day 31 :: a holy work

This is Day 31 -- the final day-- in a 31 day series on Teaching Toddlers Theology. To catch up on where we've been, or view our menu of posts, go to this intro post. 

I can't believe this is the last day of this 31 day adventure! I hope you've enjoyed this series just as much as I've enjoyed writing it! It's been challenging to my own life, but also the Lord has used it to encourage me in my journey as a mother!

I'm so passionate about being a mom who shares her love for the Word, teaches her children who God is, and imparts her excitement and desire for spiritual things! I know that my attitude about spiritual things will be picked up by my kids, so that motivates me to stay sharp and not slack off in my relationship with the Lord! There are more lives at stake here than just mine! It's easy to buy into the idea that we're off the hook because we're young moms, but don't do it- it costs too much!

Maybe as you read this series on Teaching Toddler Theology, it was first time you've heard or thought about any of this stuff! Or maybe you know what you need to do, but you've allowed yourself to be too busy or distracted instead of a purposeful parent! Or perhaps you are a mom who is very spiritually intentional, and you just needed the encouragement to not become weary in well-doing, that you are doing a great job, and just needed some fresh ideas! Whatever type of parent you are reading this blog today, I hope we are all a little better, more focused, more determined, more purposeful parent to our young kids! I hope we all have a clearer understanding of what we need to do, and how we need to spiritually teach and invest in our kids!

"Mothers of your children, your work is most holy. 

You are fashioning the destinies of immortal souls....Be faithful.

 Take up your sacred burden reverently. 

Be sure that your heart is pure and that your life is sweet and clean." J.R. Miller

I'd LOVE to hear any additional ideas you have, things you think I've left out or things you do with your kids! PLEASE share for the sake of us all!

Thank you for joining me in this journey!

day 30 :: some resources

This is Day 30 in a 31 day series on Teaching Toddlers Theology. To catch up on where we've been, or view our menu of posts, go to this intro post. 

Wow! Tomorrow's the last day! It's been a joy to give this topic focused attention this month! I don't know if there was a better topic I could have picked to spend this much of my attention and energies on! I'd love to hear how this series has helped you, or anything you'd like to add to what I've shared this month!

Today I want to share a book and some blog posts that have been very formative for me as a mom! I was going to share huge list of links, but I'm just having a hard time processing and coming up with them all, so I just decided to go with a few links that have been especially challenging and encouraging spiritually in the past year or two for me as a mom!


Loving the Little Years: motherhood in the trenches  by Rachel Jankovic

I highly recommend this book to every mom! A super thought-provoking, challenging, encouraging book by a godly young mom who is "in the trenches" herself with 6 little ones! Rachel has such a way to helping you have a more eternal & godly perspective on your life and role as a mother. Here's what she has to say:  

I didn’t write this book because mothering little ones is easy for me. I wrote it because it isn’t. I know that this is a hard job, because I am right here in the middle of it. I know you need encouragement because I do too.
This is not a tender reminiscence from someone who had children so long ago that she only remembers the sweet parts. At the time of writing this, I have three children in diapers, and I can recognize the sound of hundreds of toothpicks being dumped out in the hall.
This is a small collection of thoughts on mothering young children for when you are motivated, for when you are discouraged, for the times when discipline seems fruitless, and for when you are just plain old tired.
The opportunities for growth abound here but you have to be willing. You have to open your heart to the tumble. As you deal with your children, deal with yourself always and first. This is what it looks like, and feels like, to walk as a mother with God.

Rachel writes for the blog Femina- there are LOTS of great posts there, so definitely check it out!


 Blogs Posts:
Forgiveness for Moms who fail 
Motherhood is a calling (and where your children rank)
The Littleness of Motherhood


Here are some of the resources I've linked in several of my past posts this month:
Scripture put to Music
Selecting a children's bible
Some Holiday Ideas
Sharing the Gospel- Part 1 & Part 2

What are some books, blogs, articles, etc that have been the most helpful, encouraging, challenging, and insightful to you as a parent recently?

our big life change!

On Nov 16, our family will be moving from MI, to Canton Ohio! 

October has been a crazy month for us! We went on a big trip to PA to my sister's wedding and to spend time with family! Then on the way home spent a weekend candidating at a church in Ohio. (And of course I've been blogging everyday for the 31 day series all along! :) ) We've been spending the past few months of our lives in a state of waiting on the Lord! It's been a time of trusting Him and of growth, but it hasn't always been easy! Last week, this church in Ohio unanimously voted to have Tim come as their senior pastor, and we made the decision to move our family to this new place of ministry! We feel such a peace in our hearts that this has been directly from the Lord and he has blessed every step of the way!

