Category Archives: Uncategorized

Don’t Put Your Light Down

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As I set up for class, one of the first things I do is place a battery operated candle at the center of the room. Just recently, as I placed the candle on the stand, its light shut off. When I picked it up to see what was wrong, it lit up again. After several times of this (going on when I picked it up, off as I placed it down), my  student’s curious eyes started to watch me. So, I prayed, “Lord, is there something You would have me teach them through this?” And lo and behold through God’s grace, there was.

Picking up the unlit candle one more time, only to watch it light up again, I had the children pass it around to one another. Through every hand who held it, the candle shined bright. As it came back to me, I placed it in the stand. Just then one of my students joyfully called out, “It’s not going off anymore!” That’s when I proceeded to explain, “We are God’s hand and feet. This is what the word of God looks like, its brightness shines when it is in our hands and especially when we share it with others.”

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:5

In the United States, the month of November is known for celebrating Thanksgiving. Pondering the many blessings, to numerous to count, I think about all the people in my life that I am grateful and thankful for. As my thoughts take me deeper, I recognize the gift of prayer and how the love and knowledge of God has been passed down from generation to generation. Those of old, who have helped to make so many lives new.

Out of the book of Genesis we read how Abel, brought his heartfelt offering to God. Passing that love forward it reached many, including the lives of Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, many in-between them and many whom would soon follow.  It is nothing less than a privilege to have been given the right of the light to hold and share the word of God, who is indeed worthy to be praised, honored and glorified.

Christ Jesus, who loved and loves us more then we could ever imagine, sent His disciples out to all the nations to proclaim this great news of God. With so much gratitude, by grace  it is my prayer for you to take hold of this generous gift of God’s love, because their are so many wonderful people that only you can reach, waiting  for you to pass it forward to them. So don’t put your light down, but hold it up high for all the world to see. They need you!

Happy Thanksgiving Blessings,

Deanna Danielle

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Beautiful card made by, Valentina 4th grade 2016

 

 

 

 

Turning Water Into Wine

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Marie Grace Barnett, how can I ever thank you? November 25, 2015, A Lesson From The Heart of a Classroom, was the last post her red pen would mark on my page. She was my personal cheerleader, writing mentor, editor in chief, friend, and Aunt. She was everything but easy when it came to my putting words on paper and composing texts. December 9, 2015 came too soon. That is the day she entered on to the Streets of Gold, in the Kingdom of Heaven. This is my first blog without her. I hope to make her proud.

Planning for the opening day of school as a teacher is always exciting. A new class, a new year, another opportunity to share the awesome love that God has for us all. We started our class with scripture and learning how to read the Bible. John 2:1-11, the marriage at Cana, was our first lesson. In offering a chance for anyone who could find this scripture to go into our treasure chest,  the whole class was searching through the Good Book with eagerness and enthusiasm.

In reading this Gospel account of Jesus, His mother and His disciples being invited to a wedding where the wine runs out, and where Jesus delivers a sign of His glory by turning water into wine… Being a visual learner, I felt the need to show them what this moment in time must have been like. So, with one full glass water bottle, I poured the water into another empty glass water bottle that had a dusting of cherry Kool-Aid at the bottom.

In all my years of teaching, I don’t think I have ever impressed my students as much as I did in that very moment. The “Wow’s!” and “What???” As their eye’s opened their widest, thinking that I too could turn water into wine, let me know that I had their full attention. With that, I quickly shared with them that unlike Jesus, I had to use Kool-Aid to make this moment happen.

Seeing how awed they were, blessed me with a great privilege to teach them that, this is what God’s love feels like… Getting to know the incredible love that God has for us will “Wow!” us even in the hardest of times in our lives. And, that’s the kind of love that is worth learning about, a Love, that never stops loving us!

