Day 14 & 15 - Elfina's Advent Adventures

This was Ella's entrepreneur day.... in the summer and fall - Ella has a Veggie stand so she decided she wanted to make pretzels to give as gifts and sell at Cruisers.  She enjoyed our pretzel making event.  

Day #14

I have been practicing the spelling of your name

Decorating the counter was such a fun game

Today you can do a project with your mom

You can make chocolate covered pretzels that will be the bomb!

Quality time with your mom making snacks

Is good for the heart, and that is a fact.

So have fun making treats, and don’t make too big of a mess

I am sure they will look great, and be a success

Verse of the Day: Prov. 1:8

Today was mommy/daughter day.  We spent the day together, shopping not only for the gifts that I needed but also for Ella to learn the importance of giving.  So she was given money to get something for a friend as well as herself.  

Day #15

For today’s adventure we must leave for the car

No worries Ella we won’t be going too far

Let’s head to Selinsgrove, to have a girl’s day

I even have this gift card, for you to pay.

But don’t spend too much just on yourself,

Also buy a gift for a friend and share your wealth.

Verse of the Day: Prov. 17:17

Though I am pretty tired from being gone all day - it was a nice day of shopping and Ella did well looking and chosing gifts.  Now if we could just get through this I want everything stage :)  

Day 12 & 13 - Elfina's Advent Adventures

Since this was Joel's week off and our Anniversary we were on the road a little more than usual.  We left on Monday and headed to Lancaster for an overnight.  We knew it would be dark on our trip so looking for lights would be a fun highlight of our trip.  

Day #12

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

I love that song, and I love lights!

They shine so brightly, especially at night

I loved using lights to decorate this home

So let’s take a light tour tonight, to many places we’ll roam

As you drive tonight be sure to pick a favorite place

Whose lights bring you joy and a put a smile on your face

Verse of the Day: John 8:12

Taking pictures by request while riding in the car

This house had music with it.  

Day 13 - was a fun day for all of us.... as we celebrated out 8th Anniversary as a family by going to see Samson at Sight and Sound.  It was a bonus as well that we got tickets for half price.  Ella was so excited and did a great job!  She really wants to meet Samson but she was sad that he is dead... then she said, well I guess I will have to meet him in heaven.  

Day #13

Samson was a mighty man, whose strength was in his hair

I don’t really have much hair, but our strength you can compare

Okay actually I am not really that strong

But with today’s adventure, you won’t be wrong

Today we will go to a place called Sight and Sound

To see your first official Musical, I am sure it will astound

Verse of the Day: Judges 13:5

Ella made a friend within the first few minutes of walking in the door  

Lunch at Hershey Farms

Meals on Wheels with Elfina - Day 6

Today Elfina was racing around in the critter jeep, towing some bread behind.  The church directory was located next to the car with an arrow to the location of delivery.  Today they would deliver a meal to a woman in our church who has been having some medical issues.  This is what the note said:

Day #6

This car it drives so very fast,

I don’t even have to put on the gas

I was driving around all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, not even the mouse

The bible tells us that when someone is sick, we should visit

So today would be a great opportunity, you won’t want to miss it

Follow the directions that are posted above,

And please take a meal, that was made for them in love.

Verse of the Day: Matthew 25:36

At first Ella wasn't too excited about her adventure for the day and she wanted to do something els., however I reminded her that her letter the first day said that Advent is a reminder that Christmas is not about you.... it's about Jesus and we are to visit the sick.  Reluctantly she went and had a blast. She loved it like always and they loved having her visit.  

Elfina's Gift - Day 5 Advent Adventures

Today's adventure involved a gift.  Elfina wrapped the gift but not so well, but she wrapped the gift and herself.  Ella thought it was so funny that Elfina was all wrapped up in the paper and ribbon.  She hopes she does something messy every time.  Not sure I am up for that.  Here was the note that she received today....

Day #5

When the wisemen found Jesus it was years after his birth

They brought him gifts to show Him his worth

Gold, Frankincense and myrrh were the gifts presented to the king

To celebrate the birth of Jesus, whose songs we do sing.

So today once you get to Mim’s house

Be helpful, kind and gentle as a mouse

This gift is for you to open after your Mom and Dad leave

I hope you will like it, if not you can cry on your sleeve

Verse of the Day: Matt. 2:11

Ella was so excited when she woke up, and was happy to be able to take Elfina to Mim and PaPas house for the day.  She loved opening her present (Color Wonder glitter pages - which I got for a great deal).  The focus today was on the gifts given to Jesus by the Wisemen.  

Day 3 & 4 - Advent Adventures with Elfina

As usual our weekends are busy and full of ministry events and other typical December joys.  So I had to be a bit creative this weekend with our events as I knew that we would be super busy on Saturday and with my MS my body was probably going to crash on Sunday.... so I used both events to teach a lesson about God.

Day 3 - The Live Nativity - It was such a really cool event.  Ella loved it and I really thought they did a great job.  We did have to wait due to a medical emergency in which one of the actors actually passed away on site right before they started taking people through.  They came out and told the families that he was sure of his salvation and that he would have wanted them to go on with the program.    Here was what her note said on Saturday....

Day #3

Now you caught me on the back of the camel

You see, Ella, I just really love these animals

They are all gathered to see a wonderfully great sight

Jesus the Messiah who was born one December night

The only thing I don’t really like as I sit here today

No one around me is moving, not even to naaaah.

So how about you join me for an adventure tonight

To see a live Nativity, that would be out of sight!

Verse of the Day: Luke 2:1-7

We were so thankful to be able to join a few other families from the church.  Ella asked if her friend Ali also had an elf that was taking her to the live Nativity.  Thankfully she forgot to ask.  But Elfina did enjoy being able to sit on a Donkey named Reuben and Ride on a school bus.

 

Registering as Hebrew citizens 

Elfina meets a calf

Elfina meets Reuben the Donkey

Day 4 - Sunday - Today is the day of rest - though ministry doesn't always allow for that, so we have to be creative.  I had worked most of day at the church doing a meal for our mentoring program so I knew I would need a night to rest, so that was our focus, resting, being still and spending some time together.  So Elfina thought a movie would be a great idea - but couldn't choose.

Here was the poem for the day:

Day #4

Oh the fun, we had on our adventure last night

To see those live animals was truly a delight.

But I am tired and weary from all we have done

So why don’t we just sit back and relax, doesn’t that sound like fun.

Since today is the day, God tells us to rest,

Let’s just sit back and relax, that really sounds best.

S0, let’s watch a movie, but I am not sure where to begin

There are so many choices,  so I decided to just jump in!

Verse of the Day: Gen. 2:2

Even God rested on the 7th Day so it was nice for us to do the same.  After Ella found her this morning, she said, Elfina told me that she wanted to watch Ariel.... so Little Mermaid it was, followed by some cooking shows that we love to watch together.  It was a great relaxing night!