tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79447598582847478762024-02-19T01:50:59.392-06:00The Wetzel'sJake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-21777091649516825402011-11-20T08:48:00.002-06:002011-11-20T08:52:53.277-06:00Christmas Advent<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As Jake and I are approaching Christmas, we have been very thoughtful towards how we are engaging Christmas with our children. Last year, we felt that Christmas just happened to us, and we threw Christ in as we could. This year, we’re wanting to really understand Christmas morning as an Israelite would have…anticipating Christ with the nation of Israel, experiencing joy with Elizabeth, trusting with Joseph, hoping with Mary, worshiping with the Magi…as we teach our children the true importance of this celebration. As we reflect on the coming of the Christ-child, we are learning how to anticipate the coming of Christ, remembering His promise to return for His people.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Since the weather outside is definitely not frightful, and there’s no delightful snow for North Texas in the forecast any time soon, it’s easy to forget the busyness of the coming weeks. Trying not to get hustled and bustled, in a culture that does nothing but hurry the season away, is pretty difficult. In fact, if you’re not diligently pursuing rest in Him, you may quickly drift away into this hurried season.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” Hebrews 2:1</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">So what if we saw Christmas newly this year? What if we heard the Christmas story from the perspective of an Israelite? What if we saw the star and remembered the promise of a covenant made by a Holy God? What if we rejoiced in the fields with the shepherds? What if we heard the cries of a Savior and fell down in worship, knowing that only He is worthy? What if we actually saw Christ in Christmas?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As a family, we are beginning a new tradition this year as we prepare our hearts and lead our children to celebrate Christmas! We are making a “Jesse Tree” (More info about a Jesse tree here: </span></span><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/ask-pastor-john/what-did-christmas-day-look-like-in-your-home-as-your-kids-grew-up"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/ask-pastor-john/what-did-christmas-day-look-like-in-your-home-as-your-kids-grew-up</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">), and we are reading through a series of scriptures together as a family. The scriptures were chosen as sort of an overview/history of the Israelites, giving new perspective as we enjoy Christ, the Savior, born in Bethlehem.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Below is the overview of the scripture. Many companies make ornaments that you can purchase online or in a store. Others have some that you can download and color yourself. I think our family will read the story, and create a simple ornament to hang on the tree. Some may even choose not to do an ornament, but to just enjoy reading through the scripture.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">However you choose to lead your family into Christmas this year, I encourage you to enjoy Him in the midst of it all!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <h2>Table of Scripture Readings for the Story<o:p></o:p></h2> <table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse; mso-table-layout-alt:fixed;border:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt; mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-right-alt:solid navy 1.0pt; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tbody><tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <h1><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Date<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-left:none; mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Persons<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-left:none; mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Events/Themes<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-left:none; mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Scripture<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-left:none; mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Symbols<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid darkgreen 1.0pt;border-top: none;mso-border-top-alt:solid darkgreen 1.0pt;background:blue;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana-Bold;color:white;">First<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana-Bold;color:white;">Sunday<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="245" colspan="2" style="width:244.9pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Introduction of the Jesse Tree<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">1 Sam 16:1-13<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Isaiah 11:1-10<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">The Tree<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana-Bold;color:#663300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:medium;">Mon</span></span></h1> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">God<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Creation<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Gen 1:1-2:3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Dove<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Tues<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Adam and Eve<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">The First Sin<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Gen 2:4-3:24<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Tree with Fruit or Apple<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Wed<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Noah<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">The Flood<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Gen 6:11-22, 7:17-8:12, 20-9:17<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Rainbow or Ark<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Thurs<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Abraham<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">The Promise<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Gen 12:1-7, 15:1-6<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Field of Stars<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Fri<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Isaac<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Offering of Isaac<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Gen 22:1-19<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Ram<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Sat<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Jacob<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Assurance<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">of the Promise<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Gen 27:41-28:22<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Ladder<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid darkgreen 1.0pt;border-top: none;mso-border-top-alt:solid darkgreen 1.0pt;background:blue;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana-Bold;color:white;">Second<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana-Bold;color:white;">Sunday<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Joseph<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">God's Providence<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Gen 37, 39:1-50:21<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Sack of Grain or Coat<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:medium;"><h1 style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana-Bold;color:#663300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:medium;">Mon</span></span></h1></span></h1> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Moses<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">God's Leadership<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Exodus 2:1-4:20<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Burning Bush<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Tues<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Israelites<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Passover<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">and Exodus<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Exodus 12:1-14:31<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Lamb<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Wed<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">God<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Giving the Law<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">at Sinai<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Exodus 19:1-20:20<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Tablets of the Ten Command-ments<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Thurs<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Joshua<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">The Fall of Jericho<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Joshua 1:1-11, 6:1-20<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Ram's Horn Trumpet<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Fri<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Gideon<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Unlikely Heroes<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Judges 2:6-23, 6:1-6, 11-8:28<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Clay Water Pitcher<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height:68.0pt"> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:68.0pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Sat<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:68.0pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Samuel<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:68.0pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">The Beginning<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">of the Kingdom<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:68.0pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">1 Sam 3:1-21, 7:1-8:22, 9:15-10:9<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:68.0pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Crown<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid darkgreen 1.0pt;border-top: none;mso-border-top-alt:solid darkgreen 1.0pt;background:blue;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana-Bold;color:white;">Third</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana-Bold;color:white;">Sunday<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">David<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">A Shepherd<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">for the People<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">1 Sam 16:1-23-17:58,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">2 Sam 5:1-5, 7:1-17<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Shepherd's Crook or Harp<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:medium;"><h1 style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana-Bold;color:#663300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:medium;">Mon</span></span></h1></span></h1> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Elijah<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">The Threat<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">of False Gods<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">1 Kings 17:1-16, 18:17-46<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Stone