Day #1 – 14 Day Walk With Christ 2015

Welcome to the first day of the 14 Day Walk With Christ!  These last few years we have enjoyed studying a new gospel topic each of the days during this journey.  This year we are focusing on serving: serving our family, our friends, our neighbors, and our community.  I hope you are able to join in and find ways to see another’s lack and give of yourself.  
Day #1 – Serving in our Family
This is our family.  This photo makes it look like we are a perfect family – we all are in our nicest clothes that even coordinate, our hair is perfect, it is a sunny day and we are all smiling.  Isn’t this how families are supposed to be?family
This is really a better representation of how our family is – especially during a family photography session in which NO ONE wants to be at!  Our family is far from perfect.  On any given day I am faced with children who are fighting, arguing, poking, pushing, hitting, teasing, touching, tattling, and you get the picture.  I have good kids, but somehow they can push each other’s buttons.  
family2
I thought this was a good place to start in our 14 Day Walk With Christ.  Taking this time to be reminded how the Savior loved and how we should have that same love in our family – especially!
I love this quote from Mother Teresa:
family love

Our Savior gave Himself in unselfish service. He taught that each of us should follow Him by denying ourselves of selfish interests in order to serve others.

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24–25; see also Matthew 10:39).

Service Bunnies – Hop To It!

I have been sewing these little bunnies last week for this little idea I had.  If you want to make your own, here is where I got the pattern.  You can also use store-bought bunnies, paper bunnies, or bunnies you already have.

bunny collage

The idea is to begin with one bunny.  Tell your family that the little bunny is going to help bring some love into your home.  Ask for a volunteer who wants to begin.  That person then takes the bunny and thinks of something nice or thoughtful he/she can do for someone in the family.  After that person has done their little act of service, the bunny is placed on the recipient’s bed.

IMG_4886That person is then next for the service task.  What they don’t know is that bunnies tend to multiply.  Give it a few days and then introduce another bunny.  Keep the bunnies hopping around to each person in the family.

IMG_4889Then a few more days, introduce another bunny – until you have more bunnies then you can handle!  At the end of the 2 weeks, hopefully there will be a little more peace in your home and the children get to each keep a bunny as a reminder to have more love in our families.

An Attitude of Gratitude Quilted Journals

quilted gratitude journal tutorial

 

I am so excited it’s November!  Yes, it’s all going a bit too fast, I will admit 🙂  Every year we do a “thankful campaign”  in the month of November.  When my children were small we wrote what we were thankful for on leaves and taped them to a big tree I had placed on the back of the front door.  As the children got a little older, we wrote what we were thankful for everyday and then put it in the “Thankful Bucket”; we read all the thankful papers out loud on Thanksgiving.  This year I want something a little more meaningful and something that can be adopted into a habit.  Gratitude journals are not a new idea, but I decided it’s time every member of my family have a Gratitude Journal and we write each day at least 10 things we are grateful for.  Pretty much, you open the book and you write what ever it is you are thankful for – it can be a word or many paragraphs.

I’ve done a lot of reading on Gratitude and I even have a Pinterest board for all the wonderful Gratitude ideas and quotes there are out there.  My favorite quotes are:

Gratitude Turns What We Have Into Enough and A Thankful Heart is the Parent of All Virtues

I am hoping by helping my family turn our hearts into grateful hearts, we will have more love for each other and for those around us and we will feel closer to God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Here is how you can make a Quilted Gratitude Journal!!

Supplies:

fat quarters or small cuts of fabric for the pieced journal front

1/3 yard fabric for lining

1/3 yard for journal cover flaps

cotton batting

hair elastic

button

Spray n Bond Basting Spray

Scrap of burlap

“An Attitude of Grattitude” printable, click HERE

For the “boy” journal I used fabric from Blend’s “Hammer and Nails” line – I love finding mature boy fabric – it’s hard to come by, but I thought this was perfect for my 11 year old son and my husband with out being cheesy 🙂

For the “girl” journal I used fabric from Blend’s “Good Company” line – super cute – reminds me of feminine fall fabrics

Therm O Web’s Heat n Bond’s EZ Print Transfer Sheets

 

Begin by cutting the strips for the outer part of the journal:

For the boy version, cut the blue fabric 5″ x 16.5″, the measuring tape fabric 2″ x 16.5″, and the wood fabric 5″ x 16.5″ .  Sew them together in this order using 1/4″ seams.

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For the girl version, cut the top pink piece 6″ x 16.5″, the owl & squirrel print 4″ x 16.5″, and the blue print 2″ x 16.5″.  Sew together in this order using 1/4″ seams.

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Basically, the final measurement should be 16.5″ x 11″ if you want to design your own pattern.

Using Spray n Bond, baste the journal top to the cotton batting and quilt as desired.

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On the girl journal I quilted loop-de-loos…..

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On the boy journal I quilted straight lines….

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Square up the journal top by trimming the excess batting.  It’s OK if the journal top shrinks a bit due to quilting.

Next, prepare the “gratitude saying” by printing in reverse on the EZ Transfer Sheets.

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Cut out a rectangle of  solid cream fabric the size you want it – the girl’s one was 4.75″ x 3.5″ and the boy’s one was 4.75 x 3″quilted gratitude journal tutorial_2

 

Trim down the EZ transfer sheets and read the directions on the package.  Pretty much you put it face down on the cream fabric and press with a dry hot iron.  Then peel off the backing paper.  I love using these sheets – expect to see more projects with words and quotes 🙂quilted gratitude journal tutorial_4

Cut the burlap so as to “frame” the word square.  Using the basting spray, baste the word piece to the burlap, then the to the journal cover.

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Position as desired.quilted gratitude journal tutorial_11

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Sew around it twice with dark brown thread.quilted gratitude journal tutorial_21

Cut the “flap” fabric (2) 10″ x 11″ squares and press in half lengthways.

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Cut the lining fabric 16.5″ x 11″.  then lay the flaps like this matching raw edges.quilted gratitude journal tutorial_15

Baste the hair elastic in the center of the back of the journal cover:

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Place the journal top right sides together with the lining/flap piece an pin all the way around.  Sew around the whole piece using 1/4″ seams and leaving an opening to turn at the bottom center.  Turn right side out.  Press.  Top stitch the opening closed with matching thread.

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Insert the composition book into the cover and mark where the button should go.  Sew the button on with needle an thread, careful not to catch the flap.

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I love how they turned out and my children were super excited to receive one of these tonight during our Family Home Evening!!

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Day #14 He Has Risen

This is the same lesson we do every year the night before Easter – the children look forward to it every year. 

Resurrection Eggs
If you haven’t had a chance to do this with your family, the night before Easter is a great time.  Preparation:  you need 12 plastic eggs.  Number them 1 through 12.  Below I have the number and corresponding items and scriptures.  (you could also place a little treat in each one.)  Place them inside the eggs.   Hide the 12 eggs.

Have the children find the 12 eggs.  Open the egg and read each scripture beginning with egg #1.  This will take you through the Easter story.   There are pictures to go with just about every scripture.  Click HERE for the pictures.  The scriptures began with Christ’s entry into Jerusalem.

Here are the Scripture references for the 12 eggs:
1. Ride on a Donkey – Matthew 21:1-9
2. Silver Coins – Matthew 26:14-16, 46-50; 27:1-5
3. Passover Cup – Matthew 26:17-19, 26-28
4. Praying Hands – Mark 14: 32-42
5. Leather Whip – John 19; 1-15 Matthew 27:26-31
6. Crown of Thorns – Matthew 27:29-31
7. Nails in the Cross – John 19: 16-22
8. Dice for Gambling – John 19: 23-25
9. Soldier’s Spear – John 19:31-37
10. Linen Wrapping – Matthew 27: 57-61
11. Stone of the Tomb – Matthew 28:1-3
12. Empty Tomb – Matthew 28:5-8

Activity
For the past 16 years it is a tradition in our family to make “Resurrection Rolls.”  I didn’t come up with this recipe – it’s one of those things that gets passed around.  I am still amazed how everyone marvels at how the marshmallow disappears!  Click here for instructions.

I hope your family enjoys making these.  This is my children’s favorite part of Easter.  We look forward to making these every year.  AND they are super delicious!!!
We also love to dye Easter Eggs.  Nothing fancy, nothing I’m going to “pin” – just good old fashioned eggs and dye!  It never gets old.  This is a good time to talk about the symbols of Easter.  Sometimes its hard for children to know what eggs and bunnies have to do with Easter.  While you are dying your eggs, you can have a little review:
Easter Bunny
There are many different theories…..Spring celebrates new life as did Jesus’ resurrection.  Rabbits are one of the many animals born in the spring and they also have lots of offspring during this time of year.  The rabbit burrows deep under ground and when he emerges from his burrow, it can represent Jesus leaving the tomb.
Eggs
In many cultures eggs are the symbol of life and Jesus gave everyone Eternal Life through His Atonement and Resurrection.  Eggs were died Red in memory of Christ’s blood, eggs are rolled symbolic of the stone being rolled from the tomb,
Lamb
This comes from the Jewish Passover where a lamb was sacrificed in each family.  Christ became the Passover Lamb for everyone and so the lamb became a symbol for His sacrifice.
New Clothes
This is a symbol of a new beginning.
We are having fun this year with all our cousins and Gramma and Papa here!


Handout:
I love this nest image from the Graphics Fairy.  I thought this would be nice to include in our journals and write what the nest and eggs represent.
Journal
Summarize the events that took place and the scriptures you read.  Which one stood out to you?  How do you feel knowing Jesus died for you and suffered all things for you that you may have eternal life?  
Thank you so much for joining me on this 14 day journey.  I hope you have been able to do a few of these lessons with your family and find yourself drawing closer to Christ.   Life gets pretty crazy, we missed a few days here and there, and we are looking forward to having the lessons for Family Home Evening.  Happy Easter and may God Bless 🙂

Amanda

Day #13, Jesus Christ, My Savior

Hi!  It’s Melanie from LDS Handouts.  I started my blog so I could share my handouts I was making for Young Women with others. Since then, it has expanded to a whole bunch of different free handouts. I live in Idaho with my awesome husband and 4 children, ages 11, 8, 5, and 2.  I’m excited to share another lesson with you!!


Jesus Christ, My Savior

Attention activity:  Spread the letters around the room and have your family find them and spell out the word Savior. Ask them what a Savior is and why we might need someone to save us. (Handouts are 4×6 inches)

Lesson: 
We needed a Savior because Heavenly Father knew that when we came to Earth we would sin. When we sin and don’t repent, we cannot live with Heavenly Father again. We needed someone to save us so we can live with Heavenly Father again. Jesus volunteered to be our Savior and come to Earth and teach us, atone for our sins, and be crucified so we can live with Heavenly Father again.

Cut this picture into puzzle pieces. (Picture is 8×10 inches)

On each piece, write a way that Jesus helped save us. These can include:
He went through the Atonement and saved us from our sins.
He was crucified and died to save us from death.
He taught us about the Sacrament.
He was a perfect example.
He taught us to be kind.
He taught us to serve.
He taught us to repent.
He taught us to forgive.

Put the puzzle together and talk about each way Jesus saves us.

Handout:
Print this handout to add to your journal or hang up.

 For another fun activity, write your testimonies down and bury in a bag or seal in an envelop and open again next Easter.

Parable of the Sower, Day #12

Hi! I’m Melanie from LDS Handouts.   I’m super excited to take part in the event. I started my blog so I could share my handouts I was making for Young Women with others. Since then, it has expanded to a whole bunch of different free handouts. I live in Idaho with my awesome husband and 4 children, ages 11, 8, 5, and 2.

I picked The Parable of the Sower because I love parables!! I love the way Jesus taught-by using things that were familiar to the people of the time. I have taken this parable and presented it in a way that I would do it for my family. Enjoy!

The Parable of the Sower

Attention Activity: 
Scripture: Read the Parable of the Sower found in Luke 8: 4-15
Lesson: To reinforce the parable and the meanings, play memory with the cards provided. Match the object with the meaning.
Print out these cards and cut them in half (Card size is 4×6)

Activity: Plant seeds together. Talk about what you need to get a seed to grow in good soil. Talk about how we can make that soil good. Elder Faust gave an awesome talk entitled “Of Seeds and Soil” that shares ways we can make our soil good for our seeds to grow. You can tape this handout to each cup.

Refreshments: Make “dirt cups” by following this recipe from Kraft.

Resources:
Parable of the Sower coloring pages:
http://www.theclipartwizard.com/sower-coloring-pages.htm

Kids activities and lesson for the Parable of the Sower:
http://kidsbibledebjackson.blogspot.com/2012/08/parable-of-sower.html

Day #11, Parable of the Ten Virgins

Sorry about the late posting, I selected the wrong time 🙁

Parable of the Ten Virgins, Day 11

To begin the lesson, watch this short video Christ Like Attributes – it’s also found HERE.  It is such a beautiful overview of what we have been learning these last 10 days.

Jesus often taught using familiar objects and situations to teach a spiritual truth; called parables.  The parable of the ten virgins teaches us about the second coming of Jesus Christ and how we can prepare.  
I thought both these lessons were perfect references to teach your children about this parable:
Lesson from Sugardoodle click HERE
Ten Virgins lesson click HERE
Once you’ve gone over the parable, have the family act out the story so it comes to life.  
Now talk about the hidden spiritual truth in this story.  Who are the 10 Virgins?  Who is the Bridegroom?  What is the oil?  What is the marriage?
I liked this music video on youtube depicting people living righteously and putting oil in their lamps.
Have the children cut out the drops of oil and a lamp. (I had to make them colorful, it’s Easter!!)  They can write on each drop of oil what they are doing to prepare for Jesus to come again.  Glue them in your journals.  In the Sugardoodle lesson, there are instructions on how to make this lamp out of a paper plate.

 

Download oil drops

Because of Him, Day #10

Jesus is the Son of God, our Savior and Redeemer. Because of Him, death is not the end, and life takes on new meaning. We can change, we can start over—and we can live again with God. This Easter, celebrate His life and discover all that’s possible because of Him.

Watch video

If you haven’t already, talk to your family about the #BecauseofHim challenge that’s going on this week.

Every day post a photo on your social media sites relating to the day’s topic and type the hashtag #BecauseofHim.

 Show your posts to your children so they can see the photos you post each day.

For younger children who don’t have social media accounts, encourage or help them draw pictures relating to the day’s topic, or print out pictures and hang them up in your home.  I have made these little printables with the topic for each day and they can write something or draw a picture.  You could even take a picture of their picture and text it to Gramma and Grandpa!

Click HERE to download the PDF version

Journal:
Have each person list as many “Because of Him” statements they can think of.  Keep adding to the list throughout the week.
I sized the photos down and you can print this page and your children can choose one of the photos to put in their journals.  Click HERE for download

Amanda

Day #9, Service

Hi! I’m Heather Lynne from Raising Memories. I blog about fun things parents can do with and for their kids and like to throw in some photography posts, giveaways, and other fun things for moms.  I’m so happy to be visiting Amanda’s blog today to share a fun lesson idea with you!  (Thank you so much for having me, Amanda!)
Alright, enough about me (if you’re dying of curiosity and want to know more about me or get a glimpse of what kind of fun things I like to post about, just head over to my fun About Page 😉 Now, on to the lesson:

Day #9: Service

Preparation:
You’ll need 12 plastic Eggs & the items needed to create this Easter countdown. You can find a list here as well. – Prepare some small slips of paper and something to write or draw with for each family member. – Have an empty box or bowl ready. – Print the handouts and the “You’ve Been Egged” note.

Download “You’ve Been Egged” note HERE.
Preparation:
  As I Have Loved You would be a great song to start with. You can listen to it here.  You can also find lyrics and piano music at that link.

  Lesson:
Start by giving each member of the family a couple of slips of paper & something to write with. Ask them to write down something that someone could do for them that would help them. They should put their name on the paper, fold it, and put it into the box or bowl. (If children are too young to write, they can draw a picture of their thing and a parent can write an explanation by the picture) Read John 13:15 “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” Matthew 7:12 “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Explain that Jesus is our example. He loved and served others by doing things for them to help them. He healed people, He blessed people, and He helped people. He loves all people. Explain that when we do something for someone else it usually makes us love them more. Ask family members to share stories of times when someone did something for them that made them feel happy. Also ask for stories of times they did something nice for someone else and then felt more love for that person. Family members can now choose to draw as many slips of paper as they wish from the bowl or box and do that service idea for the person who wrote it down. You can follow up with them later to see how it made them feel to help someone else.

  Activity:
 For the activity, you’re going to do something nice for someone else! This is something that will help them to celebrate the real reason for Easter. Together, assemble the 12 eggs with the bible verses and items outlined in this post and then go to someone’s house and hide the eggs in their yard. Leave the “You’ve Been Egged” note on their door, ring the doorbell, and run! 🙂 You can talk about the real meaning behind Easter as you are assembling the eggs at home, too 🙂

  Handout: Download Here.

I hope this post helps you and your family to come closer to Christ as you prepare for Easter!  I would love for you to come and visit me on my blog or follow me in any of these places:

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Day # 8, Christ-like Attributes: Charity & Love

Hi friends! This is Amber from Crazy Little Projects! Crazy Little Projects  

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I’m happy to be here to talk about something that is very near and dear to my heart-Jesus Christ and his example of Charity and Love. If there’s one topic that I get most excited about when talking about Christ, it’s that one. I love what he taught us about loving others and I love to teach my kids the same. I’ve put together a short and simple lesson to help your children learn more about Jesus Christ and his example of Charity to those he met. Do what works best for your family…and enjoy! Lesson: Start off by watching 1-2 of these Bible videos about the life of Jesus. I recommend:

  Then talk about the principles taught in those videos. Reread the scriptures and talk about what they mean and how you can apply them to life today. What does it mean that “ye have done it unto me?” How does that translate into the life of a 6 year old? A 10 year old? A teenage? Talk about how they can show love to others in their life. Talk about some specific examples of how they can show charity and Christlike love in their lives. Have them take a few minutes to write their ideas in their journal. If your family is like mine, one of the biggest areas to work on in showing love is in the home. Talk about how you can show love to each other better. For us, it all boils down to some simple words, which my boys hear out of my mouth every single day and in most of my prayers as well-Be Kind! To help them remember, I’ve made some cute little printable handouts for them. Click to open them, then right click and save and then print them and have each person place one somewhere that will remind them each day to be kind to others: (I made several colors so take your pick!) Bekindturquoiseandgreen Bekindturquoiseandgray Bekindpinkandpurple Bekindpinkandgray Bekindblueandgray
Share with your family WHY charity, love and kindness matter to you.   Activity (and Treat!): One thing my family loves to do together is to get out and spread the love. So, for an activity tonight, take your family and go do something nice for someone. Here are a few simple ideas to get you started thinking:

  • Take treats to someone. You can even ding dong ditch them if you want to make it really fun!
  • Go through a drive thru and pay for the person behind you. (When we did this the lady at the drive thru said someone earlier had done the same thing and then one car after another paid for the person behind them and it lasted for about 10 cars. So cool.)
  • Take a treat and a thank you card to the local fire station or police station
  • Leave quarters on vending machines
  • Leave dollars in the dollar spot at Target or at the dollar store
  • Take flowers to a nursing home
  • Make lunches and hand them out to homeless people
  • Find a beggar on a corner and give him money
  • Serve a meal at a food bank
  • Send money to someone in need
  • Put together a package for service men and women
  • Write thank you notes to people who make a difference in your life
  • Make a meal for someone in need (just had a baby, someone’s been sick, etc.)
RAKcards

There’s tons of things you can do! Just pick some simple acts of kindness and do them. I’ve also created a printable tag that you can leave if it fits with your service. Kind of a pay it forward idea:
 One idea we do a lot is simply to make cookies and take them to a friend, a new neighbor, someone with a birthday, etc. It’s simple, but it makes people happy! Here is our favorite cookie recipe. This will also make a great treat for your family night:

Chocolate peppermint cookie recipe

Christ-like Attributes: Patience


Today is Day 7 of the 14 Day Walk With Christ.  I hope you are enjoying the lessons, my family is loving them!  Even if you don’t get to all of them, you can use them for Family Home Evening lessons.  

Lesson # 7 Christ-like Attributes: Patience
Preparation:  Purchase a large bag of candy (M&Ms, Skittles, Gumi Bears, etc.)  Put a few in a bowl and set them out at the beginning of the lesson.  Tell your family if they wait and don’t eat the candy in the bowl, they can have a better reward later.  Wrap or tie a bow on the large bag and reward it at the end of the lesson.

 
I love this saying, “Patience is not about how long you can wait, but how you behave while waiting.

Scriptures:
Psalms 27:14 When I wait you strengthen my heart.

James 1: 3-4  
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may beaperfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Lesson:
What is Patience?
Patience is the capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition, or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated, or anxious.  It is the ability to do God’s will and accept His timing.  Patience is related to Hope and faith; you must wait for the Lord’s promised blessings to be fulfilled; Actually, when we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know what is best – better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than his. Either way we are questioning the reality of God’s omniscience.

    Show a picture of Jesus

    The Lord, Jesus Christ, is our perfect example of patience. Though absolutely unyielding in adherence to the truth, he exemplified patiencerepeatedly during his mortal ministry. He was patient with his disciples, including the Twelve, despite their lack of faith and their slowness to recognize and understand his divine mission. He was patient with the multitudes as they pressed about him, with the woman taken in sin, with those who sought his healing power, and with little children. Finally, he remained patient through the sufferings of his mock trials and his crucifixion. – Joseph B. Wirthlin

    Testify to your family that patience is one way we come to be more Christlike. Remind your family that patience gives us the hope that Christ’s Atonement will save us.

    Role play, charades, or scenarios
    Brainstorm with your family situations in which it might be easy to “loose their patience”.  My children love playing charades, each child will come up with a scenario and act it out.  You can also role play, or just discuss situations that make them feel impatient.

    Show the videoContinuing in Patience” by Dieter F. Uchtdorf
    Talk about the dish of candy – was it hard to wait?  Was it hard not to sneak just one piece?  Give the children the large bag of candy and explain that it is always worth waiting patiently for something better.  
    Game:  Play Chutes & Ladders or Candyland or a similar type board games (don’t you agree, these games strengthen patience!!!)
    Handout:  Download HERE

    Amanda