Monthly Archives: November 2013

We’re Thankful For…

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Little hands, colorful paper, and thoughts of what we are grateful for, helped to make our Thanksgiving turkeys this year.  As we prepare to celebrate this festival that began with the Pilgrims back in 1621. I asked our class to share what they were grateful for. For Alexa, it’s God and Jesus; Lucas, his garden; and Ryan, his house. Dominic, Chase, Nick, Joseph and Annabelle are grateful for family. Adrienne is thankful for the earth; Lily, for oxygen; and Mark, for his faith.

Today, our program also had its annual Thanksgiving food collection.  All the items went to our church’s food pantry. This will help feed many people here in our own home town this Thanksgiving. Together, all the students filled 100 bags! So, I like to say; Way to Go! Great job!

At our prayer service, I had the privilege to read  beautiful scripture of Jesus feeding over five thousand people. Matthew 14:13-21, “When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed Him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to Him and said, ‘This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.’ ‘We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,’ they answered. ‘Bring them here to Me,’ He said. And He directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.  The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.”

This reminds me that Jesus was truly the One who taught us about Thanksgiving. He not only preached this, but lived by example. Whether He was feeding four thousand, five thousand, or God only knows how many more not listed in scripture. We see our Lord’s divine ability to completely meet the needs of all the Earth. This, in itself, is an awesome  blessing to be grateful for. Ephesians 5:20 says, “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

So, this Thanksgiving, as we’re thankful for all the wonderful things in our lives, may we join together to pray for the poor, the homeless, the orphans, and the widows. Let us pray for all the needs of others and the needs of ourselves. May you be blessed with peace, happiness and great health this Thanksgiving season and always!

Deanna Danielle

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

How to Get to Know Someone

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The only way to truly get to know someone is by the amount of time we spend with them. Having a class of 19 first-graders once a week, for only an hour and a half makes getting to know every one of them both joyful and challenging.

For our first day of class this year, I decided to prepare pin style name badges for each of the students. When I was through with writing their names, I was afraid the pin might stick them. So, to avoid this, I taped the badges to ribbon and created necklaces. These cute lanyards would now serve three purposes: First, to get to know their names, Second, I could use it as a class lesson, sharing with them that they are a gift from God, thirdly, they are recyclable and we can use them each week.

Three weeks have passed since our second class. One week the school closed for a tornado watch and the last two weeks I had been attending seminars. So, returning this week, I thought I’d keep it simple and make old-fashioned stick-on name tags. Funny how the kids remembered our routine, as they approached me asking for their name tag necklaces. Taken by surprise, I have to thank God for the new opportunity I had. I was able to share with them how we began with the ribbon necklace so they can see how they are all gifts from God. Now, today, we have name tags, because every gift has a name tag on it, and they are all presents to their families, me and everyone they meet.

There is a saying that I have come to know because it describes a part of me very well. It goes like this, “Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I will understand.” I have to say, I’m still working on remembering everyone’s name. However, their little personalities speak loudly. From those who are there, ready to respond, to those who are a little more quiet, and still those who find the chairs a little too uncomfortable to sit in for too long. This is the beauty of being a teacher. It is my prayer that as I get to know them, that they get to know our Loving Lord through their involvement in our class lessons. The truth is, “How to Get to Know Someone” is truly by the gift of time we have to spend with them.

”In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.”   John1:1-4

Many Blessings,                                                                                                                    Deanna Danielle

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There is no love greater than the Creator

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Does love get any greater then its Creator? In the spring of 1980, I met with the school counselor to prepare for High School. He asked me about my future plans and the classes that I would like to take. I told him I wanted to prepare myself for becoming a teacher. He said he did not recommend that route for me. I asked him what he thought I should do, and his response was, “Do what your mom does.”

So, I went home and watched her cut and style hair. I had no idea what she was doing. However, God blessed me with the thoughts of “Apples don’t fall too far from the tree.” As I shared my thoughts with my mom, she prepped me with some great advice. She said; “First, I want you to get a job this summer, working in a salon, to make sure it’s what you really want to do.” That’s just what I did. Thanks mom, for always giving me great advice. You are truly the best!

Every time I share this story, most people respond with; “ How dare your counselor tell you that.” The truth is, I feel like he was an angel in disguise. His guidance opened the door to a great adventure, from traveling to seminars as far as Spain and Africa, along with many destinations in between. Also, to having my work published in international magazines and runways. My favorite was “We girls can do anything,” a fashion show that brought in a new line of clothing for young girls.

I’ve been blessed in this industry. It has given me the opportunity to meet many wonderful people while bringing up a family. Along with some time to write books, produce videos, volunteer, and teach religious education to some awesome kids.

In Luke 12: 6-7 we read “Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” So, I conclude with, there is no love greater than the Creator. May we enjoy each day, for every day is a gift. That is why it’s called the present.

Many Blessings,

Deanna Danielle