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.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
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!
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!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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!
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!
Friday, May 2, 2008
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!
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!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Some reflections from Kim
Kim Turbin comments on her time spent teaching the kindergardeners in the Music and Motion room:
I just wanted to pass along that the time with the 16 kindergardeners
was really awesome. Asking them about experiences and stories in the
other rooms, with a prompt or 2 they were telling me the stories of
this month, last month and even the previous month....making the
connections. The kids really got into determining the emotions Peter
was feeling, even though their vocab was limited. I would act out
and use voice fluctuation to see if it drew out some variety but
scary was still scary or became very scary and sad was very sad and
happy became really, really happy. Cute. I could see on their faces
they were getting it and even the quiet/shy kids were saying the
feelings, especially when the music played. Some thought they were
supposed to guess the emotion of the music so it was cool that they
did pick up on emotions/feeling from the music. Showing them how it
tied together with the story and how they picked the music, they
acted out the stories with the music and they were so into it. Then
talking about the ups and downs...we throughout the story and praying
for the guidance and forgiveness at the end, it was just a really
neat time. I felt out of sorts last week I guess and this week
almost felt like I was going to have to leave before the service
started, so it was really cool. And people wonder why I do it.
Seeing those faces, seeing them enjoy it, seeing them think about it
and seeing them get that glimmer even for a second...I love it!
Just thought I'd pass that along.
I just wanted to pass along that the time with the 16 kindergardeners
was really awesome. Asking them about experiences and stories in the
other rooms, with a prompt or 2 they were telling me the stories of
this month, last month and even the previous month....making the
connections. The kids really got into determining the emotions Peter
was feeling, even though their vocab was limited. I would act out
and use voice fluctuation to see if it drew out some variety but
scary was still scary or became very scary and sad was very sad and
happy became really, really happy. Cute. I could see on their faces
they were getting it and even the quiet/shy kids were saying the
feelings, especially when the music played. Some thought they were
supposed to guess the emotion of the music so it was cool that they
did pick up on emotions/feeling from the music. Showing them how it
tied together with the story and how they picked the music, they
acted out the stories with the music and they were so into it. Then
talking about the ups and downs...we throughout the story and praying
for the guidance and forgiveness at the end, it was just a really
neat time. I felt out of sorts last week I guess and this week
almost felt like I was going to have to leave before the service
started, so it was really cool. And people wonder why I do it.
Seeing those faces, seeing them enjoy it, seeing them think about it
and seeing them get that glimmer even for a second...I love it!
Just thought I'd pass that along.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Draw Me Into Your Friendship
Lord Jesus, from the start
You invite ordinary people to come to where you live.
When they come, you welcome them
and call them to labor and rejoice with you.
You are the most beautiful among all men,
and I hardly believe you want me for your friend.
You are powerful, Lord.
Draw me more and more into your friendship
and lead me along the way you took with friends.
~Joseph Tetlow, SJ
You invite ordinary people to come to where you live.
When they come, you welcome them
and call them to labor and rejoice with you.
You are the most beautiful among all men,
and I hardly believe you want me for your friend.
You are powerful, Lord.
Draw me more and more into your friendship
and lead me along the way you took with friends.
~Joseph Tetlow, SJ
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Uh oh! I'm in the Draft!
I opened my copy of the Draft this morning to find a link to my blog, and quickly came to the realization that people will read this! Of course, that is the whole point, but now I know for sure that people will read it. While that does put me on the lookout for grammar and spelling errors, it is great to know that parents and friends at Westwinds will be checking this out to see what's going on with our kids. So welcome everyone! :)
Today in the art room we talked about the ups and downs in Peter's life. How great he must have felt when he "gave the right answer" to Jesus, when Jesus asked him who he thought he (Jesus) was and Peter confidently answered, "You are the Christ". What a high point! But then, not very long after, Peter denies even knowing Jesus (not once, not twice, but THREE times)! And that's when his stomach must have dropped, shame and guilt washed over him when he'd realized what he had done. The lowest point in his life: denying Jesus.
The lesson we take from Peter is this: Our lives, like Peter's our filled with highs and lows. Just because we follow Jesus doesn't mean that we won't have hard times or that life will be easy. In fact, Paul assures us that as believers, we can expect hard times to come. But God is with us, he really cares about our situations and feelings, about our relationships and hurts. So when hard times come, as they inevitably will, our Creator has promised to be on our side.
The kids made woven paper mats, using the motion "over, under", tying into the "ups and downs" that we talked about with Peter. Afterwards, I played Chutes and Ladders with 3 girls, which was very fun. Two of these girls are regulars and I have known them for awhile, but I loved interacting with them in a game setting because I got to see more of their personalities. Turns out they were both pretty competitive, and funny too as we were teasing each other when one of us had to go down the chute for breaking the cookie jar or pulling the cat's tail. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out the board for Chutes and Ladders).
I decided that starting now, and for all future posts as well I'm going to try very hard to remember the greatest quote of the morning. I'm sure some will be funny or awkward (like today's!), but I also think that there will emerge some very moving and thought-provoking words from our kids. Let's just start out with a funny one!
Quote of the morning: "I like going to the circus to see all the hot girls!" ~Second grade boy
...to which I responded with a dropped jaw and an "oh wow...are you serious....???"
Today in the art room we talked about the ups and downs in Peter's life. How great he must have felt when he "gave the right answer" to Jesus, when Jesus asked him who he thought he (Jesus) was and Peter confidently answered, "You are the Christ". What a high point! But then, not very long after, Peter denies even knowing Jesus (not once, not twice, but THREE times)! And that's when his stomach must have dropped, shame and guilt washed over him when he'd realized what he had done. The lowest point in his life: denying Jesus.
The lesson we take from Peter is this: Our lives, like Peter's our filled with highs and lows. Just because we follow Jesus doesn't mean that we won't have hard times or that life will be easy. In fact, Paul assures us that as believers, we can expect hard times to come. But God is with us, he really cares about our situations and feelings, about our relationships and hurts. So when hard times come, as they inevitably will, our Creator has promised to be on our side.
The kids made woven paper mats, using the motion "over, under", tying into the "ups and downs" that we talked about with Peter. Afterwards, I played Chutes and Ladders with 3 girls, which was very fun. Two of these girls are regulars and I have known them for awhile, but I loved interacting with them in a game setting because I got to see more of their personalities. Turns out they were both pretty competitive, and funny too as we were teasing each other when one of us had to go down the chute for breaking the cookie jar or pulling the cat's tail. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out the board for Chutes and Ladders).
I decided that starting now, and for all future posts as well I'm going to try very hard to remember the greatest quote of the morning. I'm sure some will be funny or awkward (like today's!), but I also think that there will emerge some very moving and thought-provoking words from our kids. Let's just start out with a funny one!
Quote of the morning: "I like going to the circus to see all the hot girls!" ~Second grade boy
...to which I responded with a dropped jaw and an "oh wow...are you serious....???"
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