Adventures in Odyssey A.C.T.S Blog Tour

Join Adventures in Odyssey this summer 

to discover how fun it can be to serve others!

This summer, Adventures in Odyssey is joining with Christian bookstores across the country, inviting kids to participate in a Summer of Service. They’re promoting the biblical message, “When you serve, everybody wins,” encouraging kids to serve their families, their communities, and their world. Whether it’s baking cookies for an elderly neighbor or putting together a care package for missionaries overseas, kids will discover that serving can be a blast! 

Adventures in Odyssey, the beloved audio series from Focus on the Family, has encouraged kids toward a stronger faith for 25 years. Whit, Connie, Eugene, and the other loveable characters from Odyssey have shared countless adventures with kids across the world in the classic audio dramas, books, videos, and devotionals, fulfilling the AIO promise to help kids discover, imagine, and grow. This post is the first of a series of 3 Adventures in Odyssey posts that will show how Adventures in Odyssey's themes of Discover, Imagine & Grow relate to your family!  

WHY SERVE?

Our culture puts an extravagant amount of energy into raising kids who will grow up to feel good about themselves. In schools, clubs, homes, and even at church, adults have made a decided effort to bolster children’s “self-esteem” –not by actually encouraging kids do something that’s worthwhile, but by simply telling them they are important and valuable.  At the turn of the century, researchers predicted that the next generation would respond to these efforts of raising self-esteem by being filled with optimism and civic duty. Unfortunately, recent research shows the opposite. Kids coming of age today are more self-centered, disrespectful of authority, and depressed than ever before. In a very real way, then, the best path toward building selfless, confident children is to help and encourage them toward a growing and thriving faith in God. And that includes obedience to what God teaches—not because it makes kids feel good, although it often does—but because they’re following God’s instructions to love Him and serve others. That builds a faith they can count on and carry with them into adulthood—which is the greatest gift any parent can bestow on their child.

We have tried to instill servant hearts into our children at early ages.  We want them to not only realize how blessed they are but also realize how they can be a blessing to others.  The Bible teaches that we be servants to others (even those we don't like!).  Every time our children have had the opportunity to serve by the end of it, they want to do it again or make sure we sign up to do that next year!  The past few years, the kids have participated in parades in our town by walking with our church and handing out candy & invitations to church, they help us with Trunk or Treat at Halloween at our church as we pass out candy & tracts to children that come, we make and pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and they have even had the opportunity to serve meals to people in our community as well.  Last August, we moved 18 hours from home to become a full-time missionary family.  We have dedicated our lives to serving unreached people groups - those who have never heard the name of Jesus Christ and have no access to the gospel or Bibles in their language.  We are currently completing a 2 year training program before we move overseas to live and serve.  Lord willing, our children will have many different types of opportunity to serve throughout our time as a missionary family. You can read more about our family's mission work on our missions website. 

No matter where you are in life, there are always opportunities to serve someone and I challenge you to keep your eyes open for those and then see how you can include your children in them.  

How the A.C.T.S. (A Call to Service) challenge and contest works:

Kids who join A.C.T.S. can pick up a service log and collect fun character stickers for hours served at participating bookstores throughout the summer, or download a serving log online at whitsend.org.  At the end of the summer, kids can record and upload a short video telling how they serve and why they’d like to become an Adventures in Odyssey Ambassador.

A hundred winners will get the brand new AIO Album, and after online voting, two grand prize winners (one boy and one girl) will get to travel on an exciting Good-Goers Mission Based Adventure trip to another country with a parent!  The out-of-country destination will be announced on a live podcast May 22—hosted by AIO actors Katie Leigh (Connie) and Chris Anthony (Chris)—which you can watch at whitsend.org/acts. You don’t want to miss it!

Adventures in Odyssey also has some great freebies your family can enjoy as well.  You can listen to a downloadable MP3 file of Adventure in Odyssey's "Service" episode here or check out a PDF download chocked full of summer service ideas for kids! 

