tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70232099268087644242024-03-04T22:43:58.822-06:00SkyMomsSkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.comBlogger774125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-33246258480082668902017-12-24T06:00:00.000-06:002017-12-24T06:00:17.910-06:00Merry Christmas!
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; margin: 0px;">Merry
Christmas from the Sky Ranch family to Yours! </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zZop2M1gz02jdT1wIU06uHtPJOHP1fhH3l_nBnaPyDyHX02kG0vdeyc9gt15Jpi493wjdaqKvjF-q7hkZ8BFVGrKK-KWkbbkSay1cK3skHcK7qZZ59vD5sSLsdcDbJqb6unU-KhcEpc/s1600/Merry+Xmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zZop2M1gz02jdT1wIU06uHtPJOHP1fhH3l_nBnaPyDyHX02kG0vdeyc9gt15Jpi493wjdaqKvjF-q7hkZ8BFVGrKK-KWkbbkSay1cK3skHcK7qZZ59vD5sSLsdcDbJqb6unU-KhcEpc/s1600/Merry+Xmas.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qxg2oPt3ZRl6EzAo9_qGw8e1r7UPn4L1izJqWuqizYn_DBSVDIxefgFXnrHobqbr-XL21rACo-i76zlbGuru8kPNjVr97Q64JWs1CLT-C9g4FJLSrHmpNOXbIgk8_7AhltnbLSqyxjg/s1600/68398488060328273_c7TFPlP4_c.jpg"><span style="color: #940f04; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px;">Merry Christmas...It is all about Jesus!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #5c1101; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Luke
2:15-20</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #5c1101; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">The Message (MSG)</span></div>
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<b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">15-18 </span></sup></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">As the
angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get
over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed
to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in
the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels
had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.</span></div>
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<b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">19-20 </span></sup></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Mary kept all these things
to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned
and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and
seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span>SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-923505172848382122017-12-21T06:00:00.000-06:002017-12-21T06:00:25.625-06:00The Gift<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygB_pycY4qG97w4C6YtTJdpRFBu7b_Kf82Twa5LKZsoUbmmwx7suaF_NHMF3jQBs4Sf0bhSGNOefvgQNCIt88HF6IeCC_qr0KVAKEZtfMN_YU2PAw4h4BDGSUFULfOpSqpfOX1FcE2E8/s1600/gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygB_pycY4qG97w4C6YtTJdpRFBu7b_Kf82Twa5LKZsoUbmmwx7suaF_NHMF3jQBs4Sf0bhSGNOefvgQNCIt88HF6IeCC_qr0KVAKEZtfMN_YU2PAw4h4BDGSUFULfOpSqpfOX1FcE2E8/s1600/gift.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Last year I was brainstorming for a new and creative way to
celebrate Christ in Christmas.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Gifts
seem to be a major component in the Christmas celebration, don’t they?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Who’s getting what?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Who wants what?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>How much to spend? Even though my girls only
get 3 gifts Christmas morning (just like Jesus got), we still put a lot into
the gift giving.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I’m not that creative,
so let’s just get that out there from the start.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But I pictured in my finite brain a gift at
the front of the tree that we would put out every year that signified the true
meaning of Christmas.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>An empty box,
covered in bright, white paper, with red ribbon and some greenery.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As I started to “create” such a box, I began
to tell the story of Jesus.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Jesus came into
the world one night because of God’s plan for salvation.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Sacrifices and commandments had fallen
short.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>God needed to provide a Savior
and the only one who could save us was His Son Jesus.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We celebrate His birth every year on December
25<sup>th</sup>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It’s His party, yet
many times we forget to invite Him, don’t we?<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>This box that sits at the front of our tree symbolizes the gift He gave
us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>His life.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He lived a perfect life on earth and died for
our sins, so that we might live forever with Him.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The white paper surrounding this box symbolizes
His perfect, blameless life.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He was the
precious lamb of God who died for the sins of the world.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He had no sin.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The red ribbon symbolizes the blood that was
shed as he died on the cross.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Without
the blood there is no remission of sins.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The empty box is a picture of the empty tomb after His burial.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>God’s word tells us that 3 days after his
burial He arose from the dead and the tomb was empty.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The greenery symbolizes our new life in
Christ.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>God’s word tells us we are “new
creatures” after our rebirth in Christ.”</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Each and every time we look at our tree, we see <b>The Christmas
Gift</b> at the front of all the other gifts.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>A beautiful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">~Lisa Clark</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-80923547900324699002017-12-18T10:22:00.000-06:002017-12-18T10:22:12.332-06:00The TRUE REASON for the Season!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfc8s8I5XZ2XwNGlp-oXyei538i7tk-tg_B9PFUmx42UbAiHiX-76fC4N5SW_2YwD8DhImNO6vLjObWU_VMbiy5WKayfZOzRcw2k_XF772RETM-v-KrRU3KyLUIWzGDkRC58VEZyMYhI/s1600/reason+for+the+season.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfc8s8I5XZ2XwNGlp-oXyei538i7tk-tg_B9PFUmx42UbAiHiX-76fC4N5SW_2YwD8DhImNO6vLjObWU_VMbiy5WKayfZOzRcw2k_XF772RETM-v-KrRU3KyLUIWzGDkRC58VEZyMYhI/s320/reason+for+the+season.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">Dear Sky Ranch Family,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">Let’s together, celebrate the reason
for each season! My prayer for your family is that every
Christmas be filled with His presence and joy as you share the love of our
Savior. Enjoy a special time with your family that is full of
tradition. If you do not share many traditions, that’s okay because it is
never too late to start a tradition. It becomes a tradition when you
start it! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">Our family has enjoyed many traditions over
the years. Christmas is by far when we share many of our favorite traditions.
I’d like to share a tradition with you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">“Happy Birthday Jesus”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">Since the first child was born in the family,
the Happy Birthday Jesus Cake has been a tradition in our home for Christmas
helping to reinforce the TRUE REASON FOR THE SEASON.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">Up until the youngest child at our annual
family gathering no longer believed in Santa Claus, Santa himself would deliver
the Happy Birthday Jesus Birthday Cake on the Eve of Christmas. Santa
would come into the house with the cake and everyone would sing happy birthday
to Jesus, blow out the candles and listen intently with wide eyes as Santa
Claus would share all of the symbolism of the cake. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">Today, the tradition remains, but Santa Claus
no longer joins us for the Christmas Eve gatherings. One family is
designated each year to make the cake and lead the tradition.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">The cake is a Chocolate Cake made with cherry
filling inside. It is frosted with butter cream frosting, decorated as noted
below:</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">Chocolate Cake</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;"> – This chocolate cake symbolizes our sin
nature through and through.<br />
(</span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Romans%203.23" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Romans
3:23</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;"> and </span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isaiah%2053.6" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Isaiah
53:6</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">)</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">Cherry Pie
Filling </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">– The red symbolizes
the blood of Christ shed for us. (</span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ephesians%201.7" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Ephesians
1:7</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;"> and </span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Hebrews%209.22" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Hebrews
9:22</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">)</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">White Cream Icing</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;"> – Symbolizes the righteousness of Christ
without blemish which covers up our sin. When we put it on, God sees our
sin no more. It still does not change our basic nature though. The
cake is still chocolate. (</span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Romans%204.24" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Romans
4:24</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;"> and</span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isaiah%2061.10" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Isaiah
61:10</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">)</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">Decorations On The Top
Of the Cake</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;"> –</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">Place a star for
Bethlehem, Christ’s birthplace. (</span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matthew%202.1-12" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Matthew
2:1-12</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">, </span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%202.1-6" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Luke
2:1-6</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">)</span></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">Place an angel to
symbolize the herald of Christ’s birth. (</span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%201.26-38" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Luke
1:26-38</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">, </span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%202.8-20" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">2:8-20</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">Place 3 red candles on
the cake. The number 3 symbolizes the trinity. (John
14, </span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%201.15" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">John 1:15</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">, </span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%201.10-14" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">10-14</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">, </span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%201.18" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">18</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">, </span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Genesis%201.26" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Genesis
1:26</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">,</span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Genesis%203.22" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">3:22</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">, </span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Genesis%2011.7" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">11:7</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">, </span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Isaiah%206.8" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Isaiah
6:8</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">)</span></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">Place evergreens
around the cake or cake plate to symbolize the eternal life we have through
Christ. (</span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%203.16" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">John 3:16</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">, </span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20John%205.11-12" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">1
John 5:11-12</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">) </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">~Linda Paulk</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span>SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-11953266234525461062017-12-01T10:17:00.000-06:002017-12-18T10:19:05.091-06:00Getting Wisdom is the WISEST thing you can do!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9g0SC6Q8yb_fFw-Ukv8fB8R8Nli13phC7qQ0MxLRevnpDxuR3l2z4c-GCJX8IAn-CKd436-34sd8CX0t5nSvMnzWO0vJaGplFHU-u5hTsOtKkR4moUPTMxI6VOStfQCnRw5vAPzWxu4/s1600/wise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9g0SC6Q8yb_fFw-Ukv8fB8R8Nli13phC7qQ0MxLRevnpDxuR3l2z4c-GCJX8IAn-CKd436-34sd8CX0t5nSvMnzWO0vJaGplFHU-u5hTsOtKkR4moUPTMxI6VOStfQCnRw5vAPzWxu4/s320/wise.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hello! I’m Stacy. I’m excited to share with you
a series of excerpts from the 2017 Sky Ranch Summer Devotional I’ve written
called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boom Town, Sifting for Truth</i>. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This year we’ve done things a bit differently.
My son Taylor, also a Sky Ranch “Lifer,” has joined the team to add an element
of fiction to the book. Each section will have part of an ongoing fiction story
to help illustrate the devotional messages. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We have also added overview questions at the end
of each section called “Golden Nuggets of Truth.” These provide a recap and
highlights so that you and your family can be sure to remember the most
important parts of the message. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We encourage you to use these different study
methods to communicate with each member of your family in the way that they
learn best. We pray that your family will grow in the Lord as you go through
this study on seeking truth! </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I’m praying for you, </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Stacy A. Davis </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><u><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;">Section One Story - The Boy and the
Prospector</span></u><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"> </span></i></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">by Taylor
A. Davis</span></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Over the mountain range, through the thickets
and trees, a gentle wind traveled its way through the woods until it found a
low-lying stream. The cool air had seen the trials and hardships of a hardy few
who would strike rock, dirt, and sand to find a new way and a new life. With
sweaty,</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">coarse hands, mankind hunted for the finer
things, most seeking treasures wherever the stars guided, while only a few knew
to look in the small places hiding alongside them.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Along the Shasta River rested a settlement known
as Boom Town. It was home to a happy bunch, for they’d found the most precious
of metals. A prize most prospectors had searched for, yet found none. However,
the “Boomers,” as they called themselves, knew the secrets to finding what
others could not. They knew where to look and how to look. Gold was their
trade, the life of their community. And if you failed to find it, then you were
just an outsider, a lonely seeker of dirt.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Could you tie up the tent flap, Curly? That
breeze is killin’ me,” groaned a kooky old man sporting a thick, white beard
and wearing a brown cowboy hat atop his head. The chipper fellow adjusted his
reading spectacles and scratched his large nose. He leaned over, fidgeting like
a</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">squirrel away from its tree while he laid down a
large leather book with a golden crucifix sewn in the center of the cover. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“You need to be sure none of that wind blows
through. If you let that cold stuff in, you won’t survive the evening in this
winter.”</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“I’m doing my best, sir!” whined the boy.
Smaller and younger than the men at Boom Town, the young lad did his best to
shut the tent. The wind catapulted the wool cap from his head and into the old
man’s wrinkled face. Curly’s blonde hair levitated as he mightily pulled the
two pieces of</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">cloth together, battling the gale forces of
nature pounding against his skinny frame.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Once the boy had finally closed the tent and the
old man removed the cap from his face, they sat down together. The old man
dusted the grimy item and then leaned forward to place it back on Curly’s head.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“You know the reason I called you here, boy?”
the old man mumbled. “I can’t find gold?” Curly replied under his breath. His
head sank low. “It’s not that you can’t find the gold. You just don’t know
where or how to look for it…” The old man’s response was followed by a
lingering pause.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Well, how do I even know it’s real? All I do is
hear about it; I never seen it.”</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Ahh,” the old man chuckled, “What a mistake it
is to believe only until you see. For you to find the gold at the bottom of
that river, you must <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">know</i> it’s there.
Then you must be patient. You must be still. And then you will find what’s
buried beneath all that dirt and stone.”</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A befuddled look spread across Curly’s face. Annoyed,
he lacked the patience to find wisdom in the old man’s words. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The boy cried in a raised tone, “How am I
supposed to know that you know what you’re talking about! For all I know,
you’ve been searching longer than me. For all I know, none of the Boomers in
Boom Town have even seen gold!”</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Then what is this, boy!” the old man sharpened
his voice. He held up a closed fist before the grumbling child. His palms
remained closed. Withered and frail, they shook violently to stay afloat.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“They call me the Old Prospector for a reason.
I’ve been here. I’ve been back. I’ve seen it all, and I’m trying to show you
the way. For there is only one way to find the gold. Only one way to find that
sweet treasure buried beneath. You <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">must</i>
believe.”</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Before the boy, the old prospector released his
hand and revealed what was hidden. Out rolled a dazzling chunk of rock. Ripe
and true, strong to the core with a beauty that could not be recreated or
destroyed. Purest of all things, that tiny speck of gold struck Curly in the hardest
of ways. He believed.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Old Prospector closed his palm and shook his
head. “Emptiness is to doubt what you know is truth. If you’re gonna join the
Boomers, you must know it’s there before you can find it. Meet me in the river
tomorrow, when the sun breaks the plane of day.” </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nodding, Curly got up, grabbed his gray jacket
and cap, and then made his way out of the tent as the wind grew, pushing harder
than he’d ever known.</span></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Section One Topic - Truth</span></span></u></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The story begins with a young prospector named Curly.
Curly is having trouble finding gold. An older wiser prospector reveals that
for Curly’s search to really begin, Curly has to believe that gold really does
exist. After sharing his experience of finding gold and even showing Curly a
nugget of real gold that he found in the river, the older prospector convinces
Curly of gold’s existence. This begins Curly’s quest for gold. In a similar
way, to begin a search for truth, you have to believe that truth really exists,
that there is truth just waiting for you to find it. There is an old proverb
that says, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get,</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">get insight” (Proverbs 4:7 ESV). It is saying
that the beginning of wisdom is recognizing that you need real wisdom and then,
whatever you do, find the truth. You have to recognize your need for truth to
begin your search for it. The Sky Ranch family devotional, Boom Town, will take
your family through the process of seeking truth by breaking into five sections
that will lead you to real truth. In this first section on truth, your family
will discover that truth is real, whom the source of real truth is and the
evidence that supports whether your source really is giving you truth.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Excerpt from the Sky Ranch Devotional - </span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Boom Town,
Written by Stacy A. Davis and Taylor A. Davis</span></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">© 2017 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. and Taylor A.
Davis. All rights reserved.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3iOSYYzoy6XmtP8XkGRlOXUKjMythCDTdG0KbStw4we0r_YpJ12ezI2xxhy3qqE__s61nEBa7BGtABckIHSZXZtpMj5tqQQWtE9birQWsfBEWa-xDA15bFLK6i86DYWvA92-lvwX4z0/s1600/stacy+sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="68" data-original-width="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3iOSYYzoy6XmtP8XkGRlOXUKjMythCDTdG0KbStw4we0r_YpJ12ezI2xxhy3qqE__s61nEBa7BGtABckIHSZXZtpMj5tqQQWtE9birQWsfBEWa-xDA15bFLK6i86DYWvA92-lvwX4z0/s1600/stacy+sig.png" /></a></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Check back
next week for the first guided Family Devotional complete with scriptural
devotional time and questions for the whole family!</span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">For more
Sky Ranch Family devotionals and information on the author, visit
stacyadavis.com.</span></span></i></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span>SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-30174476494967297752017-11-07T13:34:00.002-06:002017-11-07T13:34:59.440-06:00A Heart Full Of Thanks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjFAx2ps7D_pfJsFy89x1v9Qgw-F590moCPJ7Z6zt9PFzkMxaXI3YtcAehM2sfnH5DCHxiNTYaj2bcZpAssYR_-p4HaEZMgm-YU5d3KBQufAPAUkQBmeKZWYmXTlVuEbqiaMsBnLXMJY/s1600/Thankful.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjFAx2ps7D_pfJsFy89x1v9Qgw-F590moCPJ7Z6zt9PFzkMxaXI3YtcAehM2sfnH5DCHxiNTYaj2bcZpAssYR_-p4HaEZMgm-YU5d3KBQufAPAUkQBmeKZWYmXTlVuEbqiaMsBnLXMJY/s640/Thankful.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">It’s the THANKFUL month! We normally think more about what
we’re thankful for in November because, well, we’re supposed to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But truly thanksgiving is a heart issue that we should practice year-round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Opportunities to be thankful are in the mundane things of
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And by expressing those things to
each other, we’re encouraged to be thankful in our hearts day to day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">When I was in high school, I had several cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started with a great car I bought for $800
cash and wrecked it 5 months later. The car situation took a drastic downward
turn after that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, my younger sisters passed
on driving anywhere with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
experience led me to car thankfulness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Still to this day, I’ll be driving down the road and thank the Lord for
a car that runs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Our experiences in life drive us towards thankfulness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s also modeled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A thankful heart is contagious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saying “thank you” breeds thankfulness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stopping and saying “thanks” turns an
ordinary moment into a God moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because we honor the Creator of all things and give Him glory by simply
saying “thank you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;">As you look at the beautiful, changing leaves, mutter,
“Thank you, Lord!” When your fireplace provides heat and beauty to your family
sitting around the den, “Thank you, Lord.” As you gather with friends, eat good
food, watch football, dress in layers, and meet new neighbors, “Thank you,
Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are good!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Thankfulness is a heart issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And God’s in the heart changing
business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you, Lord!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><strong>“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the
course of your life!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Proverbs 4:23<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-87955899040704672742017-10-24T08:03:00.000-05:002017-10-24T08:03:32.624-05:00If Satan Loves To Isolate, Then God Is In Community
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BB5QP0IsJwcCP4sQX-ycJvELDWpGk6uoTrXtHFj3NnVPSCaBz-qfKxv24HWBD_qG_fHjkrIiptc8XDVA9twIpWsXku76ZI2Ng5GdHrBUTQL2pQbtbjEczrXyjfoG7uElpA2oB4_ty6g/s1600/man+woman+holding+hands.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BB5QP0IsJwcCP4sQX-ycJvELDWpGk6uoTrXtHFj3NnVPSCaBz-qfKxv24HWBD_qG_fHjkrIiptc8XDVA9twIpWsXku76ZI2Ng5GdHrBUTQL2pQbtbjEczrXyjfoG7uElpA2oB4_ty6g/s640/man+woman+holding+hands.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Are you in community? It’s an IN word right now, isn’t it?
It just rolls off your tongue...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><em><strong>Community</strong></em></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">It’s biblical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did
you know that? We are to be IN fellowship with other believers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s good for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were created FOR community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’
teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">All of this took place after the church was established, and
THEN what happened as a result of their obedience? Shock and awe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were AWED by the many wonders and signs performed by the
apostles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Acts 2:43)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">So we (the church) have these marching orders:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Study the word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fellowship together as believers, break bread,
and pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><strong>Our marching orders are
COMMUNITY.</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">October is such a great month for community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s chilly outside, there’s chili inside, and
our hearts are full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">And yet when we experience heartache or trouble, we lean
towards isolation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><strong>Isolation makes us a sitting duck for the enemy’s
attacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he will pounce.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">When we’re down and out, feeling less than, hurting, needing
help, we MUST reach out to our people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We need them, and they need us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were created for each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Do you have community? Do you have a body of believers with
whom you fellowship? If the answer is no, then do something about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for God to bring you to a place (church
body) for you and your family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a
place for everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there’s no
perfect place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were created for
community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not for isolation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">I heard it said recently, “When things are going bad, God is
up to something good.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like that
perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God cares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He gives us each other to remind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-38069892767342155752017-10-03T19:06:00.001-05:002017-10-03T19:06:10.715-05:00Sometimes Community Means Making The First Move
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOolc7MHT-f8w2nKRraaTJOFKdVMyA5xGz-aDGGn2N-sL7PKQYwGX6Fa5MozTK8-MgcwYmE_7zUtc5_AoeKELfFVGwRskwfsmh4hKE60yzcyoxLLxM6ZcD_x1GThG_uX4KyCHA96G-uM/s1600/hands+on+coffee+mug.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOolc7MHT-f8w2nKRraaTJOFKdVMyA5xGz-aDGGn2N-sL7PKQYwGX6Fa5MozTK8-MgcwYmE_7zUtc5_AoeKELfFVGwRskwfsmh4hKE60yzcyoxLLxM6ZcD_x1GThG_uX4KyCHA96G-uM/s640/hands+on+coffee+mug.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Something a bit unusual happened to me today. I received an
invitation to coffee from a new mom at our school. We’ve attended this school
for five years, her kids have been there for a hot 30 minutes, and she invited <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me</i> to coffee, though we’ve never met.
Something seems backwards here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She wants to connect though. So she is willing to make the
first move. There aren’t enough words to express how much I love this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">*****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My husband and I are both connectors of people. We’re always
planning, initiating, inviting, hosting, introducing, and glad-handing,
everywhere we go. Often when we’re guests at an event, people mistake us for
the hosts. It’s just the way God made us, and it serves us well in ministry. A
few years ago, though, I honestly began to resent this aspect of God’s design
for our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Instead of being the pursuer, I wanted to be pursued. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Instead of being the inviter, I wanted to be invited. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Instead of being the planner, I wanted to be the guest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was lonely. In need of community. And feeling sorry for
myself. But then I recalled Paul’s words in Romans 12:6:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I may have wished to
be pursued, but God made me a pursuer. If I wasn’t willing to lean into this
gift and practice hospitality, wasn’t I missing an opportunity to be a
reflection of God’s image in the world?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">*****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now fall is upon us. And with it, comes so many opportunities
to practice hospitality and build community. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So we can do one of two things.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We can sit around waiting for an invitation, or w</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">e can be bold enough to make the first move.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What we can’t do is listen to the voice of Satan telling us no
one invites us because no one likes us. It’s not true! Despite the fact that my
husband and I are rarely invited by others, when we invite them, they most
always say yes! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So if we’re wanting to connect with our neighbors…If we’re
feeling isolated from friends…If we need a Girls Night Out, or we’re just
wishing for a coffee date to connect at the new school, are we going to sit
around a whine about it? Or are we willing to make the first move?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Romans 12:13<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-64933573298045662262017-10-02T09:48:00.002-05:002017-10-02T09:48:37.197-05:00Do You Need To Kick-Start Your Community?
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-lNq552zofxuVL_EpBYqFfyOr-BFQLiXnKp3gCm6LHE6bSLsF-t8jqkWnlQ0YJpBYzVEfRnFTpY_VkKIrndrrq5a44Kn_lEO1YjpsDsB5tDDXCeeduyWJMqZ_eaBqdwivXOD6lw75Pc/s1600/Pumpkin+in+leaves.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-lNq552zofxuVL_EpBYqFfyOr-BFQLiXnKp3gCm6LHE6bSLsF-t8jqkWnlQ0YJpBYzVEfRnFTpY_VkKIrndrrq5a44Kn_lEO1YjpsDsB5tDDXCeeduyWJMqZ_eaBqdwivXOD6lw75Pc/s640/Pumpkin+in+leaves.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">October is the beginning of the holiday season. Pumpkins,
lattes, gatherings ‘round the fire…aaaahhhhhh. It seriously is MY FAVORITE TIME
OF YEAR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love FALL so much that when
Brad and I got engaged in December 1985, I begged him to wait until the FALL to
get married! And he said apprehensively, “okay.” October 4<sup>th </sup>will be our 31st anniversary! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Yea FALL! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Yea US! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">With the coming of the holiday season comes opportunities to
gather, reflect, celebrate and open OUR doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">In Rick Warren’s book, “The Purpose Driven Life,” he devotes
an entire section to COMMUNITY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
created for each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need each
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> <strong> "</strong></span><strong>We discover our role in life through our
relationships </strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><strong>with others."</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Rick Warren<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
vital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> But i</span>t’s not always pretty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it takes work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Why does community take work? Relationships are hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when we do community right, the masks come off, and we discover that no one has it all
together, that no one has a perfect life, and that no one doesn’t have baggage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">But that’s the good stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are more alike than we think we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Relationships are messy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they're OUR mess! Let’s get messy! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Here are some ideas to get you started:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Invite someone over today. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put a pumpkin on the front porch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BAM! You’ve decorated for FALL! Put a pot of
coffee on and serve it with PUMPKIN SPICE creamer! BAM! A FALL LATTE is served!