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, ”declares the Lord,“ plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

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In memory of, Marie Grace Barnett
November 13, 1931 — December 9, 2015

 

 

 

 

A Lesson From The Heart Of A Classroom

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Our class begins in a prayer circle. The room is set up with 4 to 6 desks that create the look of tables. Adding a desk or two, I have the children share chairs so that everyone has a seat. In the center of the table we have a burning candle (battery operated). After they wash their hands, we talk about God’s love for us, events that are happening in our world, and I often share a life story with them.

While setting up class today, I realized that I did not have the candle with me. Wondering what to do, I prayed. As I asked God for guidance, instantly I knew what to do. As the kids sat down, I asked them if they noticed something different. They all commented that the candle was missing and that it wasn’t a very good feeling. It was a perfect opportunity to talk about the love that God has for us, and how incomplete life would be if we didn’t have Jesus in it.

I shared a story with them about a friend of a friend, a woman who was in her last hours with a disease called lupus. I told them of how in her final state as she yelled out to God, she heard Him ask her, “What is Love?” In her silence, she heard Him again, “What is Love?” At that moment, she felt His presence like never before. Through a vision of red-hot luminescent energy passing from one heart to another, she could hear God speak to her, “That which you are seeing is Love, I AM that Love. She wanted to bow down even further into a greater reverence to him. However, because she was lying on her stomach, she was unable to kneel down as deep as she wanted to.

I told them of how God explained a lot to her about why people do what they do in life and why things happen the way they do. He explained to her that there are only two forces here on this earth, and that when things come against us we can counteract them with the supernatural Word of God.

I was kneeling down to speak to them at eye level. As I put my hands up in an expressive gesture to continue to tell the story, I felt a hand go into my right hand, and then another go into my left, and what looked like a domino effect, one hand went into another until we had a circle of hands holding on to each other. If you could only imagine, as a teacher, what a beautiful feeling this was. This was a lesson from the heart of a classroom, the meaning of true love as we held hands to pray.

“That I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!” – Psalm 30:12

Wishing you and your family, a very blessed Thanksgiving!

Deanna Danielle

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Thank you to those that have given their lives to protect our freedoms. Many make the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe and we thank them for that. God Bless the U.S Military, and everyone we love. Card made by Alex, 4th grade November, 2015 Let us come to Him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to Him. – Psalm 95:2

LOOKING FOR A TREASURE

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Have you ever wondered how time goes by so quickly? I know when I was a child, it seemed as though the summer months lasted forever. However, as the years go by, they seem to be getting noticeably shorter.

Here we are, once again, at the start of a new school year, and I am excited to share with my class what I have learned about God’s awesome love for us.

As I held up the Bible and a small treasure chest, I explained, “If we are looking for a treasure, these are two places we are sure to find it.” As I looked around at my new 4th graders, their eyes widened, and beautiful smiles appeared on their faces.

I then explained, “The only difference between these two treasures, is that one holds something temporary (as I held up the small box), and one holds something that will last for eternity (as I held up the Bible).”

I told them that the Bible is not meant to be read as a history book. It is a love letter to us. So, starting today, we are going to be looking and exploring some of the greatest treasures through the lives of those who loved God in His beautiful words to us.

I heard a priest once say, “I fell asleep and had a dream that life was a joy. When I woke up, I saw the reality that life was a servanthood, and in serving, I realized that the joy of life was in serving others.”

Blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

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Pay attention to what I say. Listen closely to My words. Don’t let them out of your sight. Keep them in your heart. They are life to those who find them. They are health to your whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22

 

 

Disciples In The Making

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In order to be a really good teacher, I believe you must continuously be a student. I see quotes, parables, and metaphors, all having one mission in common, and that is to help visually guide.

I once read that the famous quote, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn,” derived out of a Chinese philosophy book. The original paragraph read, “Not having heard something is not as good as having heard it; having heard it is not as good as having seen it; having seen it is not as good as knowing it; knowing it is not as good as putting it into practice.” I am not sure I agree 100% with the original paragraph, as much as I do the quote that came from it. After all, some things are better not seen, nor heard, nor practiced. However, it is all good when it serves us well.

