All is grace!  That's the topic for this week's Faith Barista Jam.  I'm late in writing my post and linking up.  But all is grace, right?

I have the privilege to see little hands like these every day.  Working in a private school with little ones has opened my eyes to see so much that I'd been missing.

Bonnie of The Faith Barista wrote about Brennan Manning's latest book All Is Grace.  A few of the quotes from the book touched my heart in a way that's hard to describe.  Brennan Manning became a good boy and learned to place a nuzzle on his emotions.

But it cost him his voice.

I could identify but for different reasons.

As a child, I lived with a heart defect that limited my activities.  Instead of running and playing with other children, I was sidelined.  I remember overhearing my parents talking when I was about five years old.  My mom was crying and I knew it was about me.

As I look back, I understand.  They had been told that I probably wouldn't live much longer unless I had surgery to correct my heart defect.  And at the time, the surgical techniques weren't advanced.  The doctor recommended that they wait until the risks were less.  In my five year old mind, I didn't want to cause my parents pain.  And I didn't want to make my mom cry.

So, I became a good girl.


At least as much as I knew how to be a good girl.

I tried not to cry.  I endured many injections and blood draws and was so proud that I didn't cry.

I tried to listen and obey.  But I often messed up and felt bad.

I tried to keep my room clean but ... I often failed.

Fast forward several years and I had the heart surgery.  I survived and thrived.

I wanted to make up for lost time so I worked hard at being fast.  I wanted to keep up with the other children.

I felt that I had something to prove to myself and others.

My heart surgeon Dr. Malm 1970

I spoke at a gathering of patients at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City when I was 17 years old.  I told them that I was going to go to nursing school to become a cardiac nurse so I could give back.  I wanted to encourage others going through heart surgery or who were limited by their heart condition.

I worked as a cardiovascular nurse specialist for 25 years.  And then I retired.

Fast forward ten years and I found myself returning to work full time.  It was out of necessity not desire.

But in the process of working in a completely different field with little children, guess what?

I'm finding my voice.  

As I see little children learn and grow and make mistakes, I realize it is all grace.

I love to get messy as I help the children paint.


Sometimes they make mistakes.  Sometimes they say things spontaneously.  Sometimes they forget to brush their teeth or wash their hands.  But it's all grace ...

I'm discovering that I love photography and writing and playing and having fun.

I've lived most of my life in a left brain world but I realize I'm a right brain person.

No wonder I often struggled.  I always tried to keep up and do things right.

Praise God for His grace.

What about you?  Have you found your voice?  What has it taken for you to find it?

I'm linking up with Bonnie for this Faith Barista Jam.





Blessings and love,

It's Word-filled Wednesday and I'm linking up with Internet Cafe Devotions.

I find great photo ops observing children's shoes.  These sneakers seemed to have good ankle support.  It reminded me of Psalm 18:36.


Blessings and love,

I am learning to live in the moment.  This is new for me as I'm a planner and a dreamer.  But I found I'd been missing out on the simple everyday blessings.  Writing down my blessings has helped me learn this important lesson.

On my way to work

I take a closer look

Driving 45 minutes each way to work can become mindless.  But I've been noticing the unusual sight of grazing horses in the midst of city dwellings.  I love horses and so I had to have a closer look.

#195 Seeing horses grazing in the early morning


Three year old children are just learning what it is to be a friend.  Instead of using their words, they often resort to their hands. Pushing and cutting in front of the line are common sights I see.  But we teach them to begin to use their words to communicate with one another.  And it's so sweet to see them making up and learning to be friends once again.

#196  Watching children in action as they learn to use their words
#197  The innocence of children learning to be friends


I love to observe the three year old children in computer class.  They have no fear!  So many adults are intimidated by technology but I see them clicking their mouse and having fun with the many child friendly games and puzzles.

#198 Children willing to learn and grow in knowledge

Maya came to school with a boo boo.  She fell at home and had quite a cut that required steri-strips.  All of the children gathered to see her boo boo.  Heidi and I signed her 'cast' to her delight.  Thankfully, she did well and was able to participate in most activities.

#199 The genuine concern the little children have over one another's boo boos

Every day I get to laugh at school.  There's something so special about observing children at play.  They find stepping in buckets funny.  And Miss Debbie finds it funny too.  I love coming home in the evening and sharing the fun with my  husband Greg.  He loves to hear all about the kids.

#200 The simple joy of laughter
#201 The funny things children do while playing 


Throughout the school day there are moments when our class of three year old children get to see a glimpse of an older sibling.  I'm amazed at the delight in their faces.  I was so glad I had my camera handy to catch this photo op.

#202 The joy of embracing a sibling

Mrs. Rosetti and Christopher holding hands

At the end of the school day, children are walked to gate so their parents can check them out.  Heidi takes a group that includes Christopher who was one of our students from last year.  He didn't like to follow the rules and had his desk placed next to the teacher so we could keep an eye on him.  He didn't like that one bit!

However, this new school year Christopher is growing and learning. And low and behold, he always wants to walk to the gate holding hands with Mrs. Rosetti.  I had to take a snapshot of this!

#203 Children who grow and learn to appreciate a teacher who cares




When you drop something is this what you do?  I know I don't but thankfully the children don't mind scrambling underneath anything to get what they want.  Oh to be so flexible!

#204 Flexible and willing children who find all kinds of things in places I'd never go


Every week a new letter is introduced in our classroom.  This week it was the letter "F".  The children go on a hunt for the letter "F" in our poem.  They get so excited when they spot one.

#205 The simple joy of seeing the light of knowledge go on in these little heads
#206 Children who are excited about learning new things

Are you learning to live in the moment?  I encourage you to write down those everyday blessings.

I'm linking up with Ann of A Holy Experience for Multitudes on Mondays.

 

Blessings and love,

We have a winner in the Novica Giveaway!



The winner is: Aubrey Lane!

I will contact  you via the email address you gave me.  You will receive a $50 award to anything you order from the Novica website.  Enjoy!

Love and blessings,