Strawberry Patch by Ashley Karges June 14, 2026 Matthew 9:36-10:8 At times a little encouragement from friends can help our friendship with Jesus grow. Other times we are called to be the friend that shares Jesus. Malulabelle rushed into the strawberry patch with Simon and Emma. The friends stooped low to examen the plump, red berries they had been tending all spring. The shiny berries were firm with just the right squishiness. Malulabelle softly held the bright green ste

Little Bee by Ashley Karges June 7, 2026 John 6:51-58 - A relationship with Jesus awakens our hearts. We can help others come alive with His spirit too! Malulabelle strolled through the field of swaying wildflowers. Her fluffy pup, Coconut, tagged along. “Look at the new blooming petals, Coconut!” “Ruff!” Coconut pounced between pops of color. He wiggled and wagged. Malulabelle giggled as Coconut discovered a butterfly. He fluttered too, alongside his new friend. BZZZ

Little Hurt by Ashley Karges May 31, 2026 John 3:16-18 - God sent us the greatest gift of love – his Son! – to heal and restore our souls. “Ouch!” Malulabelle tripped during a round of hopscotch. A fresh scrape stung her knee. She held back tears. “Here’s a band aid,” offered a little neighbor friend, Ollie. “Oh, thank you, Ollie. I’ll be Ok.” The next day, Malulabelle ran to greet her friends down the street. She winced when her knee bent. It was tender. “Malulabel

Little Gift by Ashley Karges May 24, 2026 John 20:19-23 - Jesus offers the gift of the Holy Spirit. Receive this gift and grow in faith, hope, and love for God. “I have something for you, Malulabelle.” Sofie offered a small cup to Malulabelle. It was filled with dirt. “What’s this?” Malulabelle held the cup up to her eyes. “Just a little gift I know you will like. I have one too! Water when it’s dry. Soon you’ll have a surprise.” At home, Malulabelle placed the cup on

Little Treasures by Ashley Karges May 17, 2026 John 17:1-11a - Look for the treasures God gives you. They are little glimpses of heaven. - Shine your light on the treasures in your life, to reveal God to others. Malulabelle flipped on her flashlight and started the night hike with her youth group. She wore her favorite pink hiking boots. The night sky was clear and filled with stars. “What treasures can you find along the way?” Miss Trudy, the hike leader, encouraged th

Holy Spirit by Ashley Karges May 10, 2026 John 14:15-21 -The Holy Spirit is our special helper, providing comfort, guidance, and peace. - A heart filled with the Holy Spirit makes us feel alive! “First one to the tree wins!” Malulabelle and her buddy, Henry, positioned themselves behind an imaginary starting line. “Remember, skipping only!” “Go!” Off they bound! Leaping, bouncing, skipping and giggling through the long stretch of grass. “I win!” Henry clapped the tree

Little Dwelling Place by Ashley Karges May 3, 2026 John 14:1-12 -Jesus has prepared a dwelling place for us in the Father’s house. -Trust in Him; He is the way to the Father. Malulabelle skipped along the path. “Let’s play fetch!” Her little fluffy pup, Coconut, pranced behind her. “Coconut, catch!” Malulabelle tossed the ball and watched it roll. “Ruff!” Coconut darted for his little squishy prize and disappeared into the brush. The bushes wiggled. Malulabelle giggled.

Little Gate by Ashley Karges Apr 26, 2026 John 10:1-10 -Prayer opens a gate in your heart to a friendship with Jesus. -Jesus desires for you a joyful and abundant life with Him. Malulabelle and her friend, Emmy, raced up the grassy hill alongside the fence. They squealed and giggled all the way to the top. Little, yellow flowers bloomed along their path. They crouched down for a closer look. “Let’s make headbands and bracelets!” The brightest flowers were near the fen

Toasty Marshmallow Hearts by Ashley Karges Apr 19, 2026 Luke 24:13-35 -Jesus wants to be part of your conversation. -Open your heart to recognize the presence of Jesus around you. Malulabelle snuggled into her favorite pink camping chair, joining a circle of friends around the campfire. The night sky was a dome of black, dotted with twinkly stars. “Who has the first ghost story?” Gracie turned on the flashlight. “It was a dark and stormy night…” George began. Malu

Little Questions, Big Faith by Ashley Karges Apr 12, 2026 John 20:19-31 - Faith can grow by spending time in prayer with Jesus. - Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. Malulabelle looked up into the clear night sky. The moon beamed a brilliant blanket of light over the land. To Malulabelle, the moon looked like a proud leader shining light onto loved ones. It made her giggle. She wanted to be shined on too. Malulabelle collected her journal and pen,

