Getting Caught
By: Micca Campbell, Speaker Team Member
Do you pray for your kids to get caught when they do wrong? I know that may sound strange, but if you have a student driver in your home who is inclined to speed, wouldn't you rather he be stopped by a police officer, than be stopped by a tree?
Getting caught speeding by the police officer is actually gift of grace for both you and your teen. This gives you the opportunity to re-train, nurture, and further guide your teen according to the rules of the road. That way he'll grow into a responsible driver that lives a long, safe life.
As parents, it's our job to train and re-train our kids. When they are caught doing wrong, seize the opportunity to redirect your child "in the way they should go."
Otherwise, your teen may continue to speed without your knowledge and this could lead to tragic results. For that matter, any misconduct that happens without your knowledge can cause your child to end up in a place he never intended on being.
Getting caught is actually a blessing in disguise. When you see it from this perspective, it diffuses your anger and worry. You'll know that God is hearing your prayers and protecting your child. You'll also know that the Lord is not only watching out for your child, but He is allowing you to see where they need more discipline and guidance. Begin to see your child getting caught as God's way of coming along side of you and helping to parent your child. Our Father says that He will lead us and guide us and His eye is upon us. (Ps 32:8-9 NKJ) When we are praying for our children, that's a promise we can count on.
I know for some kids it may seem like they will never learn. It's not that they are not learning it's that they haven't arrived yet. Keep praying and never give up. Remember it takes a lifetime to learn how to live, and getting caught is simply part of the process in training and re-training our children.
July Recipes
Easy Picnic Beans
These are wonderful to take to a potluck or have at a park with barbecued hamburgers and a fruit salad.
1 (16 oz) can butter bean
1 (16 oz) can kidney beans
1 (16 oz) can baked beans
1 large onion, sliced in rings
6 slices bacon, diced
1-1/2 teaspoons garlic salt
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon dry mustard
¼ cup vinegar.
Brown onions and bacon until bacon is crisp. Add sugar, vinegar, garlic salt and mustard. Mix well and cook 10 minutes. Drain butter beans and kidney beans. Add all beans to sauce and mix well. Turn into a greased casserole and bake 40 minutes at 375º. Serves 6 to 8.
Bring this delicious salad to your next get-together. Keep refrigerated until needed, then store on ice to keep mayonnaise-based sauce safe.
Seven Layer Salad
1 medium head romaine or iceberg lettuce shredded
1 cup coarsely chopped celery
½ cup coarsely chopped green pepper
½ cup coarsely chopped red pepper
1 cup coarsely chopped green onion
1 10-ounce package frozen peas, thawed with cold water
4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
1 cup mayonnaise (regular or light)
½ cup sour cream (or low fat yogurt)
1-1/2 tablespoons sugar
1-3/4 cups medium sharp cheese, grated
8 strips bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled
Place lettuce in bottom of large bowl or 13x9x2 pan, preferably clear. In layers, add celery, peppers, green onion, peas and eggs. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream and sugar. Spread on top. Top with cheese and bacon. Refrigerate, preferably overnight.
Summer Scrapbook
Remember That Summer When…
Preserve Your Summertime Memories
Summer is the perfect time to create family memories and work on a craft together. Below are some suggestions for easy ways to create mementos that you'll look back on with fond memories in the years ahead. Keep in mind the emphasis on these projects is ease and fun, not artistic perfection!
Easy Vacation Album
Purchase a photo album with plastic sleeves or a small one for each of your children to take with you on vacation. Fill the album with postcards, ticket stubs, maps, menus and photos. Older children can write a description for each page. Remember to bring adhesive strips, glue sticks and markers!
Think inside the box
How about a memento box instead? Decorate a small cardboard box (shoe, photo or hat box) before you leave and then fill it with objects that will remind you of your trip. These items may include pinecones, shells, gift shop trinkets, in addition to photos and postcards.
Staying at home this summer?
Make a scrapbook with a page dedicated to each member of your family, plus friends and pets. Include mementos from Vacation Bible School, reading clubs, swim lessons, trips to the park, camping trips, day camps, etc.
Flower Power
Preserve summer flowers to remind your family of God's beautiful creation. Collect flowers and leaves, put them between two pieces of tissue paper. Then, put the tissue in between the pages of a thick book. Stack more books or heavy objects on top of the book that has your leaves and flowers inside and keep them there about two weeks. You can also use your flower to make a place mat (see below).
Sports Memory Book
Follow your favorite baseball or other sports team, or create a scrapbook based on a team you play on. Include ticket stubs, statistics, autographs, etc. If it's your team, include photos, schedules, comments from team members and coaches, autographs, etc.
Place Mats to Remind You of Summer All Year Long
Cut poster board to place mat size, about 16"x12". Draw or paint a background on your mat if desired. Arrange memorabilia from your summer outings (postcards, photos, maps, tickets or pressed flowers) on top of your decorated poster board. Cut two pieces of contact paper slightly larger than your mat, about 17" x 13". Peel off the backing and place the poster board on top of one piece, and carefully cover your memorabilia with the other piece. Trim the edges, leaving a little on the sides to create a seal.
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