Postcards and Encouragement

Sandy Hook Elementary School
12 Dickenson Dr
Sandy Hook, CT 06482

Let's reach our arms across the nation and hug and hold close in our prayers all who were involved in this tragedy.

This world is not our home we're just a'passing through. If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do? The angels beckon me from heaven's opened door and I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

Love to Students, Parents, Teachers, Friends, Family

Allison Vaughn

Yesterday

I taught kindergarten.
I was a public school kindergarten teacher.
I just keep thinking and thinking...

Do you ever notice when watching a kindergarten teacher cross the street with her class, she stands directly in the middle of the road? Kindergarten teachers have the natural yearning to protect your child, even at the expense of their own lives. I was one of those teachers that would have risk

ed my own life for those of the kids in my class.

That being said, I wasn't always treated kindly by parents. A parent was once irate with me because her son cut his hair in my classroom. It's petty. That same kid, I would have jumped in front of a speeding car, if coming at my line of crossing kids.

So, please treat your teachers with the kindness, compassion, and respect that they deserve. Your child is your world and for 7-8 hours out of the day your child is the world to his or her teacher.

Hug your children, first and foremost. But, please, don't forget to hug your child's teachers, too.

(Mrs. Oltman speaking now: For the record, I am SO blessed to have parents at school who care so much about the teachers and the education we offer in our little town. The past events have hit the nerve of nearly every teacher in America and perhaps the world. As a mom and teacher, it has been overwhelming. My earlier post portrays that. Thank you for the best job in the world! Thank God for the promise of his return...whenever that may be.)

In the Light of His Glory & Grace

Hello everyone!

It is with a heavy heart that I am updating our blog. As I'm sure you have similar feelings, I am deeply saddened by the events today in Connecticut. 

As a mother and a teacher it cuts to the core of my being and makes me revel in the thoughts of the day when Jesus comes to take us home. Days like this make you want to run to the hills and hide in a cave with your family...

But we can't. Our Lord has promised us that he will never leave nor forsake us. He's coming to get us.

I want to be ready! 

I look into the eyes of my children and thank God for them. I also am so thankful for each of your children as well. Our Christmas party was light, happy, and fun! Such a great way to head into vacation. 

As stress is a daily battle for each of us it reminds me that God wants us to take those burdens to Him. 

Encouraging one another and building each other up, not tearing each other down, will lend a huge hand in shoving the anxieties of life out the door.

What an emotional day.

Please join me in a solid prayer without ceasing for the families of the little children who died today. Also pray for everyone else who was affected. Thinking about it tears me up inside.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you until we meet again!

God is good all the time & all the time God is good.

Give your kids a hug for me!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus. 

Look full in His wonderful face. 

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the Light of His glory and grace.

The link below is a beautiful song that reminds me of heaven and I wanted to share:

So Far Away 

Amen.

Is Anybody There?

Now that it's nearly Christmas I am zoning out into the frosty dreamless sleep and thoughts of sugarplums dance in my head. I certainly don't mean to be distracted but I'm definitely feeling the Christmas Spirit and my mind is all over the place with gleeful images of my kids in the snow and sneaking into the living room early Christmas morning to open a present or two.

Before I forget, I found the perfect photo that says how I'm feeling better than I ever could have!

December

I'm sorry but this is NOT the weather we should be having during the month of December. However, I am a big fan of the sunshine and heat at any time so I guess I shan't complain!!

Happy December and may snow come eventually. :)

Trust

In an exercise as a class today we talked about trust. Whether we are friends or not, trust is a necessity and it can sometimes be scary. In order to demonstrate, I did the activity first. I let them know the procedures and after that it was up to them. I chose to trust them. :) They did great! Ryan was nervous but tried it like a hero! Trevor was also a little bit anxious but he did it! Kyler chose the "negative" exposure because it looked cool. 

Sorry the videos are sideways. Couldn't seem to edit that. 

It was a fun way to nurture the bonds in our class.

Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and all your soul and all your might and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path."

It's the Holiday Season!

Just a quick update about life at MSAS: It's Christmas time! Woohoo!