All posts by KME

David, Project 365

“Who Is Going to Take Care of Me?”

12 Comments

david

This little guy makes us laugh nearly every single day. He has thoroughly captured my Mommy Heart.

Today David was worried about AWANA, our church’s evening children’s ministry that begins this week. Last year his big brother, Daniel, was in the program with him, easily accessible in the next room. More than once, Daniel was a comfort to David in the busyness of the night and the large crowd of children.

Now, of course, Daniel has graduated and moved up to the 5th and 6th grade group. I tried to reassure David that he wouldn’t be alone, Sarah has moved out of Cubbies and into Sparks with him (anyone familiar with AWANA will know what in the world I’m talking about). He was not particularly comforted. We had a long conversation about how the night would go, he wanted the entire schedule thoroughly detailed.

“Sarah will need me to look after her,” David told me. “You know,” he gestured toward his little sister, “she expects me to take care of her.”

Long pause, fretful look.

“Who is going to take care of me?”

Bless his little 6 1/2 year old heart! I was ready to send Daniel along as a permanent body guard, ready to battle any and all foes (imagined or real). Nothing like a big brother to make you feel safe. Our discussion continued.

“I remember one time when I was all alone,” David said, looking pensive, “I just kept telling myself Jesus is with you. Jesus is always with you. I guess I’ll be okay.”

I'm outta here!

Little Buddy, I think you are going to be more than ‘okay.’ You’re going to be AWESOME!!

Then Jesus came to them and said …. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18a, 20b)

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Kathy
Project 365 – Day 275

Share or follow
Share

Related posts:

tn_wfmwheader
Works for Me Wednesday

WFMW — And Now a Word from Our Readers

19 Comments

WFMW

It’s backwards day at Rocks in My Dryer. Instead of sharing a tip or helpful pointer, we’re supposed to ask a question. The readers provide the advice. Visit
Works for Me Wednesday to see if you can help some other poor bloggers.

I can barely think where to start, I have so many questions and areas in which I need help.

Menu Planning – I’m terrible at it. I never seem to get my act together. I copy down recipes, circle amazing dishes in my Taste of Home magazine and then end up making the same old boring dishes.

Chore Organization – again, a disaster for me. I’m great at handing out candy bribes and convincing the children to clean the house for me, but don’t have a system for keeping up with the regular chores.

If you have any advice or wisdom for me, please, please, please share it!! Point me to links, blogs, articles, magazines. I’ll take any and all advice. Do I sound pitiful enough?

Since Tim and I share this blog, I asked him what question he would like posed for the Works for Me Wednesday request. Here is his inquiry:

Loving Your Children – How do you show your children you love them? What is the most effective way you’ve been able to communicate love to them? Share specific examples!!

love that mountain

Of course, there’s always expressing love through hiking.

Thank you! I can already tell this post is going to yield all sorts of amazing responses and we will become a totally organized, well-fed and loving family in no time. :)

Kathy

Some other Duckabush WFMW Posts

Grocery Lists Devotional Books for Little Ones
Homeschooling Faves TopBlogSites
Laundry Organizer Giant Whiteboard
Travel Outfits

Join us for our Tuesday Tips for Parenting

Calling Your Child Creative Use for the Timer
First Time Obedience Sermon Notes
Thorough Job Paper Dolls
Walk-Away Meal Times
Share or follow
Share

Related posts:

Bible Study, Movies, Project 365

If Someone Were Watching …

12 Comments

Today our pastor preached the fourth sermon in our month long Choose stewardship campaign. The four topics were Invite, Belong, Serve and Give. This morning’s sermon was on giving, looking at the story of the widow’s coin in Luke 21.

As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1-4)

brian and Tim

You decide, are these two giving out of their wealth or poverty?

It was an excellent sermon, encouraging us to give generously and delight in God’s blessing in our life as we serve Him with our time, energy and finances. I was struck by the picture of Jesus visiting the temple and observing people as they placed their gifts in the offering.

“What would it be like to have Jesus watching you as the offering plate passed by?” I whispered to Tim, my eyes wide at the thought.

“Um,” Tim’s expression was a bit puzzled, “Kathy, He is watching you.”

