A Great Story about Compassion and Love

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes we re messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mr s. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big 'F' at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.



Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around..'



His second grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.'



His third grade teacher wrote, 'His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken.'



Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.'



By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. T hompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, 'Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.'



After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her 'teacher's pets..'



A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.


Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.


Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.




Then four mo re years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's deg re e, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story does not end there . You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually re served for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet , the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, 'Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.'



Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, 'Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.'

(For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)

Sod, Hiking, and everything else in between

Hello all! I thought I'd update you on my life, at leat this week-end! Yesterday I had such fun serving a family in our church by helping lay sod! What fun! I think I could officially become a professional sod layer! Here are some pictures that were taken! of this event!










The Brute Squad! (It's by brute force we were able to get the sod in place!)








After laying sod, us girls decided it would be fun to go on a hike up Badger Mountain. It is a hot hike as there are absolutly NO trees and just flowers and bush. It is the epitome of the dessert in which I live. ( The Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve, located on the edge of Richland in the Richland GMA area, provides a spectacular view of the Tri-Cities as well as the Columbia and Yakima rivers. A non-profit group, Friends of Badger Mountain, worked to procure this shrub-steppe area that has most native vegetation intact and then in 2005 built a trail to the summit so others can enjoy it. The 2-kilometer trail rises 300 meters above the trailhead in Richland. )


Me, Kayla, and Becky


Kayla and I! Look how warm we were....what a doozy!


All us girls minus the one taking the picture! What fun!

Will Not Be Moved

Natalie Grant Lyrics - Will Not Be Moved

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They’re bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won’t let me go
And is the reason why

Chorus
I will stumble I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It’s grace I’m standing on

Chorus
I will stumble I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I’ve worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

Chorus
I will stumble I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Will Not Be Moved Lyrics - NATALIE GRANT WORDS

Wedding News

Well, alas, July is shaping up much different than I at first thought. My friend who was planning to be married decided that it best to call of the engagement as well as the relationship. I know that it is God's will, but sometimes words are just not enough to express everything. Just be in prayer for the couple as they decide the best course to take as they move on with their lives. It going to be a hard process.... And....yes, that beautiful dress had to go back, so now all I have is the picture on here and my memory!

In Christ!

My Hair Story...!!

Well, to those of you who dont know, It seems that my hair is constantly chaning, it goes from short to long, long to short, blond to black, then to light brown..curly to straight.....and on and on and on! Well, I thought I would post my "hair story" for you guys starting about 3 years ago approxmately! haha...be prepared!






My hair about 3 to 4 years ago....REALLY SHORT!


My hair 3 years ago...I was curling it like that Every Day...no Joke there....


Fake braid extensions. This I did while I was in beauty school. Can you tell!!



My hair last March




This last winter....!





My hair when I had died it black right before Joni camp and then quickly put some light brown in it!


Last fall


Experimentation!!!! This winter.....



Well, I know it's not that interesting, but I thought it would be fun for me if I journied my hair from a few years back....