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.

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