Spiritual Progress

The prayer my soul has been groaning for a few weeks (Rom. 8:26) has finally found words in this poem I found in Karen Andreola's Pocketful of Pinecones: Nature Study With the Gentle Art of Learning, and in finding the words, the new life seems easier to find, as well.



Kindly spring again is here,
Trees and fields in bloom appear;
Hark! The birds with artless lays
Warble their creator's praise.

Where in winter all was snow,
Now the flowers in clusters grow;
And the corn, in green array,
Promises a harvest-day.

Lord, afford a spring to me,
Let me feel like what I see;
Speak, and by thy gracious voice,
Make my drooping soul rejoice.

On the garden deign to smile,
Raise the plants, enrich the soil;
Soon thy presence will restore
Life to what seemed dead before.

by John Newton



***keep in mind I live in South Florida, so since we do not really have seasons, these sentiments echo in my soul more than in the natural world around me!

Join a Guinness World Record!

This sounds like a lot of fun! Go to Read for the Record to sign up!

Dear Friends,

I am happy to announce that my book The Very Hungry Caterpillar is the official book in Jumpstart's Read for the Record campaign this year.

The goal of this program is to set a Guinness World Record for the number of people reading the same book on the same day to children around the world and to shine the spotlight on the importance of early literacy.

On October 8th, all around the world, more than one million people are expected to read The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I will be appearing on the Today Show in New York to help celebrate. Hopefully a record will be set, bigger than ever before!

Sign up at Jumpstart's web site to read The Very Hungry Caterpillar and be a part of this year's Read for the Record!

Eric Carle

T is for...Teacher's Guides

I am so excited! Thanks to Jen's post at Wildflowers and Marbles, I just found out that many of the Sleeping Bear Press alphabet books that Elizabeth and friends at Serendipity got me hooked on have free PDF teacher's guides to go with them! Are these great or what? Some of them are a bit advanced for my little ones, but what great ideas for rabbit trails and older students.



These are the titles that I own, so far:


D Is for Democracy: A Citizen's Alphabet ~ Teacher's Guide

M Is for Masterpiece: An Art Alphabet ~ no guide available; I wonder why

M Is for Melody: A Music Alphabet ~ Teacher's Guide

P is for Passport: A World Alphabet ~ Teacher's Guide

R Is for Rhyme: A Poetry Alphabet ~ Teacher's Guide

S is for Story: A Writer's Alphabet ~ Teacher's Guide



A few titles I don't yet own but look fabulous...


A is for America: An American Alphabet ~ Teacher's Guide

B Is for Battle Cry: A Civil War Alphabet ~ Teacher's Guide

B is for Bookworm: A Library Alphabet ~ Teacher's Guide

G is for Galaxy: An Out of This World Alphabet ~ Teacher's Guide

I Is for Idea: An Inventions Alphabet ~ Teacher's Guide


L Is for Lone Star: A Texas Alphabet ~ Teacher's Guide

P Is for Pilgrim: A Thanksgiving Alphabet ~ Teacher's Guide


S Is For Sunshine: A Florida Alphabet ~ Teacher's Guide

V Is for Venus Flytrap: A Plant Alphabet ~ Teacher's Guide



I could go on and on, but I won't! I only checked the two state books, but since they have books for all 50 states, I would assume other states have the guides, as well.

Housework Chaos?

Overwhelmed by the mess? Drink the graces here...slowly savor them...



So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. ~ 2 Cor. 4:18



Then, head on over to Ann's place to read more beauty about Things Unseen.

Too Bright?

I was making the bed this morning, and the morning sun coming in through our bedroom window (which faces directly east) was intensely bright, causing me to squint, cringe, and shade my eyes. The thought instantly came to my mind that this is how I feel about God, right now. If I pray a little or read a little from a spiritual book, it's too bright for me. I have to stop after just a tiny taste. Interesting insight into why I have not gotten (back) into any prayer routine lately. Anyone ever feel this way?