Holy Week - Day Four (Day of Rest)

Wednesday - Rest in Bethany

Repost from last year.

Note: No events are specifically recorded for this day. It is assumed that Jesus spent the day in Bethany. You may continue to use parables on Day 3 or discuss later verses, such as Mary anointing the Savior and Judas bargaining for the betrayal of Christ (both are scriptural accounts found at the end of the reading text for Day 3).

Prophecy: “And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver” (Zechariah 11:12).

Family Discussion: Show them the thirty pieces of silver. Explain that thirty pieces of silver was the price commonly paid for the life of a male slave. Use the following questions to discuss Judas’ betrayal: Why did the Pharisees set this price? Would it have mattered to Judas how much money had been offered? Has Jesus ever been betrayed since then (by Peter denying him 3 times)? What has been the price?

Suggested Activity:

• While reading and discussing the Parable of the Ten Virgins, burn two lamps: one filled with oil and another containing only a very little oil. Turn off all other lights and burn both lamps until the foolish virgin's lamp burns out.
• Act out the play "The Parable of the Ten Virgins" listed below:

The Parable of the Ten Virgins Play

Cast: Narrator; Wise Virgins (up to five); Foolish virgins (up to five); Bridegroom; Members of the wedding party with the Bridegroom; Midnight crier; Oil Merchant(s)

Props: Lamps (homemade lamps, fancy jars, or paper cut-outs); Extra oil containers (cruets, bottles, jugs); Scarves, jewelry, etc. to be worn by the virgins; Robe andhat to be worn by the bridegroom; A "turban" and robe for the oil merchants; A door to be closed upon the foolish virgins

Narrative of Events:

1. The ten virgins wait with lighted lamps outside the bridegroom's house for his arrival. Of the virgins, half are designated "wise" and carry an extra supply of oil with them. Half are "foolish" and have chosen to bring only their lamps (see Matthew 25:1-4)

2. The bridegroom is later than expected and the virgins fall asleep while waiting for him (see Matthew 25:5).

3. At midnight, a cry is heard, announcing the bridegroom's arrival (see Matthew 25:6).

4. Each virgin awakens and trims her lamp (adjusts the wick and oil level to maximize the lamplight) (see Matthew 25:7).

5. The foolish virgins vainly attempt to borrow extra oil from the wise virgins because their lamps have run out of oil (see Matthew 25:8).

6. The wise virgins direct the foolish virgins to run and buy more oil from the oil merchants (see Matthew 25:9).

7. While the foolish virgins are gone buying more oil, the bridegroom comes with the rest of the wedding party. He opens the door of his house, and the wise virgins enter his house with him. The bridgegroom closes the door after them (see Matthew 25:10).

8. The foolish virgins come back and ask to be let into the house. The bridegroom denies them admittance (see Matthew 25:11-12).

Holy Week - Day Three (Day of Parables

Repost from last year. Sorry if the links aren't working - you can check out my Easter topics on the right side of my blog and find last years entry for Day 3.

Tuesday (Parables and Teaching)

Prophecy: “I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old” (Psalm 78:2).

Scripture Reading: (Spread these readings over the next two days) Matthew 21:19-26:16; Mark 11:20-14; Luke 20:1-22:6; John 12:37-50

The Prodigal Son

Specific Parables and Teachings:

• Question of Authority: Matthew 21:23-27
• Parable of the Two Sons: Matthew 21:28-32
• Parable of the Wicked Husbandman: Matthew 21:33-46
• Tribute to Caesar: Matthew 22:15-22
• The Great Commandment: Matthew 22:34-46
• Condemnation of Hypocrisy and Lament over Jerusalem: Matthew 23
• The Widow’s Mite: Mark 12: 41-44
• Parable of the Ten Virgins: Matthew 25:1-13
• Parable of the Entrusted Talents: Matthew 25:1-13
• Parable of the Final Judgment: Matthew 25:31-46

Family Discussion: Discuss the definition of the word “parable” and why Jesus used parables as a teaching method (See Bible Dictionary, “Parables,” 740-41; Jesus the Christ, Chp 19, “He Spake Many Things Unto Them In Parables”).

Suggested Activities:

• Read “Sharing Time: TheAtonement,” Friend, Mar. 1989, 39. By Laurel Rohlfing.
  
• Read Stephen E. Robinson's "Parable of the Bicycle"Ensign, May 1992, 5-9.
• Act out a parable. Wear costumes, use props, and record it so the children can view it later.
• Make Oil Lamps to use when discussing the Parable of the Ten Virgins

Instructions: Clay Lamps

1. Mold pottery clay or Sculpy into a shallow, watertight bowl with a solid, flat bottom. You can coil a thin "snake" of clay around itself several times to form the bowl shape; or you can use your fingers to flatten and pinch a ball of clay into the bowl shape.

2. Pinch together a small section of the bowl's upper lip to form a small spout, like that on a teapot, just wider than the wick you plan to use. This the wick channel

3. Dry the bowl in the sun or according to the package instructions.

4. After the lamp has thoroughly dried, wedge a string of candlewick into the wick channel so that about one inch of the wick sticks out above the bowl and the rest of it is coiled in the bottom of the bowl. (If using Sculpy, line the spout opening with a generous amount of tin foil before wedging the wick in place. This will prevent the clay from melting).

5. Fill the bowl with oil and wait for the oil to soak up the length of the wick.

6. Light the wick.

Instructions: Lamp Wicking

* Wicks can be made in a variety of ways. Use a 1/4 - 1/2 inch strip of cotton (a cut up terrycloth rag would work) or woolen cloth as the wick. Twisted cotton, wool fibers, and lengths of 100% jute twine make fine wicks. You can even make an adequate wick out of a twisted napkin. Candle wicking can also be purchased from craft stores.

Other Scriptures you may want to use:

Matt 21:18-22 On His way back to Jerusalem Jesus cursed the barren fig tree (BDp 674 Fig tree) Matt 21:23-46 Chief priests challenged Jesus’ authority. He rebuked them.
Mattt 21:28-22:14 Parable of the two sons, the wicked husbandman, and the marriage of the king’s son.
Matt 22:15-16 Enemies tried to trap Jesus in His words. He answered their questions about Roman taxes, marriage and the Resurrection, and the great commandment ( BD p 628 Caesar p 701-2 Herodias p767 Sadducees)
Mark 12:41, 44 At the temple treasury Jesus notice a widow donating a mite (BDp 733-34 Mite)Matt 23:1-36 Jesus warned the multitude about hypocrisy (BD p 770 Scribe)
Matt 23:37-39 Jesus lamented over Jerusalem
Matt 24-25 Joseph Smith Matt 1 At the Mount of Olives Jesus taught His disciples about the destruction of Jerusalem and the signs of His Second Coming. (BD p 633 Christ p 648 Coming of Jesus Christ)
Matt 25 Parable of ten virgins, talents, and the sheep and the goats (BD p 788-89 Weights and Measures)

* Check out these links from sugardoodle.com for some different ideas for your Easter Week celebration (link one, link two, link three).

Holy Week - Day Two (Cleansing the Temple)

Repost from last year:

Monday (Cleansing the Temple)

Prophecy: "Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine alter; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people" - Isaiah 56:7

Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:12-18; Mark 11:12-19; Luke 19:45-48

Family Discussion: Given Jesus' action in the temple, discuss how he would feel in your own family's home? How might he cleanse it? As a family, choose one way to purify your home and make that your goal for the week.

Suggested Activities:

• Because my kids are young, I love acting things out. On a small table I put play money (from a board game) and play coins. Underneath the table I had the boys gather their stuffed animals. I then showed them a picture of Herod's Temple

• We then talked about what Jesus did at the temple:

Early the next morning Jesus went again to the temple and made a decisive thrust calculated to challenge the Jewish religious leadership. He drove from the outer court area of the temple those who were trading and making money exchange from foreign currency. The money exchange was apparently sanctioned by the Jewish leaders; and by preventing the merchandizing, Jesus was in effect challenging their leadership. The issue was clear: Was the temple to be a place of worship of God or of pursuit of gain? As he cleared the temple courts, he said, “It is written, My house

shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” (Matthew 21:13.)

Again that evening Jesus returned to Bethany.

• We then acted out what happened when Jesus got to the temple. I had the boys come and exchange their money and then they could use the coins to buy an animal for the passover sacrifice. Then while they were exchanging things, Ryan came out and throw over the table and repeated the words that Jesus had said to those in the temple. I used Gospel Art Kit Picture #224 and paraphrased what was written on the back:
  

PEEPS for the Class

What do you get when you take a bunch of these....

... and some of these...

...and put them inside these?

Spring Treats for your child(ren)'s classes!

So I borrowed an idea I saw on another blog (I would give credit but I can't remember where off the top of my head and I'm too lazy to search for it).

Here's how to make it:

Ingredients

* Peeps (I used 3 per bag so you will have to do the math to figure out how many you will need)

* Cellophane goodie bags - about 4"x10" (you can get them at most craft stores and even at WalMart)

* Cardstock tags (if you want to use the one I made, just leave me a comment with your email and I will send the file to you)

* Scissors

* Stapler

Step-By-Step

1. Print, cut, and fold the amount of tags you will need

2. Cut off the top 1" of your cellophane bags (a bit tedious but it makes the end result look better)

3. Put 3 peeps in the goodie bag

4. Fold the bag over and then sandwich it in the fold of the cardstock tag.

5. Staple the tag onto the bag

6. Repeat until you are done

Note: your fingers might end up the same color as the peeps you use!

Happy Gifting,

Holy Week - Day One (Palm Sunday)

This is a repost from last year! Don't forget that this Sunday is Palm Sunday which is the first day of Holy Week. Join my family in celebrating the life of our Savior and the miracles of His last week here on the earth. Let me know how your Holy Week activities turn out.

Happy Celebrating to you,

**********************************************

Each year we celebrate Holy Week as a family and have activities that correspond with what Jesus did that last week of His mortal life. Most of these activities come from the fabulous book - "A Christ-Centered Easter: Day-by-Day Activities to Celebrate Easter Week" by Janet and Joe Hales.

So here is what we did today:

Palm Sunday (Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem)

Prophecy: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, they King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass" - Zechariah 9:9

Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12=36

Family Discussion: Discuss the symbolism of using palm branches to usher the Lord into Jerusalem (see this story from the Friend). There is also some great information from the April 2009 Ensign - see the section on "The Triumphal entry into Jerusalem (click here).

Suggested Activities (pick any of these activities):

• Begin your Easter week with a "LOA" (Love One Another) table or wall. Cover a table or wall with poster board or butcher paper. Encourage everone to write complimentary notes to each other on the poster throughout the week. Read the comments aloud on Easter Sunday.
• Make palm leaves out of cardstock. Re-enact Jesus' arrival into Jerusalem. While someone reads from the New Testament (see the Scripture Reading above) you can act out what it must have been like. Then discuss the story from the Friend (link above: "Exploring Palms for the Lord")
• Go on a nature walk with your children. Instruct them to find a variety of objects that are significant to the Easter story. For example, find a branch to signify the palm branches thrust at Jesus' feet as he rode a donkey into Jerusalem; a thorn to represent the crown of thorns Jesus wore on his head; a piece of wood to signify the cross to which Jesus was nailed; a rock to represent the stone that rolled away from the open tomb, etc...

Play Ball

Saturday was opening day of Little League! It was a beautiful spring day and our Minor B Diamondbacks played really good!!!! According to many of the boys, our team scored 26 runs and the other team had 11 runs. Regardless of the score, our boys played like a team - I LOVE BASEBALL!

Big D practicing hitting with Coach Ryan (aka - Dad)

Big D playing short stop (look it's Gramps in the background, he is an assistant coach)

Batter Up: #9, Big D

Ready to run home - home plate that is!

Coach Ryan with Assistant Coach, Grandma Robin

A visit from Dinger the Sacramento Rivercats mascot!

Play Ball,

Happy Birthday....

... to Peanut #2!!!!

4 years old

3 years old

2 years old

1 year old

A few minutes old

We celebrated C-man's 4th birthday with a car birthday party. The highlight of the day was the bounce house! I was so glad that the weather cooperated and that we were able to have sunshine!

We are so lucky to have C-man in our family - there is never a boring moment when he is around! There are many thing that I love about this kid but I thought I would share 4 since he is now 4 years old.

1. He is curious and adventurous - because of these two traits we are very familiar with bloody lips, bruises, and scratches. None of those things slow him down. Because he is so curious he has taught himself how to write his own name (as well as his brothers, mine, his dads, and grandparent's names) among other self taught skills!

2. He has a great disposition - for the most part, he is a happy, albeit mischievous (see #1), little one. If he is in a bad mood, everyone knows it, but his good moods and easy going attitude will serve him well the older he gets!

3. He loves his brother - he always wants to do what his older brother is doing. How lucky he is to have such a good big brother. Because of Dallin's example to him, I have no doubt that Carson will be a great big brother to his little brother or sister that will be here in August.

4. He loves life - from the moment he wakes until he drifts off to sleep he embraces the day and enjoys all that may come his way!

Our lives are more full because he is in our life! We love you Noni!!!!

Happy Celebrating to you,

Clever Kitchen Remodel

So since I have been a major dud lately and have not felt well enough to post anything or share any new crafts, I thought I would at least show you something that has my mind racing. Becca over at Nap Time Journal (click on the blog name) recently posted her how-to's on a clever kitchen remodel she did.

She took a thrift store bookcase and transformed it into a play kitchen. So go over to her site and see her tutorial on how to create this baby! Thanks for the inspiration Becca!