Give your problems to Jesus, he has the answers.

Does Jesus walk with you?

Have you hit the 12-14 year age group?  Do you feel you don't count?

It happens to each and every one of us sometime during this age.  Your body is changing, your mind is changing and it seems as if your world is changing.  You have questions you are afraid to ask and when you do ask the answers don't seem to fit. 

It does get better!  Slow down and take your time.  Watch your words and think before you speak. 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16  NIV

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them.  But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:13-14  NIV

Boy Scouts of America is terrific! 

Respect Is

... putting on a clean shirt and combing your hair before you go to the store with your parents
... staying with you grandparents rather than spending the night with a friend
... saying "yes ma'am" without being told
... helping your granddad when you had rather be playing ball
... not interrupting your Mom when she is talking on the phone
... opening the door for your Mom when she is bringing in the groceries, then offering to help with the rest
... thinking about the feelings of others before you make a comment


Self Respect is
... putting on a clean shirt and combing your hair before you go to the store with your friends - caring about how you look to others
... caring that your teeth are clean
... caring how others view you and your actions
... feeling good about yourself
... not picking a fight with your brother or sister - it makes you look bad

Oh my! I just heard that school begins August 2nd!
Summer vacation is all but over!

Things from my past

Pogo stick

Hula hoop

Paddle ball

Kalediascope

Hop scotch

Marbles

Hangman

I spy

Simon says

Tag alphabet

Pick up sticks

Jacks

Hours of fun from these simple games!

Half Over

Our independence as a nation was celebrated this past weekend.  That marks the half way point of summer vacation for those in school.  The rest of the summer will be focused on the "going back to school" chores and getting ready for another year of sitting in a classroom.

Some of you will be going to school for the first time and you are looking forward to the newness of the learning experience.  The fear and uncertainty that you are feeling will disappear as soon as you know the rules and find your place in the "pecking order" of your classmates. 

Those of you returning to the same school, the same classmates, the same teachers will be more secure in your return and you may or may not be looking forward to the return.  Alas, it makes no difference whether you like it or not, it is the process one must go through to learn the essential facts needed to go forward in this life.

The experience of learning something new is invigorating, stimulating and a joy.  It motivates a person to go further, learn more, and stimulates the mind to reach out for more. 

I have had teachers that made me learn facts and figures and I have had teachers that made me want to learn the facts and figures.  My hope for you is that you have teachers that challenge your mind and gives you the desire to learn and succeed.

Enjoy the rest of the summer - there are several weeks left of fun and play - then get ready to learn, learn, learn!

Happy reading!
Belle

Summer is Here!

This weekend marks the beginning of summer for our state.  Schools are out (or soon will be) for the season and vacations have begun. 

Summer camps are starting for many different groups, from boy/girl scouts, football, cheerleading and many church groups.  It is a time for making new friends and renewing last years friendships.  New ideas will develop at just a hint of suggestion from a new found friend or someone you admire. 

Whether you are vacationing with family and friends or camping with your favorite group use good judgment.

• Don't be fooled by the actions and talk of someone new just because they look and sound cool
• Don't let someone talk you into to doing anything that you know is wrong 
• Be friendly
• Remember who your friends are
• Trust your family and friends rather than a stranger
• Remember your manners
• Remember your safety rules

But most of all - HAVE FUN  this summer and please all you guys - STAY SAFE!

Belle

What is Puberty?

Puberty is . . .

• realizing you smell sweaty and not so good anymore
• wishing your hair looked different
• not understanding why Dad no longer makes sense
• feeling funky and not knowing why
• looking at girls/boys in a way you never did before
• changing your interest
• finding hair under your arms and on your legs
• wanting to be alone sometimes, just to think
• finding out your brother/sister is silly and gets on your nerves
• your body feels funny
• realizing your Mom doesn't know you
• wanting to be with your friends more than you want to be with your family
• wanting to dress different
• wanting to be more like your friends, instead of just being you
• feeling scared because you don't know you anymore

Oh and what about

• zits
• dirty fingernails (didn't matter before)

Why is growing up so hard to do?

Honor Your Mother

Celebrate today in honor of your Mother.  Yes, she can make you mad.  Yes, she can be unreasonable.  Yes, she gave birth to you.  Yes, she provides food and clothing and a warm hug when you are feeling down.  Yes, she keeps you safe.  Yes, she makes you bathe.  Yes, she makes you clean your room.  Yes, she spends time with you instead of her friends.  Yes, she tells you no.  Yes, she helps you learn. 

She does all of those things because she loves you. 

