Welcome to the One Word at a Time Blog Carnival on Hope.
We’re so glad you’ve stopped by!

Please add your link to the widget below**… then enjoy what others have written as well.

Upcoming dates/words:

Sep 21 – Brokenness
Oct 05 – Healing
Oct 19 – Condemnation
Nov 02 – Reconciliation
Nov 16 – Gratitude
Nov 30 – Fellowship
Dec 14 – Rejoice
Dec 28 – Reflection

**After you add your info, please refresh the page. If your post does not show up, please try again… make sure your email is provided and verify your link. If it still doesn’t work, send me an email or DM with your info, and I’ll manually input it for you.

One Word at a Time…Hope

Today is my daughter’s 13th birthday. Watching her grow into the amazing young woman she’s becoming… listening to her share her faith with others… witnessing the good choices she’s making… gives me hope.

My son will be 15 in a couple weeks. Seeing the man he’s become and how much he’s grown in his faith is incredible. Knowing how tempting the world is, and that he’s trying to do the right things… and encouraging his friends to do the same… gives me hope.

During circle time in my classroom, the kids interact with the teacher and each-other. Hearing them clap for the other kids when they say a word they never knew before… or seeing them help the students who are disabled or non-verbal… gives me hope.

Being part of a wonderful team of women who sacrifice their time and energy to come in early, and stay after school to make sure the kids are taken care of… gives me hope.

Witnessing many of my Twitter friends become personally involved in one-anothers lives. Receiving prayer requests and emails about specific needs… and adding some of my own requests along the way… gives me hope.

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24

Waking to a new day after a long and difficult night…
The warmth of sunshine on my skin…
The giggle of children at play…
The sound of waves crashing on the shore…
Taking in the beauty of God’s creation around me…
Knowing my Heavenly Father loves me no matter what…
gives me hope!

What gives you hope when all feels hopeless?

It’s once again time for the One Word at a Time Blog Carnival. Our topic/word is Hope.

The link widget will be up and running later tonight. As always, I’m excited to read your great thoughts and stories.

For general information, click here: Carnivals. If you have further questions, please feel free to ask.

Upcoming dates/words:

Sep 07 – Hope
Sep 21 – Brokenness
Oct 05 – Healing
Oct 19 – Condemnation
Nov 02 – Reconciliation
Nov 16 – Gratitude
Nov 30 – Fellowship
Dec 14 – Rejoice
Dec 28 – Reflection

See you at the carnival.

“Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all.” ~ Emily Dickinson

I’m getting ready for the blog carnival this week on… Hope. This song really inspires me and I can’t wait to read all the posts!

Have a blessed Sunday, and please join us at the carnival on Tuesday.

You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.
Psalm 119:114

School started Wednesday, and after two full days… I’ve been scratched, bit, bruised, and… I love it! We’re all adjusting and getting used to each other, but we’ve had some amazing moments already. The kids are a blast, and I know it’s going to be a great year.

The thing I hadn’t thought about when I took a job in an elementary school is that we’d have recess. With the Special Ed kids, the staff assistants accompany them outside.

The weather yesterday was miserable, and I stood out in the rain several times (I really don’t have recess hair). Today was the complete opposite… 85 and sunny.

What I found funny is yesterday the kids played and didn’t mind the rain pouring down… but today when it was so warm and nice… they complained it was hot. I obviously have more to teach them than I thought.

I thought back to when my kids were young and we used to watch the show ‘Recess.’ We loved it. I added a clip of the intro to the show because I think it’s even funnier now that I’m Mrs. Finster (the scary recess lady).

Have a fun weekend!

Another summer is coming to a close… I can feel it in the breeze. In some ways I’m not ready for it to end, although I’m excited for the changes and new beginnings fall brings… with its cooler temps and fabulous colors.

This year there’s no shortage of change. Tomorrow morning (Monday) my boy will be going to his first day of freshman orientation. I can’t believe my firstborn is going to high school. I don’t know if I’m ready… but he seems to be.

I remember dropping him off to his first day of pre-k and crying in the parking lot. I watched my tiny boy walk away from the car looking both nervous and excited, and felt like I was abandoning him.

Tomorrow I’ll drop him off and I already wonder if we’ve prepared him for what’s next. Did we do a good enough job… does he know no matter how hard things get, he’s never alone? Even when we’re not able to be there, will he remember God always is?

Then there’s my girl… she’ll be in 7th grade. She won’t have big brother to look after her this year, and she made cheer team, so she’ll be performing at lots of extra-curricular activities.

She’s transitioned from a tween to a beautiful young lady over the summer. I want to protect her and make sure no one ever breaks her heart, but I know that’s not possible. Instead I have to believe that she’s strong enough to handle it, and to support her choices and decisions.

I feel the same way about my son. I never want either of them to hurt. We all want only the best for our kids, but sometimes all we can do is love them and be there to pick up the pieces when things start to fall apart.

To top it off, I’ll be starting school this week too. My first day as an official Special Ed Staff Assistant is September 1st. As excited and grateful as I am… I’m a bit anxious too. I want to do the best I can for my students, and still have my own family remember how important they are to me.

