Thursday, February 23, 2006 - Children's Ministry Philosophy
Okay, so I've been agonizing on what my philosophy of Children's Ministry is over the last two days (heavily) and for several months (lightly). More importantly what is God's philosophy of Children's Ministry.
Last night, hubby's two children's ministry friends and I debated for a couple of hours as I was determined to "figure" out what is "right". Yes, I was analyzing it to death.
Today, friend and I continued the conversation as I continued to seek some direction. Yes, I am seeking God on this as well.
I sat down to do my assignment for tonight's class at church (writing a mission statement for children's ministry). I struggled, because I wasn't sure if my idea of children's ministry matched up with the needs of the children in the church hubby and I will be going to this summer(which I am using to complete the assignment).
A few years ago, I truly believe God gave me vision and guidance for children's ministry in this church. This never took flight due to our moving here and other things. This vision has been resurfacing as I attempt to complete my assignments. I can't let go of the vision, yet I'm not sure it follows the direction of the church. It seems that families desire to adopt more of a "Homeschooling" approach and "Family Worship" instead of a seperate children's service during the worship service.
Anyway, it was time for me to personally take a stand on what my belief of children's ministry is in order to come up with anything. Frustrating to say the least.
I went to hubby. I am so amazed at his maturity in things like this. He told me to start pulling back and looking at the simpler picture, quit analyzing the areas that really aren't a major concern and look at children's ministry as a whole. It is a good thing.
The seperation that happens on Sunday morning is 1 hour - 2 1/2 hours out of an entire week. Is that really the cause for seperation of families? Should children learn that church is fun -- through there own age-related service, or should they learn that it is a time to be serious (perhaps it is reverance) and quiet at the appropriate times? (Sidebar: What do we teach kids about church without actually teaching them?) Is God fun? Would it be to the children's disadvantage to have a service where they were learning about God in a fun way, that they were excited about church because it was fun? So began my rethinking.
We all know how God will miraculously bring us out of our wandering. Tonight's topic in our class was everything I had been agonizing over. Without me bringing anything up, PM's teaching was over ALL of these things. Much teaching about the challenge churches face with the mixture of homeschool vs. public school families. She gave us two GREAT handouts, I expressed my personal struggle and God struck a chord with me at the very end that put all of my anxieties at ease.
It was about Vision. Then my focus became clear again. It's about the lost. He has given me a burden for the lost.
I couldn't understand why God would give me vision for a children's ministry for that church that would not reflect what the people may want. It is because "Vision is about seeing and perceiving. Vision sees beyond what is there!!!!" The vision God has given is to reach the community that has not been reached yet! There lies my passion and there lies what I see beyond what is there. The quoted sentences are from PM's handout, the rest is my interpretation of what God showed me tonight.
PM brought up Moses, the vision God gave him not for the NOW but for BEYOND. I haven't even told PM my vision or what side of the fence I was on, so she wasn't even trying to convince me one way or the other. It was all God and my agonizing is over. I know where I stand now, at least for today! :)
She also had us answer each of the following questions and then discuss:
What I believe about children
1. I believe the most cricial need of today's child is:
2. I believe the most effective way to attract today's child to God is:
3. I believe the most effective way to inspire today's child to a lifelong intimate relationship with God is:
What I believe about the family
1. I believe the most critical need of today's family is:
2. I believe today's parents are most afraid of:
3. I believe today's parents are most interested in:
4. I believe God wants to help today's family by:
5. I believe the best way to connect with today's family is through:
What I believe about the Church
1. I believe the most critical need of today's Church (universal body of believers) is:
2. I believe the most critical message that today's Church has to bring to the world is:
There are no right/wrong answers, but it is a great worksheet to complete to get your mind thinking about your own philosphy of children's ministry.
In the end, all kids/families/people need Jesus. Our philosophy MUST include "giving Jesus to families." The principles we need to teach children are the same whether homeschooled or not. Some children may be hearing repeated information on Sunday, for some it may be new. Regardless, all children (and adults for that matter) need to be taught the same principles of Jesus.
That's my musings about Children's Ministry.
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Thursday, February 23, 2006 - Paper Airplanes
Weaver Unit 4, Chapter 5 Transportation
We found a great book on making paper airplanes at the library. Since we're not working on the hot air balloon, I thought we would give our hand at making complex paper airplanes. It was fun, a bit hard for my 3 year old but she still enjoyed having me do it for her---and of she loved flying it.
When we took the planes outside for flight the learning continued.
From this project the kids learned: Basic parts of an airplane, uses of airplanes, aerodynamics, friction, wind effects...and probably other things I haven't thought of.
Kaden said, "This is the best homeschool ever!"
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Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - More Boats!
We are studying Transportation as part of The Weaver Curriculum, Chapter 5. I was having a hard time figuring out the Hot Air Balloon pattern given with the materials so I decided to just let him build whatever type of transportation he wanted. He decided to build a "party boat." This boat has been named, "Kaden's Cruise Ship." Notice the Teddy Bear Counters strapped in to Geoboards in the white tub. The white basket turned upside down is the dining room. The pool area is the clear "meat" container complete with a beach, diving board, and roaped off area of deeper water.
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Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - Evening Guests
The Tony & Sue Delacruz family were Thursday evening guests in the home of Aaron & Stacy Orndorff home (finally). In our 2 ½ years here, they are one of the first families we met and we are just now having them over for dinner. Tony just finished all of his testing, interviews, etc. and is officially Reverend Tony Delacruz. This is one of our first real friends that we made here that we have been able to see go through the whole process. It makes us even more anxious to be done!
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Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - Secrets of Succesful Homeschooling
Yes, I bought and read Secrets of Successful Homeschooling by Paul & Gena Suarez. I just couldnt stand it any longer to feel that I might be missing out on a great homeschool tool. I was not disappointed. I have read so many books on homeschooling, I wasnt sure if I would learn anything new. I was pleasantly surprised.
The book is divided into two parts. Part One is eight chapters of support and encouragement. Keep in mind, this e-book is a compilation of articles by various authors. The note in the beginning and possibly the introduction is the only actual writing by Paul & Gena Suarez. Personally, I like the variety of perspectives given by several homeschool families all in one book. There is a little bit for everyone no matter the circumstances of your homeschool family.
Again, Part One is compiled of several authors offering support and encouragement through their personal homeschool journey. I especially love the perspective of the unsocialized teenager. I believe this first part is key to introducing someone to homeschooling that is still unsure if it will work for their family. I plan to recommend this book to several of my friends who are still teetering. This book really lays out a basic foundation of homeschool information.
Part Two is titled The Nuts and Bolts and really gives great practical examples of how homeschooling can work in your home. I discovered that I am indeed an Eclectic Homeschooler. The quick summary of the different approaches to homeschooling was very helpfulI wish I had a quick reference like this a couple years ago, it would have saved a lot of research.
The new thing I learned was about the lapbooking. I had never even heard the term until now and I am excited to try it out. I think it will fit in perfectly with our way of doing school.
I recommend this book to any parent who is even remotely considering homeschooling their children, to families who already know they will homeschool, but still arent sure which direction to take, and to homeschool families that just need some encouragement or fresh ideas and direction.
To purchase your own copy of this book, you can click the link in the sidebar.
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Saturday, February 18, 2006 - Homeschool Shopping Survey
1. What time of year do you do most of your homeschool shopping?
I usually browse through catalogs and website during the summer months. I get pretty serious by August. I usually order mid-to late August. I also do quite a bit during December and January.
2. Do you typically do most of your homeschool shopping all at once or at various times throughout the year?
The bulk is done two times per year but I will pick up unique items throughout if it something the kids are interested in.
3. Do you mostly shop online, from catalogs, at conventions or at local stores?
Right now, I am so blessed to have a great Homeschool store within 20 minute drive time and a Christian Bookstore that carries some materials that is 10 minutes from my home. I am able to get most of our materials there. This year the best find was a Used Christian Bookstore that has used Homeschool Curriculum. I was able to get The Weaver Vol 1, Day by Day, and Wisdom Words for $75.00. Our first year I ordered everything from a catalog. I have also gotten some good materials on Ebay. I have never been to a convention--fearful that I will be overwhelmed with choices.
4. How do you learn about new homeschool products? (friend, magazine, see them in catalogs, etc..)
My main source for learning about new products are fellow homeschool friends. Otherwise it is in catalogs and internet search. Now that I am connected in this blogger, I am finding many new products from other bloggers.
5. Are there any areas where you'd like to see more products? (algebra, weather, grammar for boys, etc...)
I am always looking for "Character Building" books for boys and girls. The products I have seen for this are often secular in nature or WAY advanced with in depth Bible Study for tweens and teens.
I always love to see New Educational Games or Toys.
6. What will typically sway you to purchase from a particular company? (online sample lessons, helpful website, customer service, price, able to get most things there, free shipping, etc...)
I love to order from other homeschool families who have developed some of their own curriculum: www.doorpost.com ; www.love2learn.com ; just to support their home business. I rarely order without an online sample unless I have seen the book somewhere else already.
7. How could homeschool companies better serve you?
8. What subject would you say that you spend the most money on?
Probably Bible, because I just can't resist! I love Picture Books, Music, Devotionals, Activity Books, anything that will re-emphasize what we are learning about God.
