Banana Split Night

Yummy doesn't that look great? Well it does but I forgot it was banana split night at AWANA. So that means I forgot to have the stuff purchased for banana split night and that means I had to disappoint a big group of kids last night all because I forgot. I hate when that happens. I do think it is possible that two of my Kindergarten Sparks teachers might have been the most disappointed about not having banana splits last night. Our great commander, Mr. Terry, has agreed to have them next week. I will be gone on the mission trip so I will miss out- guess that works out since I forgot. All I could do was say I was sorry. Man alive I hate when that happens.

I am also sorry to the AWANA Food Crew who will be grilling hamburgers for our supper and having to serve banana splits. Originally I had put the banana split night on pizza night- which is a relatively easier thing for the Food Crew to serve. So if you are able to come and help serve next Sunday Night in AWANA from 5:15 - 7:10 - I know they would appreciate it. Please let me know if you can do - I mean think about it you would get a banana split too.........

Today's the Big Day

Well after being out recovering since my surgery on July 29th- I return "officially" to work today. I am anxious and excited. My doctor told me this week he thought I was good to return to my normal activities but cautioned I ease back into things. Those of you who know me well- that statement will be hard for me to follow.... I don't usually "ease" into anything- I plow right through it! However, more than any other time in my life I am trying to do what the doctor says and others have advised. Many of my friends and even some I have encountered I don't know well have stressed to me how important being careful and not overdoing it is when returning to my normal activities. And the time has come.....................
Today will be filled with 3 worship services (meaning 2 Sunday schools, 1 kid's church and 1 worship care for the Childhood Ministries area) and AWANA tonight! I will come home during the afternoon- my husband has spoken. A lot of times I will stay on Sunday afternoon. A lot of times it is so quiet then and I can get a lot accomplished. My husband is a marriage and family therapist. He is the counselor at our church part-time. Sundays are normally full of sessions. So we are just both at church. However, he says I will need to come home and rest before AWANA- he is so right I was already thinking (but really thinking it after a trip to CVS and Wal-mart wore me out on Saturday night).
I can't tell you how thankful I am for him. God gave me a gift in this precious, sweet, wise, patient and handsome man. My honeybunches is so funny- but he is so quiet not many people are able to see this side of him. Not to mention how glad I am the Tennessee Vols won on Saturday so he was much happier than 2 Saturdays ago.
I am also thankful for my second family- the Childhood Ministries Staff. I can not tell you how amazing they are. Two that have been there over a year now- I'll call the "Dynamic Duo". They are amazing that help set the pace. Then there is "Resourceful" who kept everyone happy with supplies and thought of things I didn't - my brain hasn't be working right. Two summer staff members have gone now but did so much as well - "Senorita" who is finishing up her last year of college and "Triathamom" who I still get to see on occasion (she would be proud my crock pot is ready with one of her new recipes to be plugged up in the morning). "Rosy" is back from her sabbatical this summer - I like to prefer to it as her "Road Trip". She has come back blazing a trail with the kiddie boo's not to mention keeping us in name tags. "Meigs Co." kept us covered in childcare and help cover so many other areas too. "Techno Momma" kept right on plugging away with buckets, childcare, volunteers all the while being the taxi driver to her girls. That only leaves "Double Trouble"! Not only have they done more than there fair share but they can consistently make me laugh. I always know they are up to something when they say - Am I in trouble because I did __________; only to find out I have no idea what they are talking about OR am completely happy they made a change or handled something.
These ladies worked long hours, covered things not their responsibility, delivered messages that were happy and some no so happy, solved problems, covered things I was suppose to and well just took care of anything and everything. A staff member's husband has dubbed be as the Big, Bad Boss Lady (BBBL) or sometimes just Boss Lady and BBBL and Boss Lady want them to know I am forever grateful to them. THANKS!

