Category: story time

Story Time-Where Are Those Gloves?

~ jesusluvsall ~ 17 Comments

Where I live, we are going to have a big cold front come through dropping our temperatures from 68f/20c today to 34f/1c tomorrow, so it is time for my annual game of-Where Are Those Gloves?

Photo by Dom J on Pexels.com

Those sneaky gloves like to play hide and seek with me. Some years they are so good at it that I end up buying another pair of gloves and when I do, that’s when the old pair of gloves suddenly reappears. My search today will probably result in me going to buy another pair anyway.

My Lord of the Rings hoodie is ready to go. I washed it the other day, but I think I may need to wash some sweaters today. I don’t break out the winter coat until it is much colder than it will be tomorrow. I still have that coat I bought several years ago that has a rip in the side. We will wait and see if I need another one.

Back to those sneaky gloves. I have a feeling they might have been hiding in my old van that I had towed away. But I will look around one more time. If I find them, I will rejoice because that will mean I won’t need to go shopping. If I do find them, I will update you so you can rejoice with me. 🙂

Jesus talked about the joy a person has in finding lost things in Luke 15 and used that to share about how angels rejoice when one person comes to know Jesus.

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’  In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Story Time- In Search of Pumpkins

~ jesusluvsall ~ 7 Comments

This week I am on a search for pumpkins for a fall festival at the school where I teach in the mornings, so if you were hoping my post today is about Linus from Charlie Brown looking for the Great Pumpkin, sorry. 🙂

Photo by Kristina Paukshtite on Pexels.com

Because of COVID, starting in August 2020 my church has been doing First Free Loves LPS-Lincoln Public Schools. We have done various things to show support for teachers and schools. So when I was asked if my church could help with money for the fall festival, I gladly asked. The answer was yes,

The problem? Somehow that also has meant the task of finding 60 mini pumpkins and 20 regular ones has fallen to me, to me the least likely person one would select for such a mission. Shopping ranks below doing laundry and is equal to going to the dentist in my mind.

The regular pumpkins are still plentiful to find, but those mini ones not so much. I will make one more valiant epic effort today to find some.

My search brought to mind what Jesus said about us in Luke 19:10:


“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Jesus left heaven to be born as a human baby to grow to be a man to die for us, That is the extent Jesus was willing to go through on our behalf. Jesus seeks us out of his great love for us.

My search will continue today. Perhaps a rescue team will be needed to find me as I go out into that realm called shopping.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Story Time-My Student Needed A Book

~ jesusluvsall ~ 24 Comments

My schedule is a little tight between my afternoon class and my evening classes. My afternoon class finishes at 6pm and my evening classes start at 6:30 pm. Fortunately it is a short drive from the high school where my afternoon class meets to either my home for my Monday/Wednesday Zoom class or to the college for my Tuesday/Thursday class.

Yesterday afternoon my class finished a little early because the students had a placement test for English level. Having the extra ten minutes, I had the time for a mission.

One of my Zoom students needed the book for class, but she is a new arrival from Ukraine having come to my city two months ago. She works but is dependent on the bus There was no way for her to be able to go to the college downtown to get her book. I picked one up for her Tuesday evening, but was not sure how I would get it to her. Having the extra ten minutes did the trick.

I drove to the main bus stop downtown to see if she was there and sure enough, she was. I drove up, rolled down a window to my car and called out her name. I handed her the book. She was surprised that her teacher pulled up to give her the book and was all smiles.

It made me think about what Jesus said about the lost sheep in Luke 15:

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders  and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.”

I was happy to go look for my student and even happier that I found her to give her the book. That pales in comparison to Jesus and the lengths he went to on our behalf. He left heaven to come to earth to seek us out and save us. He wants to put us on his shoulder. He rejoices when we come to him.

My student was glad to see me drive up. Are we glad that Jesus came for us?

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Story Time- Student Confused by the Word Fix

~ jesusluvsall ~ 16 Comments

English can be a confusing language to learn. A fun example is a question a student had the other day. They saw-fix breakfast- and wondered why it said fix breakfast. They asked if breakfast was broken. Side note that could be true if I was making breakfast, but I digress.

