Whether you ‘celebrate’ Halloween or not, you can’t mistake that the excitement of dressing up and getting candy is in the air! (Not sure anyone really “celebrates” Halloween; maybe it’s just observing it…) Anyway, kids- and many adults- everywhere are looking forward to putting on a costume and collecting a bag full of treats. I’ve asked kid after kid in the last week about their costumes, where they will trick-or-treat, and about their favorite candy.
It’s been interesting to me how many kids are making their own costumes this year. This seems new...or is it everything old is new again? When I was a kid, we always made our own costumes. And by make, I mean we looked around the house and put something together with whatever we could find. I think my brother was a football or baseball player for twelve straight Halloweens. (Age 12 was the end of trick or treating at my house!)
One girl told me that her mom has a strict rule- she buys a costume one year, and the next you’re on your own. I can respect that. Not only is it cheaper- (when did a questionable if it’s really not flammable piece of material and a less than sturdy mask become $40?!)- but it also elicits a little creativity.
In a world where everything can be bought- including the once sacred Cinderella’s gown and slippers and Darth Vader’s cape, mask, and light saber- it’s nice to know our kids don’t have to get some things off a shelf to enjoy them. In a society where screens of every kind seem to reign supreme, it’s refreshing to think that kids are actually using their brains for more than Mind Craft.
I’m not completely knocking the store bought costume; I got one once – it was a genie costume, complete with a mask framed in blond hair. (Didn’t look quite right with my very curly dark hair sticking out, but I was only 7, so what did I care?) I’ve been guilty of being talked into the store bought ones by my own children- Elvis was in the building one year, along with Spiderman.
The point is, creativity is good. Thinking outside the box- or using an empty box- is even better. Besides, when you have to actually explain your costume, then you’ve earned that Reece’s cup!
I don’t ‘celebrate’ Halloween, but I do enjoy seeing kids have fun dressing up, pretending for one night to be their alter ego, or maybe just someone who is stronger, funnier, or even scarier than their real selves. Just pretending – even if it came off the shelf- is creative.
This Week’s Announcements:
If you have a child 3mos.-2years old that you wish to publically dedicate to the Lord here at StoneBridge, then you will need to attend one of our Baby Dedication Orientation classes. On November 10th at 6:30pm we will hold the orientation meant for anyone wishing to dedicate a child before our next class in May. To sign up, go to www.signupgenius.com and search under my email penny@stonebridgemarietta.org Don’t forget to list children’s names and ages in the comment section if you need childcare during the orientation.
Don’t miss our church-wide family Fall Festival and Chili Cook Off on Friday, November 8th. There will be hayrides for the kids (or the kids at heart), hotdogs, games, a bonfire (S’mores, I hope!) and lots of yummy chili to sample. Go to www.signupgenius.com and search under Kim Kremer’s email kim@stonebridgemarietta.org to sign up.
What God is Teaching Us:
Follow the link below to see this past Sunday’s curriculum:
This link is no longer available
*You will notice that there is no curriculum listed for 4k-5th grade. This is because we did our outreach/service project for MUST Ministries last Sunday.
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
I just love it when kids mix up words, saying the words or a phrase just right enough to know what they’re saying, but just wrong enough to be oh so cute. I’ve heard a few this week that were so cute I had to share. While playing, a 4 year old said, “Stick ‘em up…it’s the DBMI!” [FBI] A cute little girl leaned over my booth at Chick-fil-A and told me, “I gonna eat some icken guggets” [chicken nuggets]. And lastly, while playing hide-n-seek, but before being found, a two year hold stuck his head out from his hiding place, and said, “Look, I found me!”
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Twice in the last week I’ve been asked, “What made you decide to go into children’s ministry?” The follow up question on one occasion was, “What prepared you to do what you do?” The setting for each of these inquiries was very different. One happened on a short weekend getaway in a conversation with a stranger, and the other as I was being interviewed for a college student’s project. Different settings…same question…same answer.
These conversations were about my job…my vocation. Today, remembering those two conversations, another thought crossed my mind. I don’t think anyone has ever asked me about my most important job…not a career, but a job…motherhood. No one has ever asked, “What make you decide to go into motherhood?” Nor has anyone ever asked, “What prepared you to do what you do?” as it relates to being a parent.
