God has given us His word to encourage and help us.

Scripture also enables us to encourage and be a blessing to others.

 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

I have listed a few of the many verses of encouragement in the Bible. Copy or print the verses and use them to fill your mind with God honoring thoughts. These verses can be used to make an encouragement vessel for daily inspiration and family togetherness.

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:20 KJV

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
Isaiah 58:9-10 NIV

Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Psalm 31:24 KJV

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth
Colossians 3:2 KJV

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Proverbs 16:24 ESV

“The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.”
Exodus 14:14 NASB

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 14:26 KJV

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 KJV

Seek God with all your heart. Let His words fill your heart and mind. As you are filled with Christ, you can in return minister and bless others.

Rejoice in the Lord, all day long.

“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness. For you are their glory and strength.”

Psalm 89:15-17 (NIV)

Some days we may not feel like rejoicing, but we have so much to rejoice about.

When we are complaining or grouchy it is like saying “God didn’t give me anything to rejoice about.” Our lives are filled with blessings and miracles. When you need to chase the grouchies away, start praying. Thank God for specific things He has done for you. Look around you. Blessings come in many shapes and sizes.

Put on a smile and do something for others. It could be you have had a long day and your children are fighting. Instead of getting angry thank God for your children and the do something fun with them. Tell your children you love them and rejoice that God made them.

Walk in God’s presence by having a godly attitude. Rejoice in each circumstance God allows in your life.We do not know the reasons why things happen, but God knows everything. He wants to bring us good.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Make today a GOOD day!

Where do you turn when you need direction and help?

When we need direction and help, we should turn to God first. He has all the answers to any problem there is. His guidance is the best.

“Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”

Psalm 73:24 (KJV)

We have God’s word to guide us, but sometimes we like to have a person on earth to talk to, get advice from, and receive encouragement to help us face our problems.

Jesus used stories to show His point. I have a true story to demonstrate my point to you.

My website is hosted by Mom Webs. I love their service. Many times I can solve problems on my own, but there are times I’m stumped. I know I can turn to Mom Webs (owned by Kelly McCausey, a Christian) and get a quick response, answer, and help to my problem. They go above and beyond to give me the best service and answer my questions. I am not a celebrity and the cost is very reasonable (as low as $5 a month) for this great service, yet they help me.

It’s nice to have someone who can help you. A person you can count on and know they want to help and encourage you is priceless.

When you need direction and help, seek out someone to talk to that is growing in the Lord and can give you guidance from God’s word. If I turned to my dog or a non-techie person about my web problem instead of Mom Webs for guidance, I would not get the sound and helpful answers I need. We need to choose who we talk to about our problems carefully so we will get good advice. Find a Christian friend, family member, or pastor to talk to about your needs.

Just as Mom Webs is reliable and I can turn to them for an answer, we should be available for others who need us.We may not always have an answer, but we can pray with others and give them scripture to encourage and guide them.

Mom Webs is friendly and I can trust them. They never make me feel bad for asking silly questions and they don’t sneak in any hidden fees. Encourage others who come to you. Don’t “charge” or humiliate them by breaking their confidence or blabbing to others about them. They should feel confident talking to you and know that you will give them advice based on God’s word and not just your opinion. If there is a problem they need more help with or if it is out of your control, help them find good Christian help and offer to go with them if necessary.

“Serve one another in love.”

Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

God is our ultimate guide and help. He gives us the Bible and others who can encourage, direct, and help us. I hope this true story about Mom Webs being a super host with great service has inspired you to reach out and help guide others in the direction God has for them.

Tired? Weary? Need some fresh ideas for taking care of mom? Feeling that push and pull on you as you balance all of the many demands in your life? Are you great about taking care of others, yet not quite so good about taking care of YOU? Has it been a long, long time since you have done the little things to just fill your cup back up? How about a few fresh ideas for filling your cup and ministering to your heart! I promise that these will be easy for you to do!

50 Ideas for Taking Care of Mom!

By Cindy Rushton

http://www.lois-graham.com/uhse10.php

Here goes:
–>  Grab Your iPod and go for a long, long walk! I LOVE my iPod. I have it filled with great Praise and Worship music, teachings and workshops, podcasts, tutorials, etc. My iPod has become my “pocket pal” when I work on my chores, take care of business duties, or even get out for my walk. Talk about my best investment of 2006!

–>  Laugh! Just sit there right now…laugh! Start small…just a little giggle! Then…laugh about laughing! Roll on the floor laughing!  Feel better?

