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Guest post by my dear sister, Bonnie, who has a servant’s heart.

When Bonnie opened her Christian financial planning practice, it was to serve God by helping people learn to be good stewards with their resources. She retired recently and now serves by volunteering at her church and in the ministry.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Having been retired for just a few months and moving to what had been our summer home in Oscoda, Michigan, my husband and I are now full-time members of the local United Methodist Church.

I now have time to become involved in the ministry of this church and was deciding how I wanted to serve our Lord. I attended a couple of meetings with the local United Methodist Women, and decided my outreach goals could be met through this committee. At the second meeting I attended, we discussed starting a prayer shawl ministry.

I have since knitted three prayer shawls and crocheted one. These shawls and those made by the other women will be blessed with a prayer so we can present them to members of the church, family, community, or anyone in need of God’s healing touch.

I also volunteer at the local assisted living facility and will provide shawls for the residents. In addition, I offer religious classes, visitations, and we are working on providing a twice-per-month service.

As we begin work on our shawls, we bless them with a prayer.

Example:

Prayer of Blessing for the Shawl

May God’s grace be upon this shawl, warming, comforting, and embracing. May this mantle be a safe haven, a sacred place of security and well-being, sustaining and embracing in good times as well as difficult ones. May the one who receives this shawl be cradled in hope, kept in joy, graced with peace, and wrapped in love.

After the shawls have been blessed, they are wrapped to be presented with a Bible verse such as:

Matthew 11:28

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Isaiah 40:31

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.

Blessings, Bonnie

Since children will be housebound for a few weeks more why not introduce them to indoor gardening. It’s inexpensive, easy, and the finished product is amazing! If you don’t want to purchase seed starting planters, they can be made from throw away containers. Just drill holes in the bottom for drainage. Sunshine is key to growing, and you’ll want to rotate the planter in a sunny window on a regular basis. Follow directions on the seed packets. Sometimes the planters come with lids to keep moisture inside.

                 

Once the plant has grown, it can be transplanted into a large pot or garden. The end results will excite your children and encourage them to do this again.

If you don’t have a garden area, patio planters not only work well for flowers but many people plant different types of vegetables and tomatoes in the them. How convenient to step out the back door and pick a tomato for salads.  🙂

Vegetables can be shared with neighbors, the elderly, or shut-ins. Cut flowers and flower pots can cheer someone recovering at home, and make wonderful birthday and Mother’s Day gifts.

Below are blackberry lily seeds that I dried through the winter. I was given a plant by a friend last year and hope to start seeds and present starter pots to my friends this year. The picture next to it is the bloomed blackberry lily from my perennial garden.

                   

Encourage your children to get back-to-nature. They’ll love the harvest.

Happy Spring!

 

Tis Spring? Not quite, but that doesn’t stop me from thinking about planting perennials and preparing for beautiful summer gardens. With the weather warming, sickness arriving, and less interaction with the public, I’m going into full swing with garden plans and activities that will keep me busy for a few weeks. Below are a few pictures of my summer perennials for you to enjoy.

   

I pulled board games, cards, and color by number books from the game cupboard. Some of these haven’t been used in years and the proof is in the discolored boxes. But there was a time when these games were played on a regular basis. That stack of books I haven’t read will slowly dwindle down.

Get the kids interested in indoor gardening, floor games, closet cleaning, or a new coat of paint on bedroom walls with a fresh set of linens. Organize drawers and toy chests. Gently used items are always welcomed at outreach centers.

While we weather unexpected storms, there are things we can do to stay active, productive, and happy. Let’s try ’em. And don’t forget the best of all–PRAYER!

 

When my grandchildren were young, I came up with a great idea to give their parents a break.

I would gather the children from school and prepare one of their favorite dinners (noodles with burger).

We played outside if the weather permitted or did crafts and games inside. A sheet across the living room floor substituted many times for an outdoor picnic.

Before I returned them home, I always had their favorite bedtime snack available–graham crackers and milk.

They’d smash and mash the crackers in a glass or cup of milk and gobble the contents down.

The crackers can be purchased in many flavors and some are low fat. Add them to skim milk and it provides a healthier snack for children.

This is a terrific way to give busy parents a break and provide quality time with the grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

My grandchildren today still love graham crackers and milk and can always find a box of the gems in my treat cupboards.

Enjoy!