Ready for something completely different? No partridge. No pear tree. No lords a-leaping.
Instead, let’s take a peek at 12 traditions I bet you’ve never heard of—or if you have, you’ve probably never tried them! (Especially Day 8!)
Here we go:
“On the 12th day of Christmas, an author sent to you…”
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Perfect for parents, teachers, homeschoolers – anyone looking for free resources for learning and fun.
You can even sign up to get personalized letters from Patch to your child!
Open Patch’s Lunch Box and start enjoying adventures with Patch:
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For Edward Lee Jones 11/14/43-5/19/10
Miss you, Dad
Are you sitting on the front steps
of a house with many rooms?
Singing Swaggart’s songs,
all his melodies of old?
Plucking on a guitar
that’s never out of tune?
Maybe you’re driving a classic car
up and down heaven’s golden strip.
One that never needs repairs
since everything
is always new.
Do you drink ice-cold Pepsi every day?
Enjoy Little Debbies unending?
Taste pineapple upside down cake
any time you want?
Are you munching
on these snacks
with a brand new set
of pearly whites?
Are you discussing his writing
over cups of coffee with Paul?
Or swapping stories ‘bout your kids
with Isaac and Noah?
Maybe you’re sympathizing
with Joseph,
as one of twelve yourself,
sharing tales of hand-me-downs,
family matters, and sibling woes.
Are you gathered ‘round the throne,
praising like you never have before,
in church every single day,
when you’d never go on earth?
Standing next to people
from every tribe and nation?
Are you basking in Sonshine,
where it’s never cold,
never windy,
never raining?
In a place full of warmth,
and radiant colors
unimaginable?
A paradise beyond
your wildest Lotto dreams?
Are you checking in
on us down here?
Are you allowed
to see the ones you left behind?
Can you read the words I write?
See your grandsons
smile at you?
I’m not too sure
of all the details of heaven.
My Father hasn’t
told me those.
But I bet you quit smoking,
and swear a little less.
It probably helps
that you don’t have to
fix or repair something every day.
I do know
whatever you’ve been doing,
it’s no comparison to here.
So I may cry the tears
you don’t in heaven,
as I miss you in this moment,
but I’ll also smile
as I know you must be.
All pain and sorrow gone,
all suffering done.
Just time unending with the Lord.
You’re better off,
you’re truly home,
whatever you’re doing in heaven today.
Sure, you can toss some candy-filled plastic eggs in the yard and let your kids go crazy. They make a mad dash and end up with a basket full of sugar.
But if you’ve done that for years and are looking for some new creative ideas….
How about a new twist on the Easter Egg Hunt? Here are five ways to mix it up and make your hunt more egg-citing:
Hide one piece of a (simple) puzzle in each egg. You know you’ve found all the eggs when you can assemble the whole puzzle.
2. Scavenger Egg Hunt
Each egg contains a clue (or part of a clue). Follow the clues to find a prize!
3. Piggy Bank Egg Hunt
Fill the eggs with coins instead of candy. Hide one golden egg that contains a $1 or $5 bill.
4. Sticker Egg Hunt
Inside each egg is a fun sticker. You can pair this idea with sticker books or coloring books in their Easter baskets that have same theme as the stickers they find.
5. Competitive Egg Hunt
(As an EGGSTREMELY competitive person, this option is my favorite.)
Assign each child a color, and they can only grab eggs of their color.
See who can find all of their color first.
I hope you have a fun and blessed Easter – and I’d love to hear how your hunt goes if you try one of these ideas!
Comment here or share your eggcellent pics on the Nenn Pen Facebook page.
Happy Easter from Nenn Pen, Ink
– He is risen! –
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Running…
running…
It’s moving so fast…
How will I ever catch it?
I’ve been running so long…
I don’t remember…
when I left the station.
Was there a station?
It seems…
it’s always been…
Me…
the train…
the landscape.
Everything rushing by.
Tracks running through the open country…
going on forever…
and me…
running…
never able to catch it.
Keeping pace…
but never catching up.
Always alongside…
never close enough to jump aboard.
Always running…
just to maintain.
Once…
I tripped.
I fell.
My falter…
so ill-timed!
It was at that moment
the train
came to a halt.
Scrambling…
scraping…
running to get up and on,
I felt my heart sink
as it started up again…
and pulled away…
just as I got going again.
So close…
but still…
running.
Other times,
it slowed…
but…
I stumbled…
and was…
unable to catch it,
even then.
