Monthly Archives: August 2020

Today was my ‘first day’ with students for the 26th time. Wow! How can I be that old? It truly is hard to believe. Today I started, not as a p.e teacher, not as a school counselor, not as a principal, but as a superintendent. How did that happen? God! This is not a job I ever saw coming, but He did.

He has paved the journey for me over the many years in different states, a different country, different positions – all for such a time as this. He has led me to lead. I come by it naturally. Both of my parents were in public education and were administrators. It took me 23 years to take the administrative plunge because I watched them do it for so long. It is a hard job. Why would I want that? Well, because God wants it. So I followed.

I am glad I did. Today, was the first day back from our extra long break due to Covid. It has been a very long time since kids have walked in our halls. We treasured today. We knew whatever came our way – we would not be shaken.

As I type this blog, I am sitting at my new(old) desk. A desk that was used by great leaders in the past – my grandad, Daddy Dale and my dad. There is a story to tell. One that helps me remember to not be shaken.

This desk was purchased by my grandmother, Dena for my grandad in 1949. He used the desk at home and then when he was called to be the pastor of his first church. Many sermons were written and prayed over at this desk.

Then my dad inherited the desk in 1997. He refinished it and used it in his office at Rogers High School where he was a principal. Many talks and messages were written for his staff and students at this desk. Now, in 2020, it is mine.

As you can see below, the desk was in bad shape. My plan was to help Mike refinish it and use it at home. Unfortunately and fortunately, it was too big for my home office. Plan B went into effect. We decided to refinish it and match it to my furniture in my new office. Boy, he did a phenomenal job!

Most of you know, my husband Mike is a master craftsman. Anything he makes is amazing. With his help, we refinished the desk and he made a brand new top for the desk. It was a labor of love and patience. (As this job is turning out to be as well…)

The desk originally had a place for a typewriter. It had been removed and was just bolted together. This gave Mike the opportunity to make a brand new drawer with the brand new top. Mike put his special touch on the drawer with the dove tails, but he also added one more extra special item.

He wrote out Psalm 16 on the bottom of the drawer to help me remember to never be shaken. Why Psalm 16? Well, when I got the news I had the job of superintendent for Dayton City Schools, dad sent me this scripture reference and said this should be your scripture for the year.

He knew the job would be hard. He knew the hours would be long….all of this is without Covid. Add Covid and it just makes it that much more interesting.

Psalm 16

1 Keep me safe, my God,
    for in you I take refuge.

² I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    apart from you I have no good thing.”
³ I say of the holy people who are in the land,
    “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
⁴ Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
    I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
    or take up their names on my lips.

⁵ Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
    you make my lot secure.
⁶ The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    surely I have a delightful inheritance.
⁷ I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
    even at night my heart instructs me.
⁸ I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest secure,
¹⁰ because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
¹¹ You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

God is so good. He has prepared me for this journey my whole life. I am honored and humbled to be able to serve as my parents, and grandparents did. I will not be shaken. He holds me in His right hand and I sit where my heroes sat. This gives me strength for the days ahead.

For Such A Time as This…

I will NOT be Shaken!