15 Christmas Picture Books to Celebrate the Season


Memories shared around favored Christmas books is one of our most beloved ways to celebrate the season. There are many things to see and do at Christmastime that involve activities outside the home, but books provide the perfect stay at home shared time which can take you back in time or to another location entirely. Books allow us to walk in other people’s shoes and experience life as they have. Be it the orphaned child, the homeless family, the shepherd boy, or an elderly woman seeking to catch a glimpse of Christmas magic, you and your family can enter their world and learn empathy and lessons to guide your own steps. Check a few of these out at your local library, favorite thrifted bookstore, or purchase them online at the links below and give them a try.

Her spirits, which had been high, fell a little as a sense of time touched her. How slowly it crawled and yet how fast it flew. She had been young and now she was old and the years between had vanished as though they had never been. ~Elizabeth Goudge, I Saw Three Ships





Stay tuned for our favorite Christmas chapter books later this week. But for now, here is one to get you started!


Merry Reading,

Share This Post With Your Friends!

What’s Your Perspective On Change?

Moving out of my college sorority dorm was the second indication of how I handle change. Moving in may have been the first. I vividly remember my excitement about starting as a freshman at Auburn University. I moved in with my roommate, both of us eager and apprehensive to begin rush week and pledge a sorority. Before leaving home, I made sure to leave one of necessary toiletry items at my parents’ home and was glad I did after the first week at the university. Jumping into my white Toyota Corolla at the end of rush week, I called them and said, “I’m coming home for the weekend. I made sure to leave a hairbrush and toothbrush so I don’t even need to pack those.”

That car ride home, as well as the last time I moved out of the dorm to walk down the isle and become a wife, should have told me all I need to know about my view of change. I contemplate planned for change with a piercing focus on the future. It is only after the fact that reflection and mourning of what has passed and cannot be regained sets in. The enormity of finishing college one year early to wed my husband completely escaped me until he and I moved the last box to the car and closed the door on my room for the final time. It was in that moment that I realized a major chapter was closing as an even bigger journey was beginning. The same in that my first week away at college conveyed how much I loved and missed home even as I was excited about the transition to university life… to becoming an adult.

Sixteen years have passed since Ron and I said I do and moved to his hometown in Florida (though he is originally from New Jersey). Living in the same villa for sixteen years has meant welcoming four children, two biological, two birthed from the heart (in addition to much paperwork and waiting), plus one foster son into our home. We have been through the newlywed, newly parent, and nearly joining the ranks of the middle aged in this house. Countless tears and joys have been lived out as well as multiple ministry gatherings. I’ve collected an inordinate amount of books that would easily fill a one-horse-town library. We’ve home educated our children from preschool within these walls and read countless number of books together. We’ve built a life here, and now, our family has outgrown this space.

In preparing to move, it has been interesting to study the reactions of our children. Many times they will tell us they don’t want to move a mere ten minutes away, while in the next breath they are talking excitedly about plans for our new space. I try to console them when necessary and encourage all the positives that our move will bring. One evening, in so doing, I was telling my husband that it won’t be until the final box is packed away and the U-haul filled that we will shut the doors for the last time on 4038 and say good bye to this space that has brought us one blessing after another from the Lord, and one sustaining word from God after another in this home. In telling him I teared up and became emotional…I’m getting emotional now just typing it. And yet, I am so excited about our next step.

That same evening I told the children about my emotions experienced as I thought about the final closing of the door on 4038 and in in so doing it reminded me of a spiritual truth. With every tearful goodbye to temporary dwelling places, it is a strengthening reminder that we are not home yet. Our eternal home is the home we are living for, and all the moves along the journey are memorial stones on the pathway there. We are meant for Heaven as our home by the gloriously good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Praise His Name.

I’ve walked down memory lane with you in the hopes that you too will do some introspection and see how you view and cope with planned change. It is enlightening to know this about ourselves and help us to see the weaknesses and strengths our particular perspectives bring, and in helping us to be sympathetic and empathetic with those we love.

