What the most successful mothers do before breakfast

There’s an article circulating in cyberspace that lists five ways to fine-tune your morning so that you can accomplish heroic feats before breakfast. As I read, I sunk lower and lower into the depths of despair. The author makes good suggestions like “picture the perfect morning” and “build the habit.” But what the author doesn’t understand is that I have six children, two still in diapers. If I could “map out” my toddler’s dirty diapers, I would, but then…wait a minute, that sounds like potty training. Well, map out one more task to complete before breakfast.

I love the ideas of time management gurus, but I think, too often, those suggestions are written for “working” men and women who don’t have the responsibility to respond to the needs of a houseful of little people. If I was responsible only for myself, I could – and would – hold to a strict schedule. But you just can’t schedule dirty diapers or cleaning up a milk spill or staying up through the night with a sick child or the appearance of a rainbow that makes you drop everything to read about Noah.

So, here’s my list of what the most successful mothers do before breakfast.

1. Pray. Sometimes it can be thirty-minutes-on-your-knees-pounding-Heaven’s-gates prayer. Most of the time it’s a still-in-bed Lord, give me strength and grace today.
2. Use the necessary room. If you can accomplish this by yourself, you’re a superhero.
3. Read the Bible. Even a verse or two or a chapter of Proverbs to match the date is beneficial.
4. Say good morning and hug The Hubs and The Kidlets.
5. Make cappuccino. Wait a minute…that is breakfast.

If you can also get dressed, fix your hair, and make your bed, you’re doing fantastic! In the end, the most success comes from time spent together and time spent with the Lord.

What do you think makes for a successful morning?

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Linking with Visionary Womanhood, Your Thriving Family, Red Oak Lane, Found the Marbles

Sewing Seeds: How to make a tee-shirt dress for a Build-a-Bear

What could be more exciting for sisters than to match each other in their tee-shirt dresses? 

To match their Build-a-Bears!

My girls love-love-love their Build-a-Bears. And their clothes. And their shoes. And their purses. And their ice skates. And their…well, you get the point.

They have a sensor for Build-a-Bear. If we are within a ten mile radius of the mall, the question is inevitable. “Can we go to Build-a-Bear?”

Sew So, to protect my pocket-book and to hear those squeals of delight from my girls, I make, every now and then, matching Build-a-Bear dresses.

This time they would be super-easy because they are tee-shirt dresses. I have made my own tee-shirts in the past, but, in the interest of time, I purchased a four-pack of newborn size onesies from Wal-Mart for about $7.50. For the skirt, I used the leftover fabric from the girls’ tee-shirt dresses. (Remember the dresses were too long and I had to cut several inches off the bottom?)

First, the bears tried on their onesies. I safety-pinned the spot where the skirt should attach. Each bear is stuffed a little differently, so they each tried one on.

The sticker is a name tag to keep the bears straight.

I chose to cut off the onesie (with an extra 5/8 inch for the seam) because it hung down a little long on the bear and I didn’t want the snap crotch to hang out from under the dress.

Don't throw those onesie bottoms away! There's another project coming next week.

For the bigger bears, I needed the finished skirt to be 4 inches long. So, I cut two skirt pieces 5 ½ inches long and about 15 inches wide. You can adjust the width of the piece depending on the fullness desired for the skirt.

A rolled hem

Just like the tee-shirt dresses, stitch in the side seams and over-edge for a more finished inside look. Because the skirt piece is so small, you may want to put in the simple rolled hem before the gathering stitches at the waist.

I put the gathering stitches in a little closer together for a bear dress because the skirt is so small and I don’t need a regular size seam.

Pin the skirt to the onesie and pull up the gathering stitches. Baste, and then turn the dress right-side-out to check for an even distribution of the gathers. If you are satisfied, stitch and over-edge the seam. (When attaching the skirt to the onesie, be careful of a right-side-up print for the skirt. Be sure that it will be right-side-up when the dress is right-side-out.)

Press up the seam allowance at the waist. A seam that lies flat at the waist won’t create extra bulk for the bears, and you know how figure-conscious bears can be!

Finally, drawing out their designs first, the girls used fabric paints to decorate the onesies. Fabric paints generally don’t wash well, but I figured the bears wouldn’t be spilling juice or spaghetti sauce on themselves and their dresses wouldn’t need to be washed often. J

Holly and Laura in deep concentration.

And how could the outfit be complete without a Lilla Rose flexi clip? 

Noelle's bear Chocolate

Total time: about 40 minutes per dress

Total cost: about $2.25 per dress (new onesie, leftover fabric and thread, fabric paint)

Happy sewing!

Have you made dresses for bears or dolls? Any suggestions for variations?

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Linking with The Southern Institute, Little Becky Homecky, A Heart for Home, Susan Godfrey, Cherished Bliss, The Modest Mom, Raising Arrows, The Better Mom, Your Thriving Family, Comfy in the Kitchen, Consider the Lilies, Holy-Spirit-Led Homeschooling, Thrifty Decorating, Denise in Bloom, Our Simple Country Life, Raising Mighty Arrows, Feminine Adventures, Southern Lovely, No Ordinary Blog Hop, Deep Roots at Home, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Raising Homemakers, Women Living Well

Sewing Seeds: How to make a tee-shirt dress

Back in January, while I was still floundering about in the great blogosphere, I started a blog series on sewing. My plan was to call it Sewing Seeds, and all installments would be – surprise! – sewing related. To date, I have only one other post in this category – a how-to on homemade gift bags.

But I am not declaring failure! Today, I continue Sewing Seeds with a tee-shirt dress that I have made for each of my three daughters, just in time for the Fourth of July.

We love to dress for holidays. But holiday garb can be hard to find, so that usually means something homemade. I’ve seen a lot of tutorials around the blogosphere for sewing – and they are fabulous – but I only have time for easy.

Sew So, my tee-shirt dresses are a little more simple.

I found the perfect tee-shirts at Wal-Mart for only $3.47. They had all six sizes exactly. (The boys will match as well – just not with the skirts!) Stuff like that never happens to me, so I was super thrilled with the find.

I chose dark tee-shirts so that my *growing* girls would be assured of modesty and they wouldn’t have to be concerned with the color of their undergarments. I also bought all boys shirts (shh – don’t tell anybody) so that the sleeves would be a bit longer.

After our score at W-M, we skipped over to Jo-Ann Fabrics where I let the girls choose their own skirt fabric. I like everyone to match when we go out since it’s easier to keep track of the munchkins (and it rockets up the cute factor!). But I figured the tee-shirts were matching enough, and the skirt colors would at least be coordinated.

All the states - fun!

I had not prepared and measured my daughters ahead of time, so I bought ¾ yard for the six-year-old and two yards each for the ten- and twelve-year-olds (at 40% off – bonus!). After washing, I cut the two-yard pieces in half, making two one-yard pieces.

The best preparation is to have your daughter put on the tee-shirt and then measure from the bottom of the tee-shirt to the length you want, whether it be to the knee or ankle or anywhere in between. Then, add two inches – one inch at the top for the seam at the waist and one inch at the bottom for the hem. (Of course, you can play around with this and use the typical 5/8 inch seam at the waist and a 1 ½ inch hem.) This is also the time to decide if you want to cut off any of the shirt to raise the waist of the dress to prevent tightness around the derriere. I decided to cut off about four inches for the older girls. The tee-shirts just looked too long. 

With right sides together, stitch in the side seams. Be careful as you match front to back – if you chose a fabric with a pattern or picture that is one-side-up, be sure that the picture is up on both pieces as fabric. 

With this pic, my camera warned me, "Blink detected."

An over-edge stitch

(Also be sure that when you attach it to the tee-shirt that the picture will be up when it is finished. I have been reduced to tears with other projects when I wasn’t careful enough and found my hard work to be all for naught.) On the side seams, I like to put in two lines of stitching for extra durability. Even dainty girls can be tough on skirts and stretching them when they sit or walk or play. I kept the selvage for a finished edge and to prevent fraying. An alternative would be an over-edge stitch in the seam allowance.

Put in your gathering stitches at the waist. (Be careful of those one-side-up fabrics!)

Gathering stitches wrapped around a pin

Pin the skirt to the shirt and pull up the gathering stitches, making sure the gathers are distributed evenly. From following different patterns over the years, I learned to baste first and then turn the dress right side out to check the gathering. Then, I stitch two times around for durability. This would also be a good seam for a zig-zag stitch to prevent fraying.

The hem

Once the skirt is attached, have your daughter try on the dress so you can measure for the hem, cutting off any excess fabric if needed. (Because I had guessed at the amount of fabric needed, I had to cut off extra fabric. But I didn’t throw it away! Click through to the next post to see what I did with it – something super-cute!) Zig-zag around the bottom, then press up the hem. I press up ½ inch, then fold it over and press again. That leaves a finished look on the inside as well. I also like to put in an extra line of stitching at the bottom edge to prevent the hem from rolling up so badly in the dryer.

I did not put in any pressing instructions because I usually don’t press until the hem. I haven’t found pressing seams open, etc., as I go to be truly necessary. It just adds on time and trouble. Plus, I usually only sew in spurts, having to stop in the middle of a project, and I don’t want my ironing board to sit out. Thus said, press whenever you want to!

Voila!

Andrew, the show-stealer

Matching hair accessory

Don't forget the Lilla Rose 4th of July flexi!

Total time: about one hour per dress

Total cost: about $10 per dress (includes tee-shirt, skirt fabric, and thread)

Do any of you better seamstresses have anything to add? Anything I left out? Have you made dresses like this before? How did they go? Now, do your daughters need matching Build-a-Bear dresses?

Disclaimer: I hope you can make this dress, and it turns out fantastic. If so, I would love to hear about it in the comments. If not, I am not responsible for the outcome of your efforts. J

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When God gives you a detour, enjoy the scenery

Our route to church has changed. 

It’s construction season across the United States. Millions of people are being forced off their regular routes to roads unknown, sites unseen, and extra time spent.

Our new drive is taking us on county roads that we had never been on before.

Quite frankly, I’m surprised that I have been enjoying the scenery. Getting anywhere even remotely close to on-time is a near impossibility for our family. So the added time of a detour is typically unwelcome and crankifies most of us.

In life, isn’t this usually the case? We set goals for ourselves ~ dream jobs, just-so houses, the “right” number of children, the perfect physique, relaxing vacations, a certain number of visitors to our blog.

But what about when God sends us on a detour?

When extra miles are added to our trip before we reach our goal?

Is there some goal in your life, something you have wanted to achieve or accomplish, but road blocks keep popping up?

Perhaps God wants you to see something else ~ or just enjoy the drive at a more relaxed pace.

When God gives you a detour, enjoy the scenery.

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Glad to Come Home

Related posts:

Question: What do you do when your husband is surrounded by immodesty?

Six ways to stay attractive to your husband in an amusement park of immodesty

Six ways to stay attractive to your husband ~ coming home

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Six ways to stay attractive to your husband ~ coming-home

It’s easy to fix ourselves up when we are preparing to leave the home with our husbands. After all, we’ll be around other people.

We started this week with the question of what we do when our husbands are surrounded by immodesty. Many of you responded that your husbands were sensitive to the pull of immodesty and that they fought against looking or that it wasn’t an issue for them. That’s wonderful! I then posted six ways to stay attractive to your husband in an amusement park of immodesty.

But what about being “fixed up” at home – just for our husbands? Is that important?

For the first several years of our marriage, I worked full-time as a Legal Assistant. Four of those years were spent in evening law school classes. Every evening, I would choose what I would wear to work the next day. I made sure that everything was coordinated, clean, and pressed. I checked my pantyhose for holes. I chose my lip gloss color. In the morning, I would dress carefully, meticulously fix my hair, and apply what little make-up I wore. During the work day, I would periodically take my purse into the bathroom and do a check. After I left work and before I went into my evening class, I would do another check, reapplying the lip gloss after my quick supper. Every day I knew I was going to be around other people, so I was careful with my appearance.

Then we had children.

And it was a job like no other I had had before.

But my husband was still going to work. He was spending his days in an office with women who carefully prepared their appearance before they left the house in the morning – just as I used to do. Women who hadn’t had paper airplanes stuck in their hair or orange juice spilled on them or a thousand distractions on the way to brush their teeth. When he came home, though…what did he find?

Well, it wasn’t long before I knew I needed to focus on a few things before he walked in the door.

Now, for the five or ten minutes before I expect him home, I concentrate my efforts on a few specific tasks.

I powder my face. I don’t wear make-up for a variety of reasons, but I do dab on some powder to take away the shine. If you wear make-up, a touch-up might be in order.

I brush my teeth. I’m sure my welcome is much more pleasant when my “hi” is on a wave of mint.

I change my shirt if I’ve been spit-up on or had jelly thrown at me. In an ideal world, changing would happen at the time of impact. In The Real World, time can too easily get away from me. (Can I get an amen?)

