HomeFront Archives - Small Things Are Big Things

April 30, 2014 by: Kara Noel Lawson

Growing Gestures {HomeFront in April}

We like games around here.
I made up this game for the April issue of HomeFront and it was a HUGE hit. I call it Growing Gestures and we can’t stop laughing every time we play.
What!?? You don’t believe me?!
Try it.

A popular phrase is, “Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.” Modeling helps us tangibly see the gospel play out in our own lives, and shows others what we believe. During dinner this month play Growing Gestures then get your children talking with the questions below. And remember, even eating dinner together as a family is modeling Jesus’ desire for community in our lives.

How to play: One person does a gesture (any kind of hand/body/head motion easily executed while sitting at the table), the next person does the first gesture and adds one of their own, and the third person does the first two gestures and adds another. Keep going around the table until someone messes up or you are laughing too hard to finish!

Conversation starter: We just played a game where we learned a motion, copied it, and then added our own motion. The things we do in our lives, work in a similar way – we see a behavior, copy it, learn from it and make it our own. Jesus showed us the ultimate example of love, by choosing to die for our sins on the cross. Let’s talk about ways we can be a Christ-like example for others.

Do you think actions speak louder than words when it comes to our faith?
What is Christ-like behavior mean to you?
What are some examples from the Bible about Jesus’ life that can teach us on how to live our lives?
Who do you see modeling Christ-like behavior?
What are some good examples of following Christ you have seen in our family?
What are things you would like to do to show others you believe in Jesus’ Resurrection?

I hope you have as much fun as we did, while playing this game. It is so fun and silly!

April 1, 2014 by: Kara Noel Lawson

The Promised Land {HomeFront for March}

Sometimes I feel ill-equipped as a mother. Although a lot of people call me mother, (between my kids, foreign exchange students and Safe Families Kids), I’ve only been a mother for seven years. And well, we really don’t know how jacked up my children will be yet..

In just seven years, my parenting perspective has changed drastically.

I liken the motherhood journey with the journey of Moses.

Obviously.

We have God’s people – slaves in Egypt. And Moses working persistently to free the Israelites from Pharaoh and toward a goal. Plague after plague came until Pharaoh freed the Israelites. Those messy plagues sure did play a part in the goal. But success didn’t come when the people were freed; success was arrival in the Promised Land. Every one of Moses’ actions and decisions were influenced by his goal of reaching the Promised Land.

Flash forward to September 2006. There I was holding baby Eli in my arms – that ugly 9 pound 4 oz, zombie, troll, cone-head baby. I was a young mother with my first son.

With Eli, things were black and white, I was diligent about course correction and everything was new and wonderful. My goal was to have a beautiful put-together family. I wanted to be the mom with well-behaved kids, and for other people to think I had everything together as a wife and mother.

I wanted to have the answers about parenting style, sleep training, discipline, and the best baby products. But all those things are the plagues. A necessary part of the journey… but just the journey.

Only 5 short years later I was holding my 4^th child in my arms. Tess, all cheeks and snuggles. And we stopped at Souplantation on the way home from the hospital. So much for everything being new the 4^th time around. As much as I would still love to be thought of as the “put-together” family, I’m just happy if all the kids have pants on at the grocery store.

Of course I’ve changed and grown as a person – I’m juggling more responsibilities, I’ve gained more experience, I’m more comfortable in the role of a mother, but most significant, I have different goals.

I have my Promised Land.

I’m less concerned with having a great well-behaved child, and more concerned my children will become great parents someday.

I’m less concerned about people thinking I have all the answers and more concerned my children will make wise choices on their own.

I’m less concerned with having a beautiful family portrait and more concerned with my children being respected by their peers, teachers, and other parents.

I want my children to experience authentic relationship with Jesus. To go through trials. Feel pain and hope. But of course, mostly joy and perfect peace.

I want to use my mistakes to give them “level paths” for their lives (Hebrews 12:13a). And so much more. More, because God’s plan for their lives is far superior to my plan. Everyday I’m choosing my actions and decisions in light of my Promised Land, not the plagues.

It’s my life, and it’s a stunning jumble of trial and error.

Success and failure.

And I’m thankful.

March 30, 2014 by: Kara Noel Lawson

How to Build a Backyard Obstacle Course {HomeFront for March}

This month’s HomeFront Magazine features two great articles by me!!
Squeeeeeeee!
(I’ll share the first today, and the second tomorrow.)

Building a backyard obstacle course is a Small Thing! One of those Small Things your kids will remember forever. It will cost you ZERO dollars and keep your littles busy for at least an hour! Check out pages 16-17 of HomeFront’s online magazine here for all the details. This month’s highlighted topic is Course Correction. I designed this backyard obstacle course with an awesome activity.
(But you’ll have to click over and read the whole article to read about it!)
There are some pretty rad ideas you’ve never seen before… because they are from my sweet lil’ head!

One of the main aspects of Course Correction is getting to the root of a problem and empowering our children toward spiritual transformation – identifying the motivation for our sin instead of just identifying the sin. Each activity represents choices we have in our lives. We can stumble blindly as we lean on our own understanding, hoping we make the best decision, or we can trust in the LORD to make our pathways straight. Talk about how frustrating it was to go through the obstacle course without instruction and how rewarding it was when your child knew the course and could do it correctly on their own. In the same way, we want our children to make the best decisions on their own, in accordance with the will of God in their lives.

To get this amazing magazine for FREE in your inbox every month, just go HomeFrontMag.com and enter your email into this little box:

March 12, 2014 by: Kara Noel Lawson

Me and Magazines! {OC Family and HomeFront}

Often I write things, and my heart goes into every word, and I’m flooded with tears or laughter.
And no one says a word.
One time I was in a magazine for a hair tutorial.
And I’m recognized at the doctor’s office.
True story.

I had a great time doing this little shoot because I was helping out a friend. And I got some great tips from a make-up artist about how not to look tired when you are exhausted…

But sometimes I get to write from the heart AND lots of people get to see it!
And that’s the story with HomeFront Magazine.
Starting in February I have been able to write my little heart out for HomeFront and the magazine is just filled with awesome ideas for your family! You can view the magazine on their site or

You can view the national magazine on their site or sign up to have it sent to your inbox every month. Go to HomeFrontMag.com and enter your email into this box… easy.

In February I shared this really great family project and craft…

Pretty cute, huh?

To make your own you’ll need…

Paper mache craft letters F-A-M-I-L-Y
Drop cloth
Spray paint
A permanent marker

Prepare: Grab a drop cloth (we use an old sheet) and spray paint the front and back of your letters. Older children will enjoy painting but if you have small children, you may want to do this ahead of time.

Activity: Gather your family together to brainstorm in the following six categories – one for each letter in the word FAMILY. Use the permanent marker to write your ideas on the back of every letter. You’ll place the finished letters in a prominent area of your home, as a reminder to serve others in your faith community.

For the rest of the activity you’ll have to go to page 19 of the February issue of HomeFront Magazine!

I can’t wait to share more with you.