A Jonah Bible Club

So, you know how a few of the neighborhood kids have been asking about Bible Club? Well, now my own son has started. I just can't get away. ;) And I think I have an answer to my prayers about how to go about it, or at least a start. Through no provoking of my own, Josh started asking about Bible Club and then he went on to ask if he could have Bible Club on his birthday. I stopped whatever I was doing and began to consider my little boy's request. "And invite the neighborhood kids?" I asked. "Yes." I think he was inspired by someone bigger than both of us... I asked him what Bible story we should tell, and after considering it for a moment, "Jonah" was his reply. This is very do-able, I think. I'm not the greatest at throwing parties or putting plans into actions, but when my little boy wants to have Bible Club for his birthday, I would venture to say that it might be the Lord's way of getting me going. (I always need a little push to get things done.) So I have 18 days to plan a Jonah Bible Club birthday party. Maybe a whale cake, reading the story of Jonah, Jonah games? I will have to pray for some more ideas...

I just have to say, God has the best ideas.

A Bible Club Finale

Bible Club ended today. But may Bible Club never really be ended... My neighbor asked Jesus to wash away her sins and give her a new heart. Another neighbor came back after club to ask me why God would want to pay for our sins, why He would die for us. Three weeks ago, my friend Cindy and I were disappointed with the low turnout of kids (or lack of any), but remained faithful to the plan. We struggled through the last weeks, but our God brought it all together today. We closed out our club with a party, but not before a very good lesson and overview of the Wordless Book. We played multiple games and crafts and even fed the five kids in attendance (including Josh) hot dogs for lunch. And then, when things were settling down and the dust clearing, we got a peek at the fruit of our labor. I wonder what the Lord will do next?

Finding the Missions Field

My friend Cindy and I have been hosting a Bible Club at my house this summer. Every Wednesday morning, my yard is open to the neighborhood kids to come for a Bible lesson, story, snack and craft. We get all ages, and anywhere from 2-7 kids. Sharing the Bible with these kids has been very eye opening, to say the least. Most of them know very little of any Bible stories and one boy admitted that his Mom said he was "going to church" when he came over for Bible Club. I know my heart has a "missions bent", but I don't need to go very far to get to the missions field. The missions field comes to me every Wednesday morning. Lord, here am I, send me.

How to Realize You Are Just One Person

I know my last post made it seem like I wanted lots more to do, but maybe you need clarification. There is currently a LOT on my plate. I don't really need any more to do. But I do want to make more of a difference. I want the things that I do to impact lives for the better. To spread the Good News farther. To effect. To draw people to Christ, because in the end, He is all that really matters. I want my life to reflect that fact. And is busying myself by doing Bible Club, Compassion events, helping decorate for Vacation Bible School, cooking class at Daycare, and hostessing at the CK really reflecting Christ's love for those around me? Am I really able to be a conduit of His grace and mercy when my mind is occupied with thoughts of painting Western scenes, how to make styrofoam swords for defeating the throes of sin, finding sponsors for 22 needy children across the globe or teaching children how to make chocolate chip cookies? It's 12:30 at night and I can't sleep, probably from drinking coffee at 4:45 pm, but possibly from trying to keep everything straight in my brain. When does a girl possibly have time to keep her house clean, her garden free from weeds, to practice the piano more than twice a week so she doesn't feel like a fool come piano lesson day, work more than three days a week, make sure her family eats supper AND gets time to spend with her, AND read the Bible and pray every day? Thankfully the Lord has given me a little alarm clock named Louis, who scratches at my door at 5:15 every morning and finally I realized it was a call to rise early to read and pray, after it happened consistently for over two weeks. Also thankfully, if I get up that early, spend 30-40 minutes with the Lord, I still have time to go back to sleep before I really need to get up to get ready for work. What does God really want from me? Obedience more than sacrifice... How do I know which is which? What is He calling me to do and what have I just taken on because I wanted to? If I knew how to discern, I could pour myself more fully into what He has truly called me to do.

Okay Lord, what is it YOU would have me to do?

Going Out With a Bang

I've been having a creative week this week. Not only am I nearly ready to start my decoupage wall hanging for Joshua's room, but I have also made a rocket launcher. (Watch out world! Here we come!) Tomorrow is our last Bible Club day until further notice, and we are going to go out with a *bang*! In all actuality, this is an air rocket launcher with a rocket made out of paper, so no loud noises will accompany the launch. And, as an added bonus, the launcher is very simple to make. Even I could do it. And the PVC pipe used to make it cost less than $2. (Ding-ding-ding! Extra bonus points added here!) Josh and I spent some time this morning making sure that everything worked properly, and, even though our air tank was a bit smaller than recommended, it worked great. Josh would've spent all day launching rockets if nap time hadn't sneaked up on us. Now we can only hope for a good turn out tomorrow at Bible Club, because I'm sure the kids will have fun with this one. I'll have to keep it a surprise until after the lesson time is over. For instructions on how to make your own rocket launcher click *HERE*.

Bible Club

The second day of Bible Club was today. Last week we had 7 kids in attendance. This week we had two. I expected less this week, but was hoping for more than two. But we had great fun none-the-less, and the two who came are so positive and encouraging. (Kinda like K-love...) My friend Cindy has been doing the stories and she is doing such a good job. D and M made for a captive audience this morning and they were sure to go home and encourage their other siblings to come back next week. When there is such a variance in the number of kids attending, I am never sure how many to prepare for. This week I was ready for 10-15 kids, just in case all that had signed up really did come. I had to have craft and snack ready, and I guess I overdid it this week. I am not really bothered by the over-abundance of leftovers and I know Cindy and I enjoyed our morning with just M and D. I also know that God can use two simpletons like us to reach these kids with His love and salvation. I am excited for each opportunity He gives us. (Not calling you a simpleton Cindy! Only myself! Ha-ha!)

Bible Club

Tomorrow is an exciting day. We are hosting a Backyard Bible Club at our house Saturday mornings for four weeks. A friend of mine, Cindy, and I really wanted a way to reach our community with Jesus' love and the kids in my neighborhood have especially been on my heart. Cindy will be my teacher and I am the host. I plan on doing songs and craft too. And of course we will all play games and have snack at the end. But the most important part is the Bible story and telling the children about Jesus. I'm so glad Cindy is doing that part as she has a little more experience than I do. Last week Josh and I spent some time inviting our neighborhood kids and we got 13 kids signed up from ages 4 -13. It's a big age span, but I think we'll be okay. Some kids go to church and some do not. I'm looking forward to what God is going to do. Please keep us in your prayers as we venture into the unknown. Also pray for sunny mornings! I have a small house and fitting 14 kids and a few adults in it would be a squeeze........ Now what do I have left to do? The Kool-aid is made, cookies baked, craft is prepared, one song written on poster board... Everything will come together in the morning.