 Photo by ALTEREDSNAPS at Pexels Well I have the first week of school under my belt as an elementary teacher and all things considered this week has gone quite smoothly. Week one is in the books! Woo-h00! With a big construction project underway at my school, there had been concerns as many old routines had to be changed to accommodate the job site. Thankfully though, every day just got better and better with the new routines and everyone finding their stride. I am so thankful to have a career where I have an opportunity to mentor children every day and help them grow into the unique and special people that God has designed them to be. Children have always been where my heart finds a home. They never cease to make me smile with their cute and innocent ways. A new student from the Philippines this week introduced himself to everyone and very proudly said “I’m Asian.” This was quite obvious, yet I am very pleased that he was so proud of his nationality, as he should be.  I read a book this week called What I Like About Me. It is a beautiful book with pop-up pictures and things to touch celebrating all the differences that people have. The kids were highly engaged with this delightful book. One of my favourite things about the book is that it has a mirror on the last page. I love going around one by one and putting the mirror in front of each of the kids. Seeing them light up with their little toothless grins, warms my heart. They like what they see and they are proud to see their reflection. I can’t help but wonder, when does that all change and why does that all change for so many or us as we age? When did it all change that we no longer like what we see in the mirror? Sadly we live in a society that seems to daily convey, especially on social media, that we are not thin enough, cool enough, rich enough or somehow acceptable as we are.  The Bible says in Psalms 139: 14 that we all are “fearfully and wonderfully made” God designed each one of us with a purpose first and then created each one of us to fulfill that purpose. Noone is a mistake or unworthy of God’s love. I told my students these words this week and I say the same to you my friends. Everyone is PERFECT just the way you are. You are unique. You are who you were meant to be. You do not need to change a thing about you. I said these things because I believe this is a message they need to hear loud and clear. I then said the only thing that ANY of us may need to change, are the choices we make on a daily basis. No matter what age, we need to strive to make choices that will get us to be the best version of ourselves. At times we truly need to ask ourselves when making choices if participating in this activity will get us closer to where we want to be as a thriving and happy person before deciding. Kids generally seem to have it right. When we are younger, we are just more accepting of ourselves. We need to get back to that as we are often our own worst critic. Remember my friend that even when you feel down and feel like you are not valuable. You are somebody’s EVERYTHING and you are priceless in God’s eyes. Tuck that in your heart today! ❤️ Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the beautiful reality that we are all unique and created differently for a reason beyond what we often see. Each one of us is here for a purpose and I pray that you would help us grow to be more like you each and every day. In Jesus' name. Amen Sending you a virtual hug, Dana
Tags: self esteem, fearfully and wonderfully made, celebrate you, celebrate differences, God's masterpieceCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana (Dana Romualdi)
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 Photo by Pixabay My family and I have had an extremely busy summer. With two teachers and a custodian that works for the school board in our home, we pack our summers full of activity, as this is when we get most of our time off. We have visited Mackinac Island, Frankenmuth Michigan, my brother's cottage in Tobermory and a small community called Puslinch to stay in the cutest tiny home you ever did see. Throw in two amazing concerts, a play, a wedding weekend away and a visit to my childhood church camp, it truly seemed this summer our theme song was "On the Road Again." I am not trying to brag or complain, by any means because although it has been very busy, it has been so enjoyable. Many times, I have remarked how blessed I felt to be able to GET TO do all these amazing activities.  Photo by Elina Sazonova at Pexels As a kid growing up, we would faithfully go to Florida during March break as a family every year. God bless my mom as she would navigate our 22 hour trip in the passenger seat confidently guiding my dad with a paper map all the way. Add that to the long list of my mom's amazing skills and qualities. She was truly a remarkable woman in so many ways. To say I did not inherit her sense of direction is an understatement. I am your girl who can get turned around in my own hometown. No joke! That is why my best friend when traveling, my total BFF is the GPS. I cannot tell you how that genius device has been a game changer for me. I now confidently head out in the driver's seat and know I will make it to my destination because I am partnered with the one who knows the way.  