–>  Begin a new Bible Study.  Either find a Bible Study guide…or dig out Words to study on your own!  For Word Studies, I LOVE my Strong’s Concordance. It helps to find all of the references of a certain word of interest. I also love my Vine’s Dictionary. I use it to look up the meanings of the words AND it also has other references for uses in Scripture. Another great help for Word Studies is my good old faithful Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. I LOVE it as a reference to deepen the studies. Usually it helps me to also find OTHER great studies to dig into also! Dig into the Word! It will feed your heart and soul during this tough time!

–>  Meet a friend at the park and let the kids play while you visit.

–>  Go for a drive around the city—look at the lights! Look at flowers. Look at the seasonal changes.

–>  Look at photo albums.  Remember the silly stories!

–>  Watch the sunrise! Or, not an early bird? Watch the sunset!

–>  Collect jokes and funnies! Barb Johnson…Chonda Pierce…Becky Freeman are just a few of my PERSONAL favorites! Get one of their books or videos. Then, snag some mom-time to just kick back and enjoy!

–>  Chocolate! Chocolate Candy…Chocolate Bars…Chocolate Shakes…Chocolate Latte’s…CHOCOLATE! REALLY! Chocolate helps to release endorphins in the brain—plus! It tastes great to boot! So, why not grab a bit for mom-time!

–>  Watch an old movie! Curl up under a great big quilt—even if you have to turn the air down COLD!  Don’t forget to turn down the lights and turn off the phone!

–>  Look at your old school albums!  Your HAIR! Ha! Enough said.

–>  Got a grassy hill nearby? Go to the top and just roll down it! Like a child! (Snowy? Get a sled! And SLIDE!)

–>  Take the kids to the park—just WATCH them! They are adorable!

–>  Begin a “Quote Book.”  Collect quotes that encourage you to keep on, keeping on!  Keep them in a special journal dedicated only to keeping your special quotes.

–>  Memorize your favorite Psalm. Try out Psalm 91…or Psalm 61…or Psalm 35…or Psalm 37…Oh! Enjoy!

–>  Begin a Tea Ministry.  Doing for others ALWAYS lifts even the heaviest spirit.  Get a tea basket to keep your goodies in…visit a shut-in…bless them. Then! Watch the blessing boomerang! You won’t be able to leave without a blessing.

–>  Take the kids to a candy store—sample the Jelly Bellies…or Sweet Tarts…or Sour Gummy Worms.

–>  Fly a kite!

–>  Take a ride in the country.  Turn up your praise music…roll the windows down…sing to the top of your lungs!

–>  Watch a funny video!  Elisabeth and I LOVE to watch old movies like If a Man Answers. It is one of our “chick flicks” that we always watch together. We love it! SO FUNNY! Chonda Pierce is another one of my picks. She is just totally hilarious. My children LOVE old comedy shows like I Love Lucy or The Three Stooges.  Oh, you may want to watch anything! Just find something that will make you laugh hard!

–>  Scrapbook!  Pick photos that you MUST tell the story behind! Kick up your favorite music…spread out your goodies…and Scrap till you drop!

–>  Read a biography of a GIANT in the faith!  My favorites are Corrie ten Boom…Hudson Taylor…George Mueller…Amy Carmichael…Jim and Elisabeth Elliott…etc!

–>  Get today’s newspaper and read the comics!

–>  Get a yo-yo! PLAY!

–>  Make Chocolate Chip Cookies with the kids! On a diet? Take them to someone who blesses you! Include a note of thanks and encouragement for all they do to bless you!

–>  Go out and sit on your boat—watch the stars! (Oh, watch the sunset or sunrise, if you can too!)

–>  Dig into the Bible and study what God says about trials…suffering…faith…death…depression…oppression…warfare…battle…

–>  Read a new book! Normally ready non-fiction/how-to’s? Get a fiction book for a change!  Normally read fiction? Get a humorous book! Renew your weary heart and mind!

–>  Take a break and go for a long ride on a motorcycle! Don’t forget your headset and praise music!

–>  Take a hike! Really!  Find a nice nature trail OR go for the tough stuff!!

–>  Go to the mall with your teenager!  ENJOY!

–>  Buy a Mp3 Player and some great praise music—turn it up!  I LOVE my iPod! I have my iPod loaded with all of my favorite CDs. My favorites are Michael W. Smith’s Worship CD’s AND Hillsong’s Praise and Worship!  The moment you enter into worship, you will enter into the very presence of God—so, turn it up and devour the presence of our precious Lord!

–>  Pull out that old sewing machine and make some of those goodies that you have been wanting—new purse/tote…outfit…home decorations…doll clothes…etc!

