Things have been a little tight in the Watt camp lately. More so than it has been in a while. When I asked the Lord if we were doing something wrong that he is decreasing our means, he spoke to my heart. He said, “You are doing exactly what I told you to, which is why you are being tested. To see if you will continue.”

Well yes Lord, but You will have to provide. Of course, God is going to rise up to answer that one. He laid it upon the hearts of others to help! One family showed up Sunday to support us, and a neighbor we have been befriended since we moved here stopped us on our way back in Sunday afternoon asking us if we would be willing to allow her to ride with us? To make something to go along with what we are feeding? UMM…YEAH!!!

And then last night I asked the Lord for scripture to show me what He needs me to know right now. He gave me Job 42. Job prayed for those who wrongfully spoke about what God’s intentions were for him. I have had some of those in my life lately. And when Job prayed for them, and the proper sacrifices were offered, God gave him DOUBLE for his TROUBLE. When I prayed again this morning, asking Him for word, He opened the Bible up (through my hands of course LOL) to Job 42 again, and told me to read it to my husband when I called him this morning. I was so excited. Because always after tests of income, and our character, or whatever… blessings come. And no, I am not just talking about money. Our talents begin to increase, our gifts, our hearts increase with knowledge and wisdom. Always there is a blessing after the testing.

So I was thinking this morning… we haven’t had a fun Christmas for a while. My family is allergic to real Christmas trees. What am I going to do Lord? I need to do something Lord. We are a family. We are silly, serious, artistic, fun, funny, loving, artistic. What Lord?

It hit me. I am going to MAKE a tree. Out of branches from trees we cut down inside our little world outside. I will take the branches (they are very thin) and place them in orderly fashion within an upside down milk crate. The holes will be just the right size. And someone handed me a whole box of wooden shapes and things to paint. There are thirty-one hearts. I am going to paint them and turn my tree into a LOVE tree. LOL. Yes, and I am going to make some fabric ornaments in various shapes. I am going to string popcorn in it, and I am going to have a wonderful time decorating in a very artistic way this year! I am going to make some home made dollies and teddy bears, etc. I found some free patterns online. I love it! Also, the girls are crocheting again! So we will have hats and scarves gallore! And I can make some quilts, etc.

Then for the entertainment: we will come up with plays and skits for the family. We are going to perform for them. Worship our Lord through drama and dance! We will probably video tape it all, so be prepared my friends! LOL.

So as I am believing on this imagination Christmas…I receive a phone call, informing me that my husband and I have the opportunity to have our Christmas money! I will have money to do this!!! So God rewarded me for my contentment.

I am so excited. Sometimes I am glad we aren’t rich. I would never use these gifts did I not have to. My Father in Heaven knows it. I can hardly wait for this to all come together. I just need to figure out what colors I am going to use. I may go with pastels, or maybe bright pastels…

God, you are such an awesome God! Not that you are giving me money to do more with, but because you always prosper us during each test. In so many ways. It is so amazing. Thank you Lord.

© 2008

J. S. Watt

We are headed for a battle my lovely people. Be in prayer for us. Satan is trying to come against what God has shown us to do. I WILL NOT BACK DOWN. We need prayer for my baby cousin Matthew. He is supposed to be coming here to stay with us. Pray without ceasing.

Jae

Okay, so this is not something I should even do…promote sitting in front of a computer, you know? But here is the deal. I found two really cool online educational games (FREE!) on Shockwave last night. One is called Scribble States, and the other is called Globe Game. They are both Geography based. If your kids are computer potatoes, at least they will be kept on their toes thinking with these ones…

Globe Game is a simple one. One option is to have the game ask you where a certain country is, and you have to click on it. I saw another option to play where you have to lay the country shape over top the country. Either way, it teaches kids how to find things on the globe!

Scribble states is a game where you play dot to dot to make the shape of the state. The game has three options. States, capitals, and nicknames. Then you have to guess which one it is by its shape. I give this one a thumbs up. Sadly I must say I did not do so well on my report card at the end of the game. Not good for a home school mom to say, right? LOL. But I am going to practice! I really liked this game. My kids were yelling out the states as I played.

So I suppose I could say if you CAN’T get your child away from the games, at least here are two options (although I prefer  hands on activities) for your young ones. A fun way to learn where things are in the world.

Enjoy and have peace today!

Love,

Jae

J. S. Watt

© 2008

Last weekend we were out of town feeding the homeless for Halloween. God had been speaking to our hearts for weeks to get out in the streets and preach the gospel and feed the hungry people. He has been telling us this for a year now, but we didn’t feel Him stirring then the way we do now.

As confirmation, Friday I took my nephew to the doctor’s for his re-check after a shot of antibiotics. There, sitting along side the road was a small red tent with scripture on it (couldn’t see the words exactly, just knew it was scripture). A sign sat in front of a white haired man stating, HOMELESS BUT NOT WITHOUT JESUS. Okay, slap me in the face with it Lord. I get it.

On the way back from the doctor’s appointment, there sat the man alongside the highway, his tent just as big as life. Oh my! WOW! So of course I had to stop and talk to him. I asked him some questions. He told me quite a few of his adventures, which I may post on this site later (with his permission of course) and also he told me he had his tent back by the woods so it couldn’t bee seen; but God told him to move it forward so it COULD BE SEEN. Another slap. So I could see it, was all I could think. Confirmation…the little light bulb going off inside me head, my heart, my spirit…

I asked him was there anything he needed? All he could ask for was some juice. So I drove him across the highway to pick out what he wanted, and all the man had me buy him was half a gallon of apple cider. And in return, he gave me the most beautiful picture I think I have ever seen. He drew it with his own two hands.

And the weirdest part of it all; the guy’s name was Glen. The same name as the man who we minister with to help feed the homeless out of town. Now, that is not a common name. So I knew it was God. Today I am going to post that man’s beautiful artwork. I know he won’t mind. The scan didn’t turn out the greatest, but you get the gist. Inside the eye are three crosses. And inside the teardrop is Jesus coming back on a white horse. My first piece of art for the Hall of Sorrows/Joy. Hallelujah!

And thanks to you my dear homeless friend Glen, we will be feeding the homeless today in a pizza parlor parking lot. Didn’t even know it was the manager I was speaking to when I asked permission. She didn’t even hesitate. Just said, YES. Thank you Jesus.

As I was rising early this morning to prepare the soup to feed to hungry people (God I just want to weep for your mercy and your abundant miracles), the Lord gave me a pretty song to sing while we are in the streets. I am going to put my name on it, only so it can be copyrighted. Not so I can say, “Look what I did.” I am posting it on the poetry page. I hope you all enjoy. And have a peace-filled, happy day in the Lord.

Love,

Jae

J. S. Watt

© 2008

I had decided to begin posting fun ideas, etc. on our website so that people could come here and be inspired. Please, if you think of any ideas, leave us a post, or email me at jae@imaginationcamp.com. Right now we need cold weather activities. We are looking forward to hearing from all of you.

Idea # 1:

This came from my niece Melissa. She is a smart cookie, got three children in her home. At a birthday party this year, she filled a bunch of balloons with air and tied them to all the kids’ ankles. The object of the game was to protect your own balloon from being popped. Last person with a balloon, wins!

Okay, so this MIGHT be an outdoor activity, but if you are like me, you will definitely just MOVE THE FURNITURE out of the way and go for it anyway! Sounds like fun. Thanks Miss!

Keep the ideas rolling!

© 2008

J. S. Watt

My husband rarely has much to say concerning our plans. He either approves them, or disapproves of them. This week though, something happened. Something different. He gave me a word from the Lord. To hear him speak such wisdom to me, and to hear him speak God’s words with such authority was overwhelmingly comforting. It made me understand completely that something BIG is happening. It was awesome to hear the words. I love to hear from the Lord for myself, but once in a while, it is so good to hear that our husbands are in line with God’s will. You know?

To know in your heart that what is happening is of God makes the task much easier, makes it so much smoother. Because you are definitely in one accord. I am so excited to see the outcome of this word. Can’t wait. I just have to say that God is moving, and in the direction we have been praying for for so long.

Listen closely ladies, when God gives your husbands word. You will know in your heart that it is of God when the time comes. Heed those words, and do not disobey. ~Selah~

J. S. Watt

© 2008

My brother confirmed something to me this afternoon. I was thinking about it this morning. I wanted to just keep this website simple, but yet fun and exciting. And I have been blogging about things going on that are not either one…so I deleted my posts (well…over half of them anyway) and decided to do this folks. From now on I am going to post fun things about Imagination Camp only. My stories, they are another thing. They are about deliverance. Sometimes that is serious stuff. But after thinking on this thing, I have realized that I don’t want children to focus on the hurt in their lives. I just want them to get better. So from now on, we are going to stop talking about acting like kids…and just become them. That is what our secret world is about. Becoming a child, and having fun. Forgetting for just a little while the stuff that has happened, and focusing on Jesus instead. Praise God.

J. S. Watt

© 2008

This is a story about a little orphan girl who prays for God to show her a Christmas present for her brother Matthew. I wrote it two years ago when we had visited a fundraiser at a place called Foster Falls. They were collecting canned goods and toys for local charities and from what I understood at that point for orphans.

In the story Danielle ends up praying for a new mom and dad for her brother for Christmas. The answers to her prayers come at Foster Falls, and they are answered in a much bigger way than Dannie ever could have imagined.

J.S. Watt

© 2008

I stood in the kitchen, looking out the window. I felt a tear slip from my eye, and roll down my cheek. Quietly I sniffled. Where is our inheritance Father? Where is our Promised Land? I heard myself whisper inside my burdened mind.

Softly, an image came to me. There is a secret place. A secret place I can go. We don’t have to leave our safety here to find adventure. Adventure is only as far away as the mind can take you. I set the tea towel back in its place, and I determinedly slid on my shoes.

I called out to the baby (she’s twelve now) “Show me this place where you have been going. Show me the way. I need to see.”

She slipped her old shoes upon her feet, and solemnly took my arm to show me the way. There was an opening, just at the edge of the wood. It was a tiny opening, just large enough to fit our bodies carrying our sacks behind us of materials needed.

I followed my little girl, into her imagination, into my own…sleepy…yawning, stretching, awakening mind. Ah, there you are my friend. Glad to see you are once again among the living…as ideas jumped to life inside my brain.

We walked far into the wood. Covered by a covering of a thousand trees and more . We walked into another world, my little girl, and me. We crossed over the boundary line, and we lay aside our burdens at the imaginary gate. We walked on, following only the voice of He who commands the winds. And we stared off into the distance at the serenity which surrounded us on all sides.

I saw wonder in those woods. The kind called imagination. The kind the Maker allows we small ones to create. Not for those who’ve chosen life’s burdens over their creativity. Only us who have the minds and hearts of a child.

“Let us build a gate to our world little one. Let us build a gate to welcome others in.”

We set to work unwinding raffia and cutting branches. Our only tools were an old golf club, a rake, and a hand saw. Steadily, diligently she went to cutting those branches at exactly the right length for tying. And then we went to weaving the raffia for our gate. What a sight were we, my little one and I, tying those paper ropes in and out, like we were some sort of weavers. I laughed as I watched a gate appear where there was before only broken sticks. We did it! We did it little one. My baby and I.

We decided we wanted to build an entire realm of imagination. Who wants to wait for a farm to come? There’s much time a’wastin’ here lads and lasses. I want me castle now!

“But mama!”, bellowed the one who desperately cries out he’s no longer a child. “How can I build you a castle when I’ve no money?”

“Lad, we have all we need within that wood. Just cross the threshold and allow me to show you what it tis I’m dreaming of.”

Build me a castle, of branches and string. One strong as the wind, where we can dance and sing. Build me a castle tall and stout, and I want a tower, so I may look about. Build me a drawbridge, to keep the enemies out…their names are fear, depression, suffering, and doubt. Build me a castle, where dreams can come true. Build it for me, and I’ll build it for you.

They all smiled at me, their wee faces so grown. They simply nodded to Mum. And walked into our home. We don’t need all the fanciful things of the world. We shall create our own.

© 2008

J. S. Watt

Camp has become a word that we all love/hate at our house. My children are worn out from all the work we have done, but they are willing to continue. Some people showed up at our house the day after the end of summer party asking would we continue with Imagination Camp. YES! For the rest of my life! My seventeen year old asked dad on the way home from a road trip last night how long this was going to continue. He looked at my son and said, “Until God says stop.”

WOW.

I am so excited. Kids are interested. I am so glad the Lord is allowing me to have this dream come true. Maybe not in the form of a castle shaped barn or orchards and gardens and imaginary worlds (yet); but in the form that counts the most, KIDS. Three regulars, and I feel more coming. I can’t wait to see what this holds.

I want to do some more writing before summer is over. I think I am going to get my kids’ curriculum together, and just allow them to veg for August. I need some time to write, and to create for myself.

My mission is coming together slowly but surely. It is all coming together, and I can barely wait to see what the future holds for Imagination Camp. I want to serve the Lord by serving others, young ones, who need a hand to pull them out of the tossing waves of life.

My husband, despite his constant traveling, is behind this one hundred percent. It makes me happy to know that although I am not always appreciated for my efforts, I am at least supported by my family. Not many women have that. I want to do some painting too, before my summer rest (ha ha) is over. I think I may just work out a new storyline. There are about a hundred of them running round inside my brain.

Until next time…peace, joy, and grace to you.

J. S. Watt

© 2008