FHE Lesson {Advent}

There are lots of ways to count down till Christmas.
Our family has several.
It's great to do a spiritual one in the lead up to Christmas too.

This year I am hoping to do this one each evening for scripture reading:
Scripture Advent and candle


We just used our Christ Centred Advent from previous years tonight.
Daily life of Jesus Tag to hang up and a questions game for a FHE included


Or try the 4 Sundays (or Mondays) Advent one each week the month of December with an Advent wreath and candle. or Here


This year I am going to be using this service Flip Frame Advent
Each day the advent calendar will an act of service or kindness per day


Here are some of the acts of service that I liked 
{I wanted easy achievable ones for the month}

Give someone a compliment today
Smile at people
Make dinner for someone in need
Give cookies to friends
Leave a finished book you've read in a public spot for someone else to enjoy
Pick up rubbish in a local park/roadside etc
Mail a card to someone you haven't seen in a while
Leave coins at a laundromat/shopping centre ride ons/vending machine
Find a local home with best Christmas lights and leave a thankyou note
Give sincere thanks to a teacher and maybe a little gift {school or church or music}
Offer to babysit for a family that needs it
Write a letter to a loved one
Leave anonymous happy notes in public places
Invite a new friend out/over
Let someone ahead of you in a line
Leave stamps for someone to find at the post office
Leave happy chalk messages around your neighbourhood
Wash a car


Introduce what your advent calendar will be this year.

Tonight we went through the Church's Light the World Campaign and watched the Light the world video and went through the days on the advent calendar and the suggested activities. 
The children suggested some of their own ideas. 

We put up the pictures for each day found HERE on the computer.

Then we read out each saying etc "Jesus showed humility..so can you"   
'Jesus Healed the sick.. so can you'  then read out the suggested acts of service.

Tell the children that you hope to do some of the things listed on the Light the World Advent Calendar each day in December.

Light the world Advent Calendar found Here  (scroll down)

I love these little advent journals  Here  {these might work well with older kids}

Enjoy  this time to connect as a family and have a spiritual advent leading to Christmas.

Advent Calendar {Standing Frame Flip Advent}

November means Advent Calendar making!

This year I've combined the Standing Ikea Frame Advent Calendars idea with
Random Acts of Kindness Advent Calendars Here  Here  Here Here


Needed:
Christmas scrapbooking papers
number stickers
Tags, ebellishments
Double sided Tape
30mm Index Card Ring
Tolsby Standing Frame


Collect up craft paper and card and embellishments you like.
I would have liked my calendar to be a bit cuter
{but hey all those awesome embellishments add up $$} so I just used 10 for $1 gift tags.
Good news is it will be easy to change/add to if I want in the future

Measure the inside of the IKEA frame.
The paper needs to flip over so needs to be smaller than 4x6 inside frame
I underestimated how small this would be, some of my embellishments were too big! wah!

Cut 12 {or 24}rectangles approx 13x8 cm
Cut 12 {or 24} rectangles 10x8
Make sure you have one large and one small rectangle in the same paper for each 'day'

Using double sided tape stick the shorter rectangles onto the front of the larger rectangles leaving the tops open {so it forms a pocket you can slip a tag or card into with your advent activity/act of service/ scripture/ christmas joke/ whatever you want.}

Decorate with Christmas embellishments/tags. Add number stickers {mine from Riot}

Hole punch a hole in each card.

Attach to the tolsby frame using a index card ring (mine is 30 mm flip chart rings from Daiso}


Display and flip over each day for a new activity/question/act of service for the month of December.

***

Here are some of the acts of service that I liked {I wanted easy achievable ones for the month}

Give someone a compliment today
Smile at people
Make dinner for someone in need
Give cookies to friends
Leave a finished book you've read in a public spot for someone else to enjoy
Pick up rubbish in a local park/roadside etc
Mail a card to someone you haven't seen in a while
Leave coins at a laundromat/shopping centre ride ons/vending machine
Find a local home with best Christmas lights and leave a thankyou note
Give sincere thanks to a teacher and maybe a little gift {school or church or music}
Offer to babysit for a family that needs it
Write a letter to a loved one
Leave anonymous happy notes in public places
Invite a new friend out/over
Let someone ahead of you in a line
Leave stamps for someone to find at the post office
Leave happy chalk messages around your neighbourhood
Wash a car


On some days I might pop in another tag with questions from Last Years Advent Calendar . {confession : I've left it up all year! We've used it as a noticeboard for motivational photos/posters /sayings the girls collect}I've still got these tags tucked away ready to be bought out again. I love these questions and think they will go well tucked in the pockets of  this Standing frame Advent.

Past Years Advent Calendars:

Wooden Tree, vintage photos, family question time Advent
Lolly String Advent Calendar
Sewn Brown Paper Advent
Christmas Book a Day Advent
Bon Bon Advent
Pocket Bunting Advent
Religious/Life of Christ Advent Calendar
Poke a Cup Lolly Advent
Sewn cardboard houses Advent
Envelope Activity Advent
Quilted, Hang an Ornament Advent


I'm excited cause I just ordered 3 of these German Paper Window Advent Calendars
so pretty. Don't worry about the $20 tax. It doesn't appear at the checkout in the end. It was freaking me out. Wasn't there last purchase.

Camping {Bestbrook Mountain Retreat}

Since two family members recently did a long distance walking and basic camping trip and probably couldn't face another so soon we decided to Glamp for ease and comfort.

We booked a cabin and horseriding at Bestbrook mountain retreat

 Bestbrook Mountain Retreat - Maryvale.

Pro's
Lovely people. Those running the animal feeding, damper making, horse lessons etc were very friendly and approachable and kind to the children and adults alike.

There is a small restaurant there if you forget something/ too tired to cook. We had hot chips twice!

Cabins were well appointed. We forgot clingwrap for a picnic and matches and cooking oil - all there. Every cooking item needed - provided. Had electric frypan, saucepans, slowcooker, bbq etc.
Beds were comfy with good quality sheets and doonas.

Horseriding available for extra cost.

Free daily animal feeding and damper making class.
We got to keep the fresh eggs the kids collected daily. YUM.

Campfires allowed in firepits. {A must for our family}

A creek to muck around in. Sadly wasnt very much water in though.


We took a scenic drive to Queen Mary Falls. This was great - the falls are close to the road and only a short walk to view.

A cattle dog adopted our family. He followed us up a mountain trail walk and stuck by our side and stopped when we stopped then came back to our cabin and dutifully sat outside the entire night. He didnt bark or do anything but let the kids love on him and sit silently by us. I asked the employees and they said that dog always finds one family out of all the campers each week and will choose them and stick to them. It was lovely.


Cons

Lots of horses around. IF you dont like horse poo beware!

Camground was a lot more hilly than I expected from perusing website.
Bring bikes for kids to get up and down to animals and main house.
Be prepared to walk alot or drive your car back and forth.

Campsite was a bit too close to the highway for my liking.
Our spot was just far enough away but could still hear traffic occassionally.

Cabins are what I would describe as 1960's scout camp. So definitely an old feel.
Felt they were a tad more expensive than the budget I would prefer, but had everything you need.

Not much shower/toilet amenities for those camping.
There is some but bit of a walk depending where you are camping.

^^ After a 1km steep climb up a dirt road you come to a couch and lookout :) Much appreciated lol

Animal Feeding

Near by locations - Queen Mary Falls.

Horseriding. Kids must do a lesson before being able to do a trail ride. So you have to pay twice :)
Our kids first time on horses. The teachers and horses were gentle and kind.

Other camping reviews:

Wivenhoe Dam
Neurum creek
Flanagans Reserve
Elanda Point
Somerset Park
Sharp Park Riverbend

FHE Lesson {Missionary}

Opening Song: "I hope they call me on a mission" Children's Songbook #169 


Opening Prayer : Child


Lesson:


Ahead of time:  Make missionary name badges  - See Here for Printable Mission Name Tags
Get kids to dress up in missionary attire (optional)


We gave one of our children a packet of lollies (candy)- the type in a roll with several inside.

She came out in front of the others and we asked:

What do you do if you have something special?

(all the other girls immediately said "SHARE!")

How would you feel if she didn't share?  (sad, upset etc)

If you didn't see the lollies, how would you know that she had something special? (we wouldn't)

We likened this to sharing the gospel. Talk about missionary work, how we can share what we know with our friends and neighbours. We want all people to know about what we think is special to us. (Share the candy)


Then we gave everyone a candle.

Daddy had the lit candle and said it was like his testimony. He wanted to 'share' it with us.

One by one we lit each others candles 'passing on our testimonies' to one another.


Activity Suggestions:

My husband unpacked everything from his mission :)

He showed photos (most amazing 'cause none of us have ever seen him with hair)
We played with his collection of badges
He showed us letters he wrote and his journals
We practiced some of the languages he learnt
He showed us the mission rule book and read some out 
He showed Ezra Taft Bensons Signature to them (old I know!)



Make missionary name badges together  - See Here for Printable Mission Name Tags

Have adult family members talk about where they served their mission. Show pictures

Make a missionary schedule to look at/follow for a day (or week)
prayer, scripture reading, service, teaching a gospel topic

Hold a mini MTC   see  July 2016 Friend


Extra for older children:

Inspiration from June 2016 New Era "The Hardest part of being a missionary"
 A list of practical experiences
Being Humble without being humiliated
- try things outside your comfort zone, take on extra activities and responsibilities to show you will improve over time
Facing Rejection-
apply for jobs, try out for teams, ask people on dates and activities, learn from setbacks
Managing Motivation
 how to motivate ourselves when bored or stressed, break down problems into small achievable steps
Managaing differences
 sincerely apologise and take responsibility, look for compassionate explanations for anothers behaviour, ask for help with problem solving, dont stew over it, use a soft voice in conflict and respect others feelings.
Skill of conversation -
set a goal to talk to someone new, smile and be curious about others, notice when others might attempt to start conversations and be open and responsive
Physical wellingbeing- learn about good nutrition, exercise, care for your belongings, money and time. Manage sleep and get the right amount.




Closing Song:  "Called to serve"  Children's Songbook #174 


Closing Prayer: Child


Treat: 

Share Candy with one another

Sydney {Part 2}

 ^^ On the Ferry

^^ To Taronga Zoo

^^Which has amazing views in every direction

 ^^Cause she has always loved reptiles

^^the lady sitting next to me had a bird steal 20 cents from her as part of the bird show

^^Bird Show Doves

 ^^Seriously the kangaroo's looked dead. Not interested in anything at all.

 ^^ I loved the trees everywhere... Maple?

 ^^Bye Bye Hotel room. Best Beds I've slept in - Sofitel Melbourne and Sydney. Lovely!

 ^^ Elevator Selfies

^^ Powerhouse. Long Walk to get there. Kids are free!

^^There was a wiggles exhibit. Dorothys house.

 ^^ Cool Yule. Which was to start a few days after we left :(

 ^^ The library in Customs house has a scale model of Sydney under the floor. It was very cool.  We were so tired from walking, I googled to find a library to hang in to wait for the MR to finish work.

 Bye Bye Lobby. Waiting for our taxi.

^^ Arrive in a train, leave in a plane. Sounds good to me.

So happy we got to join the Mr on a work trip. Very happy to be able to take the children out of our state (they haven't been far). Would even say I was happy I took a 14 hour train journey to be able to do so. Also happy to take the children on their second plane trip and finally a plane with individual tv screens!! I had the most tired achy legs from all the walking. So did the kids. I told them this holiday would not be like beach holidays or camping with lots of lazying and swimming. I said this is pure siteseeing and walking walking walking NO COMPLAINING! (they did a little, but I was pretty impressed with how well they held up) I said you can rest AFTER the holiday!

We were able to walk the entire sydney cbd, opera house, botantic gardens, art gallery, sydney tower, darling harbour, powerhouse museum, ferry, taronga zoo, modern art gallery, the rocks, stare at old buildings and plaques.

The only downside was as often happens with me-food was a bit of a let down (for starters nothing is open mon, tues, wed night in the cdb) and a family of six can't eat out at expensive restaurants 3 times a day. Ouch. We sightsee till we're exhausted then happen to not be near anything yum when hungry. So sadly we mainly ate subpar junk food apart from buffet breakfasts and a couple yummies from food court. One day I'll get the food thing right. I was happy to be spoilt by the Qantas Lounge food late evening as we were leaving lol.

I love a good holiday. I love a bargain one which made it possible.

Where to next?!