Jen's Lessons and Blessings

 Here we are. It's almost the end of another year. Praise God we made it!! I thank God for keeping me from January to December 🙌!! Each moment, second, minute, day,  and month had its highs, lows, good times, frustrations, challenges and wins. I gained some people and lost others along the way. I lost some people in the sense that I was associated and talked with them, but I no longer do so. Some people I grew apart from as we had different beliefs and that's okay. I also lost two beautiful people near to my heart in April of this year: my Aunt and Uncle, who I miss so much and am thankful for the moments shared with them🙏. For the last few years instead of making New Year's resolutions, I have been choosing a word to focus on in the year. This year, I chose the word open. I was ready to be open to learning new things, meeting new people, visiting new places, and having new experiences 💜. Notice the word new. I was looking for something new the whole year and not just at the beginning of the year. Was I perfect? No! Did I get it right every time? No! Did I mess up? Oh yes! Did I make progress? Oh yes! Did I learn a lot? Absolutely yes! Today, as we are at the end of the year, I want to take time and share the lessons I have learned this year in 2022. These are lessons I have taken to heart and I hope you will take to heart also 😊.

1. Be open to spending time with the people who are important to you and that you love. Yes, we all get busy. Yes, we all have different schedules. However, we have to take time out for our people. I'm learning that it has to be intentionally planned, just like we plan our doctor's and nail appointments. I'm learning to pick up the phone and call more or send that text when someone crosses my mind 🙏. Not only is the constant communication important, but making time to see them in person is important too. This year, I enjoyed spending time with my people through visits, eating out at new restaurants, seeing new places and having fun and laughing together. From the road trips to bowling to nail salon visits to the laughs and exercising together, every moment spent with my people has been special 💜.

2. Be open to learning in your profession. In 2021 and going into 2022, I attended Novice Teacher Academy workshop sessions. I enjoyed the sessions very much! I walked away with new strategies, connections and confidence. I walked away with new ways of looking at my profession. I received new perspectives from the collaboration with new people I met and information received at the sessions. I am always looking for ways to grow as an educator. I want to help my students grow and learn in a relevant and fun way. I've also learned to be open to observe and listen to my co-workers and hear strategies they use. I also learn from my students as they share how they best learn. I stay teachable 😊. The icing on the cake this year for my profession😉?! I got my permanent teacher's license in November!! Thank you God 🙌!!

3. Be open to leading the next generation. As I mentioned in a previous blog post, I am the advisor of the Bible Club at the middle school I work at. I also work with youth at my church. I do my best to lead and live my life of love and faith in a way that sets a good example for the next generation 💚💙. They are watching for sure! The Bible Club has "adopted" a local nursing home resident in that we send cards, snacks and crafts to the resident and make sure she's showered with love. It also teaches our youth to show honor and love to our older generation. They need to know they haven't been forgotten. Don't forget to show love to the generation before and after you 😊. 

4. Be open to unlearn and disconnect what is not for you. This year has opened my mind to unlearn wrong mindsets, attitudes and habits. I had to have a blood transfusion in June (my first ever!) and that opened my eyes to take better care of my physical health. I'm glad I was going to the doctor's office on a regular basis and got routine blood work done. The diagnosis was anemia and I'm learning to do better with my health and manage the anemia - praise God 🙌! I also had Covid in August and God healed me through that! I had to unlearn the mindset that tests will always be hard for me. In July, I passed my last teacher test I needed on the third try! Perseverance was key and I'm glad God didn't allow me to give up even when I wanted to. You see, I didn't just pass that test, but I went above the minimum requirement and passed 26 points over what was needed🙌!! I had to step back from a faith group that was not benefitting me spiritually. It looked good on the outside for my faith, but deep down, it was not right and I had to get out of it. Yes, making that decision cost friendships and associations from that group that I don't have anymore. I had to unfollow pages and people not for me. I had to disconnect from the unhealthy and I can definitely tell the difference 💜!!

5. Be open to meeting new people and making new memories. Life is made up of moments and we should capture every precious moment we can. I learned to make and cherish new memories all 2022. I'm thankful for the new friendships and associations that God has placed in my life this year that are helping me. I love to read and I read an autobiography for the first time, which was out of my comfort zone because I usually read inspirational, mystery and adventure. I loved the autobiography 😊💙!! So I love pictures, but this year, I got to participate in a 3D photo booth for the first time which was a next level photo booth 😉. I loved it as it was so much fun💙!! I celebrated my birthday this year with family and friends as I hadn't done that in a long time! I went to a new nail salon in April and have been sticking with them ever since. I spoke inspirational messages for women's groups this year in May and November. I walked through a beautiful sunflower maze with my cousins in July and I'm loving sunflowers even the more now! I sold my books as a vendor for the first time in October. I was honored and crowned as an overcomer in October- to God be the glory 🙌!! In December, I went on a family road trip to Washington, Pennsylvania (a new place to visit) to support one of our cousins and that was so much fun!! Overall, I enjoyed life and all God had given me! So grateful! 

Thank you God for every lesson and blessing in 2022 🙌!! Thank you, my reader, for your support and encouragement this year. As I'm about to walk in 2023, I want to stay open to all God has for me. I pray that you stay open to all God wants to do. He wants to do great things in all of our lives (Jeremiah 29:11)! May God bless you all and I'll see you in 2023 💝!!!