Uphill idealist

Supplies: Square large sheet of card stock, scissors, glue stick, yarn or ribbon, Bible verse of choice, Valentine inspired artwork and markers. Build Valentine Pocket of Care: 1.Turn square card stock so points face N, S, E, W .  2. Fold South point up to create pocket base and west and east to the middle. 3.  Glue in place and then place pap er with text on top of the intersection. 4. With a hold punch make a hold at top to attach string to hang. 5.  On scrap paper, write ways to care for family and friends for the month. 6. Take one a day out and challenge each other to care of someone new! This project was made with our Family Devotions Group at First Lutheran Church in Jamestown NY. . If you need some inspiration for the caring "coupons", check out the Search Institute for more information or  reference the list provided below.  15 0 ways to show kids you care Notice them. Smile a lot. Acknowledge them. Learn their ...

Family friendly devotional activities for Holy Week Make these cookies with your kids and use the cookies to help talk to them about Jesus Resurrection! My mom was terrific at making any holiday season special. We would color Easter eggs, prepare a fantastic meal, make up thoughtful and fun Easter baskets and help to make wonderful memories in my childhood. One of our Easter traditions was to make "Overnight cookies". These cookies are simple and tasty recipes that help to tell the story of Easter. Once they were prepared, cooked and left in the oven overnight, my Mom would tell the story of Jesus' Resurrection with the help of these hollow treats. (See recipe below.) In preparation for holy week I collected some scriptures, activates and devotional resources to share with the families at my church, and was happy to share them online too. I hope these devotions help you to pause and take notice of God throughout this busy holiday and make some great family memories of you...

The first week of Lent is in full swing. Soda, chocolate and sweets are beginning to pile up!Lent and it's practices are something relatively new to me, as I did not grow up in a Liturgical minded church. When my classmates were excused to attend worship on Ash Wednesday - I recall thinking, "I love God, why can't I have a smudge on my forehead too!" In my search for practical applications and participation in this season, I came across a great article by Nadia Weber-Boltz . This article give a tour of acts of sacrifice and prayer practices for the Lenten season, but it's very much geared for adults. To visit Nadia's website click here: Nadia Bolz-Weber. (Thanks Nadia for helping to get the idea for this blog going!) What I was looking for were Lenten ideas that would work for families with children. It is my goal to find and list prayer practices for Lent that parents at my church would be able to do at home with their children! So, after reading Nadia's...