Do you look for all the good things your Mother means to you or do you only look for the things about your Mother that you don't like?  Be fair.  Being a Mother is the toughest job on this earth.  Just like God molds us into what he wants us to be, so a Mother shapes us. 

Be positive.  Be understanding.  Be loving, but also be loveable. 

Happy reading!
Belle

Okay all you cowboys, princesses, baseball players and ballerinas, the question for the day is "What do you do when it is pouring rain outside and you are stuck inside?" 

My favorites in their order of preference -
with friends
Scrabble
Monopoly
Trivia
Clue
Yahtzee

alone
Watch a good movie
Solitaire - 3 different forms
Coloring
Writing

Sorry, I wasn't raised in the play station/game boy/ds era.  I guess that would be a lot more fun, but the only game I know is Tetris.

You are the future!

Do you know your congressman, county commissioner or governor?  Do you know how your government works?  Here are some great links to help you keep in touch and get answers to questions you may have about you local and state government.

In the state of Georgia you can click on Georgia and get to the website of all the agencies and departments in the state including the Governor's Office.

For other states, in your search box type in the state name followed by government. 

For local government sites, in the search box type in the city or county followed by the state.

Here are some links to the federal or United States government offices:

• The Library of Congress provides access to legislation and bills
• The USA website provides access to all United States agencies, departments and authorities

Any elected official would be happy to receive a letter from you whether to let them know you approve of the job they are doing or to answer your questions. 

Stay in touch with your elected officials.

Words

Aren't words wonderful?  Do you have a favorite word?

For years my favorite word was acclimate.  I loved the way it rolls off the tongue.  I would find a way to appropriately fit it into a conversation as often as possible.  I used it so much at one time that my co-workers started calling me Miss Acclimate.  Among my other favorites are intuitive and demonstrative.  I also love words that express feelings - joy, happiness, glee, elated.  Words don't have to be long and hard to pronounce to enjoy them. 

Another of my favorite words is appropriate or its opposite inappropriate.  I started this love of words in middle school when our class subscribed to the Reader's Digest and utilized (another favorite word of mine)the word games it contained.  It was a very effective way to get me and my fellow students interested in new words.  Reader's Digest still has those word game in their magazine today.  One of my professors' favorite words was behoove.  He was constantly telling us that it was behoove us to thoroughly read a chapter or it would behoove us to know this information.

When I took my first course in Computer Science a whole new world of words opened with the learning of bits or bytes and ram and rom.  Today a new way of spelling has emerged with cell phones and texting.  Some I can understand, but others leave me wondering.  The merging of alpha and numerical sometimes stumps this old lady, but makes perfect sense once you can decode the message.  That goes to show you that you can teach an old dog new tricks.  It reminds me of my court reporting class with all the letter combinations and shortcuts.  It all goes back to a good background in phonics, but definitely throws some of the rules of phonics straight out the window.  Actually texting has gotten people back to the written word and hopefully over the long haul will result in better writers and spellers, unless of course they don't start writing 2day, some1, 4ward or u r the 1.  Can you imagine what the business letters of tomorrow might look like?

Can you decipher these?

• the 10or n the back row needs some1 2 help them out
• I would like 2 c the company go 4ward n a positive manner
• if u would ): more people would b more receptive 2 ur ideas

Of course many changes have taken place over the years with words, descriptions and phrases.  The meanings of words have expanded and words are now utilized in different ways and concepts.  I read not long ago that there is an accepted word list somewhere out there and some words were being banished from the list.  Who in the world goes to a list to see if they are using the appropriate words? 

Words communicate.  Write, type or text and keep in touch with words.

Are you a middle child?

The first born in a family has a firm spot, they are the oldest child, their place cannot be taken away.  They are secure in their status in the heirarchy of the family.  If no other children are born into the family, they are also the youngest child.  Their spot cannot be taken away - they will always be the oldest.

The youngest child for now, the child that will be the youngest until another one appears, doesn't have a firm spot.  They can be replaced by another child at any time making them the middle child. 

As children, the middle child always seemed to be the most versatile.  They had the ability to play with younger children and were just as comfortable playing with older children.  They always seemed to fit in.  The middle children I know appear to take the best of both the oldest and the youngest and go on their merry way.  They don't depend on their status in the heirarchy of the family, they depend on themselves.

Middle children have their own interest, not being dependent on either the youngest child or the oldest child's approval or acceptance.  They do not display the neediness of their younger sibling - they probably wouldn't get the attention anyway - nor the security of the older sibling.  I have noticed that middle children are normally more introverted than either of their siblings being more shy and quieter.  Okay, I must admit I have limited experience with the middle child and I am writing strictly from my experience.

