march 2025.

My birthday month has come and gone and boy, was it filled with love! I am so grateful to have a community of wonderful people who showered me with love, intentionality, and kindness. My students and colleagues made me cards and decorated my classroom. It was so wonderful walking into work on my birthday! Also, my friend and coworker, Lindsay, and I decided to have a joined birthday celebration this year since many of our friends overlap and our birthdays are only 10 days apart! It was fun celebrating with a friend!

The second Sunday of this month was baptism Sunday at my church and it was beautiful gathering under the beautiful trees to witness fellow believers, young and old, proclaiming new life in Christ. I also do not take for granted the fact that this in an outdoor baptism on a warm day in early March, something my childhood would have never seen!

I also enjoyed Spring Break this month – a wonderful time to take a break from work, rest, read, and spend time with friends. I am grateful for this time.

Lastly, this past weekend, I went to a Chandler Moore worship night concert. He is the lead singer for Maverick City. It was a wonderful night filled with praise and reflection in community. My favourite song that has been on repeat this past month is the song What I Needed.

My friend Paustina makes these beautiful kitenge (East African fabric) bags. I want to support her business, so I will be selling these beautiful bags on her behalf for $10 a bag this summer. If you would like me to bring you a bag (or many bags!), please send me an e-mail at joc.smart4@gmail.com or message on FB/instagram indicating which style(s) you would like and I will be sure to bring you your lovely new tote in June when I visit Canada again. These can be used as an everyday tote bag, a beach bag, a grocery bag, or as a gift to others! Happy supportive shopping 🙂

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. I am forever grateful.

-j.