31 Days of Life--Day 5

Nothing exciting happened on Sunday and I'm still trying to catch up. This is from Mother's Day this year at my parents. Mollie couldn't take a picture without making a face if her life depended on it. We love being able to visit all of our grandparents. They are just 20 minutes away. We don't get to see them as much as we would like, but have a great time when we do. Mikie and I are both fortunate to have Christian parents who raised us in the Lord and made sure we had everything we needed. We didn't always have everything we wanted but we never needed anything. Watch for more family photos from the other side of the family in the upcoming days.

Bible Islands Free Pass--Educational Christian Website for Kids

I'm so excited!! I have been selected to stay on as a "Tommy Mommy" with Tommy Nelson Kids. That means I get to give more books away to you my readers.

This month I have a giveaway for everyone. Tommy Nelson and the new faith based Bible Islands have teamed up to provide a website for children. The website characters teach the Bible, Math, Reading, Hebrew and other subjects using a Christian worldview through educational games.

My kids have been checking this website out the past few days and really like it. Now your kids can share in the fun. Click here Bible Islands Free Pass and sign up for your Free Pass. It's simple and fun for kids of any age. If you can get your computer away from your kids, come back and comment below and let me and Tommy Nelson Kids know what you and your kids think!

Look for another giveaway this week, for Tween girls!  

Have a great week!!

Giveaway, Tommy Nelson Kids Books

As October rolls to an end, we all know what is just around the corner, Christmas! Books make great Christmas presents. Tommy Nelson Kids has two new books now available. Our family has been reading these all month for our nightly book time and they love them.

The first Smack-Dab in the Middle of God's Love is Brennan Manning's very first children's book. Not familiar with Mr. Manning, he is the author of The Ragamuffin Gospel. This book tells children of God's endless love and showcases children from several ethnic backgrounds. Children often don't understand how God can love everyone, but we are always in the middle of God's love. This book is written for children ages 4-8.

Sheila Walsh author of the God's Little Princess Series,  has a new series coming out titled Gabby God's Little Angel. Gabby is geared for girls ages 3-7 and teaches how God uses His angels to care for us. Girls can even color Gabby's adventures with these coloring sheets.

Both of these books have a great message for children and beautiful illustrations. If you aren't familiar with Tommy Nelson Kids these books are a great way to get started.

Want to win  one of these books from Tommy Nelson Kids? You can earn a chance to win by commenting on the questions below, liking me on facebook and following me on twitter. That's 4 chances to win!! Come back and comment that you follow me on facebook and twitter.

Good Luck!!

 Ways to enter review:
1. Post a comment below to this question to win Gabby, God's Little Angel"
"When you're not with your kids how do you communicate that God and His angels are watching over them?"


2. Post a comment below to the following question to win Smack-Dab in the Middle of God's Love
"How do you teach your children to show God's love to the world?"


3. Like mommyto4mjs on facebook

4. Follow mommyto4mjs on twitter

Don't forget to comment below that you follow me on facebook and twitter. Remember your comments must be on this post!!


Contest ends Monday, October 31st at midnight!!!

Disclaimer: Tommy Nelson Kids has supplied me with the books for this review. This review is my opinion and I was not paid.

Chaos in the Sanctuary

I told myself I wasn't going to do this but it is far too funny to let it pass.


Our two oldest daughters had the pleasure of spending Saturday night with the Worley family. The Worley's have five children ages two through eleven, four girls and that sweet little two year old boy. 


When me and the youngest two arrived at church this morning, I sat in our usually pew, (Mikie was at drill), and the kids went a pew back to sit with part of the Linsley family.


The choir made its way through the hall as the Worley crew, plus my two and another young lady shuffled into the pew behind, in front of and beside me. We joked about them beating the choir into their seats. 


The worship part of the service was fairly calm, other than sweet J turning her pocket inside out to drop her change in the offering plate. Then deciding that she only wanted to give a dime. I can't tell you who the deacon was at the end of the pew waiting on the offering plate because I was laughing so hard. 


As Pastor Bob started into his sermon, I hear this sound, singing, talking, maybe a cell phone, I couldn't tell. I notice my youngest was under the pew and the four kids sitting on the pew where she was supposed to be were giggling. While everyone around was checking their cell phones, I'm snapping my fingers to get her attention. Her stuffed animal that she swore was broken and didn't make a sound had suddenly revived itself with some French love song. Once it was passed to me I realized the switch had been broken off and had to make a not so discrete exit to the hallway to leave the animal. 


Back in the sanctuary that sweet little two year boy of theirs got upset and very loudly informed his mom that his dad had told him not to talk. Dr. C. got up to take him to the nursery and my pew of girls and I thought they were going to meet the floor. We still aren't sure what happened but there was a pretty good lunge and sudden straightening.


Michael asked to go to the potty so I let him go alone. In a minute J (same age as Michael and possibly a little too flirty together), needs to blow her nose. So K let her go out to the restroom. Six minutes later Michael and J return with grins on their faces. I asked if they had been in the bathroom together, which I was told no, that she had waited on him in the hallway.


After service Dr. C told me he only needed little C potty trained not J, (Michael has helped potty train 3 little boys in the last year. Were thinking about starting a potty training business.) 


Pastor Bob does an awesome job at ignoring the chaos on the first three pews, and so far hasn't asked any of us to move to the back.  


And in the words of the oldest Linsley child, "when your family, my family and the Worley's are together, the best you can hope for is a scene."




Disclaimer: 
1. I used initials for the other families because I didn't ask permission to pick on their kids. 
2. It probably isn't as funny as it was if you were there! 
3. Mollie found her singing dog on the table in the hallway. I didn't throw it in the middle of the road like someone had figured I did. 

I Challenge You!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

As the new year begins many people make resolutions. A resolution according to Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary is, “solving: the act of determining.” You actually determine what needs to be fixed in your life and resolve to change it.

I’ve quit making resolutions, this year I’m working on challenges. When I challenge myself I’m more likely to complete whatever I have set out to do. I also have an accountability partner that I share with depending the challenge.

I’ve lost weight before but it always seems to find me. By going to Weight Watchers I am accountable at weigh-in. Plus it costs me twelve dollars a week whether I go or not if I want to continue.I am seven pound from my goal weight.

I have been challenged by several people, including myself to read my Bible daily. This is year I am following the Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan. We received a copy from church. You can visit their website www.discipleshipjournal.com and print your own copy. I have three accountability partners my husband and two of my best friends.

Another challenge that I am continuing this year is to spend the 8-9 PM hour, after the kids are in bed, in quiet time. Joining me in quiet time will be my Bible, my book of the week and my journal. I take notes as I read and once I’m finished reading both books I will write about my day and anything God has shown me that day. This is when I hope to write my devotions to share with you.

Our family challenge is to simplify and declutter our lives, not just our home but our activities too. We are starting with clothes. Laundry will be washed each day and put away. When a new piece of clothing comes into the house, an old one must go out.

I think about Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden. The serpent came into the garden and tempted Eve. He challenged her to eat the fruit of the tree that God told her and Adam to stay away from. Genesis 3:7 says, “At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness.” Then God sent them out of the Garden of Eden and they were met with challenges every day.

Before you challenge yourself this year, pray and ask God to show you what His “challenges,” plans are for you. Don’t suddenly have your eyes opened because of the serpent only to realize that your naked.

Today’s scripture is Matthew 3:1-12; Acts 3; Psalms 5 and Genesis 12-14. It doesn’t take long to read, but stay focused.

Tell me about your challenges for this year. Have you committed to reading the Bible daily? Leave me a comment below and let me know.

Father God,
I ask you to show me today the challenges I need to pursue this year. Help me recognize them and work heartily for you as I complete them. Because you give me the rewards that I deserve.
Amen

(In)Courage

I've found an awesome new website which is part of DaySpring. There are a lot of great bloggers on this site. They will (in)courage you greatly. Hope you like them. Here is the link. Check it out.


http://www.incourage.me/