The Sound of Music

As my class has gone on summer break, I am excited to write once more, until we start up again in September. In addition, I am even more excited to write about such a wonderful subject. Dads!

Dads come in all different shapes and sizes, with many different personalities, careers and hobbies. As I think about the word Dad, I know I’m very blessed to have one who is such an awesome reflection of our heavenly Father. My dad has always been there for me, showering me with the greatest gifts of his love. Throughout the years, he continually brings me peace. He is a great protector, and his wisdom and sense of humor has always filled me with a joyful heart and laughter.

When I was a teenager, my dad would often come home and knock on the locked side door. It only drove me crazy because he walked past the front door which was open, and now I would have to stop what I was doing, to get up and open the door. One day, a friend called. She told me that the night before, her Mom and Dad were at a wedding, and her dad had a heart attack on the dance floor and died. She was very sad, knowing that she would never see him again. As we hung up, there was that knock at the door, only it sounded so different this time. It was now the most beautiful music I ever heard. There was my dad at the door.

Each and every day, our heavenly Father knocks on the door in the same way, waiting for us to get up, open the door, and let Him in. In the book of Revelation 3:20 we read, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Jesus taught us in Luke 11:2, that when we pray, we should open our prayer with, “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.” He also asked a question in Luke 11:11-13, “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, sinful people, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

 It is my prayer that this Father’s Day, we all open the door to the most beautiful sound of music we will ever hear. That is the sound of our heavenly Father who loves us more than we could ever imagine. The One who cares for us more than we ever could deserve, whose words are true, faithful, and trustworthy. The One who made all the delicate, inner parts of our body as He knitted us together in our mother’s womb, as said in Jeremiah 1:5, “I knew you before I formed you in the womb,” Our Father in heaven is all deserving of our praise and worship. Holy is the Lord God Almighty. Yes, the earth is filled with His glory. So, open that door, and together let us celebrate a Happy Father’s Day!

Blessings always,
Deanna Danielle

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A Leader, A Hero, A Life Changer

I’ve heard it said, “Inside every child is a leader, a hero, a life changer.” I have to say, my class proved that to be true. As we filmed 201 Boulevard, our 2014 class video, I saw some extremely impressive moments. Picture this. Twenty first-graders, after a long day in school, arrived at religious studies class. When I took them to the pre-K classroom, they were surrounded by a huge collection of “old-fashioned” toys, just imagine, blocks, cars, action figures, puppets, dolls, doll houses, forts, legos, etc! And me, with script and a little video camera in hand, trying to capture their attention in less then an hour and a half!

Nonetheless, through all the craziness, I saw the leader, the hero, the life changer who wowed me as I looked around and through the small lens of my camara. As Nicolas got up to read his lines, and hesitated a bit, Ryan jumped up to help him. When I asked Gianni to read, Ella came to me asking to read with him because his sister wasn’t there to help him. Ella’s a twin, and so is Gianni. Ryan, too, is also a twin. I don’t want to forget to mention, the continued leadership of all the kids helping not only each other learn their lines, but also helping me, make this film happen. The compassion that I saw was more then mature, it simply blew me away.

When I view life, this is how I believe it should be, with each of us using our God given gifts  to serve one another. The best part about film, is you don’t miss a moment. I’m very proud of my first grade class, with all of their big hearts. They did an excellent job! Speaking of which, I would like to like wish all the Moms a very blessed Mother’s Day. In you all is the little girl who became the great leader, the super hero, the life changer and I want you to know that, your doing a great job!!

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her; “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:25-30

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:10

May God bless you always,

Deanna Danielle

Artwork done by Gianni

Artwork done by Gianni