Rachel Whisman

This week concludes another school year for me. It feels like yesterday that I started with a fresh new bunch of students. Yet, here I am as I pack up my classroom for the summer. As I think back through this school year, I would love to share one reflection…

Sarah was given a promise.  She was left waiting and probably thinking, “…Maybe it will happen this year?”  Silence responded with “no.” She was called to endure when nothing was changing before her eyes.   Her true character was being revealed and refined.  Years passed by…  Finally, Sarah saw and she…

The rain began battering against the classroom windows. Lights flickered here and there. Gusts of wind brought in a wicked storm that my students had a front row seat to watch. Tension was building in the classroom as the minutes ticked by without an end in sight to the storm.…

I pass a countdown every day in the hallway of my school that reminds me of the remaining days left until summer. When around others, the leading question I get asked is, “How many more days until summer?” Genuinely, I do look forward to this upcoming break. It is a…

My brother stood at the front of the stage looking onto his middle school students at youth group and said, “Turn in your Bible to….” If I am honest, I expected him to continue with the all too familiar way to finish this statement with, “or open your app to…,”…

During recess, one of my students ran up to me and reported that another student cut the corner while walking their laps at recess. Once I saw this student, I called her over, and when she arrived, I calmly asked her, “When you were walking laps earlier, did you cut…

I place my bags in the car and sluggishly slide into my seat after a long day at work and small group. I go to press the start button and nothing happens. Panic begins to simmer. With child-like faith, I try again and nothing happens besides a rippling cascade of…

Spring has sprung here in Texas. The winter blues have melted away and in their place, beautiful bluebonnets have emerged. Walking along my street, my gaze is captivated by the various hues of wildflowers garnishing the grass and the crisp green leaves making their spring debut on barren trees. This…

This Sunday as I walked into Church there was a hustle and bustle that I was not accustomed to. It was not my normal routine to go to the later service, but this week it was different. I walked into the foyer and time slowed down. Normally, going to the…

The little chicks began chirping their sweet and innocent tune. My students began nagging me endlessly, their curiosity and amazement shining in their precious and innocent eyes.  “But Ms.Whisman, can we please keep Pepper?”  “We can build Oreo a home and I will water them!”  One of my students even…

It hit me Thursday morning as I pulled into the parking lot for work. Exhaustion is its name and I quickly questioned, “How am I going to make it through the next 48 hours until my students are released for spring break?” I was ready to stay in my car,…

I admit. I get lost in saying yes more than I would like to admit with other people and activities. I also get lost in trying to “redeem” the time that we have and infiltrate my mind as much as possible with podcasts, music, sermons, etc. I don’t think these…

My classroom pencil sharpener broke. Understandably to some, this is not a big deal. Yet, to a teacher, it is a necessary tool in the classroom. I tried to see what was stuck and saw the head of a pencil. I waited until after school to get it out with…

Hugs galore. The other day I was curious, wondering how many hugs I get from my 2nd graders on average. I was thinking maybe ten or fifteen, but I was wrong. Aim a little higher and you will hit the target of 20-30 hugs per day.  I do love my…

But what if I am Being faithful to the Bride of Christ and serving her, yet having no groom.  What if I am…  Asking and pleading, but the only response I get is an unopened door.  What if I am…  Pursuing you with all that I am, yet still disgruntled…

Five years ago, I learned how to chop an onion without tears rampantly rolling down my cheeks. It was a breakthrough on my end and I didn’t need a chopper to complete the task. Someone taught me and it revolutionized the way I cooked from then on. The other night…

I got back into running a couple of months ago. Maybe it was the challenge my dad instigated with me or the fact that there will be ice cream at the end of this race that propelled me back into the game. Either way, training for the race started. This…

It was a gift to watch my students be enamored and captivated by something larger than themselves. Their minds could not comprehend what they were viewing, but the excitement only built as the seconds passed by. They looked more intently and eagerly as they were on the edge of their…

At the end of May 2019, I graduated college. I also created a five-year plan. It included relational, financial, and other goals—five years to accomplish them and get them done. I was determined that I was going to achieve them by the end of 2024. My face was set and…