A Christmas Birthday

You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father's face and tell him you have received his Christmas gift.  ~John Rice


It was a long eight years. Years of hoping, yearning and many times crying over my desire to be a mother.  And then, just when I was least expecting it, I was -- well, expecting!  Oh, the anticipation and planning.  Our child!  I had come to believe in my heart of hearts it would never be.

Melanie Lynn was born on the thirteenth of December.  Holding her in my arms felt so right.  This tiny baby with a head of black hair and brilliant blue eyes captured my heart.  What fun it was to dress her in beautifully smocked dresses and tiny patent shoes.

It wasn't long until her navy Stride Rite shoes were skipping off to school. Where did the years go?  Somewhere between navy plaid jumpers and roller blades my little girl traded her jumper for a skirt and became a teenager.  Oh, how I loved her teenage years!   In the midst of a big move and new school for her senior year, Melanie's navy plaid turned into green plaid and...she fell in love.  Suddenly the familiar plaid was traded for a gown of white and my hands-on mothering was completed -- talk about a tough transition!

It's been such a joy to watch Melanie evolve into a beautiful woman of God.  She chose to be a stay-at-home mother to three growing knights and one sweet princess.  Her home is organized and decorated with care.  She shelters family and friends through entertaining and sweet gifts baked in her kitchen, tucked into mailboxes at church or shared with neighbors and Shawn's employees.  Melanie uses her gift of music to play her violin in the orchestra,  enhance her children's love of music by consistent practice of piano, trumpet and saxophone, and exposure to assorted genres -- singing in a formal community choir, entering a junior competition for voice and instruments, and encouraging them to audition to act and sing in a Christmas production. 

Did I happen to mention the joy this daughter of mine brings to me?  This month as I celebrate this gift of my first-born, I will be thanking my Heavenly Father for Melanie.

                             

Another mother birthed a baby this month -- a Baby she wrapped in swaddling clothes and cradled in her arms.  It wasn't long until Mary's baby was using His tiny broom to sweep up the wood chips in His father's carpenter shop.

Then Jesus' bare feet were clothed in leather sandals and His broom was traded for a walking stick.  He turned water into wine and His hands touched blind eyes and made them see.  He fed crowds of people with the simple meal of fish and bread while His teachings fed their hearts.

This Jesus traded His walking stick for a crown of thorns. His body hung on a cross as the veil of the temple was torn in two.  Because of this, the sins of the world -- MY sins can be forgiven.

Did I happen to mention the joy this Jesus of mine brings to me? This month as I celebrate His gift, I will be thanking my Heavenly Father for the Son He gave so freely -- the Son who has forgiven my sins, and sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for me!

This birth of Christ is so much more than an historic moment; it is the promise of joy! A joy that sparkles in my heart more brightly than the 600 lights on the nativity tree in my living room, the festive motion lights inside the gingerbread train in the kitchen, or the glow of all seven lighted wreaths hanging outside.  Its radiance goes beyond the angel chorus announcing Jesus' birth.  The prisms overflow with the light of a thousand colors, I know my Melanie came to be my child just as assuredly as I know the Christ Child came to be my Savior.

On the 13th we'll be singing, "Happy Birthday, dear Melanie," and on the 25th those words will echo, "Happy Birthday, Jesus... I'm so glad You came."

Sheltering Child Victims of Pornography

400 counts. 400! That's how many the mother of a sweet four-year-old was guilty of -- how many pictures she sent of her own little girl. She is going away for a long, long, time. But while that keeps this woman from hurting her daughter further, this little girl will have memories that will haunt her throughout her life. 

The Demand Project reports that child pornography is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. According to the FBI, there have been a 2500% increase in arrests in the past 10 years. 

There are many equally disturbing statistics available, but I want to give you ways to help.

1. Report it: If you find child pornography on a computer or other electronic device, call the police. Confronting the individual will only cause them to threaten you and get rid of the evidence. Let the authorities handle it. CyberTipline

2.  Donate to the Innocent Justice Foundation: Nearly 625,000 child pornography traders have been identified nationwide; however, only 61 Internet Crimes Against Children task forces have been allocated minimal funding to take them off the streets. That means that there are close to 11,000 offenders per team. Most ICAC teams can arrest 50-100 perpetrators per year. Arresting all of these child molesters they currently have located would take them 100-200 years. We need your help to get them the tools they need to do their jobs and the local, state and federal funding to make our neighborhoods safe again for our children. (innocentjustice.org)

3. Shelter the Victims and Families: As in the above 4-year-old's case, the children are often removed from their home. It's a bewildering time for them. Stuffed animals, comfy jammies, a craft kit to keep their mind occupied, a soft blanket or throw -- all these things are comforting to young children. One of Shelter: Postmarked members makes special pillowcases to send to children. 

My goal in writing this post is not to sensationalize this sinful crime. It's bringing awareness, and offering a few ways we can shelter these innocent children. Sheltering isn't always fun. When we shelter, we are called to bear burdens, enter the pain and nightmares of voiceless victims. Ask our Heavenly Father to help you answer the call of "Who will go?"
 

My Children are His!

Guest Post by Tracey Thornton. We are focusing today on praying for our children. School is beginning, students are headed off for college -- let's pray for them. Add your child in the comment section so we can all pray for each other's children. Sons (and daughters!) are a heritage from the LORD (Psalm 127:3).

If you are a parent, you know about worry. We want to trust God, but it's easy to get bogged down in everyday life, and in being human Lately, I have let stress and worry about my children eat away at me til I've been worn down to a pathetic useless frazzle. It's my own fault. When we take our eyes off Him and start looking down at the waves, we will sink every time. Today I was reading an article and one sentence jumped out at me: "Children crave their parents’ attention because it makes them feel known—deeply and intrinsically” (Mia Mauss).

I hope and pray my children feel that I know them. Divorce rips apart families and no matter what, the children always lose. I can't undo the damage. I can't fix it for them. Those of you that have intact families, thank God for it. Don't waste that precious gift. Don't take it for granted. Make the most of it. I never thought it would happen to me or my children. It was not my choice, and not having my children with me for ANY amount of time has NEVER been my choice. It would be very easy to be bitter and just abandon hope. I've been at that heart wrenching, completely broken, point so many times. 

I would like to be able to tell you that God always bails out the children and they are protected from the pain and loss. But that isn't true. Mine have suffered great loss, they still do, they always will. I've fought, struggled, cried, prayed, beat down heaven’s doors, but in the end, I can't make it be the way I want for my children. They live in a sin-cursed world, just like me, and will always suffer because of the choices of others. It's not fair. It just isn't. It is reality.

But, I choose not to be bitter. I choose HOPE! I know that we love and serve a big God and that He is more than able to bring my children through and home safe to Heaven. He will even bring them joy in this earthly life! He loves them far more than I even do. He knows everything that has happened to them, every heartbreak, every triumph, every battle, every joy. He knows and He cares. He won't let them fall. He said He wouldn't and I believe Him! All the good and all the bad that has happened to them, HE alone, can work it all towards their good. That is His promise!

I have one right now that is pretty angry with God and has chosen not to believe in Him. He knows that and He loves them anyway. He knows their heart and soul and every single heartbreak they have suffered. He knows the pain and anger and anguish that has surrounded them. But more than that, He has a redemption for them -- JOY for them. I'm praying, I'm trusting, I'm believing that God will take this that we have created and redeem it. He has loaned my children to me for a little while, but they are HIS!

So today, I'm letting go of the stress, the fear, the guilt, the constant worry that breaks down my soul and shatters my heart. I'm letting go and grabbing hold of JOY. I’m trusting in a God who cannot fail! I’m resting in His big, powerful, sheltering, loving hand and putting my four beautiful children right there with me.

by Tracy Thornton 

Linked to:
Women with Intention
A Little R and R
Hope in Every Season 

Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood

Titus 2 Tuesday

Intentional Tuesday

Sheltering Through Kindness (Fill A Bucket)

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile. ~Mother Teresa

November 9-13 is World Kindness Week. One of character traits I was most passionate about teaching my girls was kindness. When I see young children acting in an unkind manner it makes me sad, because I know unkind children grow up to be unkind adults.

With school beginning soon, this would be a good time to discuss bullying with your children. According to a study by the National Center for Educational Statistics (2015), one out of every four students (22%) report being bullied during the school year.

 

























The best way to teach kindness is to model it. With small children it's also good to find ways to reward their kind behaviour. I recently came across this delightful book by Carold McCloud. Fill a Bucket: A daily dose to happiness for a young child. The bucket filling is a metaphor for kind behavior--both given and received. Be prepared to hear "The Bucket Song" over and over! 

Why not purchase one for a friend's child? Many times purchasing extras like books are last in line for parents raising a family. When I give a child a gift it frequently involves a book.

Fill a Bucket is for ages 4-8, although I feel a younger child would enjoy it, too. The author has written another title, Have You Filled a Bucket Today? for older children. These books are $9.99, (paperback $8.99) which seemed a bit high to me. But I can rationalize my way all around book purchases. So think of it as a learning tool, or that it's fostering a love of books. I'm gifting mine to my grandchildren, and that's the best rationalization there is!

Gift the book with a small bucket 

Print and cut out the hearts and stars from the printable below. On a tag write these instructions: When you are kind to someone, write their name on a star--because you're a star. When someone is kind to you, write their name on a heart-- kindness makes your heart smile. I added a name/Scripture verse tag, too.

A book all parents and teachers should read is Frank Peretti's "The Wounded Spirit." It will help you to be more aware of the symptoms of the bullying and unkind actions of school age children. I heard Peretti speak on this topic and what he endured at school was only tolerable because of loving parents and the unconditional love of our Heavenly Father. Not all children have this strong support system.  

Willy Davis said, "If you step on people in this life, you're going to come back as a cockroach." While that's not how we would train our children to be kind, we need to to not only teach them, Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32), but how that looks in 2015. Let's train the next generation to be kind. Being proactive now will prevent wounded spirits later.  

Is Your Child a Bully?
Good Girls Bully, too 
Children's Journal Sheet for Bullying


Download here: Kindness Bucket Stars and Hearts

Shine On

Let every man abide in the calling wherein he is called and his work will be as sacred as the work of the ministry. It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it. ~A. W. Tozer
 

They are tucked away in a small publishing company in Overland Park, Kansas. These women have worked at Herald and Banner for years, are well versed in operations and systems, and bring a huge amount of collective experience to the table. I am the new girl on the block, so you can imagine the list of questions I proposed during an executive meeting earlier this week. Within their answers to my questions, I found a special element that warmed my heart.  These ladies had the shine. It's the shine that says they love their ministry. It's not just a job to them. It's about the ministry and even more, about the God they serve. 

Their shine stayed with me as I drove away. It pulled at my heart as I reflected on my own project with the company. Was it just a job? Or did the joy of the ministry shine? My heart's desire is to present the Bible to children so the words dance from the pages and lodge into their hearts. 

It's wonderful when we can love our careers.  But to embrace a philosophy that shines with love for the ministry component takes it to a whole new level. As we make decisions on layout, color and elements to be included, I want to keep my heart filled with the pictures of children, around the world, falling in love with God's Word. 

What shines on your face? Are you tucked away like Arlene, Shirley and Connie, yet shining with the joy true ministry? Ask God to give you a mental picture of what He can do through the work He has given you. Go and Shine!

Linked to:

Spiritual Sundays

Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday

Playdates with God

Gifting Books: Audrey Bunny

Each time you open a book and read it, a tree smiles knowing there is life after death.  ~Unknown

There's a parents' page in the back
for parents to interact with their child.

I was delighted to find Aubrey Bunny in Amazon's new book list.  I have been following Breezy Bookshire's emerging talent for several years. Her illustrations in this book are delightful. I was surprised to read the flyleaf and find out Breezy lives in Marion, Indiana where RB works and our Emily studies. 

Gift with white chocolate pink bunnies and a soft brown bunny

Angie Smith, wife of Todd Smith who sings lead in Selah, wrote Audrey Bunny. It wasn't until I received the book that I realized that I have also followed Angie's blog, Bring the Rain.  I'm sure there are many of you follow it, too. And if so, you are not surprised that she named the bunny Audrey and the little girl Caroline. They were named after her daughter, Audrey Caroline, who lived only two and a half hours after her birth, yet touched so many in those few hours.


Audrey Bunny wanted to belong to someone, to be chosen, yet she had a mark, an imperfection, that she thought made her unlovable. But Caroline knew...well I'll just let you find out for yourself what Caroline knew.

We, too, long to be chosen, to belong, yet our imperfections make us feel we are unworthy in God's eyes. Unworthy of His love, unworthy of His grace, unworthy of His blessings.  

In His hands, God holds our mars, yet in His heart He holds so much love--love that fills the hands, covering our mars. God loves us -- just the way we are. When we truly grasp that thought our hearts respond, I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well (Psalm 139:14).

Linked to: 

Walking Redeemed
Whole Hearted Home

Tasting God's Goodness

O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. ~A. W. Tozer

The Clemens Kitchen was ready for business -- the sign hung, the menus and place mats printed, and the silverware rolled. The cash register was even full of money.

Then they came.  The nine-year-old cook and waiter, the seven-year-old cashier, the five-year-old and two-year-old customers, along with too-many-year-old grandma. What fun!

Our orders were taken, cooked and served. The only hitch -- two-year-old Camron just didn't understand "air food." He was happy playing with his plate and place mat. Despite our assurances that the food was good, Camron was not impressed.

How often do we refuse to eat the food of the goodness of God? He says, "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8).  In our refusal of His food, we miss out on God's good blessings.

Like the disciples who almost missed out on a banquet of bread and fish because they didn't like the schedule Jesus had.

Like the children of Israel whose grumbling nearly caused them to miss out on heaven's choicest cut of manna. 

Like we who often refuse the Bread of Life in our search for earthly bread that will never satisfy.

Camron enjoyed his food when we decided to put a sandwich cookie on his plate. He even asked for another cookie. Why? Because the food was real, and only real food satisfies. 

The world tries to satisfy us with fame, fortune and surface friendships.  But they don't satisfy.  We need the Bread of Life offered to us by our Heavenly Father.  

So "taste and see that the Lord is good," but make sure you are tasting the true Bread. It is then you will be satisfied.

* * * * *

Spiced Pumpkin Plus Bread 

I was intrigued with the two ingredient bread, (spice cake mix and 15 oz can of pumpkin) but thought it needed some texture. Most of my family will vote to add chocolate chips to any recipe. So add a cup of chocolate chips, raisins, chopped apples or pears -- whatever you have on hand.  Then add this yummy topping: 1/2 cup of coconut, 1/2 cup pecans, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3 tbs coconut oil. Bake 350 degrees for 50 minutes. It's still quick and easy -- and oh, so yummy!

Linked to:

Jordan's Smile and Share the Shelter Link Up

Parents of kids with special needs don’t see a disability when they look at their kids. Instead, they see the most precious and wonderful blessing of their lives. They see their child. ~Eliana Tardi  

Immediately after Jordan was just born, the doctors said he wouldn't live to be a toddler. Then they changed the prognosis to "not past toddler years...school years...teenager." But at 19, Jordan is defying the odds. His parents, partnering with God, have given him not just life, but abundant life.  

Dwight and Becky, although not his birth parents, have cared for him since birth. Second mile caring -- clean and soft hair and skin, Downy fresh clothes, and love in abundance. From his sisters to their children, the whole family delights in Jordan.

Jordan was my children's church when he was school age.  He loved music. Blindness kept him from seeing the instruments, but oh how he loved shaking the tambourines. I'd involve him any way I could. If the boys were wearing hats, Jordan wore a hat. If the boys could choose a prize, Kent, a boy with a tender heart, chose a prize for Jordan, too. He has the most beautiful smile and I loved seeing him happy.  

Today I was able to see Jordan where he's been for over a month. He was admitted because of issues with his g-tube. He then encountered problems with his breathing and ended up on a vent.  Today, although the vent is still in, they have it turned off and he is breathing around it. It was such a joy to see that smile again, however fleeting it was.  

Jordan's life has touched so many. Of course, some too busy and preoccupied to allow him to teach them compassion, joy and determination. For those of us who have chosen to listen, Jordan has taught us joy in simple things, to accept others and to love with abandon.  


I'm praying Jordan will fight this new battle so he can do his favorite activity--go camping. I want him to feel the breeze on his hand, sleep in the tiny camper with his parents and feel those slimy, scaly fish he loves. Will you pray with me? (Just before posting this Becky sent me a text: "He got the vent off.  Praise the Lord!"  I'm praising Him, too!

I took Becky a magazine and a bag of snacks. I'd love to hear your ideas of a practical way to shelter a mother staying at the hospital night after night.

Share the Shelter

Share the Shelter is open to everyone. I love variety so link your craft and recipes ideas we can use for sheltering. Link your posts that encourage us in our walk with God. We're a family here at the Sheltering Tree so make sure you visit the link before yours. Feel free to leave a prayer request in the comments if you or someone you love needs prayer.

I'm linking to Hope in Every Season.

Sharing the Shelter #8 and Giveaway

Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves.  

~Eric Sevareid

My Daughters -- who love to shelter!

Years ago when we ministered in Bedford, a mother called our church office. She explained that her husband was out of work and their three young children wouldn't have gifts for Christmas. I don't remember everything she said, but I do remember her sharing that they didn't even have money for laundry soap.

I barely finished repeating the call when I heard our senior pastor, say, "Do it. Whatever you need to get, buy it." Our church families gave and the rest came out of the church treasury as we prepared a wondrous Christmas for this family -- clothes for the kids and parents, toys, cleaning supplies and food.  

It was such fun delivering the gifts. What wasn't fun was the next phone call. The lady's sister was on the line to tell us her sister called every church in Bedford; consequently the children would have a bigger Christmas than any child in town -- and we found out it was true.

I can remember the devastation I felt. Our church families were sacrificial in their giving and I felt like I had wasted their money. I remember what Rev. Sankey told me, "We are required to answer the call, what happens with that is not our responsibility."  

I think we sometimes get calloused by the poverty we see around us. There's always someone to blame -- the parents don't handle their money like they should, the kids don't take care of what they have.  But when we see the need, it's up to us to answer the call. 

That's what some of those who worship with me are doing.  One man donated hats -- nice hats -- for 40 Good News Club children, led by a member from our church works with these precious children on Sunday afternoons and throughout the week. Others have given money so we can stuff the hats with the Wordless Book items, fun socks, pens, candy, etc.  (This after the members sent 70 shoeboxes full of gifts to the children on Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.)

Some of these children need clothes.  I wish all of you had a Carisa in your congregation. She has a heart to help and the organizational skills to make it happen.  She's a busy mother of three involved in a million and one projects. But she is answering the call -- not only is she donating her own money to make it happen, she's finding others willing to help.  

Our congregation is not large, yet we are endeavoring to answer the call -- realizing we are here for something larger than ourselves.  Let's find someone to shelter this Christmas -- there are  needy people all around us. It's a good way to say, "Happy Birthday, Jesus!"

Speaking of hats -- Have you read Max Lucado's A Hat for Ivan? It would make a lovely Christmas gift.

Sharing the Shelter 

Do you have a recipe, craft or sewing project, a blog post sure to encourage us, or other sheltering idea you’d like to share? Link up and enjoy the ideas. I like keeping the rules simple:

• Grab my button or leave a text link-back 
• Visit the two blogs before yours 
• Shelter someone!

Sharing the Shelter Giveaway

The giveaway is open to all my readers -- just leave a comment.

Patty from My Mountain Blessings won last week's giveaway.  Patty is a pastor's wife, director of a homeless shelter, mother of three and Nana to five. Yet she still makes time to remind us to take time for Joy this season.  

This weeks giveaway is two hats for you to give to a needy child. Involve your children or grandchildren in the giving--a great teaching experience.

Leave a comment or link-up here.  Linking and commenting will give you two entries.  Edited to add: I'll try to find hats as close as possible to these--unfortunately these are already sold out.

Soli Deo Gloria

Rachel Wojnarowski

Playdates with God

Picnic Under the Sheltering Tree

God gives us grace – and when that overflows from our lives, it comes out as thanksgiving and gratitude. ~unknown

One day a week finds me at my son-in-law's office paying bills, printing checks, entering receipts--all the things necessary to a business.  It's also the day there's a picnic at Mawmaw's desk.  I try to make sure we have a mixture of healthy and fun (a.k.a. not-so-healthy). 

School will be starting soon, and since this was the last week the boys would get to picnic with me, we celebrated with Micky D's.  Little Master Camron was just so totally happy with his milkshake and food.  The older grands all took turns talking while dipping chicken nuggets in ranch dressing and crunching their apple slices.  

My heart was so happy to hear their excitement about a coming vacation, 4 wheeler expeditions, going to work with Daddy, and new girly dresses.  And their enthusiastic "thank yous" were a sweet ending to our picnic.

It reminds me of the times God invites me to picnic with Him. This picnic isn't in an ordinary venue.  It's a picnic by the lake--tucked under a sheltering tree.

Daily meals are nutritious.  Plates filled with the law--how I should live, forgive, and be like Christ. So necessary.  Picnic foods are filled with the fun foods of grace.  

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, 

and you will delight in the richest of fare. 

As I picnic by the lake, I find my soul restored and my cup running over.  From the depths of my heart praises rise.  To think that my God cares enough to prepare a picnic just for me!  Even in my praise, I taste the grace.  

I know tomorrow I'm back to "school." As Pastor Scott said a few weeks ago, "Without the law, we don't need grace." And how true that is.  Learning, studying and living the law is good, nutritious food.  But today, I'm feasting on picnic food and delighting in grace.

Linked to

Faith Filled Friday 

Still Saturday

Spiritual Sunday

Graceful Summer

Remembering My Joy

Sheltering God's Little Ones

The child is God's gift to the family. Each child is created in the special image and likeness of God for greater things; to love and to be loved. ~Mother Teresa



In last evening's service, Sally Sebo shared about caring for the orphans at the House of Hope in Romania.  If you've ever been privileged to hear Sally, you know what an infectious love she has for the children of Romania.   


Listening to the stories of how the children came to Hope House and the abuse they have endured, shared heart space with a book I have been reading.  Sunday's Child is written by Anne Lyken-Garner, and it tears at my heart with such force that, at times, I feel my heart will break in pieces.


Those of us who were raised with loving parents with the benefits of a free, affluent country find it hard to totally understand what childhood must be like for the less fortunate.  Sunday's Child is set in the 1980's Guyana, a time of political unrest and  poverty.  So while poverty impacted young Anne's life, even more impactful is the abuse she experienced at the hands of her grandmother.  Indescribable. Inhumane.  

Anne has written her story truthfully and succinctly.  The torture and abuse are in sharp contrast to the humor that seeps in from time to time. I finished Anne's book last night and know her story will continue to live in my heart.


The beauty of Anne's story is that, instead of allowing childhood horrors to define who she is, she has taken her pain and is using it to reach out to others. Sunday's Child is a story we all need to read and share.


Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education. The National Childhood Statistics tell us that a report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds.  More than five children die every day from child abuse. 

This isn't a feel-good subject.  It's raw and ugly.  It left disturbing mind pictures that will stay with me a long time.  I'll hug my grandbabies close and make sure they know how much I love them.  I'll help support ministries like Sally's House of Hope.  And I'll seek to shelter with prayer those who work with God's precious "little ones."

Linked to 

Soli Deo Gloria

On Your Heart Tuesday

Women Living Well 

Second Mile Teachers

What a teacher writes on the blackboard of life can never be erased.  ~Author Unknown

Teachers...they impact our lives--some are right on, while others miss the mark.  I hated History until I had Mrs. Rosengreen.  She made history come alive. Studying history was finally more than dusting off boring facts and important dates.




Mr. Morris fed my love of books.  If our class completed our work in the morning he would read to us in the afternoon.  I can still see him seated behind the desk, wiping his eyes while reading us Gentle Ben. My love of thrillers was born with him reading Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy books.


These were "second mile" teachers. Teachers who did more than present us with knowledge.  I had the privilege of watching another "second mile" teacher in action this past week. Landon was playing in his first Little League game.  Earlier during the week he asked Mrs. Turner, his kindergarten teacher, to come and watch him play.  

Mrs. Turner is a pastor's wife.  I'm sure Saturdays are busy with preparations for the Sabbath.  On top of that the school golf tournament was on the same day as the game so she had been on the golf course from 6:30 until early afternoon overseeing various activities.  In spite of her busyness, Landon's teacher showed up to watch him play.  That's a "second mile" teacher!


Henry Brooks Adams said, "A teacher affects eternity.  He can never tell where his influence stops." Take a few moments this week to thank a teacher for their eternal influence. 


1. Write a note of thanks to a teacher who impacted you.
2. Put together a pampering basket for a home-school mother.
3. Send a thank-you gift with your child for his/her teacher.

 Skip to my Lou

Giggles Galore

Rachel Berry

Sugar Bucket Ink

Our Life in a Click

Thoughtfully Simple

Skip to my Lou

Counting Our Blessings


* * * * *

Treats for a Little Leaguer

Come Together Kids

I will admit to cheating when making these treats for Ethan and Landon.  I bought the Kellogg individually wrapped Rice Krispie treats.  I formed them into circles, dipped them in the white chocolate and then cheated again--using a tube of gel icing to add the lacing.  

Linked to:

Works for Me Wednesday

Thrifty Thursday

Show and Share