Inside the Mind of a Jesus Follower

The season of giving is here! Tomorrow families around the world will celebrate the greatest gift ever given, Jesus Christ. The way we celebrate may be different, but the feelings of love and reverence are felt globally. This is also the time of year when traditions are very important and seem to reign over the way we do everything.  Some traditions are a melding of two families blended into one or are created because of an accidental occurrence, fluke or a "one time thing" that stuck. Others are just great stories that have become a loved piece of a family's history.   In our household we have a variety of traditions, which have crept their way into our lives. Some have been created or born because of our military lifestyle, necessity or our own beliefs, and some come from our own childhoods traditions.   Tradition list: 1. Christmas tree goes up on Thanksgiving while watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. The second year we were married I wanted to s...

Mark your calendars for American Education Week, scheduled for Nov. 17-21, 2014.  The weeklong celebration presents opportunities to celebrate public education and honor the teachers who make a difference in the lives of children in classrooms across America.  Fun fact: The first observance of American Education Week took place in Dec. 1921.     Flourishing In Education By: Alecia Gardner Who do you consider an educator? I have studied, researched, and my ideas have evolved throughout the years in trying to answer this question. I have even written a book on the subject of the difference in a teacher and an educator. However, one of the best definitions I have found came from Sr. Geralyn Schmidt, " An educator coaches individuals to become what is essential — to develop into human beings who are fully alive."  Education has been deemed a thankless career field, with consistently low pay. However, there is no greate...

November 11th is Veterans Day and Cardinal students, staff and community are preparing for the big assembly we have every year. The teachers are all developing lessons, activities, and sharing information about what Veterans Day really means. Students are feverishly working on the annual coloring and writing contests hosted by the Student Council. The entire district is discussing the importance of freedom and sharing why they are so thankful for veterans.  It is a time of great pride and patriotism as we think of ways to show the love and respect we have for the veterans in our community and in our lives.  As a military wife, I know all too well the sacrifice that families and soldiers make to ensure we can be free to hold ceremonies like this one. However, this year the Cardinal community has a new level of understanding of the word sacrifice. This year we will be honoring all our veterans,  and paying a special tribute to a fallen soldier and Cardinal g...

There are days when words are not enough. Even the most reverent and noble of our language falls short of the emotions tied to them.  Words often seem pointless in the middle of heartache and tragedy. The only words that seem to matter are those we can feel, but cannot fully explain.     This week our community has learned that the words we lack in times of great sorrow are lived instead of spoken; through acts of faith, hope and love.  FAITH : It is easy in a world of pain, war, and chaos to lose faith in humanity. Yet, today, as I passed thousands of flags honoring the ultimate sacrifice of a brave marine, beloved son,  caring brother, trusted friend, and a Cardinal graduate, my faith was restored.    Lance Corporal Adam Wolff was laid to rest after making the ultimate sacrifice for his country. There is nothing we can say to express how humbled, honored, and saddened we are for the loss his family has endured.  However, the acts ...