The best advice...

 I have been listening to podcasts for a few years now. I have listened to the "Office Ladies" podcast while rewatching seasons 5 and 6.  I listened to one last year with Danny Gokey and his wife. I listened to another one with Joel and Moriah Smallbone. I listened to several episodes of a Mom Life podcast, and also to a MumLife podcast.

Recently, after the K-LOVE (radio station) fan awards, the fans voted that Sadie Robertson Huff (her Dad is of "Duck Dynasty" fame) and her podcast called "Whoa, that's good!" was rated the best. I hadn't heard it before, so I listened to a few newer episodes. Sadie has written several books, spoken at Ladies' Conferences, and was even on "Dancing with the Stars." I enjoy the podcast a lot, since she is a young Christian woman, and has lots of great guests that she interviews. I've only listened to 10 or 12 episodes, but I have gotten some great nuggets out of each one. The episodes run between 30 and 45 minutes. (And I love her Louisiana accent!)

One of the first questions that Sadie asks her guests is, "What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?" I think it's a great conversation starter. I always enjoy what the guests have to say.

Here are several that I have really liked:        (yes, I wrote them down!)

This is the one that started them all... "You're not kind because others are kind to you, you're kind because you are a kind person." - Sadie's great-grandmother

Happiness is a moral obligation. Where you bring your attention always determines how you feel. Focus on what is right way more than what’s wrong. -Dr. Daniel Amen

Your dreams are minor league dreams compared to what God’s major league dreams for you. -Matthew West

The first person who says “I’m sorry” wins. -Cory Asbury

Sometimes a good nap or a good night’s sleep can reset your perspective on your problems. Pray, give it to God, and rest in Him.  -Sadie’s mom, Korie Robertson

 Trust in the Lord. Don’t lean on your own understanding. Prov. 3:5-6  -Francine Rivers

Be intentional in your relationships. Answer the phone. Call each other. It is important and means more than you know. Mrs. Huff (her mom-in-law)

If you can help someone, you should. -Luke Smallbone

So much of what we do is a team effort. We need each other. - Joel Smallbone

Do it afraid. Do it anyway. The first time is always the scariest. -Francesca Battestelli

Don’t take everything personally. If others don’t like me, it is not about me. - Chrissy Metz

So that brings me to ask you, What is your best piece of advice?

I remember my Grandma telling me that I don't need to be afraid, God has all things in His hands and under control. I really like that! It's a very good reminder!

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.


Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.


Psalm 40:3
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

Sparks Studios VBS

 We have our VBS this week, and we are so excited about it! Our theme this year is "Sparks Studios". The theme is all arts-related, including drawing, painting, cartoons, drama, music, dance, poetry, pottery, photography, and more. Our decorations crew did a great job planning it all out, gathering supplies, and getting it decorated in a neat way. I think our church sanctuary looks amazing!

God called me to be the co-director (with our children's pastor) again this year, and we began meeting at the end of February to start planning. We met 6 or 7 times to plan who to recruit for volunteers, the t-shirts we wanted to order, the pre-registration process, and more.

We always divide the kids into 4 groups, and this year we divided them into four sub-groups too. It has worked well so far, but the first day is always a little bit jumbled. 

I helped write out the poetry for this board, and my daughters helped put up shiny gems.

I helped with this sign by making the camera...

I helped hang up the music notes and clefs...I love the shiny paper on the sparks coming out on the top!

I found this online, traced it onto poster board, and colored it in. It turned out nicely, I think!

It is really cool to see something that you have been planning and thinking about come to fruition. It's almost like a dream! God has been good to us by blessing up with over 100 volunteers this year and over 240 kids... It's the most we have ever had. He is really showing up and showing off... it is exciting to be a part of it all!

Are you involved in helping with a VBS this year? Are your kids attending one? If so, is it Spark Studios too? I'd enjoy hearing about it!

Ephesians 2:10

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared in advance for us to do." 

Psalm 104:24
How many are your works, Lord!
In wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.

1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Sunday Ministry Spouse

 My husband is the worship pastor at our church. This article that I read in a Christian magazine called, "The Banner" resonated with me, as a "Sunday ministry spouse." It reminded me that October is Pastor Appreciation month, please don't forget to thank your pastor and family for their ministry in your life!

It was written from a wife to her husband, and she is the director of discipleship ministries at her church in Ohio. I felt it was written to me, so I will tweak it slightly and include it below:

To the spouse who supports me in Sunday morning ministry (and the many people with family members) who serve in churches:

I know Sunday mornings are not the peaceful, relaxed times that so many of your friends enjoy.

There are no tranquil Sunday brunches, no sleeping in, no impromptu weekends away at the cottage, a few weekends away at all.

We are among the first at church and the last to leave.

For four hours in the day of rest, you keep track of our children while I am leading other people in ----- (fill in the blank... worship, Bible Study, prayer, or helping their kids). On Sunday morning the sacred time that most families spend together, you are on part-time parent duty.

You are my go-to last-minute nursery (or praise team) volunteer. You jump in as greeter for newcomers, basketball teammate for children, and server for meals at special events. 

You listen and listen and listen as I process what ministry means, as I struggle with the challenges of finding volunteers, of church politics, of trying to get others on board with my vision, or striving to bring growth in a slow-moving, albeit wise, institution.

You didn't know when you said your vows that you'd be signing up for all this-- saying no to weekend social events because we are booked every weekend; leaving Saturday evening events early because Sunday is my Monday; saying no to vacations during Christmas or Easter; becoming a default volunteer for most activities on our church's calendar; staying home with the kids on evenings during the week when I have to work.

My ministry is in the foreground- the children's messages, the preaching, the worship leading, the games, and teaching, and songs and activities (whatever the role may be for me). My ministry can be measured and recognized by hours and smiles on faces. I'm the one who gets thank yous and hugs. Your ministry is in the background, and like so many in Scripture, you do the quiet, seldom-recognized work of supporting.

And you do it willingly. Over and over again you offer to step in. Over and over again you hear my frustrations and joys, my prayers, and my challenges.

A helpmate. When I see all that you do Sunday after Sunday, I can think of a few better words.

I see you and the pastors' spouses and ministers' children and families of people in vocational ministry. I know there are thousands of hidden hours that you put into our callings. I am so grateful. Thank you for all of the work that you do to make my work possible.

-adapted from an article by Melissa Kuipers, 2021

Genesis 2:18
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Ephesians 5:31
“For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

Philemon 1:4
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers...

SCC Solo concert/weekend

This past weekend was a belated Valentine's Day present to me! I knew that my hubby had gotten tickets to see my favorite artist since he was coming to our town, he knew I really wanted to see SCC.  But what I didn't know what that he had a surprise in store!

We went out to dinner at a yummy pizza place downtown. We don't go there often, so it was a treat!

 We walked down to the concert venue and got there a little early. My sweetie let me get a t-shirt too! It says, "I am a Cinderella" on the front, and "The dance will go on" on the back. I love Cinderella, so he encouraged me to get that shirt. Plus, it's purple- my favorite color!

Ready for the concert to start!

 Even though our seats were not too close, (cheap seats) we still could definitely hear Steven Curtis Chapman well, and he was pretty funny! It was a SOLO tour, so it was just him, guitar (he used two) and a keyboard/ piano. He did not have a band like a few years ago when I saw him at a nearby festival. You can read about that concert here. He showed several old photos and videos on the screen behind him.

 He sang lots of my favorite songs of his, including "The Great Adventure,""Do Everything," "Fingerprints of God," "For the Sake of the Call," "I Will be Here," as well as "Lord of the Dance" when talking about his birth and young childhood. He also sang, "No Better Place" while talking about his time of salvation at 8 years old. It was fun to hear his stories. He also sang some hymns, including "Great is Thy Faithfulness" (in the above photo). He wanted us to sing along, said that we were his back-up singers. I got to sing back up to Steven Curtis Chapman! 😁

 He had a pastor/ artist friend of his, "Pastor Eric" come out and talk about the charity "Food for the Hungry." While Steven sang the song "When Love Takes You In" the pastor painted on a canvas, and it was the face of a little girl, with the words Love Hope and Change on it. In the second half, he took requests and it was cool! He played a few older songs (some he had a hard time remembering!), and one from his bluegrass album called "Where the Bluegrass Grows." He also sang a funny one called "Love or the Flu." He almost didn't want to sing that one, but he did, and it was cute!

He also sang "The Glorious Unfolding," "Dive," "Cinderella," and a few other (planned) songs in the second half. It was over 2 hours, and I loved every minute!

Then we walked back to our hotel where we spent the night. It was a new hotel on Main Street, and it was nice! This is a picture of the breakfast area/ lobby. What a nice surprise! Thanks, Joshua! I loved it!

So many of his songs are about hope, so this verse came to mind...

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 4:18-19
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

AWANA awards banquet

We had another fun end-of-the-year banquet celebrating the kids accomplishments in AWANA. We are proud of them (the younger 3) and the work they did this year. They each learned a lot of Bible verses and more about God!

Bethany completed her 2nd and final year in Cubbies. She got a Cubbie award for finishing her book this year. She was quite proud wearing it on her vest!

 Mallory has worked very hard the past three years finishing her three Sparky books. It is a lot of verses to memorize, including Psalm 23 and lots of verses in Romans. Here is our C.E. Pastor presenting her SPARKY award!

 Great job, Mallory! We are so proud of you!

 Showing of her ribbon and plaque box!

Later that night, after we were home, Daddy helped her pull her tooth! It was quite an exciting night!

Caleb got his book award too, for his 3rd and final year in T&T. There are many, many verses to memorize, and he got slowed down a little with baseball this Spring. But he still did a great job, and we are so proud of them and their work! (He was at baseball that night, so I got his award for him. No pictures though!)


Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

2 Corinthians 10:8

So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it.

2 Timothy 2:15

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Wordless Wednesday: Christian concert!

My oldest daughter and I drove an hour out-of-town a few weeks ago to attend a Christian concert, featuring the bands All Things New, Sanctus Real and Francesca Battestelli. We had a BLAST, and here are some of our photos from the fun time we shared together!

 Francesca singing...

 I love her banter with the other band members, the stories she told and learning more about her and her band. Always fun to see LIVE music!

At the concert, we pre-ordered her new CD, and it came in the mail this week! It made my whole day to get it, and we've listened to it a bunch since then! I know I'll post some new blog songs from this CD!


1 Chronicles 15:22
Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it.

Isaiah 35:9-10
No lion will be there,
nor any ravenous beast;
they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,
and those the Lord has rescued will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Colossians 3:16
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Music Monday: "Give This Christmas Away"

This is a Christmas song that was released a few years ago, and I really fell in love with it. I like it partly because it reminds me of the heart of Christmas, which is giving. I like it because it relates to the Operation Christmas Child boxes that our family participates in packing each November. I also like it because it was part of a VeggieTales video, "Saint Nicholas- A Story of Joyful Giving". I enjoy Amy Grant's music, and have listened to her songs since I was 12 years old. She has always been a favorite singer/ songwriter of mine. I hope you will enjoy this song too! May it touch your heart in this Christmas season!

Matthew West - Give This Christmas Away [feat. Amy Grant] Lyrics

What if I told you
You have the power
To give someone hope
Beyond their wildest dreams
What if I told you
It’s right there in your hands
In your hands

It’s hard to imagine
How something so small
Can make all the difference
Tear down the tallest wall
What if December
Looked different this year
What if we all just

Give this Christmas away
If there’s love in your heart
Don’t let it stay there
Give this Christmas away
And your life will be changed
By the gifts you receive
When you give this Christmas away

It’s feeding the hungry
Serving the poor
It’s telling the orphan
You’re not forgotten anymore
It’s doing what love does
Even when no one’s watching you

Give this Christmas away
If there’s love in your heart
Don’t let it stay there
Give this Christmas away
And your life will be changed
By the gifts you receive
When you give this Christmas away
For God so loved the world
That He gave His only Son
So we could be
His hands, His feet, His love
His love

What if I told you
You have the power
To give someone hope
Far beyond their wildest dreams
What if December
Looked different this year
Yah what if we all just

Give this Christmas away
If there’s love in your heart
Don’t let it stay there
Give this Christmas away
And your life will be changed
By the gifts you receive
When you give this Christmas away

Give this Christmas away
You have the power
Just give it away
Give it away
Give it away
This Christmas
Give it away
Give Christmas away
Give it away

Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/matthew-west/give-this-christmas-away-feat-amy-grant-lyrics/#bSd13KbwdQ3YqCvu.99 

You can watch a video of this song on YouTube here. (Beware, it makes me cry!)
You can read more about Operation Christmas Child here.

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Luke 12:31-33

But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

John 3:16

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

Wordful Wednesday: Weekend Highlights

This past weekend, I went away to a lovely nearby mountain town for a refreshing retreat away. I was with other women from our church, and enjoyed time to focus on friends and of course, time with God. One of the fun times was during one session when our leader told a modern story of "The Three Little Pigs." I won't be able to tell it exactly as it was written by the author, but I'll do my best to remember it.

