My wife is a school teacher. Truth be told, she is a very good school teacher. As a matter of fact, she has been told by students 10 years after she taught them that she is still the best teacher they ever had. One parent even said that of all the teachers he has ever known, ever had or his children ever had, Kim was the best he had ever met. Humbling words. She has definitely answered God’s call to be an educator and has been blessed to work with some incredible teachers. Her teaching career spans over 20 years and 4 schools and her dedication to her students has never been questioned.
My wife is also an open book. If you want to know what she is thinking, just ask her. If you need an honest appraisal of a situation, she’s your gal. She will not pull punches, but is also amazingly empathetic. Kim will tell you to stand up for yourself and be strong, then be there with a hug and tissue for the weak moments. She has an incredible network of friends because she can be trusted and is loyal to a fault. The support they give her has brought me to tears.
Unfortunately, it is the latter and not the former that has determined her job status. Please keep her in your prayers as she is currently looking for another teaching position. I have no doubt that everything will work out because when God wants something done, He makes sure it happens! I am quite sure I do not know God’s plan, but I am also quite sure that our family will continue to be blessed.
Have you ever heard the saying, “The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth”? The “whole truth” part seems to confuse some people. They will say, “ I offered to take her to the dentist” without mentioning that they are the ones who kicked in her teeth. The growth that Kim and I will experience through this job search will only make us stronger. We do not know where the road will lead, but I know that God is watching over us and that Kim has friends on all sides helping her find her way. The peaceful part of this is that people know Kim’s thoughts, she is an open book. They know her heart, she shares it with them often. They know her empathy, loyalty and friendship firsthand through the way she lives her life, and they will see “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth”…
My wife is also an open book. If you want to know what she is thinking, just ask her. If you need an honest appraisal of a situation, she’s your gal. She will not pull punches, but is also amazingly empathetic. Kim will tell you to stand up for yourself and be strong, then be there with a hug and tissue for the weak moments. She has an incredible network of friends because she can be trusted and is loyal to a fault. The support they give her has brought me to tears.
Unfortunately, it is the latter and not the former that has determined her job status. Please keep her in your prayers as she is currently looking for another teaching position. I have no doubt that everything will work out because when God wants something done, He makes sure it happens! I am quite sure I do not know God’s plan, but I am also quite sure that our family will continue to be blessed.
Have you ever heard the saying, “The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth”? The “whole truth” part seems to confuse some people. They will say, “ I offered to take her to the dentist” without mentioning that they are the ones who kicked in her teeth. The growth that Kim and I will experience through this job search will only make us stronger. We do not know where the road will lead, but I know that God is watching over us and that Kim has friends on all sides helping her find her way. The peaceful part of this is that people know Kim’s thoughts, she is an open book. They know her heart, she shares it with them often. They know her empathy, loyalty and friendship firsthand through the way she lives her life, and they will see “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth”…
12 comments:
I believe with my WHOLE heart, she perservered (well beyond the pleading of those who loved her) SOLELY because of her loyalty and true trust in "God's people" that ultimately goodness and justice (His justice) would prevail. I hurt for her heart that is especially let down in those she so painstakingly supported. Luckily those beautiful children kept her earnestly focused. Kim has ALWAYS "played it OPEN and STRAIGHT" and been the ultimate TEAM player. I know Sloan will be a different place and for that, I am truly sad. For Kim and her family, I am elated.....stand back....those cropped wings are about to FLY baby!! Mike, you never let me down. You are equally HONEST and sincere and steadfastly support your wife with a patient ear and gentle wisdom. I am excited for those to cross her path in her next endeavor.....in the words of Reed Joe, they are "lucker babies!"
Kim, I will never again work with someone as great as you. You taught me everything I know. Our school is truly at a loss without you there, but look out new school.....here she comes! Whoever is so lucky to have you is about to literally have their socks knocked off with the amount of dedication, compassion, and loyalty that you will bring. Mike is right, you are the most honest person I know. Thank you for your constant support, words of wisdom, and loyalty to our friendship.
I love you and will miss you!
I feel incredibly blessed, and tears stream my face as I type this...not only am I blessed enough to have my son taught daily by you - but I now have the incredible privilege of calling you friend. Mike is so right on in his words...just this year alone you have given me strength, support, encouragement, and a whole lot of good times and laughs. How grateful I am for the teaching gift God gave you - how blessed and changed my son is because of this year he spent in your care. Thank you for being exactly who God created you to be...each child that walks in your classroom has no idea how lucky he/she is...you are a gem.
awwww! such sweet and true words!!! i'm so sad that the younger children at sloan will not get to experience your greatness! they are missing out as well as many others!!! i'm am excited about God's future for you! it will be blessed and better than you ever imagined! love you!
Reading your words has absolutely blessed me. God speaks through you and your lives and there is no doubt that He has an awesome plan for your family.
"Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient. So do not be associated with them. For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says: 'Awake, o sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light'"....
what this scripture says to me is so many things. first, it spoke loudly about the person i see in you- a person who lives TRUE to who they are- and wears her heart on her sleeve, for all to see- hiding nothing from anyone, like mike said- ask, and you'll always get an honest answer. you BRING so much TO the light. yes, in spite of those "gail" (grinning) like qualities we ALL share of chronic complaining about one ailment or another, you are (i think like all of us, we all got this) a DEEPLY empathetic, deeply feeling, compassionate, loving, OPEN, GIVING person. that's one way this scripture spoke to me. it seems pointless to talk about the other ways it did. but i will say for the record that translated from the original text, "obedient" means "to listen", so that when we are "disobedient" to God, we are merely not listening. i used to find this wording harsh and offensive but now it makes more sense knowing that. :) I ALSO know, you will search your OWN heart, after all of this, even though we all feel you have been LOYAL TO A FAULT, and be too hard on yourself, and think you could have done something differently. that's the jackson in you. i hope you won't, because you're wrong this time. you have given and given and given and given and given. all of yourself. i dare to say TOO much of yourself (never, to the kids or your fellow teachers- but you know what i mean).
i am almost speechless, sitting in awe of these comments draped above my own... my heart is SWOLLEN with love and pride, Kim. how blessed am i that i get to call you not only my friend but my sister too? hearing and knowing the whole truth, and how honest you have (always) been, true to yourself and to ALL others, your loyalty and perseverance over the years- fully dedicated and focused WHOLEHEARTEDLY on the children- what can i add that hasn't already been said? i am at a loss for words. i only know one thing. your gifts have been and will continue to be poured out ABUNDANTLY- they are GOD given and not for a moment will He let them be wasted. trust in that sister :O)
i know you ache for what will be left behind at Sloan- the amazing teachers that you have shared the last decade with and your students that you have impacted and who have shown you the face of God daily- carry them with you into this next adventure, kim- they are woven into the fabric of who you are. they are part of YOUR tapestry.
and it is SO beautiful.
you are SO beautiful.
what a blessing you have been to Sloan. what a loss for those who come after who will never know you. but what a gift for the next school who GETS you. they have NO idea...
yet :O) i've only watched you twice in the classroom, but i left with the BIGGEST grin on my face, wishing my own girl would have the privilege of being taught by the best teacher ever.
i love you. i'm so proud of WHO you are.
can't wait to watch you spread those wings...and fly.
i've got tears in my eyes just imagining it.
(two tips, two tips!)
Silence is not my thing. I am humbled beyond words. The comments you have left here are etched on my heart, be sure.
God is so good. I know He has great plans for us, and through this He has, once again, revealed to me my true friends.
Thank you.
kim,I just wanted to take the time to tell you what an amazing person you are. Kevin and Krysta told me before I met you how incredible you are. I never met somebody so strong and smart. God speaks through you. Its devistating that you are leaving us!!!!!! you are in my prayers I wish you luck in finding a new job but I don't worry for a second because I know you are in great hands.
14 more days....Bah-hum-bug! Now the sadness is starting to kick in. I really feel sorry for those second graders....and for me. But you on the other hand are going to bless some school beyond words.
I will miss visiting with you so much next year. Can I come to your new job and be a substitute grandmother to Cole and Reed? cj
Kim I can't put my words down like those others... I have a few simple words. I am so blessed to have had you teach one of my kids. Very sad that you won't be teaching the other. Thanks for all our talks. I have learned so much from you. You are a great friend. I love you and will miss you terribly! Lori
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