Maybe the question is not asked because it seems to be a silly one. Maybe no one asks because they figure the answer is too personal. Maybe no one asks because they too are a parent and couldn’t answer the question for themselves.
So for sake of an argument I’m having with myself right now, I’ll ask and answer. What made me decide to become a mom? That one is simple- I don’t think I ever decided NOT to become a mom. I think the first time I held a baby doll I was hooked. The bigger question - what prepared me for it? Nothing, nothing, and more of nothing.
The word ‘nothing’ doesn’t even capture how much nothingness there was in preparing me for motherhood. I had GREAT examples in parenting as my mom, dad, and grandparents were all phenomenal at their jobs. But watching someone else do it isn’t enough. There is no prep for the highs and lows of parenting. There is no study guide for the overwhelming joy that can be followed by deep heartache and/or worry. There is no cheat sheet, word bank, or Cliff notes for the lessons we’ll teach or the lessons we’ll learn as we parent.
It’s a job with a clear beginning, but no real end. It’s a job we take on every day, all day long, and yet we’re never experts. It’s a job we do when we feel like it and when we don’t. It’s a circus kind of job where balancing, juggling, walking a tight rope, taming lions, and being the ring leader all at the same time is not only necessary, it’s crucial.
My answer about my career choice was short – God called me to it. How I prepared was described at length, but two things were at the center- lots of practice and God’s provision. Now that I rethink things…it’s funny how the answer turns out to be the same for parenting. God called me to it, and even though I’m never fully prepared (aren’t we surprised every day?)- I practice a lot and God keeps on providing.
This Week’s Announcements:
If you have a child 3mos.-2years old that you wish to publically dedicate to the Lord here at StoneBridge, then you will need to attend one of our Baby Dedication Orientation classes. On November 10th at 6:30pm we will hold the orientation meant for anyone wishing to dedicate a child before our next class in May. To sign up, go to www.signupgenius.com and search under my email penny@stonebridgemarietta.org Don’t forget to list children’s names and ages in the comment section if you need childcare during the orientation.
What God is Teaching Us:
Follow the link below to see this past Sunday’s curriculum:
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
A little guy came into my office and asked me for a piece of bubble gum. When I gave it to him, he promptly put it in his mouth. After starting on his gum, he asked if he could also have one for his mommy, daddy, brother, and sister. I obliged (how could I not?). When I told him he should put the gum for his family in his pocket for later, he put three of the four in his pocket, but then started to unwrap one. I reminded him that he already had one in his mouth, and that the rest were for his family. He said, “Oh, it’s okay…this one is my brother’s. He can’t have gum so I’ll just chew it for him.”
These conversations were about my job…my vocation. Today, remembering those two conversations, another thought crossed my mind. I don’t think anyone has ever asked me about my most important job…not a career, but a job…motherhood. No one has ever asked, “What make you decide to go into motherhood?” Nor has anyone ever asked, “What prepared you to do what you do?” as it relates to being a parent.
Maybe the question is not asked because it seems to be a silly one. Maybe no one asks because they figure the answer is too personal. Maybe no one asks because they too are a parent and couldn’t answer the question for themselves.
So for sake of an argument I’m having with myself right now, I’ll ask and answer. What made me decide to become a mom? That one is simple- I don’t think I ever decided NOT to become a mom. I think the first time I held a baby doll I was hooked. The bigger question - what prepared me for it? Nothing, nothing, and more of nothing.
The word ‘nothing’ doesn’t even capture how much nothingness there was in preparing me for motherhood. I had GREAT examples in parenting as my mom, dad, and grandparents were all phenomenal at their jobs. But watching someone else do it isn’t enough. There is no prep for the highs and lows of parenting. There is no study guide for the overwhelming joy that can be followed by deep heartache and/or worry. There is no cheat sheet, word bank, or Cliff notes for the lessons we’ll teach or the lessons we’ll learn as we parent.
