Faith Laces

  ✨ A family moment, a simple craft, and a glimpse of God’s transformative love. While we were camping, Cai had one simple request: to make a paper fan. It was a quick, no-fuss craft—perfect for our outdoor setting. I didn't bring along the craft bin though, so we had to make do with materials we had on hand. First, we took a few finished camping MadLibs pages and folded them accordion-style, breathing new life into something that had already served its original purpose. With a little glue and a pair of popsicle sticks rescued from the firepit, Cai turned ordinary scraps into a colorful fan—and soon, into his favorite fidget toy. It was a short crafting moment, but the joy and calm it gave him lingered long after. Watching him enjoy fidgeting with the fan reminded me: God is the master of repurposing. Just like those MadLibs and popsicle sticks, our lives may feel used up or done. But when we place the pieces in His hands, God creates something new—something deeply meaningful. ...

Scripture:   "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come." — Psalm 71:18 (NIV) Devotional:   These days there's no reason to wear suspenders—unless they’re Barry’s. A bold red pair, thick with memory and meaning, packed and unpacked for decades as a keepsake of someone special. Until one day, they were worn. And suddenly, they became more than clothing. They became a testimony. Barry’s suspenders aren’t just fabric—they’re faith in action. They symbolize the strength it takes to show up, to pour into teenagers, to serve humbly and speak boldly. Barry didn’t just wear faith on his sleeve—he wore it strapped across his chest. Like a cross between John Denver and the Brawny Paper Towel man, Barry was a man of the earth and a man of God. Through workcamps, his garden, and tall tales, Barry mentored with his hands and his heart. He embodied the fruit of a life rooted in ...

  Fun and Faith on Fridays 1.  Our inaugural STEM project is inspired by *Awesome Engineering Activities for Kids* by Christina Herkert Schul. Cai was particularly enthusiastic about this activity. Sitting together coloring the popsicle sticks was very relaxing.  The push pins were too hard for Cai to push the pins through the sticks.  Glue on the ends of the pins is a must. 2 . The next thing I was really looking forward to was the CD Hovercraft. But before we got started, we noticed we didn't have the exact bottle cap we needed, which could mess with the experiment a bit. The hovercraft is a fail for now. With the proper bottle cap we might succeed.