As adults, the middle children that I have observed are very stable, resolute in their beliefs, and are responsible, but do not share their feelings well with others and tend to let stress build to an unhealthy level.  If they have been raised in a tumultuous household, they seek peace and quiet and do not welcome outside influences that are not in agreement with their beliefs.

I would like to hear from middle children.  Are my observations in line with the way you feel about yourself?  What kind of problems do you experience in your household as the middle child?  How do you handle conflict with your siblings?  Do you feel you are treated equally with your siblings?

Let me know your thoughts.

Happy reading!
Belle

Siblings

What is a sibling? 

A sibling is that brat of a sister that has to tell on you for every little thing - like throwing pencils at the ceiling hard enough for them to stick. 

A sibling is that brat of a brother that makes faces at you while you talk to your best friend on the phone until you say a nasty word and then runs to mom to tattle. 

A sibling is that sneaky brother who stole your last cookie when you ran to the bathroon.

A sibling is that lazy sister who only half dries the dishes claiming she doesn't feel good and then you have to finish the job alone.

A sibling is that person or persons that you grow up with that somehow knows all you secrets, all the times you have gotten a smacking, well, everything about you and love you anyway.

As children, siblings (the brothers and sisters of a household) are your worst nightmare and your worst enemy even though you can play for hours on end together without the first cross word and then an adult comes into the picture and everything changes. 

There has been rivalry between siblings since Cain and Abel.  (Genesis 4:1-16)  Relationships between brothers and sisters are very special and cannot be encroached upon by outsiders, especially not parents.  I remember doing something that my sister ran to tell my mother after which I can a good tanning.  That night as we were trying to go to sleep, my sister said to me "I didn't want you to get a spanking."  Give me a break!  If you didn't want me to get a spanking, you would have kept your mouth shut!  I can look back on many of those spankings as a result of my sister's tattling with a smile on my face and then there are those that I still want to pinch her for. 

The rivalry between siblings is normally a desire for the acceptance. attention, love or affection of their parents.  A daughter quietly reading with her mom notices her brother playing scrabble with their dad.  Regardless of how content the daughter is cuddling with her mom, there is nothing she wants more than to be playing scrabble with her dad - not her brother and her dad - just her dad.  I have noticed this quest for attention is normally instigated by the younger child.  I call it the "catch up syndrone".  The younger child is trying to catch up with all the attention the older child received before they were born.  Of course, you have to remember, I am the oldest child so my views may not really convey the thoughts behind the actions of a younger child.

As the older child, I resented that little bundle that now occupied my mother's and father's time and attention.  Of course that little wrinkled pink thing was cute, but what is it good for but to cause my parents to have no time for me?  The little pink thing had to be fed or it would cry, it had to have its diaper changed or it would cry, it had to be rocked or it would cry - good grief, I do believe that is where the term cry baby originated.  Now, everything was focused on that crying little pink thing and it could not even go to potty by itself. 

It was a time of insecurity and uncertainty, but in no time that passed and I gained a friend to make mud pies with, pick berries with, ride bicycles with, gather the first flowers of spring, and soon she was in the back seat cheering me on as I learned to drive.  It wasn't long before I was shuttling her and her friends to first one place and then another and by that time, all the disagreements and entanglements faded way into the background and were soon forgotten. 

It may seem as if you and your sibling will never be friends, that you would never even like your sibling.  But even those mean, hateful, tattletale, eavesdropping, selfish brothers or sisters will one day be your friend and you too will forget all the "bad stuff".  

So, the next time your sister snatches the remote and runs to hide, just smile.  You know you love her and she loves you or she wouldn't be trying to get your attention. 

Matthew 18:2-4  NIV

 "He called a little child and had him stand among them.  And he said "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the knigdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Hug your brother or sister today and if that is too hard, just give them a smile - sometimes it isn't what is said that is important, it is those things left unsaid.

Happy Reading!
Belle

Change

Danny and Ted were headed to the creek to wet a line.  The boys loved fishing more than anything and could spend hours on the creek bank.  It didn't really matter whether they caught any fish, they just liked to be together.  The boys had been friends forever and spent most of their days hanging out.

As they reached the big bend where they always fished, they could hear the steady flow of the water running over the rocks before it hit the big hole.  The excitement always starting building when they reached this point even though neither of the boys had ever caught a "big one" from the hole.  Today they were fishing with flat tails and were sure they would hang the granddaddy of all fish today.

Danny had brought his rod and reel, but the boys knew they would only be fishing with the cane poles at the creek.  The rod and reel wasn't a good idea on the banks of the tree shaded creek.  There wasn't enough room to cast out without hanging a tree limb or a vine.

They didn't even need a tackle box.  Each boy had a few extra hooks in an old plastic medicine bottle in their pockets.  Extra hooks and their pen knives were all they needed.  Reaching the creek bank, the boys unhooked their lines and baited their hooks, slowly dropping the line into the water.  Even though the water was constantly moving everywhere else on the creek, the big hole was pretty quiet. 

Sticking their poles into the sandy bank, they started exploring the woods.  The boys had spent hours in these woods and knew every secret hiding place here.  They had climbed most of the trees and turned over the biggest rocks.  Both the boys saw the bright orange flag at the same time.   Running to the fence line between Ted and old man Turner's place, they looked for more flags.  There they were about 25 feet apart.  That's when they spotted the bright yellow of some kind of machine. 

Danny and Ted knew what was happening.  Mr. Turner's son was having the timber cut.  The boys forgot about fishing.  They just stood and looked at the flags and the equipment.  Danny asked Ted when he thought they would start cutting.  Ted just shrugged his shoulders.  The boys were visibly shaken. 

Fighting their interest in the big equipment, Danny and Ted talked about all the good times they had had playing in the woods and fishing.  During the summer, this had been their private world.  A place for just them.  Now they wouldn't have a place.  They would sell Mr. Turner's land and houses would be built.  It was happening everywhere.  What had started as a fun filled day was now a day filled with hurt, uncertainty and fear.

Cutting the trees would change their creek, their woods, their life.  Change was coming and the boys didn't like it at all.   

To Serve or Be Served

"Just as the Son of  Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."  Matthew 20:28 NIV

My devotional this morning spoke to me directly.  I don't like to be served - to be waited on and taken care of.  I try to be self sufficient - to take care of myself not needing the help of others.  I clean my own house, do my own laundry, and cut my own grass.  Some people think it is because I am peculiar and think no one else can do it as well as I can - that is not true.  It makes me uncomfortable for someone to "serve" me even if I am paying for that service.

As I get older, I find that I am not able to do some of the chores that needs to be done around the house.  I don't climb a ladder so well anymore, so I can't clean the gutters.  I can't climb a tree very well so someone else must prune my fruit trees and some of my shrubbery.  I don't accept "service" from others with thankfulness.  I am not gracious in my accepting their help.  That is wrong.  The Bible teaches us to be thankful in all we do.   

I don't serve like I should.  I don't give of myself as I feel God would have me to do.  There was a time when I would have said "I have given out," but that is not true.  Through Jesus Christ we can do anything.  Our strength comes from the Lord.  Isn't that great!  We have a friend that walks with us every day and every night.  He never leaves us.  God is always there!

When I was a senior in high school, my grandmother became sick.  I stayed with my grandparents at night and cared for her so she would not have to go to a nursing home.  Grandmother loved to be "served" and I loved to serve her.  My Grandparents were the focus of my attention.  I couldn't bear to see them separated by putting one or the other in a nursing home.  I loved being able to "serve" my grandparents. 

The year before, my great aunt needed sugery, but as my uncle had had a stroke and couldn't be left alone, she kept putting the off the surgery.  I once again went to stay with my uncle and care for him so my aunt could have her operation.  It was a trying summer.  My aunt and uncle lived out of town.  I didn't know the town and I knew I would have to drive to the hospital and to do the shopping.  I was afraid I would not be able to care for my uncle as he needed.  I was fearful and unsure.  I must admit that I did not always serve with gladness as God wants us to do.  Sometimes I only saw what I was not able to do because I had to "serve."  This was not the attitude God wanted me to have; God wants us to serve with a free heart, giving of one's self.

Galatians 5:13-15 "You, my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love.  The entire law is summed up in a single command;  "Love you neighbor as yourself."  If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." 

It is so easy to let someone else do the serving, because they don't have anything else to do or they have more time.  That is not what God wants us to do.  That is not what God teaches.  We are instructed not only to serve, but to serve with love.  Not serve with bitterness or anger, but with love.  God wants us to serve without grumbling, fighting, or arguing. 

Can you think of ways you can serve?  Do you help your parents without grumbling?  Remember your home and family is your training ground for the future when you have your own home and family.  There are many ways that we can serve in our family and our neighborhood. Pray with me this week that God will open new ways for us to be of service.

Are you afraid?

Paraphrased from Dictionary.com . . .