It’s a job with a clear beginning, but no real end. It’s a job we take on every day, all day long, and yet we’re never experts. It’s a job we do when we feel like it and when we don’t. It’s a circus kind of job where balancing, juggling, walking a tight rope, taming lions, and being the ring leader all at the same time is not only necessary, it’s crucial.
My answer about my career choice was short – God called me to it. How I prepared was described at length, but two things were at the center- lots of practice and God’s provision. Now that I rethink things…it’s funny how the answer turns out to be the same for parenting. God called me to it, and even though I’m never fully prepared (aren’t we surprised every day?)- I practice a lot and God keeps on providing.
This Week’s Announcements:
If you have a child 3mos.-2years old that you wish to publically dedicate to the Lord here at StoneBridge, then you will need to attend one of our Baby Dedication Orientation classes. On November 10th at 6:30pm we will hold the orientation meant for anyone wishing to dedicate a child before our next class in May. To sign up, go to www.signupgenius.com and search under my email penny@stonebridgemarietta.org Don’t forget to list children’s names and ages in the comment section if you need childcare during the orientation.
What God is Teaching Us:
Follow the link below to see this past Sunday’s curriculum:
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
A little guy came into my office and asked me for a piece of bubble gum. When I gave it to him, he promptly put it in his mouth. After starting on his gum, he asked if he could also have one for his mommy, daddy, brother, and sister. I obliged (how could I not?). When I told him he should put the gum for his family in his pocket for later, he put three of the four in his pocket, but then started to unwrap one. I reminded him that he already had one in his mouth, and that the rest were for his family. He said, “Oh, it’s okay…this one is my brother’s. He can’t have gum so I’ll just chew it for him.”
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Elegance, politeness, generosity, pleasing, freedom…not words that most of us would use to describe parenthood. Each of these words is listed in the dictionary under the word grace.
Nope…grace, at least by definition, and parenthood don’t seem to go hand in hand. Where is the elegance in cleaning the spit up off your shirt- again? Politeness doesn’t flow freely when you have a house full of boys (potty humor, anyone?). Generosity is a myth when it comes to asking an 18 month old to share her favorite toy with another. Pleasing and freedom…maybe some freedom to sleep late, eat a full meal while it’s still hot, or go to the bathroom alone would be pleasing…but who knows when you’re a parent?
We don’t regularly use the word grace to describe parenting, but maybe we should. We know as Christians that grace in the biblical sense is the free and unmerited favor of God; it’s His infinite love, mercy, favor, and goodwill toward us. When you think about grace in those terms, then yes…it is easy- or at least easier- to see how it matches up with parenthood.
How many times a day to we give free and unmerited favor to our kids? They spill their cup at dinner for the third night in a row. We love them anyway. They forget their math book and you have to deliver it to the school for the 2nd time this week. We love them anyway. They don’t make their beds, they yell in the house, they stomp their feet on the stairs, they cry when we want to sleep, they walk slow when we’re in a hurry, and run away when we’re too tired to chase them. We love them anyway.
We do all the same things our kids do. God loves us anyway. Grace…God’s grace…elegant, polite, generous, pleasing, and (brings) freedom. He would use that word to describe how He parents us. We should follow His lead with our kids.
Come to think of it…our children might say one aspect of being a kid is grace too. We’re not perfect. They love us anyway.
This Week’s Announcements:
Next week, 10/27 is or first Outreach Sunday of this school year. We will be joining Dana Poor in working on a project for homeless children who live temporarily at MUST Ministries. On these outreach Sundays, our small group leaders in 4k-5th grade take the morning off and we ask other adults- especially those who have a heart for outreach/service- to help us. If you are available to lend a hand on 10/27, please contact me at penny@stonebridgemarietta.org
What God is Teaching Us:
Follow the link below to see this past Sunday’s curriculum:
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…make that funny things adults say:
One of our small group leaders posted this- "After a month of leading the 4k-5K class on Sunday mornings, I've learned a very important lesson: One doesn't ask an open-ended question to this crowd, unless you intend to lose all control of the conversation." Her friend commented back to her- "I hear you! I'm teaching second grade and a few weeks ago asked the kids how they define Grace. I heard a list of every woman past or present who had been named Grace." :)
Nope…grace, at least by definition, and parenthood don’t seem to go hand in hand. Where is the elegance in cleaning the spit up off your shirt- again? Politeness doesn’t flow freely when you have a house full of boys (potty humor, anyone?). Generosity is a myth when it comes to asking an 18 month old to share her favorite toy with another. Pleasing and freedom…maybe some freedom to sleep late, eat a full meal while it’s still hot, or go to the bathroom alone would be pleasing…but who knows when you’re a parent?
