A Season of Thankfulness

Wow...It's hard to believe Thanksgiving is in a couple days.  Time seems to be going by so quickly.

During the month of November, I have been challenging my students to take on a spirit of thankfulness.  We have done several different projects with this.  Ashley Youngblood made this beautiful tree that is on the door of my classroom.  Each of my students and several of their parents filled out leaves with things they are thankful for and we attached them to the tree.  I wish I had a picture of what it looks like now, but I don't.  However, I have a lot of extra leaves left over and would love for all of you to participate.  You can comment on my blog or Facebook post of things you are thankful for and I will make a leaf for you :)

Several days a week, they also complete journal entries on different aspects of giving thanks.  I started by having them write about things they were thankful for in general, but then started challenging them with questions like, "What are three challenges in your life that you are thankful for?" Hearing some of their responses were eye opening.  A lot of these students deal with difficult situations that I can't even comprehend, but yet they were still thanking God for them.  It makes my challenges seem so futile.  However, if my students can give thanks for their challenges, then so can I.

• I am thankful for separation from my family and friends.  Not seeing and talking to them every day has shown me how much I appreciate them and miss them.  I cannot wait to see them in 26 days. 
• I am thankful for an outspoken class.  They challenge me to be constantly looking for new ways to do things.  They challenge me to be a better teacher. 
• I am thankful for tight finances.  I am always finding things I can live without in order to save money.  
• I am thankful for a God who pushes me to be better in Him.  I am nothing without Him. 

My Thanksgiving this year is going to be very different than normal.  Today we had a Thanksgiving meal at church and we are having a Thanksgiving meal after school on Wednesday as a staff.  Then, I am off to the beach.  I am going to miss not being home for Thanksgiving, especially since it is my favorite holiday, but change is good.  Instead of spending Thanksgiving in cold, snowy Indiana, I will be relaxing in a hammock, reading a good book, and listening to the ocean waves.  

I pray you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families.

Love,

Bree