Stephen Stoned

Welcome--Have kids share about their week
Prayer Requests/Prayer
Worship
Review previous weeks lesson
Lesson: Stephen Stoned Acts 6:2-8:2
There was a man named Stephen and he loved the Lord Jesus with all his heart.  So much so, that he wanted to tell EVERYONE about him.  About how Yeshua died for us and rose again and we MUST know Him as our Savior.  He told others about the love of Yeshua and how He cares for us.  This information made some men very angry, they did not believe the words of Stephen and thought he was telling lies.  So these angry men sought to hurt Stephen.  They yelled at him and told him to stop.  When Stephen continued to tell the praises of Yeshua, they gathered around Stephen and beat him up and even threw stones at him.  I can't imagine how Stephen felt!  He just wanted them to know Yeshua's love and all he got was hate.  There will be times when people or kids will hurt your feelings or push you around because you believe in Yeshua.  When you choose to do the right thing and follow God's commands instead of others, they may lash out at you, call you names or they might not want to be your friend any more.  Because when you choose to right, they realize they are doing wrong and they don't want to feel like they are doing wrong, they want to continue in their sin.  But in order to continue to do what they want, they need to get rid of you.  But always remember that God gave us His Holy Spirit to give us comfort when others hurt us.  Just as He comforted Stephen. 

When we go thru trials and hard times, we will come out stronger and a better person. Here I have a block of wood. But it sure is rough, ouch! (allow kids to feel it)  But I have some sand paper here, feel how rough it is, looks like it could hurt if you were to rub it on your skin(allow kids to feel and rub on their arm).  But as I use this sand paper over the wood, the wood is changing a little. Wow, feel how smooth and much better it feels.  Sometimes, sand paper may come along in our lives, but even tho it may hurt for a time, in the end you will be a better person.

Be a Soldier--Anyone here have family in the Army??  It is so important for them to learn that when they are given an order, they MUST follow it.  Even tho it makes them uncomfortable or may even be painful, they have to obey.  So we need to be God's lil' soldiers!  We need to follow God's commands and tell others about Yeshua, even tho it might make you uncomfortable or painful when you get made fun of.

Memory Verse:  "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."  2 Tim. 2:3
(Play the game Hang Man, however, I have turned it into the Flower Game.  If they don't get a correct letter, I add the center flower, flower petals, stem and leaves.  If I complete my flower, they loose)

Craft:  God's soldier.  click here http://www.dltk-bible.com/crafts/armor/mpaperarmor.htm
use the one with armor but without the words

coloring page: http://www.calvary-kids-pages.com/pdf/sunday_school/Stephen_250.pdf  Page 2

Word find: http://www.calvary-kids-pages.com/pdf/sunday_school/Stephen_250.pdf   Page 4

Saul Transformed

Welcome--allow kids to tell you about their week
Prayer requests/prayer
Worship
Review last weeks message
Lesson: Saul of Tarsus
Saul was a man who thought he was doing good by persecuting the Christians, which means he would have them beat up and/or thrown in jail just because they believed in Jesus.   We know that God would never want us to treat others that way.  But God did an amazing thing in Saul's life, even a sinner like Saul.
-Watch a few minutes of the Bible story on youtube http://youtu.be/8wPQSll8MbM.  (I started it at 6:20 to skip over the stoning of Stephen.)

Allow kids to retell the contents of the story.
God "transformed" Saul after that meeting on the road.  Do you think God can change someone like Saul??  Even after all the mean things he did to others??  He certainly can!!   Saul came to know Yeshua as his Savior and did wonderful things for the Lord.  What other animals can you think of that "changes"?  (Butterfly, frogs, ect)
You can read the Hungry Caterpillar Book for demonstration.

