…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 to all of us that receive KBR!

Christianna Hellwig

Our special dinner went really well; we have a park behind our house and we went there to have a picnic. I have been really encouraged by my siblings’ response to our Bible study time together; they all want to do it again. I think we will do a deeper study of some godly men in the Bible next month. I have grown closer to them during this time and am seeing fruit in their lives. It is truly wonderful how the Lord works when we follow Him. I am so thankful that the Lord did not allow me to give up on our relationships and say it was to late; it is never too late to invest in them and create a memory that will last. Praise be to Christ.

Bethany Melton

We took the sibling challenge in the month of April. It was truly a challenge, but it helped all of my siblings and I grow closer together.

At the beginning of the month I gave my siblings a few eggs to attempt hatching them in our incubator. So far seven chicks have hatched, and we still have 6 eggs that should start hatching tomorrow. Leah (age 6) is so excited! I also let Leah help me with “chick chores.” Little children seem to love to do jobs that they see older people do! Throughout the month, I tried to participate in games that my siblings were playing. They enjoy it so much when there is another person in the game. I was amazed at how well my siblings did on their Bible verse memory! We memorized Ephesians 4:31-32, Matthew 5:44, and Mark 11:22.

For our special dinner together, my siblings and I made garlic butter chicken, mashed potatoes, broccoli, brownies, and frozen yogurt. I let my little sisters make the brownies. They were delighted! I’m sure that this challenge will not only encourage my siblings, but also be a fun family tradition.

Abby Cooper

My name is Abby Cooper and I am 9 years old. I have three brothers and we completed the “Encourage you Siblings Challenge.” It has helped me because I have heard and listened to God more on how to treat my brothers and how I should react to them. Before I would not have treated them very nicely, because I thought they were not being nice to me. The Bible verses we have memorized talk about “being kind to one another and building each other up.” (1 Thess. 5:11)

Throughout the day we say the verse when a reminder on how to treat each other. I think my brothers liked reading together. We enjoyed it so much that we are going to keep reading the Bible every day and memorizing verses too. Thanks for encouraging me to do this challenge.

The Cooper Siblings enjoying a trip to the zoo together

Elizabeth Bryan

We enjoyed the challenge; in fact, my sister Anna and I are continuing our Bible Study together! We had our special dinner together last week.

Sarah Wiens

Thank you for sending out the sibling challenge for April! When I first received it in mid-March, I knew that God wanted me to take the challenge. I was very busy preparing for a music exam, and I really felt this was God’s way of saying, “What’s more important? Your siblings, or your music?” So I took it, along with another girl from my church. It wasn’t easy. Memorizing verses was hard, especially for my little sister, who often ended up frustrated with herself because she couldn’t memorize as fast as everyone else can. But it was a lesson in patience; and as I kept going, I was really blessed. I couldn’t believe how there could be so many jewels of truth even in chapters of 1 Samuel that seemed purely factual! Every time I chose to spend time with my siblings instead of doing something else, I was blessed by the time I spent with them. At the end of the month, we did the special dinner, and then we quoted and acted out our memory verses for Dad and Mom. I also gave each of my siblings a character award (a ribbon with a piece of paper that stated various character qualities that I saw in each of them). They were simple awards, yet each of my siblings treasures their awards. Thank you again for sending the challenge out. It was a blessing to our whole family!

NOTE: Summer can be a special, but irregular time of year. In the midst of the varied schedules and activities it can be easy to let our time with the Lord become shortened each day. My siblings and I have enjoyed doing the Summer Pursuit each summer (hosted by Loving the Lord Ministries), as it is a special challenge to keep us diligently studying God’s Word together. It begins next month and we would like to encourage you to do the pursuit with your own sisters (and/or brothers)! Read our testimony here and check out the pursuit here.

Looking forward to what He will teach,
Sarah Lee

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 have on hand, or what vegetables your mother likes.”

• 1 medium zucchini, finely chopped
• 1 medium sweet red pepper, finely chopped
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 (1-pound) loaf day-old bread, cubed (French bread would be great!)
• 2 (5.3-ounce) packages fresh goat cheese, crumbled or shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 ¾ cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 6 eggs
• 2 cups milk
• ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg, optional

In a skillet, sauté zucchini, red pepper, mushrooms and onion in oil until tender. Add the garlic, thyme, salt and pepper; sauté 2 minutes more.

