On Receiving

Last year Christmas came on a Sunday...and sitting in Church that Christmas listening to our pastor's sermon I was touched by the way children receive gifts. Yes, I know sometimes they can be greedy, and seem ungrateful, and they can be all too transparent when they don't like a gift. But I was struck by something else about their receiving I hadn't thought of before.

Our pastor talked about how the Shepherds came to Jesus with nothing...no gift in their hands like the wisemen who came later. He went on to say how we tend to have trouble receiving when we don't have anything to give back:  There's that awkward feeling when we are given a gift, and don't have one to give in return. But when we come to Jesus that's how we come...empty handed. And that's how he takes us.

As he spoke, I noticed the children sitting in the pew in front of me, and my own children beside me, and I thought of how they accept gifts. They accept them freely without any expectation that they should have anything to give back.  There's something very GOOD in that. I was reminded of the verse that said that if you want to enter the kingdom of heaven, you have to become like a child.

^"He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.  And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "
- Matthew 18: 2-4, NIV

That is the only way we can come to him, like a child.  Even the best we have could not "pay him back" for the gift he gave...so we come with nothing but gratitude in our hands...gratitude and repentance and trust.   And we receive the costly gift of salvation...and all the other numerous gifts He loves to give his children.

---

Shared On:   Throwback Thursday

New Blog Button - And a Short HTML Lesson.

I've been needing one of these for a while.  Finally got one!  Now, if you want to link to Waco Mom with a graphic, you can.  Just grab the link code in my sidebar or copy paste the code below!

Thought I'd color code it and take some time to let you know a little bit more about the code below so you can customize it if you want.


<a href="http://wacomom.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDEyRccn9KlUpY_2YoFpFM2AiuK6-LaRYp62KcV914Yvz7tWr6mRqH4QlbI1eGqPGNlF0yJfNOKjwhMIPfyyB17Vc3-OvbFhsHIe226Cid7qfZYaVuFjsV68DHhI6j1xLzD2HhyM5Psk/s1600/WacoMom200.jpg" width="150" /></a>


OK, the red part is the part that makes it link to Waco Mom.  The green part is what makes the image show up.  The bolded parts are the URLS...the URL for Waco Mom in red bold, and the URL for the image in green bold.  The blue part is something you can use to change the size of the graphic.   You can change the number there to change the width.  The graphic by itself is 200 pixels wide...I don't suggest sizing it bigger than that since that could make it look bad (pixelized...like old computer graphics).  If you do need a larger graphic, you are welcomed to use the one below.  It's URL is listed right above it.  Just replace the image URL above (the one in green) with that one, and then use the width attribute to size it how you like.

 https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKufrti9Uz8ufoAjUfd5vELwPgqgki6fnWkzrdMS8lS6UZqxxZGx5lEmGG0TsnAEtElvhZM0UZrWsRniDq8p5e0jdfBQb9FXcR8VXAdbNa4BhPGJqhPotf_NB6enCRxXJurGRStdd-EMA/s1600/WacoMomB.jpg

Why didn't I just use that one in the button code?  Bandwidth...and it takes longer to load. 


If you want to make it centered, just add center tags (in bold black).

<CENTER><a href="http://wacomom.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDEyRccn9KlUpY_2YoFpFM2AiuK6-LaRYp62KcV914Yvz7tWr6mRqH4QlbI1eGqPGNlF0yJfNOKjwhMIPfyyB17Vc3-OvbFhsHIe226Cid7qfZYaVuFjsV68DHhI6j1xLzD2HhyM5Psk/s1600/WacoMom200.jpg" width="150" /></a></CENTER>


Not sure where or how to add  this code?  In blogger, you can make a HTML/Java Script section in your sidebar, and then just copy paste this here.  :-)

I am storing some other buttons from this blog, which you are also welcomed to share, here:

If you want to add that...here's the code (centered):

<CENTER><a href="http://wacomom.blogspot.com/2015/08/dining-deals-waco.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCp20rxg1MwfmwvC29lbq1HpXzF-KTsmIsE0h4EKZbef4KY76_fn0uYWCq9NDwLLVa3bFvaDCloTKfnJTfqvLYnx0XODeGjmGWQ-GDxrF-ggibyQbd-uRiJ2ORhNXjO2OvfA2QUg7UAw/s1600/WacoDiningDeals.jpg" width="150" /></a></CENTER>

