This and That

This was taken November 1. We read through the book of Proverbs in October, a chapter a day. We've done this the past 5 or so years. Then we celebrate completing it by getting carry out food or going out to eat.

This year we went to Taco Bell for breakfast.

Then we went to The Giver at the $2 theater. Jasmine and I had seen it before. It's a good movie but not totally true to the book. They tried to make it more like Divergent or Hunger Games, and they didn't need to. It would have been fine as it was.

Later in the day there was a fall festival at the church where Jasmine has County Christian Youth Choir.

Only a few of the kids showed up to sing. There are kids from 20 different churches in the choir.

Science fair project is done and turned in.

Now we are starting the history fair project. The theme this year is leaders and legacies. Jasmine submitted a request to either do her project on Walt Disney or Louie Armstrong. Both left strong legacies. But her teacher tends to shoot down our interesting ideas and give her something boring. Like last year she wanted to do Ruby Bridges but ended up doing court cases that influenced school desegregation!! So, here's hoping for an interesting project this year. I feel a field trip coming on if she gets to do either of the topics she submitted.

Any one else in the midst of science or history fair projects?

Some of the stuff I talked about a couple posts back about Kayla that happened at school affected Jasmine, and she was really upset. (One problem of having siblings in the same school.) Jasmine was really down, so Jessica came over and got her and took her to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at the $2 theater for a sister date.

I took Jessica to see "The Best of Me" at the regular theater the day before. It was sad!! Are all Nicholas Sparks' movies sad?? I put a bunch on my netflix list and may need to buy tissues.

I took Jasmine to Dolphin 2 to celebrate finishing her science project.

The dogs decided to come in and nap on the couch! 

They were all asleep when I went to take the pictures, but of course they heard me and had to see what I was doing.

I have some pictures from this morning (Veteran's Day), but I'll post them next time.

What We Need to Tell Our Daughters

I posted this back in August 2013 after Miley strutted her way across stage half dressed. There's a lot going on now that says our girls are still missing this message. And here's the thing. You can tell your daughters all the stuff below over and over, but you can't make them take it to heart and make it their own. You can only hope they do and be there for them when they don't.

The real title of this post is: "Things to make sure your daughter knows so one day she doesn't strut across a stage half naked losing all dignity and honor."

Not too many positive role models for our girls come out of Hollywood. But they could. Because any girl/young lady can make choices that make her a young woman of faith and dignity. I mention dignity because of Proverbs 31:25-26, 30 which says, "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised."

These are good verses for our girls. But girls aren't always encouraged to make the right choices or to be the kind of woman mentioned in the verses, so it's up to us as parents to guide them into becoming women of faith. Women of dignity. Women of character. It should start long before their first steps, but if not, start today.

Here are some things we need to tell our daughters.

(I added some resources to help with this. Some are written by me, some are not.)

  1. Guard your heart. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." The things you see stay with you. The things you read stay with you. The music you listen to has a message that stays with you. Use Philippians 4:8 as a guide for what you see and hear.

(Check out the movies you want to watch at Plugged In online to find out what they really contain HERE)

  2. Celebrate you! Psalm 139:13-14 says, "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it." God made you who you are. He gave you the personality, talents and abilities you need in order to be who he created you to be. It's okay to work at those things and improve yourself, but don't wish you were someone else. You cheat yourself. You cheat others. Only you can be the you God made.

(Check out The Christian Girl's Guide to Me: The Quiz Book for fun ways to find out more about what makes you special HERE and Promises for God's Princesses HERE, or My Princess Devotions for the smallest princesses HERE.)

  3. God has an amazing plan for you. Jeremiah 29:11 was written to the Jews in exile, but it's true for you too. "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." You are not here by accident. God has things for you to do. That's why #2 is so important. God gifted you with what you need to fulfill his plan for you. Don't sell yourself short or settle for less than the best. Going along with what everyone else is doing might be the easy road, but it's not the best one. God wants more than that for you.

(Check out The Christian Girl's Guide to Being Your Best for great advice, fun quizzes and doable crafts to help you discover all you can be HERE.)

  4. Every choice you make is important. It's easy to act without thinking or go along with the crowd. But each choice matters, even the little ones. Choices turn into behaviors, and repeated behaviors become habits. Choices have consequences. Something you do on impulse to make others laugh or get attention may not have the outcome you plan. Weigh each choice and ask yourself if this is a good thing for you and for others. Think through big decisions and discuss them with a responsible adult.

  5. Don't be an attention seeker. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." It's okay to get attention for good grades, good sportsmanship on the playing field, singing a solo, making the debate team or helping out in the community, but don't let that be the only reason you do them. And never lower yourself for attention. Twerking half dressed in front of a million viewers will surely get attention—the wrong kind. Is that attention worth losing people's respect, dishonoring God, and losing all dignity and integrity?

 6. Your purity is your gift to your husband. I know people don't think this way anymore, but saving yourself helps you avoid guilt and emotional baggage. Cover up and don't display to the world what you are saving for your husband. You can dress with style and still be modest. Add a cute high cut tank top under those scoop neck shirts. Put some fun leggings under the short skirts and dresses. Make your own fashion statement if you need to. Flaunting your half naked body in public doesn't show any creativity or imagination. Finding ways to be stylish and modest at the same time does.

(Check out The Christian Girl's Guide to Style for ideas HERE.)

  7. Being different is okay. You're not a freak because you don't sneak out to parties, make out with boys, wear a swimsuit that looks more like underclothing than something you could swim in, disrespect your parents or take part in questionable activities. Even a small light illuminates in a dark world. Be the light others need to find their way.

(Check out a Young Woman After God's Own Heart or a Girl After God's Own Heart HERE)

  8. Good manners never go out of style. Saying thank you, writing a note, giving deference to the elderly, respecting those in authority, taking turns, turning off your phone in restaurants and talking quietly and respectfully show that you know how to be polite. They put you a notch above others whether or not your friends agree.

  9. Your friends will influence you, so choose good ones. Proverbs 12:26 says, "The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray." Your friends are important. You talk to them about things you don't discuss with your parents. So make sure your friends are the kind that will give you good advice and encourage you to be your best, not go along with the crowd or be mediocre.

(Check out Girls Politics" Friends, Cliques and Really Mean Chicks HERE (teen girls) or A Girl's Guide to Best Friends and Mean Girls (preteen girls) HERE or Just for Me: Friends HERE (young girls))

 10. Live on/with purpose. Micah 6:8 says, "The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Simple, huh? Live intentionally. Live as a princess because you surely are as a child of the Heavenly King. Keep that in mind and the first nine points will fall into place.

(Check out: The One Year Devotions for Girls Starring Women of the Bible for a daily dose of inspiration all year long. HERE (girls 10-14), or The Christian Girl's Guide to the Bible HERE (ages 8-12), The One Year Book of Bible Trivia for Kids HERE or Just for Me: The Bible HERE (ages 5-8))

These are my thoughts. What other messages do we need to give our girls? What books and other resources have you found helpful?

  

October

Thank you to those of you who shared your randomness on the last post! Sounds like we all have things on our mind--some that can be solved with chocolate and others more serious! Feel free to go back and add your randomness!

Two things on my mind today are: this is my husband's first day of being unemployed. He's not alone. They cut many jobs, and the men holding these jobs are in their 50s, 60s and I think one in his 70s. It's not a good time for these guys to all be trying to find new jobs. All in our area in the same career field too.

The other thing is that I have a child who violated hot lunch rules so is packing a lunch. However, she is throwing it out before reaching her classroom and then actively  begging food from the other students. If that doesn't work she is coercing and threatening them! Not good. It's driving the kids and the teacher crazy. She was already begging, coercing and threatening before she had to pack her lunch, so it's not that. She is not hungry, she just can't stand that someone has a treat she doesn't have. It wouldn't matter what she had if someone has something she thinks is better. 

She is also just plain being mean. The teacher shared with me at a conference two weeks ago that she just walked up to a boy in the class and kicked him really hard in the shin! I have little tolerance for bullying, so that didn't go over well with me. 

