One stitch at a Time
Dashing through the snow!!!!
Christmas 2008 on the Farm
Christmas Clock
Teachers teaching children how to give/making memory boxes for HAIN
Heavenly Angels in Need Comfort Forum
Babies & Children need your help!
The Story behind Heavenly Angels in Need
The Arms of An Angel by DeAndrea Reyes
Mary and Brian Glynn are proud parents of four healthy children; but they have seen their fair share of the inside of hospitals' NICU's (Neonatal Intensive Care Units). In 1990, before she met Brian, 17-year-old Mary gave birth to Justen. He was several weeks premature and had many complications. (Justen gets his name because he was born "just in time.") Two years later, Mary met Brian and they quickly got engaged. After their marriage, the couple learned Mary was pregnant and it was soon clear that they were in for a rough ride. At just 8 weeks gestation, Mary had a miscarriage. The couple prayed and tried for the next five years to get pregnant again with no success. Finally, their prayers were answered in 1998 when Mary conceived Julionna. Then, just three months after the birth of Julionna, Mary conceived again. Within weeks of the pregnancy, Mary began to have complications. At only 26 weeks gestation, Mary gave birth to a 2 pound, 10 ounce boy, Gabriel. During the following two months, he was required to remain in the NICU, so Mary drove to the hospital every two hours to nurse her newborn son. In April 2000, Mary learned she was pregnant again, and three months later, Mariah Belle was born at 21 weeks gestation weighing only 10 ounces. She was too early to save and died just an hour and a half after her birth. Paul, their sixth conceived child, was born healthy and with no complications in 2001. Mary and Brian Glynn have had their fair share of heartache, but as we all know, God's plans for our lives are not always what we expect. In the two years following the loss of baby Mariah, Mary says God was assuring her that her daughter did not die in vain. In 2002, Mary began to knit hats for babies in local NICU's, and, shortly after, Heavenly Angels In Need ("HAIN") was born. HAIN eventually morphed into the non-profit charity organization it is today, donating items to families who have children who have passed on and to those who are clinging to life. As Mary knitted hats, she realized there was a much bigger need. Items such as caskets, blankets, memory boxes, baby care items, and burial garments were also desperately needed. So in April 2003, Mary began a group website and by June of the same year, demand encouraged the group website to become a public one. In 2004, the memory box, casket and children's divisions were created to get more items to those who needed them. As the ministry expanded, "Angel Stations" were born, allowing HAIN to reach people in all parts of the United States, as well as other countries. Angel Stations are divisions of HAIN set up to produce and provide items, as well as deliver those items to local hospitals. The Angel Stations coordinate with the different divisions to access needs in each area and make sure they are being met. As their most requested item, the memory box division is unfortunately the biggest part of HAIN. Memory boxes provide a place for families to preserve prized mementos of a baby who has passed on. These boxes are generally hand-made and donated to HAIN, then distributed to the hospitals or the individuals who request them. The casket division was inspired after Brian Glynn built baby Mariah's casket because of the family's inability to purchase one. Like the memory box division, caskets are handmade and donated to HAIN by caring individuals, and then distributed. HAIN also accepts the donation of new or used wedding, prom, and brides maid dresses to make burial garments for families who cannot afford them. For many who have lost a child or an infant, this is an irreplaceable gift. HAIN realizes there is a need for items for babies who are born to impoverished individuals, as well. This is why they accept items such as diapers, clothes, blankets, toys, formula, and other much needed baby care items. These are distributed to local hospitals and Social Services to help families who cannot afford to provide these necessities for their baby and those in emergency situations. The children's division donates items to children in emergency situations, and to children residing in the care of Social Services. "Special Kids Bags" are put together, which is a pillow case filled with specific items pertaining to the child's situation. This past year, HAIN sent Special Kids Bags to Texas to help the children affected by Hurricane Katrina. Donations of materials are needed to make caskets, memory boxes, burial garments, and Special Kids Bags. Patterns are available online for those who would like to knit, chrochet or sew baby items and craft projects will also be available soon. HAIN also knows some people may wish to help, but do not have the time or ability to make things to give. Therefore, they also accept monetary gifts. A full wish list of wants and needs for the organization can be found online. Mary and Brian Glynn have let God use their own family tragedy to help others who have found infant death to be a very real and unfortunate event. Mary says, "Someone has to let these parents know that they are not alone…parents and children need to have something to let them know that they are loved and cared about." To learn more about Heavenly Angels In Need or to make a donation to the ministry, visit www.heavenlyangelsinneed.com (PLEASE NOTE: We now have Regional area's, Several States conjoining across a certain region, State Rep.'s, and area Representatives instead of "Angel Stations." Pauline Hale President Children's Division)
Some donations I bought & made
Memory Boxes HAIN volunteers have made!!!