If you want to add that...here's the code (centered):

<CENTER><a href="http://wacomom.blogspot.com/search/label/VBS%20Directory"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1r6377BpnP-KTKhgl0wnDsvLp70V7BWenJsSnfFmnkXnLVFbKMS3dbmefioYPnogsx0f1W3aSxmwC26DrUS-ZxL61QFobQ4eKtJz6ol7yV4unTlt54vFDlA0PimsKBmNWREosHhQDrY0/s1600/WacoVBSguide.png" width="150" /></a></CENTER>

Hard Freeze Coming Tonight

Well, that's it.  I've been able to keep alive peppers, scarlet runner beans, a tomato plant with one lone tomato, and even my basil (though they've been kinda sorry looking) through temps down to 28 degrees, but it's getting down to 23 tonight so I think it's time to throw in the towel.  Time to pick that pack of peppers, grab that lone tomato off it's vine (luckily it's starting to turn pink, so I think it will ripen off the vine), and salvage what's left of the basil.  I don't hold out for these lasting much longer, and I need to make way for a spring crop anyways. 

Homestead Heritage Crafts Fair - NOV 23 - 25

Want to do something on Black Friday that doesn't involve getting up at the crack of dawn for full-contact shopping? The weekend after thanksgiving the Homestead Heritabe will be doing it's annual Crafts Fair. Its lots of fun...hay rides, crafts for the kids, really good food. 

This is from 2008, but it gives you an idea of what you can find there:

More Info Here

Fundraiser Night at Sonic - November 15

This Thursday 10% of all net sales at Sonic on 1512 Hewitt Drive will go to the PTA fund for Castleman Creek Elementary! 

Speekee Spanish - Get 1 Month Free!

I've been trying to teach my kids Spanish from home.  It's been fun but a challenge, especially because I'm not fluent myself.  That's why I'm excited about having a chance to try out Speekee TV Spanish for Kids.  

Now, not having had a chance to try it out YET, I can't comment on it...but here's what Speekee has to say about their program:  

The world's number one Spanish program for young children.  Speekee TV Spanish for Kids is designed so that children can learn Spanish in their own time and at their own pace.  Easy Spanish learning through video, without effort with the multi award-winning Speekee videos PLUS real-time 'virtual' friendships with the Speekee characters. Available only via the web, Speekee TV Spanish for Kids is loved by children and their parents around the world. FastTrack curriculum for homeschoolers.  

My readers recieve ONE MONTH FREE of Speekee TV - Spanish For Kids Program - through this exclusive link.  http://www.speekee.co.uk/?usfg 

Here's a little example of their videos (sure wish I had had this song when I was teaching my kids the parts of the body in Spanish):





You can find more videos like this on the Speekee YouTube Page.

DISCLAIMER: As a Family Guide Blogger I get a chance to get a 6 months Speekee membership for posting this. Not sure if this is an "I definitely will get it" thing, or a "I might be one of the bloggers that get it" thing but had to give it a shot because this looks like a great program.

Are You Voting?

I encourage everyone to vote, not just for the president, but for local and state candidates too.  But please don't vote blindly - research your vote!

Of course we all know who's running for president by now (except maybe some of the third party candidates).    If you don't know who's running locally you can find your candidates easily using the form listed on VoteSmart.org.   The only problem I found with it was that it couldn't determine your school district, so it listed ALL the districts.  Your school district is listed on your voter registration card or you can find it at Who Represents Me. 

General Texas Election Info:
Texas Elections Page

A few places to to do research on the candidates:

WacoTrib Election Page

Dallas Morning News Election Guide
(Good for Waco too, because you submit your address to find your candidates). 

Project Vote Smart

On the Issues

Free Voters Guide

Fact Check Sites:
These sites help you fact-check candidates statements.  I suggest reading the full articles if you have time since this gives you a really good understanding of the issues.  While these tend to focus on presidential and congressional candidates, you can occassionally find articles on local candidates.

Politifact Texas

Politifact Main Site

Fact Check.org

I'm linking up at...

 

Throwback Thursday

Farm Day - This Saturday

worldhungerrelief.org

Temps are Dropping This Weekend! Protect Your Plants!

Post Card by Swisstoons

Temps may go below 40 degrees this weekend, so some of your plants may be in danger of "catching cold."  Below are some plants you'll want to protect (this is not even close to an exhaustive list, so if you're not sure...protect it).  Click here to learn how to protect plants from the cold.

Some pepper varieties may be harmed by temps under 55 degrees (or so one person at Garden Web Forums sas),  while others can handle fairly low temps.  If you're not sure, protect them.  

Basil leaves are damaged by temps under 45, and we're expecting 41 degrees Saturday night.  It  takes temps up to 33 to damage the stems--so they should survive, but you might want to cover them anyways.   Aloe will survive as low as 40 degrees, but I'd pull them in a day early just in case (probably your other succulents too).

Saturday its expected to get down to 39 degrees.    Temps below 33 degrees will kill beans, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, peas, pepper, potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes, and watermelon...but I'm not sure what temps will damage them.  

Cold hardy veggies like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, lettuce, mustard, onion, radish, and turnip should do fine.  

Featured Waco Crafter: Sapone Soaps and Candles

I'm going to start regularly featuring Waco crafters and artisans.  This week I'm spotlighting Bernadette Lee Bennett of Sapone Soaps and Candles.  Her father (who has his own shops: BBCreations and InspriationWorkshop) got her involved in crafting when she became disabled.  Together they design and make  novelty soaps and candles which they sell on Etsy.

"Crafting showed me I had more than one talent and I love making unique things. "

 - Bernadette Lee Bennett, Waco Crafter

Fall Leaves Soap Petals SaponeSoaps $5.00	Candy Corn SoapSicle SaponeSoaps $5.00	Candy Corn Tealights SaponeSoaps $5.00
Spooky Teeth SoapSicles SaponeSoaps $6.00	Cucumber Melon Tealight... SaponeSoaps $5.00	Mini Autumn Leaf Soaps SaponeSoaps $4.50
Wiches Brew Candle Tart... SaponeSoaps $4.00	Boney Bones Soap SaponeSoaps $5.00	Witches Brew Tealights SaponeSoaps $5.00
Tiny Little Pumpkin Soa... SaponeSoaps $4.00	Witchy Fingers Soap SaponeSoaps $4.00	Cutey Skull Soap SaponeSoaps $4.50
Pumpkin Cinnamon Tealig... SaponeSoaps $5.00	Gold & Silver Star Soap... SaponeSoaps $5.00	Jack o Latern Pumpkin S... SaponeSoaps $6.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Don't you just love  the fun Autumn and Halloween themed items she has in her shop?   I could see using some of these for party favors (if you were careful to let the guests know they weren't candy!)   And the scents sound just scrumptious!

Free Fall and Halloween Coloring Pages

The following are free Halloween and Fall coloring pages.  All except the first two are from the Dover Sampler, which usually expires after a month or so (so save them on your computer now before they're gone).  Happy Fall everyone!