God can change you into a wonderful creation when you come to know Him as your Savior.  Look at this lego, it doesn't look like much.  No design or structure.  But when given a plan or instructions we can turn it into an awesome design.(make a structure)  God can do the same thing with us, make us into a new creation. (need:  legos)

When God transformed Saul into a new creation, He also changed Saul's name into Paul.   He was completely changed.  --Now take names of the kids and give them a new name by switching their letters around.  Need: whiteboard and markers

Memory Verse:  "And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."  Romans 12:2  (divide verse into 6 phrases and tape to 6 boxes, put into pyramid shape and have kids knock them down and put back in order.  Hint: put verse on different colored paper to help those who can not read.)

Craft:  Butterfly 
click here for intructions: http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/insects/m-eggcarton-butterfly.htm

Coloring page for younger kids:  http://www.calvarywilliamsport.com/5a74a1.html

Decoder Puzzle for older kids:  http://www.sermons4kids.com/transformer_decoder.htm

Pregnancy Photoshoot!!

I was a little nervous on having a photoshoot of my BIG belly on pregnancy #4.  Face it, the belly doesn't get prettier the more pregnancies you have and I am certainly the heaviest I have ever been !  But, my friend talked me into it and with her editing skills, I am very glad I did it.  Don't miss out on getting priceless pics of your preggo belly over hang-ups on our flaws(or what we THINK are flaws).  Let me share my wonderful experience :)

Thank You, Heather Dorney Photography for preserving my precious memories of my precious little one!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Heather-Dorney-Photography/200842693301307

Back to Jerusalem VBS Day 1

*2 hr. program

Check-in: Have kids get costumes on

Arrival activity--Eastern Tribes Flag craft- Judah, Issachar, Zebulun

Welcome-  Have kids come sit on rugs.  Explain VBS, go over Hebrew words they may hear like Yeshua(Jesus), Torah(first 5 books of Bible), Shalom(greeting).  Go over memory challenges and go thru the rules--I made a "tablet" out of posterboard with Jerusalem's City Laws on it.

Worship and Israeli Dance(Hora)

Temple Time:  Lesson--Yeshua visits the temple as a little baby(8 days for name ceremony and 40 days old for dedication)
How many of you were once a baby??  Really!! All of you! How amazing!  I was a baby once too!!(show baby picture of yourself)  I was pretty cute.  Did you know that Yeshua came to Earth as a little baby too! Just like you and me!  However, He was a very special baby.  He was fully human, but fully God at the same time!  He grew up here, just like you, so He understands everything you go thru.  He grew in God's word, obeyed His parents and went to Synagogue.(get growing capsules, and start it before the lesson, it takes time to grow)  Just like this little capsule, it started out super small, but over time, it grows and grows and grows.
How can YOU grow! Eat your veggies, get sleep, drink water, exercise...How can you grow spiritually??  Read Bible, pray, go to church, ect....
What kind of job's do you have?? (allow kids to answer)  Do you go to work and make dinner and mow the yard??  Yeshua was born and sent to this Earth for a reason.  God sent Him here a BIG job to do... to go about His Father's business...saving the world (use a globe for visial)

Memory Verse:  "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."  Matthew 1:21
Write phrases of verse on 8-10 balloons and pin to a board.  Go over the verse, start popping the balloons until whole verse is memorized.

***For craft time: we divided the kids up and had half at one craft tent and the other half doing the other craft and then switched.**
Craft: Pottery (purchased at local craft store.  1/2 lb of clay per child. let dry overnight, may need to use oven to dry faster.)
Craft: Basket weaving (kits purchased at S&S Worldwide http://www.ssww.com/  24/$37.99

Bubbe's Kitchen-Snack time--Challah Bread with butter or honey

Synagogue School- Practice writing Hebrew letters: Aleph, Bet, Vet, Gimel, Dalet, Hey

Ending Song: Shalom Havarim

(Have kids clip costumes back onto clothes line)

Back To Jerusalem VBS 2012 Overview

 Praise the Lord!! We just finished our best VBS yet, "Back to Jerusalem".  This post will describe the overall scene and things we did. Stay tuned for daily details.
We wanted to bring the kids back to Jerusalem.  The market place, synagogue school and the temple!
We planned our lessons around the times Yeshua visited the temple at important times in His life. 
Set the scene:
We made backdrops of Jerusalem type building on large sheets bought from Goodwill.

