Off to the Pumpkin Patch

  

I love fall...the crisp autumn smell, cooler weather, and the color change of the leaves. All these things remind me how richly God has blessed us!! So to enjoy all of these blessings we headed to a quaint little pumpkin patch. The first patch we visited had bumpy pumpkins.

 

(This pumpkin just has a few bumps, but some were covered )



Perfect eating sized pumpkin.



 We looked for a while and finally settled on two perfectly sized pumpkins for Miss M. and a medium sized one as festive decoration. But then we spotted another patch. And from what we could see all the pumpkins were smooth and "perfect". Yes, we ditched our bumpy imperfect pumpkin for a more perfect one.



My man with 2 pumpkins, one a little cuter than the other.

Nothing like riding in a wagon after a long trip to the patch

We were also able to enjoy the straw fort and some dress up before heading home for family naps!!

    

 As we enjoyed the beautiful day God gave us I could not help reflecting a little on the day. Bright orange pumpkins, Wonderful weather, Enjoying time with family, most people are willing to admit that these blessing can only come from God. But if knowledge is as far as we go we are lost. Knowing that a seed can produce fruit does not make it grow. The seed will not grow until we plant it in the soil. It is like that with Jesus, God's son. Knowing "of" Jesus will not guarantee anything. We must proceed farther by admitting we fall short of His standard (perfection), believing, and accepting (or "planting") Him into the "soil" of our hearts. Only then will we grow and receive the inheritance promised to all who believe, eternal life in heaven! (1 John 5:13 "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.")

I will leave you with this final thought. Just like the bumpy pumpkins we saw at the patch, we are all imperfect. But Jesus is the "Perfect Gardener" who has paid the price, and can overlook our flaws and choose us from "the patch". How special it is to know that despite my continual struggle with sin, I have been chosen by Him and He loves me just as I am imperfections and all. But that is not the end of the story. Day by day He works within my heart changing me more and more into Him image. And one day when he returns our struggles will be no more. Instead, we will taste Heaven and worship forever at His throne. 



Exploring Missions with your Senses: Smell/Taste

Many moons ago on the last Missions Monday post I shared some ways we can learn about missionaries using the sense of sight God has given us. Today I will explore missions using the senses of smell and taste. It may stretch your children (or you) to explore missions in this way but it will certainly take the experience to a new level.

When missionaries first enter a new culture the must adjust to more than their visual surroundings. On top of new sights comes new smells and tastes. To learn about missions in this way kids need just that, exposure to new smells and tastes. I'll start with the easy/simple and build up.

~Visit a local farmer's market. Many times farmer's markets have ethnic stands selling foods from other cultures. If you want to use your sense of smell, all you need to do is stand nearby. But to take the experience a little deeper ask for a sample or buy a new dish to share.

~Try a new fruit of veggie. This is another simple and practical way to expose your family to new things. It will give you a small "taste" of what missionaries experience in the field. If you family likes this begin trying a new fruit or veggie each week, but be careful, you may find some new favorite foods.

To extend this farther....

             -Research online how to choose and prepare the fruit or veggie.
             -Learn where the fruit or veggie is grown or eaten
             -Are there any special dishes made with the fruit/veggie?
             -Discuss the taste is it similar to anything else you have eaten?

Here are some suggestions to start with: Papaya, Plantain, Okra, Star Fruit, Sea Bean, Kumquat, 

                                                             Pummelo, Gai Lan

Now if you really want a challenge, plan to prepare a new and ethnically different food than you normally would. This could be a whole meal or just an afternoon snack. Generally desserts are fun to make and have a predictable taste (sweet). Below are a few links to international recipies.

Turkish Recipes:   http://www.kidsandcultures.com/uploads/6/0/9/2/6092250/turkish-recipes.pdf

Categorized by country:  http://www.world-recipes.info/

Variety of countries: http://www.kulturekids.org/fun/recipes/index.html
Scroll to the bottom of this page for the recipes:  http://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/international-gourmet-recipes.html

Very Cool Site!!! Recipes written and illustrated by people around the world (just be careful some of the measurements are metric rather than U.S. customary) http://www.theydrawandcook.com/

Here are some kid friendly international cookbooks:

(You can find all of these on Amazon by clicking on the image or search your local library for additional resources.)

This book (above) is just one in the series. They also have easy desserts, lunches, vegetarian, and breakfasts.

   

I always love to hear from my readers, so please let me know what you try. Looking forward to sharing some yummy international recipes!

John Piper's book "Think"-- Free

I have not read this particular book, but my husband and I have read several books by John Piper and have enjoyed and been challenged by every one. From the brief video trailer that I watched "Think" is about transforming our thinking to glorify God in everything. John Piper stated that his goal was to challenge readers to "...love God through thinking well about the world and about the Bible that He has given us".

Perhaps the best summary of the book that I was able to find was this, again from John Piper himself, "Not to make us thinkers, but to use thinking biblically to make us lovers."

Get your free audio copy of Think.
Every month Christianaudio.com has a free download of the month. This month they are featuring Think.
I downloaded it to my MP3 player and will listen to it in the car.

If you haven't already, set up an account. (E-mail address, first and last name) Then go to the free download tab and put the item in your cart. (Make sure you put the download in your cart not the CD) From there check out and you will be able to download the book. Make sure you get all the parts. If you are not ready to download it now that is okay. You can still "buy" it now and will be able to download it from your account page for up to a year. What a great free form of entertainment! Remember you have until October 31 to download the book. I can't wait to see what next month's free download will be!!

Happy Listening!!



Where have I been?!?

