Mystery Bag - Sometimes Handing Down Confident Faith is Simple - & Fun

  

When it comes to handing down confident faith to my grandsons, I of course talk with them about why they are able to know God is real and trust His Word with confidence. I help them learn to talk with God and model what it looks like to love, know and walk with God. All important, essential parts of handing down confident faith. But, there are also times where I plan something simple and fun to help them learn to show their faith by showing love and appreciation to others.

A few years ago we worked on making 60 simple, fun snowman ornaments and then they gave them to the Wednesday night Children's Ministry volunteers at our church. I want my grandsons to be quick to appreciate those who help them - especially those who volunteer their time to do so. Making these ornaments was a simple and fun way for them to do this.

If you would like to help your grandchildren make these ornaments for the volunteers at your church or neighbors, teachers at school, local firefighters or police or shut ins, you will need the following . . . 

• Paper lunch bags - one per child
• Wooden spoons (I bought them off Amazon - ice cream/sample spoons)
• Crayons
• Markers
• Ribbon

Gather your grandchildren/children - or mail supplies to those who live far and plan to call them to make the project "together". Give them each a bag and have them take out the spoons; ask them to use a white crayon (I gave my grandsons a white glitter crayon, but any white crayon will work) and color the back of the spoon and handle - it won't show a lot, but it will show a bit and it is enough. Give them markers and let them draw a face and buttons down the spoon. Cut about 10 to 12 inches of ribbon. Fold in half and make a knot about 1/2 to 1/3 of the way down. Place knot behind the bowl of the spoon and wrap ends around the "neck" of your snowman. Tie another knot to make a scarf and voila! Your snowman ornament is complete. (My youngest grandson wears glasses, so he made some - including the one in the photo - with glasses as well!)

Make a bunch and give to whomever you choose. Talk with your grandchildren/children about how showing love and appreciation to others is able to be something simple and yet fun. Take time to pray for the people who receive them - for them to feel appreciated and loved and for them to draw near to God in the coming year then give them out!

Doing things like this with your grandchildren will help them learn to show their faith by caring about and appreciating others - perhaps they will do this with their grandchildren/children one day!

#grandmas #handingdownconfidentfaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose