Brandi The Dog Walks On Water

From LisaMarie, Kindergarden shepherd:

As you know, we went camping this weekend in our new camper.
We had a blast ! I wanted to share with you a little story that made me cry.
My son Ethan was drawing his mommie a picture, which he loves to do and
when I asked what it was he said it was a sailboat on the water. I asked what
the drawing next to the sailboat was and he said it was Brandi, our dog. It was
then that Austin blurted out, "Its Jesus's dog, walking on water!"
We all just about busted a seam laughing. The people behind us heard the whole
thing and were laughing just as loud. Before they left, they came up and said that
we should be proud parents, raising our kids to know GOD's stories.

I already heard this story...

...so says a little girl in class this morning. Yes, yes you have! Aha! Now you're starting to get it!

The kids were refreshed on the story of Bartimaeus, and then we cast them for the skit. We had our usual disagreements over who got to be who, but I can honestly say that the lines of the characters were delivered with more enthusiasm than I've ever heard before! So well did the skit progress that we recast the kids and did it again! What a hit!

Lately I've been looking into different outreach opportunities for the kids to do in the upcoming school year. From the beginning, one of our main objectives in kids' ministry has been to develop within the children a servant's heart. I'm hoping that through some of the activities that I'm researching that the kids will come to understand and experience Jesus' directive to us to serve one another. Please be praying for these opportunities, the planning process, and the details. Please pray that God would be preparing our kids for these experiences next year.

Remember: next week we go to 2 services, 9 and 11am!

Blind Drawing Fun!

I wish, I wish, I wish I had remembered to bring my camera! I had made up my mind that I would bring my camera from now on so as not to miss any kodak-moments, but I forgot! The kids were so cute in their felt blindfolds, but more on that in a little bit!

This was my first weekend of the month, since I had last Sunday off, and thus my first week with Bart (Bartimaeus). We were in the art room, so we listened to Cheryl teach us on the floor. We talked about how it must feel to be blind-how it must be frustrating to not be able to see, to feel excluded when other people can see (and thus experience in a way you can't), to have to rely upon your other senses in order to get around. Cheryl began to draw on the board while blindfolded, while the kids shouted out things for her to draw. It was hilarious, and the kids got really excited to try out blind-drawing for themselves.

The best part of the day for me, was blind drawing with Emily and Olivia. These are two girls that are regulars, and even though we've technically known each other for more than a year, we haven't connected a whole lot. Recently, I have seen my relationships with some of the kids transform. I think they've really come to see me as a constant figure in their life, and come to realize that even though I am not there every single week, I'll be there the next or the next. It's cool to see this evolve and with it a deeper level of trust. It has taken more than a year, but it is finally happening and it's wonderful!

Serve this summer!

Serve 3 Summer Sundays!

Did you know that . . .
it takes a minimum of 41 adults & student leaders to make Westwinds’
Kids’ Journey programs happen each Sunday?

Did you know that . . .
the single most factor in our kids’ spiritual formation is relationships?

Over the summer months, we try to give our shepherds and studio teach-
ers a break from their regularly commitments, but we can only do that
with your participation. Please Signup to Serve 3 Summer Sundays. It’s a
great way to say thank you to those who regularly teach your kids about
Jesus and it lets you get a closer look at what cool things are happening in
our Experience Studios.

Get a form and get involved!