–>  Buy a “whoopee” Cushion…or “Bubba” teeth… At least your family will laugh!

–>  Write out the funny family stories! Reminisce! Enjoy!

–>  Go skating!

–>  Try an afternoon of “Laser-Tag” with your teens! Get um!

–>  Make Homemade Bread—KNEAD yourself!

–>  Plan a regular Mommy Getaway. This is not an extra! It is essential!  I plan getaways for different purposes: to just get alone with God to hear Him, to plan, to work on my homeschool and business projects, to just fill my cup back up. Decide what will fill you up. What do you need right now? Decide what will help meet that need. Gather your goodies: Bible, journal, iPod, camera (I love taking pictures of little treasures along the way), your planner, your computer/Idea Notebook, etc. Pull aside and take that time to just get-away and fill your cup back up!

–>  Get a pet! My bird, Harley, has ministered to my heart MORE than I could remember! He is just SO funny! HE had the idea to “boogie” for Jesus! I had not danced for years! AND it is decent!  Elisabeth’s new puppy, Pooh, is a TOTAL delight!  I say all the time that she is JOY in fur! She has become my little buddy. She loves to sit with me while I work and follow me around while I am doing my chores. She keeps me in stitches. Struggling? Get a pet just for YOU…see that puppy in the window??

–>  Take the day to go for a flight!  Look at the whole world from a different perspective!

–>  Dance! Turn up your favorite music and dance! Dance your heaviness away! Dance till you laugh! Dance in worship to the Lord! Jump! Lift your hands in praise and worship!

–>  Clean out your house (only if this is NOT your struggle! Ha!). Attack those closets…cabinets…dusty bookshelves…paper piles!

–>  Go out for a cup of coffee…tea…or a good old Coca-Cola! Meet your sweetheart or a mommy pal! Or…take your Bible and make it a special time with the Lord!

–>  Find some silly-putty or slime—PLAY!

–>  Get up earlier (or take regular breaks throughout the day!) for your quiet time! You may feel SO weak that you can barely concentrate—if so, just turn on praise music and lift up your arms in praise and adoration. Watch what happens!  Make a list of your heartaches—lift them to the Father (then, hide them in your Prayer Journal—later they will be a praise record!).  Dig into the Word for comfort…perspective…and hope for tomorrow! Really tough days? Well, when the Israelites had very HOT days, they had to gather MORE manna—in the heat of your battles and toughest trials gather a surplus! It will help you survive your struggle.

–>  Make a quilt. You can EVEN cheat by making it on the sewing machine! ENJOY!

–>  Take an afternoon to go to the movies. Get a big bucket of popcorn…a super-HUGE Coke…sour Gummy Worms (unless you are due a BIG DOSE OF CHOCOLATE!). Take your sweetheart…or a friend if you want to share! Pick a movie that will make you laugh like crazy…OR CRY your eyes out! ENJOY!

–>  Ride three-wheelers! Get MUDDY!

–>  Treat yourself to a leisurely afternoon (or a bunch of afternoons!) at the pool…park…or creek.

–>  Try your hand at BOWLING. Take some friends!

–>  Take time for tea—each day.

–>  Exercise. Swim…walk…jog…hike…go skating…aerobics. Relieves stress AND boosts your health to boot.
Learn a new hobby!  What have you been putting off that you have ALWAYS wanted to know? Pottery? Quilting? Flight Training? Smocking? Scrapbooking? Jewelry Making? Sewing? Crochet? Horse-back riding?  Go for it! Now is the PERFECT time.

–>  Treat yourself to a nice looooonnnnnngggg Bubble Bath! Don’t forget to set up your favorite music to play during your Bubble Bath.  Also…be sure to fix a nice cup of tea (or a Latte!) or a nice big Coke that will last till the water gets cold! ENJOY!

–>  Go to the park and just swing—HIGH!
Go get an ice-cream cone—with a double dip!

–>  Do a “Promise” hunt in Scripture.  Keep in a “Promise Notebook” of your very own! KNOW that they are yours.

–>  Snuggle up for the afternoon to read a great book!

Got some fresh ideas? Don’t let this limit you! Let your brain GO! Find some things that will fill you back up and take care of you all along the way.

This is not an extra. This is an essential. Carve out time on your calendar today to just take care of mom!

****************************************

Need MORE Help?

