March 2020 kicked off just as expected. The rest of March kicked off the strangest season anyone…not just our family, not just Americans, but EVERYONE in the world…has ever experienced. March 1 Emma and I had a mission trip meeting at church to discuss our upcoming trip to Myanmar. We were so excited about this opportunity and were eagerly researching this beautiful country and learning more about what it would look like to share the gospel there. The golf team I coach at school started our season, with the regular spring rain we expect, and Emma’s soccer and golf school seasons got underway as well as Eli’s Acworth baseball season. We enjoyed a fun birthday party for one of Emma’s best friends, were grateful for the beautiful weather we enjoyed in early March, and then the discussion of COVID-19 really began to pick up.
We could never have predicted how COVID-19 and it’s far reaching implications would radically change day to day life…and not all in bad ways. On Thursday, March 12, our school sent out communication to let everyone know that Friday, March 13 would be the last day of school as we were going to shut down for two weeks to keep people safe from COVID-19. It’s May 3 when I am writing this and we will not return to school this spring and some are saying that this fall is not guaranteed. Wow…March really took a turn we didn’t expect! All of our favorite restaurants closed, sports seasons were put on hold, meeting for church in person was no longer a thing, and everyone headed to their homes to hunker down in a “quarantine” environment. The reasoning behind that was to provide “social distance” to “flatten the curve” of the spread of COVID-19 which ultimately would lead to the coronavirus.
What also wasn’t expected was how precious this season has been for our family. There has never before been a time that the four of us spent this much time together. We have walked, ridden bikes, cooked meals together, done a TON of house projects, played games, rested, read, painted, baked, played basketball, and so much more. We have attended class via Zoom and Google Meet, Clint has continued working from home with his crazy new co-workers, we have had church online on Sunday mornings, we have joined in fellowship with our Lifegroup via Zoom, and so many other things we wouldn’t have believed if we had been told about them in advance. We would have assumed we’d never have time to do all the things we have enjoyed. Thank you Lord for the gift of TIME. We also recognize that many friends and families are walking a difficult path during this season and that also draws awareness to all the blessings we have to be thankful for. March you were unexpected, but more welcome than we could have imagined!
March 1 | Precious moments with my favorite two little golfers. So fun to see Eli try new things and Emma is thrilled to be on the @NCCSEagles Middle School golf team! It was a beautiful afternoon and we are so thankful for the sunshine! #7000days
March 3 | What a treat to get to enjoy the performance of our @NCCSEagles Upper School Orchestra at LGPE at North Cobb HS this afternoon. I’m so proud of these students and their awesome Directors Angela Baddock and Debbie Brink. This is a talented group and their performance was one of the highlights of my day! Thanks so much for inviting me! Way to go Eagles! @nccsarts
March 6 | The only thing better than the first sunny day in F-O-R-E-V-E-R is that we had a @NCCSEagles Home Baseball game!! Aidan Moza is bringing the heat! ? #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily
March 7 | Looking for fun ideas for the kids? Hire some awesome guys to do tree work at your house on Saturday morning. The kids moved stools to the door and have been sitting here for quite a while ?? #7000days We had 19 trees taken down in an effort to start the process to turn our yard from something that looked like a disaster of war into a place where we can have a true yard to play in and enjoy the beautiful weather our city enjoys most of the year.
March 7 | Baseball for Eli. Golf for Emma. So grateful for a sunny day and lots of fun outside! #7000days
We also enjoyed the chance to cheer on Emma in her 1 rainy March soccer game for school. She grew so much as a goalie in the few weeks their team played this season. Can’t wait for next year!
March 9 | Congratulations to our @NCCSEagles Lacrosse team for a huge 14-3 win at home over Mt. Bethel. I still don’t understand all the details of this awesome sport, but I know it’s a blast to hang out with our incredible teachers, students, and parents to cheer on our Eagles! Way to go guys! #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily
March 10 | 10 years ago today @NCCSEagles, the Upper School officially moved into The Annex. It was an incredible moment as we spread out into lots of new space for learning, building relationships, and growing in Christ. The fact that it was pouring rain that day added some hilarious moments to the memories! Who was there with us? Today The Annex provides a great view of the construction of our new Upper School building that we should move into for the second semester of next year. More space for Upper School means more space for Middle and Lower School as well! It’s exciting to dream about all the lives that will be impacted for Christ in these spaces! What an incredible and tangible picture of God’s faithfulness to NCCS over the years! I’m more convinced than ever, that in Christ, the best is ALWAYS still yet to come. #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily #UpperSchoolBuilding
March 10 | What a treat that the rain held off so the fans could cheer on the @NCCSEagles Soccer Teams at home tonight. What a joy to get to see our girls and guys do what they LOVE! I love cheering on our Eagles! #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily
March 12 | What a night! I’m so proud of our @NCCSArts Cast, Crew, Pit, and Directors of The Little Mermaid. Such a blessing to be able to enjoy the evening watching our kids do what they do so well…display the glory of God! I love these guys and girls. Tonight was good for my soul! Three more shows. Don’t miss it! The show must go on! #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily
March 13 | Eli told us that he is too excited about virtual learning @NCCSEagles to have to wait until Tuesday to get started. He begged me to let him start on his school work tonight. I figure my awesome high schoolers are doing the same! ?? #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily #7000days #EverydayMathBaseballGame #NCCSVirtualLearning
March 14 | It was so good the other night…that I had to come back again! Senior Night at The Little Mermaid. Way to go @NCCSArts! #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily
March 16 | Hey @NCCSEagles Upper School families! Check your email for a quick Virtual Learning Update as we get ready to launch tomorrow. God has HUGE plans for this time and we can’t wait to engage a new learning adventure. Our teachers are incredible and they have some really creative ideas. We can’t wait to “see” you tomorrow! Have a GREAT evening. God is faithful! #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily
This weekend officially began some fun house projects. Up first…replacing the kitchen light.
March 17 | Hey @NCCSEagles Teachers, y’all are awesome! My kids were so excited to “see” you this morning. I had the privilege of praying with our teachers this morning before we officially launched. God is working! Don’t miss it. #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily #NCCSVirtualLearning #7000days
March 17 | When Emma gets done with this class, she can take your lunch order. Please drive around. Our dining room is closed for the foreseeable future. Honestly…we don’t eat in there much anyway. #7000days #NCCSVirtualLearning
March 18 | What a TREASURE to live in a day and age where we can carry on with our @NCCSEagles student Bible study from our own homes by utilizing technology. So grateful for the chance to study 2 Peter 1 together this morning! #SocialDistancing doesn’t mean lack of connection. #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily #NCCSVirtualLearning @nccsstudentlife
March 18 | If you enjoyed my “cooking show” update from the kitchen Monday, you’re going to love my “gardening tips” on my field trip to talk with one of our favorite nurses and Upper School Science Department Head Mrs. Epp to learn more about why “social distancing” is so important. @NCCSEagles Upper School families, check out the email I just sent you for the whole video and some great tips about how we can make the most of this time. I’m so proud of our awesome Eagle family! Press on! #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily #NCCSVirtualLearning #SesameStreet #TrueLoveWaits
March 19 | Upper School Jersey Day #NCCSVirtualLearning I’m so proud of all of my awesome @NCCSEagles! Check out the video and find out how you can join us for #NCCSVirtualLearning Jersey Day. I chose my jersey to celebrate our incredible Eagles spring sport athletes. Praying we can get you guys and girls back in action soon. I hear some of our faculty have some pretty sweet jerseys to share as well! Our faculty, staff, and students continue to rise to the occasion. I’m proud of you and am praying for you! #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily
March 20 | Thank you @mattmahermusic for your words that keep my heart and mind focused on Christ. This album has been a balm for my soul this week in so many ways. If I’m alive and breathing…I want to be praising the Lord! He is faithful! Thanks Matt!
March 20 | Well…this may truly be a sign of the apocalypse. My handsome man doesn’t like to eat outside. He occasionally will do it because I LOVE to eat outside…but he never chooses it on his own. Or…this could be a sign that he’s not used to having so many “coworkers” as he works from home. #EveryManForHimself #IHopeHeComesBackInEventually
March 20 | This week has provided lots of opportunities to prayer walk our precious City of Acworth. Today’s walk took me to my home away from home and it was so sweet to be there and pray over our people who worked from home this week and are now settling in for a nice unrushed weekend. What a treasure! #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily
March 21 | #UnrushedRhythms found us arranging flowers and washing cars today. A long walk through Acworth before dinner gave us a chance to say a socially distant hello to lots of friends doing the same on a beautiful day! #Grateful for this time and these precious moments with my favorite people. #7000days
March 24 | Thank you @woodlandscamp @bigjonestes for putting together this Bible reading plan! It’s been an awesome way for my daughter Emma and I to continue to knit our hearts together in the Lord and has kept us focused what is true in the midst of these uncertain days. We are praying for Woodlands and can’t wait to be back at camp soon! It’s one of the places we know that we can “taste and see that the Lord is good!”
March 24 | Open to all @NCCSEagles Upper School students, faculty, and staff that just want to hang out during lunch today. Stop by and say hey! We’d love to hear how you are doing. Check your school email for the zoom link. #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily #NCCSVirtualLearning
March 27 | Thanks so much to @bigjonestes and @woodlandscamp for the awesome Woodlands + content! My kids were so pumped to tune in tonight. Excited to join you guys “at camp” during this season! Praying for y’all and super excited about another incredible Woodlands Summer! #7000days
March 28 | 1 Peter 5 One incredible thing about this season we are in is that everything else has been slowly stripped away…humbling us to truly see the Lord at work. I have to admit that the busyness of life often causes me to miss what God is doing. The past two weeks have opened my eyes to my great need for Christ and refreshed my heart and mind in so many specific ways. Today, let us cast our cares on Him and trust that His ways are truly higher than our ways. He cares for me. That should bring us great HOPE to live in and through today. #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily #SamePageDailyReading #1Peter
March 28 | Pretending that the occasional traffic sounds are ocean waves. Grateful for a slow Saturday full of bike rides, a long walk with a dear friend, leisurely meals, reading, 2 naps, and plans for an evening around the firepit. #Sabbath #7000days
March 29 | Our dishwasher asked my coworkers to get this quarantine under control. #CupParkingSpaces #PlatesAndUtensilsAreNext
March 30 | Psalm 51 As week three of virtual learning gets off the ground today, I’m asking the Lord to help me truly evaluate my heart and mind and get all the junk out. I want to know more of Him and see Him more clearly. I don’t want to miss the gift of the season that we are in. There are so many things we grieve that have been “lost” in these weeks, but so many things that we have gained that we would have otherwise missed. Grateful that the Lord is doing the deep work of the spring cleaning in my heart…asking Him to renew my spirit so that I don’t miss what He is doing. The best is yet to come! #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily #NCCSVirtualLearning @woodlandscamp #WoodlandsBibleReadingPlan
March 31 | 2 Peter 3 v.18 answers the question…How should we spend this season of waiting? Grateful for this time to really press in to the grace and knowledge of Christ. I don’t want to miss what He is doing! #GoEagles #WeAreNCCS #NCCSFamily #NCCSVirtualLearning #SamePageDailyReading #2Peter