There are many changes taking place in our family this fall. I believe God has big plans (and blessings) for each of us. Things will be busy, and I’m sure there will be plenty of ups and downs… I hope to share them with you as we go.

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16

What big changes are you facing this fall? Do you look forward to new beginnings… or would you rather see things stay the same?

I love the new songs on the radio and at church, but sometimes I need to hear (and sing) a song like this to really get me into the worship mood…

Have a blessed Sunday.

The godly will rejoice in the Lord
and find shelter in him.
And those who do what is right
will praise him. Psalm 64:10

Where we live, school starts in a few days. My son will go to freshman orientation on Monday and Tuesday, so we’ll have to be up early, even though he only has half days. School officially starts on Wednesday, September 1st, which means the alarm will be set for 6:15. (ugh)

Between orientation, my daughter having cheer practice, and me helping set up my classroom… summer is pretty much over.

So much is going on, but with the carnival on children earlier this week, and back to school right around the corner… I thought these cartoons were fun.

Have a great weekend!

Welcome to the One Word at a Time Blog Carnival on Children.
We’re so glad you’ve stopped by!

Please add your link to the widget below**… then enjoy what others have written as well.

Upcoming dates/words:
Sep 07 – Hope
Sep 21 – Brokenness
Oct 05 – Healing
Oct 19 – Condemnation
Nov 02 – Reconciliation
Nov 16 – Gratitude
Nov 30 – Fellowship
Dec 14 – Rejoice
Dec 28 – Reflection

**After you add your info, please refresh the page. If your post does not show up, please try again… make sure your email is provided and verify your link. If it still doesn’t work, send me an email or DM with your info, and I’ll manually input it for you.

One Word at a Time…Children

The word Children being the prompt for this carnival came at the perfect time for me to announce (for those who haven’t heard)…
I got a teaching job.

I’ll be working as a 1-1 staff assistant to a third grader with special needs. I start when the kids all go back to school on September 1st.

This is a huge answer to prayer… as well as the beginning of a whole new chapter of my life.

If someone would have told me a year ago that this is what I’d be doing, I wouldn’t have believed it. Subbing seemed like the perfect job a few months back, because it fit well with the family schedule, and paid a few bills.

The huge blessing was that it helped me realize how much I enjoy working in Special Ed. I also found that going back to work (outside the home) can be rewarding… instead of something to dread.

I recently was reminded this is something that my grandma (dad’s mom) did, which I think makes it even more special.

I wanted to thank all of you that have offered words of encouragement and prayed for answers. I meet my kiddo soon, and am looking forward to a great year. Prayers are still appreciated for a smooth transition (for both of us), and for God to work through me to reach these very special children.

Children are~ Honest and sincere
Children are~ Understanding and accepting
Children are~ Magical and messy
Children are~ Blessings
Children are~ Loyal and loving
Children are~ Enthusiastic and playful

Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 18:3-4

I came across this song and the lyrics are amazing. I wish I could post a video, but after tons of searching… I can’t find one anywhere.

Here’s a link to the sight I found it on: Music for the soul.

WHOLE IN THE SIGHT OF GOD
Words & Music by Steve Siler

Becky sits in the darkness imagining the sky
Finding her rainbows in the blessings of life
Without crayons she colors the world with her smile
Opening eyes by just being a child

She is whole in the sight of God
She is whole in the sight of God
She can see all things through the eyes of the spirit
She is whole in the sight of God

Johnny sits in his wheelchair as the children run and play
Feeling the warm summer sun upon his face
He moves everyone with his laughter and light
and through prayers they lift up for him every night

He is whole in the sight of God
He is whole in the sight of God
He can run to all things in the path of the spirit
He is whole in the sight of God

None of us is perfect
Every life has a measure of trial
But Father we know
How much you love every single child

Katie lives in deep silence where music never plays
Finding her songs in the joys of each new day
Without notes she’s creating a new symphony
‘Cause her gentle sweet soul is it’s own melody

She is whole in the sight of God
She is whole in the sight of God
She can hear all things through the words of the spirit
She is whole in His sight
We are whole in the sight of God
We are whole in the sight of God
We can do all things through the grace of His spirit
We are whole in the sight of God

It’s once again time for the One Word at a Time Blog Carnival. Our topic/word is Children.

The link widget will be up and running later tonight. As always, I’m excited to read your great thoughts and stories.

For general information, click here: Carnivals. If you have further questions, please feel free to ask.

Upcoming dates/words:

Aug 24 – Children
Sep 07 – Hope
Sep 21 – Brokenness
Oct 05 – Healing
Oct 19 – Condemnation
Nov 02 – Reconciliation
Nov 16 – Gratitude
Nov 30 – Fellowship
Dec 14 – Rejoice
Dec 28 – Reflection

See you at the carnival.

“Every child born into the world is a new thought of God, an ever fresh and radiant possibility” ~ Kate Douglas Wiggin

We’re all meant to be part of so much more than just surviving and getting by in this crazy world.

Have a blessed Sunday!

How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7