25 Days of Prayer for Back-to-School 2021-2022!

 

Last school year, I made up a list of all the things I was worried about re:Corona/politics/everything bad in 2020.  This year, while things are better, there are still plenty of things I am worried about.  So here is my countdown until school starts with a specific thing to pray about each day.  Whether you are a parent, a teacher, a school staff member, a student, or just a caring community member, these are things that ALL schools everywhere need some prayer over!

Day 1:  The health and safety of school staff, teachers, and administrators.

Day 2:  The health and safety of students.

Day 3:  The adjustment of students who were virtual all of last school year back to in-person learning.

Day 4:  Teachers and school staff emotional and mental health.  

Day 5:  Lawmakers and school boards who are making decisions about reopening plans, testing, curriculum, etc.

Day 6:  Parents stress levels, worries, everything!

Day 7:  That students would be preparing their attitudes to learn and be kind.

Day 8:  Students health.

Day 9:  Students mental and emotional well being, especially students who have had a tough summer for whatever reason.

Day 10:  Friendships between students.

Day 11:  Conflicts between students.

Day 12:  Bullies, that they may learn to be kind and that others may learn to be kind to them.

Day 13:  Friendships between teachers and school staff.

Day 14:  Gossip between school staff and/or gossip between students.  Save the drama for your llama, everyone!

Day 15:  Parent/teacher relationships--that all conflict can be handled with grace and humility this school year.  

Day 16:  Teacher/student relationships--that all conflict can be handled with grace and humility this school year.

Day 17:  Students who are learning English, that they will have support and will be patient with themselves.

Day 18:  Students who have special needs, that all teachers and staff work together to help them be successful.

Day 19:  Teacher meetings

Day 20:  Teacher's stress levels.

Day 21:  Student's stress and fear

Day 22:  Students who have experienced trauma in their lives over the summer.

Day 23:  Students who haven't had their food needs met over the summer.

Day 24:  For students to feel safe in each and every classroom they walk into.

Day 25:  Bus drivers!

FREE baby orca crochet amigurumi pattern

Are you ready to make a baby orca?!

This is only my second written pattern, so please let me know if something isn't clear or if you have a question!

Happy Hooking!

Supplies:

Black and white worsted weight yarn (I used the Caron One Pound acrylic yarn)

E hook

steel needle

two safety eyes

scissors

polyfil

Abbreviations:

Ch--chain

Sl--slip stitch

Sc--single crochet

HDC--Half double crochet

DC--double crochet

TC--Treble crochet

MC--Magic Circle

Dec--invisible decrease

Fins (make 3, one for the top, two for the sides)

With black yarn

Ch 5

on second chain from hook, slip stitch, then SC in next stitch, HDC in next stitch, and DC in last stitch.  Tie off and leave an end for sewing.

MAKE THREE of these!

Tail piece:

With black yarn

Ch 4

Row 1:  SC in second chain from hook, SC across (3) Ch 1 and turn

Row 2:  2SC in first stitch, SC in next stitch, 2 SC in last stitch (5) Ch 1 and turn

Row 3:  2 SC in first stitch, SC in next 3 stitches, 2 SC in last stitch (7) ch 1 and turn

Row 4:  2 HDC in first stitch, HDC in next stitch, slip stitch in next 3 stitches, HDC in next stitch, 2HDC in last stitch (9) ch 1 and turn

Row 4:  2 HDC in first stitch, HDC in next stitch, slip stitch in next 5 stitches, HDC in next stitch, 2 HDC in last stitch (11) tie off and leave a long tail for sewing

Eyes (Make 2):

With White yarn

Magic circle

In the Magic circle---2 SC, 2 HDC, 1 DC, 1 TC, 1 DC, 2 HDC, 2 SC

slip stitch to the first stitch and tie off and leave a long tail for sewing

I put the safety eyes in the eyes pieces before sewing them on to the whale.  So you could do that here, too!

Body (worked in continuous rounds):

Start with Black Yarn

MC--SC 6 into the MC

Rnd 2:  2 SC into each stitch around (12)

Rnd 3:  (2SC in the first stitch, 1 SC in the next ), repeat around (18)

Rnd 4:  SC in each stitch around (18)

Rnd 5:  (2SC in the first stitch, 1 SC in the next 2 stitches), repeat around (24)

Rnd 6:  (2 SC in the first stitch, 1 Sc in the next 3 stitches), repeat around (30)

Rnd 7: (2 SC in the first stitch, 1 Sc in the next 4 stitches), repeat round (36)

Rnd 8-10:  SC in each stitch around (36)

Switch to white yarn

Rnd 11-12:  SC in each stitch around (36)

Rnd 13:  (Sc in first 4 stitches, DEC) repeat around (30)

Rnd 14:  (SC in first 2 stitch, DEC) repeat around, although you will end with 2 SC and no DEC to finish that pattern (23)

Rnd 15:  (DEC, SC in next two stitches), repeat around, although you will end up with 1 SC at the end extra (17)

Here is where I sew all the parts on (fins, eye pieces, tail), I also sew a little stitch in white for the blow hole and also make a little smile face!

For the rest, I just DC repeatedly until it basically closes up.  This helps it be flat on the bottom and not a actual ball shape.  I stuff it and then sew it up to close!  Ta-da!

No Darkness at all

For those following along at home, I am pondering over the theme for this year's Fine Arts Camp in the public eye--hoping some of you might have some thoughts into some of the scripture that I am praying about using for camp.  See my other post for full details of what I am looking for.

I haven't had the strength or the energy to write the last couple of weeks, but I was reminded while reading a book today of this first passage in the book of John.  This chapter is unbelievably difficult to teach to children, because it contains so many metaphors....BUT, this spoke to my heart, so I need to break this down.

John chapter 1--New Living Translation

1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
    and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
    and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness can never extinguish it.

6 God sent a man, John the Baptist,7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him.11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

Some weeks, I feel like I do a great job at "being a Christian."  For example, in the last week, I have actually achieved my goal of starting each day in my Bible, praying for a bit, ya know---being a good Christian.   Sometimes I think I view that time as some sort defensive magical potion---"apply this once daily to prevent terrible things from happening in your life."  "Take one 20 minute read daily to prevent worry and doubt and dreariness."  I don't actually believe that is how God works or the Bible works, but for some reason, I feel a tremendous guilt when I skip a day or several.  And I feel like something is going to go terribly wrong in my life I forgot to read my Bible for day.

I do have a point---and I will get there eventually. 

Today was one of those days that I have just been plagued by anxiety and dread.  Took me right on back to those days in high school where I would have panic attacks over leaving a textbook at school that I needed in order to complete homework and thus resulted in needing to run laps up and down the stairs and scrapbook for an hour to calm down.  Nothing particularly terrible happened today, but my heart has just been racing and I have been imagining all sorts of "Worst case scenarios" for various small things---making mountains out of mole hills.  It got so bad, I actually cried because I left my lunch bag on the floor in the hallway instead of bringing it to church for me to eat...at lunch time.  

Ben would agree that the deepest darkness in me is my ability to not hand things over to God.  To worry.  To give God something, but then take it back so I can continue to worry about it.

In this passage, it says that Jesus is light--and the darkness can not over come it.  No matter how dark I make things with my worry and panic, I can't ever....EVER......actually get totally lost in the darkness because Jesus is the light.  And as we all know, if your house is dark, and you wake up in the middle of the night and need to pee and you go into the dark hallway and stub your toe on the door......YOU TURN A LIGHT because when the light is on, the darkness goes away and you can see!  The light always wins, there is no possible situation in which the hallway will continue to be dark if you turn on a lightswitch and it is connected to electricity and the light bulb works--the light turns on and you are good to go!

So my point is---I guess---boy I have rambled!  The point is---If you are worried right now, if your blood pressure is skyrocketed and you are having a little panic attack and feel the need to run up and down stairs or scrapbook to make it all better---instead, can I just remind you that "God is light, and in Him there is NO DARKNESS AT ALL."  (1 John 1:5--also a great verse!).

Blinded by the Light

Hi everyone!

Thanks so much for helping me figure out and see the scripture for Fine Arts Camp 2018 in a new way.

For those new here, I am looking for comments on the page with these questions:

1.  How does this passage impact my life?

2.  What action step does this passage help me want to make?  (reading your Bible more, serving others, forgiving someone you have held a grudge against for forever, etc).

I am also hoping to have a 20 day devotional to give to the kids after camp that is written by  different people.    If this passage speaks to you and you like to write, I would love to hear from you!

 If you are inspired by any of the passages I post and have a personal story or an idea that would make a great devotional, please send them my way! You can email them to me at sgali@trinitypelllake.com.  I am thinking the best format would be the following:

Scripture (6 verses max)

devotional--could be a story from your life, an object lesson, directions to look up a song on yoututbe to listen to, etc, (300 words MAX)

Prayer

Action step--for example, "Find time today to say thank you to your mom or dad for something"--something easy and simple they need to do that day that ties in with the scripture

------------------------------------------------------

This passage is one of my favorites.  The literal story of someone "seeing the light."  What I love about this is that one moment totally turns around Saul's life.  (p.s. I am really digging the NLT...it is so easy to read!)

Acts 9:1-19New Living Translation (NLT)

Saul’s Conversion

9 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.[a] So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.

3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked.

And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! 8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.

10 Now there was a believer[b] in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord!” he replied.

11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”

13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers[c] in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”

15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength.

Shine

Fine Arts Camp is totally my baby, I think about it all year, trying to improve it and make it more awesome the following year.

I have finally settled on a theme for this year:  SHINE.  I think it is appropriate because in many fine arts, there is a performer, on a stage, with a literal light shining on them.  As followers of Jesus, we are also in the spotlight often--for good reasons but also for bad reasons.  When a person following Jesus messes up, the world knows about it.   But also, when a Christ follower does something great, that person is shining a little ray of hope into a dark world.

The past two years, I have just on my own created "the plan" for which Bible verses we will highlight each day of camp, and which stories we will talk about.  But this year, I would like some input.  For the next 5 or six weeks, I will be posting some passages that are on my heart, and my thoughts on them....and I would love any feedback you may have.  In particular, I am looking for these thoughts:

1.  How does this passage impact my life?

2.  What action step does this passage help me want to make?  (reading your Bible more, serving others, forgiving someone you have held a grudge against for forever, etc).

Sometimes, the things that stick out to me in a passage are not the same as what others might see, so I am looking for as many people as possible to chime in with what you think this passage is about.

One more thing---this year, I am hoping to have a 20 day devotional to send home with the kids on the last day of camp---simple, short 5 minute things.   I know I *could* write the whole thing, but I know there are people out there who love to write, and love Jesus, and it would be a better benefit to the kids and devotional if all of the entries are different--from different people with different points of view.  If you are inspired by any of the passages I post and have a personal story or an idea that would make a great devotional, please send them my way! You can email them to me at sgali@trinitypelllake.com.  I am thinking the best format would be the following:

Scripture (6 verses max)

devotional--could be a story from your life, an object lesson, directions to look up a song on yoututbe to listen to, etc, (300 words MAX)

Prayer

Action step--for example, "Find time today to say thank you to your mom or dad for something"--something easy and simple they need to do that day that ties in with the scripture

I would like to have this devotional mostly put together by the end of March, so please send me your stuff before then!  Also--this is a camp for kids who have completed 1st grade-6th grade...so I normally shoot for 3rd grade level with my planning....a bit of stretch for the 1st graders, but not too "baby" for the 6th graders :)

Ok---now to the good stuff!

The day I decided on the theme SHINE, I got my morning devotion in my email and this is the passage.  Total God moment.  This will be Monday's passage to introduce the theme for the week.  This is from Isaiah 6:1-6...and this is the New Living Translation because I think it is easier for kids to understand (and also me!)....although all of the Bibles are church are NIV....

Verses 1 and 2 will be the theme verses for the whole week.  Every kid will go home knowing at least those two verses from memory!

“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see.
    For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you.
2 Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth,
    but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you.
3 All nations will come to your light;
    mighty kings will come to see your radiance.

4 “Look and see, for everyone is coming home!
    Your sons are coming from distant lands;
    your little daughters will be carried home.
5 Your eyes will shine,
    and your heart will thrill with joy,
for merchants from around the world will come to you.
    They will bring you the wealth of many lands.
6 Vast caravans of camels will converge on you,
    the camels of Midian and Ephah.
The people of Sheba will bring gold and frankincense
    and will come worshiping the Lord.

Ok!  Let me hear your thoughts!  What do these verses mean to you?  How do this impact your life today?  What good news is here?  What does this passage make you want to do TODAY?!

Thanks ya'll!

Top 8 things to do at Valley of Fire State Park

Ben and I love to travel---we have some excellent adventures!

 I have decided to include some travel stuff in this blog too...just our personal opinions and experiences from our trips.

While it is fresh on the brain, here are my top 8 things to do in the Valley of Fire State Park, just outside of Las Vegas!

#8---Take a picture with the welcome sign.

I know this is a bit cheesy, but it helps you remember later where you were!  We are always so thankful to have pictures of the "sign" on our camera because it helps keeps us on track with what we did on our vacation.

#7--Check out the Visitor's Center.

I'll be honest, sometimes Visitor's Centers are lame.  This is true here, BUT there are some great things about the visitor's center here...#1--BATHROOMS....seriously, you won't find them anywhere else.  #2---WATER FOUNTAINS.  Did you know this is the desert?  Drink up!  #3 REPTILES--they do have a handful of reptiles on display, including a nice and creepy tarantula.  AND #4---maps!  You can get one here!  Hooray!

#6--While you are by the visitor's center, check out the balancing rock trail.  It is only .1 miles and will make you feel good about your hiking ability.

#5--Elephant Rock.  This will only take you about 5 minutes, but it does look like an elephant and is pretty interesting.

#4--Fire Canyon Road---This is something you can drive.  BEAUTIFUL views and there are several places you can pull off to the side to get out and look around and take pictures.  This is a great thing to do between some of the longer hikes to take a little break :)

#3--Atlatl Rock and Arch Rock---there is another driving route to hit up these two landmarks.  There are places to park by both of these.  Atlatl Rock is interesting because there are actual ancient drawings from the native people on the rock.  History!  

#2--Beehives!--This is a fun stop with great places to climb around!  

#1--This is actually a tie---The White Domes Trail and the Fire Wave Trail.  Both trails have some intense moments--it is hard to hike through sand! Both trails are VERY sandy.  But the views are AWESOME.  We liked the Fire Wave because of the stripes of red and white that created beautiful formations.  It looked like bacon!  We loved the White Domes trail because the trail was constantly different.  There were parts that were narrow, parts that were rocky, parts that were flat and full of cacti.

^ End of the Fire Wave Trail--BEAUTIFUL!

^White Domes!

And that's it!  We spent about 5 hours at the park, but you could easily be there for HOURS if you do all of the trails!  Would love to hear from you if you check out this gem of a state park!

FREE crochet house elf pattern

Hi there, muggles!

Enjoy this free Dobby the House Elf pattern!    I have never written a pattern before, so please comment or email me if you have a question or get stuck!

Supplies:
Caron Pound One Pound Aran yarn in lace, white, and grey
Bates E hook
yarn needle
scissors
polyfil stuffing
two safety eyes

stitches:
SC (single crochet)
Ch (chain stitch)
SS (slip stitch)
SC dec (Single crochet decrease--I use an invisible decrease)

This pattern is worked in a continuous spiral....so get a stitch marker :)

Arms (make two)
Round 1: MC and SC 4 (4 sts)
R2:  2 sc in each stitch around (8 sts)
R3:  SC in each stitch around (8 sts)
R4-R13:  Repeat R3 (8 sts)
Tie off and leave a long tail for sewing.

Nose:
MC 3 SC.
Then, in a continuous spiral, SC and INC until you get to 8 stitches.  Tie off and leave a tail for sewing later--AND TURN THE WHOLE THING INSIDE OUT!  Set aside.

Ears (make 2):
R1:  MC 4 SC (4 sts)
R2:  4 SC (4 sts)
R3:  SC, 2 SC around (8 sts)
R4:  SC around (8 sts)
R5:  SC, 2 SC around (12 sts)
R6-7:  SC around (12 sts)
Fasten off and then turn inside out.

Legs/Body/Head--this is all one continuous piece---my biggest help here is to stuff lightly as you go:

We are going to start with the legs:
Leg 1:
R1:  MC and SC 5 (5 sts)
R2:  2 SC in each stitch around (10 sts)
R3:  SC in each stitch around (10 sts)
R4-R11:  repeat R3 (10 sts)
Tie off and leave a long tail for sewing

Leg 2:
R1:  MC and SC 5 (5 sts)
R2:  2 SC in each stitch around (10 sts)
R3:  SC in each stitch around (10 sts)
R4-R11:  repeat R3 (10 sts)
DON'T TIE OFF.  Chain 1 and then SC into LEG 1.  Finish by SC around in each stitch of Leg 1 and then continue around Leg 2.  You should have SC in each stitch of both legs and both sides of the chain and should have 22 stitches total.  This was R12.

R13:  SC in each stitch around (22 sts)
R14-R21:  SC in each stitch around (22 sts)
R22:  (SC 2 stitches, dec) repeat 5 times, then SC remaining 2 stitches (17 sts)
R23: (Dec, Sc in one stitch) repeat 5 times, you will end with a Dec stitch (11 sts)
R24:  SC in each stitch around (11 sts)
R25:  2 SC in each stitch around (22 sts)
R26:  SC in each stitch around (22 sts)
R27: ( SC 3 stitches, INC) repeat 5 times, SC in remaining two stitches(27 sts)
R28-R30: SC in each stitch around (27 sts)
R31:  (SC in 3 stitches, DEC) repeat 5 times, SC in remaining two stitches (22 stitches),
R32:  (SC in 2 stitches, DEC) repeat 5 times, SC in remaining two stitches (17 stitches)
AT this point, put the safety eyes between row 30 and 31 5 stitches apart.  Attach the nose below that, and this is also where I sewed the mouth and eyebrows.
R33:  (SC in 1 stitch, DEC), repeat 5 times (11 stitches).  STUFF HERE.
R34:  DEC all the way around, (5 stitches).  Sew the remainder of the whole shut, fasten off.

Your Dobby should now look like this!

Here is where I attach the ears and the arms.  when attaching the ears, I like to try to make them curve a bit so it forms more of an ear shape.  The arms I attache right where we started to decrease...so there is a little bit of shoulder area.

Now you should have a complete, Naked Dobby!  Hooray!

This next part is going to depend on how much stuffing you used.

Using the grey, chain 20.  Slip stitch to the first stitch in the chain so you have a loop.  Ch 2.
R1:  DC in each stitch around (20 stitches)
R2-4:  Repeat R1 (20 stitches).

You should now have a grey tube.  Again, depending on how much stuffing you used, you may need to chain more, like 22 or 23.  Play around with it and make sure you can slide it on Dobby.

Fasten off the grey tube, and hide the ends.

Using black now, SC around (20 stitches)
Chain 6 and go over the arms to the back and slip stitch.  This is the first "sleeve" on the pillowcase poor ol' Dobby is wearing!

Depending on your preference, you can SC across over the chain and then SC until you get to the next arm, Ch 6 and slip stitch to the back.  Or, you can cut the yarn  here and just have a thin strap and then do the same on the other side.

Either way, Your Dobby is done!  Now, go save Harry Potter and his friends!

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