Tag Archives: gift

The Bridge Called, ‘How’

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Warning: This bridge has the capability to bring out the best in us, or knock us to the ground!

Since ‘How‘ is a question concerning the way or manner in which something is done or achieved, I believe it’s a word worth looking into. ‘How‘ is the bridge to questions getting answered. It can challenge us to identify new problems, lead us to research further, or to connect in a new way. What lies on the other end of this bridge called, ‘How‘ is determined by the way we view it. From new opportunities to fear, knowledge to despair, this most commonly used word is a powerful asset to our next steps. Simple yet influential this three letter word, can change the course of life for one, or for all.

“What makes you come alive?.. Go and do it!” These are the words that came to me, accompanied by the thoughts of a friend and her concerns for her son. “How can I help him?” she asked. That evening during prayer, her words echoed once again. This time, the word, ‘How‘ triggered my curiosity even further. Contemplating its meaning, I decided to look up its definition and connection. What I found was that this most often used word is action-packed in a way that it has not only changed the way people live, but has also assisted in changing the course of history!

For example:

George Washington Carver an agricultural scientist and inventor who developed hundreds of helpful products using peanuts, sweet potatoes and soybeans had a great interest in knowing ‘How.‘ His pursuit in this innovative word, led him with zeal to a path of writing down his findings in agricultural bulletins such as “How to Grow the Peanut and 105 Ways of Preparing it For Human Consumption” along with many other ‘How‘ to do it, journal entries. From a heart for helping others, to the National Inventors Hall of Fame, with faith and prayer, George Washington Carver, integrated ‘How‘ into his life and that ripple effect has inspired and educated the lives of many.

Mary was a 1st century Galilean Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and, the virgin mother of Jesus, who’s attentiveness to ‘How‘ lead her becoming the Mother of God. “Greetings, favored one. The Lord is with you…” These are the words the angel spoke to Mary, followed by ‘how‘ she would bring forth a son, and that, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” Mary responded with, “How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?…” God had a plan and Mary had an important role to play in the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. Mary’s “‘How‘ lead to God’s invitation conveyed by the angel (Luke 1:26-38). Mary’s role as mother of God places her in a unique position in God’s redemptive plan. The greatest rescue story of all time started with love, truth and Mary’s determination to know ‘How‘, this changing the course of history and assisting in saving the world and that includes you and me!

‘How?’ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life! (John 3:16)

So, what are your goals, your dreams, your aspirations? Come alive and go and do it! Just remember to start with this awesome privilege and gift we all have, and that is to carry everything to God in prayer.

A few fun facts about the word ‘how’:

  1. It’s worth 9 points in the Scrabble game
  2. It’s the Native American greeting
  3. It’s a question word that can be an adjective, a noun, a conjunction or an adverb
  4. It’s a unique member of ‘The 7 club’ Who, What, Where, Why, When, Whom, ‘How‘
  5. It’s good at making friends, knowhow, however, somehow, nohow, anyhow, howsoever, howdy…

A teacher is not so much responsible for what our students know, but more so for the seeds we plant to help them grow.

Father in the Name of Jesus, by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, be with us, direct our path, fill us with the riches of Your grace, transform our mind with a healthy balance that is good for our body and soul. Guide us with Your gracious love, that we may press forward to being all that You created us to be. In Your Holy Name we pray… Amen

Sweet blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

Deannadanielle.com 

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

National Anthem

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One by one, their steps were quick and their faces were brightly smiling. Their arms were stretched out carrying trays of banana bread, muffins, donuts, brownies, cookies, and cupcakes beautifully decorated with colorful sprinkles, as they entered into the auditorium. They were prepared for service. Kids helping kids, they put on their aprons and were ready to raise money for St. Jude children, to help them fight cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

The rush was on. As the other teachers gathered their students to go to class, we had our first customers; one very generous teacher and her group. Then the silence came and the clock was ticking, uh-oh… I thank God for the gift of prayer. We prayed, and as I shared with them what a wonderful thing they were doing to help others, the sound of pitter patter was in the hall and we were up and running once again. When the younger class that came to purchase sat to enjoy their treats, out of the blue, my students started singing…

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watch’d, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?…

This is the beauty of having the privilege to teach. It’s when your students “WOW” you, no money can buy that!

