Thanksgiving

Today after church we are leaving for Colorado to spend the week with Jason's family. We are super excited. The last time we took a family vacation, JJ was a brand new baby. If you do the math, it's been nearly 2 years since then!

In just a little bit, I'll be with the kids in KidzBlast to talk about how we can serve, give and be thankful. Jason will be with CLUB56 talking about the same thing. I'm excited to be able to share these things with our kids.

In a few short days, the fall decor will change to Christmas, and our focus will be on other things. I'm glad that this week at least, the focus is on being thankful. What am I most thankful for? My amazing family, health, our new place in the family at Bethel, friends...and most of all, Jesus.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Jason Lee Peter, Jr.

I am working on making this blog more about updating parents on what is going on in our Children's Ministries here at Bethel, but there has been something stirring in my heart for the past few days, so...

Approximately 2 years ago right now I was pregnant. Very pregnant. The day the ultrasound revealed we were having

a boy (we already have 2 girls) after the little celebration in my heart, I immediately started dreaming about what his name would be. It didn't take me long to pick my name, the name I felt like my son was destined to have. His name would be Andrew Reese, (middle name after his Papa Peter, first name just cause I like it) and we would call him Drew. I was set on it. Then, Jason told me he wanted to name him Jason Jr. I couldn't believe it. I had so many misconceptions about "Juniors." I didn't want to name him that! I fought it and fought it. I loved the name I picked out, and I didn't want my little boy running around being called Junior! I wanted him to have his own identity, and his own name.

A couple of months later, with no prompting whatsoever, Madelyn starting bringing home a paper daily from school that she had drawn in "choice time" of her and her little brother, J.J. Seriously?? I couldn't believe it, but I kept the hope alive for my choice, Andrew Reese.

Then, one day I was laying down trying to nap, and I was praying about this whole name situation. I'm not sure exactly what I prayed that day, but I know I was confident that God would change Jason's mind and we would settle on my name of choice. However, that's not what happened. I laid my head back, closed my eyes, and God gave me a very vivid picture. I saw Jason walking, and behind him, a little boy that looked very much like him. He wasn't walking hand in hand, but behind him, copying Jason's every move. God whispered to me in that moment, "Aimee, this baby boy is going to adore his father. Don't you think he would love having his name?" Ugh! I knew in that moment, I had to lay my desires aside and choose the name my husband wanted for his son.

So, fast forward 2 years. We have a 22 month old son named Jason Jr. It hit me like a ton of bricks a few nights ago as I saw JJ copying Jason's every move that the picture I had seen 2 years ago was unfolding before my very eyes. Daddy was pretty close to JJ's first word. He looks just like him, and his personality is pretty much identical. He beats on everything like it is a drum, and loves music more than any other child I have ever seen. Every Sunday when Jason is on Worship Team, JJ runs upstairs and wants to go in the Worship Center and listen, and catch a glimpse of Daddy. No other name would have done him justice. I'm thankful for that picture that God gave me 2 years ago, and thankful that I surrendered my will even though it was hard. As for Andrew Reese....well, I'm sure it made a fine name for some other little boy.

It's all in how we perceive things

This morning I had a surprising conversation with our oldest, Madelyn. As I was brushing her hair in the bathroom, she told me "it stinks in here." Now, it didn't "stink" at all. It actually smelled great because I had just bought a new air freshener; some harvesty, fallish, thanksgiving type smelling stuff. I explained to her that it smelled great in there; like Fall. She then tells me the part that surprises me: "I HATE Fall. It's cold, it rains, it's dark before dinner, the leaves all fall off the trees and I you can't swim in the Fall. I hate it." I was floored. Mostly because lately I have been enjoying Fall so much! I love that it's getting colder, love that it's dark earlier, love the pretty leaves on the ground and frankly, love that I don't have to sit out by the pool in the baking hot sun anymore! So how can my precious daughter who is like me in so many ways have such stark difference in opinion about my most beloved season? Perception. I can see why a kid could dislike Fall; it takes away summer fun. She's not looking past that. Rather than seeing what Fall takes from us, I see that it ushers in Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the holiday blends at Starbucks.

We all know that a child's perception of things is so much different than our own. I had another conversation with Madelyn yesterday evening about attitude. We had a difference in perception over why I had to raise my voice to get her attention. She explained to me her side of things and we both agreed to be more aware of how we perceive the situation (in 8 year old language of course).

My point today? Kid's have perceptions and opinions of things and most of the time, they aren't wrong. They are just seeing things through their very childlike eyes. I like to talk through opinions and perceptions with my girls and the kids at church because it helps me to see how they view their world. It's then that we can open up the door to Godly conversation that helps shape their worldview.

I hope one day Madelyn loves Fall as much as I do. One day she may see the beauty in the falling leaves or love the crispness in the air. But if she doesn't that's okay too.