The Ballfield

Well, last night I went to the local baseball/softball park to watch a baseball game. I was invited by a child in my Children's Ministry. He had given me a schedule but this was my LAST chance to see him play. So I headed to the ball park- found the right field because I could hear his dad (who is the coach and also works at the church with me). So I joined his mom and sister in the stands. As it turns out he is playing against a team that has 3 kids from church on their team. I knew quite of the players or families from them attending different church ministries or events (AWANA, VBS, X-PLAY, etc.).
I ended up seeing LOTS of kids, parents, grandparents, etc. from my church. It was a fun night. The game went long - it was a tournament game. The child who invited me did not end up the winner. It was a great game and was really decided in the last inning- isn't that the way it should be? It was a fun night.
I grew up playing fastpitch softball and played ALL summer. Most of my summer memories involve softball, softball families or friendships. It is part of what shaped who I am today. Last night I walked away very thankful. I am thankful for many things but was reminded last night that my parents gave me a gift. You see they knew that sports were an important part of my life- they went to many lengths for me to participate and sacrificed much for this participation. However, they knew it wasn't the most important thing that needed to be a part of my life. Jesus and my church commitment was always number one. If we traveled on Sunday and could not attend church- we had church and invited the rest of the team.
I realized last night (as I also did growing up) that not every parent realizes this- baseball or softball in the summer is number one. If there is going to be something that is missed- it will not be softball or baseball - it will be church. You know church the place where they learn more about the truths in God's word, where they learn the stories Jesus gave us to know how to live this life and they worship Him with others. Yes, I do realize that you can learn about Jesus anywhere but I do wonder what our not missing the ballgame for any reason and missing church for any reason says to a child? You tell me............
On a lighter note- the ballgame did bring back many memories and I did drive away with a smile on my face and a tear in my eye- I miss those ballpark friends and families from the past!

AWANA Awards Night

Last night we had our AWANA awards night. If you are unfamiliar with AWANA - it stands for Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed - and is an awesome scripture memory ministry for children (and youth). Our church offers classes for Puggles (twos), Cubbies (threes and fours), Sparks (Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade) and Truth & Training (boys and girls clubs in grades 3rd, 4th and 5th - 7th combined). It is truly the best I have seen for children. You can check it out at http://www.awana.org/
This is one of my favorite nights as children are given their year ribbon, plaque or cubbie bear for their work at hiding God's word in their heart. I am so thankful for the 75 + workers who volunteer each week through the school year. These leaders teach children God's truths, teach them how to be on mission for Jesus, play AWANA games, prepare them a snack supper and more than anything love and nurture them. What a great privilege. AWANA store nights are fun but WOW! on Award's night it is incredible to see the pride in all they have learned. I am thankful for our Kindergarten Sparks who shared their club song and Books of the New Testament song.
I left last night wanting to begin next year with a challenge to our adults- to memorize the scripture along with the children (most likely they are already). I also want to figure up how many verses were memorized each year. I know it is well into the thousands with 250 people present each night (workers and children).
We have said goodbye to AWANA until September but I am so glad the truths of God's word we never say goodbye to- once we commit them to memory ...... they are there forever!
I praise Jesus for all the boys and girls who when faced with a choice to make and don't know what to do the things they have hidden in their heart (GOD'S WORD) will help guide the choice they make!

Awana Derby

Last night we had the AWANA Derby at church. It was a lot of fun! If you are not familiar with the AWANA Derby it is where kids build little pinewood derby cars with a parent (some build with a grandparent) and then they bring them to church and we race them. Not only do we race them to see who is the fastest but the cars are judged for Best of Show based on their design / decoration of their car.
It is always interesting to look at all the cars and see them race. I find there are three types of cars (in essence parents) represented-
1. cars who are most definitely trying to go for speed (mostly parent made)
2. cars who obviously the child did most of the work and was really working on the car looking good (often not always the fastest car because in my experience the child has done most the work; although some are fast and look good)
3. cars who tried hard to be fast and look good but are just glad to be a part of the race

It is amazing to me the measures some will go to in making their child's car fast.
The main thing in this event is for kids to spend time with their parent(s) creating the car together (while they make memories).
Some comments I heard last night-

"Alright"
"my cars wheels are wiggly"
"what is wrong with my car?"
"I'm going to lose again, will I ever win?"
"AWESOME!"
"That was a close race, cool"
"Great, you won this time"
"We are having a technical glitch, thank you for your patience"
"Next year I am going to do ............ to my car"

It was a lot of fun and can't wait to see the cars next year.

Might I add that the winner is a child due to physical reasons can not participate in a lot of sports or extracurricular activities- therefore does not have the opportunity to "win" at many things..... His dad is one that works with him to make his car really fast and he has won for several years. His parents have shared with me they work so hard with him to make his car the fastest because it is one thing he can succeed in. I wish you could see how proud he is of his car and excited about the race. He tries his best not to smile when his car wins each heat and when I call his name to claim his Fastest Car trophy- but he can't contain his little smile- the corners of his mouth turn up in a grin as he tries to suppress it-- it is priceless! It is an awesome privilege to see the other racers, their parents and grandparents be excited for him.