We don’t regularly use the word grace to describe parenting, but maybe we should. We know as Christians that grace in the biblical sense is the free and unmerited favor of God; it’s His infinite love, mercy, favor, and goodwill toward us. When you think about grace in those terms, then yes…it is easy- or at least easier- to see how it matches up with parenthood.
How many times a day to we give free and unmerited favor to our kids? They spill their cup at dinner for the third night in a row. We love them anyway. They forget their math book and you have to deliver it to the school for the 2nd time this week. We love them anyway. They don’t make their beds, they yell in the house, they stomp their feet on the stairs, they cry when we want to sleep, they walk slow when we’re in a hurry, and run away when we’re too tired to chase them. We love them anyway.
We do all the same things our kids do. God loves us anyway. Grace…God’s grace…elegant, polite, generous, pleasing, and (brings) freedom. He would use that word to describe how He parents us. We should follow His lead with our kids.
Come to think of it…our children might say one aspect of being a kid is grace too. We’re not perfect. They love us anyway.
This Week’s Announcements:
Next week, 10/27 is or first Outreach Sunday of this school year. We will be joining Dana Poor in working on a project for homeless children who live temporarily at MUST Ministries. On these outreach Sundays, our small group leaders in 4k-5th grade take the morning off and we ask other adults- especially those who have a heart for outreach/service- to help us. If you are available to lend a hand on 10/27, please contact me at penny@stonebridgemarietta.org
What God is Teaching Us:
Follow the link below to see this past Sunday’s curriculum:
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…make that funny things adults say:
One of our small group leaders posted this- "After a month of leading the 4k-5K class on Sunday mornings, I've learned a very important lesson: One doesn't ask an open-ended question to this crowd, unless you intend to lose all control of the conversation." Her friend commented back to her- "I hear you! I'm teaching second grade and a few weeks ago asked the kids how they define Grace. I heard a list of every woman past or present who had been named Grace." :)
Monday, October 7, 2013
What keeps us up at night?
Maybe…to name a few, a crying baby, waiting on a driving teenager to get home, our job, the to-do list, financial struggles, or worrying about how we’re doing as a parent.
After reading a quote - shared with me today- from Henri Nouwen, I realized this…I’m staying up for the wrong reasons. Henri points out that the central question we should be asking is if our future leaders will be men and women of God. In the quote- at least the part I was given- said nothing about what leadership realm he was discussing, so this is what I took from it.
Are the future leaders of our families, churches, and communities going to be women and men of God? Will they love and follow the Lord? Will they love His Word? Will they allow themselves to be conformed into the image of Christ? Will they be led by the Spirit?
These questions should be the ones keeping us up at night, because those leaders are our children and our children’s friends. To be men and women who love God, love people, and are led by the Spirit doesn’t happen overnight. If it did, then we’d lose much less sleep thinking about it.
I don’t want to lie awake at night and worry any more than the next person, but I do know this- these are the things worth pondering. These are the things worth devoting more prayer to. These are the things that really matter. Academically successful kids may lead to successful adults. Athletically active kids may lead to healthier adults. Spirit-filled kids… We don’t even have to wait until they are adults to see what they can do!
So, the next time I’m lying awake because my mind is too active to sleep I will be asking the Lord this central question- “what am I doing or what can I be doing to help kids (mine and the ones in our ministry) - become boys and girls/men and women of God?”
This Week’s Announcements:
Please remember that the doors open at 8:45/10:45 for children, and are locked for security at 9:15/11:15. If you arrive outside of that 30 minute window, several things happen.