See? That was so easy! Don’t try to be THE PIONEER WOMAN overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just invite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Open your doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And fellowship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Get involved in your church home group,
Bible fellowship class, or small group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t just sit back and WAIT for someone to call you! Call them! Plan a
get together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most likely, everyone is
looking for friends but everyone is waiting on a call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be proactive!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Plan a get together for your kids and their
friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buy a dozen pumpkins and host a
pumpkin carving party! Serve cider and a place for fellowship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This shows your kiddos how to be hospitable
and form community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friend, Sara,
hosts one every year for her kids and their friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s become a tradition! I love it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Bake some pumpkin bread and bless your
neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Bible fellowship class is
learning how to be a good neighbor right now, and Becky is leading the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her blog is full of “good neighboring”
ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check it out, <a href="http://www.beckyleach.com/" target="_blank">here</a>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Enjoy this month of cooler
weather, sweaters, s’mores and more…and be a blessing! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><strong>"A life devoted to things is a dead life, a
stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree."</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Proverbs 11:28 (MSG)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-77942301818705338322017-09-25T14:29:00.003-05:002017-09-25T14:29:40.035-05:00Teaching Contentment At The American Girl Store
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a little girl, our daughter was never really into dolls.
She was more of the tree climbing, dirt wearing, always up for an adventure
type. Different from most of her friends, she spent the bulk of her free time
outside, climbing to heights unknown and rolling in whatever dirt she could
find. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So when she was invited to the American Girl Doll store for
a birthday party, I was curious to see how she would respond. All the little
girls had their American Girl Dolls in tow, sidling them up to the table in
high-chairs, combing their hair, and introducing them to one another. And our
daughter brought “Diamond,” her one and only doll that she dug out from the depths
of her toy box. Hair amuck and half-dressed, it was obvious how long it had
been since Diamond had seen the light of day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The party rooms at American Girl Doll are in the back of the
store. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Obviously</i>. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Making it past all of the merchandise and to the party room
was a non-event. But after sitting with 15 little girls who were doting on
their American Girl Dolls for 90 minutes, getting back out to the car was an
entirely different story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suddenly, our daughter wanted what she did not have. Sage, the American Girl Doll
who was the star of her favorite movie at the time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>When she asked me if we could buy it, my first instinct was
to say yes. She rarely asked for anything, we never bought her toys, and she
was a good kid. But then, my common sense returned.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I knew our daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And she didn’t play
with dolls.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yes, you can have Sage,” I said. “If you pay for it with
your own money.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“How much money do I have?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It just so happened that a few months prior, we had opened
a bank account for her. She had accumulated some birthday and allowance money, and
we wanted to begin teaching her some very basic things about personal finance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I pulled up her balance on my bank app and used my
calculator to subtract the amount of money it would take for her to purchase
Sage. And then I explained:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You have ________ money now. If you buy Sage, you’ll spend
________. And that will leave you with ___________.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>I could see her wheels spinning as she thought about it for
a few minutes. And then she decided she didn’t need Sage after all.</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No fit, no fight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We left the American Girl Doll store without Sage, and
Diamond went right back to the depths of the toy box!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t think it’s wrong to buy things for our children, nor
do I think it would have been wrong for me to have purchased a doll for our
daughter under these circumstances. But I do think I would have missed an
opportunity to teach her a valuable lesson regarding contentment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She wouldn’t have given contentment a moment’s thought if
Sage had been purchased on mommy’s dime. But by allowing her the freedom to
make the purchase with her own money, she began to ask herself an important
question:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Do I need or want
this doll badly enough to use my own money to get it?<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By allowing her the freedom to answer this question for herself,
I gave her the opportunity to choose contentment. Contentment is a choice, after all, and it's a life skill we must all learn.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And if she had decided to
purchase the doll with her own money? I'm guessing there would have been lessons of a different kind in that too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-21559380037925651412017-09-20T13:07:00.002-05:002017-09-20T13:07:41.218-05:00An Alternative To The "Life Isn't Fair" Lecture
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I often describe our children as characters from Winnie The
Pooh. We have two Tiggers and one Eyore. Each of them uniquely made in the
image of God with their own sets of strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies. They’re
as different as the colors of hair upon their heads!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With our Tiggers, there’s boundless amounts of energy, which
means they’re always up for an adventure, but they also have trouble sitting
still. <em>They’re everywhere</em>, all the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With our Eyore, there’s a need for lots of downtime, which
means I always have a snuggle buddy, but the motivation to stay active is
harder to capture. We have to <em>drag this kid outside</em> if it’s the least bit warm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The differences exist in the emotional realm too. Our Tiggers
tend to be optimists, and our Eyore tends to be a pessimist. And though our culture
would <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">likely </i>place more value on being
an optimist, rest assured both tendencies bring opportunities <em>and</em> challenges to the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I recall a season not too long ago when our Eyore was in a
constant state of discontent. It was score keeping at its finest, and the
number of times I heard the phrase, “that’s not fair,” I don’t even know. We’re
talking about injustices like the size of a dessert serving, the number of
pages read from a bedtime story, the amount of free time given between homework
and dinner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>You get the picture.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My frustration was at an all-time high one evening, when
this kid bounded down the stairs to report yet another injustice in the story of
life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I took a deep breath as I prepared to launch into a speech
about life and fairness, when I had a Holy Spirit moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In a parenting class my husband and I took years ago, we
spent some time discussing how to deal with the hard days. You know the kind.
The kind when our children wake up, saying to themselves, “I think today is a
good day to die!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And they fight us at every turn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He suggested that on these very hard days we take a time out
to be still and to meditate on all the things we’re thankful for about the children
we’re struggling with. He proposed that engaging in this exercise would lead to
a deeper sense of gratitude, help us channel our frustration, and address the
issues with our children in more positive ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve done this exercise a thousand times, and it works like
a charm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I stood face-to-face with our Eyore at the bottom of the
stairs, it occurred to me that if this exercise can work for parents, why
wouldn’t it work for kids?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So instead of launching into a speech about life and
fairness, I went to our office and came back with a blank piece of paper and a
pencil. I instructed our Eyore to find a quiet place to sit and to write ten
statements of gratitude.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I am thankful for …”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Our Eyore was gone for a long, long while. But by the completion
of this task, this kid’s disposition had completely changed! Because we took
the focus off of what we didn’t have and redirected it towards our blessings,
we created an opportunity for this kid to discover that the purported "injustice" was really no big deal. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And that made all the difference. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A good exercise to do
any day of the week, and certainly more productive than listening to a lecture
from mommy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So if you have an Eyore in your family, or if you find <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yourself</i> in an Eyore kind of moment for
that matter, consider taking a stab at this exercise. It’s never a waste of
time to count our blessings, and I’ve found it to leads to a greater state of
contentment every time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-86400122906286644572017-09-18T14:05:00.001-05:002017-09-18T14:05:23.960-05:00To Moms Who Can't Wait For This Season To Pass<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";">A mother's thoughts...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";">0 – 3 months:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t
wait until he sleeps through the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";">6 – 9 months:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t
wait until she starts crawling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cambria";">9 – 12 months:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <em>can</em>
wait until he starts climbing up the stairs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";">2 – 3 years old:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
can’t wait until she starts preschool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";">3 years old:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t
wait until he is potty trained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";">5 years old:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <em>can</em>
wait until he starts kindergarten.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";">8 years old:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t
wait until she can do her own math homework.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";">12 years old:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <em>can</em>
wait until she’s a teenager.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";">15 years old:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t
wait until she can drive herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";">16 years old:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <em>can</em>
wait until he graduates high school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";">19 years old:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t
wait until she comes home for the summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";">25 years old:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t
wait until I’m a grandmother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";">It seems we’re always in the I Can/I Can’t Wait time of
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "cambria";">I can’t imagine this is what God had in mind when He gave us
life.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";"><strong>What we don’t see while we’re wishing away each stage is the
days releasing from our grip at lightning speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Tick tock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Tick tock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";"><strong>We have today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
don’t know what tomorrow holds.</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>So rest
easy sweet mama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today is your day to
love and be loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today is your day to
kiss a boo boo and read a bedtime story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Today is your day to hug a middle school-er who didn’t get invited to
the party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today is your day to remind a
6 year old that Jesus loves her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today
is your day to take a Big Gulp to a high school-er who didn’t make the A Team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today is your day to help finish a project
that should have been started weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Today is your day to skip a GNO because your hubby got looked over for a
promotion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today is your day to
celebrate a 100 on a spelling test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Today is your day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";">Live today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Choose contentment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow will be here before you know it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-44803021307325111862017-09-13T13:10:00.001-05:002017-09-13T13:10:34.636-05:00What Is The Secret To Contentment?
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two years
ago, our family took a sabbatical from extra-curricular activities. Yes. You
heard that right. From August 15, 2015 to January 4, 2016, our children
participated in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">zero</i> activities
outside of school. No baseball. No music lessons. No activities at the church
we serve. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My husband
was going back to school to get his doctorate, and we were in the middle of a busy
time in ministry. Staring <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> in the
face, and wanting to protect our family time, we decided it would serve our
family best to eliminate all non-mandatory commitments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I look
back on that bit of decision-making, I remember being scared to take the
plunge. It sounds silly, but “Fear Of Missing Out” is a real thing, and I
suffer from it. It wasn’t that I was concerned our kids would fall behind but
that we would miss out on the fun. I’m hard-wired for connection, and
connection happens when get out into the world and spend time with other
people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And yet deep
within my soul, I knew we were entering a hard season, and I knew it was going
to take everything we had to get through it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baseball
could wait. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our sanity
could not.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">*****<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Recently, I
listened to a podcast about the secret to happiness. In one segment, the host interviewed
a man who was conducting a science experiment on happiness, using an app to
gather data. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It works
like this:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">App
subscribers receive several texts each day, asking them to rate their happiness
at that very moment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next, they
are asked what they were doing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">immediately
prior to receiving the text</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then they
are asked if they were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thinking about
something else</i> while doing that activity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And finally,
through a series of follow-up questions, the app compares the overall happiness
of people who were present in the moment with people who were mind wandering.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The results were
striking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The people
who engaged in mind wandering were significantly less happy than those who lived
in the moment, even if the people living in the moment were doing something
they didn’t enjoy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
conclusion?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Being present leads to
contentment and happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If this is
true moment-to-moment, then might it also be true season-to-season? Might we
all be more content if we assess the season we’re in, accept it for what it is,
and live fully into it until the season changes?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">*****<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When our
kids were all under the age of seven, we didn’t eat out much. I, for one, am
not a big fan of paying money to eat a cold meal, and that’s precisely what
happens when you take three little kids out for dinner. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your meal is
cold by the time you get to eat it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On occasional
Friday nights at home, my mind would wander, wishing for different
circumstances that would allow us more freedom. Circumstances in which our kids
were old enough to handle their own plates, behave at the table for extended
periods of time, stay out late, and engage in stimulating dinner conversation.
These mind-wandering thoughts cast a shadow over what should have been sweet nights
at home with young children. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But over time,
I learned to treasure Friday night pizza deliveries, movies on the playroom
sofa, and game night, realizing that all too soon, memories of Friday nights at
home would be fleeting. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I chose to be present
in the season we were in. And my contentment increased dramatically.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The same was
true for this exceptionally busy season in which my husband was returning to
school and burning the candle at both ends in ministry. We could engage in “business
as usual,” enrolling our kids in a slew of extra-curricular activities and die
while trying, or we could acknowledge the season we were in and adapt
accordingly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After
handing my FOMO over to the Lord, it was one of the sweetest fall seasons we’ve
experienced as a family. Weeknights were easier, and Saturday mornings became a
welcome respite after a grueling work week. Our family functioned well during a
time we had anticipated to be more difficult than most.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We chose to be present
in the season we were in and experienced a heightened sense of contentment and happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So with
school less than four weeks into session, and the sign-up opportunities coming
in day after day, slow down. Take a deep breath. Pray about the season your
family is in and consider how you can best adapt to thrive within your context.
