Christmas eve Joy bags

 

I have felt some heartache this Christmas (every year...but this year 2020 especially), for those that will be shut in, quarantined, alone this Christmas Eve and Christmas.  It happens every year, but it will be much more prominent this year as many older people are having to stay in by themselves.  Many churches are doing online services, so Christmas Eve and Christmas day services will not be in person either.  So, for many people, there will be no personal interaction...which breaks my heart.  So, I wanted to do something for a few people I knew who would be alone.  I wanted to include some funny things, some useful things, some treats, activities and some inspiring Scripture and messages.  So, I went on pinterest and put all these things together and put them into a stocking.  Thank you to all the bloggers who have made these tags and printables - all of them free.  So, all you need to do is make a trip to the Dollar store and buy the items (total was $12 per stocking...including the stocking)!  The only things that I didn't get there was the puzzle (which I already had on hand) and the colored pencils - which I had leftover from the back-to-school sales at Walmart.  

Here are the things I included - but maybe you have stuff on hand already - and many of these (like kisses, candy canes, etc) come 8-10 to a pack.  

Buy a little sanitizer and attach this cute "santa-tizer" tag to it! thank you to "Main Event Prints" blog for the printable.

U-create Crafts made this great M&M printable using religious Christmas Story references.

This is one of my favorites.  This is a beautiful printable by Darling Doodles <3 

Chapstick!  Dollar tree had Christmas ones for $1 or other kinds 3 for $1. Fun for little ones made this cute tag.

The Legend of the Candy cane is a good printable or you can use this bookmark printable from My computer is my Canvas that explains the symbolism of the candy cane legend.

I found this idea at How Does She and made my own tag using fun fonts from fontmeme. 

I modified this tag because it was meant for a mixture of foods.  Because of COVID, people (especially our older friends) would prefer bagged items instead of prepared food.  So, I just cut off the bottom of the tag and only included bugles and pretzels. From Caramel Potatoes.

I love the Happy Home Fairy and she has the cutest free printables.  Including some corny jokes in the stocking would be great!

If you want to include a Hershey's chocolate bar (I ended up not doing this one because it was $5...but it's cute) here is a printable from Esty.  

Lastly, I wrote out a card with "Merry Kiss-mas" (which you could also print here from Etsy for $3 or elf kisses here) and included colored pencils and an inspiritional word search and coloring book from the Dollar store - saying "May your Christmas be inspirational and full of color" :)   

I put all of the items into a stocking from the Dollar store and I'm going to deliver them on the 22nd with a note attached that says, "DO NOT OPEN UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE OR CHRISTMAS DAY" :) 

Merry Christmas and God bless!  May your Christmas be full of love, peace and joy...

  

Thanksgiving Blessing Jars - Use year round!

 

When my kids were really little, I attended a MOPS program.  I actually attended one in NC when I lived there, and joined one in Ft. Lauderdale, when we moved there.  At one of the meetings, we made meal blessing jars and I absolutely LOVED ours.  When my kids were old enough and were actually eating up at the table with us (and could talk), we started using it.  They loved it and so did I!  One of them would pull a blessing out of the jar and whatever it was, we had to say (or sing!) it.  We used it for years.  I still have it (they are now 12 and 14) and as you can see, it is quite loved :) Most of the stickers have fallen off and almost all of the blessings are ripped or peeling...it was used a lot :) 

I decided that since it meant so much to my family, I wanted to make one that the families in my church could use and that other Christian educators could use - in person or via mail/email.  I loved the blessings that my jar had, but my MOPS group didn't include any Scripture - so I've added some new ones that include some verses of thanksgiving.  This would be a great tradition to start now around Thanksgiving - but continue it year round!  

If you're a parent reading this and want to do it, you can go on google and find/make your own blessing printouts, or just go to these links on Etsy or TPT, (it costs $1.25), download it, print it out, and there ya go!  (and maybe share it with the Christian Educator at your church!)

If you're an educator and would like your families to make one, simply go to the link above and purchase it, print out enough copies for all your families and you can either do it together at church or send the supplies home for them to do as a family activity.  Most people have jars and glue or tape at home - but they would need the blessings and popsicle sticks mailed to them.

