VBS for Grownup Girls

I loved VBS or Vacation Bible school as a child.  It was one of my favorite times of the year.  We went to age appropriate classes to learn, craft time, song and snack time.  I loved it all, hearing the "stories" from the bible, the crafts that brought it to life for us and the singing time too; and what little kid doesn't like snacktime and being with your friends.

As I got older I loved and still love working in VBS.  So the first time I saw something online about a VBS for grown up girls I was like, Oh yeah.  We just had bible school at our church and now it is time for my VBS again too.  

This year we are studying the Psalms, which happens to be my favorite book in the bible.There are 2 plans or classes and the one I chose is:  1)  Soaking in the Psalms ~ Savor 4 Psalms a week. You can read all the passages at once, read a few verses a day, or read them through several times and really meditate on the themes. This week’s Psalms are Psalm 18, 19, 23, and 24.

Our teacher is Christin Ditchfield and she said "The kind of reading I’m asking you to do is “active reading” – asking questions as you read, underlining key words and phrases, making note of things that come to mind. Journal about verses that speak to you. "

For the Psalms she says " specifically, pay attention to:

• things that bother you when you read them (feel free to ask hard questions here, or research answers on your own – but resist the urge to ignore or skip over them)
• verses you recognize from choruses, hymns, literature, movies, and other cultural references
• familiar passages that bring back powerful memories; treasure the memories, but consider new ways these verses might apply to your life today."

Today is the first day and it is so exciting, I have already did my reading and journaling for today and am working on my memory verse for this week which is "Psalm 18:28" It is not too late to join in and if you are interested then click here VBS For GrownUp Girls

and by the way it goes today through July 29th so lets soak in some Psalms this summer. 

I will be sharing more as this VBS goes on and even if you don't join us I hope you will check back to see how it is going and what we are learning.

God bless,

Pat

A Journey to Heal-A Book Review

Childhood sexual abuse has been kept quiet way too long.  We hear so much more now than we ever have.  But even still their are way too many people suffering in silence, wanting to move forward, to heal but not knowing how or even where to begin.  This book is one of the best places I have found to help.

Each chapter from the first to the end is a step, a step towards your healing.  She combines personal experiences and scripture to guide you along.  Each chapter ends with a Journey Essentials section which includes prayer, scripture, journaling and thanksgiving. The order of the steps may vary for each as each suffered in a different way and will heal as individuals too. Through this healing process you will draw closer to you and to God and His love and healing grace.  You will find joy again.  

This book is not just for childhood survivors but friends or family members as they can help with encouragement, support and ultimately healing.  It is a book I highly recommend to anyone who is walking this journey or loves someone who is.

Only God can heal and this book will lead you to Him and steps to His healing.

I was given this book free in exchange for my review but all opinions are my own.

Pat

Simple Woman's Daybook June 8, 2016

Outside my window... the day is beautiful but it is so hot and humid that a street which would normally be alive with kids playing and birds singing is strangely quiet as everyone seems to be inside where it is cooler

   

I am thinking... about VBS, our church is having bible school this week, last night was the first night and the kids had a blast and 11 were saved

I am thankful... for my precious grands and how blessed I am to get so spend so much time with them

This is from the oldest birthday party this past weekend, he is Mario

I am going... to be so busy this next couple of weeks; bible school, summer library program, museum program and multiple trips to the Dr to see about some health issues

I am wearing...bluejeans and tshirt, which if I am not at church seems to be my usual atire

I am wondering... why people always want to group certain peoples together and why no one teaches or takes responsibility anymore hardly

A quote that recently caught my eye...

I am trying to learn and grow but a few less mistakes and more success would really be nice!

I am reading... Journey to Heal by Crystal M Sutherland,I will be reviewing this on my blog here in a few days

I am hoping... that I learn to use my cpap machine correctly and it will help me to rest and not always be so tired

A peek into one of my days...me and the grands tried to be the heat early this morning and had a nice cold treat outside courtesy of Papaw

In my garden... empty beds crying for seeds, they are bought now to get them planted, looking like a late garden this year

In my kitchen... dishes waiting for my attention and supper prep that needs to be started and banana nut muffins for snack with some hot tea later

One of my favorite things...spending time with my husband, Billy

this is from datenight the other night

If you would like to join up or read other daybooks follow this link 

Peggy at The Simple Woman

Hope you enjoyed your visit and will come again.  Comment with your blog and I will come and visit you and your corner of the world.

