Stillness in the Seasons

As I was out and about this weekend I noticed several surprising and (somewhat saddening) things.

1. Kohl's was already decorated with Christmas trees, ornaments, and playing Silver Bells throughout the store.
2. Hobby Lobby had all fall decorations 50% off. Not a bad deal, but the fall decor is getting pushed aside by the Christmas decor.
3. There are already Christmas commercials on TV.

I might be mistaken here, but didn't we just celebrate Halloween? And now we've already moved on to Christmas? What happened to appreciating the beauty of the changing autumn colors, the crisp fall air, and jumping in piles of leaves?

Sometimes I find myself getting so busy and stressed that when I finally lay down in bed at night I have to ask myself where another day went. How many chances did I miss today to pray, or to pass along a kind deed, just because I was busy? Did I "stop to smell the roses" as the saying goes?

I can't believe we are already to November, with the Christmas season quickly approaching (or is it already here?). I urge you this week to take some time to be still and enjoy the little things in life. Look at the beauty of the fall leaves. Watch the sun set and cast its shades of gold, red, and orange across the Earth. Read a book to your child, or enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with your sweetheart. Take some time to read the bible and pray over your morning cup of coffee. The bible instructs us to be still, and I can honestly say that doesn't sound like such a bad idea. I have accepted my own challenge for the week to simply take a few minutes a day to just pause and pay attention to the world that is so quickly changing around me. I don't want to miss the important little moments because of the seemingly important upcoming deadlines.

Here is a verse for reflection as you (and I) go about this challenge:

"Be still, and know that I am God" - Psalms 46:10.

May God bless you beyond belief for taking time to stop and appreciate all that he has done for you.

Peace and love to all, Lesley.

Happy Halloween!

Happy rainy Halloween everyone! I thought I would share a couple of my favorite Halloween songs today. It seems that Halloween songs are harder to find than Christmas songs... so please, take a minute and have silly (and spooky) song time with the kiddos in your life! Those memories are priceless!

Thanks to Mrs. Anet at the Child Learning Center and to the children's librarians at the CMC Public Library for inspiring this post!

The first is called "Witches' Brew" by Hap Palmer. The kids will love the silly list of ingredients for the witches brew!

Here is one of my all time favorites called "God is Bigger Than the Boogey Man" from Veggie Tales. This is a great song to use for the kids that are scared on Halloween to let them know that God is always in control. I sing this one with my sunday school kiddos and they love it.

Finally, here is a finger play called "The Five Little Pumpkins". However, it is presented in song form here by The Learning Station. I know from experience that once learned, kids will beg for this one over and over again. There are different versions of this finger play/song (if you choose not to talk about witches). There is also a book called the five little pumpkins! P.s. Kids love it if you actually turn out the lights during the song. Enjoy and God Bless! 

The Voice Behind the Curtain...

Hello! My name is Lesley and I am a busy college student in a constant quest to become the woman that God has created me to be. Since this is my first post, I will begin by telling a little bit about me.

I am a Junior at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. I am majoring in Early Childhood Education, and I love any and every thing about children! I am anxious to finish school and begin my career of teaching - it is a lifelong dream that I am so excited to accomplish. I have a part time "job" keeping the most darling boy/girl twins in the world. I also work a few hours a week at a daycare for scholarship hours, which I love. I am the president of an organization on campus, as well as a member of several other organizations. I am a "big sister" with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville (which is sometimes stressful, but very rewarding). I am also a very active member of my church. Besides being one of the two pianists, I am the Sunday School teacher for the early elementary class, and I teach the elementary youth group on Wednesday nights. I keep a very tight schedule, but I felt that God was leading me to start this blog and share some of my experiences with you!

A bit about my personal life... I come from a wonderful and tightly-knit family. I have a sister who I am very close to, and she has brought a wonderful brother-in-law and niece into my life. My parents are wonderful and loving, and I still have one living grandmother that I love to visit regularly. Although I live in an apartment away from home during the week, I go home on most weekends and frequently call home for "motherly advice" on anything from school to a new recipe that I am trying. I also have a very large extended family, and I would have it no other way.

I am dating a wonderful man that I grew up with but never noticed... oh the irony! I am proud to say that he is a full-time student, part-time bank teller, landlord, and a very spirited evangelist. The last thing on the list is that which I am most proud of. We have been together for almost two years, and I am thankful for him every day. It is hard for me to find anyone that I can talk to about some of the challenges that I have faced as a preacher's girlfriend (you don't hear that much), so I think that is another reason why I felt compelled to start this blog! Maybe someone, somewhere, is in the same boat that I am and would like to know that there is someone who understands!

I am thankful to say that God has blessed me with so much. Through this blog, I plan to talk about my walk with faith, my experiences with children, and my little tidbits on life. Please, come back and read for more. I promise to do my best to make it worth your while!