Altar<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Tues<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Hezekiah<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Faithfulness and Deliverance<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">2 Kings 18:1-19:19, 32-37<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">An Empty Tent<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Wed<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Isaiah<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">The Call to Holiness<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Isaiah 1:10-20, 6:1-13, 8:11-9:7<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Fire Tongs with Hot Coal<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Thurs<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Jeremiah<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">The Exile<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Jer 1:4-10, 2:4-13, 7:1-15, 8:22-9:1-11<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Tears<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Fri<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Habakkuk<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Waiting<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Habakkuk 1:1-2:1, 3:16-19<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Stone Watchtower<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Sat<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Nehemiah<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Return<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">and Rebuilding<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Neh 1:1-2:8, 6:15-16, 13:10-22<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">City Wall<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid darkgreen 1.0pt;border-top: none;mso-border-top-alt:solid darkgreen 1.0pt;background:blue;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana-Bold;color:white;">Fourth<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana-Bold;color:white;">Sunday<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">John the Baptist<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Repentance<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Luke 1:57-80, 3:1-207:18-30<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Scallop Shell<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:medium;"><h1 style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana-Bold;color:#663300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:medium;">Mon</span></span></h1></span></h1> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Mary<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">The Hope<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">for a Future<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Luke 1:26-38<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">White Lily<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Tues<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Elizabeth<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Joy<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Luke 1:39-56<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Mother and Child<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Wed<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Zechariah<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Anticipation<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Luke 1:57-80<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Pencil and Tablet<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Thurs<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Joseph<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Trust<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Matt 1:19-25<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Carpenter's Square or Hammer<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid navy 1.0pt;border-top:none; mso-border-top-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Fri<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Magi<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Worship<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Matt 2:1-12<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Star or Candle<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid darkgreen 1.0pt;border-top: none;mso-border-top-alt:solid darkgreen 1.0pt;background:navy;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana-Bold;color:white;">Dec<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana-Bold;color:white;"> 24<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Birth of the Messiah<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Luke 2:1-20<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Manger<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="65" style="width:65.45pt;border:solid darkgreen 1.0pt;border-top: none;mso-border-top-alt:solid darkgreen 1.0pt;background:white;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(249, 168, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;">Dec<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" color: rgb(249, 168, 0); font-family:Verdana-Bold;"> 25<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="103" style="width:102.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Christ<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="142" style="width:142.1pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">The Son of God<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="104" style="width:103.8pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">John 1:1-18<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="109" style="width:108.85pt;border-top:none;border-left:none; border-bottom:solid navy 1.0pt;border-right:solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt: solid navy 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid navy 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" ;font-family:'Calisto MT';">Chi-Rho Symbol<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-84187467003642397472011-02-20T16:39:00.004-06:002011-02-20T23:53:11.098-06:00We live in a dangerous place...What keeps us from leaving everything? What keeps us from reckless abandonment? I think that a large part of what holds us back is fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the loss of ____ (time, stuff, friendships, etc.). Fear of putting yourself in physical harm. Fear.<br /><br />I recently read a blog by someone who lives and works in Haiti. This is a great blog and his thoughts would apply to almost anywhere where people are serving the Lord. You can read this blog <a href="http://livesayhaiti.blogspot.com/2011/02/john-weighs-in.html">here</a>!<br /><br />I heard the question asked of me when I left the states for two weeks. For two weeks... "Is it safe?" I even asked myself.<br /><br />But this question is something I rarely ask when I walk outside with my kids. When I go to the store. When I drive to my church building to Worship. I rarely ask, "Is it safe?" But what's scary to me is that today I realized it isn't.<br /><br />It isn't safe here. Any sense of security I have is false security. It's not safe here.<br /><br />We can be in danger of forgetting that the God who created the Heavens has made a sacrifice so that I can approach Him daily. I hear this all the time, and become numb. I rarely stop to stare at the sky. To stare at the work of His fingertips. To grasp that HE, who created everything, would have anything to do with me.<br /><br />It's almost as if I've been out on the ocean so long that the sound of the waves and the rocking of the boat has become "normal". I forgot what silence sounded like. If I'm not careful, I can forget the first time I heard the "ocean"! I can forget that I don't deserve to be saved from myself. I can forget that I NEED HIM!<br /><br />It's dangerous here. It's dangerous for me to live like I deserve this. Like it's normal for the GOD OF THE UNIVERSE to come so far, from a throne room, to dirty feet, to death on a cross to take MY place. To forgive sin that He had NOTHING to do with. To forgive me when I haven't even stepped out of my sin to seek Him.<br /><br />It's dangerous to raise your kids here too. It terrifies me that I could teach them that the Bible is just normal. That the God who created the Heavens, who knows them intimately, is to be seen as "normal".<br /><br />So as safe as I felt in my bed last night, I pray that my security is in Him. I pray that He would find me clinging to Him.<br /><br />We, too, live in a dangerous place.Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-41621257713011515322011-01-26T22:02:00.003-06:002011-01-26T22:14:12.983-06:00Homeschool again...We began the journey of homeschool back in the Fall. Abbie is in PreK, so we've tracked our way through some fun themes. However, once November hit, we've just been hit and miss.<div><br /></div><div>So we're back on! :) We're switching gears a little and trying something new! I'm hopeful that our adjustments will be worth it! I'm thankful that we're giving this a try this year so that by Kindergarten we'll know a little more about what works for our family.</div><div><br /></div><div>Looking forward to the fun month of February!</div>Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-31233645601979410312010-11-07T21:32:00.006-06:002010-11-07T22:50:48.255-06:00Salvation as a destination or a piton...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswUgZBczP9NcaM3SU1e83qeI1kNK_LrT0-ylMgErQWaxP1duAkOePfSfMIL4BKCcxgZ_2iSrO2CjEq1DjNAHSdp-966Af0PYa7mRykJjJ5FXkfinpd9l_LTcIQupRELzRdihPwifa2Yw/s1600/rock+face.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswUgZBczP9NcaM3SU1e83qeI1kNK_LrT0-ylMgErQWaxP1duAkOePfSfMIL4BKCcxgZ_2iSrO2CjEq1DjNAHSdp-966Af0PYa7mRykJjJ5FXkfinpd9l_LTcIQupRELzRdihPwifa2Yw/s400/rock+face.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537036765982423698" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div style="overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;color:transparent;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">"Pitons are metal spikes used by climbers and rescue workers. They are driven into cracks into rocks or ice to provide secure holds for climbing equipment. Using pitons is crucial for safety.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">"<br /><br />My pastor used pitons as an illustration in his sermon a few weeks ago as he talked about God's glory in "A Request for Glory Part 2" <a href="http://www.crosspointfellowship.us/worship/sermons.php">here</a>.<br /><br />As my husband and I were talking about the value of pitons in our spiritual walk, we discussed how we NEED to recount the deeds of the Lord. (Psalm 9:1) We are needy for placing pitons on the rock face as we climb. How quickly I fall. How easily I slip. How fast I could sink back to the bottom of the mountain, but the pitons are safely placed in the rock face, holding me steady to continue my climb. When I slip, I fall no further than the piton that is holding me. So, onward I climb.<br /><br />If a mountain climber came to the mountain, stuck in his first piton, and chilled because he "climbed the mountain", his ascension would never move forward. This mountain climber, while dressed and ready, has not truly climbed the mountain.<br /><br />For many years, I did just that. I stuck my piton in the mountain of God, and announced that I had "climbed the mountain". A few years later, I moved the piton a little to the right, since I was unsure of it's placement. I would inch upward, but only in slow ascent, because I thought that I had arrived. I had "climbed" this mountain. I was only looking down, not up. I wasn't looking to the mountain, to God. I am sad that the placement of my first piton was not accompanied by upward movement. I am sad that it took years to cover the ground upward. I'm sad that I made such a slow start. For if I climbed all my life, I wouldn't reach the heights of this mountain. I wouldn't conquer the surface of our God! He is too big, too rich, too deep to comprehend. But He is so good. The ascent is so worth it!<br /><br />I thought that coming to a point of salvation was THE essential piece that allowed me to ascend to the top of the mountain. While I DO NOT want to down-play salvation, I want to recognize that it should be a piton in our ascension. It's the first piton, holding us fast to the mountain. But, in recent years, many more pitons have been nailed into the rock face! I pray that many more will come.<br /><br />Let me recount SOME of His deeds as He has drawn me closer to Himself...<br /><br />When I was five, I saw a glimpse of righteousness in my family, all who were walking in God's righteousness. I was overwhelmed with the sense of "missing it". I talked with my family, and came to a point where I wanted to follow in their footsteps. Piton.<br /><br />I was sitting in a marriage Bible Study with my love and couldn't shake the thought... "I can't muster this. I can't make myself good. I can't take hold of this on my own." The things that I had been making checklists for (i.e. love, hope, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) were things that I had tried to muster. Fruits of the spirit cannot be mustered, I assure you. You can get close, you can try really hard, and you can look pretty good, but I assure you that it is impossible to muster this! Piton.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">I can't do this alone. I NEED others to see me. I realize that through my depravities, through the exposing of sin (and killing of sin), I am able to see God's mercy. I am able to taste grace. I am able to understand how I can be a part of a people, being real. (</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">See old blog post from May 2008 </span><a style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" href="http://jakeannie03.blogspot.com/2008_05_01_archive.html">here</a><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">.) Piton.</span><br /><span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">I began reading the Law. I began finding places where I was labeled as guilty. I began to understand how my poor attempts at goodness got me as far as the end of the law. I am guilty. I am stained. I am doomed to accept the wrath of God. BUT GOD demonstrates His love through Christ! I have enjoyed this sweet, savory, rich scandal! I am wearing the righteousness of another. The very thing I can't muster IS the very thing He has given me to cover my nakedness. His righteousness covers me. Piton.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">I am created for His glory. I am created to glorify Him. Every breath should be to glorify God. I glorify Him by enjoying Him. I know Him and I enjoy Him. God be glorified through me. Piton.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">Thank you, God, for loving me and creating me. Thank you for sending Christ to die in my place. Thank you for giving me righteousness that is undeserved and perfect. Thank you for covering the nakedness of my sin. Thank you for drawing my eyes to you. Thank you for placing many in my life who walk so closely and openly with me. Who point me to you. God thank you for the scandal of the gospel. Thank you for the rich Word that you gave us to enjoy you. Thank you for a family that pours out grace towards me. I pray that you would make us more like you daily. I am absolutely blown away by you. I'm blown away by Your holiness, love, mercy, and grace</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">. </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">Continue to draw me to you! I want to lay hold of that which is taking hold of me! God, I love you.</span><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);" href="http://www.ehow.com/how_2087272_use-pitons.html#ixzz14eskOvL0"></a></span></div></div>Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-1428113268307368562010-09-24T11:41:00.003-05:002010-09-24T12:04:54.703-05:00The Tower of Class of 2000I don't like it when God convicts me. I hate to be wrong. I hate to admit that my ways are wrong and selfish and impure.<br /><br />I love it when God convicts me. I pray that my heart will never be hardened against His wise correction. I love it that He loves me enough to drag me back to Him! I'm thankful that I can do nothing to deserve His mercy and grace and that He gives it abundantly.<br /><br />This week I had the opportunity to study the Tower of Babel for our Wednesday Night Bible Study. I've never really read that scripture in depth. It's one of those stories that I heard as a child, so with every encounter with that specific scripture I just glanced over it without READing it!<br /><br />This week God has brought a few things to my mind based on this story of a people who act just. like. me.<br /><br />These people were concerned more about discussing their plans with the people around them, and not with the One who created them. They delighted in things that would make them feel better, make their name great, and put themselves on display.<br /><br />Fast forward thousands of years to September 2010. I have the awesome opportunity to go hang out with a group of people that I spent Kindergarten through 12th grade with. Some of those people, I even went to a preschool with, as young as three. I haven't seen these people in ten years.<br /><br />Enter sin.<br /><br />I've been so overly concerned about impressing those people. I've been consumed with making sure my name is nice and shiny as I see them. I'm trying to dig up all the "amazing" things that I have done in the last 10 years, in their absence. I'm trying to think of the impressive places I've gone and insuring that I'll have my cute little family with me to prove my "worth".<br /><br />Wow. Even reading back over this, I am totally ashamed that my focus has been so shallow.<br /><br />But also, grateful for His mercy. Grateful for His grace. Grateful for His faithfulness. Grateful for His forgiveness.<br /><br />"Delight yourself in the LORD,<br />and he will give you the desires of your heart.<p> Commit your way to the LORD;<br />trust in him, and he will act.<br />He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,<br />and your justice as the noonday." Psalm 37:4-6<br /></p>As God has convicted me of my selfish and impure motives, I am praying that He will remove every ounce of sin and replace it with His righteousness! He is my righteousness.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">If I have something to boast in, IT IS CHRIST!</span></span><br /><br />Praying that God gives me an opportunity to put His name on display this weekend. Praying that He will find me faithful as I encounter people that I haven't seen in ten years. Praying that my obedience in Him will eliminate me from the whole equation!<br /><br />Delighting in Him today!!!Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-61351337883414916742010-09-07T12:44:00.002-05:002010-09-07T12:49:33.338-05:00Happy Birthday, Pop!It's not too often that I have a week that goes by without thinking of my Grandpop. After his death, he filled most of my thoughts throughout my day. I often wondered if I would ever be able to forget that weak, feeble man who lay in that bed. I wondered if I would forget the frail shadow of the man who stood as a giant in my life for years. I wondered if I would ever forget the sound of his last breath.<br /><br />Pop passed away in October 2007 as we sat by his bed and sang hymns with him. He was an incredible husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.<br /><br />As we sat by his bed, singing together, we watched him as he tried to sing with us. His mouth was just moving so slightly. But in my mind, I could hear his strong voice ringing in the heavens.<br /><br />We prayed with him and read the Bible to him. He could have preached sermons out of that Bible, but he just lay listening to God's word. (In that Bible, he had marked every time he read through a scripture. There were marks all the way through to show that he had read it four times, with five and six times on some chapters/books. Amazing. Even more...this Bible was copywrited 1976. So this isn't even the Bible he began reading after he became a Christian at 30 years old. It's one that he got very late in life.)<br /><br />We were singing "Old Rugged Cross", one of his favorites, as he took his last breaths. He died peacefully and quickly.<br /><br />As we sang that hymn with him, I realized for the first time in my life that he had truly lived a life to glorify God. And he not only lived it, he shared it. Now Pop wasn't the kind of man you'd find on the street with a "Christian" witnessing tract in his hand. He was the kind of man that brought you into his garage to work on something to make your house better, your car drive easier, or your wife happier! He shared Christ by loving Him outloud all the time. Every neighbor that came to the funeral (particularly the ones I never met before) continued to talk about how they met Pop in his garage! They talked about how he encouraged them and showed them who God really was. There were several neighbors who started following Christ because God allowed them to see how Pop had been so real with them. He probably never officially invited them to church. He just loved on God and became an aroma of Christ to others.<br /><br />It was later that I realized how sweet that "The Old Rugged Cross" was the last song my Pop's earthly ears would ever hear. He had come to a moment that he would "lay his trophies down" and "exchange them for a crown". His trophies...He 96 years old and was married for almost 62 years. He left behind his wife, 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. He had lived life as a cowboy, army official, carpenter, mechanic, and so much more. He He was the most gentle and loving man! But as big as those trophies were, they compared nothing to that crown...to that thrown room...to that moment with Christ our Lord. The trophies and accomplishments of this world, as Paul stated, are RUBBISH in comparison to Christ.<br /><br />As I sat with him before he died, I got to tell him that we wouldn't mourn his loss. We couldn't mourn because the life he lived could only end in rejoicing. He showed us how to glorify God in his life, and we will continue to glorify God in his death. As I said it, I know he could hear every word. He couldn't say anything, but just nodded. He knew that he was at the threshold of new life.<br /><br />What a joy and privilege it was to be his granddaughter. As a little girl, I always knew he was special. But as I have matured, I began to understand how he led this family to the foot of the cross. He fervently prayed for each of us and daily praised God for the life he was given. I am thankful for the legacy he has left us.<br /><br />I haven't forgotten the frail figure he became in his last days, but I am more able to remember the other things too. I remember his stories. I remember his laugh. I remember his smile. I remember his song. I remember him.<br /><br />And some days, I see someone at WalMart or on a tractor, that has some sort of feature that he had and I remember him again.<br /><br />Last week would have been his 99th birthday. He was born in 1911. We really don't have a record of his birth, so we always celebrated it on September 1. Labor Day was ALWAYS Pop's birthday celebration!<br /><br />Happy Birthday Pop! :)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br />The Old Rugged Cross</span><br />On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross<br />The emblem of suff'ring and shame<br />And I love that old cross where the dearest and best<br />For a world of lost sinners was slain<br /><br />So I'll cherish the old rugged cross<br />Till my trophies at last I lay down<br />I will cling to the old rugged cross<br />And exchange it some day for a crown.Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-71298094111860251202010-06-08T10:10:00.003-05:002010-06-08T10:56:18.746-05:00What you eat is what you are...I grew up eating unhealthy foods. My idea of a great, healthy snack in high school was an over-processed bar with fake fruit filling in it (Nutrigrain Bar)! (I'm not dogging Nutrigrain Bars...I think they taste great. I just don't think that they should be my idea of "healthy"!) Fruits and vegetables weren't absent from my childhood, I just rarely enjoyed them. I would eat fruits more than veggies, and only if they were super sweet. I couldn't even eat a strawberry without pouring sugar on it. A salad was ludicrous for people who were under 30! And if I did have to eat a salad, let me assure you that it needed to be covered in cheese and lathered in Ranch dressing. You probably aren't surprised to know that I was a very unhealthy, overweight child in late elementary school. Even though my metabolism kicked in high gear in early middle school, and I was a walking stick through mid-high school, I always thought I was "fat" and I continued to eat completely unhealthy foods.<div><br /></div><div>Now fast forward to my first pregnancy. Somehow, in my mind pregnant women were allowed to eat anything they wanted. I don't know where that thought came from. I may have possibly deduced that if pregnant women were eating pickles and ice cream, that just meant that they were allowed to eat anything they wanted. Anything. So, I did. I ate and ate and ate all the comfort foods from my childhood...cheesecake, snickers bars, oatmeal cookies (the fake kind with cream in the middle), donuts, oreos, ...the list could go on and on. (As a side note, if you are a "salty dude" like my husband, you may have a stomach ache by just looking at this list. But those of us with a sugar tooth know that these are the best foods on the planet!) It shouldn't surprise you that when I went in for my 7 month check-up and had gained 10 pounds in one visit, the only words that came out of my doctor's mouth when he looked at my weight gain were "Oh dang." I didn't know what I should be eating. I didn't know how to be eating healthy foods.</div><div><br /></div><div>So as I stepped into Mommy-hood, how could I be prepared to feed my children healthy foods. It was easy at first because the baby food was a given. But once Abbie started eating solid foods, I never considered to feed her healthy foods. It was always the same things I ate. This started a bad pattern. I watched as other children her age were eating really healthy fruits and veggies. I even "tried" to give her these foods, which she just pushed away. I was frustrated, but didn't know how to fix the problem!</div><div><br /></div><div>When I walked into the grocery store, I walked up and down the aisles looking for "meals". My idea of a "dinner" was a casserole made which was generally a bunch of processed foods scrambled together with cheese on top. (Now, everyone can have even more appreciation for my sweet husband, who put up with this kind of cooking for a few years. He really has put up with so much without throwing a fit or making a big deal of it.)</div><div><br /></div><div>With all this said, you can understand that I feel like I just opened my eyes. I had some friends go on a cleanse a couple months ago. I started researching what that was. Because I was running a 5K at the end of May, I knew that I couldn't start on a "cleanse" but I did start to eat healthy foods. I started eating all natural (non-processed) foods. If it was processed, I wasn't going to even sniff it! I realized the freedom of going into the grocery store and shopping in the outer edges. When I walk into the store now, my list consists of produce (fruits AND veggies), meat, and dairy! (We buy bread for sandwiches and stuff, but I hope to start making my own soon.) I'm not turning into a healthy eating food freak...yet. :) But I see such an importance to the foods I eat and the foods I give my kids.</div><div><br /></div><div>I started a cleanse 7 days ago. I feel better. My complexion is so much better. I'm excited to feel the difference fresh, healthy food makes for me. I now know how to make fruit/veggie smoothies! I am learning how to cook different veggies that I never even considered buying! (I must admit this cleanse came to a screeching hault yesterday due to a friend's 30th birthday! But I am back on the cleanse starting today. We'll see how far I go this time! I'm hoping for no more parties!!!)</div><div><br /></div><div>My kids are eating healthy! They eat carrots! They eat apples! They eat salads! They eat sweet potatoes! They try new things!!!!! Sometimes I laugh when I see what's on their plate for lunch or dinner. I laugh because I can't believe that MY kids are eating healthy foods!! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm thankful for new beginnings. I'm thankful for a chance to start over! I'm thankful that we're doing this now and giving our kids the chance that I never had at this early of an age!</div>Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-40513645486943012442010-05-11T11:52:00.002-05:002010-05-11T12:04:44.001-05:00This is not my home.I keep thinking this is my home. These are my children. This is my stuff. This is my life. But, it's just not.<br /><br />This is not my home. If I remembered that this is not my home, would I take care of it differently? Would I put less stuff in it? Would I use it for a different purpose...a purpose that would always remind me that it doesn't belong to me?<br /><br />These are not my children. Would I treat them differently? Would I lavish the love of God on them more if I remembered that He is lavishing that on me? Would I speak to them more gently? Would I pay attention to them more closely? I think I would. God has so graciously given us these sweet blessings to raise up under His love.<br /><br />This is not my stuff. Would I get rid of some of it? Would I cherish less of it? Would I give more of it? I think I would. If I remembered that this isn't what I live for, I think I would remember who I do live for and treat the things in my possession as His.<br /><br />This is not my life. I didn't create this for myself. I didn't cause these things to happen so that I could live comfortably. <br /><br />In fact, I didn't have anything to do with it. So seeking comfort in this life, this stuff, these children, this house all ends with myself.<br /><br />I don't know why I constantly seek myself. But it has to end. I have to put this life into perspective. Once I recognize that this place should be like a foreign land to me, I begin to see outside of myself. I can see those around me whose only need is the love of the Father. Their true need is to find Christ. In the words of Edward T Welch, I need to love them more and need them less.Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-30303713753820361222010-04-17T16:56:00.005-05:002010-04-17T20:56:55.454-05:00Gardens and Ladybugs and Springtime ShowersOh, how I LOVE springtime! This morning we planted our small little garden! As we were digging, we began to notice all the ladybug pupae around us! They were on every hard surface in the backyard, changing slowly into the adult ladybug. Wow! We patiently watched one come out of its shell! We watched its slow progression into the adult life of a ladybug!<div><br /></div><div>We dug the holes for our vegetable plants! And then we watered them! We may have gotten a little too carried away with the watering...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyVus_QeGi_KyxqelDaI9vI6zcCwXQDF8kr7FL0cWEx7Ksi9Y9go4EOju_IwpMIQJFsO3IKMXDh9trreyLGZA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-37012651712039476502010-04-16T19:56:00.002-05:002010-04-16T20:41:35.124-05:00FARM!!!Alright, so we sorta took a week off! I think we're ready to get back to it though! :) I LOVE teaching my kids and it brings an ability to share some really special moments together!<div><br /></div><div>So here's what we've got this week...</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Monday</b></div><div>Song: The Farmer in the Dell</div><div>Poem: Little Boy Blue</div><div><br /></div><div>Discuss what animals live on a farm! Pull the "Barnyard Eggs" out of the bucket. (Use later to talk about baby animals!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Read <i>Noisy Animals</i> and discuss the noises the animals make! (Sing "Old MacDonald")</div><div><br /></div><div>Divide the animals into two groups on a t-chart: 4 legs and 2 legs</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Tuesday</b></div><div>Read <i>The Farmer in the Dell</i> and discuss all the responsibilities of a farmer. Read <i>Farm Chores</i>!</div><div><br /></div><div>Write a poem together - "Hello Farm"</div><div>Hello Farm!</div><div>Hello _____, _____, and ______.</div><div>Hello _____, _____</div><div>Hello _____, _____, and ______.</div><div>Hello Farm!</div><div><br /></div><div>Pretend to be farmers and play with our animals!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Wednesday</b></div><div>Farm Visit - We're visiting a "farm" this week with a bunch of other homeschool families! We're going to Rehoboth Ranch here in Gville! Our tour will include collecting eggs, milking goats, and so much more! :) I think it will be AWESOME!</div><div><br /></div><div>As we're visiting this farm, we'll think about using our five senses as we look around! When we get home, I have an awesome book called <i>A Trip to the Farm</i> that the kiddos will get to write and color about their trip!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Thursday</b></div><div>Discuss the things that come from farms! Read <i>What Comes from the Farm?</i> and <i>How Do We Get the Milk We Drink?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Read <i>At the Farm</i> and wrap up the unit! Draw a picture of an animal inside a barn.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>My "goal" (besides having a blast with my kiddos) is to capture some of this fun stuff on video!!! I make NO PROMISES! :)</div>Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-37230536959073762542010-04-12T13:22:00.003-05:002010-04-12T13:42:37.279-05:00Submission<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">My brother recently had a girl's retreat thing for the young ladies in his youth group. On Friday night, he hosted a father/daughter banquet. They had some pretty amazing food accompanied by some unique time for dads to try to spend themselves on their daughters. It was a very cool thing to see!</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">After the banquet, he had arranged for a father to come speak to the other dads about their responsibility to shepherd the young ladies. He also had arranged for someone to come teach the young ladies about their responses to their dads. I was merely an outsider UNTIL...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The young lady who he had scheduled to speak had to back out at the last minute. By that I mean that he found out the evening before the scheduled event. He was frantically looking for someone. So, I did too! I spent an entire evening devoted to emailing, calling, and facebooking close friends who were more than capable to teach young girls about their relationships with their parents!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I was sure that any one of my friends would step up to the plate because they were much more equipped than myself! I didn't volunteer to help out because, well, I stink at talking to anyone over the age of 8! While both of my brothers could stand before a crowd and speak, all I ever do is cry.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Here, let me introduce you to my most embarrassing epic fail...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"Hi. My name is Annie Witt and I'm Tommy's little sister. And, (insert crying here) I can't do this..."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">So, in the end, no one stepped up. Ronnie was in a bind and suggested that I would do an awesome job. I told him no. I told him that I wasn't capable of speaking to young ladies. I knew that all I would do was cry. Plus, I couldn't think of any wisdom to share. I didn't feel capable to teach.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">But God began to work on my heart. As I was thinking on "What do young ladies need to know about how to worship God in the midst of their relationship to their earthly daddy", my mind went to submission. See, God isn't holding a young lady responsible for the home that her daddy provides. He isn't holding her responsible for the shepherding her daddy does or does not do. However, she will be held accountable to God for the way she responds to him. God led me to Colossians 3 to teach. Here, we see a snapshot of God's design for the home.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Before we dive into scripture, I’d like to establish that you are either in obedience or disobedience to a sovereign God who has placed you under the authority of your parents.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The God who spoke the galaxies into existence also formed you inside your mother’s womb.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">He knows the number of hairs on your head and He has placed you in Emory, Texas as the very person you are.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">He is quite aware the circumstance of each of your families.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Not only is He aware of it, He has ordained it!</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">He has established it!</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">So let’s jump in to find out how we are to respond to God in light of our circumstance. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I’ve been in your shoes.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I’ve sat where you sit.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I can hear your thoughts.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Is anyone sitting here thinking…Yes, that’s great if you don’t have a dad like mine! </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I can understand you because I didn’t have a perfect dad either. Really, who does?!</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">There were times where it wasn’t easy to obey.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">There were times where it was very difficult to take heed to the instruction of my dad.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">But let’s make sure we understand God’s Word here.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">His Word does not make an if/then statement.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">God doesn’t set us up so that we can obey and submit under the authority because he has made it easy.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">In fact, more often than not, your submission will feel more like dying to yourself and it should bring you to the end of yourself. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I want to spend some time with Paul in the book of Colossians.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">This letter to the church of Colossae was probably written during Paul’s imprisonment in 62 AD and just before his death in 64-67 AD.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Paul did not establish this church, but is writing to encourage them.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">They have had false teachers and need to be encouraged to cling to Christ.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">He wrote this to encourage them to pursue Godliness. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I wanted to bring Paul’s teaching into our context, because I think it is relevant here.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I want to begin with the encouragement for the Christian home.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Paul has some very specific directions for the Christian family and how they are to bear the fruit of submissiveness to one another. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Colossians 3:18-4:1</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">You have to see here that the call for the submission of a child is part of a larger call for submission from all Christians in different ways. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">In 1 Peter 2 and 3, Peter addresses the same issue of submission.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">He encourages us to be subject to one another.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Although he doesn’t speak to you as daughters in this text, let these words find purchase in you because Peter does encourage you as future wives.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Listen to these words from 1 Peter. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">n </span></span><a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/1%20Peter%202.13-17"><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">1 Peter 2:13-17</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">, Peter admonishes us </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">all</span></span></i></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> to be subject, for the Lord’s sake, to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as set by him. In other words, keep the speed limits, pay your taxes, and be respectful toward policemen and senators.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Then in 2:18-25, Peter addresses the household servants (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">oiketai</span></span></i></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">) in the church and admonishes them to be submissive to their masters with all respect, both to the kind and to the overbearing.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Then, in 3:1-6, Peter instructs the wives to be submissive to their husbands, including the husbands who are unbelieving.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Then, in verse 7, he instructs husbands to live considerately with their wives as fellow heirs of the grace of life.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Finally, in 3:8-12, Peter tells the whole church to have unity and sympathy and love and tenderheartedness and humility toward one another, and not to return evil for evil. In other words, submit to each other and serve each other. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">So, as we see in both 1 Peter 2-3 and in Colossians 3, submission is a wider Christian virtue for all of us to pursue, and it has its unique and fitting expressions in various relationships. Today we are focusing on the relationship of a daughter to her father, which will prepare you for the relationship of a wife to her husband.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Let’s jump back into Paul’s encouragement to the Colossians.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The instructions for Christian Households are sandwiched between two very intricate details of God’s provision for obedience and submission.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Let’s look at the bottom crust of this submission/obedience issue.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Read Colossians 3:1-17</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Do you see here that you HAVE to have put on the new things in Christ.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">You cannot submit to an imperfect dad if you don’t have these things of God.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">What things does Paul encourage us to put on?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">(compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, bearing with one another, forgiveness, love, peace, be thankful, let the Word dwell in you)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Before you are able to submit under the authority that God has placed over you, in the person of your father, you must MUST MUST put off the old self and put on the new in Christ.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">If you’re finding it hard to be submissive and obedient, climb back into this scripture.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">It is no accident that Paul preceded this text about being submissive with putting on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another!</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">It is the provision for you to be able to submit to an imperfect man.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Because whatever you do, you are doing in the name of Jesus Christ!</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">As you submit to your dad, you are submitting to God!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">So that’s the bottom crust!</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Let’s look at the top crust of this submission issue!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Colossians 4:2, 6</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">What is it we are to do as we submit to the authority God has placed in our lives? (pray, be gracious with our speech, seasoned with salt)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">And guess what! I didn't cry!!!!!</span></span></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-12468524346572330732010-04-08T13:28:00.003-05:002010-04-08T13:52:42.422-05:00Lesson PlansAlright, so I've made some adjustments to my plans! Spring is just toooooooo fun!<div><br /></div><div>April 12-16</div><div>Farm</div><div><br /></div><div>April 19-23</div><div>Farm</div><div>*Visit Rehoboth Ranch</div><div><br /></div><div>April 26-30</div><div>Bugs</div><div><br /></div><div>May 3-7</div><div>Bugs</div><div>*Bug Club</div>Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-40746503921046086562010-04-07T20:18:00.003-05:002010-04-07T21:52:54.099-05:00Gladly Spent<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(26, 26, 26); line-height: 25px; font-family:Calibri, 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:15px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I have a hard time realizing that I'm a grown-up. I know this may seem silly because I have technically been an adult for a decade, but I just find it hard to believe sometimes. I'm not sure how it happened that I'm in the front seat of the car. I don't know why I'm not still squeezed between my older brothers, riding through life without the worries and burdens of a grown-up life.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Trust me, I am not mature enough to be a mom. I am not responsible enough to be in charge of two little kids! I get my feelings hurt too easily. I am selfish way to often.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">When you were a kid, did you ever have the chocolate cake experience? I mean the one where your mom just baked the best chocolate cake you've ever seen. You can tell by looking at it that it was going to be amazing. A-maz-ing! You also know the right thing to do is get down from the chair and walk away from the table. You know that if you'll just wait, the cake will be just as good when it is the right time. You know that feeling. You knew the right thing to do, but it was the hardest thing to do.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I've been feeling like I'm staring at chocolate cake for a while now. I have two amazing children and an awesome part-time job that eat away at "my" time. I'm staring at the table of "quiet moments". I know that if I just get down and walk away from the table, those "quiet moments" will be just as amazing when it's the right time. But to get down from staring at that chocolate cake, to engage my kids with my whole self is the hardest thing to do.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I don't like to slow down. I'm not good at playing with playdoh because they always smash my masterpiece or mix up the colors. I'm not good at playing cars because, no matter how hard I try, my car noises sound like I'm running out of batteries. I'm not good at coloring because it means that the laundry isn't finished, the kitchen isn't cleaned, and the floors aren't vacuumed. I'm just not great at this.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">But I'm falling on my knees today. I begging God to help me do this. I'm obviously not able on my own. I've tried and failed a thousand times! But I'm ready to see my sin as sin and hate it for what it is. I'm praying that God would allow me to be spent gladly on the souls of my children! Anything less is sin.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?"</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Calibri, 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">2 Corinthians 12:15</span></span></span></span></div>Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-42999554003210050842010-03-31T08:24:00.004-05:002010-03-31T08:27:17.538-05:00Springtime and SunshineThis week has been great! We have played outside, watched our flowers GROW, and watched eggs sit!<div><br /></div><div>We have our plants growing and GROWING on top of the microwave! We will be ready to plant our garden in a week! Which means, we have a lot to do to get ready!</div><div><br /></div><div>We also have a box of silk worm eggs! We have about 20 eggs and we are waiting anxiously to see when they will hatch! </div><div><br /></div><div>We ordered our caterpillars and ladybug larvae! They should be here in a week! :)</div>Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-74530500075461617322010-03-25T17:13:00.004-05:002010-03-25T17:23:27.689-05:00Easter!<!--StartFragment--> <h1><span style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Monday</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h1> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><i><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Easter Story: Bible Sticker and Activity Book</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> (This was a great find from Mardel’s!)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Easter Story: Bible Sticker and Activity Book</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: We will do a couple pages a day until we complete the Easter Story!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <h2 style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">·</span></span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pattern Baskets</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: picture of baskets with patterns colored across the top, pattern blocks</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: Use the blocks to imitate the pattern on the basket</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <h4><br /></h4><h4><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Tuesday</span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></h4> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><i><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Easter Story: Bible Sticker and Activity Book</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> (This was a great find from Mardel’s!)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Easter Story: Bible Sticker and Activity Book</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <h2 style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: We will do a couple pages a day until we complete the Easter Story!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h2> <h2 style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">·</span></span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Egg Chalk</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: Egg shaped Sidewalk Chalk</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: Draw on the concrete with Egg shaped chalk!</span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></p> <h3><br /></h3><h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Wednesday</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></h3> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><i><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Easter Story: Bible Sticker and Activity Book</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> (This was a great find from Mardel’s!)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Easter Story: Bible Sticker and Activity Book</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: We w ill do a couple pages a day until we complete the Easter Story!</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rabbit colors </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: rabbits in different colors labeled with color words, plastic letters</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: Use the plastic letters to spell each color word</span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Cookie Cutter Painting</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: cookie cutters, paint, paper plates, construction paper</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: Use cookie cutters to dip in paint and “stamp” different pictures on construction paper. You could even use these to make Easter Cards!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <h3><br /></h3><h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Thursday</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h3> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><i><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Easter Story: Bible Sticker and Activity Book</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> (This was a great find from Mardel’s!)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Easter Story: Bible Sticker and Activity Book</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <h2 style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: We will do a couple pages a day until we complete the Easter Story!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h2> <h2 style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">·</span></span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Easter Party</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><i><a href="http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?inviteId=YCSMFJPPCMCZIHGHOEGF"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Click here to look at the Evite!</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; text-decoration: underline;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Other Activities:</span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></u></p> <h3 style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">·</span></span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Felt Easter Egg</span></span></span></h3><h3 style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: felt cut in the shape of an egg, colorful felt cut in small shapes</span></span></span></h3><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: Use felt to decorate Easter egg</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dying Eggs</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: Egg dying kit</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: This is a traditional activity that your kids will LOVE!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Window Clings </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: Window clings</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: This is another fun traditional activity that any kiddo will love!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Resurrection Eggs</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: Eggs filled with small pieces that tell the Easter story</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: Open one egg a day and discuss what is inside each egg.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Bunny Race</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: “Bunny Jumpers” found at Dollar Tree</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: Race the Bunny Jumpers across a room!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Egg Sort</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: Plastic eggs in different sizes and colors</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: Sort eggs by color one day and size the next!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">·</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Easter Egg Hunt</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Supplies: Plastic eggs (empty works best!)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: Take turns hiding and finding eggs! SO much FUN!</span></span><!--EndFragment-->Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-27121030432363727282010-03-18T15:46:00.004-05:002010-03-18T23:13:27.253-05:00Plants and SeedsThis couldn't fall at a better time! We are going to enjoy a week of plants and seeds as we prepare our garden and fix all the flower beds! It will be a great week to learn and get our hands dirty outside!!! :)<br /><br />Here are some activities we will do this week as we have fun with SEEDS and PLANTS:<div><br /></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <h1><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Monday</span></span></h1><h2><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>What Will Grow?</i></span></span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: various seeds, paperclip, rocks, shells, penny, soil, plastic cups</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: Let the children guess what can and cannot grow in soil.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <h2><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>Plant a seed</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></i></span><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: plastic bags, cotton balls, lima beans</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: Put a lima bean and a moist cotton ball in a plastic bag. Hang the plastic bag in the window. You can also hang a couple more in various places to discover what plants need to grow!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tuesday</span></u></b></span></p> <h2><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">From Seed to Sprout</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: seeds, soil, cups, 6”x18” paper folded in half, glitter, brown paint</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: After planting some seeds, discuss how plants need nutrients from the soil to grow, as well as water, sunlight, and air. Paint the bottom half of the paper brown, like soil, and sprinkle glitter on top, like seeds.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> (After your seeds start to sprout, you can paint little sprouts on the picture using your fingertips.)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <h2><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Plants Use Water</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Supplies: two stalks of celery, two cups, water</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: After looking at the celery very closely, place one stalk in a cup of water and the other in an empty cup. Observe the plants over the next few days.</span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Wednesday</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; "></span></i></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS', serif;"><i><h2><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>Cupcake Flowers</i></span></span></h2></i></span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: cupcake wrappers, seeds, green construction paper, glue, blue construction paper, glue</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: Cut the green paper to make a stem and leaves. Use the cupcake to make a flower and glue the seeds inside. Use a crayon to draw the details of the sun, dirt, grass, etc.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; "></span></i></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS', serif;"><i><h2><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>Rainbow Plates</i></span></span></h2></i></span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Supplies: paper plates, watercolors</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: Cut the paper plates in half. Use the watercolors to paint a rainbow!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Thursday</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></p> <h2><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Plants Use Water</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: stalks of celery, celery from earlier experiment, 2 cups, water, food coloring</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: After looking at the celery very closely, discuss what happened to the celery that stayed in the water. Place the celery in the cups of dyed water. Observe the plants over the next few days.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <h2><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Carrot Seed Graph</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Supplies: baby carrots, orange/green paper, white paper, crayons, glue</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:-1.0in"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Activity: After reading “The Carrot Seed” have them taste carrots. (You could use the carrots to make something yummy for dinner!) Make a graph titled “Do you like carrots?” Then ask around! You can post it on FB or call family and friends to ask. Check out the graph and make observations: more than, less than, equal, etc.</span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Other Activities:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-style: italic; "> </span></span></u></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', serif; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; ">Seeds and Plants Book (Make a book using leftover seeds and seed packets. "When these seeds grow, they will become _______.")</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', serif; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; ">Discover Seeds (Place lima beans between a wet paper towel overnight. When you open the seed up, you can use a toothpick or tweezers to investigate the tiny plant that has started to grow inside!)</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', serif; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; ">Seeds Discovery Bottles (Make a discovery bottle using basil seeds and water. Keep this discovery bottle in the sun to make sure the seeds sprout in a few days!)</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', serif; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; ">Writing in Soil (Use the end of silk flowers to practice handwriting in soil.)</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', serif; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Your Garden</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> (Book from </span><a href="http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">www.hubbardscupboard.org</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">)</span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', serif; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Seeds</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> (Book from </span><a href="http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">www.hubbardscupboard.org</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">)</span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', serif; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Spring Sentences (from </span><a href="http://www.pre-kpages.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">www.pre-kpages.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', serif; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Flower Counting Game (Make a flower mat by drawing flowers on a paper. To play, roll a dye and cover that many flowers with cotton balls. Continue playing until all the flowers have been covered.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', serif; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Flower 1:1 Game (from </span><a href="http://www.pre-kpages.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">www.pre-kpages.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li></ul><p></p></div>Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-24398175526466486062010-03-17T01:08:00.003-05:002010-03-18T15:46:31.592-05:00St. Patrick's DayOkay, so our first official week of "school" at home has begun!!! We have enjoyed talking about St. Patrick's Day this week! We had a St Patrick's Day party/playdate! I'm so thankful for my many friends who enjoyed being together in small spaces! The kids had a blast, and I think the adults did too!<br /><br />On the menu, we had green peppermints, green gum, green gummies, green chocolate mints, Andes Mint cookies, green apples, green avacado, green grapes, green jello, green cotton candy, and shamrock-shaped peanut butter sandwiches, chips and guacamole, cookies, mint oreos,<br /><br />All the activities, which are set up in centers, are located in the back yard! They included:<br /><br />Magic Playdoh<br /><ul><li>In these little balls of white or yellow playdoh, I have put a few drops of food coloring! When the kids squish the playdoh in their hands, they find a new color of playdoh! The white balls had green food coloring and the yellow playdoh had blue food coloring!</li></ul><br />Mixing Playdoh<br /><ul><li>I can't stand for my kids to mix playdoh! It is a pet peeve that I've had since I was a little girl! However, this is the one time of year that I will allow my kiddos to mix up the playdoh! They mixed blue and yellow playdoh<br /></li></ul><br />Green Bubbles<br /><ul><li>What fun with bubbles! The kids enjoyed this fun treat!<br /></li></ul><br />Painting Rainbows<br /><ul><li>Watercolors are so fun! They are especially fun when there's a pot of gold promised at the bottom!!!<br /></li></ul><br />Making Shamrocks<br /><ul><li>The kids use green heart stickers to complete a shamrock picture! St. Patrick, a missionary to Ireland, used the common small plant to explain the Trinity of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.<br /></li></ul>Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-65952271432197524992010-03-16T14:08:00.002-05:002010-03-16T14:10:29.431-05:00Pictures!We got all the Wetzel cousins together to take pictures! They are so sweet and so cute!!!<div><br /></div><br /><br /><object id="vp1HKR0h" width="432" height="240" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1268766487&f=HKR0ha8Vp16ewIWWMQTa2A&d=30&m=b&r=w&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp1HKR0h" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1268766487&f=HKR0ha8Vp16ewIWWMQTa2A&d=30&m=b&r=w&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object><p>Create your own <a href="http://animoto.com">video slideshow</a> at animoto.com.</p><br /><br /><br /><object id="vp1eXm3D" width="432" height="240" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1268766619&f=eXm3DdrLT1hCNHRpLWU4Yg&d=33&m=b&r=w&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp1eXm3D" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1268766619&f=eXm3DdrLT1hCNHRpLWU4Yg&d=33&m=b&r=w&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object><p>Create your own <a href="http://animoto.com">video slideshow</a> at animoto.com.</p>Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-33341889819157070162010-03-11T15:43:00.002-06:002010-03-11T15:51:41.252-06:00Spring...I just absolutely love Spring! The sun is so beautiful. The air seems so fresh. I love the echoes of the kids' laughter in the air! It is just so sweet!<div><br /></div><div>Spring brings a passion to my teaching! I love to teach. But I really love to teach in Spring! Here is our tentative plans for Spring:</div><div><br /></div><div>March 15-19</div><div>St. Patrick's Day</div><div><br /></div><div>March 22-26</div><div>Plants and Seeds</div><div><br /></div><div>March 29-April 2</div><div>Easter</div><div><br /></div><div>April 5-9</div><div>Eggs</div><div><br /></div><div>April 12-16</div><div>Farm</div><div><br /></div><div>April 19-23</div><div>Bugs</div>Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-22018204476686809622010-01-06T14:14:00.005-06:002010-01-08T15:53:35.713-06:00So I just remembered!Okay, so this is really sad. I'm not one of those people who has a blog that updates it once a month or less. I'm just one of those people who forgot that we even had one! Ha!<br /><br />So, I guess I'll take a little time to write.<br /><br />In reading through some scriptures in 1 Chronicles, I was blown away as I hung out with the Israelites for a little bit. I was reading a familiar story about Uzzah, the ding-dong that touched the Ark. But I saw it in a different light this time. I saw Uzzah as my buddy. They were just carrying the Ark to the place God had asked them to. Uzzah didn't want it to fall. They remembered that God had said to carry it in a specific way, but they didn't realize how important those instructions were. It was then that I saw Uzzah, my good friend, DIE because he touched the very thing that God had used to protect us. God's presence hovered over the Ark. By it, we defeated nations. We sacrificed to God on its Mercy Seat. It was our avenue to worship God. And because Uzzah's hand touched it, he died. The thing that protected all of us killed one of us.<br /><br />I wonder how often I've viewed the protection of God as MY protection? God was protecting the Israelites, but through the death of Uzzah, we see His protection was more about His glory and for His name's sake and less about the protection. He protected His people because He made a covenant with them.<br /><br />Psalm 29<br /><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14310">1</sup> Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones,<br /> ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. <p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14311">2</sup> Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;<br /> worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14312">3</sup> The voice of the LORD is over the waters;<br /> the God of glory thunders,<br /> the LORD thunders over the mighty waters. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14313">4</sup> The voice of the LORD is powerful;<br /> the voice of the LORD is majestic. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14314">5</sup> The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;<br /> the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14315">6</sup> He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,<br /> Sirion like a young wild ox. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14316">7</sup> The voice of the LORD strikes<br /> with flashes of lightning. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14317">8</sup> The voice of the LORD shakes the desert;<br /> the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14318">9</sup> The voice of the LORD twists the oaks<br /> and strips the forests bare.<br /> And in his temple all cry, "Glory!" </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14319">10</sup> The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;<br /> the LORD is enthroned as King forever. </p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14320">11</sup> The LORD gives strength to his people;<br /> the LORD blesses his people with peace.</p>Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-85188940810626177202008-07-30T22:36:00.006-05:002008-07-30T23:19:23.880-05:00Witt Family VacationWe had the most wonderful time in San Antonio and Corpus Christi! We had a great time spending time together downtown, at the zoo, at the aquarium, and on the beach! The kids loved every minute of hanging out - 6 children, ages 5, 3, 3, 2, 1, 1! What a blessing! Enjoy <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWsC9wuAqtQx7GWfTkPevw-bluUxNWkyohMs0nArnxKf0dcR1o74UKIif2oLDxch5LGQIVp2FjVKuYGA9fRbCXVgweALmBYiAkPbo08TMsNBNtC6pBdUPBB_bnkp6gsqwTSnC1O8iynM/s1600-h/DSC_0052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWsC9wuAqtQx7GWfTkPevw-bluUxNWkyohMs0nArnxKf0dcR1o74UKIif2oLDxch5LGQIVp2FjVKuYGA9fRbCXVgweALmBYiAkPbo08TMsNBNtC6pBdUPBB_bnkp6gsqwTSnC1O8iynM/s200/DSC_0052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229021096905364210" border="0" /></a>our p<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ-ZE2WY4ImUst0GYdIJj5H_hzJiZPBOPszm_AZYqa955jC9V0cJ8UhKsq5_aLrCm3JDH_ayIf9Xn6khzSL-msKDK_p7H2-N6hd8Wo5NnrRYoHXZRWZfbqUkCrlbLHw1b_IfTcv4N23Q/s1600-h/DSC_0035.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ-ZE2WY4ImUst0GYdIJj5H_hzJiZPBOPszm_AZYqa955jC9V0cJ8UhKsq5_aLrCm3JDH_ayIf9Xn6khzSL-msKDK_p7H2-N6hd8Wo5NnrRYoHXZRWZfbqUkCrlbLHw1b_IfTcv4N23Q/s200/DSC_0035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229021068573223586" border="0" /></a>ics...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkB67dTIR7UyXEPG-31N5Kedp7y2mHSVT7X7tEdFhj8-MIkJP8KdRkCdEWw5yhbpgC3k1UnyH12O_oc1ADKdG_NUi2J32-OL7OHrZl00ySwMUCyYmDqRcUcadmSxA8rtGzYusU97h17w/s1600-h/DSC_0128.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkB67dTIR7UyXEPG-31N5Kedp7y2mHSVT7X7tEdFhj8-MIkJP8KdRkCdEWw5yhbpgC3k1UnyH12O_oc1ADKdG_NUi2J32-OL7OHrZl00ySwMUCyYmDqRcUcadmSxA8rtGzYusU97h17w/s200/DSC_0128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229027324551715474" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8iFMQgk04fyRZaEGBSmQKm7T548Cv6kT5NvUtETvt5G1XfsRuza9sV8vLc1crFx6dyEYvhJrlZkZweEgOGNxSCHPOPFOJ8RB3YKX_8j3hl4yXVLh0f76HCAmfrRPFYDHuQaRYcz_WxU/s1600-h/1+293.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; 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float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRlcy9BT7I8Zog2jrwcW0drbo7AfTe2hh8qsOguiu2yA2pb7Ci3Nqu1SG_MGPpGHS8wBj451bUwEfEgaaMXizpxQPLltvbtUw6mRMuirtwIxgb1hMtLwZwTD8RJlDc6Auue0D_JTxKqk/s200/DSC_0172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229027339378407410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RSR65oc5QCXSxCKknxaSIxmp1bfSOjsyXksQTHLyGfxijLWXXcMC_bdCnOk7IRjRMDVfoayvkruhlWnCGHTZU3urbx-rkixJ7hiGEAW4AHLmgsKLigvyG6tcFDG61RXnhJ43_-TZkow/s1600-h/DSC_0185.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RSR65oc5QCXSxCKknxaSIxmp1bfSOjsyXksQTHLyGfxijLWXXcMC_bdCnOk7IRjRMDVfoayvkruhlWnCGHTZU3urbx-rkixJ7hiGEAW4AHLmgsKLigvyG6tcFDG61RXnhJ43_-TZkow/s200/DSC_0185.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229027343776170674" border="0" /></a>Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-5113562142540638682008-07-30T20:28:00.004-05:002008-07-30T20:49:12.675-05:00Better late than never!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkJXQG4mKBK2hCP0X4UKNCmw22VxWwrnK2bkGzzAsqdYTfU5i3FvlNapK5PxkRFltiO-ns0l6VJakbmlp5F5CgnwAs1560JkAoN0fCRug3cTuljVYUh0gOzsI-qKdKVB495xtPKXdr7c/s1600-h/1+163.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkJXQG4mKBK2hCP0X4UKNCmw22VxWwrnK2bkGzzAsqdYTfU5i3FvlNapK5PxkRFltiO-ns0l6VJakbmlp5F5CgnwAs1560JkAoN0fCRug3cTuljVYUh0gOzsI-qKdKVB495xtPKXdr7c/s200/1+163.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228987887508141618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I think the title of this post should actually be the name of our blog! I am just awful at keeping things up to date. But, I guess it's better than not having one at all! :)<br /><br />So, Ethan's 1st birthday was GREAT! We had a great time celebrating on Memorial Day. The kids loved the fun in the water and all the outside time...and the adults loved when the sun FINALLY went down!<br /><br />Here are some pics of the party. Enjoy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpU-ER9PVO_PomDZ4s1Ww1AD4EV_65T1w2jJeP9vyI8PEBFKMy4-c3XDjafUhyphenhyphenXDokpZwZmRa-gkEnS-FuoWiCoWQmapqLeFqclPaaKga_DzUZY7xCI6CujzXPZ-DOo0gPPyd3GXFpYZ8/s1600-h/1+147.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpU-ER9PVO_PomDZ4s1Ww1AD4EV_65T1w2jJeP9vyI8PEBFKMy4-c3XDjafUhyphenhyphenXDokpZwZmRa-gkEnS-FuoWiCoWQmapqLeFqclPaaKga_DzUZY7xCI6CujzXPZ-DOo0gPPyd3GXFpYZ8/s200/1+147.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228986399590526594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yXPu0cUfZQuGOjQD8cTJg94kyi3zlCELbCHs4ffCGSMNoQ0PjO249bhKu5YHMbrojKu9Pl_cvUXaWcZ-pqO_RjQew1ySSXotVuq5_VtHN61_g2z5wfH4B2o04XHh8LTuoeNgb1SDZO4/s1600-h/1+083.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yXPu0cUfZQuGOjQD8cTJg94kyi3zlCELbCHs4ffCGSMNoQ0PjO249bhKu5YHMbrojKu9Pl_cvUXaWcZ-pqO_RjQew1ySSXotVuq5_VtHN61_g2z5wfH4B2o04XHh8LTuoeNgb1SDZO4/s200/1+083.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228989141716594098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECdRXRmDEmucrUo0ahUOAZAvZVKd0TrDn2t9iHiQXcXemgb0cSciZ-AClmMjtTyVTWsO7P-RwLGwX3WOs2ERpgHprAETQrj9kFxx1SWQZwWELg5lLrcpFwehuQEKFk-_QitsnIaLEwg8/s1600-h/1+127.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECdRXRmDEmucrUo0ahUOAZAvZVKd0TrDn2t9iHiQXcXemgb0cSciZ-AClmMjtTyVTWsO7P-RwLGwX3WOs2ERpgHprAETQrj9kFxx1SWQZwWELg5lLrcpFwehuQEKFk-_QitsnIaLEwg8/s200/1+127.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228989134403842882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFiMlvvJ1gDxckkZfUlSOjDb9Yb6NPXkaFPx2YQYTty9TvFKna-MvYVet5063aRu-AhlRi4-7FrsOEMdMqWPyOSP9PoCdzTvDYuuIghko0wT0JP4NMKENJlLUmO1fGBOLjyNILR4rZVI/s1600-h/1+118.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFiMlvvJ1gDxckkZfUlSOjDb9Yb6NPXkaFPx2YQYTty9TvFKna-MvYVet5063aRu-AhlRi4-7FrsOEMdMqWPyOSP9PoCdzTvDYuuIghko0wT0JP4NMKENJlLUmO1fGBOLjyNILR4rZVI/s200/1+118.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228986414852373826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjkbYT2MUK6EpZCP26UHxVG-GWwytJ5MN_uX5_eCASgQ-ENKiUiSzzVeVccIsJbamr36f08L4NywHYw7mRcB3QMYDQyWVnomLN5ddHlZtTeU3G6_8tPNKJIZ19zwmYtAGuWJanh0MD8E/s1600-h/1+115.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjkbYT2MUK6EpZCP26UHxVG-GWwytJ5MN_uX5_eCASgQ-ENKiUiSzzVeVccIsJbamr36f08L4NywHYw7mRcB3QMYDQyWVnomLN5ddHlZtTeU3G6_8tPNKJIZ19zwmYtAGuWJanh0MD8E/s200/1+115.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228986386958829618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47ZOfxx3C9vTgNRnluJ6QRY6gVPuadRxNyxUmNAdzFKsuhtNu4qUmh5j5cylfv2oaPnbldJw6Il9zTe8YBVC9ZSJrnW98Zm-BjY8JfFJ-h_wi5hw9IWD93MvmjLB8qydn_OO5ogcwF84/s1600-h/1+099.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47ZOfxx3C9vTgNRnluJ6QRY6gVPuadRxNyxUmNAdzFKsuhtNu4qUmh5j5cylfv2oaPnbldJw6Il9zTe8YBVC9ZSJrnW98Zm-BjY8JfFJ-h_wi5hw9IWD93MvmjLB8qydn_OO5ogcwF84/s200/1+099.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228986393907879666" border="0" /></a>Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-26354366277782680642008-07-30T16:40:00.003-05:002008-07-30T20:27:22.856-05:00Frinkles<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraleEuiLBagHmBj5meLl1_SA5XzYzQZvwOoRaPx-H4VmNRaYF6KakXY7nyWlDPgOUoCDqzbJe0vWtVHVaaw3ewYBk_oDtg_YKArod8AgL5XSf7ry2sKDZqijh2NGml5zZW5b4wAeXKDU/s1600-h/1+279.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraleEuiLBagHmBj5meLl1_SA5XzYzQZvwOoRaPx-H4VmNRaYF6KakXY7nyWlDPgOUoCDqzbJe0vWtVHVaaw3ewYBk_oDtg_YKArod8AgL5XSf7ry2sKDZqijh2NGml5zZW5b4wAeXKDU/s320/1+279.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228983477667291362" border="0" /></a><br />Kids crack me up! Abbie's newest hobby is looking for freckles. She absolutely loves those little dots that are slowly appearing all over her body. Every time she finds a new one, she laughs out loud and shares it with the world...or at least whoever happens to be around at the moment. While on vacation with my family, Abbie proudly announced "I've found another <span style="font-style: italic;">frinkle</span>!"Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-84586342342327454312008-05-06T13:46:00.005-05:002008-08-03T13:50:51.200-05:00You Don't Know Me<p>I don't claim to be poetic, nor creative. But as I sat and marveled at my Christ and realized all the years I've wasted in an attempt to be something better than myself, these were the only words that I could stutter out. It's my best attempt at creating something in response to the glory of Christ.</p><p><strong></strong> </p><p><strong>You Don't Know Me</strong></p><p> <em> by Annie Wetzel</em></p><p>I know you don't know me,</p><p>I thought it was best this way.</p><p>Because if you knew me,</p><p>You'd see the dirt and the stains.</p><p> </p><p>I thought my smile was prettier,</p><p>I thought my clothes looked cleaner.</p><p>But as I hid in this dark closet,</p><p>I forgot who I was.</p><p> </p><p>I forgot that I really don't deserve this,</p><p>I forgot I have nothing to give.</p><p>My stains disappeared in this darkness,</p><p>My filth faded into the distance.</p><p> </p><p>I began to see "better"</p><p>As the night became like day.</p><p> </p><p>But when you left that door open,</p><p>When I let you come in,</p><p>I realized that no matter the brightness,</p><p>I am still clothed in sin.</p><p> </p><p>Darkness conceals my secrets,</p><p>It hides my deepest sin.</p><p>But darkness only gives glory to myself,</p><p>When glory belongs to Him.</p><p> </p><p>So I beg you to leave the door open.</p><p>I beg you to see His light on me.</p><p>Because it's not I that am worthy of praise,</p><p>It's Him - His light shines on me!</p><p> </p><p>Let me share my deepest secrets.</p><p>Let His Light reveal me unclean.</p><p>It's in my depravity that you will see,</p><p>His love is pure and His mercy deep.</p><p> </p><p>There's a reason He had to come so far,</p><p>From a glory room to dirty feet.</p><p>Nothing less would pull me up,</p><p>A perfect lamb, with the purest bleat.</p><p> </p><p>Please see these stains, this dirt, this filth.</p><p>And acknowledge the Light that casts them so bright.</p><p>His purpose is His glory,</p><p>In Him, even darkness is Light.</p>Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7944759858284747876.post-8677871407330762102008-04-29T13:51:00.000-05:002008-04-29T13:56:34.945-05:00A laugh from the Abbinator...I was pushing Abbie in her swing. The breeze was blowing through her hair as she was talking non-stop about everything she could think of. She was glad to have a moment to spend with an attentive mom! She looked at me and said, "Mommy, you say "no" and Daddy says "yes". " How funny that she's already picked up on that! She's completely, 100% correct. My tendency is to say "no"...Jake will say "yes" to anything, especially when it comes to his little girl!Jake and Annie Wetzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861815244106528321noreply@blogger.com0