Pretty Spring Flowers

My co-worker has the prettiest vase of flowers set up in her room. When the sun shines through the window, it just cheers me up!

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, His compassions never fail, they are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness!" Lamantaions 3:22

Wednesday Night Lessons 101 -Feb 27

Well, since I haven't been feeling well, I wanted to come up with a lesson that let the kids expend their engergy and not mine. Here is what I came up with.....

This was a "String Treasure Hunt." There were a total of four different string paths twisted around the room, each one leading to a memory verse with a clue on the back. Each kid picked a starting point, and followed their string to the end. We then practiced saying our memory verses and sat down to work on our keys. We finished our keys last night, but it took us a while!

Since our other teacher was sick, I had one of our younger students in my class last night too. He was very excited about making his keys (he's been wanting some from the beginning of this month!) He was so intent on making his keys, that he didn't want to do the treasure hunt. After I convinced him to start, he walked three steps, winding up his string, stopped in the middle of the room and pronounced "I found my memory verse! Can I do my keys now?" Needless to say, there were quite a few starts and stops to get him to finish!

I had planned on working on our verse in Hebrews 13:16 about sharing, and so planned on "hiding" the ingredients for brownies around the room. Then the kids would have to share their "treasures" in order to make the brownies. It backfired for a couple of reasons.

1. Two of my students have a habit of spotting unusal things in the room and pulling them to the table....hence, my hidden ingredients got "found" and pulled out. After this point, you can't tell them, "Oh, that's for later, let's put it back," because the rest of the class will be spent answering questions "When will we do that? What is that for? Can we do it now?"


2. I didn't leave enough time for the brownies to bake so we didn't get to make them, just mixed them up. That was pretty dissapointing. I told them we'd have to make them next week.

I must say I'm glad this unit is over. I think I planned too much in too little time, and need to re-work my teaching style quite a bit. Here are some things I need to work on:

1. My own devotions with the class verses in mind. I need to develop a deeper understanding of the Bible daily, and this will help my teaching
2. More prayer....for me, teaching, for the kids, for the class, for patience and wisdom
3. More focused time with the kids during the class....talk with them, instead of focus on getting the activity done
4. More use of Bible...I'd love to continue to help the kids see that they can read their Bibles too
5. Less set-up....I tend to haul too much stuff to class and it takes a lot of energy

Lastly, I have a question for you, maybe you could help:

• My students seem to have an affinity to walk on our table. I know it's a low table, but I can't seem to get them to stop. At first, I thought it was because it was up against the wall and it was just easier to walk OVER it than AROUND it. So, I moved the table, leaving a walkway around all sides. The table-walking still persists. Any ideas how to curb this trend? I even put my papers and class stuff on the table, but this doesn't seem to deter the errant table-walker! :)

Sick Days

Well.....it's been a long time since I've caught up on blogging. We had a wonderful week last week and then came down with a pretty bad cold/flu that knocked us off our feet for 2 days. Although being sick is never fun, there is lots I am thankful for in these past two days!
One of the neat blessings from us both being sick, was we had some extra time to spend together. Tuesday morning we got up late, had a warm breakfast, and then sat in the living room in the sun and read our Bibles. It's been a while since we've had the time to visit after our morning devotions, and so after reading, we had a wonderful time talking about the things we read or were thinking about recently.
I read the first chapter of Colossians that day. I really enjoy reading that book, and it has a lot for me to apply and think about. My favorite verse that day was Colossians 1:21-23:

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.

I thought about all I try and do as a Christian, and how I get down sometimes because of the same mistakes I make over and over. It was encouraging to read verse 22- that I am free of even accusation because of Christ. Also, all He asks of me is to continue to grow in my faith in Him.....with that faith growing, I will know more of His will and what He wants me to do every day. He also wants me to hold on to hope - the hope of what is to come.

I also like the verses in Colossians 1:9-12

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

I thought this was an excellent example of how I can pray for friends and family!

So, I hope your week has been encouraging too! I will try and post-date some posts on what happened last week!

Take care,

Emily

Monday...

Mom's are the best. Above, is a picture of a great mom we visited last week. She always reads a bedtime story to her little girls....I got to join in on this one!