I check my hair. I usually fix my hair pretty quickly in the morning so that it is out of my way. But if it has slipped or fallen in some way during the day, now is the time I re-do it, usually with my husband’s new favorite, a pretty Lilla Rose flexi clip.

I run a quick pick-up of the living room and kitchen. Our garage door opens directly into the kitchen, and I don’t want him to have to step over the Tupperware the toddler inevitably drags out during the day. Older children can be a terrific help in this.

I brush my daughters’ hair or have them brush it. Keeping hair neat is a good practice to cultivate in daughters anyway.

Some days I accomplish this better than others, just like everything else in life. But I can tell by his smile that my husband appreciates these little efforts.

~Meghan

Do you have anything to add to the list? How difficult is it to accomplish these tasks? Have you found it to be worth the effort?

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Linking with Your Thriving Family, Consider the Lilies, Susan Godfrey, Comfy in the Kitchen, Homemaker by Choice, Holy-Spirit-Led Homeschooling, Raising Mighty Arrows, Our Simple Country Life, Denise in Bloom, Red Oak Lane, Found the Marbles

Do you feel pretty? ~ Lilla Rose giveaway

Yesterday, I posted six ways to stay attractive to your spouse in an amusement park of immodesty. None of those ways were about physical attractiveness. Yet, a couple of comments touched on the need for a wife to make herself pretty for her husband. For one commenter, that meant curling her hair. For another, that meant a touch of lip gross.

I guess I focused on the emotional or psychological aspect of “being pretty” because I so rarely feel physically pretty.  

A great source of my anxiety is my hair.

I love having long hair (mine falls past my waist), my husband loves my long hair, and I find it to be more feminine. But I am definitely hair-challenged. I can’t figure out bobby pins, and plastic claws are…well, plastic claws. I like the big flowers that are so popular now, but I would still have to figure out the actual holding of my hair with pins or clips or something. I just couldn’t figure out how to keep it out of my way with little ones underfoot and diapers and housekeeping and still feel like I was attractive to my husband.

Enter the Lilla Rose flexi clip!

It took a few months of seeing the clips on other blogs before I decided to buy. I had tried other accessories that just hadn’t worked, and I doubted I would be able to make a flexi clip work either. But as I watched the tutorials, I decided I would try one more product.

I only had to work with the flexi clip a couple of times, and now I can put my hair up in just a few minutes.

No claws.

No bobby pins.

Just the one clip.

It's a win-win because I like it up and not falling into...well, lots of things, and my husband likes the French twist secured by a pretty clip. My husband also likes the sturdiness of the clip. He’s confident that, once I spend the money, the clip won’t bend or break. (Just be careful of the toddler walking off with it….)

My French twist

My 12-year-old fixed her own!

My 10-year-old

I liked it so much, I bought the company! Okay, not really. But I did sign up to be a consultant, and I’m announcing that to all you terrific readers with a giveaway. (Part of my sign-on was this clip!)

Size ~ Medium

Use the rafflecopter below, and the giveaway will remain open through tomorrow midnight (Thursday, June 21). I’ll announce the winner on Friday.

The link to my part of the Lilla Rose website will remain on the sidebar should you decide to order, and I do appreciate your business. If you want to buy through me, make sure you see my picture and name when you click through to Lilla Rose so that I am listed as your consultant. If you are unsure of size, watch the sizing videos or complete the questionnaire. The website also has video tutorials for different hairstyles and, of course, different hairstyles would need different sizes. So, keep in mind your preferred hairstyle when deciding your size.

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway, and thanks!

~Meghan

Linking to Hip Homeschool Moms Giveaway Day

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Six ways to stay attractive to your husband in an amusement park of immodesty

The temperatures are rising, and clothes are coming off. My family had a sudden reminder of this universal truth of summer when we spent two weeks in hot, sunny Florida in May. I am no longer what I was, and, as we walked through SeaWorld, I fell into despondency. Everywhere I looked there were women, both younger than me and about my age who seemed more physically fit, prettier, better dressed, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

I can’t compete in the attractiveness department any longer, I complained to myself. You’re on the downhill slope. Your husband is pretty loyal, so he probably won’t trade you in for a younger model. But don’t kid yourself. He’d be happier with someone else.

Sickening, right? I didn’t want to be around me, so I could just imagine how my husband felt.

