Sharing Our Stories | ruth's words

[Our stories] belong to the Lord, and He wants to use them to inspire and strengthen and encourage and make the world a better place. - Ruth Ayres

Since I was young, I've collected quotes. I used to write them down in journals, but then I started a blog called, Little House on the Ridge. It's where I save them now.

I have a collection of quotes by Ruth started there. About 12 years ago, I met her through Two Writing Teachers and I have loved reading Ruth's words ever since. God has used her stories to inspire and strengthen and encourage many.

Sharing Our Stories

Sharing Our Stories | sneakers

Eliza showed me the sneakers she wants for Christmas.

I looked at the picture of the high-cut Nike blazers and laughed.

I said, "I already have a pair!"

We dug them out and Eliza is now wearing my first pair of basketball sneakers.

They look pretty good for 1982!

Sharing Our Stories

Sharing Our Stories | an old recording

 

Jim just found an old recording of 

Peter and I singing this song.

While it is fuzzy, I'm thankful to have it.

I miss singing with Peter.

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Sharing Our Stories | that moment

When Jim returned from seeing the specialist in Toronto, it was late at night.

During breakfast the next morning, Jim told the kids it was cancer.

They were 13, 15 and 17 back then.

There were no words spoken.

Everyone just moved from where they were into a hug.

It's a moment I will always remember.

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Sharing Our Stories | eye patch

Around Halloween, we usually connect an eye patch with a pirate costume.

Five years ago, Jim had an eye patch for another reason.

He had ocular melanoma in his left eye.

Just before Halloween, we flew to Toronto for his surgery and treatment. Radiation was given over seven days through a gold plaque sewn to the tumor in his eye.

Over the year that followed, the tumor became smaller and then it was said to be dormant.

While Jim has gone from perfect vision to blurred vision because of the radiation, we have so much to be thankful for.

God is good.

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Sharing Our Stories | favorites

Favorite Television Couples

- Grandpa and Grandma Walton, The Waltons

- Charles and Caroline, Little House on the Prairie

- John and Olivia, The Waltons

- Luke and Lorelai, Gilmore Girls

- Jim and Pam, The Office

- Gilmore and Anne, Anne with an E

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Sharing Our Stories | sweetest voices

Labor Day Weekend

2020

I can hear -

Dad who was singing nearby

Uncle Harry who was leading from the pulpit after preaching

Karrilee who was a part of the worship team that morning

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Sharing Our Stories | walking together

Dad and (Uncle) Harold have been

walking together a long time ---

in ministry, fishing and friendship.

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Sharing Our Stories | small things

5 small things I have noticed

   heard an acorn falling from a tree.

   Eliza always puts her shoes away

   kindergarteners don't complain about masks

   Pearl likes her water served to her

   it's fun to scrape paint

 

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Sharing Our Stories | home again

 

Annie is home again. A silver-lining in the covid cloud was that she was able to live at Beulah and volunteer when her summer job no longer existed. (Since she was little, never having to leave Beulah was her dream.) She worked daily around the campground and reached out to folks who needed help with things at their cottages. She was walking a dog for someone in quarantine or under a senior’s cottage digging out stuff. We were in the Labor Day service when they shared about Annie. Pastor Steve’s lengthy description of her made us laugh (she’s a little competitive on the pickle ball court) and touched our hearts...and then when he spoke of her love for Jesus and being a servant, my eyes filled with tears. The outpouring of love for Annie was beautiful. They expressed so much gratitude for her saying she was a joy to be around and she was willing to do anything to help anyone, but we hope they also realize what their friendships, words and love did for Annie. 

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Sharing Our Stories | a series of three

Three about Pearl

Welcoming

Before playing anywhere, C and B chose to sit with Pearl as they started their first day of kindergarten. She helped many feel more comfortable.

Playful

With the changes on the playground, there are a lot of tennis balls and Pearl thinks they are all for her!

Loving

We happened to be outside as the older grades headed home, they were excited to see Pearl back! 

One new student asked, "Can your dog do tricks?"

"Not really, but she knows how to love people," I replied.

Getting down to hug her, he said, "I would rather have a dog that loves people than a dog that does a thousand tricks."

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Sharing Our Stories | you have time

I'm taking time to write about some funny moments.

On Monday -

Pearl, who usually lays by my feet during a meeting, enjoyed our first staff meeting outside. She visited with many and then she went to the washroom right behind the principal as she was speaking!

On Tuesday -
Before heading to school, I poured Pearl's food into the wood stove instead of her bowl. I just have a little bit on my mind!

On Wednesday -
I tried to wear two pairs of reading glasses. My student teacher helps remind me of my glasses and my mask!

It is a heavy week in many ways, but there is still much to giggle about!

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akr inspired | 335

As teachers, we need to remember that
social emotional well-being > than the other stuff

Textbook | Math

akr inspired | 334

I wish you more WOO-HOO than WHOA!

- Amy Krouse Rosenthal

akr inspired | 333

A friend's recent post on Instagram made

me realize that it has been 30 years since

we graduated from Mount Allison.

We then took similar paths with our next degrees.

5 teachers and 2 speech therapists

Textbook | Math

akr inspired | 332

Dr. Gene Ouellette invited me, along with

another Kindergarten teacher, to share on his podcast.

Since sending my part in, I haven't been

brave enough to listen to it online.

Textbook | Social Studies

Sharing Our Stories | seasons change

Goodbye Summer
   reading outback
   anytime naps
   puttering 

Hello Autumn
   cooler days
   kindergarten laughter
   new stories

 

Sharing Our Stories

akr inspired | 331

empty nest vs full nest

An unexpected full nest
wins by a landslide.


Textbook | Math

akr inspired | 330

There were a couple of old stereos in the barn that Dad decided to sell. One didn't have a cord to plug it in, and the other only had a working radio, but folks were quick to come and get them this week!

On Sunday, the kids and I had fun checking them out with Dad. They are familiar with old treasures being around our family, but one thing they asked about was the 8 track. They had not seen an 8 track tape before! We wished a stereo had worked to play one!

Textbook | Music

akr inspired | 329

While New Brunswick seems to be one of the
best places to live (and to be a teacher) during the
pandemic, it's still hard not to wonder -

- how our new little ones and their
parents are feeling about school

- if I could bring the virus home to my family

- if we will start in buildings
and end up teaching virtually

But I do not have to wonder if God has
us in the palm of His hand --- no matter
what unfolds --- as we go back to school.

@missamykr | Instagram | Project 1,2,3