Well it’s been a few weeks since we had class, and so much has happened since then. For one, I had the privilege to visit my son in Florence Italy with my mom and younger daughter Gabriella. Good food, great shopping, a climb to the top of the bell tower, a tour to San Gimignano, Siena, and Chianti, a beautiful walk through the palace garden, a delightful, (and much needed) Italian massage and above all things, awesome company. A blessing indeed!
On our trip, I read a story about Tom Brown’s School Days, a famous British novel. Tom Brown was a popular boy who attended a boarding school in England. He lived with a group of boys in one of the dormitories. Everything that Tom did had a great impact on the other kids at school. One day a new boy came to the school. That night, before bed the new boy knelt down to say his prayers. A few boys began to make fun of him, one even through a shoe at him. That night Tom could not fall asleep. He kept thinking about what happened to the new kid. He also began to think about his mom and the prayers she had taught him to say before he went to bed. Prayers he had not said, since he came to this school. The next night, as the boys were getting ready to pick on the new boy for saying his prayers. Something beautiful happened, Tom knelt down also. There was silence in the dormitory. His example, changed the thoughts of many boys that night.
I thought it would be great to share this story with our class. So in the garden of our Blessed Mother, Aidan played Tom and Gianluca played the new boy. As we reenacted this scene. I shared with them, how they too can make a difference in the lives of many with their love for God. I was able to turn them towards The Blessed Mother and show them how one life can have such an impact on so many people. Just take a look at Mary’s ‘Yes’ to God. God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; His kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God… For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
There is so much to be grateful for… I asked the class; “What are you thankful for?” Aidan, Elizabeth, Jack, Samantha, Nickolaus, and Paula said. “My family.” “Mom and Dad. Grandma and Grandpa, Friends, The whole wide world!” was the responses of Emma, Charlotte, Ewan, Aidan M, Ally, and Gianluca. Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to Him with thanksgiving.~ Psalm 95:1-2 As our class colored in their Thanksgiving pictures, I played this song by The Katinas called Thank You, for them. Their responce, “Play it again” So, here it is! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6i5rLv8xbc
My Thanksgiving prayer; May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2
Have a very blessed Thanksgiving!!!
Deanna
201boulevard 