And then I realized it. I’m the one my husband chose. (I know…shocker.) He enjoys my company. Why wasn’t I encouraging that? (I’m not stupid. I’ve had this revelation before, but sometimes we all need a kick in the skirt.)

Whether you adhere to any standards of modesty or not, you probably don’t want your husband staring at the business end of another girl’s undergarment and its’ contents. (I apologize for the bluntness. Blame the girl.)

So, what do you do when your husband is surrounded by immodesty?

(source)

Here are six suggestions.

Wear an outfit he likes. There have been plenty of times when I have returned or donated an item of clothing I loved because my husband didn’t like it on me. I would be shooting myself in the foot if I insisted on wearing an outfit he didn’t like to look at.

Smile. It sounds simple, I know. But think about it. Those college girls may have curves you don’t have, or not have curves you do have, but one of your most attractive features is your smile. And your husband likes your smile. Besides, you may be the only one smiling at him.

Flirt. This includes complimenting and appreciating him. If he holds the door for you and the baby stroller, say thank you…with a flirty smile or an eyelash flutter. If he pushes the stroller up a steep hill, let him know you admire his muscles. If he changes a mean diaper, tell him how much you appreciate it.

Share a private joke. Every couple has secret jokes – things that make each other laugh that no one else understands. I would share one here, but then it wouldn’t be private anymore. J This can bring his focus back to you and your history together.

Use a signal. If you have a husband who is sensitive to the issue of immodesty, develop a signal so that you can alert him to avert his eyes when necessary. I tell my husband that I really like his shoes or that I think he needs a new pair of shoes. He then knows to look away or down. (If you’re not sure how your husband feels about this whole topic, perhaps this is a good time to talk to him. Share your concerns, and, if he is willing, you two can develop your own signal.)

Pray. Unceasingly. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) ‘Nuff said.

~Meghan

Which of these works for you? Any new ideas you’re going to try? Or do you have something to add? If anyone sells husband blinders, please put your link in the comments below! 


Other posts in this series:
Do you feel pretty? ~ Lilla Rose giveaway
Six ways to stay attractive to your husband ~ coming home

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Linking with Teagan's Travels, True Aim, Your Thriving Family, Consider the Lilies, Susan Godfrey, Comfy in the Kitchen, Homemaker by Choice, Holy-Spirit-Led Homeschooling, Raising Mighty Arrows, Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots at Home, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Women Living Well, Thankful Homemaker, Lessons from Ivy, Far Above Rubies, Growing Home, Time-Warp-Wife

Question: What do you do when your husband is surrounded by immodesty?

Vacation is in full swing and the fun has begun! You’ve wisely ignored the advice of the ticket agent and decided against lying in order to save money on parking. On to the amusement park!

The smaller children have ridden some kiddie rides, and your husband rode the ginormous roller coaster that makes everyone scream. You’ve taken a few photos, and you about lost the eight-year-old when he ran off trying to catch a lizard. Now, everyone is hungry.

You and your family get in line to buy a few slices of pizza, behind a couple of college-age boys. As you are trying to figure out what everyone wants, the boys in front of you are joined by two attractive college-age girls wearing short shorts and tank tops. You finish getting the children’s orders and turn to your husband to find out what he wants.

You see immediately that he has made visual contact, and it takes a couple of prompts to get his attention. You –

1. Struggle to stretch the neck of your tee-shirt to an off-the-shoulder style and pray for a sudden return to the perkiness of your own college days.
2. Point out a lizard on a rock nearby and suggest he help the eight-year-old catch it.
3. Step in between him and them and smile with your best (albeit worn-out) come-hither look.
4. Pull the baby’s receiving blanket out of the diaper bag and drape it across the shoulders of the nearest girl, telling her she looked cold.

What do you do? Is there another option?

Leave your comment below, and then click through for six ways to stay attractive to your husband in an amusement park of immodesty. Wednesday is a Lilla Rose giveaway! The series then continues to the coming home post. Thanks for reading!

~Meghan

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Abba, Father

In all of our enjoyment this weekend of our earthly fathers and husbands, let's not forget to spend time with our Heavenly Father, our Abba Father.

Praying that you have a blessed weekend ~

Meghan

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I wrote my Father’s Day card – did you?

Yesterday, I encouraged you to write a Father’s Day card for your dad. Today, we share.

I changed my mind from yesterday’s post and decided to write my Father’s Day card for my father, even though he passed away December 19, 2009.

At age 16, due to an accident on his construction work job, he was paralyzed from the waist down. For nearly 56 years, he was confined to a wheelchair. Despite that handicap, he played collegiate wheelchair basketball, competed in the Paralympics, completed a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a juris doctorate, practiced law for over 30 years, was married to my mother for over 52 years, and raised two adopted children.

Life wasn’t terrific – he suffered terribly from depression – but love for the Lord and love for my father compels me to remember the good.

My dad in 2003

I miss you, Dad, now for two years,

And still my tissue’s damp with tears.

For fifty years you suffered pain,

But never once did you complain.

You set example in school work,

Earned degrees and didn’t shirk.

Through ups and downs for fifty years,

Commitment made you persevere.

Two children raised – one boy, one girl –

But never did temper unfurl.

In later years when health declined,

And aging face with wrinkles lined,

Shaking hand that no name could sign,

And yet no loss to still sharp mind,

My last remembrance that I find

Is your good-bye in eyes so kind.

I miss you, Dad, now for two years,

And still my tissue’s damp with tears.

~Meghan

I would love to read your poetic (or not!) remembrances of your father in the comments. Thanks for sharing.

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Three steps to write a personalized Father’s Day card ~ You can do it!

So we’re down to the eleventh hour for Father’s Day, and cards are scarce. One card instructs the recipient to “kick back, relax, and enjoy his nap.” Another congratulates him on being a “grill-meister.” They’re not exactly heartfelt or even well-written. What’s a daughter or wife to do?

Why not write your own Father’s Day card?

Don’t hyperventilate – it’s not as hard as you think. Breathe into a paper sack, and try these three steps.

1.      Ponder. Do you have any special memories from your childhood? Places you went? Activities you did together? Is there something you learned from your father that has significance? What do you feel when you think about your father? Don’t be afraid to be creative. Let the feelings flow. Go mushy.

2.      Organize. Write your memories or feelings into short bites or phrases. Iambic pentameter is the most widely known form of poetry and has the sing-song feel of ten syllables. Of course, you can write in six or eight syllables as well – any number you want. If you want your poem to rhyme and rhyming doesn’t come easy to you, you can find rhyming words at Rhyme Zone. End your first line with a simple word such as nap or dad. Then type it in to the Word box and click Search. Rhyme Zone will find dozens of rhyming words and phrases that can help you finish out the second line. Repeat this for as many lines as you want.

For example, nap rhymes with lap.

I know you like a cozy nap (8 syllables),

So pull your blankie on your lap. (8 syllables)

Just get all comfy in your chair (8 syllables)

Because your snore sounds like a bear. (8 syllables)

Okay, so it’s still about enjoying a nap, but at least you’ve saved yourself five dollars. 

Don’t stress out thinking you need to fill a page. Store-bought greeting cards often have only four lines.

3.      Print. When you are satisfied that you’ve included all your ideas from number one above, print your poem on pretty manly paper, and sign it with a flourish! Alternatively, you could print it on plain paper and have the children fill in the blank space with drawings.

So, are you ready? You work on one today, and I’ll work on one today. Have fun, and tomorrow let’s share our poetic efforts. Remember, in this case, it really is the thought that counts. (My dad passed away in 2009, so I’ll be *helping* my husband write something for his dad.)

~Meghan

Are you totally intimidated? Totally jazzed? Or will you still buy a card?

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Linking with Consider the Lilies, Comfy in the Kitchen, Susan Godfrey, Homemaker by Choice, Holy Spirit-Led Homeschooling, Deep Roots at Home, Raising Homemakers, Women Living Well, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

7 Things I Learned in Children’s Church

1. Keep your hands still and in your own lap during church.

2. We have all been called to be servants.

3. I can be a servant by being kind to someone new, holding the door open for someone (especially someone with gray hair!), letting someone else go first (especially someone with gray hair!), and picking up trash.

Story-telling with flair

4. Being a servant isn’t easy.

5. If I’m quiet, I might get a prize.

6. It’s important to pay attention in adult church.

The Princess

7. Missionaries need money just like the rest of us. Go collect as much as you can and give.

My children aiming water balloons at the Davis's
(Holly, Benjamin, and Samuel on the left - Laura on the right)

The final program

Thanks, Gene and Angie Davis, for reminding me of these timeless truths! 

~Meghan

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Linking with Thankful Homemaker, Growing Home