Disclaimer:  I wrote this post on behalf of Adventures in Odyssey and Tyndale. I received Adventures in Odyssey Our Favorites in exchange for an honest review. No monetary compensation was received.  All views and opinions are of my own and your results/opinions may vary from mine.  

New Release from Veggie Tales

MACLARRY AND THE 

STINKYCHEESE BATTLE 

Newest VeggieTales^® DVD Teaches ‘Getting Along with Others’ and Continues Brand’s Tradition of Helping Families Grow Great Kids

FRANKLIN, TN (May 20, 2013) /PRNewswire/ — Big Idea Entertainment, a leading studio and producer of children’s and family programming, characters and brands, today announced the launch of their newest DVD title, VeggieTales^®: MacLarry and the Stinky Cheese Battle, slated to hit Christian and general market retail stores on July 27, 2013 and July 30, 2013, respectively.

MacLarry and the Stinky Cheese Battle features the Veggie gang in a make-believe land where ancient Scotland and ancient Rome are in the midst of the silliest prank feud of all time, where the tools of battle are pies and water balloons.  This latest action adventure features a full cast of fan-favorites, including Larry the Cucumber as MacLarry, Bob the Tomato as MacBob, and Mr. Lunt as the mischievous Pompous Maximus.

At the core of this new story is the lesson of getting along with others – a value that is top of mind for parents of preschoolers.

"We’re delighted to deliver a story that has the silliness kids love,” said Leslie Ferrell, president of Big Idea Entertainment, "the fun of a stinky cheese battle with a message parents want to reinforce – the importance of getting along with others.”

Today, VeggieTales is premiering the MacLarry trailer on a dedicated MacLarry landing page, but the fun doesn’t stop there. The countdown to the national sneak peek premiere of the latest silly song from the show, “Stilts and Kilts,” will kick off on June 1, 2013 via all of VeggieTales’ social media channels.

The whole family can follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest with an engaging interactive event where they can receive exclusive MacLarry previews, bonuses and other fun surprises. Veggie fans can also keep up-to-date on all things MacLarry from now until July, by visiting the MacLarry landing page, where the trailer for the upcoming DVD will debut today. Kids and parents can revisit the page throughout the summer to view the roll-out of other enjoyable MacLarry features including songs, video clips, and a brand new interactive game for kids called “MacLarry’s Stinky Cheese Toss.” 

For further information, the trailer and more fun to come, please check out the MacLarry and the Stinky Cheese landing page at www.veggietales.com/maclarry

About Big Idea
Big Idea Entertainment, a division of DreamWorks AnimationSKG, Inc., is a leading studio and producer of children’s and family programming, characters and brands. Big Idea’s best-selling series VeggieTales^® is a one of the most recognized brands in the US with moms of preschoolers*.  Since 1993, VeggieTales^® has sold 70 million videos, 15 million books and more than 7 million CDs.  VeggieTales^® enjoyed four seasons as a top-rated series on NBC Saturday mornings, Telemundo and ION TV.  The studio’s two theatrical releases, Lionsgate’sJonah-A VeggieTales^® Movie (2002), and Universal Pictures’The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything^®-A VeggieTales^® Movie (2008), are distinguished among the most successful faith-based films of all time. Big Idea also maintains an extensive presence in publishing, licensing and live entertainment arenas. For more information on Big Idea, visit:www.VeggieTales.com.  

You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube to stay up to date with the latest shows, sales and specials.  

Pray for Oklahoma...and How You Can Help!

Most of you are aware of the horrendous tornado that tore through Oklahoma yesterday afternoon.  David & I sat watching the live coverage, reading stories and looking and photos last night and we were literally sick to our stomachs.  Our hearts are heavy for all people who were affected in anyway from that devastating tornado.  Our family went through a tornado back on April 27,2011 (and endured almost 2  weeks of no power, no internet, no cell phones, no water) and while it in no way compares to the devastation in Oklahoma, we personally know the effect that relief efforts have on families and a community. I wanted to share a couple of  ways that you can personally help the relief efforts in Oklahoma.  I also want to encourage you to help out however the Lord leads you.  Even if you can't do much, donating clothes, personal hygiene items, any denomination gift card, pet supplies, etc. make a huge difference.  Above all, please keep this area covered in prayers in the day ahead.          

