So we went to a popular family restaurant. We had to wait quite a while to be seated because of the crowds, but the boys were behaving, and I thought maybe this wasn’t so bad, and there won’t be any food to put away or dishes to do. We ordered our meals and started eating. Our three-year-old finished first and was standing up in the booth, looking over at the kind older couple eating in the booth behind us.

And then it happened. Our son was sick, to use a nicer word. All over everything. Our table, the booth, and the booth of the couple behind us. We were mortified. He had shown no signs of not feeling well, and in fact, ate just fine (which contributed to the problem). The staff brought us piles of napkins, but there was no fixing this. We packed everything up and headed home.

Earlier today, I saw a list of books that are “guaranteed to inspire thankfulness every day.” I looked at a few of them; they were alike in many ways. The authors encouraged readers to practice gratitude daily, look on the bright side of events, and focus on and think about the good parts of your day. They provided journaling exercises and specific phrases to repeat to help instill gratitude.

To me, the books all seemed to promote forced gratitude, kind of a “fake it till we make it” proposition. Some days, maybe we need that, but I think if we remembered, really remembered, where everything we have comes from, it might not be so hard to feel thankful. The Bible tells us that every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above (James 1:17).

Every good thing is from God. If we tried to make a list of literally everything good in our lives, it would take the rest of the day. Yes, we have bad days and sad things happen, but if you know God, you have a lifelong comforting friend, the ability to be heard by the Creator of the universe, and the hope of knowing you have no more fear of death.

Was I thankful that Thanksgiving we tried to go out for dinner? I’m not sure: I still cringe at the memory. But I know I could have and should have been. Thankfulness isn’t just for perfect meals or perfect days. We have so many blessings, and even just the basics – place to live, food, family and friends, clothes – all come from God. But as good as all our blessings are, the apostle Paul said he counted everything he had as garbage for the sake of Christ. All the things he could have valued, he threw away so that he could have Jesus. He knew the value of what God did for him, and everything else was nothing next to that.

If you know that for yourself, it does not matter what you eat for dinner. It won’t even matter if your kid gets sick all over everything and everyone. Knowing the worth of Jesus will overwhelm you with gratitude and make every day Thanksgiving Day.

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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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There really aren’t that many in Scripture, seven I think, but the question came up, “Why did God make so many holidays? Why did He even care about something like that?” In Leviticus, God calls the days memorials, and when referring to one of them, God said it was “so that each new generation will know.” Those special days were not only a reminder of who God is and what He did for the Jews of that time but also a way of teaching their children and grandchildren who God is.

So what does this have to do with Halloween? You may already know that Halloween’s original name was All Hallows Even (or Eve). It was shortened to Hallowe’en and then to Halloween. And just like Christmas Eve is the night before Christmas and New Year’s Eve is the night before New Year’s Day, All Hallows Eve was the night before All Hallows Day. All Hallows Day most likely can trace its roots back to a day set aside to honor Christian martyrs. By the 700s, the festival had evolved to include all saints and was consistently celebrated on November 1.

Well, all you need to do is walk the aisles of Target or look out your front window at the neighborhood decorations to know that the holiday has “evolved” a lot more since then. And while all that can be an issue to be dealt with by Christians, my point is that the holiday itself was originally an attempt to honor those who had given their lives for God’s glory. Some Christian traditions, on each day of the year, celebrate a different man or woman who lived their lives for God. As long as the people are not worshipped, this can be a great way to recognize God’s work in the life of His people and celebrate it. Just like the ancient Jews were told to observe special days to remind them of God’s goodness and use them as tools to teach their children, we can use our holidays now in the same way.

As I mentioned earlier, God called the weekly Sabbath day one of these holy, special days. We not only need a few special days each year, we need weekly (and daily!) reminders because we so quickly become anxious and forget the love and power of our God. Holidays can help us remember what God has done in the past, what He is doing in our lives and world now, and because He does not change, what He will do in the future. So use every chance you get to remind yourselves, your kids, your grandkids, and those around you who God is and what He has done in your life. Even Halloween.

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But not all of us. Your mom may not have been patient and kind. If you had to describe her, the words manipulative, distant, controlling, and petty might come to mind–maybe even abusive. But when God gives the Israelites the Ten Commandments, recorded in Exodus 20, He says, Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. And so we don’t mistakenly think that the command applies only to Old Testament Jews, Paul repeats it in the book of Ephesians: “Honor your father and mother”–which is the first commandment with a promise–“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

God knows there are bad, dishonorable mothers on the earth. Before the Ten Commandments were even recorded, Moses related several examples of less-than-stellar moms. Lot’s wife and Sarah (and Ishmael) come to mind. Later, we read of Athaliah, who counseled her son to do wicked things and killed her grandchildren (2 Chronicles 22), and Mark 6 tells the story of Herodias using her daughter to have an enemy killed. These women were manipulative, controlling, and abusive–certainly seemingly not worthy of honor. So what is God asking of us?

I heard a sermon a long time ago, back when my children were quite small, that answered this question, but I never really understood it until my kids had grown up. The person said that you honor your parents by living your life so that it reflects well on your family, your parents. One of my greatest joys in life is talking about my grown-up kids. Jobs, awards, promotions, engagements, weddings, babies–you will hear it all from me first, and I will include all the details. I am so proud of them I want everyone to know what they are doing.

You’ve seen those movies where a woman is bragging that her son is a surgeon or a lawyer. She is proud and is boasting about his accomplishments. She feels honor and pride because of the person her child has become. That’s it. You become someone that is worthy of bragging about, and it throws honor on your parents. They are esteemed because of what you have done.

But remember, this honor is in God’s thinking, so it isn’t necessarily going to be the position of most prestige or wealth, but of one that God would honor. Be a person who loves, sacrifices, serves. Be gentle, kind, and faithful, and you will be honoring your parents whether or not they had anything to do with the kind of person you’ve become.

I hope you have the kind of mother who is easy to honor, but even if you don’t, you can honor her–and God at the same time.

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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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Even if you don’t consider yourself a musician, you are probably pretty familiar with certain songs or a band or singer. Often that is because certain songs hold special meaning for us. Perhaps it was the song you first danced to or your mother’s favorite song that brings to mind memories of young love or a mother’s embrace. Hearing a song you used to sing to your babies puts those grown up kids back in your arms again.

Valentine’s Day is coming up, and I don’t usually associate music with Valentine’s Day, but as you know, much Christian music is about love. God is love and the desire for and ability to love comes straight from God. And just as other songs provoke memories, songs of God’s love are powerful reminders of His love for us. So, I made up a little Valentine’s Day playlist for you. No matter what you’re doing or feeling this Valentine’s Day, remember God loves you!

1. “Love Has Come” (Mark Schultz) is a summary of God’s greatest show of love for us.

2. “Jesus and You” (Matthew West) expresses gratefulness for both his wife and his heavenly Father. Both keep him going. “Why you both promised me forever God, I’ll never understand.”

3. “I Am Yours” (Need to Breathe). When we are aware of how undeserving we are, God’s love seems even more overwhelming than it already is.

4. “Going Together” (Dan Bremnes) is an adorably cute Instagram love story. Watch the video on this one!

5. “Heart of God” (Zach Williams) is a beautiful song musically but is also a powerful reminder that even when we stray away from God, He is there waiting to welcome us home.

6. “Loved by You” (Riley Clemmons) reminds us that God loves us. I “don’t have to wonder who I belong to.”

7. “How Much You Mean to Me” (Blessing Offor) Life is bad before we know God’s love and hope. “No song could ever contain” God’s love. Blessing writes that it is the only thing that never lets him down.

8. “Crazy About You” (Tauren Wells) Wells sings that God loves you so much, even in your sin and failures, that He gave up heaven for you to come down and bring you to Himself.

