Love & Marriage

One of the wonderful things about Summer is wedding season. Although with age the season has slowed considerably for me, I now get to enjoy the new wave of younger friends from school and church tie the knot...

Today's wedding was of one of my sorority sisters. The ceremony was non-traditional and held at a beautiful cathedral in Richmond, VA. I especially appreciated the minister sharing some history on their courtship.

I continue to ponder and ask the age old question: "How do you know...when he/she is 'the one'?" Parodoxically, this morning Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony announced they're calling it quits after 7 years of what appeared to be a happy private marriage. Devastating.

How do people fall out of love? And, even being a product of love gone bad, I still look back on past relationships and reflect on why it didn't work out differently.

As one of the custodians shared with me this week at work, "After I got out of the relationship with my first husband, I prayed and asked my maker for two things: a good man and a home. He blessed me with both."

How often do we seek God and ask Him for our heart's desire? It was definitely the case for my soror's groom today. He'd been praying and seeking when Candice came into his life. Today will forever be a memorable and special day for them.

Here are a few pictures:

Happily Ever Laughter

What better way to celebrate Independence Day than with lots of laughter...and with those you love? Love and laughter. The world needs more of it!

Rain captured the evening, preventing firework shows in the area, but I had not really plotted seeing any. My nontraditional day of activities prevailed in happy moments...I had a lazy morning and start to the day, hanging with my BFF, VLM. We went shopping and had a ball as usual finding some fun July 4th gear. For the afternoon/evening fun, I was able to join LBP and her family in good fellowship, playing Nines, and eating until my heart was content.

As I thank God for the opportunity to laugh, I also thank Him for the freedom I have found in becoming a slave to Him...Surely, that sounds a bit undone or unpolished--raw even...The subject was actually a part of my day's devotion reading. When I strive to model Jesus' ways, there are gifts and benefits. I feel better about myself and my circumstances. Oddly enough, there is much grace and favor that come in dying to flesh...There is a fullness that cannot be described, but life is better and--I dare say--easier.

Researching laughter surfaces facts such as it leading to a healthier and happier life. There is a lot of truth in that. Additionally, though, the freedom to easily laugh comes in dying regularly to live..."Jesus' call to die to our own agenda each day will make it possible for us to really live. Follow His example of the paradoxical life: As He died in order to live. He surrendered to achieve victory and He won everything by losing everything."

I am trusting in Him to guide me daily...It makes appreciating a holiday like today's that much richer.

An Endless Love

Luther Vandross made a single I still enjoy listening to entitled Endless Love. I don't think he was the first to sing it, and Mariah Carey joins him in the ballad. Those who know anything about Luther know he could deliver a mean performance, making lovers grow closer and anyone single want to be loved. Truly, he was a gifted artist who is still missed today.

I have spent a better part of a year's time embracing intervals, changing and growing through seasons, and transitioning-literally and figuratively...From the physical changes on my job to the on-and-off emotional stages.

On most days, I still find it hard to believe I am an adult who lives independently and is blessed immeasurably. On most days, I lift my head from my pillow, hold my head high and smile big to make the best of the day. On most days, while a small sadness may be within, I strive never to allow others to see or know the hurts, trials, or silent prayers prayed asking for confidence, patience, and love.

A few months ago, I was driving and came across a billboard for a popular cellular phone company that read: Signal is Strength. It got me to thinking and truly reflecting on how amazing the love of Christ is for all of us--an Endless Love. Better than any love I have ever experienced from a human, His love is so powerful and more tangible than skeptics question. Where I've been weak, He has brought me people who are strong. When I have questioned or doubted, He has restored loudly and clearly with answers and promotions. Through periods of sadness, He has brought me wonderful, beautiful friendships of those who may not have known or understood my full situation but would give obediently, selflessly, and in timely fashion.

I can sit here and type tonight that a connection to Him--a real relationship--is strength. It is manifested in the growth I have had through my church. I see it in the accountability offered via my best friend, who does not even realize how vital her presence in my life is. There is recognition in the way I feel...about myself and life. Like the little bars one sees on a cellular phone providing information about how strong the signal is, I realize mine is stronger than it has been in a long time...For a moment, I was going through the motions but had hit a real wilderness experience. However, His Endless Love kept strong. While my signal was low, the strenth of His love allowed me to stay within reach to be helped.

Tonight I realize I have an awesome service provider whose signal never fails! I recognize that I have the best life ever (words stolen from VLM). My life is not perfect, but it is special, purposeful, and full of potential. Excitedly, I am embracing the steps ahead because I know there is an endless love where the strength of it is so strong that even if I wander off the path, a signal will bring me back...He guides me.

Principalship

Interim WJCC Principals to Become Permanent

By WYDaily Staff
Thursday, May 19, 2011

Dan Fields and Karen Swann, who have served most of the 2010-11 school year as interim principal at Warhill High School and Berkeley Middle School respectively, have been appointed as principal, pending School Board approval.

Their appointments will become effective July 1.

"Dan and Karen came into their schools during transitional periods, which requires skilled leadership to ensure that the school year progresses as seamlessly as possible for both students and staff," said WJCC Superintendent Dr. Steven M. Constantino. "Both have performed admirably in this role, which is why I am especially pleased to appoint them as principal of their schools."

Fields has served as interim principal of Warhill High School since August 2010. He began his career with WJCC schools in 1986, when he joined the Lafayette High School staff as a health and physical education teacher. Fields has been a coach for the Lafayette varsity and junior varsity football teams, as well as its cross country and wrestling squads. Between 1992 and 2007, Fields twice served as assistant principal for LHS and once for Jamestown High School from 1997-2003. He joined Warhill as assistant principal in 2007. Prior to coming to WJCC, he worked as a teacher and coach for Frederick County Public Schools from 1980 to 1985.

Fields earned a bachelor's degree in health and physical education from Old Dominion University in 1979, and a master's degree in educational administration, secondary level, from ODU in 1992.

Swann was appointed interim principal at Berkeley in December 2010. She first joined WJCC as a volunteer and tutor at Berkeley Middle School's after-school program (Project D.I.V.A.) in 2001, which she and her sorority sisters helped implement and develop. She joined the Toano Middle School staff as an English teacher in 2002, teaching for three years and serving as English instructor during the 2003 and 2004 summer sessions. From August 2005 through December 2006, Swann served as a graduate assistant at the College of William and Mary during the completion of her master's degree, returning to Toano as a lead teacher during the summer session.

Before becoming Berkeley's assistant principal in 2007, Swann was the assessment and compliance coordinator at Bruton High School in York County. Swann has been volunteering as a facilitator and instructor with the Rites of Passage program at Toano Middle School since 2003.

She earned a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in educational planning, policy and leadership from W&M.

WJC promotes 2 interims to permanent principals

The Virginia Gazette, Williamsburg Virginia > News > WJC promotes 2 interims to permanent principals