I made an interesting observation the other day in church...For every parent who has ever complained about the lack of funding in schools for the arts, including music,there are other places we have forgotten to look!
Just to clarify my post…. in my area, the majority of churches no longer use hymn or song books, but read the words to songs off of a screen at the front, typed on a computer and projected. The music all comes out different, because a lot of the “worship leaders” also can’t read music, and write the guitar chords over top of the printed words that they figure out by listening to the song on a CD or Youtube. They play by chording on the piano or by ear or with guitars only. But with no Lead notes or time signatures to go by, the rhythm changes, and sometimes even what notes the words are placed with. Our church uses the screen mostly, but all the worship leaders read music, and so far they aren’t into modern choruses. But when we do use the books now, the congregation too often gets lost trying to follow the lines in the hymn book.
If people want to complain about no music class in school, they should be upset with churches that remove the use of hymn books as well!
When you take the hymn books out of church, you remove a sound teaching resource from your childrens grasp. I know, I know, we don't stand up at the front and give theory lessons with it, BUT you learned to read music as a graph, even if you didn't know the names of the notes, and you learned to look for D.S and FINE and Coda and knew to go back to a place on the page and where to finish, even if you didn't know the Latin terms.
We sang a song on Sunday from our hymn book, and only those trained in music knew how to read the song, as it had all these symbols in it, yet when I was a youngster, most people knew how to follow that same music.
My God is a God of order and clear direction. Printed words with no musical direction can be chaotic. It hinders us from feeling unified, because a chorus sung in one church is sang differently in another, which makes people more self conscious when they sing at a church they are visiting. I've even heard different worship leaders within the SAME church sing the same song differently.
I was talking to a local church leader who was proud that they talked their church out of the hymn books. "Get their noses off the ground (out of the books) and looking up for worship. Where does it say to look UP for worship? We are to look up for our help and strength. We are to lift our hands, but I was always taught we should bow in worship, and Hymn books had us pointing in that general direction.
( KJV references to bowing in worship- Gen 24:26,48,52 Ex 4:31, 12:27, 34:8 2 Kings 5:18 1Chor 29:20 2 Chor 7:3, 20:18, 29:28-30 Neh 8:6 Job 1:20 PS 22:29, 95:6 Dan 2:46 Matt 2:11, 28:9, 1 Cor 14:25, Rev 4:10, 7:11)
Pictures say it best! It was a great night, but so bitter damp and cold. I brought home frozen icicle children. But we had front row seats and the children had an amazing experience.
When I was a little girl I always knew what I was giving my daddy for Christmas....Soap on a rope! And every year he would look surprised as he opened my gift, and proclaim it to be perfect!
Well, this year he's getting...FELTED soap on a rope (as are a few other men on the family Christmas list)
Crochet Felted Soap on a Rope
Materials
1/2 a ball of worsted weight felt-able wool yarn
Crochet hook size 6.00 mm
1 bar of soap (I used Zest)
Directions
Ch 7 st
Sc in first st from hook to end. 3 sc in end st. DO NOT Turn Work. Sc back down the other side of your chain with 3sc in last st. Crochet with sc in the round until "bag" is barely big enough for the bar of soap to fit into sideways and have open edges meet.
With a sl st, grab a loop from opposite sides of the opening and with sl st close the bag all the way with the soap inside. Slip st to the middle of the bag "top" and chain 40 st and join again to the top of the bag.
End off and tie in.
Now the fun part!
FELTING
You need a sink of hot water that you can just barely stand you hands in and a bucket of cold water. If you have a wash board, pull it out, if not use a VERY fine food grater.
Submerge the soap in the hot water and be sure it is good and wet. Then start rubbing the soap in your hands to felt the fibers. Dip in the cold water to rinse suds and repeat with a dip in the hot water and scrub.
Use your wash board/grater (or a rough surface)to scrub the fibers into felt, following the hot bath /cold dip method, until you are satisfied with your felting.
Lay flat on a towel to partially dry, and then hang from a towel bar to finish drying completely.
Here is our own evangelical version of the Advent Wreath. Enjoy!
Advent Wreath
Wreath
We use the wreath to remind us that God has no beginning and no end. He is eternal
Psalms 90:2
Before the mountainswere brought forth, or ever thou hadst formedthe earthand the world, even from everlastingtoeverlasting, thou artGod.
Candles
We use Red candles instead of the tradition candle colors to remind us of the wounds on Jesus back, that Christ suffered for us that we would be able to receive eternal life. And we use a white candle to represent Christ’s purity and our cleansing.
Isaiah 53:5
But he waswoundedfor our transgressions, he wasbruisedfor our iniquities: the chastisementof our peacewasupon him; and with his stripeswe are healed.
Psalm 51:7b
…washme, and I shall be whiterthansnow.
Week 1/Candle 1
Prophecy Candle
The Prophecy Candle reminds us of the Promise God made to the Israelite people that God would send a Savior for the world. There are over 300 prophecies in the old testament of the coming Savior, and each one was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Matthew 1:18-25
18 ¶ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Memory Verse:
1 John 4:14
Andwehave seenanddo testifythatthe Fathersentthe Sonto bethe Saviorof the world.
Week2/Candle 2
Bethlehem Candle
God prepared a place for his Son to be born. The Bethlehem candle reminds us that we need to be prepared. We need to prepare our hearts for Him so that we will be prepared when he comes back for us.
Micah 5:2
But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Matthew 2:1
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Matthew 25:1-13
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Memory Verse
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Studyto shewthyselfapprovedunto God, a workmanthat needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividingthe wordof truth.
Week3/Candle 3
The Shepherds Candle
The Shepherds candle reminds us that we are to worship God. The scriptures say it best
Luke 2
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Memory Verse:
1 Timothy 1:17
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory, forever and ever, Amen
Week4/Candle 4
Angel Candle
The angel candle reminds us that we are to announce Jesus to the world.
Luke 1:30-38
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Luke 2: 9-14
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Memory Verse:
Mark 16:15
Andhe (Jesus) saidunto them, Go yeintoallthe world, and preachthe gospelto everycreature.
Christmas Eve
Center Candle
Christ Candle
The Christ Candle celebrates Christ’s birth and his resurrection. It also celebrates Faith, Hope and Love and Joy.
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
12 ¶ Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
16a And not as it was by one that sinned, (by one) so is the gift:
John 3:16
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
I needed a mans scarf with provision for a small amount of yarn. So OF COURSE I made up my own...
Man-ly Buttoned Scarf
Materials
1 Skein of wool
size 10 knitting needles
2 Large buttons
Directions
Cast on 23 st
First row knit across
Second row: Slip first st knit wise, K, P,K,P across
Third row: Sl first st knit wise, Knit across.
Repeat row 2 and 3
Repeat row 2
Buttonhole row: Slip first st knit wise, k4, yo, k2 together. K across until 6 stitches remain on needle. Yo, k2tog, k to end of row
Repeat row 2 and 3, 3 times (for a total of 6 more rows after the button holes)
Beginning with a Slip on the first st on every row, knit every row until the scarf is long enough to fit around the neck and overlap under and past the button holes by one inch.
Block if necessary and sew on buttons to match up to buttonholes. Done!
What do you do when you have the presents wrapped and then realize you have no tags? You feel stupid for one minute and the run to the craft cupboard.
We made our tags from printer business card stock cut in half length wise and glued on sequins from the bead box to decorate. They turned out very pretty, and under the blinking lights of the Christmas tree they sparkle!
Grandma is with Grandpa again today. And with tears I can rejoice that they are with our Father in Heaven. I am sure they are both sing robustly at the foot of Gods throne in worship.
Mary Helen (Fisk) Tremain Dec 26th, 1924 - Dec 11th, 2009
Have recess outside like any other day! It's not snowing ice, so we went outside to play in the snow. We walked down to the river for some untouched open space to make snow angels. The snow is too powdery for snowmen, but great for rolling down hills and tromping through.
And the children did so well! The Happy Tappy's were cute as buttons and Mrs Clause and her elves were toe tapping great! The children love their Canadian Step Dance teacher Kelly Maw.
Here's a BIG THANK-YOU for all the training and hard work and fun we enjoy every week !
I went to buy the advent candles for this years wreath, and COULD NOT find the right colors. We were at a dollar store looking again one day, and could only find 4 red tapers and a white pillar for the center. I sighed and announced to the children that the red would have to do for this year and went to the till. We were walking back to the car and my oldest son, 5, was tromping along in his big winter boots, looking pretty aimless when he had a thought. "Mom" he said, it doesn't matter that the candles are all red. They remind us of the stripes on Jesus back when he died for us, just like the candy cane story"
Isn't that something we should also remember at Christmas, that Jesus was born so he could die and be our Savior?
DS was talking about a poem they learned in Sunday school
Look at a candy cane, what do you see?
Stripes that are RED like the BLOOD shed for me!
White for my Savior who's sinless and pure!
J is for JESUS, my Lord. That's for sure!
Turn it around and a staff you will see--
Jesus my SHEPHERD, is coming for me!
- Unkown
Every year I put it on my to do list to create a manger scene safe for little hands. We have a porcelain set under our tree that the children are good about being gentle with, but I would love to have one they can really play with. Well, I still haven't made one yet, but DD and I have enjoyed making this wire wrapped Mary and Joseph and baby together using this technique. We didn't make boots of clay and we used pipe cleaners and embroidery floss. And I couldn't find any plain wood beads, but I love these paper mache beads we found. DD is very proud of them, and at the moment they sit in their own little stable we found at a thrift store.
I try hard not to focus on the commercialism of Christmas, and I love the idea of celebrating advent, to prepare our hearts to meet with God on a personal level as we celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25. Focus on the Family has a wonderful page about advent with readings and family based activities to do as we prepare for Christmas.
Whether you are a Christian believer or not, make sure you take some time to ignor the hussel of the season and focus on the gifts of friendship, neighborliness, family and love this season.
I have a hard fast rule that I won't spend more than $10 out of pocket on a friends birthday gift. DD has a dear, sweet friends Birthday to go to tomorrow and we just finished the gift. I SWEAR I only spent $10....I just happened to add to it with some busy sewing fingers and my scrap bag and supplies on hand!
I made two more of my little travel dolls, a picnic blanket and a play mat from discounted fabric at Walmart
:o( sadly, we too are loosing our fabric department ) and purchased a small set of doll house dishes and a draw string bag at the Dollar Store. I also made a tiny frog for friends little brother to play along with. The joy of this mat, is that it is also a tied blanket quilt with batting in it, and a game!
(DD doesn't know it, but she's getting one of these for Christmas! )
When I can figure out a better way to link PDF's I intend to post all these as patterns. But for now, I hope you find it an inspiration in these pictures!
I purchased 1 m of green and 0.8m of blue soft suede velvet and 1 m of quilt batting.
I trimmed 3 inches off of the width of the blue fabric and cut the batting to fit. I layed down the green and then the batting and then the blue and cut the green 2 inches larger all around than the blue to become the binding.
I had a handful of polyester felt squares and gold embroidery thread on hand. The Flowers are silk flowers removed from the plastic stems and a yellow circle of felt was sewn into each one. Each lily pad and flower has a letter of the alphabet embroidered in the center, (The flowers are the vowels). I sewed them onto the blue and then I folded the green up double over the blue and pinned into place. I sewd it by hand onto the blue and went around a second time, hand quilting through all layers.
Each lily pad used two strands of yarn to tie the quilt for the quilting. I frayed them to make them look like flowers.n On the back, they look like little "Forget- me- nots" where the dolls can have a picnic together on their picnic blanket
Nature Play Mat/ Blanket
Enjoy a picnic with your dolls on one side and a swim in the lake on the other. Or wrap it around tight to keep warm on a cold day. But this is not only a fun play mat and a blanket, but it is a game as well! On the pond, you will see each lily pad has a letter of the Alphabet. The set of dolls or frogs become your playing pieces and the lily pads and flowers become your squares.
How to use the triangle die
Roll the triangle dice and then pick it up from the point on the top. Tip it over and look at the number that is on the flat bottom and that is the number of spaces you jump.
Games to Play
Depending how old you are, you can play the alphabet game in so many ways.
If you are just learning your letters, roll the die and jump the number of squares. Name the letter you land on correctly! If you don’t name it correctly the first time, you miss a turn.
If you are learning your letter sounds, roll the die and jump the number of squares. Name the letter and it’s sound.
For example:The Letter (S) says “sssss”.
If you are wrong, you will miss a turn though. And remember, if you land on a vowel, it has two sounds. If you get both sounds right you may take a second turn!
If you are reading, roll the die and jump the number of squares. Name a word that starts with that letter. If you are spelling, spell that word correctly. If you are wrong you miss a turn. At your next turn, spell the word correctly before you move the dice to move on.
The first person in any game to reach the letter “Z” wins the game!
Beanbag Toss Game
Decide how many tosses each person gets. Toss a doll, and which ever letter the doll lands on, follow the directions in one of the games above minus the die.
Make a point system if you wish:
1 point if you land in water but name a letter close by and follow directions,
2 points for landing on a lily pad and following directions
3 points for landing on a flower and following directions
Keep score on a chalkboard or paper, and at the end of the tosses, add up the score to see who has the most points
Cleaning Instructions.
Dolls and Frogs are made of Flannel and filled with rice. Wash surface with a damp cloth if needed
Mat/ Blanket is made of plush fabrics and should be surface wiped with a damp cloth, or immersed in a tub of luke-warm water and a mild detergent and hung to dry to be freshened. Do not iron.
Here is a repeat of my article for Novembers Frontier Gazette that I thought was worth saying over here as well!
Simple Play
The Christmas fliers have been out in abundance over the last two weeks, full of talking toys, computers and remote controlled cars. Even the doll houses have lights that works and sound cards that make the family talk! Wii and it's games of virtual imagination are big on the scene and what toddler wouldn't like a tractor with flashing lights and real motor sounds?
But what I long for as a mom is a house with home grown imagination and occasional moments of piece and quiet!
Mary and Laura had very simple play toys, made from the natural resources around them or toys that imitated adult responsibilities.
Here is a little list of toys and games that I find quiet, educational and fun for my children.
Wooden train set - we have a battery powered plastic set, but for children under 5, it is difficult to put together, trains crash as they run at different speeds depending on the battery power, and the pieces break when a parent accidentally steps on one hidden under the laundry.
Our wooden set though.....fits perfectly with any building block set, can be cheap or expensive (Thomas verses store brand) and can be put together in any order by any set of cute chubby fingers that is willing to try!
I always enjoy hearing the gentle "chugg chugg whoooo" from my littlest family member
Cloth Dolls - I get so tired of dressing Barbie for the umpteenth time, because her limbs are so stiff for DD to get her dressed. Rag dolls, Waldorf inspires dolls or cloth and wire dolls such as doll house dolls or the Pony club or Only hearts are "girl shape" inspired and easy for young fingers to dress on their own. One rag doll can become a baby, a sister or a best friend at play time, and can be as much fun as any barbie if given with a generous wardrobe. (Oh!! Look at this link!!)
Books - The window to the imagination, almost any kind will do! Finding books that are age appropriate and easy to read for the child is a good idea. But also having books that you can read as a family can inspire great moments together. Offer to read a new book to a child in your life!
Paper, Ribbons, Scissors and Glue- My childrens favorite Holiday gift is when Uncle B raids the dollar store paper and craft department. I personally avoid paint and markers, but I have no issues scrubbing up glue off my table! I have had some very interesting pictures, creatures and "items" created at our table from little ones imaginations without prompts or suggestions.
Just Like Mom: (or Dad!) - Let your children help with chores by providing miniatures of your tools, such as little aprons, small squirt bottles with vinegar and water, little dusters and mini cookie cutters. Let them use playdough when you're baking.
I am all for plastic work tools and hard hats as well, so they can be fixers like Dad.
Out door Fun- Today we had our first snow, and there are two snowmen in my yard! The sleds are out and the skates cleaned up, ready for the local rink. In the fall they made pretend camp fires from pruned scrub, pretended to be birds in nests with the leaf piles. And in the summer they spent hours throwing rocks in the lake and building sand castles and motes. And last spring the loved jumping in the puddles and planting and watering seeds in the garden. There is always lot's to do outside, even without buckets of toys. Head outside and explore and see what Mother nature has left for us to play with!
Toy Tip: Let the batteries wear out and don't replace them! If a toy can be "used" without the batteries, leave them out and let the children start using their own imaginations again.
