Twas the Night Before Christmas Break

Twas the Night Before Christmas Break

Twas the night before Christmas Break

and all through our house

kiddos were running and scurrying about!

A program to present

to parents and staff,

one angel, one donkey, one stable sheep en masse.

Their voices so precious,

in our hearts they remain;

Our sweet girl rocked her

"In Excelsis Deo" refrain!

Upon returning home

a few stitches still to be sewn;

Mama nearly finished with pajamas

for a Polar Express Party to be thrown.

Eagerly awaking

for the last day of school,

my little ones couldn't wait

to give teacher presents they thought were so cool!

Market bags and journals,

Christmas ornaments and (peppermint) bark,

Hand sanitizer and candy canes,

secret gifts for teachers kept in the dark!

Their eyes filled with tears

as their gifts were passed out;

but they'll never know the gratitude we feel 

so we shout...

"We love you Mrs. Herrick,

Ms. Thimesch, Mrs. Gay,

in light of Connecticut

do we thank you enough each day?"

And so break begins

where we spend time with family and friends;

We cherish our loved ones,

and pray for a peace that only the Christ Child

can transcend.     

  

Dedicated to the faculty and staff of

St. Paul Catholic School

Olathe, KS

Linking up with StoneGable for Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits!

XXX OOO

God is Everywhere all the Time!

Here it is, Monday afternoon, I am just now getting my "Spiritual Sunday" post written up.

Obviously, that tells you what kind of weekend we had at our house!

But also, I needed some time to process what happened in Newtown, CT on Friday.

That being said, my dear friend, Carrie D. wrote a most beautiful post on facebook that I just didn't "like"...I loved!  She summed up exactly how I feel about God and public schools.

"As I'm reading the t-shirt about God not being in our schools, and the Fred Rogers quote about looking for the helpers I'm having some thoughts. (I know, shocking right?) I don't think we have the power to kick God out of anywhere. God is good all the time and He is everywhere all the time. He gave us all free will and some will for pain - to feel it, to cause it, and to be blinded by it. 

But some of us choose to help, to respond, to teach, and to love. That being said, we are praying for the families and students who suffered yesterday and for all families everywhere who have suffered. We who teach will continue our work daily to show our students a caring community and the importance of their presence within it."  ~Carrie D.~

I think Carrie is spot on.

I know that there are those who are non-believers...maybe even believers... who are pointing and asking..."Where was (your) God when this was happening?" 

I believe, HE was right there.  Waiting to usher HIS littlest ones in HIS kingdom.  

I choose to believe that HE was weeping right along with those parents at the Sandy Hook Fire Department when they heard the awful news...that there were no more survivors.  That their child was one of the 20 dead.  

I believe that HE was running right alongside those brave first graders who made a mad dash past the gunman in their fight for survival.  

I believe HE was working right alongside the first responders who, too, have to live with the horrific images and memories of that tragic day.

Yes, we as an American society may no longer allow images and icons of God in our public schools.  We no longer use Scripture passages as handwriting...we no longer use Old or New Testament stories as our reading primers (teaching reading)...

...but to say that we have kicked God out of our public schools...

...impossible!

Instead, I believe that there are many, many complicating factors as to why this tragedy occurred including many in society who have systematically removed THEMSELVES from RELATIONSHIP with GOD, the prevalence of violence through media in our society, the gun control issue, bullying,  the lack of access/resources for adequate mental health care, and last, but certainly not least the breakdown of the family.  

We must do better, as a society and as parents, by our children.  

God expects nothing less. 

XXX OOO

Linking up with Charlotte for Spiritual Sundays.

Living a Life of Contentment

Sometimes, it takes seeing what you don't have to truly appreciate what you do have.

Normally, the opposite happens.

Spending time on the Internet...eyeing decorating blogs...pinning fabulous kitchens/bathrooms/craft rooms...one can become green with envy...

...or overwhelmed by their very surroundings...the mounds of laundry...or toys scattered everywhere...or the unfinished decorating projects...

But the answer to true joy and happiness is contentment.

"...for I have learned, in whatever situation I am to be content."

Philippians 4:11 (ESV)

This afternoon, my husband, kiddos, and I took a ride out to look at a potential "someday farm".

I wanted to cry.

The photo actually did do the place justice.

This house needs so much work.

So.much.work.

I didn't even photograph the interior.

It was too disheartening.

It is disappointing to me that people are not better stewards of God's gifts.  This home was trashed on the inside.  In fact, the previous owners did not even pack up a lot of their belongings.  Medication bottles strewn around...clothing left in the closets...cat feces everywhere.

And then there is the structural damage...

...the farmhouse needs a new sceptic tank...the in-ground pool needs to be filled in or replace...the house sits on a slab foundation that is sinking...

Then I came home to this...

She's far from perfect...
 

 ...I can't keep chickens...

...and my interior will never find itself gracing the pages of BH&G Magazine or spotlighted on any decor blogs...

...but it is my home.

Structurally sound.  Built with hard work and determination.  Decorated with love...and kid art!

I think God intended for me to see today's potential property to give me a wake-up call!

To be content with the situation that I currently find myself in...

...as a stay-at-home mom of three beautiful children...married to a wonderfully hard-working (not perfect!) husband...and living in a gorgeous-to-me home.  They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

How about you...

...are you living a contented life?

Wishing you a peaceful Sunday night,

XXX OOO 

I'm linking up with Charlotte over at 

 

And Amy at Homestead Revival! Happy Barn Hopping!


 

 And last, but certainly not least, Jordan from Lily White Designs!
THANK YOU Jordan for inviting me to join up with you today!