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.jpg "the kind of legacy we dream and teach about // artemis ii")
As a history professor, I spend my days teaching about the people who changed the world… and many are stories of the ones who never got to see the full impact of what they started.
I often talk about legacy in past tense. The ones that risked everything and were heroes... all in the hopes that as I teach my students will study and analyze and be inspired to change the world in which they are living for the better... that they can be heroes for future generations. Many times it is in past tense... but these past 2 weeks a beautiful story came along that we all go to observe and live in the middle of (to the moon and back).
The crew of Artemis II— Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen—(and Rise :)) - thank you. As I and millions around the world watched live feeds, interviews, laughed at the humor, had tears at the beauty, and gathered with loved ones to celebrate your successful return to your loved ones and earth, we had tears. You have done what history has always required of heroes- stepping courageously forward before the outcome was certain and believing that the future of humanity was worth the sacrifices anyway.
And in doing so, you also inspired millions, including my students and myself. In my classroom these past few weeks, history has come alive because of the character of the people you are and the inspiration that you have given. By bringing us along we witnessed the beauty of the world beyond our planet earth, the incredible things we can accomplish as humans if we work together, and the things that are most important in life.
You have taken us to the moon and back and sparked curiosity and wonder and reminded an entire world what it looks like to aim further than possible with great sacrifice and with great character and respect and humility. Your legacy is one that I truly believe will not be forgotten but generations from now will tell the story of four incredible people that showed not only what was possible but what the best of humanity can be. From one history professor- and one of the millions of people you have inspired, thank you.
A huge thank you to NASA, the CSA, and the thousands of other people who also made Artemis ii mission successful. And a most humble thank you to all of the families...how do you say "thank you" for your sacrifice and your courage to encourage your loved ones to go? The world is indebted to you forever.
eighteen ways to make college cheaper / personal finance powerpoint and activity / caravan sonnet classroom
April 13, 2026
Happy Monday friends! I am so excited to share with y'all a newly updated resource in the caravan sonnet classroom at teachers pay teachers! This is a resource for personal finance teachers at the high school or college level.
If you would like to go directly to this resource you can click HERE!
College is one of the largest financial decisions students will make—and most walk into it without a clear strategy for reducing the cost.
This lesson shifts that narrative.
Instead of focusing only on how to pay for college, this resource teaches students how to make college more affordable from the start. Through 18 practical, real-world strategies, students begin to understand that the cost of college is not fixed—and that their decisions before and during college can significantly impact their long-term financial future.
In a landscape where students are often overwhelmed by tuition, loans, and financial aid options , this lesson provides a clear, structured, and empowering approach to lowering college costs before debt becomes the default.
What Students Will Learn:
✔How to actively reduce the cost of college before enrolling
✔The financial impact of everyday decisions (housing, textbooks, course load, etc.)How to think strategically about college as an investment
✔Why small cost-saving choices can lead to long-term financial stability
What’s Included:
✔Editable PowerPoint (10 slides)
Designed to guide instruction while encouraging discussion and real-world connections
✔Student Guided Notes (Word Document)
Keeps students engaged and accountable throughout the lesson
✔Teacher Answer Key for Guided Notes
Supports consistency and saves valuable prep time
✔Matching Reflection Activity
Moves students beyond passive learning into application and evaluation
✔Teacher Answer Key for Reflection Activity
Why This Resource Matters:
Students are often taught about financial aid, loans, and the FAFSA—but rarely are they taught how to minimize the need for those systems in the first place.
This lesson fills that gap.
By focusing on prevention rather than reaction, students begin to:
✔Approach college with a financial plan instead of uncertainty
✔Recognize the long-term impact of borrowing
✔Develop financial literacy skills that extend beyond college
This is the perfect sequel to The Value of a College Degree Resource (available in the shop HERE) and The Cose of a College Education Resource (available in the shop HERE) or it could be used alone!
If you would like to purchase this resource you can find it HERE!
Thank you so much for all of your support of the shop! If you would like to check out the shop you can find it HERE!
Can I ask 2 HUGE favors?
(1)- If you are not already following the shoppe could you please do so? Even if you are not a teacher or don't plan to purchase things the number of followers does influence potential buyers and this would show incredible support! Simply click HERE!
(2)- If you have purchased something would you please take a moment and leave a review? It doesn't have to be long, but reviews are SO helpful to TPT owners like myself! Simply click HERE!
THANK YOU!
This has been an incredible blessing and you are making this possible!! Thank you again friends! Happy Monday!
Create in me a clean heart O God // Psalm 51:10
At the end of last summer I walked through an incredibly painful, hurtful, and disrespectful thing in a relationship when I was ghosted with no warning. Ghosting comes in all forms and all different people have stories on this, but this sudden and shocking ending to talking to someone nearly everyday for months hurt my precious and tender heart more deeply than words could express.
I admit that at first, I truly thought that something had happened to the person and worried for their (and their families) safety and well-being - as it never crossed my mind that someone (especially at our age) would "ghost" another person. The disrespect of that was unfathomable to my tender and loving heart and the wounding hurt left me pretty battered. As I worked through forgiveness and healing (which I mentioned in my"doing something new every single day" post ( and reels which you can find them HERE and HERE) there was a verse (and a song) that I played on repeat hundreds of times a day. You can find it HERE.
I truly hope it will be an encouragement if you are walking through a fog of disbelief of something that has taken place in your own life in dealing with relationships.
For me, I knew that one of the biggest things that would be hard was that as the fog of grief and disbelief started to wane was to remain "soft". I had heard to many stories over the years of people who were bitter and angry months and years later after something like this and didn't want this to happen to me. I knew without a doubt that forgiveness and fighting to remain soft were things that I wanted for my future and did not want to look back 6 months from then, a year from that time, or even decades later being bitter about what had taken place.
I came across a quote on social media around this time (I don't know who the original quote belonged to but if you do please let me know in the comments so I can credit although our quote is quite a bit different) and as I forgave this person who had hurt me (and those in my inner circle who love me deeply) it encouraged me deeply...
Finally, I realized that I am not a permanent person in anyone’s life or anyone’s story, but my deepest prayer is that I would be allowed to be the best temporary (minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, decades, till the end of my life) person in the chapter, season, fleeting or long held - lifetime moments. I will stay joyfully as long as the season allows (hoping for a lifetime) but with hope and gratitude gladly hold things freely open handed, giving the freedom for anyone to leave which is the highest tender respect one can give with love.
I knew that no matter what that person had done- I could fight to remain soft and as I had done the entire relationship- hold things freely and give that freedom for anyone to leave- that is the highest and tender respect you can give with love.
It was no longer about the disrespectful thing that that person had done, but it was about me and my heart and forgiveness and creating a right spirit within me.
So as I walked, moved throughout my day, worked, prayed constantly for this person and their family (as I had been doing for months), and and yes, wept at the hurt, I played on repeat a song that I had heard long ago in my childhood- "Create in me a clean heart O God". I was begging the Lord for help in creating a right spirit within me.
Did I wish that the person would have been kind enough to have a simple conversation? Yes.
Did I still find it incredibly disrespectful? Yes.
Was my heart broken at everything? Yes.
But do I find now, 9 months later, that I have forgiven this person, and my heart is "soft" as my tearful prayers had begged so many months ago? Do I pray for this person and their family still to this day? Do I wish them the best and want the best for them?
Thankfully and tenderly I can say- absolutely yes.
I am free of bitterness, anger, and woundedness. My heart has been tenderly wrapped in the joy of my salvation and forgiveness and I am free.
May I gently say to you if you are in this situation... how you handle this- is so important. It is crucial in how you approach being ghosted and how you heal from it for your future. Make sure in your depth of pain to fill your mind with truth- and encouragement, because 9 months after something like this happens, you will either be walking in bitterness or freedom.
Keith Green originally wrote this many decades ago, but the version that I played was newer and sung by a two people from The Netherlands. You can find it on YouTube HERE.
I hope you will go over and listen and share with your community who may need this tender encouragement right now also.
I hope that these words encourage your heart and soul today and bring rest and encouragement to the places of needed repair in your life. If there is anything I can pray for you about- please reach out via email or leave a comment so we can all be praying for you.
I am so grateful for this community.
Create in me a clean heart O God // Psalm 51:10
Create in me a Clean a Heart
Create in me a clean heart O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence O Lord,
and take not thy Holy Spirit from me
Restore unto me the joy of Thy Salavation
and renew a right spirit within me.
Happy Friday friends! A few minutes ago IG I shared a little reel on the cost of what we actually spent traveling to New York City this week...Before you read anymore here, I would be honored if you would please head on over to watch, comment, and like this very important reel by clicking HERE!
I understand that in the world we live in and the constant reels and pictures it may not seem like a lot, but to me this means so much more than you realize. Every view, like, comment, and share on a reel truly matters more than most people realize. Instagram quietly uses those small signals to decide whether a post should be shown to more people. When you watch, tap the heart, or leave a thoughtful comment, you’re helping the story reach someone else who might need to hear it too. For a small content creator like me, those simple moments of encouragement from this community make a real difference and help Caravan Sonnet continue to grow in the Instagram space. So please take just a quick moment to click HERE to do this! .
Thank you.
Happy Friday! I hope you have the most wonderful day and start to your weekend! See you here tomorrow!
Happy Thursday friends! Y'all know how much I love eating fresh and healthy foods and recently I have been having a yummy and delicious and healthy stuffed mushroom receipe on repeat. I always knew that mushrooms were healthy, but I finally decided to research what the health benefits are! Y'all I am absolutely amazed at the health benefits that they bring to our bodies and wanted to share some of them with you today! Here are just a few of the powerful benefits that are found in baby bella mushrooms:
Baby bella mushrooms (also called cremini) are one of those foods that are easy to overlook, but they are surprisingly nutrient-dense and simple to incorporate into everyday eating. If you are trying to eat more intentionally, this is an easy and affordable place to start. Below are eight health benefits of baby bella mushrooms and why they are worth adding into your routine.
1. Support immune health
Baby bella mushrooms are a good source of selenium, an essential mineral that helps regulate the immune system and protect cells from damage. They also contain ergothioneine, an antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation and supports overall immune response, especially during busy or stressful seasons.
2. Rich in antioxidants
Mushrooms provide antioxidants that help your body manage oxidative stress, which is linked to aging and chronic illness. While this is not something you feel immediately, it is one of those long-term benefits that supports overall health over time.
3. Help support energy levels
Baby bella mushrooms contain several B vitamins, including riboflavin and niacin, which help your body convert food into usable energy. If you are feeling consistently tired, this is one small way to support your energy naturally.
4. Support brain health
The antioxidant ergothioneine has been studied for its potential role in protecting brain cells. Some research suggests that regular mushroom consumption may be associated with better cognitive health over time.
5. Promote heart health
Baby bella mushrooms are naturally low in sodium, free of cholesterol, and a source of potassium. These factors help support healthy blood pressure and overall cardiovascular health.
6. Support gut health and digestion
Mushrooms contain dietary fiber, including prebiotic compounds that help feed beneficial gut bacteria. A healthy gut supports digestion, immune function, and overall wellness.
7. Help with weight management
Baby bella mushrooms are low in calories but filling, which makes them helpful if you are trying to eat more intentionally. They can also be used to reduce overall saturated fat intake when incorporated into meals.
8. Provide important trace nutrients
In addition to larger nutrients, baby bella mushrooms provide smaller but important nutrients such as copper, which supports red blood cell formation, along with small amounts of vitamin D when exposed to light and other trace minerals that support overall health.
Baby bella mushrooms are not a trendy “superfood,” but they are consistent, nutrient-dense, and easy to include in a balanced diet. Often, those simple, steady choices are what make the biggest difference over time.
Isn't that amazing friends? Those are just 8 simple benefits of eating baby bella mushrooms and there are so many more! What about y'all? Do you eat baby bella mushrooms? What health benefits have you found from eating them?
{Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her health care provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.}
{Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her health care provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.}
Happy Tuesday friends! Last night on IG I shared a fun little reel...Before you read anymore here, I would be honored if you would please head on over to watch, comment, and like this very important reel by clicking HERE!
I understand that in the world we live in and the constant reels and pictures it may not seem like a lot, but to me this means so much more than you realize. Every view, like, comment, and share on a reel truly matters more than most people realize. Instagram quietly uses those small signals to decide whether a post should be shown to more people. When you watch, tap the heart, or leave a thoughtful comment, you’re helping the story reach someone else who might need to hear it too. For a small content creator like me, those simple moments of encouragement from this community make a real difference and help Caravan Sonnet continue to grow in the Instagram space. So please take just a quick moment to click HERE to do this! .
Thank you.
Happy Tuesday!
Happy Monday friends!
I hope that you are having the most wonderful start to your week! I am so excited to share something with you today that has been on my heart for a while — and has come together in a very real and meaningful way this morning.
The Caravan Sonnet Shoppe is becoming The Caravan Sonnet Classroom.
I know — a name change! But let me tell you why this feels so right.
When I started the shop back in 2021, I was quietly building resources late at night and early in the morning, uploading them between life responsibilities, and dreaming of what this could become. And slowly, faithfully, it has been becoming something much bigger than I could have imagined as I chase my dreams. Sales reaching 26 states, Canada, Australia, the Philippines. Five star resources. A community of teachers I am so deeply grateful for.
But as I have been thinking about the future — really dreaming about where this is going — I kept coming back to one thing: I am not just building a shop. I am building a classroom. A place where teachers find resources that bring financial literacy, history, government, economics, and law alive for their students. A place where other educators who are building their own TPT journeys can find honesty, encouragement, and community. A place that can grow beyond any single platform — because what we are building together is bigger than that.
The Caravan Sonnet Classroom feels like that place.
Everything you love stays exactly the same — the colorful, creative, and educational resources, the monthly journey check-ins, the behind the scenes realness of building this toward a full time income. All of it. Just with a name that better reflects where we are going together.
And speaking of where we are going — I would love to connect with you over on Instagram! I have just updated to The Caravan Sonnet Classroom over there and would love for you to come follow along for resources, behind the scenes, and all of the good things that are coming. You can find me at instagram.com/caravansonnetclassroom!
Thank you for being here. Thank you for every purchase, every review, every kind word. You are the reason this classroom exists.
Here is to the most beautiful next chapter — an uncommon season that is truly amazing! I hope you have the most beautiful start to your week!
With so much gratitude,
Rebecca
the cost of a college education // personal finance powerpoint // caravan sonnet shoppe
April 5, 2026
Happy Monday friends! I am so excited to share with y'all an updated product that is now available in the caravan sonnet shoppe at teachers pay teachers! This is a resource for personal finance teachers at the high school or college level. If you would like to go directly to this resource you can click HERE!
Help your students make one of the most important financial decisions of their lives with clarity and confidence.
This engaging and thoughtfully designed resource walks students through the real cost of a college education—moving beyond surface-level discussions to help them analyze, compare, and reflect on what college truly costs and what it means for their financial future.
Built for both high school and college-level learners, this lesson combines data-driven instruction, structured guided notes, and meaningful reflection to support deeper understanding and real-world application.
What’s Included in this NO PREP Resource:
✔PowerPoint Presentation (14 slides)
* Clear, visually engaging, and classroom-ready
* Incorporates real data and statistics to support analysis
✔Student Guided Notes
* Keeps students focused and accountable during instruction
* Organized to support comprehension and retention
* Comes with Teacher Answer Key
✔Reflection Activity
* Encourages students to think critically about their own college and financial decisions
* Promotes personal connection and long-term relevance
* Comes with Teacher Answer Key
✔Editable Format
* Easily customize to fit your classroom needs
* Compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides
Topics Covered:
* Rising college costs
* Average cost of attendance
* Tuition and fees by region and state
* Cost differences by degree
* Books, supplies, and hidden expenses
* Sticker price vs. net price
* Comparing college costs and financial choices
Thank you so much for all of your support of the shoppe! If you would like to check out the shoppe you can find it HERE! This has been an incredible blessing and you are making this possible!! Thank you again friends! Happy Monday!
Dearest Friends, as we celebrate this precious day of remembering Christ's extravagant work on the cross to save us, may you be blessed! Happy Easter!
Happy Thursday friends! I am so excited to share with y'all a newly updated product in the caravan sonnet shoppe at teachers pay teachers this morning! This is a resource for personal finance teachers at the high school or college level.
If you would like to go directly to this resource you can click HERE!
The cost of college is one of the most important topics to discuss with a personal finance class in regards to budget. But unfortunately, it is common for Personal Finance teachers to jump right to paying for college, but in teaching personal finance and college and career classes for many years, I have learned the benefit of addressing the "Value of a College Degree".
Help your students thoughtfully explore one of the most important financial decisions of their lives: Is a college degree worth the investment?
This engaging and discussion-driven resource goes beyond simply teaching students how to pay for college—it challenges them to first understand the value behind the investment, creating a stronger foundation for your entire personal finance unit. Research consistently shows that higher education is tied to increased earnings, career opportunities, and long-term financial outcomes —but this lesson encourages students to critically evaluate all sides of the decision.
Perfect for high school or college-level personal finance, economics, or life skills courses, this resource helps students connect real-world data to their own future goals.
What’s Included:
✔ Editable PowerPoint (20 slides)
✔ Student Guided Notes (with answer key)
✔ Matching Reflection Assignment (perfect for deeper thinking, assessment, or discussion and comes with answer key)
✔ Teacher-Friendly & Ready to Use
Topics Covered:
✔ Benefits and opportunities for college graduates
✔ Average annual income & lifetime earnings comparisons
✔ Economic, civic, and lifestyle statistics
✔ Public vs. private college value
✔ Associate vs. bachelor’s degree pathways
✔ Non-monetary benefits of higher education
✔ Introduction to reducing college costs
✔ Real-world data analysis (including research-based statistics)
Why Teachers Love This Resource:
✔ Encourages critical thinking, not just memorization
✔ Creates a natural transition into units on paying for college, FAFSA, and budgeting
✔ Supports meaningful class discussions on real-life financial decisions
✔Works well as a standalone lesson, unit introduction, or sub plan
Why This Matters for Students:
Financial literacy is one of the most essential life skills students can develop, helping them manage debt, budget effectively, and make informed long-term decisions . This lesson equips students to approach college not just as an expectation—but as a strategic financial choice.
This resource is designed to help students (and their families) move from overwhelm to clarity and confidence when thinking about the cost—and value—of college.
If you would like to purchase this resource you can find it HERE!
For most of us, a massage is something we book when we really need it — after a particularly brutal week, as a birthday treat, or when the tension in our shoulders has built to the point where turning our head hurts. We go, we feel incredible, we promise ourselves we’ll do it more often, and then three months pass before we think about it again.
Sound familiar?
There’s nothing wrong with an occasional massage. But if you’ve ever wondered why the relief never seems to last as long as you’d like, or why you always seem to end up back in the same place — tight, achy, running on empty — the answer might be simpler than you think. Massage works best when it’s consistent. And for many people, making that shift changes everything.
Your Body Keeps Score
Long before we consciously register stress, our bodies are already responding to it. Muscles tighten. Breathing becomes shallow. The nervous system shifts into a low-grade state of alertness that never quite fully resolves. Over time, these holding patterns become the new normal — and we stop recognizing how tense we actually are because we’ve been carrying it for so long.
Elevated cortisol — the body’s primary stress hormone — is linked to disrupted sleep, increased inflammation, digestive issues, and a persistent sense of fatigue that rest alone doesn’t fix. The body isn’t being dramatic. It’s doing exactly what it’s designed to do under sustained pressure. But without regular intervention, those patterns deepen and become harder to unwind.
This is why so many people describe their first massage in a long time as surprisingly emotional, or physically more intense than expected. The body has been holding on. A single session begins to release that — but a single session can only do so much.
What Regular Bodywork Actually Does
The research on massage therapy is more robust than many people realize. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, regular massage can meaningfully reduce cortisol levels, lower heart rate, and decrease the physiological markers of stress. It stimulates the production of serotonin and dopamine, which support mood stability and emotional resilience. It improves circulation, which aids in muscle recovery and tissue repair. For people who struggle with sleep, consistent bodywork has been shown to improve both sleep quality and duration.
Perhaps most importantly, massage works directly on the nervous system. Specifically, it activates the parasympathetic response — the “rest and digest” state that is essentially the opposite of fight-or-flight. Many of us spend the majority of our days in some degree of sympathetic activation, and our bodies rarely get the signal that it’s safe to fully let go. Skilled therapeutic touch is one of the most direct ways to send that signal.
One session gives you a taste of what that feels like. Regular sessions help your nervous system learn to get there faster — and to stay there longer.
Shifting the Mindset: From Luxury to Maintenance
Here’s where I think the real conversation begins.
Most of us have no trouble justifying routine maintenance for the things we value. We get our cars serviced, our teeth cleaned, our annual checkups scheduled. We understand intuitively that waiting until something breaks is more costly — in every sense — than taking care of it consistently. Yet we rarely apply that same logic to our own bodies.
Somewhere along the way, many of us absorbed the message that caring for ourselves is indulgent. That massage is a reward to be earned, not a practice to be maintained. But what if we thought about it differently? What if a regular appointment with a massage therapist was simply part of how we keep ourselves well — the way a walk is, or cooking a nourishing meal, or going to bed at a reasonable hour.
For anyone ready to make that shift, the most practical first step is simply to find a massage therapist whose training and approach align with your specific needs — whether that’s deep tissue work, relaxation-focused sessions, or something in between. Having someone you trust and return to regularly makes a meaningful difference in how effective the work becomes over time.
Making It Work in Real Life
I’ll be honest: the biggest barrier for most people isn’t motivation, it’s logistics. Time and cost are real considerations, and I don’t want to gloss over them.
What I will say is that even monthly sessions — which works out to a modest time and financial commitment — can create noticeable change when maintained consistently. Many therapists also offer package pricing that makes regular visits more affordable. And as with most wellness habits, the value compounds: your body gets better at releasing tension, sessions become more effective, and you start to feel the difference in your daily life.
It also helps to communicate clearly with your therapist about what you’re experiencing and what you’re hoping for. The American Massage Therapy Association notes that a good therapist will adjust their approach based on your feedback, and over time, they’ll develop an understanding of your body and its patterns that makes each session more targeted and useful.
Starting small is still starting. One appointment a month. The same therapist, consistently. A genuine intention to keep the commitment you’ve made to yourself.
The Body Is Worth Tending
There’s something quietly radical about deciding to take care of your body not as a reaction to crisis, but as a steady, ongoing practice. It’s a way of saying: I am worth consistent attention. My wellbeing is not an afterthought.
Massage therapy, at its best, is not a luxury. It’s a form of maintenance — of listening, of care, of showing up for yourself in a way that doesn’t wait for things to fall apart first. Your body carries you through everything. Tending to it regularly is simply one of the most honest ways to honor that.
*contributed post*
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