We made signs for each station as seen above(Jaffa Gate Check In)  Written in a Hebrew Font.  The signs were purchased at Oriental Trading.

Station Signs:  Carpentry Shop

Jewelry Bazaar

Pottery Shop

Music Shop

Cloak Room

Bubbe's Kitchen

Synagogue School

We had a "Cloak Room" where the kids were able to dress up for their evening in Jerusalem.

Everyone got a tunic(pillow cases from Goodwill with holes cut for head and arms) and a sash made from scraps from Goodwill.

Girls got scarves (.80 each)

Boys got kippas ($1 each)

We strung up twine and hung up their outfits with clothes pins!

They also had their name tag with their outfit so they knew which was theirs.  These were made of a Torah scroll clip art that I added their names to in the Hebrew font. Hole punched and strung twine thru.  I recommend laminating them so they last the week.

I also made a Jerusalem sign to hang over the doorway as they entered.  This was made of burlap fabric and felt letters hand cut of the Hebrew font.

We wanted the kids to learn the 12 tribes of Israel, so we bought these beautiful tribal posters from www.grouppublishing.com left over from another VBS.

I also had the kids do an arrival activity.  They worked on 3 tribes a day. The Eastern Tribes(Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun) The Western Tribes(Levi, Benjamin and Joseph) The Southern Tribes(Reuben, Simeon and Gad) The Northern Tribes(Dan, Asher and Naphtali)

They colored 3 flags a day of a certainl group and glued them on a posterboard. You can add small stir sticks as a flag pole if desired.

We made tents for the kids to do their crafts in by sewing several sheets(from Goodwill) together and making a large covering and hang by rope fixed to hooks or Command Hooks on the walls.

We had several quilted blankets, rugs, pillows, cushions for seating(no chairs)

For synagogue school, we wanted the kids to have "tablets".  Make home-made play-doh, press a lump into a medium sized plate, place into a gallon size zip-lock bag with their name on it.  Add a large feather for a "quill" for a writing tool.(I picked up a bag at a craft store)

Every day for Synagogue school they got their tablet and we practiced our Hebrew.

We had an Israeli Dance time.  We taught the kids the Hora, which a super easy dance to learn.

This is the beginning and I will share the lessons next :)

Thanks for stopping by.....

Feelin' Crafty!!

I am throwing a bridal shower for my sister-in-law -to-be this weekend!  I was going to make cupcakes with these really pretty cupcake liners with her colors on them.  However, I was feeling too lazy to actually make the cupcakes, but wanted to do something with the pretty cupcake liners.  This is the result :)

For step by step instructions and more fab ideas go to http://karaspartyideas.com/2011/01/cupcake-liner-pom-poms-tutorial-vintage.html


I also make "cakes" for special occasions.  It's full of practical things and made up to look exceptional :)  I make them for Graduates, Bridal Showers and Baby Showers!  This one is a simple one for my Sister-in-laws Bridal Shower.  It's a "towel cake" made up of things she listed on her registery!

Witness to Others

Welcome Kids and give them a chance to share their week with you.
Prayer and Requests
Worship
Lesson: Mission Possible
(wear black sunglasses and have Mission Impossible music playing as you "sneak" around the room)
I have a mission for you today, IF you choose to accept it.  Do you accept this mission I have for you?(kids respond) Good!  You have been chose to be God's Special Agents and He has a special mission for you.  Our mission is to be Witnesses, telling others about Yeshua.