I’m not suggesting complacency, but rather flexibility.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Contentment is a choice. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Resisting the waves of
changing seasons can bowl us over. But riding the waves of change can lead to
growth and contentment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<span class="text">There is a time for
everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Ecclesiastes 3:1</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-14680804330346482842017-09-04T08:00:00.000-05:002017-09-04T08:00:24.082-05:00Is It Possible To Be Content In 2017?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIfqvc95aJF6WIF1wTNqFAijDVC4X6OU40bp8Yb0tM40koPOkC_nPulTvLYkazHIy-8XkNqBTf15gB6UlzRSfob5iR8Dndd5xpNi-9PptWiy4lq1kZG9gZ2KcVEVl6YJ2mwfEOPfwuis/s1600/Calendar.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIfqvc95aJF6WIF1wTNqFAijDVC4X6OU40bp8Yb0tM40koPOkC_nPulTvLYkazHIy-8XkNqBTf15gB6UlzRSfob5iR8Dndd5xpNi-9PptWiy4lq1kZG9gZ2KcVEVl6YJ2mwfEOPfwuis/s640/Calendar.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">CONTENTMENT</span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">noun</span></i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">a
state of happiness and satisfaction.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It’s
an interesting word in 2017.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Contentment</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it just me or do we not use this word much
any more?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being content today seems to
paint a picture of an under-achiever or one who is lazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet by definition, contentment is a
“state of happiness and satisfaction.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Isn’t that
what we want in our lives and for our families?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Contentment
certainly isn’t synonymous with September and the start of school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are all too eager to get back in the swing
of things and bring on the activity!!! Games, practices, homework, lessons,
meetings, luncheons, extracurricular, and the list goes on! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">A collective
sigh of relief that “we’re back to normal!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">But
I learned a great lesson from my friend, Anne, one day as I was going from lesson
to lesson and practice to practice with my eldest daughter and baby on board,
along for the ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We dropped by Anne’s
house to hang out for a few minutes while we had a break between guitar
practice and gymnastics, and the strangest thing was happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She and her
kiddos were playing a game in the middle of the living room floor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">What?
Why weren’t they out and about pursing their dreams? For heaven’s sake, her
children were 8 and 5! It was go time!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Anne, Is this your daily afternoon routine?
Or is this just an off day?” I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">She
replied in the softest voice ever, “You know, Lisa, I choose to cherish the
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be plenty of time to do
all those things when my children are older and can choose for themselves what
they’d like to pursue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I choose today to
enjoy our little family and make memories together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just don’t think the rush is right for
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We’re
choosing contentment</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It’s a
choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a choice.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Consider
this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray over your schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray over your family’s schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray over all those activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray over the teams you join.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray over what you say YES to and what you
say NO to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s all a choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Choosing
to be content isn’t choosing for mediocrity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s choosing joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s choosing
happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might not look like your
neighbor’s choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it might be right
for your family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">"Not that I was ever in
need, for I have learned how to be content </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with whatever I have.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Philippians 4:11<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-88291413729465113032017-08-24T22:10:00.001-05:002017-08-24T22:10:57.104-05:00When The Interruptions Are Our Ministry<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34I8ORj9LAIbY976Fpfp7_VZOM2WiSdVIoVzhYr000ZwD_5uZafQMnkbZkJIUceh-aM2V3yqREg0qCyJmIjhlxeLvF0Xdx0ohUiJPXRBCYFPsV1zm_aRB1rZ8aw1-vCdnWBre5Mfa0gc/s1600/Interrupted.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34I8ORj9LAIbY976Fpfp7_VZOM2WiSdVIoVzhYr000ZwD_5uZafQMnkbZkJIUceh-aM2V3yqREg0qCyJmIjhlxeLvF0Xdx0ohUiJPXRBCYFPsV1zm_aRB1rZ8aw1-vCdnWBre5Mfa0gc/s640/Interrupted.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’m often the last one to the
party. I don’t know if it’s because my eyes are moving faster than my brain has
the capacity to process. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Or</i> if I’m so
overwhelmed with the pace of life that I’m hesitant to add new things to my
plate. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Or</i> if I’m more of a follower than
a leader with regard to all things “trending.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Maybe it’s a little of all three.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But regardless, over the last few
weeks, my eyes have seen a lot of hype about Monday’s eclipse on social media.
But my head didn’t process it until Monday morning, when I woke up, and was
all, “I think we’re having an eclipse today…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Two of our three kids were
super-excited about it. Their teachers were taking them outside to watch it
with protective eye wear. Little Bit was downright mad because the school had
decided first graders don’t have the needed self-control to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> stare at the sun. Thus, no eclipse
viewing for him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I had taken some personal time
resulting in a five-day weekend to catch up around the house from the fallout
of summer, and Monday was my last day off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I had big plans. <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And I had exactly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">zero</i> intention of taking time out of my
schedule to watch the eclipse since I had no eclipse glasses and the idea of
burning my retinas sounded flat-out awful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But at the breakfast table, my
oldest son turned to me and said:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Mommy, are you going to come up to school and watch the eclipse with
me? They invited all the parents…”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">His words sucked the air out of
the room, as all eyes turned to me, waiting for a response. My to-do list
flooded through my mind. My heartbeat increased to a rapid pace. And I actually
began to sweat. My husband stood in the kitchen, trying not to laugh. He knew
all about my big plans for the day.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I had a split-second to construct
my response. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Would I duck and cover? Or would I step out into the sun?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">More times than I can count, I’ve
heard my pastor husband remind himself and his staff that “the interruptions
are the ministry.” It’s true in church work, and it’s certainly true in
parenting. But truth doesn’t mean easy, and this isn’t an easy motto to adopt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">At least not for me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Head down, nose to the
grindstone, I feel focused, successful, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in
control</i>. I often fool myself into thinking that finishing my task list will
lead to some level of eternal joy or satisfaction. But at the end of this task
list lies another. And another after that. If I’m not careful, I’ll work my
task list to the exclusion of missed ministry opportunities arising all around
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I knew this was a ministry
moment. I also knew that the days of my oldest son <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">inviting me</i> to the school to spend time with him weren’t as
countless as the hairs upon his head. So I put my plans on the shelf I’d
intended to de-clutter and headed to the school. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">There’s no question that the
structure and routine of the school year is good for all of us. We should
embrace it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">But schedules and routine can become domineering if we’re not mindful
of the needed ebb and flow between work and play.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So as your family settles into
the rhythm of a new school year, my prayer is that my husband’s words might ring
as true for you as they did for me. May we all remember that the interruptions <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> our ministry, and sometimes, we just
need to step out into the sun! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-51922002081467002892017-08-16T12:43:00.000-05:002017-08-16T12:43:05.456-05:00Five Tips To Help Families Ease Into School
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0BDfqEbO5F3kchYaY5OHRybHg1N9sC4X82P9AX9s8Xm1IODDTFD9W_RflYLssITzgv3NXyLn7nCdbFXG4FgbEWGUP-OP4lMEfi-Irnk6n1EK7YRG3Lw-298shX2uIlQv3lSJ14GV2Do/s1600/Kids+Running+With+Backpacks.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0BDfqEbO5F3kchYaY5OHRybHg1N9sC4X82P9AX9s8Xm1IODDTFD9W_RflYLssITzgv3NXyLn7nCdbFXG4FgbEWGUP-OP4lMEfi-Irnk6n1EK7YRG3Lw-298shX2uIlQv3lSJ14GV2Do/s640/Kids+Running+With+Backpacks.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">School
has been back in session for 36 hours. Although I was resistant to the return
of structure and routine, I can already see how it will serve our family well. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
let it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">go</i> during the summer. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But
with the return of school, I dust off some disciplines we’ve implemented to
help us manage the stress of school and love each other well in the process. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since
I’m fairly certain we started school before everyone under the sun, I thought I’d
share these disciplines here for you to consider as you plan for your family’s
first day. You are in my prayers as you embark upon a new journey this school
year! <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Start Each
Morning With Family Devotion<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
started doing family devotions after breakfast when our kids were little. That
worked for years, but when all our kids began school, our devotions became less
hit and more miss. For an entire year, I beat my head against the wall,
wondering why we couldn’t get this right. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And
then I heard a speaker talk about putting God first. Not a unique idea, but I
had considered “after getting ready <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i>
after eating breakfast” to be close enough. The problem was that these
activities always took more time than we budgeted, and devotion time was snuffed
out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A
simple shift of the schedule changed everything. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now,
we do our devotional <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">before we do
anything else</i>. We rarely miss! Not only does our time with the Lord bless
us in the moment, but also our mornings are more peaceful, our days run more
smoothly! And guess what? Everything else miraculously gets done.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Do
Everything Possible The Night Before<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Learning
the beauty and wisdom of margin has been a theme for our family the last four
years. If we don’t have margin, we don’t have room to be flexible, and seemingly
small things can become not so small. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If
this is true for life in general, then it’s also true for families on school
mornings! If we wait until the morning to pack lunches and gather belongings,
then we leave no space for the unexpected, like:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I forgot that I’m supposed to bring cookies
for the band party today!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If
we’ve prepped the night before, however, there’s space for us to tackle these
issues with grace and composure. Our kids know they earn the freedom to play
after school by taking care of their responsibilities ahead of time. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Follow An
Afternoon Checklist<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To
help us execute Tip No. 2, we follow an afternoon checklist, which hangs on our
refrigerator. It’s not Pinterest worthy (I broke up with Pinterest long ago…OK,
let’s be honest…I never dated Pinterest in the first place), but it’s
functional. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And</i> it saves me at least
50 million words a day. A request to go outside and play is met with a gesture
towards the checklist, and everyone knows exactly what I mean: <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When it’s done.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This
has helped set expectations, reduce conflict, and allow the kids to take
responsibility for their tasks.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Create A Meal
Plan<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
love to cook! But last Spring, I fell into a rut. To dig me out, I discovered <a href="http://prepdish.com/" target="_blank">Prep Dish</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Prep
Dish provides a menu of gluten-free and paleo meals to save time and money. Along
with the menu, Prep Dish sends a printable grocery list and instructions for
prep day. Two hours in the kitchen yields meals for a week that get from oven
to table in minutes, with little mess! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With
the help of Prep Dish, I put healthy, home-cooked meals on the table again and simplified
our evening routine. In addition, we were stretching our taste buds, using
ingredients outside my home-cook comfort zone. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who knew my kids liked lamb and bok
choy? <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whether
it’s Prep Dish, Hello Fresh, or your own slow cooker rotation, developing a
meal plan will save your family money and time, improve your health, and make
evenings more enjoyable. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Create Space
For Downtime <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We’ve
implemented each tip referenced in this post with one goal in mind:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To create a life-giving home environment that
includes sufficient measures of work, play,</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">and family time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This
is easier in the summer, much harder during the school year. Because there are
days when I pick the kids up from school, drive straight to activities, and pull
into our driveway near bedtime. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
do the best we can on those days. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But
on slower days, these tips help us manage our home more intentionally. The
result is that we have some measure of downtime to enjoy each other’s company
and take deep breaths. We don’t always nail it, but we’re trying!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My
prayer is that these tips might bless your family as you embark upon a new
school year too! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b></div>
SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-13530321988100437912017-08-11T11:30:00.000-05:002017-08-11T11:30:13.320-05:00A Prayer For Moms These Last Summer Days
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54Vdczv59oWQoklZNGGgKxG55YinYz_KMyllEIHvUqrt-SczdqoPFQhxaYiRgm7OtZ_-9pe4R7kGyQjlkIGcJ6kgr0EPXNndfLCzCni8EQc4k_pEXPZiRwrvRihGInwsYHysBn0nufR0/s1600/Beach+at+sunset.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54Vdczv59oWQoklZNGGgKxG55YinYz_KMyllEIHvUqrt-SczdqoPFQhxaYiRgm7OtZ_-9pe4R7kGyQjlkIGcJ6kgr0EPXNndfLCzCni8EQc4k_pEXPZiRwrvRihGInwsYHysBn0nufR0/s640/Beach+at+sunset.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I woke up this morning with
butterflies in my stomach. Not the kind I used to get before performing on
stage. For some strange reason, I enjoyed those.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These were of a different kind.