Still running…
Can I keep this up…
forever?
So exhausting…
So monotonous…
So…
I fall again.
This time…
I can’t get up.
Frustrated…
failed…
fallen.
Beating the ground with my fists,
I lift tear-filled eyes
to watch the train
pull forever out of reach.
But…
it’s there.
It has stopped.
I dare not move.
I dare not hope.
Rising to my feet
will only make it start up again…
start the running again.
I lay there.
I look.
I wait.
I wonder.
In my stillness…
I see a figure…
like that of a man…
fill the door frame of the nearest car.
His wave
beckons me come.
I stand.
No energy to run…
I stumble…
broken and tired…
to the train.
I reach the figure,
who is holding out his hand.
I look,
and finally recognize his face.
“Come aboard,”
he tells me,
“I’ve been waiting for you a while.”
“Waiting?” I ask,
“But…
all the running…
I’ve been trying to get here…
for so long.
If you wanted me aboard,
why didn’t you…
stop the train?
Why didn’t you…
wait for me?”
“Ah, yes…
the running,”
was his reply,
“I am so glad you stopped.
All this time,
the train has been keeping pace…
with you.
The faster you ran…
the faster it went.
I’ve been trying to keep up…
with you.
I wasn’t willing…
to let you get away.
I had hoped the obstacles
I put in your path
would make you slow down.
You did stumble.
Once you even fell.
But, you simply got back up…
and started running again.
Now…
you’ve stopped.
So…
the train has stopped.
My Father is conducting,
and he is simply waiting
for you to climb aboard,
and he will take us on.
He knows exactly where we should stop
and when.
He has prepared for us…
a magnificent adventure.
So…
Come aboard…
and feast with me in the dining car.
Come aboard…
and delight with me in the scenery.
Come aboard…
and share with me in this journey.
Come aboard…
and stop running.”
He saw the hope in my eyes…
and I felt it
fill my heart,
as I stuttered my next words to ask…
“You mean…”
His strong but gentle hand
guided me onto the train…
and I collapsed in his arms
as he offered the word
my soul
was desperate to hear…
“Yes, my child…
rest.”
I’m excited to share that my new book, The Compass Guided Life, is now available!
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed with trying to do it all, or not sure what your next step should be, this book is for you!
Here’s the inside scoop:
Wondering if you can do it all? Feeling exhausted from the balancing act?
Finding the perfect balance in life – family, friends, career, hobbies, church, pets – can feel overwhelming.
Let’s try something different. Unless you’re a gymnast or a circus performer, let’s throw out the balancing act altogether. Instead of finding balance…get guidance.
Discover how four compass points can guide your life.
Work. Rest. Serve. Worship.
Learn what the Bible says about each of these points – and get practical insights on living them out day to day.
With this compass as your guide, your life will always be pointed in the right direction.
Bonus Feature
Guide & Go – Reflection, discussion and application questions at the end of each section. Perfect for personal guidance or small group study.
You’ll want to add this book to your Christmas shopping list!
View the unboxing video of The Compass Guided Life
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Guess what happens one month from today?
The Compass Guided Life book launch!
This will be my 10th book release, and I can’t wait.
Here’s the scoop about this title. I really think it could be life-changing for readers.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed with trying to do it all…
Or you’ve felt a little lost and could use some direction in life…
this book is for you!
Can I Do it All?
Feeling exhausted from the balancing act? Finding the perfect balance in life – family, friends, career, hobbies, church, pets – can feel overwhelming.
Let’s try something different. Unless you’re a gymnast or a circus performer, let’s throw out the balancing act altogether. Instead of finding balance…get guidance.
Discover how four compass points can guide your life. Learn the best times and ways to work, rest, serve, and worship. With this guidance in place, your life will always be pointed in the right direction.
Bonus Feature
Guide & Go – Reflection, discussion and application questions at the end of each section. Perfect for personal guidance or group study.
You’ll want to add this title to your Christmas shopping list!
Subscribe to Nenn Pen news for the latest updates and special offers.
| Patch’s Discovery Kit |
| Here’s everything you need for amazing discoveries with Patch! Use these tools in the classroom, homeschool settings, or just for fun! Learn about marine animals, enjoy engaging activities, and even build your own igloo! |
Fun Facts About Marine Animals
Test Your Knowledge of Marine Animals
All About Onomatopoeia
Craft Time
| Haven’t read Patch’s Igloo Adventure yet? Start your adventure here: |