Strawberries are the PERFECT summer fruit! Today on the show we celebrated Pick Strawberries Day by sharing some awesome recipes for you and your family to enjoy!

But first, how did strawberries come to be?

“The origin of the berry as we know it comes from Brittany, France, where it was first cultivated in a garden in the 1750’s, as a blend of two other forms of wild strawberry. Long before this, however, they had begun cultivating them in their gardens from the wild, as early as the 14th century. They’ve been with us ever since as a popular dessert and food item, and are grown in the thousands all over the world.” –daysoftheyear.com

So, get out there today, grab some strawberries and use some of these awesome recipes from SouthernLiving.com! Here are some of our favorites:

Strawberry Lemon Shortbread Bars

Strawberry Basil Ice Cream

Strawberry Biscuits

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp with Granola

Mini Strawberry Tarts

See the complete list of recipes HERE!

Launched in 2011, Kids to Parks Day is a nationwide celebration of the great outdoors organized by NPT and is designed to connect kids and families with their local, state, and national parks and public lands. By discovering and exploring our public lands, kids across the country can learn about park stewardship, outdoor recreation, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), and the history of our country. In addition, by teaching our kids to appreciate and enjoy our public lands, we can foster future outdoor enthusiasts and create the next generation of park stewards and caretakers of these important places. Because kids need parks – and parks need kids!

WNZR’s Rachel Rinehart talks with Carrie Haver about Kids to Parks Day, and how Ariel-Foundation Park is celebrating the special day.

Hear the entire conversation HERE!

(Image: steubystl365.com)

There is a lot of scripture that people know and quote all the time. However, there are so many more awesome verses in the Bible that are lesser-known. Here is a list of 23 inspiring and beautiful verses from steubystl365.com

1. “But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
2. “Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
3. “Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord.” Ephesians 5:17
4. “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8
5. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
6. “Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.” Hebrews 2:18
7. “I command you: be firm and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
8. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
9. “Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for stern as death is love, relentless as the nether world is devotion; its flames are a blazing fire. Deep waters cannot quench love, nor floods sweep it away.” Song of Songs 8:6-7
10. “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!” Job 1:21
11. “And if my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my presence and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and revive their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
12. “Do not ask me to abandon or forsake you! For wherever you go I will go, where you lodge I will lodge, your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16
13. “The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!” Numbers 6:24-26
14. “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should repent. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” Numbers 23:19
15. “I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord God. The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal… shepherding them rightly.” Ezekiel 34:15-16
16. “Then afterward I will pour out my spirit upon all mankind. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” Joel 3:1
17. “You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
18. “On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The Lord, your God, is in the midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you.” Zephaniah 3:16-17
19. “Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.” Mark 11:24
20. “But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God.” John 1:12
21. “I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you” Philippians 1:3
22. “Who among you is wise? Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13
23. “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let the hearer say, “Come.” Let the one who thirsts come forward, and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving water.” Revelation 22:17

Summer is right around the corner, so that means that the school year is reaching its end. So, how can you help your kids finish strong? Allprodad.com gives us some tips to help out your kids. Here is the article from writer Derek Maul:

Believe it or not, teachers and students are already looking at the wind down of the current school year. We raced through the fall, we negotiated an interesting winter, and now we’re well into the spring. Ready or not, summer is just around the corner and with it hopes and dreams for the next year. It’s not too late to finish strong.

The school year is a marathon of sorts. It doesn’t matter how well prepared they are, or how well they pace themselves in the middle of the event because now they have to make it over the finish line on their own two feet. We nagged our kids and we encouraged them too; they’ve come a long way – now it all comes down to finishing strong. So here are a few important things to remember as they round the last turn.

1. Showing up counts.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a series of missed pop-quizzes in high school, a formative science field-trip, or a couple of spelling tests in the second grace, being there is ninety-nine percent of the battle. Learning well is a community experience and if our kids miss too much – for whatever reason – the repercussions are developmentally real.

2. Talk with the teachers.

Learning also plays out in the context of relationships. Keep communication open with the teachers and approach education as a team. Families that are talking with their kids’ teachers are seldom blindsided by end of the year surprises.

3. Keep expectations reasonable.

Know your child, their learning history, and their capabilities. Always look for improvement, but make sure your expectations are in line with what is reasonable. Children are more likely to rise to the occasion when they feel they actually have a chance to succeed.

4. Be an encourager.

An extension of #3. Encouragement always bears more fruit than disparagement. Be firm, be kind, be realistic, and be a cheerleader.

5. Cultivate a culture of family learning at home.

When the family values learning so does the child. Limit screen time, keep the television off during dinner and homework time. Sit down alongside your child and read, or do a crossword, or do some of your own homework. Celebrate learning and participate in knowledge growth yourself.

All these factors will serve to encourage and support your child as the academic year winds down. They will also set a pattern for the summer break, when #5 will continue to lay a foundation for next year. Because the commitment to finish strong will result in beginning strong too, and that’s half the battle for the fall – and the fall will be here before we know it.

All moms deserve rest and relaxation, but sometimes they don’t get it. But, we can find Holy rest in Jesus Christ! Here are some amazing prayers for the mom who is feeling overwhelmed.

Prayer for the Mom Who Needs Rest

Being a mom can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Just when you think you can’t take another minute, something else comes along that requires your energy and effort. But the good news – the truth – is that you can find rest in the Lord.

Heavenly Father, I come to you today, humble and exhausted, and ask that you carry my burdens. I pray that you lift my weary spirit and fill me with your love and peace so that I may be restored and renewed in body and mind. Lord, pour your heavenly nourishment into my soul and give me the energy to sustain me in my role as a mother.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 12:28

Prayer for the Anxious Mom

With the birth of my first child, I developed an overwhelming capacity to worry. Through the years, this tendency toward anxiety intensified with each new season of motherhood. The more I worried, the more time I needed to spend in prayer. If you are an anxious mother, like me, turn to this prayer in times of need.

Lord, I trust in you and lean on you. I thank you for your mercy and provision for me and my family. I come to you again and ask that your will be done in this situation we are currently facing. Guard my heart and my mind and keep me focused on your will. Lord, please send your Holy Spirit to breathe your peace into my soul and walk with me on this journey.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” –Philippians 4:6

Prayer for Patience

Our work as moms can seem long and tedious. If you’ve ever had to repeat yourself ten times a day for what seems like months, you know how frustrating our job can be. Children don’t mature overnight – and we don’t often see God’s plan for them all at once. This is why I pray for patience with the following words:

Dear Lord, I know you have a plan for my child and I thank you and praise you for allowing me the gift of being his/her mother. I am frustrated because I want to see the fruits of my labor, Lord. Please give me the patience to continue being obedient to your word in raising my child. Teach me to wait in hope and confidence for you to make your will known – in your time.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” – Psalm 27:14

Prayer for Wisdom

As a new mom, I wanted to learn as much as I could. Unfortunately, all of the conflicting parenting advice can be confusing and overwhelming. Only God can provide the wisdom we truly need as mothers. If you’re feeling confused about what to do next, ask for wisdom with this prayer:

Lord, please give me the wisdom to make decisions according to your will. Send me your vision in this situation – and make it plain that I will see it. And please show me how to teach my child to make wise decisions so that he/she may also choose the path that is pleasing to you.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” – James 1:5

Prayer for Grace

I don’t know about you, but I often feel completely inadequate as a mom.  I focus too much on my own weaknesses and mistakes. I get overwhelmed with the massive tasks and enormous responsibility of motherhood. So this is how I pray for God’s grace in those times:

Lord, please fill me with your grace so that I may be restored and renewed in my role as a mother. Help me to remember that I do not have to do this alone – that you are with me to strengthen and guide me.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” – 2 Corinthians 12:8 

Don’t forget about Mom’s Night Out, happening TONIGHT in Ariel Arena’s Foster Hall.

When is it? Friday, May 10th

What time is it? 7 p.m.

Where is it? Foster Hall inside Ariel Arena on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University

We will be watching Indivisible! Please go to wnzr.fm and click on the Mom’s Night Out Banner to see the trailer on the information page.

*Tickets are FREE, but seating is limited. Tickets are now available at the WNZR Studios in Founders Hall on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University. (The WNZR Office is open Monday – Friday from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.)

*You will have a chance to win some AMAZING prizes at Mom’s Night Out!*

A complete list of prizes will be posted soon at wnzr.fm!

*Mom’s Night Out is intended to be a kid-free event. Moms, we want you to have a night away from your regular routine and responsibilities. So Dads, offer to babysit and send Mom off to a night of fun! Also, Indivisible is rated PG-13 and is NOT suitable for young children.*

*Concessions will be available. All proceeds will support WNZR Staff Members that are raising money to attend broadcast conferences.*

We hope to see you there!