Never Grow Up

I'm a sappy person.  That's all there is to it.  I can't hide it.  I cry at commercials.  I cry if someone else cries.  I think about sad things and I cry.  I flip on the TV and find the sad part of a show or movie and cry.

A time of the year I'm guaranteed to cry:  Miah's birthday.  I cry as she refuses to stay little and insists on getting older.  And these birthdays she insists on having every year...they are coming faster and faster!

Since May 1st is around the corner I've been looking back at pictures of little miss and put together a slideshow of a couple of my favorite ages: 4 & 5 years.  You probably won't be sappy so I'll just go ahead and cry for you...

Ta-Da!!!

Kids' Camp 2011 Logo by Josh Crabtree

Well, here it is!  This is what our community will be flooded with in the next few months...from flyers, to yard signs, to billboards, to t-shirts...the list goes on!  What do ya think?  Like it?

I gotta admit, this logo is one of my favorite things about the beginning of Kids' Camp planning  :)  The guy that creates the logo is an art teacher and is also the brother of our office administrator.  I usually have an idea that comes to my head and somehow I have to relate that idea through scribbling and sketching (think stick figure ability) and then transfer that through email.  And every year he seems to translate my thoughts into a SUPER logo!  He takes my initial thoughts and creates something even better than what was in my mind :)  It consists of many emails back and forth of me nit picking and asking for this line to be a little thicker, this font to be a little less rounded, this color to be three shades brighter, this...well...you get the point.  For whatever reason, he seems to agree to work with me every year ;)

Every year I wonder how God is going to top the previous year.  He doesn't disappoint!  There are a dozen teams working and planning for Kids' Camp and have been since the very end of January.  Some of our strongest teams this year had the least volunteer involvement in years past...and THAT is exciting!  I can't WAIT to see what He's going to do in June!!!

So fantastic to see new growth in our church each year with Kids' Camp.  New faces.  New roles.  New ideas.  New commitment.


"And this hope will not lead to disappointment.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love."  Romans 5:5

Simple Seuss Truths

Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss!  (He'd be 104!)

When it's my birthday I like to celebrate for days  :)  Soooo in honor of a favorite children's author I want to challenge us as parents to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday by sharing a different Seuss-ism with our kiddos for the next few days.  Here are some ideas:

*  On a bathroom/bedroom mirror with eyeliner write:  "Today you are You, that is truer than true.  There is no one alive who is Youer than You."  Start their day out by telling them how happy you are that God made them who they are and that you love every inch of them!

*  In their lunch write a small note that says, "Why fit in when you were born to stand out?"  Remind them gently to be like Jesus...who also stood out.

*  For a rainy day and especially for my local flooded readers, "I know it is wet and the sun is not sunny, but we can have lots of good fun that is funny."  Plan for popcorn sprinkled with m & m's and a funny movie to brighten the day!

*  On a speech bubble you cut from paper write:  "Oh, the thinks you can think!"  and then proceed with "Wanna know what I think?"  and list some thinks you think about your child...I think you're great...I think you're a creative artist...I think you're good at math...I think you're sweet to your friends...

*  Tell them, "Today is your day, your mountain is waiting, go get on your way!" before school on the day of a big test or when they have something they need to conquer.

*  "A person's a person, no matter how small."  Let them know what a difference they make in your family.  How does each child make their mark in your world?  How would your family be incomplete without them?  Tell them how even at such a young age what a difference they make!

*  "From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere!"  Family Assignment:  Keep your eyes out for funny things that happen throughout the day.  At dinner or bedtime or another specified time, the family can have some laughs as they share the funny things that happened in the day.

Have you read  Oh, the Places You'll Go?  It's a great book for all ages and all stages.  I received it when I graduated high school and it would be great for anyone who reaches a new phase in life...starting kindergarten, graduating school, newly married, new career...and so on.

Hope you have fun with Seuss-isms!  What ones did you find to use??

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

This is a story that took place three years ago.  I had written about it on Facebook in the Notes section and had forgotten all about it until recently.  Thought I'd share a little funny...

When Miah was in first grade one of her classmate's step-dad had passed away.  Miah had been thinking of her little friend and the situation and talking about it quite a bit.  Then within a couple weeks of that event the following conversation took place in the car on a Sunday after church...

Miah:  Momma, what if Daddy died?  I would be so sad!

Me:  I know, I would be too!!

Miah:  What if you died?  (the tension in her voice now rising rapidly)  What if you BOTH died?!  What would happen to me??  Who would take care of me?!?!

Of course I'm driving and she's in the back seat and I'm feeling horrible that she is so concerned so I'm near tears.  I'm trying to be calm and not create any more tension, and I'm wanting desperately to ease her fears...

Momma:  Well that's why we have faith in God and pray for Him to protect us.  But if something did happen to us, you would have nothing to worry about.  Scott and Kathy (my sister) would take care of you.

Miah:  *big gasp*  THAT WOULD BE EVEN BETTER!!!

Me:  (My deep concern suddenly declined!)  WHAT?  Better than WHAT?! Better than Momma and Daddy????

Miah:  Well, I still love you!  It's just that I really miss Scott and Kathy!

Miah with Aunt Kathy 2007

Aahhh that brought many laughs and still does when I think back on that.  But now as I reminisce it makes me think about how secure she felt.  I mean, her concern for what would happen to her lasted just two minutes - if that.  She felt secure knowing she'd be taken care of and never once worried about her next meal or if bills would be paid or if her home would be protected or if...

Let's try to have the faith of a child.  Let's rest in our Father knowing He will take care of us.  Let's believe in all of His goodness He assures us about.  Let's live saying "that would be even better!"

"Do do not worry, saying, 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Fathers knows that you need them.  But seek first His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."   Matthew 6:31-34

Be Mine

With Valentine's Day just 5 days away I want to challenge you to take the time to make your kiddos a special Valentine.  I think we tend to think of our significant other this month, but I want us to think of our kids too.  I've been looking online for some ideas...SIMPLE ideas that I could whip up for Miah.  I want her to know how special she is to me and what better time than at Valentine's!

Don't have much time for a craft?  Or too nervous because you're not "crafty?"  Kids don't expect some high quality craft...they'll just feel good that you took time to write out some special words just for them.  Don't you remember how your mom used to say, "Don't get me anything, just make me a card!"  She wasn't just saying that.  She meant it.  Parents love homemade/handmade gifts their kids make...so why wouldn't kids feel just as special when we make something for them?

Check out Kaboose for some simple and some not-as-simple valentine ideas.  I think I'm going to make a card, decorate the outside and then on the inside I'm going to fill it with a bunch of small hearts in different colors.  On each small heart I'm going to make my own message like they have on the candy hearts.  I believe I'll put a different word on each one that reminds me of Miah, tells something about her, or gives her a message from me.  (U R GR8, I <3 U, HUG ME, UR BEAUTIFUL and so on...).  They can't hear those positive and loving messages too much.  They're surrounded by negativity everywhere they go so let's take advantage of this special day to pump them full of love and loving thoughts and loving gestures!

I know you're busy, and I know buying a store card is easier.  But let's MAKE the time to do something special.  Or buy the card and MAKE the time to write your own special message inside.  MAKE the time, our kids are worth it.

While you're reminding them of how much you love them, remind them of how much God loves them as well.

Psalm 106:1
Romans 5:5,8
Ephesians 2:4,5
Ephesians 3:18,19
I John 4:9

*I'm gonna make you look them up today ;)

Deliberate. Planned. Gifted. Positioned.

On Twitter today Max Lucado said, "You aren't an accident.  You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, lovingly positioned on earth by the Master Craftsman."

I couldn't get this out of my head.  I just kept thinking about it.  Then I went to the thesaurus and found synonyms for deliberate:
*calculated
*designed
*purposeful
*thought out
*intentional
And now hours later I still find myself dwelling on these words.  In heaven I wish for God to show me home videos of when He made me.  How much design went into making me someone who will notice details that others don't usually notice?  Or how much intention did He take when He decided I would be more reserved around large groups of people?  I wonder how purposeful He was when He decided I would be tender hearted and cry so easily?  I need to remind myself I am who I am because One who is greater than me calculated me to be this way...and that way...and not this way...or not that way.

It's easy to want to be like someone else.  To look like someone else.  It's easy to pick out the things about ourselves we don't like.  I find myself doing that often lately.  I'm going to stop though.  Even as I notice ways my daughter is just like me, I need to celebrate that God was intentional about her too.  Maybe that trait about myself that drives me crazy...the one Miah has too...maybe it's because He saw it important enough to repeat.  I've been looking around for about a week now at friends, at family, at people on TV, people at church and seeing just how unique and different the Master Craftsman has deliberately planned for each of us to be.  How anyone can argue there is such a creator I don't know.

Sit down as a family or maybe while you're all at the dinner table, go around and pick out the ways God specifically gifted and deliberately planned for each of you to be.  Find the things that are uniquely special about each person.  As a bonus maybe you'll also see the ways your unique traits work together and compliment each other as a family.

Look at Jeremiah 1:5 to see how he was specifically gifted by God.
"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb.  Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations."

Kids' Camp 2011 is...

officially on the brain now.

You didn't think I was going to tell you the theme, did you?!  Only 5 people know.  We keep it pretty top secret.  Don'tcha hate that?  Why so hush hush?  I guess because we're difficult that way :)  Or just adding to the anticipation :)  Actually if you're dying to know don't miss out this Sunday.  This coming Sunday is Family 5th at Celebration, and my Kids' Camp cohort and myself will be making our usual "display" to reveal the theme.  If you're new to Celebration in the last year you're in for a "treat."  I'll be glad, actually, to finally spill the beans because then I don't have to watch what I say around my daughter!  I keep it a secret even from her.

With it being on the brain now that means it won't leave the brain until June.  So much happens in the next 6 months that includes excitement, laughter, anticipation, time, stress, exhaustion, tears, organizing, planning, creating, and many many more things!  You really don't want to miss out!

You know what's exciting at this point?  Well for me, it's when someone comes to me in December and says, "What is the date for Kids' Camp?  I want to make sure I put in my vacation time now."  Did you read that?  Vacation time.  First time someone said that to me I cried.  Each year I have more and more people that are making decisions like that, that are carving out time to be involved (and this particular person doesn't even have small children by the way...).  The adults anticipate as much as the kids!  Adults have already started asking me, "Is so and so going to be a small group leader again?  My daughter loved her!"  or "Is so and so going to be on games again because his game stations were always my favorite!"  People are already anticipating the outcome.  THAT is exciting!  To me it's exciting because Kids' Camp is an event that can involve the whole church.  Kids participate.  Teens participate.  Adults participate.  It's the one event that for three days Celebration comes together for a fabulous time!  Ministering happens.  New friendships begin.  Established relationships deepen.  (Plus you get a snazzy T-shirt!)

Can I pencil in your calendar?  I'd like to add Monday, January 31st at 6:30 please.  It's our annual Kids' Camp Kick-Off Meeting and would love to save a seat for you!  Come find out the who, the what and the where.

Kids' Camp - a place where rocket ships appear on the building, 4 wheelers drive on stage, people swing from a vine, chocolate barbells for snack...who wouldn't want to be part, right?  :) :) :)

Kids' Camp Worship Team

Kids' Camp Wild Kingdom

It's Not THAT Bad...I Promise!

When I say the words "children's ministry," what comes to mind?  This?

Because I promise it's really not that bad...only on days with a full moon.  And those only come once a month and may not always land on a Sunday.  Just sayin'...


How 'bout I not beat around the bush, not give you a lot of fluff, not give you all the convincing reasons why you SHOULD volunteer in children's ministry and just get right to it.


Here's the deal.  We need you.  Mhmmm, you.  Oh, you don't really like babies and real little ones?  We've got older kids too :)  I see.  It's the older ones that scare you?  That's ok, we have sweet babies that need rocked or kiddos toddling around that will gladly share their snot and germs with you!  What?  You don't really like kids all that much?  You're in luck, I even have a spot for that!  Can you say "Good morning!" and smile?  If so, I've got just the place!


Children's ministry has a variety of places to serve:  from very little contact with kids...all the way to.... all-out access to them!  Still not sure?  I'd like to invite you to join us some Sunday and check us out.  No commitment, just come hang out for a service and see what Celebrate Kids is all about!


I want to leave you with a few thoughts as you consider my invitation.  In children's ministry you get to see children that love God, learn about God and worship God.  You get to meet new friends, see friendships begin and watch them grow.  These are just a few of my favorite things...

I Have Put Words In Your Mouth!

You know what I hate?  You know what can make me feel guilty faster than anything?  That moment I react to my daughter out of pure frustration.  Ugh.  It gives me that sinking feeling.  I know I can't be the only parent feeling like this.

It always amazes me how Satan can find that weak moment.  The moment when I'm tired.  Or the one when I have a headache and want to be left alone.  Or the moment when I see a messy room that I've asked to be cleaned up or the clothes that I've washed, dried, folded and brought upstairs that are now in a messy pile on top of the dresser, or how about when...well you get the point...he finds that moment when I don't have the energy to filter my irritation before I spew it.  

This is what's been on my mind since I posted the last couple entires (Momma's Hands & Impressions).  It's made me meditate on myself the last several days and wonder what impressions I make on my child.  A wise person taught me "It's not what you say, it's how you say it."  More than the actual words sometimes, it's my tone that is my weakness.  I'm usually not very good at hiding my irritation.

As I was researching verses that I added at the bottom I read Jeremiah 1:9..."Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, 'Look, I have put words in your mouth!'"  Seriously?  How awesome would it be if the Lord would zip mine for a moment, turn my face towards His and then say those very words to me:  "Look, Karla, I have put words in your mouth!"  Aahhhh...but thankfully He has given me His Word that I may find delicious truths to learn from.

Here are words from His Word...

Psalm 19:14  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 119:103  How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.

Proverbs 12:25  Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Proverbs 16:24  Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Proverbs 17:27  A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even- tempered.

If you're a parent that struggles sometimes with words or with tone, or if you're a friend or a daughter or a wife or a husband...I share these reminders of wisdom from God of what kind, sweet, encouraging and patient words do.

Any tidbits of wisdom you can share?  I'd love to hear! :)

Impressions

Today I have a guest blogger!  Brought to you all the way from Willow Park, Texas...none other than "Nana."  Stevi Fenton is my mother-in-law, but she is affectionately known as Nana :)  This Christmas she gave me and my sister-in-law, Amy, a special mug.  It was a Fire King jadeite "D" handled mug.  This mug was just like the mug she saw her Mother drink from.  She shared with us, in a letter packaged with the mug, the memories she had as a young girl. And I share them with you now:


"This particular used mug brings to mind a story that belongs to this family and I want to make sure our children's children have a vivid image in their heads to pass down in their own oral history, as vivid as if I had painted it with oil on canvas.


Stevi got out of bed and wandered into the kitchen where it was warm.  She was three or four years old and what she sees in the kitchen is not etched in her life memories because it was unique or shocking, but because it's what she saw every morning when the weather was cool.  The perimeter of heat from a stove like a wall of warm air was the indicator of how long her mama had been up and stirring.  Still in her cotton gown and house coat, the chrome and yellow vinyl dinette chair pulled closer to the oven so Mary could prop her feet up on the oven door to warm them.  She never went barefoot.  She always wore chenille slippers.


Unaware that her youngest child had entered the room and was watching her, Mary sat with the Bible in her lap.  She didn't leave her family that singular Bible where she recorded her countless insights in the margins of the scriptures.  The Word is fluid and alive and she always gave her bibles away.  Some of her notations can be found in homes of Australians, New Zealanders, Brazilians and South Africans.


Stevi was watching her mother's hands, they were her defining features.  She had long fingers, strong yet delicate and they flew into the air every time someone wanted to take a photo of her, as if she used them to frame her face.  This morning as most mornings they caressed a cup of coffee, a jadeite mug that had probably been left by a previous tenant.  She held the mug with both hands.  Since she was left handed she clutched the "D" handle mug in her left hand.  The thumb of her right hand balanced the bottom edge of the mug while her right index finger touched the rim.  Both little fingers with their long nails were held out in dainty fashion.  I think she held every mug that way from then on.




It would be this memory that came flooding back many years later when I found a Fire King jadeite "D" handled mug in an antique store.  I couldn't wait to get it home and drink coffee out of it the very way my mother did years ago.  I poured the coffee into the mug and raised it to my lips to discover that there was a reason why mother held the mug in such a fashion.  Those mugs were hot to the touch and the only place to touch them without burning your fingers was the handle, the bottom edge where the glass was thicker, and the rim.  Her coffee drinking style turned out to be primarily practicality, and it made me laugh out loud.  Enjoy drinking from my mama's cup!"


Love you,
Nana

This is me in my usual weepy state when receiving something sentimental...

Nana demonstrating how her Mother held her coffee cup :)

Thought Nana sharing her memories of her mother's hand and the way she held her mug was a great second part of the thoughts I shared about my mother's hands.

Again, so funny the things we notice about the ones we spend so much time with and how we carry those with us the rest of our lives.  Is it funny to you how hands have made an impact?  

I know something else that makes an even bigger impression than our hands. Our words.  While I gather my thoughts about that...maybe you can spend some time thinking about your words, your hands, your actions, things about you that YOU think make an impression on others.

Thank you, Nana, for sharing your memories...and thanks for my new mug!!!! :) 

Momma's Hands

I was looking through pictures my niece posted on Facebook of holiday time.  I clicked on the next one and there it was...a rolling pin, some cookie dough and a woman's hand.  My MOMMA'S hand!  I'd recognize that hand anywhere (even if it wasn't on a familiar site).

photo by Kaitlynn Passon

This one simple picture brought several words to my mind in a moment:  creative, sewer, teacher, reader, doodler, list maker, story teller and one other one...simply - "Mom." 

  

photo by Kaitlynn Passon

I like details.  I like to pay attention to people's mannerisms and details about their physical appearance that makes them unique.  I've always taken notice of things like that.  Memories of my mom's hands I have are:  she never liked her hands even as a young girl and it was because of her veins...funny thing is, I always loved that part!  I always hung my hand down to let the blood rush so my veins would be puffy like hers.  She never removed her wedding band from the day my dad put it on her finger.  She had strong nails like her mother and they were nicely shaped nails.  She used her hands to teach:  Sunday school, how to sew a button, how to tie a shoe, how to tie a perfect bow so it's not crooked,  how to roll the cookie dough, how to hold a picture so you don't get fingerprints on it, how to iron a shirt and iron a perfect pleat.  The list is long.  For me the list is 37 years long.  

The older I get the more of my mother's mannerisms I see in myself.  Most times I laugh when I notice them or tease my sister when I notice them in her. :)  But really, why would I expect anything different than to resemble my mom (and dad)?  In all of this remembering and thinking of all she has taught me through just her hands alone,  I sit and wonder..."What is Miah seeing in me?  What is she learning from my hands?  What details is she picking out?  What will she mimic?  What will she remember?  What am I teaching that I don't even realize I'm teaching?"

I hope she is seeing love and kindness and patience...hmmmm, this sounds familiar...

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."  Galatians 5:22-23

What details can you take notice of today that your kiddos are more than likely noticing already?  Any details you think you may need to change?  What are things you learned from watching YOUR mom?