Beginnings Crossword Challenge

By Mary Vee

This weeks answer can be found in Genesis 1 and in the Thanks stories posted last week here on God Loves Kids


Across
2. Sixth day first made
6. Sixth day second made
7. When God created the earth
9. Second day made
10. Fourth day first made
11. fourth day third made
13. Fifth day first made
15. First day second made
16. Third day third made

Down
1. Fourth day second made
3. Third day first made
4. Before anyone
5. Seventh day
7. Fifth day second made
8. Third day second made
12. Third day fourth made
14. First day first made

How many answers did you need to look up? Click on the comment button and let me know how you did:)

How did you do on the maze last week? Here is the answer:

God Provides in Times of Famine

By Mary Vee

The advent season is a time to remember Jesus and what He's done for us. Invite a friend to come read a Bible story.

Genesis 26:1
Isaac inspected the crops one day. He lifted a fragile stalk. "If it doesn't rain soon, the plants will die. Without a harvest, we'll die."

Weeks later Isaac realized the crops couldn't be saved. He brought a wilted plant back to his wife, Rebekah.

"I'm sorry. Looks like we'll have to move. If we wait much longer, we'll starve."

Rebekah nodded. "Don't worry. I know you'll take care of our family."

"Not me." He looked up at the sky. "My God--and the God of my father, Abraham will take care of us."

"When do you want to leave, and where do you want to go?"

Isaac pulled a blade of grass and chewed on the end. He looked at the fields. Dear God. Where should we go?

He remembered a story his father told him about a city named Gerar near the sea. The king, Abimelech, allowed Abraham to live near the city during the last famine. Maybe he'll let us live there as well.

"We'll go to Gerar."

Rebekah sighed and sat by Isaac. "I'm sorry the crops died." She handed him some water. "I hope we can come back someday."

Isaac hugged his wife and laughed. "I can be happy wherever God leads us, even if we have to travel all the way to Egypt. Will you go with me?"

He tickled her until she said, "Yes, I'll go."

Jacob and Esau helped their parents and the servants pack the camels and donkeys with tents and other household belongings.

Two days later Isaac led his family away from their home. Jacob helped the servants drive the sheep and cattle.

A few hours later Esau sneaked back beside Jacob. "I'm bored. You want to have a cattle race?'

"How do you expect to have a race in the middle of a moving herd? You're crazy."

"No. Seriously. We hop on some cattle and have a race. Who knows, maybe Father will be happy the herd moves faster."

Jacob wiggled his eyebrows up and down. "The trip has been boring--I suppose it wouldn't hurt the cattle." He looked back at the servants then forward to his father. "Sure. I'll race you."

"Great. I'm riding this one. You pick your ride. Be ready when the herd reaches the tree at the top of the hill."

Jacob scanned the herd. One particular animal trotted along nicely and kept looking forward. He wiggled his way up to his racing partner and spoke softly. "Would you like to race? Let me climb on you when we reach that tree up there."

He stroked her fur and continued talking softly until a few feet before the tree. Quick as a bolt of lightning, Jacob whipped his left leg over the animal. He sat up in time to see Esau a few feet ahead.

"Kee yah. Let's go."

His partner bucked and mooed. Her head flung to the right and left as she screamed for help.

Esau cheered, "Yee Haw." His partner ran down the hill swishing and swaying with his weight.

All the heard followed their leaders running down the hill mooing.

The servants ran after the them flailing their arms. "Stop! Stop! Waaaaait!"

Isaac heard the commotion and turned. "Rebekah, quick, get out of the way." He yanked his camel left to block the cattle and force them to turn right. Another servant raced his camel to the front of the herd and continued turning the animals to the right.

As the herd turned, they circled and slowed. Once they stopped they plopped to the ground, moaned at Jacob and Esau, and rested.

Isaac squinted at his sons. "Jacob. Esau. I'd like to speak with you."

Jacob crawled off his mount. He leaned over to his brother. "Good going. Now we're in trouble."

"Perhaps. But, at least I won."

"No, you didn't. My cow came in first."

"That was before the herd turned. If you think about it, my cow was closer to Gerar."

The brothers faced their father. Isaac stroked his beard. "Did you enjoy yourselves?"

Esau and Jacob looked each other and shrugged their shoulders.

"Well, my sons. Since you've decided to upset not only the entire herd, but also your mother, you must have been bored. You two will take over the work of herding the cattle the rest of the way to Gerar in addition to your normal chores. For now, you can help set up camp."

Isaac walked back to Rebekah. "You OK?"

She took a deep breath and smiled. "God has blessed us with mischievous sons."

Several days later Isaac's family arrived in Gerar. He found a place to set up the tents and stables.

He strolled out to the fields nearby and found healthy plants. "Perhaps we can survive the famine in this place."

Now, the Bible doesn't say that Jacob and Esau caused a stampede on this trip, Maybe....

What we do know is God provided for Isaac and his family in their time of need. Before God made the earth He knew your needs.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

How has God provided for you? Please click the comment button and let me know. I really enjoy reading your answers. :)

Thankful for Beginnings Part 2

By Mary Vee

Genesis 1:20 - 2:3

By the end of day 4 God had made the heavens and the earth; waters above and waters below; dry land; grass, plants, and trees; and the sun, moon, and stars.

On day 5, God made tons of living creatures in the waters and flocks of birds to fly above the earth. That means God made tiny zoo plankton and huge whales, minnows and sharks, sea anemones and dolphins, giant leviathans and piranhas, and "every living thing that moves in the waters" for you.

God knew you needed all the living creatures that He made in the waters to live. Why would you need a shark? (hint: web of life) Will you thank God for the creatures that live in the waters? When you thank Him, please tell Him how you use them.

On this day, God also made the sparrow and the ostrich, the peacock and the raven, the emu and the toucan, the dove and the owl, and "every winged bird." Can you name two more birds? He knew you needed winged birds to live. Will you thank God for them, right now? When you thank Him, please tell Him how you use them.

After God made the water creatures and the winged birds, He blessed them saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas and let the birds multiply on the earth."

The birds and water creatures obeyed God. Now we have lots of birds and water creatures. :)

On day 6, God made living creatures to live on the land. He made ants and giraffes, sloths and cheetahs, hyenas and monkeys, dogs and cats, and every living creature according to its kind. He knew you needed the animals to live. Will you thank God for them, right now? When you thank Him, please tell Him how you use them.

There is more! God wasn't finished!

God made people. He said, "Let them be in charge of the fish, birds, land animals, and over all the earth."

God made a man and a woman and He blessed them. "See, I have given you what you need." God knew you needed other people to live. Will you thank Him for them, right now? When you thank Him, please tell Him what the special people in your life have done for you.

And so, God finished the job. He made everything.

On day 7, God showed you what you should do after you finish your work. Rest. He knew you would need rest to live. Will you thank God for rest, right now? When you thank Him, please tell Him how you use rest.

I named the little ground squirrel in today's picture "Peeper" for the sound he made when I saw him. He lives at a high point of Glacier Nation Park in the Rocky Mountains. God made him.

Thank you, God, for making the heavens and the earth.

Thanks Maze

By Mary Vee

This week's game is a maze--duh!
Sometimes, figuring out what to be thankful for can be as difficult as finding the way through a maze. So to add a spark to this game, each time you make a turn in this maze try to name something you're thankful to God for.



Did you find all the hidden things in last week's game?

Click on the comment on the button and let me know. I'd love to hear from you.

Thankful for Beginnings

By Mary Vee

Genesis 1:1-19

In the beginning God...

Before anyone. Before anything. Before plants or animals. Before angels. God lived.

Then God made angels. No clocks, no sunshine, no earth, no people--yet.

A lot happened with the angels. This story will be told at another time. For today we'll jump ahead.

In the beginning of time God thought of you. He made the heavens and the earth, knowing you would be here one day.

It was dark.

God said, "Let there be light." Instantly light appeared. God knew you needed light to live. Will you thank God for light, right now? When you thank Him, please tell Him how you use light.

God divided the light from the dark and called the light day and the dark night. God knew you needed the dark to rest. Will you thank God for the dark? When you thank Him, please tell Him how you use the dark.

On day 2 God separated the waters. He put some above and some below. He knew you needed water to live. Will you thank God for the water that is above and on the earth? When you thank Him, please tell him how you use both waters.

On day 3 God gathered the waters on earth into one place so that land would appear. He knew you couldn't live in the water all the time! Next He said, "Let there be grass, plants, and trees." God saw that it was good. He knew you needed them to live. Will you thank God for the grass, plants, and trees? When you thank Him, please tell Him how you use them.

On day 4 God made the sun, the moon, and the stars. He put everything in the exact right spot because He knew you needed them. He made sure that all the stars, the earth, and the moon moved in the right way to make seasons. He knew you need them to live. Will you thank God for the sun, the moon, the stars, and the seasons? When you thank Him, please tell Him how you use them.

God thinks of you everyday and all night long. Did you know God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Every day is new.

I can start each day by thanking God for--well, for so many things. Sometimes I'm just thankful for a new day because my last day had problems. Sometimes my new day has something special, exciting, and wonderful that I've waited for. What are you thankful for? Try to think of at least one thing to be thankful for that you never thought to give thanks to God. Will you share them with me? Click on the comment button.

I'll start...ummmm..oh, I know...I'm thankful for the clouds I see out my window right now. They bring shade, rain, snow, and come in silly shapes like dinosaurs.

COME BACK ON WEDNESDAY TO FINISH THIS THANKFUL FOR BEGINNINGS STORY. DO YOU KNOW WHAT COMES NEXT?

I took this picture while on a vacation at my sister's house in Savannah, Georgia.

Jacob's Delicious Stew

By Mary Vee

Genesis 25:29-34

Esau got up early one morning. He stretched and yawned. "Yes. I feel it in my bones. Today, I'm going to track the biggest boar Father has ever seen."

Jacob sat up and tossed a blanket at his brother's head. "You say that every morning."

"OK, well--all right, I might say that every morning, but today is different. Something big is going to happen."

Jacob rolled his eyes then flopped out of bed.

Esau leaned out the window. "Look, the sun is rising. Golden sky over there, clear dark-blue sky overhead. I'm telling you, Jacob. This is a day to remember."

Esau strutted out to the breakfast table. Jacob followed, snickering.

Isaac set his cup down and waited for his sons to pray for their meal.
"Morning, boys. Did you sleep well?"

Esau shoved his shoulders back and lifted his chin. "I'll bring you home a surprise, Father."

Isaac smiled. "I'll look forward to that. In the meantime, your mother and I have an errand. We'll be gone 'till sunset."

"No problem." Jacob grabbed a hunk of bread. "I'll cook some stew for dinner. I can squeeze that in between chores."

Isaac pushed himself from the table. "Ready to go, Rebekah?"

She ran back to the bedroom. "In a minute!" Isaac chuckled and walked out to the barn.

"Well, Jacob." Esau grabbed his bow and quiver. "I'm heading out to get my boar. You'll probably need the meat to improve your stew." He waved goodbye to his Father and walked out to the fields.

"We'll see who makes the stew better." Jacob whispered to himself.

The day passed by quickly. Jacob poured olive oil in a big pot. He chopped up vegetables and browned them in the oil. "Mmmm, I love that smell."

He added lentils, leftover broth from yesterday's dinner, and more water. He cut bite size hunks of meat and tossed them in. "This stew smells so good. I'll add a few spices and let it cook awhile."

Jacob did a few chores, stirred the stew, then did a few more chores. He took a deep breath. "This stew is the best I've ever made. Don't know what I did right this time, but Mother and Father are really going to like dinner tonight."

He gave the stew another stir then noticed Esau walking in from the fields. Big boar, eh?

Esau staggered next to the campfire and plopped down at the table. "Please feed me with that red stew. I'm starved."

Jacob raised his eyebrows. "Sell me your birthright as of this day."

"Look, Jacob, I'm going to die, I'm so starved--Fine--Whatever--Take the birthright. It means nothing to me."

Jacob grabbed a bowl, filled it, and held it out of his brother's reach. "Promise me, right now, as of this day the birthright is mine."

"All right, all right, I promise. Now give me the stew."

Jacob set the bowl of stew and some bread in front of his brother.

Although God promised Jacob the birthright, His plan did not include Jacob tricking his brother to get it. His plan also did not include Esau giving away his birthright for a bowl of stew. What consequences did Jacob suffer? What consequences did Esau suffer? What should they have differently?

Seek and Find

By Mary Vee


Several animals seemed to have taken a wrong turn!
The following are hiding in this picture. Can you find all of them?
2 camels, 4 stars, toucan, 2 sheep, peacock, polar bear, earth, Abraham, Ketura, Esau, Jacob, tiger, 2 rabbits, giraffe, kangaroo, monkey, Noah's ark, donkey
*****
Last week's game was an Anagram. I gave the word "Mesopotamia"

Here are a few of the words I found: pot, tame, meat, seat, pet, met, pots, tames, pets, atom. What else do you see.

Brothers Jacob and Esau, Isaac and Ishmael

By Mary Vee

Genesis 25:7-11 and 27-28

Isaac and Rebekah's sons grew to be healthy, young men. Even though they grew up together in the same home they liked to do different things.

Esau grabbed his bow one morning. "Mom, I'm going hunting."

"OK, Son. Can you bring something back for supper?"

"Sure, no problem."

Jacob watched his brother head out to the fields. "I'm glad he likes to hunt. I'd rather tend sheep and fix things around the tents. There's so much to do!"

Then again, Esau and Jacob were boys!

"Dad! I can't find my bow anywhere. Make Jacob give it back."

While Jacob snickered, Esau grabbed Jacob's shepherd staff, climbed the tree and hooked it to a high branch. "That will show him."

"Give me back my staff, Esau."

"Not until you give me my bow."

As the years passed, Esau noticed how much his dad liked eating the meat he hunted. This made him want to hunt for the best no matter how long it took.

Jacob noticed how much his mom appreciated the way he took care of the sheep and how he fixed things around the tents right away.

Still, they were brothers.

In the early evenings Rebekah complained to Isaac. "Those boys are driving me crazy. Do you know what Esau did? He tied branches to the tails of the sheep with vines. It took Jacob all morning to untangle them. And Jacob. He took the skin Esau left hanging to dry, draped it over himself and jumped out from behind that tree. Esau nearly shot him with an arrow."

"There, there, Dear. Their fifteen."

"They may not live to be sixteen."

A few days later one of Abraham's servants arrived with a message. "Master, your father, Abraham, became ill. He died in his sleep last night."

Isaac lowered his head and wiped a tear. "Does my brother Ishmael know?"

"Another servant took him the message last night."

Isaac and his family left immediately for his father's home. Ishmael arrived a few hours later.

Isaac walked out to greet him. "How are you, my brother?"

"As well as could be expected. And you?"

"Same."

Together they visited their father. They held his hand and said "Good bye."

Isaac turned to Ishmael. "Father would want to be buried next to Sarah."

"Yes, I agree. Let's leave first thing in the morning."

Esau and Jacob helped prepare the wagon. They sat by the fire after dinner and listened to Isaac and Ishmael. They mourned and laughed at family stories late into the evening.

Early the next morning, Isaac, Ishmael and several servants ate breakfast and gathered a few last things for the journey to bury their father.

Esau and Jacob ran after them. "Dad, can we go?"

Isaac looked at Ishmael. "Well?"

Ishmael nodded. "Up to you."

"OK, but, I want to spend time talking with my brother, Ishmael."

Sometimes family members grow up and move to different places. They still care about each other even though they're apart. God blessed both Isaac and Ishmael since they were Abraham's sons, but God chose Isaac to continue the job and receive the blessings He gave to Abraham.

Jacob and Esau liked different things. In the stories to come, we'll see God's plan for both Jacob and Esau. How are you different from your brother, sister, cousin, or friend?

I live far from my brother and sisters. God asked me to tell Bible stories. What do you think God wants you to do?

Wait...Wait...Wait...Isaac had to Wait.

By Mary Vee

Genesis 25:20-26

Isaac truly loved Rebekah. He had the most beautiful wife in all the world. She kept him company, made great stews, and even spent time in prayer with him.

One day Isaac sneaked behind Rebekah and tickled her.

She squealed. She chased after him.

He stayed an arms reach away and laughed. "God couldn't have given me a better wife."

"Ha, ha. You say that because you don't want me to catch you." Rebekah held her skirt tight and ran faster. "Need I remind you I have a brother?"

Isaac grabbed a tree limb above his head and flung himself up on the branch. "Yes, I seem to recall you have a brother. Perhaps he needed to tease you more!"

Rebekah raised her chin. "I'll let you escape this time, for the sake of the stew that is about to burn. Next time, dear husband, you won't be so fortunate."

Isaac shook his head and laughed while watching his bride run back to the fire and stir the stew. She ran in and out of the tent putting the finishing touches on the dinner.

He didn't want to climb down from the tree yet. He enjoyed watching her. "Hard to believe we've been married over fifteen years already. Where does the time go?"

After dinner, Issac went out to the fields to pray. The air felt moist and crisp. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath of late fall air. "Oh God of my father, Abraham. You know how Rebeka and I have longed for a child. Yes, I know you promised me a son, but I would like to play with him before I die."

He squinted his eyes and wrinkled his nose hoping God knew his playful heart. "You know I've remained faithful to my beautiful Rebekah and have gladly waited for you to give us a son. But, perhaps, you could give us this child soon?"

Isaac remembered Rebekah's sweet spirit. "God, have you noticed, Rebekah hasn't complained about not having a child yet? I pray, Oh, God of my father, Abraham, please give us a child soon."

Time passed by. One day Rebekah skipped out to the stable. She flittered around her husband. "Isaac, Isaac, guess what? Guess what?"

He didn't know whether to laugh or think she was crazy. "Ahhh, what?"

"Oh, come on, guess, please?"

"OK, you made my favorite goat stew for dinner."

Rebekah rolled her eyes. "Nooooo. Try again."

"Ummmmm, you finished mending my favorite tunic."

She playfully punched him. "Come on, Isaac. Try harder."

He scratched his beard. "Ahhhhhh, I give up."

"We're going to have a baby!"

Isaac's jaw fell open. "I--we--we're going to have a baby?" He twirled Rebekah around and the two laughed and laughed.

Several months later, Rebekah noticed a problem. Afraid that something might be wrong with her baby she walked out to the field and asked God, "If everything is well, why do I feel these pains?"

God answered, "You will have twins. Each will be a nation. One will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger."

When the time came for the babies to be born, the first baby looked red and had lots of hair. "I will name him Esau which means 'red'"

Right away Esau's brother was born. His little hand had a hold of Esau's heel. Rebekah looked at her second son. "I will name him Jacob."

Isaac felt very proud. "God gave me two sons!"

When Rebekah felt well enough, the family visited Grandpa Abraham to let him see his new grandsons. "Look, Father, these are my sons, Esau and Jacob."

Abraham gave Isaac a hug. "Congratulations, son."

Sometimes God tests our faithfulness. He wants to know if we will choose to stay faithful and trust Him to provide if we have to wait. King David waited a long time to be king. My brother waited to get a job. Do you know someone who had to wait?

Bible Anagram I

By Mary Vee



Did you beat me? Click on the comment button to tell how many you found.


ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S DOT TO DOT: Noah's Ark

Abraham is Lonely

By Mary Vee

Genesis 25: 1-2

Abraham sat down after the marriage party for his son, Isaac, and yawned. "He truly loves Rebekah. Such happiness is more than I could have hoped."

Eliezer served his master some drink. "You look weary. Wedding parties are exciting but exhausting."

"Especially when you're as old as I." Abraham pressed his cane into the dirt and shuffled to get comfortable. "140 years is not so young."

"Such words from a man who hiked throughout this country, went to battle against a fierce king to save his nephew, built up his wealth in a new land, and fathered a son when he thought he was too old."

"For a servant you have a quick tongue. Remember, none of those things would have happened without God's hand directly involved." Abraham stroked his beard and looked toward the fields. "Maybe my days are coming to a close."

"Please don't say that. Perhaps you're lonely."

"It has been quiet since Sarah died. Too quiet." Abraham pushed himself up and walked to a nearby tree. "Isaac will be busy setting up his own home. I'll miss the long talks we've had."

The party music continued to play softly. Abraham glanced back at Isaac and his bride. "Didn't you say she makes a delicious goat stew?"

"Her mother told me."

"Maybe she'll make me--" Abraham suddenly noticed one of the head servants. She served Isaac a fresh drink then walked back to the cooking tent.

"Ketura is--"

Eliezer looked at his master. "Yes? Ketura is one of our best servants. She has served faithfully for many years"

"I mean, Ketura is--"

Eliezer looked at Ketura then back at his master. "Uh huh. I understand."

Abraham hobbled over to Ketura. They talked long into the night. It felt good to have someone to talk to.

During his prayer time, Abraham paced in the field. He thanked God for the wonderful wife he sent for Isaac and for guiding Eliezer to her home. He thanked God for giving them a safe journey.

He praised God for choosing to give him his land, his cattle and sheep, and a bountiful harvest. He praised God for faithful servants that stayed with him.

Then Abraham stood still. He stoked his beard and sighed. "It seems to me, God, Ketura would be a good friend and a great helper to me. True, I could never love her as I loved Sarah, but I sure would enjoy her company. What do you think?"

He gazed up at the night stars and let a smile pop. Deep inside, his happy heart told him God approved.

One day, Abraham married Ketura. He loved the strolls in the fields and the long evening talks. They had six sons: Zimram, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.

You'll want to notice their son's names. Maybe one looks familiar to you. We will get to know more about Midian in stories about Moses and Gideon.

