Doesn’t everyone love a new start?  We just get excited thinking about a new dream.  Or we find ourselves like kids again at Christmas when a new opportunity or direction presents itself.  Being a retired teacher, I could not help but to be reminded this week of the beginning of a new school year.

It was always so exciting and I mean for everyone!  Even for the students that I had known from broken homes, those that did not always find learning the required way easy, those that always found themselves in trouble, those with shoes from Walmart, or those with shirts from Dillards.  No matter what had happened in the past, who you were, or where you had been——It was always a new beginning and a new dream for everyone!  Including the teachers!  This gave me such hope.  Because I always knew new relationships would be made and new bonds would be found.  I could always make a difference for some sweet soul that needed love in their lives.  Now isn’t it really ironic that God always gives us that new beginning.  When I make poor choices, I make wrong decisions, or I go the wrong way, God says I give you grace.  God says try again.  He gives us a new dream.  And He doesn’t just hand it to us, He gives us a new lesson to go along with the new dream!

Many of us beat ourselves up for these mistakes, but God does not.  He sees this as a great opportunity for us to learn.  Just like our teachers do with our students!  So take it easier on yourself next time and remember to give yourself what you would give others—a new beginning, a new dream, or a new start!

A New Dream

I can smell the excitement of newness!

I can see all the vivid colors.

I can hear all the sounds of hope.

I hold the just purchased supplies as gems to never let go!

Feathering the paper as it comes out of the pack,

I can already see the new stories created,

I can hear the facts of new leaning,

I can imagine the new drawings that appear across the pages!

Opening up the new packaged pencils,

I get a sniff of the rich wood from where they were cut.

Holding one pencil tightly,

I can feel the discoveries that will be scribed.

The snap of the new notebook back and forth quickly makes a tight loud sound.

Oh! To think of all the treasures that will be placed there!

The colors and patterns on the front inspire me.

The space allows for my personal influence.

The highlighters’ lids click on and off, as I check to see they are quickly ready to go!

Different colors are lined up in a row like little soldiers to vividly mark the new terms.

The brightly designed dividers slip out of the pack.

I find a special location for each of them in the snappy binder!

They will help me sort my new finds to later peruse.

The new pack of pens glisten demonstrating their eagerness to make their mark!

They will penetrate the paper creating adventure, drama, and reflection.

New sneakers, new jeans, and new views.

New seats, new people, and new environment.

All saying I have another chance for a new beginning!

Do these new things represent money?

Do these fresh items represent class?

Do these new items represent intelligence?

Can someone know who I am by these things?

Absolutely not!

They represent a new beginning!

They demonstrate an equal chance for everyone again.

They show that we all can have new start!

No matter where we came from and no matter where we are going—

We are all new again!

A new start with new discoveries!

A new direction with fresh perspective.

A new hope by going further in seeking more knowledge.

A new me, going further than I ever believed or than anyone ever told me!

So you see, this is not just a new pencil or paper.

This is not just a notebook or highlighters of many colors.

This is my new chance to dream life beyond imaginations!

This is my new beginning to dream!

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I hope this week gets you excited about a new dream!  Whether it be within a relationship, a career, or some special area of your life.  As my son has learned and says—tomorrow is your extra day for living!  Live it like a new day!

Love,

Rennae

Grace

Journey

Hello!  My village and tribe!!  It is so good to be back!  The very first thing I have to say upon returning is “Thank You”!  Thank you for your faithfulness to my family and life.  We were lifted up over the past year due to your committed prayers and care.  We have traveled the learning road over the last year.  And all my lessons have allowed me to return and share inspirational words of grace, faith, and love again!

