That's all, folks... At midnight!

 

     Well, it's here.  The last day of my giveaway.  I must say AGAIN, truly, I can't tell you how much I appreciate the time you took to share and read others' stories. I really think we should gather them up in a book. But thank you all! If you are interested in entering, I need to have all stories posted by tonight.  You can find the original giveaway page HERE. There may be a few gold star questions to finish it off, you never know!

     Midnight is the cutoff.  I will then write your name on as many slips as you have "gold stars".  Then, I will put them all in a basket and have one of my dear students draw a name.  I will post the winner tomorrow night or Friday morning.

In other news...
     Today was an interesting day.  I have been burdened by my students coming in each day and their conversations just continually revolving around celebrities and video games (ones with lots of shooting).  It has affected their concentration, even how they treat teachers and other students.  It exemplifies the verse, "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks."  What are we filling our minds with?  This includes me. So we talked.  It was a open and honest talk. They talked to me about the shows they watched to just get my opinion on what I thought of them.  My one dear boy confessed that playing video games was affecting his prayer life because he couldn't concentrate on praying.  He just wanted to think about his video games. We decided to challenge ourselves, as a family, to work on these obsessions.  Play games less, avoid television shows or music that are dishonoring to God, and to reduce how much we focus and talk about these things.  So, we came up with the challenge: At lunch, at down time, whenever-what good things can we replace these other conversations with?

My dear boys in their "Book Club".  They are reading The Twenty-one Balloons by William Pène du Bois.  I love that book!

     After lunch, my students came back all excited.  They told me they decided to start book clubs.  They asked me for recommendations of books that had multiple copies.  What I loved was how the boys worked together and how they were the most excited! They even shared how they were encouraging each other.  This is all exciting, but I know it is not an easy fix.  I am asking for prayer that my students (and me!) rely on the Holy Spirit to help them in this area.  Our goal right now is to avoid these topics through Friday.  I know it is a hard task for them.  It is hard for me as well.  But I am scared by how tv, clothing, movies, and video games are desensitizing our children so that as they grow older, the things that are so contrary to God's Will become easier and easier to accept. I just worry. I would love any advice, prayer, scriptures for this adventure.

Thank you, dear friends.  For listening and caring... I love you all!  Have a good evening!

Heather

Of Praise and Puppies and Feet...

Luke 18:16 "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." 

      Every Wednesday, I ask for student volunteers to lead class devotions.  They have to prepare ahead of time, and the class needs to give that student their full attention as if he/she was the teacher.  For most classes, I have to make a schedule to get them to do it.  This class brought joy to my heart.  They practically knocked each other down trying to get to the calendar to sign up.  It  is already full into November.  AND, you would think it would be mostly girls wanting to do it.  Surprise!  It's the boys!  Oh, my heart!  One boy, who can be a stinker, has his day in a few weeks.  He has already consulted me about what he would like to talk about!

     This little guy sitting in my rocking chair is leading.  He did a FABULOUS job.  He had an outline of what he wanted to say.  He started with the Plan of Salvation and worked through to how a Christian should live his/her life.  He had 3 scriptures to support each point and questions to ask the class as well.  I will have to scan and show you his notes.  I was just blown away.  It also give me such great joy to see them sitting, eagerly looking at scripture, using their highlighters and post-its to mark scripture they want to remember.

God is so good!  I have to remember these guys and girls are kids.  HIS kids.  And because they are kids, they will misbehave.  So do I!  We all have a sin nature.  But I can't let the calling out or silly things that they do cloud who they are as children of God and how God can shine brightly through them, whether they raise their hands in class or not!

  

     This is my "furry child" Bailey.  She does not make me want to get up in the morning.  I want to be cozy like her.  She likes to take my "warm spots" when I get up.  She is a definite "warm spot" stealer.  So, when you visit, be aware, if you get up, a furball may steal your "warm spot".

    So, my last musing is "Feet".  I am not a big stickler about kids sitting straight in their seats unless undivided attention is needed, we have a guest, it is Chapel, etc.  Kids have wiggles.  Teachers have wiggles.  Hard resin chairs are not comfortable.  The students have clipboards, and I frequently let them work around the room.  Movement keeps us all from getting sleepy 'cause I'm not sharing my coffee with a bunch 10 year olds.  No way!

     Well, I am sitting at my desk while they are working on a map of Europe (They are fascinated by the tininess of Luxembourg.  We call it a little "peanut".)  I just look up.  At first, I am hugely amused by the many sitting arrangements this dear boy can get himself into.  These pictures were taken in a span of 10 minutes.

Then, I look around.  I see all kinds of missing feet and legs from under the tables.  I see kneeling and foot tucking.  I laugh at their various contortions. (See how many you can spot.  There are 4 students at each table...)

Well, I look down at my own foot. Tucked under.  Hmmmm. Well, if you can't beat them, join them! At least my shoes were both the same!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,

Heather