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

I explained that yes English is crazy sometimes and that Americans also use fix to mean make when it is about breakfast, lunch, or dinner. My student shook her head. I did not go into that in the South people will use am fixing to to mean am going to.

Jesus often confused people when he spoke in parables. We have the benefit of having the whole bible and still might get confused. One such word that confused people when Jesus spoke that is humbling to think about is the word-sheep. Jesus used the word sheep in reference to people. Matthew picked up on this when he wrote in Matthew chapter 9:

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Sheep are not very bright. They get lost easy. They wander off easily and they cannot protect themselves. That is how Jesus sees us. It is humbling to admit that we wander, get confused, and need his help.

It is also humbling to admit that sometimes when I cook the results need to be fixed. 🙂

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Story Time- Why I Gave My Student A High Five

~ jesusluvsall ~ 17 Comments

As a teacher I believe in recognizing students when they do well and encouraging them when they struggle. I have been know to give out stickers, chocolates, and give a thumbs up. Yesterday evening my evening class began and we had a get to know each time. I actually gave one of my students a High Five.

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You might be wondering why I gave her a High Five. What did she do to deserve special recognition in front of the whole class? Did she answer a difficult question? Did she understand new vocabulary?

Well for all Tolkien fans, you will appreciate her brilliant taste. One of the questions I asked to get to know my students was, “What is your favorite movie?” She answered, “Lord of the Rings.” A student after my own heart. Lord of the Rings is my all time favorite movie-all three. I was so excited that I walked over and gave her a High Five. I can already tell that she will be an excellent student. 🙂

One time Jesus recognized Peter on the spot when Peter answered the question-“Who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus recognized Peter right away saying, “Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.”

It is a work of the Holy Spirit to help us realize who Jesus is and to seek Jesus. The Holy Spirit is always at work wooing people to Jesus.

I am looking forward to a fun quarter with this class. One student said she likes The Lion King and another said she likes the Minions movie. It should be in interesting class.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Story Time- Student Reactions to Winter Pictures

~ jesusluvsall ~ 10 Comments

This story time is a collaborative effort between me and Gary of garyfultz.com. You know those outdoor adventure type shows? They perhaps pale in comparison to Gary’s outdoor adventures. He lives in the far north of the USA where I think they have a few weeks of summer each year and almost endless winters. Where he lives, they can pull a shack onto a frozen lake in the winter by driving a pick up truck onto the frozen lake. I think he spends most of the winter in his ice fishing shack. 🙂

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

Gary sent me pictures of his winter adventures with his family for me to have a little fun with my students. I have been showing them to my students this week. The picture above is not from Gary simply because I did not ask permission to put one in my post but if you go to his blog, you will see pictures of his outdoor adventures.

My Ukrainian students were not phased at all which was no surprise. But the looks of shock on the faces of my students from places like Mexico, Burma, Sudan and Vietnam were fun to observe.

When I asked if they wanted to go ice fishing, some responses were:

“No, I don’t want to die.”

“No, I don’t want to need the hospital.”

It was part of having fun with my students as they laughed with me. When my students laugh, it gives me joy because I know how hard life has been for them.

Laughter is a gift from God. Psalm 126:2 says


Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.

Some of my students know Jesus. Some do not. It is my heart’s desire that they all come to know Jesus and the joy of knowing him.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Story Time- About The Color Gray

~ jesusluvsall ~ 21 Comments

A curiosity to me is a choice I have seen some young women make when it comes to hair coloring. I am not referring to purple, green, red etc. The choices that are curious to me are gray and white. Each time I see a young woman who colors her hair gray or white, I feel like saying, “why hurry about that?” The time will come when it happens naturally but then perhaps they will color their hair a different color. 🙂

Photo by Anastasiya Lobanovskaya on Pexels.com

I joke with my students that I color my beard white to look older because I am young and want them to respect me as a teacher. I don’t think anyone has believed me yet.

In recent years, I have come to appreciate what God said in Isaiah 46:4

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

In the summer of 2020 during the pandemic, classes I had taught for twenty years were canceled abruptly with no notice. I would have to wait until the fall to start with different classes. It meant my main source of income for the summer was gone with no chance to line up anything due to the pandemic. But God took care of it through his people sending money anonymously. That lasted during the three months of lost income and more than made up for the lost income.