My journey the past year has provided me with new insights of life, lots of time to talk with God, and a tremendous amount of time to listen to God.  Over the past year, Seth, my oldest son, discovered he had Hodgkins Lymphoma (cancer), and he beat it with the help of God and his support system!  My loving husband, Danny, became a member of the double zipper club.  He had his second open heart surgery to replace his mitral valve and aorta.  He has recovered and going strong with the help of his family, friends, and Karate family.  Jim, my dad, totally recovered from a major surgery and set back.  He demonstrated fight for family and life.  He reached 82. Recently illness has hit him hard again, but he is being strong and continuing to fight.  Please pray for his peace.  I am presently fighting a major back issue that is showing me this is my time to rest and follow God’s direction for me.  And to top off all of these blessings we received over the last year, we welcomed our fourth angel granddaughter, Caroline, into our family!  We gave blessings for Danny’s retirement after 40 years of teaching.  Celebrated Cam, our middle son, graduating graduate school and setting on his professional counseling path!  Rejoiced with Lori Lynn, our daughter, getting a promotion and raise with her advertising firm!  And witnessed Seth, our oldest, being sworn in as a Tennessee lawyer!  So you can see God’s grace has been amazing and continues to be even though evil and other negative forces pursue our daily lives!

I am sure my life has been like yours the last year.  Ups and downs—just like a roller coaster!  However, the one consistent component in this traveled journey has included God’s grace and God’s angels, the many people in this wonderful world.  Whether I am at the up part, the down part, or the in between part, God’s people have been there.  Their hearts travel with us as amazing companions on this journey.  I know there were many heart wrenching and negative stories and experience this last year, but I was given the privilege to see all the good in this world through amazing, positive, and live-giving people!

I fear over the last year I may have lost many of you.  I pray you will find your way back and re-connect each week.  I truly believe you will be missing out on great blessings, because the one thing I know for sure is that God has given me many stories and messages to spread more inspiration!  Like the message today, a spiritual blessing can be gained from something as small as a river stone.  So, I hope you will be able to join me again.  Thanks again to my village and tribe!  I want God and the Holy Spirit to bless the words and inspiration I give in order to spread love!

The Message in the Physical

I reach into my pocket,

And I rub the stone very gently.

I caress it with my fingers.

The word on the stone is why I hold this stone so close.

Faith.

It was passed to me one day in a bible study.

The tray being passed had the stone face down.

Why was I drawn to pick it up?

It had to be the Holy Spirit.

Because God knew I was being tested about my belief.

This stone doesn’t just remind me of the physical world,

But of the spiritual world.

The spiritual pull to the physical, so that I might experience the Godly.

It is amazing how the physical is thrown toward us.

We can accept it

We can receive the message.

Or we can let it slip by us.

The messages are always there.

Don’t let the blessing go by.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Be attentive!  Look for the message anyway, anywhere, and within anything or person!  Please extend your prayers for my sweet friend, Katie Ross Therrien, as she faces life challenges in the coming weeks during her journey.  Love to you Carrot Cake!  God bless you and yours this week as He has mine!

Love,

Rennae

Journey

A few of you may have noticed that I have not been posting recently.  Lately, our family has been hit head on with life.  I wish I could say all positive, but that would just not be so.  I post today to let you know that I am coming to my village to request prayers be lifted up for my family.  I know that even the smallest prayer can be heard by our Creator, but I especially know when a village joins and voices their request that the Spirit moves so greatly on our behalf.  Please put your prayer flag out for us.  I will be absent from my post for a little while, but please remain with me.  I need to care and focus on my family at this time.  Maybe at a later date I can share how our Creator has used this time to help us grow, love more, and strengthen our relationships.  I will be back to share with you after our healing has occurred and our family strength has increased.  Thank you in advance for your support and love!  God bless you and yours!

Love,

Rennae

About this time of year, we start spying little brown fawns with delicate white spots in our grasses.  We watch during May and June to see if moms will appear that are ready to give birth.  They will ramble all around the property, and then they will jump the fenced three acres portion.  For some reason, they seem to feel safe in this area and have chosen to return every year for about five years to our land to deliver their precious babies.  Are you like the deer and find yourself retreating to your safe zone?  If the answer is yes, then know that a safe zone is good to have!  We must retreat in life to live more fully.  So, don’t deprive yourself of a retreat to the safe zone.  God intends for us to rest as well as to play and work!  Find your safe zone this week and relax!

Spots in the Grass

As the light brown tail gently swags,

Her tiny ears and spots emerge.

Mom urges her to follow.

She stays close.

Then suddenly a second set of ear tips barely rise above the grain.

More spots gently move across the scape.

What?

Not one, but two!

Off they go toward the creek to play, to learn, and to grow.

The trees change to many colors.

The winter falls upon the land.

The greens of spring and summer pop up around us once more.

As the grain starts to reach the sky,

The body is back but the spots have disappeared.

This time she is closer.

More in the safer places near the house.

Protected by fencing, tree lines, and bushes.

Her spots are now a pure, smooth brown.

Her tail is fluffy and white as cotton.

Then suddenly behind her follows another small one.

They emerge from behind the ironweed and the goldenrod.

For days they come out to show their beauty with us.

Then one day only the baby is there.

The baby lies in the tall grass.

She wanders through the shrubs, nibbling the leaves.

The sweet animal makes herself paths through the grasses.

The big brown dog leads her through the field.

The soft baby eats the blackberries.

She gets stronger on her legs,

And stronger in her heart.

The beautiful body comes closer to us.

We want so much to intervene.

Our urge is to friend her, feed her, and pet her,

But we keep our distance.

We know she must learn to be on her own.

Mom comes to visit at dusk and dawn.

She brings the other adults, bucks and does, with her.

They wait and watch the baby.

Then they quietly go back into the shadow of the trees.

Days pass and the grass changes color again.

Weeks pass and the trees turn red, orange, and yellow again.

Mom now jumps the gate and joins the healthy baby.

The herd watches patiently.

Mom nudges the baby and they seem to float across the gate joining the herd.

The herd quietly and slowly retreats through the field and into the trees.

The trees protect them all for the coming winter.

The little one moves slowly glancing back.

Wanting to stay, but wanting to leave.

Our wish is that the mature ones will be brave

And our brown spots in the grass will learn to be brave.

Hopefully our spots will feel safe to share life with us again and in other ways.

We can envision another season will led them back to visit and share with us once more.

These quiet yet strong beings will teach us trust.

They will teach us responsibility.

The spots in the grass will give us hope.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

Thank you for sharing your time and attention this week.  I am always honored for you joining me.  May you be blessed this week to find and enjoy your safe zone!  May love and relaxing find your way!

Love,

Rennae

Blessings

If you are a woman, the swimsuit season can send dread through your spirit.  From the hunt for the right one to the first trip out in the new suit.  Many of us fill up with dread.  We love the water and the wonderful sun season, but the emphasis on size and shape can just be too much for our psyche and soul.  We self-judge and compare ourselves to the images presented in the media that are just unrealistic for most.  And even though, the piece today may veer toward more weight, many women who cannot keep weight on, also go through the same torment.  Environment and circumstances can be responsible for the various weights that we have, but we also must recognize genetics play a key role in determining how we look, metabolism, and body composition.  A high degree of genetics is based also on heritage—what our families went through to survive.  The truth is we should throw all negative views out.  If we do not judge others, we should not judge ourselves.  We need to accept ourselves, and chose the colors and the flair of the suit that speaks to our inner personalities and spirits.  We should step out, head up, shoulders back, and smiles lit showing who we really are!  So—pull, tug, and strap those suits own!  Grab those towels and flip flops and suit up!!!!  It is our time to shine!!

Plight of the Judges

Pious, little bony asses.

Never understanding the shame of size.

Rib bones protruding between the two pieces of cloth.

While it takes yards of cloth to cover ridges, bumps, and bulges.

Noses reaching up to the sky leaving their nostrils to be seen by the defeated.

The defeated slump their shoulders slightly,

Knowing these bitches ridicule and laugh at them.

The defeated seek to cover more.

Does size matter?

Hell yeah!

It matters!

A visual, groping society that seeks temporary satisfaction tells us it matters.

Society judges.

People judge.

These thin haughty whores judge.

They judge those that don’t appear in physical form as they do.

They place characteristics on those of us that don’t fall into their “sizes”.

They question why do you let yourself be that way?

How can you be so fat and ugly?

You do know no one wants you.

If they were ask why they torment others this way,

They would deny that they do.

The judges would lie against their fathers and their mothers.

They live in lies.

As long as they “look” like their own standards.

So all they know are lies.

It does not seem to matter that the defeated are loving, caring, brilliant, funny, and good.

All the sick society and bitches can see is size.

Piles of bones eaten by the lies of self-interest.

The bony bitches and suffocating society will die in their own lies.

Their desires of outer focus will bury their misery,

But misery will consume their forms.

When the picture is developed and the images are clear,

The defeated will rise to decide the fate of the judges.

The defeated will reign with their creative minds in the mist of glory.

Their inner lights will over shadow the outer shapes and sizes.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I pray this week that you will accept yourself and enjoy being who you are.  You were made for a specific purpose just how you are.  Enjoy every season, even swimsuit season, by enjoying yourself!  Thank you so much for sharing your time with me and reading this week.

Love,

Rennae

Journey

My sweet man, Danny, completes a 40 year career this week of sharing wisdom with others.  For way over 60% of his life he has willingly gone each day and shared his love of this country with people.  He has taught them how wonderful this country is even with its birth, growing pains, defeats, and victories.  He has carried the masses to Shiloh, introduced them to Theodore Roosevelt, planned out war strategies at Bunker Hill, shared stories of the 9/11 victims, and showed them how America’s pop culture like Forest Gump can really be historical.  He has touched so many people.  And most of the time the importance of this affect has not been felt until these young people were grown men and women.  I am certainly glad that my man chose to educate the masses, because in doing so he has positively influenced so many.  So–congratulations my Babe on a job well done!  Focus now on your life and family, and don’t expect me to watch those World War I and II black and white videos with you!!

The Educated Masses

Never would I leave you.

I could never abandon you.

Especially at such a bridging point in your life.

I am so proud of all your accomplishments.

You work so hard.

Even though it appears we laugh and constantly have fun,

You know the seriousness of the situation.

And when it is time to excel, you do so.

I need you to know I cherish our learning together.

I cherish our talks around working.

Our moments where we needed to cry and laugh.

The moments we celebrated and grew.

Thank you for singing with me.

Thank you for acting silly with me.

Thank you for dancing with me.

You trusted me when I said we could learn better that way.

I did what I did for you.

For you be successful.

For you to understand your growth.

For you to move strongly into your next life phase.

Your determination will carry me.

Your concern and love will ignite my days.

I know our lives at this moment and at this time is for a reason, an important reason.

That reason may not show today, but it will someday.

The only regret I have,

Is this action causing our separation.

I will never regret being patient for you to learn.

I will never regret letting each of you learn in your own time and in your own way.

I am so sad to go.

And to go on this date was not a bad joke.

Time just fell in this space.

Know that I will cry for our lost time.

But know I will smile,

Because I know the greatness you will bring to the world.

Your greatness will come from not just going to school,

But from the time we really lived through the learning.

Lori Rennae Hickman Chapman

I wrote this piece from the reflection I experienced 4 years ago when I was changing my life course and retired from teaching.  I did not want to leave my students, but life was offering me new experiences and adventures!  There are teachers that are storytellers, performers, thinkers, and doers, but no matter the type, they go in each day expecting to give their very best in order to serve others.  And actually, we all serve as teachers in our lives to someone.  So send out a special thanks to all the teacher that are making the great effort day to day in strengthening and creating learning paths for our children.  I say a heart-felt thanks to all of my teachers and the teachers of my children.  Blessings be on you and your families!

Thanks to each one of you this week for reading with me.  I hope you reach out and share your teaching ability with someone this week!  Watch for the opportunity!  God bless you!

Love,

Rennae

Journey