Tag Archives: Frankie

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

 

 

 

Advent

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Over 2000 years ago, a light shone in the darkness… giving birth to her firstborn son, she wrapped Him and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn. This baby boy, born in the small town of Bethlehem, was our promised Messiah, “The Savior of the world.” 1 John 4:14

As our class prepares for the Christmas play, I have to say, this is truly a wonderful time of year. It is a time filled with lots of expectation and hope. The season invites us into a deeper relationship with our God, through Gospel stories being read aloud, in school plays, parish functions, and time spent with families and friends.

It was a tremendous blessing to have my daughter home from college this week, to help with our class. It gave me the opportunity to work with Gabriella, Cecilia, and Joseph on narrating the play. Meanwhile, Hannah, Zachary, Alessia, Madeline James, Molly and Frankie practiced their parts.

As my class reflects on the promises of the Lord our God, we are learning and growing. It is my prayer that these incoming weeks of Advent will remind us to set aside some of the hectic business of the holiday season, and quietly remember the reason of the season.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:11-14

Blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

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

Words Written with Love

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Along the coast of Mexico stood a beautiful villa. A sign in front read, ‘Rooms Available’. A man driving by needed a room, so he check in. After putting his bags down, he decided to go for a swim, since it was a glorious, warm day. After beginning to swim, he noticed a sign which read ‘No Swimming — SHARKS!’ He got out of the water, using unkind words, he kicked and tore down the sign, and left the villa in a fury.

Again, the ‘Rooms Available’sign was posted. The next gentleman to check in, unpacked, and went for a stroll. He, too, decided to go for a swim. As he stepped into the water, he caught sight of another sign that read “No Swimming — SHARKS!’ With his heart pounding, he quickly returned to shore. When he approached the rocky beach, he knelt down and prayed, “My Lord and my God, thank you for letting me see this sign, for you rescued me today from being eaten by the sharks.” As he looked out over the water, many moving shark fins were visible. He again thanked God for saving him. Upon his return to the villa, he shared his story with everyone.

This is the story that I shared with my class. After reading it to them, I asked, “Do you think the sign, ‘No swimming — SHARKS!’ were words written with love?” Looking at their expressions, as they answered, “Yes,” you could see there was no doubt amongst them. I now held up a sign with the 10 commandments written on it. I explained, “These, too, are words written with love, by the hand of God.” Exodus 31:18.

With the opportunity to share with our class the differences, between harboring anger and nurturing love within ourselves, I could clearly see that this class is ready to be the reflection of the Ultimate Love.

Some great kids have been added to our class lately. They are Gianluca, Joseph and Frankie. This was Frankie’s first class with us. Here are a few of his written words of love, “Today our class learned about the Ten Commandments. We also learned about being happy for each other and to love everybody.”

As Nancy Spiegelberg once said, “Lord, I crawled across the bareness to you with my empty cup, uncertain in asking for any small drop of refreshment. If only I had known you better, I’d have come running with a bucket.”

Many Blessings,

Deanna Danielle

Words written with love!

Words written with love!