Star Wars Action Figures + Cheerios + Overhead Transparency = Zacchaeus story

I couldn't sleep last night, so as I lay awake, I pondered what new way to tell the Zacchaeus story. And I came up with the combination of Star Wars action figures, cereal and an overhead transparency. OF COURSE! The perfect combination! And what's better ... Caleb agreed to help me tell the story! Awesome!

Point of the story: Show how Zacchaeus didn't just say he'd change ... he did it. Good intentions are not enough.

So, the day started with the kids asking what the overhead projector was. Man, I feel so old. They probably think a slide projector is a historical artifact.

Anyways, I started the story with Yoda as Zacchaeus, laid on top of the overhead (so we could see his shadow up on the stage screen), and showed how Zacchaeus, as a tax collector, was stealing money from people. He charged Han Solo 1 silver coin (or cheerio), but took another silver coin (or cheerio) for himself. Then Caleb got to eat the Cheerios. Then Yoda charged the Storm Trooper 2 cheerios of tax, and took 2 cheerios for himself. And Caleb ate. Then Yoda charged Leia 5 cheerios of tax, and stole 5 cheerios for himself. And Caleb ate.

Then I briefly told the action part of the story, we all sang the song, and we got to the part where Zacchaeus changed. I told the kids, "Something happened in Zacchaeus's heart. He didn't want to steal anymore. In fact, he told Jesus that he was going to give back all that he stole!"

Immediately, I heard Caleb mutter under his breath, "I don't know how I'm gonna get all those Cheerios out of my belly ..."

And I lost it. I just started laughing. Really laughing. And everyone looked at me like I was nuts, 'cuz they couldn't hear what Caleb had said. So of course, I had to tell them. And then they laughed. But, I think they all laughed more at me laughing than what Caleb actually had said. I laughed so hard I started to cry. Ahhhhh ... it's been awhile since a good guffaw like that. Well, I did get my composure and finished the story. Zacchaeus paid back 4 times what he had stolen. So Yoda went to Han Solo and paid him back 4 cheerios (Caleb counted them all out from his bowl) ... gave 8 to Storm Trooper ... and then we just dumped the bowl on Leia. Then Caleb got to eat them all again. The Cheerios, not the action figures.

It was a fun story. I like working with Caleb! He's funny! He is a great gift from God!

That just goes to show you ... you never know what you can do with 3 weird items. Try it. Pick out 3 weird things in your house and just see what story you can tell! It might just make you laugh!

~JG

Snake Chores

Ellie gets into the car after school and spies a bendy wooden snake toy on the floor of the car. She cries, "My snake!!!" (even though she hasn't really played with it for quite awhile - Caleb was last seen with it). And as we start our short drive home, she sits in her car seat and we have the following conversation.

Ellie: "My baby snake is tired because he has lots of chores at his house."

Jen: "Oh, what are his chores?"

Ellie: (starts to list them ... these are only a few of the chores, I can't remember the rest) "He has to clean the laundry! And fix the car. And he has to build a playground. And chop down trees to build houses. And make roofs. And go up in a balloon into space. And make food. And build a smokestack (How does she know what a smokestack is?). And fix fences because his fence fell down. And grow grass. And plant bulbs to grow into flowers."

Jen: "That's a lot of chores! (I'm finding it amazing that a snake really can accomplish all those chores in a given day, especially since he has no arms or legs to speak of!)"

Ellie: "Mommy snake has only a few chores. She has 5 chores. #1 is climbing up trees. #2 is doing the laundry. #3 is she never has to clean up (yeah!) because her kids never play. #4 is she has to make brick houses. #5 is she never can hit (well, that's a nice rule ...) because she doesn't have any hands ( ... or practical)."

And the conversation ends because we arrive home.

I am so glad I am not a snake.

~JG

What IDIOT is in charge of retail?!?!?!?

Ok, so I know that the retail rulers try to shove Christmas down our throats before we've even bought our Halloween costumes. Each year it disgusts me, but I have accepted it as a reality. But really, today was just a new low. Ellie and I went out after lunch to find her a nice Christmas dress for Kraiz. Now, I am not used to buying nice Christmas dresses, as I usually find something at the fall consignment sale. And I did find one at the fall consignment sale. But it isn't really NICE - like performing on stage NICE ... because I did not know I would need that kind of NICE back then. And now I do, sooooo, the search in retail began.

