Enter the Birthday Giveaway

It’s that time of year when holiday decorations are everywhere you turn. Some make me shudder, and others, well, let’s just say a decorating course or two would be beneficial to those people. I love to decorate my home with silk flowers in the theme of “fall” since I live in southwest Florida, where the weather still inches up to the 80s, and if I could, I would spend time at the beach daily.

Since we can’t enjoy fall weather or the leaves changing, I decorate with as much color as I can and enjoy this beautiful warm weather and my flower arrangements. I’m preparing another blog about those – didn’t know I had a flare for artsy, did you? As a result, I have a feeling of thankfulness and cheer. So, it was not surprising that I recently received a prayer journal that was along that theme.

Thankfulness Journal

Several years ago, when I was feeling very stressed, a lady sent me her draft of a document entitled “I Surrender.” She wanted me to publish her book, but instead, I ended up helping her to self-publish. However, in the midst of this project, it hit me – the Lord was asking me to surrender everything to Him.

So here I am, wondering how to instill joyfulness and thankfulness in my children at this time of the year, and what comes across my desk? Or more accurately, what comes to me via email in a PDF format? Yes, another book, this time geared for families and especially children!

I’ve noticed that some homeschool moms find it incredibly easy to fashion a book from something they’ve been teaching to their children or something that is on their hearts, and some frankly, are pretty bad. So I’m always hesitant when someone sends me a book to review, especially when I know them. This young mother, who happens to be the very talented lady who created this website, sent a draft of a prayer journal. I love prayer journals, so I’m admitting it would have to be pretty bad for me not to like it. But what I really loved was the theme of this journal: “Be Thankful.”

“Be Thankful”…doesn’t that make you smile?

The journal is for any time of the year, and it can be pulled out when you are at a low point and need a jolt to remind you to seek God and find those places that are hidden from Him or ones you need to surrender. The journal ever so gently walks you through the process, but the keyword here is gently. The author, Amanda Pelser, does not hit you over the head with the idea of thankfulness or how you must do this or that. She guides you and encourages you to listen to that still voice and search your heart.

We often teach our children that faith must be acted upon. In my own home, I have the freedom to pray and share the Good News with my children. It is such a blessing, but today was one of those opportunities to put faith into action, and we stood with our brothers and sisters in Christ for the 40 Days for Life March in our town. My children are thankful that I chose life, and we discuss the importance of praying for others who are in dire circumstances. In fact, my children held signs that said, “A baby changes everything.” Isn’t that true?

When we came home, I was able to emphasize being thankful for the many printables for the children in this journal. In fact, the Scripture we used for copywork was Psalm 86:12:

“I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name forevermore.”

If I had little ones, which I don’t, I could easily substitute this for a handwriting lesson.

What better way to practice handwriting than with Scripture verses on being joyful and thankful?  This got me thinking, isn’t thankfulness and gratitude some of the character traits we want our children to have?

It is. And I created a series of planners for kids to use to cultivate them. They are the Character Counts Planners.

Introducing the Character Counts Planners, a powerful tool to instill essential values in your children. With 12 character themes, these planners focus on virtues like Patience, Justice/Honor, Thriftiness, Awareness, Decisiveness, Forgiveness, Determination, Flexibility, Punctuality, Generosity, Gratefulness, and Joy. Our Character Planners are designed to nurture your child’s personal growth and character development. They’re easy to use, just open, print, and go!

Each planner is a gateway to meaningful discussions and activities that reinforce these qualities. Empower your kids to embrace Patience, learn about Justice and Honor, practice Thriftiness, cultivate Awareness, make wise decisions, extend Forgiveness, show Determination, adapt with Flexibility, honor Punctuality, celebrate Generosity, be Grateful, and spread Joy.

Foster a foundation of strong character with the Character Counts Planners.

Order here.

In what ways will you teach your children to be thankful? I’m open to any ideas or suggestions you may have for me!