Writing Your Story 2021

Stories come out of living the life we have been given and sharing that personal account with others.

When it comes to knowledge, we can’t offer more than we have. Nonetheless, it is imperative to share what we can when it comes to the gift of understanding. I learned this as I entered the confessional. In sharing what was in my heart, the priest sitting on the other side of the divided screen offered these words of wisdom, “What you have is not for you alone, but meant to be shared with others.” At first, I did not understand what he meant. Yet, as I walked out the door with the blue sky above my head, I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit fill me with utterance and discernment, as those fifteen words replayed in my brain. This giving me the clarity… my joy in life comes from serving others.

There are open doors and opportunities all around us, through the means of communication, to deliver all that God has entrusted us with. As Johannes Gutenberg, a German goldsmith, was given the knowledge to bring us the printing press and Alexander Graham Bell a Scottish-born inventor, scientist, and engineer, delivered the gift of the telephone or Lawrence Gilman Roberts an American engineer who came through with the Internet; It was Mary a first-century Galilean Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph, who opened the door and gracefully gave birth to our Lord and Savior Jesus, our only true Connection with God.

What is God calling you to do? I may not know what it is, but I do know it is important. From the very beginning when He created this world, He had a plan. God’s Word is a reminder and comforter to this truth. Here are just five Bible verses that prove God’s love for us and that He has a great plan for this life that He has given to us.

1. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” [Jeremiah 1:5]
2. “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” [Luke 12:7]
3. “From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” [Acts 17:26]
4. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” [Jeremiah 29:11]
5. “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,” [2 Timothy 1:9]

The next step is up to us. Writing Your Story 2021, is more important than ever. The call to take what we have been given and share it with others is so important. As God does not force Himself on our right to choose, it is my prayer that in our time together God would give us clarity, hope and inspirational-motivation. May we take charge of this life God has given to us with our own God- given gifts and circumstances and unique stories and use them to serve and bless others. May God’s grace enlighten us to be more empowered to move in the directions we may have otherwise avoided or didn’t think possible.

“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.” [Numbers 6:24-26]

A teacher is not so much responsible for what our students know, but more so for the seeds we plant to help them grow.

Father in the Name of Jesus, by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, be with us, direct our path, fill us with the riches of Your grace, transform our mind with a healthy balance that is good for our body and soul. Guide us with Your gracious love, that we may press forward to being all that You created us to be. In Your Holy Name we pray… Amen

Sweet blessings in 2021 and always,

Deanna Danielle

Deannadanielle.com

Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ The Gift of Christmas ~ IHM Premiere *

When God Came To Earth

I am so proud of my 4th grade class, they gave all they had to present a beautiful Christmas Pageant. Christmas is a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His unending love for us, as we celebrate the birth of the Christ child.

God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought magnificent joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this extraordinary event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child.

There is a pome that reads:
Christ has no hands but our hands to do His work today.
He has no feet but our feet to lead men in the way
He has no tongue but our tongue to tell men how He died
He has no help but our help to bring them to His side.

As we lifted our hands to pray before the curtain opened, it was our prayer to share this life given message, about a time when God came to earth, to share His love with us. A love that truly can not be expressed in words.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1

Merry Christmas Blessings,

Deanna Danielle

4th grade 2016

The Power of Prayer

A snowflake is one of God’s most fragile creations. A drop of water is gentle and mild. However, when many of them come down together, look what they can do, from closing down towns, to wiping out villages.

As we returned to class after being off for a month due to the snow and freezing rain, this was definitely a topic to discuss. It was a great lead-in to teaching about the power of prayer. Matthew 18:19 says, “Truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”

It was a shout of prayer that brought the walls of Jericho down. When Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, the prison they were in was shaken; the doors flew open, and everyone’s chains loosened. Throughout time, prayer has brought great victory, peace, healing and joy.

As my class wrote journals, they wrote prayers, their love for God, and God’s love for them. It always brings a smile to my face when I read what’s in their hearts. Alessia mentioned our class lesson; how a rock in water remains dry on the inside. However, a sponge in water, when lifted up, pours out an abundance.

Matthew 28:19-20  says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Let us join in prayer for our families, friends, and all God’s children all over the world. May there be peace, happiness, and great health for all. For in union there is great strength.

Blessings always,

Deanna Danielle

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

Can’t Touch It!

As my students entered the classroom, there on everyone’s desk was a beautiful, freshly picked apple. My first words to them were, “Can’t touch it!” As I saw a few hands get very close, I could only imagine how hard this had to be, after a long day at school. I took advantage of the moment, however, and read them the story of Adam and Eve.

I read how God created heaven and earth, then the garden of Eden, where life began. Next, He created a man and a woman, whom He guided, blessed, and gave them everything they needed, and more. God warned them to stay away from a certain tree in the middle of the garden, saying, “You must not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.” The book followed how life was filled with much happiness, until one day when a very great temptation arose. Disobeying God’s warning, Adam and Eve had the desire for more, and ate from the tree, which resulted in the the fall of man.

After reading the story to them, I said, “You may all eat your apples now.” I believe Cecilia spoke for the class, as a look of concern came over her face as she asked quietly, “Is it okay to eat apples now?” You’ve got to love it! Priceless moments like this say they care.

I now asked them why Jesus died on the cross. The responses from most of my students were great on how He died. On the other hand, even though James could not find all the words, he knew the reason why He died, and it had something to do with our sin. Gabriella also got it right when she said, “He died so we can go to heaven!” As we read and meditate on the living word of God in the Bible, we can truly see how it is an invitation to a beautiful way of life. The story of Adam and Eve is not the end, it is just the beginning. God let it be known that He would never leave us, or forsake us, if we call upon Him.

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” When I think about all that God has done for us, I could not put my words together any better than the singer, Big Daddy Weave, in his song, Overwhelmed.                                 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiGb14tTaH4

Wishing you all God’s beautiful blessings,

Deanna Danielle

Picture taken by Ben

Impression

Our class started with the kids lined up, facing our guests consisting of parents, friends, and another 1st grade class. Paula introduced the Bible, then Mary and Charlotte asked our class some questions about the Bible. Samantha held up the cross, as the class shared that it’s a reminder that they are all loved. Finally, Jack introduced our performing artist.

This week, we had a very special performing artist, Marty Rotella. Marty has a nice list of credentials; singer, songwriter, speaker, producer, master of ceremonies. I have to say, he did a wonderful job sharing God’s awesome love for us. The kids really enjoyed the interaction, the usage of visual props, singing along, answering questions, and, asking lots of questions!

Along with the many inspiring teachings Marty brought along with him, there is one I would like to share. It was his explanation of the Trinity; Father, Son, Holy Spirit. One God. He had the children hold up three fingers, and explained how even though they are separate, they are all part of the same hand. He also explained that if he were to take water in its liquid form and put it in the freezer, it would become ice. Then he asked what would happen if he put the same water on a burning stove top. Charlotte raised her hand and said, “It would get hot!” Marty smiled, and replied, “You’re right, it’s the same water, yet it is in three different forms.

At the end of our class, many of the adults expressed how impressed they were that the kids knew so much. The truth is, the more time we spend with someone, the better we know them. I am sure that the psalmist who wrote Psalm 48:14 had spent some time getting to know our God. It’s the only way he could express something as beautiful as this; “For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.”

An Impression is an effect produced on someone. Teachers are not responsible for what their students know. They’re just responsible for the seeds they plant to help their students grow. As we wind down to one class left, it is my prayer that seeds are planted and a good impression is left with each and every one of my students.

Many blessings,                                                                                                              Deanna

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIRVcbVZM7g