Over the course of this week and next week you may run into a few issues with joshuashouse.com. We are changing some things on the website. Please be patient with us as these changes take place. What are we doing? Well, that’s a surprise. 
After some prayer and deep consideration, I have decided to release a new Family Fun Idea once a month instead of every other week. This extra time will give me an opportunity to focus on other aspects of the ministry (like workshops and curriculum); it will also give me more time to pray over each Idea, ensuring deeper and more meaningful activities. Thank you so much for your understanding with this cut back. I am sure that this is for the best.
I hope you are enjoying the Family Fun Ideas, and I look forward to posting many, many more. 
I’m so excited about the Joshua’s House workshops. The past few weeks have been filled with power points, crafts, brainstorming, and loads of fun as I’ve been preparing for presentations. I’ve even had time to hammer out some smaller details like pricing. Everything is coming together and God is really blessing. Hopefully we’ll be able to start scheduling workshops for mid June to early July - yay!
These workshops make a wonderful follow up to Vacation Bible School programs your church may be putting on. After sending their children to VBS parents often have a sparked interest in raising their children up to be servants of the king. Kids and parents alike can come to these highly interactive presentations.
Each workshop comes with a workbook for parents and all sorts of interactive goodies for kids. These materials will give families the opportunity to follow through with the principles they learn in the workshops.
So, what are you waiting for? E-mail us, or give us a call - we’d love to come present for your church or organization.
Are you looking for a yummy summer treat that isn’t overloaded with sugar? How about one that’s so easy
and fun to make that your kids would love to help? This strawberry shortcake recipe is a sure winner with parents and kids alike.
Ingredients:
Directions
What do you think of this recipe? We’d love for you to share your pictures and tell us how your kids like this tasty treat.
There is exciting news at Joshua’s House. This week I found a program that will work beautifully for displaying the online stories we want to share with kids. We have a few stories ready to publish - all they need is some illustrations to liven them up. If you or your kids like to draw - this is your chance!
While we’re talking about it, we could also use more stories! Do you like to write? Well, we are always looking for a good story from young people and older ones too.
I’m so excited about the way the stories will work. When kids come to the website, they can look through the story just like they look at a physical book. If your child is too young to read, that’s okay, because each story has been recorded. All your son has to do is press the play button on the page, and he can hear the story being read to him right there!
What if your daughter really liked the story and wants to read it more? We have a printable version of the story ready for you! You will even be able to download instructions for several types of book covers you could help your daughter make. We are even working on making the recorded story available for download for a small fee.
If you really like the story, you can put it right on your own page or blog - pretty cool huh?
All of these stories will point to God and help your kids grow in their relationship with Him. The current themes we are working on are stories based on Proverbs (like little parables), true stories of people from history (or maybe even your own life), mission stories and stories from nature.
I’m so excited about this new addition to our website! Before we can get the stories up, we need some help though! Pass the word along to everyone you know, and don’t forget to ask your kids if they want to write or illustrate a story (hey - they could even do both if they want to!) All you have to do is e-mail us and we’ll give you everything you need to get started.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” ~1Peter 2:9-10
It’s springtime. That means warm weather, flowers and baby animals . . . lots of baby animals. Your children may be begging for a puppy, kitten, or some other furry creature. If you think it’s time for a nice family companion, why not turn the experience into an opportunity to understand a little bit more about God’s grace?
Step #1 Talk to your children
Ask them what kind of animal they want. You might even ask them why they want an animal at all. The critter in question hasn’t done anything to benefit them, and it will be lots of hard work to take care of their new friend.
Step #2 Visit a shelter
You can visit your local pound, animal shelter or humane society. To find a shelter near you, you can visit the world animal net directory. Or, you can look for a pet right from your home. Petfinder and Pets911 are great resources for pet adoption.
Step #3 Choose your animal
Make sure to take your time. Also be sure each family member has a say in the pet you choose. Most of all, have fun!
Step #4 Talk with your kids
When you have chosen an animal and are headed home (sometimes you can take the animal with you right away, and other times you have to wait), ask your children what might have happened if you didn’t adopt your new friend. Would he have lived as a prisoner forever? Was the shelter one that puts animals down if they are there for an extended period of time?
Step #5 Learn
As you welcome your new pet home, talk about how God welcomes us home as His adopted children. Just like your new pet, we were headed for a life of slavery and death, but God, in His mercy, rescued us. He didn’t rescue us because we deserve it, but because He loves us. He loves us even more than you love your new furry friend!
Don’t forget to tell us all about your new family companion!