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

If you are looking for a local Oklahoma agency to contribute to, consider the Oakcrest Church of Christ. They are located just outside the devastated area and are set up to provide aid and shelter to whomever needs it. They have even been sending church vans into the area to pick up people who cannot get to them. You can contribute on their website or by mail and 100% of your donation will go to the relief efforts. www.oakcrestchurch.com.

The Red Cross needs financial donations. There are three ways to make a contribution; you can go to redcross.org, you can text "red cross" to 90999 on your cell phone to give $10, or you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Salvation Army has also jumped into action. It's in multiple locations throughout cities in Oklahoma providing food, hydration and emotional support to first responders and storm survivors. You can contribute to the Salvation Army by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769), visiting their website, texting "STORM" to 80888 to make an automatic $10 donation, or by mail:  The Salvation Army  PO Box 12600 Oklahoma City, OK 73157.

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief says donations will "go straight to help those in need providing tree removal services, laundry services and meals to victims of disasters." It is requesting monetary donations (It says clothing is NOT needed). For more information, and to donate, visit Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief's website.You can send checks to: BGCO, Attn: Disaster Relief, 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK., 73112.

"Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me,
For my soul takes refuge in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge
Until destruction passes by." --Psalm 57:1, NASB

Our Mexico Trip Report

Here is an overview of our trip to "Village M" in Mexico this week!  We wanted to give you some pictures so you could visually see what we did and where we were as well.  Thank you so much for each of you who were covering us and our children in prayer this week.  We had a very good trip into the village this month and our kids did great with the sweet couple they stayed with here on campus as well. This was my first trip into "Village M" this year as well.  Now to share about our time in "Village M".  

(Our suburban after the drive into the village)

We arrived in "Village M" on Monday afternoon around 4:30pm.  It had rained quite a bit in the days prior to our arrival so the roads were pretty muddy and the potholes were really bad.  We had decided that our team would provide dinner tonight for a family of believers in this village so we quickly unpacked and started cooking the food we had brought.  

(Enjoying meals with Oscar & Minerva)

Oscar, Minerva & Ariana are believers in the village and they are also our points of contact in this village.  We always coordinate with them when we are coming to visit and they often have us to their home for various meals and activities.  For dinner, we made carna asada (meat), beans and rice and enjoyed the fellowship with them on the night we arrived.  

(Breaking down I Thesalonians)

Tuesday morning, we woke up and ate breakfast and then had a team Bible study. We went through I Thessalonians chapters 1-3 during this time.  After our Bible study together, we spent time walking around the village and talking to people within the village. 

(Spending time with one of the villagers)

 Some of the people we simply invited to the Bible Storying we were doing at 4:00pm down by the ocean and others we spent time sharing the gospel with as well as following up on studies the team had done last month with certain people in the village. We talked to Toho and Salvador (who are both believers as well) and encouraged them to continue studying the Word and following Christ.  We met with Urbano who has been studying but has not yet made a decision to follow Christ.  We spent time in Donnacello's home with her and her husband.  They are an elderly couple and Donnacello recently became a Christian.  On this day, she told us that she wanted to be baptized out of obedience but her husband (who is still a practicing Catholic) told her that if she got baptized again she would have to leave their home.  We spent time sharing with her and praying for her and her husband as well.  Please pray for Donnacello to have strength in the face of persecution.  

(Mole Chicken lunch)

Oscar and Minerva invited us to their home for lunch and we had a delicious dinner of Mole Chicken, rice and corn tortillas.  Mole (pronounced moe-lay) is a very famous Mexican dish and there are lots of variations of it. I had never eaten Mole before but it was really tasty and I loved all the different flavor combinations in the sauce.  There is even chocolate in it!  Here's a Mole Chicken recipe if you want to try Food Network's version of it.  I really enjoyed this lunch!  

(Bible Storying) 

Later that afternoon, we had a Bible Storying time at one of the buildings down by the water.  We had walked throughout the village inviting people to come hear our story and had a decent turnout considering that a lot of people in the village had gone back out to fish again.  Matt shared the story of Jesus crucifixion with them and then asked them a few questions.  We also had some cookies for the people to enjoy while they listened.  

We ate dinner with KiKi that night.  He is a man who lives in sin and yet he has spent a lot of time this year studying the Bible both on his own and with the team when they go into "Village M" each month.  He even quoted Psalm 23 in English to us after dinner and did a beautiful job! Continue to pray for Kiki that the seeds of God's Word that have been planted will continue to grow in his heart and that he will turn from his sin, repent and seek a real and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  

(David & I with Oscar, Minerva & Ariana)

Wednesday morning, we spent more time as a team studying I Thessalonians chapters 4-5 and then looking at the book in its entirety. After team Bible study, we went to Oscar & Minerva's house and spent some time with them.  We gave them Paul Washer's "One True God" Bible study workbooks in Spanish and asked them to start working their way through them this summer.  We (as team members) will also be completing this same workbook ourselves and in September (when we go back to Village M) we plan to go over this material with them.  In true Mexican fashion, Oscar wanted a siesta so we took that time to go back and eat lunch while he rested.  

(Playing UNO with Oscar)

After his siesta, he invited us back to his house to play UNO with him and Ariana.  I must admit, I am a big fan of card games but 9 people playing UNO is really fun and a little competitive too.  We had lots of laughter and good times just sitting around playing a game together.  

(Dinner of fresh fish and shrimp)

For dinner that night, Minerva cooked fresh fish and shrimp that Oscar had caught while we were there.  Now I am not a fan of fish at all, but this fish was so delicious and did not tasty "fishy" at all.  They served it with limes and a fresh, homemade salsa too.  I ate 2 fish fillets and 4 shrimp because it was so good. After dinner, David & I spent time in the kitchen area with Minerva and Ariana and 2 of the villagers.  Ariana can speak very limited English and our Spanish is "un poco" (a little) so we had a good time trying to talk to them in Spanish and them trying to talk to us in English.  I have learned this trip that we need to work on our Spanish a LOT more but also that just getting in there and trying to communicate with them (even with limited knowledge) helps people feel like you care and want to get to know them at the same time.  We also watched the first 45 minutes of a soccer game with Oscar but we were pretty tired and couldn't stay up to see who won the match.  

We loved getting to go to "Village M" and serve together as husband and wife.  David has been going to "Village M" each month since August 2012 and he has formed great relationships and friendships with the people there.  Since our kids do not yet have passports (we are still waiting on finances to allow us to purchase those), we have not been able to go into Mexico as a family each year.  The sweet couple that lives above us at the apartments offered to keep our kids so David & I could go together and that was such a blessing.  It was wonderful to get to see "Village M" personally, meet the people we have been praying for the past 9 months and experience life there myself.  In just 4 days, I felt very close to Oscar, Minerva and Ariana and they were so welcoming and inviting to me during my time there.  David & I greatly desire to be able to bring our entire family to "Village M" at some point this summer so the kids can experience it and meet the people there and so we can continue to encourage them in their Bible studies and encourage them in their Christian living.  

We went 4 days with no showers, no running water, no air conditioning of any kind and very limited electricity but it was a wonderful 4 days despite those conditions.  The one thing that was still hard for me to get used to on this trip was the Federali (the police) that drive these type vehicles on the roads.  It was always weird to see men in the back of trucks with M16 machine guns in their hands going down the road! 

