Popsicle Stick Prayers

This is our POPSICLE STICK PRAYER JAR.

 I came across this idea and decided to do it myself.
I happened to have a jar on hand, as well as jumbo 

popsicle sticks. I got the kids together right after 

breakfast to make our jar full of popsicle sticks with our family,

 friends, pastors, and church members names on them.

I let them think of people to write down on a stick, and I 

of course, suggested people, too.

As soon as we were done writing names down we prayed.

We took turns drawing one stick out of the jar at a time.

You can't peek when you are pulling a stick! Then we go around 

with our stick in hand and pray for that person. When we are all done

we put our sticks back in the jar and do it again. It's really cool

when we get the same person two or three times. I believe and

told the kids that it's because God knows they need extra 

prayer today. 

The first time I did this I felt a little pressure to keep moving

 on with our day because we hadn't started school. 

BUT, I thought "Wouldn't I want them praying rather than doing 

anything else-and especially when they are SO excited to do so?"

 I agree, so we kept praying. We did it SEVEN times! That's a total 

of 28 people we prayed for! I couldn't believe the joy my kids had

in praying for people they knew. Honestly, they didn't want to stop.
It was THE MOST excited I have seen them to pray.

Our popsicle stick prayer jar sits in the middle of our

table. We see it every meal. Many times the kids want to

pull one out and pray for someone while they are eating.

We've also done this a few times after dinner. It amazes 

me to hear what my kids pray for people. For example, 

we prayed for someone and then a few days later I heard

that something Rob specifically prayed for them is an 

exact need they have right now! God is so good. He leads 

us as we pray and I am so thankful He hears us!
We've probably prayed for you!

My Mother's Day Yesterday

Here are a few snapshots of my day. I was so very blessed. 

I thank God He gave me the gift of being a mother.

Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes in bed-I put peanut

butter on my pancakes (ever since I was a kid)

My three kids hanging out, watching me eat on my bed

They each gave me something-a TRI shirt, cycling shirt 

& tinted chapstick...can't go on a ride without it.

Oh and Josh blessed me with new cycling shoes, too!!!

Me and my terrific trio

Josh and Zack bbq'd carne asada and it was so delicious.

Josh knows the way to my heart...food! He made a 

homemade sheet cake for dessert.

Needed to do a close up of this one...the frosting melts into

the cake right after it comes out of the oven. It was his 

best one ever!

I was very blessed this Mother's Day! A HUGE thank you to

Josh and my three kids for going all out to make me 

feel so special! You all inspire me to be a better mother.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

1. Sidewalk

I couldn't believe my eyes. When we arrived at the 

horse show on Friday afternoon I told the kids to wait 

in the area right in front of our car. Marcus plopped himself 

down on the sidewalk and Allie joined him (without being told
to pose). These spontaneous, affectionate moments make
motherhood so special. 

2. Inspiring

My daughter's faith is so inspiring to me. She 

planted a flower in her class at church on Wednesday night.

 She got home and pulled up the window shade and set her 

little flower pot on her window sill. The next morning she woke

 up and announced to everyone, "It grew!!" Whether the flower 
grew or not, I don't know. But, I do know she taught me in 

that instant about childlike faith. Oh, how I need more

of that. Thank you, my sweet Allie.

3. Time

On Friday night, the kids had such a fun time sleeping 

on our pullout sleeper sofa in the front room. They 

thought it was a special treat. They are too cute!

4. Close up

This is a close up picture of the box of donuts Josh brought 

home with him on Monday. He usually gets home on Mondays 

in the early afternoons. However, he had a client that needed to 

reschedule, which meant he came home a little later. So, she knew 

this and brought me and the kids a "peace offering" to bless us. 

We happily received it and ate all of these delicious donuts...
then went into sugar shock!

5. With Mirror

I heard running water. When I looked in the bathroom  

mirror, this is what Allie was up to. She was filling an itty bitty 

mint container (now emptied) with water to fill up her itty bitty

 baby bottle for her dolls. No, I don't understand the thinking 

behind this, but that's ok. She understands what I was

 thinking and said right away, "Don't worry Mom, I'll clean 
up the mess." That's my girl!

Mother's Day

 

Happy Mother's Day to our 

Three Wonderful Mothers!

We love you more than you know!

Amazing Revival at Church

We had an amazing revival this past weekend at our church.
It actually went from Wednesday night through Sunday night.
There was a powerful presence of God. It was so exciting to see
 people giving their lives to Jesus at every service.

Pastor Carnegie powerfully preaching!

Fellowship after church service

Over forty people gave their lives to Jesus in the outreach and 

revival services. Many were healed in their bodies and felt a renewing

 in their walk with God. We are so thankful for what God has done 

in this time, personally and in our church. God is so good!