Stacy Leicht's Blog

I wanted to share an amazing resource with you by my friend, Teresa Janzen. It’s a delightful
children’s picture book called Little Mango in a Big World, but it is really so much more than that. It’s a way to talk to kids about tough topics like bullying, child homelessness, discrimination, and more.
The story features a mango named Maggie whose mango tree home suffers a catastrophe so great that she falls from the tree before she is ripe. Creatures in the world bully her, shun her, and judge her based on her circumstances. When a kind man finally gives her the care she needs, she realizes her potential and transforms the community.
Kids from 3 – 100 will love this story. Young ones will delight in the action-packed adventure and
older kids will uncover the message beneath and engage in conversation about social issues in the world today. As an added bonus, a portion of the proceeds of the book benefit ministries serving vulnerable children around the world.
Did I mention that Little Mango in a Big World was named the 2022 Golden Scroll Children’s Book of the Year? Well, it was, and with good reason. Even the illustrations have a message. The art was done by 18-year-old Samuel But Agot of South Sudan. He was raised in a refugee camp and knows firsthand the challenges vulnerable children face.
Little Mango in a Big World is available in premium hardcover, paperback, or Kindle. If you order
from the author’s website, even more money is able to be donated to ministries serving vulnerable children.
https://teresajanzen.com/product/little-mango-in-a-big-world/
or get the Kindle version on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Mango-World-Teresa-Janzen-ebook/dp/B09Z2RYZ7W/

I highly recommend this amazing children’s book! Get your copy now!

Blessings Sweet Friends,

Stacy

https://www.opspodcast.com/a-story-in-every-seat/

Dear friends,

I am pleased to share a podcast with you. If you haven’t ever listened to this podcast hosted by Neil Matthews, I highly recommend it.

Neil loves shoes and always asks his guests what shoe they like best. I shared my love of Birkenstocks with Neil because of their comfort when I had heel spurs.

Additionally, Neil asks his guests to share their story and is so easy to talk to.

Please take a listen and enjoy! You’ll also find out about my next children’s book.

Blessings Sweet Friends,

Stacy

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Have you ever noticed that most trees naturally grow straight and tall, even if they are planted on a slope? Trees can be planted closely together by a farmer, and know that they will grow tall and straight unless something changes its course. Trees also grow stronger if surrounded by other trees, because they are more sheltered from harsh weather and elements when planted closely.

Why do trees naturally grow that way? Well, trees and plants detect gravity within little structures within their cells, called statoliths. These statoliths tell the plant which way is up and they also store food for the plant. Oddly enough, wind can also be good for trees, because it allows it to grow and mature and not fall down as it grows in height.

I believe we are a great deal like trees. As we grow up, we are around other people. These people around us can strengthen us if the conditions are favorable. Additionally, like a tree with a great wind, when we face struggles in our lives, we can grow and become stronger in our faith.

It seems like a dichotomy to say that humans and nature are so similar. Yet, we need many of the same things to grow and thrive.

In order for a plant to live it needs four things: food, water, air and sunshine. The Bible teaches, Jesus is the bread of life, which means he can satisfy our deepest needs and longings. Jesus is the source of living water (The Bible), Jesus is the breath of life (he gives us life) and Jesus is the light of the world (through his death and resurrection we are saved).

When you look at nature, notice how the trees and flowers grow and face the sunlight, and gravity keeps them tall. They are healthiest when they are given all four items they need. But, if they lack just one of the four, they can grow sick and eventually die. We need Jesus to be our source of living water, so we can grow and learn more about him. We need Jesus to give us breath, and not take it for granted when we wake up each morning. Jesus is the light of the world, but he tells us to go into the world and share about him to others. And finally, we need to be light to others in the world. We need to share the gospel of Jesus with people in our neighborhoods, our families, and our co-workers, even when it’s hard.

How can we be the those things to others around us this week? Let’s show God’s love to others and stand tall in our faith. When the winds come, welcome them, knowing you will gain strength by going through the storms of life.

Blessings Sweet Friends,

Stacy

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Elephants are large. In fact, they are the largest land animal on earth. So, how can there be an elephant the size of this one in the schools that everyone sees but we don’t talk about?

I’m talking about the mental health concerns teachers and administrators are seeing in our students. I am personally a university professor, working with future teachers. They spend hours weekly in the schools doing internships and student teaching to prepare for their future jobs. And, while they are “future teachers” they are also my students until they graduate in May.

One of the things they share with me often, is how overwhelmed and full of anxiety there are. I am so thrilled they feel comfortable talking to me about this, but it doesn’t change the fact that students everywhere are showing these signs.

Ask an elementary teacher, do you see more mental health concerns with your students since Covid-19 started? Ask a middle school teacher, high school teacher or university professor. You will probably hear similar answers.

Yet, what is being done? Not enough is the answer. Covid has impacted the elderly, because many of them feel that cannot leave their homes safely. The middle aged generation has had to learn how to work from home while simultaneously teaching children who are learning from home. And teens were home zooming their way through school, without being able to socialize or play the sports they love.

So, I am talking about the elephant in the schools so that the school boards, the state boards of education, and the federal government will take the time to look at the whole child. Children are not a number. They are not a test score. In order to learn, they need to feel they are safe and respected. How are we doing? Are we making the best choices for our children ?

Are our school counselors given the time to counsel? Are our social workers juggling other responsibilities? These are the front line workers who need time with our students, not just the teachers! It’s a partnership!

Join me in talking about the elephant in the schools! Our children deserve our love, respect, and our concern!

Blessings my friends,

Stacy

Hi all-

I want to share an awesome video with you that was shown last week at tithe Christian Product Expo. This shows my book as well as some other amazing authors!

Enjoy! https://vimeo.com/679589713

The post Video from Christian Product Expo appeared first on Good One God.

https://ariseesther.pages.ontraport.net/Evenings

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Stacy Leicht

Heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolates, candlelit dinners, and roses are some things that might come to mind if you think of Valentine’s Day with the special love of your life.  Construction paper hearts, a homemade card, or homemade cookies can signify love from a child to a parent. But, when someone ponders what true love, adoration, and devotion look like, what comes to mind?

Most likely one does not think about Jesus hanging on the cross and dying for our sins on Valentine’s Day. But why not? Isn’t it truly the greatest love story of all?

In Genesis, when God created Adam and Eve and put them in the garden of Eden, God told them not to eat of the tree in the middle of the garden. But a clever serpent was crafty and talked Eve into eating from the tree. She also gave some to her husband Adam. When God saw what they had done, he drove them out of the garden because of their sin.

When God sent his son to die on the cross for our sins, it was his LOVE for all of us that allowed him to make such a sacrifice. In Matthew 27, we see Jesus willingly going to his death for the sake of the world. And we see an innocent person die the death of a criminal. John 3:17 says, “God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Therefore, when Jesus willingly died on the cross for our sins, he took the punishment for all of our sins at once.

As a parent, I cannot imagine sacrificing one of my children. The very thought of losing a child is one of the worst thoughts imaginable. But God. God’s unfathomable love runs so deep, that he knew ahead of time what plan would have to take place so the rest of the human race could enter into a relationship of love with him. It is through Jesus’ crucifixion that people’s broken relationship with God is restored.

This February, when you are delighted in traditional Valentine’s Day fun, take a moment to reflect on God’s love for you, the greatest love story ever told.

Blessings Sweet Friends,

Stacy

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The statement, “There’s a story in every seat,” is something I say often in my University Classes at UNC-Greensboro. My students have heard me say it so much, they roll their eyes as soon as they hear me start the phrase. However, I say it often, because I want it to sink in. As soon to be teachers, it is critical that they understand that each child sitting in one of the seats in front of them comes with their very own story. Each story has a beginning, middle and the future of that student is still to be told, but each one knows more about their family stability, the love or neglect they come home to, the food they have abundantly, or the food they wish for daily. While some of these stories are easy to see physically on our students, many of their stories stay untold, until the student becomes trusting of their teacher. If you’re a teacher, you know what I mean. Trust does not come easily for children these days and rightly so. Children are told to be aware of strangers, don’t go anywhere with a stranger, don’t talk to strangers, and the boundaries that parents place on their children are drawn from the time they are born. This is done out of love and is smart for every parent to do for safety!

Teachers know that students do not learn from people they do not trust. Especially, if they are a student who has come from a family with trauma, abuse, neglect, poverty, etc.

Therefore, I tell my students, it is imperative you put the work in with your students to not only teach them academics, but to learn about them as people. Learn their hobbies, what they like, what they dislike, what they do on the weekends, and converse with them daily about the things that matter to the students.

The same is true of adults. There is a story in every adult seat. Next time you are in a public place, look around. Each person has a story. Their story may include an illness, a divorce, a child who has passed away, the loss of a job, or like me, an autoimmune disease that makes me feel pretty tired a great deal of time.

Looking around at those people, imagine what their story might be. Or, if you have the time, talk to them and find out what their story really is. What you’ll find out is two things:

You have something in common with almost everyone you meet. This includes people of different ages, races, sex, religions, and more.You will learn to be more compassionate of others. When you look at someone without talking to them, it is easy to let your bias take a step forward and write the story for you and perhaps create something negative. However, if you speak to the person, you are more likely to see your commonalities, and realize that the person you are speaking to is more like you than you realized.

Remember, every time you look at an empty chair, someone will sit there with a story. Let’s try to love each one!

Blessings Sweet Friends!

Stacy

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The phrase “Be Still” is in the bible seven times. What I’ve come to realize, is that when a phrase is repeated it is because of it’s great importance.

This blog is something I am reminding myself. In fact, almost on a daily basis my mom or dad tells me that I am too busy. In fact, this week my mom said, “When you crash, I’ll be there to catch you.” Wow! That made me think, I must look like a hamster on a wheel to others.

So, I began to list all of the “things” that I do on a daily basis. Yep, it was a lot! I bet if you listed out your to-do list, you would be amazed at all of the things that keep you busy. Then, I placed a check mark by each item that I felt brough glory to God. Hmmmmm….. only about half. It was very thought-provoking.

So, how do we go about being still? I had to look it up, since I need help in this area too.

Be intentional about setting aside 10 minutes a day to be still.During this time, ask God to speak to your heart and talk to you.The second half of the time can be used in prayer.Keep a journal of your prayers, petitions, and the things you feel God is saying to you.Be open to hearing the voice of the Lord.Acknowledge God’s sovereignty and control over all things.

My goal is to begin to learn to be still. I know that it is human nature to be busy. Being busy is not wrong, but being too busy for the Lord is not following his word.

Join me, in learning to be still.

Blessings Sweet Friends,

Stacy

Born in Dearborn, Michigan, Stacy Leicht grew up loving animals, nature, and books. She worked as an elementary school teacher and literacy curriculum facilitator for fifteen years before becoming an adjunct professor and then a supervisor in the Education Department at the University of North Carolina–Greensboro. Stacy lives with her husband, Rick, and their rescue dog, Bella, in North Carolina. She and Rick have two grown children, and Stacy treasures time with her two grandchildren and loves reading, baking, and snorkeling at the beach.