Be Inspired

Be inspired.

Look around you to see the beauty that is already there.

Marvel at the vibrant colors of a sunrise or sunset.

Sit in silence and hear the Heavenly Father speak to you.

Take delight in the giggles of your children and the smiles on their faces.

Be inspired.

Listen to the sweet melody of the gorgeous creatures perched in their trees.

Feel the coolness from a fresh spring rain and enjoy the drumming from a distant sound of thunder.

Reflect upon your life and see how far you've come.

And give thanks for God's mercy.

Be inspired.

Date of the Month Club

My hubby and I recently celebrated 14 years of wedded bliss.  I always like to give him sentimental gifts (and he actually likes to receive them, too), but I had no clue as to what to do for this year.  So, I turned to handy dandy Pinterest to find something that shouts "LOVE AND ROMANCE"!

Never to fail me, Pinterest led me to this great idea called Date of the Month Club!  I used some of the ideas from that blog, but also came up with my own.  I picked 12 fun date ideas that I knew we would both enjoy doing.  I made the dates flexible for each month, since we always have such crazy schedules.  As long as we can have a date each month, I will be happy.

I purchased a colorful binder from Target and used sheet protectors from my own stash.

I added a cover page at the beginning of the binder that states:

Congratulations!

You've been enrolled in the exclusive

Date of the Month Club

...for a year's worth of romance and fun!

As an Honored Member you will receive:

-Creative and fun dates for each month of the year

-A babysitter to watch the kids, if needed

-Quality time with your best friend

-Wonderful memories to be made

By enrolling before January 1, 2014, you are eligible to receive surprise 

bonus dates throughout the year!

Dates are flexible but must be redeemed within that calendar month.

The value of this package is priceless!

I used clip art, fun fonts, pictures, and stickers to attach to scrapbook paper that I already had.  I tried to make each month as unique as possible.  I can also insert ticket stubs and other memorable items into the sleeves.  Plus, the binder is big enough to add many more months to it.

Some dates are a little more expensive than others and some are free!  With the busyness of lives nowadays, if dates aren't planned in advance, they simply won't happen.

It's not too late to start your own Date of the Month Club.  Make it your own to fit your schedule, lifestyle, and personality.

Here's to love in the new year!

Creation

Creation is such a fun Bible story to teach.  As you teach the kids all that God has created, it is easy to be fascinated yourself at the artistry of God.

I like to break down the days of Creation and teach one day at a time.  This really helps the kids grasp the Bible story and memorize the sequence of events.  Since I teach Chapel only 2 days a week, I use a month to teach Creation like this:

Day 1-Light
Day 2-Water and Sky
Day 3-Land, plants, and vegetation
Day 4-Sun, Moon, and Stars
Day 5-Animals in the sea (fish), animals in the air (birds)
Day 6, Part 1-Animals on the land
Day 6, Part 2-Adam and Eve
Day 7-Rest

The best resource I have found for explaining each day can be found at AnswersInGenesis.org here and here. Simple illustrations for each day is easy for children to comprehend.  I like to draw each day on a dry erase board in my classroom.  Then, on the very last day, we learn about the day God rested and we review the other days.  I also pass out an 11 x 7 piece of white paper, folded into thirds, and have the kids draw along with me as we review.  It's so interesting to see what the kids draw.

Keep it simple and fun and it will be easy for the kids to comprehend.