In Psalms 32:8 it says ~ I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way thou shalt go. I will guide thee with mine eye. Our Heavenly Father is our ultimate guide. When other advice and wisdom fails, He has promised to give us the RIGHT direction we must go EVERY TIME. He is the ONE who ULTIMATELY knows the way. When seeking HIS direction, unlike the GPS at times, we must wait for direction for our next move. This is something that we do not enjoy. It can be very frustrating as patience is something that many of us lack. Sometimes my car GPS says "connection lost" and my anxiety begins to set in. My connection is NEVER lost with my Heavenly Father, although I would be lying if I said that I have walked through some dark times when it might have appeared that was the case. He has proven Himself faithful to me time and time again and though His direction for my life may not always follow my schedule, one thing I know for sure is that I can 100% trust His leading in my life. This is something that I NEVER take for granted and I am truly humbled that the Almighty God will take time out of His VERY busy schedule to give me advice on my problems, or point me on the right path. Truly incredible! Are you seeking direction in an area of your life my friend? If so, I encourage you to pray and seek God's will for you in that area and ALL other areas of your life as well. He will NEVER steer you wrong and He is ready and willing to put you on the right path 24 hours a day. Trust Him. You won't regret it. Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that you are always available to help and guide us when we are needing wisdom and direction. Help us to trust you more and know that if you have the WHOLE world in your hands you are more than capable of helping and instructing us on the way we should go in ALL areas of our lives. May we find comfort in this and rest in this assurance. In Jesus' name, Amen Sending you a virtual hug, Danasalms: 32:8
Tags: God's will, needing directions, traveling, seeking guidance,vacations, summer, GPS If I had a dollar for every time people have said to me I COULD NOT do what you do for a living, I would be rich I tell ya! I am an elementary teacher and trust me, I totally get it. It is not everyone's cup of tea to spend 5 days a week with 20 - 30 kids in one room with diverse needs, learning challenges and various personalities. It is not easy I will be honest, but as I know it is my true calling, I find confidence and comfort in that. It is interesting as I am often the one to respond back to those folks who inquire about my career, when they state what they do, that I COULD NOT do what they do. One noteworthy conversation I had of this nature was with a woman I met when I was on vacation. She worked as a prison guard in a maximum security mens' prison and you guessed it... she LOVED her job and said she COULD NOT do what I do! Wow! There is truly a job for everyone out there and it confirmed with me that I am VERY HAPPY to stick with my sweet kiddos on a daily basis.  Photo by lil artsy at Pexels  Photo by Ketut Subiyanto at Pexels In Matthew 5:16 it says: Let your light so shine before men, that they might see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." I am a firm believer that whatever work on this earth you are called to do, is your ministry. There is no work that is done, that is not seen by our Father and valued. You do not have to be an evangelist, Christian recording artist or pastor to have an impact on others for the cause of Christ. I recall one young mom telling me she was "just a stay at home mom" when we were chatting. I quickly validated her and advised her to reframe the priceless work she is doing day in and day out, raising those little kids. I have done that job and it is not only one of the hardest jobs out there, but also one of the most important. She is raising the next generation! You have a powerful ability to positively influence others day after day, simply by being placed at a specific location, whether it be a school, office, your home, or factory. Others need you. They need a positive word, the hope of Christ and someone who will pray with them and walk with them through the dark times. They not only need this, but many are desperate for it. Life is very hard at times, and you may be the only one that that discouraged person can count on when the tough times come. Shine your light in your corner of the world and never question your value. Many times I have wondered about the difference I could make to someone. I have stopped doing that and instead decide that I will do my best and let God do the rest. If you feel inadequate to truly minister to others, trust me you are in good company. The great news is, we serve a God who equips the called, and I am so thankful he does! So my friend, there is work for all of us to do to make an impact on this world of ours. Whether you are a butcher, baker, or candlestick maker, there is work that ONLY YOU can do. Find peace in that. Your purpose was created FIRST and then God made YOU to fulfill it. Tuck that in your heart today my friend! Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that you have created us all so different in our skill sets and talents. Together we can change the world. May we never underestimate the influence we can have when we partner with you. Help us to find purpose and meaning in our lives as we represent you to a hurting and broken world. In Jesus' name, Amen Sending you a virtual hug, Danasalm
Tags: shine your light, ministry, work for the Lord, we all matter, serve the Lord, serve others Photo by Quang Anh Ha Nguyen My daughter and I had the exciting privilege of attending a Phil Wickham and Brandon Lake concert last week. Seeing these two Christian recording artists live in concert has been a goal of mine for quite some time. When we heard they were coming to a venue close by, we immediately said... "WE ARE GOING!" We had been anxiously awaiting the concert for months and couldn't wait to go when the day FINALLY came. Originally to our dismay, we were seated beside a couple that looked like this was the last place they wanted to be. With arms folded and permanent scowls on their faces, it made me wonder ~ like why did you even come? I am telling ya, they reminded me of the old commentators from The Muppet Show. No joke! You can imagine we were not happy to be seated beside them and truth be told, they were really killing our vibe. It always amazes me how people can experience the same event and view it so differently. Fortunately, two rows down there were empty seats, so we eagerly moved down and could then enjoy the concert to the fullest with lots of space and freedom. It was truly an amazing concert and we had a wonderful time singing praises to God at the top of our lungs, as we danced with joy. I laughed when my Fitbit went off indicating that I had reached 10000 steps simply from dancing in my spot.  