Items made from wedding & formal gowns for babies that have passed...
Friday, December 19, 2008
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Collecting for a tiny baby Boy!
This Christmas I am collecting for a tiny baby boy and his family. The father just got laid off and are in real need. This little boy is less than 3 months and has NOTHING so ANYTHING would be wonderful. Just found out they have a 6 year old boy with size 12 shoe's and wears a small 6-7 in clothes..
Please, if you can help, we can send a tax receipt, send all items to our Head Quarters at:
Heavenly Angels in Need
Children's Division
41300 Upper Calapooia Drive
Sweet Home, Oregon 97386
Thank you so very much.
Holiday Angel
President Heavenly Angels in Need
Children's Division
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Helping Children Cope from North Pole on My Space
Helping Children Cope When a Loved
One Is on Military Deployment
Americans read the big, bold newspaper headlines: "U.S.
to Send New Soldiers
to Afghanistan," "Duty Calls," and "Local Guard Soldiers Headed to Iraq.
"
When these headlines refer to members of children's families and others
from the community, teachers want
to learn what they can do to help.
This article shares strategies that
teachers can use to help the children
and families of deployed men
and women who are active military
or members of reserve units.
"I don't like the Army,
Miss Allen"
The national headlines have
become reality in our midwestern
town three-and-a-half hours from
the closest active military installation,
Fort Knox, Kentucky.
One day
in May, I [Megan Allen] noticed a
change of behavior in Kayla, an
extremely social kindergartner.
She
was quiet during morning meeting,
keeping to herself when she is
usually eager to share stories about
her neighbor's puppy, her older sister's boyfriend, or her new bunk bed.
My
concern increased when she put her head down and refused to play "Slap It,"
one of her favorite word wall games.
My first thought was that Kayla was sick,
but after a visit to the nurse she returned to class with a note saying she had
no signs of illness. Nevertheless, I knew something was wrong.
Before lunch, I took Kayla aside for a private talk.
She said she was sad but
did not elaborate, so I didn't push the subject, knowing she would share
with me when she was ready.
At the end of the day, while waiting for her ride
home, Kayla was ready to talk.
Looking up with a sad face she mumbled, "I
don't like the Army, Miss Allen. It's going to take my dad away.
" At that moment,
I understood the reason for her uncharacteristic behavior that day.
Later, her
mother explained that Kayla's father's Army reserve unit was being deployed
to Afghanistan for 18 months.
This kindergartner was about to become one of
the thousands of children affected by a family member's military deployment.
Military deployment
Military deployment is a temporary assignment overseas or within the United
States (such as after Hurricane Katrina); during these assignments families
must live apart from their loved one in the service.
Whether they attend a
Department of Defense school on an overseas military base or a public school
in the U.S.
, many American children are aching for a loved one who has been
called to active duty in Afghanistan, Iraq, or elsewhere.
For many families, deployment leads to stress and uncertainty.
These stressed
families may be unaware of available resources within their community, particularly
when service members are reservists.
These families need supportive
teachers and schools.
Implications for teachers:
With the rise in military deployments, many teachers are educating emotionally
distracted children and feel ill equipped to support the special needs of
this growing population.
A kindergarten teacher whose class includes two
children with fathers deployed to Afghanistan expressed her thoughts: "I feel
helpless . . .
I have no idea what it is like to have a loved one away or [to face]
the possibility that he or she may not come home.
" The following suggestions
may help teachers support prekindergarten to primary children and families
affected by military deployments.
Supporting children emotionally
Many teachers are unfamiliar with the unique lifestyle and challenges faced
by families during military deployment.
As with other families, maintaining
open lines of communication with military families will help teachers better
understand their special circumstances.
Effective teachers know it is important
to provide emotional support to all children.
A safe and caring learning environment
is essential for children affected by deployment as it can help them
build coping skills.
Children who receive emotional support are also more likely
to maintain their academic performance even during difficult times.
Here are some suggestions for creating a supportive, stress-free learning
environment:
• Greet each child warmly every day.
A warm smile or hug as a child walks in
the door can go a long way in helping a child feel accepted and secure (Waddell
& Thomas 2004).
• Maintain consistent schedules and routines.
• Be more alert to children's behaviors, feelings, and conversations during play,
routines, and other activities, indoors and outdoors.
• Invite children to share with their classmates communications they have
received from their deployed parents.
Such communications may come via email,
letters, care packages, or video teleconferences (VTC).
Most military
units have access to phones and computers, including access to the Internet
and Web cams. This technology aids in communication.
(Be aware, however,
that not all military members and families have access to the Internet.
)
• Respect diverse family structures and living arrangements, such as children
living with grandparents.
For example, address correspondence to "Dear
Family" rather than "Dear Parent.
"
Beyond the Journal • Young Children on the Web • January 2007 3
Slight adaptations
to curriculum and
classroom structure
can help a child
continue to make
academic progress.
• Recognize and validate feelings children may experience during a deployment,
such as guilt, resentment, fear, anxiety, confusion, and anger.
A teacher
might say, "Carl, it's hard to be away from your dad.
Would you like to write
him a letter?"
• Acknowledge children's loss of time with an absent parent, and without
judgment or criticism encourage children to share their feelings and concerns
(Waddell & Thomas 2004).
• Encourage children to express their feelings through writing, drawing, roleplaying,
or performing puppet shows.
Provide time and materials for these
activities, and invite children to share their creations.
• Anticipate adjustment difficulties and carefully observe children in order to
design effective interventions.
Through observation, teachers can identify
children who are experiencing adjustment difficulties and may need additional
assistance, such as counseling.
• Be honest about or help interpret confusing information.
Teachers should tell
children the truth and help clear up misconceptions or stories from uninformed
sources, including other children.
• Be willing to say, "I don't know.
" Be careful not to provide false hope by saying
"Everything will be alright" or "I know how you feel.
" The truth is whatever
children are feeling, and the future is unknown (Waddell & Thomas 2004).
• Suggest that, before leaving home, a deployed parent record himself or herself
reading the child's favorite story or singing the child's favorite song or
lullaby.
The child can share the
recording with the class or listen to
it at bedtime (Pavlicin 2003).
The
United Through Reading program of
the Family Literacy Foundation can
assist deployed service members in
making a video of themselves reading
a story (go to www. read2kids. org/
united.htm for more information).
• Anticipate children's inability to
concentrate for long periods of time;
plan for shorter activities.
Reduce
children's workload as needed.
Be
patient and understanding when a
child's primary concern is not school
but what is going on with a deployed
parent.
• Display photos of the deployed parent
at work in uniform (Pavlicin 2003).
• Most important, make time to
listen to the children.
Supporting children through changes in the curriculum
Beyond assisting emotionally, teachers can help a child of a deployed parent
academically by making changes or additions to the curriculum.
"My teaching
definitely has to change," one second grade teacher in a public school says.
"I
need to research the country parents are deployed to so I can teach it in my
room.
" Slight adaptations to curriculum and classroom structure can help a
child continue to make academic progress.
© Laura J.
Colker
Beyond the Journal • Young Children on the Web • January 2007 4
• Integrate information on current military missions and countries in literacy,
themed essays, and stories (for children in primary grades).
• Read children's books that depict military families as main characters solving
problems and coping with stressful circumstances.
If such books are not readily
available, or as a follow-up to reading such books, the class could make their
own books. (See "Children's Books about Separation or Military Deployment.
")
• Post maps and provide globes so children can see some of the countries
where U.S.
troops are currently deployed (but remember that some military
members cannot tell their families where they are going).
Set one clock in the
classroom to the local time of parents' deployment sites.
Promote conversation
with children about activities deployed parents might be doing at certain times
throughout the day.
• Stay abreast of miltary current events by reading news articles, and watching
or listening to news programs.
Be mindful of any upsetting graphic images or
media bias concerning the military as you read, watch, and listen.
• Involve children in primary grades in age-appropriate classroom discussions
of current military and family situations, their feelings, news media reports, or
community concerns (Waddell & Thomas 2004).
Supporting caregivers at home
Family members caring for children with a deployed parent also need support.
Show them patience and understanding during this difficult time.
• Remain in frequent communication with the caregiver at home via phone
calls, e-mail, notes, and personal contacts.
• Relay information about changes in the child's behaviors at school and/or the
content of your conversations with the child concerning his or her feelings and
reaction to the parent's deployment.
• Provide all families with your home phone number and e-mail address on a
magnetic business card or in another easy-to-find format to encourage communication.
• Remind the caregiver that "it is not necessarily a parent's absence that affects
a child the most, it's how the other parent [or other caregiver at home] deals
with it" (Pavlicin 2003, 172).
Supporting parents who are deployed:
Although a service member may be deployed, he or she still desires to be an
active parent. These absent parents need support too.
• Send a copy of the class newsletter to the deployed parent.
• Document school events, field trips, and activities through videotaping,
photos, journal writing, and other means.
Digital photos and journal entries
can be sent electronically.
Maintain small photo albums of children engaged in
activities at school. Have the children decorate their albums.
• Create a class Web page with updated pictures and summaries of class activities
that all parents and other family members can view.
Make sure deployed
parents have the Web address.
• Allow the deployed parent to "watch" his/her child grow by maintaining an
updated height, size, and weight chart decorated with drawings and current
photographs.
• Record a child reading his or her favorite book, poem, or story and send the
audiotape to the deployed parent.
• Send samples of artwork, classwork,
class books, and letters to
deployed parents.
• Write and illustrate a class or
school book as a gift for a deployed
parent to share with a class or
school abroad.
Supporting a parent's return
• Post a countdown calendar in the
classroom or on the child's desk,
but remember, return dates may
change.
• Prepare a class "Welcome Home"
ban-ner when the deployed parent
returns.
• Invite the returned parent to a
class lunch and to observe his or
her child in the classroom.
• Remind families that all changes in
routine or home life can be stressful
for children, even if the changes are
happy ones, like the return of a parent from deployment.
Suggestions for schools:
Schools are the center of many communities.
Schools support the families of
their students, and military families should not be an exception.
• Plan a schoolwide American Spirit Day during which children show pride by
wearing red, white, and blue.
• Decorate school or school grounds with yellow ribbons.
• Initiate a schoolwide service project collecting materials for troops or needed
supplies for foreign schools or organizations.
(A list of acceptable materials for
troops can be found at www. operationmilitarypride. org/packages. html.
)
• Investigate and provide information on local social services, religious organizations,
or state support efforts for military families.
• Establish military parent support groups.
• Provide children with consistent access to caring adults and counselors.
• Set up a crisis team consisting of a principal, a counselor, and a local child
psychologist.
Create a plan to deal with serious situations that may occur, such
as the injury or death of a deployed loved one.
• Establish a buddy system (buddies can be the same age or different ages) or
a support group that meets on a regular basis for children with deployed
parents.
• Be sure that school policy supports appropriate referrals for educational,
health, and social services, as needed.
Web Resources:
Military Child Education Coalition—Provides goals, best practice strategies, available teacher conferences, and
teacher suggestions and support. A membership fee may be required. www. militarychild. org
Military Impacted Schools Association—Designed for schools populated with military children, it includes biographies
of military children, information on the different military branches, and best practices for the classroom.
www. militaryimpactedschoolsassociation. org
Military Student—Contains information, current issues, activities, and printable publications for children 6 to 13 years old,
parents, families with a child who has special needs, and military leaders. www. militarystudent. org
National Association of School Psychologists—Read "Parents Called to Active Duty: Helping Children Cope.
"
www. nasponline. org/resources/crisis%5Fsafety/parents-called-to-active. pdf
To share with families . . .
Deployment Link—Provides information to assist service members and their families dealing with deployments, including
family support links, activities for children, information to locate service members, and deployment benefits.
http://deploymentlink. osd. mil/deploy/family/family_support.
shtml
Military Life—Provides information related to the military family, including current events, parenting challenges, and deployment.
www. militarylife. com
Moms Over Miles—Provides helpful activities and inexpensive publications for mothers and fathers to strengthen their
relationship with their children while they are away.
It also suggests a book of activities to help children stay connected
to distant parents (purchase at http://fambooks. com/kids. htm). www. momsovermiles. com
Military. com—Contains facts about the five different branches of the military, recent publications, current events, and
links to various military sites. www. military. com
National Military Family Association—Assists families through research, education, legislation, and public information.
www. nmfa. org
Talk, Listen, Connect: Helping Families During Military Deployment.
Provides bilingual resources featuring Sesame
Street characters. See especially the video about the deployment of Elmo's father.
www. sesameworkshop. org/tlc/index. php
Children's Books
about Separation or
Military Deployment
Daddy, Will You Miss Me? by
Wendy McCormick. Illus.
by
Jennifer Eachus. 1999.
Grades K–2.
Daddy, You're My Hero! by
Michelle Ferguson-Cohen.
2002.
Grades K–1
.
The Magic Box: When Parents
Can't Be There To
Tuck You In, by Seymour
Epstein and Marty Sederman.
Illus.
by Karen Stormer
Brooks. 2003. Grades K–2.
Mommy, You're My Hero! by
Michelle Ferguson-Cohen.
2002. Grades K–2.
My Daddy Is a Soldier, by
Kirk Hilbrecht and Sharron
Hilbrecht. 2002. Grades K–1.
Soldier Mom, by Alice Mead.
1999. Grade 3.
Uncle Sam's Kids: When Duty
Calls, by Angela Sportelli-
Rehak. 2002. Grades K–3.
When Dad's at Sea, by Mindy
Pelton. Illus.
by Robert Gantt
Steele. 2004. Grades K–3.
While You Were Away, by
Eileen Spinelli. Illus.
by
Renee Graef. 2004. Pre-K–2.
A Year Without Dad, by Jodi
Brunson. Illus. by Cramer.
2003. Grades K–3.
A Yellow Ribbon for Daddy,
by Anissa Mersiowsky. Illus.
by Rey Contreras. 2005.
Grades K–3.
..
Monday, January 14, 2008
Children's Division Challenge 2008
Kindergarten Kits
Description:
(1) Dozen Wooden # 2 Pencils
(2) #2 Laddie Pencils
(1) Box of 16 count Crayons
(1) Box of Thick Crayola Washable Marker
(2) Glue Stick
(1) 4oz Bottle of School Glue
(1) Pair of Fiskard Blunt Scissors
(2) Box of Tissues
(3) Pocket Folders
(1) Soap - liquid Soap
(1) 70 Sheet Spiral Notebook
(1) Pencils Box
(1) Paper Towels
Grade School Kits
Description:
(2) Dozen Wooden # 2 Pencils
(1) Dozen Ink Pens
(1) 4 Hi - Lighters
(1) Box of 16 count Crayons
(1) Box of Thin Crayola Washable Markers
(1) Box of Thick Crayola Washable Markers
(1) Box of Crayola Water Paint
(4) Glue Stick
(2) 4oz Bottle of School Glue
(1) Pair of Fiskard Blunt Scissors
(1) Box of Kleenex Tissue
(6) Pocket Folders
(6) 70 Sheet Spiral Notebook
(1) Pencils Box
(1) Pack of 100 count Index Cards
(2) Pack of 100 count Filler Paper
(1) One Inch Binder
(1) Composition Notebook
(1) Box of Crayola Color Pencils
(1) 12 Inch Ruler
(3) Pink Erasers
Middle School Kits
Description:
(2) Dozen Wooden # 2 Pencils
(1) Dozen Ink Pens
(1) Pack of 4 Hi - Lighters
(1) Student Planner
(1) Box of Thin Crayola Washable Markers
(1) Box of Thick Crayola Washable Marker
(1) Protractor
(4) Glue Stick
(2) 4oz Bottle of School Glue
(1) Pair of Student Scissors
(1) Compass
(6) Pocket Folders
(6) 70 Sheet Spiral Notebook
(1) Thesaurus
(1) Dictionary
(2) Pack of 100 count Index Cards
(2) Pack of 100 count Filler Paper
(1) One Inch Binder
(1) Composition Notebook
(1) Pocket Calculator
(1) Vinyl Zipper Pencils Case
(1) Pack of 3 Erasable Ink Pens
(1) Box of Crayola Color Pencils
(1) 12 Inch Ruler
(3) Pink Eraser
Custom School kits
Back Packs
Binders
Calculators
Compass
Computers Supplies
Crayons
Dictionary & Thesaurus
Erasers
Flash Cards
Folders
Glue
Hand & Baby Wipes
Highlighters
Index Cards
Ink Pens
Markers
Notebooks
Paint
Paper
Paper Towels
Pencils
Pencils Boxes & Cases
Pencils Grips
Pencils Sharpeners
Planners
Post-it Notes
Rest Mat
Rules & Protractors
Scissors
Sheet Protectors
Soap
Tab Dividers
Tape
Tissue
Zip Bags
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Quilt of Holes
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along
with all the other souls.
Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many
piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together
into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how
ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant
holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been
difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day
life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of
all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny
hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color
and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was
disheartened.
My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and
empty, like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the
light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up
their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon
me, and nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly
fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been
trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me
my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often
struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the
strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in
prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held
up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to
the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the
judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to
accept it for what it was.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.
An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who
stared at me with wide eyes.
Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many
holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before
me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over
your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.
Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me
shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."
May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine
through!
Please share this with someone you love, care about or even someone who
needs Jesus in their heart. They may scoff, but at least the seed has
been planted, and God will do the rest. May God bless you today and
Forever! God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to
decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to
let go.
Sharing with you
God bless your Day
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