The kind that result from the smorgasbord of emotions I’m feeling as we march
ever-closer to the beginning of a new school year. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We go back in five days.</i> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m not ready. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And yet I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">am</i> ready. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because as much as I love having
our kids at home in the nest, I know the return of structure and routine will
serve us well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Monday, I took the kids to
Hawaiian Falls, for what I was certain would be our last visit together. Watching
my children play in the waves, the familiar waves of sadness began to roll over
me. It happens to me every summer. Exactly one week before school starts.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I begin to regret all the things
we didn’t do instead of celebrating all the things that we did. And I begin to
wish for just a few more days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And yet at the same time, the fit
of my swimsuit is proof that I’ve indulged just a little too much in popsicles,
kid-friendly affair, and pool-side sodas, and that I’ve been a
less-than-stellar companion to my yoga mat these last few months. I don’t feel
well, I’m not sleeping, and it shows.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The same can be said for the
condition of our house. I’ve gotten pretty good at letting go of perfection
when it comes to chores, but there’s a fine line between letting go and giving
up, and I’m teetering towards the wrong side of that line. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paperwork is stacking.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dust is collecting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Laundry is piling.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And my kitchen is beckoning me to
prepare just one home-cooked meal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think the anxiety comes from standing
in the middle of transition. Summer isn’t yet over. And yet school is coming. I
haven’t quite figured out where to put my focus, right here in the middle of it
all. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m sure you can relate.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And yet we know better. Regarding
worry, Jesus said:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="woj">So do not worry, saying,
‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’</span>
<span id="en-NIV-23315"><span class="woj">For the pagans run after all these
things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.</span></span> <span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span id="en-NIV-23316">But seek
first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to
you as well</span></i>.</span> <span class="woj"><sup><span id="en-NIV-23317"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></sup><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for
tomorrow will worry about itself</i>. Each day has enough trouble of its own.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Matthew 6:31-34. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few years ago,
I was particularly overwhelmed with my to-do list. This is usually not an issue
for me, but my list was long, and my brain space was limited. A wise friend suggested
that I use my task list to make a list of everything that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">had to</i> be done that day, plus one thing I would <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">like </i>to get done, but wasn’t necessary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I engaged in
this exercise, I felt the pressure release, the clouds part, and the peace
come. Because I chose to focus on the day at hand, rather than worry about every
nook and cranny of my entire universe, my task list became much less daunting,
and my focus returned. I allowed myself to live fully in the present, and I
actually had a great day!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think that’s
what God desires for us. That we live each day fully. Not that we should never
look towards the future, but that we should acknowledge each day is a gift we’ve
been given that should not be wasted on worry over tomorrow. That we should
enjoy His <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">presence</i> in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">present</i>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So as the summer
draws itself to a close and you begin planning for the return of school, my prayer is that you won’t
let your mind get there too fast. Enjoy the fleeting moments of the summer
glow, draw near to your Father, and savor today <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for today</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="woj"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-10228416539742671722017-08-03T14:50:00.002-05:002017-08-03T14:50:13.287-05:00Do We Need Fresh Perspective Regarding Disobedience?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
By: Jennifer Knott, SkyMoms Ministry Director</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uDk3HVV0MWn_VJMZl0xGOURO93p3CIdOSgZke-J3PzLC_NMBwsbf9KX792NTAl0Bq1eb3XgLP29Da49-064Yi4jGKKPy5qHPKxJUEId7Fa02STcFvYR61M95jLZV-1f8BYLya5PIlp0/s1600/Eye+Glasses.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uDk3HVV0MWn_VJMZl0xGOURO93p3CIdOSgZke-J3PzLC_NMBwsbf9KX792NTAl0Bq1eb3XgLP29Da49-064Yi4jGKKPy5qHPKxJUEId7Fa02STcFvYR61M95jLZV-1f8BYLya5PIlp0/s640/Eye+Glasses.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yesterday was Family Mission Day at our church. My husband and I took the day off so we could serve alongside our children at <a href="http://bontonfarms.org/" target="_blank">Bonton Farms</a>, an urban farm south of Dallas that's striving to transform a community from the inside out. </div>
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I'll confess that in the dark, rainy wee hour of the morning when the alarm shook me awake, I didn't want to get up. In fact, I thought about turning it off and going back to sleep. </div>
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<em>More than once.</em></div>
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But the Holy Spirit kept my mind awake as I tried desperately to send myself back into RIM sleep. Begrudgingly, I finally put my feet on the floor and began to make the rounds to wake my family. </div>
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You can imagine their reaction when I did. </div>
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Within the hour, though, we were on the road in the pouring rain, like it or not.</div>
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<em>Fun times.</em></div>
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When we arrived, we met a woman named Kim who has a gift for keeping little kids busy with real work. Within five minutes, we were armed with gardening scissors and gloves and off to harvest red okra.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglVig10ngw252Yflou48lYezFUV9uBe9LOHNyNFgmhArvN5nq7qoCgmVBqG2qqP6AWWGZXOaeH6qa5wAzUu61x28vVRTmL_zz_jd4wCURmNuhlqbeSunbUlRzAh1yrryjEKQONIrZgkE/s1600/Red+Okra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglVig10ngw252Yflou48lYezFUV9uBe9LOHNyNFgmhArvN5nq7qoCgmVBqG2qqP6AWWGZXOaeH6qa5wAzUu61x28vVRTmL_zz_jd4wCURmNuhlqbeSunbUlRzAh1yrryjEKQONIrZgkE/s640/Red+Okra.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When we arrived at the long row of plants, Kim told us to walk up one side of the row and down the other because the okra likes to "hide" among the leaves. She assured us we'd miss some if we didn't work both sides of the row.</div>
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The boys loved harvesting! I think they felt manly handling such sharp scissors -- a far cry from anything they've ever used at home!</div>
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We made it up the row fairly quickly, but when we turned the corner and began to head back, our success rate slowed way down. Within a few minutes, the boys began to complain, telling me we'd found all the okra the first time and that this job was done!</div>
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But remembering Kim's words, I suggested that maybe we ought to change our perspective. Instead of coming down the row leaning <em>over</em> the bushes like we'd been doing, maybe we should squat down <em>beneath them</em> and look up. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZnIbkFu9SXd5JTwwO1ezXVCM14UyvcsAK-s7zCQGqPq2JtArzEyKwcn_KJm_7BW-cXy9dU5jB8bjC1oYl-GlOuLVQ-2hDDIXSegUAyuGqZ2RERxe0Lp7A-XxdAmOAkyHbCBI4rgZOH0/s1600/Boys+Cutting+Okra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZnIbkFu9SXd5JTwwO1ezXVCM14UyvcsAK-s7zCQGqPq2JtArzEyKwcn_KJm_7BW-cXy9dU5jB8bjC1oYl-GlOuLVQ-2hDDIXSegUAyuGqZ2RERxe0Lp7A-XxdAmOAkyHbCBI4rgZOH0/s640/Boys+Cutting+Okra.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Within seconds, we began to find red okra hiding among the leaves, just as she'd promised. The boys squealed with delight because their adventures in cutting with manly scissors would continue!</div>
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<strong>Perspective is everything, isn't it?</strong></div>
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It's true in life and it's no less true in parenting.</div>
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During these last days of summer, I'd be lying if I didn't admit my children are engaged in some behaviors that are about to break my spirit. </div>
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Our boys have taken "play" in the car to a whole new level. Like a level that impedes my ability to drive responsibly and puts others on the road at risk. It's so loud, and their movement is so big, I can feel them jostling the car while doing 70 down the highway!</div>
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I've asked them to stop more times than I can count. I've separated them into their own rows and put them in seats on opposite ends to deter any physical contact. I've used my best "Ursula the Sea Witch" voice. (Ugh. I have one of those.) And yet they still manage to pull off WWF-like maneuvers strapped into their seat belts while we're driving down the road.</div>
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It hurts my head. And it makes me grouchy. It's too much chaos in too little space. But it also frustrates me because I've been living with the assumption that their inappropriate play in the car is driven by <em>nothing</em> but disobedience.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I read an article this morning, however, that offers a new perspective. The author explained that children have a need for "tons of movement" and "fierce play". When they're -- let's say -- putting their brother in a Figure Four in the backseat -- they're channeling these developmental needs. </div>
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<strong>Does it mean their behavior is excused? </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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Absolutely not. </div>
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<strong>But does it help explain their behavior in such a way that my gut reaction need not be frustration?</strong></div>
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You bet!</div>
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The real benefit, however, is that once I've identified the catalyst for the behavior, I'm positioned to find a clear path towards a solution. Because if I'm responding to a legitimate developmental need without sourcing a more appropriate channel for the need to be met, then the problem will go unsolved.</div>
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</div>
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<strong>We can't cure the symptoms if we don't identify their root cause.</strong></div>
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So the next time you're faced with a behavior you've corrected more times than you can count, stop. Take a deep breath. <em>Go to the Lord in prayer.</em> And ask Him to give you new perspective. Maybe you'll see something you didn't see before. And maybe that <em>something</em> will lead you down a path towards a real solution.</div>
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"But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."</div>
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Matthew 13:16-17</div>
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<br />SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-24845454389928836392017-07-26T14:56:00.002-05:002017-07-27T12:12:57.912-05:00The Mess Will Always Be There But Our Kids Will NotBy: Jennifer Knott, SkyMoms Ministry Director<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjonKj7yB_2XU27EwfqOE4v4BTYOoLExg4RsetKRSzz59fUXUkoWwRCdRj-jZ1mSfFQAavtB5lP93ctxwJLEXHCOuKIypek74sbLCpwmQzPmcCXK-TxMSgVToqD2Jp84MX_tghT4ycjt8/s1600/Tired+Woman+At+Table.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjonKj7yB_2XU27EwfqOE4v4BTYOoLExg4RsetKRSzz59fUXUkoWwRCdRj-jZ1mSfFQAavtB5lP93ctxwJLEXHCOuKIypek74sbLCpwmQzPmcCXK-TxMSgVToqD2Jp84MX_tghT4ycjt8/s640/Tired+Woman+At+Table.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“No nickel tours of the upstairs of our house tonight,” I
yelled from the landing at the top of the stairs down to the bottom of the
stairs where my husband was fervently sweeping the entry way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“No nickel tours of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">any
part of our house</i> tonight,” he yelled back up at me. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">With the kids gone for the day, we were “tidying up” in
anticipation of eight dinner guests because our house looked like there’d been
some sort of an explosion. And by “tidying up,” I mean throwing things behind
closed doors that were not intended to be opened during our party.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">These days, we just can’t keep up with it, and the dog days
of summer make it so much more challenging.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This is a photo of the cleanest room on the second floor of
my house. (Yes, that's a camp trunk, which has been sitting in this exact place since June 5.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-DNDDMI5P3otXTSiSW-0hzJ2ab64iH7uZznoZNV6SFAE6xmFpmjwXiHRq_sXuPNoZKrkOefYECnY1I_8xHIRF1dCHfUvlpawI_KlLjT2jzWHkcoDONVuYNGmrsv_Vinb8ifI7MfmdPQ/s1600/Zak+Messy+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-DNDDMI5P3otXTSiSW-0hzJ2ab64iH7uZznoZNV6SFAE6xmFpmjwXiHRq_sXuPNoZKrkOefYECnY1I_8xHIRF1dCHfUvlpawI_KlLjT2jzWHkcoDONVuYNGmrsv_Vinb8ifI7MfmdPQ/s640/Zak+Messy+Room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And this is a photo of the hallway our children share up
there. I’m not sure how someone hasn’t broken a leg.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAjQtzEUDJQkCVtnTMz7tnaBfDNJaYfiktMpcfxZE3EFFm5wN_N2KxuvfciVFI0DWbyjwU3x1YMynNooYGYyC5D2SoliltBCGZJKPH2h4t4rXrJEDJHG6maFZ97az6X1ZAFt0CjbuKDU/s1600/Messy+Hallway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAjQtzEUDJQkCVtnTMz7tnaBfDNJaYfiktMpcfxZE3EFFm5wN_N2KxuvfciVFI0DWbyjwU3x1YMynNooYGYyC5D2SoliltBCGZJKPH2h4t4rXrJEDJHG6maFZ97az6X1ZAFt0CjbuKDU/s640/Messy+Hallway.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So many people. So much stuff. Never a respite from the foot
traffic or the mess.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As we swept Legos into a pile in our living room to put them
back in the “Random Lego Bin,” I expressed my love/hate relationship with those
maniacal little building blocks. I love them when they’re neatly organized in
the storage cubbies we bought from Ikea. I hate them when they’re anywhere
else.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Someday, we’ll miss the Legos,” my husband replied. “Just
not today.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And that’s the struggle isn’t it?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s a war between “someday” and today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We long for a house that looks like the cover of the Pottery
Barn catalog, and behind every cabinet and closet door, The Container Store. We
want our home to be a place of rest, where we can kick off our shoes and nestle
into the sofa for mindless television without a gazillion to-dos staring us in
the face. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We long for our closets to be organized, our papers to be
filed, our pantries to be stocked, and the laundry to be done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We long for the toys to be put away, for the dishwasher to
be empty, for the bills to be paid, and for the dust bunnies to be under
someone else’s sofa...just this once.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Some days, we just long for a clean toilet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And yet we know that the very small people who create a very
large share of all this work are the same people who bring us our greatest joy.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Our children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We have our children today. “Someday,” we won’t. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Today, the Lord softened my heart while I was folding the
laundry, of all things. As I sat on the hearth in front of our fire place where
I always tackle this task, I came across a small pair of white Minion boys
underwear. I’ve sorted this pair of underwear more times than I can count, but
today, I noticed how tiny they are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6AsEihORwTDUbzmXrgNWfEC0pyDyyvkIRB2tqcpJ5YY-MsPX02FD6NxFeSs7aADZLO0zVoCLxuoYa4-c9Iil77L17mG4UMizzDBD3W1rjzFfrlh5VIG2jTqj1dzrBrua0UxbWBTo0S4/s1600/Minion+Underwear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6AsEihORwTDUbzmXrgNWfEC0pyDyyvkIRB2tqcpJ5YY-MsPX02FD6NxFeSs7aADZLO0zVoCLxuoYa4-c9Iil77L17mG4UMizzDBD3W1rjzFfrlh5VIG2jTqj1dzrBrua0UxbWBTo0S4/s640/Minion+Underwear.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">"Yes, they’re tiny today," said the Lord. "But someday, they won’t be tiny
anymore."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<em>Ouch. That one hurt.</em><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So moms, as we crawl through these last dog days of summer, may
we give ourselves permission to get caught up in what is today. Let us not be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">discouraged</i> by the messes or the task
lists. But let us be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">encouraged</i> by
the joy that is our children, messes and all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Let us be kind to ourselves
regarding the condition of our homes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Let us allow the interruptions of our children to be our ministry. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And let us release any task that isn’t
mission critical, knowing that those tasks will greet us with open arms “someday.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-45665210800597491992017-07-19T10:55:00.000-05:002017-07-19T10:55:05.239-05:00Are We Teaching Our Kids To Enjoy The Journey?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Enjoy the journey!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The number of times my husband
and I regurgitated this phrase in response to “Are we there yet?” during our road
trip to and from <a href="http://skyranch.org/family-camp/" target="_blank">Sky Ranch Family Camps</a> in Colorado, I don’t even know. It’s a life
lesson we’ve been learning ourselves the last few years, and one we chose to
adopt as a theme for this summer’s family vacation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Rather than tackling the 14-hour
drive home from Lake City, Colorado in one day like we’ve done in years past, we
chose to divide the trip into two days so we could visit the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm" target="_blank">Great San Dunes</a> in
route. Much to our chagrin, due to heavy rains, the Dunes were too wet to sled,
but that didn’t stop us from having a great time. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOuPk44jbiLiDh1tnfTS2caHPspW5eP4qBdzts8pVeTMS4DIRhMciF36LkQHzMGM2gm3r958rsSWLgmzkA7CxJWnAehrDhMp5TX78GCsFGRzcIlHt5MdPIZ0WAYzuvEKNSdJ4il7eS5s/s1600/Kids+at+San+Dunes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOuPk44jbiLiDh1tnfTS2caHPspW5eP4qBdzts8pVeTMS4DIRhMciF36LkQHzMGM2gm3r958rsSWLgmzkA7CxJWnAehrDhMp5TX78GCsFGRzcIlHt5MdPIZ0WAYzuvEKNSdJ4il7eS5s/s640/Kids+at+San+Dunes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">After a few hours of fun and
some surprisingly good Mexican food at a gas station in Raton, New Mexico, we snuggled
up in our beds at the Holiday Inn Express for a movie and early shut-eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Our plan for Day Two was to drive
the remaining 9 hours home, stopping for lunch and an ice cream treat along the
way. But as we pulled into Capulin, New Mexico, the same <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cavo/index.htm" target="_blank">volcano</a> that’s been
the source of many family conversations as we’ve passed it on the right going <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to</i> Colorado, peeked my husband’s
curiosity as we passed it on the left <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">coming
home</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">He wanted to hike the rim.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A resounding, “NO!” came in unison
from the back seats. With shoes off, pillows perfectly positioned, snacks in
hand, and a family favorite playing on the big screen, the peanut gallery
wanted no part of this unexpected adventure. In fact, the amount of whining and
protesting we endured on the road to that volcano was exactly what we would
expect if we’d hung them by their toes outside the window of a 10-story
building. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But it was no match for my
husband’s determination. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This man -- who admittedly
struggles to enjoy the journey when we travel -- knew there was a lesson for
our family waiting on the rim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">He’s so wise. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">He led us down into the crater
first, which caused all whining and protesting to stop. After all, we were
moving downhill, and we saw some interesting wildlife along the way. Our boys
were also fascinated by the lava rocks (as later evidenced by at least half of
the Capulin crater which ended up in our dryer.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhF6SGOtr-6ln8iZMUyEym6UrRJgm0iVfpBSRA_xkwn3fo9IUcxZJ4ubS2ioV2DRleQPq31OklkmTvicqG5k-I-Ja3c_oqjYWf-scf71xECGRihctgCrRv8mY176Di4DXPs4bpCAyoao/s1600/Capulin+Crater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhF6SGOtr-6ln8iZMUyEym6UrRJgm0iVfpBSRA_xkwn3fo9IUcxZJ4ubS2ioV2DRleQPq31OklkmTvicqG5k-I-Ja3c_oqjYWf-scf71xECGRihctgCrRv8mY176Di4DXPs4bpCAyoao/s640/Capulin+Crater.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But then it came time to tackle
the summit. It’s only a 1-mile hike round trip, but the incline is pretty
steep. We had conquered all of 500 yards when the whining and protesting resumed,
particularly from our youngest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I stood uphill from him with my
back to the summit, debating whether to push him to the top or take him to the
car. It was an internal struggle, and I’ll admit the car almost won. But deep
within my gut, I knew the greater lesson would be learned if I pushed him to
the top. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So we hiked 200 feet and stopped.
Hiked 200 feet and stopped. Hiked 200 feet and stopped, each time, distracting
him with the views, the vegetation, and the wildlife as we paused. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Before I knew it, the whining had
ceased.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When we caught up with the rest
of our family at the top, we prayed together, thanking God for the beauty of
His creation, put our hands in the huddle, and on the count of three, gave
Capulin Volcano our loudest “Best Family Ever!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Then we headed downhill, their
attitudes improving with each descending step. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4X5OQAH2QGvwTCEzWDnpFKDqf-85LsjKI95ULogzCM4n4fPAGEjRbEc381M3Ii3q1lEzs3d-21rjCvzoKFkx5sP7-iKPAu62Ge2izHY61Llr7TodZFW3N_XP9l47-AIQmAhu1eVwgL88/s1600/Capulin+Summit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4X5OQAH2QGvwTCEzWDnpFKDqf-85LsjKI95ULogzCM4n4fPAGEjRbEc381M3Ii3q1lEzs3d-21rjCvzoKFkx5sP7-iKPAu62Ge2izHY61Llr7TodZFW3N_XP9l47-AIQmAhu1eVwgL88/s640/Capulin+Summit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When we got back to the car, we shared
with our kids what God has been teaching us these last few years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Life is a series of journeys strung
together by a few summit-like experiences. Some of the journeys are difficult,
like our hike to the summit, and some come with more pleasure and ease, like
our hike back down. But either way, the journeys are where we’ll spend most of
our time. Our time on the summit is but a blip. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We can spend our journeying
wishing for the next summit or we can choose to journey with joy, finding God’s
gifts for us along the way. The gifts are there. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They’re always there</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In Romans 5:4, Paul writes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Not only that, but
we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and
endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hope does not put us to shame, because God’s
love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">No question our children are
guaranteed to face many a journey uphill as they navigate their way into
adulthood under our leadership. The question is: Will we teach them to enjoy
the journey? Or will we take them to the car? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-30332753705541058052017-07-17T15:21:00.001-05:002017-07-17T15:21:53.194-05:00Camp Hair, Don't Care!
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QhluWtXRSCPQWsIPC9ZJ5Zv7NWukb0EllEKzAKUolohnn4a021n-VRSwUu5H5-nziASgxpeVU5ylPsS1FzuwL4dB_xvo3S0QbHNxoCNB6iaQj09gyeZk73EuNuMTfW0FjlS38QRfLjk/s1600/Storey+Hair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QhluWtXRSCPQWsIPC9ZJ5Zv7NWukb0EllEKzAKUolohnn4a021n-VRSwUu5H5-nziASgxpeVU5ylPsS1FzuwL4dB_xvo3S0QbHNxoCNB6iaQj09gyeZk73EuNuMTfW0FjlS38QRfLjk/s640/Storey+Hair.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few weeks ago, I dropped my baby off for a full week of
overnight camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While she hardly
considers herself a “baby” (because she is 6 whole years old and has completed
kindergarten, for goodness sake), to me she will always be the baby. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over her “6 whole years,” she has watched her
siblings head off to <a href="http://skyranch.org/" target="_blank">Sky Ranch</a> for weeks of awesomeness, knowing that, <em>eventually</em>, her day
would arrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>As we
shopped for her trunk and fun camp supplies, it suddenly dawned on me that this
little cutie had never washed her hair on her own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now I was sending her off for 6 whole
nights – swimming pools, campfires, sweat, and lake water – completely
ill-equipped to manage that lovely long, dark, easily-tangled hair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, I decided to do
what I normally do in these situations – make a plan of attack to solve the
problem <em>before</em> it became a problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
somewhere in the middle of one of the many hair-washing practice sessions that
week, the thought struck me loud and clear:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Who Cares?</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Why was I spending so much time concerned
with whether she could wash her hair when I should have been concerned
with the state of her heart?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was she
ready to receive all God had for her during the week of Bible study?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was she equipped and confident enough to
start conversations and make new friends?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Had I taught her how to lean into the Father when faced with things that
seemed scary and unfamiliar?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Immediately convicted and face-to-face with my own
insecurities, I had a long conversation with my Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reminded Him that I want to be a good mom. I want to teach my children all they need to know, and personal hygiene
is part of that teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">But </span>He reminded me
of His Word:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who
fears the Lord is to be praised." </strong></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Proverbs 31:30.</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>As a team member
at <a href="http://skyranch.org/" target="_blank">Sky Ranch</a>, I have the awesome privilege and unique perspective of watching
campers and counselors, day after day, in the amazing environment that <em>is</em>
Summer Camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crazy, mismatched clothes
and wild hair are the norm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glitter,
face paint, and tutus with dirty tennis shoes are standard camp attire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When my boys were younger and packing for camp, my main
concern was whether they would brush their teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gym shorts and tee shirts always go together,
and I sent the ones that were about to be moved out of rotation,
knowing they would get stinky and dirty and could easily be tossed
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>With my girls, however, I became a
different kind of camp mom -- buying cute matchy-matchy outfits and fun
pj’s -- and making sure the bedding matched the towels that matched the trunk that
was over-loaded with coordinating glitter stickers and rhinestones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><em>Don’t get me wrong.</em> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am all about the fun
that is preparing for camp, and sending kids away for a week with the
“stuff” that helps them have fun and explore their uniqueness is part of the
experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But freaking out about
whether my daughter would have “camp hair” in the online photos was pushing things
past what my grown-up, spiritually mature self could swallow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><em>So I told her.</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>In the best way that I could explain it to an
incoming first grade girl, I broke down I Peter 3:3-4:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>“Your beauty should not
come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold
jewelry and fine clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, it
should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet
spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Camp is one of the greatest places on earth. A place where kids are free from the trappings and expectations that surround them
every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Camp should be a place to
focus on relationships with God and others, and to spend time having crazy, wild
fun, learning about what it truly means to be a child of God. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Camp should be a place where
joy overcomes the junk the world puts on our children, where space exists for our children to
be who they are – "camp hair" and all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-88501527050018233922017-07-04T09:29:00.000-05:002017-07-04T09:29:00.232-05:00Are We On The Road To Building Strong Family Identity?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHDl_MpMM_zEUs5sRnnu3C1sGirLcju4bntDObbImvXfmvItOIMuM_s2zfTxRJ_TSUczFBbt1tOguN04RRH3Qb012kEbUkAXKbDU7zt3nY9WQh4TpWYfaKSjAh46ESlS1JutgjUdxCec/s1600/Feet.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHDl_MpMM_zEUs5sRnnu3C1sGirLcju4bntDObbImvXfmvItOIMuM_s2zfTxRJ_TSUczFBbt1tOguN04RRH3Qb012kEbUkAXKbDU7zt3nY9WQh4TpWYfaKSjAh46ESlS1JutgjUdxCec/s640/Feet.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There’s a long stretch of straight and narrow highway
between Dumas, Texas and the New Mexico border. We’ve driven it at least ten
times as a family on our way to and from annual summer vacations in Colorado. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMajXBFvakJ-EFlEQdlaxOwniEBgLI2ZBhDbU6xdHePL2pkWC4k7231IHu0117obpSVXzSn3pF6BEQPIrHVoeZrKu3rauUeNcDF5pdPRlEeH1opxf_BBQuQHIOuMOpVf85dhjnSUQm5vo/s1600/highway+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMajXBFvakJ-EFlEQdlaxOwniEBgLI2ZBhDbU6xdHePL2pkWC4k7231IHu0117obpSVXzSn3pF6BEQPIrHVoeZrKu3rauUeNcDF5pdPRlEeH1opxf_BBQuQHIOuMOpVf85dhjnSUQm5vo/s640/highway+large.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Along the horizon, where the blue sky meets the green grass
of farmlands, a single wind turbine sprouts out of the ground. It’s a stand out
because, usually, wind turbines exist in pods. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our kids eagerly look for the “lone windmill” every year on
the second leg of our road trip. This year, they decided to name it Larry. The
alliteration in their choice made their writer-mama proud!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s just one example of all the memories that exist for our
family between Plano, Texas and Lake City, Colorado where we attend family camp
each summer. To name others, there’s the hotel in Dumas where we eat pizza and
swim after a long first leg of driving, the sign in Clayton where we stop for a
family selfie, the Loves gas station near Alamosa that has some of the best
unsweetened ice tea, and the discussion we always have about which roadside
hill is Capulin Volcano (there are several, and our kids can’t ever remember). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UGJKcUNzdOnc5DMg8yab6YagJsM_1D6Wvq7YtpoWcfBSrlaDdCzwXCp9pXjVbNdsTZFSYW7gyuhdU8OZMfrKlqqdz5MUXkorAcYq3rAAsaq93WM1OquuM1wq3yEzmk8F-WNnc6RcSUc/s1600/Knotts+Sportsman+selfie+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UGJKcUNzdOnc5DMg8yab6YagJsM_1D6Wvq7YtpoWcfBSrlaDdCzwXCp9pXjVbNdsTZFSYW7gyuhdU8OZMfrKlqqdz5MUXkorAcYq3rAAsaq93WM1OquuM1wq3yEzmk8F-WNnc6RcSUc/s640/Knotts+Sportsman+selfie+large.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These are simple things, but they conjure up a strong sense of
something special in our car as we travel the same path year over year,
recalling memories of the past and checking traditions off our list. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That something special is family identity. It’s an area in
which we were encouraged to do a lot of work when we became parents. Because
strong family identity will serve our kids well as they grow into the teen
years when we can’t always hold their hands. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why is it that memory-making and traditions are so powerful
in shaping a family’s identity?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It turns out, there are psychological reasons for the impact
they have, as confirmed by a friend of mine who is a school guidance counselor.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She explained that making memories and practicing family
traditions help establish the importance of the family unit. This creates a strong
sense of belonging for each member of the family and communicates to children
that they are valued members of the family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They also allow children important opportunities to observe
members of the family living fully into their roles within the family. Because,
let’s face it. We live in such a busy culture that, often, our children do not see
their parents working as a team, but rather passing like ships in the night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Memory making and family traditions also provide
opportunities to reinforce family values and to pass down important nuggets of
heritage. As a result, “Team Smith” takes on rich meaning. This serves families
well as children enter the teen years, and their peers become more influential.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But what I love most is that memory making and family traditions
reinforce “home base,” no matter where we are. This helps children understand
that “home” isn’t so much about where we live but about with whom we’re doing
life. What a wonderful way to teach into the idea that life is about relationships
rather than stuff! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every family is different. So making memories and
establishing family traditions will look different for every family. It’s not
so much about how we slice the pie, but rather about whether we’re willing to pull
up to the table. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your family may not have the freedom <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">or desire</i> to take two-week-long road trips in the summer. But there
are things that make you tick in ways that communicate the importance of family
and define your family’s values and heritage. Lean into those things and help
your family find its own Larry the Lone Windmill along the way! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-33539489925928741692017-06-27T15:59:00.001-05:002017-06-27T15:59:24.553-05:00Eight Tips To Save Your Sanity On Family Road Trips
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUu6hyphenhyphenUZiEw9oqaWCRujGcQ6SzPhflvi4HicARugD3scP2Uz4alopEcoO9PRm4_oyVk40Fj0s46z6myOCB0Kcqv-bHzatF2q3WcN-7CLC9LciM_4i-a9UfsZtHWQp66t8hiY2v5lwUY1Y/s1600/Road+Trip+Car.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1600" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUu6hyphenhyphenUZiEw9oqaWCRujGcQ6SzPhflvi4HicARugD3scP2Uz4alopEcoO9PRm4_oyVk40Fj0s46z6myOCB0Kcqv-bHzatF2q3WcN-7CLC9LciM_4i-a9UfsZtHWQp66t8hiY2v5lwUY1Y/s640/Road+Trip+Car.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I remember our first road trip with
picture-perfect clarity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Three</i> kids. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Eight</i> hours. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our youngest wanted a snack, so I
passed him a bag of grapes. After eating the entire bag, he puked all over the
back of our car. We found ourselves in a Whataburger parking lot, unpacking to
get spare clothes from a suitcase at the bottom of the pile, and cleaning puke
out of a car seat with drive-thru napkins no thicker than the top layer of skin
that peels off after a bad sunburn. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since then, we’ve had our share
of road trips filled with flat tires, detours, rocks in the window, potty
breaks on the side of the road, and hysteria from the back seat. The number of
times I’ve been asked, “Are we there yet?” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t even know.</span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But I’ve come to adore road trips
with my family. They’re some of the sweetest times we share. It’s nice to be in
one place without the distractions of home, and the memory making along the way
is priceless. As soon as we hit the highway, our kids begin the jaunt down
memory lane, recalling the victories <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and
defeats</i> from prior road trips with joy. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We’ve got this down</i> and will be making our fifth road trip to
Colorado this summer to spend time at <a href="http://skyranch.org/Horn%20Creek/" target="_blank">Sky Ranch Horn Creek</a> and <a href="http://skyranch.org/UteTrail/" target="_blank">Sky Ranch UteTrail</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But as I visit with other
families who have less experience on the road, I hear how intimidated they are
to stare a road trip in the face. So today, I’m sharing some tips we’ve learned
that make road trips a whole lot of fun!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have a Plan<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before leaving town, learn your
route, identify places to stop, and create a schedule for travel and passing
time in the car. Make hotel reservations in advance, and book a hotel with a
pool so your kids can burn some energy at the end of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Enjoy the Journey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Build in time on the road to do fun
things. Stop at a playground, get a shake from the drive-thru, or visit an
attraction along the way. Consider your road trip part of the vacation, not
simply the means to get you there.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pack Backpacks <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pack a backpack for each person. Include
the following: a change of clothes, pajamas, swimsuits/goggles, toiletries, sunglasses,
raincoats, walking shoes/socks, and items for entertainment. When you get to
the hotel, just grab the backpacks instead of unloading the entire car!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bring Healthy(ish) Snacks<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Be relaxed about nutrition on
vacation, but maintain some level of healthy eating on the road. Nothing is worse
than sugar-amped, thirsty kids in the car! To save money and control sugar and
salt intake, consider packing lunches and snacks. Ideas include: sandwiches (pre-made
and stored in the bread sack), fruit, veggies, hummus, nuts, string cheese,
apple sauce pouches, and popcorn. Always bring baggies for reasonable portions
(remember the grapes incident?) and insulated cups to keep beverages cold. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stop Efficiently<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When you stop for gas, require
that everyone use the restroom. When you stop for the restroom, top off the
tank. If you stop for treats, choose a place to do all three! When you do stop,
rotate cleaning trash out of the car. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Plan Activities<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Time on the road is a great opportunity
to bond, stirring up a stronger sense of family identity. Some ideas include: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Trip-Questions-Travel/dp/B006N5N738/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1498596748&sr=8-2&keywords=melissa+and+doug+conversation+cards" target="_blank">conversation cards</a>, a family devotional, or listening to books on Audible. I
also recommend the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Kids-Ultimate-Atlas/dp/1426309333/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498596858&sr=8-1&keywords=national+geographic+kids+atlas" target="_blank">National Geographic Kids Road Trip Atlas</a>. Our kids love
following our routes, reading about the states we pass through, and doing the
activities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This year, we’re also playing Did
You Know? List family members and close friends on individual recipe cards. Draw
a card out of the stack, and share a story about that individual your kids wouldn’t
otherwise know. It’s a great way to teach heritage and create interesting
conversation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Embrace the Ebbs and Flows<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Regardless of planning, you will hit
some potholes that wear down patience and ratchet up frustration. Don’t fret!
Instead, take a time out. Let the kids plug in, listen to classical guitar or spa
music, or turn on a DVD series like Planet Earth. While limits on technology
are a good idea, I would never suggest banning them altogether. Let them serve
your family well so everyone gets a good measure of community and alone time,
and so you can enjoy some adult time too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Be Prepared<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nothing is worse than being
caught off-guard on the road. Packing the following items will help: plastic
grocery sacks, baggies, Febreeze, antibacterial, wipes, batteries and car
chargers, headphones, a first-aid kit, Dramamine, and small blankets and
pillows for each child. In addition, stow flip flops in the pockets behind each
seat because someone <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will</i> lose their
shoes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hope these tips will serve your
family well as you hit the road this summer. And I’d love for you to share your
own road trips tips in the comments for the benefit of our tribe. My prayer
is that, together, we can hack this thing called road trips and turn them into
something special that will bless our families!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-81222589368667647202017-06-21T10:16:00.001-05:002017-06-21T10:16:33.844-05:00Do Our Words Speak Life To Our Children?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAAzIaCZhx4TynhZCFJzvuK6KJET4Rqtq6qNze4qu59m47VPDMFh-DLryb6Sq9VVpLJ4fAGlNy98VZqVLb0CB-MjIl1k8X-nsEiQXxlIc32pXdmJO3as8olmsY82eoszVpqeexy2-VQA/s1600/Mother+Daughter+laughing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCAAzIaCZhx4TynhZCFJzvuK6KJET4Rqtq6qNze4qu59m47VPDMFh-DLryb6Sq9VVpLJ4fAGlNy98VZqVLb0CB-MjIl1k8X-nsEiQXxlIc32pXdmJO3as8olmsY82eoszVpqeexy2-VQA/s640/Mother+Daughter+laughing.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the end of the day during his first week of kindergarten,
Little Bit threw his arms around my thighs, burying his face in my belly.