My children enjoyed decorating the jar and sticks, so sending along some stickers would be a good idea!

Here is the activity...while you're making it, read one of the Scriptures I've provided and ask a few questions (included in the download).  Make it a devotional time!

First, decide if you want to make long sticks or short ones - depending on the size of your jar.  I have provided two options to print out.  The longer sticks look nice in a tall jar, but if all you have is a short jar, the shorter ones look better (and fit better).  Print out your blessings on different colored cardstock and cut them out (if you have fun scissors, you could make different style cuts).  Glue them on to your popsicle sticks.  (FYI, the sticks are the same lengths...it's the blessings that are different sizes).

Once you have your sticks, you can decorate both your jar and the blessings.  You can even change the look of your jar with each season.  Since it's fall - I went with a fall look :)  

short jar with shorter printout - I believe this is a large baby food jar (?)

 mason jar with longer printout

Right before your mealtime, pull one out and whatever it is - you HAVE to do it!  Even if you feel silly ;) lol  After a few months, my kids had memorized which blessings were on which sticks, so we had to do it with our eyes closed :)  I hope your family loves doing this as much as mine did!

Go here to go to the product on my teachers pay teachers page.  Here is the Etsy link if you prefer that platform :) 

I also wrote a month long interactive Family Devotional of thanksgiving that I'm very excited about!  It can be used the month of November or any time you want to emphasize being thankful!

Enjoy and God bless!

Fun staff games to play over zoom or in person!

 

I've made a number of fun, Christian games to play over zoom or in person and sometimes we forget that adults like to play games as well :)  At our church, we get together once a month for an "all-staff" meeting and we usually open it up with an ice-breaker/get-to-know-you game or group building game.  It can be competitive or it can be everyone racing against the clock.  Here are some games and activities that you can play over zoom, or you can project them on a screen and play together in person.  These can be used in churches, for staff-building in Christian schools or Sunday school classes!  Or anywhere else you can think of! :)

 

1.  Guess the Bible story using emojis:  For the past few months, this has been my best seller :)  Basically, I give you 4-6 emojis and you have to figure out the Bible story that goes with it.  This would be pretty easy for adults, but it would still take a few seconds just to look at the emojis and figure it out.  It would be a fun  - who-can-find-it-the-fastest type game :)  There are 20 powerpoint slides with emojis, 20 slides with the answers as well as a quick synopsis of the story for kids to re-read and the Scripture.  You could give extra points if they can tell where to find the story in Scripture :)  $2.50

2.  Because the emoji game was so popular, I made a Guess the Parable with Emojis game.  It's the same idea, but it has 10 slides with 10 parables using emojis, and then the scripture/answer after each slide.  These are a bit harder simply because not all parables are well known.  $1.50  You can buy both together for $3.50 and save $.50.  If you wanted to play any of these in person without using a projector, you could print out the powerpoint presentation with 6 slides to a page and have people write their answers down (give them a time limit!).

                                   

3.  20 Questions is a fun game that everyone knows how to play.  This version that I made is called "Guess in 10" and it's the opposite of 20 questions.  I give you a clue (they start off obscure) about a character in the Bible and your participants can decide to guess or they can wait for the next clue.  If they guess correctly after the first clue they get 10 points (the 2nd clue gives them 9 points, and so on).  If they guess wrong, then they are out for that round (this eliminates random guessing).  There is a video at the link to see how it's played over powerpoint.  This is one you could play projected on the wall, or you could just print out the clues and then read them out to see who can guess the person first. There are different versions:  random people in the bible and  women in the Bible will be a little more challenging, and I also have well known people in the OT and in the NT.  Each version contains 10 people and is $2.50.

4.  Spot it - bible themed!  This is a fun game for any age.  You can form teams, let people go one on one, make a tournament...whatever works for your group!  You have two cards projected on the screen that have 8 objects on them.  One object is the same - who can find it the first it!?  $3.00  You can give extra points if the "finder" can name a story that involves the object!  There is also a Disney version.  $3 each.

5.  Everyone is familiar with Wheel of Fortune!  I have 12 games that are sold separately.  One is easy and is for kids, the other 5 could be played with adults - OT books, NT books, Parables, advanced and unusual categories.  Each one has 10 games and costs only $1.25 except Holy Week/Easter and Memory Verses which have 20 puzzles for $2.  You can buy different bundles and save money (here are all 12 on Etsy).  This would have to be played online or projected onto a screen with powerpoint.

6.  Escape Rooms!  These are a lot of fun to do with a small group of people.  I created one virtual escape room (focused around parables) - just be aware that I designed it to be completed in 30 minutes for youth.  For adults, it may take only 15 minutes.  I did this because I found that my kids/youth were struggling to focus for longer periods of time and would get bored and distracted.  So, if you're needing a short activity, this would be perfect.  I have also created many "in-person" escape rooms that require more work from you, but should take around an hour.    Here are the others that I created: scripture based escape room, Parable break out box, Paul and Silas escape room, Christmas escape room, Valentine's Day escape room, New Year's Eve break out box, church library escape room (must have a church or school library for this to happen), and a large group escape room for over 20 people.  Price varies.  

7.  The game, 5 second rule, is a fun, fast paced game that can be played a few different ways.  I made a Bible version of the game!  A category is projected on the screen, and the person has to name 3 things in that category in 5 seconds.  The game can be printed out as well and you can turn the cards over for each turn, or you can play the powerpoint version (a timer is built in to each slide).  For example, the card may say "parables".  Whoever's turn it is, has 5 seconds to name 3 parables.  If they can't, you can move on to the next card and the next person, or you can give the next person a chance to name 3 parables.  In addition, you could make each card last for 2-3 people and see how far you can go in each category.  Maybe you can come up with another way to play!  40 cards are included and many also have the answer provided to make it easier (ie 12 disciples is a category and the 12 disciples are included in a separate card).  Go to the link to see a video on how to play.  $3.00

So, there you go!  Lots of different games you can play with your teachers or staff :)  If you like the games, and your teachers would like to use them with their students, you can buy individual licenses for each class for a cheaper price!  You can also buy all the virtual/in person games listed here (15 games) in a bundle and save $6.25!  Just go here.  Not included are the in person escape rooms.  You can buy a bundle of all the generic ones here and all the holiday ones here.

Thanks for reading the blog and checking out my ideas and products!  God bless!

Quiet Resilience - Birthday blog for the 14 year old

Random thoughts about my 14 year old :) 

If you aren't aware, Paul (whom we affectionately call Pauli when we are around my parents to avoid confusion) was named after both his grandfathers.  Paul is my dad, Santiago is Noe's dad.  I find it very fitting that he be called Paul because he seems to be proving himself a worthy namesake of his American grandfather :) 

If I had to describe my dad in just a few words I would say, laid-back, quiet, compassionate, and in some ways, an activist - just from behind the scenes.  I would describe my son in many of the same ways.  

                                         

As a kid, Pauli kept us laughing, always joking and smiling :)  Now, as a teenager, of course this isn't as cool and he tries NOT to laugh around us or let us know he enjoys our company ;) lol.  I get it.  We've all been there.  But I still see the jokester that would make silly faces and jokes to make us all laugh ;) 

                                          

He has always been laid back and flexible as well.  He's changed schools 3 times, lived in 5 different houses in 3 different states and never seems to bat an eye.  It's life - roll with it :)  

"Hey paul, we're going on a 'year of adventure' to Peru."

"ok.  cool."

"Hey, we have to quarantine for a few months."

"ok, cool."

"You're going to have to go to school online."

"ok. cool"

:)  lol.  That's Paul!  

