Family Bible Study Ideas {Giveaway}

A few years back our pastor decided that he would like to make some changes in our curriculum so that everyone from the babies in the nursery to the senior adults would be on the same page each Sunday. I wasn't sure at first if I would like it but after a few weeks I couldn't imagine it being any other way. 

In order to accomplish his goal we began using the same passages of Scripture for all Sunday School classes and the Sunday morning message. Of course the adult classes were much more detailed than the nursery lessons but we all studied the same portion each week. 

Not only was this a nice thing for our church family, it was also very beneficial for our personal family. Have you every been on the ride home after church and asked your little ones what they were learning in Sunday School only to have them say "I don't know."? It has happened in our family more than I would like to admit. Now with the changes it is easy to give little prompts to jog their memory that can then lead to a full-blown conversation. This is especially beneficial for Granny and Poppy. We automatically feel connected because we know what their lesson was about. Sunday lunch conversations have taken on a whole new dimension and I for one love it!

Family Bible Study

In fact we enjoyed studying the same Scripture together at church so much that we decided to try something special in our homes during the Christmas season. We chose to Celebrate Advent with the Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. The two houses that had children used the Jesus Storybook Bible and the two houses that were adult only used The Story of God's Love For You. The two books contain the same words but the illustrations are different (one being for children and the other for adults). You can read more about the specifics of how we did it HERE.

Daily Devotions

That was such a wonderful experience for our extended family that we began talking about practical ways we could incorporate this same concept into our daily devotional routines. At first the task of putting together something that would not only be meaningful to the adults but also work with the different ages and stages of our kiddos was a bit daunting. As much as we liked the idea not one of us had the time or motivation to take on the work of putting together the daily devotions.

Just when I was about to give up on the notion a brilliant moment of inspiration struck. I was sitting in the rocking chair with my four-year-old grandson and we were reading our new copy of the updated The Beginner's Bible. If you are familiar with this storybook Bible you know that it is intended for toddlers to preschoolers and walks them through the highlights of the Old and New Testaments with simplified storylines. 

As we were reading through a few of the stories it occurred to me that we not only had the toddler/preschool version of The Beginner's Bible we also had the New International Reader's Version (NIrV) designed for younger readers and the King James Version (KJV) designed for adult readers of The Beginner's Bible. 

 

After talking it over with my daughter this is the plan that we came up with. We're going to use The Beginner's Bible (preschool edition) as our guide. Each story gives the Scripture reference and that will be what we use for our older kids and adult readings. 

So for example the very first story is called The Beginning and it is on Genesis 1. That story will be read aloud to the preschool and under set sometime during the morning at the usual Bible time. Then the kids that can read will read Genesis 1 aloud from The Beginner's Bible, NIrV edition during their Bible time. (We homeschool so there is a set time each day for these activities.) Then in the evening Daddy will read Genesis 1 out of The Beginner's Bible, KJV edition. Granny and Poppy will also read that same passage at their house. 

I have to tell you that I am absolutely loving this new routine. Poppy and I like to read our portion in the early morning so that we can interact with the grands during the day. I know about when their Bible times are so I enjoy either calling the little ones or sending a text to the older ones about some portion of the Scripture that stood out to me. For me it is a special way to be connected to the grands while at the same time backing up and supporting the parents.

Now . . . how about a GIVEAWAY?!! Would you like to give Family Bible Study a try like we are? We've partnered with Zonderkidz to make a way for one of our readers to get their own copies of The Beginner's Bible (preschool edition), The Beginner's Bible, NIrV edition, and The Beginner's Bible, KJV edition.

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Wednesday, October 19, 2016. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Giveaway Tools form below. All entries are optional.

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Hungry is a Mighty Fine Sauce: Recipes & Ramblings From The Belle of All Things Southern Shellie Rushing Tomlinson | Cookbook Review & Giveaway

Hungry is a Mighty Fine Sauce:

Recipes & Ramblings From The Belle of All Things Southern

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson

Storytelling Cookbook

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, the Belle of All Things Southern, is serving up down-home southern dishes with a healthy side of laugh-out-loud entertainment in Hungry Is a Mighty Fine Sauce. Featuring dozens of tried-and-true recipes complemented by entertaining stories, your hunger--and your craving for humor--are sure to be satisfied! Uncomplicated, delicious recipes including Bodacious Black Bean Salad and Spicy Sausage and Crawfish Spread (125 recipes, to be exact!) fall into categories including Feeding the Funny Farm, Carnivores Are Us, Holidays in Dixie, and Watching the Curves. Eye-catching photos, guaranteed to make your mouth water, are included throughout. . .sure to be a much-appreciated gift or centerpiece on your very own kitchen countertop.