The hardest part of this whole thing is uprooted our little family from all our comforts and familiarity, and from the people we love! We've lived in the same house our whole married life and have brought two babies into the world here! All our memories are here, and our hearts ache at the thought of pulling up all the roots we've made in the past 5 1/2 years!

But we are very excited about this new chapter in our lives and we look forward to seeing how God will use us! We already love our new church family and are thankful for the blessing they've already been to us! We will be moving into a large 19th century farm house that is owned by the church. Did I mention it's large? Like, the rooms will look pretty empty with the furniture we have! haha But one of the best parts is that there is a nice sized room with countertops and cabinets upstairs that is an obvious craft room (and future home-schooling room maybe?)! I'm so excited to set it up and get my shop up and running in my new location!

Since we'll be very busy over the next couple weeks packing and moving and setting up our new home, the shop will be closed for probably a couple months! I know some of you were planning to do some of your Christmas shopping with me, so I'm very sorry for that! :/

However I do have a LOT of inventory that I NEED to get rid of! I'm selling them extremely cheaply! All of this stock is leftover from a craft show when I was doing The Blue Ladybug Children's Boutique. These would make great Christmas gifts if you have any little people on your list!
* tie shirts (onesies and tees) in pretty much every size and several different fabric options for $5 each. (66% off)
*pacifier clips for both boys and girls- 1.50/each
*bibs & burp cloths for girls- $3/each (55% off)

Update: here's what's currently available!
 I also have GOBS of blank tshirts and onesies in every size that I'm selling for 1.50/each- these would be great for crafting OR if your family simply needs some blank onesies or tshirts!
*white onesies (gerber) 0-3mo & 18mo short and long sleeves- 1.50/each
*white rabbit skins toddler tees (long sleeved)- all sizes-1.50/each
*white men's tshirt (gildan) S-XL 1.50/each
*dark brown youth tshirts (XS & S) 1.50/each
*Brown onesies & toddler tees (Rabbit skins) NB-7 1.50/each
*Black onesies & toddler tees (rabbit skins) NB-7 1.50/each

If you are interested in any of this please message me on FB or email me for more details: marybethingrace@yahoo.com and I will send you more information/pictures/etc!

day 29 :: Jesus' Ascension

This is Day 29 in a 31 day series on Teaching Toddlers Theology. To catch up on where we've been, or view our menu of posts, go to this intro post. 

This will be the last bible story that I'll share today! It's been fun to share some teaching tips and ideas! I know my ideas are not exhaustive and my ways of explaining things to a toddler are not the best out there! But this is what I do and have found to work with my son! I'd love to hear what things you do!

One day when Titus and I were reading his Bible together, I decided to venture past Christ's death and resurrection! (yeah, it was a first!) I'd already been sharing the Gospel with him for a while, I decided to see how much he'd understand beyond that. At that point, he was very familiar with Baby Jesus, Jesus life & ministry, and His death & resurrection. I thought it would be nice to teach him some of the practical ways we as Christians are told to live by Christ and the apostles (Plus I was just curious at what was included past Christ's death in his children's bible.)


I read to Titus about how Jesus went back into heaven, but before he did, he told his disciples a few important things. He told them that one day he would come back in the same way he was about to leave, and he would bring them back with him. He gave them the Great Commission- to go and make disciples of all nations, and that he would be with them. And He told them that the Holy Spirit was coming soon and he would give them power to do all these things.


So after I read about all that, I tried to unpackage all that for Titus so he'd understand a little better. I explained how Heaven is where God lives and that it's far away past the sky and the stars, and because Jesus is God, he needed to go back home. So went up in the sky until the disciples couldn't see him anymore. I might or might not have said Jesus "flew" just to help a toddler's brain understand, and I made it pretty dramatic by having us pretend to be disciples waving and saying, "bye Jesus" over and over. :) And then I told him that one day Jesus was going to come back to earth the same way and take us back to live with him! Then I explained that while Jesus was in Heaven, we have to be very patient and wait because he is building a big house for us to live in!

Titus got so giddy and excited about this, that he was stumbling over his words just trying to get them all out in his excitement! He loved that we get to live with Jesus in Heaven one day and that He's building a place for us to live! This was so exciting for me to see his reaction! But I wanted to make sure he knew that we get to live with Jesus in heaven because we believe that he died on the cross, that we have to respond to what God has done. It's easy with kids to make salvation general, to make it sound like everyone goes to heaven. We need to be careful of how we present the gospel and the benefits we have in Christ- we are blessed with those things because we've chosen to follow God.

I finished by telling him that while we wait for Jesus to come for us, he has a special job for us! (Titus loves special jobs!) I told him that there a lot of people who don't know who Jesus is or that he died on the cross, so our special job is to tell everyone about Him! He seemed to understand all of this and was visibly excited about it all! It's never too early to start telling people about Jesus- and sometimes kids are the best witnesses because they are so honest and up-front about God!

Even though he hasn't yet made the choice to follow God, I see his heart is so tender to spiritual things! I pray so hard that God saves his little soul and does great things with him! In the meantime, I'm going to keep teaching him all that I can about God and what His Word says!

 
Stick around today because I'll be sharing some big personal news + a shop update!

day 28 :: sharing the gospel

This is Day 28 in a 31 day series on Teaching Toddlers Theology. To catch up on where we've been, or view our menu of posts, go to this intro post. 

So this is kind of a part two from yesterday's post. I just wanted to add a few things about how to share the Gospel with a toddler even if they don't understand a whole lot.

Here's some things that they probably can understand:

• Jesus was perfect! Explain that he never did anything bad, like disobey his parents or hit someone. He was perfect because He is God!
• Contrast Jesus' perfection with your child's sin! They will probably admit to doing wrong things, and this will help them see how amazing it was that Christ took their punishment!
• Explain how because of our sin, we can't be with God and we deserve for God to punish us! But because God loves us, He sent Jesus to be punished in our place! Take the time to explain this however your toddler will best understand! After saying it a couple different ways, a couple different times, Titus seemed to get it. I think he was excited that he didn't have to "get in trouble" because Jesus had taken his punishment! :) But the point was that he got that Jesus had done something very special for him and I've worked hard to cultivate a heart of thankfulness in him so that he will be more and more prepared for that day of his salvation!
• They may not understand every part of the Gospel, but they can certainly pick up from our tone of voice and excitement that this is something special, that Jesus did something very important and they will pick up our attitude towards it. And it'll probably also cause them to be open to keep hearing about it. They'll want to talk about it, especially if it's something Mom gets so excited about!

How I share the Story of Christ's death:

• I usually start talking about the story of Jesus' death at the point of Judas' betrayal in the garden. I explain it like this: Some bad men didn't like Jesus and wanted to get him in trouble even though he hadn't done anything wrong. One of his friends, Judas, decided to help the bad men. While Jesus was praying in a garden, he walked up and kissed Jesus so that the bad men would know that that was Jesus. They took Jesus away and did very mean things to him. They hit him and spit at him, and pulled his hair. He was bleeding and had lots of "ouchies." They didn't believe that he was God. They thought he was bad. Jesus' friends all ran away and hid because they were scared. So Jesus was all alone. Then the people who didn't like Jesus nailed him on a cross and made fun of him! But Jesus prayed that God would forgive those people! Then Jesus died on the cross. And it got really dark and thundered and ground shook! After Jesus died, some people put his body in a tomb to keep it safe. All his friends were so sad! Jesus had told everybody that he was going to rise again in three days, but they didn't remember. Three days later, some women came to put some oils and spices on his body, but when they got there the huge stone was rolled away and Jesus was gone! There was an angel there and he said, "don't be afraid! He is not here! He has risen, just like he said" And the angel told them to go tell everybody! They women were so happy! Jesus was alive again!
• So at this point of the story, I think Titus is a little lost because he doesn't understand death, let alone Christ rising again. But I try to tell it as simply as possible using terms and words he knows. One day he'll understand, but for now I'm content to just tell the story and impart my own excitement! But he does understand that Jesus died on the cross, and for now I think all he thinks about it is that it's pretty cool and we thank Jesus for it. He already thinks very highly of Jesus because of other things he knows about Jesus: he loves us, he's with us, he takes care of us, etc.

Things to do for now:

• Tell the Good News in the most understandable way to your toddler. Then repeat, repeat, repeat!
• Pray with them, and include in your prayers your thankfulness for the gospel! It's another way for your kids to hear and be reminded of what God did for them! Your kids will probably start to pray how you do!
• Pray for them to understand, and for God to work in their hearts to bring them to salvation!
• Let your excitement and thankfulness for the Gospel be evident to your toddlers as you live your life!

I'd love to hear your experience sharing the Gospel with your toddlers! Please share in the comments below!

day 27 :: Jesus' death and resurrection + a recipe

Learn how to make an Easter Garden!

This is Day 27 in a 31 day series on Teaching Toddlers Theology. To catch up on where we've been, or view our menu of posts, go to this intro post. 

This past Easter was so fun having a two-year old. I knew this would be the first time he might actually understand what was going on! We tried to be pretty careful with how much attention we gave to all the candy and stuff versus Christ and the Resurrection! We wanted to keep Christ the central part of the holiday and not confuse or distract Titus with all the fun non-spiritual stuff that we typically do as well. I knew Titus' understanding would still be limited. Since he doesn't know what death is, he probably would understand the significance of the coming-back-to-life part either. But I was determined to do my best to be faithful to the message of the Gospel even if he didn't understand much at that point! I wanted to emphasize the things he could understand and be patient on the stuff he couldn't for another time. Besides constantly talking about what Easter is all about and reading the death and resurrection accounts in his bible, I also tried to find some fun, hands-on ways to tell the story!

One way I found was to make Resurrection Rolls. Titus loves to help out in the kitchen and what two-year-old doesn't like to get get his hands a little messy? so these were a huge hit. And I hoped in the process that this would be another means for Titus to learn a bit more about what Christ has done for him! In this recipe, each ingredient represents something from the Easter story, so as you make it, you tell it! (recipe below)

Your toddler might not quite understand the majority of Christ's death and resurrection, but be faithful in telling them! This is where our spiritual investment starts, and we have years to keep on investing! And you never know what fruit you may see even in this next year because you chose to make the most of the opportunity now! Even if they don't understand what death is, or what resurrection is, they will pick up from us that it's important and it's for them! That what Christ did, he did for them- because they've sinned and because He loves them. Sharing the gospel is a process, and it's the same in our toddlers lives. Share the Good News, and pray for God to work in their little hearts.

Resurrection Rolls

Grab your toddler and try these fun, easy & oh-so-delicious rolls!  They are a wonderful reminder for you and a teaching tool for your kids about the true meaning of Easter! Each ingredient has significance and the end product leaves your kids in awe as they discover the rolls are hollow inside! So interactive for kids, as well as spiritually memorable! I’m looking forward to making this a tradition every year with our family! This recipe is a combination of a couple different recipes I found on the Internet.

Ingredients:

Crescent roll dough

melted butter

large marshmallows

cinnamon

sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Separate all the crescent roll triangles. The crescent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in.

Take a marshmallow, {the marshmallow represents Jesus’ body}. and roll it in melted butter, which represents the oils used to embalm His body.. Then roll the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar which represent the spices used to anoint the body.

Wrap a crescent roll triangle around the buttered marshmallow (Bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside- not in normal crescent roll fashion.) This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body in linen garments.

Repeat with remaining dough and marshmallows.

  

Place in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. The oven represents the tomb.

When the rolls are ready to eat (allow to cool), have each of your kids open up a roll and discover that it’s hollow inside! Just like the linens were left in the tomb and Jesus’ body was gone! He is risen!

NOTE: I found that baking them in a muffin tin versus a cookie sheet helped them to not ooze as much and held together better!

 

day 26 :: Jesus' ministry

This is Day 26 in a 31 day series on Teaching Toddlers Theology. To catch up on where we've been, or view our menu of posts, go to this intro post. 

 I couldn't help catching a snapshot of this early morning moment of my kids engrossed in their Bibles!

About a month ago, Titus and I spent a few days reading the stories in his children's bible about Jesus' ministry- basically, everything between his birth and his death. We read through his miracles, interaction with people, and his parables. At this point, Titus had a good grasp on who Jesus is and was totally engrossed in the stories! I enjoyed reviewing them as well!

Teaching the stories about Jesus healing people, feeding people, talking to people and forgiving people, help us all (not just toddlers) get to know the type of person Jesus was! Jesus met people's needs, Jesus was patient, Jesus cared for people, Jesus forgave sins, Jesus was God! How can you not love Jesus, when you see how much he loved people? They see not only his loving way with people, but also how powerful he was, like when he fed the 5,000 or walked on water, or calmed the storm. He truly was God and as we read the stories about all the amazing things Jesus did, we are showing our children that. Teaching our kids about who Jesus was on this earth increases their view of God and gives them the perfect role model to follow after!