Why gratitude is essential in your life, especially in the hard times - Lindsey Bell and The Mom Inititiave

Why Gratitude is Essential in Your Life

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many of us are thinking about gratitude. The truth is, though, sometimes, thankfulness can be hard to find…especially during a difficult season of life.  Four years ago, my husband and I experienced our fourth miscarriage 6 days before Thanksgiving. I didn’t even want to go to any family dinners that year, let alone think about things I was grateful for. All I wanted to do that year was wallow in my own sorrow. And, if I’m being completely honest, my feelings didn’t change for quite some time.  I didn’t feel very thankful, so I didn’t want …

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Reunions

Hello Moms! Happy 4th of July! Here’s a short tidbit of truth to ponder this Independence Day. Weddings, picnics, class or family reunions abound during the months of June, July and August. EARTHLY REUNION The word “reunion” is defined as a gathering of relatives, friends or associates at regular intervals or after separation. It can be a time of fun, help us reflect on our past (heritage) and a time appreciating our family ties. A reunion is something to “look forward” to! Visiting with people we haven’t seen in a while, reconnecting and sharing moments in time. It can also …

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Super easy July 4th Treat from The Mom Initiative and Lindsey Bell

Super Easy July 4th Treat

Independence Day is right around the corner. If you’re looking for a fun, super easy July 4th treat to prepare, check out this idea!  Super Easy July 4th Treat: Simply prepare one of your favorite boxed cakes. Then top with cool whip that has been slightly thawed to make it easier to spread.  Cut your strawberries in half and place them in lines on top of the cool whip (to make the lines on the American flag). Then add the blueberry square to the top, left-hand corner of your “flag.”  That’s it! Super easy and delicious!  Want to make it even …

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He is Risen!

Today, Easter Sunday, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But what does that really mean for us? It means that we can know God through the Holy Spirit. It means that when we mess up, God shows us grace through His forgiveness. Jesus took on the sins of the whole world when He was killed on Good Friday. And three days later, He rose to heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Father. We celebrate not for candy, the Easter bunny and colored eggs, but for the ultimate sacrifice Jesus was willing to give the whole world when He died …

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How to Teach Your Children to Practice Hospitality

  The door to the bakery jingled as I opened it. Inside the bakery were many signs that Valentine’s Day was almost here. Heart-shaped balloons and stuffed teddy bears the size of small children greeted the entrance, and iced cookies personalized with “I Love You” lined the glass shelves, tempting me in all their sugar glory. Love was all around, that was for sure. Approaching the cashier, I told her my name and what I had ordered. She came back with four sets of Valentine’s cookies for my kids’ teachers and two large boxes of assorted cookies for our doctors. …

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Lessons in LOVE

Lessons in LOVE in Eras of Evil

In a recent meeting in a children’s church class room, I read rules displayed on the wall. “Side hugs only,” it warned. Everything else was about what’s NOT allowed:  secrets, piggy backs, carrying, tickling, lap sitting. Are these things all bad? So dangerous? Can’t we be affectionate without being evil? Can’t we use loving touch? Does modern love have to be sterile to be safe? More than ever, our children look to us for lessons in love. An era of evil is a hard time to for a child to learn what love is, and evil reigns today. It’s not the …

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Ideas for family traditions for the entire year: New Year's Eve, Easter, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, Independence Day, Halloween, and Christmas.

Family Traditions For Holidays Throughout the Year

One fun way to build memories with your kids is to create family traditions…traditions you do each and every year.  Here are some easy family traditions for holidays throughout the year! I wouldn’t recommend doing ALL of these. Instead, choose one or two to incorporate into your year.  Traditions for the Entire Year:  Birthdays:  Decorate your child’s door so she wakes up to a surprise. Interview your kids.  Ask them the same questions each year, questions like: what is your favorite food, what is your favorite movie, who is your closest friend, what do you want to be when you grow …

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Today…Give 5 Away!

Jesus comes for a visit. He walks through your front door. You’re overwhelmed by His glorious presence.   He sits at your table. You offer Him water; feeling silly as you do; since He’s Living water. He asks to see your children who are playing in the next room. As you enter, a sense of embarrassment consumes you. Not because of their rowdy playing; but because of the number of toys stuffed in toy bins and covering the floor; the toys they no longer play with that you’d intended to give to the less fortunate before Christmas. Your children run into Jesus’s arms. He blesses them; then …

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What is the Joy of Man’s Desiring?

What is the joy of man’s desiring? While going through emails the other morning, I listened to the Easy Listening music channel (cable), which mainly plays instrumentals. Since it is the Christmas season, it occasionally plays a Christmas song. One song began playing and made me stop. And think. It’s title? Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring. I love that title. Wikipedia says it “is the most common English title of the 10th and last movement of the cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147, which means Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life, composed by Johann Sebastian …

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How to Have a Birthday Party for Jesus

Our Christmas Tree I posted the above picture on my Facebook timeline and received many questions about the Birthday Bag for Jesus in front of the Christmas tree. At our house, that Birthday Bag is a reminder that we are celebrating the birthday of Jesus. Christmas is Jesus’ Birthday! Celebrate Click To Tweet A Christmas Party with Purpose Have a Purpose for Your Christmas Party Click To Tweet The tradition of celebrating Jesus’ birthday at Christmas started early in our marriage. Since our anniversary is December 19th (22 years this year!), it’s already a packed month for us, but we …

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