Practicing summer safety isn’t living in fear—it’s living with wisdom. By taking a few simple precautions, we can protect ourselves, our families, and those around us while fully enjoying the blessings of the season.

Please note that while these are helpful preventative safety tips, you should always consult medical professionals for the most up to date recommendations and advice.

Water Safety: Respect the Water

Whether enjoying a swimming pool, lake, river, or ocean, water deserves our respect.

• Never swim alone.
• Use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets when boating or participating in water sports.
• Avoid alcohol while operating a boat or supervising swimmers.
• Watch children continuously around water—drowning is often silent.
• Learn CPR and basic water rescue skills.

Remember that strong swimmers can also become fatigued or encounter unexpected currents. Preparation and attentiveness save lives.

Sun Safety: Enjoy the Sunshine Wisely

Sunshine boosts our mood and helps our bodies produce vitamin D, but too much sun increases the risk of sunburn, heat illness, premature skin aging, and skin cancer.

Whenever possible:

• Plan extended outdoor activities before 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. when UV rays are generally less intense.
• If you are outdoors during peak hours (approximately 10 a.m.–4 p.m.), seek shade regularly.
• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and reapply every two hours—or more often after swimming or sweating.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses with UV protection, and lightweight clothing that covers exposed skin.

Even on cloudy days, UV rays can reach your skin, so protection remains important.

Heat Safety: Listen to Your Body

Heat-related illnesses can develop quickly.

To stay healthy:

• Drink water consistently throughout the day, even before you feel thirsty.
• Limit beverages that contribute to dehydration, including excessive alcohol and high-caffeine drinks.
• Take frequent breaks in air-conditioned or shaded areas.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Know the warning signs of heat exhaustion: dizziness, headache, excessive sweating, weakness, nausea, and muscle cramps.

If symptoms worsen or confusion develops, seek emergency medical care immediately, as heat stroke is a life-threatening condition.

Driving Safety During Summer

Summer often brings heavier traffic, road construction, family vacations, and sudden storms.

Protect yourself by:

• Wearing your seatbelt every trip.
• Reducing speed during heavy rain to help prevent hydroplaning.
• Increasing following distance on wet roads.
• Using polarized sunglasses to reduce sun glare during morning and evening travel.
• Staying alert for motorcycles, bicyclists, pedestrians, and children playing near neighborhoods.
• Avoiding distracted driving by putting phones away.

Defensive driving allows you to respond calmly when others make unexpected decisions.

Living with Wisdom

Scripture reminds us that wisdom is demonstrated through our actions. Preparing for emergencies, protecting our health, and watching over our neighbors are practical ways we honor God.

As you enjoy this summer season, pray for discernment, remain alert, and encourage those around you to practice safe habits. Caring for ourselves allows us to continue serving our families, churches, and communities with strength and gratitude.

May this summer be filled with joyful memories, meaningful fellowship, and God’s continued protection over you and those you love.

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Most of us probably won’t be able to attend any of them. I, and maybe you too, would love to go, but we will be right where we usually are – in small towns, suburbs, and ordinary communities far from the major celebrations.

But that is okay. Because for 250 years, America has never existed only in the most important and famous places. Men and women from every place have contributed ideas, inventions, creativity, art, work, and even their lives when called for.

It has existed in church fellowship halls and family farms, in factories and small businesses, in county fairs and Little League games. It has existed in neighborhood cookouts, school gymnasiums, memorial services in old cemeteries, and in communities where people work hard and still help a neighbor in need.

The large celebrations will be exciting, and I am glad they are happening. Important milestones should be marked. Two hundred fifty years is significant.

But I think some of the best appreciation for our country will happen far away from the television cameras.

It will happen in places where people gather for small-town parades and sit in folding chairs waiting for the fire engines and the marching bands to come by. It will happen in conversations between grandparents and grandchildren. It will happen when someone takes the time to explain why there are so many little flags in front of gravestones or why certain songs are played every Fourth of July.

It will happen when people pause long enough to realize – and appreciate – that freedom is not normal in the history of the world.

Americans have always argued with each other, and we certainly still do. But despite our disagreements, we still quietly enjoy blessings people in many countries have never even experienced – the freedom to worship openly, speak freely, gather together, vote, own property, raise families, and pursue ordinary peaceful lives.

Those things become easy to overlook because they are so familiar to us. We don’t know what it is like to not have them.

That is one reason why national anniversaries like America’s 250^th celebration are important. They remind us to stop long enough to notice what we have been given. Fighting the world’s superpower was the riskiest thing Americans have ever done. And we all owe our freedom and safety to those original risk takers, many of whom gave so much.

But you do not have to travel to New York or Washington D.C. to appreciate America’s 250^th anniversary.

You can attend a local America 250 parade or community celebration. Visit a historical marker you usually drive past. Put out a flag. Walk through an old cemetery. Take your children or grandchildren to a community event or celebration. Learn something about your own town’s history. Treat this holiday as something special no matter where you are.

Because much of America’s story was built in ordinary places by ordinary Americans who simply lived, worked, sacrificed, raised families, served others, and tried to leave things better for others.

And that is still worth honoring today.

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They’re just ordinary.

Nothing is wrong, but there is nothing special either. But sometimes it is fun or comforting to add a little “specialness” to your day. And often small, simple things can improve your day in a noticeable way.

Open the windows

Even for a little while. Fresh air changes the feel of a room more than you expect. It makes everything feel less closed in.

Pray

Truly pray. Try more than a simple “Thank you, God,” although that is good, but sitting down and pouring out your heart – everything – your fears, your sins, your pain – and giving it to Him, trusting Him who loves you more than anyone, will completely change your day. You may cry, but it will reduce your stress and bring you peace.

Get one thing done that has been sitting in your head

Not everything – just one thing. Send the email. Make the call. Finish the small task you have been putting off. It clears mental space and makes you feel so much better.

Read a book

Not your phone. Not scrolling. Just a few pages of something you actually want to read. It’s a different kind of rest.

Make something you actually want to eat

A simple meal. A dessert. Something you’d enjoy – not just what is easiest or fastest. If you are worried about making something you don’t want to eat a lot of, make a smaller portion or share the leftovers. Even a small portion feels different when you chose it on purpose.

Dance and Sing

Put HOPE 100.7 on while you are making dinner or doing a chore and sing along – out loud. Singing out loud literally improves both your health and your happiness.

Write a short note to someone

Nothing long or formal. Just a quick message to thank someone or tell them you appreciate them. It doesn’t take much time, but it tends to lift your mood as much as theirs.

Light a candle during dinner

It’s a small thing, but it changes the feel of the evening. It makes an ordinary meal feel special without any extra effort.

Clean one thing

Not the whole house. Just one spot or area.

The counter, the sink, a small pile that’s been sitting there. One clear space can make the whole room feel easier to be in.

Step outside

Even briefly. A few minutes of fresh air or sunlight can reset your mood more than staying inside all day. And if you can’t get out for a quick stroll during the day, go out and look up at the night sky. It’s an excellent reminder of who is in control and might let you fall asleep a little easier.

You don’t have to do all of these, of course. And you don’t have to turn them into a routine.

Some will come and go. Some might stick without you really trying. And some might be things you save for days that need a little extra help. But they’re there – small, simple ways to make an ordinary day feel a little better.

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Christmas card giving dates back to 1843 and Sir Henry Cole who introduced the Penny Post in England as an affordable postal system. He wanted to make it easy to send holiday greetings to friends and family. The first card was designed by John Callcott Horsley featuring a family celebrating together and the message was, “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.” With improved printing and inexpensive postage the 1860s and 1870s saw a worldwide popularity of Christmas card giving. There has been an evolution of Christmas cards with improved manufacturing and distribution.

The giving and receiving of Christmas cards was important and memorable when I was a kid. As kids, we often were given the opportunity to pick out a box or two of the cards we would send. Mom would do the writing inside and sign from, “The 4Js” (all our names started with J).

As a kid and then repeating it with my kids, we picked a received Christmas card (each week or month depending on total cards received) and placed it on our table. We would then pray for that family and often call them or send a note telling them what we were doing with their card.

Sometimes saved Christmas cards were used to create new art. 3-D decoupage was the “rage” while I was a kid. You would take various cards, cut out characters, animals, or stars and layer them on top of each other using glue-guns and shellac.

But, what has happened to the giving of Christmas cards?

• Technology came and many people started sending electronic (digital) cards.
• The rise in the cost of cards and the cost of postage made some families limit the number of cards sent…if any.
• The Christmas cards became less about celebrating Jesus’ birth and more about the commercialization of “the holiday.”

What can we do to revive the spirit of Christmas card giving? Make Christmas card giving a family event from start to finish!

1. Schedule 1-2 nights (1-2 hours per night) a week starting now to get everything completed to deliver cards by Christmas.

2. Choose a basic stock paper you will use. There are varieties of weight, colors, and textures to choose from.

The heavier the stock, the less likely you will want to make a folding card. You may create a postcard style with art on one side and the message on the back. Heavier stock also allows for possible mediums as tempera or finger paint, glue guns, and other heavier “bling.”

Lighter weight paper, like copy paper, can be folded in half or in fours. “Bling” is still possible, but must be lighter like string, ribbons, small buttons or the card will be cumbersome to open.

On lighter paper, make sure you have layers between the folding sides as you create so as not to have ink or paint bleed through.

When folding paper for cards, test out the direction of pages to show pictures, text, and final salutation…you don’t want to work so hard and see you have a page upside down or backwards…but that could add character.

3. Decide your front cover theme. If you have small children, baby lambs, angels, and shepherds may keep their interest.

Allowing your small ones to do finger tip or thumb art is exciting. Dipping their thumb in white paint can create the body of a sheep or angel. Dipping their pinky finger into the white paint and appropriately placing that mark becomes the head of the sheep or angel.

Painting or placing of characters should occur after the background has been sketched on with crayon or colored pencils. This could be done as an assembly line. Someone colors the ground, someone colors the sky, and someone can place glitter stars in the sky.

A theme for older children and adults may be Christmas trees or Poinsettia flowers. Again, this could be completed as an assembly line.

4. Wait now for the next session to add any eyes, legs, arms, or accents to the front cover art. Sharpies come in multiple colors and thickness and work well even over dried paint, crayon, or colored pencils. Additional sticky eyes, stars, or glitter can be used.

Remember, place a sheet or two between the page on which you use the sharpy and the page below so it won’t bleed.

5. Choose a Christmas verse or a goodwill greeting you want in your card. Maybe you want two or three for variety.

At this point you will decide, are you going for the neatness and choose someone with the best penmanship, or are you going for the love and memory making, and anybody who can copy the script to fit in the space becomes a scribe.

6. Make sure the salutation page has everyone’s name and age. Include the year of this Christmas card. When people sift through memories this will be more meaningful because of the names, ages, and date.

7. Finally …the delivery method. Many handmade cards will not fit into an envelope. Depending on who will receive your cards and the distance of delivery, there are several options.

• Before you start, but have decided whether your Christmas card is a postcard, folded in half, or folded in quarters; head down to a local store that still sells envelopes and see if any fit your card. You could measure your card (L x W x H) and then check various online services and find envelopes that match your card size. Always go just a little larger so your creative “bling” won’t be smashed.

• Your family may choose not to use envelopes and hand deliver. This is  my favorite method. Know which cards can be given out at school, work, or church. Present them just saying, “Our family was thinking of you, Merry Christmas.”

• Your family may choose to deliver your Christmas cards to a homeless shelter or senior center. Make sure you check on numbers beforehand if this is your family’s choice…you don’t want any residents to be left out.

Guess what? If your family chooses to purchase the pre-made Christmas cards and skip the creative mayhem…you still can finish well by following steps 6 (salutation page) and 7 (delivery method) and make your Christmas card giving memorable to both your family and those who receive your Christmas Cheer.

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We know it is coming, but somehow Christmas seems to always sneak up on us. School activities, Thanksgiving, and life keep us busy until we realize we haven’t even started getting ready. If you are a Christian, you know that we don’t need trees, gifts, or lists to celebrate the reminder of God coming to live with us, but most of us enjoy family and friends coming together and the joy of giving even something small to a child or a friend.

So before the calendar fills and the to-do lists double, here are a few ways to prepare your heart and home for a calmer, Christ-centered Christmas.

1. Start with Your Heart

Before you make a single list or shop for a single gift, take time for early Christmas preparation – starting with your heart.

• Choose a devotional or Scripture reading to guide you through the coming weeks.
• Set aside time each week to pray about what you want this Christmas to be about.
• Ask God to show you who might need encouragement, company, or care this year.

When we begin with worship, everything else we do – decorating, giving, celebrating – become an offering instead of an obligation.

2. Simplify Your Space

A peaceful heart often starts with a peaceful home.

One of the best Christmas planning tips is to declutter before the holidays begin. Donate or get rid of unused items. It may not be a good time to tear into some huge cleaning project but at least make room for what matters to you. If you are hosting, inventory your supplies in case you need to find something or order what you were missing last time!

One helpful idea is to start a holiday box or at least one specific spot to place cards, wrapping paper, or small gifts that you pick up early. I found this to be almost essential to avoid misplacing or forgetting what you have already bought.

Remember, you do not have to decorate every corner or say yes to every event. A few meaningful touches can say “Christmas” just as beautifully as a house full of glitter.

3. Plan to Give Intentionally

Christmas giving can either be joyful or stressful – and it often depends on how we plan.

If you start setting aside a little each week, you will have more freedom to give generously later – without the last-minute financial crunch. Maybe it’s a missionary your church supports or a single mom who could use a grocery card.

And don’t forget the power of simple gifts: a handwritten note, homemade cookies, or a heartfelt visit can mean far more than something wrapped in shiny paper.

4. Make a Manageable Plan

Create a holiday organization checklist or just write out a simple timeline for when you want to start work on your tasks. It doesn’t have to be complicated – just a few small steps for each month. You could include things like:

• Make a gift list and budget
• Declutter and inventory supplies
• Finish most shopping
• Plan menus
• Decorate
• Bake
• Deliver gifts and donations
• Get started on homemade gifts

When you spread things out, you make room for rest and unplanned moments and opportunities that can make Christmas special – perhaps a drive to look at lights or just a quiet night by the tree.

As Christmas draws closer, the world will shout for your attention – I hope you find that taking a little time to think and plan ahead will allow your heart to be less hurried and more hopeful. And may every list, plan, and gift point you back to the One who gave Himself for us all.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

– Matthew 2:10.

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But according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, we will. It will just be a little later this year, with peak color sometime around October 12-20. Northern Ohio might turn a bit earlier, but here in our corner, mid-month will be the sweet spot. Some trees have started showing hints already thanks to some recent cool nights in September, so it is worth keeping your eye out as you plan.

Perhaps the color you see on your way to work and back each day is all you need, but if you are looking to get a little closer to the beauty of fall, here are some local favorites. Grab a hoodie, pack a thermos of cider, and head out for a hike or even a ride.

Brukner Nature Center (Troy)

Tucked into the rolling hills near Troy, Brukner’s six miles of trails wander through woods and meadows bursting with color. The Overlook Trail gives you a peaceful view above the Stillwater River valley. If you have time, the Interpretive Building has a mix of wildlife displays and nature exhibits if you want to warm up after your hike.

Learn More Here

Stillwater Prairie Reserve (Covington)

If you love open skies and big views, this one is for you. Stillwater Prairie mixes woodlands with fields of tall grass that turn golden in autumn. Stroll along the river, take some photos of the reflections, and keep your ears open. This is prime time for birdwatching too.

Learn More Here

Twin Arch Reserve (Piqua)

Smaller and quieter, Twin Arch is a hidden gem. The trails wind past old stone bridges and under colorful maple and oak trees. It’s peaceful and perfect for when you just want to wander and listen to the crunch of leaves underfoot.

Learn More Here

Aullwood Garden MetroPark (Dayton)

Once the private garden of conservationist Marie Aull, this lovely spot blends landscaped gardens with natural woodland trails. It’s smaller than some of the others, but that makes it perfect for a peaceful walk. Benches are tucked all along the paths, inviting you to sit and just enjoy the season.

Learn More Here

Englewood MetroPark (Englewood)

Englewood seems to have it all – forests, meadows, wetlands, and even Martindale Falls, a beautiful little waterfall that looks extra magical framed by fall leaves. There are plenty of picnic spots too, so bring a lunch or snack and stay a while.

Learn More Here

John Bryan State Park (Yellow Springs)

One of the best fall color destinations in the whole state! The limestone gorge carved by the Little Miami River offers dramatic views from above and below. Hike the Rim Trail for sweeping vistas or drop down into the gorge for a completely different perspective.

Learn More Here

Charleston Falls Preserve (Tipp City)

This one is a local favorite. The 37-foot waterfall is beautiful any time of the year but is especially so surrounded by fall color. The trails are easy and family-friendly, and you will find many spots for photos or a quiet picnic.

Learn More Here

Deeds Point MetroPark (Dayton)

For something different, Deeds Point gives you a city-meets-nature view – trees along the river, colorful foliage, and the downtown Dayton skyline in the background.

Learn More Here

Shawnee Lookout (near Cleves)

Just a bit south of the Miami Valley, Shawnee Lookout offers big, sweeping views of the Ohio River valley. With forested trails and historic earthworks, it’s a great day trip if you want a “wow” moment.

Learn More Here

Miamisburg Mound

Climb the steps to the top of this ancient earthwork, and you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the valley – rolling hills, treetops, and the Great Miami River all glowing in autumn shades. It is a short climb with a big payoff.

Learn More Here

Great Miami Riverway

If you would rather experience fall color on the move, hop on your bike (or just walk a section) of the Great Miami Riverway. The paved trail stretches for miles through forests and riverside parks, connecting towns like Troy, Miamisburg, and Dayton. It’s one of the best ways to see a lot of color in one day.

Learn More Here

There are fees for a couple of these locations (you can check their websites if you aren’t sure), but most are free to everyone. Whether you’re hiking, biking, or taking a Sunday drive, Ohio’s Miami Valley is full of places to see fall in all of its glory. Do you know of somewhere else that has amazing fall foliage? Let us know in the comments!

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But maybe you are on the other side and are thinking about having a yard sale of your own. You could use spending money for your family trip, some extra money to pay off bills, or you just want to clear out clutter – but if you have never put on a sale, it might sound pretty intimidating. A well-run garage sale can be rewarding if you do it right. From pricing strategy, to presentation, to advertising, here are some tips to help you get the most out of your sale:

Pick the right time.

Late spring and early summer are peak sale seasons, and Friday and Saturday mornings will bring in the most traffic. Does your community host a community-wide sale? If so, they usually will do most of the advertising for you.

Advertise, advertise, advertise.

You can advertise in a local newspaper – some people still look there – but at least two days ahead of time, put an ad in any local Facebook Buy, Sell, Trade or Marketplace kind of groups, garage sale or neighborhood groups (like Nextdoor) you may have in your area. Use keywords like baby clothes, tools, or furniture if they are applicable to your sale.

Make lots of easy-to-read signs with clear address, dates, and arrows. Place your signs in high traffic areas and at helpful locations along the way to your sale – and use those arrows! People will not come to your sale if they cannot find it.

Prep for your sale. Start early.

You do not want to be up all night before your sale looking for and pricing your items. If you have some higher dollar items, consider listing them online (like on Marketplace) ahead of time. It gives people a little more time to consider and purchase them. You may want to price them a little higher than what you want because you most likely will be asked to lower your price.

Take an hour each weekend for a few weeks to go through your house and garage to gather what you no longer need or want. The more stuff you are able to put out, the more likely people are to stop at your sale. And do not forget to get change from the bank if you need to and have a calculator handy.

Presentation and organization matter.

Hang as many clothes as you can. Sort folded clothes by gender and size, and make sure they are clean and presentable. Most shoppers will not take the time to look if there is not some kind of organization. Put your large items out near the street so people know you have more than clothes and organize the rest by category (books, kitchen, toys, etc.). As much as possible, keep items off the ground. Keep electronics near an outlet so people can check to see that they work.

Make clear signs for pricing.

Price as many individual items as you are able; most people do not like to have to ask how much things cost. Make your prices fair and match them to your area. You will not sell much if your prices are too high for your shoppers. A good guideline is 10% of retail for most things and you can go up to 50% for new items. If you are doing a half-price day or some kind of discount, try to advertise that on your signs and ads.

Sell treats or goodies.

Shoppers appreciate a snack, and if you have kids, they can help out by being in charge of this.

Some final tips – if you aren’t sure, check on any kind of regulations for your location. Some cities do require a permit. Open early and be friendly and helpful. A positive attitude will not only encourage more sales but will make your day better as well!

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Well, maybe not this year. $5 for a dozen eggs might make us rethink or at least rework our traditions. So we came up with a list of activities you and your kids or grandkids can do using affordable and reusable plastic eggs. You can find them almost anywhere, and they’re perfect for a variety of activities that go beyond the traditional egg hunt.

One of my favorites is to make your own resurrection eggs. You can buy these commercially, already made, but it isn’t very hard to make your own. Put an object relating to the Easter story in each egg (ex. a stone, a nail, a tiny cross, a silver-colored coin, etc.). You can find ideas on the internet and even little cards to print out. Each day, leading up to Easter, you can hide one of the eggs, then talk about what role each of the objects played in the death and resurrection of Jesus, or you can talk about them all at one time and read the Bible passage with your kids. This is a great hands-on activity that allows children to “see” parts of the story.

Another idea is a scavenger hunt with eggs. Hide eggs with written clues leading to the next egg, ending with a basket or prize. You can do this inside or outside.

One variation on hiding eggs is to make the eggs glow-in-the-dark for a fun nighttime hunt. Put a small glowstick or an LED tea light in the egg for a totally different egg hunt experience.

The last activity we have is a great one to not only teach your kids about God’s love, but also to share it. That is to egg your neighbors – in a good way! You will probably need larger plastic eggs for this so you can fill them with small treats and notes encouraging them in Jesus’s love. Perhaps your church has promotional materials for an Easter service or tracts that tell the good news of Easter for those who may not know. Secretly leave them on your neighbors’ doorsteps with a note saying, “You’ve been egged – with love and blessings from our family!”

Of course, Easter is so much more than determining what kind of eggs to use. The reason we use a symbol of new life is that we are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ enabling us to have new life as well. So prioritize teaching the children in your life the reason why we celebrate, but if that is all you can handle, there are several local egg hunt events you can take part in:

Local Egg Hunts

Jon Pemberton & Associates Easter Egg Drop

Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025

Location: Miami Valley South Stadium, Bellbrook, OH

Details: Experience a helicopter egg drop with thousands of eggs. Registration is required.

Easter Egg Hunt at Grace Community Church

Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025

Location: Grace Community Church, Huber Heights

Details: Easter egg hunt and activities

Easter Egg Hunt at Young’s Dairy

Date: Sunday, April 20, 2025

Location: Young’s Dairy, Yellow Springs, OH

Details: This is a free event where over 10,000 eggs are ready to be picked. Come early, this is a popular event!

Easter Egg Hunt at Medway Church

Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025

Location: Medway United Methodist Church

Details: 30,000 eggs and a visit from the Easter Bunny

Vandalia Easter Eggstravaganza

Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025

Location: Vandalia Recreation Center

Details: This family-friendly event includes egg hunts, a baby goat petting zoo, arts & crafts, face painting, vendors, games, and photos with the Easter Bunny.

Wright-Patt AFB & Fairborn Chamber Community Easter Egg Hunt

Date: Sunday, April 20, 2025

Location: Central Park

Details: A community egg hunt featuring 10,000 eggs filled with candy and surprises. Open to the public.

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1. I Still Believe

I Still Believe (2020) is a romantic drama based on the life of beloved singer Jeremy Camp. You may know his songs like “Dead Man Walking,” “When You Speak,” and “There Will Be a Day” in which he praises God for His love and grace, but you may not know that there was a time where Jeremy’s pain, his doubt, and anger at God caused him to abandon his music altogether. This faith-based movie shows how God brings him through his loss. Jeremy is able to see God at work and finds hope again.

2. A Week Away

A Week Away (2021). For a family-friendly musical, complete with song and dance, A Week Away offers a message of love and transformation. It revolves around a troubled teen whose continued poor choices force him into a situation where he has to choose between juvenile detention and a Christian summer camp. Not everyone loves musicals, but this is a fun, lively, and well-choreographed look at a life changed by kindness and love.

3. Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace (2006). You know the song, but the song has a story. This historical drama explores the relationship between the most famous hymn ever written and Great Britain’s slave trade. The story of the abolition of slavery is told through the life of William Wilberforce, one man whose perseverance and faith made a difference for millions.

4. I Can Only Imagine

I Can Only Imagine (2018) is another movie based on the life of a Christian musician. Bart Millard, lead singer of the band Mercy Me, did not have an ideal childhood. Left to be raised by an abusive father, Bart had a dysfunctional relationship with both his mom and dad. When an injury keeps him from living out his father’s dream for him, Bart stumbles into music. The movie does relate the story of Bart’s abuse, but it also reveals the amazing story that forgiveness and God’s grace played in restoring Bart’s relationships and enabling his musical success.

5. The Forge

The Forge (2024) is a movie about discipleship, not music. But I added it to the list because it is a good movie, and its soundtrack features many singers you will recognize, including Lecrae, for King & Country, and CeCe Winans. The movie tells the story of 19-year-old Isaiah, who is without plans, motivation, or Jesus. His mom prays for him often but finally gives him an ultimatum that forces him to look for employment. Along the way, he meets a man who takes Jesus’s command to disciple others seriously and whose care, patience, grace, and investment in Isaiah ultimately changes his life.

These PG rated Christian movies are great for bringing the family together on a cold, winter night, but a couple do have some at least older kid themes. They are all currently streaming on various platforms, so choose a couple, snuggle up, sing along, and be reminded of God’s work in our lives.

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It is never too late to start planning for this year’s holiday table. This year is a great opportunity to bring everyone back into a loving family relationship. Maybe our table will not look like The Walton’s or Vanity Fair’s picture-perfect spread. We may be using paper plates, plastic silverware, and red solo cups. However, the holiday is about the people sitting around the table.

Over the last several years we’ve maybe had more tension within our families that has made it more difficult to gather together. It’s time for us to remember that God is calling us all together as one in unity. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” It is very important to start reaching out to family members that live far away because they may have to make travel plans. You may have to start planning and decide if you can host the gathering in your home or secure a location. Don’t panic and think this has to be an expensive event.

The goal is making sure everyone within the family, those physically near and far, as well as those who are prodigals are invited. Let this holiday season be one of reconciliation, the soothing balm of Gilead, a chance to rekindle family, a chance to experience family without the trappings of all that’s been going on around us within the political, religious, and world news. Let this time be an opportunity to allow family members to tell the stories so that the younger children will have history and knowledge of the heritage to which they belong. As we have moved away from the frequent family get-togethers, the kind that I remember as a kid, we have become very disjointed and segmented and we’ve lost our identity. We’ve lost our identity as a family, we’ve lost our identity as a community, and we’ve lost our identity as a church body. I believe it is time to reestablish whose we are. We are the children of God set here on Earth to reflect his glory and His glory is having love one for another.

This holiday season offers an opportunity to add personal reflecting activities without overwhelming those who may not feel comfortable in a Christian environment. Establish a seating chart using name tents. You can intermingle the older with the younger or seat those whom you know may be lonely or awkward next to someone that is easy to talk with. On that name tent you can also add a small scripture about thankfulness because our main focus this holiday is to be thankful. We know as Christians we are thankful because of God. Allow everyone, young and old to say something for which they are thankful. It can range from thankfulness for the turkey, thankfulness for a toy, or thankfulness for the family getting together.

We need to be prepared for when “Uncle Billy” is having a strong, opinionated conversation with “Grandma Lily” that we don’t jump in and try to squelch the conversation. Our goal is to pray and quickly ask God to speak to our hearts of how to handle the situation so that everyone is heard. Knowing that as we navigate the conversations that are difficult, but needed, we are creating opportunities to become closer as family. Everyone’s not going to always agree on every point. Our job is to facilitate going forward with love demonstrating God’s plan and purpose for this holiday and our family gatherings to reestablish identity.

At the close of any family gathering on both sides of my family, we gathered in a circle, holding hands for a closing prayer. This prayer included the youngest to the oldest. I would say this is where my cousins and I learned to pray. It wasn’t big or showy, it was an expected part of our family identity.

You may want to choose someone in advance to pray so no one is put on the spot. For MANY years that person was my dad. The prayer can be short including: thankfulness for family members present and the joyous time shared, safety and protection as everyone parts and travels home, as well as safety and protection in our homes and jobs, and an increasing experience of God in our lives.

May our efforts to include all family members during this holiday season be an extension of God’s marvelous love expressed to humanity as recorded in John 3:16, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Let us demonstrate our great love for others by including them in our family gatherings and putting away any animosity that would harm our family identity.

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Now, just the thought of walking around for an hour with cold, wet feet makes me cringe. And grabbing a bag of apples from Aldi or Kroger is simpler than moving ladders around, attempting to climb a tree. But there are still good reasons to make the effort to go pick some apples yourself:

1. Kids still like it – and it’s outdoors.
2. It’s a good way to see where some of our food comes from.
3. Warm apple cider doughnuts.
4. The apples do taste better right off the tree.
5. You can get some great autumnal photos – might even get your teens to go along without too much complaining if they know they can post on Instagram!
6. If you are prepared, it can still be fun for you too!

So how do you prepare for apple picking so that you and your family have a good time and make great memories for years to come?

1. Dress Appropriately

It is outdoors, so dress for the weather – and check the weather forecast. Avoid that wet-feet feeling by wearing some sort of boots (or you can wait until later in the day). Shoes good for traipsing around in an uneven field are essential. Wear sunglasses or a hat since you will be looking up into trees. And layer. Maybe a flannel or corduroy shirt over a t-shirt that you can take off and tie around your waist if the sun makes an appearance. And think about this for your kids too. You most likely won’t want to carry around a bunch of coats the rest of the day if they started out overdressed.

2. Pick Your Apples (Ahead of Time)

Call ahead to see what apples are being picked and to check for any change in hours. Know what kind of apples you want to buy. Many orchards offer samples before you pick. Some apples, like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji are great for eating and baking, and others, such as Granny Smiths, make delicious pies and applesauce. Picking a variety can give everyone a chance to try out something new and find out what your family’s preference actually is.

3. Bring Containers

Bring bags for picking and maybe bring some sort of cushioning and containers to place between layers to avoid damaging your hard work! Some orchards do not take credit cards, so if that is an issue, check ahead. Also, some orchards might provide baskets and cushioning for you, it never hurts to ask!

4. Teach The Little Ones

If you have kids or grandkids with you, before you start picking your apples help them understand how to pick apples so they do not damage the tree or other apples – the ripe ones will come off with a gentle tug or twist. Weekends are busier, so plan to share the orchard with others.

5. Eat Doughnuts (They’re Apple So They’re Healthy, Right?)

If your orchard has fresh apple cider doughnuts, I recommend trying those. I do not even like apple cider, but the doughnuts at my local orchard are some of the best baked goods I have ever tasted!

Local Orchards With U-Pick Apples Near Dayton:

Are you craving apples yet? Here’s a list of orchards in the area that let you pick your own apples!

Stevens Family Orchard, Springfield (937) 788-2573

Tuken’s Orchard, West Alexandria (937) 687-3848

Iron’s Fruit Farm, Lebanon (513) 932-2853

Peifer Orchards, Yellow Springs (937) 767-2208

Monnin’s Fruit Farm, Dayton (937) 890-4536

A&M Orchard, Midland (513) 875-2500

Wesler Orchards, New Paris (937) 437-8921

Karnes Orchard, Hillsboro (937) 763-8250

Nana’s Orchard, Urbana (646) 872-4482

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Teachers are ready to start a year with new students, new excitement, and new expectations. A new school year includes creating fun bulletin boards, shiny workbooks, and fresh supplies.

Many teachers have spent the summer thinking about the themes and methods that will entice the restless students that will grace their classrooms. Some teachers have taken summer workshops to spruce up their own skills and certification.

Parents on the other hand are most often voicing, “I can’t wait until school starts,” because they are ready to send the children back to gain their own breath of sanity.

Parenting of today is not the “Ozzie and Harriet,” “My Three Sons,” or “Little House on the Prairie.” Children of that era lived in neighborhoods and communities that provided safe environments where children could play outside and expend the energy that is now pent-up and internalized.

Parents of today are often working long hours, or several jobs to make ends meet. They are tired and stretched between home, family, and job responsibilities.

Children have the most mixed reaction to going back to school. I believe this is dependent on the child’s learning style and their social needs. Children who are hands on, kinesthetic, tactile learners tend to not want to return to very rigid, structured classrooms. While students who like to read, write, and “play school” are ready to return.

Students who have a high desire to be with people are ready to return to school to hang out with their friends. However, students who are shy or don’t fit into a typical social group are dreading returning to school.

How can we make this back to school a win-win for teachers, parents, and students? The most powerful thing we can do is to PRAY!

Prayer needs to be specific. Let’s look at specific prayer requests for each of those returning to school.

Teachers

• Clarity of mind in planning
• Peacefulness in times of stress
• Joyful appreciation of unusual circumstances
• Flexibility to catch the moments of unplanned learning opportunities
• Ability to juggle the responsibilities of home and school

Parents

• Persistence in helping children back into a school routine
• Patience when children are not cooperating to return to school
• Determination to support the education process in creating a love for learning
• Providing a loving atmosphere that supports each child beyond their school results
• Ability to develop a schedule that is workable for the family

Students

• Willingness to try new concepts
• Safety when playing with others
• Focused attention to really hear what is being taught
• Protection against bullies and others who may not hold their own beliefs
• Ability to complete homework as independently as possible for their age

We all once were children. You can add to the list based upon what you would have hoped people were praying for you. Not everyone reading this may be or have been a parent, but you can always pray for what you wish your parents or teachers would have provided during your childhood.

God has given us a wonderful opportunity to contribute to our communities by creating a Godly environment for teachers, parents, and students. If you know teachers, call their names out specifically. Possibly give them a quick call or drop a note to let them know you are praying for them. Think of families you would like to contact and tell them you are praying for them. This would be greatly appreciated. Also, ask them for specific prayer requests. When you have the opportunity to talk to any young person, ask them how they are doing in school and if they have any special prayer requests.

Don’t grow weary in well-doing (Galatians 6:9). Praying specifically is a much needed support to the teachers, parents, and students on the front lines of learning. There is a spiritual battle raging against our children and families. In public schools teachers are often caught in the middle unable to share Jesus as the answer. Our prayer coverage opens spiritual opportunities for God to move mightily on behalf of our future generation. We want the students, families, and teachers to know Jesus as their savior and friend that sticks to them closer than a brother. That knowledge of Jesus is PRICELESS and ETERNAL!

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It’s the end of the school year, so perhaps you, too, have been faced with a similar situation. The cost does seem to be, in some cases, prohibitive, especially if you have more than one child in school. I understand that because fewer people are buying them, the cost is spread over fewer people. And the fact that most schools no longer have a yearbook club or class means that schools have to pay to outsource what students and volunteers used to do to get the yearbook ready to print.

But not even wanting a yearbook? To those of us, perhaps, of a certain age, that is unbelievable! I’m sure you remember getting your yearbook at school and then trading it all around with your friends so they could sign it and then working up the courage to ask your crush to sign it too. You had to act all casual like you weren’t asking only him to sign it, so you had to ask other boys too. Then that night after school, you and your close friends would get together at someone’s house and read all the little messages. Some were dull like “Have a great summer!” or “Have a great life!” if it was your senior year yearbook. But then you read all the more personal ones to your friends and tried to interpret what the guy you had a crush on meant (or what you hoped he meant) in his note.

I don’t know if I’m just a little too old, but I still prefer physical pictures. I do appreciate digital because it is so easy to post on Facebook or send to Grandma, and unless you are a master organizer, many of your physical photos are still in a box somewhere. But I have noticed people actually will pick up a book of photos and flip through the memories, but not so much digital ones. Unless I have a reason to go searching through my photos on my computer, I never do just look at them.

I know all the yearbook information is digitized and accessible, for now at least. I don’t know how you get a boy to sign it, but maybe there are ways. And I hope the technology needed for kids to view the images of their school years hangs around for them to use. I know you aren’t getting out your old yearbooks every week or even every year, but every once in a while, it’s kind of fun, and maybe even healing, to value your past experiences and stir up memories of your youth.

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You probably also noticed the news coverage being a little more intense because much of the Dayton/Cincinnati area is in what they call the “path of totality.” This path of totality is where the darkest shadow of the moon completely covers the sun. If you are outside this path, you will see a partial eclipse, but you won’t be able to see the corona, the sun’s atmosphere, and there will not be total darkness. I’ve seen it described as “interesting, but not memorable.”

But I have also heard that hotel rooms in the area have been booked for months and authorities have been warning spectators to have plenty of fuel and food in their vehicles in case there are crowds and traffic jams when the eclipse is over. So, is getting into this path of totality worth it? I was wondering that myself when I found this description (see it here) written by Eric Davis, a pastor in Wyoming. He was able to be in the path of totality for the 2017 eclipse. He wrote this:

But the total solar eclipse was like nothing I have ever seen before. There were those final, eerie, darkening minutes before totality. The bizarre feeling as it went from day to night in about 90 seconds. Cows mooing hysterically in the field next to me. The beads of light peering through the moon’s craters. The diamond ring effect. The temperature instantly dropped fifteen degrees. Then, totality. The sun’s atmosphere blasting forth in praise to God; the white, jagged rays bursting from behind the blackened moon for a full two minutes. And there was the 360 degree sunset (two sunsets in one day!). It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. It was utterly stunning; a spectacle that is emblazoned in my mind forever. I’m still wondering if I really saw it as it was completely different than anything in all creation. I can almost understand why humans have venerated that ball of burning hydrogen for millennia.

Eric Davis

Another author, who operates the site www.eclipse2024.org, said that those who are watching even a 99.9% eclipse will not experience the “full, jaw-dropping, knee-buckling, emotionally-overloading, completely overwhelming spectacle” that those in the path of totality will encounter.

So, I’ve decided to risk the traffic and the crowds in order for my family and I to experience this once-in-a-lifetime event. It seems worth it. I hope you decide to go too.

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I think a lot of us wear new clothes at Easter or at least have fun dressing up our kids or grandkids in brand new Easter outfits. But have you wondered why we wear new clothes for Easter? It is a long-standing tradition that goes clear back to the early Christians. It is believed that people wore white linen to identify with the resurrection of Christ. It’s easy to see how it can symbolize purity and the leaving behind of the dark, sinful past, looking ahead to a heavenly future made possible through Christ’s death and resurrection where our sins are washed “white as snow.”

In the early years of the fourth century, Emperor Constantine was responsible for setting a fixed date for the celebration of Easter. Before that, the dating of Easter was disputed and observed at different times of the year throughout the Roman world. Easter was an important holiday to Constantine, and he believed that such a sacred day should not be a cause of division but should be celebrated by all at the same time. Furthermore, Constantine is said to have required his court to wear all new clothes on Easter, and over time, wearing new clothes on Easter came to symbolize, for all Christians, the newness of life given to us by Christ.

Sometimes, the meaning may get lost in the pageantry. Irving Berlin’s famous “Easter Parade” song was inspired by churchgoers in New York City after the Civil War. People in their Sunday best would all leave the many churches that lined 5^th Avenue and walk down the street to dine, visit others, or just go for a stroll. This stroll was especially popular on Easter Sunday when dressmakers would actually sit on the street to sketch the latest fashions and reproduce them for stores soon after.

While those people most likely had forgotten the meaning behind new coats and dresses, I found it sad to read that the interest in the Easter Parade has died not because of an awareness of consumerism and pride, but because of a lack of interest in religion at all. So don’t let clothes, new or not, keep you from joining with others to celebrate the most important day of the year. New clothes can express our joy on Easter Sunday, but a new heart proclaims it every day of the year.

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I’ve chosen four books that I love. And I want others to have the same chance to love them as I do. A bonus – these are generally considered children’s books that I loved even more as an adult. While younger people will enjoy the stories, I found so much more meaning in these books the older I was.

1. Bambi by Felix Salten

Bambi was not originally written for children, but the humor of the story made it adaptable for a great Disney movie. The original version is much starker in its description of life in nature. If you have never read this, you will be caught off guard by its vivid descriptions of the woods and its inhabitants. It is a story of survival and love with meaning that goes beyond the forest.

2. At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald

This is a Victorian tale by the author of The Princess and the Goblin and is my favorite story of all time. The book might be a little long and meandering for younger children (or even some adults!), but it is a beautiful allegory that takes on the theology and subject of death through a young, poor boy’s encounter with the North Wind. You will find yourself thinking about this book long after you finish reading it.

3. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

This is another story that takes place in Victorian England. Dickens tackles social issues by drawing you so thoroughly into the story that you will see, feel, smell, and hear what young Oliver does – and it will break your heart. Despite the harshness of some of the events, Dicken’s use of words and story will keep you mesmerized until the end.

4. Heidi (unabridged) by Johanna Spyri

This might be the most familiar of the books, but I bet it has been a long time since most people have actually read it. Although not typically considered a “boy book,” I recently read this to my 12-year-old son, and he loved it – and so did I. It’s a comforting book, a book about love, friendship, and the beauty and power of nature and of God.

These books would make a great Christmas or anytime gift. The recipient not only receives a gift from you but can also travel to another world and age with new friends that just might stick around a long time.

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Of course, we should be thankful for all those things, from candy and worms all the way to our families and our very lives. But recently I have found myself grateful for things we don’t usually hear mentioned around the table.

1. Humor

One is that we have a sense of humor. There are funny things that happen to us in this world. We tell jokes and stories because they make us laugh. We remember funny events for a long time (I don’t think my older kids will ever forget the rooster chasing their little brother through the yard) and will find ourselves telling them to our grandkids. God didn’t have to give us this joy, but He did.

2. The Seasons

Another gift from God is the seasons. This recent autumn was one of the most beautiful of my life. We did a lot of driving in October this year, and the colors we saw on the hills, the mountains, and just walking around in a park were so stunning. The green leaves, the rain, and the warmth of spring and summer bring an entirely different feeling than the chill of winter and the silence and the sparkle of snow. 

Each season showcases different animals and birds. The cardinal stands out in the white of winter, and the robin’s song gives us hope that the new life of spring is just around the bend. We think of bunnies and new calves and ponies in the spring and look for the tracks of deer and fox in the snow. Maybe you could say we needed the rain and the sunshine of the different seasons for life, but the beauty and uniqueness of each season is just a generous and unexpected gift of God.

I will wrap this up with three more reasons next time, but if you have an unusual idea or thing to be thankful for, please share it with us in the comments below!

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                I personally don’t know anyone who lives in a house like that. People do, of course. There are those who spend their money on extravagant houses all over the place, but most of us live in regular houses or apartments. Fairly small yards, usually just enough bedrooms for the people living there, and our view isn’t the Houston skyline, but most likely another house or road or maybe a pretty backyard.

                So I was surprised by this statistic that showed up in my news feed – sixty-nine percent of American homeowners are embarrassed to invite other people to their homes because of how their home is decorated. That’s according to a survey done by Slickdeals, an online shopping site. Apparently, our biggest decorating regrets range from shag carpeting and kitchen islands to mounting our TVs above eye level and vinyl wall stickers.

                But sixty-nine percent! That’s most of us. Now, what the survey doesn’t say is what percent invite people over anyway despite the embarrassment and how many people can’t get past it and stay home alone.

                I think we all stay home alone more than we as a whole used to, and we got even more hermit-like during Covid. So when you add in to the equation our “embarrassment” over what our house looks like, inviting someone over to your house probably seems daunting.

                But we believers are commanded to invite people to our homes (Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 5:10; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9) – and the biblical authors aren’t just talking to people who live in mansions in Texas or Ohio or anywhere else, but to all of us, even if you live in a tiny, little apartment. Because the point isn’t to show off our stuff, but to show God’s love.

                We might be familiar with the command to show hospitality to strangers because some people have unknowingly entertained angels – probably because that just sounds strange and a little bit fascinating, but the Bible also tells us to be hospitable to “one another.” That means people we already know and see regularly. You can invite a lonely widow, a neighbor, people living away from their families, anyone.

                And while you may have had a bad experience or two in your life, most times when you are at someone’s house playing games or watching sports or just talking, you aren’t concerned with the decorations on the wall, so don’t let that stop you. Maybe clean off the couch so there is a place to sit, but don’t be too embarrassed by the wrong things. Invite someone over for cookies, a simple meal, or hot tea on the porch and enjoy the blessings of obeying God and sharing His love with others. Let us know how it goes! I’m guessing you and your guests will have a great time and leave feeling loved.

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When my children were younger many of our vacations were what we would call StayCations. StayCations are roughly defined as when you are traveling within a 50 -150 mile radius or up to an hour to two hour drive from your home.  What I’d like to share with you are some of the interesting venues and events that you can find within Central Ohio!

I’ll break it into three categories: county fairs, museums, and parks and recreation. Hopefully these are low cost activities that you and your family can enjoy. The list includes many locations I have visited in the past or would like to visit now with my grandsons.

I would be remiss to not share that some of my favorite StayCations were getting a season pass at the local pool and going every day with packed lunches and snacks (and boy did that keep the house clean) or getting a membership at the local Y.  The YMCA or YWCA is a place you can go even if the weather isn’t nice and there are always things that are going on during the summer.  So also check out the local pool or Y.

I’m listing a minimum amount of information about the county fairs.  The museums and parks and recreation actually speak for themselves.  But, for more details on any of the activities you can google or contact the specific venue.  I pray that this listing will get your family out of the house and enjoying each other and the MANY opportunities that are within a short distance from your home.  This is not an exhaustive list and there are so many more opportunities within the short distance of where you live.  (Also remember to check for senior/veteran/student discounts at all venues!)

COUNTY FAIRS

County fairs are one of my favorite summer activities.  I was involved in 4H and band as a kid.  Everything all year long was working toward the final performance or product to be displayed at the county fair, with the hope you would advance to THE OHIO STATE FAIR.  I encouraged my children to be involved with the county fairs because it was the culmination and celebration of community.

Madison County (London) July 8-14

Madison County Fair dates back to 1846 when it was a combined alternating fair schedule with Clark County.  The first independent Madison County Fair took place on September 28-29, 1853.  Many upgrades have been made to the grounds since 2014.

Daily admission $10 and children 4 and under free.  Amusement ride tickets are available at an additional cost.

Montgomery County (Dayton) July 9-15

The Montgomery County Fair is a combination of innovation promoted by the Dayton Convention Center, Montgomery County Fair Bureau, and local universities and farms.

$10 admission includes Grandstand Events, free parking, and kids under 6 are free with a paid adult.

Clark County (Springfield) July 21-28

The Clark County Fair is noted for both its live entertainment by well-known artists, bands, or musicians.  Clark County Fair also offers a wide selection of fair food.  So many times the food is the main attraction for me.

General admission is $6 and children 5 years and under are free.  There is free parking.  Amusement ride tickets are at an additional cost.

THE OHIO STATE FAIR (Columbus) July 21-28

Most of the county fairs feed into The Ohio State Fair.  The fair has been operational since 1850 and includes much of the celebration of Ohio culture.

Admission prices: Adults 13-59 $12, Youth 6-12 and Seniors 60+ $10, children five and under free, and parking is free.

Greene County (Xenia) July 30-August 5

The Greene County Fair includes rides, Kiddie/Calf Scramble, Tug-a-Truck, Harness Racing, Demo Derby, Truck/Tractor Pull, Live Entertainment and much more. 

Admission $8 and children age 9 and under are free with a paying adult.

Champaign County (Urbana) August 4-11

I may be prejudice, because this is my home county.  Champaign County Fair is known for its harness horse racing, demolition derby, and largest livestock exhibition (so I’ve been told) next to The Ohio State Fair.

Adults 13 and older cost $5, and children 12 and under are free.  Grandstand events and amusement ride tickets are additional costs.

Miami County (Troy) August 11-17

The Miami County Fair always showcases the 4H, FFA, Scouts Youth Projects, Arts, Horticulture, entertainment, competitions, and more.

General admission is $6 for anyone age 9 and older.

MUSEUMS

I’ve thought about completing a museum vacation that covers the United States or even around the world.  I have always loved museums.  I like to read all the plaques and push all the buttons.  Museums can be visited several times a year and everyone in the family will still have plenty of new discoveries.  I have visited all of the museums listed except the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter…however, those are on my summer adventure list.  If you have a favorite museum or attraction, it may be to your advantage to purchase a season pass.

Hamilton County:

• Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden – Cincinnati

Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.         Ticket Prices vary by age and the activities for which

you want to participate.  Check the Cincinnati Zoo website.  Parking is $10.

• Newport Aquarium – Newport, Kentucky

Hours: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.           Tickets are recommended to be purchased online in advance.  Adult tickets range from $23 – $40 which includes all exhibits, and child discounts are available.

In reading the reviews for the Creation Museum and The Ark Encounter here is my understanding.  The Creation Museum is full of history and documentation, therefore includes heavy reading, but well worth the visit.  The Ark Encounter is much more learner friendly and has a higher level of interaction and exhibits, therefore may be more child friendly or appeal to individuals that have a lower attention span.

• Creation Museum – Petersburg, Kentucky

Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Sunday 1 p.m. – 7p.m.)

Tickets range in price based upon age.  Adults 18-59 $49.95, Seniors 60+ $44.95, Youth 11-17 $29.95, Children 10 and under free.

·  The Ark Encounter – Williamstown, Kentucky

Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Sunday 1 p.m. – 7p.m.)

Tickets range in price based upon age.  Adults 18-59 $49.95, Seniors 60+ $44.95, Youth 11-17 $29.95, Children 10 and under free.

Franklin County:

• Center of Science and Industry (COSI) – Columbus

Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.        

Tickets are encouraged to be purchased in advance, but not necessary.  Adults 13 and older $25, Youth 2-12 $20, Children under 2 free, Seniors 60+ $23, and Teachers with proof are free.  There are military discounts as well.

• Ohio History Center – Columbus

Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.        

Adults $16, Children 4-12 $10, Senior 60+ or College Student with ID $14, Children 3 and under free.  Parking is free.

• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – Columbus

Hours: Summer Hours 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Adults including children 10+ $29.99, Seniors $27.99, Children 3-9 $25, Children 2 and under free.  Additional water park admission.  Parking $10.

Franklin County Residents receive an additional discount.

Greene County:

• National Museum of the United States Air Force – Dayton

Hours: 9 a.m – 5 p.m.

Free admission, parking, and WiFi.

Additional charges for Air Force Museum Theatre, Simulators, and Personalized Dog Tags.

Montgomery County:

• Boonshoft Museum of Discovery – Dayton

Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Sunday 12 noon – 5 p.m.)

Adults $15, Seniors 60+ $13, Children 3-12 $12, and children under 2 free.

Champaign County:

• Champaign Aviation Museum – Urbana

Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Tuesday – Saturday)

Admission is free.

Logan County:

• Ohio Caverns – West Liberty

Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

There are two tours (Historic and Natural Wonder)

Each individual tour is Adults $24, Children 5-12 $12, children 4 and under free.  However, you can purchase tickets for both tours at a special price of Adults $36, Children 5-12 $18.  There are also large picnic areas for family get-togethers.

• Piatt Castles – West Liberty

Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Adults $13, Youth 5-15 $7, and Seniors 65+ and AAA members $11.

PARKS & OUTDOOR RECREATION

The importance of spending time in God’s great green Earth is enhanced by the nature preserves and parks of Ohio.  I have spent some time at each one of the following State Parks.  My husband’s side of the family enjoyed camping.  We often would join family members or venture out on our own.  State parks are a quiet get-away that allows you to choose your type of stay from the raw nature type camping, all the way up to hotel type amenities at some of the locations.  Check out the individual websites to see the availability of the amenities you desire.

Warren County:

• Caesar Creek State Park – Waynesville

Butler County:

• Hueston Woods State Park – College Corner

Madison and Fayette Counties:

• Deer Creek State Park – Mt. Sterling

Clark County:

• Buck Creek State Park – Springfield

• George Rogers Clark Park – Springfield

Greene County:

• John Bryan State Park – Yellow Springs

• Glen Helen Nature Preserve – Yellow Springs

The post Best StayCations Near You appeared first on Hope 100.7.

I didn’t learn from my parents how to be a “perfect parent” so that I could teach “perfect parenting” behavior to my children.  However, I have learned if parents have a loving heart, they do the best they can at the time raising their children.

What I’ve learned is from hindsight.  I stood at the dedication of my children when they were very young with unwavering faith and declared, “For me and my house we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

However, my children did not take the straight and narrow way of safety that I would have desired for them.  Broken relationships, skirmishes with the law, and self-destructive behaviors later, I am so proud of my adult children’s hearts for God and their acknowledgement of the right path I espoused, even with all my flaws.

I was the rebellious child to my parents.  What helped me to nurture my communication with my children was knowing how much I loved God, how He protected me, and how God steered me back to His loving embrace, even though my choices were less than positive.

Now, let’s be honest.  That better communication came way too late and contributed to the conflict and push back by my children against God values.  I was too often harsh, judgmental, and legalistic.  What was important, in spite of my errors, was a heart of LOVE.  My children tell me to this day that they always knew I loved them.

When they were in their “wayward” life choices I always kept the line of communication open. As God worked in my heart, I grew less harsh in our discussions, less judgmental, and less legalistic. I found that there were many things I needed to learn from my adult children and their perspective of the world. I was greatly humbled and have told my children how sorry I am that I often couldn’t hear what they were saying because I was so stuck on my “rightness of opinion.”  I couldn’t see that God was using them to open my eyes to see Him beyond myself.

I believe God intended for us as family to love each other in a manner that builds, not tears down.  Patience, kindness, and a tender heart covers a multitude of errors.  “I told you so” and blame games NEVER accomplish the end result of redirecting a wayward child (young or adult).

What I am sad about is that after I moved away from the area in which my children and grandsons live, the grandsons don’t regularly attend church.  That breaks my heart.  Sunday School and VBS (Vacation Bible School) were ALWAYS Grandma’s invitations.

My ability to influence and encourage my grandchildren now has challenged me to realize new and creative ways.  The burden for my grandsons’ souls seems even deeper than I remember for my own kids (but it could be just the matter of MANY YEARS HAVE PASSED) or that I’m so far away and I can’t be a regular influencer as I was with my children.  But, this has caused me to pray more specifically for my grandsons, send them encouraging words through digital messages, and to video chat as often as possible.  I tell them how much I love them, that I’m proud of them, and I’m praying for them.  I most often ask them to tell me what they want to talk about first.  During most communications I do a “Grandma Check” and ask them serious questions where I can gauge if they have their “heads on straight.”  As often as I can I remind them that God has a plan for them and He put us in family together to encourage one another.

I think that is what I missed as a kid.  I knew God loved me.  I knew my parents loved me.  I knew my choices reflected on the “family name.”  But, what I didn’t learn until way too old, was that God has a plan for me and my choices reflect on His family name.

We as parents need to nurture our children and grandchildren in the truth that God loves them and loves us.  God created us with a purpose that is fulfilling and exciting if we choose to pursue Him and His righteousness.  I believe together as family we are unstoppable for the positive purpose that God has designed for us.

‘I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘they are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.’

Jeremiah 29:11

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them (children); They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Psalm 127:3-5

What’s in your family quiver?  It is never too late to open communication and love on your children and let that love steer them in the direction of God’s perfect plan for them and your family.

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God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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The post How to Raise Children and Grandchildren in a Post-Christian World appeared first on Hope 100.7.