Little Birds by Ashley Karges Apr 5, 2026 Matthew 28:1-10 - As children of God, we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. - God takes care of every detail. We simply need to be present to Him, and open to receive His love and grace. Malulabelle bound through the yard with her fluffy pup, Coconut. “Watch this, Coconut!” She whirled around in a cartwheel. “Ruff!” Coconut lunged and leaped behind her, then wiggled and wagged. He chased a pair of squirrels up a tree

Jesus, Make Me Brave by Ashley Karges Mar 29, 2026 Matthew 26:14-27:66 - Jesus did brave things for you. He loves you and is with you always. - There are many ways to share Jesus with others. Don’t be afraid – be brave! Malulabelle flew up the church steps. It was a crisp and sunny Sunday morning. She slung her favorite church purse over her shoulder and heaved open the wooden doors. Creeek! Just inside, someone caught her eye. A man with tousled hair and wrinkled

Little Chicks by Ashley Karges Mar 22, 2026 John 11:1-45 - God does not rush. He gives us the right amount of time to accomplish his glory. - Only God can see the overall picture of our lives. We can trust in His perfect timing. Malulabelle dragged home after school on Friday. Unlike her usual excitement for the weekend, she felt unsettled. For days, her class shared responsibilities on a chick-hatching project. Malulabelle and her friends turned eggs in t

Muddy Buddies by Ashley Karges Mar 15, 2026 John 9:1-41 - God can turn the “mud” in our lives into something beautiful. - Ask God to open your eyes to the ways he is working in the “muddiness” of your life. Malulabelle hopped on her pink bike and pedaled up the hill. Ring, ring! She loved her little bike bell. “Let’s go, Coconut!” “Ruff!” Coconut, her little fluffy pup, pounced alongside Malulabelle. He had a little bell, too, on his collar. Ma

Little Hike by Ashley Karges Mar 8, 2026 John 4:5-42 -We are beloved sons and daughters of God. We are known and loved. - Jesus gives us glimpses of his glory. Malulabelle tromped along the treelined trail with a smile. Her favorite pink hiking boots kept a slow and steady pace. Clip, clop. Clip, clop. The fresh pine air brightened her spirits. She hummed a tune as she stepped along. She daydreamed about her future and shared her happy heart wit

Sunshine by Ashley Karges Mar 1, 2026 Matthew 17:1-9 Themes: - Seek renewal in the Lord and be energized with His love. - Energy from the Son is like energy from the sun! Malulabelle meandered along the winding walkway through the park. The sun gleamed in a bright sky. It gave her a shadow that made her giggle. “I have a tagalong buddy." She raised her arms. She jumped up high. She giggled again. Malulabelle thought about her week, and all

Snowdrops by Ashley Karges Feb 22, 2026 Matthew 4:1-11 - God speaks to us in clear and simple ways. - When we feel stuck in negative thoughts, surrender to Him. He is waiting with love. Malulabelle peeked out the window. A fresh, thin blanket of snow topped the ground. The sky was cloudy. It matched Malulabelle’s heart. An argument with her friend, June, had her feeling sad and dreary. Malulabelle shared her thoughts with Jesus. “Jesus, I d

With Practice by Ashley Karges Feb 15, 2026 Matthew 5:17-37 Themes: - The Ten Commandments help us to live like Jesus. - Ask for God’s guidance to practice them each day. Malulabelle settled into her desk chair at home. “I have a big spelling test this week, Coconut.” Coconut, Malulabelle’s fluffy pup, peered from under the desk. “Ruff!” He wiggled and wagged, then nestled at her feet. He was the perfect study partner. Malulabelle wrote the

Little Chefs by Ashley Karges Feb 8, 2026 Matthew 5:13-16 Themes: - Jesus calls us Salt of the Earth and Light of the World. -We are meant to season and shine with God’s love. Malulabelle and her friend, Elly, burst into the kitchen. Malulabelle gathered baking ingredients. Elly reached for aprons. “I love chocolate chip cookies.” Malulabelle scooped and measured. “Me, too!” Elly whisked and stirred. The girls mixed and rolled the soft

Malulabelle's Map by Ashley Karges Feb 1, 2026 Matthew 5:1-12a Themes: - Jesus guides us on a path to holiness. - His way leads us toward Heaven and gives meaning to our lives. Malulabelle unfolded a large map she found at home. She loved the light greens, blues and tans covering the page. She traced her finger along the lines that were roads. She searched for lakes and rivers. Some of the towns had funny names that made her giggle. “This is wh