Faith - It's a Vivas Thing!

Aug 17 2017

Be Kind Reflections

Today was one of those days where you just need everything to stop so you can hear yourself think. Instead it was the craziness of the first week of school; filled with the needs of students, their families, the staff, and everything else. So tonight while I waited for my daughter’s appointment to finish, I decided to have some dinner and enjoy the solitude.

I was on my way to my favorite salad place, when I passed by a sushi restaurant, and found myself wandering in there instead. How many? Just one please. You sit at bar? No, can I have the booth please?

It was a nice, comfy booth, with little curtains for privacy…just what I needed to sit and ponder with.

As I sat there, I read through news that I wanted to catch up on, which included the opening of Josh Stevens Elementary. As I read about the grand opening and glanced thru the photos of the ceremony, I thought about what a wonderful influence Joshi was for us all. And it wasn’t just that he was so kind…but it was that he took the time to notice what was around him, and REACT to it in a kind way. There was a beautiful photo of his parents just taking it in, and I was reminded of the conversations we’d had about how much he loved them; no adored them! And his sister and brother. Josh wasn’t a kid who kept quiet about his family; in fact, it was just the opposite. He took any opportunity to brag on them, especially his dad.

As I sat there quietly eating, I couldn’t help but hope that I could be like Josh and notice what has been placed around me.

As I paid my check and walked out, I decided to go for a walk while I waited some more. It was a beautiful night, and I do enjoy walking. A few moments later, I passed by a young woman and her adorable little boy. He looked to be about three years old. They were talking and she was doing something on her phone, so I passed by. I came to a stop, then turned around and headed back, only to have that nudge to stop and see what she needed.

I apologized for interrupting their evening, but wondered if I could assist them. Did they need a ride, something else? The young mother said she was having issues with her phone and the Uber app, so she couldn’t catch a ride home. I introduced myself, to which she responded with her name, which she remarked meant, “Hope” in Russian. She also mentioned her mom would be very upset to see she was accepting a ride from a stranger! I responded that my children would probably be upset to find out I was giving a ride to a stranger!

Turns out we had a pleasant chat as I drove her to her hotel. I learned she is looking for a fresh start and hopes to move here to start over; much as I did 27 years ago with my own son.

As I drove back to pick up my daughter from her appointment, I had a small glimmer of hope. Perhaps tonight, I was a little like Josh, able to notice what was surrounding me and offer just a little bit of kindness to someone who really needed it.

Aug 16 2015

What I learned this summer…

As summer comes to an end and we prepare for the new year, I have spent time reflecting on the season that is passing as we move forward into the new season that is looming ahead of us.

This summer is not one that I expected. It was full of trials and tribulations everywhere we turned. But what could I take away from it?

I’ve learned I can’t fix everything. Mother’s are born with an innate desire to fix things. A child gets a boo boo and we blow away the pain, put a pretty bandaid on it and kiss it until it’s better. But as they get older, it gets harder. And eventually, we learn the hard way; we just can’t fix everything. Some things have to be worked out on their own, in His timing, in His way. And I have to stay out of the way.

I’ve learned I can’t control everything. Some things are just beyond my control. ‘Nuff said.

I’ve learned I am not as strong as I thought I was. This has been a hard lesson. I have learned more about myself this summer than I ever thought possible. And being strong; not so much. I’m a mess. My strength is not my own. “I can do all things thru Him who strengthens me.” Phil 4:13

I’ve learned I am stronger than I thought I was. When at my darkest, a light continues to show up. Light thru my children. Light thru my sisters. Light thru a simple text at the right moment. Light thru a memory I’d forgotten about that suddenly pops to my mind.

I’ve learned sisterhood is nothing to be messed with and everything to depend on. Sisterhood has shown up in a way I’ve never experienced before. As an only girl, I did not grow up with sisters. But that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. I could write a blog on this subject alone! Lifelong friendships have surfaced in a way I never dreamed of this summer. When put to the test, sisters, whether cousins, in-laws, or friends for life…they form a bond that cannot be broken. No matter the time or place, they will be there. No matter how crazy we become, they will be there. No matter how rational, irrational, happy, sad, joy, anger, grief, laughter….there is a bond there that cannot be broken. I’ve learned I am not alone; He has placed amazing women in my life in the name of sisterhood. We are sisters…and together we are strong; a cord that cannot be broken.

I’ve learned to let go and let be. Relax or go crazy. Laugh in the face of adversity.

This summer was not as I thought it would be. But, there are moments I will treasure. Conversations in the car with my daughters. Breakthrough moments on the back porch with my sons. “Talk me down” moments with my sisters and inside hee haw jokes that will never go away.

