I loved having the kids home yesterday for Lincoln's Birthday...I really do soak up and TREASURE these moments when we're all under one roof...
We actually had time to update our fun little "tree" we've had up in our living room for a few months. I made it from Trader Joe's bags a little brown paint and some staples...all things already in my house :)
It's been our Thankful Tree for Thanksgiving...Advent Tree for Christmas...and now, our Love Tree for Valentine's Day...
First...we painted the paper before cutting it into hearts :)
Some paintings were too sweet to cut :)
Then, we printed 1 Corinthians 13:4-9a (NASB) and cut them into strips...
Next, I drew hearts on the back and watched sweet little hands cut their own shape around my lines.
{Gotta snack while we work!}
Hole's punched, string tied, and the verse reads like so across the branches...
It's all true...2 Timothy 3:16 says All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Just going through each heart with with the kids today and helping them understand what God says love IS, was sooooooo good. It was especially hilarious to have Cole and Cora break into a squabble right in the midst of our little chat about love. Because scripture was hanging right before our eyes, I was able to direct us back to God's words very quickly :) Cole has had a REALLY short fuze lately...what a great opportunity to minister to his spirit.
"Cole...God says love is not easily angered and is patient. You need to be more patient with Cora, and not get angry so quickly." His attention was fixed, and when I spoke of God's word, his eyes melted. Magic words? Better. God's Words. Was the rest of the day without conflict? No. But the seeds have been planted, and well watered over time, God promises they won't come back void.
It's do good to be in His Word...and I really these sweet little hearts reminding me of what is TRUE about love. If I say I LOVE my kids, my husband, my neighbor then I pray all these things are true of me. Lord, by your Spirit, make them true.
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Wondering if you won the Devotional giveaway?
Names were written...
Even Cora wrote every "C"
Every name prayed over, folded, and placed in our jar...
Shaken up...don't peek, Cora!
Just pick one...
Jenn Bettinger!
Jesus Calling for Kids is on its way to your door...
(good thing I know where you live!)
For those of you who didn't win this time, keep your eyes peeled for our next one coming up soon! And...you may want to go out and get whatever book you were hoping to win...they are SUCH a source of encouragement to our family! Thanks everyone for entering!
Happy Valentine's Day!
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Tomorrow...I have some very exciting news for you, but you'll just have to come back to find out! Until then, I'll send you on a scavenger hunt...go HERE and let me know what you think! If you ask me...you'll be VERY glad you did :) I'll give you my 2 cents on it all tomorrow...I'm bursting to share but its good to practice our patience..isn't it? Only because I love you, and check out the first heart...love IS patient :)
LOVE the V-day tree! A great was to teach what real love looks like! Those Burdett kids are just too cute. :)
You are so creative and such an inspiration! I love how you include the kids in everything.....such cute little faces =)
Thanks Jenny!!! We really did have fun doing it too...its been a great reminder for ME since its been up! We all need reminders of truth, no matter how big for small :)
Thanks Jaimee!!! You are too sweet...loved seeing your sweet girls at church tonight! We are so blessed!