Category: snow day

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The joy on a college campus

Last week I had the amazing privilege to go with my sister and brother-in-law to take my niece (and only girl niece I have…) to college at Liberty University. I LOVE Liberty! Yes, I am biased because I teach there but I also went there for my graduate degrees. It is a very special place. While, I was walking around campus last week, I felt the excitement of the young people and the next generation of leaders and world-changers all around.

Arguably, one could feel this on any college campus this fall, especially as in-person learning resumes! It also made me wonder what happens to adults causing them to lose the love of learning, exploring, making a difference in the world, meeting new people, trying new things, moving away for a bit or embracing any type of change.

There are many factors that can come into play in losing some of the joys experienced on a college campus, but we don’t have to lose our joy in the possibilities of the future. We can work to maintain a spirit of faith and belief in something greater.

My belief in God is what gives me joy in the possibility of greatness, change, goodness, possibility, and faith. Jesus came to make all things new by taking on the sin of the world. We often forget that Jesus is making all things new in the midst of so much pain and evil in the world, but I challenge you today to walk onto a college campus or at least shut your eyes and imagine doing so and take a deep breath and dream. But don’t stop with a dream, think of all the possibilities and opportunities God can give you to do good in this crazy world today.

Never stop believing that you can make a difference, that you are called for a great purpose to love others as Christ did. Pray for those who are hurting such as those in Afghanistan or Haiti or down the street. Pray for the educators beginning classes this time of year and for the students. Pray for a new generation to rise up and seek to obey God and overcome evil with good.

Choosing Joy today,

Dr. Atwell

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A great recommendation from a teenager

Teenagers these days often are described as being self-centered, lazy, unmotivated, and addicted to social media instead of living life without posting about it or considering using a filter for pictures they post.

I was encouraged this summer as I met a very amazing teenage boy at the beach who was so kind to my not quite teenage boys. He took them riding in a boat, helped them learn to kayak, and never acted like they were bothering him. He and his brother were very respectful and truly a joy to be around. One day, the teenage boy told me he was reading the book “Make Your Bed: Little things that can change your life…and maybe the world” by Admiral William McCraven. He also told me he wants to be a navy seal one day.  I have no doubt that he will achieve his goal and will be a great leader one day.

After I met him and talked to his mother about how she is raising two amazing boys, I saw a book at the library that caught my eye, “Sea Stories: My life in special operations” By Admiral William McCraven. Since this man obviously caught the attention of a neat teenager, I thought maybe I’d enjoy a book written by the same man. The book did not disappoint. I found someone who is very successful to also be humble and gracious.

Here are some things I learned from the book:

-Turn hardships into laughter, self-deprecating, unforgettable, and unforgettable stories.. it’s all in how you remember it!

-Don’t lie to your parents, they know. Give your kids a chance to tell the truth.

-Don’t underestimate the power of one act of kindness. Call a kid, encourage someone today it may make all the difference in the world.

-Take it one evolution at a time. Don’t quit, it’s not the smartest, fastest or strongest who are always successful. It’s the ones who stumble, fall, falter, persevere, who get up and keep moving.

-Sacrifice is worth the reward. God is always working. His hand is in everything . When it’s your time to go, it’s your time.

-People are always listening:). 

-There are angels and spirits among us. Be aware.

-War gives your life meaning. Everyone longs for an honorable fight, a battle of convictions.

-Don’t be a bench sitter

-People deserve a second chance

-Be kind to people who are going thru tough times. Continue to fight regardless of your injury! Lose the paperwork…

-Bombs can be carried in shoes… Your decisions effect others sometimes long after you intended them to.

-Overcome evil with good

-Have hope that God can turn brokenness into something beautiful. 

-Leaders must be prepared to trust who are fighting for them and to make tough decisions.

-Sometimes rough men have to protect the innocent. 

-The sacrifices of the men and women in the armed forces help to save those who may be the best great scientists, doctors , pastors, etc.

-Millennials ask why, sacrifice and say they will be just fine, they are more inclusive, more engaged, not always unmotivated.

-It feels great when justice is served

-Practice the tough plans and drills, go over them and over so you are prepared.

-Tomorrow has stories too.

 

Be blessed today. Keep going, don’t quit, If it isn’t over yet, it is not the end…A brighter day is ahead.

Dr. Atwell

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5 things not to do during a snow/ice day

Since most of of us on the east coast are snowed/iced in, I thought I offer up some tips on what not to do. We have plenty of tips available online for what to do, so here are some humorous thoughts for what not to do…(with the help of my husband…)

1-Do not try to heat your home with your outdoor grill. The fireman in your area will have a much more difficult time trying to get to you when you burn your house down. Instead warm your heart and soul with your family. Tell funny stories to your kids about your childhood. Play some of your favorite childhood games with your kids. Snuggle up on the couch together to keep warm instead.

2-Do not eat yellow snow.  I watched the cutest video of a friend’s daughter this morning licking her window in an attempt to experience the snow from inside. By all means, go outside, find some clean, white snow and make some yummy snow cream. Just remember that yellow snow does not make lemon flavored snow cream.

3-Don’t feed your addiction to the internet. It is ok to read a good blog…check your social media once a day, order a birthday gift, or look up an interesting fact or two. Just don’t stay online all day because you feel stuck inside. Be creative, do something different. Make something, draw, color with your family, etc. Earlier, I was studying the 10 plagues of Egypt and I learned that as God was using these plagues to get Pharoah’s attention, he was also confronting their false gods (i.e the nile was a god to them, they had a fertility goddess with a frog head, etc). It made me wonder what plagues God would put on us today if he wanted to confront the things we worship instead of him. I kind of feel like he’d put a plague on the Internet…

4-Don’t speed. I’m all about venturing out, but don’t be stupid. If you are normally not a great driver, don’t have much experience driving on icy roads, or people who love you are advising you not to drive, just stay inside or be a passenger. However, never be afraid to venture out even if you don’t leave the driveway or parking lot.  Explore God’s beauty.

5-Don’t make a snow day schedule. Enjoy the down time and rest. God created rest. We just don’t often enjoy his creation of rest. We need it, our bodies require it. So take a nap, stay in your pjs a little bit longer (although the people around you would appreciate you brushing your teeth at some point) and enjoy this gift of time to rest.

Enjoying God’s gift of snow today,

Natalie 🙂