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Never Learning
There is a different excitement that buzzes in the air as the kids return to class in January. Rather than welcoming new faces, you greet familiar children. Instead of shyness and awkwardness, you receive bubbly personalities that are thrilled to be back and ecstatic to share everything with you. There…
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New Year Reflection: Slower I Go
Reflecting on the previous year is something I enjoy doing. Scrolling back through the photos I captured reminds me of God’s faithfulness and steadfast love, as seen in the friendships formed, adventures pursued, and memories to cherish with loved ones. Stopping provides a time to evaluate and assess the priorities…
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Vortex of Disobedience
Some gifts during the holidays you receive with joyful hearts. They are exactly what you wanted, and you have a purpose for them. While others you receive with a quizzical brow. You might look at the present and think to yourself, “What in the world am I going to use…
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Slow Unwinding: Zephaniah 3:17
In the midst of the hustle and bustle of this season, this week of Advent focuses on God’s love. Just reading this verse caused my heart to take a deep breath and relax, and I hope it does the same for you. It only contains seven words, but each is…
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On Repeat: Top 7 Songs of 2025
Exploring and finding new music is something that I thoroughly enjoy. This year, there were a bunch of gems. As the year comes to a close, here are my top 7 songs from 2025. I tried to cap it at five, but no luck there. MY SOUL / WORSHIP INITIATIVE…
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Top 5 Books of 2025 (Giveaway)
The year is coming to a close, and here are my top five books from 2025. It is a blend of old, new, and different genres, with some of my favorite quotes from them. In addition, for the first time, I am doing a giveaway (insert bullhorn noise)! You can…
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Doldrums: Enjoy, Accept, Rejoice
She said it graciously, “You’re in the doldrums.” I hesitated because I thought she was speaking another language. Never had I ever heard that word, “Doldrums?” So I inquired, “What do you mean by doldrums?” Kindly, she shared, “Doldrums. It’s a nautical term used to describe the weather. It’s a…
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Joy in Forgiveness
While teaching the other day, one of my students from another class walked in holding a sheet of paper. The previous day, this child marked their day with misbehavior that led me to pray multiple times, “Lord, help me.” As he approached me, instead of growing resentment, excitement took its…
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ABCs of Thanks
Thanksgiving is around the corner, and for some, it is a time of enjoyment, light-heartedness, and joy as they feast and celebrate with their family and friends. For others, this season can be mingled with difficulty. The leaves change, but the hardships of life might still be ever-present and fresh.…
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Remind Yourself
I have this post-it note above the sink when I am washing dishes to remind me of the truth, from when I am not thinking about anything to when I am over-thinking. It provides something to steady me and bring me back into focus. It is from Psalm 107:9 and…
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Statue of Sin
She stood there rigid on the playground. Her body was unmoving, and her gaze was unwavering. Lips sealed, jaw tight, fists clenched, holding on to the truth and not letting it go, no matter how much I persisted. “What’s going on?” I inquired. My student’s stubbornness responded with cold silence. …
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Knowing & Doing
Growing up, my dad had a phrase that he repeated often: “Knowing and doing are two different things.” For instance, as a little girl, my dad would tell me, “Rachel, I need you to fold the clothes,” to which I would sometimes respond with “I know” instead of “yes, sir”.…
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Singleness & Hospitality
Do nothing from selfish ambition, or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to the interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 2:3-5 Being single does not…
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I Have To Be…
Perfectionism looms heavily over one of my students. It is a dark cloud that constantly drags, demands, and only leaves them feeling sullen and unforgiving. I was walking around the room checking on another students’ work when I noticed out of the corner of my eye, this student was starting…
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Handle
Too much to handleHands seem unfit for the task“Humble me,” I pleadAs plates shatter and clatter Withered on the groundThoughts wrinkled in time“Help me,” I beckonHis word enfolds the void Handle, He provedNail-scared, on the cross for me and youSilent he sufferedRedemption ringing through Withered in powerThe curse left in…
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Think Time: I Did Nothing
I needed a break from one of my students, and they needed a break from the room. They were not behaving, but disobeying and breaking my rules from left to right. Nothing I was saying or doing was working. My patience had already worn thin, and I needed help, and…
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What Are You Bringing?
By the end of the school day, my desk is swarmed with various drawings from throughout the day. Some seem very insignificant, with just a drawing of a cute little strawberry with my name next to it. Others look more extravagant, from their dedication to adding more color to the…
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There’s Something About…
I am a sucker for them. They captivate my attention and enamor my heart. Sunrises and sunsets make me pause from the different hues that streak across the sky to the settling warmth that beams from their source. I could admire them all day long. And every morning, I have…
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Decision Fatigue
Ms. Whisman, may I sharpen my pencil? Ms. Whisman, can I grab a tissue? Ms. Whisman, look what I just drew! Can you tie my shoe? Ms.Whisman, do you want to know what I ate for breakfast? Ms.Whisman my stomach hurts. Ms. Whisman, what are the directions again? Ms.Whisman, she…
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The Pendulum
When expectations are not met, hopes are deferred, or patience wears thin, we tend to gravitate to doing the exact opposite and using absolutes to help cope with the situation. We might say to ourselves, “I will never ______,” or “I will stop hoping that ______ will ______.” We try…
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Rachel Whisman 