                                                  

On the flip side, as early as 6 months old, Paul would let us know - that he not only knew what he wanted, he also knew how to get it!  I laugh when people tell me that the "cry it out" method works for every baby.  HA!  It sure worked for Ella...asleep every time within 20 minutes.  Paul?  Forget it.  You've met your match "sleep specialists"! lol  After listening to him cry from 2am-4am one night determined to let him "cry it out", I officially gave in and let him beat me!  TWO hours...screaming at the top of his lungs!  All he wanted was to sleep in our bed.  Yep.  He got want he wanted. lol.  I admit it.  It progressed from there.  Sometimes with tantrums, sometimes with logic, and sometimes with expert arguing (he seriously would make a good lawyer one day lol).  No, I didn't give in...usually.  But those times when he would use his child logic on my adult logic and actually make more sense...I had to give in 😂.  The dude was right! 🤷

                                     

Paul has done everything in his own time - including sleeping in his room by himself - and once he decides to do it, he does it.  There has rarely been anything he has tried and didn't do well - piano, golf, math, reading...you name it.  Once he understood the "how" and "why", he was all over it and excelled - all in his own time.  He's still that way.  So, when I asked him recently what is something new that he'd like to learn - maybe a sport? instrument?  He said bowling.  Threw me off at first, but I get it...he was pretty bad at bowling last time we bowled :)  Lol  Being a lefty makes it a bit more challenging.  But he enjoys it and wants to get better so he's joined a league.  My guess, within a month of learning how it all works, he'll be throwing regular strikes.  That's just his way.  He's a kid that gets mad when he gets an A-!  The drive and determination will help him excel in whatever area he ends up in.

                                                                

One thing that I LOVE about this kid is his refusal to blend in and just be like everyone else.  Every teacher, since kindergarten, has told me that he would always spin assignments to make them more "him".  One that I still remember - the kids were supposed to make a silly pumpkin.  Not wanting to be like everyone else and make a regular looking jack-o-lantern, he made this...

Yeah...a pumpkin with 3 teeth - one coming out of the top, the bottom...and one coming out of the eyeball.  That's my kid!  He got into trouble a few times with his teachers for his "straying" from the task - but I love the creativity and originality!  Thinking outside the box is what turns a "good professional" into a "great professional"!

 Behind that quiet exterior and joking nature though, is a lot of compassion - that he doesn't always like to advertise.  His sweet and caring way with our little pup is something I feel privileged to witness as he doesn't show that side to just anyone :)   His questions and concerns about nature and animals are a sign of his compassion towards both.  Last year he found a hurt groundhog in our yard and he couldn't sleep that night because he was worried about it...I love that he cares for those that need help!

                                                                napping with the puppy
                                                     

And, even though he tells his friends and classmates that he wishes his sister "would disappear" sometimes, we know he loves her 💓 

Paul, I am proud of the man you are becoming and I pray that you always keep your sense of humor, your uniqueness, your flexibility and your drive to learn.  I pray you use all these wonderful qualities to make the world a better place.  I also pray that you keep questioning and learning about everything - faith, science, the world, and all the topics many find difficult to discuss.  You will do amazing things! 

Happy 14th!!

Blessing of the Backpacks during the pandemic 2020

This is something I wrote up for our church to use this August for back to school 2020 during the pandemic.  The explanation, prayer and ideas are below...

Blessing of the “Backpacks” during the Pandemic

We are all struggling to find ways to get our children and families more interactive in worship – whether it be online, outdoor services/drive ins or in a few cases, in person.  It’s difficult during this time.  We are all experiencing it and feel it.  So I wanted to write a blessing of the backpacks that would help the congregation – esp the kids – get involved.  I didn’t want to make it long since it feels like everyone’s attention spans are shorter these days (mine is), so if you want to include a few sentences specific to your church/community, feel free to do so. I don’t think it would be too much. If you are doing this online, have different kids/youth read the “stanzas” and piece them together in a video.  If you are doing it live (drive in/outdoor/in person), then perhaps you can get different people to stand up where they are (or in the microphone) to read the different parts.

Intro done by pastor/educator/leader:  Every year, our church does a blessing of the backpacks.  This year, since times are so different and our needs are various, we are going to have an interactive “Back to school” prayer.  I will read (or, the children and youth and I will read…) a prayer and then we ask you to voice out loud your needs or the needs of those around you – in your families, your community or schools.  Don’t be shy, say them all out loud and at the same time – first names only.  If you’re at home, we encourage you to say them aloud as well.  We want everyone to be a part and feel a part of this prayer.  Let us pray…

Pastor/Educator/Leader: Heavenly God, we come to you this school year with confusion, heavy hearts, frustration, and sadness.  It isn’t what any of us expected nor wanted.  But we know that in You, we have hope.  And we know that You can turn our sorrows into joy.  So, with that in mind, we bring to you our concerns, needs and petitions, knowing that you will hear us and respond…

Kindergartner:  God, we pray for children who are going to school for the first time.  Help them be brave, be good listeners and help them learn a lot!

