Christmas Angels

We just finished up making bags for sixteen local Angel Tree children, the most our mission has ever done.  We use donations from local people and look for toys and clothes when they are 75% off so we can buy for as many kids as possible.  I am always one of the first to the Angel Tree to make sure I can get kids with the sizes of clothing I have. 

All my girls helped out.  The older ones sorted and hauled clothes and toys.  The little ones especially liked me telling them the childrens' names and what toys they like so they could pick out their presents.  We love this time of year.  I don't know if Salvation Army Angel Trees are national or not, but if you have them in your area, I would recommend you try it as a family.  You will be as blessed as the child you pick.

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Easy Way to Learn Ten Commandments

 

When I wanted to teach the children at our mission the ten commandments, I looked high and low for an easy way to do it.  Most of the kids we worked with were unchurched, and I needed to make it relevant and fun for them to learn.  I stumbled across a way to remember the commandments with the number, and then I tweaked it for my own use.  Definitely go over the traditional wording for the commandments with the kids, but then use these for easier understanding and remembering.

 

Now almost all of the kids at the mission can say their ten commandments, even my four year old.  Hopefully this will help other kids too!

 

1.)  God is number one.

 

2.) Two gods are not okay.

 

3.) Be careful with God's three names.  (God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit)

 

4.) Worship and rest is what Sunday is for.

 

5.) Honor your mom and dad to stay five alive.

 

6.) Don't put anyone six feet under.

 

7.) Keep your marriage promise seven days a week.

 

8.) Don't steal like the apple Aladdin ate.

 

9.) Don't lie and say you're nine if you're not.

 

10.) Don't put anybody else's stuff on your top ten list.

 

 

 (Photo at top from redthreadmagazine.com.)

 

 



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Enjoying the Holidays

Christmas will be upon us soon.  We always decorate our tree and get out the manger scenes after Halloween at our house.  Yes, I'm aware that the appropriate time to do this is after Thanksgiving, but we are homeschoolers, and we don't follow the rules.

We put out our decorations early so we can soak up the light and joy of the holiday for as long as we can.  Sometimes the holidays can move at the speed of light, just like this picture my daughter, Mary Margaret took of the tree while she was moving. 

It is our goal to focus on our family and others who need a friend this Thanksgiving and Christmas.   I will have to intentionally slow down and not get stressed over family obligations or baking messes to make this happen.  I will do my best to enjoy each moment, for life is lived in the moments that I too often overlook.

This is one of my favorite parts of Luke 2, the chapter we recite each Christmas. 

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  Luke 2:7

Scratchy straw for a bed and the stench of animals all around her did not make for a wonderful birth, but I know Mary treasured that moment because it says so.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

Lord, help me to treasure each moment, the good ones and the not so good ones because they all work together for good.  Amen

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A Sacred Sabbath

 

When you work in the ministry, your Sabbath is not really a time of rest.  It is more a time of exhaustion.  My Sunday starts early with cooking.  When you serve around 40 people lunch every day, you better start cooking early.  I normally cook chili, spaghetti, soup, or hot dogs; anything I can put into my giant crockpot.  My husband, Billy, leaves the house to get everything set up at the church.   I get the little ones breakfast and make sure they are dressed for the week's theme.  We have a different theme every week.  This week was Mexican Sunday.

 

Then I throw together my own themed outfit and make sure I have my lesson, serving spoons, and plenty of candy for kids  saying Bible verses.  By the time service is over I have danced and sung with the kids, taught a lesson, served lunch, tried to wolf down my food between dishing up seconds, and helped clean up the sanctuary.  My husband has picked up most of the children  and adults before service and then taken them home again in our minivan.  He has to make several trips. 

 

When we get home, we would like to collapse, but then Billy has to study for his college classes, and I spend the afternoon cleaning the kitchen I destroyed that morning.  With supper, youth group for my teen girls, and baths for the little ones, the day is gone quickly.

 

Sometimes I feel sorry for myself that I can't just show up at church and sit comfortably while listening to an inspirational message, but  I know that is not my lot in life.  I believe that the Sabbath is more about your soul resting in the fact that you are doing exactly what God wants you to be doing.  My body gets tired, but my soul gets its refreshment from watching the children and families in our mission grow into the people God wants them to be.  I am so blessed to be apart of God's work in my city.

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Life Lessons

 

My stepmom, Liz, married my dad when I was pretty young so she was just like a second mom to me.  She fought against cancer for many years and finally lost her battle.  She taught me many important lessons while she was alive, but I’ll just share the one that means the most to me.  She enjoyed each moment she had and truly focused on the people around her.   She would never be trying to do something else while you talked to her.  She always put aside her busy schedule and just loved on her grand-kids when they came over.  I’m a busy mom and sometimes I catch myself trying to multi-task while my kids are talking to me.  Then I think of Liz, and I try my best to concentrate on the most important thing in life, the people I love.

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