10 ways to enjoy SPRING

Oh boy another 10 things list! Yes, it is another 10 things list. The best ways to enjoy Spring. It passes by so quickly, You really don't want to miss out on these 10 ways to make it special. 

So counting down!

#10

Enjoy the rain and break out the rain boots and umbrella. Go crazy and drag your kids outside and stomp through some puddles together. You will be so glad you did. 

#9

READ A GREAT BOOK:  Most people think this is a summer activity. But throw a great book in your bag and when you are sitting at a soccer game for your kids or waiting for them to finish piano lessons you can read something awesome! Here's one of my favorite authors:

Brandilyn Collins Kanner Lake Series will keep you captivated. 

Oh, I just saw one of her newer books! Now I know I"m going to enjoy Spring!

#8

TAKE YOUR KIDS HIKING: This is a terrific spring activity. Before it gets to hot you can enjoy the cool spring days. Wear those rain boots and grab a stick to jab at rocks and look under old logs together. 

Hiking Sticks

#7

DISCOVER A NEW TEA OR COFFEE SHOP IN YOUR AREA:

I love this one! there's nothing greater than finding a new spot to hang out with friends or my kids. I've discovered two great tea shops right here in my own town. 

#6

GO FOR A LONG WALK THROUGH YOUR TOWN: It's strange how you can live in a town for many years and never actually walk it's main street.The alley ways of my little town are charming. 

#5.

SPRAY PAINT OR PAINT SOMETHING: As long it's not raining spring weather is perfect for painting projects.  It's a cheap activity too. Just 4.00 for a can of spray paint or a small pint of paint. 

I'm working on a project right now to build room dividers.. Post upcomig about that. Here's part of the process: I'm also making potted sticks.. that's a post upcoming as well! 

#4.

Pick Blossoms off a tree and fill a vase with them. 

The fragrance is wonderful! I made the numbers throughout this post with the blossoms from my crab apple tree. 

#3. 

OPEN YOUR WINDOWS AND PLAY MUSIC!

This is one of my favorite spring things to do. It's amazing how fresh air and music can get you into a cleaning mood! 

#2. 

DO SOME SPRING CLEANING: Once you have music blaring and your windows open you may as well clean some stuff. Do that dusting that's been piling up. Re-arrange some furniture. Throw some stuff out! 

#1. 

HAVE A GARAGE SALE: Yes, Now! Don't wait for summer. Spring is a great time for a garage sale. You'll be surprised how many people are just itching for a great sale. You can make bank if you sell coffee and donuts on a cool garage sale morning. 

So there ya go! That was painless huh? Just pick one or two of the things above and you'll find you can make the most of Spring this year! 

A pastors wife point of view

Do you trust the 20/20 vision of the Lord? 

I've been a pastor's wife for over 20 years. Before that, I was a pastor's kid. So you could say I've been in ministry all my life.

There was a time when I looked at the role of PK and PW and saw only hurt and betrayal. But God saw clearly while I looked at my life through a dirty pair of glasses.

If you wear glasses you understand that dirty glasses are of no use. Spots, grime and my kids fingerprints often drive me to cleaning my glasses on the hem of my blouse.

So here's the short story: 

Jesus doesn't wear glasses. He sees everything crystal clear.  

He has more than 20 20 vision. He has x-ray vision. 

He sees through the hard things of our lives. 

Nothing is unclear to Him.

I'm not just preaching to you. I know what it means to loose everything. I've laid in a corner of an empty parsonage, weeping, alone, desperate for someone to console me, questioning God's plan, rubbing my tear stained eyes on the hem of my blouse and shouting at the empty walls, "I don't get it! Why?"

My heart has hurt as deeply as yours. But my dear PW we can't see clearly because we don't have the eyes of God.

"Now we see things imperfectly like puzzling reflections in a mirror. But then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely." 1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT

I want to see clearly. Don't you? But for now we have to trust that God's vision is clear and he's leading us with confidence through this life. 

As I sit here I am struck by the importance of this last statement. See if I keep trying to clean my glasses and fix my vision, I'm really saying to God that I don't trust Him to lead me safely. I think I could do it better, if I could just forge my own way. 

Jesus calls us to trust him completely. 

A trust fall so to speak. 

Will you fall into Him? Will you allow your glasses to be dirty and trust that His are clear? I'm praying that you will. 

I love you dearest PW

Under the same wing,

-Joleen

Monday's Word

Scripture journal DIY

I don't always have time for a lengthy bible study and bible journaling activity. So, I started thinking about how I could keep the words of truth close to me throughout the day. When I saw these itty bitty composition books at Walgreens for .87, the idea hit me. A mini scripture journal!

 This little book will be perfect to carry with me. I can meditate on my favorite scripture verses whenever I want. Like today, I was substitute teaching second grade. When the kiddos were at music, I totally could have used this to sit and think on the promises of God. 

 I even gave it a little back pocket for extra pieces of paper. This way if a scripture comes my way I can write it down and save it till I'm ready to put it in the journal.

to make your own scripture journal you will need a 4.5 x 3.25 compostion note book. I found mine at Walgreens in the school section. 

You will also need: 
washy tape
glue stick
pretty paper
scissors

There's a few steps ahead so I will try to keep them brief. Feel free to ask questions at the end if you want. 

Pull a piece of paper out of your book to use as a template.

Trace the page onto the pretty paper you've chosen.

Cut out at least 20 pages fit to size of composition book.

For the cover: tape the left outside edge down with your favorite washy tape.

Use a glue stick to glue your cover down. 

Now pull out about half of the pages in the book. There's just to many for you to use and the book will be to bulky. Be sure to pull from various places in the book or you'll weaken the binding. 

Go ahead and strengthen the places you removed pages from with a little washy tape. 

 Now to make the back pocket: use washy tape to secure two of your fancypaper pieces to the last page and inside back cover of your book. 

Glue the pages down.

Take a piece of paper that is a bit bigger than your book. I just used a full piece from my fancy packet of paper. It's about 6x7.  Use the back cover to fold your paper to the right size. Do NOT glue it down.

Now cut a V in the top of this paper.

This took me a couple of tries but the best way is to open up your folds, line up the pocket with the inside of your back cover and then fold your papers around the outside of the cover. 

I felt the edges were sticking out a bit. So I snipped them down.

Now cover the back with another piece of fancy paper. Glue it down right over top of the folded pocket pages. Then add some washy tape to the spine to make it look clean and nice. 

Open up your book and there's your pocket!

So the last step is to just add your pages to the inside of the book. I just glued my fancy papers right over the existing lined paper and then added washy tape to the center of each page to make sure everything stayed secure and tight. 

Here's some pictures of the first book I did. 

 Your finished book will pop open so if you want it to stay closed you could use a fancy rubber band or piece of ribbon to tie it. I like mine open so I can see the verses I've written in it. 

Enjoy and may the Word of God fill your heart with encouragement, joy and strength for the journey!

-under the same wing,

Joleen

What scripture would you put in this journal? I'd love to know. 

Share with us in the comments below. 

Why you should pray for your friends.

It's true! Praying for friends is like giving them a priceless gift. 

The bible tells us that the 'effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:6 KJV The NLT says it this way, "The earnest prayer of righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." 

Paul is a great example of someone who prayed for his friends. He even told them so on multiple occassions. 

Ephesians 1:16

Philippians 1:4 

Colossians 1:3. 

In all these places Paul tells his friends he is praying for them.

When your friends know you are praying for them they are encouraged and often feel they can continue on in faith. 

Jesus has the most amazing prayer for Simon Peter. In the face of Peter's upcoming betrayal Jesus says this to him. 

"But I have prayed for you Simon that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back strengthen your friends."Luke 22:32

Wouldn't it be amazing to have a friend who knew you were most likely going to let them down but instead of pulling away they told you they hoped your faith would not fail and that in the end it would help you to strengthen others. What?! Wow!!

I want to be that kind of faithful friend.

Praying for your friends when they hurt you can bring healing to you and to them. 

So these are just a few reasons you ought to pray for your friends. I'm sure there are a bunch more. But for now, let's start here. Will you devote yourself to prayer? Pick one friend and start praying for them today. I believe it is you who will be the most blessed! 

Under the same wing,

Joleen

Just for fun Thursday!

                                            What caption would you give this picture?

Click our comment button below and tell me what these birdies are talking about!