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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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3. Music

Music is a third unusual gift to be thankful for. We all listen to music intentionally or unintentionally. If you are reading this, you most likely listen to the music on Hope 100.7. We sing along to music in our cars because we enjoy the company, and it can keep us awake. Music can reduce stress and decrease pain. It keeps us involved at sporting events, gives us a means to worship in church, is used to sell us products in commercials, and keeps us calm in elevators and the grocery store. We teach the ABCs to our children in song, and we hum lullabies to put them to sleep at night.
One of my greatest joys is listening to my son play the piano, but we know God loves music too. Many of the Psalms command us to sing to Him, Revelation portrays the saints singing around God’s throne, and He created even the stars to sing (Job 38:7). God gave us something even He enjoys.

4. Diversity

Diversity. We hear a lot about diversity in our culture now, but what I mean here is just how very different we all look. I recently spent a long layover in a large international airport, and I couldn’t help but be amazed by how many different looking people there are in this world! Just in our own circles, we describe eye color, hair color, and face shape. We notice if hair is curly or wavy or straight and if a nose is Roman looking or pug. We refer to people as tall, petite, athletic, stout, apple, or pear shaped. I would guess there are hundreds more words we use to picture our individual differences.
Imagine what the world would look like without this gift. We would all look exactly alike. The world would still be able to function if we all looked the same, but God gave us variety and nuance and a look that is all our own.

5. Who To Be Thankful To

The fifth, the showstopper unusual reason to be thankful is that you know who to be thankful to. If you pay attention, you’ll hear lots of admonitions to be thankful, but rarely do they tell you whom to thank. I have heard people thank Mother Earth or the “universe,” and read that Thanksgiving is a time to thank our friends and family, to verbalize our thoughts about what we have. But we know that every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17) and knowing that and believing that is an unusual thing. Most likely, the majority of the people you work with or encounter each day do not know whom to thank.
Almost everyone reading this enjoys these gifts. They are not so much unusual as they are taken for granted. Make each time you notice something interesting a chance to thank the One who gave us not just everything, but every little thing.

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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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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

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Now what if someone asked you to do the same thing, only with the word “Mom?” I think that might be even harder than describing yourself. Our relationship with our mothers changes many times over the course of our lives. She is what we need her to be at various stages of our development. When we are young, she keeps us alive, and until we are old enough to care for ourselves, she is our first teacher, our caregiver, our provider, our protector. She’s a playmate, a referee, a comforter, a chauffeur.

Mother’s Day is this week, and according to the internet, 86% of Americans celebrate Mother’s Day and almost all 86% of those send a card. So, standing in the greeting card aisle, most of us are going to pick up card after card, looking for the one that fits our own particular relationship with our mothers the best (okay, maybe I am just speaking to women here. . .  ). What characteristics of your mom mean the most to you? Could you pick just one?

I doubt it. For example, I think of my mom as fun. She was always ready to play rummy or Sorry when we got home from school. We played crazy games with balloons and bouncy balls in the house. One time, she crocheted slippers for me and my friends just so we could slide across the wood floor. She is creative and spontaneous and impulsive – all things I’m not – but her craziness and confidence not only put a little more fun and spontaneity into my life but also inspired me when I was raising my own kids.

And that is only a tiny aspect of my mom. We haven’t even considered big things like love or compassion or care. Moms are so many things. No, they aren’t perfect and sometimes things are complicated, but no matter what, they had a big influence on the kind of people we are today, and they played a big part in you becoming whatever that one word is you would use to describe yourself. So whether you will see and talk to her this week or just hold her in your mind, thank God for the mom He gave you. Happy Mother’s Day!

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What Is Lent?

At its simplest, Lent is a forty-day period that usually ends sometime during the week preceding Easter. It is meant to commemorate the forty days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness, so some Lenten traditions do include self-sacrifice and special acts of charity during this time. Most involve confession and repentance. But for all religious traditions, Lent is a time to prepare for Easter, a time to actively prepare ourselves through Scripture, prayer, and repentance. We know there is nothing we can do to earn God’s favor and His love, but I think the very idea that we can do nothing, that it was all the work of God, sometimes causes us to take it all for granted.

Because we were, through God’s grace, crucified and buried with Christ – with no pain and suffering on our part – it seems easy. And it is:

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.

Acts 16:31

But if we don’t remember what that gift cost, we can also forget its value. We perhaps forget what sinners we were, how desperate our need was, and how great a sacrifice Jesus made for us, not just in His death, but in His very life here on earth.

But the other part of the story, the reason why Lent has an end, is because we were not only crucified and buried with Jesus, forgiven and made righteous, but we were also resurrected with Him into eternal life.

I Can

Attending this new church forced me to think about Lent. Whatever it was in my mind before or maybe what it is for others, it did not have to be for me. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the most important events in the history of the world. Believers, hopefully, are always mindful of this, but it is not wrong to spend a little extra time focusing on Jesus, the cross, His love and sacrifice for us that allows us to experience the amazing unearned and unending joy of Easter morning.

By the time you read this, Lent this year will have already begun, but the number of days doesn’t matter. Use whatever time you can to reflect on what a selfless gift Jesus gave us. The reflection, meditation, and prayer of the days of Lent can lead us to appreciate and value even more Christ’s sacrificial death for us.

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Sweet Treats

Never underestimate the power of a lovingly prepared treat in cute packaging! Treats are great for the people you know who are hard to buy for because they “have everything.” You can choose recipes based on what you already know they like, or for dietary restrictions. For example, a quick search for “keto treat recipes” or “sugar free candy recipes” or “vegan candy recipes” will yield up a bounty of options! Cute packaging can be found at Walmart, Dollar General, or online.

This Gingerbread Fudge Recipe is a perfect option because it uses simple and readily available ingredients, and has easy to follow instructions. Chocolate Truffles are a classic and versatile option that almost everyone loves. Or, for a more involved project, go ahead and make an adorable and delicious homemade gingerbread house to really WOW your loved one!

Let The Kids Help

1. Christmas Tea Tree

Any tea lover on your list would adore this Christmas Tea Tree. It’s decor and a month’s worth of hot delicious tea in one! You can choose the type of tea you know your loved one likes, or do a sampler of all kinds of different teas and flavors. You could pair the tree with little gift boxes of sugar, honey, or even a tea cup.

2. Snowflake Coasters

These snowflake coasters are an adorable, easy, and affordable gift for almost anyone on your list. I love that they can be used all the way til spring and then be pulled out again next Christmas. Package them in a little box or canister with a label so your loved one knows what they are, and enjoy the project!

3. Mason Jar Votive Holder

These mason jar votive holders could be made out of things you already have around the house! You can use all different shapes of glass jars (think: spaghetti sauce jars, jam jars, peanut butter jars) Chalk paint can be made out of acrylic paint with baking soda added, and the shape on the jar can be cut out of painters tape or stickers you already have. The possibilities are endless! 

Now For The Hard Part

Men are notoriously hard to figure out good DIY gifts for, but I think I found some great ones!

1. For His Face

For the bearded man, make homemade beard oil. This is especially easy if you’re already into essential oils, but even if you’re not, there are plenty of affordable oils available on websites like Eden’s Garden or Plant Therapy. If the man on your list is a shaver, you could make homemade shaving cream for a really pampering and practical gift!

2. Manly Treats

You’ve heard “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach?” It’s true. A few options for food related gifts are: 

• Spice Blends (taco seasoning, steak rub, cajun seasoning)
• Infused salts (bacon, herb, citrus)
• Flavored sugar (vanilla bean, cinnamon, cayenne)
• His favorite candy in a homemade gift box that looks like a man’s suit.And for the outdoor man, these easy handmade hand warmers.

3. Coasters

Handmade coasters! The options are endless with these DIY coasters. You can do any color and any design that fits the guy on your list. The map idea is super cool…you could print maps from his favorite vacation destination or his hometown. You could use pictures of fish, deer, sports logos or scrapbook paper in patterns that match his office…you get the idea!

What are some DIY Christmas gifts you’ve made in the past? Do you have any planned for this year? Let us know in the comments, and include pictures if you decide to make any of the ideas from this list! Merry Christmas and happy crafting!

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God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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