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

The Sunrise by Ashley Karges Jan 25, 2026 Matthew 4:12-23                               Themes: - God’s hope and goodness is all around us, even in darkness. - God shines a light of love and peace onto everything He touches. Malulabelle sat in front of the window with a cup of hot cocoa. It was early morning. The sky was still dark, like a black, inky canvas. Today was going to be a full day. Malulabelle had a spelling test in the morning, and a math test in the afternoon. Sh

The Snowy Walk by Ashley Karges Jan 18, 2026 John 1: 29-34                       Themes: -How do you greet Jesus? -Look for ways God meets you in moments of your day.   Malulabelle and her fluffy pup, Coconut, strolled down the street on a winter walk. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. They made tracks and paw prints in wavy lines. “Coconut, you blend in with all the white!” Malulabelle giggled. “Ruff!” Coconut wiggled and wagged and tromped through a small drift. An icy wind whirled.

Humble Hearts by Ashley Karges Jan 11, 2026 Matthew 3:3-17                                 Themes: - God works through those who are humble in heart. - When God calls us to lead, he will equip us with what we need in the moment.   Malulabelle gathered in the music room with the children’s choir before church. Today was special, and there was a buzz in the air. Sophie showed off a new necklace. Lauren wore her hair in braids. Jack and Connor had shiny new shoes. For weeks, the

A Glimmering Star by Ashley Karges Jan 4, 2026 Matthew 2:1-12                                 Themes: - When we lead others to Jesus, we are like the bright, guiding star over the manger. - Reflect on your day. Who was your guiding star? Who were you a guiding star to?   Malulabelle snuggled into her comfy bed. She wore her new Christmas pajamas. She reached her arms wide in a big stretch, and settled in. “Hop on up, Coconut.” “Ruff!” Coconut, her fluffy pup, wiggled and wagg

The Sweetness of Peace by Ashley Karges Dec 28, 2025 Matthew 2:13-25, 19-23                                 Themes: - Trust fully in God, even if you feel worried. -Looking for moments of peace in stressful situations can help you feel God’s presence. Malulabelle tied on her roller skates. Today she was skating at the rink with friends for a birthday party. “Let’s go, Malulabelle!” “Here I come! I’m going to try to skate backwards. Want to join me?” “Yeah, let’s do it!” The f

A Gift for Jesus by Ashley Karges Dec 21, 2025 Matthew 1:18-24                                              Themes: - How can we say “yes” like Mary and Joseph? -Jesus is our one true gift.   It was Malulabelle’s favorite time of year – Christmas! She loved everything about this season – frosty windows, cinnamon sticks in her cider, and the way snow under her feet was powdery one day and crunchy the next. And, most of all, she loved picking out the perfect presents for her fa

Positive Friends by Ashley Karges Dec 14, 2025 Matthew 11: 2-11                                              Themes: - The best kinds of friends in our lives are those who lift us up. - Surround yourself with friends who have the peace of Jesus in their heart.   Malulabelle sat at her desk to write her English assignment. Write a paragraph describing a person who is a positive influence in your life. The first person that came to Malulabelle’s mind was her friend, Gracie. “Th

Hearts on Fire for Jesus by Ashley Karges Dec 7, 2025 Matthew 3:1-12   Themes: - Jesus wants our hearts to be on fire for Him. - Learn about Jesus and share what you know with a friend.   Malulabelle reached for the children’s bible from her shelf. “There are some good stories in this book!” Malulabelle and her friend, June, sat on the rug to read.  Colorful pictures brought each bible story to life. They flipped through the pages, stopping at their favorite illustrations. T

Field of Gifts by Ashley Karges November 30, 2025 Matthew 24:37-44 Themes: - Be thankful for the little gifts all around you. - Being thankful keeps us present in the moment, and close to Jesus.   Malulabelle arrived at the soccer field for her big game. Her eyes squinted from the sun, and her cheeks were rosy from the crisp autumn air. It was a perfect day for soccer! Malulabelle found her teammates and started warm-ups. “Did you know the team we play is undefeated?” Marcy a

My Best Friend, Jesus by Ashley Karges November 23, 2025 Luke 23: 35-43 Themes: - A friendship with Jesus brings peace and happiness. - We can pray for others to open their hearts to God’s love and mercy.   Malulabelle snuggled into bed. It was the end of another on-the-go day. She propped up against her pillow and spread out her marshmallow soft comforter. Her fluffy pup, Coconut, nestled in close. “Ruff!” Coconut tickled her with the nudge of his nose. He always knew how to

Malulabelle's Debut by Ashley Karges November 16, 2025 Luke 21: 5-19 Themes: - Unexpected moments happen to all of us. Do not be worried. Jesus will give us what we need in the moment. -Stay focused on the big picture - that Jesus is your friend, and He will never leave you.   Malulabelle could hardly contain her excitement. She felt jitters in her legs and had the giggles! Tonight was opening night of the school play. Even more exciting, she had the opening line! “See you to

Excited for Jesus by Ashley Karges November 9, 2025 John 2: 13-22 Themes: - God calls us to be zealous in our faith – to be excited to share Him with others! -You can show excitement for the Lord in your own way, by using the talents God gave you.   “Let’s use our best singing voices to praise the Lord, today!” Miss Mum encouraged the children’s choir at the start of practice. “Now, listen to my voice as I sing the first verse.” “I love to sing,” whispered Malulabelle to her

Little Worries by Ashley Karges Nov 2, 2025 John 6: 37-40 Themes: - God longs for us. He waits patiently for us to come to Him. - God holds all our worries, big and little, in his heart. He transforms them into something beautiful.   Friday had finally arrived, and the school dismissal bell was about to ring. Malulabelle felt all her energy bubble up inside. She shimmied in her seat. This weekend Malulabelle had big plans. It was her fluffy pup Coconut’s birthday! Coconut lov

The Art Contest Prize by Ashley Karges Oct 26, 2025 Luke 18: 9-14 Themes: -Seek God with a humble heart -Pridefulness closes our eyes to how God works in our lives   Malulabelle entered the art gallery, her chest puffed out with confidence. Today, the results of the painting contest would be announced. The first-place winner would receive a free day at Art Camp! “Are you nervous, Malulabelle?” Oliver had entered the contest too. “No, I worked hard on my painting. I have a rea

Science Walk Treasures by Ashley Karges Oct 18, 2025 Luke 18: 1-8 Themes: - Be persistent in prayer. - God answers prayers in His time, not ours. Malulabelle saw a flash of lightning outside her classroom window. Thunderclaps followed. BOOM! CRAAACK! “Oh, not today!” Malulabelle whispered to Simon, her table partner. “If it rains, we can’t have our class Science Walk this afternoon.” “Maybe it will stop,” encouraged Simon. But during math, it rained. At music lessons, it rain