Ouch. Somehow the image of Jesus sitting next to me and looking at me while I take and pass on the offering basket was very convicting. Thinking of Him searching my heart and counting all the treasures I’m storing up here on earth, brought a flush to my cheeks.

socks galore

Maybe we’ll find all those missing socks when we get to heaven.

This afternoon we watched a portion of one of our favorite family movies, FlyWheel. Flywheel, produced by the church that filmed Facing the Giants, has a low-budget but an incredible message. I encourage everyone to go out and find a copy of this movie! It is slow in places and the acting “raw” but the transformation of the main character, as he decides to trust God with his whole life, is remarkably powerful.

Early in the movie the family attends church together. When it’s time for the offering, the father takes out his envelope, makes sure it is EMPTY, and then very carefully places it into the basket. His wife sees him and shakes her head with disgust.

If someone were watching…

Jesus sees what I do with my time and my money. The scriptures are full of promises regarding rewards the Lord will give those who are faithful, loving, and generous. Do I trust His Word? Do I believe the treasures I can store up in heaven are worth more than the temporal things of this world?

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. (Matthew 16:26-27)

It was a day full of conviction and challenge. What would it look like, I wondered, if I gave sacrificially, loved with my whole life, and said “Yes!” to the Lord? Am I willing to be stretched? Do I believe He is watching?

Kathy
Project 365- Day 273

Share or follow
Share

Related posts:

Daily Life, Project 365

Grumpy Mother Seeks Cheerful Programmer

8 Comments

Tim has been working a good portion of the day on a contracting job for a friend. Throughout it all, he has remained cheerful and upbeat. I’ve done almost nothing all day – I didn’t make meals for the family (except to throw some leftovers in their general direction), I handed out laundry and cleaning jobs to the children, I went off shopping with Rachel and got in a power workout – how is it possible I am still so gloomy?

who's there?

Is there a little girl in there somewhere?

Even after reflecting on the day, I’m perplexed as to the cause of my melancholy spirit. Perhaps it’s the rain, which appears to have settled in for the weekend. Maybe it’s the long list of things I “should” do but didn’t get to at all.

ta da

There she is!!

I am thankful for an amazing husband who encourages me, prays for me, and sends me off to enjoy Mommy Time without ever making me feel guilty. At the end of a long day, he still carves out the time to read the Bible to the children.

Bible time

Today’s reading featured Samson and his tragic death.

When Tim shouts, “Who dares not to call for The Chapter?” The children scramble out of their beds and run to hide in our room. He waits an appropriate length of time and then thunders up the stairs to begin the search. All children must be found before he can begin the chapter.

Anything to make family Bible devotions more interesting. :)

we see you

Daniel loves to find clever hiding places.

I think I’ll follow their example and take my BSF lesson up to bed. Nothing like soaking in God’s Word to comfort the soul. At our support group in co-op this week, Holly read this passage:

“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

Tomorrow is another busy, full Sunday. I need all the ‘quieting’ the Lord can bring into my life. I shake my head in amazement to consider Him taking great delight in me and I turn my ear to listen for the rejoicing song. I am so thankful for His love which accepts me even on grumpy, grey days.

Kathy
Project 365 – Day 272

Share or follow
Share

Related posts:

Daily Life, Movies, Project 365, Rachel

“I Always Have Something to Say”

8 Comments

So says my beloved, 11 year old daughter. No doubt she could write today’s blog in her sleep if I would just do the typing for her. :)

rachel shivers

Here Rachel is saying, “I’m cold, stop taking my picture and get me a sweatshirt.

I’m hungry but it’s close to bedtime and I’m trying to be careful not to eat late at night. I had a lovely cup of tea but somehow it wasn’t quite as tasty as the huge bowl of popcorn Tim and the children devoured. Go figure.

pass the bowl

We watched The Ultimate Gift this evening. It was a moving tale about a spoiled young man who receives 12 gifts from his deceased grandfather. Each gift (or task) is designed to teach him a lesson about life. There are some intense scenes of peril in the second half but our entire family enjoyed the movie.

movie of the night

The Ultimate Gift certainly made me wonder if I am teaching my children the lessons illustrated in the movie – the gift of work, true friendship, the value of money, how to help others, etc. It is so refreshing to find movies the entire family can watch together.

Kathy
Project 365 – Day 271

Share or follow
Share

Related posts: