My books -giveaway and summer fun
http://rcwriter.wordpress.com has an interview with me and some free book giveaways this month (ends June 27th) so check that out.
It’s summer and time to keep our children amused and hopefully also help them stay connected to God and learning. That seems like a tall order but we really can do it.It’s all about bridging from an activity to information and interesting facts.
Consider how a picnic is also a great time to chat about Jesus having a picnic with his disciples (John 21) on the beach. Read it and chat about how Jesus lit the fire and cooked the food. And while you’re outdoors use some oif the time to look at nature and learn about the plants and creatures in that area.
Sunday is Father’s Day. If you don’t have plans yet, check out my ideas on honoring Dad with a knighthood ceremony (yes, the kids really will have a new reason to call him Sir). It’s at this link: Honor Dad
Increasing in Him,
Karen
Topics: Family, activities | No Comments »
Financial quiz, help + opportunity to win a contest
First the contest: The winner will receive:
1 copy of the book
1 copy of Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey
1 subscription to P31 Woman Magazine
1 copy of God’s Purpose For Every Woman (collection of the best devotions from Proverbs 31 Ministries)
1 cd of Marybeth’s message “Becoming A Woman of Influence”
1 Dove Chocolate bar (because everything is better with chocolate!)
I draw one name if I receive at least 10 comments (from those who comment).
The prizes are from the authors of Learning to Live Financially Free: Hard-Earned Wisdom for Saving Your Marriage & Your Money. If a family parenting six children can get out of debt and live financially free, anyone can. The Whalens readily admit they made their share of mistakes the first ten years of marriage. Becoming more disciplined and intentional in spending and saving helped them learn valuable lessons for better financial stewardship–lessons you’ll want to learn too.
Learning to Live Financially Free not only focuses on building a stronger financial understanding in the home, but also encourages couples to communicate, thus building better, stronger marriages. The Whalens clearly comprehend the need for careful money management and commitment in marriage. Money-strapped families will find peace of mind as they begin the process of becoming financially responsible and debt-free.
Are You A Financially Focused Couple? Take the quiz
Read the rest of this entry »
Increasing in Him,
Karen
Topics: Family, Money | 1 Comment »
Spring is here–time for outdoor fun
It’s spring and time for the great outdoors.
I just spent the morning buying flowers for my graden. Tht reminded me of all the years of having our children garden. We bought the ten cent packet of seeds from the catclog companies and sorted and let the kids plant. They grew a corn patch (with the NY skyline in the background one time) and also helped with all the vegetables we grew. The snap peas were always a hit as they grew so fast. One year we had large pumpkins and the school children visited our ‘pumpkin patch’ as that was a short walk.
Consider setting up a patch or large pots if you don’t have a yard, and let your children grow some vegetables or even strawberries. They will learn a lot about food and caring for the earth God made. They can help pick out the plants (maybe even buy one from their own money), plant, fertilize, water, and weed their little patch. And later they can enjoy the produce!
Enjoy walks to find signs of spring, tossing a ball, or simply playing tag. And on the windy days fly a kie or windsock!
Increasing in Him,
Karen
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Treasuring children at Easter
Jesus died to show he loves us and to offer us the invaluable gift of everlasting life. Take time at Easter to help your children feel loved and treasured.
One way I did this was with a treasure hunt for each of my children. Each one had an individual hunt with clues and little treasures s they found the next clue. As my children grew they helped create clues for a sibling to help me out (5 children is a lot). For the little ones we printed pictures and cut them into jigsaw puzzles. For older ones, we wrote rhymes and coded clues. We gave them each the first clue with a comment that he or she could chose to follow it or not as a reminder that God also gives them a choice to follow him or not.
Another firend hs ‘goody eggs’ where they let each one write on slips of paper positive words or comments about a person and then slip it into that person’s plastic egg. At Easter, each one opens his or her egg and reads all the loving words from family members.
We also like to share our love with others (Jesus wants us to do this). One year our children dressed in costumes (butterfly, caterpillar, bunny, and other spring creatures) and we went to a nursing home where we gave out party favors to all the residents.
What are ways at Easter you show you love one another as Jesus asked us to do?
Increasing in Him,
Karen
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Going green
Children are leading the way to save the earth. According to Pew Center on Global Climate Change in collaboration with Nickelodeon, 80% of kids believe they can stop climate change. I don’t like to use the term global warming as many scientist don’t support that, but I know pollution causes problems and people add to that problem.
I like to encourage children to make earth friendly choices, even with teaching A-B-C’s of caring for the earth for kids (Adopt a piece of ground and care for it, Build a pine cone bird feeder, conserve energy)
I like making better choices and I found some beautiful stuffed toys that are eco-friendly called “My Natural” or Miyim.com made with organic cotton and natural dyes. They are soft and cuddly and there’s even a teething rattle that’s a natural plush.
What choices have you made lately that are good for the earth? Have you encouraged children to be good earth caretakers?
Increasing in Him,
Karen
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Changes (and news of a contest)
I saw a flock of robins land on my front lawn this morning. They flitted from tree to tree and gave me hope of an early spring. It also made me think of how quickly seasons change and our children grow. The first month of the year has already ended and I’ve done a few things on my goal list.
A good change from winter to spring is the ability to encourage children to move from the computer to the outdoors. We all seem to be drowning in technology and it’s hard to keep our kids active and away from hours of sitting. However, to help you when they are going online, check out http://www.getgamesmart.com/ It’s a campaign to help people find their way through the maze of digital ratings. Plus there’s a contest to win amazing entertainment surprises.
The first sighting of robins always brings joy for me. Some signs of change are like that. My littlest grandchild has started crawling and that’s also a joyful change. Consider today signs of change you enjoy and what inspires you to move toward change you want.
Increasing in Him,
Karen
Topics: Changes and goals, Family | No Comments »
Lasting changes
Last week I mentioned making changes that work and setting goals. I want to mention that there are really two main motivators for real change, one positive and one negative.
The negative motivator is reaching rock bottom and realizing “I can’t go on like this anymore.”
The positive motivator is having a vision for what could be and holding on to that vision.
Now, we all prefer the positive inspiration. I have changed due to both and the rock bottom is not fun. I like to think when I ant to make a change about what that can mean and start envisioning the impact it will have. If I can visualize it or write it down then I can usually achieve the change.
Of course, the best vision is one from God. When I considered a writing career I went to a retreat and prayed about writing and if God really wanted me to write. Not only did the Lord give me a vision, but the next morning at the end of breakfast the leader told us all to turn over our place mats. I had only told my roommate about the vision and as I turned over the white place mat I saw a painting of my vision. Everyone had a unique painting. Mine also had the verse from Proverbs 3:5. It is framed and over my writing desk as a reminder that God has called me to write.
So, start envisioning your future changes and ask God what He has planned for you.
Increasing in Him,
Karen
Topics: Changes and goals | No Comments »
A New Year and time for new choices!
It’s a New Year and I have a new grandchild on the way.
It’s also time for new choices. By now most New Year resolutions have failed. That’s because those are generally good intentions and not really thought out goals.
Instead, state the change you want to make as a goal. Then list all the steps to reach the goal. Set mini-goals if it seems too big to attain. Also list what you need to help you reach it (education, tools, funds, etc).
Take it one step at a time.
More importantly, write that goal and post it. Read it daily and start journaling about it. As you journal thoughts will flow that help you see how you may be obstructing your reaching the goal with negative thoughts. You may also see other steps you need and be able to start seeing yourself move toward the goal.
Don’t stress out over the obstacles and time it takes. Instead, focus on the positive choice and the steps you do take. Get into a focus group that could help (an organizing group if you want to be neater, a writing group if you want to write, etc). Or find someone to be an accountability partner with whom you can share your dreams and progress plus be encouraged (be sure it is an encouraging and supportive person).
Increasing in Him,
Karen
Topics: stress | No Comments »
De-stress and manage time at Christmas
Christmas is coming and you may feel overwhelmed with too much to do and too little time.
Don’t stress out or try to do it all. Focus on one thing a day and what you most want to get done. If you don’t bake a ton of cookies or get everything bought and wrapped we will still celebrate the birth of Jesus.
You can give a coin as a promise token of giving a gift later (especially a gift of time and doing something together.
You can forego all the formal wrapping for kid Instead, stuff the gifts into pillow cases. Then let children close their eyes nd pull out one gift at a time.
You can have less holiday cookies and serve more green and red veggies this year.
And if your cards are not done–plan to send out Valentines of Easter cards. We switched to those for the years we had little children. It surprised people and gave us a chance to answer the Christmas letters.
Stop, decide what has you most stressed, and think of a creative way to get around it and enlist help to do it.
Increasing in Him,
Karen
Topics: Christmas, Family, Money, stress | No Comments »
A Devotional Book that encourages friendships
Two of my friends have a new book out for women. As you write your Christmas wishlist, consider this one as it will be great for starting the New Year. Or buy two, one for you and one as a gift for a friend so you can stay on the same page and build your friendship.
The One-Year Women’s Friendship Devotional (Tyndale) is the latest book from friends and coauthors Cheri Fuller and Sandra Aldrich. Not only does the text provide a deeper connection to and enjoyment of God and His Word, but it is a wonderful opportunity for today’s busy women to connect with each other as they discuss the short daily devotions and the “To Ponder” questions at the end of each week’s section.
What can women gain from The One-Year Women’s Friendship Devotional?
Sandra: The One-Year Women’s Friendship Devotional is designed for today’s busy woman. Each of the 365 devotions are on one page and contain a daily Scripture, short devotional thought from either Cheri or me and end with an honest prayer and an insightful quote. At the end of each week are questions to ponder individually or talk over with a friend. But beyond the friendship connection is our heavenly Father’s invitation to know more about Him and His living Word.
Cheri: One of the benefits of our One Year devotional is it provides a vehicle to discover your natural rhythm for drawing near to God in a personal and regular way. For right-brained people like me, the structure helps me stay in God’s Word day by day so my roots can grow deeper in Christ. Being a lover of people, I also enjoy exchanging ideas and discussing how a certain verse or story spoke to me, and the weekly questions are ideal for that purpose.
Increasing in Him,
Karen
Topics: Friendship | No Comments »