Artistic Fall Leaf
Various Fall Coloring Pages
Bats 
Ghostly Tree
Pumpkin
Halloweenscapes (Various)
Various + Recipe
Halloween Coloring Activities

~~~

Waco Etsians - Fall Faves

The leaves may not be changing yet, but these 
fun finds by Wacoans on Etsy will put you in the fall spirit!

FALL PUMPKIN SHIRT Hand... DeannasCustomD... $22.00	Flirty Everyday Housewi... momomadeit $30.00	fall chevron distressed... rubyandlucyfra... $45.00
Beautiful Quilted Fall ... SewLaila $45.00	Halloween black and ora... Jemmabeans $12.50	M2M Corinna Couture Aut... AikoArt $20.00
PUMPKIN HALLOWEEN Fall ... nataliedunning $4.00	Girl Owl Adult Hat HookedonaHoot $30.00	Thanksgiving Wreath StacyScapes $30.00
Gobble Gobble carolinasunshi... $18.00	Ships in 3 Days...Custo... DeannasCustomD... $30.00	Wall hanging jdreamblue $16.00
Fall placemats jdreamblue $12.00	Beautiful Fall Table Ru... SewLaila $25.00	Roger Blum Original Wat... BornAgainHomeA... $1800.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

 

This Weekend - Waco Cultural Arts Fest

The Waco Cultural Arts Fest is this weekend!  To quote a friend of mine, "WHEEE!  Art. Outside. For Free. And someone else cleans it up."  One of the craft they've had every year since I've gone are the fun crazy paper hats you see above.  There will also be masks, easel art, clay, bubbles and more!  Plus of course lots of arts and crafts to browse through!  A great chance to get your Christmas shopping done early!

 (Oh, and if you want to hit two fun events in one day, you can stop by the weekly Downtown Farmer's Market that will be going on just a couple blocks down the street from the Arts Fest from 9:00 til 1:00 on Saturday).  

Hewitt Sonic Fundraiser Tonight

If you stop by sonic in Hewitt tonight from 5:00 pm til closing 10% of the profits from your order will be going to help Castleman Creek Elementary tonight!

Dover Samplers for Kids

The following are great printables are mostly from  Dover Sampler.  Download and save them now before they go away (since these don't stay online very long):

Coloring Pages:
Space
More Space
Space Poster (4 Pages Make up 1 Poster)
Aliens
Extreme Sports
Sports Hidden Pictures
Hidden Picture - Nature
Sports Doodling
Circle Designs
Aquarium Fish
Tiffany Stained Glass
Hummingbirds
Zoo Animals 
Cars and Trucks
Ancient Greece
American Revolution
American Civil War 


Mazes:
World Map Mazes
Dinosaur Mazes
Amazing Mazes
 
Paper Dolls:
Marilyn Monroe


Activitiy Sheets and More:
Halloween Oragami
Snow White
Travel Activites
Nature Wordsearch
Cars 
Cooking




Shared on Throwback Thursday

~

HEB Read 3

Have some new or gently used kids books your children have outgrown?  HEB is collecting books for children in need as part of their read3 campaign to encourage parents to read to their children 3 times a week.  You can drop them off at bins found at your local HEB.  There's also some fun coloring pages and other goodies on the site.  Click here to learn more.

Lego Kids Quest Coming to Austin

 

Lego Kids Quest is coming to Austin!  Lots of creative fun for kids! If your kids are lego lovers, that's in driving distance (a kinda long drive, but still).  My kids would love this, but I don't think we can afford it this time. 

Dates and Info

Friday, August 31
4 pm - 8:30 pm
Saturday, September 1
Session I: 9 am – 1:30 pm
Session II: 3 pm – 7:30 pm
Sunday, September 2
Session I: 9 am – 1:30 pm
Session II: 3 pm – 7:30 pm
(Note: Each session offers the same exhibits and activities)

Where:

Austin Convention Center
500 East Cesar Chavez Street
Austin, TX 78701-4121
www.austinconventioncenter.com

Waco Vacation Bible School Directory

Vacation Bible School can be a fun summer activity for kids, where they get to play games and do crafts while learning more about Jesus.  There are many VBS programs going on in Waco and nearby areas this summer.  I'm making up a list...and I'm not finished, but since some of these start this week, I wanted to get them posted  (I'll have more listed for late June, July and August soon!).

There's more listed here (they list summer missions programs too), but they only list the church name and dates, and I can't find more info on a lot of these.  Also, you can learn more about many of the VBS themes here.

JUNE

Highland Baptist Church
Theme: Gold Rush
Ages:  Pre-school (Age 4) though 5th Grade
Dates:  June 4 - 8
Time: 9:30 am - noon
Location: Waco
More Info Here 


Columbus Avenue Baptist Church
Theme:  Amazing Wonders Aviation

Ages:  Kindergarten (completed) though 6th Grade
Dates:  June 11 - 15
Time: 9:00 am - noon
Location: Waco
More Info Here


First Baptist Church Woodway
Theme:  Praise

Ages:  ?
Dates:  June 11 - 15
Time: 9:00 am - noon
Location: Woodway
More Info Here


Dayspring Baptist Church
Theme: Galilee By the Sea
Ages: Pre-K though 6th Grade
Dates: June 18-22
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm 
Location:  Waco  (see map)
Contact Tiffani at tiffani@ourdayspring.org for more info.
Register Online Here


Community Fellowship Church
Theme:  Sky
Ages: 4 - 12
Dates: June 18-22
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm 
Location:  Waco
More Info Here


First Baptist Church of Waco 
Theme: Babylon (Story of Daniel)
Dates: June 18 - 22
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Waco, TX,
More Info Here


Trinity Lutheran Church at Badger Ranch
Theme: Sky
Ages: Age 3 - Grade 5
Dates: June 23 - 29
Times:  (Light supper served before VBS each night at 5:45 pm)
VBS Times: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: Woodway
More Info Here 



Woodway United Methodist Church
Theme: Overboard
Ages: ?
Dates: June 24 - 28
Time: 6:00 - 8:15 pm
Location: Woodway
More Info Here


Emanuel Baptist Church
Theme: Amazing Wonders
Ages:  Nursery to 6th grade
Dates:  June 24 - 28
Time: Not Stated
Location: Waco
More Info Here


Alliance Bible Church
Theme: Operation Space
Ages:  ?
Dates:  June 25 - 29
Time: 6:15 pm - 8:45 pm
Location: Waco
More Info Here


First Baptist Church of Gholson
Theme: Amazing Wonders
Ages:  Pre-Kindergarten to 6th grade
Dates:  June 25 - 29
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: Waco
More Info Here


La Vega Community Church
Theme: Praise
Ages: 4 years old - 6th Grade
Dates: June 25 - 29
Time: 6:00 - 8:15 pm
Location: Woodway
More Info Here


St. Louis Catholic Church
Theme: Sky
Ages:  Pre-school (Age 4) though 5th Grade
Dates:  June 25 - 29
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 noon
Location: Waco
More Info Here


JULY



First Baptist Church McGregor
Theme: Space Quest
Ages:  Not Stated
Dates:  July 8 - 13
Time: 6:15-8:30 p.m
Location:  McGregor
More Info Here


St. Jerome Catholic Church
Theme: Operation Overboard
Ages:  Not Stated
Dates:  July 8 - 13
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Location:  Waco
More Info Here


Western Heights Baptist Church
Theme: Amazing Wonders
Ages:  ages 4 - completed 6th grade
Dates:  July 8 - 13
Time: 9:00 am - noon
Location:  Waco
More Info Here


Cogdell Memorial United Methodist Church
Theme: Operation Overboard
Ages:  Not Stated
Dates:  July 15 - 19
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Location:  Waco
More Info Here


Peace Lutheran Church
Theme: Amazing Desert Journey
Ages:  Not Stated
Dates:  July 15 - 19
Time:
   Kick Off Carnival:  July 15, ( 4:00  - 5:50 pm)
   VBS:   6:00 - 8:15 pm
Location:  Hewitt
More Info Here


Brazos Meadows Baptist Church
(Location:  Castleman Creek Elementary)
Theme: Unknown
Ages:  Completed KG - 6th Grade
Dates:  July 16 - 19
Time: Not Yet Set
Location:  Waco
More Info Here 


Second Baptist Church - Woodway
Theme: Rockadilly
Ages: Age 5 - grade 5
Dates:  July 16 - 19
Time: 9:00 am - Noon
Family Night June 19, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: Woodway
More Info Here 


Central Presbyterian Church
Theme: Living Waters for the World
Ages:  Entering KG - 6th Grade
Dates:  July 23 - 26
Time: 9:00 am - Noon
Location:  Waco
More Info Here








If you would like your church's VBS added, please let me know.


And here's a great article by another Waco Mom about VBS

GARDENING TIP: Time to Plant Pumpkins!

Yep, that's right! Pumpkins! If you want to have mature pumpkins in time for Halloween, you need to start planting them now! Pumpkins take three to four months to mature, so you want to plant from June to early July, depending on the variety you're planting and how big you want your pumpkin (the longer they grow, the bigger they get!).  Learn more about planting pumpkins here.

Pirate Treasure

Picture Above from Dover Pirate Clip Art Sampler

Summer is coming...the perfect time for Piraty fun!  I've rousted up some pirate freebies, mostly from the Dover Sampler (which are up for a limited time).  Download them while you can to use later!

Free Coloring Pages

• Blackbeard
• "Calico Jack" Rackham
• Captain Morgan
• More Pirates

More Fun Free Stuff

• How To Draw Pirates
• Movie Pirate Paperdolls 
• Pirate Puzzle

Recommended Pirate Book  (sorry, this one isn't free)

Handbook of Pirates by Terry Deary

I got this his fun nitty-gritty true but still hilarious history of pirates for my 8 year old.  He loved it!  Might not go well much younger than that, as it's recommended for ages 9 and up.  :-)