Encouraging those who serve around the world!

I know many people serve in many capacities around the world. For this post I am talking about those who serve specifically to advance the cause of Christ- better known as missionaries. In about 20 days I will be leaving with a team of 10 from my church to serve at their conference. This conference happens every two years. I was able to serve the last conference when they were in Istanbul, Turkey. This time it is Croatia. As I have stated here before- our team will be providing care for those birth -11 years old. We will be doing nursery care, Vacation Bible School, Kid's Church, and other "special" events with these awesome children. I have a request for you-

Would you consider writing a note to a missionary family so you can encourage them and let them know how much you appreciate their willingness to advance the cause of Christ in a culture that was once foreign to them. If so, please leave me a comment and I will let you know how you can do that! Last time this was such an awesome thing to give to each missionary family!

You can also help by donating (new) items for the missionary children's goodie bags. We are asking you remember this has to be transported- so take that in consideration...........
Nursery (two and under)- 10 children approx. (5 girls / 5 boys)
Preschool (threes- fives) - 10 children approx. (5 girls/ 5 boys)
Elementary (Kindergarten - 5th grade) - 25 children approx. (12 girls / 13 boys )

Things to consider are candy, small toys, small books or activity/coloring type books, etc. Please remember if giving to a certain age make sure they are age appropriate. One example is currently The Dollar Tree has small Cars Frisbees- they come in a package of 3. It would take 15 packs to have enough for every bag- that is $15 in all! Maybe you could purchase a couple of those and WOW we are on our way! By the way- I purchased one - so we only need 14!

Other things I noticed on a recent dollar store trip-
1. Super Fly Rings - these had Winnie the Pooh on them - great for the nursery or preschool!
2. Go Diego Go Paddle Ball toys great for the elementary group
3. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Fingerboards (little skate boards) great for elementary
4. Playing cards - 2 decks in a pack and I have one (so 11 more packs needed) for elementary

I also know the kids love candy like fireballs, jolly ranchers, Starburst, MNM'S, skittles that are harder to get in some of the places they live.
Also if anyone has any contact with how we could get some small type toys they put in fast food meals but that are new- please let me know- I would love to put one of those in there as well.

I have also put the gender break down in case you would like to do something gender specific- hair bows, little lotions, etc. (yes, I realize I could only think of girly things).

Please, please think about how you can play a part in blessing and encouraging those that answers God's call to move to a foreign land, away from family and familiar things of life (and often time conveniences of America) so that many more may be told of the incredible love and plan Jesus has for each one of us- regardless of age, gender, ethnic background, financial standing, etc.

I know many may not be able to contribute in a financial way due to our present economy BUT we all can write a card or note- can't we? It was precious to have all the children from AWANA to bring notes or pictures they had drawn to take with us! Yes, this is one small opportunity to have your children be on mission for Jesus!

Okay I will step down off my soap box! Thank you in advance for all who respond by praying, writing, bringing, going and sharing!

Meal Plan Monday

Trying to get back to doing a meal plan. Hopefully our schedules have settled down. Doing a meal plan not only helps me in saving money but also normally it is better than eating late (and usually not as healthy). Also posting my meal plan makes me more accountable!

Here is my plan..........

Monday - roast, potatoes, green beans, mac and cheese

Tuesday - Dinner at meeting

Wednesday - Dinner at church

Thursday - Lasagna

Friday - Steak, baked potatoes, salad and rolls

Saturday - Hamburgers and sides

Sunday - BBQ chicken, fruit, corn casserole, side ?

Okay here is my plan- hopefully it will go well!

You can go over to www.orgjunkie.com for more Meal Plans!

Respect

I guess you have figured out I am the Minister of Childhood Education at my church. I love my church and serving alongside of some awesome parents, volunteers and children. Something that has been on my heart and mind lately is ........... Respect.

Let me start by saying I am so thankful for parents that feel the biggest job they have is to raise children who love Jesus more than anything. I so appreciate they train them not only to love Him but accept Him as their Savior. I feel this is the most important job they have when it comes to the children God has blessed them with.

With that being said, let me move on to what I think may be the next task a parent must train their children in............ RESPECT. Some may call me crazy but I believe this is more important than any academic lesson, ballgame, recital, play, etc. they will EVER have.

I am so thankful when I see children who display good manners. I see so many display GREAT manners but they are kids so I am pleased with good manners. It makes my heart so happy when children respond to adults even if being disciplined in a way that is showing respect. It is also encouraging to see them respond to their peers in ways that display their respect for them as well. In my home if an adult said I was out of line, disrespectful or disobedience- there was no discussion. The only talking done was me being scolded and deciding how I was going to make the situation right.

I believe it is also important to remember that showing respect also applies to how we treat the property of others- it may be a place or a thing. Our society is placing less and less value on "things". If we lose or break something (by not taking care of it, etc.) it is often just replaced.

I know for the most part teaching respect and responsibility is taking place. However, sadly not in all homes.

I urge everyone to think about what part you play in helping this generation learn all these great things.............. if you are a parent and teaching these things, keep on keeping on
if you are a parent and not teaching these things, it is never too late to begin
if you have children in your sphere of influence- do all you can to help parents with these life lessons! Just remember it is up to all of us to help make an impact on the generations to come!

I also encourage you to affirm children in your life when they do display respect, responsibility and great manners! When you do - notice the smile (or shy grin for others) appear on their sweet faces. Positive affirmation only helps reinforce these great characteristics and behaviors in their growing lives.

Questions

Our mom's group for April is going to be on the topic of Mom - The Family Manager. The lady I really wanted teach this is not available so we are going to do this round table. This is one of the mom's favorite sessions- sharing and learning from each other. I am trying to decide what topics under Mom- The Family Manager we should use as our topics. What do you think should be some of our talking points????

