All I Want for Christmas Is...

Well I already have my two front teeth so can I have some consistency instead?  Pretty please?  Santa, I've been a good girl, I promise.  If you could just drop some consistency in my stocking and a little gift of motivation under the tree I'd appreciate it so much!

Do you struggle with it too?  Some areas I am very consistent with so I would wonder why in another area it seems so difficult to obtain?

In case you don't know I'm married to the lead minister at my church, Matt Brent.  When I sit and listen as he preaches sometimes I am thinking how proud I am of him, how excited I am for what God is doing through him, amazed at how well he communicates God's Word and relates it to the church.  Other times I am listening to his words, his points, following along, etc.  One day recently I'm just going right along thinking about how well he is bringing these points together.  In fact I'm even thinking about how this person and that person is probably going to be affected today because he is talking about exactly what they are going through, blah blah blah, until...I felt it.  My toes.  Ouch.  Something hurt.  Hey!  Wait a minute!  He's talking to ME now!  Ouch!  He did it again!  He stepped right on my toes...all ten of them!  I didn't mind though.  I like being convicted when I need it.  I don't even mind that it's by him.  :)

It all boiled down to a "God hole."  That place you try so hard to fill, the "hole," and nothing seems to fill it, fix it, or take it away.  That's because it's a God hole, and no one and no thing can fix it except Him.  God.  Only He can fill it.  I don't have just one hole to fill, I have several.  And they can all boil down to two things...consistency and motivation.  I've tried many things and I am finding that they only work temporarily.  I am seeing now that those are God holes and only He can fill them.  "If I had motivation I would finally be able to tackle this, this and this.  Consistency would then keep that, that and that under control."

Where do you get your motivation?  You know you need to do something.  You may even know WHAT you have to do, but you lack the kick to get it going.

This post doesn't really have anything to do with kiddos or children's ministry on the surface, but I know that allowing God to fill these holes will then make me a better mom, a better teacher, a better ministry leader.

And I also know that Santa won't be the one to deliver it...just the One.

Ho, Ho...uh oh!

As of right now my 9 1/2 year old still believes...at least she acts as if she does.  But I'm bracing myself this year for the question, "Momma, is Santa real?"  She asked last week if the tooth fairy was real so I assume maybe doubts of Santa may be coming too.  I'm not really worried about it.  It wasn't traumatic for me, in fact, I don't even remember when I found out Santa was actually Mom and Dad.  

I probably need to decide exactly what I want to say when that question comes.  What did you say when your kids found out?  Or if you have kids that still believe, what do you plan to say?  Any creative ideas to share?

Full Moon Madness

Yesterday as I began Large Group teaching I knew within two minutes it was going to be "one of THOSE days..." There is just a buzz around the room. It's the kind of energy that you just can't pinpoint any certain thing or any certain person, it's just an all over energy. It's the kind of day when all my Small Group leaders look at me like "What's going on?!?!"

After Large Group was done and kiddos went into the Small Group classrooms, I walked back to one of our teens who was running tech and said, "Get on the internet please and google full moon dates of 2010 because I betcha anything it's a full moon." The people standing there kinda looked at me funny and I went on to explain that when I taught in school teachers always knew when it was a full moon because of the way the kids were. They had these funny looks as if they were saying "I don't quite believe all that..." until the teen found the information I was asking for. "Full moon for November is...November 21st," she said. They looked at each other and then said "What is today's date?" I smiled and said, "November 21st." The looks on their faces were priceless :) I assigned them each a Small Group to assist and then quickly went to find ME another cup of coffee!!

 

So why DOES a full moon make such a difference? I have no idea...a scientist I am not. I went googling for some information but only came up with "no scientific proof." All the studies show there is no link between the full moon and behavior. I say none of those scientists have spent time teaching kids then. ;)

Oh well. I stand by it anyway :) As a teacher I sometimes shake my head and wonder "Why in the world does this full moon affect these kids?!" Now I sit and wonder if God does the same thing. Wonder if there are days when He looks at our behavior, our choices and says "They've gone full moon mad! What are they doing?!" I have a list of questions I want to ask God one day. I think I'll add this one to my list.

Track 1. Crank Volume. Repeat.

This is my favorite song right now.  I was introduced to this song a few weeks ago as it was playing in the background.  It instantly became my favorite...as in, before the song even ended, favorite.  I love finding songs that I can blare in the car and know without a doubt it will be my daughter's favorite too. 

What's great about it is not just the music (which I am drawn to first) but the lyrics!  This song reinforces what I teach her - that God is always there.  He guides.  He's close.  He's light.  He's everywhere.  He's the bright and morning star.

The best part is she listens to music the same way I do...over and over and over.  So here is "Light Up the Sky" by The Afters that we blare and repeat and blare and repeat and...



Yes, I'm making you look these up yourself :)

He is close. 2 Corinthians 1:3; Psalm 144:2
He is light. Psalm 27:1; Matthew 4:16; John 8:12
He is always there. Psalm 46:1; 59:16;
He is everywhere. Psalm 139:7-12
He is the bright and morning star. Revelation 22:16

Thhhhhhh

I keep my posts about kiddos...except tonight.  This is me wishing I was more of a "kiddo" or at least a younger me or maybe just a more computer savvy me than I am at the moment.  I ventured out to work on the pretty part of my blog tonight so I've been working with HTML codes.  I'm limited on my knowledge.  Really all I actually wanted was a better font.  I'm still ignorant on how to change my font.  And I mean different than the standard generic ones that come on blogger.  Anyone help me?  Anyone?  Anyone?

Well while I wait on all of your vast knowledge that you'll bestow upon me, I think I'll go to bed... because it's already tomorrow.

Goodnight.

I Salute You

Today is Veteran's Day.  I feel so thankful and blessed today that I have the privilege to live in a country with so many freedoms that many people do not.  I have the freedom to worship our Creator and the freedom to teach young lives about Him and His Son.  My deepest thanks and gratitude goes out to the many men and women from years past and those that currently serve to keep those freedoms.

There are some other veterans I'd like to thank as well.  I'm thinking of a couple that for over 40 years taught kids and they were affectionately called "Grandma and Grandpa" by all kids.  Unfortunately health is the only reason they retired from teaching.  I think about my own mother today.  She just retired teaching this year.  For 47 years she taught the 4 and 5 year olds in Sunday school.  Every week.  All year.  For 47 years.  I love her so.  What an example I have had before me!  My "salutes" and my thanks goes to those veterans that have taught me commitment and that have taught me to serve.  I pray I can continue to be mentored by them and pray the same for people in my generation.

I lead the children's ministry at Celebration Christian Church and am blessed with a fantastic team of volunteers that serve every week.  I've spent time this week thinking about them and being thankful for them.  Here is my Top Ten list of reasons why I love them...

10.  I appreciate the way they SUPPORT me as I lead in children's ministry.
  9.  I like their FLEXIBILITY when some weeks they have a handful of kiddos and then others they have a few handfuls...
  8.  They help to MENTOR teens that serve as assistants in their small groups.  Thanks to them for being great LEADERS for our teens that serve.
  7.  Again, they are FLEXIBLE when some weeks they have too much time in their small group (maybe because a certain preacher talked too long...) and other weeks when they have not enough time.  I'm thankful for their flexibility and making adjustments as needed.
  6.  I love that they're not afraid to WORSHIP with the kiddos...and worship their style.
  5.  I see the ways they INTERACT with the kids as they come in and greet, talk and play with them.
  4.  They WANT to be there...I didn't have to twist their arm to serve.
  3.  I'm thankful for their EXAMPLE to the kids of loving, worshipping, serving and learning about God.
  2.  Their COMMITMENT.  Thank you to my volunteers for being there week after week!
  1.  And my top reason for being thankful is for the ways each one is UNIQUE and bring their unique talents and gifts to serve God!

Who has made an impact on you?  Who are you thankful for today?  Who are you needing to "salute" today?

Psalm 100

Chocolate Reminders

Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE chocolate.  Specifically I love Dove chocolate.  The added bonus?  It has hidden reminders.  What piece of encouragement will be hiding under the wrapper today?  Here are some "words of wisdom" from Dove:

* "Chocolate brings good things to life."

* "It's OK not to do it all."
* "Think lovingly, speak lovingly, act lovingly."
* "It's never too late for a fresh start."
* "Celebrate what you want to see more of."
* "The most enjoyable experiences are often free."

Think about applying these thoughts to how you parent. 

• Your child comes home after having a bad day?  "Think, speak and act lovingly" towards them.
• Are they down because they seem to keep disobeying the same thing over and over and you are feeling fed up?  Teach them (and yourself) "It's never too late for a fresh start."
• See an action from your child that made you happy and wish they would do it more often?  "Celebrate what you want to see more of."

What "words of wisdom" have you learned from opening a piece of chocolate?  What are some "words of wisdom" would you submit to Dove?

Pow! Right In the Kisser!