How about the ULTIMATE mom-time? Yep! Check out our Ultimate Homeschool Expo! This is not just for homeschool moms. Dads, moms, grandparents, and all ages can benefit. Cindy Rushton is the hostess of the Ultimate Homeschool Expo, the very first online homeschool convention. I (Lois) am one of her guest and have recorded two special workshops to help encourage and inspire you. I love it! Each year gets better and better. (It is NEVER ENDING because it is an ONLINE Convention!) Check out all of the details here:

http://www.lois-graham.com/uhse10.php

Make this year count!

“If we are not intentionally turning hearts toward God, then we are just nice people pointing in the wrong direction.” – Paul A. Lewis

Do you want to have a bountiful year?

You can have a year that is overflowing with God’s love and blessings.

Seek God

Make time for prayer and Bible reading. Jesus knew this is important! He took time away from the crowds of people to be refreshed and renewed. We need to make time to be renewed in our fellowship with God. Life is busy. This shouldn’t be an excuse for not seeking God in our lives.

Serve God

You can serve God. Each person who is a child of God has physical and spiritual gifts. God wants you to use them for His honor and glory. Look around you. Are you just being a nice person or are you being an example of Christ by serving God? The disciples were not just nice people. They served God. Many times at the risk of their own lives. We do not not face many of the dangers they faced. This should be an inspiration for us to bring others to the Lord.

Are you ready for a big dose of inspiration, encouragement, and practical help? Do you want to be refreshed, revived, renewed, and rejuvenated?

Join me at the Ultimate Women’s Expo! I will be speaking on the topic of “Have a Bountiful Year”. This will be a time of refreshment and enjoyment! There is no deadline for joining in on this fun time of learning refreshment and bonus freebies.

Join me here:

http://www.lois-graham.com/ayearthatcounts.html

Cindy Rushton is donating a FREE ticket to the expo!!!!!!

Visit my Facebook Fan Page and look under the notes for details on how to win this ticket . The deadline for the drawing is Thursday, February 11′th at 11 PM EST.

Life goes by quickly! There always seems to be something that needs to be done or somewhere to go. We must rush from one thing to another. During the holidays life gets even busier. Prepare now for the the Thanksgiving and Christmas season ahead.

How and what do you need to prepare?

Prepare your heart

In busy times stress comes. Family gatherings can bring disagreements. By preparing your heart, you can ease this tension.

Have a daily, alone time with the Lord in prayer and Bible reading. Keep this time precious. It is what will help carry you through the stressful moments. Be determined, that no matter how much you have to do during the day that you will make time to be with the Lord. In Isaiah 41:13 (KJV) it says “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” When you begin to feel stress, go to the Lord for strength.

Stay focused

Remember why you are celebrating the holiday season. Keep your focus on God’s blessings and the gift of his son Jesus. Use Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV) to help you stay focused. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Prepare a schedule and plan

Make time to sit and plan out your activities and what you will need. You will have last minute things come up, but this will help you to visualize and prepare. Planning keeps you productive rather than busy.

Make a list of what events you know will be happening. Choose what will  benefit your family and pass on activities that will make the season stressful. Put important events on the calendar.

Plan out what you need and what you have to do. Examples: Make list for gifts to buy or make, food to buy and prepare, cards to purchase and send, or what you need to take to events.

God gave people in the Bible plans, so that they could accomplish the task he had for them. You are not building an ark or a tabernacle, but planning is essential to staying focused.

Prepare

Start buying and preparing food. Getting a head start will avoid pressure and help avoid last minute runs to the store. Making mixes, freezing dinners and baked goods, and buying food as you go help you to be a good steward of the time and money God has given you.

Save money. Put aside money each week to offset the extra expenses that will come up. Avoid going into debt.

Make gifts. Homemade gifts can be filled with loved and personalized to each person. Try these Home Made Holiday Gift Ideas.

Buy gifts on sale. Do not impulse buy. Make prayerful descisions. Colossians 4:2 (KJV) says “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving”

Plan and prepare to make this holiday season memorable and special.

The fall of the year is here. This is the time of year that the leaves change beautiful colors and cooler, crisp weather begins to creep in. Fall is a wonderful time of year to enjoy the outdoors. You can look around at the magnificent creation God has made. Watching the change in seasons opens our eyes to the wonders that God has given to us. He has designed and planned each tiny, intricate, and magnificent detail.

Fall is the time of year that I enjoy grabbing a warm drink and having fun as a family. Make time this fall to enjoy the beautiful, God-made outdoors with your family.

1. Go for a walk, hike, or bike ride. Don’t rush! Take your time. Take a tree identification book with you. See how many different trees you can find. Younger children can count the colors of leaves they see.

2. Make a scarecrow. Have fun using your imaginations together. Make old, young, silly, or even a family of scarecrows.

What you will need:

Old clothes. Any size clothing will work.

Hay, crumbled newspaper, rags, pine straw, or other stuffing material.

Pillowcase and marker

Rope and large safety pins

Optional decorations – Hat, bandannas, gloves, shoes, or other decorations to dress up your scarecrow.

Assembly:

Tie the openings in the clothing closed with rope. Leave an opening on the top of each piece of clothing for stuffing.

Stuff the clothing until it is full.

Safety pin the top and bottom of the scarecrow together.

Fill the pillowcase to the desired head size. Use a marker to draw a face. Then pin the pillowcase onto the top of the scarecrow.

Attach any extras that you want your scarecrow to wear.

Use this opportunity to work together as a family. Discuss ideas and be respectful. Build each other up with your words.

4. Visit a pumpkin field or apple orchard.

Learn how they grow and about the different varieties. Younger children can learn to put the pumpkins or apples in order from smallest to largest. They can also learn what things are heavy and light.

5. Jump in a pile of leaves.

Jump and roll in a pile of leaves. Be silly! Let your children see you having fun.

6. Rake leaves for a shut in or elderly person.

This is an excellent way to help others and learn respect. Teach your children that doing things for others is hard work, but that it can be fun and rewarding.

7. Take a drive.

Go for a scenic drive (without electronic activities). Look for things that God has made. Find things that you do not see in the others seasons. Talk about how awesome and powerful God is to make nature.

Have fun this fall! Leave a comment and share what you did to enjoy God’s beautiful creation with your family.

Every day we should show grandparents our love and appreciation. This Sunday, September 13′th 2009 is a day set aside as Grandparents Day. Are you running behind and need a last minute idea for your children to do for their grandparents?

Try one or more of these quick and inexpensive ways to show love and appreciation.

• Make a homemade card or bookmark and decorate it with love. Older children can write 1 Thessalonians 3:9 on their card. Print or write it out for younger children.

“For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God” 1 Thessalonians 3:9 NKJV

As they are making their card explain that the verse means we can thank God and be happy that we have grandparents.

• Sing “Happy Grandparents Day! (Tune: “Happy Birthday”)

Happy Grandparents Day to you,

Happy Grandparents Day to you,

Happy Grandparents Day, I love you!

Happy Grandparents Day to you!

• Make a video that includes each family member telling a special memory they have of being with them.

• Call or tell them in person a genuine “I Love You!”.

• Paint a small box, put a pretty sticker on it, and fill it with notes of appreciation.

• Make a homemade, special treat that they enjoy and deliver it with a big hug.

• Write the reasons why you love them on a fancy paper. Younger children can draw pictures of a special memory or what they like about their grandparents. Roll it up and tie a pretty ribbon around it.

• Go to their house and do something helpful for them. When you are finished sit down and talk. Have them tell you stories about the old days.

• Make a heart from your fingerprints.

Press each finger on a stamp pad and then put your fingerprints onto a paper in the shape of a heart. Write a special note in the center.

Most of all pray for your parents and grandparents and tell them you love them!

The Bible tells us to love one another. It is easy to say we love others but are we truly showing God’s love for others in all our words and deeds. In John 13:34-35 God gives us a command “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Are your actions showing that you are a disciple of God? Older people are often neglected in the time we spend with them, talk to them, and in how we treat them. This was an email I received that should make an impact on your actions and how you think.

The Wooden Bowl

Author Unknown

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the  Wooden Bowl
tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.

I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.

What can you do to today to show others that you care ? A phone call or visit will lift the spirits of an older family member or shut in. When was the last time that you mailed a card of encouragement? Make today a day to remember! Let the love of God shine through you.

God Made Me

Preschoolers love to play and learn about themselves. Let them use their wiggles to learn that God made them special.

There are many activities you can use to engage children in learning. Incorporate all of the senses into play to keep the child’s interest and help them to learn. Confucius said “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand”. Try some of these ideas and add your own to teach Genesis 1:27 “God created man”.

Throughout the activities use repetition and be excited. Use these phrases and fill in the blank with the body part you are talking about. ” God gave you___.”  “Where are your___.” ” What do you use your___ for?”

• God made my hands

Have a small pan of water and a cloth. Let them use their hands to wash a toy. When they are finished put a few ice cubes in the water. Talk about how God gave them hands to feel the warm and cold water.

• God made my feet

Allow children to take off their socks and shoes. Let them walk on different textures. Examples – a plastic bag, play dough, hard flooring, carpet, packing bubbles, leaves. Use your imagination. Join in on the fun. Children love it when you have fun with them. Talk about how God gave them feet to walk and run.

• God made my eyes

Let the children throw colored scarves or beanbags in the air. Call out a color and have them bring it to you. Cheer and clap as you tell them that God gave them eyes to see the colors.

• God made my mouth

Sing fun songs with actions. Between songs tell the children that God gives us a mouth so that we can sing and talk. When you are finished drink juice. Tell them we can thank God that we have mouths to drink and taste the yummy juice.

If You’re Happy And You Know It – author unknown

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands

Repeat with:

Stomp your feet
Shout “Hooray”!
Do all three!

Head and Shoulders – author unknown

Head and shoulders knees and toes, knees and toes
Head and shoulders knees and toes, knees and toes
Eyes and ears and mouth and nose,

Head and shoulders knees and toes, knees and toes  God made them all!

• God made my ears

Go for a walk and listen for sounds or use a wooden spoon to bang on objects that are safe to hit. Talk about how some sounds are loud and others are quiet. Tell them God gave you ears to hear sounds.

• God made my nose

Have different foods, flowers, and perfumes for the children to smell. Add in a few things that don’t have a smell. Let them tell you what they can smell and what doesn’t smell. Ask them if they like to smell cookies baking. Explain that God gives us a nose to smell many things.

• God made me special

Puzzles and books are another good way to see and hear the ways God makes us special. He makes everyone different but exactly how he wants them.

For this activity I recommend using Create a Face from Lois Graham at Story Time Felts. It comes with multicultural facial parts and the children are able to use the felt pieces to see how God makes everyone different and special. The pieces are washable so you can also use it for the God made my hands water activity.

Give each child a felt nose and have them set it on something that they can smell. Continue using a variety of pieces.  Here are some examples of places they could pick: mouth – food or cd player, Eyes – toy, ears – vacuum. When they are finished let them choose a piece and put it on their felt face. They can make serious or funny faces. Explain that God loves them and made them just the way he wanted them.

• God made you!

Have fun! As you learn with the children remember that God made you special. There is no one exactly like you. God has plans for you. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” NIV. Teach others that God made them special!

Summer is almost over. Take advantage of the last few days by enjoying a family cookout. Bring your family together to relax and have fun together.

Planning a cookout does not have to be complicated. Start with your menu. Hot dogs and hamburgers can be made easily on the grill.

If you would like to add a little more zest to your traditional hamburger try this easy recipe.

Mexican Burgers

Makes 6 servings

1 1/2 lb. ground round steak

1/3 c. mild or hot salsa

1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chilies, well drained

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

6 oz. Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeno peppers, sliced

6 hamburger buns

Sour cream

Sliced avocados

Salsa

Combine meat, 1/3 c. salsa, chilies, salt and pepper; mix well. Divide into six portions. Shape each to form a 3/4-inch patty around one ounce of cheese, sealing edge well. Grill four inches above medium to hot coals on an open grill. Cook six to eight minutes per side for medium hamburgers. Serve on hamburger buns. Top burgers with sour cream, sliced avocados and salsa. Serve immediately. This recipe is from the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council.

If you prefer something less spicy try this cheeseburger.

Inside – Out Burger Babies

Divide ground beef into 16 equal portions. Shape each into a 3-inch diameter patty. Top one patty with one – half of a a 1 ounce slice of Mozzarella or American cheese folded in half; top with second patty sealing edges gently with fingers. Repeat with remaining meat and cheese. Grill 6 to 7 minutes for medium or until done, turning once. This recipe is from the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council.

• Sides

Accompany your meal with corn on the cob roasted on the grill. Have a crock pot with melted butter to spoon over the corn when you are ready to serve. Other delicious sides could be a baked potato,  fresh fruit (watermelon cantaloupe, or pineapple), or a pasta salad.

• Dessert

Desserts can be made and served with minimal preparation. Enjoy dessert time as a family activity.

Make smore’s together. Have family members exchange chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers. As they exchange the food they must also give each other a compliment. As you stack the ingredients together use it as an opportunity to talk about how each ingredient is important in making a smore. Continue explaining that each family member is an important part of making a happy home. Name something that each person does to contribute to your home. Deuteronomy 4:9 tells us “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them”. Use the moments you have as teaching opportunities.

Popcorn, ice cream sandwiches, or  pudding cups frozen with a popsicle stick in it are all easy ways to finish off a cookout. Enjoy your dessert while playing a game, talking about what happened this summer, or having fun with water balloons.

Have fun with your family as you savor the last days of summer!

How would you live if you knew what was going to happen in your life?

