Green on St. Patty's

 And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. -Genesis 1: 11-12

I love plants. The first plant I ever owned was a bamboo plant. I got it right before going away to college. These things are almost impossible to kill. Hence, perfect for a college student living in a dorm room.

I loved my bamboo so much I got another one when I cam home from college.

New Years Gift from James

James gave me this plant on New Years to celebrate our new life together as a married couple. It is supposed to flower at some point but hasn't yet. Hopefully we can keep it alive!

Last but not least, is our beautiful Palm plant. This is the first plant James and I bought together and our newest addition to the collection. James loves it because it reminds him of Florida. The lady at the store said it should do well with the lighting in our apartment. I hope she's right! 

God is a creative God and his creativity is definitely evident in the world of plants. I sometimes try to imagine what it would have been like in the Garden of Eden. If I could go anywhere in the world, (past, present, or future), I think I would choose to go to the Garden of Eden. That would be lovely. 

Admiration

When I was in college I volunteered with a ministry called The Third Story. Amy Beth is the missionary who founded this inner city ministry and she is someone I admire. I admire A.B because everything she does is  for the Lord. She loves the Lord and genuinely wants to help others. A.B. is one of the most selfless people I have ever met.

  I was privileged to work with A.B. one night a week for most of my college career. I helped with a ministry called Street Church. We would pick the kids up from their houses and bring them to the church. We would feed the kids dinner, teach them a Bible lesson, sing worship songs together, play games, and just have a fun time hanging out. Many of the kids came to know the Lord personally through the impact A.B. had on their lives.

 Amy Beth is a great writer. She writes to share stories of the families and children she works with. I always love reading her stories and thoughts. You can check out her writing by clicking on the link below. A.B. has deeply touched my life and I would urge you to check out her writing as it might have an impact on yours.

http://thethirdstory.org/t3spress/default.php

Me and Amy Beth ~ 2009

1 John 4:19 "We love because he first loved us."

John 15:12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you…”

Deuteronomy 15:11 "For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land."

Sunshine

The weather is warming up. I can feel it! Oh it makes me happy! I'm excited for the season of no jacket wearing. I'm excited for sunshine!

Martin Luther King Jr.

On Friday I taught my 1st grade students about Martin Luther King Junior. They loved learning about him! I shared Martin Luther's dream and had my students write about a dream that they have. Their responses were pretty great, so I thought I'd share a few.

Kid #1: I dream that everyone will play with everyone on the playground. 

Kid #2: I have a dream that people will be nice.

Kid #3: I dream that everyone will be an individual. 

I don't really know what he meant by this, but it made me chuckle. 

Kid #4: I dream that I will turn into a T-Rex! 

Ok, so he didn't quite get the type of dream I was meaning. But, it was a very first grade boy answer and made me laugh. 

Kid #5: I wish the world was happy and clean and safe.
Kid # 6: I dream that everything is peaceful.

Even my little first graders know that the world isn't perfect. They were so cute reading their dreams to the class. They genuinely wish for these things. Jesus is the only one who can truly bring peace and hapiness.


John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”


John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

http://www.brookfieldzoo.org/CZS/getattachment/9485d135-04a6-42db-a306-3235c75566fb/Martin-Luther-King-Jr--Day-Celebration.aspx

Home Videos

We used to be little and cute...

I love this video of my brother Stephen and me playing Simon Says. We were such silly kids. It's hard to believe he used to be that much shorter than me! 

Brian was so little and cute in this video! I love how he pronounces certain words. I know his future little son will be just as cute. :)

Photo Memories

I love photos because of the memories behind them. With all the technology we have it is so easy to take a photo these days. I have almost 1,000 photos posted to my facebook. Sheesh, that's a lot! I was looking at my photos and came across some of my favorite ones. I decided to narrow down the nearly 1,000 photos to my top 5. Here is what I came up with. Believe me, it wasn't easy to pick just 5.

My first dog

Me and my Daddy

Me and my Mommy

My first sibling

My Grandpa Don and me

Well...I couldn't actually pick just 5. 

Me and my husband

 Happy Sunday! 

Handprint Snowmen

My students made snowmen ornaments to give to their parents for Christmas. I painted their hands white and made a handprint on a simple ball ornament. When the paint dried they turned each finger into a snowman using permanent markers. We completed each ball with ribbon for hanging on a tree. They loved this little activity! 

Name and year in the palm of the hand

Cute Thumbprint snowman

They were all unique

We decorated bags to put them in for Mom and Dad

The kiddos loved making their bags and ornaments!