In a well-greased 13×9-inch baking dish, layer half of the bread cubes, half of zucchini mixture and half of cheeses. Repeat layers. In a bowl, whisk the eggs milk and nutmeg together. Pour over layers. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

Lemon Pound Cake Muffins

“Mommy and I both like lemon. These “muffins” are more like dessert and are quite fancy! One key to muffins is to stir only until the dry ingredients are moistened so they come out tender.”

• ½ cup butter, softened
• ¾ – 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon lemon extract
• 1 ¾ cups flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda

Glaze:

• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the sour cream and extracts. Combine the flour, salt and baking soda; add to creamed mixture just until moistened.

Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 400 degrees for about 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

Combine the glaze ingredients; drizzle over muffins. Serve warm. Yields 1 dozen.

 

Gift Ideas

Again, any gift is special when it is given with love. Remember to include your siblings and ask for their ideas! They may have heard your mother mention something that she needs something in particular. Here are some thought-starters.

• Potted flowers and plants. You can either start your plant from seed or pick it up at a garden center or greenhouse. Pick out a pretty pot or dress up a plain terra cotta pot with paint. Or get some flower bulbs that will bloom every year.
• Cut flowers – whether they’re from a florist or gathered from the yard – are a very special gift.
• Make a “coupon” book. Fill each page with things like “Redeem to have the windows washed” or “Good for one candlelit dinner.” Be creative and ask your siblings to pitch in and contribute jobs that they will do. Tie or staple the pages together and present them to Mother.
• Fill a jar with slips of paper, each containing a Bible verse.
• Make a handicraft project, such as an apron, tablecover or dishcloth and present it prettily in tissue paper and ribbons.
• Create a card, either stamped, hand-drawn or purchased, and fill it with a message from each of the children of the family. For a different approach, you could also each compose a message and record it on a cassette tape, CD or video. This would be a special keepsake!
• Make a basket filled with pretty and useful things that she will enjoy. Some ideas? Boxed tea, a tea cup, stationery or note cards, a pen, a cooking magazine subscription, a gift card to a favorite restaurant, a herbal sachet or handmade soap, flower seeds, or a CD of music.

I hope these ideas help you to plan a delightful Mother’s Day this year!

Maggie B.
{Guest Writer}

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, facebook, etc.
• Extra Entry: Fill out our short poll
• Enter (by emailing us at challenges@kingsbloomingrose.com) by May 6; winner of cookbook will be announced on our website.

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 time together. He is starting to talk more and more, so we have fun practicing his words, tickling, cuddling, singing and so on. Just the little time we are able to spend together one-on-one has done amazing things for our relationship.

Sometimes, all younger siblings need in order to know that you love them is a simple smile. Make it a priority to smile at your siblings—smile at them long, and smile at them often.

Hailey Dudenhoffer (14)

 

Bryan Siblings

Elizabeth Bryan

I am extremely thankful for each and every one of my brothers and sisters. We love being with each other. It never feels right if I am not with my siblings. I would like to share what we do as a family every day, and pray that it will encourage you to love and praise the Lord for your siblings every day!

In the morning, we all get up and begin our day. I kneel and pray to the Lord before dressing. Next, my sister and I begin to clean our animal cages. She has 60 birds! As we clean, we enjoy talking together. After cleaning, we all gather at the big dining room table to eat our breakfast and do our school. After doing our Language lessons, Noah and I start our violin lessons. Noah has a hard time learning his notes, so I’ve come up with a idea to help him. Since he likes to play Army, I give him Army badges when he completes the requirements to earn them. In this way he is becoming a better violin player. When school is over, we all make lunch together, and often take a picnic in the woods and eat there.

One thing we have all enjoyed doing together is embroidering as we listen to history tapes, or story CDs. Even my brothers like to try to do embroidery and our little sister tries to join in as well. We also enjoy sewing, doing crafts, or playing outside. The boys sometimes play Marines with each other.

At around 4:00, it’s “pet time,” as we call it. Anna and I let our animals out to play in their room, while we do our Bible studies. Then I sometimes tell the boys a story, or I work on a book I’m writing. Next, I make dinner, and then, after supper and bath, we like to draw. We like to draw pictures and my sister Sarah is a very good artist.

I am thankful for the time the Lord has given me to be with my wonderful family and am journeying toward the ultimate goal: meeting the Lord in Heaven and hearing Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant, well done.”

Elizabeth Bryan (15)

Lydia-Grace Meggs

Encouraging siblings has always been a challenge for me, ever since I was young. I like the verse, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). That verse plays over and over again in my mind when I am interacting with my siblings. When I am tempted to speak angrily, or say discouraging things, the Lord convicts my heart. I am sure that most of you have had moments when someone does something that you do not like, and in turn, you are prompted to speak back harshly. When that happens, think of this verse—“a soft answer turneth away wrath.” This should go through your mind, causing you to reflect, think before you answer, and say something edifying. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). Many blessings to you in Christ Jesus!

Lydia-Grace Meggs (13)

Davenport Siblings

Kinslea Davenport

Sometimes just the littlest things make all the difference in our siblings’ lives. Play what they want to play. Take time to see their newest little toy they made. Congratulate them on new ideas they might have. As a sister of four brothers, here are some of the things I have done:

• Play soldiers with your brothers. My brothers showed me how to get all dressed up to play, and it made all the difference to them that I wanted to play with them.
• Make a special breakfast for your mom. One morning, when the rest of the family was asleep, one of my brothers and I made a delicious breakfast including cinnamon biscuits and icing, tea, and a fruit salad. What made all the difference in my little brother’s life was that I included him in this project.
• Work together. My brother and I make a mopping team, one mopping, while the other sprays the floor. All the difference is that he feels special by being able to help.
• Play together. My brothers and I play kickball together. They think it is special when I let them come up with the game that we should play together.

If you are telling them what to do and making them try to obey you, try talking gently to them instead, and doing what they want to do, and soon they will want to do what you want to do!

Kinslea Davenport (10)

Elise Meggs

“Elese, I have nothing to do. Can you work with me in the workshop and we can make something together?”

“Leese, can I play with your doll Sarah? I am tired of playing with my dolls. Oh, can you set up a house for me before you leave? I can not do it like you. “

“Leese, you said that we would read the KBR together this morning, but we did not get up early enough. Can we do it this afternoon?”

I am the oldest sister in my family, and all of my younger siblings want a portion of my time. You like to spend time with them, right? In a similar way younger siblings look up to their older brothers and sisters. Here are some ideas on how to invest in the lives of your siblings.

• Take the time to notice what they value
• Ask how they might want to spend time with you
• Suggest doing projects that they can only do with help
• Memorize Scripture with them
• If your brothers enjoy outside activity, play “Indians” with them for the afternoon
• Remember that you are helping your sibling have fun, even if you think you look weird
• Tea parties are enjoyed by little sisters
• Sometimes reading aloud to the younger ones is a huge blessing to them
• Play hide and seek and give a prize to whoever is found last, or not found at all
• Let them be your supper-making helper
• Take nature walks with your siblings and talk about how you both enjoy life and how you struggle
• Make playdough figures with them
• Color and draw with them

There are many ways in which we can invest in our siblings’ lives. Be creative and ask God to help you bless your siblings lives…not only in April, but forever! I pray you all will love your family more with each passing day.

Elise Marie Meggs (16)

Bonus Ideas!

Have a card-making festival with your sisters – be creative and create different styles with supplies such as ribbon, buttons, stitching with a sewing machine, layering different color papers, and more! Cards are very fun to make together, and can also be an encouragement to friends and family – send them a note and Scripture verse. Enjoy a cup of tea and a cookie while you work together with your siblings.

Make a batch of cookies together. Brothers especially will love this special treat!

Little sisters often love it when big sister arranges their hair a little differently or fancier than normal. Take the extra time to arrange her hair one morning and add a colorful ribbon.

Doing an egg hair treatment – or an egg/herbal hair treatment – is easy and can be a unique adventure to do together. It also strengthens and boosts the health of hair. (Ask your mom before tackling this project!) Or, have a dress-up tea party; every little sister – and little brothers too – love to dress up!

Plant some flowers, seeds – or your family garden – together. As you work, share with your siblings how our spiritual life is similar to gardening principles. Most importantly, take time to listen, encourage, and pray with your brothers and sisters.

Do you have more ideas? Feel free to share them with us! Many blessings to you as you invest in your siblings’ lives for eternity!

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…
[Who] made himself of no reputation,
and took upon him the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men: 
And being found in fashion as a man,
he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the cross.”
{Philippians 2:5-7} 

Enjoy this month’s special computer desktop wallpaper: