Get Ready, Butterflies! Winter’s Coming!

When cold winds rattle the last leaves on the trees, we prepare for winter. We snuggle under extra blankets, slurp up warm soups, or even travel south. God helps butterflies get ready, too. In summer, monarch butterflies live just a few weeks, flitting from flower to flower to sip nectar. But autumn monarchs can live eight months. They soar south on the fall winds to live in warm Mexico. There, fluttering black and orange monarchs cover every inch of some trees, making them look like tall, stained-glass windows. When spring comes, they mate and head north. Mourning cloak butterflies don’t migrate. As it gets colder, they shelter under tree bark and rocks. God gave them special proteins and extra sugars to keep their insides toasty warm. In early spring they...

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Super Fast – Super Easy – Super Yummy Oatmeal Cookies

by Penny L. Hunt Hey, Kids! Ask your parents or another adult to help you make these yummy cookies that we talked about in our story,  Being Patient is Hard.  I hope you love them as much as my family does!   Prep time 10 minutes. Cook time 10 minutes. Cooling time: 10 minutes. Total time to be patient – 30 minutes!   INGREDIENTS                                               1 large egg 1 stick of very soft butter 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed 1/4 cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned whole rolled (Not, instant or quick oats. They’ll make your cookies too dry.) 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate...

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Being Patient is Hard

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12   by Penny L. Hunt   “Can I have a cookie?” Mom peeked in the cookie jar. “Uh-oh. It’s empty again. I’ll have to make more.” “But that takes a long time. I want a cookie now.” Mom looked at the recipe card and shook her head.      “I need more eggs. We’ll  have to go to the store.” “I don’t want to go to the store. I want a cookie.” Frowning, I folded my arms. Mom rubbed my shoulder. “I know. Be patient. It won’t take long.” We went to the store and bought the eggs. I kept wishing we were already back home. Soon we were, and I helped add the ingredients for the...

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Brian’s Gifts

By C.C. Owens You’ve been saving your money, collecting it in a jar, maybe even putting it in a savings account at your local bank. Your money is growing.  So, what do you do next? Perhaps this story can help. Once upon a time there was a boy. We’ll call him Brian. He worked hard at school and played hard at sports. His big sister Libby was the same way.  She loved to run and play ball, and even though she was older, they would often play together. Brian loved his sister Libby and was glad his parents had adopted her before he was born. Brian just couldn’t imagine his family without her. One day, Brian saw his mother writing checks for their monthly bills. She wrote one to the children’s home where Libby had been adopted. “Do you have to pay them so...

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The Tree of Christmas

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: Isaiah 11:1 By Gail Cartee Hey Kids and Parents Have you seen the EETCHY worm in your classroom? It’s made of colored beads and it helps kids organize their thoughts to tell a story. I want to use an EETCHY worm today to help us tell about a Christmas tree. The first bead of the worm is green to remind us what group we are talking about. Our group is Christmas Tree The second bead is blue to ask us what does it do. A Christmas Tree represents the various meanings associated with Christmas. The second bead is yellow with an eye on it. This asks us what does it look like. A Christmas Tree looks like a tree covered with red, gold, blue and white balls, stars,...

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Job Profile: Be a Party Helper

By C.C. Owens Hey Kids! Have you ever helped your mom with your little brother or sister’s birthday party? Worked in the nursery at church? Helped your parents prepare and clean up for a cookout or dinner with friends? If so, you may have what it takes to be a party helper. What does a Party Helper do? Party helpers can do a lot of things to make it easier for the person hosting the party. They can open the door for guests as they arrive, direct people to food, activities, and bathrooms, pick up trash from the party area, serve cake and drinks to party goers, help organize and run games, watch to be sure young children don’t leave the activity area. Tips for when you’re a Party Helper: Always be on time. Ask the host what time you are to arrive and...

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