A Very Special Birthday Party

 Happy

 Birthday

 To

 You!

 Happy

 Birthday

 To

 You!

Happy

 Birthday

Dear

 Jesus...

 Happy

Birthday

To

You!

 "I have come

that they might

have life

and have it

 more abundantly!"

John 10:10

Fierce Love

Last week we read the book, The Velveteen Rabbit aloud in class.  It's one of my favorites from childhood and a fun little read at Christmastime.  I remember sitting back in my big green chair as they each read a page.... watching their eyes squint up as they tried to figure out a vocabulary word.... enjoying their faces.  I thought, "What a privilege that I get to do this everyday.  I get to watch them learn and grow and discover and READ!  I get to hear their thoughts.  I get to hear their stories.  Who would want to miss this???"   

I've been a teacher for over 20 years.  I've taught hundreds of students.  I remember them all.  I am particularly fond of the "talkers".   I was one.  (Imagine that.)

Last Friday's tragedy has obviously had a profound effect on me.  For days I just could not stomach it and sought very little info of it via television or internet.  But last night I finally sat down and searched for one thing... I had to see their faces.

I don't know one teacher who would not shield a child from a bullet.... even if it meant using her/his own body.  A mother's love is indescribable, 

but a teacher's love is fierce. 

 

Stamping Names and Candy Canes

Not for one minute do I take for granted the people God uses to invest in my girls' lives.  There are so many.  Last night was their Junior High Christmas Party.  They came home filled with stories of all the delight of the evening with their friends. Their dad and I sat on the sofa together taking it all in.... their chatter by the light of the twinkling Christmas Tree. (And, yes, it was a little Norman Rockwell-ish moment that I will celebrate with cheesy words.)

Today, the girls and I are doing some Christmas wrapping and listening to some Christmas tunes.  It is a happy afternoon.  Rebecca sat down with a treat they received last night at the party.  A little bag hand-stamped with each kid's name.  It was full of little pieces of candy that remind them of the incredible gift of Jesus.  She took a minute to read what each tiny candy represents.  

A candy cane, shaped like the shepherd's staff, to remind us that Jesus came to be Our Good Shepherd.  (John 10:11)

A gold-wrapped Rolo, shaped like a crown, to remind us that Jesus is the King of Kings (Revelation 17:14)

Smarties to remind us that Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)

A Starlight mint to remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12)

A Milky Way to remind us that  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)

A Life Saver to remind you that Jesus came to be your Savior (Luke 2:11)

Thank you, sweet Hayley, for the time you took stamping all those names and investing in the lives of my girls!  Your tender efforts did not go unnoticed by this momma!  And thank you to all you crazy people who love all over these middle schoolers and delight in every minute of it.  You are a blessing... a blessing indeed!

 

Surprise!

Caroline and Zoe made a pact... they were getting their ears pierced together.  

Problem was... Zoe's mom said she had to be 13 and Caroline's mom said 12.  Caroline stuck with her friend and decided to wait a whole year... til her friend turned 13.  

We surprised them today and let them both get them done...Zoe at 12 and Caroline at almost 12.  They were thrilled!

Annaleigh, their buddy and a veteran at piercing (she was eight), and all the sisters and moms were there for the happy experience.

Would you believe that "Claire" from Claire's did the piercing?  How appropriate!

 They both chose the tiny "diamond" studs.  (Look at that cute little earlobe.)

 Zoe's turn!

Mission accomplished... with no tears!

 Then it was off to Starbucks to celebrate!

 Lattes and Frappacinos all around.

  A spontaneous, happy, fun, and memorable December day.

Peppermint Soap..and a Prayer

I kid you not.  This story is real-live-true. 

I was standing at my kitchen sink the other day....

washing my hands with the last of some watermelon 

flavored pump soap leftover from summer.

I was wishing I had some of that new 

peppermint soap for my little "sink-side."

I thought about running down to the mall for some 

Bath and Body "Pick 3 for $15"...

when I decided that was frivolous, unnecessary,  

and an unwise expense at this time of the year.

So I had a little talk with the 

One Who knows me best...

...at the kitchen sink.

Dear Father,  if you would like for me to have 

some peppermint soap for my sink...

...would You send it to me in a special way?

This morning, on the way into my classroom, I found a little treat at my "doorstep"... a treat from a fellow teacher.  She had no idea of my silly request just a few days before... 

But God did.

(Thanks Robin!)

You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.

Psalm 139:2