One final thought before you go. In our home, we share books akin to how we share bread– daily. Our last chapter book we will read with the Bigs as we refer to our older two children is, The Bronze Bow. This book, written by award winning author, Elizabeth George Speare, takes place during the Roman Empire during the life of Jesus. In fact, Jesus is a prominent character in the story and it is rich with Biblical text. The Lord graciously led me to read the book at such a time as this. I can’t think of a better book to end with in their early childhood home. God is immensely good indeed.

How do you process change? What is your best moving advice? Share below in the comments.

 

 

You can now purchase my book, Thirty Balloons: An Adoption Tale, on Amazon.


Share This Post With Your Friends!

12 Books to Celebrate Dad

He’s the wrestle champion, BBQ extraordinaire, advice giver, spiritual leader, firm foundation, trend setter, bread winner, shoulder to cry on. Yes sir, I am talking about Dad! It’s June and time to celebrate the fathers in our life. Below are 12 books that highlight dads and the special place they hold in the family, and in their children’s hearts.

A few ideas for sharing this particular stack of books:

  •  place these in a book basket and encourage your older, literate children to read them to your younger children
  •  have this special stack set aside for dad to read aloud
  • snuggle in close with your children and read them aloud yourself

In my own community, there are several families who will endure this day as they remember the man no longer here. A dear friend of mine wrote a post several years ago about her own family’s experience with Father’s Day soon after the death of her husband. If this sounds like someone you know, please pass this post along. Also, read it for yourself to see how you can help a family during this holiday. While these book suggestions below may not meet the needs of a family in such a situation, I may have one recommendation. Why not grab a copy and read aloud a stack of books, or a book, that your children’s father loved reading to them? Or maybe you could read a portion of his favorite book. I think this would be a nice way to remember the man and honor his memory even while acknowledging the huge loss.

For the dads still present with us today, we can’t wait to celebrate you! Here are 12 books to get started:

Danny’s dad takes him on illegal excursions (pheasant poaching), but this is a fun father/son story that you and your children won’t forget!

 

What books would you add to this list? Happy Father’s Day!

 

 

 

 

Purchase my book, Thirty Balloons: An Adoption Tale, on Amazon.

Share This Post With Your Friends!

Classical Conversations Booklist Cycle 1: Ancient History

Welcome all Classical Conversation families! Additionally, welcome to homeschooling families that use this list to supplement their ancient history study!

A few notes about the arrangement of books in this post:

  1. This booklist is a tool and not a checklist! Please use it to supplement your morning time routines or studies of CC memory work.
  2. My family will not read all these books listed each week. Instead, this will be a reference list for me to utilize in weekly book selections and in chapter book read alouds.
  3. The pictured links in the twenty-four week lists are my top suggestions for families new to Classical Conversations or with first year, abecedarian, students. I wanted to make this easy for you!
  4. The books are arranged in alphabetical order per week first by picture books, and then chapter books.
  5. Please leave any additional suggestions your family enjoys in the comments below. Thank you!

*All links below are affiliate links.

Week 1:


How Many Animals Were on the Ark?
Cabinet of Curiosities: Collecting and Understanding the Wonders of the Natural World
Karl, Get Out of the Garden!: Carolus Linnaeus and the Naming of Everything
The Seven Days of Creation
The Real Story of the Creation
The Real Story of the Flood
Adam and His Kin: The Lost History of Their Lives and Times
How to Think Like a Scientist: Answering Questions by the Scientific Method

Week 2:


The Assyrian Empire’s Three Attempts to Rule the World : Ancient History of the World | Children’s Ancient History
The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science
Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reverso Poems

Week 3:


Something From Nothing
Snow in Jerusalem (Albert Whitman Prairie Books (Paperback))
The Bronze Bow

Week 4:


Hosni the Dreamer: An Arabian Tale
Pyramid
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

Week 5:



