Easter cookies

Oh goodness, it's been awhile since I've last posted! This is a busy time at Grace! We are knee deep in Bible school preparations, summer curriculum, and planning for Easter Sunday services. There are so many wonderful things happening!

As I was looking around at some Easter links this evening, I came across this recipe. I have seen it before, but have never tried it. What a great way to actively and visually involve our kids in the Easter message! I thought some of you might also enjoy this. If you give it a try, let us know about it.

http://www.cherbearsden.com/cookies.html

a lesson on the Trinity

Understanding the Trinity can be one of the most difficult concepts to explain to kids. As I was visiting one of my favorite sites, I came across a couple of ways to help kids comprehend the 3 in 1. Maybe you'll be able to use one of these illustrations with your students!

http://www.creativebiblestudy.com/Bibleobjectlessons-trinity.html

http://www.professorwonder.com/magic19.htm

Responding verses Reacting

When we as leaders (or parents or teachers or any capacity for that matter) are faced with difficult situations, we have a choice to make....

Will you

REACT??????? or RESPOND??????


I hope that you will respond. God's Word addresses this very issue. James 1: 19 say, " All men should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. For a man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires. " Quick to listen??? I know that's often not our first response because the "being slow to speak thing" is already out the window! We've blown up and blown it!

So what's the difference between the two anyway? RESPONDING IS...

• a well thought-out action
• an attempt to understand and assess the situation
• a desire to influence the child to make positive changes.
• offering positive alternatives to negative behaviors.
• addressing the actions of the child and not the character of the child.
• done with emotional control.

REACTING, on the other hand

• is more of a reflex
• is often regretted
• is often done in the heat of our anger or emotion
• can take care of a problem momentarily, but does not offer long term solutions

Unfortunately difficult circumstances with children will arise, and we need to have a plan in place to handle those times. Take a minute to evaluate right now what your usual course of action is. If you react more than you respond, ask the Lord to help you the next time you are faced with a tough situation.

Dear God

I know I was in the mood for a little humor tonight, so I thought maybe you could use a day brightener as well. These little letters to God written from kids have been around for awhile so you may have seen them in the past, but I thought I'd just share a few of my personal favorites.

Apparently Ginny doesn't think Valentine's Day is a good holiday- : )

Well I can certainly see how this little tidbit could be confusing to a child!

Really now- haven't we all thought something like this at some point?

I love the "kill each other so much..." in this one!

When you work with kids, you never know what the next moment is going to bring!

Congratulations to Pastor Josh and Jenise Colyer on the birth of their baby boy, Landon Tate! All are doing well. If you'd like to keep up with the "Colyer Circus" hop on over to his newly created family blog to find out all of the details!

http://joshcolyer.blogspot.com/

All Children's Ministry Workers

are invited to a time of appreciation on

Sunday morning, February 14 in Room 208

before the 1st service and between services. Stop

in and get some breakfast goodies and your Valentine!

Thank you for your service and dedication. We love you!!!

snail mail

On these cold Iowa days we've been having and many of us are stuck inside, this would be a great time to sit down and write out some cards of encouragement to the kids in your group. Remember if you don't have addresses, Kim Novy can get them for you! There are cards you can use in room 210, and if you give them to Josh, he will even put a stamp on them and mail them for you! Do you remember how excited you were when you were little and a personal piece of mail came for you? I know I always looked on our dining room table first thing (that's where Dad always put the mail) when I got home from school to see if I'd gotten anything. A note of encouragement from you might be just the thing that makes their frigid day a little warmer!!