I just LOVE this photo!  Before we began our journey into electricity, we learned about what was used before electricty.  "You mean there was a time BEFORE electricity?!" 

So, we made some dough, added some personality with stones and metals and then baked them in the oven.  They all shifted shapes in the oven, and unfortunately mine (left) was the only one that was actually usuable in the end.  Shayla's (middle) weighed itself down and closed the opening to the spout.  Lillian's (right), well, was made by a three-year-old!  The "wicks" you see were made from braided fabric, as were those in Biblical days and then the lantern was filled with olive oil (make sure you seal the clay before adding the olive oil or you will have a leaky mess!).

Learning about the value of the oil lamp in Biblical times helped the girls to understand the value of electricity today.  It was common for most homes to have only one lamp because olive oil was a precious resource and used sparingly, just as electricity is today (monetarily speaking).

The dough we used was not necessarily the best recipe I have ever used.  Below you will find one of my favorites from The Incredible Secret Formula Book. 

You can find this book starting as low as $2.95 a copy at the following link:

http://www.alibris.com/search/search.cfm?S=R&qisbn=0816770115&qsort=p&siteID=OmE0YUiQlCg-B74Izv4gKeIhk.UDe1mLjg

The World's Best Play Dough

1.  Mix together in a saucepan the following ingredients:

1 cup flour

1 cup water

1 or 2 drops food coloring (optional)

1/2 cup salt

1 tablespoon oil

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

2.  Heat the ingredients to medium until the mixture just starts to cook, stirring as it heats. 

3.  When it is done it should look like sticky. 

4.  Dump the play dough onto a floured board and let sit until cool. 

5.  Knead dough, folding over, until smooth.

6.  Save dough in a resealable plastic bag or let dry for keepsake sculptures.

Matthew 5:14  "Ye are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hid."