Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler — with the Kids BY MIMI GREENWOOD KNIGHT If all you know about Mardi Gras is the debauchery televised from Bourbon Street each year, it might be the last place you’d consider for a family vacation. But that’s just one small element of the New Orleans Carnival season. Many of the festivities are family friendly. WHAT TO BRING If possible, bring a wagon or stroller for younger kids (with the added bonus of storage for you). Pack plenty of snacks, w

COZY NIGHTS, CLASSIC FILMS, & SNACKS TO MATCH From snowy adventures to heartwarming holiday tales, these five films bring the perfect mix of fun and feel-good cheer. Add themed snacks, and you’ve got winter nights covered! The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) Enter a snowy world of talking animals, icy villains, and epic courage. As the Pevensie siblings’ step through the wardrobe, families are reminded of the power of bravery and hope, even i

LEAVE THE TRADITIONAL BAKES BEHIND FOR NEW FESTIVE TREATS BY JENNIFER BAJSEL CANDY CANE COOKIES SERVINGS: 2 DOZ. PREP: 20 MIN. | COOK: 10 MIN. TOTAL: 30 MIN. INGREDIENTS: 1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened ¼ cup powdered sugar | 1 egg | 1 tsp. almond extract | 2 tsp. vanilla extract | ½ tsp. peppermint extract | 1 ½ cups flour | ½ tsp. salt | ½ Tbsp. red food coloring | ¼ cup crushed peppermint candy | ¼ cup crushed granulated sugar DIRECTIONS: PREHEAT oven to 375°. LINE a bak

WHY REVIVAL BEGINS IN THE PEW, NOT ON THE COUCH BY MIKE MAZYCK And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:24–25 (NKJV) Is it possible to be a mature and healthy Christian believer and not be a deeply devoted member of a local church? If you would have asked me that question ten