Communication is the Key

Ever since I have started this blog, I find myself thinking about blog post topics a lot. When something exciting happens or I hear something funny or especially if something is bugging me, my first thought has now become, "I should blog about it!" So this morning, when I should have been concentrating on getting ready for school, my mind was swirling with what I should blog about next. Well, I have been reading this one book, and this morning as I was reading, I was getting so frustrated! Something had happened to this one girl, and rumors were being spread about her that were completely untrue. Her fiance heard the rumors, and confronted her about them. However, instead of letting her explain, he jumped to his own conclusions about what he thought had happened and drove away in a huff, leaving his bride-to-be crying and begging him to return. I just wanted to reach through the pages of the book and shake the guy! I mean, WHY did he have to leave before she could explain what had happened??!! I have discovered that this is yet another one of my pet peeves - miscommunication!! Last year I was watching a movie with some friends, and as the movie dragged on for hours, I was just getting so annoyed! I literally yelled out, "Just communicate, people!" I mean really...what could have been solved in the first 10 minutes of the movie dragged on for what seemed like 5 hours! If they had only communicated, things would have just been soooo much simpler! That often bugs me about the books I read. In this one series, it takes 5 books to finally conclude the story. If the main characters had just communicated in the first place, it would all have worked out soooo much better! Did you ever think about how much movies & books are made up of miscommunication? Many authors and producers would go out of business if there was no complicated miscommunication issues in their stories! When I read a book or watch a movie, I always see both sides of the story, and I know what the truth is, so it is always frustrating to me when the people involved in the issues just don't see the solution! However, when its a real life situation, it is soooo easy for me to jump to a certain conclusion about a matter. It could be the simple fact that someone didn't say "hello" to me that day so I think they are upset at me about something. Or maybe I heard a rumor about a person, and instead of searching out the facts on the matter, I immediately assume its true and judge that person based on that rumor. I am a girl who tends to over-analyze matters a lot, and I second-guess people's words or actions towards me. So like I said, I am not one to judge others in their lack of communication! I guess I am just saying that I see that it is a real problem in our world, and especially in our churches. Christians get into so many arguments and disagreements simply because they didn't search the matter out and communicate with each other. They jumped to their own conclusion, and obviously, they think that what they think is what is true. My Dad always says that there are 3 sides to every story: your side, my side, and the truth. Throughout elementary school, I always was in the middle of some little "cat fight" with my friends. Many a day would find me in the girl's bathroom having this "meeting" about so-and-so who did this or said that. I always seemed to be the middle man/peacemaker. I would always be the one they would come to and tell their side of the story. Even now when I become this "middle man/peacemaker" in a situation, I just find it sooo disturbing because I never know what the real truth is! Every one has their own side to the story, yet I can see truths from both sides. I just think that if people truly communicated with each other, and didn't come into the conversation with their mind already made up about what they were going to believe about the situation, I think lots of problems would be solved! Communication is indeed the key! However, many people don't want to let their guard down, set aside their pride in believing that they are always right, and learn to trust others (I am preaching to myself just so you know!). One of my favorite Christian authors is Elizabeth George, and in her book called Loving God with All Your Mind, she writes this:

What kinds of thoughts do you tend to have about people? I doubt that they are always pure, positive, and prayerful. Which one of us hasn't slipped into second-guessing, analysis, and suspicion? Which one of us hasn't been plagued with self-doubt or crippled by negative thoughts, insecurity, and worry? A woman choosing to think on what is true and real, however, depends on others to tell her and on God's Spirit to show her when she fails or offends someone. She refuses to second-guess or draw conclusions about people's behavior. When we think no evil about people, trust what they say and do, and believe that either they will come to us or God will reveal to us where we have offended them, we will nurture love and confidence in relationships. Thoughts about people, which are based on what is true and real, liberate us to generously and joyously love and serve one another.

Of Cameras, Smiles, and Cheese Fishies

Today, during Sunday School, I was trying to take pictures of all my 2 & 3 year olds for a special craft we will be doing for Christmas. Some had no problem standing against the wall and saying "Cheese!" so I could snap their picture. Others were a bit more intimidated and shy, and some informed me that they couldn't find their smile. When it was snack time, the children excitedly anticipated receiving a handful of "cheese fishies" that were going to "swim in their bellies." Normally, I just give them one handful seeing how they will be getting another snack during church. However, after I put the fishies safely back in their cabinet, I heard one of the children ask for some more fishies. This child happened to be one who had apparently "lost" their smile. My assistant told him that maybe his teacher would give him some more fishies IF he smiled for the camera. What a genius plan!! I decided to give it a try with all the children, and TA DA! Amazingly enough, smiles came out of hiding and were plastered on all the children's faces immediately! No one can resist the taste of cheese fishies, especially the fun part of biting off all their tails. :) I couldn't be quick enough with the camera to capture all the smiles!

In light of all that, I learned a valuable lesson today. One that will come in handy for many years to come, I am sure:

The way to a child's smile is through their stomach.

If you want to see the pictures of my cute little smiling children, you can view them here.

How to Build a Christmas Tree - Home Style

While some people trek through the woods searching for the perfect Christmas tree, we find ours in large bags in the basement! :)

It is important that you follow the instructions for the color-coded branches or your tree will be all lopsided! Thankfully, I have an organized Mother who labels each bag carefully.

When you work together as a team, the tree will get assembled faster....

....unless, of course, you pause too many times for "Kodak moments." :)

Sometimes pounding the branches into place is necessary because they have a tendency to be stubborn.

So you don't see a black pole in the center of your tree, wrapping the pole in green "branches" is suggested. Also, because the branches are stored in bags for 11 months of the year, they tend to get a bit cramped and misshapened. It is wise to form the branches as you go for a better tree shape.

Of course, no tree would be complete without a tree top!

Before lights can be added to the tree, they must be unraveled to prevent the "bunched up" look.

A benefit to having a tree in the corner of the room is that stringing lights in the back is not really necessary because no one will see them!

Turning on the lights is beneficial because you can see if they are on straight & evened out amongst the tree.

Lastly comes the fun part - putting on the ornaments!!

Ta-Da! The *almost* finished product!

How to Build a Christmas Tree - Classroom Style

1. Print the Christmas tree pattern off the computer and assemble it on the floor.

2. Cut out the pattern and tape it together.

3. Place pattern on large piece of green paper.

4. Trace the pattern.

5. Cut out the trees and add the trunks.

6. Paint ornaments with which to decorate the trees.

7. Let the ornaments dry overnight.

8. Decorate your trees!!!

Where the smaller trees can be found in the classroom!

9. Paint Christmas presents to go around the larger tree.

10. When dry, place the presents underneath the Christmas tree.

Where the larger Christmas tree and presents can be found in the classroom!

The Wisdom in Hot Chocolate

This came through the church email list today and I thought it was quite thought-provoking so I thought I'd post it on here!

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were discussing their lives at a class reunion. They decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired, who was always an inspiration to them. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work, lives and relationships. Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups. Some cups were porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite. He invited each to help themselves to the hot chocolate.

When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor shared his thoughts.

"Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you are drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What each of you really wanted was hot chocolate. You did not want the cup . . . but you consciously went for the best cups. And soon, you began to eye one another’s cups."

Now friends, please consider this...

Life is the hot chocolate . . .your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor does it change, the quality of life you are living. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us."

Always remember this . . . . . . . . . . God brews the hot chocolate, He does not choose the cup.

The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have!!

Live simply . . .

Love generously . . .

Care deeply . . .

Speak kindly . . .

Leave the rest to God.~ and remember ~ The richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least.

Enjoy your hot chocolate!!