Heart Choices: 2012-09-30 -->

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Five Minute Friday ~ Welcome


It's Five Minute Friday when I link up with The Gypsy Mama.  Lisa-Jo gives us one word each week.  We get to write for five minutes flat on this one word.  Our word for this week is: WELCOME.

GO

Every week day morning, I am greeted by the sweet faces of little three and four year old children.  No matter how tired I am when I arrive at work, the sight of the smiles and innocent tugs for my attention energize me.

Melika shows me her tattoo and her new heart bracelet.  "Look Miss Debbie."

Hilton tells me she's a pop star as she models her blue sunglasses.

Sid excitedly tells me he's Superman and will take care of the bad guys for me.  He has an invisible cape so he can fly if he needs to help someone.  As he runs off, he quickly turns around and says "I love you Miss Debbie."

Our newest student shyly tells me she wants a friend but hangs her head and won't leave my side.  I try to engage her in play with the other children but feel her hand grasping mine.

Sam shows me his latest boo-boo.

As I try to listen to each child, a small hand touches my chin to gently move my attention to their sweet face.

WELCOME

I don't think I know of a better way to be welcomed.  I thank God for this opportunity He gave me.  Three years ago, I would never have imagined this is where I would be.  But in the midst of pain and uncertainty, He answered a prayer that was buried within my heart.

Children are a blessing.  And children can be the MOST WELCOMING people in the world.

STOP

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

The Blessing of Friendship


As I count my every day blessings, I can't forget the people who came into my life at just the right time.  I had the opportunity to attend a baby shower this weekend.  Natasha and Eric are having a baby and we got to help celebrate.  The event was hosted at her mom's house, my good friend Linda.

Linda is one of those people I thank the Lord for each day.  She is Mimi to all of her grandchildren.  She's the reason I am working at Rancho Solano Private School.  When I was in need and living in a place not my own, she scooped me up and lifted me up.

The following verses from Matthew 25 remind me of Linda:

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom(V) prepared for you since the creation of the world.(W) 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,(X) 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me,(Y) I was sick and you looked after me,(Z) I was in prison and you came to visit me.’(AA)
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’(AB)

She provided me with friendship and love when I needed them most. Her husband George is the pastor of the church I attended while living in the west valley of the Phoenix metro area.  Of course, there were many others who were such a support to me as well.  But as I watched Linda open up her home to celebrate the upcoming birth of another grandchild, I felt to grateful to know her and call her my friend. I miss seeing her every day at school as she retired in August.

Are there people in your life who have blessed you just when you needed it?  Sometimes it can be all too easy to take people for granted.  I do believe that God uses people to be His hands and feet. I want to be willing to say yes when He calls me to be a good friend to another.

#546 Celebrating the upcoming birth of a baby boy
#547 Seeing friends I've not seen in too long a time
#548 Cooler mornings and evenings in Phoenix
#549 Upcoming fall break
#550 Seeing photos of Kenzie who is five months old
#551 Friends who hang in there through thick and thin
#552 Getting to know my co-workers better
#553 Receiving my friend Elaine Olsen's book about her journey through cancer
#554 Reading my cousin's children's book called "Shameka's Window: A Day in Belize" that was illustrated by her daughter Sondra



I'm linking up with Ann of A Holy Experience for Multitudes on Mondays as we count those every day blessings.





Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
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