Cleopatra
Exodus
Pagoo
Temple Cat
The Egyptian Cinderella
the How and Why Wonder Book of Sea Shells
Tutankhamun
Boy of the pyramids, a mystery of ancient Egypt;
The Golden Goblet (Newbery Library, Puffin)
Mara, Daughter of the Nile (Puffin Story Books)

Week 6:


Galileo and the Stargazers
The Hero and the Minotaur
The Librarian Who Measured the Earth
Archimedes and the Door of Science (Living History Library)
The Children’s Homer: The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy
The Children’s Homer (Audiobook)

Week 7:

Augustus Caesar’s World
Beyond the Desert Gate
The Bronze Bow
The Cat of Bubastes: A Tale of Ancient Egypt (Dover Children’s Classics)

Week 8:


From Cone to Pine Tree (Start to Finish Second Series)
Gandhi
I is for India (World Alphabets)
Oh Say Can You Seed?: All About Flowering Plants (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library)
The King’s Chessboard (Picture Puffin Books)
The Story of Little Babaji

Week 9:



A Single Pebble: A Story of the Silk Road
Kites
Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China
Ruby’s Wish
The Curious Garden
The Empty Pot
The Magic Pillow
The Master Swordsman & the Magic Doorway: Two Legends from Ancient China
The Seven Chinese Brothers (Blue Ribbon Book)
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt
The House of Sixty Fathers
Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze

Week 10:



Grandfather’s Journey
In the Eyes of the Cat: Japanese Poetry For All Seasons
A Tree Is Nice (Rise and Shine)(Science)
The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks (Picture Puffins)
Today And Today
My Side of the Mountain (Puffin Modern Classics)(Science)
Pocket Guide to the Outdoors: Based on My Side of the Mountain
The Big Wave (Deals with death and religion-Excellent book!)

Week 11:


The Reason for a Flower: A Book About Flowers, Pollen, and Seeds (Explore!)
This is Rome: A Children’s Classic
Polycarp of Smyrna (Heroes of the Faith)

Week 12:


Genghis Khan (Illustrated Biography)
Marco Polo

Week 13:


A Boy Named Giotto
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole (Irma S and James H Black Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature (Awards))
Zomo the Rabbit: A Trickster Tale from West Africa

Week 14:



Anna Hibiscus (Set in modern day Africa, but a beautiful and loveable story series that will charm your readers!)
Anna Hibiscus (The audiobook is equally beautiful!)
A Rock Can Be (Millbrook Picture Books)
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain (Rise and Shine)
King of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian
Masters of the Renaissance: Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and more

Week 15:



Around the World in a Hundred Years: From Henry the Navigator to Magellan
To the Top! Climbing the World’s Highest Mountain (Step-Into-Reading, Step 5)

Week 16:


The Corn Grows Ripe (Puffin Newbery Library)

Week 17:



Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale (Picture Puffin)
Stories From Africa
A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story (Violent content that may be suitable for your older children; however, a lovely story of hope and restoration.)

Week 18:

Secrets in Stone : All About Maya Hieroglyphics

Week 19:



Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)

Week 20:


Hallelujah Handel
The Snake Scientist (Scientists in the Field Series) (Geography)

Week 21:


Black Whiteness: Admiral Byrd Alone in the Antarctic (Science)

Week 22:


If You Were Me and Lived in…Peru: A Child’s Introduction to Cultures Around the World (Volume 12)
Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu
My Name Is Gabriela/Me llamo Gabriela (Rise and Shine) (English, Multilingual and Spanish Edition)
Paddington (Geography)
Secret of the Andes (Puffin Book)

Week 23:


Chatter, Sing, Roar, Buzz: Poems about the Rain Forest (Poetry)
The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest
Victoria Goes to Brazil (Children Return to their Roots)

Week 24:

Additional Resources:

In studying ancient history, our children are exposed to many different religions and worldviews. A wonderful way to reinforce the Christian worldview within other cultural contexts and religions is through missionary biographies. Heroes Then and Now provide wonderful biographical accounts of missionaries in the countries we study in history and geography. If you are unfamiliar with this series, I would recommend this starter kit. It contains four missionaries in geographical locations we memorize this cycle and the fifth is Corey Ten Boom which you could use for geography;y and history study in Cycles 2 and 3.