There was once three sisters who went away from home to make their way in the world. The first silly sister, "Susie Sweets" tried to build her home on the decadent delights of all types of chocolate. She melted and smeared chocolate in the cracks and tried to build her safe haven with all types of candy. But alas, the Big Bad Wolf came along, munched on the house and blew the home down.

The second silly sister, "Pretty Patty" found her security in beauty. She made her home with beauty magazines, lots of mirrors and fitted it with every type of vanity around. When the Big Bad Wolf came around, she tried to defend her home by warding him off with a high heeled shoe, but the Big Bad Wolf got the best of her home.

The third silly sister, "Dollar Donna" went out to build her own house of money. She used coins, banks and bills for her building materials and lined the walls with dollars as wallpaper. Of course, the Big Bad Wolf came prowling around and blew Donna's house of money to the ground too.

Of course the metaphor that we saw played out is that we try to find our security in this world in things that don't last and don't meet our needs: money, sweets, and beauty. Our true security and foundation can be built in God alone. He will provide our needs, fill our empty hearts with His love and show us the right way to live.

It was a fun skit to see performed by our brave volunteers who hammed it up a bit! We laughed and enjoyed the banter and acting! (They shall remain nameless here, all identities of actresses hereby protected...)

Luke 6:46-49

 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.  They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.  But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Music Monday: "Everything Glorious"

On Saturdays around our home, we do some cleaning. We each have weekly chores we complete such as dusting or vacuuming, washing floors, cleaning bathrooms, cleaning doorknobs & light switches, sweeping, cleaning screens/ mirrors, etc., While we clean, we tend to jam to great Christian music. One of our favorite bands is the David Crowder band. My brother met and became friends with David, and there is a picture of my niece with him, but I couldn't find it! We like a lot of his songs, but I found one to feature this week. Please don't imagine me cleaning in my grubbies while you listen. Just enjoy the truth of this song!

David Crowder Band: "Everything Glorious"

The day is brighter here with You
The night is lighter than it's hue
Would lead me to believe
Which leads me to believe

(chorus)
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
And I am Yours
What does that make me?

My eyes are small but they have seen
The beauty of enormous things
Which leads me to believe
There's light enough to see that

(chorus)
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
And I am Yours

From glory to glory
You are glorious You are glorious
From glory to glory
You are glorious. You are glorious
Which leads me to believe
Why I can believe that


You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
And I am Yours
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
And I am Yours

From glory to glory From glory to glory
You are glorious. You are glorious.
You are glorious. You are glorious.

You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
And I am Yours

[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/d/david_crowder_band/everything_glorious.html]

This song is also performed on the Passion CD,  Everything Glorious.

You can see this song performed live on YouTube here.

Psalm 66:2
Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.

Psalm 72:19
Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.

1 Peter 1:8

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

Music Monday: Speak Life

Just this past weekend, we bought a new CD of tobyMac's called "Eye On It". We like tobyMac in our home, the kids reallllly enjoy his pseudo-rap style, dance music and we like the Christian lyrics. One song that I heard from the new CD really spoke to me. It's called "Speak Life", I really like the idea that I can speak life and truth into the heart of another person that really needs to hear it! What a privilege that God has given us! I hope you will go and speak life today!

TOBYMAC - SPEAK LIFE

Some days life feels perfect
Other days, it just ain’t workin’
The good, the bad, the right, the wrong
And everything in between

You it’s crazy, amazing
We can turn our heart through the words we say
Mountains crumble with every syllable
Hope you live or die

So speak life, speak life
To deadest darkest night
Speak life, speak life
When the sun won’t shine and you don’t know why
Look into the eyes of the broken hearted
Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope
You speak love, you speak..
You speak life
You speak life

Some days the tongue gets twisted
Other day my thoughts just fall apart
I do, I don’t, I will, I won’t
It’s like I’m drowning in the deep

Well, it’s crazy to imagine
Words from my lips as the arms of compassion
Mountains crumble with every syllable
Hope you live or die

So speak life, speak life
To deadest darkest night
Speak life, speak life
When the sun won’t shine and you don’t know why
Look into the eyes of the broken hearted
Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope
You speak love, you speak..
You speak life
You speak life

Lift your head a little higher
Spread the love like fire
Hope will fall like rain
When you speak life with the words you say
Raise your thoughts a little higher
Use your words to inspire
Joy will fall like rain when you speak life with the things you say

Lift your head a little higher
Spread the love like fire
Hope will fall like rain
When you speak life with the words you say

So speak life, speak life
To deadest darkest night
Speak life, speak life
When the sun won’t shine and you don’t know why
Look into the eyes of the broken hearted
Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope
You speak love, you speak..
You speak life
You speak life
You speak life
You speak life

Some days life feels perfect
-------------------------------------------
You can listen to this song on YouTube here.
Psalm 19:14
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Proverbs 25:11

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Presidential Prayer Team

Several years ago, I was part of a group of people that voluntarily prayed for the president and other leaders daily, and it is called the "Presidential Prayer Team." I enjoyed being a part of it, but as my mothering and homeschooling responsibilities became more overwhelming, I had to back out of it. I still try to pray for the president and leaders often, but I am not part of the PPT anymore.

This information is from their website:

Who is The Presidential Prayer Team?

Since 2001, The Presidential Prayer Team has been the source millions of Americans have turned to for encouragement and inspiration to pray for America, our President, our national leaders and our Armed Forces.

We are a national ministry dedicated to a focused mission of encouraging, inspiring and practicing PRAYER on behalf of our President, nation’s leaders and our troops. We also seek to be a catalyst in the development of a robust prayer lifestyle. We do this by finding and PROVIDING tools to encourage prayer – through email, web, mobile phones and other communication tools. Ultimately, we believe that prayer will TRANSFORM our nation, one heart at a time.

We believe that Almighty God who rules over the affairs of men…and who moves in response to the prayers of His people. So, with unflinching devotion, members of The Presidential Prayer Team are working everyday to raise the shield of prayer over our beloved country.

Please consider joining our membership – it’s free! When you do, you’ll join the largest group of intercessors in America, and we’ll provide you with an extensive variety of tools and resources to assist and support your prayer life. Join Here

I enjoyed the website and its prayers that they suggest, and they way the PPT sent out frequent reminders to pray. There are many Christian leaders that support and are involved in the Presidential Prayer Team. If you feel so burdened, and are interested, please check out their website and join the PPT. It is a wonderful organization, and prayer is a powerful tool. Even if I don't agree with the president, I can still pray for him, and God can use him. 

There are many Bible verses about prayer, but here are a few that relate:

"...If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Operation Christmas Child!

Operation Christmas Child is an organization that we have been involved with through our church for the past several years with MOPS and AWANA. It is about caring for the widows and orphans around the world, who have so little. It is demonstrating God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ to others, along with the local church.

You can pack a shoebox with hygiene items or toys that they made need, wrapping the box in Christmas paper (or lining a clear box with fabric), putting the shipping money inside, and getting it to a center that ships them out.

I've seen the videos in MOPS several times, which promote the organization and their Christmas shoe box donations. They always get me teary-eyed! What Samaritan's Purse does with their Organization Christmas Child is so important! I like to involve my children in the process of choosing gifts and small toys for a child who needs them so much more than my children. It helps to give them a perspective that they are not the center of the world, but perspective that others are important, and we can show Jesus' love to them by giving to those we do not know.

Before you pack a box, you need to decide what age and gender of child you will purchase items for:
ages 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14.

Here are some ideas of what you can pack in a shoe box:
TOYS:
small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small EtchA Sketch, toys that light up or noise (with extra batteries), Slinky, etc.,

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons, markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.,

HYGIENE ITEMS:
toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.,

OTHER
hard candy and lollipops, (double bag all candy please), mints, gum, t-shirt, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)

DO NOT INCLUDE:
used or damaged items, war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures, chocolate or food, out of date candy, liquids or lotions, medications or vitamins, breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers, aerosol cans

You can find these instructions to print here.

The national collection week is November 14-21. If you are interested in learning more about Operation Christmas Child, and how to pack a shoe box, print labels for the different ages, to see videos and more, please check out their website: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/?hometab

"I Am Second"

Jesus is First.
I am Second.

I love the message of the website and movement called "I Am Second." The movement is meant to inspire people of all kinds to live for God and for others. It goes along with the Christian idea of "Jesus first, others next, yourself last = JOY. The website IAmSecond.com has lots of greats stores that are authentic and provide insight in dealing with typical struggles of everyday living.

There are bracelets, handouts, ways to volunteer, and other resources to help you talk about God with others. It may help you realize that you are not alone and if you do go alone, you'll fail. We can only find true peace, hope and fulfillment in Jesus, and letting Him be first in our lives, each and every day.

They have a Facebook page and are on Twitter, which is where I follow them. Their website has places that you can sign up small groups, download materials and order materials. I recently ordered some bracelets and other small items and received them relatively quickly. They also have lots of films of famous people, such as Tony Dungy, Bethany Hamilton, Mike Huckabee, Michael W. Smith, Darrell Waltrip, Jarrett Stevens, Stephen Baldwin and many more. They are real life stories of real people.

I hope you'll take a few minutes to go to their website, watch a video or two, and maybe even order a bracelet. The stories are quite touching, things you may be surprised to hear or learn about... I know I was.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells us to "Seek FIRST the kingdom of God..." In 1 John, the disciple reminds us that, "We love because He FIRST loved us." In Revelation, we hear that Jesus is "the FIRST and the Last." (1:17)


How about you?  Where are you in your relationship with God? Are you first or are you second? Be Second.

Compassion-"My own little world"

Why do I love Compassion International? Well, I have sponsored a child ever since I had a steady job in college. After we got married, we waited a few years before we sponsored any children. There is an older Christian song about seeing all of the poor children's pictures at church and crying because of them. That is SO me... I have a huge heart for children, and I am very interested in other cultures and languages. We went to a concert where Compassion was trying to gain new sponsors over ten years ago, and decided to sponsor a little girl from Kenya.

Aren't they sweet? I can't resist their precious little faces...

Monica, age 5

Her name is Monica Wanjiru, and at first, she couldn't write letters, but a teacher/ worker there in Kenya wrote the letters for her. Now she is 14, and she writes the letters. We pray for her often, write letters, share Bible verses and love getting letters from her. It has been neat to watch her grow into a young woman. We enjoy looking back at older pictures of her and seeing how she has grown. It helps me feel like my own little world is a little bigger, and maybe I can positively influence the life of someone that God has placed in my life, even if I have never met her (and I would love to!) and she lives thousands of miles away.

Our most recent pic of Monica, age 13

We also sponsored a boy from Philippines for a while named Jan Rico. His family moved out of the Compassion sponsorship area and he was not sponsored anymore. I received letters from his mother, and his father died while we sponsored him (so sad!). The best letter that we ever received was one in which we were told that he accepted Christ! That was SO exciting! It made everything worth it!

This song expresses how I feel about sponsoring a child...

In my own little world it hardly ever rains

I’ve never gone hungry, always felt safe

I got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet

In my own little world

Population: me



I try to stay awake during Sunday morning church

I throw a twenty in the plate, but I never give ’til it hurts

I turn off the news when I don’t like what I see

Yeah, it’s easy to do when it’s

Population: me



What if there’s a bigger picture?

What if I’m missing out?

What if there’s a greater purpose

I could be living right now

Outside my own little world oooh



I stopped at a red light, looked out my window

I saw a cardboard sign, said “Help this homeless widow”

Above that sign was the face of a human

and I thought to myself, “God, what have I been doing?”

So I rolled down the window and I looked her in the eye

Oh how many times have I just passed her by?

I gave her some money then I drove on through

And my own little world reached

Population: two



What if there’s a bigger picture?

What if I’m missing out?

What if there’s a greater purpose

I should be living right now

Outside my own little world yeah, yeah

My own little world oooh



Father break my heart for what breaks Yours

Give me open hands and open doors

and put Your Light in my eyes and let me see

That my own little world is not about me



What if there’s a bigger picture?

What if I’m missing out?

What if there’s a greater purpose

That I could be living right now

Well I dont wanna miss what matters

I wanna be reaching out

showing the greater purpose

so I could start living right now

Outside my own little world oooh

My own little world yeah

My own little world oooh




"My own little World" by Matthew West
You can listen to this song on You Tube here.

Find out more about Compassion International here. We have held a Compassion Sunday in our church several times to gain more sponsors for children. Many Christian concerts also have sponsors of Compassion children there to gain more supporters. My husband and I have done this and got to hear the concert for free. I really enjoyed doing that, and would love to encourage others to sponsor kids again. It is such a great ministry and a way to reach out.