I had a mischievous side, but I don’t remember playing many April Fool’s tricks when I was growing up. I saved most of my better pranks for random, unexpected days… …like the time in Junior High when I organized my whole English class to slide our desks backwards a couple of inches every time the…
Month: March 2019
9 tips for really, really long road trips with adults
I wrote a blog on fun road trips with children. But after recently taking a 3 1/2-day, 2500 mile trip where we drove straight through the day and night both ways with less than 36 hours at our destination, I want to share some thoughts about really, really long nonstop road trips with adults. If…
Go and do likewise.
I looked the other way. Maybe I didn’t throw the punches, but am I any better than the religious leaders in Jesus’ parable who crossed to the other side of the road and passed by an injured traveler? There are injured people everywhere we turn: those in the aftermath of a disaster, people who are…
Show the beautiful side.
I’ve had this artwork for a few years now, but I’m not getting much enjoyment out of looking at it. It’s kind of boring, actually. I mean, the brown edges are nice, and there’s even a little silver detail on the top, but, to be honest, I would like this picture better if it had…
St. Patrick wasn’t Irish, and his real name wasn’t Patrick.
This Mom-ologue doesn’t contain parenting tips, children’s ministry ideas, or stories about myself, but here’s a little history about St. Patrick’s Day. Oh, and there’s an application for our lives as Christians at the end. Maewyn had Roman ancestors. Historians believe St. Patrick’s real name was Maewyn Succat, and he was born sometime between 370…
Averting conflict when it’s time to leave a fun place
Meltdowns can happen with children when it’s time to leave a fun place, but if you plan ahead you might be able to avert “time to go” conflict. A park or a zoo can be an enjoyable place for families. It can also be exhausting, hot, and overstimulating, so watch for behavior cues from your…
12 tips for road trips with children
Before cell phones, ipads, or DVD players, there were road trips. Seriously. Road trips can be fun for kids, and even for you. Here are 12 things that might help make driving hours easier. 1. Create scavenger hunts. Don’t just hand children a list, but play along with them. Occasionally ask, “What are we still…
Smudge of ashes and renewal
Ashes could be considered worthless and insignificant and look like lifeless dust. They may represent the end of something– or even death– but ashes can help us understand more about our relationship with God. Ashes were once something else. Some were trees, flowers, palm branches or crops, but fire changed them into ashes and now…
Cuando cruces las aguas, yo estaré contigo.
Last year my daughter served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicaragua, and part of her heart is still there. To the gracious people of Nicaragua who embraced her as part of your family, I offer my sincere gratitude, and I pray for justice in your nation and for all God’s people. O God, Bless…
Ms. Marcia's Mom-ologues 