1. You may be locked out with no way in
2. You interrupt praise and worship/large group teaching that begins at 9:20/11:20 for our elementary children in 164
3. Your child will have a MUCH harder time adjusting to the room if they come in after activities have started
Please help us as we strive to make Sunday the best part of your child’s week by being on time for check in and drop off.
Red Top Camping Day:
What a fun day we had camping! There was lots of canoeing, fishing, games, and food! There was even MORE laughter! The kids were filthy and exhausted at the end of the day…the sign of a great time! Many thanks go out to Nick and Amber Chinuntdet for organizing and planning this amazing day. We’d also like to thank all the volunteers who provided canoes, drove kids to the site, and/or were onsite to make this day such a huge success.
What God is Teaching Us:
Follow the link below to see this past Sunday’s curriculum:
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say:
For one girl named Hannah, the something that might keep her up at night…worrying if her brother is going to “goo” her.
As one small group leader asked the question- "Tell us a time recently when you wanted a do-over" – Hannah said that goo fell on her head at home. The small group leader kept a serious face since Hannah seemed very serious. The small group leader probed a little further, but she really wasn't sure how to elaborate as to where the "goo" came from. Then Betsy- another girl in the group- randomly chimed in with the question that made everyone chuckle. She asked, "Do you have a brother?" Hannah smiled and said "YES!!" It suddenly all made sense.
Maybe…to name a few, a crying baby, waiting on a driving teenager to get home, our job, the to-do list, financial struggles, or worrying about how we’re doing as a parent.
After reading a quote - shared with me today- from Henri Nouwen, I realized this…I’m staying up for the wrong reasons. Henri points out that the central question we should be asking is if our future leaders will be men and women of God. In the quote- at least the part I was given- said nothing about what leadership realm he was discussing, so this is what I took from it.
Are the future leaders of our families, churches, and communities going to be women and men of God? Will they love and follow the Lord? Will they love His Word? Will they allow themselves to be conformed into the image of Christ? Will they be led by the Spirit?
These questions should be the ones keeping us up at night, because those leaders are our children and our children’s friends. To be men and women who love God, love people, and are led by the Spirit doesn’t happen overnight. If it did, then we’d lose much less sleep thinking about it.
I don’t want to lie awake at night and worry any more than the next person, but I do know this- these are the things worth pondering. These are the things worth devoting more prayer to. These are the things that really matter. Academically successful kids may lead to successful adults. Athletically active kids may lead to healthier adults. Spirit-filled kids… We don’t even have to wait until they are adults to see what they can do!
So, the next time I’m lying awake because my mind is too active to sleep I will be asking the Lord this central question- “what am I doing or what can I be doing to help kids (mine and the ones in our ministry) - become boys and girls/men and women of God?”
This Week’s Announcements:
Please remember that the doors open at 8:45/10:45 for children, and are locked for security at 9:15/11:15. If you arrive outside of that 30 minute window, several things happen.
1. You may be locked out with no way in
2. You interrupt praise and worship/large group teaching that begins at 9:20/11:20 for our elementary children in 164
3. Your child will have a MUCH harder time adjusting to the room if they come in after activities have started
Please help us as we strive to make Sunday the best part of your child’s week by being on time for check in and drop off.
Red Top Camping Day:
What a fun day we had camping! There was lots of canoeing, fishing, games, and food! There was even MORE laughter! The kids were filthy and exhausted at the end of the day…the sign of a great time! Many thanks go out to Nick and Amber Chinuntdet for organizing and planning this amazing day. We’d also like to thank all the volunteers who provided canoes, drove kids to the site, and/or were onsite to make this day such a huge success.
What God is Teaching Us:
Follow the link below to see this past Sunday’s curriculum:
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say:
For one girl named Hannah, the something that might keep her up at night…worrying if her brother is going to “goo” her.
As one small group leader asked the question- "Tell us a time recently when you wanted a do-over" – Hannah said that goo fell on her head at home. The small group leader kept a serious face since Hannah seemed very serious. The small group leader probed a little further, but she really wasn't sure how to elaborate as to where the "goo" came from. Then Betsy- another girl in the group- randomly chimed in with the question that made everyone chuckle. She asked, "Do you have a brother?" Hannah smiled and said "YES!!" It suddenly all made sense.
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