It's Bottle Time

In our area, the Pregnancy Help Center has "Bottle Time" where the area churches fill baby bottles with change to support the Center.  I thought this would be an easy way for our family to help others and teach Buddy about giving.  Buddy spotted the bottles after church on Sunday and wanted to know why they were in a basket.  I explained that the bottles were going to be filled with money to help little babies and then showed him a filled bottle.  I let him choose the bottle at church and we brought it home.  Buddy got his bank, excited to "help babies", and began to fill our bottle with some of his change. 

We used our family change jar to fill the bottle the rest of the way.  Buddy had fun counting the money as he put it in.

Buddy was proud when we filled it up!



Teaching my children to help others through these opportunities is an easy way to let them know that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).  The Lord has blessed our family and we can be used by Him to bless others.  I want Buddy and Sweetpea to grow up to be selfless and to have a heart for those in need.  Even at the young age of two, Buddy gladly gave what he could and I hope that he continues to have the heart of a cheerful giver!

Sanctity of Life Pt. 2

After last Wednesday's "friends" were introduced in our Sunday services, my mind has still be revivited to the thoughts of Sanctity of Life.  I was reminded of how in high school, I started to be swayed by the worldly view that abortion is alright after rape.  As a woman, rape is one of my most horrendous fears and I could never imagine the pain that comes from that act much less finding out a pregnancy has resulted from such a devestating circumstance.  I started to think that maybe abortion in a case of rape would be okay.  Today, I believe that abortion is never, under any situation, okay.

The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers  was key in reshaping my view of abortion when I read this novel in high school.  In the book, Dynah has a picture perfect life until one day she is raped and becomes pregnant.  The book deals with the struggles of her Christian family who continuously try to convince her that it is okay to have an abortion yet she knows that God desires differently.  Francine Rivers writes about the emotional and physical effects of abortion on women and how it can affect relationships, both with God and with others.  This book completely changed my view of crisis abortions because even in the horrible tragedy of rape, God is faithful and this child is still wonderfully and fearfully made by Him (Psalm 139). 

A few years ago, I read Startling Beauty: My Journey from Rape to Restoration by Heather Gemmen which is a true story of rape and unexpected pregnancy.  I litterally cried as I read her devestating story and thought about how I might react if facing the same situation.  She writes about her and her family and friends real and honest emotions in dealing with rape and the pregnancy.  Heather Gemmen's story is a revelation of truth that abortion is not the answer to even a horrible situation like rape.  This book again reinforced a Biblical view on life and how God can bring "beauty for ashes" (Isaiah 61:3).  "Rape takes too much.  But I, for one, have gained more than I have lost."  pg 224 Startling Beauty. 

Both of these books are obviously not for children due to the adult themes but I highly recommend them.  They will reinforce God's passionate desire for life even in the difficult situations and they will give practical ways to handle the delicate situation, if someone in your life is faced with the tragic challenge of a crisis pregnancy.

Week 2 of Reading the Bible in 90 Days

This has been a hard week of reading to stay focused but I have been encouraged with the knowledge that I am up to date with reading.  Every other reading plan that I have tried, I have missed several days by the end of week two because of the shorter readings and telling myself that it will be easy to catch up.  I can't do that with this challenge and it is such an awesome feeling to realize that I have read the Bible every day for 15 days. 

I finished reading Deuteronomy today and can't believe that in two weeks I have read 5 full Old Testament books.  Numbers was a hard read, to be honest, but to realize how big the Israelite nation was is incredible.  No wonder Pharaoh began to be intimidated by them.  These books have been full of rules and guidelines for God's chosen people and part of me sighs and says "I am so glad I didn't live back then!"  I've also been struck by how God demands complete obedience immediately and have thought all week about this.  I want to be completely and whole- heartedly obedient to God and my desires should reflect His desires.  Moses was an incredible Godly man yet in one moment of pride was disobedient and was not allowed to enter the Promised Land.  I wonder how many times my pride has kept me from experiencing the fullness of God working through me.

The excitement that I am feeling at setting aside time to read God's word is wonderful.  I have been enjoying checking in with my mentoring group also.  Knowing that as I am reading and praying for the members of my group, that there are others out there reading and praying for me keeps me encouraged. 

Even if you don't think you can read the Bible in 90 days, I hope you are still reading God's Word!

John 3:16 Activities

This week Buddy and I worked on his memorization of John 3:16.  Several times a day, I would say the verse word by word and have him repeat it after me.   It is a great way to pass the time in the car on short trips.  We also did several John 3:16 activities throughout the week.

