Thanks Judy For Sharing!

A BOY NAMED TEDDY

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners . . . he is a joy to be around."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the childrens' laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to."

After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs.Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer. The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD. The story does not end there.

You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs.Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference"

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."

Beautiful Fiction Story written by Elizabeth Silance Ballard in 1974 and printed in Home Life magazine.

If you enjoyed this story then you will want to join "Forwards Fun." This is a blog started by Cheri B.  She shares inspirational, thoughtful, helpful and downright humorous stories, pictures and movies that are out there in the emails forwards world. They may make you laugh, cry and want to be a better person. She started this blog February 2011 but has collected and saved forwards for the past 9 years. (taken from "About This Blog" and an email from Cheri).


Click Here to learn more and to follow Cheri's blog "Forwards Fun."

Anyone want a pretzel?

Wayne is afraid that he's going to forget my birthday so he gave me an early birthday gift tonight.  He was so excited to find and give me such a large package of pretzels. I'm impressed! I've never seen such a huge bag of pretzels, have you?

Jr. Jazz

Peek-a-Boo Elyssa!

Peek-a-Boo Elyssa

        

Isn't she Lovely?

Rockin' & Rollin' in Tampa!

Greg's Sharing

Hi, I'm Greg


I'm a Mormon. I love God and my family. I love freedom. I also love sports, music, and double-stuffed Oreos.


Click here if you want to learn more about Greg.

"Wonky's Book Worms"

I hope you're still reading Ezekiel. When the righteous are living among the wicked, they sometimes experience tribulations resulting from the unrighteousness of their neighbors. I should never judge anyone because the righteous may be inflicted with tribulations, disease or death along with the wicked. Bad things happen to good people.

If Ezekiel hadn't been carried away with the wicked by Nebuchadnezzar - we wouldn't have the whole book of Ezekiel in the Bible to read and study.


This week we are reading Ezekiel Chapters 32 - 45.

Wayne's Salad

Dissolve

1 - 6 oz. pkg. orange gelatin
2 cup hot water
1 1/2 cup apricot nectar
1 small can crushed pineapple
1 small can mandarin oranges
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1/2 c. chopped nuts

When ready to serve, top with whipped cream, chopped nuts and grated cheese (if desired)

(Taken from The Osmond Brothers' Mother's Cookbook by Olive D. Osmond)

Kids in Kenya Hear!

Thanks to our wonderful friends from Canada, many kids from Kenya are now chanting for joy and hearing with conviction!!!

May we never take our hearing for granted… 

Justin

(Taken from an email sent to us from Justin)

Need a little Spring?

It's been cloudy, windy and raining in Utah today. 

If you need a little Spring like I do then . . .

Click Here

You will see a black page. Click anywhere on the black page or click and hold down your mouse to move all over the black page. I hope you enjoy a little Spring. It only takes a minute.

Osmond Teeth

Wayne spent two days at Dr. Osmond's office this week getting more dental work done. I visited my general dentist a different day this week and was relieved that I didn't need any dental work done - except for a cleaning.

William played with my IPhone and Elyssa played games on Wayne's IPad at Steve's office while Anneli took some cupcakes to Paul's school class to share with his classmates and celebrate his upcoming birthday.

While Wayne was sitting in the dental chair and Steve was working hard, I was visiting with Anneli and playing with the grandkids. It isn't fair that I am enjoying myself so much while Wayne is getting root canals but someone needs to be there to drive him home after.

We also celebrated Paul's 8th birthday together a couple days early. Grandchildren are the very best!

"Wonky's Book Worms"

I'm almost a week late posting about our reading in the Old Testament last week. The last couple of weeks have been very hectic and exhausting. I hope everyone has kept up with their reading.

In Chapter 16 it really surprised me that Judah or Israel's sins were even greater than the sins of Samaria or Sodom. Until rereading this chapter I always thought that Sodom and Gomorrah were the most wicked cities in the Old Testament.

In Ezekiel 14:18, 20 - it stresses that we cannot rely on the righteousness of others. I need to remember that I am the only one responsible for my actions. It's really easy to blame someone else for my actions or to think that because my parents are living righteous lives that I'll be fine.

This week we have been reading Ezekiel Chapters 18 - 31.

Story Time

How are you celebrating St. Patrick's Day?

March 17th is St. Patrick's Day. Not knowing much about the holiday I did a little reading and found that St. Patrick converted many Irishmen to Christianity. He wasn't Irish himself, but was so loved that he was made Patron Saint of all Ireland. His day has been celebrated since the year 461. St. Patrick's Day is still a legal, national holiday in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by the Irish and Irish at heart all around the world with parades, "wearing of the green," music, songs, Irish food. Some communities even go so far as to dye their rivers and streams green. It's a day of fun.

Let us know how you have celebrated St. Patrick's Day? 

Saturday at Busch Gardens

These are some of the photos that I took at Busch Gardens on Saturday morning after we checked out of our hotel. Mary and I had fun checking out the alligators for one of Merrill and Mary's grand children. I messaged some of the animals photos that I took to Noah because he is a really big animal fan. We play with little plastic animals every day when I'm home. After looking at the photos Sarah said that he wanted to see the tigers. You can guess what we'll be looking for next year at Busch Gardens for Noah.

Kellie (Kimmie's mom)

Tracey, Julie and Nicky

Photo taken by nylon050

Barnes and Noble in Tampa

Nan, the community relations director, is welcoming everyone to the question and answer session before the book signing.

Lynnie from Key West, Florida

Our friends on the left came all the way from England for the week.

The audience is interacting with Wayne and Jay at the question and answer session.

Jay and Wayne are trying to answer the questions from the audience.

Nan gave Wayne some water so he doesn't faint after Wayne shares a story about fainting when he didn't drink enough liquids before doing an outdoor show.

Elder Salmon and Elder Cook at the book signing. What a fun surprise! Elder Salmon is Tina's son that has worked for the Osmond family for many, many years. 

I had fun chatting with new friends.

Kimmie is a 13 year old darling!

Thanks Rebecca for being our photographer on most of the photos below.

Denise

A mother and daughter that enjoy being together.

Sandra has the coolest album filled with Osmond photos, trips and shows.

Angela and Angela with books to sign. 

"The Yorkies"