I LOVE my workplace.

Yesterday I was making a new bulletin board for my new SingLympics theme. As I walked into the teacher lounge (which no one uses because our teachers have to have lunch with the students because we are so short-staffed for economic reasons) to make some diecuts. The lights are off (because no one uses the room) but the room is lit well enough because of the windows. As I walked in I saw Cheryl. She is one of my very favourite people. She always has a huge grin on her face - even when she's cleaning the bathrooms! I see the love of God on Cheryl everytime I pass her in the hall.

Cheryl was on her knees by the couch.

I stopped, frozen in my tracks. What do I do? Turn around and come back later? No, I walked over the the machine and quietly started my work. After several minutes Cheryl and got up and said, "I just heard that Mr. Erwin went in for surgery just now and had to pray for him this instant."

I love my workplace.

Great Loss

I had the perfect job. I could teach music, the love of music and using music to worship God to wonderful children. Last week our school board made the announcement that God has worked with them to help them out with financial issues.

A charter school whose charter is values based education and core knowledge curriculum would like to lease the elementary school building. Their rent would help pay off the mortgage of both schools. The hand of God has been evident in this.

This is not set in stone at this time. The charter school has been approved to open for the 2011-2012 school year but a plea to the state legislature to let the school open one year earlier. If that happens, next school year I'll be out a job.

So, God only knows what will happen with me next year. I'll keep you posted when He lets me know.

Thanks CHS for a great first year of teaching!

Christ the Lord is risen today!

Charles Wesley wrote this hymn in 1739. Orginally there were 11 verses! I would love to find all 11. The "Alleluia" was not included in the original text, but to make it fit the tune, Alleluia was added at the end of each line. Early Christians would greet each other on Easter morn by saying, "Alleluia, the Lord is risen!"

John 20:20
As Jesus spoke, He showed the disciples the wounds in His hands and His side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!


Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
All creation joins to say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, O heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!


Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now your sting? Alleluia!
Dying once, He all doth save, Alleluia!
Where your victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Note the second line of the first stanza, "All creation join to say" I have traditionally sung and heard, "Sons of men and angels say". Which do you like better and why?

Easter Program

I may be somewhat insane (aren't we all) but couldn't find a suitable Easter Program for the 4th, 5th & 6th grade classes. So, I decided to write/arrange my own. I found 3 CDs that had the split track so we could use that music.

Drawing inspiration from my Christmas play, A Piece of Christmas, the piece of fabric that was used throughout the Christmas story, the same fabric will follow Christ through the Passion Week. The narration will come from the Bible. Here is an outline of the story:


song: This is a Piece of Easter (same song from Christmas, slightly different words)

• Triumphant Entry - As Jesus enters on the donkey, the fabric is thrown down with the coats.

song: Hallelu, Hallelu

• Last Supper - fabric will be used as a towel when Jesus washes His disciples feet.

song: Let Us Break Bread

• Garden of Gethsemane - disciples will use it as a blanket when they fall asleep

song: I've Got a Feeling

• Carrying the cross - As Jesus stumbles, someone wipes his face with the fabric

song: Kum Ba Yah

• Crucifixion - Mary uses the fabric to weep into as she watches her son die

song: I See a Crimson Stream of Blood

• Burial - Joseph uses it to wrap Jesus' body

song: Oh What He's Done for Me

• Resurection - Christ has a new fabric as a robe when appearing

song: Christ, the Lord, is Risen Today
song: This is a Piece of Easter

I don't know what to say

I just found out that my school laid off 12 people this week. I've always felt sad when Bryan's company has had to go through lay offs, but not ever really understood. Today I have felt the sadness and emptiness of losing fellow co-workers. I don't know many of them, but I can't image the heart ache they are experiencing at this time.

God, please hold your people in your hands and show them your plan for them. Bless them so they won't have the despair that pushes You out of their sight. Help our school continue with the ministry of teaching the little ones your love and grace. Comfort us.

When I Survey the Wonderous Cross

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved - through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.

When I survey the wonderous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most -
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e're such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small:
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.


This was the praise song I am having the school learn for this month. Surprisingly, just a few students have heard it before. What a great Hymn. It's so personal and praises God for our best gift!

Happy New Year

To the two, maybe three readers I have, thank you for taking a small glimpse into who I am, knowing that I still choose my words in a guarded manner.

May you 2010 be filled with the grace of God.