Saturday School Files

The S. Files, edition 1

With the season of Lent upon us, I'm trying to do activities with the children to help them focus on Easter so it doesn't pass us by as quickly as in years past.  At Christmas we spent time preparing our hearts with memorable Advent activities and I wanted to do something similar to make Easter stand out more for them (and myself too).

I found a wonderful and *free* activity book at currclick.  I'm not sure how much longer it will be free but it is only $3.99 if the free download becomes unavailable.  "Lent Activities for the Family" eBook.

I've decided to post about our Lent activities here on Saturdays for two reasons.  First, to have a record of what we've learned and second, to share with other families that may be looking for ideas.

Tuesday: Around these parts, a heavily Penn. Dutch area, Shrove Tuesday is also known as Fasnacht Day.  Fasnachts were made to empty the pantry of lard, sugar, butter and fat, typically forbidden during Lent.  Never having tried any recipes for Fasnachts - similar to donuts - the older two kids and I headed to the local farmer's market to purchase some at our favorite bakery stand.  They aren't my favorite type of gooey, sugary treat, but they are good and the kids liked them (that's the important part, right?)  Personally, I'm still waiting for someone to create the cream filled fasnacht!

In regards to the eBook, we printed the list of daily activities.  I cut them apart, folded them and placed them in a glass dish which is sitting in a prominent position on our bookshelves.  Each evening, before bed, we randomly choose one for the following day.  Tuesday night, after explaining Ash Wednesday to the kids and telling them why many choose to give things up for Lent, we drew "Give something up today."  *Perfect*  So, the kids chose to give up any computer and TV viewing time for the day.  And, what amazed me the most was that they never complained about it! 

For Thursday, we drew "Pray for missionaries in persecuted churches around the world."  We began our prayer time with T reading The Great Commission in Matthew and by talking about those from our own church who now serve as missionaries.  This was also a great time to talk to the kids about Grandma's (T's mom) upcoming mission trip to Haiti.

 

For Friday, we selected "Take a nature walk looking for things that remind you the life of Jesus Christ."  Knowing it was going to rain by afternoon, we headed out just after breakfast.  It was on the warmer side and was enjoyable to be out.   The kids, with bags in hand, were eager just to get outside!!

Thorns on a branch, reminding of us the crown of thorns they placed on Jesus' head.

Two sticks making a cross.  After we came in, Quintin asked me to help him tie them together to make a necklace.  We also found a stone, leaves reminding us of palm branches and Quintin picked up a stick shaped like a boat.  We just finished several Bible lessons with Jesus teaching near/on the Sea of Galilee.

A beautiful time in the woods behind our home, with the sun peeking out.

My camera shy little guy!

For Saturday, we pulled "Read an Easter related book."

 

With just 4 days in to our Lent activities, I truly feel God is using this time to not only bring us closer as a family while we LIVE & LEARN, but we are growing closer to Him and developing a deeper sense of what Easter does mean to us.

Doesn't it look fun?

I think so!! It's a weaving loom.

I just love learning a new craft and I've seen these before and I think it would be fun to learn. Someday maybe. If I take anything more on, my family may never see me! HA! And these things aren't cheap - although the price is not near what I thought it might be. It's a little less than an average sewing machine.

Is there a craft/skill you've wanted to learn. What's holding you back?

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Wordless Wednesday

...sigh...

Did you know...

...that I've become a Food Network channel fanatic? It's gotten so bad, that I'm actually telling myself I need "to plate" my meals and get them ready for pictures so I can post them on my cooking blog.

This is one of my favorites that I plated yesterday, lol!!

Oh, and this one!

Go ahead, click on over and see what's been cooking in Momma Roar's Kitchen! You'll find these two above and plenty more!!

And, my post today would not be complete without a birthday greeting to my good friend, Just Mom! Happy 29th Birthday JM! ;-)

"Hoppy do do do!"

Did you know...

...that wiping the dust off a lit light bulb, with a wet rag, will cause the bulb to break?