My Thoughts
I'm from a Southern family and there are three things that are universally important to us . . . faith, family, and of course FOOD! In fact those three facets are so interwoven it's hard to see where one begins and another ends. In my opinion there's not much better than Sunday dinners at grandma's house with all the loved ones.
Hungry Is A Mighty Fine Sauce is Shellie Rushing Tomlinson's newest storytelling cookbook that combines all those things except the stories are about her crazies instead of mine. (Trust me that's a good thing!) It was a total delight to get my hands on a copy. Several of the recipes were familiar and the ones that we've tried are quite tasty. 
One of the nicest things is that the stories about friends and family may be unusual but the recipe ingredients are not! In my opinion there's nothing worse than landing on a yummy sounding recipe only to be stumped by some of the ingredients. Never fear! All the ingredients are probably staples in your house and if not I guarantee they are just down the street at your local grocery.
The pictures are beautiful (I think you can almost smell the aroma coming from the dish) and the stories are hysterical. If you have a foodie on your gift giving list this would be the perfect item. It packs a double whamy . . . it's wonderful to look through and read and it's a delicious adventure to cook from. You seriously can't go wrong with this one.
Connect With The Author

www.BelleOfAllThingsSouthern.com

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YouTube - Vimeo - LinkedIn

Now . . . how about a GIVEAWAY?!! Are you a foodie or do you know one? Would you like to give Hungry Is A Mighty Fine Sauce a try? We've partnered with Shellie Rushing Tomlinson to make a way for one of our readers to get their own copy of Hungry Is A Mighty Fine Sauce.

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Wednesday, October 19, 2016. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Giveaway Tools form below. All entries are optional.

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Under The Sea Holy Bible from Zonderkidz | Children's Bible Review & Giveaway

Under The Sea Holy Bible

New International Reader's Version (NIrV)

Zonderkidz

Children's Bible (ages 6-10)

Look at the ocean,

so big and wide!

It is filled with more 

creatures than people

can count.

(Psalm 104:25)

This sparkly and fun Bible contains the complete text--Genesis to Revelation--of the New International Reader's Version (NIrV--the NIV for kids!) and is perfect for children. Sparkling fish grace the exterior while inside whimsical underwater illustrations surround important Bible themes to help kids dive deep into God's Word.

Books of the Bible

My Thoughts

This summer the new movie Finding Dory seems to be on the must see list for most families. With eight grandkids of my own I can assure you it is on our to-do list as well. I'm sure it is going to be a wonderful movie that will take us all into the colorful undersea world. After watching the movie I'm also sure that my grands will be enamored with all things Dory.

To me this is the perfect time to capitalize on their fascination with all the sea creatures by introducing them to the Creator of this underwater world. Zonderkidz has just released a new children's Bible that focuses on sea life. It uses the NIrV translation which is designed for a third grade reading level. The sentences and word structure are simplified without loosing the correct translation. I have come to appreciate this as my grands have become readers. It gives them such a sense of accomplishment to be able to read the Bible on their own.

There are several inserts that have beautiful illustrations and break down specific scripture like "the love chapter" (1 Corinthians 13:1-13), The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), and the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:7-21).

My favorite interactive portion in this children's Bible is titled "Famous Children Of The Bible". The section gives a hint or clue about a particular boy(s) or girl(s) then it gives the Scripture reference where the answer can be found. As a former homeschooling momma this is right up my alley! You could easily make a game out of this that would be a learning opportunity disguised as a fun activity. 

Now . . . how about a GIVEAWAY?!! Want to take advantage of the excitement surrounding the new sea life movie to introduce your children to the Creator? We've partnered with Zonderkidz to make a way for one of our readers to get their own copy of the Under The Sea Holy Bible.

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Thursday, July 14, 2016. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Giveaway Tools form below. All entries are optional.

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God Bless Florida (A Land That I Love Book) by Peter Francis | Children's Book Review & Giveaway

God Bless Florida

A Land That I Love Book

Illustrated by Peter Francis

Juvenile Fiction / Board Book

God crafted the sunshine state especially for you!

See how special Florida is--take a tour of the most amazing landmarks and cities in the Sunshine State, including the Everglades National Park, Daytona International Speedway Race Track, the Kennedy Space Center, and much more!

My Thoughts

Are you ready to take a road trip with your little one? Henry Bear is raring to go on a trip to the great state of Florida and he wants you to tag along.

As he did in God Bless America, Henry wakes with the dawn and is raring to go. His bags are packed and the car is loaded for this long awaited trip. His first stop is in Miami where he climbs to the top of his hotel (seventy floors) and enjoys all the amazing views.

The next stop is the state capitol, Tallahassee. There he sees the government building and even has a chance to meet and shake hands with the governor. Then it is off to Daytona. Henry goes to the famous Daytona Motor Speedway and enters a race . . . and wins! 

Then our little bear tours the Everglades on an air boat. There are so many amazing animals to see. After the beautiful Everglades, Henry's trip takes him to the Space Center. There he gets to see a space shuttle launch and even try on a space suit.

For his final Florida adventure he goes to a theme park and enjoys all the rides and characters. The evening ends with some spectacular fireworks. The next morning Henry stops for souvenirs and then heads home. Once he's home he remembers to thank God for the trip and all the wonders of Florida.

We're so delighted with this adorable series for little ones. It is a great way to introduce young children to geography with a state by state look at our magnificent United States of America.

Now . . . how about a GIVEAWAY?!! Want to go on a cross country adventure with Henry Bear and your little one? We've partnered with Zonderkidz to make a way for one of our readers to get their own copy of God Bless America.

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Tuesday, July 5, 2016. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Giveaway Tools form below. All entries are optional.

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God Bless America (A Land That I Love Book) by Peter Francis {Children's Book Review & Giveaway}

God Bless America

A Land That I Love Book

Peter Francis

Juvenile Fiction / Board Book

God made a wonderful place for you to live!

Follow Henry Bear as he takes you on a road trip to see the fantastic places and beautiful sights that make America so special, including the Statue of Liberty, the National Mall, Florida's Everglades, Mt. Rushmore, and much more!

My Thoughts

One of my favorite things to do is find a book with my grandkid's name in it. It completely delights them when you are reading the story aloud and come across their name. Henry is one of my middle grands and he is always exploring and being adventurous. When God Bless America arrived I knew it was the perfect book and series just for him!

The story is about Henry Bear and his wonderful travels across this great nation. The first book, God Bless America, gives an overview of his travels. The opening lines set the stage for this great adventure:

"As the golden sun rises and birds chirp outside,

Henry leaps out of bed, his eyes open wide.

There's no time to waste--today's a big day.

This bear's off to see the grand USA!"

And with that the adventure begins. With rhyming verse you follow Henry's adventures through New York, South Dakota, Florida, Texas, California, Washington DC, and then back home again. (I know, his route doesn't make sense, but it is fun!) The story concludes with these appropriate words:

"Now home, all unpacked, he gets ready for bed.

Henry folds his paws. 'Thank you, God,' Henry said,

'For the mountains and trees, for freedom so true.

God Bless America, the red, white, and blue."

Even if you don't have a Henry in your midst this would be a wonderful edition to your child's library. Summer seems to be a time when we are all especially patriotic. This delightful book and the others that go with it will help you start a conversation with your little one about how blessed we are to live in this great country. 

Now . . . how about a GIVEAWAY?!! Want to go on a cross country adventure with Henry Bear and your little one? We've partnered with Zonderkidz to make a way for one of our readers to get their own copy of God Bless America.

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Tuesday, July 5, 2016. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Giveaway Tools form below. All entries are optional.

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Unique Father's Day Gift - Jord Wooden Watch {Review & Giveaway}

For thirty-plus years I have been celebrating Father's Day with my wonderful husband. Over the years I think the kids and I have purchased every imaginable tool or tie to mark the occasion. He's always been gracious and acted pleased. And if truth be told he probably was. He's an easy going husband and father and our lives are better for having him in them. 

But this year I wanted to do something a bit different. You see, we're empty nesters and I wanted a unique Father's Day gift that would reflect not only how special he is to me but what a sturdy, dependable father he's been to our kids.

When we received an offer to review a Jord Wooden Watch I knew I had found the perfect gift. I have an absolute weakness for anything handmade and this fit the bill exactly. The idea of a wooden watch encapsulates all that my husband is. Sturdy. Dependable. Unique. Classic. Not to mention that he has spent many years in the lumber business. A perfect fit if you ask me!

After looking through the rather extensive offerings (Jord makes watches for men, women, and unisex.) I decided on the Dover Ebony and Rosewood watch. My husband is a Harley Davidson fanatic and this particular watch style seems to fit that look. 

Here's where I should also insert that these pictures can't possibly capture the true beauty of the craftsmanship of this watch. The overall watch is stunning, but the little details make it heirloom quality. The Dover is a wind-up timepiece that you can see the moving parts through the glass on the front of the watch face and also the back. I can easily see this watch being passed down to one of our grandsons. 

Of course you realize that I had to give him the watch just a tad bit early so I could take these pictures and tell you about it. The look on his face when he opened the box was absolutely priceless. It was the perfect Father's Day gift for him. Imagine my delight when he said, "It kind of has that Harley Davidson look doesn't it?" 

Not exactly sure how I will every top this gift but I do know that I will be thrilled every time I look over and see the watch on his wrist. To me it represents more than a watch that shows time passing, it also reminds me that the time I have spent raising a family with this man has been worth every second. If anyone deserves this beautifully handcrafted watch he certainly does.

Wood Wrist Watch

Now how about a GIVEAWAY . . . JORD Watches has decided to award one winner, chosen at random by their computer, a $75 e-voucher. Not only that but everyone who enters (excluding the winner) will get a $20.00 e-gift card that can be applied to any watch on their website! The winning e-voucher will expire one month after the ending date. The ending date for this giveaway is 6/19.

So what are you waiting for? The entry is easy, just your first name and email. Go HERE to enter!

NIrV Minecrafters Bible from Zonderkidz {Review & Giveaway}

Minecrafters Bible

New International Reader's Version (NIrV)

Zonderkidz

Ages 6-12

CRAFT YOUR LIFE

. . . whether you're in 

creative or survival mode!

Do you ever feel like it's more fun to exist in the computer world tahn the real one? Is that the only place you feel like you can control your destiny? Well, God is the original great world builder, and he gave us the power and the skills we need to make changes in the real world.

The NIrV MINECRAFTERS BIBLE includes:

• Complete text of the New International Reader's Version (NIrV) of the Bible--from Genesis to Revelation
• 24 color tip-in pages featuring full-color illustrations in the style of a wildly popular virtual-world-building game
• Featured stories such as Creation and great builds of the Bible

My Thoughts
If you have a Minecrafter in your midst you need this Bible! I must admit that when my grandson first introduced me to Minecraft I just didn't get the appeal of the squared-off pixelated characters. Then I got my hands on a copy of the NIrV Minecrafters Bible and a lightbulb went on!
I love finding creative ways to pour the Bible into my kids and grands. Who knew a video game could be used for that? To me the Minecrafters Bible is the ultimate accessory for this game. To help get you started using the Bible in conjuction with the game there are twenty-two full color pages with Scripture passages to read and suggested things to do. After your kiddo has gone through those there's an even longer list of great Bible stories at the very back of the book.
My daughter has been using the Minecrafters Bible each morning by reading a particular story with my grandson and then allowing him some extended time to recreate that day's story. It's been such a delight to see him continually refer back to the Bible as he adds details to his world.
If you are a homeschooling family this would be a wonderful addition to your Bible curriculum. I can also see it being used in youth groups on special event nights. My grandson's friends already get together informally to play Minecraft so I think it would be an easy way to engage the culture while instilling truth in the lives of the next generation. 

Now . . . how about a GIVEAWAY?!! We are loving how the Minecrafters Bible is helping us to teach our kiddos important Biblical truth. So we've partnered with Zonderkidz to make a way for one of our readers to get their own copy.

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Giveaway Tools form below. All entries are optional.

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Summer Boredom Busters For Kids Using Electronic Media

A couple of days ago I was visiting with my oldest grand girl and she informed me that she had been out of school for a total of three days and she was already bored. Can I insert in here that I am so thankful that it’s my turn to be the granny rather than the momma? The dog days of summer can be a nice change with the slower pace but they can also be taxing when the normal activities of the school year are no longer in play.

I began to think about what my kids used to do during the summer and ways we could update the activity to be relevant today. One of the things that all of my grands have in common is their love for anything involving electronic media. Even the two youngest ones gravitate to any smart phone that is lying in reach!
With that in mind I came up with a few ideas that worked for me and can still be useful to today’s mommas. I hope you’ll find them as helpful as I did.

1. READING – One of the first summer programs we would sign up for each year was the Summer Reading program at our local library. It’s such a fun way to keep the kids reading. Our library offered prizes and incentives that appealed to my kids. It was also a good opportunity for my kids to explore new genres and authors to expand their knowledge and imagination.

For my oldest grand girl’s recent birthday she received a Kindle of her very own. Something about reading from an eBook seems so much more interesting to her than reading a normal book. The price of eReaders has plummeted and made them very affordable. If you don’t already have one now might be the time to think about it.

Finding books for the eReader has become more affordable as well. Most local libraries have eBooks that you can download to your device and read for free for a set amount of time. You can find free and cheap eBooks from sites like The Vessel Project.

I’m very picky about what I send my grands to read. I like to stick to the classics and inspirational fiction and nonfiction. For my tween grand girl I’ve found some wonderful eBooks from the Faithgirlz line that I think you can trust for content.

2. MOVIES – For whatever reason my kids loved to watch movies in a dark closet. They would pile in pillows and then we’d use an extension cord to plug in our smallest TV and DVD player. (Okay so it was really a VCR, but that makes me sound old!)

With the use of a tablet or laptop and a streaming service like Netflix you can achieve the same result. Don’t forget to check out the selection at your local library. It’s free and a good way to introduce your kids to some classics that you loved as a child. Just add some popcorn and juice boxes and you’ve got an activity that all of your kids can enjoy together.

3. GAMING – My boys loved video games so I wasn’t really surprised when my oldest grandson started talking about them as well. We own a Wii and have enjoyed hours of entertainment with it as a family.

My grandson really likes the Wii but what has him all stirred up right now is this game called Minecraft. When he first showed it to me I just didn’t get the appeal of these squared-off pixelated characters. But then I received a copy of the Minecrafters Bible from Zonderkidz and a lightbulb went off!

If you have a Minecrafter in your midst you already know that the purpose is to build your own imaginative world using characters that you create. If I were the momma I would capitalize on that and combine the game with the Bible.

This is what my daughter is now doing with my grandson. Each morning they read a particular Bible story from the Minecrafters Bible. Then my grandson is given the laptop with Minecraft on it and allowed an extended amount of time to recreate the story. It’s an absolute delight watching him refer back to the Bible as he expands the details in the game. I think this is a brilliant way to capture the attention of your kids while solidifying Biblical truths that will last a lifetime.

Now . . . how about a GIVEAWAY?!! We are loving how the Minecrafters Bible is helping us to teach our kiddos important Biblical truth. So we've partnered with Zonderkidz to make a way for one of our readers to get their own copy.

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Giveaway Tools form below. All entries are optional.

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Inspiring Words - Inspirational Coloring Book from Zondervan {Giveaway}

Inspiring Words

30 Verses From The Bible You Can Color

Zondervan

INSPIRATION FOR EVERY AGE.

PERFECT FOR EVERY PEN.

Or marker, watercolor, or colored pencils.

Inside these pages, you'll find thirty unique and creative illustrations focusing on key verses from the Bible, each offering an opportunity to connect with Scripture while exploring your creativity. Throughout, NIV verses are paired with detailed line art, and each page is printed on high-quality, thick paper stock that won't bleed through.

Relax. Sit back. Meditate on God's Word. Then remove the completed page to display your work for even more daily inspiration.

My Thoughts

As an artist I have to say I am absolutely thrilled with the trend of meditating on Scripture through art. I particularly like the Inspiring Words inspirational coloring book because it allows you to not only express your creativity but also meditate and memorize Scripture.

There are thirty different verses. Some are well known and some are a bit more obscure, but all of them are worth pondering. The way the book is put together just begs for it to be taken apart. What I mean is that each of the prints are placed on only one side of the page leaving the back side blank. The pages are thick and do well with colored pencils, markers, watercolor, or my favorite, acrylic paint.

Each page is 8 1/2 x 11 inches so it is easy to frame. I used an 11 x 14 inch frame with an 8 x 10 mat and I love the way it looks. Now that I've tried it I plan on framing several more to place throughout the house. I love finding new ways to place Scripture in plain sight. For me it is an easy way to help me commit it to memory.

If you have a desire to experience the new Bible Art Journaling trend give this a shot. You don't have to have amazing talent. If you can color in the lines you can do this. It's such a peaceful and relaxing way to spend some quality time meditating on the Word.

Now . . . how about a GIVEAWAY?!! We loved the Inspiring Words Inspirational Coloring Book so much that we wanted to make a way for one of our readers to get their own copy. To do that we have partnered with Zondervan to give one of our readers a copy of the book.

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Thursday, May 26, 2016. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Giveaway Tools form below. All entries are optional.

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Teaching Toddlers: Begin At The Beginning {plus a GIVEAWAY}

by @Fitzysmom

We’ve all heard about the terrible twos. I’m here to tell you that it’s not the second year that will have you begging for mercy but rather years three and four. By then your little darlings will have developed the skills of a master manipulator with a killer smile to boot.

So what’s a worn out momma to do? Begin at the beginning.

For me during those turbulent years it meant running straight into the arms of Jesus. Every. Single. Day. The days I missed were the days I would sink. I love the popular advice of getting up before the kiddos to have a quiet time . . . a little bit of coffee and a whole lotta Jesus. (Cold can of Coke for me thank you very much!) The problem was that I was blessed with a boy that woke up with the first rays of light. And this night owl momma had usually gone to bed just a few hours before. Guilt was my cloak of choice. Why couldn’t I love early mornings? Why did I need an hour or so of just being before I could coherently function?

Here’s where I’m going to urge you to loosen those chains that hinder your morning meeting with Jesus. Do what you have to do to make it happen even if it is mid-morning rather than the crack of dawn. Just like you should put on your oxygen first in an airline emergency, you should also equip yourself first to face what is ahead of you. So put a DVD on, plop your little cherub in front of it and then run to Jesus. Grab your Bible and coffee and absorb His words of life-giving power.

After that mountain top experience you get the privilege of doing what you were called to do . . . train up a child!

So where should you start? Begin at the beginning.

The wonderful thing about toddlers is their insatiable curiosity. The most taxing part of a toddler is their insatiable curiosity. (And the tantrums . . . oh the tantrums!) Toddlers love to discover how things are made and how they work. Encourage that curiosity by teaching them the creation story in Genesis.

There are literally thousands of resources of books and music and coloring sheets that you can use to teach your little one what happened on those first seven days. Make it fun and enjoyable for both of you. I happen to be a brand ambassador for Zonderkidz so I have had the privilege of scouring a ton of their toddler books. One of my favorite new books is the Read With Me Bible for Little Ones. It does a nice overview of some of the main themes in the Bible.

Once you’ve conquered the creation story you can move on to many other stories that reside in the Old and New Testaments. My favorite teaching outline comes from Hebrews 11:1-39. We affectionately refer to it as the great Hall of Faith. Spend time teaching your children about each of these great men and women. It is perfectly acceptable to leave out the gruesome parts at this point. A three-year-old is probably not ready to learn about Cain killing his brother Able. But they can begin to learn about obedience to God by presenting acceptable offerings. And above all else begin teaching them about Jesus.

I’m so excited for each of you mommas as you journey this path with your little ones. You are called to this and our faithful God is equipping you for it. You can do this. There’s a great cloud of witnesses surrounding you and cheering you on. And all the grannies said . . . AMEN!

Now . . . how about a GIVEAWAY?!! We loved Read With Me Bible For Little Ones so much that we wanted to make a way for one of our readers to get their own copy. To do that we have partnered with Zonderkidz to give one of our readers a copy of the book.

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Giveaway Tools form below. All entries are optional.

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