Sunday Soup by Ashley Karges Sep 13, 2026 Matthew 18:21-35 Forgive like Jesus. Malulabelle and her friend, Elly, burst into the kitchen. “I’ll get the aprons!” “I’ll set out the biscuits.” “I love cooking with you, Malulabelle.” “Me, too, Elly!” The girls organized ingredients for Sunday Soup; veggies, meat, & seasonings. “It’s like our own little grocery store!” They giggled. They peeled and chopped and twirled around the counter. Each yummy ingredient was lowered in

Kaleidoscope Heart by Ashley Karges Sep 6, 2026 Matthew 18:15-20 Jesus reveals and heals. Malulabelle browsed the toy shelf. “A kaleidoscope!” She covered one eye and peeked through the tube with the other. The tiny particles inside created a beautiful rainbow-colored pattern. “Wow!” To see better, she pointed the kaleidoscope up toward the lights. She peeked again. The shapes and colors shifted. “So pretty!” Malulabelle imagined beams of light shooting out of the kaleidosc

Son Glasses by Ashley Karges Aug 30, 2026 Matthew 16:21-27 Seeing with Jesus’s eyes can change our point of view. Malulabelle slumped in her chair at school. It was time to give her book presentation. Her stomach and feet felt heavy as she trudged to the front of the classroom. She took a deep breath and silently prayed. ‘Jesus, I don’t want to give this presentation. Can you help me? After class, two friends asked to borrow Malulabelle’s book. “Oh, yes!” She loved sharing. H

Little Ways by Ashley Karges Aug 23, 2026 Matthew 16:13-20 Jesus reveals himself to us in little ways. Malulabelle woke up early. She peeked out her window. “The sunrise!” Bold orange and pink hues lit the sky. She stretched as wide as the sun beams. When the sun shown higher in the sky, Malulabelle said goodbye to her fluffy pup, Coconut. “See you after choir practice, Coconut!” “Ruff!” He wiggled and wagged. He tickled her chin with an I-love-you lick. Coconut always kn

Little Butterfly by Ashley Karges Aug 16, 2026 Matthew 15:21-28 Trust in the steady guidance of Jesus instead of relying on your feelings. Malulabelle cuddled on the front porch swing. Creak-squeak. Creak-squeak. She liked the rhythm of the sound it made. The next day was the first day of school. Malulabelle had mixed feelings. The thought of seeing her friends everyday again made her smile. But she wasn’t ready to say goodbye to summer. That made her smile disappear. Mal

Clouds of Worry by Ashley Karges Aug 9, 2026 Matthew 14:22-33 Jesus is right beside us, always. Malulabelle gazed out the window. Clouds covered the sky. A light rumble of thunder moved through the air. Raindrops tapped the window. Her heart felt as drippy as the drops she traced with her finger. “Looks like no morning walk for you again, Coconut.” “Ruff!” Malulabelle’s fluffy pup, Coconut, put his paw in her lap. He wiggled and wagged. He always knew how to make her smil

Little Cupcake by Ashley Karges Aug 2, 2026 Matthew 14:13-21 Jesus satisfies our soul. Malulabelle peered through the glass display at the cupcake shop. Neat rows of fluffy cupcakes lined the case. Some were sparkly, others were topped with silky smooth icing. Malulabelle wanted to try them all! “I’ll start with the pink one please!” She took a big first bite. Moist and delicate, buttery and sweet. A dollop of frosting covered her nose. She giggled. The cupcake burst with fla

Little Treasure by Ashley Karges July 26, 2026 Matthew 13:44-52 Jesus places the treasure of his love in your heart. Malulabelle hopped on the tire swing. It hung from her favorite giant tree on the hill. She swung high, swayed back down, and up high again on the other side. “Weeee!” The motion felt slow against her face, and fast in her belly. “Hello, little birds!” Malulabelle called out to all the friends she saw in the tree. “Hello, little squirrel!” She thought about

Little Bouquet by Ashley Karges July 19, 2026 Matthew 13:24-43 Jesus plants a garden in your heart. Malulabelle skipped into the wildflower garden. Her fingers swirled and swished atop the bright pops of petals. “Let’s see... One red. One violet. One white…” She picked the perfect pieces for a little bouquet. “This one is pretty, but, wait, it’s a weed!” Malulabelle giggled about almost adding a weed to her beautiful bouquet. She strolled along, admiring each flower up

Little Bakers by Ashley Karges July 12, 2026 Matthew 13:1-23 Jesus is the secret ingredient to a soft and loving heart. Malulabelle and her friend, Elly, burst into the kitchen. Elly reached for their aprons. Malulabelle gathered baking ingredients. “I love fresh baked bread!” “Me too!” The girls measured and stirred. Folded and kneaded. They twirled and high-fived with flour covered hands. Poof! A cloud of flour-dust made them giggle. “Do you know the secret ingr

Friendship Bracelets by Ashley Karges July 5, 2026 Matthew 11:25-30 Give Jesus your worries and watch what he creates. Malulabelle gathered the colorful spools of string. She had volunteered to make friendship bracelets for a church project. “Oranges and blues… purples and reds… This is a lot of string, Coconut!” She tussled her fluffy pup’s furry head. “Ruff!” Coconut wiggled and wagged and plopped next to Malulabelle. Malulabelle giggled. She cut each strand into pe

Watercolor Hearts by Ashley Karges June 28, 2026 Matthew 10:37-42 A closeness with Jesus begins and grows with prayer. Malulabelle opened a fresh pallet of watercolors. She dipped her paint brush in water. A pop of pretty paint caught her eye – yellow! She swirled her brush in its brightness and cheer. Her heart felt yellow, too. “I'll start with the sun.” Malulabelle swished her brush along the page. The painted skyline reminded her of a familiar place. “This feels like

Little Sparrow by Ashley Karges June 21, 2026 Matthew 10:26-33 God loves all of creation, especially you! You are known and deeply loved. Malulabelle lounged in her backyard hammock. She swung high. She swayed low. She swiveled and giggled. A sparrow landed on the branch above her. “Do you want to swing too, little sparrow?” He rustled his feathers and flew away. Malulabelle giggled again. She watched the little bird disappear toward the clouds. She wondered where he mi

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.