Who doesn't love a good children's story? I know I do. There are actually still books from when I was a kid that I remember and love to this day. If I come across them in a book store I'll sit down and flip through the pages, reading, reading, re-reading the pages with a big smile on my face. Ahh! The simplicity and wonders of childhood.

Why is it we lose that simplicity and wonder when we get older? Sure we all have to grow up someday, but I find that only a select few hold on to that precious childlike wonder well into their adult years. So when we do come across a book that takes us back into a time of simplicity, imagination and wonder we cherish those moments in our hearts even more.

Today (Wednesday) I had the privilege of watching our annual kindergarten play where I work. Each year there is a different theme. Last year I got to travel deep into the ocean and watch as singing crabs, sharks and angel fish sang and danced across the stage! I still remember the boys doing their crab walk sideways, backwards, forwards and back again. Talk about adorable!

Today though the play was based upon a book series called "Pete the Cat." I'm in love with these books now and am seriously thinking about purchasing some off of Amazon.com!

The three kindergarten classes each chose one book from the series to reenact. For the sake of this post though, I'll only talk a "Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons." Actually, a fellow co-worker of mine told me that you can view the stories on Youtube. I've posted Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons below for you viewing. Please take a minute or two to watch it!


Don't you just love that? Isn't it so stinkin' cute?I may not be a kid anymore but one thing is for sure, this little children's book has such a simple message with big implications. This story helped me feel the wonder, the simplicity and fun of childhood again. It made me feel like singing!!

Even though there is no mention of God in this book, I can't help but see Him in the message. God used this simple story to not only tickle my funny bone, but really to speak to my heart. He helped me to see that things come and things go, but He remains the same. For this we can always sing.

As adults, we may not cry over lost buttons. But the application still holds true. Stuck in traffic? Keep on singing. Late for work? Keep on singing. Burned your toast? Keep on singing. Dishwasher broken? Keep on singing.

The moral of the story.....

"Did Pete cry? Goodness no! Buttons comes and buttons go. He kept on singing." (Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons)

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"In an August 2013 TIME feature, "The Childfree Life: Having It All Without Having Children," writer Lauren Sandler introduces a woman named Laura Scott. At age 14, Scott decided never to have children. She describes her mother as "bone tired," working long hours while raising Scott and her brother. It was a lifestyle Scott didn't want to mimic. 

"My main motive not to have kids was that I loved my life the way it was," Scott explains.
 
Now at 50, Scott is married, has enjoyed a career as an author and filmmaker — currently working on a documentary called Childless by Choice — and says she is "fulfilled." 

The piece then breezes past a parade of current and past celebrities who, too, claim to relish the childfree life. 

"My songs are like my children — I expect them to support me when I'm old," quips Dolly Parton. 

"I had such a wonderful upbringing that I had a very high standard of how a mother and father should behave," TIME quotes the late Katharine Hepburn. "I couldn't be that way and carry on a movie career." 

Whether or not these quotes are taken out of context or meant to be facetious, they shed light on a popular tenet of motherhood — and personhood — today: personal choice. 

If being a mother is something a woman wants, then by all means, she should pursue it. At all costs. In all quantities. When she wants it. How she wants it. And with whom she wants it. If, on the other hand, motherhood is not something she desires, then she should have the right to avoid it ... or put a stop to it. 

Still, the article points out, life is hard for a woman like Scott in a world that tends to "equate womanhood with motherhood." The freedom to choose mother-less-ness doesn't mean others won't expect it of you. 

Nor should they. 

As a married woman with no children (yet), I feel the tension Scott describes. Not because I want what she would view as the encumbered life, but because I do want it. Yes, it is hard to be a "childless" woman in a world that sees womanhood reflected in motherhood. But mainly this is hard because our definitions are all wrong"

Read the rest of Every Woman a Mother at Boundless.org.

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Busy! That's how I've felt lately. With the new school year now almost in full swing and a new schedule I'm beginning to get used to, I've been unable to write my regular quota of posts each week.

Nevertheless I am grateful to God for these amazing opportunities placed in front of me. You see, I have the privilege of working with lots of precious children each day. They are such a blessing to work with and it is a great joy to be able to speak encouragement into their lives. Of course there is a whole lot of reading, writing and arithmetic going on but even amidst all of the school work there are smiles, laughter, encouraging words and of course love. Lots of quiet, patient and persevering love.

I guess I never realized just how much love a teacher has for her students. Now that I'm on the other side though I see just how much perseverance, patience and vision a teacher must have in order to really do their job well. Day in and day out of ABC's, phonics and algorithms can get tedious. It's not easy keeping your eyes on the prize when your patience wears thin and you can't even hear yourself think above some particularly rowdy students. It's a labor of love for sure but one that is more than worth it.

When I'm able to see beyond the mundane tasks of the day and really get to the heart of what it is I'm doing, I can't help but sing with joy. Investing in a life for the glory of God is a humbling task. It is my hearts prayer to do it always in love and with thankfulness for each child that crosses my path. So even though I may be busy my heart is bursting with joy.

Thank you to all the teachers out there! Whether you are a public school teacher, private school teacher, homeschooling mama, pastor, or mentor. All teachers are a gift from God and investors in eternity.

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For weeks now I've been meaning to write this post. It's been on the back burner of my brain to write a book review for one of my new favorite books Three Decades of Fertility, a Visionary Womanhood book. Unfortunately I've either been a) too busy or b) too lazy. An interesting paradox but nevertheless true. However it is with great pleasure that I bring you today my honest and heartfelt review of this precious book.

I've been reading the Visionary Womanhood blog for over two years now. When I first found the blog run by Natalie Klejwa I simply devoured each and every article and browsed through the archives of previous posts. Here was a woman, a God fearing, people loving, kindhearted genuine woman who took womanhood seriously. She didn't claim to have it all but the advice she gave always, always pointed back to Jesus Christ.

I recently came to realize that Natalie and all the godly women who write over at Visionary Womanhood have become mentors to me. For that I am truly grateful.

This past July, when the book Three Decades of Fertility was released I went on Amazon and ordered a copy. Now to be honest I was a bit skeptical about buying the book at first. What could a book about child-rearing do for me? I'm a 20 something single gal who only wishes she were in the same circumstance these women were in. (A.k.a married with children.) How could a book like that help me? I decided to buy it though because Natalie had never steered me wrong before in all of her book recommendations and because I had read a sample of the book on my Kindle and loved it.

I read the book within 48 hours after receiving it in the mail. It was just that good. Not only did I benefit greatly from the testimonies of the ten women who wrote about their journey in childbearing but I felt God speak to my heart in such spectacular ways.

Each woman's testimony was different. There were different life circumstances, different upbringings and different views on child-rearing from the get-go. Their stories are not the same but their love for the Lord as well as their trust in His faithfulness sure is.

These are stories of women who surrendered all to their Creator; who have suffered pain, experienced true joy and everything in between. Women who were not afraid to embrace life and raise children for God. Not only do I deeply respect these women but I thank them from the bottom of my heart. Their stories have given me hope. Hope not only for a husband and children, but even more for hope in my God. And hope is something that I've needed in this season of singleness.

I highly recommend that all women, single, married, widowed or divorced pick up a copy of this book and read it. There is something to learn in each page and I truly believe that God will use it to speak to your heart, expand your vision and help you to embrace life to the fullest.

Thank you to Natalie and all Three Decade of Fertility and Visionary Womanhood contributors. I am deeply grateful for you all.

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Next week is Vacation Bible School here in my hometown! I have some fond memories of VBS from when I was a child and am excited to participate again at VBS for the first time since then. My home church which has a wealth of young children is hosting the elementary aged children with the theme of Kingdom Rock: Where Kids Stand Strong For God.

In hindsight I can now see the extreme importance of early childhood discipleship and training in God's Word. The seeds that are planted in young hearts are such a vital part of shaping lives for God's glory. That doesn't mean of course that those who were not trained in the fear and admonition of the Lord cannot bring God glory later on in life nor does it mean that they cannot make an impact for the Lord. God is able to use ANYONE at ANY AGE at ANYTIME! But the training of young children is prime time for shaping hearts and minds and should not be neglected.Vacation Bible School is just one way to disciple and teach these precious children.

I'm definitely excited to go back and attend VBS once again after all these years!

Did anyone else attend VBS as a child or send your children to VBS? Please share of some your favorite VBS memories in the comments below!

I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:1-2

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I love little children. There is something so sweet, precious and innocent about them that I just can't resist. The love they give and trust they have in others is like a little glimpse of heaven on earth. The tiny fingers, rosy cheeks, bright smiles and yes even messy faces are a blessing to behold. These fleeting years of childhood are a gift and it's become even more evident to me since I began to help teach some wide eyed kindergartners.

I went in to kindergarten hoping to bless these children by helping them learn their alphabet, numbers, counting, reading and writing. Little did I know though that these children would be the ones teaching and blessing me.

God has taught me a lot through these precious babes, and over time I began to think about some of the many the lessons I've learned from them. I would like to share them with you today.

Lesson One: Don't Be In A Rush.

Schedules are a good thing. We use them to plan out our day and get things done. Without them time may be wasted and we can become unproductive in our work; however, schedules aren't set in stone either. I'm often tempted to hurry along these children to begin our next lesson (counting, writing etc). They, on the other hand, have a tendency. It was easy for me to try and keep them under a tight thumb even if the clock wasn't against us, so to speak. But really it was those moments when I let the kids take their time, ask a question or two, and allow for some wiggle room that our time became more productive and the children (myself included) were less stressed. I do my best with the time given but rushing isn't the answer. If the Lord rushed me every time He felt like I "needed" to get something done, I don't think I'd be where I'm at today. For this I am grateful.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:22

Lesson Two: Whistle While You Work

Ah, the carefree attitude of children! It's like a cool glass of water on a hot summer's day. I remember a show I used to watch when I was younger that was about the funny things children used to say. I laughed through most of the program. Children back then had a sweet carefree attitude and children today still do. One little boy I work will often times begin singing silly songs while he's working. He gets the other children laughing and feeling happy as well as myself. It's a sweet reminder to incorporate play into our workday. The saying "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" really does make sense! Even God took delight in His work!

And God saw that it was good. 
Genesis 1:10b

Lesson Three:You Shouldn't Be Too Old To Dance In The Rain

Rainy days can be exhausting both mentally and physically. The grey skies tend to bring moods down and keeping the little ones inside and entertained is no easy task. I'm not particularly fond of rain, and I know that most people would probably agree with me. One day though I had a sweet conversation with a little girl about umbrellas which then prompted her to tell me that she enjoyed jumping in puddles. She loved to jump in then when it rained outside. A big smile crept across my face as I asked her more questions. I realized then and there that I'd succumbed to common thinking amongst adults. I'd been going about it all wrong. God made the sunshine and the rain. Who was I too complain about one day over the next? Each day given is a gift from Him. We can choose to complain about the grey skies or we can choose to rejoice in the day and dance in the rain. This sweet girl helped me to remember such an important truth.

The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. 
Psalm 118:24

I've learned so much more from these precious ones than just the lessons mentioned above but wanted to share with you these three. Children still need direction, training and lots of discipleship from godly older adults, but I think we sometimes forget that God can use a child to teach us older ones a lesson or two. Children really are a blessing from the Lord and I'm just beginning to experience the true meaning of Jesus' words, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)

                                              

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