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I am soooooo happy the warmer weather is here,

but I am going to miss the structure the school year provides.

I’m looking forward to time on the beach, at my favorite park (it is so peaceful there), morning coffee out on the deck and time at Eucharistic Adoration.

Eucharistic Adoration has been on my mind and heart lately, and I am thinking a regular scheduled visit would be one way to put structure in our family’s summer vacation.

Five Presents You Can Open in His Presence is a blog post I wrote about Adoration

Not only do I see value in time away from a screen; I see value in time close to Our Lord.

As a mom of 3 young children ( my oldest is 5), I don’t get much down time.

And, I must admit, the smart phone culture has sucked me in.  I must confess, I look at my phone more than a healthy amount.

That distraction creates a lot of noise in our lives.

The problem I am facing, and maybe you and your family are facing too, is that I can not hear God if I do not hear silence.

The value of silence is so important.  This video, The Value of Silence (click to watch video), featuring Father Mike Schmitz is short and full of information and wisdom!

So, I want to be intentional and really enjoy my time with Jesus.

I started thinking about creating an Adoration Bag – or Prayer Bag and I got really excited!

A bag I can bring to Adoration and use to prayer journal, meditate, read – or possibly not open at all.

A bag I can bring out on the deck with me in the morning with my coffee.

A bag I can bring to the beach if I ever get there alone.

A bag I can bring to the park while I enjoy God’s creation.

My bag was made by RoseSewsbyJennifer check out her Etsy shop!

As part of my excitement about the idea of a prayer bag, I started to brainstorm: what I would put in my bag?

and what would be put in my husband or a teenager’s or even my 5 year old’s prayer bag.

This is what I came up with!

Here are my suggestions for what to put in your Adoration/Prayer bag!

Women:

A prayer journal

I actually love to use an old fashioned composition book (or as I call it a Marble Notebook)

Looking for a more guided journal?  Check out: 10 Best Journals for Busy Women

Inspirational coloring pages – here’s a free one from me if you subscribe to Prayer Wine Chocolate: Love is kind coloring page

Colored Pencils

A pen that writes nice

A book about faith (the ones on my summer reading list are):

The Rosary : The Prayer that Saved My Life by Immaculee Ilibagiza

The Other Side of Beauty by Leah Darrow

One Beautiful Dream by Jennifer Fulwiler

The bag: Tote Bags by RoseSewsbyJennifer

The idea of a “prayer bag is not just for women”!  Here are some suggestions for men, teens and children too!

Men:

A blank journal

A sketch book

Pen and pencils

Spiritual Readings

(A Manual for Spiritual Warfare;

The Catholic Hipster’s Guide)

Bible

A pocket Rosary

The Bag: Vanlison Crossbody Bag

Teen and Tween Boys:

A blank sketch book 

Boys, from my experience, do not enjoy writing as much as girls.  Encouraging a young man to sketch what he sees in the chapel will help him quiet his mind.

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi first described this phenomenon as flow: a few moments in time when you are so completely absorbed by an activity that nothing else seems to matter.

Perhaps it won’t be a long moment, but some time to forget whatever might be stressing him out or worrying him . . . will go away.  The hope is in that moment of silence, He will hear God’s voice; or at least, walk away spiritually, mentally and emotionally refreshed.

Although I am still working on a boy’s version of Be Yourself; this book (Lectio Divina for Teens) may be a great tool for your son or God son this summer.

This prayer journal is all about learning to “read” God’s letter to you in the Scriptures, using an ancient prayer method known as lectio divina. In the pages of this journal, you’ll get a crash course in lectio divina, and then you’ll have a chance to practice it yourself.  The seven guided meditation sessions provide readers with the following pre-selected readings – some topics include “Depend on God”, True Friendship and “Seek the Lord”. The full text of each reading is provided right in the journal. In addition, the introduction walks readers through the process of lectio divina using Psalm 23, and a list of additional Scripture texts is provided in the back of the book so that readers can choose their own readings for the seven blank guided journal entries.

A Bible

A Battlebeads Rosary

The bag: CrossBody Bag

Teen and Tween Girls

The Be Yourself Journal

Full of prayer prompts and coloring pages galore.  Some content is light, some is more deep.  Depending on a her mood, she can choose what to do that hour.  I strongly believe the freedom to go anywhere in the book will make her prayer experience more fruitful.

Lots of gel pens and colored pencils.

Pictures, scrapbook supplies and stickers.  The Be Yourself Journal has a two page spread that encourage girls to design their own prayer room; the back of the journal is blank so that it can be personalized and there are quite a few pages that encourage pasting photographs.  For some, this may not be an “adoration activity”; for others, it may be a way that helps Adoration be a time of peace and creative prayer.

An illustrated faith kit and supplies from DaySpring.

I love this Canvas Tote bag from DaySpring and a cute pen and pencil pouch

You can also order a cute zipper pouch from RoseSewsbyJennifer – tell her what pattern you like and she will make a custom one for you!

A Bible

A Rosary Bracelet

The bag: Tote Bags by RoseSewsbyJennifer

I am still brainstorming for what I could put in my 5 year old (who is turning 6 this week!) bag.  Do you have any suggestions??? Please, share!

The post My Cute Summer Bag Is Not Just For the Beach appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

As a woman who became a mom “later in life” and who spent her career educating teenagers, I often feel like a fish out of water with my young son.  There is so much I don’t know about early childhood. I want to make sure I am giving him all the opportunities he needs to grow and develop in the healthiest ways. This ebook helped calm my anxiety. KIDFUN reassured me that there are plenty of things to do – and that most of them are super easy to set up and initiate!  I love easy!

My son, his friend Jared, and I had a great time trying out some of Sharla’s suggestions. Reading through the book I was reminded of how simple childhood can be – and how much joy can come from the simplest objects.  Here is a glimpse of Sharla’s book!

5 Games to Play to Play with a Bucket or a Ball!

1.  Water play!

Sharla gives lots of fun ideas on how to simply use a bucket of water to keep a child entertained as well as teach them a chore and life lessons.  Some of the activities require some soap too!  My son loves to play with his water table, but adding a bucket and some other containers created a new spark in his eye and lots of new ways to enjoy the water and the sunny day!

2.  Wash away!

Sharla helped me realize that my son always wanting to “wash dishes” is a great motivator for him to use soapy water for play.  This is great because it helps me have some quiet during the day and it also gives my son an opportunity to play and feel important.  KIDFUN reminds parents that washing toys with a sponge and soapy water can teach children to take care of their belongings and, honesty, they enjoy doing it!  You can also have them take their buckets and sponges over to the car and clean that too!  Fun in the sun, plus some chores done!  Win/win!

3.  Wet Blanket

This is something I have never heard or thought of . . . pour that bucket out on a beach towel or an old sheet.  Now, let your child drape it over himself or lay on it.  What a neat way to cool down!  So simple – never thought of it!

4.  Treasure Hunt

We actually put a spin on this game.  I hid all animal toys and gave each boy a bucket.  I told them the animals wanted to play hide and seek with them.  They loved it – and I would have NEVER thought of it without the help of Sharla’s book!

5.  Sharp Shooter

This game was AWESOME!  We got a ball and set up toy “bricks”.  I put a towel down and told the boys they couldn’t pass the towel.  They threw the ball at the tower and – when they hit it- knocked the tower down!  How much do boys love knocking things down?! Another part of the game was to re-build the tower so they could go again.  This game taught the boys patience, following rules, cooperation and sportsmanship.  Once again, I needed Sharla’s book to give me the idea and spark my enthusiasm!  I’m actually excited to play this again!

Not only does KIDFUN give outdoor play ideas, it is loaded with ideas for all situations – in the car, in a waiting room, on a rainy day, etc. I absolutely love how it reminds me that an iPad or the television are not the only alternative! If you would like to purchase Sharla’s ebook, and get 355 more ideas for fun with the kids this summer, please use my affiliate link below!  It’s only $5.99 – totally worth it!  Happy Summer!

KIDFUN: 400 Fun and Easy Ideas for Kids Ages 2 to 8

The post A Book, a Bucket, and A Ball: All I needed to get Summer Rolling! appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Wines:

• Barefoot Refresh (Crisp White Spritzer) – this is perfect for sitting outside on a hot day.  It really is refreshing!
• What You See is What You Get Rose – I love a Rose’ Wine in the warmer weather – this one if fun and very affordable!
• A Rudi Wiest Riesling – “Rudi is an importer of many high quality German estates. They vary in price and are worth both the effort to find as well as reward in your glass.  German wines are a mystery to many. In a nutshell those labeled kabinett, spatlese, auslese, generally are better quality and offer a guide of sweetness level from dry to sweet. ” This recommendation comes from my husband’s Uncle Patrick.  He knows his stuff – I trust him and his advice!  Enjoy!
• Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio – this white keeps winning awards – and each time it wins one, the price goes up!  If you are looking for a top shelf white, this is a good “go to”.

Cocktails:

The FN-ZWINES7

2oz. of White Wine (recommended: Chaddsford White)

2 oz of Peach Syrup or White Peach Liquer

2 oz. of Cranberry Juice

2 oz. Pineapple Juice

A squirt of fresh lime

This is a peach wine based drink and the perfect alternative for the old “punch in a bowl”.  We plan to make a giant batch of this for our next party.  It was sooooo goood!!!

Bluke Skywalker

5 oz. of Red Wine (Recommended Chaddsford Red )

1/2 oz. Blue Curacao syrup or Blue Curacao Liquer

1/2 oz. Grenadine

My husband and I went to Chaddsford Winery’s tasting room for a special “Cupcakes and Cocktails” pairing.  All the drinks were given “Star Wars” themed names!  These two were our favorite. Delicious!

Pina Colada Sangria

2 750 ml bottles of Moscato

20 oz. can of crushed pineapple

1 1/2 cups of coconut rum

Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher.  Refrigerate overnight and serve, chilled

And for those who prefer a Margarita in the hot months . . .

Cheers!

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