Have a white board and markers-draw a small circle-"where do you live?"  Let kids share their cities they live in and write in small circle which represents Jerusalem.  Then draw a bigger circle around the small one and let kids name off states-which represent Judea.  Then draw a bigger circle around that one and have kids name off countries/continents.  "These place are our mission field.  Our first assignment is right in our own neighborhood.  How can you accomplish this mission, here are some ideas:  Invite your friends to church or special events like VBS
           Pray for your friends
           Be a good example
           Tell others about Yeshua in love
           Learn more about Yeshua, the more you learn the more you can witness
           Learn a new lnaguage

This mission is vital because we do not know when Yeshua will return, so we need to get the message out that Jesus is the ONLY way or else the mission will be in trouble.
(Write J-E-S-U-S seperately on construction paper and tape to 5 books and lay upside down on the floor, scambled, this is the "bridge".  "There is only one way to heaven and this information needs to be shared on your mission.  Here is the bridge but you need to help me figure it out.  (have kids name off letters of the alphabet until all the books are flipped, and have them unscramble the letters)
Jesus is our bridge.  He is the only way for us to cross into heaven!  Are you ready to go out on your mission???!!!!

Memory Verse:  Acts 1:8  Write verse on large posterboard and cut up into serveral pieces and hide around the room.  "Ok, kids, my verse is missing, (play mission imossible music) I need you to help me find the pieces.  (then have them work together and put the puzzle back together.)

Craft:  have the kids decorate manilla folders with their name: "Agent Joe"  Top Secret Information and other "mission spy" stuff.  Older kids can write out their mission assignments on who or what they can do.  Smaller kids draw pics of what they will need(Bible, prayer, ect) and draw pics of people they want to witness to.

Hebrew letter for the day ED ( Dalet, Ayin)

Jesus Washes His Disciples Feet

Be A Servant!
Welcome Kids: Ask them about their week and welcome visitors
Prayer/Requests
Worship: I have a small class, so I LOVE to bring in my computer and play YouTube worship songs for us to sing to
Review last weeks lesson, gotta make sure they are retaining info
Lesson: John 13  Jesus Washes Disciples Feet
--Puppet Story http://rotation.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3036088121/m/8441051781 use this link to find a cute sock puppet skit and scroll down a bit.

--Things we do with our feet... have the class; jump; skip; tip toe; dance,march, ect.  That was fun, our feet are pretty tired now, let's take a seat.  When Jesus and His diciples traveled, their feet got tired too, AND they were pretty dirty.  The story said that Jesus washed his disciples DIRTY, smelly feet...Jesus, the Son of God, our Savior, served.  He did this to show us how to treat others, He is our ultimate example.  If He can get down and serve others, so MUST we....

--Have a foot washing time....have children SERVE one another by washing each others feet.
Need: bowl of warm water, towel


Memory Verse:  "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you."      John 13:15  (print parts of the verse onto foot templates and color different colors.  Mix them up and have kids put feet verse in correct order)

Craft:  Have pre-printed feet or have kids draw and cut out their own foot tracings.  Cut out 5 feet, write "Serve, One, Another, In, Love," on feet. Hole punch each one and secure with yarn.

Hebrew time:  4yrs=Hebrew letter Dalet
                        5yrs-9yrs= Hebrew word Avad (Dalet, Vet, Ayin)

Coloring page (4yrs old) http://www.biblewise.com/images/kids_korner/fun_games/2005/march/coloring_book.pdf

Word Find (5-9yrs old)

Group discussion:  Discuss ways for kids to serve others in their community

Fight For Your Marriage

Today I heard another sad story of a Christian couple who ended their marriage in divorce.  It just breaks my heart as I am sure it does to our Heavenly Father.  People are fighting less and less for their marriages,  abandoning their families, friends and most of all their faith.  Marriage is a constant state of compromise and understanding, it actually takes work!  As a woman, I hear alot of, "if onlies".  If only...... my husband were more romantic, If only....... my husband helped around the house, If only........ my husband was the spritual leader I want him to be...ect... THEN I might consider fighing for our marriage and doing what I can to make it work.  I am no expert theologian, but my Bible doesn't say it that way.  As wives, we have the power to build up our homes or tear it down(Prov. 14:1).  You can make that choice to nag and complain..OR hold your tongue and encourage your husband instead of pointing out the negative.  Let's just work on us, our side of the marriage, and see how much your actions can change things around.  Here are a few things that I have gleaned from others over the years and have to remind myself daily if I am being the helpmate my husband needs.

1. Ladies, SUBMIT to your husbands(Eph. 5:22).   Before you get your tailfeathers all ruffled over that word submit, you need to read it for youselves.  This is the way God designed marriage. You have to aligned yourself, thoughts and ideas under God and His Word. We are not the leaders of the home, and if you are, then you need to hand the reigns over to your husband.  Marriage is designed for us to be under the protection and care of our husbands, and then our husbands are under God.  If you not submitting to your husband, then you are not submitting to God.(Eph. 5:23-24)  I love this illustration!

2. Stop the nagging/complaining(Prov. 19:13).  Our disagreeing and nagging are like a continual dripping! Don't be a leaky faucet!   We always want to have our say and be heard. Wanting to correct our husbands and show them the "correct" way in doing things.  Sometimes, we just gotta sit back and enjoy the ride.  So, if your husband wants to take the long way on Hwy 8 instead of the freeway, don't try to tell him all the logical reasons of why he needs to take the freeway.  One beautiful Sunday, our girls were napping in the back seat while we were driving.  My husband was driving all over the place, and I didn't know where we were half the time but I just sat back and enjoyed holding his hand in the quiet.  He ended up(by mistake of course) on some back roads of St.Paul by the Mississippi River, and it was such a beauiful back road. We would never have found it if I had tried to tell him that he missed his turn about 3 miles back.  In the grande picture, it's not worth it to nag him about picking up his dirty clothes, complain about watching the kids all day, or nag him about doing HIS part.  Do these things as unto the Lord, with a cheerful heart, and you will notice a change in your attitude and a possible change in his actions.

3.Be his cheerleader(Prov. 31).  I am not saying to go don your high school cheerleading out fit and find those pom-poms, but I am pretty sure he wouldn't mind :)  It might help more......but, Proverbs 31 shows us a great deal.  One of my favorite verses in Proverbs 31 is..."The heart of her husband safely trusts her;"    Can you say that???  I know my heart wouldn't feel safe if I didn't have the support of my husband.  If I am not encouraging, supportive and "cheering" him on in his ministry or work, how will his heart be entrusted to us.  If you are going to shoot down his dreams, goals or ideas, he will be reluctant to ever share his true heart to you.  That is a precious gift that I want to be entrusted with for the rest of our days.

These are just a few things that were on my heart lately!  Not every marriage is the same, we are all at different stages and situations, but it is never too late to start fighting the Devil to keep your marriage.   Now go get that cheerleader outfit on, and stand under that umbrella with a smile on your face!!
***This doesn't apply to those who don't feel safe or are being harmed in their marriages.  Seek outside help immediately. ****

Bed Wetting....HELP!!

My beautiful, talented and incredibly smart 6 year old daughter is a bed-wetter.  I couldn't wrap my mind around this ordeal.  It was so frustrating and I have been waiting for her to "out-grow" it, but it just wasn't happening. After dealing with peed in sheets and  PJ's for years after potty training was completed, I needed an alternative....and now!  This wasn't happening a random few nights a month...this was happening about 5 nights out of the week!!  My 2 yr old was already dry thru the night! 
After looking thru the products of urine alarm systems and other gadgets, I found no other solution but to pay over $100 for something to help! Anything....I had to start somewhere...but before I typed in my credit card number, I happened to listen to this CD on child behavior.  Orginially, I was looking for some info on my "spirited and strong-willed" 4 yr old, but stumbled upon more.  It suggested a natural pro-biotic vitamin, called acidophilis.  I refuse to "medicate" my kids, but this was a natural pro-biotic that we all need.  Sometimes there is a yeast build-up in the tummies of our little kids that can cause behavioral and emotional problems, and they even mentioned that it has helped with bed-wetters.  So, I wanted to give it a try.  It was natural and good for them, so no harm in trying and it won't break the bank. 
Within a few days...she was dry....every night.....I had NEVER had her do that and I felt like rejoicing!! I have searched the internet and never heard of this.  Who knew a little daily vitamin was all I needed to get thru this.  I recommend trying it and I hope you have success with it like I have.  I just wanted to share our story and hoping it will help someone like YOU :)
Blessings!