We searched through a few of the pillar children's stores - Children's Place for example. But alas, all they had was one sorry rack of left over "Christmas" apparel (not really Christmas-y) and they would not be getting anymore in. Other stores did not have a huge selection (I mean really, is a red or green or black poofy dress too much to ask for?)... or their one nice dress was waaaaay too much. So I thought, really? REALLY? It's still before Thanksgiving! Is it impossible to find a Christmas dress even NOW? I am not ready to think Christmas before Halloween!!! Too much PRESSURE!!!

Sigh. But thank God for Sears. Yes, Sears still had a nice selection of Christmas dresses. In fact, we found 3, YES THREE, that would fit the bill (figuratively and literally). So Ellie tried those dresses on (what girl doesn't love that?) and picked out the one she liked best (of course, I had already pre-approved each selection beforehand! Can't give the wee one TOO much power ...). And NOW we have a Christmas dress.

I guess I should be looking for a swimsuit in the next few weeks or those might run out too.

~JG

"Strong Love"

We had the kiddos pictures taken on Saturday ... and they were just so cute that I took a few pictures myself. I liked how they turned out. I really love how they show Caleb and Ellie together. Caleb and Ellie really seem to love each other - they play with each other all the time and are a comedic force to be reckoned with at meals! I absolutely love to watch their love for each other. I know relationships change as we grow, but I pray that they will always LOVE each other. (And here's praying, Tim and Britt, that Bitty G Grape Babies will always love each other too!!!)

Here's a scrapbook page that I did tonight ... my way of unwinding after a more-than-usual stressful day at church (due to performing a monologue - which as awesome and great but emotionally taxing as well ... as all drama is!). Yeah for digital scrapbooking!



And now to further relax, here's to reading a "Choose your own Adventure" book that I found at the thrift store!!! Score! I LOVED these as a kid! I always tried to find the good endings and work my way backwards ...maybe that's how my "snerking" habit began (for those who are unaware of what "snerking" means, it is Aaron's term for Jenny's veracious habit of skipping ahead in books). I already read one possible ending with Caleb. Let's see if I can choose a more fatal adventure this time! MWAH HAHA!

~JG

Posing for the Picture

A few days before Halloween, Ellie and I took advantage of a BEAUTIFUL day and took a lovely walk. We took along the camera and looked for colorful leaves - we took pictures of some and collected some. And Ellie was in a "posing for the picture" mood! She kept asking me to take her picture - and she kept tilting her head and smiling. HA! Here's the scrapbook page I made about our walk ...



However, Ellie is not always in a "posing for the picture" mood. I helped out for her class Halloween (or rather, "Harvest") party. She was very glad to have me there, but she did not want to take a picture with me. As seen below. Despite how it looks, she actually DID have a good time! I promise!


~JG

Free Will

Tonight at Club 56 (our bible study/fun time with our 5th and 6th graders), we were watching "What's in the Bible?" I stopped it every so often to discuss different points with the kids, like "Who wrote the bible?" and "What is sin?" and "Why is free will such a wonderful and dangerous gift?" At the last question, most of the kids looked blankly at me, but one piped up and answered, "Because we might sin." And I thought, that's the answer, in it's simplest form. Free will, our choice to love or reject God, is so wonderful when we do decide to choose Him. But it is so dangerous because so many times we choose to reject Him. Because we might sin. It doesn't take a huge, theological mind to grasp that. Ellie can understand it, because she was the one who said it.

~JG

Snippets from today

This afternoon ... Caleb jumps and clings on me like a monkey.
Jen: (laughing) "What are you doing?"
Caleb: "I've got you! I want your attention!"
Ahhhh ... if only he were a little more clear ...

Overheard in kids church this evening ...
Jen: "Tonight, we are going to talk about the Day of Pentecost."
Girl: "YES! PENNIES!"

Praying at bedtime ...
Ellie: "And please help all da cities not to be destroyed. And all da people to not die and do sins."

After lights out ... I overheard Caleb singing a GT Song to himself ...
Caleb: (singing) "So do not fear for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, strengthen and up? ... up? ... uphold you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10"
I had taught that song to Caleb a few weeks ago when he was afraid of the dark. I didn't know he actually sang it to himself. I listened at the door and just about melted.


~JG