tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:17:00 +0000follower of ChristautismjourneymommatruthgrowinglovethankfulleadershipmilestonescommunitymommasmisisonservicewritingB projectsChristmasgoalsmakingmissionschoolwhyMAKsValuableback to schoolcommunicationcompelfriendshipgrowthkindnessrunningsupportshttp://www.aimeebartis.com/noreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)Blogger464125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-6183834036432927077Mon, 29 Nov 2021 02:12:00 +00002021-11-28T20:12:24.304-06:00This is week 8, we've got one more week after this one. Thanks for hanging in there with this study!Recap This week all happened between Esther's first and second banquets. The King can't sleep so he has the scrolls read aloud to him. He's reminded that Mordecai had saved his life and that nothing had been done to honor Mordecai for it. The next morning the King asks Haman how such a http://www.aimeebartis.com/2021/11/esther-week-8.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-4971387889803192499Mon, 22 Nov 2021 02:07:00 +00002021-11-21T20:07:56.872-06:00 RecapLast week, Esther caught the King's eye and invited him and Haman to a banquet. They drink wine and the King asked Esther what she wanted.  He offered up to half the kingdom.  All Esther requested was for the King and Haman to come to another banquet. Haman leaves the banquet feeling pretty good. He feels important to be asked to not one but two banquets of the Queen. http://www.aimeebartis.com/2021/11/esther-week-7.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-8398365457195386921Mon, 15 Nov 2021 02:33:00 +00002021-11-14T20:33:13.802-06:00 RecapThis week Mordecai found out about Haman's plan to kill the Jews. He asked Esther to speak to the King about the situation. Our rule following Esther is reluctant because if she approaches the King without being summoned they can be put to death.  And Esther knows what happened to Queen Vashti. So, Mordecai says to Esther "Don't imagine that because you are part of the King'shttp://www.aimeebartis.com/2021/11/esther-week-6.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-415686532717644102Mon, 08 Nov 2021 01:16:00 +00002021-11-07T19:17:03.025-06:00RecapThis week Haman took his rage to King Ahasuerus. Haman told the King there was a people who did not follow the King's laws.  He also offered to pay for the destruction of these people. Without even asking who the people were, the King gives Haman the go ahead, handed over his signet ring, and told Haman to keep his money. The decree was sent out again in every language, just like http://www.aimeebartis.com/2021/11/esther-week-5.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-8866841291510181746Sun, 31 Oct 2021 21:47:00 +00002021-10-31T16:47:25.097-05:00 RecapEsther is appointed Queen this week! The King loves her more than all the others.  He holds another banquet in her honor. Mordecai discovers a plan to kill the King and reveals it to Esther. Esther told the King in Mordecai's name - meaning that the King knows it was Mordecai that saved him. This week we also learned that Haman has been promoted and that people are to bow to http://www.aimeebartis.com/2021/10/esther-week-4.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-6470864230271826584Sun, 24 Oct 2021 22:00:00 +00002021-10-24T17:00:00.180-05:00 RecapLast week, we did finally meet Esther! But before we did, we were reminder that King Ahasuerus is easily manipulated by his attendants. Last week, they convinced him to throw Vashti out and make a law that husbands are in charge of their wives. At the start of chapter 2, the King 'remembers' what he did to Vashti. The connotation here is that he might be regretting his decision. http://www.aimeebartis.com/2021/10/esther-week-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-850467430279471967Mon, 18 Oct 2021 00:55:00 +00002021-10-17T19:55:18.459-05:00 RecapWe do not meet Esther in the first chapter of Esther. Instead we meet King Ahasuerus and Queen Vashti. The King has had a party and is drunk. He calls for Queen Vashti to come before him and the other men. He does not want her to come chat with them. He wants her to wear her crown and show off her beauty.  And probably do some lewd things but we don't really know that. Queen http://www.aimeebartis.com/2021/10/esther-week-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-8065145369304638153Sun, 10 Oct 2021 22:20:00 +00002021-10-10T17:20:59.196-05:00 I hope y'all enjoyed the study of Colossians as much as I did! I'm excited to start studying Esther!Here's an overview of EstherBecause Esther is a story, a narrative, there wouldn't be many days where we can read a verse and directly apply it to our lives like in Colossians.  Instead we want to look at character. We'll look for God's character in the 'coincidences' and happenings. http://www.aimeebartis.com/2021/10/esther-week-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-6740130154052985728Mon, 04 Oct 2021 00:06:00 +00002021-10-03T19:06:48.878-05:00 Week 4 RecapPaul instructed the Christians at Colossae to let the peace of God rule their hearts. He told them to do all things, words and deeds, in the name of God. Paul also gave some instructions on family relations - they should treat each other with respect. Finally, he instructed them to work as if for God and not for people. He also warned them that they might not have earthly http://www.aimeebartis.com/2021/10/colossians-week-5.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-613589135457719228Mon, 27 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +00002021-09-26T19:00:00.216-05:00 Week 3 RecapPaul continued to warn against false teachers, reminding the church at Colossae to stay connected to "the head" - God. The false teachings included angel worship, added feasts and customs and aestheticism (physically harsh, no indulgence). Paul reminded them to keep our thoughts on things above.  He listed things they should put away, things to stay away from. Finally, Paulhttp://www.aimeebartis.com/2021/09/colossians-week-4.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-7261142009586877516Sun, 19 Sep 2021 23:25:00 +00002021-09-19T18:25:16.584-05:00 Week 2 Recap Paul reminded the people of Colossae to be firmly rooted in Jesus and to be thankful for the gift of salvation. He warned them against adding to the gospel. He reminded them that Jesus was fully man and fully God.  And that Jesus paid the price for their sins and fulfilled the law. Because Jesus fulfilled the law they did not need to strictly adhere to the Old http://www.aimeebartis.com/2021/09/colossians-week-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-7490088794282419967Sun, 12 Sep 2021 23:42:00 +00002021-09-12T18:42:28.461-05:00 Happy Sunday, friends! I hope last week was good and the weekend was restful for you.Last week we started reading Paul's letter to the church as Colossae. Paul opens with prayers for the church and it's growth that we can apply to our growth as well. Paul then goes on to establish Jesus's authority in what some believe is a poem.  Then Paul explains what he is to do - make Jesus known http://www.aimeebartis.com/2021/09/colossians-week-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-2996781625868413726Mon, 06 Sep 2021 00:09:00 +00002021-09-05T20:16:05.412-05:00Hey there, blog readers! 1 million years ago, February 7 & 8, 2020. I attended IF: Gathering in the home of a dear friend.  On Saturday afternoon, I felt God leading me to start a daily devotional on Instagram.  The first few are me literally minutes after waking up talking about Exodus.  Eventually I started recording it the night before so my appearance wasn't quite so http://www.aimeebartis.com/2021/09/colossians-week-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-6108850111125729012Thu, 23 May 2019 11:00:00 +00002019-05-23T06:00:27.038-05:00Yesterday I wrote about perfection - perfect practice makes perfect.  I'm a recovering perfectionist.  Or I'd like to think I am.  What I really decided is that somethings require perfection and somethings do not.  Taxes require perfection.  Gift wrap does not.  I have the cutest puppy dog, Dobby.  I'll have to write about him next week.  He's 10 weeks oldhttp://www.aimeebartis.com/2019/05/perfect.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-6799754201448407164Wed, 22 May 2019 11:00:00 +00002019-05-22T06:00:07.257-05:00I was a Stingerette in High School.  Unless you're from Rockwall, Texas, you probably don't know what that is.  Stingerettes is the varsity drill team for Rockwall High School.  I grew up in Rockwall and I wanted to be a Stingerette my entire life.  I have a newspaper clipping of a picture of me watching a Homecoming parade and the caption says "Aimee Gheen, future Stingerettehttp://www.aimeebartis.com/2019/05/practice-makes-perfect.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-6213381164638449984Tue, 21 May 2019 11:00:00 +00002019-05-21T06:00:13.390-05:00The theme of #OC19 was It's Personal.  All of the main stage speakers used the theme as starting point.  Jon Acuff had my favorite quote on the topic Reggie Joyner presented 5 questions that will change a kid's life if you know the answer: 1. Do you know my name? 2. Do you know what matters to me? 3. Do you know where I live (how they live)?4. Do you know what I've done? 5. Do you http://www.aimeebartis.com/2019/05/its-personal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-4635057934737114743Wed, 15 May 2019 11:00:00 +00002019-05-15T06:00:12.820-05:00Every year I get to travel to Atlanta (actually just outside of Atlanta) to attend the Orange Conference.  Read about OC18 here.  Read about OC17 here. My first OC was 2016 and I wrote about that here. The major difference this year was the number of people who went.  We took 16 people!  1 NextGen pastor, 4 Children's ministers, 4 Preschool ministers, 3 Youth ministers, 1 http://www.aimeebartis.com/2019/05/oc19.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-7333789604366300399Tue, 14 May 2019 11:00:00 +00002019-05-14T06:00:05.349-05:00We've all heard the old adage... I've been thinking about it since I started reading No Hard Feelings - The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy.  In the book, the authors are discussing taking a break.  The title of the section is actually "Falling Out of Love with Your Phone" and offers advice from Shonda Rimes and Dan Calista for leadershttp://www.aimeebartis.com/2019/05/signaling.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-3824816707459621944Wed, 08 May 2019 11:00:00 +00002019-05-08T06:00:15.719-05:00One of favorite left over phrases from the 90s and my most used bitmoji is I've always understood that WORD means yep!/oh yeah! I looked up the origins of it and found out that it came out of prison culture and is short for "my word is my bond".  So it really means "YES! I'm telling the truth!" Man, I love that! Yesterday I wrote about a sign we have under our TV.  This made me http://www.aimeebartis.com/2019/05/words.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-9037181552623568101Tue, 07 May 2019 11:00:00 +00002019-05-07T06:00:13.873-05:00In the school world, this time of year is strange.  There's a lot going on.  We've got state testing this week and next.  This week is teacher appreciation.  Performances, banquets and graduation celebrations are filling the calendar.  The weirdest thing that happens around this time is getting ready for next year.  It's a strange limbo. You're not finished with http://www.aimeebartis.com/2019/05/3-things.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-3735265583032732686Thu, 02 May 2019 11:00:00 +00002019-05-02T06:00:09.981-05:00Funny, unrelated stories from our B-man He and my mom were driving through her neighborhood.  One street was particularly crowded with cars parked on both sides of the street.  Nene was frustrated and complaining about it. B says to her, "you do the same thing when you come to my house."  She parks on the street at our house. B & I are working on his math homework. The workhttp://www.aimeebartis.com/2019/05/b-isms.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-1489003766772470751Wed, 01 May 2019 11:00:00 +00002019-05-01T06:00:08.308-05:00The past two years, I've written this post as a part of April and Autism Awareness month.  Here's 2018's version and 2017's version and the post that sparked the idea in 2015.  I didn't write much this year about Autism Awareness month.  I'm not sure why.  I haven't been great about writing this month all together and I've largely ignored Autism Awareness month.&nbsphttp://www.aimeebartis.com/2019/05/what-we-want-you-to-know-2019.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-7538505805969725089Tue, 30 Apr 2019 11:00:00 +00002019-04-30T06:00:28.123-05:00Book report time!  This time around, I'm talking about Loonshots by Safi Bahcall.  It's a fascinating book about crazy ideas and big risks and how to help them succeed.  Well, I'm not actually done with the book so I want to talk about one point the author made that blew me away. Failing to analyze wins can reinforce a bad process or strategy. You might not get lucky next time. http://www.aimeebartis.com/2019/04/analyzing-wins.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-188371318809890828Wed, 24 Apr 2019 11:00:00 +00002019-04-24T06:00:07.681-05:00I've been on this earth almost 45 years.  Let that sink in.  I stand by my assertion that I often feel like I'm 12 years old, wondering who in the world put me in charge of all this and when will they figure out that I'm only 12?  I've had many disappointments in those 45 years.  I've had some downright rejections that hurt immensely.  Disappointment is different to me http://www.aimeebartis.com/2019/04/disappointment.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5552261711226906356.post-5807315565344024763Tue, 23 Apr 2019 11:00:00 +00002019-04-23T06:00:02.358-05:00 I read this verse Monday morning and it really stuck with me.  Paul is closing his first letter to the Thessalonians with this stellar advice.  Be at peace among yourselves - Paul is talking about fellow believers here.  Believers should be at peace with one another.  We have one HUGE thing in common - our believe in GOD.  But there are lots of different things that http://www.aimeebartis.com/2019/04/good-advice.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Aimee Bartis)0