sit with their grade levels. Lunch? Often the same. Now that I am a school counselor, my position is vastly different and I have an office within the office and am surrounded by a team that works hard but still have a lot of fun together.  I feel like I have a spot. I'm not on my own island anymore. And I simply love it.

Life is short and I'm so glad that I took the plunge to change careers in mid-life. I love going to work again and even in my 4th year now...It feels fresh, new, and exciting every day.  Every day is different. Sometimes it is H.A.R.D. and there are tears and exhaustion. But even after those days, I'm ready to go back the next day to be with my co-workers, to love on my students, and feel a part of a team that is energizing and purposeful.  How stinking lucky am I?

The Birthday Police

When someone in the office has a birthday at my school, the tradition is to do treats to celebrate, so I knew that was going to happen, or at least assumed. But the Friday before my birthday (Saturday) this year, I got so much more than treats and I had an amazing laughter-FILLED day and some twisted, unexpected turns.  I actually have to briefly start the story Thursday night. I said goodnight to Kiara and headed to bed myself to read. A bit later, Kiara text me that she thinks her phone broke and then comes to show me that her screen is showing her apps very strangely, like they were running (think watercolors) down her screen. I told her we'd look at it in the morning as there was nothing we could do.  The next morning, she brings it to me and it is much worse, with vertical bars going through the screen. I tried restarting it to no avail.  I told her we'd have to go get it checked out later and we left for school. Pause on that portion of the story...

I walk into school about 25 feet behind my principal and there were students at the entrance who immediately greet me with "Happy Birthday, Mrs. Witmer! We hope you have a great day!". I asked them how they knew and my principal just smiled and shrugged.  As I walked into the office each person greeted me with a loud happy birthday. I got to my door and found this: 

Opened the door and found this: (The office ladies call ourselves the Golden Girls, each assigned as a person that eerily we are each like. And last year, I MAY have started a tradition of leaving cut-outs with silly bubble conversations for people, so the favor was returned.)

And then was made to wear this for the day...like MADE. Each time I took it off, it was put right back over my head, a little roughly, I might add! HA!

I was flooded with co-workers and students wishing me a happy birthday and had piles of gifts on my desk for me, along with a Dunkin Donuts coffee. I felt so loved. I could write a different blog on how special it is to me to work in a place that I feel loved, appreciated, and belong...but that's a different post. During our homeroom I had a student I'll call "Susie" come to see me and give me birthday greetings and a hug. This brings me back around to the phone.

Susie asks me why Kiara left her phone in my office. I picked it up to show her the now, much worse, screen. Susie asks if I tried restarting it and said "Let's try it again, just in case."  More people are stopping by and I'm chatting when all of a sudden I hear the sound of the SOS on the phone and the 911 operator!  Susie threw the phone at me and I told the operator that all was okay and that we were working on my daughter's phone because the screen wasn't working and that I was so so sorry about bothering her. She recorded my name, verified that I was calling from within the high school and we hung up.  We burst out laughing and proceeded to tell the other office staff what happened and I sent her back to class. About 5 minutes later, my principal, who can be a joker, sticks his head in my office and says there are two policeman there to see me.  I said "Ha! HA! Very funny!"  He told me he was serious and that they had asked for me by name. I.  Was.  Mortified.  They came around the corner and as I floundered showing them the phone and telling them what had happened, they proceeded to tell me it was a crime to give my daughter an old phone and just gave me an overall hard time over it. We were all laughing so hard but I was so embarrassed. Apparently when they came in, they had told my principal they were responding to a 911 call within the building and asked him to call me to the office (thinking I was a student)...when they all realized who I was, they decided to give me a hard time. I immediately had to go tell "Susie" what had happened and she was so embarrassed. I will never let her live down that she called the police and got me in trouble on my birthday (well...the day before). As I was down the hall, one of the staff came to get me saying I was needed in the office right away. I thought something was wrong and immediately started walking quickly and asked her what student was there that needed me. She stammered and stuttered and I realized she was taking me back to be sung to for the birthday treats time. As I turned the corner into the office, all of them were gathered to sing like normal, with the addition of my daughter, whom they grabbed out of study hall,  and two very nice police officers who stayed to sing to me! I invited the officers to share in the treats since I caused them to come out to check on me. Although they declined to eat any snacks they did hope that they wouldn't have to come back and see me again that day and told me to behave myself and upgrade my daughter's phone! HA!  

The rest of the day was filled with love, laughter, Mean Bean for lunch, football game with some of my teacher friends, and so much smiling and laughing.  I claimed this year as my year of FUN! And this day was definitely one of the highlights in a lot of ways.

Oh...and the phone upgrade happened the next day, on my actual birthday, which is an ENTIRELY NEW story and new blog post. Stay tuned for more...