Rainy Days

We've had a lot of rainy days so far this summer, so we've had to get creative to keep busy and have fun in spite of the weather. Katie and I (Amy) have brainstormed some fun, helpful things to do on rainy days, and we wanted to share them with you.

1.) Curl up with your Bible and a good devotional book. Why not use the extra time indoors to learn more about our Creator? If you're looking for ideas on some great devotionals to check out, try So Much More by the Botkin sisters, or Every Young Woman's Battle by Shannon Ethridge and Stephen Arterburn.

2.) Thank the Lord for His blessings and pray for those who are homeless and out in the rain with no place to go. If you've got the rainy day blues, this is a great way to put things in perspective.

3.) Exercise! Dance to your favorite Christian music in your bedroom, or memorize Bible verses while stretching your muscles with jumping jacks, push-ups, and curl-ups. Keep moving to make your whole body feel better.

4.) Ask a parent what he or she could use help with, and do whatever they ask joyfully. You might not feel like washing dishes or vacuuming floors, but you will have the joy of honoring your parents and being a blessing to your family.

5.) Write a letter or an email to someone you haven't seen for a while and ask how you can pray for them.

6.) Give each other makeovers, foot rubs, or back massages. Take a few minutes to make your mother or sister feel beautiful and let her know you appreciate her.

7.) Bake a favorite dessert to share with family and friends. (Our sister Julie is great at keeping our sweet tooths satisfied!)

8.) Watch a TV show or video that your family can enjoy and discuss together. (You can find some hilarious Christian comedy tapes these days. We like Ken Davis, Brad Stine, and Tim Hawkins.)

9.) Paint a picture or a card for someone who's feeling sick or lonely.

10.) Clean and organize your room. If you're in the mood for an overhaul, this could be a great place to start! Having a clean room helps keep stress to a minimum, and reduces your risk of losing things. (Katie does a great job keeping her room from getting cluttered.)

We hope you will enjoy using these ideas to glorify God and bless others. The Lord has a purpose for rainy days, and He will see us through.

"You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light." Psalm 18: 28