Through twinkling eyes and a beaming smile, he said, “I have a surprise for
you!” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He made me close my eyes, took me by the hand, and led me
down the hallway into our bedroom. When he had me perfectly positioned, he told
me to open my eyes. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At first, I wasn’t sure what I was looking for, but then I
found it, in all its glory. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A hand-written note from his teacher, praising him
for a job well done, taped right above our bed on the wall. He had shown love
to one of his classmates, and his teacher wanted us to know about it.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;">I</span> reinforced his
excitement by praising this character quality he had demonstrated at school,
hugged his neck, and didn’t think more about it.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But I began to see a pattern. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every time his teacher sent a note home telling us something
she had seen in his heart, he would tape it to the wall above our bed. Over
time, it became known as Little Bit’s “Wall of Fame.” It’s now decorated with
streamers and has spilled over to other parts of our room. We all have a love
language, and the evidence points to the fact that Little Bit’s love language
may be words of affirmation!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKP72pvq-b1wvQWce2iJjEOWSGEtRetRjhDXiSxdOYyUuf_o7Oj-KQI_5LDSFJl9g0B9fAHvf9RT7WJay7a5Rp4UrWaVEb6KJq30ZVi7qJj2o-caL2wMkxCEixVi_N5DLDcVUi0l7KDk/s1600/Reed+Wall+of+Fame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKP72pvq-b1wvQWce2iJjEOWSGEtRetRjhDXiSxdOYyUuf_o7Oj-KQI_5LDSFJl9g0B9fAHvf9RT7WJay7a5Rp4UrWaVEb6KJq30ZVi7qJj2o-caL2wMkxCEixVi_N5DLDcVUi0l7KDk/s640/Reed+Wall+of+Fame.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Regardless of our love language, however, speaking words of
encouragement and life rather than words of condemnation and death is a more
fruitful way to communicate. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>After all,
scripture is chock full of instruction in this regard:</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>1 Thessalonians 5:11</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up,
just as you are doing.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Ephesians 4:29</b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only
such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace
to those who hear.”</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Proverbs 12:25</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word
makes him glad."</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This isn’t to say we should never offer reproof, but I think
we’re wise to consider what characterizes us:</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Are we characterized by speaking
life or death?</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last week, I wrote about <a href="http://skyranchskymoms.blogspot.com/2017/06/why-our-kids-should-be-put-to-work-on.html" target="_blank">using the extra margin that summer provides to work on things as a family</a> we don’t have time for during the school
year. We do this every summer. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We try to do the same thing as it relates to our parenting.
We have adopted a philosophy for how we parent that directs our steps upon the
path. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But let’s be real</i>. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The chaos of
the school year often results in us <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hiking</i>
off trail. The slower pace of summer provides a great opportunity to re-direct
ourselves in the good habits we know but don’t always practice.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Parenting requires that we draw boundaries (“no”) and
redirect behavior (“don’t do that”) continually. As a result, we can easily
fall into the trap of negative speech if we don’t mind our tongues. But we’ve
found that when we’re characterized by negative speech, the atmosphere in our
home is negative. Conversely, when we speak encouragement and life, the
atmosphere in our home is life-giving. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Imagine that!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So this summer, we’re minding our tongues, paying close
attention to instruct our children with words of encouragement and life as
often as possible, saving language of reproof for times when it’s absolutely
necessary. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Here are 5 ways in which we can speak encouragement and life
to our children:</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Say “yes” as often as possible so that “no” is
saved for times it is necessary.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Praise their <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">effort</i>
rather than the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">outcome</i> so we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">don’t</i> instill in them a fear of failure
and so we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do</i> encourage them to
develop work ethic and grit. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Affirm character qualities we observe in them
such as those identified in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5%3A22-23&version=NIV" target="_blank">Galatians 5:22-23</a>.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When giving instruction, speak in terms of what
we hope to see, not what we don’t want to see. (“Don’t spill your cereal”
becomes “Let’s try to keep all our cereal in the bowl!”)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When giving reproof, elevate the virtue, not the
vice, and call out the behavior, not the person. (“You are rude” becomes “That
was not very respectful. In our home, we treat others with respect.”)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These tactics are simple enough. But we live in a culture
that’s plagued by negative speech. Just as “we are what eat,” so too is it that
“we say what we hear.” As a result, it takes conscious effort and dedicated
resolve to re-train our tongues. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That’s why summer is a great time for us to evaluate how
we’re doing in this regard and identify areas in which we would be wise to
improve.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here's to using our words to create a life-giving atmosphere in our home! </span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span>SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-16429532074502111062017-06-13T14:58:00.001-05:002017-06-13T14:58:40.586-05:00Why Our Kids Should Be Put To Work On Summer Break
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTt7SRaNdwgcluSgDcUGy-ez9kA0E4WpGpW0KFk5To1UFP2ok9OMD_n8LVV8MqrOeQI1UDBm0VmOE2mj1RG_KoTBopfheYZKW-48vrwW3MDNKuc1tCIoHXF7WVfdqtj3OlNYxWiEld0XE/s1600/washing+dishes.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTt7SRaNdwgcluSgDcUGy-ez9kA0E4WpGpW0KFk5To1UFP2ok9OMD_n8LVV8MqrOeQI1UDBm0VmOE2mj1RG_KoTBopfheYZKW-48vrwW3MDNKuc1tCIoHXF7WVfdqtj3OlNYxWiEld0XE/s640/washing+dishes.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">My sister recently had this
conversation with her five-year-old:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 16px 0px 16px 48px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">“Mom, what's
after college?”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 16px 0px 16px 48px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">“Life.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 16px 0px 16px 48px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">“What's life?”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 16px 0px 16px 48px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">“When you work
and maybe get married and have kids.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 16px 0px 16px 48px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">“I have to get a
job???!”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 16px 0px;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The poor thing
could wrap his mind around “maybe” getting married and having kids. But getting
a job? Forget about it! </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 16px 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">It was a cute
exchange. Much less cute, if the conversation had involved a young adult. But culturally, it seems we’ve sent subtle messages to our children that work is a
heavy burden, something forced on us in adulthood with no redeeming qualities
whatsoever. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">It’s unfortunate.
Because God values work. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">In fact, in the
second chapter of scripture, God put Adam to work:</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">“The Lord God took the man and put him in the
Garden of Eden to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">work it</i> and take
care of it.”</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Genesis 2:15</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">God
could have assigned Adam any role existing under the sun. But he assigned him
to be a worker in the garden, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the place
he also called home</i>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">It’s
important that summer include a respite from the grind of the school year. But
it’s also important for summer to include some work for our kids. After all,
having them home each day creates more chores around the house, so they should
pitch in and help. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">This is one of the reasons why our
summer should include some normal days. (Remember, <a href="http://skyranchskymoms.blogspot.com/2017/05/dear-moms-you-are-not-cruise-director.html" target="_blank">we’re not cruise directors</a>)!
It’s in the space of normal days where we can work on things with our children
that we struggle to conquer during the school year.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
W<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">e often underestimate the tasks our children can manage. Consequently, we
spend a lot of time doing things for our children which they could do themselves.
Summer is an exceptional time to teach our children to manage new
responsibilities, helping them contribute to the family, develop a servant’s
heart, and value the significance of work.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Some
examples of what our children will be doing to contribute to our family this
summer include:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Laundry: People look
at me cross-eyed when I tell them our children have been doing their own
laundry since kindergarten. It <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wasn’t</i>
my brilliant idea! For reasons unknown to me, our daughter decided this looked fun
and wanted to learn when she was six. But through that experience, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I learned</i> kindergartners are quite capable.
Sure, we help the younger ones with folding and hanging, but before we know it,
they’re doing it all themselves. (<a href="http://confessionsofapastorsfamily.com/2014/02/05/less-laundry-please/" target="_blank">Here’s how I taught them</a>.)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Cleaning their
bedrooms: Last year, a wise friend encouraged me to lower my standards
regarding the condition of our children’s bedrooms. I wanted their rooms
cleaned daily, and when they weren’t, it created a source of tension that was too
much. We were fighting every day! Now we have an agreement. They clean their
rooms once each week to my standards, and I don’t say anything about their
rooms the rest of the week. This works much better for our family, and their
rooms are cleaner than ever before!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Cleaning the
bathrooms: Our daughter has been helping with bathrooms for a while, but now,
we’re teaching the boys! I bought each of them a toilet scrubber, a squeegee,
and a hand broom/dust pan at Ikea, and we’ve stocked each of the bathrooms with
cleaning supplies. Our goal is that they’re self-sufficient when school starts.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Preparing meals: I’ll
be honest. When the kids were younger, the idea of having “helpers” in the
kitchen made my skin crawl. They were too messy, and I was too meticulous. “Let’s
bake cookies!” said no one ever when we had three kids under six. But now,
things are different. They are helpful (and I’ve loosened up). There are loads
of lessons they can learn by helping prepare meals such as measurements, fractions,
and temperatures. I’ve also learned this secret…they’re more likely to eat that
which they prepare. So this summer, I’ll pull them into the kitchen one at a
time to help prepare meals and set the table. It’s a great way for them to
learn a skill and to spend one-on-one time together!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Cleaning the
kitchen: If you eat at our table, you help clean up the mess. That’s the rule
in our house. It’s especially helpful in the summer because, So. Many. Dishes. In
the past, we’ve asked them to bus and wipe the table, sweep the floor, and help
put the food away. But lately, we’ve been working on managing the dishwasher.
They’re just as capable!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">There
are a thousand ways to attack this beast. All that matters is that we’re giving
our kids opportunities to contribute to the family, develop a servant’s heart,
and discover the value of work. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">So what will your kids be working on this
summer?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">P.S.
If you haven’t like our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SkyMoms/" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a>, be sure to do so. This week, we
will be sharing some resources to help you identify what chores around the
house may be age-appropriate for your children!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">
</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7023209926808764424.post-25149988477234905552017-06-09T12:00:00.000-05:002017-06-09T12:33:37.381-05:00Bedtime Prayers<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJJdFdh450b5Rs5nHVOe21sJMOLiJ9hQ9ZO7nolbTyYMeFWVdsI85gzkrOX9JlfFobufTDaldsSvezJfCQKIa1xd9v-D-hqHflJ-QFNnAhjJjmYH6UgFveBOd2Sy6YNAolChdQJJg198/s1600/mom+tucking+daughter+in+bed.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJJdFdh450b5Rs5nHVOe21sJMOLiJ9hQ9ZO7nolbTyYMeFWVdsI85gzkrOX9JlfFobufTDaldsSvezJfCQKIa1xd9v-D-hqHflJ-QFNnAhjJjmYH6UgFveBOd2Sy6YNAolChdQJJg198/s640/mom+tucking+daughter+in+bed.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Now, I lay me down to sleep…</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Bedtime. The time we set aside for chats, prayers and plans. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Bedtime prayers take our focus off self and onto God, our
Creator. At the end of the day, we get to talk to Him in prayer and praise Him,
thank Him, acknowledge where we've fallen short and make our needs known. It's
a time of worship.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">My hubby most always tucked our girls in at night when they were
young. It was their time. He would always ask them questions about their day
including the classic, "Who did you sit by<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;">at lunch
today?" After prayers, he would sing a hymn. In The Garden was his
favorite. (Incidentally, both girls had it played before he walked them down
the aisle on their wedding day.)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">As our girls grew older, bedtime was a time for us to chat about
life and dreams. Many tears were shed when life was hard. Uncontrollable laughs
could also be heard throughout the house during bedtime rituals. I never quite
knew what to expect...with girls.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">What I do know now is that these routines helped us. Knowing
that each night we would spend time in prayer to our Heavenly Father helped us
make it through the day and keep us close to Him.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Prayers, hymns, laughs and tears. The good stuff.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
SkyMoms Ministry http://www.blogger.com/profile/08514904660640937714noreply@blogger.com0