It's easy to think that we have to do something, or experience something, remarkable to have a reason to share the story of our lives. We have a way of believing that our ordinary lives are just that, ordinary. The value in reaching out is missed in our poor estimation of what we have to offer. We wait for something big to happen to us before we recognize the importance of our journey. We don't...
I decided to share my life journey in the form of a spiritual autobiography. When I say "spiritual autobiography" I mean that I have shared my spirituality alongside my life. Looking at my life through the lens of spirituality is just one way that I could have expressed my journey. Because my greatest personal preoccupation has long been spirituality, it made sense that I would tell of my...
I need to find a new folding table and a few good folding chairs. I had a flimsy set of cheap imitations chairs and a standard quality cardboard folding table that disappeared from our garage. Now I have met with the task of replacing my folding table set. I have learned from using my lost set of folding tables and chairs. Today I plan to shop differently than I did in the past.
I am looking...
How do you find the perfect folding chair? If you just want a few for backyard birthday parties and family events, the answer to this question is pretty simple. You just go to your local office supply store or furniture store and purchase a few. You'll get what you expect: a couple of metal chairs that fold flat and store well in your garage. They won't be too expensive. They won't be...
My church recently found its first permanent home. For years we've been meeting on Sunday mornings in the local middle and high schools. Our new building is wonderful but the square footage is limited. We had to get creative to make the space work for the size of our congregation.
Making our new church building accommodate all our Sunday morning visitors was a challenge that we took...
I've worked with a lot of reluctant readers in my reading teacher role. The challenge of working with a reluctant reader was often twofold: developing enthusiasm for reading and building the reader's confidence. Both challenges required careful attention if they were to be met. I had success through the consideration of a few important points I'd like to share.
I began the challenge of...
I'm not a naturally organized person, but since I've begun working with kids I've changed my nature. Much of what I've learned about educating children has taught me that organization is key. That's why everything I do with kids is highly organized. I organize my plans, procedures and the space I'm working in. I do this to keep children focused and on task.
Years of working as an...
I've spent a lot of time figuring out how to get kids excited about reading. I wasn't an eager reader when I was a child, and I wanted to offer my students, and my own children, the reading encouragement that I once needed. After getting my master's degree in reading education I felt like I had a new level of preparedness for supplying this encouragement. I discovered some excellent tips for...
I remember my mom and dad enjoying books. My mom would lie on the couch and enjoy a good novel. My dad read magazines in his favorite rocking chair. Each of them had a place where they liked to read. Today, I have a place where I like to do the same. I found this place because I watched my parents enjoying a good book in their favorite spot. I learned from their example.
Things have...
I had a vanity when I was a little girl. It was the perfect size for me. It was also the perfect place for me to become a young lady who believed that her dreams could one day come true.
My vanity was painted white and had a white bench for me to sit on. My vanity had a round mirror and little drawers to store things in. I loved storing my prized possessions inside those little drawers....
