Thy Word is a Lamp Devotion

Good Monday morning!

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Ours was ultra-busy, which I do not like one bit, but sometimes everything falls on one weekend. I cannot control everything, as much as I try!

Roxie's tournament finished early Saturday afternoon, so she and I headed to the birthday party of a very special eight year-old friend, Mary Elizabeth, at a skating rink located near the Galleria. After paying our respects, we left and since we were so close to Bessemer, we decided to go to a dress shop in that area. By the time we arrived home it was very, very late... 5:45 p.m. (I'm telling you, I have the energy level of a dead gnat.)

Instead of fishing, Mikie and Josh decided to work around the house and have a football/lazy kind of day which I was thrilled for them to do. Those days are to be cherished and enjoyed.

When I spoke to Austin late Saturday night, he was in a Wal-Mart in Tallahassee looking for food to eat in the hotel room with his roommates. They had a great time at the game, and came SOOOO close to winning. However, the band played great and he was in a very good mood.

Sunday was Grandparents' Day and we spent Sunday morning at my Mother's church (where I grew up). The incomparable Jody Dial, Rich Valenta and Jim Clark sang during the Sunday School and Worship Service hours, and then we had "dinner on the grounds." Wonderful music and good food.

That being said, the Showcase Pic is of Brad and Josh in the Fellowship Hall, and the Gallery Pics are more of the same event. Austin and Katie were the only two grandchildren unable to attend because of travel and illness, respectively.

All in all, it was a good weekend, but next weekend will be SO MUCH BETTER because I'll get to see all of my kids at the same time. Can't wait!

ANNOUNCEMENT #1 - Houston, we have a problem! My Aunt Connie (the same Aunt Connie who was kind enough to send my FIRST Christmas card of the season) had also sent me a birthday card on my birthday with another Christmas card enclosed. I have not received it. This is serious. If anyone out there knows anyone who works for the United States Post Office, I need to know how to put a tracer on this card. And not just any old tracer... the kind of tracer the FBI or the CIA or the CTU (Jack Bauer and 24... remember?) would use. Contact me, please. (NOTE - If I end up with 74 Christmas cards, AND my goal is 75, AND I know I would have had 75 if the United States Post Office had not misplaced this card, I am going to be TICKED!)

Also, since we're on the subject of Christmas cards, I had two people tell me last year they no longer sent cards. They said it was a busy time of year, and it was one of those things they just stopped doing. They are dead to me. That's right. I don't wave at them when I see them driving in my big gold van. I don't nod at them at church. I don't stop and chat with them at Wal-Mart. I know what you are thinking. "That's not a very Christ-like attitude, is it?"

No. No, it is not. Which is probably why I'm growing a second tongue right now! Once again, I am striving to be all God wants me to be. I'm not there yet! (But I'd probably get there sooner if I received 75 Christmas cards this year! Just a thought.)

ANNOUNCEMENT #2 - Survivor is coming! Survivor is coming! That's right. This Thursday, the new season of Survivor will begin. Austin and I have already picked who we think will win just by looks. (I'm going to make the other three Faulkners pick the same way.) We're going to put the names in an envelope and open it the night they declare the winner. FYI - I picked the Rocket Scientist. I guess I think if you're smart enough to call yourself a Rocket Scientist, you might be smart enough to win Survivor. (Hmmm. When I get tired of being The Enchanting Belinda, it might be pretty cool to be Rocket Scientist Belinda. Again... Hmmm.)

We're also going to make an envelope after the first show stating who we each think will win after seeing them for only one hour. We'll open that one at the end of the finale, too. I'm trying to think of a prize for the person who might actually win (the Faulkner Five contest... not the real Survivor). Maybe I'll order one of the buffs they sell on the Internet. I'm sure they only cost $1,000 or so. We'll see. We'll see.

However, for those Oldies out there, you know what this means... Thursday TV Review is back. Of course, I'll only be reviewing one show for now, but before you know it Lost, 24, Amazing Race, etc. will all be starting again. Finally, something to watch on TV!

Thy Word is a Lamp Devotion

Since this section is entitled Party/Event, I decided to add an interactive devotion this week. I've also decided this devotion will be categorized as an "Event" so it will fit in the Monday post. (Don't ask questions. Just go with me here.)

We did this with our kids when they were younger, and it was a fun, simple way to put God's Word in their hearts and minds. Once again, this is taken from Let's Make a Memory.

1. Prepare an obstacle course in a hallway, using toys, chairs, books, and boxes placed in such a way as to make it difficult to get through.

2. Turn off all the lights.

3. In turn, let each family member walk or crawl through the hallway.

4. Next, let someone lead the way with a flashlight.

5. Turn on the lights. Talk about how it felt to get through the maze in the dark. Was it difficult? How did you feel with the flashlight?

6. In the Bible, turn to Psalm 119:105 and John 8:12. Read the verses aloud. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105. "When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12.

7. Discuss how God's Word can lead us through the "dark places" in life; how it "lights" our path and gives us direction.

Take five minutes before bedtime, and make a memory that truly matters.

Have a memorable Monday. Take some time to make a memory with you and yours, and come back tomorrow for a great little recipe I "borrowed" from one of the other volleyball moms. (Don't worry. She'll get COMPLETE credit.) It is delicious. Oh, and parsnips are not an ingredient!

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda