July 2009 Archives

I LOVE VBS WEEK!!!

There are oh, so many reasons that I look forward to this week each year. It's busy and vibrant and fun for the kids. The teachers get a unique experience, varied from the normal flow of preschool. A child's spiritual life can deepen dramatically when experiencing a full week of targeted Bible teaching and worship with hundreds of other children. The teaching is so focused and of such quality that they will remember in detail the things they learn in Crocodile Dock.

One added blessing is that I get to see so many of our GTK graduates! I collect hugs from little ones we used to hold and love that are maybe not so little anymore. Our early ones are looking at High School this fall and many times they are the VBS staff these days. Time plays it's ugly tricks on us. We see their parent coming toward us and remember them from years past. Then a sickening realization dawns; that great big kid with them is the incarnation of the tiny one we remember. Blessings arrive when we take joy that they are now taking action-moving from student to teacher; full circle.

THE BEST WEEK OF THE SUMMER

Every Grow To Know summer student is going to Vacation Bible School during their morning next week. This is a church that really knows how to do Bible School well, so if you haven't experienced a Schweitzer VBS you are in for a thrill.

Some things you need to know:

Be here before 9:00.

It is difficult to locate groups while they are traveling throughout the building after they have joined the whole body of the VBS.

I know it seems redundant but we must have your salmon colored registration form in.

The fee of $7 is well worth the week of adventure, learning and spiritual formation that your child will experience. If you submitted a form without payment, please pay in the education office of the church. If you write a check make it to Schweitzer. It is easier if you do not add it on to your tuition. 

Watch for flyers with details on the special events that will happen in association with VBS.

Our little former student is still on her scholarship crusade*. We got another $20 gift from her toy sales. What an inspiration!!! Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do....Ecclesiastes 9:9. Anyone want to join her in her efforts? Call the preschool office or church financial office to learn how to lend a hand to your child's classmates who are struggling.

*See Beautiful Lives article last month.

Earth friendly moves can have added benefits. Eating at home more and using produce from farmer's markets is not only healthier and good for the local economy, but my compost pile is coming together with all the squash peelings and corn shucks!

Try this tip. Nudge the thermostat a tiny bit warmer. Children will make the transition from outside to inside temperatures easier. We notice that children who are too used to having it really cool inside don't play actively when we take them outside. "It's too hot to play." Less drastic differences in outside and inside temps may help.

Restaurants crank down the A/C to get us to order more food. Our bodies tell us we need more fuel to stay warm. If you reverse that logic those of us that could stand to trim a pound or two should not cool our houses as though our sled dogs comfort were at stake. Keeping it warmer inside might just discourage eating heavier foods or bigger than we need portions, eating more to keep warm, and we might notice as we pull those shorts on to be cooler that there is some toning that could be done here or there.