It's Then Sings My Soul Saturday when I link up with Amy of Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

I love children. I work with children.  So how could I resist not posting this video of little Kaitlyn Maher singing "Above All".



Happy Saturday!

Blessings and love,

I had a one week vacation since the last day of our school year was Friday.  So what did I do on my vacation?

• Clean
• Rest
• Spend time with friends 
• Spend time with Greg
• Work on lesson plans for Culinary Camp for Kids

Charity, Anna May, Helen and me meeting at Paradise Bakery for fun and food

The week has gone by too quickly as I'm gearing up to return on Monday.

For the next two weeks, I get to teach Culinary Camp to first through fourth graders.  I'm really looking forward to this but I want to be prepared.  What do 7-10 year olds like to eat?  I have lots of kids' cookbooks that I've been reviewing.  Thank you Heidi!

And I'm amazed at how much valuable information, with recipes and crafts are online, especially on mommy bloggers' sites.

If you have any suggestions or links to sites or blogs with information on teaching cooking to kids, I'd love to hear from you.  So stay tuned as I report back on how things are going.

Blessings and love,

It's Thankful Thursday and my friend Iris of Grace Alone is hosting this month.

I'm so thankful for a one week vacation.  Friday was the last day of school at Rancho.  Although Greg and I aren't going anywhere, it's nice to be together, visit with friends, and catch up.

Photo Credit: True Food Kitchen website

I'm so thankful for friends.  I met my friend Terri for lunch at the Scottsdale Quarter today.  We had lunch at True Food Kitchen.  What a treat this was!

Photo Credit: True Food Kitchen

We ate outside on the patio and the weather was perfect.  It was overcast so it wasn't too sunny or hot.  And the food was fabulous; chopped chicken salad for me.  Thank you Terri!

Tomorrow I will get to see my friends Helen and Anna May.  Although we now live closer to each other, it's been so long since we actually got together.  That's what happens when you return to full time work, I guess.

I'm thankful for the gift card I received from the parents of the children in our preschool class.  It was very kind of them and I was eager to get some long needed clothes for summer.  So while I was at the Scottsdale Quarter, I was able to pick up a few things.  It's been so long since I've gone shopping.

Iris wrote about peace in her Thankful Thursday post.  In this world, peace is not something I would use to describe all that's going on now.  Even in my own life, there's still so much uncertainty.  But I'm thankful that despite all of this, I can have God's peace.  I may not know what tomorrow will bring or where I'll be living several months from now.  But I'm learning to trust that God loves me and has a purpose and plan for my life. I don't have to carry the burden.  I'm learning to pray and ask for His direction.  And then I'm slowly learning to listen and obey.

You can visit Iris at Grace Alone to join in.

Blessings and love,

I'm linking up with Internet Cafe for Word Filled Wednesday.
Blessings and love,

I love Shutterfly!  Father's Day is coming soon.  I received a discount code for 5 free Father's Day cards from Shutterfly.  Now I don't need 5 cards since I only have one dad.  But I wanted to share the card I made with you.

My dad's computer isn't working right now so I know he won't see this card on my blog.  :)


I received a beautiful Shutterfly photo book from the parents of our Pre-K 3 class.  It was awesome!  If you're not familiar with Shutterfly, you MUST check them out.

Blessings and love,

Counting my blessings has become easier.  I'm noticing the simple gifts each and every day.

This past week was one of celebration and fun.  It was our last week of school so there were parties and lots of sad goodbyes.  I felt so privileged to get to work with such precious children and a wonderful teacher named Heidi.
#75 Working with Heidi who makes work fun even when it's hard and very tiring

#76 A beautiful photo album that Heidi put together for me as a gift.  She took the time to interview each child in our class and ask them what they liked about Miss Debbie.  She wrote their responses down next to each child's photo.  I cried when she gave this special gift to me.  I will treasure it always!

I was invited to a birthday party for Kaylie!  Kaylie is Iva's daughter and I've known Iva since she was about 14 years old.  I wrote a blog post on Heart Choices all about Iva and you can read it here.   I hadn't seen Iva in three years so this was a very special day for me to see her again.

Iva and Kaylie

Little princess

Blowing out her three candles

Laughing

#77 The blessing of celebrating a child's third birthday

#78  Reuniting with someone who is very special to me

#79  Remembering Iva's grandmother Ruth who died several years ago and how she would have loved to meet Kaylie

#80  A surprise visit with my friend Terri and her husband Steve

#81  A week to spend at home and not have to drive to work

#82  Fresh strawberries and watermelon

#83  Having time to cook new recipes I found online

#84  The blessing of working under the guidance of a wonderful principal at our school.  I was sad when Stephanie announced at our final year end meeting that she would not be returning next year.  There was an audible gasp in the room as so many have come to love her.  But she has a wonderful opportunity ahead of her and I wish her well.  But ...she will be missed!

#85  Having time this week to write more blog posts on Heart Choices

#86  Having time to visit many of my blogging friends whom I've neglected lately; sorry.

# 87 I won a blog giveaway on a new blog called My One Pursuit.  The writer of this blog is the pastor of my blogging friend Barbie of My Freshly Brewed Life.  Barbie and I have met in person when she visited Phoenix last year.  This is what I won:

• a Moleskin Journal 
• an Adoration Prayer Book 
• and a $40.00Amazon Gift Card.  

I encourage you to visit this blog and you will be blessed.  The giveaway was to kick off the new blog and to equip the winner with tools to move them into a deeper pursuit of the Living God.  Well, I already ordered a few Kindle edition books to help me.  I am so very thankful.

#88  I was able to send letters to several members of a Marine division serving in Afghanistan through a website called Motomail.  A member of my church sent us an email with several servicemen who weren't receiving mail and asked us to help out.

May we remember the men and women who sacrificed their lives as they served in the military to protect the USA.

Blessings and love,

During our Sunday morning church service, the music minister played his guitar and sang Leonard Cohen's song "Hallelujah".  However, the lyrics Gale sang were different.  They were written by George Stroh, the pastor of Maranatha Bible Church in Peoria, Arizona.

I searched online for the music without singing and found this video on YouTube.  The lyrics that Pastor George wrote can be viewed below.  The song was written to those who have been praying for loved ones.



George Stroh's lyrics to the tune of Hallelujah:

Well I heard about a Savior who has come to die for me and you.
But you don't really care about Him, do ya?
They say He is the promised one, the truth, the life, God's first born son,
the King who always hears the Hallelujah!

Chorus: Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Well you  need to hear that God's the one who loves you so and sent His Son.
But you still don't believe in Him, do ya?
He's paid the price we couldn't pay, He's risen, alive, will come someday,
the King who always hears the Hallelujah!

Repeat Chorus

Well it's time for you to trust in Him, the one who can forgive your sin.
It's not too late to change your mind, but will ya?
You must repent, receive His love, accept the gift from God above,
And join the choir that sings the Hallelujah!

Repeat Chorus

Well I pray someday you'll come to Him, this Savior who has died for sin.
then you will truly be a Christian, won't ya?
Your life will change, sin satisfied, your heart renewed, your glorified,
And then you'll sing with us the Hallelujah.

Repeat Chorus

Blessings and love,