Sunday, March 26, 2017

Photo of the Week #12: A Kind Man at Church

Every Sunday when we are at church, EL sits quietly during the service and loves to draw while listening to the sermon. She will go through several sheets of notepad paper, drawing a new picture on each piece; and she always makes sure to write, "To Gib, From ELS" on each piece. Then, after the service, she immediately meets up with Mr. Gib to see if there is a drawing he would like to have for his collection. Mr. Gib chooses a drawing he likes, then asks EL, "Will you take a dollar for it?" She always says yes, takes his dollar, and then (with a big smile on her face) hands it to me to put into her wallet.

I don't remember when Mr. Gib started doing this, I know it has been at least a year, maybe two. But, last Sunday, I took a picture of one of these little transactions. If you are reading this, Mr. Gib, I want to thank you for being such a blessing to our sweet girl in this way! You have developed a sweet connection with her, and she looks forward to seeing you each Sunday.

Proverbs 11:25 - Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Photo of the Week #11: Hot Potato Morale Booster

Today's photo is of EL and JJ playing a game of hot potato in our schoolroom earlier this week. It's amazing what this quick little game can do for our morale - just look at those smiles! (Prior to this game, none of us were in the mood for smiling).

Since EL recently bought this Electronic Hot Potato game, playing it has become one of our newest ways to: 
  • take a school break
  • relieve stress and/or tension
  • practice hand/eye coordination
  • and have fun as a family.

It is a a fun family game for ages 4 and up, and is just like playing any other hot potato game, only this one talks and plays music (Pop Goes the Weasel). As the music is playing, we take turns tossing the potato to each other. The last person to touch the potato before the music stops is given one "potato chip," and the first person to get three potato chips is out until the next game.

Whether you have kids or not, if you are looking for a fun way to boost morale in your home, school, or office, I encourage you to get this little game (or even just a rolled up sock), and start tossing!

Proverbs 15:13 - A glad heart makes a cheerful face...

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Laura Story CD - Open Hands [GIVEAWAY CLOSED]

Available for Purchase:  Laura Story's OPEN HANDS CD
You may remember Laura Story's well-known song about Blessings, which was inspired by her real life trials, specifically about her husband's diagnosis of a brain tumor. If you love that song, as well as the many others she has sung, then you need to grab a copy of her 5th studio album, Open Hands. The more I listen to it, the more I like it!

Laura says this about the songs on this new album:
We have this picture all the way through the Scriptures of all these great leaders in this process of surrendering everything. What the Lord is asking them is not, "You need to hold on tighter. You need to manage this better." What the Lord asks us is to surrender. It’s about learning to live with open hands, learning to live life in this constant state of saying, "Lord, my life is Yours. My time is Yours. My resources are Yours. All of this is Yours. Do what You will."
Here is the official lyric video of the title song OPEN HANDS:




What a great song about surrendering your life to the Lord! But, I have to say, my favorites on this album are the songs of old hymns that have been refreshed with new music. I love hymns. They have such great, timeless truths in them; and,then, adding new music to them really brings them to a new level. Laura obviously loves hymns as well. She says this about them:
"I’m pretty sure that the theology that I learned as a kid was from old hymns. It’s amazing, even now as an adult, how those hymns come back and really provide that sturdy foundation for life. It reminds me of how important it is for me to teach my kids those old hymns,” Story reflects, adding, “As long as I am singing, I will be singing hymns."
Here are two of my favorites on the album:

Please enter below to be included in a random drawing for a copy of this CD. Entries will be accepted until Saturday, March 18, 2017, at 8:00 p.m. Central time. One entry per mailing address. Must be 18 or older to enter.
 

Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Sunday, March 12, 2017

Photo of the Week #10: Jobs at the Senior Center

Friday, March 10th - EL preparing coffee filters at the Senior Center

Friday, March 3rd - EL rolling napkin

I mentioned in PHOTO OF THE WEEK #7 how EL and I have started volunteering at the local Senior Center. This past month, we have continued going there every Friday, and have been wiping tables and chairs, dusting, vacuuming, emptying garbage pails, filling napkin dispensers, rolling napkins around silverware, and (new for this week) preparing coffee filters. Vacuuming is still EL's favorite (even though she says it makes her arms tired), but she is doing a good job with everything she has been asked to do. I am proud of EL for doing this with me each week. She is a hard worker, and this has all been a great learning experience for her.

Side note:  She also enjoys eating lunch there on the days we are working. She loves to eat (don't we all!? Hee Hee); so, having lunch there is an added bonus for her.  

Colossians 3:23 - Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men (NASB)

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Photo of the Week #9: Chipmunk at the Nature Center


My son, and several other Boy Scouts, took a Geocaching class yesterday at D.H. Nature Center. I was one of the drivers for the boys, so I stayed at the nature center while they took the class. While I was there, I spotted this little guy through the library window, and just had to take a picture. Chipmunks are so cute, aren't they? I love learning from nature up close - watching, listening, and learning from all God's amazing creatures.


Job 7:10 -  In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind. (ESV)