9. Do you prefer things to be bundled together for convenience or seperated so that you can pick and choose?
I was actually going to comment on #7 that perhaps companies could bundle items together but I wasn't sure that would be the best way either. I do like to see what a company would put together for a particular Unit Study. I really like the website I visited the other day, (eek, I can't find it) that lumped together Activities & Lessons about a particular subject. (something like Sam's Science Kits...so sorry.. I will try to find and add later). I like to be able to buy seperate if I want, but to see what would be recommended in a bundle.
10. When you are looking for the extra products (games, learning kits, etc..) what is most important about them? (fun, hands on, simple, educational quality, easy to use, etc..)
All of the above combined. I don't buy something that is fun but with no educational quality, I don't buy something that has educational quality but is not easy to use. Hands on is important--flash cards are no fun.
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Saturday, February 18, 2006 - Education Days with Rhea!
For anyone who did not call in Wednesday night to listen to Rhea Perry speak about her family and business, you missed out!
AND--I totally scored TWO FREE Tickets to her Education Days Conference in Nashville being held in 2 weeks (March 3-5).
The sad news is, I totally blew off that I have 9 guests coming to town for an early birthday celebration for my 3 (soon 4) year old. I was thinking that was the next weekend as her birthday is the 8th. That really crept up quick.
Good news for Cara and her hubby though--they are able to use the tickets (Rhea is awesome--Thank you Rhea!). I am excited to hear everything when they return. I'm still trying to get her to blog so I guess will have to blog for her when she returns.
I was really inspired by Rhea's enthusiasm for coupling Entrepreneurship with Home Schooling. You have to check out the line-up for this conference...it looks like the information you will receive will be invaluable.
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Friday, February 17, 2006 - FlyLady
Okay, I was inspired to write about Flylady after commenting on Lissa's blog about schedules.
Flylady was a tool God used to change my life in many needed areas. I started "Flying" about 2 years ago when my cousin recommended the website www.flylady.net. Having a whole week over Thanksgiving that year to read the material and get pumped-up to get my life in order, I headed home with plans of grandieur to declutter my home 15 minutes a day.
I will admit these "plans of grandieur" happen often in many different areas of my life, so I was hesitant going in that I was setting myself up for what I am just now calling, "Phase-Phailure."
Two years later, I am presently surprised that Flylady has stuck and the routines have actually become part of my life. Am I a slave to having a perfectly in order, clean home? No--that is the freedom of Flylady! The best result of implementing Flylady routines is that I now have much available time to spend with my God, my husband, and my children. I am not living in CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome).
She has helped me overcome the Perfectionism and the Materialism Monsters. I am enjoying living a simplified life and being able to bless others with our abundance from time to time because I don't have to hold on to stuff "just-in-case."
I am so excited to say--I'm not perfect and neither is my house--and that is okay (at least most of time).
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Friday, February 17, 2006 - My 2 cents about Oprah
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After reading the Confessor's article, I was inspired to respond with the following:
I am embarrassed to admit that I actually saw the episode of her "beating-up" this author. I am certainly not a regular viewer of Oprah unless I am needing an adrenaline high because I always end up yelling at the TV which was the case during this episode. |
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Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - Trackbacks...
OK, I think I've got this now. Much thanks also to Dad's Corner!
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Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - Trackback
I am giving this a try. What a great tutorial by Smoky Mtn Homeschool, Amy Beth. Thank you so much!! For anyone visiting my site that wants to learn about Trackbacks, visit her site!
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Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - Colorblind
Tonight, we were watching a movie and my 7 year old, Kaden, caught someone on the movie talking about Martin Luther King, Jr.
He asked me, "Hey isn't that the guy from the Bible or something?"
I said, "Well, I think you're thinking of Martin Luther who is not in the Bible but helped translate the bible to German." I proceeded to tell him the limited (sad to say) knowledge I had of Martin Luther King, Jr. I let him know how he really helped the black people in our nation become equal to white men.
He said, "You mean because they used to be slaves?"
"Yes, and then even after they were free from slavery, white men still didn't want to treat them nicely, like they weren't as good as white people."
"Okay, okay, so what about peach people? Did they do that too?"
I said, "Yep, even peach people--and still today some white and peach people aren't very nice to black people."
"You mean Americans?"
"Yes, Americans."
He paused, scowled, and said matter-of-factly, "Mommy, I hate Americans. I mean I really really hate Americans. Isn't that terrible Mommy? I don't want to be an American."
Of course I explained that it wasn't ALL Americans, a lot less now than before Martin Luther King, Jr.
I love that he is colorblind and that he is shocked at the idea of racism.
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Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - Valentine's Party
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
We had a small get together after lunch with my friend and neighbor Chrissy and kids Noah, Jonah, and Elijah. Kaden and Katibree "made" cookies...the pre-cut Toll House Valentine Edition! Katibree licked more than she decorated as you can see from the picture. It was a fun little get together and Chrissy and I got to go over our Bible Study from the past week. I really wish my friends would blog, guess I need to meet some friends in this blogger...anyone out there?
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Monday, February 13, 2006 - Soap Boat Race
The kids carved boats out of Ivory soap and had a boat race in the bathtub. Kaden's sail caused his to tip over so we had to remove the sail for the race. He ended up winning by about 4 inches. Katibree screamed in retaliation.
Kaden used 3 bars of soap before he got it just right. The first two ended up breaking because he couldn't determine a good whittle-stopping point before it was too late. Once I showed Katibree how to whittle a little at a time instead of trying to get a big chunk off at one time, she really did a good job. Kaden had more fun making the sail or mast than the actual boat I think.
Also, we had fun talking about friction today, especially with the great examples provided by the Olympic games (Aero-dynamic everything to reduce friction). We froze a sheet pan of water to see if his hot-wheel car would be able to roll across it. We raced cars on different textured surfaces. Then the kids made up their own ice skating event with GI Joes on the sheet of ice. As the ice melted, they added ice cubes...and pretty soon it was a war zone complete with bunkers...it entertained them for about an hour.
In math today, Kaden did a worksheet of addition doubles (1+1, 2+2...) in random order. He got all 25 right and did it in 2 1/2 minutes. Math is definitely his thing.
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Monday, February 13, 2006 - Spanish Church
Sunday, we visited a Hispanic Church in Monett (where Aaron's Dad and family live). Our friends pastor the church and we wanted to go and encourage them and just see what God is doing in the Hispanic community. They began pastoring the church last May/June. They thought they would be going back to Puerto Rico for ministry but God led them elsewhere.
The church is in a store front downtown Monett. It was warm and welcoming. Of course, the worship was in Spanish and the preaching was given in Spanish but a translator converted it to English. I guess there are a few Hispanic members that only speak English also. The children sit with the parents during the service. They have a Friday evening Children's Service that reaches many in the community.
It was an awesome "experience" to know the Holy Spirit was present even though we didn't know the words. We actually were able to learn a few Spanish words by the end of the service. Kaden wasn't too intrigued, but Katibree recited us her "Spanish" all the way home. She was actually saying, "Gloria" and few other words that sounded like actual Spanish words.
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Saturday, February 11, 2006 - Electronic Monster
Saturday, Aaron took the kids to CBC basketball game so I got a couple of hours to myself (without leaving the house)...very nice! Michael joined us in the evening for a trip to CPO (Christian Publishers Outlet), where I purchased and gave Aaron's valentine's gift--"Sparkling Gems from the Greek". It is 365 Greek Word Studies that can be used as a devotional. He loved it. I also bought some homeschool resources Biblical Charts and Timelines that I will post about in seperate entry.
Then we took our college friend, Michael, to his much awaited trip to Circuit City--he's been dying to use a gift card he got for Christmas. We finally gave in and took him. Big mistake. The greedy electronic monster tried to grab hold of us and force us to make huge purchases as we browsed the flat screen TV's that had beautiful scenery looping every few minutes. I actually found myself justifying why I would need the monstrosity of a TV. You wouldn't believe the clarity and the size. We stood 4 feet in front of the TV and felt like we were on the beach or on top of a mountain. The monster tried to convince me I needed this in our tiny house as a relaxation/background piece (because the monster knows I'm not a big fan of watching TV and he knows my hubby isn't a sports enthusiast). "Imagine this 'background' piece as a way to expose the kids to different parts of the world," the monster screamed. I walked away...
The biggest lure for me was TiVo!!!! I have been on a rampage ever since I returned home to find that Martha Stewart is on at a time I just can't work into my schedule to watch. Then, the channel she is on will not come in through our VCR---so I can't even tape it! It is really killing me!!! So, of course, TiVo is the answer for me. They had it. I still do not have it. Also, I just know I need an iPod. I'm sure I would never use it, but they are so cute and I really like the accessories. Aaron's convinced he would use one to listen to the Bible on Mp3 while he jogs and walks to school. We didn't even go down the computer aisle, because we knew the monster would win. We really do need a new computer. And I can justify that as a homeschool tool (we can't put any of the kids' programs on our current PC).
Anyway, I am very proud to say, we came home empty handed. Mwaa, Mwaa, Mwaa, Mwaaaaa! The electronic monster lost this battle...but I'm sure he'll be lurking inside Staples, Best Buy, or the Wal-mart eletronics section just waiting to create a need in our flesh.
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Saturday, February 11, 2006 - My 2 K's
