Howell of Fame

Last Wednesday evening I got a call from the kids' school principal.... not exactly what a parent hopes for at any time of the day but it was ESPECIALLY strange because she was calling from her home... hours after school got out.   Now I have worked with Mrs. Cindi Crigler on the weekend backpack program, Bear Necessities but she'd never called me about it... email, yes.  Phone call, NEVER.  

On the phone Cindi had a strange excitement in her voice when she asked that I meet her at school the next morning for a staff meeting AND that I bring my kids and husband along with me.  She promised that the kids weren't in any trouble but that she REALLY needed me there.  I straight up told her  "You're kind of weirding me out a bit Cindi but I'll be there."  

It kind of makes me laugh to think about the first time I went in to the school to talk to her about starting Bear Necessities.  I had never met her before.  I had some SERIOUSLY sweaty pits and the only thing shaking more than my hands was my voice.  I seriously didn't know if I'd even be able to speak. I was so intimidated to go see "the principal" and yet, I have come to know that she is just the kindest and most compassionate of women and count it a privilege to know her.  

Anyway, I got off the phone and told Chris that for some reason that Cindi refused to tell me we all needed to go to the staff meeting in the morning. I knew this would make him late to work and with having missed quite a bit of work lately after the loss of my dad, I told him that if he couldn't make it I was sure it would be okay and couldn't imagine what the deal was anyway.  In usual Chris fashion, he wouldn't miss anything and made arrangements to go in late.  Gotta love my guy!

Once we arrived at the school the staff that we saw in the halls were acting just as curious as Cindi had been the night before.  I was told that I'd be going into the library but I wasn't allowed in the library yet.  The anticipation was killing me but I just couldn't figure out what to expect.  Once we were allowed in the library there was a woman from the Francis Howell School District's central office talking about an award that she was there to give to someone... an award that she had received and held as one of the highest honors.  Apparently, several people are nominated each year by staff and only a very small number of people are then chosen by a committee.  The award is called the Howell of Fame and it's described on the district website as follows:

The Howell of Fame Award recognizes excellence of character, performance and service of those who serve the Francis Howell School District as employees, volunteers and patrons.

Following an explanation of the award, Cindi went on to explain how several members of the staff had written letters on behalf of this year's winner and yes, I began to cry for it was I that had been chosen... first by the John Weldon Staff and then by a district committee to be a Howell of Fame Award  Winner.  

To have these amazing people whom I think so much of take their time to write  recommendations on my behalf for an award that I did not even know existed just straight up humbled me to my core. 

You see, John Weldon Elementary does not have your every day teachers.  They are truly a cut above the rest.  The entire staff is pretty amazing.  They go above and beyond in their time and their efforts.  They see each child as an individual and embrace that individualism in a world that much more appreciates a One-Size-Fits-All philosophy.  My children feel safe and valued by these wonderful people and I am just over the moon that we bought this house... in this neighborhood... in this district and my kids get to go to school there and be educated by these wonderful people!

One seriously crazy thing to me is that I am being awarded for something God totally had to talk me into doing... something I KNEW I wasn't equipped to do... something I pleaded with Him to get someone else to do.  (Ever heard of a guy named Moses?  Yea, like that.)  


Yet..

It has been one of the greatest blessings in my life thus far.  



Each week I have the privilege of seeing God answer prayers in a tangible way. 

Every single time I hear someone rattling the donation box on my front porch I am reminded that God provides.  

Each week I get to talk with at least one volunteer in the community about the goodness of God and how much He loves the kids of our school.   



I already felt blessed just getting to be a part of Bear Necessities... being honored by the staff and the district for doing something that already blesses me in such a tremendous way... well, it's just more than I could have imagined.  


Now I don't want to get all this-is-my-Oscar-speech-and-I'd-like-to-thank-God-and-my-parents-and... but seriously, I cannot claim this on my own.  

Bear Necessities IS NOT me.  

Bear Necessities is God's idea.  Bear Necessities is a community of wonderful people who feel called by God to care for each other, providing for one another's daily necessities.  It's a community of people who believe it's important to teach their children to serve others by actually serving with their children.  I know it sounds all kinds of corney, idealistic and totally like an answer to a Miss America pageant but I honestly believe that raising our children in a community that behaves this way can change the future.  If we, at John Weldon, teach even 100 kids to live a life of service, sacrifice and obedience... and they teach their kids... and they teach their kids... Can you even imagine what the future could hold?   


I had a dream... (yes, I'm getting seriously cheesy now) but my dream was never to win awards.  My dream was simply to teach my own children how to honor God and serve others.  Bear Necessities has given me an opportunity to do that.  It has given me an opportunity to be a light in the world.  It has given this community the opportunity to do the same.  I am so grateful and honored to be called a Howell of Fame winner.  It is not just the icing on the cake but the sprinkles too!

Thank you, John Weldon Staff, for honoring me.  I'm BEYOND grateful!