We colored his Bible verse sheet from Hubbard's Cupboard. 

We read Max Lucado's book God's Great Big Love for Me together.

I changed my plans for his Bible verse poster and had him color a pattern with the words.  Buddy chose two colored pencils and then made a pattern with those colors.  I helped him at first but by the end of the verse, he was telling me which color came next.  If he is interested, I'll let him glue the worlds around the poster tomorrow or next week.  It will be a good reason to review the verse again.



He painted the hearts for DLTK's Growing Together Stuffed Heart Craft but they were not dry in time to finish the craft today.  Buddy used lots of red paint!

Today, Buddy was able to say all of John 3:16 by memory and I am so proud of him!  Here is a video of him saying the verse before bed time.  I hope you enjoy!

Time with Sweetpea

Now that Buddy is in preschool two days a week, I have been enjoying my one on one time with Sweetpea. 

Our days are a little more focused in teaching her and just enjoying being together.  We've focused on learning colors and reading books this week.  Also, signing to her while it is quiet is easier because she isn't distracted by Buddy.

This morning we played Peek-a-boo for several minutes.  Sweetpea loves peek-a-boo and there are benefits besides just spending time with her.  Peek-a-boo teaches her object permanence as I cover and uncover her eyes.  She is also starting to play along by pulling my hands down and grinning when I say "peek-a-boo".  

After her morning nap, I pulled out our reading cards that I made when Buddy was younger.  Our cards are just 3x5 index cards with sight words written in black Sharpie marker.  The only words that are in color are color words to help with color recognition.  It is my adaptation of Your Baby Can Read when I did not want to spend so much money and it worked.   Buddy was able to read and respond to approximately 20 words by about 10 months old; his favorite was "arms up"!  I have not done this with Sweetpea as much but plan to remedy that soon.

These are a few of our cards.

All in all, Buddy is loving preschool and I am loving my one on one time with Sweetpea!

Sanctity of Life

Tonight in youth group, Jon had the students "make" friends.  Our students worked in groups of 3 and traced a person onto butcher paper.  They then named their friend and gave him or her attributes like "likes music", "will attend an Ivy League College", and even "laughs when nervous".  Jon had each group introduce their friend and give their details. 

The students really got into the activity and were laughing as they worked.  I have to admit they did a great job bringing their friends to life. 

After each group had presented, Jon let them know that 1 in 4 children conceived had been killed through abortion.  Our students were silent as they realized that our youth group could have had 10 more people in church that night.  I knew ahead of time what the illustration was going to be and it still brought tears to my eyes.  The realization that so many babies never have the chance to grow up and live out their dreams hit our students and me in a new way tonight.  Life is precious and created by God from the point of conception.  I love what the Bible says in Psalm 139:13-16.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.  Psalm 139:13-16

I will be praying tonight for each person who has been affected by abortion and those who are facing the decision of life or abortion.  Choose Life!

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16 NIV

Our focus verse this week with Buddy is John 3:16.  John 3:16 is probably the most widely memorized verse but it is such an important verse to know.  This is our weekly plan to help Buddy learn the verse while having fun.

Monday
I introduced Buddy to John 3:16 yesterday by saying it to him and having him repeat each word.  He enjoyed this with the words he didn't know like 'perish' and 'eternal' because he found the sounds funny. 

TuesdayBuddy had preschool today after he woke up from his nap, we read God's Great Big Love for Me by Max Lucado.  Each page has part of John 3:16 and a corresponding colored bead.  Buddy and Sweetpea both sat still while we read this afternoon and greatly enjoyed playing with the beads.  We repeated the verse several times again tonight.  The word 'eternal' makes Buddy smile. 

Wednesday
I plan to reread the book and then we'll color the coloring sheet from Hubbard's Cupboard.  Buddy likes to identify letters so I'll ask him to point to several on the page and then we'll repeat the verse together.  Hopefully he'll be able to say parts without prompting.

Thursday
I've typed John 3:16 using Word Art.  Each word is a different color.  Buddy will color the words with the color with which they are outlined.  I've also printed an image of the world and will cut them out.  Buddy will be able to surround the verse with small worlds.  We did something similar when he learned Ephesians 6:1.

Friday
Recite the verse together and read God's Great Big Love for Me again.  We'll make the Stuffed Heart Craft from DLTK's Growing Together because Buddy loves to paint. 


After working on learning John 3:16 all week, I'm hoping that Buddy will be able to recite it by Saturday.  It is such an important verse that outlines salvation and I pray that Buddy will one day recognize that significance.