 

We used the chewable tablets and make sure you get it from the refridgerated section!!

If you want more info on how I learned about this check out:

"The Biology of Behavior"

by: Dianne Craft, MA, CNHP

http://www.diannecraft.com/article-001.htm

Fish Bowl Challenge!!

I like to find fun ways to encourage the kids to learn their memory verses every week for our little co-op homeschool group.  We started this one in January, before the Super Bowl, so I thought this was a cute idea!  I printed off empty fish bowls for each child, and every week after they said their verse, they added a fish to their bowl! They loved filling up their fish bowls each week.  I just pasted them to a firm foam board and decorated it with sea life.

Ooops, we did it again!

God has decided to grow our family again, and we are expecting baby #4 in September 2012.  We are so excited and know that this new little one is a blessing from above.   As soon as the giddiness of sweet visions of little baby toes and fingers wears off a little, the reality sets in and I freak out a bit....Ok...alot!   I will be going back to sleepless nights, we have no room in our little house, we need a mini-van now, we have NO health insurance and how will I homeschool with 4 kids....!!!!

Ok, I take a deep breath...slowly, as I rest in God's hands and remember that I am not in control, He reassures me. The things that seemed so big, are shrinking.  All the chaos I see and feel is something I am creating that does not need to be apart of my life. 

Psalm 4:8
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

God does not promise to keep us from having crazy lives, but He will help us handle it!  He gives us plenty of resources to get us through, we need only to grab hold of them and not let go!

1. His Word--start your day in God's word

2. Prayer-give your self time to talk to your Savior

3. Believing Friends--you are NOT the only one struggling with the day to day life of motherhood, finances, household, ect. Be encouraged by them and pray for each other.

4. Church and mom groups--get involved, get out and be a blessing.  Don't shut yourself up at home and wait for people to come wait on you.  Get out and bless others, you can help in the midst of your business and be fruitful for the kingdom!

 

Corner Fringe Passover Seder

What a beautiful and wonderful Passover Seder we had this past Friday night!!  Big Thanks to all who helped set up and prepare!  Most of all, ThankYou Yeshua for your gift of salvation.  Here are a couple of pics of our dinner, maybe they will give you some ideas for your next seder!

               white chair covers, royal blue sashes and white table cloths give it the look of a special night.
(chair covers $2.65 each at  www.discountplacecards.com ; sashes $4.95 per 5 pkg at www.smartyhadaparty.com ; table cloths $9.49 each at www.tableclothsfactory.com )

  We had two trays at each end of the table that carried at bowl of charoset, a bowl of horseradish, lettuce, bowls of salt water and parsley. Each tray had enough for 4 people, 8 ppl per table.  We also had a carafe of water, bowl and towel for hand washing.  A demonstrative seder plate was in the middle...see below........

since these were purely for decoration I got these plastic inexpensive ones at www.milechai.com

A time of worship is essential in any Passover Seder! Praise Yeshua!

Then there are the children...this is a wonderful experience for them..this is my daughter, the one with her tongue sticking out, along with her little friends.  Seder dinners are known for being long events and can get tough on kids.  To help our little ones out, we provide a goodie bag as they enter.  It has couple of healthy snacks, crayons, and a Passover activity book, and maybe some other trinkets.
I got these cute little books for their goodie bags for $1 each at http://levinejudaica.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4986&osCsid=0ed1f639fe509e3979eea47ef40cea77

Here is a check list for a large seder dinner:
Table setting:
salt water cups
wine glasses
trays
serving spoons
bowls for horseradish and charoset
dinner plate
small plates for plagues
salad bowls
napkins
silverware
centerpieces(flowers, rose petals, ect)
candles-votives
square matzah plates
carafe of water
washing dish
towel
linen napkins to wrap affikomen
seder plate

Food:
dinner (chicken, potatoes, vegetable, salad) We catered with Boston Market--wonderful!!
charoset
horseradish
matzah
parsley
salt water
grape juice (at least 2 per table)
salad/dressing
romaine lettuce
hard boiled eggs
shankbones
butter, salt, pepper
drink station(water, coffee, tea)

We got all our disposable dish ware at Litin Paper Warehouse... www.epartypaper.com
They have the best deals for bulk supplies!