You might also consider these two:

An action packed, science audio series we love in our home is Jonathon Park. Here is the first complete set; there are ten in all and we have enjoyed and learned so much from each and every one. This series reinforces the creation perspective and the effects of the world-wide flood.

Two excellent history resources that we used before include:


Story of the World, Volume 1 Publisher: Peace Hill Press (Audio Version)

For study of composers:

For a closer look at how children live in the countries found in our memory work this year consider this:

I am adding the Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathan Rogers after seeing a comment on the Classical Conversations Facebook Page that it is fantasy written allegorically to the life of King David. How exciting! So let’s say it fits shall we?  I have the first book already on my shelf and can’t wait to dive in. Also, listen to Sarah Mackenzie of the Read Aloud Revival speak with author, Jonathan Rogers about this series and his other works here.

Finally, this last book has been such a valuable resource not only in compiling this list, but in studying the world with our children on numerous occasions. If you don’t already own this book by Jamie Martin, you will want to add it to your library of books on books.

You can now purchase my book, Thirty Balloons: An Adoption Tale, on Amazon.

Share This Post With Your Friends!

Side Effects of Chasing Our Dreams

Chasing our dreams can be a thrilling, and frightening, experience. Months and years of preparation go into a product and then we put it on display for any and all who will partake. It’s a little misleading actually, because our daily lives aren’t finished products–only portions of our work are. So when people see or hear your product, they only see a portion of you; it is so easy for us all to fail to see people’s work as only a part of a whole and not a whole itself.

After launching Thirty Balloons: An Adoption Tale on Kickstarter and being a guest on the Read Aloud Revival Podcast (listen here), I can most certainly attest that finished products are one thing, daily life is another. The last two weeks have been thrilling and exhausting. As my husband and I seek to encourage others to add to their family through adoption and consider the orphan and children in foster care, it is a great time for spiritual warfare. For one example, without elaborating, the last two weeks have been extremely difficult in the parenting category for one of our children. Another example, we have had one case of the flu and one of strep throat the past week as well. You may also be pleased to know that laundry and home education didn’t take a vacation either.

However, one amazing side effect of launching a Kickstarter Campaign and putting myself out there so to speak, has been the effect on our two oldest children. When our children watch us attempt something that scares us, it encourages them to do the same. 

I recently read, Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, by J.D. Vance. One take away from this book was J.D.’s feeling of not having the inside information afforded to higher income families. Even after completing law school at an Ivy League School, he still felt like somewhat of a poser. He knew the hillbilly culture from which he hailed, but didn’t know what he didn’t know until embarrassment or experience taught him. For example, he didn’t know to wear nice shoes and a jacket to an interview instead of army boots and a tucked in shirt.

Sometimes, it can seem that way even if you don’t share J.D.’s cultural history nor broken family background. It may feel as if everyone else has an instruction manual that somehow you missed out on. Like there is a world-wide memo system that wasn’t afforded to you.

However, when our kids see us reaching for goals and dreams that make us uncomfortable, and for which we are on a significant learning curve, it’s like we are handing them that memo, that instruction manual—and they don’t even realize it. Our experiences while our children are in our homes becomes a continual testament to them about how life works. How trial and error, efforts and failures, all come together. Our pursuits, in ways we cannot see, inform them as to what is possible for them to attempt.

Last week, my two oldest children were working, by their own endeavors, to write books of their own. When my oldest son tells me, “I am going to publish my book. Remember how I was going to have you just type it out on the computer and print two copies off? Well now I want to publish it like your book mom.”  My oldest daughter turns to him and says, “How are you going to do that?” “Kickstarter!” he replies.

