Training Up Tuesday: Beyond their "world"...

One favorite and tangible way to teach your children about reaching out and children in other countries is through packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. The countdown is on until shoebox collection week...

AND so many stores are having amazing summer clearance prices of 50-70% off even their $1 section...Target, Michaels & Rite-Aid just to name a few! I invite you to follow this blog, Clipping with a Purpose, specifically devoted to helping you save money on those shoeboxes along with giving you some great shoebox ideas! There are also some amazing shoebox stories that you can share with your kids.

...and here's a down home shoebox testimony from Scotty McCreary.

We would love for you to share any special traditions or stories from your own families' OCC experiences.

Free-for-all Friday: Girl's Night Out!!!

Hi Ladies! I'm sooooo sorry I've been MIA (missing in action) lately but let's just say this lil thing called life has been kicking my bootie. Thankfully, I had a long awaited, FUN, therapeutic Girl's Night Out last night that did me goooood and I'm excited to tell ya'll about it!

At the beginning of the summer, Musing Foodie, Carolina Clipper and I put our heads together and were mulling around having a blog GNO incorporating each of our blog's readers. We knew what we wanted to do and were excited about it but we were having a hard time getting the pricing and logistics juuuuust right. Just as we were getting ready to throw in the towel, I shared our vision with my sweet friend and amazing licensed artist, Caroline Simas.
The Lord laid it on Caroline's heart to say, "Hannah! IIIIIIII will create a custom art piece incorporating scripture and IIIII will come share and teach your group how to create that piece." It was an amazing answer to prayer and above or beyond anything our minds could've conjured up!
So, I shared it with the women's ministry at our wonderful church and they not only were thrilled about the idea but wanted our Bible Study, mom's Heart to Heart to host it for alllllll the Women of Central.

Well, last night was THE night and it was so fun to me. There was something so refreshing about getting out of the "mom bubble" and be able to spend an evening with women of all ages and all walks of life. I was able to sit at a table with a beautiful, spunky lady in her 70s that reminded me sooooo much of my grandmother and I loved every minute. The only thing better would have been if my grandmother could have been there, too!

I was so busy that I didn't get many pictures but Musing Foodie catered a FABULOUS baked potato bar and smores bar and Caroline created a mixed media piece incorporating a choice of three scriptures.

• Women of Central theme verse: "For we are to God the fragrance of Christ."  2 Corinthians 2:15
• Roof with a View theme verse:  "What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops." Matthew 10:27
• Mom's Heart to Heart Study of James theme verse: "Consider it all joy, brethren, when you encounter various trials" James 1:2

Here is my creation which I admit felt a little challenged and "special" when I compared it to the others. Once I got it away and on it's own, I was feeling just a tad more confident about it. :)

One girl who happens to be an art teacher got REAL fancy with it! Whoooo would've thought of a bird cage?!?!?

...and HOW about this BABY that could be our RWAV theme picture!?!!? I LOVE it!

Caroline took a TON of pictures and will be putting them on her blog soon so be sure to head over there to see them! Let's hear it for GIRL'S NIGHT OUT!!!!!

Any of you girls that were there and want to show and tell, send me your creations to roofwithaview (at) gmail (dot) com!

Happy Friday, ya'll!

Train Up Tuesday: A Servant's Heart

There is a "theme" that keeps repeating itself around me...in my reading, talks and discussions, and even suggested blogs I receive from friends. It's that of "servanthood".

There is SO much I could write regarding how God is shaping our family in this way. It would take several posts (will this be a part 1 of several? We'll see?). Let's step our toes into the water first. :)

I clearly remember being taught to have a "servant's heart" as a kid in school. I can still remember the tune and most of the words to a song we were all taught (I wish there was a version of kids singing it, because that's how I "hear" it, but this should give you a good idea):



I want to be a servant for Christ and others. I want my boys to become those "servant leaders" I admire. In today's culture, though, opportunities for that are rare and not enticing. I mean, even in the church world, we want to proclaim our efforts and receive accolades (or feel that we have to give them to those who do serve....many who want to do so quietly and NOT receive earthly recognition). How in the world do we train children in a world that loves platforms and fame? I'm finding that it isn't easy, but we CAN be intentional in our efforts. Why a servant's heart? As an opportunity to share the gospel of The ultimate Servant-Leader...not just to be a "pushover or a loser" (thanks, Tim Hawkins):



Let me whet your appetite with a few things that have lit my family's fire. :) First, you can read more about how my family has been challenged and how we are starting (we fondly call it the "garbage game") in my husband's post. Check out this blog that will no doubt give you great ideas for random acts of kindness (a launchpad for serving others).

How are you teaching your children or teens to have a "servant's heart"? What does that look like in day-to-day life and how do you apply it? I'm not asking just to get you thinking....I really want to know your ideas so I can share them and maybe even incorporate them into my own home. :)

Much love,
Ashlie