In the meantime, think about God's love for Abraham. Once Isaac married Rebekah, it seemed Abraham finished the work God gave him. He became lonely. What did God show Abraham?

Isaac Can't Stop Smiling

By Mary Vee

Genesis 24:62-

Isaac stretched. "I wonder if Eliezer will come today?"

He threw the blankets on his bed and hurried outside the tent. The air smelled especially sweet.

Servants bustled about feeding the animals. Isaac laughed. He didn't know why. He didn't know what was funny. He simply felt like laughing.

He ate his breakfast. "This food tastes better than it has before. I wonder why?"

One of the workers walked past him and furrowed his brows. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, of course." Isaac looked toward the east. "Cast your eyes upon that magnificent sunrise. I tell you, there's something special about today. Don't know what it is, yet. But I feel it deep inside."

The worker shook his head and walked away.

Isaac gazed out at the family fields. "It'll be a great crop this year."

He walked up the hill and sat on a clump of soft grass. "If I counted the days right, according to what Father told me, Eliezer should have arrived at our family home in Mesopotamia. He probably looked around the city for the perfect girl to be my wife, met with her family then paid the dowery. If they left the next day, they should be arriving soon."

Isaac yanked a few blades of grass and shredded them into pieces. "What am I thinking? First of all, Eliezer would be cautious. He'd take his time and search carefully for the right girl to be my wife. That would take days. Then, if he found a girl, maybe her family wouldn't believe his story about Father's riches. Even if he showed proof! It will be months before he comes back. Or, maybe he won't find someone willing to come here." He threw the grass on the ground.

He stood and took a deep breath. "Then why do I feel such joy in my heart today?" He walked between rows of wheat.

A lamb bleated in the distance. "God of my father, Abraham, you have given our family many things." Isaac stood still. He listened to the gentle breeze fluttering through the wheat. "I hardly know how to thank you."

A smile popped across his face. He laughed. "Lord, I don't know why this joy keeps bursting inside me. But I thank you."

Isaac hurried to do his work. The animals went where he wanted them to go. The servants didn't fight. The sun shone all day.

Isaac sat down to eat his supper. He gazed up at the sky. "Lord, thank you for this meal. Thank you for a good day of work."

Once again, his food tasted better than it had tasted before. Isaac stroke his beard. A glimmer of sun sparkled off the wheat. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say God has something to say to me."

He left the table and walked out to the fields. "I'm here, Lord. I want to spend time with you."

Isaac listened. The wind blew as softly as a breath. Birds called out their evening songs. Isaac whispered, "Thank you, Lord for your promises given to my father. Thank you for giving us this land, our crops, and animals."

Suddenly, he saw a caravan of camels on the road walking toward his home. Isaac's heart jumped. "Could it be? No, It's not possible. Eliezer?" He squinted his eyes. "It looks like Eliezer. Eliezer?"

Isaac ran toward the caravan. "Eleizer? Is that you?"

He ran up the last hill then stopped to catch his breath.

The servant ordered the camels to stop.

A woman dismounted and waited next to the camel.

Isaac gazed at her.

Eliezer stepped forward. "Master Isaac, this is Rebekah. Her grandfather is your father's brother."

Isaac tried to keep the smile from popping on his face, but he couldn't. "Come, you must be tired from your journey. Have some food and tell me all that has happened."

Eliezer told Isaac his entire story about finding Rebekah and about her family and about the trip back home. "Master Isaac, only God could have made all these plans work as perfectly as they have."

Isaac glanced over at Rebekah and smiled. "I agree."

That night, Isaac married Rebekah. Neither one could keep away smiles or laughter. Truly God had blessed them.

God likes to bless His children. He chooses special times to give blessings, not because we earned them, but because He wants us to remember to praise Him as he deserves. Have you felt a sparkly, happy feeling inside? Who gave you that feeling? Did you find out why you felt that way? Click on the comment button and tell us. If you missed the other stories about Rebekah they are listed on the left side for you. Click on any story you'd like to read.

8+2+2... Bible Dot Game

By Mary Vee

DIRECTIONS: Print out the game. Connect the brown dots to the brown dots, black dots to black dots, blue dots to blue dots and yellow dots to yellow dots. Do not go criss cross. Color the shape. Color the area with "v" green. Add what should go on this object.



How did you do? What did you decide to add? Click the comment button to tell me.

Here is the answer to last week's Cryptogram: