Blog Post Find of the Day

Check out this article. It first speaks to what it means to be a keeper of the home .  Interesting how the author uses this as the springboard on which to speak to her main concern: How seemingly more and more Christians are allowing culture to pervade their thoughts, minds and heart.   Very challenging and thought provoking. 

Read it here. 

Amazing Wonders Aviation VBS Clinic

     I did it!  I led my first VBS clinic and LOVED it!  I had a great night with about 15 "conferees".  The Lord really gave me the energy I needed to lead the 2 hr. conference.  I really enjoyed getting to meet new people and talk to them about one of my passions....teaching preschoolers at church!

Here are a few pics of my room:

Sign-in, please.  There were even door prizes sponsored by

our Association.  So excited that somebody that was attending

from my church won the giant inflatable globe!

Thanks to my youngest for helping me with all the chairs!

This room kinda scared me at first, because it was so large, had lots of chairs, etc.

I cannot tell you how much the Lord just brought everything together

when I thought I might be in danger of it looking really bad!

Crazy plastic tablecloths and static electricity!

A Build-a-Bear inspired this homemade one...just one of my kid's swim

goggles and I cut a leftover piece of fleece for the scarf.

I added one of the AWA pins from Lifeway. 

Here's a closer look at some airplane gages my dad let me borrow.

This is when were were driving up a mountain...exciting to watch the

altitude climb and climb! 

One of the activities for the night.  Class participation, because that's how

we learn!  :)

VBS Family Night Ideas

     I wanted to share with you a great post I came across that gives some fantastic ideas and insight into Vacation Bible School Family Night.  Go here to check it out!

     I'd love for my readers to leave additional ideas about what your church does for Family Night!  This year, I hope to have something extra-special planned for our church...but don't want to tell just yet until it is finalized!  I hope to share soon.  :)

Whatever Wednesday #3

Whatever Wednesday

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory." 1 Corinthians 10:31

What I'm excited/nervous about: Leading my first conference tomorrow night. (VBS training)

What time I woke up this morning: 4:30 a.m.  (Thinking about the above.)

What I'm thinking about: Decorating my room for the VBS clinic, preschoolers, game mats, baby dolls, cardboard blocks, goggles, airplanes, curriculum....

What I finished making today:

This is my "cargo box" for VBS.  If you turn it over, it is a storage box. It is also  called for in the curriculum for various Bible learning activities. 

What I'm praying about: That God would use me tomorrow night to inform, encourage and inspire VBS Preschool teachers from around our association.  I pray that they would then reach children and families who need Jesus!



VBS Biplanes

     I am busy preparing for the Preschool VBS clinic I'm leading for my association next week. 

I had so much fun making these today and just had to share!

(I'll be using these to teach about the Bible story, verse, etc. for each day.)

I think this concept (2 craft sticks, 1 clothespin and some hot glue) would work for a cute airplane craft!  Maybe a magnet for the fridge or a Christmas ornament to remember 2012 VBS for years to come!  Let the kids paint them and maybe add a propeller.     



Preschool Sunday School--Jesus helped sick people.

 Our lesson yesterday was about the 10 lepers that Jesus healed.  (And the one who came back to tell Jesus "thank you".)  We are learning this month that there are things that ONLY GOD can do! 

We painted with Q-tips because it reminded us that sometimes the doctor has to use them on us when we are hurt or sick.

The boys and girls had a great time caring for our "sick" babies!

After our Bible story, we had prayer time.  I usually lead the children in prayer, but yesterday, I thought I'd ask if any of them wanted to pray.  So precious to hear a  young child pray!  It reminds me that I need to do that more often.  A wonderful thing, praying with your friends at church!

FUN(ny) Friday

One last little tidbit from our pastor's retreat....

Johnny Hunt joking around with the pastors in the room....    

"You know how it is...You preachers wear the pants in the family---but your wife picks them out."

This really cracked me up!  My preacher hubby and I had a good laugh over this, because most times I really do pick out his pants!  :)

"Homeschool Blues"

Many of my fellow homeschoolers are coming near to the end of another school year.  I think our family has about 30 days to go.  My kids keep counting, and working hard each day---knowing that carefree summer days are just around the corner.  If you're a homeschool mama, I thought you may need a little encouragement and a smile today.

One of my homeschooling friends posted this great YouTube video entitled "Homeschool Blues".  I just had to share it on my blog.  It was a great way for me and my family to start our day...I hope it will be for you, too! 

(Hey, I know I've got people who read my blog that are not homeschoolers...But if you know any home educators, you'll get a kick out of this video, too!)




Whatever Wednesday #2

Whatever Wednesday

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory." 1 Corinthians 10:31

What God is teaching me: to be more of an intersessor

What I'll be working on today: preparing for our Children's Bible Drill tonight at church (an exciting night to share with our church family!)

What my family keeps telling me: "Time to put out the hummingbird feeders!"  :)

What is something exciting that has happened lately?:  Both of my sons won their soccer games last Saturday...and both got to play "forward".  Last year my oldest son played defense all season...so this was huge for him!  My oldest even kicked the ball backwards over his head...ALMOST in the goal...it hit the post...but it was exciting!! 

What I learned about myself last week:  When I've had a very busy/stressful week...one of the best things for me (and my kids) is not to skip a day of school.  (Even if I have to get ready for a houseful of people for a fun family Easter weekend.)  The best thing for me is to go ahead and have some normal.  One of the best things I did last Thursday was to refocus myself by having several hours of "school".  It felt so good to be back in our "rhythm".  My house was not perfect, but I felt a lot more sane!  :) 

GratiTuesday--My 10 Gifts!

     I wanted to share a bit more about the Timothy/Barnabas Retreat my preacher husband and I attended a week 1/2 ago...

     The pastor's wives were treated so well!  We heard great speakers, made new friends (and prayer partners...mine is a homeschool mom...how cool is that?), were encouraged along with our husbands...AND we got free gifts everytime we turned around!  I felt so spoiled! The men said they were jealous...all they got were books!  :)  (I also received an animal print scarf...but gave it to my mom.)

 

I am so GRATEFUL for these gifts and the people who donated/provided them! 




Check out more Gratituesday posts here...



Decorating my Mantle for Easter

I have found decorating for Easter to be a bit of a challenge.  There are lots and lots of Easter bunnies out there, sure.  I just wanted my decor to focus more on our Savior and what Easter really means.  I find these type of decorations hard to come by.  If I do find them, they seem kind of "tacky".  (I know, I'm probably not shopping in the right store!)  I wanted to show you what I came up with this Easter for the mantle above the fireplace.   

I love my rusty cross candle holder someone from our church gave me.  I found the nest of eggs on clearance last year.  (One of the eggs is covered in moss...I like!)

The cross is a symbol of what Christ did for all of us...and the eggs the symbol of new life He gives!

I took down my fireplace grate and put up my spring/summer fireplace cover made by my dad.  He found some old closet doors at the dump and made this!  I added the green paint, which I got for free from ordering a paint sample.  Yeah! 

The verse on the plate is one of my son's Bible Drill verses, so it serves double-duty!  I love changing out verses/messages on this plate! 

Have a Blessed Good Friday and a Happy Easter!!



Both at the Same Time

     Last week during the Timothy/Barnabas Pastor's Retreat I had a moment (actually more than once) when someone was teaching and God's truth was revealed to me in a fresh way.  They were not teaching anything I had never heard of before, it was just the way it was explained, or how I received it that was new.
     One of our worship leaders was leading in prayer...he talked about how God is both "Abba Father/Daddy" and "Lord of Lords" all at the same time.  I knew this.  I have heard both of these things  most of my life.  I guess it was just the juxtaposition of those 2 truths that struck me.  We can go and sit in Abba Father's lap, but we approach Him with great awe and reverence because he is the Lord of Lords. 
     This all just came together for me.  As I stood there singing, an image quickly came to my mind: I, the daughter of the king,  entered the throne room- but I still bowed before my Daddy.  He then welcomed me lovingly to come and sit in His lap and talk to Him.  Wow.  Both at the same time.
    


Letha

GratiTuesday-- Timothy+Barnabas Pastor's Retreat

 

 

 

     You may have noticed I didn't write any posts last week.  I was on a great trip with my preacher husband.  We attended the Timothy+Barnabas Pastor's Retreat (led byJohnny and Janet Hunt ) in Gatlinburg, GA.  It our first time ever to attend something like this.  By the end of the week I had that same feeling you get when you've been at church camp for a week.  I was exhausted, but spiritually rejuvenated.
     I am so grateful for this special time I had with my husband and other pastors and their wives.  Over the next several days, I will share a little each day about the time we had there. 
    

~~~~~

     I was so surprised when we got there at the amount of wives that attended with their husbands!  I think practically every preacher brought his wife.  This was so encouraging to see!  I know I wouldn't want to ever miss out on an opportunity to go to something like this with my preacher husband. 
     Each morning, all the wives met together for several hours.  We had many different women share/speak.  I think the one that spoke to me most directly was Kathy Ferguson Litton. (You can read more about her ministry and story here.) 
      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preschool Sunday School: Palm Sunday

We had a wonderful time today learning about the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  We talked about how the people shouted, "Hosanna!, Hosanna!"  They knew that Jesus was Special. 

Leaf printing was a very popular activity!  We talked about how the people in Jerusalem waved palm branches for Jesus.

So glad I took printmaking in an art class in college and still had this roller! (I think a rolling pin would work, too!)

Neat, huh?  Most of the children made two prints.

We made these to wave around as we sang a praise song to God about how special He is and how He loves us!

Thank You, God, for Jesus!

Luke 2:38

April Fools!

     It doesn't happen very often that April Fools Day falls on a Sunday.  I thought it would be great to play an April Fool's funny on my children during the Children's Sermon (along with the adults in the audience).
     As I began my time with the children, I took the microphone and told the children I thought that today I'd sing them a song.  (Note: I have NEVER sang a solo in our church...not even close!  I don't even sing in the choir.  The only people who get to hear me sing are the sweet 3 and 4 year olds I teach on Sunday mornings.) 
     I nodded to our pianist (we had this all worked out!) and she gave the introduction for "How Great Thou Art".  (How's that for my first solo?)  At the moment when I should've sang the first note--I said, "April Fools!".  Everyone laughed in relief!  It was a lot of fun to do that.  I tell you, though, I was so nervous!  It made me shaky just pretending like I was going to sing a song!! 
     I went on in my Children's Sermon to talk about expectations and Palm Sunday.  I asked the children if they expected me to sing.  Do you know that many of them said "no"!?  (I think they've heard me in Sunday School!)  I shared with them that what most people expected of Jesus was not the way God had planned.  Jesus' birth, life, Triumphal Entry, death and resurrection were all carried out in an unexpected way.  I am so thankful that God's plan was exactly how it was. (Scripture I used today: Zechariah 9:9, John 12:16)
      I'm sure our congregation is still breathing a sigh of relief that their preacher's wife did not attempt to sing today!  THAT was a MUCH better plan, trust me!!  :)