I've been hit again by my daughter.  Well, not literally of course, but she just has this way of teaching me and hitting me square in the eye sometimes and she has no clue she's doing it.  I sit and wonder often what God has in store for her!  Needless to say, I'm partial, but I love her sweet little nine year old heart.

A couple weeks ago Matt preached on forgiveness, and the same Sunday I taught on forgiveness in Celebrate Kids (neither one of us realizing we both would be teaching the same thing).   Since then I've been talking about forgiveness with a friend, another friend blogged about forgiveness and then the subject kept popping up.  It's everywhere!  Then my girl experienced it herself in a struggle she's been having.  A friend she's had all through elementary hasn't been treating her very well lately and after several days of trying to work through it with her friend, she decided she had had enough!  She didn't like what was going on and decided she wasn't going to keep hanging around her and being treated the way she was.  One day in the car I asked how things were going with this friend.  She said, "We decided to be friends again."  In response to me asking about that she said, "I forgave her.  My life just wasn't very good without her." 

(Here's when "Momma Bear" takes over)  Really?  Just like that?  But, but, but...but I had to hide momma bear in the cave and support my nine year old that so easily forgave, that was doing what I had just been teaching.  I don't know about you, but forgiveness is not always the easiest thing for me.  Oh, I forgive alright...but I sure struggle with the "forgetting" and moving on part.  I'm the mom and the teacher that just two weeks prior was teaching that we need to forgive.  Why?  Simple. Jesus forgave us.  Period.  So that's what she did.  Simply.  And because her life "wasn't very good without her."  Aahhh, to think and act like a child....
Colossians 3:13, "Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

I am thankful God has given her a tender and loving heart.  I am thankful she has listened to and applied lessons on forgiveness.  I am thankful she still sees and hopes for the best in people. I am thankful that she and I can take turns being the student and the teacher.

I'd like to hear from you.  What have kids been able to teach YOU?  How has God used their young lives to influence YOURS?

Just to Name a Few...

No one would argue that as adults we have needs.  Specific needs.  Specific needs I believe we expect to be met by our church family.  Kids do too.  I had several things God brought to my mind on Sunday as I thought back over the day. 

The lesson this past Sunday was based on the story of the paralyzed man that was lowered through the roof to see Jesus.  Jesus, before healing the man, forgave him of his sins.  With the topic of forgiveness we shared about sins we do that hurt God and then after talked about sins others do to hurt us.  A young girl raised her hand and shared "I forgive my parents for getting a divorce.  It was their decision and it hurt me."  I believe every adult in the room instantly felt COMPASSION for her.  Isn't that a need we expect from our church home?  To come and feel compassion for our struggles we are faced with as a christian, as a parent, as a misunderstood teen, as a (insert your label here....)?  This child was needing compassion in that moment.  I could even feel other kids in that room that could relate to her feelings and others that simply felt for her.  Compassion.

We expect FRIENDSHIP  from our church family don't we?  Funny how as parents we tak

e our kids to their class or children's area and expect them to happily march in.  I see as parents "push" their kids in convincing them that they'll have a great time, etc.  I've done it.  But don't we as adults like when they have someone to sit by or walk in with?  Many or most of us don't like going to church alone.  One 6 year old this week was thinking real hard about coming to Celebrate Kids but wasn't quite convinced by either parent or the two team members that were convincing her how much fun she'd have...until...she saw a friend she hadn't seen in awhile.  As soon as she saw her, she eagerly came in and ran to join her.  Friendship.

A word I struggle with...CONSISTENCY.   Ya, ya...you've heard it before and probably said to yourself a thousand times...diet, exercise, discipline, Bible reading, and so on.  That word can be applied many places. Another place to apply it?  Children.  Church.  Children IN church.  I am thinking about a handful of toddler/preschoolers that have been new to Celebrate Kids.  Tears.  Screams.  Looks of longing as their parents leave.  It breaks your heart, but consistency is the key.  Keep trying.  Keep coming back.  Keep keep keep doing it.  Eventually they'll get it.  Eventually they'll learn (through consistency) that this is a safe place.  A fun place.  I saw that this week with a toddler who would scream and cry every time.  This week?  She came in.  Said good bye to mom and dad.  And, and, and...NO TEARS!  Much rejoicing inside the adults of that room :)  Consistency.

Adults have needs.   Specific needs.  Kiddos do too, and I don't want us to forget that those needs can be met by the church family.  As much ministry as you believe happens with adults, happens with children too.  I am thankful for the team members that serve in Celebrate Kids.  Most of them serve every single week throughout the year, and I am thankful that I get to see compassion, friendship and consistency in the relationships that are built by God.  And those needs are just to name a few...

