All you need is love....I want to leave a legacy!

Remember the Beatles' song "All you need is love"? That's what I think each day when I go into my 6th grade classroom. I love these kids -- some of them come from tough backgrounds, some have a blank looking stare all day long -- and I show them love in so many different ways. I don't even think they're aware of it. But I do know that I am making a difference in their lives each day!

This week has been easier than last week. Although I think I keep adding more work to the pile of "To do" as I learn more and more about the requirements of a sixth grade teacher (today I taught about common sense and manners!) I'm beginning to see why full time teachers get weary. However, I choose to put in the long hours because I want to be prepared and organized. The kids reap the benefits, too!

I'm a pretty simple teacher -- I expect the best from them! I love the song "In the Blink of An Eye" by Mercy Me. The one line "if I give the best of me, that becomes my legacy" has become my motto and I'm sharing it with the kids. I won't be in their classroom but for a small chunk of their 6th grade educational career. And as Nicole Nordman says it so nicely "I want to leave a legacy How will they remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough?"

I hope the kids see Jesus in me as I'm with them these next few weeks. If you think of us, be praying! After lunch is the hardest time....I don't know what happens but they come back different kids after lunch and teaching becomes difficult! I am so thankful for the hot cup of coffee right out of the coffee pot -- it keeps me going.

"Party Like A Rock Star!"

1 Samuel 2:2 says "There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no one like you. And there is no rock like our God."

Please join me at the Gaudy Gown Gala Women's Retreat, June 12-14, to be held at Bear Paw Camp just outside of beautiful Newport, WA.

Who attends this retreat? "We are a group of women from all walks of life with one common bond... a passion for Jesus Christ. We meet annually for a fun filled weekend to share our passion with believing and non-believing women."

Click on the Gaudy Gown Gala link and please join me for this fantastic weekend! Brochures and registration forms will be available soon. If you want more information, please send me an email. I'd love to tell you more!

Taking the Day Off!

Taking today off! But I want to say thank you to Holly at Hog Wild About Stamping! She presented me with my first award today!! Thanks, Holly! I haven't posted ONE stamping item yet, but perhaps I'll get busy in that department, too.

I decided that I needed to take today off and re-group. Not sure what that entails yet -- do I just crawl back into bed and sleep the day away? Do I clean the house from top to bottom and then finally put some Christmas decorations up? Do I shop for presents? Do I bake for my family? Do I meet up with a friend for coffee? Or.....do I first spend time with the Lord and see what His plans are for me today? I think I'm going to choose the latter. It might be a much productive day!!! Do any of you remember the song by Sarah Groves called "How is it Between Us?"

Woke up on the wrong side of the bed, The wrong side of the room, The wrong side of the world Can't put my finger on the mood. It's not melancholy, anger or the blues. I love my husband, my house, my job. Couldn't be any better, and really what else is there? Then I realize I'm forgetting God, and that's the root of all my misery. Lord, first of all, how is it between You and me?
CHORUS:How is it between us? How is it between us? When did I talk to You last, and what has happened since? How is it between us? How is it between us? When did I talk to you last, and what has happened?

Simple Things

At tonight's church service, we sang this song from Lincoln Brewstser "Love the Lord." Well, these lyrics seemed to speak directly to me. Four very simple and direct things for me to do.

I will love You.

I will praise You.

I will serve You, Lord.

I will trust You, Lord.

Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

Now, why is it so hard to do these things? Especially trusting!