The Christmas devotionals continue. Tonight's devotional with the kids really got their attention—well, it got Bradley's attention, anyway. We talked to them tonight about the blessing of being a part of the church. And to do this we used a couple dolls. Yes, dolls. (In a house of all boys, we don't have too many quality dolls laying around, but we pulled it off.) ...Read More
Christmas Devotional #4: The Gift of a Home
On the 4th day of Christmas Jesus gave to me...a candle. Yes, that was tonight's object lesson. After praying together, the kids excitedly scurried to the tree to find the gifts labeled #4. After smelling their candles for a minute or so they insisted we light them before continuing with our devotion. Tonight's Christmas devotional was about the gift of a home. We first took the kids to Proverbs 24:3-4: “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches” (ESV). We explained to them that when the Proverbs talk about a house, they ...Read More
Christmas Devotional #3: The Gift of Nourishment
Our aim with this whole series of 12 Christmas devotionals is to reinforce two important truths in our kids: first, we should be thankful for the daily gifts God has already given us; and second, we can see how all these gifts point to His greatest gift, Jesus Christ. ...Read More
Christmas Devotional #2: The Gift of the Fruit of Our Labor
Last night's Christmas devotional with the kids was about money. This year we've been teaching Bradley (the 8-year-old) more and more about finances and the importance of giving, so last night's discussion was a good reminder for him. ...Read More
Christmas Devotional #1: The Gift of God’s Word
We began our first night of special Christmas devotionals with the kids. It has been a lot of fun planning this. ...Read More
12 Christmas Devotionals For My Ungrateful Kids
Do you feel like Christmas is making your kids ungrateful? I've gathered together 12 Christmas Devotionals For My Ungrateful Kids and I thought I would share them with you, too. Making Christmas meaningful in an age of materialism is no easy task, but this year we're doing all we can to have a gospel-centered holiday with our kids. In a nutshell, here's our plan: No Christmas Gifts As we explained in our previous post, we're not giving our kids gifts this year. Don't worry: our kids will in no way feel deprived this Christmas. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles are still buying them gifts. They always get way too ...Read More
Homeschooling Jamestown Settlement (Photo Blog)
Last week we also had a chance to get to Jamestown Settlement. Jamestown was America’s first permanent English colony, established 405 years ago in 1607, sponsored by the Virginia Company of London. Jamestown Settlement gives vistors a taste of earliest colonial life in Virginia as well as life in a 17th century Powhatan village. Driving into Jamestown we were greeted by the state flags (pictured below). ...Read More
Colonial Williamsburg (Photo Blog)
We spent parts of two days in Colonial Williamsburg. Many of the buildings are either restored colonial buildings or reconstructions. This former capital of Virginia brings the 18th century to life. The first thing we did was a Children's Orientation Walk (pictured below). Bradley (our 8-year-old) really enjoyed learning how to bow, how to dance, and how colonial slaves would work "in time." ...Read More
