Mama Tired... and Blessed

This mama is tired.

Proud tired...

(...after directing my children and their castmates in a performance this past Friday night.)

Hopeful tired...

(...for that nasty cyst on my girlie's neck, which has been causing so much concern will finally be surgically removed - once and for all, we pray - this coming week.  Your prayers are welcome for this intention!)

Blessed tired...

(...after witnessing this boy who finally got to make his First Holy Communion and was truly beaming from it!)

Grateful tired...

(...recognizing how these three beloved gifts are growing.)

For this was just three years ago...

...and four.  

Seriously... Where does the time go?!?

And how many precious moments slip by when we are tired without us recognizing the amazing grace bestowed on us?

Too many, perhaps.

But, not this one.

Not this very present moment when I sit here looking back at a crazy busy (but blessed!) weekend and ahead at a somewhat concerning (but still surely blessed) week, recognizing God's hand in it all. 
The triumphs, the trials, the joys, the just-make-it-through moments.  Each is precious and wrapped in God's merciful love.

Ah, yes, tonight I may be tired.  Mama tired.  The kind of physical, mental, and emotional tired that is born of the ups and downs of life with children.  But, I am also refreshed.  Truly and ultimately refreshed by the wellspring of love and mercy that I know is there for me - and for you!

Our Lord is so generous in His love and mercy.  How awesome is that!?!

If you are tired, too, may you be able to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and be refreshed by the amazing love of God!

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Get a FREE Printable Holy Eucharist Game Set!

If you've got children preparing for First Holy Communion this year or ones who are studying the Eucharist, this simple Holy Eucharist Bingo/Game Cards/Copywork set might be a help to you.

{Martianne Stanger/Training Happy Hearts is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.}

I made this free printable to go along with the glossary in a beautiful book called The Little Caterpillar that Finds Jesus: A Parable of the Eucharist,.  However, the game set can be used on its own, too.
The first page of the set contains 16 pictures from Wikipedia Commons which represent different words related to the Eucharist and Mass.  The second page has 16 corresponding words on it, typed in a font that uses primary lines so children can easily use the words as copywork.

To play Bingo with the set, have children cut out the cards and put them into four random rows of four.  Then, call out the words an have the children turn their cards over until someone get a Bingo line of turned over cards.

To play Go Fish or Memory Match have children cut out the picture and word cards and, if desired, affix them to cardstock so they won't be see-through, then play the games as usual.

To play Two Finger Touch lay all picture cards face up and have children race to touch with two fingers whatever card you describe.  For example, if you said, "I see a picture of the sacrament which washes away original sin and makes us children of God and members of His family, the Church,"  children would race to touch the picture of Baptism.

Be aware that some of the pictures could represent more than one word, so it might be good to print out a "key" set of cards that you do not cut apart.

Enjoy this FREE printable, and, if you have an extra copy of The Little Caterpillar that Finds Jesus: A Parable of the Eucharist laying around, please consider selling it or gifting it to me!  I'd love to own my own copy!

Earlier this year, a friend lent me her copy of The Little Caterpillar that Finds Jesus: A Parable of the Eucharist and I have found that the book truly is a treasure - but, unfortunately, one that is no longer in print, and, therefore, not inexpensive enough for my family to purchase at this time.

In The Little Caterpillar that Finds Jesus: A Parable of the Eucharist, a caterpillar named Gloriana is transformed when she is introduced to the wondrous events that surround the Eucharist.  As children hear her story, they are reminded of Baptism, God's love, Adoration, stories of Jesus, and more all while learning about the mystery of love found in the Sacrifice of the Mass and in receiving and adoring the Holy Eucharist.

Expressive illustrations and well-written text (in both English and Spanish) draw readers and listeners into the parable, which, in turn, focuses on the heart of the Mass - the Eucharist!

The book, of course, is perfect for children preparing for First Holy Communion - like my little guy and some of his friend are doing - but it is also wonderful for older children. I shared it with children I am teaching in a co-op class this year, who are ages 3-8, who all enjoyed it.  My 10 and 12 year old like it, too.

We used the free printable I am sharing today to review concepts after reading The Little Caterpillar that Finds Jesus: A Parable of the Eucharist in co-op class I've been teaching.  The children all had a lot of fun with it, and one of the moms from co-op was also psyched I had used a copywork font for the words so she could extend learning at home.  I hope you are just as pleased with this free printable!

Enjoy helping children learn about the Holy Eucharist through play!

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Have You Asked Your Child to Narrate His First Holy Communion Banner {and Been Pleased that Your Child Is "Getting" Holy Week, Too)?

Is your little one making a First Holy Communion banner this year? 

If so, I encourage you to ask your child why he chose to design it the way he did.  Doing so can provide wonderful insight into your child's understanding of his faith.  I know did for me!

Since today was "Banner Day" in my youngest's First Holy Communion class, last night my son asked his big sister to quick-sketch his ideas for his banner as he described them to her. 

Then, my son set to work making his banner with her help and mine.

When my son finished gluing on each design part, he held his design up proudly.

Then, he went to work using glitter glue to add his name and a few design details.

Finally, he explained the symbolism of his finished banner to me:

This is my banner.  Why I have the cross is in the middle is to represent that Jesus dies for us to make up for our sins.  I put the host and wine, because I wanted to represent that God's time is all at once, and ,when He died for us then, for Him it is now, too.  He shed His blood for us and gave us the Eucharist across time so we can be strengthened in our faith. 

I have a heart at the top to show Jesus' love for us.  The gold is because Jesus is so rich in love. 

My name is in blue to represent our Mother Mary, because it is her color.  It also represents the water - some of the miracles of Jesus - and the sky for heaven.  Why I have the yellow is because its represent our Lord Jesus' cross shining.  When we receive the Eucharist, we shine with Christ's love and faith.

My son was too shy to offer the explanation of his design's symbolism in front of his whole class this morning, but he said I can share it here to inspire you to ask your child for a personal First Holy Communion Banner narration. 

Surely, having my son narrate the why behind each of his design choices illuminated for me his current understanding of the Eucharist.  Coincidentally, it also helped me recognize that he is "getting" the significance of the Triduum and how Christ's sacrifice at Calvary connects to the sacrifice of the Mass.  

The Last Supper, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, our invitation to participate in the sacrifice of the Mass.  May we each connect the dots and grow in faith and love, strengthened by our Lord.

Also, may God bless all children preparing for First Holy Communion, guiding them to a deep and beautiful understanding of faith and an unwavering desire to receive our Lord in the Eucharist.

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