Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Raising Tiny Trees and Sharing the Shelter

Parents can tell but never teach, unless they practice what they preach."                                                                                ~Arnold Glasow



Although this blog was started by my daughters and me, life has changed our way of doing things. Melanie is a busy mother who chooses to put her children first, and Emily is a college student with a double major in Elementary Ed and Exceptional Needs and is busy writing papers and lesson plans instead of blog posts. But that doesn't mean they are not involved in the blog.  Emily hand can be seen in many of the photos and Melanie shares ideas and pictures for blog posts. 


One thing that is such a blessing to me is watching Melanie involve her children in sheltering others. Growing tiny trees doesn't happen by accident. It happens by example and involvement.  

If you read Shelter a Soldier, you may recall Jonathan's [Emily's boyfriend] brother is in basic training. Nathaniel has a special place in our hearts but Morgan claimed him as hers.  Last week she asked Jonathan how many more minutes until 'Thaniel came back.  


Basic Training is strict about what Nathaniel can receive through the mail but letters are allowed.  On a recent letter home he said mail time was like Christmas.  Melanie planned a family time to write letters to him.  Each of the kids wrote their own letters.  Then when they were finished, they stood in a circle, joined hands and Shawn prayed a special prayer of blessing for Nathaniel.  

Albert Schweitzer said, "Adults teach children in three important ways: The first is by example, the second is by example, the third is by example."  Shawn and Melanie put Schweitzer's plan into practice.  They know how important visually giving of ourselves is to tiny tree growth. Ethan, Landon, Morgan and Camron are finding out how much fun it is to give and to bless others.  




And yes, that, blesses me!


If you would like to send mail to Nathaniel, here's his address:


PVT Wright Nathaniel, S
B Co 35th ENBN, 3rd PTL
1st Eng BDE, Unit #25
741 Iowa Ave.
Fort Leonard Wood, MO  63473

Please write a large 3 on the back of the envelope.  Or you can adopt a soldier of your own at Adopt a Soldier.  






Share the Shelter




21 comments:

Chenille Cottage said...

Such a wonderful post, my dears...I will be praying for Nathaniel. We are blessed to have so many fine young people serving our country.
Happy Easter!
Carolynn xo

Laurie Collett said...

May we be Godly examples for our children. Praying for Nathaniel and all those defending our freedom. Thanks for the great post & for hosting & God bless!

Denise said...

What a lovely tribute to your daughters and to Nathaniel! You have such a special and blessed family Pamela! :) I love, love "The first is by example, the second is by example, the third is by example." Amen! Our thoughts and actions speak so loudly! :)

Blessings and love this Holy week,
Denise

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

This is wonderful. Thank you and have a special week! I'm linking this week. Sweet hugs!

Courtney said...

I love that Schweitzer quote. I need to be reminded every day! No matter what I say, the most important thing is what I DO. Thank you for that parenting truth.

Heather said...

I echo everything these lovely ladies before me have said! The quote, how Thaniel has been claimed, and how you are encouraging others to give of themselves.
Great Post!

Beth said...

A wonderful post. You can be very proud of your daughters.

Esther Asbury said...

I love the way Melanie involves her children! No better way to teach them than by example and family projects like hers! Kudos to her!!

Unknown said...

I had Nathaniel during my share of recess and lunch breaks when I taught at UBC. He is not supposed to be old enough to be a soldier.

Natalie said...

Very sweet and encouraging post. Thanks so much for sharing. God bless!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the invite!
Holly
Holly's Stamping Addiction

Sarah Coller said...

This is wonderful! My kids have really been wanting to write to a soldier...maybe we'll write to him! Why do we need to put a big 3 on the back of the envelope? Just curious... :)

I just sent you an email. If you didn't get it, you might check your spam.

Have a lovely day!
Mrs. Sarah Coller

~Kc Waddell said...

My 9 year old Granddaughter has 2 pen pals (at the Grandma's encouraging) and since she has helped to pack care boxes for soldiers I will certainly ask her if she would like to become pen pals with one! Thanks for stopping by AmaraLand. Having your granddaughter close really is the best! We are lucky ladies.

Denise said...

Great idea.

Gina said...

Wow!! This post is such a blessing to me! I have family in the military and it is hard for them... Special letter's gives each man and women a hope that someone is very thankful for them personal as well as all military!
Lead by example! Couldn't have said it better!!! Love this post!
Please fill free to visit me:)

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for inviting me to your party, I'm glad to share the "little Easter treat" I made for my great niece and nephews. Love the idea behind your party, I also love to bless others in small ways. I'll be back often. Hugs ~ Mary

Esther Joy said...

Love your post ...and your pictures! Lovely!

joy said...

an ispiration! very nice post. And it isa so touching to know that your daughters are invove in your blog:)

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Hi Pamela, sorry that I am late.

I love how you have featured Nathaniel and how your grandkids have made such an effort to bless him.

Happy Easter,

Kathy M.

(P.S. - You have already read my post.)

Unknown said...

What a wonderful blessing your family is. I did not realize you are hosting a link up I will be joining. I noticed you rejoined my blog but I really messed things up and need you to do it one more time at the new address. SOrry:(

Hi friends,

OK I have been in a blogger nightmare the last few days. My .com was high jacked and I have been trying to work out all the kinks so
Google friends connect and feeds will still work. I think I did it!!!!

Even if you already re subscribed once IT IS NOT WORKING. I had to adjust some sight settings and you need to do it again.

Anyway I want to ask once more time that you would visit my new URL and resubscribe through which ever reader you uses.

http://teshastreasures.blogspot.com/

This is the instructions to resubscribe through Google friends Connect

Go to my new address http://teshastreasures.blogspot.com/

Go to Google friends connect and sigh in,
Then go to options, sight settings hit stop following this blog (on the right hand side)
Next refresh the page
last re-follow the blog


I am so sorry for the hassle. I love the relationships we have built through the internet let keep them going!
Thank you so much for your support and understanding!
Tesha

Unknown said...

Nathaniel is just up the road from us here in Springfield 50 miles or so, and he has had a much tougher winter than we have. For areas just to the north and south of us got pounded while we didn't get much of anything time and again. No, it is not because of us living right--be assured. (LOL?)