Ready or Not, We’re On!

Lights, cameras, action, it’s showtime! Along with that comes; bellyaches, missing gifts for the three kings to bring, and the microphone falling off the stage, making a noise so loud that our audience thought the building was coming down. Ready or not, we’re on!

The curtain opened, and the nativity scene began. Hannah played the part of the most beautiful Blessed Mother, and Aidan made the cutest angel Gabriel. I stood backstage, struggling to hear the voices of my narrators, Cecilia, Joseph, and Gabriella, checking to see who would go on next.

As the play progressed, I just kept praying that it would all work out. Suddenly, God opened my eyes to a most beautiful scene. The story of Christmas was before me. The thought came to me, “We don’t have to be perfect.” There is just something in itself so special about looking at the Nativity scene that it brings an abundance of peace, hope, love and joy.

As the Little Drummer Boy said, “I have no gift to bring…That’s fit to give our King…I played my drum for Him…I played my best for Him…Then He smiled at me…Me and my drum.” I have to say, they all looked so cute. Second, third, and fourth graders, were dressed in the Christmas scene, so how could that not bring a smile to one’s face.

As written in scripture, “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6  Praise God!

Blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

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Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and will call Him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

 

 

 

 

 

Advent

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

Cupcakes and Lemonade!

In the Gospel of John 15:12, Jesus teaches, “This is My commandment that you love one another as I have loved you…”

At our Thanksgiving cupcakes and lemonade fundraiser, you could truly feel that love. Our class was so blessed with everyone who joined in to help make this fundraiser possible. This was from the baking and awesome gifts donated for our raffle, to the impeccable support and help of all who gave of their time.

 Through the pouring rain, and the second class session canceled due to no heat in the building, God truly blessed us. We raised $1,027.97 in two hours. Some of the children  there wanted to help even more, and set up another bake sale for two days later, and they did. After receiving a text, “Round 2 and doing well!”, the second session brought in $205.66!

It is a privilege to be able to lend a helping hand. The money we raised will be put towards meals and helping others this Thanksgiving season. It is my prayer that we may all put aside time to give thanks for all our blessings. As Hannah wrote in her journal, “Thank you for all that I have learned today. Thank you for my family and friends. I love you God with all my heart and soul.”

Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity International said it so well, “I see life as both a gift and a responsibility. My responsibility is to use what God has given me to help His people in need.”

 Wishing you and your family a very blessed and beautiful Thanksgiving!

 Deanna Danielle

Cupcakes and Lemonade!  "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Cupcakes and Lemonade!
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

 

You’re Perfect for This

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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