Please continue to pray for "Village M" in Mexico.  Pray for strength and continued steadfastness for the believers in this village (Oscar, Minerva, Ariana, Donnacello, Toho & Salvador) and pray for those that our team has been studying with this year but they have not yet made decisions (Kiki, Urbano, Reyes & Mario).  Pray for continued protection and safety for all those in "Village M" as well.  Pray that our family will be able to financially afford passports ($345.00) for our 3 children so we can go as a family into "Village M" and serve the people there this summer and within the next year.  Thank you for all the prayers lifted up on behalf of our family this week while our kids remained on campus and while David & I were gone to "Village M".  To learn more about our family's mission work and training, check out our missions website!  

We're Headed to Mexico

As most of you are aware, we are a self-supporting, full-time missionary family.  David & I are leaving today headed to "Village M" in Mexico for 4 days.  We have been working in and ministering to this village each month since August.  Much progress has been made for the gospel in this area.  Oscar is making much progress in his growth as a Christian and enjoying the discipleship time the team is able to spend with him on these trips.  He asked us to pray for his oldest daughter to be saved as well.  Continue to pray for Erbano and Kiki that God will reveal Himself unto them and set them free from the bondage of sin and death.  

As far as risk with our work, the cartel is making its presence known more in "Village M" and asking questions to villagers about our team.  They also know what our vehicle looks like now too.  Because of this, our housing situation in "Village M" is still not secure.  Above all, continue to pray for our ministry in "Village M" and that God would be glorified in everything we do during our time there each month. 

Our children will remain on campus in Texas with the friends who live in the apartment above us while we are gone.  Please pray peace and comfort for them while we are gone this week as well and that they will enjoy their time and not focus on the "what-if's" of our trip.  We appreciate your prayers on behalf of us, our children and our team this week.  If you'd like to learn more about the mission work and training our family is doing you can watch a short video and learn how to partner with us.  

Check back next week for new blog posts, giveaways and a trip update! Hope you all have a fantastic week. 

Mother's Day Giveaway from Educents

Educents is offering the MOTHER of all Giveaways! In honor of all the awesome moms we know and love, we’ve put together this amazing Mother’s Day package of gift cards, spa credit, fun educational products for kids, and even an iPad 2 with Smart Case!

ENTER TO WIN this great giveaway and don't forget....the more entries, the higher prize values!  

NerdWallet's "Mother's Day Your Way" Contest

If you give a frazzled Mom, a cookie 

She's going to ask for a cup of coffee

in her personalized coffee mug

When she finishes the cup of coffee, 

she's going to need a napkin 

from her scroll napkin holder

Then she will take out her 

Beauty Mate Vanity Set

to see if there is any coffee on her face

and realize she needs to get a shower

After spending time "beautifying" herself

using the products in her

hair accessories organizer

she will realize the house has 

become quite messy

So she will ask you for a

flexi-duster and start cleaning the house

in a quick, efficient manner

The "tweets" from the
Singing Bird Clock will remind her

that it is time to pick up the kids from school

and take them to art lessons

While waiting at art lessons, 

she will call her husband on her iPhone

with a new personalized cover

 to check-in on his day

While on the phone with her husband

she is reminded that he is working late

and the kids are spending the night with  

friends so she might have time to enjoy 

one more cup of coffee from her

coffee pod selection before her husband arrives home.

And chances are, if a frazzled Mom 

can get 2 cups of coffee in one day...

it's going to be a good day and 

she can handle anything that life brings on!

If you're looking for a Mother's Day gift on a budget, each of the items mentioned above retails for under $25.00 and can be purchased at Current Catalog.  NerdWallet not only offers coupon codes for Current Catalog but also offers coupons that you can use at over 20,000 stores online. Just in time for Mother's Day, you can not only save money but have fun shopping online for that perfect Mother's Day gift too!  

If you are a blogger, you can submit a post to NerdWallet's "Mother's Day Your Way" contest here for your chance to win $100.