As a result of these things, she has lost the privilege of doing anything where Rick or I are not with her to watch her. So she can go to gymnastics because Rick stays and watches. But that's about it. Children need the right to be on a sports team, at a birthday party or in children's church or Kidz without having to worry about being bullied or injured. I had hoped this was behind us. I tried to mention it to the teacher at the beginning of the year, but K was "honeymooning" the first couple of weeks, so it took a little longer for the teacher to catch on. But at least we are working together on it and that helps.

It's October, and that means a change in our morning (5:40!) devos. Instead of the kids taking turns reading from a devo book, we all read from Proverbs one chapter a day. 31 days in October, 31 Proverbs. 

We read around the circle one verse at a time. It can be a little challenging because we have different versions of the Bible. This morning there were five of us, and four different versions. After we've read the chapter, each family member picks a favorite verse to think about for the day and tells why he/she picked it.

Mine today was Proverbs 1:3. It talks about the purpose of the Proverbs. "Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,

to help them do what is right, just, and fair." I chose this verse because we all need to be doing what is right, just and fair everyday. It also reminds me of Micah 6:8, which is one of my favorite verses.

You can find Proverbs chapter 1 here

Proverbs and What to do with Your Pumpkin

First, let me say that the two topics in the title do not go together. Proverbs doesn't talk about pumpkins.

Every morning at 5:45 we gather for morning devotions. During the month of October we read through the book of Proverbs a chapter a day. We read around the circle with two using the NIV (New International Version) Bible and three using the NLT (New Living Translation). So it was interesting to see the differences in wording.

Everyone would pick a favorite verse from each chapter that they were going to try and live by that day. All those who took part got to give me a supper order last night. We have two who don't read well enough to read Proverbs but they are capable of listening. Unfortunately they chose not to, and that's okay too. But I did give them a chance to give a favorite verse each day and since we often compared the wording between the two versions of the Bible, there were lots of opportunities to pick a favorite verse or even a few words from the Scripture.

Adam chose Subway, the rest of us had Chinese. The choices were anything in the nearest plaza and that included Taco Bell, #1 Chinese, Subway and Little Caesars (pizza).

Everyone shared their favorite verses from Proverbs. Some of Rick's were:

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance. Proverbs 1:5 NLT

Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Proverbs 2:2-3 NLT

Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes. Proverbs 19: 2 NLT

Jasmine's was Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (NLT) The rest of us like that one too. but Jasmine read first so it got to be her favorite.

Jessica chose Proverbs 30:1-2 I am weary, O God; I am weary and worn out, O God. I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense. NLT I think she only chose it because she liked the "I am too stupid to be human part." : )

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. Proverbs 6:9-11 NIV, 1984 edition

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV

Adam's were:

But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. Proverbs 1:33 NIV, 1984

Discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you. Proverbs 2:11 NIV

Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many Proverbs 4:10 NIV

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. Proverbs 12:1 NIV, 1984

A fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. Proverbs 14:3 NIV, 1984

Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the LORD that one gets justice. Proverbs 29:26 NIV

Some of my favorites were:

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. Proverbs 3:9-10 NLT

My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them. They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. Proverbs 3: 21, 23 NLT

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. Proverbs 3:27 NLT

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 NLT The 1984 version of the NIV says, Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. (Love that part!) The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless. Proverbs 10:19-20

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 NIV

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 NLT

The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe." Proverbs 18:10 NLT

Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest. Proverbs 19:22 NLT

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1 NIV, 1984 Same verse NLT: Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. Proverbs 31:25, 26 NLT

I am going to be reading through Proverbs again this month by myself. Anyone have a favorite verse from Proverbs?

Last night Jasmine went to a festival at a friend's church. Then she and Adam went on a mission to get me banana laffy taffy. They only had about 30 minutes to go out. Then Jasmine ended up staying up past 11:00 to finish homework!! Fifth grade is tough.

Aren't they cute together?

What to do with the old pumpkins? Easy. Give them to the goats! (Not ours, about a mile away in the middle of the city!)

Everyone wanted a piece and some did NOT have good manners!

The goats also get our old bread and vegetable peels.

What do you do with your pumpkin?