It's Five Minute Friday when I link up with Lisa-Jo of The Gypsy Mama.  This morning I get to write for five minutes on our writing prompt ...broken.

START

Each morning when I go to work, I am greeted by children.  It's really a joy to hear their sweet voices as they clamor around to give me a hug.  But inevitably, they begin to show me their boo-boos.

"Miss Debbie, look at my boo-boo."
"I fell and now I have a band aid."
"Can you give me a band aid?  I think this scratch has blood."

I'm amazed at how many little boo-boos they get and how much they want to show them all to me.  :)

Aren't we all a bit like that in one way or another?

We all have stories of brokenness.  Sometimes it's easier to keep silent.  But other times we feel better if we tell someone about our boo-boos.

In my personal story of brokenness:

• I can talk to others.  
• I can bury my hurt.
• I can try to comfort myself.
• I can attempt a quick fix.  
• I can become bitter.

But I have to say that nothing can heal my brokenness like God.  And He is doing that for me.

Having the opportunity to be greeted by children each day is healing for me.  You see I was not able to have children.  But the Lord never forgot my desire.  He answered my prayer in a way I would never have imagined.  It's not a way I may have preferred.  But in the midst of my brokenness, I am beginning to heal.

What a Savior!  My heart is so thankful.

END


Blessings and love,

Spring in Phoenix is warm and sunny.  On Saturday, Rancho Solano Private School held their annual spring show.  Our Pre-K 3 class had been practicing their Rubber Ducky song for weeks.  They knew the dance moves and the words to the song.  But the big question. Would they freeze onstage?  No way!  They rocked the stage.

Check out their costumes; bathing suits and shower caps.  The white balloons were supposed to be like bubbles in the bathtub.  And of course they held their rubber ducky.

Here is Miss Debbie with one of our precious students.  How fun to spend the day on the school grounds and to see the students perform on the stage in front of many parents, Grandmas and Grandpas and friends.  There were areas for people to eat a picnic lunch and a vendor with snow cones.  The kids loved that!

Miss Annie and I are planning to teach summer camp this year to the 3 and 4 year old children.  I drew this poster at the last minute since we were given an easel and a table to let parents know about the program that will be offered.  Lately I've been leaving my husband Greg notes and I always include a drawing that is done in stick figures.  Not the best artist but he enjoys it!  If anyone knows of any 3-4 year old children in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area tell them to check us out.  You don't have to attend the school to go to summer camp.

Heidi and I work so well together.  A parent came up to me today and told me this year has been the best at our school.  She has another child who is in second grade so she's been at Rancho for some time.  But her daughter is in our Pre-K 3 class this year.  And she told me she loves the balance Heidi and I have in our classroom. How thankful to hear kind words from a parent.

After our class performed their number, I was so excited and surprised when Charlotte (a local fellow blogger and hostess of Spiritual Sundays) came up to me.  She had her camera and was able to create a video of our children's performance.  How fun to see her sweet face once again!  Thank you Charlotte for taking the time to stop by and tape the kids.

# 745 An amazing spring show
# 746 The excitement on the children's faces
# 747 Our fabulous music teacher Miss Storme; you rock!
# 748 The opportunity to teach summer camp
# 749 Working with Heidi each day; go team!
# 750 A beautiful sunny day in Phoenix
# 751 Seeing Charlotte's sweet face as she came to see our kids perform
# 752 The kind words of a parent
# 753 The best compliment my husband ever gave me  (I just may need to blog about it later this week)

I love counting my every day blessings.  I'm linking up with Ann of A Holy Experience for Multitudes on Mondays.



Blessings and love,

I jumped at the opportunity to review Denise J Hughes' first book entitled On Becoming a Writer.  The tagline really grabbed me ...What Every Blogger Needs to Know.

I'm a blogger and I wanted to find out ...what I need to know.

Denise is qualified to write this book.

• She teaches college composition at a private Christian university (that's English).
• She's been a blogger for years.
• She's the daughter of  Marsha, who is one of my favorite bloggers.
• She's a follower of Christ and often writes about faith.
• She writes her blog posts so beautifully and descriptively.
• I learn about writing by simply reading her blog posts.

Since I'm in the process of writing my own book, I need all the help I can get.  So I accepted the offer of a free copy to read and honestly review.

I smiled soon enough as I began to read Denise's words:

To write is to join a conversation.  This is what every blogger does. We enter an online party where discussions are in progress.  We listen awhile.  We lurk.  And when we're ready, we tap that publish button. We join the conversation.

I love that about blogging!  I now have many new friends that I've never met in person.  Well I have met about a dozen bloggers and never been disappointed.  Because I ventured out and choose to join the conversation, I've been blessed.  It's much more fun than lurking!

The book is divided into seven categories listed below.  Within each of these categories are questions.  Denise answers 34 questions in a conversational style.  I found it easy to read and understand.  No wonder she's such a good teacher.  I felt as if I were sitting across a table from her having a cup of coffee.

1. Joining the Conversation
2. Getting Started
3. Knowing Your Style
4. Learning the Craft
5. Understanding the Revision Process
6. Avoiding the Pitfalls
7. Becoming a Writer

You don't have to be in the process of writing a book to benefit from Denise's book.  I think this should be a must read for every blogger out there.  Bloggers write nonfiction on their blogs. After all, we are usually writing about our own lives.  And nonfiction is much different from writing fiction.  As a blogger, I am always using the pronoun I. After all, I'm sharing my own experiences, right?

If you ever hated English class, please don't let that discourage you from writing a blog.  It's a different venue entirely.

Now we're talking!  However, I happen to be one of those people who actually loved English class.

Denise also writes about knowing why we are writing.  Most people write:

• To encourage (that's me)
• To entertain
• To inform 
• To persuade

At the end of each chapter is something called "Writing in Action".  As you read this book, you have the option of practicing what you learn. Just like a teacher to give out homework!  But I have to say that it's certainly optional but very helpful.

I especially loved the section on how to engage your reader.  I'm not the best story teller so this helped me.

Overall, I really liked this book.

The official book launch date is Monday, March 25th.  The price of On Becoming a Writer is $4.99.  However, the e-book will be available for free on Monday and Tuesday only.  So don't waste any more time and head on over to Amazon now.  

Blessings and love,