Fear - an emotion that is distressing, causing anxiety or concern

Afraid - a feeling of fear, regret or reluctance


There are many more listings for these two words that are most similar in not only their meaning but also in their application. 

It is my understanding that fear is a constant distressing emotion.  Afraid is the cause of the fear.  Example:  I fear thunderstorms because I am afraid of the lightening produced by thunderstorms.  I fear the dark because I cannot see what is making the strange noises.  I fear going into the cave because I do not know what is in there.

Normally we fear what we don't understand, or we know someone who has had a bad experience.  For some fear is the inability to control - you cannot control whether a snake will bite you or go on its merry way.  The more we learn of things the less we fear them.  Some people fear the dark, heights, water, snakes, spiders, pain, death, fire - there are hundreds of things that people fear.  It is an ongoing emotion of distress and anxiety. 

As a little girl I had a reconcurring nightmare that caused me and my parents much distress and frustration.  I never knew when the dream would come, but when it visited me I became hysterical and distraught.  As an adult, I know the incident that sparked the dream and understand how unreasonable it must have sounded to my parents, but at the time I feared going to sleep because I was afraid of the emotions caused by the dream.  Ironically, in the dream I was unable to reach my parents even though I could see and hear them clearly - I could not make them see or hear me.  At the time there had been many unsettling changes in my life - my paternal grandmother died, my maternal grandparents were moving, I had started to school - none of which should be earth shattering. But to a family oriented six year old it was cause for insecurity and unease.  As an adult I realize that my parents were going through changes also.  I was well fed, clothed and kept warm, but in due to my parent's inexperience and their emotional distress, my emotions were ignored.  I did not receive the comfort and security needed during this time.  As time passed I found that my parents were still there to protect and care for me and my maternal grandparents were moving in order to be closer to me - this gave me even more security.  The dreams eventually stopped after two years and the fear of sleep disappeared. 

We all go through stressful and distressing periods in our life.  If we feel incapable of handling these emotions we feel fear.  Some fears we conquer, others stay with us for a lifetime. 

What are you fearful of or afraid of?  Do you know why you have this fear?

Isaiah 12:2 KJV says "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; : for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strenth and my song; he also is become my salvation."

For me Psalms 23 is the most comforting chapter of the Bible.  It is probably the most read and recited chapter of the Psalms which is also known as a book of prayer.  Read Psalms 23 slowly a verse at a time.  How do these prayers apply to you and your life? 

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."  The rod and the staff were used by the shepards in herding and managing the large herd of sheep - they were used to keep them in line keeping them from danger and harm.  God's keep us from danger and harm by blocking our way, especially if our way is dangerous and harmful.  Remember God is all knowing and all seeing.  If we feel afraid, going to God in prayer will ease our fear.

Happy reading!
Belle

What Am I?

1. What gas is produced when bleach (sodium hypochlorate) and ammonia are mixed?  Chlorine Gas
2. What is the odorless, inert gas with the chemical symbol of He?  Helium
3. What non-metallic element is used in propellants, flares, abrasives and metallic alloys?  Boron
4. What compound is derived from salicylic acid and is used as a pain reliever?  Aspirin
5. The earth's atmosphere contains many element.  What are the top 3 gases by volume?  Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon
6. What chemical can be found in three states (gas, liquid and solid) and is best known for its use in refrigeration? Carbon dioxide
7. I am an acid for in the human stomach, but also used to clean and/or etch concrete.   What am I?  Muriatic Acid
8. What highly reactive non-metallic element that is used in producing matches, fertilizer for gardens and in some electronics?  Phosphorus

Happy Reading!

Belle

I have been praying about this blog for the last few weeks. It isn't quite what I want it to be, so I am about to change it's vision. Watch for new Bible Games, Trivia and Stories coming soon. Thanks for stopping by!

Belle

Chemical Elements and Their Symbols

Can you match the following Chemical Elements with their symbols?


K - potassium
He - helium
Cl - chlorine
I - iodine
F - fluorine
N - nitrogen
Li - lithium
Al - aluminum
O - oxygen
Zn - zinc
Mg - magnesium
S - sulphur
Ag - silver
Na - sodium
B - boron
W - tungsten
H - hydrogen
Pb - lead
U - uranium
Au - gold
Ra - radium
Cu - copper
Hg - mercury
Ti - titanium
Fe - iron
C - carbon
Ne - neon
Ca - calcium
Mn - manganese
Ni - nickel
Sn - tin

To learn more about chemical elements and compounds, go to the Chemical Element site. Good luck and have fun!

Belle

Thanks to all those who participated and look for more fun games soon!