My Voice, My Heart, My Life

This past Friday, one of my students was withdrawn from the school. I have had students leave in the past and it was always sad, but this last one really hit me hard. He is a very intelligent boy however had difficultly relating with his peers properly. At times he would react physically. He didn't seem quite aware of his actions or the reason he reacted in that manner. He didn't behave this way everyday. There were good days and then there were really bad days. Though he struggled to express his emotions in the right manner and at times could be very resistant to direction he had a sweet side. He was always saying silly things. He enjoyed making his classmates laugh. His smile was charming. He could also be very affectionate. I wish that I had more time. I can only pray that wherever he goes that God keep him safe and gives him daily reminders that He loves him. I'm truly going to miss this little character.  I took a picture of him and the class and had it framed wit...

Father God,       Let me start by expressing my greatest gratitude for giving me life. Thank you for granting me that opportunity. Thank you for laying out a plan for my life. Thank you taking me through it step by step. Thank you for your love, mercy, faithfulness and amazing grace. Thank you for the people that you've put in my path. Thank you for those who caused me pain because they brought me closer to you. Thank you for those that have brought me joy for they are a reminder of your love. Thank you for leaving the 99 to seek me out when I stray. Thank you for your discipline that is delivered in love. Thank you for my family. Thank you for the my godly parents, for they have guided me to you. Thank you for my brothers who daily reflect the meaning of loyalty and devotion. Thank you for my husband who allows me to be myself. Thank you for creating someone for me. Thank you for my dear friends. They have been a daily encouragement and a shower of love. Thank you ...

Today was a crazy day.  Kids were way too active and way too loud. The sound vibrated off the walls piercing my ears. Some select few just didn't listen during class time and I had to stop and go until all were on the same page. It was like LA traffic. Go a little and stop for 5 minutes then repeat. The tattling had no off switch. If I had charged 5 cents for each tattle I would have enough to fill my car with gas. To quote one of my favorite children's books, it was a terrible, horrible no good very bad day. Those items above are only the pregame show events. I had a child who just refused to do work and then threw his pencil at a classmate hitting her smack center on her forehead. Fortunately no blood was shed. The conversation that followed was not pleasant. On top of that this poor girl, yesterday, had been push down on the playground hurting her knee. So two consecutive accidents that I had to report to worried parents. The damage doesn't stop there. While in li...

Remembering the lost and praying for those left behind that the grace and love of God embraces your lives and brings you hope.  "The Lord bless you and keep you;   the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26) God is our hope always.  "We have this hope as an anchor 'Cause we believe that everything God promised us is true, so ... So we can cry with hope And say goodbye with hope" -Steven Curtis Chapman Listed below are those lost that tragic day. Acquired from newsday.com. Edelmiro Aba  Andrew Cross Abate Vincent Abate Laurence Christopher Abel Alona Abraham William F. Abrahamson Richard Aceto Erica H. Van Acker Heinrich Bernhard Ackermann Paul Acquaviva Donald LaRoy Adams Shannon Lewis Adams Stephen George Adams Christian Adams Patrick Adams Ignatius...