Phil Wickham: Photo by steven lozano on Unsplash In Nehemiah 8:10 it says: The joy of the Lord is my strength. Joyful experiences fill our cup and give us strength to handle our day to day lives better. God wants us to enjoy ourselves and have a joy-filled life. I am so grateful for experiences like Christian concerts where we can make memories and join with fellow believers worshiping our Creator together. I was so proud to see and hear a crowd of 13000 worshiping God together. Our God is amazing and he deserves our continuous praise for all he has done for us. I can't help but think of that couple and how they somehow missed the point of that incredible concert. It was meant to be a joyous celebration time, not a funeral service. Some people go through their whole lives that way too. I sure don't want to be one of them. I hope those people somehow realize that the God we serve would not want them to go through life with arms crossed and condescending looks to others. He instead wants them and all of us for that matter to live with joyous victory. Well, I can't speak for the other couple but Shannon and I sure had the time of our lives! There was joy in the house that night and there continues to be overflowing joy in our hearts as well. Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for all the enjoyable things you have provided for us like concerts, the gift of music and precious time spent with loved ones. Your desire is for us to enjoy our lives and daily experiences, not dread them. Please remind us that with you by our side you can help us to experience true joy, despite what comes our way. In Jesus' name, Amen Sending you a virtual hug and wishing you joy in YOUR house! Dana
Tags: Christian music, Christian concerts, Phil Wickham, Brandon Lake, joy, joyful living, joy in house of the Lord, living victoriously
Copyright:©2024littlelessonslearnedbydana/ walkingintheword
 Photo by Eko Agalarov "Do you have any funny stories?" This is the same question I heard day after day from my sweet little sidekick when on yard duty at recess time. She was my faithful friend at recess and I enjoyed her company immensely. Often I did and sometimes I was fresh out of "funny stories" so she would happily jump in. Sometimes she would admit they were "true stories" and sometimes just "pretend." Either way we would smile and giggle together and that sweet student would brighten my day every time. Oh the power of laughter! In Proverbs 17:22 NLT it says A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.  Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva Some of my most memorable times in my classroom are when we have a great shared laugh together. Sometimes it is planned and sometimes it is very spontaneous. They always giggle when I share my favourite joke: "Why did the teacher marry the custodian?" ( I am a teacher and my husband is a custodian.) The answer is... He swept her off her feet! Sometimes life is just a little too serious for all of us. The daily grind can get to us, Pressures in life build up and as the verse says "a broken spirit saps a person's strength." If you could use a little more laughter in your life, consider the following suggestions.
So my friend, don't forget to take time for laughter and joy in your life today. A cheerful heart absolutely is good medicine and this world needs you at your best to fulfill all God has planned for you. Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that we can have a joyful life and be blessed by the gift of laughter. We know that you want us to walk in victory, not defeat and by incorporating lightheartedness into our daily routine, that will help us to achieve that goal. May we always be mindful that our lives are meant to be lived to the fullest in you. In Jesus' name, Amen Sending you a virtual hug, Dana
 Photo by Ben White on Unsplash I remember when I grew up, we had the privilege of praying in the public schools. Not only did we recite the Lord's prayer daily, but we also ended with a closing prayer each afternoon. Oh how I WISH we could do that in my classroom today! I attended a very small public school for several years. Added to our daily routine was also the singing of several hymns from the beloved, small, brown, hymnbook. I am a singer and my teacher Mrs. Janzen must have seen great potential in me even way back then. Every hymn session, she would smile and sing the alto harmonies loud and clear in my ear. I picked it up every time very easily. I was so proud and she was proud of me too. I would grin from ear to ear! To this day, I credit much of my ability to harmonize to her faithful and patient singing in my ear. God bless teachers like Mrs. Janzen. One of my favourite old hymns we often sang was entitled: My God and I. Simply put it talked of the unique and exceptionally special relationship between our Heavenly Father and us. It spoke of walking through beautiful meadows and talking and laughing as best friends do. The lyrics brought powerful images to mind of a Heavenly Father who is also a dear friend who truly desires to spend quality time with us.  In Romans 5:11 it says: So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God—all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God. – Romans 5:11 (NLT) It is truly incredible that the God of the universe desires a friendship with us. I talk to God about EVERYTHING! He is my best friend, confidant and the keeper of my deepest desires, secret prayers and biggest dreams. I don't know where I would be today without God and trust me, I don't even want to imagine ever doing life without him by my side 24/7. There is NOTHING my God and I can't handle together and I am so grateful for the relationship we have each and every day of my life! Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that you are a God that calls us friends. Thank you that you are never too busy to listen to us or spend time with us. We love you and appreciate the relationship we have with you beyond words. In Jesus' name, Amen Sending you a virtual hug, Dana
Copyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana/ walkingintheword Tags: friendship with God, my God and I, spending time in God's prescence Photo by fauxels  Photo by Pixabay I fondly remember as a little kid the wonderful joy of Saturday morning cartoons. Armed with a huge bowl of sugary cereal in my lap, my favourite pjs and cozy blanket, I settled in for the pleasure of watching show after show. One of my favourites cartoons was The Justice League. I was fascinated by all the superheroes and all their special powers and abilities. One of my favs other than Wonder Woman of course, were the Wonder Twins. I loved how they always saved the day by joining forces together. On their own, they were not complete but when they teamed up, they were truly a force to be reckoned with. Through the years as a parent when I needed to enlist some help from the kids we would often in fun say “WONDER TWIN POWERS… ACTIVATE" and do the signature fist bump that the cartoon characters would do. My kids were kind of out of the loop with The Justice League and I am sure they didn’t quite get it. Nevertheless, Ty and Shannon would chime in with a hearty "WONDER TWIN POWERS ACTI-BATE" time and time again. (lol) Regardless of their lack of schema for the show, they got that it meant that teamwork matters, and I was reaching out for help. In Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10 ( New Living Translation) it says: Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. My mom said it this way “Many hands make light work.” She would often say this when we were helping with the dishes or housework especially if our attitudes were, let's just say, less than ideal. We got what she was saying, regardless, loud and clear. It is true how much we need each other. We were designed to be part of an authentic community and everybody needs somebody in their corner. Who are your “people?” Your “people” are your tribe, your most cherished humans on the face of this earth. They are the people you could call on day or night. Believe me, it is an elite few. They are the ones that will come alongside you during the best and worst of times. They make the load lighter and they literally walk in when the rest of the world walks out. I am blessed to have many of these people in my life. I have swallowed my pride many times, and reached out to them for help. Some of us don't like to be vulnerable, but remember there are no prizes for independence my friends.  Photo by fauxels Sometimes in our lives we really need others by our side. It is healthy, necessary and part of God’s plan. Knowing when to rally the troops is both wise and commendable. If you haven’t found your “people” yet, don’t despair. They are out there. You must keep looking and don’t be afraid to initiate activities or help from them. Too many people sit back waiting for others. This can just keep you lonely, needy and frustrated. The verse above says it beautifully when it says "two are better than one because they can help each other succeed." Together we work towards the same goals and true friends are so happy to help. The great thing is when they need you, you are there for them too. It is a winning combo for sure. So next time you are struggling with something, remember the mantra “WONDER TWINS… ACTIVATE!” There are people just waiting to fist bump and join forces with you to help you succeed and just in case you are wondering, I am one of them! Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you with our whole hearts for the gift of others who walk through both our sunny days and storms with us. True friends are one of the greatest blessings that we can have on this earth. We know that you have designed us for fellowship and to be genuinely connected to others. Life is hard, but with you by our side and our “people” in our corner, we know we will be able to take life one day at a time. We are so grateful for that reassurance. In Jesus’ name, Amen Sending you a virtual fist bump, Dana
Tags: friendship, best friends, relationships, authentic community, supporting one anotherCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana/ walkingintheword
 Photo by Byron Breytenbach on Unsplash I am sure somewhere along the way you have heard talk about is your cup half full or half empty? I heard a quote this week that challenged me a bit. It said in response to this, "I'm just grateful I have a cup!" Wow! Interesting perspective isn't it? It is so true that much of what we have we often take for granted. So much of what makes up our day to day lives, others could only dream about. We are truly blessed but in the hard times, sad seasons or discouraging moments, it is easily forgotten.  Photo by Guillaume de Germain on Unsplash In Psalms 23:5 it talks about "my cup overflows" which signifies how many blessings we truly have. Not only has God filled our cup, but it is actually overflowing with his loving kindness to us. I went out for coffee with a friend today. The young boy overfilled my beverage, and needed to pour some out before he served it to me. In this instance, an overflowing cup might seem like a nuisance, but not with our "life's cup." I have heard of many studies that indicate that anxiety and gratefulness cannot coexist. These two mindsets are literally competing for our brain's attention. I don't know about you, but I sure would like to have a life filled with gratefulness, over anxiety ANY DAY.  Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash Gratitude journals are a great tool to express our thankfulness for all of our blessings. They are a great resource to have as well to come back to during the hard times. If you need an recommendation for a good journal, I have some available as a digital download and can hook you up. Just let me know. The very act of writing things down, puts in writing examples of God's faithfulness to us. Blessings are all around us whether it be a hot cup of coffee, a warm and cozy home, a sunshiny day or a hug from our best friend. Remember as God's children we truly do experience an abundance of favour and things to be grateful for. Our cups are overflowing right along with the fullness we feel in our thankful hearts! Tuck that in your heart today! Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that you not only fill our life's cup but you overflow it. Your love is so high, so deep and so wide, for us it is almost too much to comprehend. We are blessed to have you not only as our Saviour but our very best friend. May we never take all that you have given us for granted but instead seek to use it all to bless others and make you proud. In Jesus' Name, Amen Until next time, Dana AuthorDana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, author, social worker, blogger and speaker. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement. She lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or writing, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books. Tags: blessings, thankfulness, gratitude, thankful heart, full cups, positive attitudeCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana/ walkingintheword
 I had a yard sale in my class last week. I am retiring in 4 years and I am starting to purge things now. It is unreal the amount of stuff I have accumulated in 20 years of teaching. UNREAL, I tell ya! I told the kids everything must go and all stuff was FREE! They were beside themselves, literally freaking out. The "hot" items were peel and stick mustaches, a black cowboy hat, a melting snowman, pop-it toys and stickers of all varieties. It was so precious and comical to see what they chose. They were absolutely delighted to go back to the tables time and time again and fill their bags with yet another "treasure." It was a great way to get rid of stuff and the kids sure appreciated it. They kept asking "Are you sure you want to get rid of this?" I just kept saying "Absolutely! One man's junk is another man's treasure!"  Photo by Suzy Hazelwood My students taught me a valuable lesson that day that beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder and I couldn't help making comparisons with this experience and how our heavenly father sees us. In Deuteronomy 7:6 is says “The Lord your God has chosen you to be people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. We are G0d's treasure. God's treasure? Let that sink in. We as humans are so flawed, so sinful and so unworthy of his love. Yet, he doesn't perceive us that way. Where we see broken, he sees beautiful. Where we see worthless, he sees priceless. His love for us is so boundless and magnificent. It is almost too much to take in at times. Just like my students, through their eyes, everything that had been laid out on the table was so valuable. They saw it through different eyes, like God views us.  Never forget your value. You were worth dying for in God's eyes. You are absolutely priceless and irreplaceable. I want to remind you of that today because you matter and you. are. treasured! Tuck that in your heart today! Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that you look beyond our flaws and see someone you love unconditionally. May we be willing to see what you see and embrace all you have made us to be. Guide us to others who need to know of the treasure they are as well. In Jesus' name, Amen AuthorDana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, author, social worker, blogger and speaker. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement. She lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or writing, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books. Tags: self esteem, self worth, God's masterpiece, God love, you are valuableCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana/ walkingintheword
 Photo by Ketut Subiyanto In Lamentations 3: 22 - 23 it says: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. It is such an incredible thought to ponder that God's mercies are new EVERY morning. With each new day, God gives us a fresh dose of his grace to face whatever the day may hold. He never grows weary of us, or tired of offering his grace on a continual basis. In this verse it speaks of the never changing nature of God's love as well. It is described as steadfast. You can count on it and put your trust in it. God's love is so different than anything we are used to here on earth. It is so refreshing. He loves us unconditionally. NOTHING we could ever do would make God loves us any less or more than he does right now. Some days are very difficult. It is so reassuring to know that with each new sunrise, we have a chance to make a fresh start in Christ. God can give us a fresh start at any time, but truly every day we have on this earth is a gift. Knowing that God is faithful and stays by our side reminds us that together with God, no matter what the day may bring, we will face it head on, hand in hand together. Tuck that in your heart today! Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the gift of each new day. Each new day has such potential. Help us to never take for granted the wonderful life you have given us. May we not count the days, but make the days count for the cause of Christ and the furtherance of your kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen Until next time, Dana AuthorDana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, author, social worker, blogger and speaker. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement. She lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or writing, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books. Tag: God's faithfulness, God's mercy, gift of a new dayCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana/ walkingintheword
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