Teacher Tuesday: On Food & Gratitude

As a child, I was always surprised when I heard people say that Thanksgiving was their favorite holiday. “But there aren’t any presents!” I would say with bemusement to my siblings, and we would wonder at the oddness of adults.

Now I get it. 

I love the anticipation leading up to Thanksgiving. My kids start texting their travel plans early in the month. I begin my list making – Family Favorite Recipes to Make, New Recipes to Try, Grocery Shopping for the 1^st Week of November, Grocery Shopping for the 2^nd Week, Grocery Shopping for the 3^rd Week, Cooking Plans for the three days leading up to Thanksgiving, and Chores that Need to Get Done Before the Family Arrives. 

Every picture of a golden brown and glistening turkey makes my stomach rumble.  The aisles of the grocery stores are filled with amazing food items I want to try and incorporate into my Thanksgiving recipes.  Memories of the savory smells of sage, thyme, melted butter, and caramelized onions tantalize my mind as I try to stay focused on my daily responsibilities.

 My husband and I spend our evenings leading up to the family’s homecoming freshening up bedrooms and bathrooms, and shopping for new movies to watch late into the night with the kids. Prayers fill our quiet times – “God, please let all our loved ones stay healthy. Keep their cars running smoothly, and keep them safe as they’re driving home. Bless our time together with love and laughter and fun new memories. Teach us to be mindful of all Your blessings and let gratitude fill our home and hearts. Amen. And please don’t let the oven break down. Amen… again.”

A lot of the staff and students at Shepherds College share my love for this holiday, for all the delicious food shared with family & friends, and for a time set aside for purposeful gratitude.  

“Although I love the traditional turkey, stuffing, etc., the food I most look forward to is my wife Emilie’s sweet potato casserole. Her recipe isn’t topped with marshmallows, but is instead made with mashed sweet potatoes and a crunchy pecan and brown sugar topping. Yum!”  ~  Mr. Gaschke

 

“I’m so thankful for all the people at Shepherds College, the staff and students.”  ~ Kati, student

“I love a good stuffing. My father-in-law makes stuffing with Italian sausage and it is phenomenal. I also love gravy over everything!”  ~ Mr. DeCiccio

"My favorite food at Thanksgiving is green bean casserole. The thing I am thankful about at Shepherds College is that I am able to have the opportunity to grow in maturity and social skills. This school has made a huge positive impact on my life."  ~ Suzanne, student

“My FAVORITE food for Thanksgiving is my Grandma’s green bean casserole!! It’s a secret family recipe so I can’t share it… all I can tell you is that it is amazing!

I am thankful for the growth I have seen in the students this semester. They have worked very hard!”  ~ Mrs. Kolkman

 

“I love the devil’s food cake and apple cider. I’m thankful for all the friends and staff members who love me at Shepherds College.”  ~ Anthony, student

“My favorite Thanksgiving food is turkey, crock-pot stuffing and my aunt’s sweet potato casserole.

I have so much to be thankful for – my hard-working and creative staff, the opportunity to teach On and For a Purpose, and the students’ growth toward Appropriate Independence.”  ~ Miss Houk

 

“I love French Silk Pie! I’m thankful for the Academic Advisors.”  ~ Megan, student

 “The foods I look forward to the most on Thanksgiving – turkey, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs and pumpkin pie! I am so thankful that my students make me laugh!”  ~ Mrs. Luchterhand

 

“My favorite Thanksgiving food is homemade rolls. I am thankful for my friends.”  ~ Katherine, student

 

“I love mashed potatoes! I think they’re delicious!

I’m thankful for the great conversations I’ve had with the students while driving this semester. I love when they open up and feel comfortable sharing what is going on in their lives with me!”  ~ Mrs. Patton

 

“My favorite food is sweet potatoes. I’m thankful for friends who love me so much.”  ~ Andrew, student

 “I’m thankful for the students’ enthusiasm. It’s a great feeling to be greeted with so much joy and energy!”  ~ Mrs. Konopasek

“My favorite food is green bean casserole and I’m thankful for all the fun outings we go on at Shepherds College.”  ~ Krista, student

 

 “I’m looking forward to Elegant Farmer’s brown bag, caramel apple pie.

“I’m thankful that I work with such a high caliber, creative, passionate and caring group of people, and I’m thankful for the impact the students have made in my life.”  ~ Mr. Canright

"My favorite food is Pumpkin Cheesecake. I'm thankful for my Academic Advisor, Miss Pollard. She has helped steer me in the right direction of how I'm supposed to be acting and following the rules."  ~ Jonathan, student

“I am thankful for all my students and the joy, diversity, and energy they bring into my life!! They are all wonderful, and I’m thankful to have a small part in their lives.”  ~ Miss Pollard

 

“Turkey and pumpkin pie! I’m thankful I can be at Shepherds College.”  ~ Alex, student

“I love plain sweet potatoes without brown sugar or marshmallows on top. I think they are so delicious just the way they are. I like to savor the flavor, with maybe just a little butter, but it’s not required to enjoy!

I’m thankful coming in on Sunday evenings to be with the first-year ladies as the overnight person. It is so refreshing to see them outside of the academic arena and have time to just talk to them.”  ~ Mrs. Harvey

“My parents are coming for Thanksgiving so I’m hosting for the first time! I’m most looking forward to potatoes – mashed and sweet! My husband Matt is looking forward to the HUGE turkey my parents are lugging all the way from New York, and pumpkin cheesecake!

I am thankful for two things – the support of my supervisors and the way that God continually uses Shepherds College to sanctify me, to make me more like Him. I think I often forget that God has me here to accomplish His own will within me, not just so I can serve.”  ~ Mrs. Cyr

Mr. Wright's favorite Thanksgiving dishes.

From the Shepherds College family to yours –

We pray that you find love reflected in each face seated around your table, that you find joy in the memory of each precious face that is no longer there, and that each morsel of delicious food, each beloved family tradition, and each moment of shared happiness ultimately serves to bring you closer to the One who provided it all.

Have a Blessed & Happy Thanksgiving!

 



Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.

Teacher Tuesday: Giving Thanks for our Students

The students of Shepherds College are all very diverse people with different likes, dislikes, histories, personalities, abilities, beliefs, values and life experiences. However, outside of being students with intellectual disabilities, they all share at least three things in common: they each play an important role in the character development of the faculty and staff who work with them, they each will impact our lives in meaningful ways, and we’re thankful for every one of them!

“I am thankful for the students at Shepherds College because I enjoy seeing them learn and grow. I work with the third year college students and drive them to their internships. I have seen them eager to learn at their job sites, and learning the importance of hard work. We also get great opportunities to learn life lessons. They are always helping me to be patient and not sweat the small stuff. I have learned to take things one day at a time, and to celebrate the small successes I have with my students.”  ~ Miss Spence

“I am thankful that the students make me laugh. It is easy to get caught up in work, but then they will often just say something that is hysterical, and it reminds me of the joy I have working here.”  ~ Mrs. Luchterhand

“I am thankful for the students in so many ways. In the last two years that I have worked here, I have been blessed to have a relationship with each of the ladies who have spent time in Home A. As I think back to each one of them and their gifts that God has given them, they are each so different and yet all so very special to me. I am being used by God to help them develop the most independent lifestyle they each are capable of - from learning how to complete daily living skills to working out conflict and growing in better relationships with one another. Each day is another opportunity to see how God is working out His plan for them. I am blessed to be a part of it in some small way!”  ~ Mrs. Walley

“I’m thankful for our students in that they have been given this extraordinary opportunity. Compared to how people with disabilities have been treated in the past, this school is a miracle! Shepherds College represents a tangible account of the influence of the love of God in people’s lives. The housing facilities are lovely, medical care is available around the clock, and the faculty and staff work here because they love helping students with intellectual disabilities achieve their highest potential.

The students are being used by God in my life by being yet another area for me that highlights one of the quotes I try to live by – ‘Be sweet and nice and kind to everyone; everyone is having a hard time.’ Everyone struggles with something, whether it is an outward disability or an inward one.

Working with the students has given me greater insight to the needs of people with disabilities, greater compassion for them and their parents, and more patience for people in general.”  ~ Mrs. Harvey

“I am thankful for the students because each one is unique and each one has contributed to my personal growth in their own way. They have challenged me and stretched me in many ways. I have learned to be patient (even though I thought I was before!) They have taught me to be a good listener and more compassionate. I have laughed with them and cried with them. They have brought much joy to my life, and my life has been enriched because God has given me the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful ministry.”  ~ Mrs. Anderson

“The students at Shepherds College have taught me that it’s okay to burst out in song in the middle of a lesson, to not be afraid to get creative, and that God is alive and represented by each and every one of them! There is much joy here at Shepherds, and the students are definitely spreading it around!”  ~ Mrs. Kolkman

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all.”  Psalm 100

Happy Thanksgiving!

 



Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.

The Office: Redeeming the Time

Today’s blog is written from the heart of Cathy Harvey, Administrative Assistant
 

I sent an email to the college staff and faculty yesterday that simple said, “Don’t look now, but it’s only 3 months until CHRISTMAS!!  Just thought you would like a little forewarning.”  One faculty replied back that they had Christmas music on at the time they received the email-ha!  I had to chuckle.  The early bird personalities will tell me they already started their list and shopping, and the last minute procrastinators tell me joyously they will be making gifts early Christmas morning to finish in time.

However, the truth is, regardless of personality type, the nature of the Administrative Assistant’s role necessitates keeping an eye on the calendar and planning ahead, especially as our student body grows. 

For example, I am always in the process of gathering travel plans as soon as parents will send them to me for the next holiday or major break: Labor Day (Sept), Thanksgiving (Nov), Christmas (Dec), Spring/Easter (Mar/Apr), Memorial Day (May), and Summer (June). It’s a year round vigil.  In fact, I’ll be sending the Fall Holiday Travel notice to parents any day now.

If the college plans to send Christmas cards, the process begins in September, gathering ideas between our office and the marketing department, and passing around the Christmas card list in October-checking it twice, who’s been naughty or nice? (Just kidding-we love you all!)

Graduation rattles around in the back of my head almost all year, although my bosses are not ready to talk about it until spring.  By the first meeting in January or February, there has already been plenty of planning in the works.  To date, third year parents have already confirmed their students’ names for graduation certificates with me, as well as their height and weight for caps and gowns. I already have the student cap and gown order ready to go as soon as they come back for the spring semester.   

Planning for their big day in June!

A rough draft of the commencement program is already crafted, state flags are being ordered to represent the graduates home states and countries, and on and on the behind-the-scenes preparations go.

The next holiday, Thanksgiving, as you know, takes lots of planning.  For many families, the meal alone seems to be the center of attention with days of menu planning, shopping, baking, freezing, and hours standing in the kitchen.  What appalls me is the enormous number of hours this one meal takes to prepare compared to the speed with which it disappears--usually about 20 minutes in our house.  Days of planning gone in minutes!

I have contemplated all this and concluded life is a series of long preparations, highlighted here and there with a grand event. Olympians train for 4 years or more to participate in some races that last 10 seconds.  4 years for 10 seconds!  Months are spent planning weddings, and I’ve seen some ceremonies that last all of 15 minutes.  It takes years of college and/or grad school to land a job.  I’ve decided I must try to enjoy the preparation as much as the finale, because the grand finale is merely the cherry on top of the icing on the cake.  The preparation is the meat of the journey. 

I think of our students.  Graduation is the crowning glory, a ceremony as grand and God-glorifying as we can put on for all the students and families, but what we are really celebrating is not the one hour ceremony, but their 3-year journey.  They came as frightened, shy, closed-off, first year students and day-by-day, they opened up, walked, stumbled, cried, learned, tried again, worked, prayed, rehearsed, interned, and plodded their way through what we hope was the most challenging and rewarding experience of their life up to this point.  It’s the JOURNEY of preparation that is so exciting!  That’s why we Tweet and Facebook and Blog daily and weekly.  We share with parents, friends, donors, and prayer warriors, how God is preparing our students for the most appropriate independence they can handle, beginning Day One after graduation. 

“Time to Fly” is about the journey.  Have we prepared them well?  We’re trying!  One step at a time.  One day at a time.  Semester by semester.  Year 1, Year 2, Year 3. . .we are, to the best of our abilities, from the office to the classroom to after-school life, redeeming the time.  We are intentional in making the best of every hour of every day, for their sakes and for God’s glory.

We’ve got to get ready, be prepared every day, redeeming the time, because the future is just around the corner!

Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.