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| The Feast of Pentecost, Sunday, May 27th Pentecost was originally a Jewish celebration at the end of the fifty days of Passover. On this day, Jews would remember the Mosaic Law being given by God on Mt. Sinai. However, it was on this day, fifty days after the death of Christ, that the Holy Spirit descended on the hiding disciples. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit came down with the sound of a rushing wind and that on the head of each disciple rested a “tongue of fire.” The disciples proceeded to come out of hiding and go out and preach to everyone they came in contact with, even speaking in different languages that all might hear. This is when the “church” was established. Thus, the Feast of Pentecost, to the Christian family, is essentially a birthday celebration for the church. Well, nothing says “tradition” like a birthday party! So have a little fun with your family celebrating the church’s birthday. Here are a few ideas to get you started: - Some great Scriptures to read this day include the story of the New Testament Pentecost (Acts 2:1-11), the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and the Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12). Also spend some time researching the Gospel for what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit.
- Since wind is one symbol of the Holy Spirit, head out for some kite flying! Explain to your children that, just as the wind keeps the kite up in the air and moving, the Holy Spirit keeps Christians up and moving in the Lord.
- Have a birthday party in the evening. Decorate with red (symbolic of the fire of the Holy Spirit burning within us) and doves.
- Be creative with your birthday party foods. Think of foods that are red and white and be sure to use fruit!
A Pentecost birthday celebration can be a lot of fun for your kids, and a great way to teach your kids about the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives. Have fun! And check out the following for more ideas: | | |
| Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13th Mother’s Day often brings with it a mixture of emotions. We feel overwhelmed with gratefulness and love for our own mothers, but are sometimes plagued with guilt and worry over how to appropriately honor them on this special day. Us mothers are also filled with joy and pride in our own little brood of children, but may often feel sad and possibly even angry because we feel we were forgotten or neglected when we wanted to be remembered and thanked. The key to enjoying this day, even if no one remembers the job you do as a mother, is to change your attitude. First of all, you must remember that, when you brought that first little child into the world, you virtually signed a contract of selflessness. That moment, life ceased to be all about you and became all about the precious life or lives entrusted by God to your care. Second of all, you must learn to glean from life all the small joys of mother hood – the look of the soft, downy hair and chubby, dimpled hands of your little baby as he sleeps in your arms, the scent of that freshly washed little girl, the sound of your children all singing Jesus Loves Me together, and the feel of those sloppy wet kisses that your children often bestow upon you. Ah, when you think about it, every day is Mother’s Day. But here are a few ways you can begin some family and some personal traditions this Mother’s Day: - Begin by giving your mother all the thanks and honor that you would like to receive. Send her pictures of her grandkids, a thank you note, and a special gift. By special I mean, think of going beyond the traditional bouquet of flowers. I have found the book Gifts of Love especially helpful for coming up with creative and meaningful ideas for not only Mother’s Day gifts but also Father’s Day, Grandparent’s Day, and Christmas gifts.
- Begin your own Mother’s Day with rest. As much as is possible, being that it is a Sunday, attempt to sleep in a little. Go ahead and ask your husband if he will kindly get up with any early risers so you can get even just a few more minutes of shut-eye.
- If sleeping in is out of the question (or even if it isn’t), take a nap in the afternoon. Lay down with a good book; and, even if kids are whirring about the sofa around you, allow yourself to read yourself into a stupor. Then close the book and shut your eyes. . . just for a few minutes.
- Of course it would be simply heavenly to get to go out for a nice meal, so see what you can work out there.
- . . . But if you can’t worm your way into a meal out, be sure to buy all your favorite foods to eat that day. I always try to treat myself to Pillsbury Toaster Struedle on Mother’s Day or my birthday. Simply indulge a few cravings today; your family will enjoy them too.
- Above all, do what you can to lay off the housework and relax. Sit back, and, most importantly, ENJOY your family.
For information on the history of Mother’s Day and a few more ideas about how to celebrate the day, check out the following links: | | |
| Here are a few family favorite frozen fruit drinks (wow, now that's whatcha call alliteration). Our Original Orange Smoothie *This is very similar in taste to an Orange Julius* 3/4c. Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate 1c. Milk 1c. Water 1/4c. Sugar 1/2tsp. Vanilla Ice Combine frozen juice concentrate, milk, water, sugar, and vanilla in blender. Fill to top with ice. Blend until you no longer see large chunks whirling around. . . and enjoy! Cinqo de Mayo Fruit Slushie *In case you are breaking out the tacos tomorrow. . . give this a try too.* 1/2c. Frozen Grape Juice Concentate 1/4c. Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate 2c. Water 1 TBL Lemon and/or Lime Juice 1/4c. Sugar Ice Maraschino Cherries Orange Slices Combine frozen juice concentrates, water, lemon/lime juice, and sugar in blender. Top off with ice. Blend until free of chunks of ice. Pour into cups, stir in a spoon full of marashino cherry juice, and add a maraschino cherry and an orange slice. Hawaiin Delight Slushie *And for those summer-time Hawaiin luaus. . .* 1/2c. Frozen Pineapple Juice Concentrate 1/4c. Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate 2c. Water 1 TBL Lemon Juice 1/4c. Sugar Ice Maraschino Cherries Pineapple Combine frozen juice concentrate, water, lemon juice, and sugar in blender. Top with ice and blend until smooth. Pour into cups and garnish with maraschino cherries and pineapple. | | |
| May Day, Tuesday, May 1st May Day is historically a pagan celebration, a welcoming in of spring and a festival of flowers. You have probably heard of the May Pole, just one of the many traditions of May Day. You may hesitate to celebrate a day that is so completely pagan in origins that it is not even recognized in most Christian circles. I, however, see no reason to shy away from a May Day celebration full of flowers. After all, flowers are such a beautiful part of God’s glorious creation. Take a day to celebrate and thank God for making such a wonderful array of color to cheer your spring and summer days. Try these traditions in your home this May Day. · The first thing you are supposed to do, bright and early the morning of May Day, is secretly take some flowers to a neighbor or friend’s house and leave them on the front door. You could, perhaps make the traditional cone of paper filled with flowers cut from your own garden. Or, you could buy a seasonal bouquet from a florist shop. For very close friends, add some flower-scented candles. · A May Pole is probably a little too involved for most families to attempt. So, try other May Day flower traditions like daisy crowns. If real daisies are not readily available, make paper daisies and glue them to a paper crown. · Garden! This would be a perfect day to plant a Bible garden or Mary garden with your children. · Wrap up your May Day with a flowery treat! You can bake a sheet cake, ice it green, and decorate with flower sprinkles, or you can bake some flower shaped cookies and decorate them. We like to make rice crispy treats. We add food coloring while the marshmallows are melting. After the sheet of gooey crispy mass has firmed, we cut out flower shapes then add yellow candies to the centers. My kids have been hounding me about gardening lately (since mid-winter, really), and I can’t wait to finally indulge them in some flower planting. I think we will be decorating a pot a piece and filling them with the flowers of our choosing. For more information on the history of May Day and ideas for more May Day traditions, check out the following links: | | |
| Earth Day, Sunday, April 22nd Arbor Day, Saturday, April 28th God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Genesis 1:28 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15 The end of April points our thoughts toward our God-given responsibilities as inhabitants of this beautiful world. I always get to feeling a bit guilty, myself. I’m so horribly bad at recycling and taking care to clean up even my small yard. However, there is no time like the present to fulfill one of God’s very first commands to us and become active in taking care of our planet. Earth Day possibilities: · It is most important to set some environment-friendly goals with your family today. If you are new to the idea of keeping the world “clean and green,” consider basic beginner goals like turning out the lights when you leave the room, recycling, and turning off the water when you brush your teeth. If you have already been doing simple things like these, try starting a compost pile, reusing “trash” for crafts or storage, or switching to rechargeable batteries. If you are seasoned in the art of saving the environment try planting a certain number of trees this year, buying all your books or media used rather than new, and cutting your shower times by one minute. · Practice grocery shopping with the three Rs in mind (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). First, REUSE your old grocery bags – bring them along to the store and bag your groceries in them instead of new bags (if your bags are getting worn, busy some sturdy canvas bags for grocery shopping). Then, as you shop, REDUCE by buying things in larger quantities and attempting to keep from buying things in plastic containers. Lastly, when you get home, RECYCLE by placing empty food and beverage containers in a recycling bin. · It is amazing how many pollutants we release into the air and water every time we CLEAN! Look in the store for “green” cleaning products, or make your own – you can find recipes for chemical-free soaps, all-purpose cleansers, window cleansers, dusting solutions, dish detergents, laundry detergents,. . . Be easy on yourself though. Try one new green cleaner at a time, especially if you decide to make your own. · Get your kids to make some “treasures” from “trash” today. Gather up all your used boxes, plastic containers, toilet paper tubes, milk jugs, paper bags,. . . and have fun crafting things like photo boxes, rattles, pencil holders, bird houses and piñatas. If you are very brave, you can try making your own recycled paper. · Go outside and collect nuts, flowers, seeds, twigs, and leaves and make an Earth Day nature collage. · Spend some time today cleaning up your yard. Or, you can volunteer to clean up a local park or highway. Arbor Day possibilities: · Explain to your children the importance of trees. Trees provide us with shade in the hot summer, protection from wind in the fall and spring, oxygen to breathe, and sometimes food to eat. They also provide wood used to build houses and make paper. Animals also benefit greatly from trees. Squirrels and birds, for instance, get both shelter and food. · Plant a tree in your yard, of course. · Take a walk through a forest. Look at the different types of leaves, nuts, and berries. Look for animals up in the branches of the trees. · Tree crafts! Hand-print trees, blown-paint trees, or trees made from real leaves glued on a brown paper trunk, for instance. · Have a fruit tree fruit salad at dinner. Include fruits like apples, peaches, bananas,. . . you could also include nuts like pecans or add coconut. Here are some more Earth Day and Arbor Day resources for you to check out: | | |
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