Season of Lights

It is the Festival of Lights - a time to remember and celebrate God's ability to provide just what we need, when we need it, in spite of what we may think we need.

Last December my husband spent nearly half the month in the hospital. He was on strict bed-rest and a liquid diet, able to walk only as far as the waiting room to hug our then two-year old son. While he was in the hospital, the building containing my small business burned. It was one of those times when I felt I was "walking through" the dark valley. Friends, family, and the silent embrace of the Creator surrounded me.

Fast-forward a year. God certainly did deliver our little family from the trials of that particular season. My husband is much recovered, my business is in a new location, our son barely remembers those weeks of distress when Daddy didn't come home; life has moved on. I am glad to remember where I was then, and be glad for where I am now, so that next time when (that is when not if) I have to "walk through" I will remember to keep on going. God's light ultimately triumphs over the darkness.

Sometimes God gives us just enough so that we complete the work He has given us. When the festival is over, and "real life" has resumed, let the memories of your celebration, and the hope of God's triumphant purity, carry you through.

God Rest Fishy

Dearly Beloved, we are gathered today in the presence of friends, family, God, and our commode to honor the passing of Fishy. Fishy brought joy and life to our home. He kept a constant vigil over our child’s room – never wavering in his post. Fishy was such a favorite, and we regret and are pained that he died such a needless and violent death at the hands of a thoughtless 3 year old; he leaves behind a traumatized partner, Fishette, who barely survived the tragedy herself. Fishy and Fishette were peaceful companions, floating and darting in their gallon tank in obvious contentment. Though there are many others like him, and the world may count his cost to be a small one, his memory shall ever be priceless in all of our hearts. God rest Fishy! (woosh)

I've done it – I have completed a goal I first set my sights on more than five years ago. Since then I've done a lot of living. The kind of real living one does when one is um, “thirty something.” I have had real adult problems and faced them as an adult and survived to be the stronger for it. I won't bore you with my goal or with my problems. I will tell you that I followed through and did it, and on the back end of the trial, climbing out of the valley, it feels very good. So, many thanks to God and to the friends and family placed in my life. And, a pat on the back for myself. More than five years of hard is work now showing tangible results.

I have a little sign at the entrance to my office. It says, “Trust the process.” One foot in front of the other. Time will pass whether or not you use it. Where do you want to be five years from now?

A few more things for your hurricane kit.

Tips From a Tutor

www.ABCLearningResourceCenter.com

We need for children to be able to stay calm both for their own benefit and for ours, so that we adults can go about the business of taking care of problems. In addition to the necessary food, medical, hygiene and other items recommended by your local authorities, you may want for your emergency kits have a variety of things for your children. These items will help keep your children occupied and help give them a sense of normalcy in a stressful situation.

These may include:

• Favorite toys
• A flashlight for each child
• Extra batteries
• Books
• Card-games
• Travel-size games
• Work-books and flashcards for basic school skills
• "Incentives" for behavior, such as stickers and small hard candies.
• Blank composition books for kids to record their experiences.
• Favorite comfort foods (canned mac n' cheese anyone?)
• Child-friendly information about weather and other emergencies. Resources are often available at local grocers, news stations, fire stations.
• Ways to keep in touch with friends and family that kids may worry about.
• "Lovies" (teddy bears or security blankets), duplicates if possible.

Korrin H. Johnson,

ABC Learning Resource Center, Fernandina Beach, Florida

Every one of us has our own, hopes, talents, and struggles.

We care deeply about the things that affect us and our loved ones.

Here are some of the things that touch me deeply, and you may see mention of in my posts.

* Christianity

* Family

* Friends

* Education

* Florida Sunshine

* Neurofibromatosis

"Never, never, never give up."

-Winston Churchill

Life can be tough, and the sun seems to have fled, and the clouds can envelop us. Whether we are facing our own hurdles, fighting our own battles, or God has put us in a difficult situation to be champion for a loved one. Keep looking, keep reaching, and never give up.

Day 1

Learning and teaching, a little each day.

Welcome to my blog.