Judge me, Judge you!

     I have heard so many people lately talking badly of others.  People judging others, pointing out all their mistakes and yet are these people perfect?  No, far from it.

If we would spend more time working on our own mistakes and issues, we might would see less of others.

We all have sins and problems in our life, we just need to plead the blood of Jesus over them.

When we come face to face with Jesus we won't be telling Him about what someone else did right or wrong, we won't even be telling Him about our own.  He already knows and every knee shall bow and every tongue confess but you won't be confessing or blaming others.

Jesus loves me, He died for me, rose  and is coming again to take me to heaven with Him.  Nothing you can say to me or about me matters cause.....

I wonder how much better we, everyone else and our world would be if we spent as much time praying for others as we do talking about them?

Just some thoughts I have been thinking on.

God bless,

Pat

Summer is here.....so what now?

Summer is here, now what?  How do you keep kids occupied, keep them learning, keep down the gimmies, take me's and chaos?

We are trying some new things this summer and some old standbys but they do seem to be helping.  

1) Take advantage of free activities

a) we are going to VBS

b) summer program at the library

c) going to the park

d) museums are free or low cost sometimes, we have a free one near us

e) go fishing

f) game time or game night

g) movies under the stars

h) camp out in your own backyard

i) free movies

These activities thrown in with good old free time outside like making mudpies, playing with the waterhose, blowing bubbles and riding bikes are always fun too.

We are also making this a summer of giving where the kids are learning to do for others. (see previous blogpost on here for ideas on this).

As for chaos, we are having somewhat of a schedule, they have free time, tv time, outside time and quiet time to draw or read.  Another thing that is helping with chaos is 10  minute clean up.  Periodically and any time activities change we have a clean up time.  Only takes a few minutes and you are not faced with a mountain at the end of the day.

These are some things we are doing and trying, what about you?  How is your summer going?

God bless,

Pat

Summer Of Giving

I already see a summer that could become, take me, buy me, give me........me, me, me.  So I decided we would as Barney Fife used to say "nip it in the bud".  We are going to make this a summer of giving.  

Some of our ideas are:

1) cold water for the garbagemen

2) a drink for the mailman

3) Visit the nursing home

4) Pick up the garbage in our neighborhood

5) Take treats to Police department

6) Take treats to Fire department

7) Send cards to shutins

and more ideas that we are still exploring and looking for people we can bless and ways to make this a summer of giving.

Our first one was this:

What do you think about this idea?

God bless,

Pat

A Card A Day For June 2016 Challenge

This is the challenge, write and mail one card a day for the month of June. 

Negatives and Questions, Positives and Answers

#1-Who do I mail a card to? Mail a card to anyone, your parents, your child, your grandchild, that teacher that inspired you, a new neighbor to welcome them to the neighborhood, someone you miss from church, the list goes on and on.

#2-How do I find the time?  While you are watching tv, put down the cellphone, waiting in line, waiting at the dr, before bedtime.  You find the time for who and what are important.

#3-I don't have the money---to mail 30 cards cost around $14.00, most will spend more than that on one fast food trip

#4-I don't have cards-$tree has them 10 for $1.00 or use a piece of notebook paper, be creative and think

#5-Make someone smile

#6-Let someone know someone cares

#7-You may find you are the one blessed 

#8-I still go back and read cards and letters I got from my Mom and is so nice to read how much she loved me, tell someone today you love them

     I dare you to accept this challenge, I did.  Maybe some of you reading this may even receive one of my 30 cards.  

God bless,

Pat

June, Grandkids and Summer Bucket List

     My grands spend alot of time with me since they live across the street.  Summer is here now and I don't want it to be a summer of sitting in front of the tv so I started looking for ideas of fun things to do.

     I found this bucket list and we are going to work on it among other things for the month of June.

     Do you have any fun plans for the summer with the kids in your life?

God bless,

Pat