Week in Review

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. Matthew 6:16
Wow what a week we have had. This past week was the start of 2 pretty big things in our family. The first one was the Daniel Fast. It has been an adventure creating recipes, using other people's creations and munching rice cakes out of sheer desperation.
I have been struggling a lot with my own selfishness during this time, and let me tell you I have not been struggling quietly. However part of doing this fast for me is to put myself into a situation where I know I need God to get me through. And He has. Day by day I have gotten through. Some days have been much more challenging than others. It is really difficult to not look somber. When everyone else is devouring their yummy lemon poppy seed cake at bible study it is tough to not plead for sympathy. I am progressing in this.

My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:2
Our other big introduction this week was the start of home preschool. Hudson and I have been doing some really fun things with The Very Hungry Caterpillar book by Eric Carle.
On Monday I posted about our Very Thirsty Caterpillars and they are just about to sprout.
Tuesday we made Egg carton caterpillars.
Wednesday we played the Very Hungry Caterpillar board game
Thursday we made fruit salad
Today we made folded paint butterflies (to wrap up our caterpillar week.)
Be sure to check in on Monday to find out our theme for next week!
Have a great weekend and God bless.
I got this prayer from Cheaper by the Half Dozen.
Lord,
WE THANK YOU FOR THE BLESSINGS IN OUR LIVES.
From the fullness of His grace we have all received one
blessing after another. John 1:16
WE HUMBLY GIVE THIS DAY TO YOU.
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be
glad in it. Psalm 118:24
WE COMMIT OUR FAMILY TO YOUR KINGDOM.
As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:15
SURROUND OUR HOME AND EACH OF US WITH
YOUR PROTECTION.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in
trouble. Psalm 46:1
GIVE US PEACE EVEN WHEN WE HAVE MUCH TO DO
AND MANY PLACES TO GO.
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. John 14:27
FILL OUR HEARTS WITH LOVE FOR YOU, EACH
OTHER, AND THOSE AROUND US.
Love one another, for love comes from God. 1 John 4:7
HELP US TO FULFILL YOUR PLANS AND MAKE A
DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.
“For I know the plans I have for you…plans to give you
hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
OUR FAMILY IS YOURS, TODAY AND ALWAYS.
AMEN.
-Holley Gerth
Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®.
©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan

Very Thirsty Caterpillars!

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, Deuteronomy 11:18-20

Well today was the start of homeschool preschool at our house. A very successful first day. My plan is not to be extremely structured just read some bible stories and prayer each morning. Have a book theme for the week and a corresponding activity daily. The rest of our learning can be done while folding towels and doing dishes through songs that we sing, stories that I tell and conversations that we have.
Our book theme this week is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. I love this book. There are so many things you can do with this theme... caterpillars, butterflies, healthy eating, fruits of the spirit... a wonderful story really.
Our activity today came from the book Homespun Memories for the Heart by Karen Ehman, Kelly Hovermale, Trish Smith.
We made Very Thirsty Caterpillars.
Wanna do it to?
Materials:
Grass seed
soil
kneehigh nylon stocking
string
large spoon or small garden shovel
Step 1: Mix soil and grass seed 4 to 1 (4 cups soil, 1 cup grass seed).
Step 2: Put 3-4 heaping spoons of soil/ seed mixture into the nylon.
Step 3: Pack down the mixture in the nylon so it forms a ball.
step 4: Twist the nylon and tie with a string.
step 5: Repeat steps 2-4 until you run out of soil or run out of nylon.
step 6: Tie the end ot the nylon and trim with scissors.
step 7: Place your caterpillar on a dish in a sunny place and water well.
step 8: Watch the caterpillar grow a nice fuzzy grass coat.
step 9: Have a whole lot of fun!