Happy V-Day!

Ahh, the V-Word. Time to share with you my viewpoint…

This morning, I started the day out at Thornton Terrace (retirement home) visiting my dear friend, Jim. He turned 96 in December and longs to be with his Valentine in heaven. I successfully made him chuckle a few times. Near the end of our visit he said, “Well, Jodi, you have so much going on in your mind that I don’t know how you remember it all.” We both chuckled. Oh, Jim? He’s a veteran.

However, as I drove away to do my Saturday shopping – as in Dollar General Saturday coupon, Aldi’s economical nutritious food, and Walmart grocery pickup – those words kept running through my mind. Yep, I was looking for value and variety. Anyway, since my mind “has so much going on in it”, I decided to take you on a ride through my thought pattern.

As I was heading home from my grocery pickup in my ancient vehicle, I noticed how smooth and nice the road was. Then, I immediately thought back to a year ago when we went….a century (my students yell, “Hyperbole!”) on grooved roads, single lanes, and bumps by drains …and then to where we are now. I immediately had an analogy pop into my head. Yep, I thought, “I should share this analogy in a blog post.”

Sometimes, we live life…day in and day out….not changing, and we don’t realize that things aren’t going as smoothly as they used to. The wear and tear on our mindset or spirit is a slow drain, but then…something or Someone shows us that we need a reset. With my students’ devices, we do the “Powerwash”. With road systems, we repair & repave. With life….we pause, pray, and trust the One who made us to redirect us and realign us with the journey He has planned for us. Personally, mine was my mindset about things that “don’t click” with my perspective in education, which is my vocation.

I can be disgruntled and let it steal my joy, or…I can “suck it up”, put on my big girl britches, and accept….that even in year 30….I’ve got things to learn, habits to change, and room for improvement. As I shared last week, “Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table” by Louie Giglio has had a HUGE impact with this realization. “Thanks, Mr. G.!” I’ll keep you posted on when my personal pavement is once again smooth and flowing without bumps in the road.

One of those “new” things is UFLI. Another is 30-30-30 reading instruction. The latest is AI. Normally, I would automatically think “American Idol” when I see those letters, but now…I think of students cheating on assignments, teachers not assessing student work with their own skillset, and artificial relationships that I’ve seen in television shows. However, during our recent PLC, our superintendent was talking about how we could use it to save time in meeting the needs of the various academic levels and Indiana standards. So, I challenged my self to try a new venture. Now, I’m just dipping a toe in it, but…I did try the ChatGPT caricature thing that’s going around Facebook. After answering a few questions and adding pics of me and the boys…I’m a big fan…of the cartoon. LOL

Well, I can’t avoid the V-Word that goes with today’s date…

Happy Valentine’s Day! My kids asked me yesterday what my Valentine’s plans were. I chuckled and said, “I think I’ll do my taxes.” They thought that was a hilarious plan. If you know me well, you’ll know that historically, I’m not a fan. I had the first Valentine’s Day that I didn’t dread back in 2023. I even received flowers at school at which my class “oohed” and “ahhed”. It was nice. However, I must admit that during the two Valentine’s Day when I was dating, picking a present that was “just right” was way too stressful. Thankfully, my nephew was my assistant, and I’d send him ideas for feedback.

Last year, no date, but I didn’t dread it. I suppose those two years of having plans showed me that…I don’t need plans to enjoy the day. Why? Because. I’m enough. I don’t need to be in a relationship with someone to be validated. I’m reminded to find my worth in the One who created me. The One who loves me enough to die for me. The One who walks with me through the valley of the shadow of death…or through the storm when my dad died. The One who prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies…but doesn’t just prepare it…He sits there…WITH ME. Ahh, He is my perfect Valentine. I don’t have to wonder if He thinks I’m pretty because I was created in the image of the One True God. Yes, it will be nice if one day…some year…I get flowers on Valentine’s Day again. But…even if I don’t, I no longer dread this day.

Oh! Speaking of Valentine’s gifts…I bought myself one…or it may count as 5. AI or the internet or whatever watches us online kept showing me “this gift” when I would play my “brain games” [You know…gotta keep it sharp as a tack because I’ve got so much stuff running through it – LOL.] So….one morning as I lay there and it popped up again, I thought…”Yep, I’m going to buy it for me.” I tried NOT to open it until Valentine’s Day…but I gave in and opened 1/5 of it last Monday…because… I just couldn’t wait.

We were starting a study on James, and I wanted to start writing my notes…in the book…instead of a separate one. Now? I have the New Testament (Monday study) and Poetry (Sunday/Small Group) book on my table for easy access and a visual reminder to spend time with the Love Letter from the One who loves me most..

And guess what? It’s the perfect gift! It’s a vital part of who I am and what I believe. I’m so glad I bought it for myself. I mean, Valentine’s Day was the perfect excuse!

Voila! That’s a wrap. Whichever V-Word you prefer….may you learn from my various thoughts.

Jodi P – Out!

Oh, here’s ChatGPT’s viewpoint on the author of this post…