Extra in The Ordinary

Today I need to get back into the Tea Time groove with my kids. Busy schedules have kept us from sitting down and doing Tea Time for a few weeks, and so we are going to brew a cup of tea, grab a snack, and let's get to it... Today, Tea Time is about: I came across Colossians 3:12 this week, which talks about several attributes we are called to "put on". So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion , kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 Tea Time discussion questions: What is compassion? (look it up in the dictionary and then read Luke 10... the parable of the good samaritan) Why are we called to be compassionate? Who do we know that we can feel compassionate towards? What should we do to be compassionate? Action items: Tell your kids about someone at church, work, or school, who is going through an illness, loss, or other hard time. Talk about how that person feels, and how the tria...

Happy New Year my Friends!! So, are your Christmas decorations down? Mine aren't! I'll do it this weekend I'm sure. I did, however, take down the Christmas cards off the blinds and off the China cabinet (or the Chinese cabinet as IPK calls it). I went ahead and took those down because I knew exactly where to put them, and I love to put things where they belong. Yay for feeling a little bit organized!! I love to see the the mail pile with handwritten addresses and colorful envelopes. I love to carefully open each one. I love to see the pictures, and think about those who have sent greetings, and post them up in the dining room. It's just a happy process- getting a card in the mail. It reminds you of the loved one who sent it, and fond feelings and memories flood closely behind. But then, after the holidays, what do you do with them? I have an idea for you- make a prayer basket! The last time I visited my late Aunt Wanda I noticed that before we said our p...

For almost a year now, I've been counting my blessings on my phone. God has provided so many blessings for me and my family. There are almost too many to count, but when God blesses you with health, wealth, a wonderful family, great friends, security, peace, and love, how can you not? Ok, so,  I'll share how I've done it, and I hope you will consider doing something similar. How to do 1,000 blessings: 1.        Create a note on your iphone, ipad, or droid, and name it “1,000 Blessings”. 2.        Set a reminder on your phone to recur every evening about 5 minutes before bed time, to remind you to add to your list. 3.        Every evening add 3 blessings to your list. They can be people, things, and events. Look for things of value in your life that you want to be sure to take notice of. After a year you will have accumulated over 1,000 blessings! Here are a few of my blessi...

Blessing # 593: Tea Time with my Girls !! Tea Time!!!!! (or the idea of it) I learned about Tea Time at my Aunt Wanda's funeral earlier this year. Several of her children and grandchildren brought up the tea times she had with them as their fondest memories with her. She used that time to talk to them about the Bible and guide them in Biblical principles and encourage them. Her funeral was a sad day, and I didn't expect to walk away with a treasure that would bless me and my family, but God works in mysterious ways.  Ok, so now the question is, what is Tea Time, and why do we do it? Tea time is quality mother daughter time when I put down the chore list (and my phone), and all of the other distractions of life, and I focus on the most important little treasures in my life. My baby girls.  We do tea time every Saturday at 5 pm. We have some sort of warm fruity tea (I'll add green tea if they are anxious or tired, or maybe chamomile if they are bouncing of...

Mr. Shmooze: The Art and Science of Selling Through Relationships, by Richard Abraham Book report by T. Knapp “We all know someone like Mr. Shmooze”, the book begins. At the Hotze Enterprises, we know “Dr. Shmooze”! Dr. Hotze surely felt a kindred connection to Mr. Shmooze as he read the pages of this short story. Mr. Shmooze is charismatic, charming, friendly, interested, smart, energetic, passionate, enthusiastic, and has “woo”. Dr. Hotze has all of the same qualities! Mr. Shmooze has a louder personality than Dr. Hotze, so they aren’t completely the same. Dr. Hotze would probably say he wants to be more like Mr. Shmooze, and I think we can all learn something from the Shmoozer! Create a vision, and paint a picture: “Whether socializing or selling, (it is important to) to paint a spectacular picture for someone. To get the adrenaline flowing. To ignite imaginations!”. -Mr. Shmooze ·          If we can help a guest visualize a big...

Ordinary: Packing a school lunch Extraordinary: Feeling like I'm nourishing her soul and her tummy I don't claim that this was my idea. Some other very thoughtful Christian person decided to take action and make a website and email list to send busy moms like me something special. Every week  I print off the sheet of Bible verses that are emailed to me, one for each school day, and cut them out. I put them into the basket on our counter so I don't forget about them. That's the important part- putting them somewhere in sight, and having tape near by. When making her lunch every morning, I take that day's verse out, and tape it to the inside top of her lunch box. This is so simple, but since my daughter can read now, I want to take every opportunity to impress upon her the importance of staying in the Word. While she is at school this is pretty much my only chance I have to do that. It's also my only chance to pat her on the back and give her a bit of encoura...