November 2008 Archives

I hope that you all have a long list of things to be thankful for. It has been a bumpy ride for most of us this year, but as I look back in history there have been much worse, much scarier times in the past for which I would not trade this time. We still have so very much in this country.  I for one have faith that we will bounce through this tough time and come out stronger.

Things I am thankful for:

God loves us all.

We still have a country where we are free to worship.

I have a family that is incredible.

I can love and teach and care for some of the most amazing children I have every seen. Your kids really are the greatest.

I have such a talented staff. Please tell them every day how fantastic they are.

Now you all comment in and add to the list.

The City Utilities Bus will be here Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (November 11-13).

Please be sure to sign a permission slip so that your child can participate in this program. They will get to ride the bus.

Most of you have heard me talk about children and nature (See the Grow To Know News in this week's "The Story" church newsletter). I had an "oh, my goodness I am a redneck" moment this morning. I  heard a Lynyrd Skynyrd song and I really related to the lyrics. Here's a sample:

"Did you ever see the beauty of the hills of Carolina, or the sweetness of the grass in Tennessee....

Do you like to see a mountain stream a-flowin'....

did you ever stop to think about, well, the air you're breathin'?

Well you better listen to my song, 

And Lord I can't make any changes,

All I can do is write 'em in a song.

I can see the concrete slowly creepin Lord take me and mine before that comes."

from www.azlyrics.com

Since we moved back 13 years ago I have seen the dissappearance of all the farms immediately around me except for directly accross the street. Those cows are the only ones near me now. My kids have been blessed with 13 years of horizon and beautiful sunsets and I shudder to think of how it might all disappear. I hope and pray that you make an effort to get your kids outside as often as possible. If there isn't any view but the houses surrounding you, I hope you will utilize Springfield's magnificent green ways and develop the next generation as the one to reverse the trend and insure that "no child is left inside".