The story of a single hug and it’s importance. You may not know how powerful and important a single hug can be. Today I want to share with you a little story of a single hug and it’s importance. Here is my story.
Rushing around I make sure everyone is getting ready to go. We wake up early to get everyone ready for church. I hate being late so I try to prepare as much as I can the night before. The kids choose their clothes the night before including shoes which you know can disappear at a moment’s notice. Missing shoes (or keys) can send my attitude into a downward spiral and make everyone miserable. I try to avoid that! Anyway, back to the story.
Breakfast in the Van
We are rushing around dressing children and getting shoes on and hair brushed. This can take a bit of doing when you have 8 or 9 or 11 children. The van is full of children and I count to make sure we haven’t missed anyone. On Sunday mornings we skip breakfast and eat Little Debbie granola bars in the van on the way to the church building. We arrive a few minutes early and I remind the little ones to use the restroom BEFORE church. The children make their rounds greeting everyone but especially the older ladies. Grandma Lark is a favorite. She is a tiny little lady with a big smile and a happy personality.
A Single Hug
While the kids are passing out hugs and giving smiles, I stop and talk with Goldie, a widow, about her week. “Everyone needs 5 hugs a day”, I tell her as I give her a hug. Her next words stay with me forever. That’s the first hug I’ve had since my husband died. This breaks my heart and stays in my mind for years. I am sure she is not the only one. I give out more hugs now.
Research of Touch
Dr. Tiffany Field has researched physical touch for four decades and has concluded that touch promotes better health, mental and physical. She saw an increase in the natural killer cells that kill viral and bacteria cells in those with more physical touch. The study also found children are physically and verbally stronger and less aggressive when they have the physical touch. Even premature babies gain weight better and go home earlier when they have the physical touch. Physical touch is healing.
From the time we are in the womb through our elderly years, touch plays a primary role in our development and physical and mental well-being. New studies on touch continue to show the importance of physical contact in early development, communication, personal relationships, and fighting disease. Dr. Tiffany Field
Human touch is so vital to our well being. The practice of sharing a smile and a hug will enrich your life! Covid 19 has put a damper on this for sure. Instead of mourning one more thing we have lost I challenge you to put down your phone and computer and give attention to those in your path. Smile, pat a shoulder and for sure hug those in your house for the health of it, for the joy of it, and the love of it.
Hug
For further study:
Read this good article about Why Physical Touch Matters by following the link below.
Working for the Census 2020 was exhausting and full of exciting challenges each day!
When I first started I worked in my own neighborhood. The extrovert in me was thrilled to see the beautiful faces of my community. My faith in people was restored as I met many wonderful people every day. What a contrast to the community I see on the news. I believe this is the heart of my real community. Yes, there is evil and injustice going on in the world but I choose to believe that is not the heartbeat of America! Good triumphs over evil!
Traveling the Back Roads
When my county was nearing completion I was offered the opportunity to be part of the travel team. It was hard being away and out of touch with my family for 3 weeks but I am so thankful I accepted this opportunity. Working for the Census of 2020 was exhausting and exciting.
Sometimes when I think about my life I feel like I have lived three lifetimes and this is just one of them.
I drove through the most beautiful creeks and backroads in rural Tennessee. The shallow clear streams which echo with the sounds of laughter of children on hot summer days and the sound of birds and insects buzzing in the early morning calm. Fog lifting and bringing in the sunshine to sparkle on the creek. Driving for hours with no cell phone signals, no gas stations or businesses. And obviously, no bathrooms. I contended with chiggers and mosquitos and dogs!
Collecting Stories
I came to envy somewhat the peacefulness of the people. They appear so content with life. How did they get that way? Why don’t I have that? I asked myself.
I especially liked meeting the old widows still living alone in their homes. So at peace with the same home, they spent most of their lives in. They were not fearful when I knocked on their door. (The rifle was right beside the door). Gracious people greeted me with a smile and a welcome. They shared bits and pieces of their story and life. We connected about our children and grandchildren. Our love for the herbs or flowers or tomatoes growing near their houses. They tell me of their husbands and their life together.
How do they sit on their porch and enjoy watching leaves float by on the creek in front of their homes? They live downstream from where their grandparents lived before them or perhaps in the home, their parents or grandparents had built and lived in for years. They can tell you all the neighbors because most are related. I want to breathe this in and savor it.
Family
Aunts and Uncles and neighbors who have spent their lives not very far from where they were born. This touched me deeply. The generational ties are strong. They each have stories.
Family cemeteries and roads named after their relatives. Churches grandpa Brown sawed the lumber for and helped to build in the 1800s. Roots, connections, etc.
Farmers, politicians, stay home moms, caregivers, sheriffs, teachers, lawyers, doctors, and lots of nurses, etc. I met some amazing people each having a fascinating story of life. Most people do not think their story is so fascinating.
They may have grown up in the same house attended school in that same community, married their childhood sweetheart, helped grow the local church, etc. We each have an amazing story of life. I longed to stay on the porch and hear more of their life, more of their story.
Old Homesteads
The houses almost hidden from view contain stories too. Old homesteads are well hidden from cars passing each day. I climbed mountains and went through fields looking for old homesteads. I wanted to gaze at them and find out about the people who had lived there and why the house was abandoned to go back to the earth.
Why are so many houses sitting empty and deteriorating? Grandpa’s house, Uncle Joe’s house, mom and dad’s house? Is there some emotional connection that does not let relatives sell or occupy these homes? Why are there 3 empty houses and the only person around living in an RV keeping watch over the family land?
Porches Call to Me
The porches call to me. Porches covered with tin roofs. Trees making a canopy over the whole yard. The swings hanging from large trees in the front. Creeks wandering through the property. Old barns tucked into the trees.
Dust was thrown up with each passing car. And a wave to those passing by.
Red chert dug out of hillsides covers the roads along the creeks of Tennessee and take me back to earlier days. Slower days. Gentler days in many respects.
Vacant land where once a home stood. Once a mom and dad dwelled. Raising their family, working the farm, burying the dead in the family cemetery. The stories drift by and I catch a ray of sunshine.
So yes working for the Census 2020 was exhausting and exciting and sometimes even scary (but that’s another story) today I am thankful I accepted the opportunity!
Have you always wanted to have a baby? I always wanted to be a mom but I never gave thought about what the actual pregnancy and birth of my baby would be like. Today I want to give you some suggestions for preparing for your first pregnancy or birth.
There are many things that I have learned along the way about pregnancy and childbirth. Some things I learned by studying and some by experience. Things that I would like to share which may help you too!
As my girls are reaching childbearing age and starting families of their own I have had the opportunity to share ideas on a new level and see what current birth practices in America are like. Doing mission work in Malawi gave me a glimpse into birth practices outside of the United States. Though my babies have grown up I find myself drawn to pregnant moms and babies! I am even trained to be a doula. Need a doula?
Are you ready to have a baby?
Babies come into the world totally dependent on you the parents. Having a baby will change your whole life. It did mine. Is your husband ready to become a dad? It is helpful if you both agree on this new adventure. Your baby needs both parents.
Don’t worry if you are already pregnant and didn’t think much about this beforehand. Most of us don’t. Get busy learning now. Babies are a blessing and you will learn how to care for yourself and your baby. Don’t be afraid to ask people questions and seek out other moms. If you aren’t already you will soon fall in love with your sweet package before he ever makes his appearance.
New dad
Healthy Mom | Healthy Baby
If you want to give birth to a healthy baby then make sure you have healthy habits. Do you want your baby to smoke? No! Then you must not. You should eat a healthy diet, and avoid alcoholic and caffeinated drinks. Are there other unhealthy habits you have developed? Pay attention to your health and the health of your baby. Healthy habits will help you avoid many complications of pregnancy and delivery. And your baby will be healthier too! Study and ask questions about what makes a healthy mom.
Childbirth is a natural thing.
Childbirth is a natural process, not an illness or medical procedure. Approaching birth in that way may help alleviate any fears you have. This is the way you were designed. Your body was made to give birth. Still, you need to study and learn about childbirth. Ask questions. Seek answers even when you have to dig for them.
Read Books
I want to encourage you to read books! There are many great books out there on Pregnancy and Childbirth. My very favorite is Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. She is considered one of the most knowledgeable midwives and is known worldwide for birth practices. There are many others to be found at your local library as well as your favorite online or neighborhood bookstore.
Know the Statistics
Have you ever thought about why people have C-sections? Why they have a natural childbirth? Epidurals? Inductions? Do you have questions about due dates, eye drops, vitamin K? Why do some women have more trouble with childbirth while others have no complications? There are several reputable places to find out the information you need to make an educated decision. I was thrilled to find Evidenced Based Birth.Their goal is to, “put accurate, evidence-based info into the hands of families just like yours, so that you can make informed, empowered choices and have the positive birth you deserve!”
Childbirth Classes
Take childbirth classes, you will be glad you did. Even if you think you do not have time for them they will help you prepare for birth. You will learn relaxation and other techniques to help you cope with labor and have a great birth. Most classes have you make a birth plan so that you and your provider know what is important to you during your labor and delivery. This is important to think about before you go into labor.
Choosing a Provider – Midwife, Family Doctor, OB-GYN
I want to encourage you to study childbirth just like you would study about any new thing you are about to do like driving a car or teaching. Study your choices of providers. For many years most babies were delivered by the local women or midwives at home long before there was an official profession. Family doctors have a long history of delivering babies too. Ob-Gyn’s came on the scene in the later 1800s. You have choices.
Remember when you choose a health care provider that they are there to serve you. You are a consumer and you are paying them for services. They are there to answer your questions and assist you with a healthy pregnancy and birth. This process will help you to choose the best option for you and your baby. Do your homework. It really does improve your chances of having a great birth experience.
I hope this has given you a few things to think about as you prepare to have your first baby.
If you have any questions please email me at redaredding@gmail.com or comment below. Or if you just want to talk about babies and birth. One of my sons is fond of saying all conversations end in childbirth.
Hospitality can change the world yours and mine. What is hospitality? Webster’s Dictionary definition is the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.
Acts 16:15 says, “Come to my house and stay.”
When you hear the words, “come to my house”, how does that make you feel? Kathy McWhorter Kendall in her book A Chosen Few, asks the question. Appreciated? Honored? I think one of the keys to being more hospitable is understanding how it makes you feel but turning it around and focusing on the other person and how they feel.
People want to know that you are interested in them. I crave connection. Judging from my experience I am not alone. The people I meet on my doorstep passing by or buying things at the market prove this to be so. I’ve had hugs in the grocery store and people exchange phone numbers too.
Earl Lavender spoke at Smyrna Church of Christ a couple of years ago. Brother Lavender gave several examples of hospitality. He shared the impact it had on people’s lives. And he said, “Hospitality can change the world.” You know what? I happen to agree. Hospitality can change the world yours and mine!
Romans 12:13 says “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
The scriptures show many examples of hospitality. Yes, it was a very necessary part of travel during Biblical times when motels and guesthouses were in short supply. However, we see repeated examples in the scriptures of churches meeting in homes and mealtimes being shared. The early Christians met in homes daily. What an amazing way to share the Christian faith.
Life is meant to be shared. God said so in Genesis 2:18: The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him. ‘ And God is always right. God also put us in the body of Christ, the Church for a reason. We need each other.
This week I witnessed a beautiful display of the body of Christ in action. A friend from church was moving from Tennessee to Florida and had asked for a bit of help loading the truck. We arrived a few minutes late because of a huge downpour and there were hardly any parking spots left!
1 Peter 4:9 says, “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
I want to share a few excuses people give for not practicing hospitality. Time is probably the first, big enough house, clean enough house, not a good hostess or cook, or not enough money. I will admit relationships take time. Hospitality will not always be convenient.
You can spend time with others without spending much money. Tea time is cheap. A glass of ice water or tea and a nice visit can fill the heart with encouragement.
Some of the most hospitable and loving people I know are not great housekeepers. That’s ok. They are great at loving people to Jesus.
Do you have enough time to eat? Learn to practice hospitality around your daily rituals and that will make it easier. We all have to eat. They will remember how you made them feel not necessarily what you cooked. I used to spend all day cooking for dinner guests. This is unnecessary. A simple casserole or pot of soup will be sufficient.
I try to include people in my regular activities. Sit and visit with a friend while the kids play in the yard or while you fold laundry. Visit with them in the kitchen while you bake, cook dinner, or do the dishes together. Canning or prepping food for freezer cooking can become a great time to chat and enjoy the everyday things of life together.
Maybe you don’t have much time at home. Do you work two jobs? Maybe you could invite someone to eat some Chick-fil-A during your lunch break. How about telling them to come for a simple Crock-Pot supper? Maybe you can give someone a friendly call using Bluetooth on your commute from work. I am sure you can come up with some great opportunities when you start looking!
Practicing hospitality at church meetings.
How can you practice hospitality at church? Make a point to greet visitors or someone you have not met. Just say hi! Wave and smile at people. Ask someone to sit with you. Invite someone home for lunch after church even if it is just for sandwiches. Or to share a meal at a restaurant. Remember people’s names. You don’t have to be an extrovert to be hospitable.
Recently, I shared my experience from years ago of visiting a large Texas church with my 7 children in tow. They were wearing their cute matching shirts and looking adorable if I do say so myself. That day, not a soul spoke to us! Someone did hand us a bulletin coming in the door. During the meet and greet time I went and introduced myself to the closest person to me. I’m not the only one. Many have experienced this sort of thing. Don’t let this happen to visitors or members at your church.
My friend Donna has a strong opinion about this, if someone walks into your church building they need a greeting. They may be a traveling Christian – they are family, welcome them! They may be a seeker looking for spiritual guidance or connection, they certainly need a greeting! There is no excuse to leave strangers standing alone without a friendly welcome!
Enjoy hospitality.
Be relaxed. Keep things simple. Plan for a simple activity like a simple board game, or just chat while the kids play, include people in your family devotional or a sing-along. Make your home a comfortable place to visit. A haven from the world for friends and family.
Some of my greatest memories are from spending time in other’s homes and having others spend time in our home. Conversations around the table. Memories of our home filled with laughter, food, and music flood my mind. What a beautiful life.
Hospitality can change the world yours and mine.
You can find an article here on sharing hospitality during a pandemic.
Finding my way through grief. People may define the different stages of grief in a variety of ways but most of them go something like the following list.
Stages of Grief
Shock
Denial
Pain/Guilt
Depression
Acceptance/Hope
I’m not sure what order these things go in but they are there when you are dealing with the loss of a loved one, health, job, lifestyle, marriage, or the loss of what could have been. And as we go through the ups and downs which are a part of life we will surely experience all of these at some point and some more than once.
You may have an image of what grief looks like but it will take you by surprise and look different.
Losing My Dad
When I lost my dad unexpectedly after heart surgery the tears did not come for a while. I had to accept this. Some people can cry and let it all out and that’s ok. I couldn’t even verbalize my grief. Carrying on the motions of my day, on the outside looking normal yet in shock on the inside. Doing my shopping I would see something that reminded me of my dad and pain would come crashing over me so unexpectedly. I couldn’t have anticipated it. It would knock me down and engulf me as unexpected waves do at the beach. I catch my breath and move on.
Grieving the relationship and stories I had lost, time and again and the grandfather my children and grandchildren would live without. I think some griefs are life long and will continue to hit you when you least expect it. Maybe every time it will not immobilize you as it once did but you will still feel the familiar loss as it crashes down around you. There is a hole.
Another Loss
Time moves. What seems a short time later I lost my father-in-law who had been such a friend and encouragement to me for over 30 years. What an emptiness he left in my world. Again I couldn’t speak of my loss it was a huge rock sitting on my chest.
One day I will have more family and friends on the other side than here in this world and I will long, even more, to go to my heavenly home.
Inclusion Body Myositis
Finding my way through grief. Sometimes we experience a different kind of grief. Five years ago when my husband was diagnosed with Inclusion Body Myositis my world was shaken. I felt some guilt for my self-pity, after all, he was the one with the life-altering disease, not me. His world was shaken the most! I went through a terrible grieving process for him and me. I stayed calm for the most part on the outside but I was still stunned.
We were wrapped in prayers and support from our family and people all over the country and I will be forever grateful for the outpouring of love we were blessed and sustained with. Our Christian family is amazing.
When this happened I had to leave my wonderful life at home and go to work. Most of my children were grown. The three left at home were all capable of taking care of the daily things needed and they had their dad with them while I worked. Yet I grieved this loss.
Empty Nest Worries
Finding my way through grief. Some losses are expected. When my children started leaving home I felt a little sadness and some grief I may not have realized at the time. I grieved the daily time I had with them. As each one left the younger ones would grieve too. The days turned into years so fast. How could it be time already?
However, although I grieved I also felt some excitement about what my children were doing and what an impact they would make on the world. I trusted they would find their way and that they would make this world a better place and I believe they are on their way to doing that.
Mistakes
I thought some of my children left a little premature but you know what? They made it! They made their own decisions and survived their consequences. Yes, they made some bad choices and learned from them as we all should. I am sure we all have some embarrassing moments we would rather forget. The important thing is to keep going. Keep learning from your mistakes. Don’t let your mistakes define you nor theirs. Don’t let your mistakes immobilize you. Don’t get stuck. Every human being makes mistakes and has to recover from them. So we continue to find our way through life’s ups and downs.
What can we learn from our mistakes?
Most of the time our mistakes can give us a lot of insight into the world and ourselves and teach us things we could not have learned any other way. Sometimes we get stuck in a rut and think we can’t recover from our mistakes and this becomes a cycle of falling and laying there a while and then climbing out. More of life’s ups and downs.
What can we learn? We have to learn that we can’t undo our mistakes. If we have done wrong we pray and ask God to help lift us up and help us to do better next time. By evaluating we can learn from it and how to approach it better next time. Then we get up and do the next right thing. It took me a long time before I realized that I could learn from other people’s experiences and that I didn’t have to make every mistake myself.
James
Am I ready for an empty nest? I don’t want to let the last little one fly away. With James #10 I was more worried about his leaving because I wasn’t sure if I had prepared him enough. I now know that was silly and he has done great. He may not know everything he needs to know to follow his path but who does? He is courageous and smart enough to find the answers and resources he needs. And he has God! He approaches everything with an “all in” attitude. I wish I had a smidgen of his discipline when I was his age and truthfully maybe now too.
I am so excited his hard work is paying off. He is playing football and has a 4.0 in his first two semesters of college. I’m excited that he will have an article published this week about something he is passionate about. Finance! He’s great with money, fitness, and whatever he puts his mind to. He is flying!
Esther
Esther is all over the place with her interests. Whatever she settles on I know she will bring a lot of heart and compassion to the world. She’s long had a fascination with anatomy, nutrition, and health, a lover of nature. In the last couple of years, she has been interested in nursing, midwifery, doula, real estate investing, organic medicinal gardening, etc. I’m not sure if she will settle on any of those but she will do well regardless. Esther is a beautiful Christian young lady with a strong faith which is most important.
Sometimes it feels so essential to make a decision but the reality is, it’s ok to carry on and wait and see what comes your way. Meanwhile whatever your hand finds to do do it with all your might. I wrote more about that in Choosing Your Path or Letting Your Path Choose You.
So life has its seasons of grief, rejoicing, pain, triumph, and defeat. But I am finding my way through grief and life’s ups and downs. I continue, pressing forward until the day Jesus comes or I go to meet him.
Choosing your path in life seems like a very practical thing. It seems logical. Right? Proactive, yes! All successful people do this, don’t they?
Have you always known what you were going to do? When you were a small child and someone asked you, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Did you have an immediate answer?
I think my first answer was probably, “I want to be a mom!” That was a given from the early years when I was running around in my yard and climbing trees and chasing piglets. I knew I wanted to be a mom. I had a picture in my mind of what that would look like. So I practiced on my little sister and neighbor friends. I would clean the house and make them Kool-Aid and snacks. I still had plenty of time to play with them too though.
High School Years
By the time I was 13 years old and in seventh grade, I knew I wanted to be the President of the United States. I was sure I could make a difference in the world. The kids at school had a great time making fun of me about that one.
As I finished my high school years I thought I knew how life was going to go. I had abandoned the idea of becoming the President of the United States of American by the time I graduated from Mortimer Jordan High School in 1977.
I thought I would marry my high school sweetheart but he never asked so I went on with Plan B to go to college. I thought I knew which college I wanted to attend. I applied to Auburn University (AU) and waited for that acceptance letter. Meanwhile, I was invited to spend the weekend at another college in southern Alabama, Alabama Christian College (ACC) a small two-year school. That weekend I chose my path and the direction of my life. I made the decision to attend ACC. The acceptance letter to AU arrived the next day.
College Life
My freshman year was filled with wonderful new friends and experiences. As a Communications major, I was given the opportunity to interview experts for our school radio program. I also wrote for the school newspaper. Being a member of the Phi Lambda social club and student government brought another dimension to college life. Meanwhile, my role as Freshman Class Representative took me to Abilene, Texas. Abilene has to be one of the windiest places I have ever been to. I learned very quickly to hold my skirt down while trying to walk across campus.
Abilene, Texas
I did not know until a few years later what Abilene, Texas would give me. I was attending a conference with people from all over the U.S. I met two young men I would never see again nor remember their names. Yet they had a BIG impact on my life. These two young men were from Freed-Hardeman College (FHC). They assured me that FHC was the greatest school! ACC was a 2 year school when I was there. So when the time came for me to transfer I transferred to FHC.
ACC (Faulkner University) is a Christian college so that brought my heart to a deeper focus on spiritual matters. Devotionals, Bible classes, and my first mission trip opened up a whole new world for me. This love for God would stay with me as I transferred to FHC and for the rest of my life.
My first date at FHC was with a handsome blond boy named Lawrence Redding who was born in Abilene, Texas and that story continues to this day.
So did I choose my path or did my path choose me?
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
25 random things about me. Where did this come from? I read a lot. Occasionally, I see these lists and find them fun and interesting. So I decided to make a list of a few random things about me.
Born in Birmingham and raised near Morris, Alabama.
Baptized believer of Jesus Christ.
I love spending time with God’s people, my people!
Teaching people the scriptures brings me joy.
Married to the best husband in the world, happy wife to Lawrence for 40 years!
Mother to 11 children YES! (8 boys and 3 girls).
Grandmother to 5 and potential.
Stay at home mom for over 35 years.
Homeschool teacher for over 35 years.
New Doula – I have birthed at home, birth centers, and the hospital. Looking for a doula call me!
Extrovert – I love people and I can talk to almost anyone.
My favorite color is BLUE.
Learning the old crafts and skills my grandmothers knew makes me feel a connection to generations past.
Read real books! Kindles do provide me with instant gratification though.
Teacups and teapots make me happy. Don’t you just say ahh when you sit down with a nice cup of tea?
PG Tips is my favorite black tea with a little milk and sugar of course.
Diet Coke is the real thing!
My favorite sweet is Dark Chocolate.
Come on over. I love cooking and feeding people.
Growing and use herbs is rewarding.
Learning to grow lavender is hard at least for me but I am not giving up.
Picking and receiving wildflower bouquets is pure joy.
I attended Majestic Elementary School, Mortimer Jordan High School, Alabama Christian College, and Freed-Hardeman College a very long time ago.
I have been to all 50 of the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Malawi, and Canada.
Collector of stories – please tell me yours.
Today I want to share some encouragement and hopefully some ideas of how we can share hospitality during a pandemic.
I love sharing recipes and collecting recipes. Over the years I have traveled back and forth across the country. Most of those trips involved ministry of one kind or another. I have collected recipes on these trips. Many of the recipes I share on this blog have come from some of those collections.
As I have sat around the tables of many of my Christian sisters I realized that a lot of encouragement happens in the homes of fellow Christians. In fact, I believe more happens there than any other place. I believe the early Christians were very hospitable.
Hospitality in the early church began in Jerusalem when the early church was started. Many people were there and stayed there. The Christians gathered daily growing their new faith in God. I can just see the new Christian sisters gathered around sharing what they had with others. Sisters cooking side by side to feed those new friends and brethren. Opening their hearts and homes to these new Christians.
Acts 2:44 -47 All the believers were together and had everything in common.45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
So many of my life stories have come from Christians who have opened their homes to me and my opening my home to others. Strangers united by Christ.
We can change the world through hospitality. When this pandemic is over open your heart and your home to those around you that God has placed in your life for just such a time. But while we are still in the midst of social distancing. I want to suggest some ways we can practice hospitality.
Think of those who may need a word of encouragement.
Write notes.
Do not think you need fancy cards or stationary. Just a piece of paper will do. If you want to draw a funny picture or send a cartoon you have saved, great. Everyone needs a laugh. What about all of those postcards you have collected from trips? Why not send those to people who would enjoy them.
Care Packages
You might want to send care packages or a sunshine package from the wealth in your own home. Do you have a book you have already read and enjoyed? Send it to a friend. What about an adult coloring book? Send a page or two with a note. Or color the page or have your child color it for a friend or neighbor. Sometimes suspense is fun. Make an envelope for each day of the week for them to open. Items you might want to include in the envelopes: scriptures, pictures, homemade confetti (you know which of your friends can handle this), a fun memory or picture of a time you spent together, assignments like writing 5 blessings you have on this paper, etc.
Phone Calls
Almost everyone in America has a phone it seems. Call someone today, just to say hi or share a memory you have of them. Ask them, “Do you remember when?”
Call an old friend you haven’t talked with in a while. You will both be encouraged.
Blessing Ring
Start a blessing ring today. Count your blessings for they are many.
Fun and Games
Maybe you can make up a game.
Send a puzzle you have already done for someone else to enjoy.
A deck of cards.
Teddy bears in your window to cheer passersby.
Check out the Facebook group Happy Heart Hunt. Placing cheery hearts in your windows, chalk outside people’s doors, etc.
A lady from church gave me permission to share what her neighborhood is doing. Chalk the walk. So that when people take a walk they will be cheered.
Also, my neighbor had the idea to chalk a hopscotch game on the pavement behind our townhouses. Fun!
Check out Pan and Cora’s Adventures on Facebook. http://redaredding.com/PanAndCorasAdventures
Send Encouragement Online
One thing I did today was to send encouraging scriptures to my friends in Malawi. They do not have many available Bibles and really appreciate the scriptures and encouraging words. I used WhatsApp to do this but we have so many resources to use. I also sent them a face mask pattern. I was told they have no masks there.
Have an idea of how we can practice this gift of hospitality in the midst of the coronavirus? Leave your ideas below. We can all use some more ideas to get through this.
I didn’t really start the day planning to make old fashioned banana bread. Today I was sorting books and got to looking through some old cookbooks. I found a recipe for old fashioned banana bread. We had some overripe bananas that needed to be used so I suggested Esther make banana bread. She got even more creative and made a video of her process. This was her first attempt at banana bread. She said to remind readers to soften the butter which she forgot to do. And she said she poked it a few too many times checking for doneness. The bread turned out to be delicious.
Even though she put the recipe at the end of the video I am including it here at the bottom of the page.
Old Fashioned Banana Bread
3 ripe bananas
1 Tbs water
1 cup of sugar
1/4 cup butter
2 beaten eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbs vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
2 cups flour
1 cup nuts
Mash bananas and water together. Set aside 3 minutes, and then mix remaining ingredients together as listed. Bake in loaf pan at 350 degrees for 60 minutes.
Yesterday I started brainstorming about fun things to do with your kids at home. Many people have found themselves unexpectedly homebound. How long will this crisis last? Tornadoes, viruses, injuries, and snowstorms can all cause our world to come to a screeching stop. I do not remember a more uncertain time in my life. I do not ever remember workplaces shutting down at this rate. This has produced a lot of anxiety for some people.
I recommend making your day a more positive day. Don’t give into sitting and watching a play by play on TV or on the internet. There are many things you cannot control but you can control your home environment. Don’t give in to all-day screen time.
Below is a list that I compiled just off the top of my head. There are many things you can do. These are some things I have done over the years or wish I had done. I hope maybe some of these ideas will make your days at home a little easier.
I have eleven children and I have homeschooled for well over 30 years. Staying home for days at a time surrounded by great books with beautiful and brilliant children was my joy and my life. I miss those days. Were my days perfect? No. There are so many things I wish I had done better. Here are a few things I did do.
Making Chores Fun
If you haven’t already gotten your family on a chore system now is the time. There are several reasons for this. First, you will feel better when the basics are taken care of. This is a basic life skill. Second, you have a lot of hours on your hands and children truly need something to do and this benefits the whole family. There are several ways you might do this.
Pull slips with jobs on them. This adds a bit of mystery. You write single jobs on strips of paper. Fold them up and put them in a basket. Everyone chooses one and goes and does that one. They continue until all are done. You can set a timer to make it more interesting. These are extra jobs, not weekly chores.
Whiteboard with lists of jobs let them choose which one. And of course, get the joy of wiping off the accomplished job!
Assign chores by the week as I did when my children were younger. They became chore chart participants at 8 years old. We switched every Sunday. Dishes, table, babies, floors, etc. We have 11 children so for many years I needed help cleaning the high chair, buckling kids in car seats, etc.
Set a timer and have everyone work together in one room or folding all the laundry and then do something fun.
Stories
Tell Stories, everyone loves stories
Make chain stories where one person starts it and each person takes a turn adding the next part to the story. We did this frequently on car trips.
Read
Listen to audiobooks available free from your library even when your library is closed.
Read great books. If you have not read the classics they are great! There is a reason they are called classics. The long ones I prefer the audio version. Unabridged of course.
All those books on your shelf that you haven’t had enough time to read. Now is your opportunity.
Set a reading time every day during this confinement.
Write (or Dictate) and Practice Penmanship
Have your children write and illustrate a story. I have recently been going through files of things I have saved from my children’s younger days. Their stories are fun to read later.
Write stories and then let each one share. Your younger kids can dictate their stories to you. You can have them dictate first and then illustrate or the reverse.
Writing simple reports can be fun and educational. Let them choose a topic to learn about and research about it for a set amount of time and then have each one share his report.
Write out a scripture verse each day.
Write a letter to a grandparent, friend, neighbor, a sick person, or someone in the nursing home.
Stages of Frog
Arts and Crafts
Have an art show. Hang a string from your curtain rod end to end. Especially if you have a large picture window. This works great. Everyone draws or paints pictures etc.
Craft time. Drag out the craft supplies and create pictures. If you have no craft supplies get creative and use noodles, string, make newspaper hats, etc.
Draw a picture for someone and mail it to them.
Take old mismatched socks and make something out of them. Ideas: sock doll, ball, puppet, doll hats, etc.
Memorize other facts you may need like multiplications, verbs, etc.
Games
Play sound games with your preschoolers. Ask them how many words can you think of that start with the same sound as banana, or apple, or penny, you get the idea.
Drag out your board games.
Play charades. Choose a topic. Bible characters, animals, etc.
Music
Learn a new skill
Practice a musical instrument
If you do not have an instrument you might make a paper keyboard and practice as did several famous musicians. Or create rhythm instruments from things around the house.
Practice singing together.
Learn to read music.
Toys
Get out the legos and play together.
Have the kids sort their toys and find some they would like to share with others.
Put together jigsaw puzzles.
Homemade Fun
Make your own homemade family carnival.
If you have a laundry basket make a game of throwing old socks or balls, etc. and ringing the basket from different distances.
Make your own ring toss game.
Make your own dart game using rubber bands and try to hit a target you make.
Get out the shaving cream and on a safe surface give everyone some shaving cream to play with. It is a lot of fun. Remind them not to rub their eyes.
Make playdough ( recipe here) make figures out of it. Set themes: everyone make a dinosaur, or farm animal or flower, etc.
Cooking
Cook together
Bake cookies or bread or pretzels.
Let each child help you make a meal.
Set the table extra pretty for special guests who are going to be there and let someone make a centerpiece for the table out of things you have on hand. When supper time arrives tell your family they are the special guests.
Outside
Let the kids play in the yard or if they don’t want to, insist they run a couple of laps around the outside of the house for exercise.
Go for a walk.
If you cannot go outside put on some oldies and have a dance party. My 20-month-old granddaughter loves Barbara Ann. Take this time to laugh and be silly with your kids.
Look out the window and count how many birds you can see and what kinds. If you don’t know what kind of bird it is look it up!
Exercise videos
Play hopscotch
Generational
Have your child play the reporter and Interview their grandparents on the phone or face time.What games did they play? Were they ever stranded at home? What was the longest time they ever remember staying at home? Snowed in? Epidemic? Earliest childhood memory?
Have the child interview different members of your church by phone and have them ask about their conversion story! How old? Where? Etc.
