My Voice, My Heart, My Life

This past week in Kindergarten we did a unit on insects. We talked about the characteristics of an insect, what they eat, where they live, all the essentials. We also ordered caterpillars so the students could see one of natures most beautiful transformations. It gives them a close encounter with a miracle they normally wouldn't see. A chance to experience a life transformed.   We all know that the life cycle of a butterfly is from egg, caterpillar, chrysalis then butterfly. Four stages of existences. We've also heard the comparison of butterflies to being born again. But if you're like me then you thought the comparison was fitting but didn't really think about what it meant. What process entails when a caterpillar turns into a butterfly? What's the big deal? I searched through YouTube to find a video to show my student the process. I found one that impacted me. I had seen videos like this before but I guess just never appreciated what I was seeing and how i...

Life has been full of a few good, some stressful and others just plain crazy moments.  I have been so spent and worn down that I've felt that I've had nothing good to write about. I've had no inspiration. I couldn't think of anything. I just couldn't gather my thoughts and put pen to paper, so to speak. Ultimately, I had no desire to write. A grey cloud of doubt, fear, worry, anxiety and stress have followed me where I go. It penetrated all areas of life. I was searching for peace amongst the chaos, to no avail. I moved one way, the chaos followed.  I moved another way the grey cloud meet me there. Peace and rest were no where to be found. The mental drain affected my everyday activities. Everything just felt more overwhelming. I was extremely tried and restless. I was at my whit's end.  I knew what I had to do, but I just didn't have the energy or will. I knew the hole of misery was deep when I stopped posting scripture. I know that sounds like a simpl...

Last night I had the opportunity to participate in a Passover Seder done by Jews for Jesus. I've been wanting to attend one of these events for years but there were always a reason that I couldn't attend but now my desire finally come to fruition. To say that I was excited for my first Passover Seder is an understatement. Jewish festivals, customs and traditions have always intrigued me. I'm fascinated by their symbolism and close connection to God. I've always felt draw to the culture. After all my Savior is Jewish. The bible truths that I learn and live by are of Jewish men & women. Through the sacrifice of Jesus I am adopted into the family. I just want to learn and experience more about the Jewish culture. It was a great night. The leader was insightful, humorous and passionate. He lead us through the items of the Seder plate explaining along the way the symbolism. Karpas, the green herb dipped in salt water, the tears of life. The Matzah the bread of ...

This year I was blessed with 17 little ones that have brought joy, frustration, laughter, stress and constant surprises into my life. Each one has left an imprint in my heart. With only two months left of instruction bittersweet emotions has begun to surface. It is the price we paid as teachers. We pour so much of ourselves for 9 months that it's hard not to feel a little empty at the end of the year. Like with any class there are some students that have required more attention and redirection than most. That certainly has been true this year. One boy in particular. I'll call him "Derek." Derek is a typical boy with unending energy who doesn't know when to quit. He also had a problem with anger. At the beginning of the year he would get angry when he didn't get his way, especially on the playground.  His remedy was to hit the offender. He spent much of his time in the principal's office. I spent time with him talking him through the anger and gave ...

This past weekend my husband and I had the pleasure to attend a co-worker's (Scott's) wedding. It was a touching ceremony. The pastor presiding over them had some very beautiful words to share with the couple and to those in attendance. He reminded us of how special love is. Love is tender and precious. It is something that we need to protect and cherish. The part that moved me the most was when they exchanged rings. The pastor explained the significance of the rings in a way I hadn't hear before. We all know that the circle of the ring represents our infinity love for one another. It's put on the left finger because it's closet to our heart. The ring is also a outward showing that we are promised to someone. But lets consider how the ring came into existence. The ring started off as unrefined gold. The gold was put through extreme pressure and heat so it could be molded. It was shaped and stretched into a perfect circle glistening and refined. Just as the ri...

  Beloved,     Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3) The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By His mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!"(Lamentations 3:22-24 )     Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. (Psalm 37:7) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) Let us hold uns...