Last month when my van died and I was not sure how I would get a vehicle, it was through God’s people being generous that last week I was able to buy my car. It is perfect for my needs being easier to get in and out of as someone living with psoriatic arthritis would want.

By the way, the color of my car is fitting for my topic today. It is gray. 🙂

Whatever age we are, we can look to Jesus for help.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Story Time- My New Friend Indy the Golden Retriever

~ jesusluvsall ~ 25 Comments

Yesterday I visited my friend to watch a college football game. It was my first time at his house and knowing he has two dogs, I bought some dog treats to bring with me. One of the dogs, Indy, is a golden retriever. Indy stayed with me practically the whole time.

I was wearing shorts and Indy paid attention to my one bad knee. He would lick it at times. It is uncanny how dogs know when a part of our bodies is in pain. My knee was a bit worse than usual because I walked on it too much Friday due to taking the bus because of no working vehicle.

I grew up with a golden retriever. She was my best friend as a child. She slept in my room and always found her way to me under the kitchen table. Yes, I am a softy when it comes to dogs giving those sad eyes while I am earting.

When I think of dogs, the word faithful comes to mind. Show them a little love and attention and they will stay by your side.

If only we could be more like that when it comes to Jesus. I think about the love and attention he showed us when he died on the cross and continues to show us as he stays with us every second of every day.

I hope to visit Indy again and of course my friend Todd and his family too.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Story Time- My Students’ Choice

~ jesusluvsall ~ 12 Comments

Tuesday evening in my class, my students were all enthused about the new books we received for studying. When it was time to go to the computer lab, they all wanted to stay in class and study from the new books. Realizing that we are expected to spend time in the computer lab each class, I told them. “that’s good because the more we study from the Student Book, the more homework I can give you from the Workbook.”

Suddenly they changed their minds and wanted to go to the computer lab. 🙂

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We have choices daily about what we want to do with our time and effort. Do we spend time with Jesus to start our day? Do we live for him today?

We also have the most important choice of all, which is whether we will choose to trust in Jesus as our Savior or not.

As Joshua said in Joshua 24:15


“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

By the way this evening my students will not have a choice. They will receive homework. 🙂

Thank you for reading. God Bless.

Story Time- A New Use for Blueberries?

~ jesusluvsall ~ 27 Comments

Stop the presses!!! Breaking News!!! A discovery that needs to shared with all of humanity about our friend the blueberry!!!

Yesterday I went to the organic/natural food store that is next to my office, aka coffee shop, to buy some food. I had a craving for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I checked and saw there was one gluten free bread left, made out of oat flour, so I got the bread. Next was the creamy organic peanut butter, but wanting to eat healthier, well actually because I need to lose weight it has nothing to do with wanting to eat healthier, instead of jelly I went to get some organic bananas for peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I also got some blueberries that I like to mix with yogurt.

A funny thing happened on my way to the bananas. I got distracted by talking with someone. Who would have guessed that could happen? When I got home, I realized that I did not actually buy the bananas. They say necessity is the mother of invention, which is where my friend the blueberry comes in.

I said to myself, “self blueberries are a fruit. What if you made a peanut butter and blueberry sandwich. That is exactly what I did. So without further ado, I present to you the amazing peanut butter and blueberry sandwich.

I realize this may revolutionize culinary skills all around the world, so I will not seek a patent for my amazing discovery. It should be shared freely with all humanity. 🙂

What is next you might ask? I am glad you asked. There are possibilities such as blueberry’s distant relative the strawberry. Perhaps a peanut butter and fresh strawberry sandwich. But whatever version is attempted, we owe it all to the blueberry.

Whenever a new creation for food is successful, because 99.99% of the time mine are not, I think about how we can become new creations in Jesus. 2nd Corinthians 5:17 says:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

We can have a fresh start in life and change when we come to Jesus.

I wonder what else can be done with our friend the blueberry. Perhaps more to come. 🙂

Thank you for reading. God bless.