WC Kids' Community

R & R by Valerie Foskett

2009-05-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

For memorial day weekend, I had a chance to get away to my parent’s cabin. It was a great three days of sun, food, family and rest. Life is so busy and I rarely make time to get away. It is amazing how taking a few days to interrupt the routine of busyness can make such a difference. I felt ready for this week. We were created to be in the rhythm of work and rest. How often do we make intentional time for rest? It seems like not often enough. It reminds me of one of the Ten Commandments that we often overlook, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” How many of us do that? When I was in college, I worked hard at carving out Sundays for a Sabbath. I would do my homework on Friday nights to free up my Sunday. Setting one day a week apart reminds us of our priorities, gives us a chance to relax and to focus on the One who created time. Some people cannot do Sundays or cannot do a whole day. The practice can start with an afternoon. Maybe reserve this next Sunday afternoon for a family dinner, a walk with a friend, or something else. If you are interested in figuring out more about keeping a Sabbath, read Kerri Wyatt Kent’s book Rest. You can also read her article “Six Steps to Sabbath Simplicity” at http://www.keriwyattkent.com/Rest/sixsteps.htm

Fear by Martha Clay

2009-05-21T10:27:00.000-07:00

Do you remember being afraid when you were a child? As I get ready for VBS this summer, I am often reminded of the topic of fear. Our VBS is called “There’s a Monster Under My Bed: Shining God’s Light on My Fears”. Originally, we thought that this would be a great topic for the kids this summer. Now, I am not so sure. You see, I find that I have fears too. In fact, a lot of adults around me are fearful right now. I think that I expected to stop being fearful as I grew up. Well, I am all grown up, at least my body feels old, and I find that I have become more fearful. I fear for my husband and children’s health. I worry about my husband’s job and the state of the economy. I am afraid of dying young or of growing old too fast. Some days, it seems as if fear is an annoying companion. I find that I need to shine God’s light on my fears and turn everything over to him. Recently, I memorized Joshua 1:9 with my kids and it helps me when I am afraid. It says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." I take comfort in the fact that my God will be with me through whatever or wherever I go. So when my kids come to me afraid of something, I admit that I have fears too and then we say Joshua 1:9 together. What are you afraid of? How do you deal with your fears? What verses do you count on to remind you of God’s faithfulness and care for you?

No Place to Play

2009-04-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

Our current missions project is called No Place to Play. Our goal is to raise $5,000 so that children who attend the John T. Miller School in Wamala, Uganda can have a playground and soccer field. We are working with the Doingood Foundation. You can find out more information about them at doingood.net. Currently, the students at the John T. Miller School do not have any play equipment at their school. We began this project in February and are going through the end of June. We love to see how the kids in our ministry come up with creative ways to raise money. A couple of weeks ago Abby and Rachael, two sixth graders here at WC Kids, wanted to find a way to raise money for this project. They decided to make bookmarks. They went around the neighborhood and let people know about the project they were raising money for and asked if they wanted to give donations. To those who donated, they gave a bookmark. Through their creative efforts, Rachael and Abby raised $102.25! How do you teach your kids to give back to their community or to those in need?

Summer is almost here!

2009-04-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

The sun is out today! There are daffodils sitting on my desk. I ran outside yesterday and didn't freeze. These are all signs that summer is finally on its way! The cold weather and snow has made winter feel like a never ending season. There seems to be such a change in people in our area when the sun comes out. Yesterday when I was running most of the people I passed smiled and waved at me. We, in the Northwest, definitely appreciate the sun and take advantage of being outside when it is out. It is amazing how a little bit of sunshine can completely change my day. Has this been a long winter for you? What are you most looking forward to for summer? What are your family plans for summer?

Easter Bunny?

2009-04-09T09:48:00.000-07:00

What role does the Easter Bunny play in your family? Did you grow up decorating eggs and having Easter egg hunts with Easter baskets? I did not. I knew about the Easter Bunny, of course, but I don't know if it was a desire to focus Easter on Jesus' death and burial or because we did not have a lot of extra money that caused us to not do anything with the Easter Bunny. That all changed when either my sister and I got married or started having kids. I can't remember because it is all a blur but all of a sudden on Easter we would have a basket full of candy and presents. As the grandkids got older, my mom has added an Easter egg hunt. It is not as if my mom suddenly believed in or wanted to celebrate the Easter Bunny. She does that because she loves to give gifts and now she has a little extra to spend on her family. In fact, I have started doing Easter "Baskets" (usually bags!) for my kids. At the last minute, I run down to Target to find something to give my kids. Is this what Easter is meant to be like? It is a busy time but this year, I hope that I can sit down and remind my kids of the wonderful gift that Jesus gave us in his death on the cross. And as we see the renewal outside our windows, I hope to reinforce the opportunity for renewal we have each moment of each day in a growing relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Those are some life changing gifts! How do you celebrate Easter? How do you make sure that your kids don't forget the real reason behind Easter?

Escape to Great Wolf Lodge by Martha Clay

2009-03-24T14:49:00.000-07:00

This past weekend our family escaped to Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, WA. Everyone who had been there raved about it. But we were concerned because we have children in grade school, middle school, and high school. It is hard to find something that appeals to everyone. But as we are in the middle of a long kitchen remodel and our hardwood floors were being refinished, we thought that it would be a fine time to steal away for 24 hours and to check out the Great Wolf Lodge. It was an opportunity to create family memories, get away from the computer and laugh together. Our time away was refreshing. As we went down water slides and enjoyed 84 degree temperatures, we had time to rebuild some of the relationship that we had taken for granted. We quickly were back in the grind of life, but it was good to get away for a brief bit of time. How does your family refresh and unwind? What are your favorite things to do together?

God's Abundance in Our Lives

2009-03-19T09:15:00.000-07:00

It sure feels like spring is a long time in coming. Many people around me seem to be tired and trying their best to keep going. This morning, I read in my Experiencing God devotional by Henry Blackaby about “God’s Abundance in Your Life” and was encouraged to keep going. The devotional looked at 2 Corinthians 9:8 which says, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” Blackaby talks about how God’s grace is given in abundance to us so that we can start, continue or finish the work that God has given us to do. He continues by saying, "God does not promise to provide all you need for your dreams and projects. He does assure you that, for every good work you attempt, you will never face a shortfall of His grace in order to successfully complete the task God has given you.” To read the full devotional, go to http://www.blackaby.org/ (the devotional is from March 19).

I'm Bored by Martha Clay

2009-03-11T12:01:00.000-07:00

"I’m bored.” How many times have you heard that from your children? I hear it all the time at home. In fact, last Sunday, as I was teaching Sunday school, a little girl walked in and the first thing that she said was, “I’m bored.” What happens when parents feel bored? The following Monday, I was feeling a sense of malaise. After some thought, I realized that I was feeling bored. How can that be? I have tons of things to do but I was looking for something different, something exciting. Isn’t that what boredom is? A desire to change things; to make your life more exciting. As I was doing my quiet time the next day, I realized that I had become focused on myself. I had taken my eyes off of Jesus and was allowing myself to be consumed with my feelings. I felt challenged to stop and thank God for what he has done for me. To try and find things to be thankful for. To live a life full of hope and joy. So this week, I will be attempting this. I am going to experiment on my kids, also. When they are feeling bored, I am going to encourage them to find things to be thankful for. Hopefully, they will see a little joy and hope in their mom!

Inspiring kids to follow Jesus by Martha Clay

2009-03-02T15:54:00.000-08:00

How do you talk to your kids about living the Christian life? Do you give them a list of rules? Do you say “God doesn’t want you to do that?" I do. I find that I usually beat my kids over the head with the “right way” to live the Christian life. Funny but my kids don’t respond favorably to my talks. Every once in a while, I even get a response of “then I don’t want to be a Christian” back from my kids. How do I train them in the way that they should go as Deuteronomy 6:6-9 tells me to do? I recently read an article in Christianity Today (http://www.christianitytoday.com/childrensministry/cupothoughts/firstprivilegeofparenting.html?start=1) which encouraged me to inspire my kids toward living the Christian life. How do I do that? I know that I can start by speaking of following Christ in an exciting way. I also know that following Jesus is not supposed to be boring or just a list of rules that we follow. It is a life changing relationship. Maybe that is the place to start with my kids. They love having cool friends. How do you inspire your kids to follow Jesus? What would you change about how you present living the Christian life?

Lent

2009-02-26T10:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday which marks the start of the season of Lent. Lent is a period of 40 days before Easter that is “a time set aside every year for a deeper focus on spiritual disciplines and renewal — all done to mark the memory of the final days of Christ’s earthly ministry and then, of course, His death, burial, and resurrection!” It’s a great season to be intentional about carving out space for stillness in the midst of our busyness. A common practice during the season of Lent is to give something up in order to sacrifice and to share in a small way in the suffering of Christ. There are many creative ways to celebrate Lent. Some examples I have heard of is giving up TV, coffee, dessert, or sleeping in. Another way to celebrate Lent is to focus in on the “inward journey of knowing and loving Jesus more intimately.” The Chapel, a church in Ohio, created a reading schedule during the season of Lent which can be read here http://the-chapel.org/documents/worship/2009_lent.pdf. Mars Hill, a church in Michigan, provided a great resource for helping parents celebrate Lent with their children. Read more here http://www.marshill.org/pdf/childrenAndLent.pdf. (the material in quotations was borrowed from an e-mail written by Jim Mitchell, a pastor at The Chapel).

Choosing Joy

2009-02-18T11:45:00.000-08:00

In the midst of all that is going on in our world, it is easy to get discouraged, frustrated, angry, impatient and feel many other emotions. As Christians, we are called to live in joy. I have been challenged in these last weeks that in the midst of the busyness of life and the transitions here at church that I need to be joyful. Too often we equate joy with happiness, which is not the case. Happiness is a transient emotion, while joy is a state of contentment and peace found only in Jesus. James 1:2-3 is a good reminder of what we are called to, ““Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

Spreading Hope by Martha Clay

2009-02-09T12:29:00.000-08:00

As I prepared my Sunday School lesson this past week, I was amazed at how God can minister to my heart as I prepare to minister to others. I teach Sunday School to an active group of 1st to 6th graders and the lesson was on God having a plan for our lives. After a week of layoffs at work, I was struck by the verse for the week. It was Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This is a familiar verse to me, but it was so perfect for my circumstances. I should not have been surprised as the week before the whole lesson was on the fact that we can take everything to God in prayer. As I meditated on Jeremiah 29:11, I remembered that this verse is part of a letter that Jeremiah wrote to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. God instructs them to live in Babylon; to get married, to have children, to settle down and to increase in number. He wanted them to not decrease because after their 70 years in captivity was completed he had a plan for them. He was going to bring them back out of exile. Now, I am not in exile but I certainly have allowed myself to become overwhelmed by the economic situation of my country and of some of my friends. Just like the Israelites, I could be tempted to just pull into myself and “decrease.” It is hard to thrive when bad news is all around you. But if I believe that God’s Word is true then I need to claim God’s promises in both good and bad times. This is especially important as I have three children at home watching me live out my faith. So how do I “increase” in hope, joy and faith? I know that I have to change my attitude. My children are picking up on my fear and worry. My oldest has many times responded to her siblings when they ask for possessions by saying, “Don’t you know that times are not good and that money is tight?” Hopefully, if I change my attitude, our response to “bad” news will be “let’s see what God has in store because he wants good things for us.” I hope to find ways to spread God’s hope. How do you spread God’s hope? How do you teach your children about God’s hope?

Hope Now

2009-02-05T09:59:00.000-08:00

We are living in dark days, but we are not without hope. This first month of 2009 has felt very different than 2008. We are becoming aware of how uncertain the times are that we live in. Throughout these days, I am reminding myself that I do have hope. There are a couple of songs that have become my anthem for this time. The lyrics say “when the world has fallen out from under me. I'll be found in you, still standing.” It’s from “Shadowfeet” by Brooke Fraser. The other song that I love is “Hope Now” by Addison Road. The chorus says, “Everything rides on hope now. Everything rides on faith somehow. When the world has broken me down, Your love sets me free.” As Hebrews 4:14-16 says, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with out weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Here’s a great article by Philip Yancey about how to pray in the midst of a financial catastrophe: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/january/29.80.html?start=2. What are verses, words or songs that are helping you through this time?

The Message for Kids

2009-01-29T09:37:00.001-08:00

I love Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase version of the Bible called The Message. There is something so alive about reading the Bible in modern day English. If you haven’t read it before or if you don’t own a copy, you can read passages in the Message on biblegateway.com. Recently, NavPress released My First Message: A Devotional Bible for Kids. It is an illustrated devotional Bible that is designed for parents and children to read together. Each story ends with a “pray” section with suggestions on ways to pray and a “live” section that suggests activities to put into practice what they have learned. This Bible is geared towards children ages 4 to 8. You can look at samples of the book's pages on Amazon.com.

Praying for Our New President

2009-01-22T09:53:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, Barack Obama was inaugurated as our country’s 44th president. Regardless of your political affiliation, we, as Christians, are called to pray for our leaders. The presidential prayer team updates their website with daily prayer requests for Obama’s first 100 days in office at http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ppt_homepage. Here’s today’s prayer: For the Spirit of Jesus Christ to dwell in the Oval Office I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. —Proverbs 8:12 Lord Jesus, thank You for being the source of all wisdom, for You are truth the way, the truth and the life. You provide all that we need to make good decisions and sound judgments. As we listen to You, we are able to act with confidence, knowing that we are being led by Your wise and guiding hand. We intercede today for President Obama, that You, Lord, would give him an increased sensitivity to Your voice. Let Your wisdom, which lives with prudence, impart the benefits of knowledge and the advantages of discretion to President Obama as he sits at his desk in the Oval Office and makes decisions that impact not only our nation, but the entire world. Be with him, O God, and empower him by Your Spirit. We thank You for hearing our prayer and moving on our behalf, amen.

Connection is Key by Valerie Foskett

2009-01-15T11:04:00.000-08:00

On the Westminster at a Glance videos (the announcement videos), the catch phrase at the end is always, “Connection is key.” As a church, one of our connecting values is “cultivating loving relationships as the primary pathway for spiritual transformation.” Connection starts with the family. Here at WC Kids, we want to help facilitate connections within families and between families. We plan monthly special events with your family in mind. We want to provide time and space for your family to enjoy each other and to get to know other families better. We live in a fast paced world where we are always moving from one activity to the next. I can only imagine that having kids makes life even busier. I live with one roommate and a couple of months ago I realized that we rarely saw each other. We are both working and going to school full time and are very busy. One day I realized how detrimental it was to our relationship that we never checked in with each other. About a month ago, I decided to change that. I am working on being intentional and checking in with her when I get home from work. The key is being intentional. If I am not intentional, it doesn’t happen. I’ve heard that nowadays it is rare for families to sit down and eat dinner together. Take our survey and let us know how often your family eats dinner together. How are you intentional in spending time with your family? Do you have a night set aside for your family?

"God's Top Ten" by Martha Clay

2009-01-08T08:59:00.000-08:00

“God’s Top 10” (Adapted from the introduction to Kingdom Quest’s series on the 10 Commandments for 5th & 6th graders published by Kids Kount Publishing) When I think about what I want my kids to know about God’s Word, the Ten Commandments are near the top of the list. The Ten Commandments tell us how to live our lives. Did you know that there are differences in numbering the Ten Commandments? As Kids Kount Publishing points out “denominations number the Ten Commandments differently. There are more than ten imperative statements in the reading of the Ten Commandments. If you were to check Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21, you would find fourteen imperatives. Some of these are easily grouped together such as “Remember the Sabbath Day… six days you shall labor… on the Sabbath, you shall not do any work…” (NIV). Other groupings, however, are not as obvious. Which are the Ten Commandments and for that matter, how do we even know there are ten? We arrive at the conclusion that there are ten commandments because in passages like Exodus 34:28 it refers to Moses having received ten. These verses do not actually say there are ten commandments, rather they refer to ten WORDS. The Hebrew is eser dabar, which means – ten words. In English, it is often translated as “the Ten Commandments.” Exodus 34:28 reads in the NIV: “And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant – the Ten Commandments.” God’s Word (the translation) translates Deuteronomy 4:13 as: “The Lord told you about the terms of his promise, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to do. Then he wrote them on the two stone tablets.” Since these passages refer to the ten words and not ten commandments, this opens the possibility that not all of the “words” are imperative statements. By Jewish reckoning, for example, the first commandment isn’t a command at all. It is the first sentence of the covenant… “I am the LORD your God…” Given the different possibilities for arranging the Ten Commandments, three major groupings or numberings have emerged. These are: 1. The Jewish interpretation. 2. The interpretation based on Augustine is used by the Roman Catholics and Lutherans. 3. The most popular, the Orthodox system of order is used by the Greek Orthodox Church and later adopted by most protestant denominations.” We at Westminster Chapel use the Orthodox system, but maybe the point may not be to number God’s commandments, but to memorize all of his covenant given to us in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. To see how the three interpretations differ, read the full article at http://www.westminster.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/ten-commandments-article.pdf.

New Year's Resolutions by Valerie Foskett

2008-12-30T11:45:00.000-08:00

I love fresh starts! In school, I always loved starting a new semester. There’s something exciting about new things and getting another chance. I think this is why I love making New Year’s resolutions. Too often when we make New Year’s resolutions we set really high standards that will be hard to keep up with. I heard on the radio yesterday a woman saying that her new resolution was “to work out everyday.” That just doesn’t seem realistic. A couple of years ago I had a revelation. Why not make my new year’s resolution Biblical? Something that I should already be working on. In past years, I have chosen to be more peaceful, to be less self-conscious, and I am thinking this year of being more intentional about praying. I like to pick a verse that can motivate me to keep up with my resolution. My verse for 2009 is from Colossians 4:2, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Looking online, I found these New Year’s resolutions for kids: To be more cheerful To be nice to my brother and sister To be more helpful to my mom To be a good student To eat healthier foods To not complain To keep my room clean Ask your children if they have thought about making New Year’s resolutions. What resolutions can your family make together? Here are some ideas: Make time for family dinners Get more sleep Resolve conflict without yelling Get the family involved in volunteer activities Play board games together on a regular basis Share your resolutions with us!

What do we do with Santa Claus? by Tiffany Sanders

2008-12-16T17:33:00.001-08:00

"Mommy, is there really a Santa Claus?" I remember the first time my daughter, Rebecca, asked me this question. She was 3 years old and already skeptical of the jolly chubby man dressed in a red suit. She understood Christmas was a celebration of baby Jesus, but my heartbeat started racing as I wondered how to answer this tough question. Every parent who has encouraged their child to believe in Santa will encounter a question like this at some point. There are no easy answers in a day when Santa is celebrated and Christ is brushed aside. I came across some useful information from Focus on the Family. It says, "Because Christ is rightly the focus of our celebration, where does Santa fit? No matter how your family handles the fictional character, I wish I'd known about St. Nicholas, the real man behind the red suit. You might, too. The real St. Nicholas: There are legends, myths and stories about St. Nicholas - some embellished to unbelievable dimensions - but we do know that Nicholas was born in a province of Asia Minor, most likely during the third century. History records that Nicholas was a bishop of Myra, a town in Lycia. Accounts say he was persecuted and imprisoned for his faith by Roman Emperor Diocletian, but Nicholas faithfully served the Lord his entire life. After his death, St. Nicholas became a symbol of selfless giving, and by the 1400 s, he became one of the most popular nonbiblical figures in the Christian church. Music, art and plays celebrated his unselfish life, and stories continued to grow out of the part he played in history." Believing in Santa can be a fun experience, but believing in Jesus has eternal value. A relationship with Him gives our lives true meaning and purpose, and it guarantees that after we die, we will live forever with Him in heaven. At 8 years old, Rebecca now understands the story and spirit of Santa Claus and the joy it brings to families. She also understands that Jesus' birth is the reason we celebrate Christmas. Do you have ways to include Santa and Jesus in your Christmas celebrations? Please feel free to post them here to share with other families so we can all keep Christ the center of Christmas.

Vacationing with a Purpose by Steve Parsons

2008-12-11T11:01:00.000-08:00

What do we mean by the phrase, Vacationing with a Purpose? I suppose it can mean to allow oneself to be used by God for His purposes while on vacation. