by Kimberly | Jun 23, 2016 | Shepherding Children, Uncategorized, Worship
We have started to see some exciting things in our boys! They are not only able to learn the Word, but they are eager to do it!
When we moved into our new rental home, we started making a concerted effort to teach our kids the Word. We knew this would not only help us but also help them. We started with “When I am afraid I will trust in you.” Then we have been working on Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need.” It is so cute to hear them say it, to say it at random times, and to want to say it all by themselves.
Another great way to teach kids Scripture is through music. And Seeds Worship has some great music that teaches kids the Word of God. It is a joy to hear them singing in the backseat as we drive to donut day, to church, or to the park.
One of my favorites right now by Seeds is their Praise CD. Has some great verses on it for kids (and adults) about trusting, our words, and the Word of God. I love singing along to it – and even getting my littles to “dance” in the car with me – so when others look in from the outside they won’t think I’m the only strange one. The songs Sing for Joy and Mighty to Save are two of my personal faves that I just SING LOUD on! I want to teach my children to sing for everything they have – sing with abandon to the God who created them.
If you would like to win the Praise CD from Seeds, just tell me what songs you and your children love to sing. And I’ll pick a winner soon.
Seeds sent me these CDs to listen to and love, but all opinions are my own!
by Kimberly | Jun 7, 2016 | Books, Uncategorized
Cookbooks are usually what I pick up when I just need something beautiful to look at that will also inspire creativity.
And this one by Andie Mitchell also inspires health.
I’m thankful for blogging for books who gave me this new collection of recipes. All opinions are my own but seriously what’s not to like? Health recipes, a healthy thought life about engaging w food, thoughtful and engaging writing, and pretty pictures. That’s what every cookbook needs.
by Kimberly | Mar 18, 2016 | Uncategorized
Pinterest is a go- to for me.
When I have time to kill in the car, when I have time to kill somewhere else, when I’m trying to fall asleep but I can’t. I usually turn to this mega camp for all things everything for food and lettering and boy stuff. It is fun and usually gives me fresh ideas. Here’s some for you:
What are you go-to Pinterest places and who do you love to follow?
These pretty ranunculus (and a good vegan recipe)
This dress would be a perfect goal dress when I lose the rest of my weight and when a friend takes new headshots for me – or maybe just for Easter.
To do this for an area in the new house we are renting. I need more counter space!
Want to do this to the remaining one bookshelf we have – I think it will be down in our office anyway
My husband drinks coffee every day, we love making coffee drinks, and we love tea! All things pretty. Wouldn’t it be fun to create a little area in the corner of a dining room or kitchen!
A friend and I were just talking about herbs yesterday and this is such a great idea – especially for tea lovers!
Just found this one and am going to make it next week. hopefully the boys will love it!
This one will be filling and I know the boys will love it!
I like taking photos I’ve taken and turning them into cards to mail to people!
May make these for a boy party on Easter that is a possibility! How fun would this be!
Because its spring and you need these cookies – and they make great favors for any showers you may be hosting in the near future.
How do you teach gratitude to your children – even when its not Thanksgiving.
by Kimberly | Feb 29, 2016 | Bible, Books, Shepherding Children, Uncategorized
We have so many kids’ books in our home. We have them in our cars, in our living room, in the toy box, upstairs in both of their rooms, in our master bedroom on our nightstands, and in the hallway outside their rooms just in case they need to find one on their way to the stairs. And we get more every month. Yes, I give some away, some to other moms, some to our church nursery rooms, and some to goodwill. If the books are very well worn, then they just go in the recycle bin.
However, out of all the books we have, the only one that has authority, power to change their little hearts, and shape their souls and hearts and actions is the Bible. It is the belief of “sola scriptura”. One of the five solas of the Reformation. Basically, (taken from wikipedia) it is : the Christian doctrine that the Bible is the supreme authority in all matters of doctrine and practice. Sola scriptura does not deny that other authorities govern Christian life and devotion, but sees them all as subordinate to and corrected by the written word of God.
And that is one of the reasons I love Crossway and the ESV Bible. They publish books that are so full of Scripture and are such a good help to their readers. They also design great Bibles, for adults, and children. I personally have used their Journaling Bibles for almost 10 years now and LOVE them. And one of their new ones is a hardcover ESV Children’s Bible. Think back to the 70s and those picture Bibles: Now, erase that memory from your mind’s eye and picture realistic pictures, larger print, maps to help your children get a heart for the world that God so loves, and a concordance to help studying the word easier for little minds.
Here’s a simple way you can ease in to family worship if you don’t already do anything. Using this Bible:
- Start in the Gospel of Mark, one of Paul’s letters to the churches, the Psalms, or even Proverbs (especially if you have older children).
- Read a short passage. Have them read it if they can read.
- Talk to them about who God is, who Jesus is, what the passage says about man, and what it says about the gospel.
- Pick one verse the passage to help your children memorize. You may stick to that one verse all week, or depending on how old your children are, you may do a few a week. Kids can memorize the Word of God!
- Pray with them. Pray the Scriptures you just read. It will help them understand them. Pray the Spirit would give them a new heart that loves the Word of God and loves the Jesus who died for them.
Family Worship doesn’t have to be long and hard and have a lesson plan written out. It can, or you can just read the Bible with your kids, talk about it, and pray. And believe me, the Spirit will be molding your heart as well. His Word is good like that.
Thank you Crossway for this Bible. All opinions are my own.
by Kimberly | Jan 12, 2016 | Bible, Uncategorized
Everyone has gone through phases in their spiritual journey where focus and energy and excitement about the Word has been less than enthusiastic. I remember hearing a great word from the woman in my life who loves and knows the Word the best and it went something like this :
even when you don’t feel like it – keep doing it – be faithful – God will bring fruit and excitement
That is so true.
One of the ways that I stay focused in my time in the Word (both during studies, classes, services, and personal devotions) is doodling. Most people might read that and say that I’m not focusing or I’m tuning out – but on the contrary. Doing something with my hands engages my mind and actually helps me listen and engage more (internally, as I’ve gotten less apt to speak aloud in a class). Doodling helps me focus on certain words in the Word or in the book or from a sermon or class that is being taught – or maybe its a lyric from a hymn. Doodling helps me remember what I’m learning. And isn’t that the point of Psalm 119: to get the Word in you so the Spirit can help you remember it when you need it – which is always?!
So, I thought I would share some tips – if you want to start doodling, or drawing, or lettering, or anything:
- The focus of doodling is not you – but it is engaging the Word into your mind. An example: as I was lettering Jeremiah 29:11 this morning, and as I prayed it for a pray names art I did for a sweet little boy in Virginia for a Christmas present – I was thinking of the words wholeness and know that are in that verse. I was thinking of the verses after it. I was thinking that these verses are especially popular for kids and teenagers, but how true are they still today when I’m a wife and a momma of two little boys and we don’t feel settled in life and don’t know what is next. Even then – even this morning – I need to know the truth of that verse. How sweet the Word is to my soul!
- Grab a pencil or any writing instrument you want. I use micron pens a lot, I love pencils, I love Staedtler pens and Le Pens too. Whatever you want to write or doodle with. Just grab it. It doesn’t have to be name brand or cost much of anything. You can grab dollar store pens and have them on hand for all that doodling.
- Start doodling. The good thing with doodling is it doesn’t have to be perfect. And its your doodles. I doodle words mostly because I’m not a good artist. I love lettering – always have. I’ve always loved writing, journaling, writing out prayers, etc. And experiment. If you really like some lettering you’ve seen – try it out. You’ll never know unless you try. Pinterest and Instagram are great places to start if you want to find some new fonts to try out and practice.
That’s all there is to it. Happy doodling. And I pray that your doodling is fruitful in helping you understand and meditate on the Word! And this is a great summary of Don Whitney’s thoughts on meditating on Scripture. You can do a lot of this by doodling – not just thinking.
by Kimberly | Dec 21, 2015 | Christmas, food, Uncategorized
christmas
Food is definitely a love language of mine – so I love to share it with others – especially my little men. I’ve felt so bad that in this busy toddler and preschooler season I’ve not cooked near as much as I normally do – and I think my men suffer for it. But, hopefully I will get these done this week:
Grinch Popcorn
Royal Icing (both of these are for a little Christmas cartoon party we are having at the house tomorrow)
Nutella Cinnamon Rolls (CEve breakfast)
Croissant Breakfast Bake (CDay breakfast)
PW Rigatoni and Meatballs
Garlic knots
Caesar Salad
Lemon Cake with Sugared Cranberries (Happy Jesus Day cake) = this is our first year doing this. I’d like to make a main cake each Christmas and have it be Jesus’ birthday cake. Sing happy birthday to Jesus and maybe start giving a gift to Jesus (our Lottie Moon offering, or gift to another Gospel-centered something)
Lemon Curd
Orange Curd
Chocolate covered pretzels and Chocolate Ritz PB Sandwiches (both of these are my my mister bc he loves them)
I think that will be it. We’ll eat normal stuff or leftovers the rest of the week!
Merry Christmas yall. Thanks for reading this little blog!
