Be the “i” in Kind

 

At Papaw’s school we have a special wall over by the elementary classrooms. It’s called the “Kindness Wall”. It’s a place when students can get their picture with them being the letter “i” in the word Kind. We saw it at another school and decided it would be good to have at our school too. One of our art teachers painted it. I think she did a great job. What do you think? Here’s Papaw standing just in the right place. Isn’t he handsome? It says, Be the “i” in KIND. But what does that mean?

Kindness is treating others the way you would like to be treated. We also call it the Golden Rule. It says, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". We get it from the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (NIV)  Jesus was trying to tell us that it is up to us to start the kindness. Many people around you may not know about Jesus, and so they may not see what kindness looks like very often. Jesus is counting on you to show them. If you don’t do your part, who will? Look what happens if I decide to not be the “i” in kind. 

Pretty boring isn’t it? So how can you be the “i” in kindness where you are? Here is a list of things you can do.

1. Give someone a big smile and tell them you are glad to see them. (Make sure you mean it!)

2. Hold the door for someone.

3. Let someone go first. It could be a game, in the lunch line, or even picking out treats.

4. Write a note to your grandparents and tell them you love them.

5. Bake someone cookies.

6. Share your toys.

7. Say ”Thank You”.

8. Help your mom or dad with chores.

9. Sit with someone who is all by themselves.

10. Treat others fairly.   

You can make a difference by spreading kindness wherever you go. You could even ask your school if they would want to paint a Kindness Wall. Hey, just think, you will be helping Jesus!

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

Capybaras!

This week, let’s have some fun. Since everyone seems to be fascinated with capybaras, I figured Papaw, The Science Teacher, would tell you more about them.

Capybaras are the largest rodent in the world. They are twice the size of a beaver! They have reddish-brown fur on top and yellowish-brown fur underneath. They live in the jungle waterways of South America like in the Amazon rain forest. Their scientific name is Hydrochorerus hydrochaeris which means “water hog”. They can be 4 feet long and weight 140 lbs. That’s more than you! They are related to guinea pigs but much bigger. They are said to be “semi-aquatic” which is a big word for saying they like the land and the water. They are very good swimmers and can hold their breath under water for up to 5 minutes. They can even sleep in the water with just their nose sticking out. Copys have partially webbed feet that help them paddle around. They like to hang out by the shore eating plants that grow on the riverbanks and in the water.  That makes them an herbivore (plant eater). Their teeth are special and don’t stop growing! This means they have to continually chew on plants and grasses to keep them shorter and sharp. If they are not eating, they like to spend the day wallowing in the mud. No wonder they are called water hogs!

Capybaras like to hang out in groups and can live to be 8-10 years old. They have to be really careful while they are wallowing, playing or  eating. Jaguars, pumas, green anacondas, and even caimans (a type of small alligator) are always looking to find one for lunch! Did you know that they can even bark almost like a dog if they see a predator? Mom’s bark to their little ones to call them. “Bark, bark” come back, it’s time for dinner!

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/cabybara-facts

Here’s a link to the Capybara Song.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pj-YEQbojk&t=12s

 

Here’s a link for coloring pages featuring happy Capys like this one!

https://mondaymandala.com/capybara-coloring-pages/

That’s all for today!

Love, Papaw

Is My Prayer Too Small?

Sometimes people can make children think that the things they are going through are not very important. Your problems may seem small to them, but they are big to you. I remember when my sons and I were driving around in a parking lot looking for a parking place. I told  them to pray for a spot. A person with us said, “Don’t bother God with things like that. He has bigger things to do.” He was a good friend, but I had to tell him he was wrong. God cares about EVERYTHING that happens to us! It says in 1 Peter 5:7, Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. No prayer is too big; no prayer is too small.

One time when I was fishing, I spent the whole day in the boat with 2 friends and hadn’t caught a single fish. Mema ask how I was doing and I told her, not very good. She said she would pray. Later she ask me if I had caught a big one yet. I still had not caught anything. She jokingly said, “Cast your net on the other side”. If you remember, that’s what Jesus told Peter when he had fished all night and caught nothing (John 21:6-8). We pulled up to the dock and my friend got out to go get the boat trailer so we could get the boat out of the water. Since I had to stay with the boat, I put another worm on the hook and casted it out to the side of the boat. In no time at all it started twitching! I reeled in a big bass, right there by the dock! Some might call it luck, but I think God answered Mema’s prayer.

Praying to God is not as hard as it seems. You can talk to Him just like you talk to your own father (or Papaw). But remember, It’s not about asking for things all the time. God wants to spend time with you. He wants to know when you’re happy, or scared, or worried. When you see something good, praise Him. When He answers your prayer, thank Him. When you are scared you can tell him. He wants to help calm you when you’re worried. God is never too busy to listen. He’s just that Big!

Love, Papaw.

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

He made the trees

He made the seas

He made the elephants too

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

My God is so great, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

My God is so great, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

The mountains are his

The rivers are his

The skies are his handy works too

My God is so great, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

There's nothing my God cannot do

There's nothing my God cannot do

For you!

My God Is So Big lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc

Break is Over - Back to School!

All good things must come to an end. Christmas and New Year’s is over and it’s time for children to head back to school. Whether traditional or home school, the studies must go on. Even if you are not old enough to go to school, it can still be a time of learning.

For 2025, I think I would like to challenge you to focus on Reading. Knowing how to read opens up many new doors to learning and adventure. If you can read, you can learn anything. And the best part is, you could even teach yourself. Books can also make you more creative by exciting your imagination. A book can take you to other times, other places, even other worlds. Here are some hints to help you on your reading adventures. If you cannot read yet, ask someone else to read to you.

1. Be careful what you read. Check with your parents first. They are smarter than you think.

2. Make time to read the Bible.

3. Look up words you do not understand. Always take time to increase your vocabulary.

4. Think about what you read. How does it compare with what you already know? Did the character make wise choices, or were their actions foolish or dangerous?

5. Try to read every day. It can be good to set aside a designated reading time.

6. If you find a good book, share it with someone else.

7. Spend some time reading aloud. It will help your language skills. A good way to do this is to read to your younger siblings or even to your parents.

8. If you are able, try journaling about what you have read. Writing is a good way to arrange your thoughts.

9. Draw a picture of an event in one of your stories.

10. Get a library card. You can check out books for free.

Happy Reading,

Papaw

 

For the parents: Children who are routinely read to day in and day out—and immersed in rich talk about books and the various activities in which they are engaged—thrive. And those children with less exposure to books face tougher learning challenges in school and beyond (Campbell et al., 2002; Dickinson, McCabe, & Essex, 2006; Neuman & Celano, 2006).