I recently stumbled across an old video of our youngest daughter when she was about three.  On this tape (yeah, it was a long time ago!) she was reciting the books of the Old Testament.  I smiled as I listened to her little voice saying the names of the books in her three year-old way.  So sweet.

That triggered another memory in my mind.  As soon as my girls could read, since they’d already learned the books of the Bible, I would challenge them as we sat and listened to their daddy preaching, to try to find the Bible references he used as he preached.  We would race to see who could find it first (quietly, of course).  The winner would gently elbow the other person, to signify that they had found the right book, chapter and verse.  Once there, a mark was made on the bulletin; that person had earned a point!  We’d keep score to see who had won at the end of the service. 

We had lots of fun with this over the years.  At first I would go slowly and give them a chance, but it wasn’t long until they got really fast and kept me on my toes!  It was a friendly competition that did several things.

1. It kept them listening
2. It sharpened their Bible reference skills
3. It kept them interested in what was happening during the service
4. It kept them out of trouble (for the most part)

What’s funny is that this friendly competition often continues when one of the girls is home.  We just can’t help ourselves!  So if you see us in our seat elbowing one another, you’ll know that we’re not angry, there’s just a long-standing competition going on!

What tactics did/do you use to keep your children attentive in church?

From my parsonage window,

Some days when I’m at the grocery store I enjoy meandering and just looking at the other things that aren’t on my list.  I look at the gourmet food section, the stationery, cards, books, fresh flowers, exotic fruits, jellies and jams, all the ice cream flavors in the freezer…you get the picture.

Everyone has to go grocery shopping, and sometimes it can be less than my favorite job.  Want a way to refresh this mundane task?  How about looking for a $5 splurge to spend on something you love?  We all have a budget for groceries, and have to stick with that, but every now and then it’s fun to splurge just a little – even at the grocery store.  And you know what?  It’s really okay.  What little splurge would you enjoy?  Why not treat yourself to a $5 splurge the next time you go to the grocery?  It could buy something really special.  How about…

• A bouquet of daisies. You might even have a dollar or so left over!
• A small bottle of good Olive Oil
• A block of specialty cheese
• A crafting or decorating magazine
• A special card to send to a friend
• A package of seasonal paper napkins
• A gourmet coffee – okay, $5 would only buy 1/2 or 1/3 of a pound, but still…
• A couple new flavors of coffee creamer
• A fall mum

Yesterday at our local Ingles store, I saw all of the above.  I didn’t do my splurge yet…but I will!
What would you buy if you could splurge $5?  I’d love to hear!

See you in church Sunday!

Be refreshed,

Get a branch of lights (Michael’s has battery-operated ones) and find a clever container.  A tall bucket like here…

This is cute on the table, but would look great on a mantle or shelf!  The nuts hold the taper candle in place.  I love the candy corn in the mason jar.  This is an inexpensive and adorable centerpiece!

Hope you’ve been inspired!

See you in church Sunday.

Refreshed by the Light of my world, Jesus Christ,

You couldn’t peek inside my parsonage for long without seeing my furry little friend, Liza Jane.  If you came inside and sat down, she wouldn’t jump into your lap, but she would be waltzing around your feet sniffing at your purse, nosey as Mrs. Kravitz (remember her?)

She could very possibly be the cutest cat on the planet. She’s not a piggy cat that wants to eat all the time, but every time I bring home a bag of cat food this is what she does…