Walls of knowledge to grow and stories to tell. Walking the aisles and browsing the shelves I am in the most peaceful place.
Unless I have my 5 children with me...then I am completely stressed out!
My kids share my love for books and no matter how many times I give them the "No Touching!" pep talk before we enter, they just cannot contain themselves. Little hands are grabbing at every book they desire and before I know it there is a pile on the floor...and the librarian is giving me a dirty look.
Then I discovered the most wonderful thing. I can go on our library's website and request the books I need online. If they aren't at that branch, they will find them for me and email me when my books are ready. Then I just go and pick them up. I'm in and out and able to check out so much more than if I had tried to find them myself. Simple.
I don't know if every library does this, but go check it out...you could just start enjoying the library again.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Hidden in my heart
When I was a little girl, I was very blessed to have grown up going to church, Christian school and AWANA. Memorizing Bible verses was just a natural part of life. When I was a teenager I committed my life to Christ. The verses that I had memorized as a child now had a new meaning to me. Through the darkest moments in my life God's sweet words brought comfort, hope and promise.
When I became a mother I knew that I wanted my children to have the same start. I have been amazed at how much they have memorized and understood already.
One thing that has really made it fun for the kids is to make up hand motions for some of the words in their verses. Sometimes we will use actual sign language, other times they will create their own. Giving them something to do with their hands really helps them focus.
Another thing that has made memorization come naturally is to use music. Have you ever had a song stuck in your head? Or heard a song that you hadn't heard in years and you still knew all the words? It's amazing how powerful music can be. We have made up a lot of our own Scripture songs, but here are a few CD's that we love:
GodRocks!
These are so fun and definitely a favorite!
ABC Bible Verse Songs
This is one of the first ones I had ever used. It is very simple and sweet. Great for little ones because there is a Bible verse for each letter of the alphabet.
Word of God Speak
I can just have it playing in the background of my busy day and before I know it, I've memorized lots of new Bible verses.
Something else that has really helped me is to write down the verses that I want to learn and place them somewhere where I will see it often. for me, this is on my kitchen windowsill. As I am washing dishes or cooking I can glance at it and meditate on my verses.
I would encourage you to try to memorize Scripture. Start small and work together as a family. Make it fun and don't stress. Just take it one verse at a time.
"Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise, apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart. And have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the Lord..." ~Proverbs 22:17-19
When I became a mother I knew that I wanted my children to have the same start. I have been amazed at how much they have memorized and understood already.
One thing that has really made it fun for the kids is to make up hand motions for some of the words in their verses. Sometimes we will use actual sign language, other times they will create their own. Giving them something to do with their hands really helps them focus.
Another thing that has made memorization come naturally is to use music. Have you ever had a song stuck in your head? Or heard a song that you hadn't heard in years and you still knew all the words? It's amazing how powerful music can be. We have made up a lot of our own Scripture songs, but here are a few CD's that we love:
GodRocks!
These are so fun and definitely a favorite!
ABC Bible Verse Songs
This is one of the first ones I had ever used. It is very simple and sweet. Great for little ones because there is a Bible verse for each letter of the alphabet.
Word of God Speak
I can just have it playing in the background of my busy day and before I know it, I've memorized lots of new Bible verses.
Something else that has really helped me is to write down the verses that I want to learn and place them somewhere where I will see it often. for me, this is on my kitchen windowsill. As I am washing dishes or cooking I can glance at it and meditate on my verses.
I would encourage you to try to memorize Scripture. Start small and work together as a family. Make it fun and don't stress. Just take it one verse at a time.
"Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise, apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart. And have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the Lord..." ~Proverbs 22:17-19
Monday, February 7, 2011
We Moved!
After 7 years of prayers and waiting, we are finally...home.
We moved in on New Year's Eve which I think is also very symbolic of this time in our lives. It's a fresh start. A big, empty house just waiting to be made into a home. Within a week, our littlest boy colored on the freshly painted walls and mushed toothpaste into the brand new carpet. Yes, we are home.
Moving is an interesting process. You disrupt your whole life, dig through years of memories, find all those treasures you had forgotten about, throw them all in a box and start over.
I've been getting rid of everything. If I don't need it, use it, or love it...it's gone.
Something beautiful is happening. There is...less. Less to clutter up my house. Less to clean and collect dust. Less to dig through while trying to find what I really need.
Stuff is just stuff. When I was 17, our family home was destroyed by a fire. Everything was gone. At the time it was hard to let go, but now there really isn't anything from my childhood that I really wish I still had.
I would challenge you today to really look at your home. Does your stuff add visual chaos or feel peaceful? Does everything have a place and a purpose?
Our homes should be full of love and warmth, not empty things that just get in the way.
We moved in on New Year's Eve which I think is also very symbolic of this time in our lives. It's a fresh start. A big, empty house just waiting to be made into a home. Within a week, our littlest boy colored on the freshly painted walls and mushed toothpaste into the brand new carpet. Yes, we are home.
Moving is an interesting process. You disrupt your whole life, dig through years of memories, find all those treasures you had forgotten about, throw them all in a box and start over.
I've been getting rid of everything. If I don't need it, use it, or love it...it's gone.
Something beautiful is happening. There is...less. Less to clutter up my house. Less to clean and collect dust. Less to dig through while trying to find what I really need.
Stuff is just stuff. When I was 17, our family home was destroyed by a fire. Everything was gone. At the time it was hard to let go, but now there really isn't anything from my childhood that I really wish I still had.
I would challenge you today to really look at your home. Does your stuff add visual chaos or feel peaceful? Does everything have a place and a purpose?
Our homes should be full of love and warmth, not empty things that just get in the way.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Welcome!
Hello to all my new readers! I was so blessed to have to opportunity to share my story on moneysavingmom.com! Thank you for all your sweet words of encouragement. I hope you will find encouragement and inspiration here.
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