Kids say the darndest things!

Being a first grade teacher is awesome! EVERYday is something new. The kids are still so innocent and this innocence often makes them say things that make me have to hold back a gut-wreching laugh!

This week we have been celebrating Red Ribbon week at school, so on Thursday we were all asked to wear red. As I was greeting my students at the door, I complimented one child because he had on a red undershirt, red collared shirt and was carrying a red sweatshirt. I said, "WOW! You really did a great job wearing red." His wonderful response was, "Yeah, and I even have on red undies!" (as he proceeds to pull the band of red undies out of his pants to show me!) It was so funny! And the even funnier thing was that is didn't phase any other kids in my class....it was as if it was quite ordinary for a kid to show me their undergarments! The whole thing started my day off with a great laugh!

The Drifters

This past weekend, while attending a festival in my hometown's downtown, I was reminded again of why I love music so much (and food, which they also had tons of!).

After church on Sunday Chad and I went to hear The Drifters play. In case you are not familiar, The Drifters are a band from the 1950's. If you've ever heard the song "Save the last dance for me"...you've heard them. Anyway, as I was standing there listening to them I (being the people watcher that I am) happened to also take note of others standing around with me. I had a 1-2 year old in a stroller behind me clapping like she knew the song, some rather weathered women in front of me who knew every word and were ecstatic when one of the members ask the audience to come shake his hand, middle aged people who were ready to break out their dance moves at the first chance, African American people, Asian people....I think the audience was a pretty good representation of the area where the festival was located. So, as I was looking at all these different people, it occured to me (once again) how awesome music is - how melodies, harmonies and rhythm can come together to make something so beautiful that it transcends age, race and even time. It made me think how neat it was that this one "thing" could bring so many different people together and have them all enjoy it.

Then, it gave me a clearer understanding to how I should view the One who gave us the music in the first place. He wants us ALL- all ages, races, nationalities - to hear the music that He is playing in our lives. His song has transcended time. We should listen to it intently, let it sink into our heart and share it so that others can ENJOY and sing our same song.

Give credit, where credit is due

So I don't get in trouble for stealing someone else's idea, I wanted to give a little explanation about how I got the title of this blog. As previously mentioned, I have been thinking about doing some blogging for a while now, but to keep up with all the creative geniuses out there I knew I needed a good title before I could ever have a blog. Then, one day it came to me. I was driving home from work, enjoying the fact that my car full of kids who ride with me in the morning were not there, and the song "Lifesong" by Casting Crowns came on the radio. As I was driving along and belting out the song as if I were a member of the band, it hit me.....what a perfect title for a blog!

I have always had a thing for music, whether it be singing, playing an instrument, or listening to others do all of the above, so I thought this would be my perfect title for a blog because I like thinking of my life as a song. Each verse is different, yet the chorus is consistent and ties everything together. Just as the events in my life are different and make up oodles of verses, I have such a common ground in my faith, my friends and my family that is consistent and ties it all together.

So, hopefully this blog will help me keep a record of the verses my lifesong, and my earnest prayer is that my song will be pleasing to the One who gave me the song in the fist place.

By the way....here are the words to the Casting Crowns version:

Empty Hands held high

Such Small sacrifice

If not joined with my life

I sing in vain tonight

May the words I say

And the things I do

Make my lifesong sing

Bring a smile to you

Chorus:

Let my lifesong sing to You

Let my lifesong sing to You

I want to sign your name to the end of this day

Knowing that my heart was true

Let my lifesong sing to You

Lord, I give my life

A Living sacrifice

To reach a world in need

To be your hands and feet

So may the words I say

And the things I do

Make my lifesong sing

Bring a smile to you

Blogger

I have been contemplating becoming a 'blogger' for a while now...looks like I just became one. We'll see if it becomes addicting or another one of those technological fads which I sometimes find myself falling into (and then have no clue what to do with it!).