BGMC Pop Out for Missions

On Sunday we are launching a month long campaign that will challenge our kids, and hopefully boost our children's giving to missions before we wrap up 2009. The national BGMC (Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge) office is challenging kids to give up soda or pop or whatever YOU call it during the month of November. The money that would have been spent on soda would then be given to BGMC, which helps needy children around the world. Here's how it works:

Kid's across the nation are to make a pledge to give up soda pop for one, two or three weeks ending on Thanksgiving Day. On that day, kids may once again drink soda - remembering to be thankful for their own blessings, but also remembering the children around the world who don't get to celebrate the many material blessings we are thankful for on Thanksgiving.

Okay, so as a parent you are saying "but I am the one who buys the pop for them." You are encouraged not to buy soda a restaurants or the grocery store, and calculate that savings to be giving to BGMC. Kids can also get pledges from friends and family. There are downloadable pledge forms at www.BGMC.ag.org

Then of course, there are those of you who don't drink soda or sugary drinks that would be hard for your kids to give up. That's another time when the pledges would be a creative way for your kids to gain support for BGMC. Maybe they can talk adults around them into giving up a favorite treat - like Starbucks, Sonic, etc. GASP you say?? Okay so coffee would be hard, but I'm giving up Diet Pepsi. I will, however reinstate my soda drinking on Thanksgiving in order to drink the traditional glass of cold root beer, no ice.

The point is simply to give up a little in order to give a little; for our kids to feel the sacrifice in order to bless others. This Sunday, November 1st K-6th graders will be given one last can of soda, with a sticker label to wrapped around it. After they drink it and wash it out, they can use it to put all of the money the collect during the month. On Sunday, November 29th they will bring them back and we'll celebrate together what God has done through their sacrifice!

Sickness

Today is my first day back in the office after a wave of sickness hit my house. My girls were out for 2 days, then I got it, then JJ and I got it together...yuck. I'm still getting better, but it feels good to be back at my desk working.

Just a reminder for those of you who have been fortunate not to be ill yet - wash your hands tons, use lots of lysol/clorox in your homes to sanitize, and stock up on hand sanitizer. Also, I'm going to start taking some immune system boosting stuff this week. This was my second round of sickness in 2 months, and I want it to be my last!

Also parents, please remember that if you have kids with symptoms, take a break from church! We are doing our part by putting huge bottles of sanitizer at our check in areas (thanks Nurse Janice :) ) but the best preventative measure is always to keep sick kids home!

And last, I'm praying for all of our Bethel families that sickness will stay far from you!

The happenings

Well, school is in full swing, Fall is finally here, and the flu is an ever present reality. Must be October! Great things are happening in the Children's Ministry at Bethel Church.

• In KIDZBLAST we are walking through the Exodus of Israel in On the Trail, a western cattle drive theme. The kids are loving it, and learning a ton! Every week they are excited to see what's next with Tex & Cookie, our friends that are working their way through their first cattle drive. We've learned some great new songs and all grades are learning how to find Scripture in their Bibles.
• CLUB56 is an environment charged with excitement and fun. On Sunday we have been walking through issues that apply to our every day lives such as My School and My Family. Next we're going to tackle My Church! On Wednesday's we're learning tons and tons of amazing stuff about the Bible in Konnect 5.
• Promiseland is plugging away with promotions done and kids adapting to their new classes. Our volunteers are amazing! Stop by Promiseland and grab a Post It off of our "needs" board. We need simple, everyday items like hand sanitizer, wipes, snacks and clorox spray. Thanks!
• Every Wednesday night we have a bunch of boys and girls here at Royal Rangers & Missionettes. Thanks to all of the Commanders and Missionettes leaders that are so faithful. You're doing a fantastic job!
• On October 24th we are taking about 15 kids to Portland to participate in our first JBQ meet of the year. It's going to be a great season. I'm so proud of these kids and their commitment. Go Bethel!!

The Fall is just going to get better and better!

The Word

One of my rally cries lately has been not only to be in the Bible myself, but to find ways to get our kids at Bethel in the Word as well. This is going to be BIG for our Children's Ministry in 2010, and I'm excited to see what God has in store.

The Bible has been a major theme in my life, study and through the things that influence me lately. To me, that says that this is an area that God deems highly important, and something He wants to be embedded into the DNA of the Children's Ministry here at Bethel. No brainer, you say? Not exactly. How many kids are reading the Bible? My 2nd grader can read, and with some help, does really well reading the Bible. But it's not just reading. It's digesting what they are reading, living it out, and then turning back to it time and time again for answers when they need them. A commitment to the Word of God that goes WAY beyond reciting all of the Bible stories that we learned in Sunday School.

Last Sunday morning I poked my head in as we had several kids practicing for JBQ (Junior Bible Quiz). I've had the privilege of being both a Pastor and a Parent in this endeavor as my two girls are participating. I was SO excited to hear all of the kids eagerly buzzing in to answer questions taken directly from God's Word. Now, if only Nickelodeon would turn JBQ into a game show...I'm sure they could fit some green slime in somewhere!

My challenge to you parents - get your kids in the Word. If they can't read it, read it to them. Encourage them to take their Bible to church so they have it when we dig through it during service. Make it your goal as a parent for your child to know more than the stories - take it a step farther so that the Word of God is weaved into the fabric of their lives.