The quarrel about the laundry you had with your family or what you are going to have for dinner shrinks in comparison to how quickly life changes.

Live life as if it is your last moment on earth.

If I had my life to live over again, I’d try to make more mistakes next time. I would relax. I’d be sillier than I have been on this trip. I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers and watch more sunsets. I would have more actual troubles and less imaginary ones. Oh, I’ve had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I’d have more of them. In fact, I’d try to have nothing else, just moments, one after another… I would pick more daisies.
- Nadine Stair

Love others unconditionally

Forgive without holding a grudge

And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years. – Abraham Lincoln

Give more hugs and kisses

Slow down and worry less

Don’t hurry. Don’t worry. Your only here on a short visit, so don’t forget to stop and smell the roses. – Walter Hagen

Pray more and grumble less

Frown less and laugh more

The most wasted of all days is that during which one has not laughed. – Nicholas Chamfort

Mend broken relationships

Share the gift of salvation so that others will be ready for death or the Lord’s return.

In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. – 1 Corinthians 15:52 NIV

Start today by living your life without regrets.

F – Foundation

Build a solid foundation for your family. There are many ups and downs in life. Strength from a secure foundation will help your family stand strong.

How do you build a strong foundation?

• Have the Lord Jesus Christ as the foundation of your home.

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.” – I Corinthians 3:11-13 NIV

Try your best to keep your family focused on the Lord. When trials come you will be able to stand. It is never too late to build a foundation. You may have to work harder at it but the blessings will come.

A – Activities

Build upon your foundation by spending time together as a family doing activities. Time spent doing daily family devotions and having dinners together will help you to build strong walls. It is easy to let outside activities draw your family apart. Strive to do at least one fun activity together each week.

M – Memories

Make memories! Don’t let another day slip by without spending time together. The busyness of life is like a weed. It starts out small and then grows bigger and bigger. The fun memories that you can make as a family get choked out. Prioritize what is important to your family. Stay focused on that goal.

I – Important

Show your family that they are important. Take time to listen. Make eye contact and listen to what they are saying. Letting your mind wander will distract you from what they have to tell you.

Picture this in your mind. Johnny tells you he found a frog in the backyard. Your first thought is “I hope he didn’t bring it into the house.” If you listen to what he has to say you will find out that he watched the frog eat a bug. It was an amazing and important part of his day! You are important to him and he wanted to share this special memory with you.

Don’t miss out on small moments that are important to your family.

L – Love

Love is from God. 1 John 4:7 tells us “love one another: for love is of God”. Families often have disagreements. This should not keep us from loving each other.

The Bible tells of the prodigal son. “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”- Luke 15:20 KJV

Despite his son’s mistakes he loved him. Everyone makes mistakes. We can use them as a learning experience. Having someone love and help you through your mistakes will help you to learn and grow.

Y – Yourself

You are important to your family. They need you to be an example and teacher to them. Your priorities, values, and actions are being watched. Are you being a godly example?

Use the letters in FAMILY to build a strong family!

Ready? This is EASY as ABC…

• Find a good nook! It does not have to be huge. Certainly does not need to be expensive.  All that is needed is a place that invites your children (and YOU!) to think, work through the studies (writing, reading, studying, proofreading, projects, experiments…). Ask yourself, “Where do they gravitate toward to read…to research…to write…to print?” Keep in mind that each and every student in your family will be very different during the learning process, but most will appreciate having all of the supplies and equipment in a safe, quiet, comfortable place to study. When deciding on a spot, make sure that the spot has good lighting and a good, solid, clean, work surface.  Make sure it is a good spot to think AND work on lessons.” Set up the area with a nice table or desk with plenty of work area…comfortable chairs…limited distractions…shelves for books and notebooks…space for a computer and printer…convenient power supply…space for you to sit down and work with them during their lessons…and a specific spot for organizational bins that will hold supplies.

• Get supplies together! You probably have supplies ALREADY in your home. Use our list to remind you of which supplies you will need to gather for homeschooling. Gather them and organize them so they will be ready to use when your children can snatch time to dig into their studies.

• Give easy access to materials and supplies! Don’t just gather supplies, give your children easy access to those supplies! Nothing else can encourage your children to dig deeper into studies like having the materials needed to learn AND free reign to use them. Gather the supplies you will need and store them in clearly marked plastic bins and containers. There are SO many options available. Find what will work for you and your family. Get paper and printable pages together. I have always stored ours in our school materials so the children had their materials on hand as they needed it. A quick glance can remind me that we need more. I buy all of our paper, ink pens, pencils, 3-ring binders, etc in bulk at Sam’s Warehouse. During the school breaks, many stores have supplies and paper in bulk for better prices than all year round. That is when we also stock up. We store it on our school shelves and have what we need as we work.

