Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:8-9

I am convicted y’all! My heart strings have been pulled, leaving my heart wide open.

I’ve been following the stories of the Compassion International bloggers, and it’s kinda wrecked me up. They’re in Tanzania right now. Visiting, ministering, loving, and then sharing their stories with us.

Stories of how important it is for these children and their families to have sponsors. Stories of children waiting over a year for a sponsor. Stories of how much these children LOVE their sponsors. Stories of sponsors meeting their sponsored child.

Just 38.00 dollars a month. 38.00 can give hope, education, and a future to a child in need. But more importantly, sponsorship tells of Jesus’ love for them.

My heart is heavy for these beautiful, brown, and helpless children a world away from me. I’m doing what I can … spreading the word, urging you to sponsor a child, and urging you to spread the word. Won’t you?

I think sometimes, as parents, we get down on ourselves for not doing enough in teaching our children about God and Biblical principles.  But what I’ve learned is those moments don’t have big, drawn out, educational moments.  If you’re living it, talking it, breathing it and most importantly, aware of it … those moments happen throughout the day in the normal course of living.

Here’s a small example, and maybe one of my favorites … I’ve got a couple of fibbers storytellers on my hands who like to either embellish or hide the truth.  Something I’ve started asking them {and now they’ll even ask each other} is, “Is that what Jesus saw happen?”  Every. time. that’ll draw a sheepish face and apology.

Anyway … here are some things I wanted to share that my girls recently did on their own.

First, Piper’s note to her penpal:

Do you believe in God and Jesus?  Because Jesus died on the cross for our
sins and do you read the Bible because it’s good to read the Bible.
From your friend, Piper

And these are Wynter’s notes.  She’ll write down different Scripture verses or nuggets she got from a devotion we’ve read {she still does a lot of phonetical spelling, so I’ll translate}:

Three notes you should know.
When you are sad don’t feel so bad, cuz God is with you wherever you go.
If you don’t have a Bible you should get one.  If you don’t know God you should read the Bible.
Don’t feel bad it’s all still in you.  You just have to look deep enough and you will find it in your heart.

I was in awe the other day when Wynter and I were having an “I love you more” conversation … she put the convo in a dead-halt when she said “but God loves us the most.”  I sure couldn’t top that one!

Lastly, my love Taylor.  She’s been struggling with some things lately and my heart melted when she posted her Scripture for the year as her Facebook status.

And then she sent me a random email the other day saying I should post this song on my blog … so I am.  I pray it blesses you all …

If We’ve Ever Needed You
:: Casting Crowns ::

Hear our cry, Lord, we pray
Our faces down, our hands are raised
You called us out, we turned away
We’ve turned away

With shipwrecked faith the idols rise
We do what is right in our own eyes
Our children now will pay the price
We need Your light, Lord, shine Your light

:: chorus ::
If we’ve ever needed You
Lord, it’s now, Lord, it’s now
We are desperate for Your hand
We’re reaching out, we’re reaching out

All our hearts, all our strength
With all our minds, we’re at Your feet
May Your kingdom come in our hearts and lives
Let Your church arise, let Your church arise

:: chorus ::

:: chorus ::

:: chorus ::

We need You now
Revive us now
We need You now

:: subscribe to {tsj} photography :: join me on twitter :: find me on facebook :: design with me on pinterest ::

Who loves a carnival?  I do! I do!

So … in the spirit of carnival fun, along with the importance of family devotion time … I’ll be joining Tommy Nelson next week in their “Jesus Calling” blog carnival!  Here are some of the links to watch for:

Monday :: Becky
Tuesday :: Megan
Wednesday :: Yours truly! ;)
Thursday :: Angie
Friday :: Christin

“Jesus Calling :: 365 devotions for kids” is a new book by author Sarah Young.  Sarah also has a grown up version of “Jesus Calling” that mirrors the kids devotion.  What a genius way to do devotion with your family … the kids get the cliff note version of what you’re reading!  A great way to spark conversation!

So here’s my thought … if you’re not currently having devotional time with your children, November is a great month to give thanks … and topic to start with!  And for more inspiration to get you started, Tommy Nelson’s provided a link to download 2 weeks of “Jesus Calling for kids.”

Be sure to stop by next week {link up, if you like} and tell me all about it!  Oh!  And a little twitter bird {#Jesuscallingkids} mentioned something ’bout a giveaway?  Stay tuned for details!

We started our activity with a scripture verse in being thankful.  I explained to the kids, and we went through many scenarios, that it’s okay to be disappointed in something, but even in our disappointment, we need to be thankful.

Disappointed you didn’t get a gift you asked for?  Yes.  Thankful?  Yes.
Disappointed you didn’t get a play date you wanted?  Yes.  Thankful.  Yes.

And the list goes on!  And of course, during that discussion, we also talked about why and how they can find thankfulness in their disappointments.

Then I had the girls write 30 things they are thankful for, and we put them in a jazzed up “thankful jar.”

Then I strung baker’s twine on the wall … adorned with mini clothes pins … and each day the girls take turns picking a thankful tag out of the jar and hanging it up for us all to see.

And yes … little Hunt is extremely thankful for her granny Rose! ;)

So … what sorts of things are you doing to celebrate thanks this month?

Are you praying for your children?  Join me at the MODsquad today, where I’m sharing how important … powerful … a praying mom is!

:: subscribe to {tsj} photography :: join me on twitter :: find me on facebook ::

That’s right folks!  I’m a Tommy Mommy!!  A Tommy-who, you might be asking?  Tommy Nelson is the children’s division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. and they are seriously all kinds o’ cool!  And since I’ve agreed to be a “Tommy Mommy” it means all kinds o’ cool for you!

How does it work exactly?  Well … Tommy Nelson sends me new books to review … and … to giveaway!  I’ve currently got 3 copies of Max Lucado’s new children’s book “One Hand, Two Hands” to give to three of you!  This brand new children’s book from Max is part of his 2010 OUTLIVE YOUR LIFE campaign. With rhyming text that’s easy to follow along with motions – it teaches little ones ways to do God’s work with their tiny hands.

I’ve got to say … I’m pretty excited about Max’s new campaign … so much so, that it’s my current home bible-study topic.  I feel many people are going to be blessed by it … and I’m not talking about the receiving part of the campaign!  I urge you to check it out …

So who’s ready for a giveaway?

• as with all my giveaways, leave any ol’ comment
• you can enter a 2nd time by tweeting the giveaway {just be sure to come back and leave another comment}
• you can enter a 3rd time by facebooking the giveaway {just be sure to come back and leave another comment}
• you can enter a 4th time if you blog about it {just be sure to come back and leave another comment}

Giveaway ends Thursday, October 14 at Midnight {CST} and I’ll picking 3 winners via random.org and will post the winners on Friday morning … good luck!!

Oh! and as a fun bonus, click here to download some fun coloring sheets for your kiddos!

And as a double-fun bonus … here’s a clip of the girls “reviewing” the book and sharing what they took away from it.  Please forgive the boat radio in the background!  We were on vacay when I filmed it and was so into what the kids were saying that I didn’t realize it was cutting us off!  Enjoy!

:: subscribe to {tsj} photography :: join me on twitter :: find me on facebook ::

Venice, Italy – 2006
Taylor :: 11
Piper :: 4
Wynter :: 2 1/2
Hunter :: 3 months

Paris, France – 2008
Taylor :: 13
Piper :: 6
Wynter :: 4
Hunter :: 2

As you may have figured out by now … I don’t shy away from travel!  Nor do I shy away from traveling with my family … no matter their age.  I don’t know what I’d do without the memories we’ve created while traveling.

The girls have all had passports since infancy and the earliest flight I remember one of them on was Wynter at 11 days old.

We’ve taken a 3 month old to the Galapagos Islands, a 16 month old to the outer regions of Australia, and a 4 month old to the Canary Islands … just to name a few.

I’m guest posting at Unforgettable Childhood today sharing my experiences and advice when traveling with children.  I encourage you to join me over there …

:: subscribe to {tsj} photography ::

It’s a Tooth Fairy door!  A door. for the Tooth Fairy!  It measures about 10 inches tall and 6 inches wide.  And it’s customizable with colors and framing.  LOVE!

Another genius Tooth Fairy goodie … the world’s smallest letter!  My friend Tiffany sent me one of these beauties not too long ago … just a note of thanks and friendship.  But they can also send a letter from the Tooth Fairy.  Comes complete with a little magnifying glass and everything.  Too cute!

I think what’s next should be some sort of iPhone app with a loud alarm/reminder … so that darn fairy remembers to show up on time! ;)

:: subscribe to {tsj} photography ::

One of the things I love most is the “kid art.”  And boy, have we gotten ourselves a few pieces over the years!  The things that are created are actually pretty cool though.

Case-in-point … this “alphabet art.”  Hunter’s in the letters C, H, J, Q, and W.

So yeah … this is Hunter’s class.  This is the third year doing this project and it’s been a big seller!  I’ve never taken the photos for it before, but this year the woman who usually takes them wasn’t able to and suggested me.  Lucky me! ;)

I took these of Hunter’s class and also the other Early School class.

We bid on this art piece {and won} the first year it was offered … with Wynter’s class.  We’ve also got a class quilt, a large wooden playhouse, a ceramic tea set {complete with ceramic treats}, a drawing of the world with each classmate drawn at the edge of the world … and I’m sure various other things I’m just not recalling at the moment.

Anyway … I wanted to post this because I think it’s a great idea for a school that’s looking for an easy fundraiser idea.  So easy to do, little investment, but yields big results {ahem, $$}.  :)

What a fabulous way to get your children journaling.  How?  Simple!

1. keep a small notebook close by with colored pencils or crayons
2. each evening ask, “what color was your day?”
3. let your child choose a color and get to work
4. finish by asking a simple question about their ‘color’
5. jot their answer down on a label

I’m definitely going to add this to my ‘post-bwp‘ goals … love it!  Anyone know where I can get a good journal?  ;)