When our children were little we would pack up the trusty mini-van and head across to Springfield, MO to see my husbands family. One reason for the mini-van was so that they could each have their own seat and we didn't have to hear " He's touching me" the whole time.

Anyway, I thought that some of you young Mom's may want some ideas on how to survive a long car trip. So many families will be traveling this Summer to see sights, or family so I thought it would be a good time to share a few ideas that worked for us.

I packed a small cooler with drinks and snacks so that when the children were hungry we didn't have to stop everytime for a snack. Pack popcorn, fruit, things that aren't that messy. Also bring along a roll of paper towels and wet-wipes.

I would buy little toys, like travel games, books on tape, ( I know that is probably obsolete now), I wrapped them in wrapping paper individually. Every two hours, I would pull out something new for them to play with to keep them occupied. Now that we have the Dollar Tree, you can find things really inexpensive. Ashley being older, I made her a travel notebook with sheets that I ran off, of " Find All 50 States" license plate, and she would check it off when she found them. Also, I did a sheet on the State Capitals and she worked on that. She had a head's start on that for the coming school year. I bought several new "Sing along" type things. She learned the Books of the Bible by a "Sing along", don't remember the exact name of it. I also, had a book of lame jokes, a book that taught you how to do yarn tricks, How many of you remember how to do "Jacob's ladder"? Also, lot's of "How to draw" books. These are just a few of the things that I can remember, I am sure there were more things, but my memory is failing me after all this time.

I enjoyed those long road trips, except the parts when Daniel kept saying, "Are we there yet?" Even with my failing memory, I still have some good, sweet memories of us in the car singing

This is my Silver pendant that I made. This picture goes with my "Choice Silver" blog

Choice Silver

I recently went on vacation to see my Mom and Dad. Down the street from them there is a little Art studio where you can take classes. So, like last year, I signed up to take a class. This time I took the clay and metals jewelry class.

The instructor gave us a small piece of clay that is mixed with silver. This silver is actually purer than sterling silver. We are given a small square of it. It is ours to do with as we wish. There are all kinds of designs that can be done, but since I love birds so much I decided to make a pendant with a bird on it.

After you have fashioned it like you want it, you then put it into a kiln specially made for the microwave. It is heated at about 1300-1400 degrees for about 2-3 minutes. When it comes out it is rather disappointing because it looks like baked clay. But once I, (the maker) starting buffing it with a wire brush and it was buffed by a cloth, something miraculous happens! It starts to shine! That was exciting how something so plain as a piece of clay could be turned into a thing of beauty.

The Lord spoke to my heart and said, "This is how it is with your life... there are times when you have been through trials and you can't see or understand what I am doing but trust me. I am shining you up and making something beautiful that I can use for my kingdom."

God's Word says, " He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver... and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness." Malachi 3:3

When a silversmith refines the fire He holds it. The Master artisan knows just the right amount of time the silver must be in the fire before it melts. You may ask, "But how does He know when the silver is ready? He knows when He can see His own reflection!

Lord, I thank you that when I have gone through the fiery trials, I know that you are right there with me, holding me, shining and polishing me into your image. If you can see your own image, I am beautiful to you! May I present my offering of righteousness to you, Amen.