Another great mom is my mom. Why, just today, when we were feeling so ill, she called up and said, "I'm bringing over some chicken noodle soup for you. Stay in bed." :) And she did....plus some homemade bread, and some blueberry muffins. Talk about a blessing!!!

I like thinking about all the things Mom taught me growing up, and, while Mathew and I don't have kids of our own yet, I like thinking about things to teach them too. Here are some things I think are important to teach:

• Love God
• Pray (authentically)
• Read their Bible on their own
• Cook and bake
• Sewing basics
• Wash dishes
• Clean a bathroom
• Mow the lawn
• Be a friend
• Take care of a pet
• Play board and card games
• Change a flat tire
• Read good books
• Grow a garden
• Make a bed
• Host friends for dinner
• Throw a ball & catch
• Use their imagination
• Do laundry/iron
• Make coffee
• Paint a room
• Be a friend
• Wrap a gift
• Manage money
• Make an omelet
• Proper etiquette/table manners
• Use tools
• Write a resume/cover letter
• Write a thank you note
• Dress appropriately for certain occasions
• Surf the internet safely
• Use the library
• Be respectful, loyal, and honest

What would you add??

Saturday...

Saturday we got to try a couple new things. Mathew went fishing with a friend, and they brought home some perch. We decided to have a fish fry for supper....and so I fried fish for the first time....and Mathew cleaned fish for the first time! We all thought it turned out very good though!

I also tried making something called 8-Treasure-Pudding, a dish a Chinese friend of ours made a loooong time ago for my family. I really really liked it, but had never been able to find out how to make it until recently. It turned out just as I remembered, I was so pleased!

Basically, I oiled a small bowl, then laid raisens and dried fruits in a pattern on the bottom. Then I layered cooked, sweetened sticky-rice over top, with a layer of red-bean paste. Then, I steamed it in my make-shift steamer (above....sorry it's sideways....can't get it to straignten out!). I let it steam for an hour. Delicious! Too bad I'm the only one who likes it :)

Friday...

Oh I like getting mail....even emails! Today has been a good "mail" day, considering I've actually gotten 3 personal emails today and couple neat links. Check out this idea for the Winter White Blahs....

Jump-Start Spring With Fun Indoor Garden ProjectsAre you just itching to get outside and get busy in your garden? Many of you are still stuck indoors, with nothing to prune, plant or propagate. But never fear: Learn2Grow® is here! We've gathered some quick and easy projects you can do right now to keep your fingers green until spring. Try one…or all…of these great ideas. They'll make a fine addition to your indoor greenscape!

Terrariums are easy to build, and they're a great way to grow plants in a low-maintenance environment. (Even better: They last for years.)
Plant a container filled with attractive succulents to create a wonderfully drought-tolerant, water-wise dish garden.
How would you like to grow your own pineapple from one you bought at the grocery store? It's easy, and it doesn't matter where you live!

(Read more of this article HERE)

I also received this recipie for an Oreo Cheesecake!

Cheesecake Factory Bakery Oreo CheesecakeSource:

The Secret Recipe Forum - www.recipesecrets.net/forums

INGREDIENTS Crust

1 1/2 cups. Oreo Cookie Crumbs (about 23 Oreo cookies finelychopped)

2 tablespoons. Melted Butter

9" Spring Form Pan (buttered on bottom and sides)

Filling

1 1/2 lbs. Cream Cheese

1 cup Sugar

5 Large Eggs

1/4 teaspoon Salt2 teaspoon Vanilla

1/4 cup Flour8 oz Sour Cream

5 Oreo Cookies (coarsely chopped for the batter)

10 Coarsely Chopped Oreo Cookies for the Top of Cheese Cake

PREPARATION Crust

Mix melted butter with Oreo crumbs and press in spring pan coverthe bottomand 1 1/2" up the sides with crumbs, set aside.

Filling

All Ingredients need to be at room temperature before beginning.Beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Keep mixer on a lowsetting during the mixing and beating process. Add sugar graduallyand continue beating cream cheese until mixed through. Add eggs oneat a time and continue to beat until blended.Measure the vanilla, salt and flour, pour into cream cheese and eggmixture and beat until smooth. Add the sour cream and beat well.Turn off the mixer and stir in the coarsely chopped oreo cookieswith a spoon.Pour cream cheese into the spring pan and place the nine coarselychopped Oreo Cookies on to of the cream mixture. Place pan on thetop rack and in the middle of a preheated oven at 325 degrees andbake for one hour and 15 minutes.

When time is up prop the ovendoor open and let the cheese cake stay in the oven for one hour.Remove from oven and let cool enough to place in the refrigeratorfor 24 hours. It is worth the anticipation. A cheese cake shouldseason. The flavor ripens and becomes enriched.

Wendesday Night Lessons 101- Feb 20

Well, I didn't get my pictures uploaded, but that's okay since they weren't very many any way. :)

Last night, we were Super Slueths. Our job for the night, was to track down 3 criminals who had stolen our 3 memory verses! *dramatic music* Agent 101 (me), Agent Table-Man (Johnathan), and Agent #8(Mara) were ON THE CASE! The night began with looking through our "Mug Book" (I had taken pictures of the "criminals" and listed a short description of them in a photo book) to see who we were looking for: Lying Lydia, Stealing Syd, and Arguing Archie.

• Lying Lydia was last seen carrying a bag of blue marbles (hence the blue marble trail left in the classroom to where she was hiding under a box).
• Stealing Syd tends to eat grass and leave a mess....red grass (hence the clumps of streamer-looking red "grass" lying around in conspicous places!
• Arguing Archie hates memorizing verses and likes to eat corn....candy corn. (hence the dribble of candy corn leading to his hideout in the bookcase).

Thankfully, all agents were quick on the case and tracked down these criminals with ease. After interrogation (with a flashlight) we were able to deduce where they had hidden the stolen verses.

• Philp 2:14 was hidden in "code"
• Ephesians 6:1 was hidden "in the dark" (needed to use the flashlight to find it pasted on the wall)
• Ephesians 4:25 was hidden with a lot of handprints around it (the bulletin board)

We practiced keeping the criminals in jail by quoting, correctly, the memory verses. Every time we got it wrong, the criminal would get out, and we'd have to re-catch him or her.

We made a few more keys for our Agent Key Verse Ring.

We sat in the office, discussing our case, and eating Pretzels & Hot Cocoa.

Case Closed.

Pie Crust

I love my mom's pie crust. If you ask me, she makes the best crust in the world (maybe you don't want to ask me! tee hee). It's flaky, and light and just melts in your mouth and is perfect with cinnamon sugar on top! So, seeing as I'm her daughter and all....and since I have the recipie...I thought I would share, with pictures, the Art of Pie Crust Making. (Although, I'm still learning myself....but this batch did turn out nice!) So, here we go:

1) The Recipie

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup shortening
• dash of salt

Mix these together till crumbly. I use a fork. A friend of mine has THE coolest pastry cutter that works lovely too.

2) Step Two

• Add 1/3 to 1/4 cup ice cold water (until a soft dough is formed)

I used my fork to mix in the first little bit of water, then I used my hand so I could tell when it was the right consistensy. I leave mine a little sticky to the touch because I put it in the fridge for a while and it will stiffen up. Also, when I roll it out, I will use more flour.

3) The Proceedure

• Put the soft dough in the fridge for at least a half hour. (Till stiff)
• Remove from fridge. Sprinkle flour on the counter/cutting board and plop your dough on it.
• Using a rolling pin, roll out into a thin circle...about 1/4 inch thin.
• Place in your pie tin, trimming off excess.
• Re-roll the excess to make 2nd crust etc.

4) The Result

• After baking, enjoy your flaky crust! Below I am making small apple pie tarts in my muffin pan. With a little cinnamon sugar and some ice cream, they are delicious warm!

5) Last minute Tips

• If you end up using too much flour = you will have a stiff and tough crust
• If you don't have enough water = you will have a crumbly and tough crust
• If you knead it too much = you will have a rubbery and tough crust

Works for Me

It's Works for Me Wednesday! And I actually have something to post about this week!! ha ha
Last night it was cold.....very cold. This week has again been below zero with windchills not counted. *sigh*

One of the things that we've been making do with, is our bedroom window. Our bedroom is on an outside wall, so it's cold anyway, but the window has been particularly drafty. So, to make it work, I hung a large, thick quilt behind the curtain, over the window. I used tacks to tack it to the wall on the outside of the frame. It has worked fine for a couple months now. But I happened to have one of those plastic window kits in my cupboard and just never took the time to put it up. Silly me. So, last night my hubby and I fianlly decided to just do it! It works great. Just a little tape around the edges and that plastic to keep the drafts out.
Here is another item that has worked for me just grand. I do not own a funnel. I don't know why....I just forget I don't have one until I'm in desperate need to pour some used oil back into a jug etc and after I have made a big mess on my kitchen counter! So, in one of these desperate times, I scrounged around for something handy. Above is what I found.....juice containers! We had a bottle of juice in the fridge that was the perfect size for a funnel. The top is smaller than most other jugs I have so it is a perfect fit. Knowing this, I've kept my eye open for other such perfect bottles and now have TWO funnels! Oh, the luxury!!!

Hard Game

So, when I was in high school, some friends taught me this fun game while we were on a trip. I have yet to find others, besides them, that like the game! :) Yet, I will share it with you. This is the game of SET. The objective is to find "sets" of 3 cards and withdraw them from the game. As the cards go, the dealer adds new cards (creating new set options) until the deck is used up. The winner is the person who has claimed the most "sets."

The tricky part is learning what makes a "set." Basically, there are 3 different colors (red, purple, & green), 3 different shapes (diamonds, ovals, and squiggles), 3 different numbers (1, 2, and 3), and 3 different "fills" (solid, striped, and empty). You must pick a combination of each in order to win. The rule is....each set must be 3 different cards, or 3 the same, not a combination of 2-1. Example: Let's say you want to make a set (3 cards) using 1,2,3. (above) You must pick one 1, one 2, one 3. They must either be ALL the same color and same fill, or all different. Say I pick the purple squiggle (1st row, 2nd column), the green 2 (last row, last column), and the red squiggle (first row, last column). Yes, I have all three numbers in sequence. But NO, I have two cards that have the same fill (striped) AND I have two cards that are squiggles and one that is not. This is NOT a set. BUT..... see below.

This IS a set....still, 1,2,3 sequence, but we've managed to have ALL colors different, AND all fills different, YET they are all the same shape. Make sense? How about seeing if you can find another combination in the picture above? There is one more.

This is a good game for learning patterns. I believe if you're good at puzzles, this game comes easier. It also comes easier with practice. This is the only picture of the game I took the other day. But I will try and do a couple more (later this week), just for fun. See if you can solve the SETS!

Let Your Light Shine

If candles had feelings, what would they say?

I don't feel like burning, I don't want to today.

My wick is too long

I'm covered in spots

I sit in a bowl, filled with small rocks

I stand in a corner

I'm fat or I'm thin

There's too much to do, I don't know where to begin.

The room is too big;

The room is too small;

I make people sneeze, they don't like me at all.

No matter the pain or excuse that they give

It all makes a difference as to how they will live.

Each one has a talent, equally good

And all have one purpose: to give light like they should.

Matthew 5:16

Therefore, let your light shine before all men so that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven!

Winter Retreat 2008!

The Bemidji Winter Retreat is coming up soon! We've been planning and working and having a great time. I'm really looking forward to it. I've been working on the flyer for this year....here you get a preview! There are others who are working on skits....music....lessons....and games. Should be a fun time!

Wednesday Night Lessons 101 -Feb 13

Last night I planned on working on two of our six memory verses for this month. (1 Thess. 5:17 and Philp 2:14) Here is one of our verse signs that I put in code. We actually didn't get to this one last night, so we'll do it next week.

I chose to do bird tracks this week to lead us to our verse sign. I made them go up and over things and even up on the wall. They led us to the verse Pray Without Ceasing. One of the students was the "Tracker" and he got to lead us.
We then worked on that memory verse with a couple games. Here is one where they had to put the apples back together and them hang them on the tree in the right order. After that, I had my puppet "Mortimer" try and say the verse, but he didn't do a very good job and the kids had to help him out.Here is the bulletin board I made for this month. Last night, I put those glittery names of Jesus in different envelopes addressed to the kids and Mortimer. We had a mail call, and passed out the envelopes. After opening them, I talked to them about who Jesus is, and all His different names. We talked about how He wants us to follow Him. Then we taped the names up on the bulletin board.
Here are the keys we made last night. We had a lot of fun...and the kids even remembered to bring their Bibles last night too. I was impressed. We practiced looking up Revelation, and reading a verse from there. We then ate our snack and had lemonaid (I wish I had brought Hot Chocolate instead!)

