May 3 - Leading Elementary Chapel
@ Faith International Academy
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| Pilot's wheel paper cut object lesson. Psalms 32:8 - The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. |
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| 5th Grade puppet choir, lip syncing "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" |
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| "David" has Matthew 4:19 mixed up ...he tries to be a "fisher of kids" by waving candy on a fishing pole around in front of youngsters. |
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| Many students eagerly volunteer to help dramatize a story. Unfortunately only two were needed. |
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| Dramatizing My Friend and I by Lisa Jahn-Clough with many toy props. When the neighbor children yanked and pulled on a new toy rabbit, its ears broke off (I had cut them off and sewn velcro on them to restore. Hebrews 13:16 - "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." |
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May 4 - Elementary Pajama Party
@ Faith International Academy
The school's first pajama included many games, crafts, making slime and musical instruments, pizza and juice, plus a bedtime story with children holding their fav stuffed animals. There were opportunities to eat a donut hanging from a string, enjoy a lego room or spa room, relays, and more.My responsibility was to present a bedtime story: One Teddy Bear is Enough by Ginnie Hofmann. This was a teachable moment for asking what the "Golden Rule" was and discussing Matthew 7:12 with students.
BTW, I disagree with the title...one teddy bear or puppet (for me) is not enough. The title reflects the sentiments of the bear in the red jacket who is trying to punch the other bear. I believe the book teaches children to share time, attention, and affections when a newcomer arrives...to be friends rather than trying to harm and get rid of them. Good lessons for all ages IMHO.
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| The Pajama Party was well attended by elementary students and teachers. |
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| Group tossing stuffed animals after bedtime story. Who says 65 can't be fun? Not me! |
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May 5: Character Building Storytime
@ Kangaroo Book Club in my Davao neighborhood
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| Sharing Brave Norman, A True Story by Andrew Clements, aided by a tan lab puppy puppet. |
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| Youngsters dramatized My Friend and I by Lisa Jahn-Clough with a variety of toy props. I related Hebrews 13:16 to the story in this setting also. |
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| Following the story, Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, children work intently on coloring their own rainbow fish. I love this story that demonstrates the benefits of sharing...also Hebrews 13:16. |
Another book shared was The Ants and the Grasshopper, along with large rubber versions of the insects which illustrated the importance of hard work coming before play.
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TRAVELING LIBRARIAN
I discovered termites in the Elementary - Middle School Library a week and half before the school year ended, when nesting material with live critters dripped from behind the breaker box beside my desk onto our intercom directory paper. This situation in the breaker box was a serious fire hazard; this mess was cleaned out and sprayed the next day.
Because of the residual odor and children with asthma and other medical issues, my library classes and storytimes were moved to various places around campus. Outdoors under palms was scenic (above), but rather warm. Homeschool and preschool storytime moved to the kindergarten room and those students joined us. I had students create a reading acrostic in the art room, then also had class in the music room and a middle school Bible classroom. Have books, worksheets, and pencils...will travel.
From Amazon.com: Certified behavioral consultant Deborah Pegues knows how easily a slip of the tongue can cause problems in personal and business relationships. This is why she wrote the popular 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue (850,000 copies sold). Now in trade size, Pegue's 30-day devotional will help each reader not only tame their tongue but make it productive rather than destructive. With humor and a bit of refreshing sass, Deborah devotes chapters to learning how to overcome the: Retaliating Tongue, Know-It-All Tongue, Belittling Tongue, Hasty Tongue, Gossiping Tongue, plus 25 More!
Short stories, anecdotes, soul-searching questions, and scripturally based personally affirmations combine to make each applicable and life changing.
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On the Horizon
I am excited about opportunities and plans (Lord willing) for the 2018-19 school year.
At a May staff meeting it was announced that Faith International School (FIA) will send teachers in November to the International Christian Educator Conference in Malaysia. Yea! In addition to enjoying conferences (and getting ideas for leading some after I retire next year), I have been longing to experience a little more of Asia before leaving this corner of the world.
I plan to do monthly character building with scripture storytimes at the Kangaroo Book Club down the street.
A Korean high school teacher has asked me to train students to do storytelling outreach with evangelism in mind. He was excited when I shared that I was feeling led to train students in puppetry who wanted to learn and who would use those skills for years to come in ministry.
I am thankful for increased opportunity to do Christian character building outreach, but I am thrilled about the potential of multiplying myself by training others to go places and reach countless souls for years with whom I would not have contact. PTL!
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| This song by Bill and Gloria Gaither has been a source of encouragement to me for decades. My heart has rejoiced in hearing it many times in Cameroon and in the Philippines. |
Chuck Swindoll says that "Life is 10% of What Happens to Me" and 90% of How I react to it." How can those of us going through much uncertainty best react to our circumstances? I choose to listen / sing along with powerful songs of faith such as Gaither's "Because He Lives" plus stand on God's promises and instructions. Above are some speaking to me now.
I have certainty been encouraged by the posting of others on FaceBook and blogs, etc. I pray that posting the above on FB and my blog what helps give me courage through trying times will help uplift others going through various kinds of uncertainties. I need to part of fulfilling Romans 8:28 for others undergoing trials.
I am in Manila to go through yet more re-testing for cancer (possible recurrence from three years ago) plus other testing. Want to get over this "bump in the road" and prepare for the exciting ongoing outreach ministry opportunities God has opened to me during the next school year.
THANKS for your prayers and words of encouragement.
Praise God for answered prayers! My ultrasound indicated "no discreet mass lesion" this time as previously shown and measured. My surgeon assures me that certain symptoms are normal still after my several kinds of biopsies last year. No scientific reason to lose a body part this summer as I had planned if there had been a cancer recurrence.
Got several questionable issues I've let slide checked out while in Manila at a Mayo Clinic facility. Best not to ignore my ticker and certain symptoms any longer. Jazzed about training some young people next school year to do creative outreach with children I'll never see.
MID-JUNE UPDATE: Tests indicate that I have heart irregularities, but nothing that requires meds or even further testing at this time. Also, there are some irregularities in two abdominal organs, not calling for specific attention.
Chest discomfort continues at times, but not the sporadic sharp shooting stuff that was cause for concern with my family history. Will return to dealing with reflux that didn't seem bad recently... starting with home remedies (hiatial hernia for 2+ decades).
Praising God that no life threatening issues are showing up. Am tightening up on healthy habits as advised. Forward!
