Special Person Day ...

Wednesday I was invited by my niece Lucy to be her special person at Peter Panda, her school. I taught High School for 12 years - it was VERY VERY different to walk in to a Pre-School room with such little chairs and 8 little people! (each with a special adult)

The day began with each student introducing their special person ... Lucy introduced me and said "This is my Aunt Beth, she is WONDERFUL" how could I not beam the rest of the day ... Lucy was so sweet all day, making sure I was taken care of - pulling out chairs, checking to be sure I knew were to go ... the perfect host. The room was run so efficiently, each student had a job, they knew the rules and all work together - it was awesome! The day went fast, we played, sang, ate snacks, painted, and heard a great story. The morning flew - the girls loved it, and so did I!

The day went so fast I did not get any pictures - I was engrossed in being a student!

GRACE AND PEACE!

Today is a special day ... My neice Lucy (3 1/2) asked me to attend school with her today.
Today is bring a "special person to school day".
I am sure we will make something, sing & have a snack. What an honor!!!

grace and peace

March ...

Trisomy Awareness Month~

March is now Trisomy awareness month!

Thanks to Gov. Sarah Palin, who made this proclamation www.gov.state.ak.us/proclamations.php?id=1676 which when done by a governor of any state makes it a National Observance. It is now up on the National Observances website as well.

Why the month of march?-since it is the third month and trisomy involves a third chromosome, it is just perfect. March 13th, will be specific for Trisomy 13 Awareness ...

So Long Insecurity ...

I am doing a Beth Moore book study ... through her blog.

LOVING IT!

The book, So Long Insecurity, you've been a bad friend to us.

It is an 8 week study, and very enjoyable to get the questions each week, read two chapters and then post with in the week - it is great to read through other posts and see how women all around deal with the similar issues.

Quite honestly, I always have felt that I was a pretty secure person, but upon further examination ... I have some insecure tendencies.

I wanted to share her challenge;

"To let the healthy, utterly whole, and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthen vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship. When we allow God's truth to eclipse every false positive and let our eyes spring open to the treasure we have, there in HIS glorious reflection we'll also see the treasure we are.

And the beauty of the Lord our God will be upon us. (Psalm 90:17, NKJV)"

A False Positive ... the one thing that would make you more secure in ALL THINGS.

Next week we will work on rooting them out.

The timing of this book could not be more perfect, I am questioning my self as I lead the Youth Ministry, I know that there is an amazing person that is on his/her way to lead the Youth of Brookside Community Church. But in the meantime, I am in a position that I am quite insecure ... Pleased to be a child of God and KNOW that I am not alone. That the Lord will provide me the wisdom, clarity, and patience necessary! I have printed out the challenge ... a reminder.

GRACE AND PEACE!

right mind

this word from Joel was direct from the Lord to ME ...

Align Your Thoughts

Todays Scripture: "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" Proverbs 23:7

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria: Do you ever stop to think about what you're thinking about? The Bible tells us that what happens on the inside of us - our thoughts, attitudes and motives - are more important to God than what happens on the outside in our actions. You can fool people all day long by saying the right things, but the scripture tells us that God is looking on he inside at our hearts. He wants our thoughts and attitudes to come into alignment with His Word so that we can see His promises come to pass in our lives.

Remember , your life will follow the course you set with your mind. When you align your thoughts with God's thoughts, your life will follow the course HE has prepared for you. Jeremiah 29 tells us that His thoughts are for our good. His thoughts are for our peace. His thoughts are for for our victory! So today, align your thoughts with HIS thoughts by meditating on HIS Word. Let His promises sink down deep into your heart so that you can move forward in the life of victory HE has prepared for you!

PRAYER FOR TODAY: Father God, today I surrender every area of my life to YOU. Help my thoughts line up with Your Word. Bring your promises to my remembrance today as I meditate on YOU. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Monday, I had a mind that was not in alignment with the Word - I am so thankful for the reminder and the quick correction. Constant course correction ... thank you Jesus! From my player/coach past ... it is time to worry when the coach stops "coaching you". I am so very thankful that JESUS the ultimate coach has not stopped coaching me. PRAISE THE LORD!

On a sweet note, I had an amazing lunch Friday with a fellow T13 mommy. She lost her precious son, Christopher, in September. It was so healing for me to have some one to talk about our boys, our pregnancy, life after ... that really knows. Turns out our paths have many intersections we simply had not met, our boys brought us together. How precious!

The next time we get together, we will include our husbands:)

GRACE AND PEACE!

Focus

had to share joel, spoke to me while preparing to attend a former teacher, co-worker and friends funeral today.

Change Your Focus

today's scripture: "set your mind on things above, not on earthly things" 1 Thessalonians 4:12

today's word form Joel and Victoria: When others look at your life, what do they see? Does your daily life win the respect of others? As believers, we are Christ's representatives in the earth. We are called to a higher standard. The way we live our lives should bring glory to God the Father.

Notice this verse doesn't say, "go out of your way to do something major so that everyone will respect you." It doesn't say, "win a gold medal or Pulitzer prize so that people will glorify your Father in heaven." NO, it says that your daily life should win the respect of others. That simply means always taking the high road and living a life of excellence. It means doing the right thing even when no one is looking. It means finding the common ground in order to be a peacemaker. It means going out with an attitude of faith and thanksgiving.

Remember, you will become like whoever you spend the most time with. If you are committed to spending time with God the Father every day, you'll develop HIS character. You'll win the resect of outsiders and bring glory to your Father in heaven!

prayer for today: Father God, I dedicate every area of my mind, will, and emotions to you today. Help me live my daily life as an example of You. Show me anything in my life that is displeasing to You. Let my daily life win the respect of others and let everything I do bring glory to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

preparing to attend a funeral, provides an opportunity for those of us still on earth to consider our lives; past-present-future. A time to reflect on FOCUS ... I pray to use this time today to focus in a manner that will bring glory to The Father.

GRACE AND PEACE!

new adventure

Aaron and I moving into unchartered territory!

We are teaching together ... last night was the first class of the "Brookside Adventure" - aka: the membership class for Brookside Community Church.

The course is broken into 3 phases, each 6 weeks long. We are using a study called "Growing in Christ" - solid biblical truths that impact you regardless of where you are in your walk.

Aaron and I are teaching Phase 1, we had 20 students - PRAISE THE LORD! We also have 10 people going through Phase 2 - it is an amazing adventure to witness how the Lord is moving in the lives of our faithful.

So I have a standing prayer request for Wednesdays: that the Holy Spirit would make His presence known to Aaron and I, that we would be moved out of the way and HE would reach out to our class. Continue to bring those faithful servants to class - without any hinderance and cover the church with His Spirit. In Jesus' name. AMEN!

GRACE AND PEACE!