Soaring Above It All:
| Inspiration
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A Hidden Power
in your Fall
By: Tarinna Terrell, MEd, CACII
Gathering Together:
A Time to Give
Thanks
By: Valerie Frazier
A
s the general population across the globe prepares to spend quality
time with family and friends, I am reminded of a harmonious song that
was taught to me in grade school. Originally written in the Netherlands
Allow the elders to share stories with the younger relatives of how life has
in the late sixteenth century to describe the mayhem of an eighty year war
time of reflection. Include entries such as pay phone, clothes line, rotary phone,
overseas, this nationalistic and political song appeared in the American
television antennae, Polaroid camera etc. See if the younger generation can
Hymnals in 1903 and was sung at the funeral mass for Jacqueline Kennedy
explain the function of each entry. If they are unable to explain, have the
Onassis. The words to the first stanza of this harmonious hymn are as follows:
elders in the family lend their expertise as this will make them feel useful
changed for them. Incorporate this quality time into an educational game.
Have family members pull various topics from a gift box that would allow a
with a sense of family pride!
We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing:
Sing praise to His Name, He forgets not His own.
As we dust off our favorite recipes and devise a plan to lose those unwanted
pounds, let us maximize our Thanksgiving holiday gatherings by disengaging
ourselves from the television, cell phones and all other electronic devices that
GATHER PRAYER REQUESTS
Use this time to compile a list of prayer requests and make copies for those
in attendance. At the next gathering, spend time checking off all that God has
done in the year and reflect on His faithfulness. This can be repeated annually.
COMPILE A LIST OF GOALS
hinder us from authentic interpersonal communication. Let us be intentional
Have each family member compile a list of personal goals that they would like
to acknowledge the blessings we have already been granted by God. Below are
to accomplish or even begin working on as the new year approaches. Make
my personal Thanksgiving holiday tips that will strengthen any family:
sure the goals are attainable and measurable.
WRITE A LETTER OF ENCOURAGEMENT
PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR
Have each family member pull a name from a gift box and write a letter of
Decide as a group where the family would like to meet for the following year
encouragement to that family member. We often wait until it is too late to
so planning can get underway immediately. Encourage the family to pick a
thank and acknowledge the people that have made an impact in our lives.
different location such as renting a beach house near the ocean. Prices on
CLOSE THE GENERARTION GAP
vacation you have been discussing for years.
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NOVEMBER 2013
cruise ships are affordable during this season and would allow for that family
I’m deeply sliding, I can’t seem to break this fall
I feel stuck, From the aftermath of it all
I’m holding on for dear life, Gasping, barely holding it together
I feel I have been severely punched
By the great boxer Floyd Mayweather
That is it, I throw in the towel
Wait a minute, Who is pulling me up?
I said I was done, I see a hand reaching
And I keep hearing, Trust the most Holy One
I’m being pulled back up, The voice is saying
There is purpose in your fall, When you gave up?
That’s when I stand tall, In your weakest state
The voice says that’s when you are strong
Now I can show you there is hidden power in your fall!
Trust me the pain was well worth it all
As we enter this fall season I want to expand upon the four letter
word a little. The word fall often has a negative connotation.
In popular culture many quotes include the word fall. Such as,
“I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” and “The apple doesn’t fall far from
the tree.” If you hear that someone had a fall, the first thing you
say is,