Kickstarter! That’s a word that I didn’t even know until January of this year. Now my 8-year-old son is plotting to publish his first book on Kickstarter.

Your dreams and current goals very likely look different from mine. That’s not important. The point is, that in reaching for your God-given dreams and goals, your are influencing and informing your children and your community. You are exemplifying what is possible when you push past comfort zones and fear, and that is a beautiful side effect.

 

 

Pre-Order My New Children’s Book on Kickstarter

Share This Post With Your Friends!

Performance Pressure

Have you ever experienced stage fright even in an off stage moment? Your desire to perform well was overwhelming to the point of paralysis. Instead of giving your best, you fell short of even attempting your goal at all. My son recently had an experience like that.

Our children began ice skating lessons a week ago. I’ll tell you, there is nothing more precious-at least to date-than seeing my daughter and son attempting to skate. They look like little penguins starting to waddle on the ice. The faces they, along with their friends, make during their first attempts on the ice are priceless.

It is amazing to see how the children tackle the challenge of gaining their footing and making ground on new turf. Some of the children flail and zoom as fast as they can from point A to point B, with little care whether they fall while making it across. Form and beauty play no role in their thought processes; rather, let’s do this is the self-talk ringing in their minds.

Then you have the apprehensive ones. The ones (as in the case of my children) who aren’t willing to let go of the teacher for a moment for fear they will fall or fail in their advancement across the ice.  Gracefulness or success is close to the last thing on their mind either; survival from one side of the rink to the other reigns supreme.

With the two beginners attitudes towards learning to skate, I think the focus is on two different planes; group one is motivated by success, group two by fear.

The first week my son attempted everything the teacher asked of him; albeit with fear and apprehension written over his face at least 15 or 20 minutes of the 30 minute class. The second week, my husband came to watch the kids, and our son uncharacteristically started crying and wanted to leave his class and sit with his mommy.  We thought he was scared of the ice and may be too tired or experiencing a sugar crash from his birthday pie and ice cream that I had made him for breakfast. Maybe, we pondered, he was a little nervous having his daddy there to watch him for the first time.

123

Later on, we would discover that the later thought was correct. Our son was worried that his attempts wouldn’t be good enough and therefore he stopped trying at all. All he could think about was getting to his mommy who would be waiting with hugs and kisses. In this case, both Ron and I weren’t letting our son off the ice until the class ended. We wanted him to give his best; even if his best meant trying with the aid of the instructor the entire time. For us, and I propose for the Father, our efforts are what matter. The heart that says, I am afraid, but I will face my fears and give my best, that is the heart that God delights in. That is the heart that we as parents delight in seeing our children put into visible action.

Our daughter was tempted to follow her brothers lead and stop and stand on the sidelines, but she dug in and decided to keep trying. In the end she stayed after class for free skate and hugged the wall off and on around the rink 10 times! That is effort that deserves praise. Was she up to speed with other skaters her age who had taken lessons longer, or peers who left the security of the wall earlier than she? No. However, she pushed past her own fears and insecurities and in that found confidence and reward that will push her farther the next time on the ice.

Approaching our car, our son told me-after a little prompting-with head down and shoulders slumped, “I was afraid dad wouldn’t like my skating.” Wow. That he could articulate his feelings was remarkable. More surprising, even though it shouldn’t have been, was the fact that fearing he wouldn’t impress the most important man in his life lead him to quit trying. Ron is an encouraging and patient father beyond any other I have ever met, but our son still wanted to impress his daddy and feared not doing so.

Minutes after I sent Ron a text to let him know of our son’s fears, my phone rang. Ron called to reassure our son that he maintained his father’s favor and pride in him. Our son’s face lit up at simply the call from his dad and kept beaming even after the good news filled his five-year-old ears.

What about you? Is there a new task that you are attempting and the fear of falling short is tempting you to halt trying at all? Are you afraid that somehow you are going to let your Father down? Well, its a good thing that God doesn’t look at the outward appearances, but rather, He looks at our heart. When we give his calling on us our all, He sees the heart and the intentions of our heart beyond simply the success or failure of our feet, and He proudly cheers on His sons and daughters from the sidelines. He doesn’t compare us with our brothers and sisters in Christ, but rather looks simply at us individually and prods us to become more of who He created us to be.

 For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7b)

signature

 

Share This Post With Your Friends!

Perseverance Required

Ever had one of those weeks where every other bite you put in your mouth just might be chocolate? Well…I am having one of those. There is an undercurrent in my emotions that has a twinge of anxiousness with a twist of exhaustion.

I always experience the urge to hurry. I rush through a walk from the parking lot the same as I have a major tendency to rush through life. I know that tasks will always be there, work will always have loose ends, and that as the water ripples it wrinkles time.

Yet, I continue to find myself saying, “Slow down, enjoy this moment. Enjoy the way the sun hits Emily’s hair. Remember how Little E looks in his big boy helmet while riding the firetruck. Cherish Joshua full of life as he says, “Mommy, did you see that?” after pushing his dump-truck down the hill for the 100th time.

Cooney Family - Nov_ 2012

The days are fleeting even as my mind flies in a hundred directions and my feet want to cancel the anxiously eaten chocolate with more miles logged on the treadmill.

I stop and breath a prayer asking, “What is it that I am anxious about?” He will answer…He always does…in His time.

Repeatedly I think, “Stay the course, pray the prayers, give the anxiety over to Him moment by fleeting moment and cherish the days.”

For those of you who have made a New Year’s Resolution towards good health, I would like to offer a suggested running/workout playlist. Running does help refocus my anxious energy. I have used a combination of these songs for the past year and continue to find them motivational. Perseverance is required; a peppy playlist makes all the difference for me. Don’t get me wrong, exercising is something that I absolutely enjoy (sorry for those of you who gag at the thought), but having motivational music is a must.

A heads up: all of this music is Christian and most is Christian rap. Here you go:

1. Wobble- Family Force 5

2. Me Without You- Toby Mac

3. Try Me- Flame

4. Running- Flame

5. Scripture Alone- Flame

6. Show Out- Flame

7. Robot- Trip Lee

8. Envy- 116 Clique

9. Responsibility-116 Clique

10 Transcend- Group 1 Crew

11. Spazz- Lecrae

12. Courage-116 Clique

13. Temptation-116 Clique

14. Cool down music of your choice. This one I rotate frequently.

Please send me some new running music suggestions. What makes your feet hit the pavement faster? What makes you decompress the concerns of your days?

signature

Share This Post With Your Friends!

A Merging of Lives

 

 

Yesterday we had the privilege of joining in the celebration of a merging of two lives in marriage.  The union of man and wife is a covenant that reflects that of Christ and His Bride, the Church.

As we watched Tyler and his beautiful bride, Laura, exchange vows, I reflected on our own wedding ceremony. Funny how even the details of our wedding were a foretelling of the personality traits of each of us and the ways in which we would work out this life together. Yet on our wedding day I would propose that in comparison to present-day, I hardly knew myself, let alone the wonderful godly man that I was marrying.

Yesterday, the pastor said that our covenant relationship of marriage is one that we continue to choose to make each day of our lives. It is true; as our love and the years grow, so will our understanding of one another and ourselves, as well as our graces with both.

Today, if everything goes as planned,  our family will travel to be united with our first foster child. As we venture this new path together, merging our lives with that of another child and family, I pray God’s name is glorified and His people edified. This child will have a wonderful temporary daddy in my Ron. Of that there is no doubt. God placed adoption on my heart from a young age and he placed a man in my life that equally embraced the idea from the start.

We will not be walking down an isle as we start this newest journey together, but with each step, and the facing of the unknown, we will do what we have done in marriage and parenthood to date: grow, laugh, cry, fail, fall, be renewed and seek His face and wisdom through the scriptures.

Thank you for joining in the celebration with your prayers! I will see you back next Monday as I am taking the week off to get acclimated.

This home is temporary but the rewards of heaven in His presence are eternal. Press on and in.

Share This Post With Your Friends!

Planting Wheat Not Beanstalks

The well-known fairy-tale of Jack and the Beanstalk tells of a young boy who sells the family’s last cow for three magic beans.

While Jack’s beanstalk reaches the heavens in overnight success simultaneously gaining him adventure and wealth it does not provide him lasting value. Yes, he obtains a hen that lays golden eggs and a harp that plays beautiful music, but his adventure is quickly ended and only his temporary needs met.

What of Jack’s soul?

In planting the seed of God’s word in our children’s hearts we desire to plant a kernel of wheat that will one day produce “much fruit.”

Truly, truly, I say to you,  unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and  whoever  hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must  follow me; and  where I am, there will my servant be also.  If anyone serves me,  the Father will honor him. ~John 12:24-26

Many parents might look at their job as watering the planted word of God. Perhaps they consider the pastors and directors, the volunteers and teen workers at church to be the planters of the seed of God’s word.

I believe that some parents have Jack and the Beanstalk mentality. Sunday, Wednesday, and VBS+ Youth trips  then voila!…A fully matured fully devoted Christ-follower by age 18.

This is not the case.

Our job concerning tending the soil of our children’s hearts is an utmost priority. The church helps water the seeds we plant but we are charged with the task of cultivating the soil, planting the seed (on a daily basis), and ensuring that “weeds” (e.g. ways of the world) do not kill our crops.

Christ will make sure that the seed grows and matures. He has commanded us to tend it. Families and the church are the team God uses to do His work in the lives of our children.

  I planted,  Apollos watered,  but God gave the growth. 7 So  neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each  will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are  God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field,  God’s building. ~1 Corinthians 3:6-9

4 “Hear, O Israel:  The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[b] 5 You  shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And  these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. ~Deuteronomy 6:4-9

We as parents read the word of God to our children and our lives are the Bible they first experience. How we live conveys what we believe concerning the Bible, God’s grace, and the importance of living in obedience to His commands.

Noone and no family is perfect. Even in our imperfections the Lord chooses to redeem the souls of our children. Amen!

Last Wednesday Emily graduated from her first year as a Cubbie Bear in the Awana Program. She excitedly dressed for the final awards ceremony in a Sunday dress, Princess Aurora clip-on earrings, and a glitzy heart necklace. She and her fellow Cubbie Bear’s ecstatically received their awards complete with a painted glove conveying the gospel message.

Each week the Cubbies had been taught the corresponding verses with the gloves and they cherished their own glove awarded to them as if you had given them keys to their first car.

Thank you Ms. Diane, Ms. Melissa, and all the Cubbie leaders for watering the seedlings in your care each week. Our Cubbie Bear loved it!

Grandmom was one of Emily’s room leaders in Cubbie’s. Emily knew Grandmom would be there with a piece of gum to accompany each class.

  Next year Joshua will start Puggles. For now he is happy being the Lone Ranger… or Lighting Maqueen.

Share This Post With Your Friends!

Celebrations

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

New life comes in many forms. On March 26, 2012 we welcomed our newest addition to the family, my niece, Anna Bell B. Seven pounds and ten ounces of joy stretched 21 inches long will forever change us for the better.

Emily has cried, “I miss Anna Bell” for two months. Now she holds her precious cousin in her arms while helping feed her bottles of milk.

This week amidst our travels we have celebrated new life and the last two years with Brooks. We gathered with extended family to mourn the passing and celebrate the life of a beloved cousin.

There is a time and a place for everything under the sun. This week was a time to laugh and a time to weep, a time to embrace and a time to love.

 

 

May you make memories in celebration this weekend and live for the home that will outlive the present.

Share This Post With Your Friends!