My other question is - What is one tip, practice or product that has helped you be a better Family Manager?

For example, the latest thing I have put into practice that has helped me be a better Family Manager is ...........

putting an accordion file folder in my car with all my restaurant coupons. I learned this from my friend Gloria over at Fun and Frugal !
.

I am trying to compile these tips to share at our mom's group in April. I would really appreciate your input! (Especially for all of you who are organized) Remember- as in my case- you are a Family Manager even if you do not have children........ because you, you and your hubby, etc. are a family! So come one, come all and Share, Share, Share!!!

Have a great day!

Mission Trip Coming Up

In the middle of April I will be traveling to the Island of Brac with my husband and 8 others. We will have the privilege to provide VBS, Kid's Church, Nursery and other fun things for a group of mk's. As we prepare for the trip - please pray as we prepare for the different activities- Bible Stories, crafts, music, games, snacks, etc.

We are also preparing goody bags for the kids. We are so thankful for the bags being donated to us. We have also been given some items for the bags - activity books, cars, snack bars, pens, pencils, etc We are looking for things that children 5 - 11 might enjoy. For this age group we need 25 items. We are also filling 12 bags for ones and twos and 12 bags for threes and fours. If you have items you would like to donate- please let me know. Please remember we have to think about weight and size for packing. We are so thankful for our church allowing us the opportunity to bless others.

We are also collecting items on a needs and wish list from one family close to our church.

We are also asking for people to write notes of encouragement and appreciation to these families.

We also need people to help cut out diecuts used for crafts, decorations and activities.

For more info on how to participate in any of these opportunities- please contact me.

You can also read about our trip- especially while we are in country- at the following blog:

http://fbcincroatia.wordpress.com/

Please, please begin to pray for every aspect of our planning of this awesome opportunity.

A Quiet Place

Can you see the bench hidden in this picture? During my November trip to Williamsburg, Va I looked through the shrubs and branches and this is what I saw..................

a bench hidden in this beautiful place

I imagined what it must look like in the Springwhen all is in bloom.............
I wondered if anyone ever sat on that bench and
...........dreamed
...........prayed
...........wondered
...........rested
............enjoyed the peace

I longed to sit in this place. However, short of me knocking on the door and asking some complete stranger if I could set on the bench in the backyard, it was not going to happen. So I simply snapped this picture of this quiet place as I walked back to the bus pick up (for those of you wondering there are some people who live in houses around Colonial Williamsburg, I believe this was one such house).

Looking back over this picture reminded me of a book I recently reread parts - A Place of Quiet Rest. It is by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. It has personal reflections of Elisabeth Elliott, Kay Arthur, Vonette Bright and others. The foreword is written by Joni Eareckson Tada - my favorite author. The subtitle reads - Finding Intimacy with God through a daily devotional life. When I originally purchased the book I thought the book cover was beautiful and serene and I liked the title. I didn't notice the subtitle. I was pulled in by wanting rest.

"The Fragrance of Devotion"
"The product of a daily devotional life will bear fruit in our own lives, as we experience an ever-deepening intimacy with the Father. Sadly, many believers never enter into the joys and fullness of this life of oneness with the Father. ..........
Time spent alone with Jesus each day will order our hearts and grant a sense of direction, enabling us to live purposeful, useful lives, directed by the power of the Holy Spirit, rather than being driven by the expectations and demands of others. ............ The fruit of a devotional life will also be manifested in an ordered, peaceful life..................."

As I reflected on these comments (Chapter 12 Cultivating the Garden of the Heart) I will tell you it is evident when I do not have that peace or that order it is often because my priorities are out of sorts. It is because I have been so busy doing ministry I missed that time spent with the Father. Something He continues to teach me is I am to be "directed" not "driven". As I ask myself about what fruit is showing up in my own life because of my daily devotional time with my heavenly Father, I ask you to think about this also!

Do you have a "spot" of quiet rest? Mine is my big green chair, what about you?

New Coupon Classes Scheduled

Thank you to everyone who attended First Baptist's First Coupon Classes last month. Due to the requests that have come in about having a second class and repeating the first one we have scheduled the following:

March 5 (Thursday) 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at First Baptist Church (Cleveland, TN) in "The Backyard" (Our Kid's Church area). This class will be on "Taking it To the Next Level". Updates will be given on store coupon policies and we will discuss CVS and Walgreen's shopping. Childcare will be provided by advance request. Deadline for childcare reservations are March 2ND (Monday) at noon.

March 10 (Tuesday) 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church (Cleveland, TN) in "The Backyard" (our Kid's Church area). This class will be two part- at 6 p.m. we will repeat the "Beginner's Class". Some people may want to attend this class again if they still need help and guidance getting started. At 7:30 p.m. we will begin the second part - "Taking it To the Next Level". Childcare is not provided for the evening classes.

Please leave a comment to sign up or call First Baptist Church of Cleveland. The class is free. We do ask you RSVP so we can adequately plan and prepare. We ask that if you have copies of the weekly grocery store ads and drug store ads to please bring those with you- FBC will also try to provide for you if possible. Bring you coupons........... we will also have the opportunity for you to share coupons.

Anyone who attended the first classes and has specific questions you would like to make sure I cover- please let me know! We would also like to provide as many coupons for participants as possible- if you have contacts for this- please let me know!

It has been very exciting for me for all of you who have shared with me the money you have saved since our class. It has also been shared with me that several of you have taken the info back to your work or church and are doing classes. I was so excited to hear about how I feel God has used the simple use of coupons to impact others! I would love to hear where and how the other classes have gone! Happy couponing.........!