Every year, I do my best to put together a fundraiser, theatrical play and video, with my class. It’s in hopes that they can learn more about God’s love for them through involving them in tasting it, feeling it, and seeing it. Through these events I realize that we were not created to walk by ourselves, but with each-other. It is said that fruit rarely grows in isolation, but only together with others, being connected by the vine that gives it life and fruitfulness.

This year for our Easter production, I reached out to my students that are not fans of being on stage. I delegated the responsibilities of opening the curtain, playing the music, and filming. I have to say, they did an awesome job, I couldn’t have done it without them! From my performers to my crew, they are all truly disciples in the making…

In John 15:5 we read, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” In the presence of God, we are sure to be protected, directed, and even corrected. After all, we may be the only bible the world will read or the last message given, through our word and deed. My Mother-in-law said it best, when helping me fold clothes. I was just about to go up the steps and she said, “Here, (handing me a stack) don’t go up empty handed.”

Matthew 6:19-21 Treasures in Heaven “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. May His Risen Presence within us fill us with joy and motivate us to do our part to bring His Good News to others.

Wishing you, your family and all those you love, a very blessed Easter,

Deanna Danielle

Easter Blessings

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Teachers, Get Ready

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As I began to prepare my class for a test, these words from an old quote came to mind; “Tell me, and I’ll forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I‘ll understand.” So, I gathered some props in order to involve them, in what they were expected to remember.

During class, we went down a list of words, using a Bitty Baby wrapped in  white to act out Baptism. Sharing the story of Adam and Eve, I held up a light bulb, explaining how they walked in the light of God. To show the fall of man, I pulled out a black light bulb. Every eye went wide open, and they had lots of questions. I now believe they have Original Sin down pat.

While giving them all I had to bring every word to life, I called upon Frankie and James to act out the word Covenant. As Frankie was walking toward the front of the classroom, he lifted his hands, shrugged his shoulders, and asked, with uncertainty, ” Are we getting married?” “No,” I explained, “You’re exchanging property.” With a sigh of relief, he responded “Oh.” He understood the word better then I expected.

Reflecting on marriage and the promises two people make before God, Joseph expressed, “Divorce is not bad.” I could only respond with, “God loves everyone. He loves people who are married, divorced, and single. However, before divorce, there is sometimes a lot of suffering, and God wants us to love each other, not hurt each other.”

As I thought about the title for this blog, I could only come up with; “Teachers, get ready,” because we can’t  always prepare for all the questions that will be asked. I am so grateful that our class’s last word was Virtue. I could only look at the Cross, smile, put on an apron, and with a bowl, watering can, and paper towels, reenact Jesus washing the feet of His Disciples. His humble service shows us how God loves the world, and how He wants us to display that love in a very special way, through beautiful acts of kindness.

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“When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” He asked them. “You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:12-17

 

 

 

The After Party

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It’s been two weeks since our last class. I had promised that after the Easter break we would have a celebration with an egg hunt and treats. As my students entered the classroom today, not one of them forgot that promise. The first thing they all asked was, “Are we going to have an Easter egg hunt?” It’s a good thing I remembered as well.

Along with a treat, all the hidden eggs contained scripture. Cecilia was the first to read her finding: Ephesians 3:14 “May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.” And this became the topic of our class lesson.

During the lesson, I explained the importance of investing, and how making bank deposits will give us the opportunity to watch our money increase. In the same way, if we invest in the gifts that God has given us, it will serve as a deposit, and a cornerstone that will help us to prepare to be all that God has meant for each of us.

Having them view the story of the Good Samaritan, they were able to see Jesus share a story about a man who was attacked by robbers, and left him dying. Two men saw him lying on the ground, but continued to walk on the opposite side of the road. However, when a Samaritan came upon the man, he immediately took pity on him and bandaged his wounds. He then took the man to an inn and paid the innkeeper to care for him. He said he would reimburse him for any extra expense he may have.

After we celebrated with great joy the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, we now join  the after party, giving God all the praise and honor. We thank Him for all His marvelous wonders, too numerous to count. May we invest in living our lives like the Good Samaritan, taking care of all that God has given us!

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Drawing by; Madeline – Psalm 96:11-12″ Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy.”

 

Putting Others First

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As we walked into the classroom, Gabriella asked if she could speak to our class. I said, “Of course.” Giving her the option to speak now or later, she chose later.

When our workbook lesson was complete, Gabriella got up to speak. She shared with our class how one of her friends had lost everything in a recent house fire. Also, how he was in need of anything extra that we could donate, such as clothing, blankets or money, because he and his family now have nothing.

After she spoke, I put on a movie. It was the story of Ruth, a woman who held the attributes of what it truly means to love, to be loyal, and to live out a pure, unselfish lifestyle. As the story goes, Ruth refused to leave her mother-in-law, Naomi, after their husbands had died. She said to Naomi, “Don’t urge me to leave you, or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

While watching the film, I couldn’t help but see Gabriella’s kindness reflecting that of Ruth. I saw a heart that cares so much for someone else, that nothing stops them from putting others first. Gabriella put away any of her personal thoughts as she stood up and requested help for a friend.

As we celebrate this Easter Season, let us remember the words of John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jesus did this for us so well.

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“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

How My Blogs Bloomed

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When you give your students some dirt, a few seeds, and a pot to put them in, you will see a bunch of happy faces! I know that for a fact. I saw it with my own eyes. I heard, “Can I have some more seeds?” “When will it grow?” “I’m going to put mine in the sun.” Filled with enthusiasm, they are bright and ready for some action!

Planting is the process of cultivation, and proper planting ensures healthy growth. Every day, there is opportunity for us to plant seeds of love in the lives of others. Also,there is the of gift being watered.

Before my grandmother left for heaven, she shared some memories with me of beautiful letters she received from my dad while he was in the army. Her deepest regret was that she did not save them. She said; “It would have been a book in itself!” As our younger son left for Italy, on his semester abroad, my grandmother’s words came to mind. I shared grandma’s story with him, and suggested that he should journal his trip, so one day he could share his story with his family. He said he would think about it.

Just a few weeks into his trip, he sent me an e-mail, telling me that his friend was posting blogs to journal the trip. Well, at least I have pictures of what he was doing through his friend.

Reading his friend’s stories, which were short, funny, and right to the point, inspired me to share my journey of teaching. As a result of my grandmothers story, I have been encouraged to write it down, and save it!

So, embracing the planted words of Grandma’s loving regret, and the watering of my son’s friend; My Blogs Bloomed! I hope you enjoy reading them.

“Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.” ~Proverbs 19:20

Blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

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Bible; Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth

Words That Make A Difference

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I  once took a class where the teacher had stated that once you squeeze all the toothpaste out of the tube, you could never put it back. In other words, what we say has a lasting effect.

In bringing this up to my class, it allowed me the opportunity to share how our  words can impact the lives of others. Constructive words can speak life into someone. However, destructive words have the capability to truly destroy someone.

The Bible is filled with words of life, and that is why it is called the living Word of God. In the book of Matthew 22:36-39, Jesus was asked, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and  mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it. “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

I also shared these beautiful words from the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. “We share the same dreams, because we pray, and hope, and aspire, for that same better world, because the values that unite us are much stronger than the differences that divide us. The values like liberty, equality, justice, tolerance, and compassion.”

With an open door, I am grateful for the privilege to share words that make a difference. These words from Molly are, “God is everything to me. I think everyone should follow and love God. God made this world and everyone in it. I know He loves me and I love Him. ”

Blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

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Psalm 122:6  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you!