General Mills And The ADA Partner To Help Kids Across US

By MAD21

"General Mills and the American Dietetic Association Partner to Help Kids Across the US Learn How to Eat Healthy and Stay Physically Fit."

"The General Mills Champions for Healthy Kids Program, in partnership with the American Dietetic Association, has awarded a half-million dollars in grants to community-based organizations across the U.S. for programs that support young people living healthy, active lifestyles.

The grants program awarded $10,000 to 50 nonprofits, schools and other organizations across the United States to develop fun, interactive programs that incorporate a fitness and nutrition component, and operate under the expert guidance of a registered dietitian."

Go and read about the three groups that were awarded the grants and the amazing work they are doing to help kids get healthy.

Rainbows

By Pat

God's promise to Noah and his sons in Genesis 9 was a rainbow, which represented God's covenant to HIs people. I think of God and that promise every time I see a rainbow, and it always lifts my spirits and reminds me of God's love for me and His everlasting presence in my life. But rainbows are few and far between, aren't they? So in my everyday comings and goings, I look for the other "rainbows" God sends throughout my day...an unexpected phone call from a friend, just the right song at the right time, words that are just the ones I needed to hear. The way my heart lifts when I see a beautiful tree in bloom, or the smell of a rose. Countless rainbows, with probably countless others that I don't even notice. God doesn't need to shout at us to get out attention. All He has to do is send each of us our own personal rainbows to remind us that we, like Noah, are never out of God's sight or far from His love.

Baby Dolls Or Real Women?

By Mallory

Right now I'd like to take a moment to discuss what's going on with women's clothing. I could rant about immodest clothing (because Christians like to talk about this) or leggings-as-pants (because it's gross), but I don't think either of these things really pinpoint what's bothering me about what they're trying to sell us this year. The “baby doll” look is in (which apparently means very short dresses and skirts.) Don't get me wrong -these clothes are really cute. And stores (particularly ones selling to younger women, like Forever 21, H&M, etc.) are selling baby doll dresses like they're going out of style. And I really, really hope they are.

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VBS Through Older Eyes

By Mallory

In June, I worked at my church's Vacation Bible School (VBS). It was fun, as always, but exhausting. The kids seemed really into it and, believe me, they were very LOUD and EXCITED all week (until they were tired... and restless... and antsy!) But good times were had by all, and I had fun reminiscing about the days when my brother and I were little and we went to VBS.

This year our theme was “Rome;” the week centered around Paul's imprisonment and the underground church. Every night the kids learned a Biblical lesson summarized in a short statement like “God's love changes us,” "God's love saves us,” etc. One night the lesson was “Nothing can separate us from God's love.” On stage, our children's minister asked the kids if sickness or death or pain could separate us from God's love. As the kids shouted “NO!” in enthusiastic unison, I couldn't help but think about how hard it is for even adults to grasp this idea.

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Why I Keep A Pirate In My Purse

By Lara

I have been notified that there was some question as to why I carry a pirate in my purse. Since Captain Jack and Boromir play a role in the year of the birthday items here and there, I suppose that is a reasonable inquiry. (See Beth's article for an explanation of why she keeps a prince of Gondor in her possession...)

When Beth's daughter was in the 4th grade, she had a project called "Flat Stanley." There are plenty of people with elementary school children who are intimately familiar with this project. Being an 8-year-old girl, however, Beth's daughter decided that her Flat Stanley just could not be a boy... because boys were gross. She named her paper doll Flat Stanleigh.

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