Road Warriors

A few weeks ago we took our first road trip back to DC since we moved back in November. We went into the trip with much prayer since we had nine hours of drive time + stops before us each way there and back. The Lord was very kind to us! We had a few skirmishes in the backseat (and the front ha!), but it was manageable, and there was actually joy along the way.

Finally, Maddie can put her coat on by herself! (sort of)

First time playing with Playdough!

Blooming Bows!

For all you moms out there (and dads who would care), I have a wonderful find for you! (unless you already know).

Do you have trouble finding decent bows/barretts for your little girl's hair? Well, stop by BloomingBows.com, and your trouble is over! This site is a paradise for all things bow, barrett, headband, etc!

They offer free shipping and regular specials, which definitely help. Prices compare to what I've seen in boutiques, but seem less overall.

Erica, have fun at BloomingBows.com! (Preston, you can thank me later.)

A Conversation with Madeline

A conversation between Madeline and a nice young waitress at Olive Garden in Morgantown, WV:

Maddie: Do you live in a house?

Waitress: Why, yes, I do. I live in a very tiny house (an apartment/dorm room, we think)

Maddie: Do you fit in your tiny house?

Note: Thank goodness the waitress was petite!

Snow Today, Gone Tomorrow

The snow was level to our back door step on the porch!









Maddie had fun playing with her bowl of snow.

Easter Traditions

Can you believe this Sunday is Palm Sunday, with Easter just around the corner? We are excited to start some traditions in the Heath household that we pray will teach our children well and in a way that will make the Gospel attractive to their spirits, by the grace of God. And even as adults we all need to hear and experience the Gospel any chance we can get! You may have already heard about them, but if not, you might want to give them a try!

Many thanks to Erica for sharing these ideas!

1. Easter/Lenten Lights
This could be a wonderful tradition for any Christian, whether you are single, married, with/without children! You could even use this material evangelistically.

You can find the following intro. & 8 devotionals here at DesiringGod.org.

Using These Readings
Each reading begins with a few sentences that summarize the thought for the day. All the rest is Scripture—letting God speak to us directly from his Word.
This devotional may be used weekly or daily. And if you choose, it also can be used together with seven candles, representing the Light of the World.

Reading Weekly
There is one reading for each Sunday of Lent and for Good Friday and Easter.

Reading Daily
Daily use should begin on the Saturday of Palm Sunday weekend. This leaves Saturday, the day before Easter, with no devotional, a reminder of the emptiness experienced by Jesus’ followers between his death and resurrection.

Without Candles
These pages may be used simply for personal or family reading and meditation in preparation for Easter. In that case, please ignore the bracketed candle instructions within each reading.

With Candles
The readings may also be used in conjunction with any grouping of seven candles. On the first day, all seven should be burning as you begin reading the first devotional. Bracketed instructions within the reading tell you when to snuff out one candle. On the second day, six candles burn as you begin reading, and you snuff out one of them when instructed, and so on. On Good Friday, the last candle is extinguished. Then on Easter, there are instructions within the reading to light all seven candles.

The Symbolism of the Seven Candles
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). But for a while it seemed as if the darkness was overcoming—for a long while.
Your seven candles symbolize the Light of the World—the Light that was God’s glory and that illuminated God for us—the Light that, in the end, seemed to have been darkened. As we move through the season preceding Easter, the candles are snuffed out one by one, until all are dark on Good Friday, when Jesus died and the earth was covered with shadow. Darkness apparently had won. The Light of the World had been extinguished. It was finished.
But NO! Easter brings resurrection! Life! Return from death! The Light has won and all the candles burn as we praise him—the Light of the World, the Bright Morning Star, the Glory of God.


2. Saturday Easter Story Cookies
This activity comes from our good friends, Preston & Erica. This tradition is a wonderful way to engage children at their level, using all their senses.

(To be made the evening before Easter)

You Need:
1- cup whole pecans
1-teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1-cup sugar
Zipper baggy
Wooden spoon
Scotch tape
Bible

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees (this is important-don’t wait ’til you’re half-done with the recipe)

1. Place pecans in the baggy and let the children beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3

2. Put the vinegar into a mixing bowl. Let each child smell the vinegar. Explain that when Jesus was on the cross and he became thirsty, He was offered vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30

3. Add the egg whites to the vinegar. The eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11

4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand and let them taste it. Put the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27

5. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died to glorify his Father and because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

6. Beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents the purity of Christ and the purity God now sees in those who have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3

7. Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid to rest. Read Matt. 27:57-60

8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

9. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-6

10. GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight and that Jesus followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28: 1-9

You state: “He is risen!” and have the children respond with: “He is risen indeed!”

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You know, the Holy Spirit does the work in hearts, but how can we respond if we haven't heard? "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Romans 10: 17) As you do these traditions or any like these, be praying that they would be used as a tool to lovingly teach and draw us closer to Christ our Savior!

Snowy Surprise!!!

While our dear friends, Brandon and Liz are off on their spring break cruise, we are trying to figure out how we're going to dig out of 12 inches of snow here in Louisville! It truly is a sight to behold for those of us who have rarely experienced this much snow in a 24 hour time period. It started snowing yesterday around 7 am, and stopped around noon today (Sat.)

Watching the Snow

There is something precious watching kids get excited at the window!

Oven Pancake: The Recipe

Ok, due to popular demand....well, maybe just 2 requests, here is the recipe for the infamous Oven Pancake! Anne & Mary, this one's for you. Enjoy!





Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups milk
4 eggs
2 tsp sugar
4 Tbsp melted butter/margarine

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees
Grease 9x13 baking dish/pan well
Beat eggs until fluffy. Add remaining ingredients & beat well
Pour into baking dish
Bake for 30 min., but check at 25 min.

Two Ways to Serve:
1. syrup & butter
2. butter, powdered sugar, lemon juice (lightly dripped over your piece). Weird, but it tastes GOOD!!!! I dare you to try it :-)

History of the recipe:
Jayna recieved this from her mother, who received it when visiting a missionary to the Solomon Islands in 1979. It could also be known as "Finnish Panna'ka'qua"

Family Time in Oregon

The Saturday before Christmas Day '07 we had a Snyder family gathering at Jayna's parents' house. It was great to see some of the fam again! As you can see, JD found a buddy with Uncle Ron :-) And Maddie sure loves Aunt Pam!

Generations 1 & 4

Great-Grandpa Snyder and Jackson

MMmmmm Oven Pancake!

It tastes much better than it looks....

Can't wait until we can do this again!

Flashback: Advent Calendar: Complete!

When we flew to Oregon to spend Christmas with Jayna's family, we were in the middle of our first advent calendar for family worship with Madeline & Jack, so we had to take it with us. We had a WONDERFUL time and highly commend the practice and this book resource: Disciplines of a Godly Family. In an appendix, they have provided all 25 advent devotionals, starting with creation and working through salvithic history up to the birth of Christ.