Wednesday Night Lessons 101- Feb 6

I forgot to post my lesson from last week, so here it is. We've started a new unit called "Jesus Wants Me to Follow Him." For the month of February, our challenge is to memorize 6 new verses. What I decided to do on Wed. nights, is make "Key Verse Key Chains" for the kids to take home. I copied some different key templates and printed them on cardstock. Then, I colored mine and pasted the different verses on the back. Finally, I covered them in contact paper and punched a hole in the top for the key ring.
Here is one of our verses for this month. For each of the 6 verses, I printed it out with a border, and will put it on our classroom wall. Each week, I will have a set of "tracks" to follow that should lead us to the verse on the wall for that night. This night I cut out shoe prints for the floor.

I took pictures of my students to put up on the wall. Next to their picture, I tape a "Job Card" for that night....such as "Helper: Helps teacher get crafts supplies and snacks ready" or "Encourager: Encourages the others to participate in activities, or while they are working on their craft."

We also made a Bible chart by simply using a calendar with certain dates highlighted. I've encouraged them to remember to bring their Bible to class every Wednesday. If they bring it, they will put a sticker in the right box. If they can remember every Wednesday for the next two months, we'll do something special to celebrate.

Fun Shoes

There are certain days that you just need a cheerful reminder. The reminder I like is noisy shoes. :) Not squeky ones, or flip-flop ones, but nice, solid, Clip-Clopping ones. The kind I can walk up and down stairs with a clop clop and the kind that will snap crisply across a bare floor. These sounds make me smile. I remember my very favorite place to walk in these shoes was in the tunnel at school....nice and echoing and it was a long tunnel too, so I had pleanty of enjoyment. On days I knew would be tiring, I would wear my brown pair of shoes and just take a deliberate walk down that hallway. It always made me smile....and you know once you smile, it's hard to stay blue.

During the day, I like to find small things that remind me to smile and be joyful. Sometimes it's my shoes. Sometimes it's a cartoon I have on my wall. Sometimes it's noticing the softly falling snow. Sometimes it's taking a slow walk outside. Sometimes it's finding just the right song to play on the piano. These things remind me that...

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

Don't try this at home....

This weekend I decided I'd had enough of leftovers.....my cupboards were a mess with bits of this and that, so it was time to clean. I planned a couple menus to use up the things in the fridge and in my cupboard. I made a crescent roll broccolli ring (I got the idea from Betsy's blog) and it was very good! I also decided to try the Homemade Granola Bars on Abbi's website. I had lots of stuff to put in....including coconut, blackberry jam, raisins, butterscotch chips, almond cereal, and some walnuts. I figured they would be very tasty and also use up my leftovers. The bars were very easy to mix up, and then they were supposed to take only 17 minutes in the oven. "Wonderful," I thought, "I'll just go use the computer while they bake!" I did. I used the computer for a long time. I used the computer until I smelled a lovely, charcol-ly, burning smell from my kitchen! Then I stopped using the computer, but it was too late. My granola bars were done perfectly....in the middle.....the edges were done to a crisp! So, my word of advice is:

1. While baking, don't get distracted
2. Don't start a computer game while making something
3. Make sure your kitchen timer batteries are working

Of course, it is a prime oportunity to

1. Check your smoke alarms
2. Get your exersize (running to the kitchen)
3. Clear your sinuses

Have a lovely day!

Emily

To Think About...

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." - Sir Winston Churchill

Vegetarian Menu

Whole Wheat Veggie Wraps

We've just recently made some new friends who are vegetarians. Therefore, I have challenged myself to cook more vegetarian meals (considering I knew zilch, this was quite a big deal!). So far, it has been wildly succesful. (The wild part being me when the meal turns out)

Mushroom & Pea Curry

Spicy Cabbage

Here is a list of my vegetarian recipies to try:

• Harvest Stew
• Roasted Veggies with Rice and Bean Curry
• Zido Veggie Platter
• Dahl with Rice & Pappadam
• Pea Soup
• Vegetarian Saute
• Oatmeal & Fruit
• Rice & Pigeon Peas

Here is my recipie for Whole Wheat Veggie Wraps:

• 2 Cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• enough warm water to make a soft dough

Mix and let set for 15 minutes. Roll out 6 inch circles of dough, and fry on a griddle (like tortillas or chapati)

Filling:

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic

Slice vegetables in long strips (green peppers, carrots, brocolli, peas, beans, etc) Fry in saucepan with the filling sauce until vegetables are crisp and tender. Place inside wraps. Serve & eat.

As I said, so far it's been a tasty change! Do you have any ideas I could use?

Neat Gift Idea

I read about a neat gift basket the other day, and just had to try it. (Of course, I didn't have a basket, but ah well!) It's called a Quiet Time Basket. Some of the things to include were:

• Notebook
• Pen
• Tea/coffee bags
• Cup
• Bookmark
• Prayer journal
• Devotional book
• Chocolates or mints
• Stationary
• Candle

Here is what I included in mine:

• Pen
• Devotional book
• Praise music CD
• Homemade cookies
• Bookmark
• Bible memory verse cards & blank note cards
• Stationary
• Post it notes
• Small card with John 3:16 printed on it

What sort of things help you in your quiet time?

My Day in Pictures...

I love winter. I love the snow. It's snowing again today, and it's lovely compared to the sub-zero temps we've been having. It's soft and quiet and warm outside. I'd love to take a walk.

Here are some things I saw today....

(A Walk in the Snow)

(School Crossing)

(Fire Trucks)

(A lot of laundry)

(Pretty Flowers)

(Yummy Cookies)

Long Day/Short Day

Today I had a rock in my shoe....I ignored it for almost the whole day....but it kept rolling around in inconvienent places. Finally, I took the time to get it out....but it wasn't a rock, it was a bead. And it was in my sock, not my shoe.

Don't ask me how I got a bead in my sock....???

I also knocked my head twice today. (Not on purpose) The first time, I was carrying a large box downstairs at work. I took a corner too sharp I guess. Not sure how I did it, but I whacked my forhead on the door frame as I went through it. (???)

The second time I was in the basement picking up a bag of shredded paper (part of my job) and I leaned over too far so that when I came up, I whacked the top of my head on the edge of a bin. Ouch.

Thankfully this day has been busy and gone by quickly.....otherwise I don't know if my body could've handled it! :) I'm looking forward to being home tonight. I have supper ready, and just have a couple chores to catch up on Hope your day is funny too!

Today is National Freedom Day

Today is National Freedom Day....what freedoms are you thankful for? I'm thankful for the freedom to worship with other Christians. I'm thankful for the freedom to pick my own job. I'm thankful for freedom in Christ. Here is more history and information about National Freedom Day from this holiday web-site:

When : Always February 1st
National Freedom Day celebrates freedom from slavery, and recognizes that America is a symbol of freedom.
National Freedom Day was established in 1948 to remind us that America stands for, and is a symbol of freedom for all people. The roots of this special day come directly from the end of slavery and the signing of the 13th amendment outlawing slavery.
Celebrate this day by reflecting upon your own freedoms that you enjoy by being fortunate enough to be in America. Millions of people in the world are not free.
Origin of National Freedom Day:
Major Richard Robert Wright Sr., a former slave, created National Freedom Day. He believed that there should be a day when freedom for all Americans is celebrated. President Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment outlawing slavery on February 1, 1865. So, February 1st was chosen to celebrate National Freedom Day.
On June 30, 1948, President Harry Truman signed a the bill proclaiming February 1st as National Freedom Day.

You could do all sorts of neat things today....create a special meal with red-white-and blue....Check out some books from the library about slaves or former slaves or America...bake something to take to a veteran or write a thank you note.....make a special time to pray and thank God for our freedoms and pray for those who aren't free...make a list of things we are free from in Christ. For more neat holidays in the month of February...check out the holiday link in the side-bar!