Servant's Heart

I came across the neatest idea for cultivating a servant's heart in your children. You can see it by clicking here. Even though I think it's never too young to start teaching your children about the Lord and how He desires us to live, Sam's not quite big enough for this activity just yet. So Jared and I decided to adapt the Creative Homemakers' idea and apply it to our lives daily. We are going to stick with the same "Lord's Hands" principle, but each day we will take a hand with us as we leave our house. Our job is to do something kind for someone and leave the hand in it's place. We could serve someone in our house, at our works, in the comunity, or even a perfect stranger. I think it's a neat way for us to become more aware of ways to reach out and serve those around us.

Our Sunday school lesson was also about having a servant's heart. The conclusion we all came to was that there are tons of opportunities to serve other people if we would just stop and take the time to look around. My desire is to make a difference for the Kingdom in my everyday life in Jasper. For such a time as this, Jared and I are called to serve this community. Though some people just see Jasper as their community where they've grown up, for us it's our mission field. We didn't choose here, God did. And there's gotta to be a reason for it. So we're going to make the most of our time, talents, and resources.

I'm curious to hear other ideas, too. What do you do to teach your children and often to keep your own heart pointed in the right direction?

Happy Thanksgiving

This week-o-thanksgiving has been exactly what our family needed...family time and rest. We were able to see all our family in two days instead of one, which made everyone happier I think. For some reason I had this nightmare of Sam not napping and being this crazy kid for everyone. Didn't happen. He napped, his two molars came in, and he was a delight to be around. He loves being around people, old or young. He's such a curious kid these days, and learning new things everyday. When I look at him in this picture, my heart just about melts. Around this time two years ago, I was pregnant and didn't even know it. Little would I know that I would have this little boy who I would love more than anything in the world. God has certainly poured out his blessings on my family. I can remember finding out we were having a boy and being really scared. I wasn't raised around boys....most all of my cousins were girls. What in the world would I do with a boy? God certainly has perfect plans for us, doesn't He? This little boy is already being a blessing to so many people. He's brought joy to so many lives, and he's certainly brought his Momma closer to God. I find myself constantly seeking God for guidance on how to be the Momma HE wants me to be and the Momma Sam needs me to be.

I'm reminded this time of year and throughout the year of God's goodness. Even through the different seasons of life, good or bad, blessing or trial, God is still good. ALL THE TIME.

Amen.

Day 8-10: I'm a roller coaster!

It's amazing when I sit back and read my blogs from day to day and see how God intertwines my daily activities to lead me back to him. I'm a little behind on my thankfulness blogs so here goes:

Day 8: Thankful that my house is getting another viewing on Friday at 9 am (prayers please!). If you've ever put your house on the market then you know the feeling that I'm feeling. I'm just ready to move on. But the couple that is looking is the same couple that looked last week so I guess that's a good sign.

Day 9: Thankful that that awful day is behind me. What a dark, discouraging day it was. From the moment I walked through the doors all I heard was negativity. And to top it off, my kids got in soooo much trouble during rotation. I was so sad. Some days I can handle the paper work, the constant griping, bickering, and negativity and some days it's just too much. I want to feel like I'm making a difference, but it's hard when all it is is test, test, test, growth, growth, growth, documentation, documentation, documentation. Yesterday was just too much. But....

Day 10: The Lord's mercies are new EVERY morning. Today was a new day, and it went so great. It started off with walking to the park with my students. I sat and then played with some of the sweetest boys. They were all playing catch and it just made me look forward to the day when Sam and Jared and I can all play catch. I'm quite sure they didn't notice how much I was watching them, but it was such a sweet time for me. Then as we were walking back my kids started coming up with cause/effect relationships for the park (this is what we've been talking about this week). You can imagine my suprise when one of my students started throwing out vocabulary words! "We had to go to lunch so we had to leave the park. That's a cause/effect relationship, Mrs. Hollier!" "Mrs. Hollier, this is a vacant gas station!" Were my ears deceiving me? No, they weren't! But to top it all off guess what I heard next???? "Mrs. Hollier, it's fun to learn and play at the same time!"

Wow. That's what should be going on everyday. Instead its the same ole same ole. Not anymore. I am determined...no matter what...to make my kids love learning again. Other highlights from the day: As my students were whining on the walk back to the school I taught them to be a winner not a whiner. And all my kids started shouting, "I'm a winner!"

Isn't God amazing? I know that on my worst days, God is still there. He's still amazing. Even though I've gone through a bad day and now a good day, God's still the same. I'm so thankful for that. He doesn't change from day to day like I do. Thank you Lord for a great day today.

Day 7: God speaking in BIG ways

I'm so thankful for the way God uses little things to speak to me in BIG ways. Today was an awful day. And I mean awful! Sam has started throwing fits and it seemed like all day today he threw fits. Jared also had a rough day today too. On my way home from church I was just praying, asking God to give me peace with Sam. And it was just as plain as day He said, "Tomorrow is a new day." That was it. Just something small that spoke to me in a HUGE way. I also read some blogs from a Focus on the Family online community that reassured me that we're not alone. Apparently this is a common thing that I shouldn't freak out about. Those are just little things that God uses to speak to me. And I'm so thankful for all the little ways that God does that.

