A Net in Time

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An Encounter

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (An Encounter) through Ascot Media.  Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so.

Are you Catholic or simply looking for a devotional to help you through the Advent and Christmas season?   Most Advent devotionals tend to focus only an Advent, in An Encounter, Father Emelu also helps the believer with the Christmas season.  64 readings to help you contemplate the meaning of the Advent and Christmas season.

An Encounter

An Encounter, the basics

Maurice Nkem Emelu has put together “An Encounter” a series of readings, based on the Catholic liturgical calender, for reading over advent an Christmas.  Father Emelu is a Nigerian priest in the Catholic Diocese of Orlu and has a desire to help people mediate on God over the Christmas Season.   An Encounter: a daily discovery in Divine Word is volume 1 in a seven volume series. 

64 reflections meant to be read over 46 days. 216 pages.  Divided into two parts (Advent and Christmas).  Advent is further divided into four weeks. 

Published by Bien based in Cleveland for North American release, and by Paulines Publications Africa.   My review is for Ascot Media. 

Looking deeper

I found the layout fairly straight-forward, I expected to see divisions by the week for the four weeks of Advent.   I was initially a bit taken aback at three separate advent reading for each of the Sundays.  Then I recalled that Catholic liturgy calendars are divided over three years.  There is a reading for year a, b and c. 

Each day starts out with a number of scripture readings.   You can read them out of any translation you prefer. 

Each reading (and I admittedly did not read them all) reads like a pastor sitting down to chat with you.  Personal and friendly, and sometimes hard-hitting, reminding us of God’s truths. 

Occasionally you will find readings that say “alternative”.  I couldn’t find an explanation for the alternative reading header.  But based on the multi-year reading, I’m thinking you could vary each year which reading to use.

Each devotional is followed by a time of reflection and prayer. Some reflections are filled with questions, others are basically just ruminations on the reading.  All are there to help us think more deeply about what we read.  What questions would you ask God?  What change can you make in your life? Would God want you to consider a new thing?

Should this be part of your advent reading?

I have to admit, I’m not Catholic and within these readings there was a Roman Catholic flair. But one of the joys of reading a devotional with a variety of readings, is that you can read the scripture, glean from the devotional reading what you need, and discard anything that doesn’t fit.  AND sometimes reading familiar scripture and reading anothers slant on it, spurs us on to dig deeper into God’s word. 

Some of the Catholic slant comes from the fact that the Roman Catholic bible recognizes some books in their bible that Protestants do not.  Their inclusion surprised me as I thought this book was geared to a broader market. 

An Encounter is a close, reflective study on Christ and his coming to earth.  Well worth the read

Maurice Nkem Emelu has also prepared a second volume focusing on Lent.  

Traditional Easter Hymns

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Easter is just around the corner as I write this post, but really, today, I think today is Easter.   We’ve just had Good Friday where we remember the pain of the cross.   But on Easter we remember the joy of an empty tomb.   Isn’t it an amazing thing to consider that empty tomb and what that means?  Oh glory be!!!!  For me, part of that remembering comes out in the songs we sing on Easter Sunday.  And those traditional Easter Hymns, that I have sung since birth come to mind. 

I thought today I would do something different.  I would share a number of those traditional hymns with you. 

Traditional Easter Hymns

Up from The Grave He Arose!

Up from the grave he arose!   I last shared this hymn with you back in 2016 on my old blog.  Low in the grave he lay.

Luke 24:6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’

Because He Lives

Because he Lives.  I shared this hymn with you this past January. 

Ephesians 1:18-23   I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Christ the Lord is Risen today, is such a lively upbeat tune isn’t it?  🙂 

I Corinthians 15:3-9  3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Jesus Paid it All

Jesus Paid it all, this such a lovely hymn eh? 

Philippians 2:1-11  So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What Are Your Favourite Traditional Easter Hymns?

What hymns do you think I should have focused on for this Easter?  There are so many others out there aren’t they? Songs of praise the speak to the wonder of God sending his son, of that bridge created between us and God. Songs that speak to our sins being covered, that forgiveness we live under.  It’s so amazing what God has done.   What songs do you sing that speak to this? 

Make Easter Meaningful for Teens

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How do you make Easter meaningful for teens?  This was the first thought I had when I saw the crew prompt Easter Traditions.  It’s easy when children are little to do resurrection rolls, dioramas, Easter Eggs, and various other Easter themed crafts. But teens are generally a bit beyond that aren’t they?  Yet, Easter… making it mean something with our teens matters!   I’m not going to say I have all the answers, but I make some suggestions! 

I’ll suggest acts of service, times of learning, and ways to celebrate.

Acts of Service

Teens by the vary nature of their creativity, energy levels, need for good mentors and to be good mentors, and their life experiences make them excellent candidates to be helpful at Easter. 

From preparing Easter Egg hunts for the littles in the neighbourhood or in your own family.  They could take charge of colouring eggs, hiding eggs, and coming up with innovative ideas for making an egg hunt Christ-centric.  

A lot of churches that I know of have Easter morning breakfasts!  Teens can help in the kitchen flipping pancakes, scrambling eggs, setting up tables, and helping with clean-up. 

Times of Learning

Helping teens really understand the significance of Easter can be achieved through good services at your local church, unit studies such as this one, and even Devotionals.  The Review Crew recently looked at Easter Escape Room which might be just the ticket for your teen and their friends.  

Label sin on stone and bury it.  I know… this is a bit odd and I learned about it from a gal on the crew.  Our hope in Christ enables us to be free from the burden of sin.  So write a sin on a stone, and bury it in the ground, symbolic eh?

Making Easter Baskets, Easter kits or various Easter-related items and selling them.  Finding out what meets the market, deciding if they will be faith-based or more secular.   It’s a way for them to learn entrepreneurial skills!

Make Easter Meaningful for Teens

Ways to Celebrate

Have some fun of their own!   Send them on a hunt around town following clues!  They can run it on their own, compete with friends, or make it a cooperative venture.  If you were good at doing this sort of thing you could even make cryptic biblical clues.  Flummox them!  🙂      You’ll find other ideas here. 

Treats to share with others.  Easter baskets for shut-ins, cookies for staff at nursing homes or the hospital, colouring pages for littles, and maybe even making a skit to put on for parents!  A time of fun. laughter, remembrance and celebration! 

Planning Easter dinner.   Some teens will be up to this solo, others… will need some help.   Yet others just want to be responsible for a part of dinner or even not at all!  They might even prefer not to make the meal but make unique place settings instead.  Use their gifts and talents, push their skills a bit, and celebrate the hope we have in Christ.

What about you?

How do you make Easter meaningful for teens?  Have you discovered something that I haven’t thought of?    If so, let me know in the comments eh?  It’s so good to learn from each other. 

Wonderful December Meals

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It’s the close of a year!  Oh, the meals we’ve made over this past year.  As I sit here pondering our wonderful December meals I am also watching the Xmen movies with my family.  Every year we watch some series together and this is what my guys chose.  In the past we’ve done Lord of the Rings, and Marvel movies.  It’s a good family time!   

Anyways, on with some deliciousness eh!  🙂 

Wonderful December Meals

Meals the Lad Made

So I’ve been wanting my lad to cook at least one meal a week and it’s just been a battle to get him to follow through.   I finally said “You know what, your friends cook meals at home for their families, so you can cook meals for us too.”   He wanted to choose a mid-day to do it but I said “NOPE!  You can cook Sundays.  It’s a day I don’t want to have to fuss in the kitchen so it’s your day.”.   It’s working out really well.  A consistent day, no school to interfere, and I or hubby am around to help should he need it. 

He’s made this month

  • Manwich 
  • Chicken wings with sides
  • Turkey Croquettes.   We used this recipe that hubby found.   

The croquette recipe caused the lad to ask a ton of questions and have to do some problem-solving.  He was quite pleased with himself at the end of it and thoroughly enjoyed them. 

Turkey Croquettes

Baking

It’s Christmas… baking happened.  One needs treats for eating over the holidays even if you don’t have friends and family coming over.  

Most of the cookies we made I’ve already chatted with you all about. 

But we also did homemade turtles, dipped pretzels, and …. oh shoot.. I know I made something else but I can’t recall right now. 

Homemade Turtles, we made some with pecans and others with pretzels as the base. 

Christmas Dinner

Well.. I made the BEST STUFFING EVER!   See I don’t much like stuffing, but this stuffing was good… in the turkey and done on the stove top.  BEST EVER!

So what did I put in it?  Stuffing from a box, half pack hash browns (those diced potatoes), apple, pepper, onion, celery, carrot and various seasonings.  I made have used bouillon/chicken stock instead of water. REALLY GOOD.   I hope I can replicate it next year! 

Best stuffing ever made

Other than stuffing we also had Turkey, homemade cranberry sauce, cauliflower with cheese sauce, beans, plain potatoes, gravy, and cheese buns.  Very tasty indeed!

More Wonderful December Meals

Parmesan Herb-baked Salmon Fillet.  First time ever really cooking with a salmon fillet.  Oh my.. YUMMY!!!!!  Changes I made… I used more salmon so I needed to adapt the recipe and used dry basil instead of fresh. It disappeared too fast to get a picture.

I got inspired after visiting my mom and she had made an apple pudding.  I thought the lad’s would enjoy this meal and I was right!  Taste of home’s recipe was the one I chose to use.

We’ve made a number of hot sandwiches using bagettes.  Manwich, tuna salad, turkey fry with cheese, egg/potato hash, etc. 

Jerky!   We made both rabbit and beef jerky.   The rabbit made using a teriyaki recipe, the beef with basic jerky recipe. It was funny, the lad was threatened by his father…. for going a bit overboard on the jerky eating.  Next time we have jerky apparently the lad will be helping to make it so he knows how much work goes into it!   Tons of apologies.  I think next time sharing will happen a bit more readily eh?  🙂 

beef-jerky

In between Christmas and New Years I have to admit we did a lot of leftovers and junk food.  We did cheese and crackers, and chicken wings, and cookies, lots of cookies.  🙂 

How about you?  Does your meal planning go a bit wonky over the holiday season?  Did you make any wonderful December meals?  Do share them if you’ve a mind to.  I love discovering new recipes to make.

Favourite Christmas Cookies

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The crew challenge for this week is Peppermint.  I don’t do peppermint well so this was a difficult one for me.  I finally decided to simply talk about my favourite Christmas cookies.   (and how I avoid too much mint!)  Who doesn’t like a good Christmas cookie?  I think almost every household has them.  I for instance LOVE a good lemon cinnamon cookie, but this time of year I tend to make Hershey cookies, sugar cookies, and papernauten. 

Oh… why do I tend to avoid peppermint?   Well, combine it with chocolate and you’ll find me very energetic and talking a mile a minute and then having a bad crash.  It’s fun, but yet very NOT fun. 

favourite Christmas cookies

So just why do I like baking for Christmas?  Like seriously.. with all the chocolate, candy canes, and goodies offered up… do we REALLY need all those extra calories?  We don’t!

But you know … I grew up with making cookies with my mom.  Now I get to make cookies with my lad.  In many ways, it’s a family tradition, and it’s GOOD to have those.  They bring normalcy to a season, and frankly this year, with all the precautions being taken, I feel really MEH about Christmas.  But these Christmas traditions.. baking cookies, spending time with my lad, talking together, figuring out who will do what, it makes it better.  Much less MEH!  Good tasting cookies help too!

Favourite Christmas Cookies

Over the years we’ve had students from other lands come live with us.  One year we had a very sweet Brazillian lad living with us.  He made us Brigadeiros.  These are Brazilian chocolate fudge balls.  They are extremely easy to make and VERY tasty.   They bring us such happy memories. 

You can roll them in whatever topping you like.  We tend to do chocolate and candy sprinkles, but I’ve seen them with icing sugar, cane sugar and just plain.  Apparently others do them with cut up fruit or crushed nuts, candy cane etc.   It’s up to you and your taste buds!  

Brigadeiros

We started to make Peanut butter blossom cookies… I think two years ago?  HUGE hit.  OH MY WORD… I was so surprised at how well they went over.  They are fun to make so it’s a great cookie to make with children and teens.  We have played around with different types of hershey kisses on top, and mostly prefer the plain chocolate.  This year we got gifted white chocolate spiral cookies… so we used those instead.  The pepperminty tasting ones my son stole quietly to his room.  🙂   YEAH!!   I don’t have to be tempted by something NOT good for me.  🙂 

peanut butter blossoms

We’ve made gingerbread cookies and sugar cookies.   It’s fun don’t you think to make fun shapes with cookies, to surprise a boy with a cat, or to indulge your fancy with bunnies, reindeer or snowmen. 

gingerbread and sugar cookies

Haystacks and chocolate chip cookies just for fun.  You know what I love about haystacks?   They are SO versatile.  We made our using coconut and rice krispies.  My boarder makes hers using chinese noodles, My mom using large flake oatmeal and a friend does her using oatmeal crisp cereal.    So very versatile and no need to bake them.  Just melted chocolate goodness mixed with toppings of choice.  🙂 

Yet to come

Yet to be made yet are my papernauten, homemade turtles, mini rolo cookies and dipped pretzels.  You’ll find recipes for most of these in the collection of posts below.  You won’t find much in the way of peppermint in them though!  🙂 

So what are you baking this year?  Do you have favourite Christmas cookies that are part of your family traditions?  Share the recipe in the comments if you’d like, perhaps they will become favourites in our household too!

Santa Baby

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So, I’m not this big “let’s do Santa” person.  It’s just not my thing. Occasionally though I meet a Santa book that actually has a good moral lesson behind it.  Santa Baby is one such book.   Sometimes, just sometimes, even Santa has a lesson or two to learn. 

Santa Baby

The Details of Santa Baby

Did you know the Jonathan Stutzman grew up reading Christmas books every year?  He’s finally written one of his own. He hearkens back to his own childhood as he wrote Santa Baby.    Heather Fox did an excellent job of providing the illustrations that brought Mr. Stutzman’s book to life. 

Children 4-8 years old will delight in the situation that Santa has found himself in.  It begs the question: Can Christmas be saved? What will happen with Santa?

Raincoast books provided me with an ARC copy of this hardcover with a fly picture book. 48 pages filled with all the colours of Christmas.  The elves are confounded, Santa unable to communicate clearly, and Christmas is just four days away!  Whatever will happen?

From the Cover of Santa Baby

Highlights

Ho Ho Ho is Ow Ow Ow for Santa in his senior years.  How could he, when he was so sore, deliver gifts for children all over the world?   Do you see how Ms. Fox’s illustration help to showcase the story?

Santa’s aches are pains are so obvious, you can understand his desire to be young, once again.  No more pain!  But Santa forgot, Christmas magic is a powerful thing.  How could he manage the consequences.

The font isn’t huge, but not terribly small either.  It will be easiest to read with a child in your lap, but with some prep, reading with a group of children would be quite doable.  I could just hear those children giggling.  Santa Baby is a fun read. 

Santa can’t do it all himself!  Can he figure out a solution?   Will he ever feel the wonders of Christmas again? 

Should you get it?

Seeing the tables turned on Santa, how he himself needed to learn a lesson of his own was excellent.  I think children would have a lot of fun not only listening to this story being read, but in guessing what might happen next. 

Santa Baby is a cleverly written picture book.  Humour, excellent illustrations, it’s well worth a second look. 

Little Red Sleigh

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Can a little red sleigh attain her dreams?  This is an adorable book that will make you smile at the end, and hopefully have a child say “Again, read it again!”.   Friendship, dreams, and help along the way, Little Red Sleigh a delightful holiday tale.  I am so happy to tell you all about it!

Little Red Sleigh

The Details of Little Red Sleigh

Together with Sourcebooks, Erin Guendelsberger has produced a lovely, sweet book filled with the holiday spirit.  Little Red Sleigh is wonderfully illustrated by Elizaveta Tretyakova.  This is a very sweet book which I adored.  A young sled with big dreams who went out after them, not letting naysayers stop her.  I loved watching the grit she showed.  

Amazon links will be used in this review.   I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing Little Red Sleigh for Raincoast Books.

Little Red Sleigh, cover information

Believe in the magic of Christmas with this heartwarming Christmas picture book about the little red sleigh that could, perfect for fans of The Polar Express!

The Little Red Sleigh has one big dream-to one day become Santa’s big red sleigh! But all her life, she’s been told she’s too small, she’s too young, she can’t fly, and she certainly can’t meet Santa. Well, this Christmas, with the help of some friends, she’s determined to do the impossible.

Artist Elizaveta Tretyakova

Tretyakova has done a tremendous job of illustrating this heart-warming story.  You’ll see brilliant red, bright snow, dark trains, and a lovely yellow truck.  Seeing the fierceness of a winter storm and rejoicing in the fun of children playing. 

Don’t you love the brightness of the colours?  

The story moves along well, not only through text, but also through the well-done images.  Her story simply flows through image and text from one page to the next.  Well-written with great characters.

I found the text a bit small for reading with a group of children (unless you prep well ahead of time).  The words flow easily as you read, whether aloud or silently. It would be so much fun to read this with a child in your lap.

The story lends itself well to reading comprehension questions.  What do you think might happen next?  What did Little Red Sleigh see on her journey?  Did black train tell her anything important?  Did yellow truck tell her to give up?  I love books that help me to ask good questions of children. 

This particular book I received a ARC copy of, it will come as a hardcover and is geared to children 4-8 years of age.   Erin Guendelsberger engages her readers well throughout the story. 

Should you Get it?

Little Red Sleigh is an adorable book.  You and your children will love the determination of this young sleigh.  She knows what she wants and won’t let anyone tell her no… including the weather!  You’ll have to read through to see if she meets her goal, or if it changes along the way. I would love to tell you, but I don’t do spoilers, you’ll want to sit back and just enjoy this heart-warming story.