Traditions

Over the years, we all develop traditions and it can be fun! Erin and I sort of started one last year by going out together on "Black Friday."
This year we went out but not really early. Funniest thing is that although we walked the entire store, we bought groceries and only one gift and it was very random and not on sale. This happened though...while we weren't looking, someone took it out of our cart! This was a small item and there plenty of them on the shelf and not something in high demand. I guess someone thought it might have been the last one. I hope they enjoy it. In the meantime, we just went back and got another one off the shelf =)

Home for the holidays

When all three of my kids are home at the same time, I get excited! Yes, they disagree and argue but for the most part, we have a good time. This Thanksgiving we were planning on not being all together as one of my sons was going to go with his father out of town. I was so happy when he called this morning from our house to tell me that he changed his mind at the last minute! He will probably get bored before the week is up but for now I will just revel in the fact that they are all home for the holiday. When they are all married with their own families I will probably be that type of mother who uses guilt to get them all to my house for a holiday. =)

Now, if I can just get them all to church with me on Sunday... I guess it is time to remember that it's not my battle and that God has his own time table. I will just keep doing what I am supposed to do and let Him handle the rest.

Finding time to think

Sometimes finding a quiet moment to put your thoughts together can be a challenge. You can plan for it but let's face it, the best laid plans in our hectic lives don't always materialize. An alternative? The shower! But be careful, thinking too much in the shower can lead to using your facial wash as shampoo...

What Owns You?

Not long ago, Dave, Erin, and I visited with John's small group and the discussion was really incredible: We talked about what "owns" us. Everyone had areas to work on, things they were struggling with, from money to our jobs, to our families.

Erin commented that the "barn" owned her, which was her part-time pay/full-time-work job. After events of the last couple of weeks, Erin no longer works at the "barn." She worked in order to lease a horse and have riding lessons but circumstances had gotten out of control and there was no other choice but for her to resign.

Dave and I want her to continue to ride but we don't have the means right now to buy a horse (serious $$$$) so we turned it over to God - if she is meant to ride, God will provide. He did. =)

So, Erin is no longer owned by the Barn! And she still gets to care for, ride, and show a horse. God is awesome and He proves it every day. If we are willing to do the work, He is willing to provide.

Can I sit by your wife?

Anyone guess who asked Dave this last evening?

Cracked me up when Dave told me on the way home. Of course, his answer, "Yes, I guess I will let you do that." (hint - he's under 10 years of age...lol)

When it sticks

As parents of (many) teenagers, we often wonder how much of our advice travels off into the great space beyond and how much is taken seriously. It is a great part of growing up - learning to decide what to do and who to listen to - making good decisions in general.

It feels like such a great accomplishment when your advice is taken and it works out great! It is even greater to know that even without your advice, your teen is making good decisions and showing integrity - even to other adults.

I have found that in most children events, whether it is sports or another type of club, that when trouble rises, it really isn't the kids - look closely - it's the adults. If the kids are involved in the conflict, they are just following the pattern of the adults.

Our daughter is an amazing person. She has been having to deal with things beyond her age and has really come out better and stronger for the way she has handled the situations. It was one of those times when as a mom, I wanted to get into the middle of it and defend her to the end because the other so-called "adults" were being absolutely ridiculous and soooo childish! However, she asked us to not interfere so Dave and I took the stance of supporting her while she made decisions, only giving her the advice to "rise above" the situation - be the one who behaves in the most profound way. And she did.

She came home last evening with a smile and said to us "you'd be proud of me." (of course...duh) She did not run away and hide from adversity but stood tall and proud of herself and faced it and finally, things are calming down for her in that respect. It took a teenager for the adults to behave appropriately. She behaved more maturely than any of the adults involved. She is amazing. She is smiling more now too =)

From even during my own teen years, there were those girls whose only goal was to see how many boys they could get to like them or how many parties they could attend, etc. Their self-image was so low that they needed the attention of as many as possible to carry them. Unfortunately, the parents were of the same mold..."the boys all like my daughter so that makes me popular too." That mostly led to other bad behaviors for the girls - drinking, partying, and unfortunately (even with my own niece), an unplanned teenage pregnancy. These girls were all searching for something - someone to make them feel important and loved. God was there but they just weren't looking for him yet.

Our daughter is not perfect - she is still a teenager. But, we are proud to say that our daughter is comfortable in her own shoes. She knows who she is and what she wants and she, for the most part, understands the consequences of decisions before we even say anything and even if we don't necessarily agree. She is determined (and somewhat stubborn...) Just when we begin to worry, she proves that her decisions have been well thought out and that we didn't have to worry so much. She doesn't compromise herself for anyone.

She is a teenager so we are still protective and still give the advice. It is just nice to know that some of it does stick.

The First Run

The new check-in system went well this Sunday. I think we will have to come up with something to accomodate the two classrooms being on opposite sides of the building but that will be a small hurdle to face. All in all, it was good. When we have new families in church, we will be able to give them confidence in the safety and security of their children. Providing a safe environment will remain a top priority.

We will also continue to focus on keeping the children excited about Jesus! (And they are excited!) The older kids are bringing their Bibles now and literally jumping out of their chairs with their hands in the air to ask for a chance to read a verse or two. Of course, our "Bible All Stars" reward system may have a little to do with that... But, for the most part, they just want to participate.

This week we discussed things we were thankful for and the answers they had were amazing. Everything from turkey sandwiches to God! We have started a paper chain with things we are thankful for written on it. Check it out next time you are at church.

Next week we will continue to discuss thankfulness and create some outreach items for somewhere local. We'll have a little artwork and other items to share.

Have I ever mentioned how great these kids are? =)

Children's Ministry Precautions

First, thank you to everyone for all you do in the Children's Ministry Department. You are helping provide a positive experience for all of the children at Center Pointe. Our goal is to make sure all the kids know the awesome'ness of Christ and get them excited about it! From the smallest to the biggest, we are providing activities and messages with this in mind.

As we continute to grow, one of our most important roles when serving in the Children's Ministry is keeping the children SAFE! While we can control a lot of what goes on once the door has closed, its the outside that raises more concern. What we have been trying to do is keep the kids inside until the parent picks them up but when you have new famiies, not everyone knows everyone else. We want everyone to be comfortable with leaving their children in our care.

First, we would love to have more volunteers to work with the children on a rotation. How can you be volunteer? Glad you asked!!!

The first step is to let Pastor Ray or me know that you are insterested in being a volunteer. Easy enough =)

Once you have made that decision, you will have an interview with Pastor Ray and a background screening. The only steps left are finding out what area you are most interested in and then placing you on the rotation.

This Sunday, November 9, 2008, we will begin to check-in and check-out the children as they enter the children's ministry area. When children arrive, they can go immediately into the children's services area for their own worship service but there will be someone posted to sign them in. What this means is that the parent or custodian of each child will bring them to the check-in table where they will receive stickers that have a number on them. The sticker will be placed on the child and then the parents will receive a matching number sticker.

This number will serve two purposes: 1. When service is over, parents can pick up their children based on the number system. This way each child goes to the appropriate person and we know that they are out of our care and safely into the care of their parents/custodians. 2. If we need the parent during service for any reason - diaper changes, etc., we will flash that number during service on the screen so that the parent knows they are needed.

IMPORTANT: Once the child enters the children's services area, they do not leave until they are checked-out by the same person who checked them in. (We will have assistants available in the ministry for necessary bathroom trips, etc.)

Also, I know that fellowship is a very important part of being in a church family - but it would be nice for the children's ministry volunteers if the parents/guardians could pick up their children promptly after service. The kids get restless knowing that service is over and the volunteers would also like time to fellowship.

In a nutshell: Keeping children safe requires us to take precautions.
**First, children are checked-in with the children's ministry volunteers and can only leave if they are appropriately checked-out.
**Second, only those who have been through the screening process can participate in the classrooms with the children's ministry. Random entry is discouraged because it causes an interruption in momentum and sometimes opens an escape route for the children. These kids are fantastic! But they are kids...so keep in mind that they can lose focus quickly and that they are quite clever!

Thank you again for all you do. You are all awesome!