Thanksgiving

I'm thankful for a lot of reasons...

• I'm thankful for God. He's been with me for many years, and He always leads me the way that's best for me.
• I'm thankful for my family. Even though it's been a rough two years, I'm glad to have them. Plus, I'm glad to be around to see my little siblings grow.
• I'm thankful for a job. Some days are hard, but I'm glad I have a wonderful boss/principal, and I'm blessed with two APs too!
• I'm thankful for the people, teachers, I work with, because we are there for each other.
• I'm thankful for students. Some give me rough days, but I'm especially thankful for the ones who do their best and appreciate me as their teacher. I'm especially thankful for my 7th/8th period kids, who have been better than last year's group; they also are very special to me!
• I'm also thankful for God. He's my first and my last, my Alpha and Omega. He gave us Jesus to be our Savior, and He sent us the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter. If I had to decide on a friend (which would be a tiny list anyway), the Trinity, with God as the lead, would be my ultimate friend.

I think this video clip sums up how I feel about the ones I care about.

The Reading Corner: Suggesting Books I've Read and Enjoyed

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

      It's a story about a young boy, Reuben Land, who witnesses miracles through his father during a time of searching for his brother, Davy, who has recently gone on the run after committing murder. This novel covers the topic of faith, miracles, and family strength during moments of hardship and struggle. This novel is well-written and definitely a great novel that demonstrates the message of real miracles and the eternal love of a father. 

The Brother's Keeper by Tracy Groot

      It's a story about James, the half-brother of Jesus, and his siblings having to deal with the changes that Jesus' mission has brought on their lives. They care about Jesus, but they don't know whether they should accept that He is the Promised One from God, or some radical. It's a beautiful story that really brings out the personality and emotions from each individual person in the story (especially James). It's dramatic in certain parts, but there is also comical moments that brings a smile out. I love this book. I don't think I've ever read a fictional book as detailed as this author has done for this story.

Fall Through Winter Is a Huge Feast

Clip-arts by Microsoft Office

Fall Through Winter Is a Huge Feast

By R.Andrew
November 1, 2009
(Image Source: Microsoft Word 2003)

It occurred to me, as I was eating some leftover candy, that in between fall and winter there is a glorious feast under the masquerade of four main holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. Imagine October’s Halloween as the appetizer, the warm-up to the feast. We fill ourselves with candy and other treats, but we linger at the table for a better course. November’s Thanksgiving is the salad portion of the meal. It is good, slightly filling, but we want something even yummier in our bellies. That is why December’s Christmas is our main course, the meatiest meal of all! We burst ourselves to the seam eating until our bodies say “Enough.” Yet, who can deny the final course? January’s New Year is the dessert that complements the entire feast, and fills us up until we hunger again (metaphorically speaking). So while this huge feast masquerades as innocent holidays of fun, let us not forget that from fall through winter we are eating a four-course meal, one that quietly increases our waistline.