Well the summer has flown by, as it always does, and as you have seen my posts have been...non-existent. So with the temps cooling back down and our routine getting back to normal I hope to pick back up right where I left off. Before I do, here is what we were up to this summer.

In late June we vacationed in the Outer Banks.

Miss M. loved the sand!!

Early July brought another quick trip, this time to Williamsburg. We all took a step back in time on a significant holiday (July 4th).  Unfortunantly the fireworks were cancled due to rain.

The days since have been for hanging around the house. Miss M. and I are so glad Daddy has off over the summers. It makes the days fun filled and is exciting to see Brian interact with his little girl! We were also able to complete many projects around the house with two adults home all day!

And the most recent news....we are expecting Baby #2 in late February, which means we could have a leap year baby in the family. (When will be celebrate the birthday is that is the case?)

Next up on the list around here is Miss M's 1st birthday. I'll be sure to post lots of photos, but for now I'm glad to be back and hope that you will stop in again soon!

Exploring Missions with your Senses: Sight

I will be exploring how our senses can help us learn about missions. The first sense we will use is sight.

Sometimes seeing really does open our minds and give us a better understanding of unfamiliar circumstances and experiences. So to start things off...

Pictures: Pictures are worth a thousand words, right?  A picture can clearly represent the environment a missionary is in. This is true especially for young children with a more limited experience of the world.

Begin by choosing a missionary family in a particular country. Then find as many pictures as you can! Libraries should have reference books specific to individual countries and the internet is loaded with images from around the world. Here are some suggestions of what to look for along with pictures representing Peru:

Terrain/Environment

Local Animal and Plant Life

Homes of Native People

Food of Native People

People the missionaries are trying to reach

Country flag


Location/Map

Use these pictures as a springboard into further discussion and activity. One activity to further your study could be to compare the missionary's surroundings to the surroundings your family is familiar with using a Venn Diagram. Younger children could place the pictures in the appropriate location on the graphic organizer while older children use words and greater description and detail. Seeing all the visuals will give children a better idea of what missionaries experience daily.

Here are two additional resources that are great for learning more about other countries:
                 

 

Kids and Cultures is a great organization focusing on presenting cultural information to kids in a fun hands-on format. They put out this video a few years ago featuring Turkey.Check it out here: http://www.kidsandcultures.com/really-big-field-trip.html

 Totally Tots also has a great resource for young children and parents. Their Tots on a Mission feature presents a different country each month. It briefly covers the topics covered above as well as a few additional ones. One of my favorite features of Tots on a Mission is the focus on praying for the people in these countries. Another favorite is the printable with the country flag, visual location, and prayer concerns for the area. I highly suggest this site!!

http://totallytots.blogspot.com/search/label/Tots%20on%20a%20Mission

Research: Having kids research their interests will provide ownership and motivation.

Have older children research related areas of interest for themselves while younger children can listen to short pieces of information read aloud. Some starters might be: What sports do they play in...? What is school like in ...? What does a typical day look like? What food is the area know for? Are Christians persecuted? 

Another great thing to have them research would be the specific work the missionaries are doing.

~ Are the evangelizing?

~ Leading a local church?

~ Equipping church leaders?

~Teaching English?

~Translating the Bible?

What do all these forms of missions look like?

Great Discussion: This is a great way to get a snapshot of what is going on in a child's heart

         What would make missions most difficult for you?

         How would you feel if you didn't understand the language?

         Are you willing to share the gospel with those around you now? How do you do this?

Daily Reminders: Keep what you know and learn fresh with daily reminders! (Based on the philosophy, If you don't use it you'll lose it!!)

Do your missionaries have a prayer card? Think about posting it somewhere every family member will see it on a daily basis. Bathroom mirror? Fridge? Dining room table? The more you are aware of the daily circumstances and challenges these missionaries face the better you will be able to support them through both prayer and finances!

While not all of these ideas are specifically about missions having a broad knowledge about the cultures missionaries are in will give children a better understanding and appreciation for what they are doing to reach others for Christ.

Sorry for the length I have so much more to share but will save all of that for a later post. Let me know what you think of those two particular resource and how you integrate missions into your family!

Joni Eareckson Tada's book: Free!!

A Place of Healing

Written and narrated by: Joni Eareckson Tada

It can't get much better than this!! I have not read this book but from my experience reading other material by Joni I am sure that it will be an encouragement! She is a great testamony of grace and strength amist difficult circumstances and never stops giving God the glory! 

Get your free audio copy of A Place of Healing
Every month Christianaudio.com has a free download of the month. This month they are featuring A Place of Healing. I downloaded it to my MP3 player and will listen to it in the car.

If you haven't already, set up an account. (E-mail address, first and last name) Then go to the free download tab and put the item in your cart. (Make sure you put the download in your cart not the CD) From there check out and you will be able to download the book. Make sure you get all the parts. If you are not ready to download it now that is okay. You can still "buy" it now and will be able to download it from your account page for up to a year. What a great free form of entertainment! Remember you have until June 30 to download the book. I can't wait to see what next month's free download will be!!
Happy Listening!!

Missions Monday

Missions Monday!!
It has been my intention for some time now to post weekly in regards to teaching children about missions. Well, after several weeks I am finally getting around to it. This week I would like to give you some basic ideas for making missions a more regular part of your family. Many of you may already do these things without directly relating them to missions. If that is the case than I would encourage you to be more intentional about incorporation missions into you home.

Here are some general suggestions:

1. Learn about the missionaries your local church supports.

2. Pray for these missionaries.

3. Read about biographies about missionaries.

4. Encourage missionaries.

5. Host missionaries in your home.

Over the next month of so I will post different suggestions that take each of these broad ideas a little deeper with practical tips for incorporating missions into your family more regularly.