Um, yeah, me either. A "friend" told me. ;-D

Malachi 3:2-3

(2) But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when he appears? For He will be like a refiner's fire. (3) He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver . . . "

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Wordless Wednesday

Winter Wonderland

Not having grown up with access to a mountain getaway, I don't think I really knew how pretty winter can be.  Yes, I saw how beautiful it was when the fresh snow lay on the ground, but until you get out, in winter, into the woods, you really see some spectacular sights.

We had a warm spell last week, and the ice that had once covered the creek had now floated up on shore.  If this is how thick it was after mild winter temps, I cannot imagine how thick it was a few weeks ago.

None of us participated in the Polar Bear Plunge (big suprise there, huh?), but I did capture a picture of a few - crazy, I tell ya! Brrr!!!!

We all started out watching down on the ice, against the fence they had around the hole.  As we stood there waiting, we heard a loud CRACK.  I looked at T, waved, and then headed to the grass with Colin.  I walked up a little hill and had a perfect view!  The ice cracked again one more time, but nothing ever happened.  They weren't in a rush to tell anyone to get off of it, but I wasn't standing there!!  The weight of the ice around the hole was so heavy that water was coming out of the hole and moving across the ice.  Crazy, I say!!

Romantic weekend getaway...

While I wish the romantic weekend getaway to the cabin would have been for 2, I was really okay with it being for 8!!

The 5 of us, and T's parents along with our 5 year old niece headed to the cabin this weekend.

While there was no snow around here anymore, there was a bit up there, and we were able to be outside enjoying it.

The top of the driveway was covered with snow/ice and made for some great sledding. The lower portion of the driveway was melted off and the rocks helped to bring the sleds to a halt. I'm sure someone has a name for this type of thing - but it kept 3 children (Elle was very content to stay inside with Grandma reading to her) very happy all weekend so we were happy to oblige them with our version of sledding!

T with Colin.

Quintin and I (I really need to cut his lift ticket off his coat, lol)

Grandpa and cousin Maddie.

We took some wonderful "explores" (as Piglet and Pooh would say) capturing some wonderful pictures of the creek behind the cabin and the ice around it. We also went to a local boy scout camp for their WinterFest - complete with the "Polar Bear Plunge." More pictures to come, and I'll leave you with this picture - plunge in a wedding dress!

Valentine's Day - 1992

Dear T,

I remember our first Valentine's Day. February 14, 1992 was a Friday. I was bummed because there was a basketball game scheduled that night that I needed to cheer at. But, your positive self said we could do something together on Saturday.

It snowed that day during school and the basketball game was cancelled.

If I remember correctly, I drove out to your house. Your parents were out that evening and you suprised me with dinner.

I remember flounder stuffed with crabmeat and dessert - hahaha!! (Of course I do!)

I was so impressed with your culinary skills but you were quick to let me know, that your mom purchased it at the store. Humbleness being one of the many qualities I love about you.

And for dessert, a big chocolate chip cookie like the ones you'd seen me drool over at the mall so many times. This one was homemade and said, "Your special!" - we still chuckle over the misspelling.

I don't remember what we talked about, but at ages 17 and 16, having only known each other for 7 months, I'm sure it wasn't anything too intellectual - like our discussions nowadays! ;-)

I never remember a time when I wasn't relaxed around you. You have always been able to calm me down within seconds of my blood pressure rising!! Not having anything to say wasn't a big deal either - sitting quietly next to you is not uncomfortable - it never was.

May 1992 (T's senior prom)

May 1993 (my senior prom)

June 1996

Bermuda - June 2001 (The short hair with blonde highlights phase...hmmmm)

July 2008

Thank you for loving me, despite...my shortcomings

And, thank you for "taking what you get" when you walk in from work. There is always something for dinner, but the house usually isn't straightened up - and you don't fuss. The kids may still have peanut butter from lunch smeared on their face - and you don't complain. And you still tell me you love me and how beautiful I look, even when you walk in the door and find me on the floor, playing with the kids - in sweats and unsure if I really did take a shower that day...or was it yesterday?

I love you T.

I love you for you! And I love you for who I am when I'm with you.

And, I love, that through you, I learned about our Savior.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wordless Wednesday

December 2005

February 2009