Sunny Day Sack Races

Yesterday was field day at my sons elementary school. The events were all fun noncompetitive and light, over all, just a fun day in the sun! All of the Patterson's were there to cheer on our participants. They had a traditional sack race; it is my all time favorite field day event! It brought back fond memories of field days long, long ago!







Some of the events were races, but not against others, only for your personal best. Other events required that you work together to reach the finish line. Some by carrying a ball between you and your buddy or to carry the ball between you and your partner's sticks or paddles, while walking to a distant object and back. It required teamwork. My life is a bit like that. At times I am running with Christ alone, studying and trying hard to listen to what God is saying in His Word. All of the time straining towards the plans God has for me, so that I finish the race well. Other times I am running with, dear friends in Christ who are helping me, mentoring me, and working with me in a ministry or service. Together we are straining forward towards the goals Christ has for us. I am so blessed by a fellowship of friends who share what the Holy Spirit is doing and saying in their lives. These women have encouraged, challenged and held me accountable in my faith. Through them Christ has been molding and changing my heart over the years. They truly are stock piling treasures in heaven, and my soul is one of them, for that, I am eternally grateful.
Dear God,
I am so thankful for the people You placed in my life, who have lead me to You. Your love flows abundantly to me through the gift of friendships that You have given. These bonds that You have blessed are such a comfort in an ever changing, troubling world. Whether they live two houses down or many states away I am glad they are along on this race for the prize with me! In Jesus Name, Amen

Philippians 3:12-14 "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (NIV)

Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (NIV)

Matthew 6:20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (NIV)

God is Great and Good

My oldest son plays the guitar. Actually he and my husband are learning to play the guitar. He can play many beautiful little numbers like, Ode to Joy, (my favorite) and Aura Lee. He and his dad also like to play some old rock songs from the '80s. He is learning Iron man by Ozzy Osbourne. The funny thing is my youngest, who is three hums this song- at times loudly. I am sure we receive some sideways glances in the grocery store. The very idea of a young preschooler humming such a song. I do not know the original lyrics so those sideways glances could very well be justified as this song could be extremely inappropriate. We replaced the words with a favorite dinner time prayer.

God is great and good

Let us thank Him for our food

By his hands we're fed

Give us Lord our daily bread.

Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-men

Ah-Ah-Ah

Ah-Ah-Ah

Ah-Ah-men!

Psalms 33:5 "Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy."
Psalms 40:3 "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord."
Psalms 81:2 "Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre.
(My husband called us the Partridge family!)

Positive Nickels

One night while tucking my children in bed I noticed a negative tone I had towards them. It seemed I only focused on the things they did not get right so it made the end of the day discouraging and off. I re-tucked them in to tell them the things I remembered that were great and right on!
At the end of this tiring day it seemed that I lost sight of the good and talked to them only about the bad. My children were doing their chores, but with prompting or do I daresay nagging. That's when I discovered it wasn't that they were not doing things right it was that when I nag (or prompt) it makes me cranky. So I had to come up with an incentive plan to try to keep us more on track.


We have not given a set allowance but we decided to give this a try. Each boy starts the day with one dollar in nickels. I keep them on the counter in two glass jars. If I have to remind them of a chore or tell them twice to do something instead of nagging I take a nickel from their jar and put it in another glass (so they can hear the clink). At the end of the day, before we have devotions I have them count their nickels. My oldest ended his first day with seventy five cents and my middle son with sixty five. I focused on how great it was they still had over half of their monies. They are excited about the probability of having money at the end of the week. I also think it will be helpful in teaching them about money management.

Dear God,
Give me an attitude of love and compassion as I encourage and disapline my children. May they know they are loved unconditionally no matter how they do thier jobs, but that a job well done is the goal to aim for. Remind me of the compassion and mercy You have given to me as I bring them up to be servants for You. In Jesus Name, Amen


Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."


Proverbs 29:17 "Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul."


Colossians 3:21 "Fathers do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged."


Proverbs 10-17 "He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray."