Testimonies from Big Sisters Who Took the “Encourage Your Siblings Challenge” in April We were so encouraged to hear from those of you who took the “Encourage Your Siblings” Challenge last month. Here are just a few stories we received and wanted to share! Before we do, however, we want to congratulate the winner of The Maiden’s Menu Cookbook and potholder giveaway – Abby Cooper! We will be sending your prize shortly! God bless each of you who took the challenge; may He continue to bless your investment in each of your precious siblings. Kinslea Davenport My name is Kinslea Davenport, and I am 11. I have four brothers. From the very first day that we began this challenge, I felt closer to my siblings. We read a chapter of Proverbs every day. We also memorized Philippians 4:8, James 3:5, Colossians 4:24, and Matthew 28: 1-9 throughout April. For the special things we did together every week, we played soldiers, made a special breakfast, made a mopping team, played kickball, and had pillow fights. At the end of April, we had a special dinner, and it consisted of salad, meatloaf, baked potatoes, okra, and asparagus. For dessert we ate homemade ice cream and cookies. I am very thankful that we did this challenge because it brought me closer to my siblings. Gracie Harmon My name is Gracie Harmon, and I am 12 years old. I did the Bible study with my little siblings in April, and they really liked it! They kept asking me through the whole month of April when we could do another study. I don’t think that one day went by without them asking me! We memorized 5 verses together last month. Even my little 3-year-old brother can recite most of them. Thank you so much for you testimony … Continue reading →

  Honor Your Mother by Maggie B. “Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise).” {Ephesians 6:2}  When thinking about the topic of blessing your mother on Mother’s day, I find it interesting that just the other day I was telling my mommy that it seemed every plan I’ve had to surprise her, did not work exactly as I had planned, because she wasn’t helping me with it! We are so close that I find it hard to do a grand project, without consulting her for her ideas and help! Though I have planned elaborate surprises to bless my mother before, simple works well. A loving mother will enjoy any effort her children make to bless her. Here are some ideas that I hope will encourage you as you make your mom’s Mother Day special. Meal Ideas Over the years, I, with the help of my sister, have planned meals to make on Mother’s Day. It’s a challenge to put together a “special occasion” meal at times, but you really cannot go wrong, if you consider what foods she enjoys. You can either plan a “secret menu” or just ask her what she would like. Collaborate with your siblings and scout around to see if you can find a new recipe to try. Planning is the key to success. I thought I’d share a couple recipes with you that I have made for a special occasion breakfast for my Mommy. Preparing a breakfast-in-bed is another special idea! [KBR's cookbook, The Maiden's Menu, includes special menu suggestions for a "Mother's Day Breakfast in Bed" and a "Mother's Day Tea," along with more wonderful recipes to try!] Vegetarian Egg Strata “My mother loves vegetables, so this dish was a hit. You can change this recipe based on what you … Continue reading →

Congratulations on Completing the Challenge! Tomorrow is the last day of April – but not the end of our “Encourage Your Siblings” challenge! The goal of encouraging, exhorting, and praying for our brothers and sisters is one that should last a lifetime, and we pray that this past month you have firmly established that foundation to continue to build upon. Do not forget to host a special party dinner for your siblings this week! Make this a fun project to work on with your siblings—plan the menu, decorations, special touches—make it unique and a very special time for your family. At dinner, together recite the verses that you memorized with your siblings this month. We would LOVE to hear about your sibling challenge this month, and your special dinner! Share your testimony (challenges@kingsbloomingrose.com), and if you’d like, send along pictures of you with your siblings, your special party dinner, or projects you did together. We are so thrilled that you took the challenge to invest in your siblings this past month. It is a joy to see you pour love and encouragement out into their lives, which will reap eternal fruit. Continue to work along side them, encourage them in the Lord, and seek His Word together. Develop this as a solid habit, for as you sow, the Lord will bring the increase. “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). Praying for you as you embark on life’s journey with your siblings, Sarah Lee Ways to Enter in our Cookbook Giveaway: Complete our April “Encourage your Siblings Challenge” and send us a testimony of how the Lord worked through your investment in your siblings. Here is a chart you can fill out. Extra Entry: Share information about this challenge with your friends via email, your blog, … Continue reading →

Practical Ways to Encourage Our Siblings This month, KBR is hosting an “Encourage Your Siblings Challenge.” Throughout we are posting articles written by other sisters with ideas on how to invest in and encourage our siblings. As you take the challenge this month, we would love to hear what projects YOU have done together with your siblings. Email your ideas to us to share with other KBR readers! Dudenhoffer Siblings Hailey Dudenhoffer One way sisters can encourage their siblings is by simply talking to them. If my siblings want to tell me a story that they think is funny (which sometimes can take a long time), I take the time to listen and engage in what they are telling me. I try to laugh along with them even if the story isn’t necessarily funny to me. Lately, my younger siblings have been enjoying making interesting creations with our Brio Builder toys. When they finish a creation, they like to show it to me, often while I’m working on my school. My brother Ethan (8) likes to be talked to like a big kid, so I talk to him about his creations, ask questions about it, and tell him what I like about it. When my three-year-old brother brings me the “car” he created all by himself, I like to say things like, “Good job, Levi! Wow, look at your car! Did you have fun making it?” and so on. Another way I try to encourage my siblings is by putting aside my own plans, and spending one-on-one time with them. For example, I usually get the baby ready for bed every night. Even though I would much rather just get him tucked in quickly and then be free to do my own things, he so enjoys it when we spend … Continue reading →

We Are Responsible for Our Sibling Relationships by Olivia Meggs This month, KBR is hosting an “Encourage Your Siblings Challenge.” Throughout the month, we are posting articles written by other sisters with ideas on how to invest in and encourage our siblings. As you take the challenge this month, we would love to hear what projects YOU have done together with your siblings. Email your ideas to us to share with other KBR readers! The Meggs Siblings “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” {Psalm 133:1}  Sharp answers . . . judging assumptions . . . don’t we all have those moments when it seems like our siblings are trying to annoy us on purpose? If you answered yes, then you are on the same page as I was a year ago. It seemed to me, that no matter how hard I tried, our relationships just did not get any better. I tried using every technique that came to mind to change my siblings – I told myself that if my siblings would just stop being noisy and careless, life would be so much easier! “If our siblings change, our relationships with them will become better, right?” Wrong. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Ultimately, we are responsible for making sure our relationships with younger siblings are wholesome, uplifting and fun. Our sinful nature tells us that our siblings (not ourselves) are the wrongdoers and that we cannot be happy unless they change. However, the key to a good relationship is realizing that you are the problem, the provoker, and the biggest stumbling block. You are the cause of the hurt, strife and annoyance. You may say, ‘But wait – isn’t there any way I can have a good relationship without humbling myself? You just don’t understand!’ Because I am a … Continue reading →