Day 6: Weekends with Mom

I'm so thankful for weekends when I can go home. This morning I slept in and when I got up Sam was up, fed, and getting dressed. It's nice to come home and just relax. I'm not going to lie and say that I don't take advantage of the head rubs and coffee that's made for me. It's ridiculous! My mom spoils me beyond belief. And today especially I'm so thankful to have a weekend of laying around and spending time with her. No schedules. Just laughs, coffee, and head rubs. We were able to go shopping at Old Town Spring with my aunt and some of her friends and that was fun too! We even took Sam...which I was REALLY nervous about. But he did great, and we had a great visit. We even found our way home without getting lost (the first time ever!). I'm just thankful for the rest and rejuvenation that I feel whenever I'm with her. So thankful for you mom!

Day 5: Sam

Words can't even begin to describe how overwhelmingly blessed I am by this little guy.

But...I thought these pictures said a thousand words.

Day 4: My amazing husband!

I'm so thankful that God had a perfect plan when he allowed me to meet Jared. God certainly knew what he was doing there! Not many husbands would take their one day off each week and stay at home with our almost 15 month toddler. But he does it so willingly. I think Thursdays might even be the highlight of his week. :) Not many men I know are willing to cook because their wife is hopeless in the kitchen. Not many men I know are willing to help with laundry. We definately don't follow traditional household roles that's for sure! But it works for our family and we're better because of it. I don't know what I would do without Jared. He's an amazing husband, daddy, pastor, and friend. And today especially, I'm thankful for him. I know I don't say it nearly enough, but I love you babe! And I'm so thankful that God put you in my life!

What are you thankful for?

Day 3: God's perfect plans

I've been checking my cell phone every chance I get today. My good friend Jessica is supposed to have her precious miracle Noelle today. She was induced this morning and we (all of her family, friends, and prayer partners) anxiously await the news of Noelle's arrival. Today especially reminded me of God's perfect plans. I've been so guilty about wanting to do things my own way, in my own time, and certainly on my own schedule. Thankfully God doesn't hold that against me. God's plans are so perfect. I needed that reminder today with all the things that have been going on with me and my family lately. I haven't blogged or told many about this, but I feel like I can now. In June, I had a miscarriage. Yep. I said it. Those big, ugly words. We weren't trying to get pregnant, but we also weren't trying not to. In one day I went from excitement to the very next day and weeks into sadness, questions of why God? Do I know why that happened? No. But I don't need to. I know that I know that I know that God's plans are SOOOOO much better than our own. He is our creator! How much better are his plans for us since He made us, and calls us His children. So on days like today, when I'm full of excitement for my precious friend, I'm reminded of just how perfect His plan is. Even when I don't understand it. Even when you don't understand it, just TRUST.

Day 2: Rainy, thunderstorm kinda nights

I think God REALLY has a sense of humor. Why? Because yesterdayI began my 25 days of Thanksgiving with how I was thankful for my school and today I was thankful for the rain and do you know what met me in my room this morning? Rain all over my desks AND BRAND SPANKIN' NEW textbooks. Yeah...that's ironic I think. What's even more funny for all of you non-Jasper folks is that we are right in the middle of a huge bond election that isn't getting much support. The bond would build a new elementary school since this one was the original elementary school. In fact here are some issues that those of you who are against this bond and think "it was good enough for me, it's good enough for my kids" might not know...

1. Our school was built before the invention of computers. Therefore, it gives the local fire inspector a heart attack when he comes through inspecting the major fire hazard bc of the lack of plugs in our room.

2. Every room in our building leaks...and onto things that are REALLY expensive.

3. There is mold...yuck!

4. If you have a class size of 22, you are squeshed like sardines.

REGARDLESS of if this bond passes or not, I will teach to the best of my GOD given abilities. Why? Because I'm a teacher, and that's what we do. Even though I think our kid's deserve something better, and I'm okay sacrificing $25 a month to make it be better. So maybe that's what I need to be thankful for today in addition to the rain. Hmmm....

25 Days of Thanks

Last year I stole this idea from the wonderful Ms. Gina, and I was reminded of it this year when I saw her blog post this morning. Each day marking down to Thanksgiving I'll post or facebook something I'm thankful for. I challenge you to do the same...you'd be surprised how good your life is and how much better your perspective is throughout the day. So here goes.

Day 1: I'm thankful for my job. Most people these days aren't that appreciative of their jobs, in fact they view them as a pain. Especially on Monday mornings! I am choosing Monday of all days to be thankful for my job. It's easy to grumble when you get up everyday at 5:30, get to school and have tons to do, documentation, observations, and that's not even the kiddos yet! Instead, I'm choosing to be thankful for what I have....a good paying job that gives me days off with a sick kid, health insurance for me and Sam, vacation days, HOLIDAYS, and playing a huge role in the lives of hundreds of kids that I probably would not have known otherwise. Some of the kids that I teach day after day after day have no Godly influence in their life AT ALL. At all means I'm it people. No, I realize I can't save 'em all. I've certainly had my share of experiencing that, but I certainly can show them that there is a life that is better for them than the one that they've got and are headed to. That's a job I don't take lightly and am thankful to do.

So...what about you? What are you thankful for? I encourage you to take the challenge that I did. Grow a thankful heart today.

~Elizabeth