• Invest in the best tools! It may seem to be an added expense, however tools make all of the difference in the world! For example, you can buy a cheap stapler for under $5.00 OR you can buy a long-arm stapler for $29.95 at an office supply store. The difference? Well, we have bought SO MANY cheap staplers. They simply do not last. Plus, they are limited in what they can do. Now, contrast that with the long-arm stapler? They are built to last. You can use those for making any size booklet and for regular stapling. Just watch your most reluctant writer when they figure out ALL that they can do with one stapler! $29.95 will be the best investment ever!  Buy the best as you can. The investment is more than just for equipment, it is investing in your child’s education!

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This is written by my friend Cindy Rushton. I use, love, and highly recommend her resources. Find more help and ideas in her Back to School Blast Set.

Staying focused on life’s task and goals and is a daily process. You must work at it. Focusing on tasks until they are done does not happen naturally for me. Many others struggle everyday. Satan delights in getting us sidetracked. God is a God of order. He will help and guide us.

Here are a few tips to help you stay focused in this busy world.

Stay focused by planning your day, week, month, and year.

• Make manageable goals. Write down the steps you need to take to meet your goals. Review it often to see how you are making progress and what areas need to be worked on.

• Post your goals in areas that will remind you often of what needs to be done. Write verses with your goals to help keep you motivated and learning scripture.

• Most importantly spend time in prayer and Bible study. Ephesians 6:13 says ” Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand” (KJV). To clearly know what God wants for you to do and the goals he has for you, YOU need to focus on HIM.

• When you have accomplished a goal reward yourself. For example when you have finished doing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen give yourself 15 min. of computer time. Set a timer so that you do not spend more than your alloted time.

Stay focused by keeping family, school, and work balanced.

• Use a schedule and calendar that has everyone’s activities listed. Each person will be able to see what is happening when and know what is expected of them. List each persons chores for easy reference.

• Use a timer. A simple timer can be an effective time saver. It can be used for cleaning, getting out the door on time, homework, and many other uses. If you need to work or get something done set the timer and let your family know that this is time for you to get a task accomplished. Tell them when the timer goes you will spend time with them.

• Don’t overschedule your family. Leave times to spend as a family and have meals together. Many things are disguised as profitable but will erode and tear away at your family. Prayerfully consider what God has for your family before making decisions. 2 Corinthians 11:3 tells us “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (NIV).

• Shedule blocks of time for task that need to be accomplined and routine jobs. Don’t procrastinate! Use the block of time for what it was intended. It will help you to plan and help others know what will be done when.

It is easy to get sidetracked onto things that will not matter in eternity. Stay focused on the Lord and the plans that he has for you.

Do something unique and special for your family today. Make them feel special and let them know that they are important to you.

Plan a surprise a trip to someplace special. It does not need to be expensive. A trip to the park or stopping for ice cream can be a great way to spend time together and show your love.

Let each person in your family pick something that they would like for a meal.

Leave a note saying why you think that person is special and thank them for something that they have done. Take it another step and each day for a week give a small gift that reminds you of them. Here are some ideas that you could do:

Sunday – Stick a smiley face on a note saying that you LOVE their smile.

Monday- Give a  pencil and a note. On the note put “You are WRITE because…” and list the ways they do things right.

Tuesday – Leave a sweet treat and tell them how they are SWEET.

Wednesday – Put a note in a cup saying how they FILL your life with happiness.

Thursday – On a candle or flashlight stick a note with the ways they LIGHT up your day.

Friday – Set an eraser on a note telling how they ERASE sadness by___.

Saturday – Give them a ball saying how you feel because they BOUNCED into your life.

Spend time playing with your children. Whether they are a preschooler, highschooler, or any age. Dress up, play a sport, or whatever they enjoy. Take pictures and be silly!

Have a family fun night. Pick a theme put out, add a few decorations, dress up, eat food, and play games all centered around that theme. It does not have to be elaborate. Keep it simple and fun. If you have a beach theme you could bring out some beach balls, dress in your swimsuits to eat kabobs, and play some beach ball volleyball.

Most importantly pray for your family!!!

Let your family know today that they are special to you and that God made them special. Deuteronomy 29:18 says “Lest there should among you man, or woman, or FAMILY, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the Lord our God.” Stay focused on how we are each made special and are important to God. He is our creator and loves us. He wants us to show love to our families so that they will see his love in us.