just for fun - It Is, "Make Up Your Own Holiday Day"!

Yes,

Yes, today really is, "Make Up You Own Holiday Day!" Nationaltoday.com says, "Whether you wish to celebrate something profound like Use Only Recycled Paper Day or you want to give in to your randomness by paying homage to Eat Purple Food Day, the possibilities are endless. This day is literally what it stands for — making up a personalized holiday which is close to your heart." So on this special day, I thought I'd share some fun facts about actual holidays and how to make up your own holiday - did you know . . .

The Dr. Seuss Quote for Today - I'm Sorry to Say So . . .

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is,  "I'm sorry to say so but, sadly it's true - that bang-ups and hang-ups can happen to you!"  This is true. Bang-ups and hang-ups can and will happen to us. Our world is broken by sin and because of this, hurt, pain, and disappointment are part of life. We do not, however; have to be defeated by our bang-ups and hang-ups! Consider Joshua 1:9, " I’ve commanded you to be brave and strong, haven’t I? Don’t be alarmed or terrified, because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." We do not have to be alarmed or terrified because the LORD our God is with us wherever we go!!!! Look at Psalm 27:1, " The LORD is my light and my salvation. Should I fear anyone? The LORD is a fortress  protecting my life. Should I be frightened of anything?" 

Honey, Maple, Oat Artisan Bread

From time to time I enjoy making artisan bread - and I have a new recipe which I want to share with you today. Before I get to the recipe I want to say this bread just takes minutes to mix by hand, you let it rise for a few hours, then pop it into the oven for about 40 minutes - this is all there is to it!

The Dr. Seuss Quote for Today - Step With Care and Great Tact . . .

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is, "Step with care and great tact. And remember life's a great balancing act!" Life has it's "stages" and "moments" and we need to walk though it with a mind for "balance".  Consider   Ecclesiastes 3:1-8,11, "There’s a season for everything  and a time for every matter under the heavens: a time for giving birth and a time for dying, a time for planting and a time for uprooting what was planted, a time for killing and a time for healing, a time for tearing down and a time for building up, a time for crying and a time for laughing, a time for mourning and a time for dancing, a time for throwing stones and a time for gathering stones, a time for embracing and a time for avoiding embraces, a time for searching and a time for losing, a time for keeping and a time for throwing away, a time for tearing and a time for repairing, a time for keeping silent and a time for speaking, a time for loving and a time for hating, a time for war and a time for peace. God has made everything fitting in its time." 

Today is National Each Person is a Person of Worth Day

I love the idea of a day to focus on and emphasize the value of each of us, so National Each Person is a Person of Worth Day is absolutely a day to celebrate - every day! Nationaltoday (dot) com says, "the power of recognizing others’ worth and how this recognition impacts the other person is the key focus behind National Each Person is a Person of Worth Day, which is held each year on March 24. This celebration reminds us that not only is self-worth a universal trait, but how we gauge others’ worth also stays the same around the world. This day aims to get people to recognize the worth of everyone around them, and in doing so, appreciate their own." So on this important day, let's look at how to build our own self-esteem from Psychology Today -

The Dr. Seuss Quote For Today - Will You Succeed?

The Dr Seuss Quote for today is, "Will you succeed? Yes you will indeed! Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent  guaranteed!" Well . . . there are things in life which if we focus and are persistent, we are likely to succeed, but certainly,  most things in life there are not guarantees. 

Connect with Important Things Jesus Wants Me to Know books

Resurrection Sunday is a little over a month away, which means Spring Break is just around the corner for the children you love. If you are looking for something you could do with them over Spring Break to connect and provide opportunities to talk about Who Jesus Is, what He did when He walked on this Earth, and how we are able to know Him better, take a look at the Important Things Jesus Wants Me to Know books and get a few to use with the children you love!

With these books and some crayons, markers, and/or colored pencils. you will be able to uniquely engage the children you love in ways they have never engaged before with the accounts of Bible heroes. As they (and you) illustrate their books, they will think about what is happening, the things the Bible people said and did, and how God showed His love and grace to the Bible people . . . which will help the children you love better understand how God shows His love and grace to them as well! 

The Dr. Seuss Quote for Today - Be Awesome . . .

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is, "Be awesome! Be a book nut!" I'm all for reading so I like this quote! Begin reading to your grandchildren when they are young and continue to read to them, and encourage them to read, as they get older. Find books which introduce your grandchildren to something new and which connect with interests they already have. If you find your grandchildren struggle with reading, finding books which tie in with an interest they have is a good way to get them interested in reading. Thankfully these days there are many resources available for us to utilize to help our grandchildren learn, such as books and computer programs. Discover what your grandchildren's interests are and then find books which encourage them to become a "book nut"!

Today is International Goof Off Day!

Today is International Goof Off Day! You may be wondering why we would want to celebrate goofing off, well, according to nationaltoday (dot) com, they say, "The Goof Off Day is the ideal opportunity for everyone to unwind, enjoy themselves, and have a good time. The day invites us to be a little foolish, relax, and do pointless things on this particular day. On this day, you’re encouraged to do something unproductive for enjoyment until the next day to take a break from your daily duties."

We are likely to all agree our world holds lots of stress for us, so a day to unwind, relax, and enjoy taking a break is not a bad idea. Surprisingly, there are even some health benefits for "goofing off". Did you know . . . 

The Dr. Seuss Quote For Today - From There to Here . . .

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is, "From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere!" This is mostly true! There are funny things most everywhere . . . some are easier to see than others, but there are funny things most everywhere! 

God created the world and everything in it and some of these things are funny! Consider Colossians 1:16,  "Because all things were created by him: both in the heavens and on the earth, the things that are visible and the things that are invisible. Whether they are thrones or powers, or rulers or authorities, all things were created through him and for him." 

Today is National French Bread Day

Today is National French Bread Day, so I thought I'd share a favorite recipe for baguettes! I received baguette pans one year for Christmas, so I found a recipe on-line which I use, but I do not steam the bread - I like a soft crust, not crunchy. I know, not a "true" baguette, but it is tasty for sure! You will find the recipe at this link.

Let's look at some fun bread facts, did you know . . . 

The Dr. Seuss Quote For Today - Today I Shall Behave . . .

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is, "Today I shall behave, as if this is the day I will be remembered!" I really like this one! It is a challenge to all of us. So, how do we do this? Consider Matthew 7:12,  "Therefore, you should  treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you" 

Today is the International Day of Happiness!

Nationaltoday (dot) com says, "A holiday called International Day of Happiness may sound a bit infantile to the uninitiated. Perhaps you’re imagining children singing ‘If you’re happy and you know it…’ or people gleefully dancing under a smiling sun and rainbows. While you’re not entirely wrong — who doesn’t like a good sing-song session — the truth is there’s much more to this delightful day than just smiles and good vibes."

The Dr. Seuss Quote for Today - Oh the Things You Can Find . . .

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is, "Oh the things you can find if you don't stay behind!"

While there could be things you will find if you don't stay behind, I think there are far more amazing things you will find if you follow Jesus! John 8:12 tells us, "Jesus spoke to the people again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me won’t walk in darkness but will have the light of life.'” And look at John 8:31, 32; "Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” When we follow Jesus we won't walk in darkness and we will be free because we know the truth! What could be better than this?!!