FAMILY MYSTERY NIGHT...

We just had our Family Mystery Night where we take the kids somewhere for the evening!  All they know about it beforehand is a couple of clues about what to wear...usually it involves dinner and an activity.  One time we actually did an overnight stay in a state park. This fun thing started out as a December gift, doing some of the fun holiday activities around town, but as the kids got older and got married and have more complicated schedules, we now look at dates in January or February.  WE MUST ADAPT.  :)

This time we went to a Glass blowing studio!  The man who runs it also used to have a restaurant, so we were there to eat and get a glass blowing demonstration (this was a package we bid on and won from a benefit auction).  We had such a great time!  Their home is the front of the studio, and they welcomed us in and encouraged us to look around at all the glass in their home.  Most of it was their work, but some in cases were gifts from other glass blowers around the country they admire.  They had made four pizzas, salad, garlic bread and a dessert tray for us. While we waited for the pizzas to bake one helper showed us the equipment used for glass blowing.

The food was delicious!  Then the real show began.  They began to make a 36" vase with multiple colors and a thin gold wrap.  It started off with one small blob of glass, that they added to three times.  He had his playlist of music going and we thoroughly enjoyed his 70's tunes.  At one point they let our SIL try holding the bar to see how heavy it was, and another time asked me to shape the vase with hot mitts.  He kept telling me to push harder, and flames erupted!  It was a lot of fun.  The owner also reminded us several times about the allegories of glass making and how it resembles the life of a Christian and how God shapes us.

We were there for 3 hours - it was a long process, but really interesting.  I think it made us all appreciate beautiful glass more.  For me it was just perfect being with all our kids and doing something new together, without rushing or worrying about time.

SURPRISE SCRIPTURES...

This year, as part of my morning ritual,  I plan to continue what I did last year, writing scripture each day in a planner, to help memorize and "write it on my heart."  I write the same scripture for a week.  This time instead of picking 52 scriptures ahead of time, I decided to let the Bible app choose for me.  I wake up on Monday morning and look forward to seeing what the verse will be.  I use their "Verse of the day" feature.  It's been fun and I enjoy the surprise!



Last week was a verse from Amos about justice.  I ended up reading the whole chapter and thinking more about this (mostly sad) book. Some of these obscure scriptures are worth a second and third look.  It's a good exercise to make me think about God's story and my place in it.   I'm looking forward to seeing what else the Lord has in store for me!