Passover Lapbook

I love lapbooks and I was so excited to find all the printables for it!  Since Passover is fast approaching it was the perfect craft for Naomi to do this week!!  Click here for the printouts 

http://www.homeschoolshare.com/passover_lapbook.php

                                                                 Inside of her book

                                                                   Back of her book

Graceless But Full of Grace!

Giggly
 Relaxed
 Animated
 Carefree
 Embarrassing
 Loony
 Entertaining
 Strange
 Silly

This pretty much me in a nutshell! I am one of these at one point in the day, sometimes, all at once, but that happens maybe with the help of some sugar and caffiene.  I have never thought of myself as graceful, I grew up a tom-boy, fishing and building forts. It didn't hit me until college when I met  one of my roommates, who grew up in the south.  She was tall, elegant, beautiful and never made bodily noises.  She could sing AND play the piano!  She properly placed her napkin in her lap and used wine glasses for every day beverages.  She even wore high heels!!  I was pretty much her opposite. She tried to class me up and even tried to teach me the piano....but, it just wasn't me.  I learned to love my "graceless" self, because I knew God made me this way.  The more imperfect I was, the more Jesus was perfected.  I can try drinking with my pinky in the air or learn to walk in heels, but that will not fill me with grace.  God's grace is what I need to be desiring and I can't earn it...whew!!
 Romans 11:6
And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

I serve a wonderous God of grace who takes me as I am and gives me grace in those imperfect areas so that I can glory in Him and give Him the praise.  All I am is thru the grace He has granted me.

1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Passover--10 plagues

10 plagues craft!
 I just found this 10 plagues craft at http://homeschoolblogger.com/kristenph/576456/
You must check it out and there is a link to print out the template too!
Naomi will be doing this, this week for a homeschool project!

Passover Lesson

Welcome Time-let kids share about their week
Prayer/Prayer requests
Worship
Review last weeks lesson
Bible Story:  Exodus out of Egypt-10 plagues-Jesus is our Passover Lamb-Saved us  by His death on the cross and rose again

Lesson: 10 Plagues Play-I use this play every year and the kids love it! http://www.kirkofkildaire.org/quest/FQlessons/PlaguesPlayhouse.htm
God Protects--God protected the Israelites from the plagues by the blood of the lamb-He protected us from death by dying on the cross for us!  Have a volunteer sit in a chair "unproctected" and attack with silly string!  Then have a volunteer come up and cover them with a red blanket(the blood of Jesus) and then attack with silly string, they will be protected. Need: red blanket, silly string)
The Plague Song-- This is fun to sing to the kids!  http://www.kidssundayschool.com/Gradeschool/Songs/1song01.php


Memory Verse: "For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrified for us." 1 Cor. 5:7


Craft:  Seder Plate--See previous post on this craft.  I teach younger kids so I simplifed it and they turned out great.
 Need: disposable cake platters from a party store or craft store
            cupcake liners
            various Passover pics and symbols for them to cut and paste onto their plate
            the 6 pics for the plate, bitter herbs(usually horseradish-bitterness of slavery), egg(New life in Jesus), shankbone(the Passover lamb, Jesus), haroset(sweetness of freedom and Jesus' salvation), parsley(dipped in salt water to remember the tears shed as a result of our slavery) and lettuce(used to eat charoset)
           http://www.freekidscrafts.com/images/projects/sedar_foods.jpg 


Have the kids glue 6 cupcake liners around the cake platter.  Then print of the 6 sedar plate foods from link, color and cut out. Paste them inside the cupcake liners.  Then have them cut out and paste various Passover pics and symbols onto their plate.


Snack:  Charoset and crackers (see charoset recipe in previous post)


Hebrew Word:  Passover--Pesach--practive writing the Chet/Samech/Pay

Coloring page-- http://www.coloring.com/pictures/passover-marking-door