It's the Little Things

It's the "little things" that make me happy.  Little things like a new box of Crayola crayons, a new coffee mug, discovering a new font, the right pair of socks to complete my outfit, the list could go on...

Well God has given me several "little things" to be happy about with Celebrate Kids' Registration team.  Registration has been working over the last few months to make changes, improvements and recruitments and so on.  Recently God has brought many things together and with that some "little things" occurred like reformatting the registration form so it's easier for visiting parents to fill out, reformatting the database so all the info is in one place rather than three and new name tag baskets.  Sound BoRiNg to you??  Maybe.  But for me it's been refreshing because in these "little things" God is able to do some BIG things.  These little things have led to better organization...which has led to better record keeping...which has led to better communication with kiddos and families...which has led to smiling faces and involved people.

That got me to thinking and made me wonder if you might even think it too..."I'm little in this world.  I'm little in this church.  What can little me do to make a difference?"  Do YOU ever feel insignificant?  Feel you couldn't possibly be able to accomplish ____________?  I DO!  I feel all those.  You know what brings me comfort and peace and joy in all those questions and thoughts?  God.  He has blessed Celebration http://www.celebration247.com/ with a children's ministry made up of servants working together.  Servants that serve at the computer, servants that greet with a smile and a hello! servants that teach, servants that sing, servants that change smelly poopy diapers, servants that wipe snotty noses, servants that...don't have to accomplish it alone!

So little me gets to serve with little you and put us together and God gets to do BIG things!  So again I say...it's the "little things" that make me happy.

I Corinthians 12:4-6 The Message
"God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all."

Off the Beaten Path

Walking through the park with my family, we started out on a walking trail and I was so happy and content and enjoying all of what God has made:  colorful leaves, leaves crunching under my feet, blue skies, my two favorite people…the list goes on.  We walked along the trail when shortly we came to the “end”…you know, when the worn out part is no more.  Hmmm, my mind said, “Hey, let’s turn around and get back on the path.”  But if you’re my husband, your mind says, “Hey, let’s see where this can lead us.”   My daughter’s mind was working much like mine at this moment.  Getting off the beaten path made her nervous asking questions such as “What if there’s poison ivy?!  Will we get in trouble?  Are we allowed to do this?  What if we get arrested?!”  We adventured for a little bit longer and eventually made it back to the “trail”…you know, the one you’re allowed to be on J  At the moment my daughter’s feet hit the path, I heard her breathe a sigh of relief as she said, “Aaaah, finally!”  That’s when it hit me.

I wish my journey with God, that when I get off the “trail,” that it made me that nervous, nervous enough to jump right back on track where God wants me.  But we’re allowed to venture off the trail, we’re allowed to see where it leads us, we’re allowed to see what’s “over there.”  And I guess in that moment when I saw her relief, she taught me.  Taught me to have faith like a child.  I wonder why it takes us adults so much longer to get back on track sometimes when we get in our selfish ways.  When we’re on the right path, we always know it’s better there…so what’s so appealing off the beaten path?  In those moments I want to remember child-like questions such as “What if there’s poison ivy?!  Will we get in trouble?  Are we allowed to do this?  What if we get arrested?!...”

Proverbs 22:6 NLT

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Matthew 18:3 NLT

Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.”

God, Hugs & Fruit Loops

Celebrate Kids has a fantastic team of servants that play, laugh, teach, learn, worship and hang with a great bunch of kids on a weekly basis.  Maybe you're not one of them...so let me share with you what some have to say about these kiddos and about getting to minister to them:

• "I love seeing the kids apply the lesson they learned that day to their own lives and how they themselves can serve God even though they are kids."
• "You get the sweetest hugs!"
• "It's so encouraging to see them grow physically, emotionally, & spiritually.  You get to tell them about Jesus!"
• "It's great to see the smiles on the kids' faces when they learn something new."
• "It's the little things l like... you get to eat fruit loops, play, and make the kids laugh."
• "One of the things that surprised me the most, in serving with the kids, is their ability to pray! And, their desire to pray. I love listening to their earnest prayer requests."
• "Serving in Celebrate Kids is something I look forward to each week. The material is provided to us, the lessons are easy to relay to the children and always have an activity to engage the kids in the lesson.  Oh, and I'm learning the Bible through each lesson!!  It's awesome!"

I feel completely blessed to serve alongside a fantastic team of adults and teens that love God and love kids.