But the biggest lesson I learned this summer was this…

It’s ok to be me. I didn’t know that. I’ve spent much of the later half of my life striving to be what others have told me I have to be…or what I could never be. And the truth is, as long as I live my life with integrity, honesty, mercy, love and compassion, as long as I live my life for Him, I’m ok.

My Tia Gloria shared this with me shortly before she lost her battle to cancer. There was more, but I’ll share just a piece. It has stuck with me, like an imprint on my heart that cannot be removed.

“Mija..you do not need to be what others are telling you to be. Don’t listen to them. The only one that you need to live for is Jesus. And Jesus loves you and accepts you for who you are.”

I didn’t know that would be my last conversation with her, but I hold onto it closely.

A new season starts next week as we go back to school and move into Fall; my favorite season of the year. I’ve yet another son who will begin his journey into adulthood as he starts college. Another who moves on to middle school.

My children; not so little anymore. They’re getting older. They’re growing up. And they continue to surprise me each and every day. They inspire me to be better. To laugh. To love. To be me.

Jun 10 2015

Counting Blessings One by One

As I sit here this evening reflecting on blessings that have come and gone, I can’t help but think over the past month. In the past month, I have been able to spend time with family on an amazing family reunion…

We’ve celebrated our 4th child graduating from high school…

We’ve celebrated our youngest son’s birthday…

We’re about to celebrate another son’s birthday, and soon our oldest daughter will be getting married! I’ve gained some pretty amazing relationships that have gotten me (us) thru some pretty tough times. Life is good. It’s good because I can see the blessings…and I can count them one by one. And I’m so very thankful for those that He has chosen to put in my path, in my life, in my heart. Even more thankful, that He has placed me in theirs.

May 06 2015

Sometimes…

Sometimes, we are so busy running to something else, we don’t realize that we already have the best thing that ever happened to us. We are so afraid of losing control, that we risk losing all that is good in our life. We run blindly towards something else, not even realizing that it will cause us more hurt, more damage.

We are so afraid, we hurt those who love us the most, including ourselves.

We seek out those who will tell us what we want to hear; those whose motives are for themselves, not our best interests.

Sometimes, we make bad choices.

Sometimes, we are so focused on the negative, we can’t even begin to see the beauty of what we have.

But sometimes, we stop.

Sometimes we listen.

Sometimes we discover we are capable of more than we ever thought possible.

Sometimes, we discover love.

Sometimes, we see the beauty in everything that we already have.

Sometimes…

Jan 27 2015

It’s important enough…

Today was a good day.

Over 800 students and staff, on a field, dancing their hearts out for National School Choice week.

I don’t often talk about my work life; I kind of like to keep it somewhat private, but today was a good day. Today I was reminded about what happens when you dare to dream. About perseverance and hard work, about dedication and not giving up…and most importantly, about making a difference in the 800+ lives of those around us every day, and even more, the difference they make in us.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane.

15 years ago, I met an amazing woman. And we become the closest of friends; I cannot imagine what my life would be like without her. We have been thru everything and back together. And so, I remember when she talked about teaching, I suggested that she might like a new charter school that the Talented One had attended. At the time, my husband and I had decided to homeschool again, but it seemed a good fit for her.

A few years down the road, I was hired to be her teaching assistant. What a year that was! One of the best! We’d often have conversations of, “If I was the Director and you were the Manager, just think what we could do…”

But as the year ended, God had other plans in store for me and so I went back to being a full-time mom as we worked our way thru family issues and foster care.

And yet, a couple of years later, she did indeed, become the director. And a few months later, she found herself in need of a manager.

Yeah…I was NOT about to go down that road, despite our earlier dreams.

And yet…..that’s exactly where I found myself.

That was five years ago. And that first year was so very hard. It often felt like it was the two of us against the world. We poured our hearts and souls into this dream of hers; this dream of mine. And before we knew it, we had taken a school that was separated into three, worn down, falling apart campuses, and brought them together into one beautiful campus.

There have been plenty of times where I have been exhausted; physically, emotionally, spiritually…from the amount of blood-sweat-tears that I, we, have poured into this place. There have been plenty of times when we have felt unappreciated, undervalued, and overwhelmed with what it takes to make it successful.

There have been a whole lot of excuses that we could come up with convincing ourselves not to do it anymore.

But it was, is, and continues to be, so very important to us. So we have found, and will continue to find our way.

I was reminded of something from a dear coworker today. She mentioned a saying that she loves, She talked of how what we do is so important because we’re a family and how glad she is to be part of our family.

It reminded me of a very sweet moment….one I treasure.

A little over three years ago, my amazing friend and I took a private walk around “our” new campus. We were just about to open the doors; and as we walked about, we spoke about the dream we had back then, “If I were the Director and you were the Manager…think what we could do…”

Yeah…today was a good day.