Person 1:  We lift up to you, God, all the children who will be going to school online or who will be home schooled.  We pray that they feel loved and connected.  We pray for motivation, so that they are able to learn the material presented to them and we ask for your blessings upon them while they struggle with limited social interaction opportunities…Hear our prayer…(pause for names to be spoken aloud)

Person 2:  Lord, we pray for all the children who will be learning in person.  We pray you watch over them and we ask that you help them be responsible, good listeners and good learners.  We know we are asking things of our children that we have never asked before, help them be flexible and to adapt.  Hear our prayer… (pause for names to be spoken aloud)

Person 3:  We also pray for those children who will be learning in yet a different way – online and in person.  This new way of learning we know will be confusing and difficult at first.  Help these children have patience and help them have compassion for themselves, their classmates and their teachers.  Hear our prayer… (pause for names to be spoken aloud)

Person 4: Counselor God, we want to name our children and youth who have specific needs – physically, mentally, socially or emotionally.  This pandemic has been especially hard on them and their families.  Every child is different but you know their needs and what is best for them.  Help these families make the right decisions for their child and help these children overcome the hurdles that have been placed in front of them.  God, with your help, these children and families can excel.  Hear our prayer… (pause for names to be spoken aloud)

Person 5:  God, please be with the parents at this time as they struggle to not only be parents, but also teachers and counselors.  We see them juggling multiple responsibilities – including their children, their marriages and their jobs.  We see them deliberating and weighing all the options for their children and families.  They are having to make decisions they never thought they would have to make.  God, please give them guidance in their decision making and peace of mind.  Hear our prayer… (pause for names to be spoken aloud). 

Person 6:  God, we also want to lift up our college students.  These young adults that are ready to leave the nest, to be on their own and to be independent.  This isn’t what they wanted, what they were expecting or what they need.  Please guide them through this transition – whether it be online, at home, on campus or something in between.  Give them strength, give them an open mind so they can learn and give them peace in whatever situation they find themselves in.  Help this obstacle strengthen them and not overwhelm them.  Hear our prayer… (pause for names to be spoken aloud)

Person 7:  Lastly God, we want to pray for our teachers and administrators.  Our teachers who are overwhelmed and our administrators that are struggling with tough decisions.  This is unfamiliar territory for them and they are being asked to do things that they are not trained to do, not prepared for and not equipped to handle.  But with your help, they will.  We know they will because of their love and dedication for our children and youth.  God grant them wisdom.  We also pray for patience…patience with the children, parents, and their coworkers.  We ask that you give them peace of mind.  And we pray that when school starts and chaos ensues, that they will be the voice of calm and reassurance that our children desperately need.  Hear our prayer… (pause for names to be spoken aloud). 

Same leader from the opening:  Thank you God, these are our prayers and what is on our hearts and minds.  We pray that your loving arms are wrapped around everyone this school year, helping them feel loved and safe.  Hear the names lifted up to you out loud and in silence.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

Ella's Birthday Blog 2020 - "The year of 'buts...'"

For her birthday today, she decided to re-pierce her ears and add a second hole! 
She didn't even flinch ;)

She's turning 12 today!  My little baby - now turning into a young lady :)  I started writing the kids birthday blogs when they were little (first one was way back in 2013), but it's been a few years since I've done it so I thought this was a good year to re-start. Because, well...

It's been a year. 

It's been such a year that I can't even pick an adjective to put in front of "year".😜 Maybe an emoji would work better.  lol I was trying to think of some way to characterize the year, something to talk about in her birthday blog...usually I have some sort of theme.  I was drawing a blank except for one word that kept coming to mind - "but..." So, here goes... 

Right before school started, we got word that Ella could start OIT (peanut therapy).  This was exciting yet nerve racking for both us.  Ella was nervous, she was hesitant about missing school, eating peanut flour, but...

She did it anyway.  She took the first step and went to that initial food challenge and got through it like a champ 💪

Also, right before school started, Ella found out that she and her best friend weren't going to be in any classes together this year.  In fact, Ella only knew one person in her classes.  It doesn't seem like a big deal...but to an 11 year old girl in a big school, it is.  It was.  But...

She did her thing, she stepped out of her comfort zone, and she made some knew friends...all while still keeping her old friend.  For an 11 year old...that's a pretty cool thing :)

In October, she sprained her ankle and had to wear a brace and use crutches for almost a month.  For someone who hates to stick out and draw attention to themselves, she was mortified to go to school the first day.  But...

Of course she did it.  And she did it with a smile on her face :)  She adjusted as she always does. Believe me, I don't take this for granted.

Close to Christmas time, we told both Paul and Ella that we would be moving to Peru for a year starting this summer.  Paul was excited.  Ella...wasn't.  To say the least.  There were quite a few tears.  But...

We've talked, we've shared what we're excited about, what we're nervous about.  We've talked about the possibilities while we're there, and the possibilities when we come back.  She has started learning Spanish on her own, she speaks positively of the trip (despite her trepidation) and she seems like she is genuinely looking forward to it now.

In February, we had continuous setbacks with OIT.  She had to repeat a dose multiple times.  She had a few scary reactions and numerous "belly ache" reactions.  She was tired of missing school.  She was tired of gagging on peanut flour every night.  She was tired of riding the train (it was fun at first).  Had everything gone as planned, she would have finished in late February.  Instead, she was looking at march or most likely april.  But...

she kept going.  She didn't give up and she didn't stop.  She soldiered on.

Then, well, we know what happened next.  Coronavirus.  The terrible, fun-sucking virus.  The stupid virus that changed the world as we know it.  March seemed ok in our household.  It was a change, but we managed.  By April, the two extroverts in the house were sick and tired of it.  Ella gets her energy from being around her friends and other people.  Being stuck at home wasn't good for her mental health.  She was missing her friends, sad, and all the awesome camps she was looking forward to this summer were canceled.  With no end in sight, the summer looked very dismal.  But...

she found ways to adapt.  She facetimed with friends to do school work.  We found little positives to lift our spirits (like ordering chick fil a to be ordered to the house or dying her hair) and we even found a way for her to make a little money while stuck at home.  I told her to put her creativity to use and make some things to sell on my teachers pay teachers site.  She's already made around $50 :)  You rock girlie!

She also decided to brave it and go alone to an alpaca camp - to break up the monotony of the summer.  It was awesome!!  and she had a great time :)

After 3 months of not being able to go to CHOP to finish her OIT, we finally got to go in June for her final updose.  In two days, we go in for her final dosing appointment where she will eat one peanut M&M.  She's nervous, but...

She's also excited.  An end to a long, exciting, yet disgusting journey, which marks the beginning of a new journey that will last her lifetime.  It is a process that will take years, but this part should be much easier :) Alleluia!

The one thing she asked for, for her 12th birthday, was an audition...a real audition for a real show...anywhere.  Of course, with things the way they are, this is on hold.  But...

We are using this time to create a profile for her, to write a resume, and create media for her to submit when the time is right.  She is also using this time to listen to Hamilton over and over and over and memorize every.  single.  line.  lol

Of course, now we will not be heading to peru in the summer.  She will be going to school here in the fall...and even though that was initially what she wanted, we had all made the necessary adjustments and were mentally ready to go.  Now we have to adjust again. But,

We know that when God is ready, we will go.  Ella would like to be in the school building this fall so she can see her friends, but we have already discussed ways she can adjust if that doesn't happen. She is nothing if not flexible...and almost always with a smile.

Next year, we'll have two teenagers.  I'm waiting for the attitude to start, the drama to kick in and the snarkiness to ensue ;) lol  But in the meantime...

I'll enjoy these wonderful days stuck at home with her and all the joy she brings to my life 💓 

Happy 12th girlie!!  I pray this next year is filled with more "and's" than "but's" ;) lol.  You are amazing and I can't wait to share this next year with you!!