Fresh Beginnings

Hi Everyone.

Can you believe that another Christmas holidays has gone by in what seems like a flash?! And now what looms ahead for most of us SA students (unless you're a SA university student, like a couple lovely sisters of mine who only go back the middle of Feb!) is another brand new school year. I realize that some of you foreign readers may be in the middle of a grade, but you also are starting back up again after a nice Christmas break, I hope.

I admit that starting on Day 1 can be kind of daunting and depressing, but it can also be exciting! The beginning of the school year, in my life at least, marks the real beginning of the year, because it's not only the time that we start a new school grade, but that's also when all the other activities our lives consist of go back to normal. The church schedule goes back to normal, youth meetings start up again as well as other ministries you might be involved in, sports seasons begin or resume, etc. It's the time of fresh beginnings! Look back on all the areas of your life from last year, and be grateful for the successes in those areas, as well as resolve to improve yourself this year in those areas where improvement is needed. And, if you're like me, improvement is always needed! Let's be passionate about all that we spend our time on: our schoolwork, ministries, other church involvement, friendships, extra-curricular activities, as well as the new things we'll venture to do this year. May we guard ourselves from falling into laziness. May glorifying God be the driving motive behind all of our ambitions for this year. And let's remember, as one of my family's pastors reminded the congregation in a recent sermon, that the way to determine whether or not each day, year, or our life was a success is by examining how our relationship with Christ grew and how we fought the spiritual battles that we faced. 2 Tim 4:7--"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Here are some more words from the wise on school/learning to inspire and humor you:

I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma. ~Eartha Kitt

This one's especially for you public and private schoolers.=) For us homeschoolers--this explains a lot about our mothers:
If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers. ~Edgar W. Howe

The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. ~Alvin Toffler

A deadline is negative inspiration. Still, it's better than no inspiration at all. ~Rita Mae Brown


Have a great year you guys!

Lydia(Pea #3) for the 5 Peas