Chapel

On my way to work last Wednesday, I got a call from Shea's principal. She asked me if I would be interested in doing Chapel. I did two last year and I truly enjoyed the experience. As much as I don't love speaking in front of adults...the kids are just awesome listeners! I can be fun and silly and they just love me for it! Also, the kids are so much more open to ideas than most adults. The chapels that I did last year took me months of preparation- I did a power-point presentation and shared photos of my burn victim kids- really hitting home at how important I feel it is to love people that may be different from you & I. I also stressed the importance of how careful we should choose the words that come out of our mouths, because once they come out...you can never take them back- yes, you can apologize- but you can't ever put them back in. At my second chapel, I even brought my scrubs and got fully dressed so they could see how funny I look! Funny thing is, the kids really got my message. Last year, the problem that arose was that the DVD that I brought to show didn't work(Tarzan- where Tarzan & his ape mom talk about why he is so different and then the song, "You'll Be In My Heart" comes on- love it!) ...which was God's way of getting me to do another one...which I did! Anyway, Stephanie, said that their speaker cancelled for this past Friday! Of course being the "organized planner" that I am- my first response was to tell her, "Oh, no I am not ready or prepared." Then I remembered how I am trying to be more spontaneous when it comes to doing things that I truly love to do. I am trying to be a bit more daring and go for things...so all of a sudden, I heard the words, "OK, I'll do it" come out of my mouth- before I knew what hit me! So as I was driving into work, my mind was reeling with so many ideas. I prayed and everything just came so easily to me...without the months & months of planning that I once thought was necessary. My lesson was simple, yet very sweet and moving. I spoke alot about my friends in my life- I took a boquet of white roses and one red rose. I took the red rose and showed it to them explaining that it is unique, special and beautiful on it's own however, one by one, I picked up a white rose and told them a name of one of my best friends, adding it to my red rose. In the end, I had this gorgeous boquet and made the point that : all alone, God made us each special but when we allow our friends and loved ones in our lives, we become even more incredible than we can even imagine. I also have a "blessings" jar in my bedroom where each day I write something that I was happy or thankful for on that given day. I have done it for years and it always encourages me on those days when I feel sad or have a bad day. I encouraged the kids to make a jar of their own and they had a blast as I called several up and they got to pick one out and I shared what it said. I had a blast with one of my best friends, Amy, where we just played off each other and make a few very good points about what friendship is all about. My last part was sharing my favorite sign that hangs above my dresser in my bedroom- it reads:
"Do Something Every Day That You Love"
I explained that if I had to pick a motto for my life...that would definitely be it! Each and every day, I do something that I love to do! It is always easy for me to find something, whether it is to call someone and say "Hi & I love you" or take my mom peanut brittle or just hug someone special! The sky's the limit and I take full advantage of all of the opportunities that God gives us to make ourselves happy! Just wanted to share my Chapel experience with you...I can't wait to do my next one! School has already invited me to come back! I have decided that spontaneity is so exciting and so full of wonderful surprises!