There are times in our lives when we hear a song, a national anthem, and it moves us. As I see our world today and wonder what we will leave behind for our children, I express warm admiration for the words of Mandela in the movie Invictus:

“I couldn’t help noticing the empty offices as I came to work today, and all the packing boxes. Now, of course, if you want to leave, that is your right. And if you feel in your heart that you cannot work with your new government, then it is better that you do leave, right away. But if you are packing up because you fear that your language, or the color of your skin, or who you served previously, disqualifies you from working here now, I am here to tell you, have no such fear. What is verby is verby. What is past is past. We look to the future, now. We need your help. We want your help. If you would like to stay, you will be doing your country a great service. I ask only that you do your jobs to the best of your abilities, and with good hearts. I promise to do the same.”

May God bless our Country and everyone in it always. May God bless our world that there may be peace, happiness and perfect health. May God bless you and me. For we are all a part of God’s great big family, if only we want to be…

Deanna Danielle

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For God so loved the WORLD that He gave His one and only Son, that WHOEVER believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

 

 

You’re Perfect for This

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We’re off to a great start. 201 Boulevard, 4th grade class of 2015, is on its way. After starting our class with prayer, we had a one-to-one icebreaker. We had the privilege to learn a little about each other. Molly, Gabriella, Zachary, Cecilia, Hannah, Alessia, Madeline and James, consist of the smallest group of students I have ever had, by far. They are a great group of kids!

During the summer, my friend invited me to her church. During the homily, the priest invited the children to come to the altar. He presented them with a beautiful gift bag and said he had something special for them. He pulled a cookbook out of the bag, and asked them, “What is this used for?” Then, he pulled a Bible out, and again asked, “What is this, used for?” His questions blessed me with a great idea to do the same for our first day of class. So, that is what I did.

I brought to class a large shiny, gold Vince Camuto tote bag. They all saw the bag, and with great curiosity, they wanted to know who it was for, and of course, what was in it. Before opening the bag, I told them the greatest gift was in it. It was a priceless education in the love that our God has for us through His living word. I then pulled out the Bible.

Along with a few other things that I pulled out of the bag, one of them was a shape-sorting block. All of the pieces were in tact except one. I explained how this one missing piece makes this toy incomplete, and that is what life would be like without them. I also shared with them, that it is impossible to put the square in the circle, and the circle in the star. In the same way, God has a very special plan for each and every one of us.

God made no two fingerprints alike. We read in Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” In the same way as the shape-sorting block, we were made to fit perfectly into our own space. A young man named Christopher Coleman once quoted God’s words to him, “You’re Perfect for This.” Life would not be complete if it was any other way.

    Christopher Coleman’s story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu0yjJgKU0w

Many blessings,

Deanna Danielle

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A Crown Of Glory

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Anabelle asked a question about loving God more than anything. As a teacher, I believe  great questions are a gift from the student. It gives us the privilege to share, though our experiences, and compliments us, through them showing interest in the subject matter we are passionate about teaching. Questions help us to learn and grow. Matthew 7:7 teaches us to, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

With Anabelle’s question, I was able to share with our class, my personal story. Years ago, while giving my four year old daughter a shower, this thought came to me. “Whom do you love more?” I stopped for a second, as I thought about that. So, I started to pray, “Lord, I love you more. You gave her to me and without that gift I would not have her.” As my daughter got out of the shower, she looked up at me and asked, “Mommy, who do you love more, me or God.” I smiled, and thanked God for preparing me for that question. As I knelt down and looked into her eyes, I said, “Honey, I love God more.” As her eyes widened, I continued with, “Because God gave you to me. If He didn’t, I wouldn’t have you. And, I am so grateful that He has blessed me with your love!” With that she smiled.

As we age, the more we can share. With experiences, come a greater understanding. As each day unfolds, I find myself relating more to Proverbs 16:31, “Gray hair is a crown of glory…” And you can’t buy that! “For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.” Psalm 92:4

To my students:

Through all our class’s great moments this year, I had the wonderful opportunity to get to know Alexa, Lucas, Ryan, Chase, Nicholas, Joseph, Anabelle, Adrienne, Lily, Dominic, Colin, Gianni, Siena, Anjali, Isabella, Sebastian, Ella, Ian, Matthew, Nicolas, Mark & Ben. God made all of you very special. Just remember always to say, “Present” when your name is called, because you are a gift! I will miss you all very much, as you move up to the second grade and prepare for your first Holy Communion. May God bless you always!

“Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”     2 Timothy 3:14-15

Many blessings,

Deanna Danielle

Here is our latest and greatest iMovie, on YouTube.
You can view it at:
201 Boulevard 2014
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98Lih3Feitk

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Class of 20014, you did a great job! Keep up the good work!

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