Family Archives - Page 21 of 26 - The Sparrow's Home

How to Plan a Disney Trip With Someone Who Doesn’t Love Disney (Yet)

October 3, 2016 by Susan 14 Comments

I married into the Disney family. Don’t get me wrong..it’s not like I was anti-Disney. I did have every single lyric to every single Little Mermaid song memorized. What I did not do was drive around listening to the music from the Main Street Electrical Parade. But I did date someone who did. And I still married him. 🙂

Yes, he had the parade soundtrack. Listen, I’m a Disney lover now, and I still can’t stomach the synthesized harpsichord music on its own. At the parade—love it! On its own, Baroque Hoedown just doesn’t do it for me.

I also didn’t set foot in a Disney park until I was in college, and Greg and I went to California to visit his parents. And if I’m being totally honest…I was underwhelmed. My relationship with Disney parks began as an appreciation, grew into a full fledged crush, and now I’m enamored.

Kids Farm Party

September 28, 2016 by Susan Leave a Comment

I told you a few weeks ago I’d be sharing some of the themed kids parties we did for our boys over the years. We started with a Pirate themed party and next I’d like to give you some ideas if you’re planning a Farm Party.

Let me remind you, and ask for your grace, regarding the quality of the pictures. My kids are in 10th and 12th grades right now. These pictures were taken many years ago, and scanned from scrapbooks. Funny thing…when I look at my teenagers today, I still see the little boys in these pictures. (Pause for sentimental mom moment)

Don’t Ignore This Phrase When You See it in the Bible

September 26, 2016 by Susan 6 Comments

The warning, “Do not be deceived” carries with it a particular message whenever we see it in Scripture. What is it? How can we protect against deception?

I find words fascinating. We just watched Dead Poets Society tonight with the boys. There’s a scene in the movie in which Mr. Keating says,

Avoid using the word ‘very’ because it’s lazy. A man is not very tired, he is exhausted. Say what you really mean.

When we read the New Testament, there’s a phrase that appears a number of times. It’s a phrase that often just fades away as we focus on what follows. But I don’t think it was included by the writers as a throwaway, I believe it was intentional. There’s a lot of significance to be found in these few words.

“Do not be deceived…”

If we look at the context each time this phrase occurs, we’ll find some things in common. Each time, what follows this warning is something that is likely to deceive us. It’s as if the writer is putting a giant red arrow in the text that says, “Hey, you! Take note! THIS is something that is going to deceive people…don’t let it be you!”

Fact or Fraud: 4 Common Science Textbook Errors

September 19, 2016 by Susan 12 Comments

Did you know that science textbooks from elementary school through college continue to print “facts” that were patently proven false decades ago? We examine these common textbook topics:

Peppered Moths
Embryonic Homology
The Miller Experiment
The Geologic Column

If your child’s textbook taught that bloodletting, heroin, and mercury were effective medical treatments, I imagine you’d take issue with that. After all, those practices were proven false long ago. Well, did you know that science textbooks from elementary school through college continue to print “facts” that were patently proven false (by mainstream science) decades ago.

Several years ago, my husband began studying evolution and the age of the earth with a critical eye. Since then he’s travelled to a number of states to present at camps, churches, and a Bible College. For Christians, he presents solid Biblical evidence. He also provides ample scientific evidence that is easy to understand that proves that evolution, besides being mathematically impossible, is wrought with lies and deception.

So let’s dig in to determine fact or fraud. I know some of these examples will look familiar to you…get ready for (as Paul Harvey used to say), “The rest of the story.”

Food for Thought #5

September 15, 2016 by Susan Leave a Comment

Let's share what we've been perusing this week. From household tips, to spiritual growth...and everything in between!

Whenever I’m in a discussion, I always find my mind relating what we’re talking about to other things that I’ve read or heard. And some of the best stuff I’ve found has been on someone else’s referral.

My desktop has been a mixed bag this week…

I would love to hear what you think, and see what you’ve had open on your desktop this week.

Here’s what I’ve been reading:

M&Ms Ice Breaker and Guided Prayer Activities

September 14, 2016 by Susan 10 Comments

Activities with M&Ms for an ice breaker or a guided prayer time. Perfect for any kind of group! Printables include blank templates for you to customize.

Are you the kind of person who

Loves ice breaker activities?
Is looking for a creative way to get to know a group of people?
Has a Sunday School class that could use a fun prayer time activity?
Is often negligent and forgets to plan lessons, thus requiring you to come up with activities on the spur of the moment?

I am definitely not a #1, but the other three options describe me pretty well. This activity was a brain child of #4 above, to be honest.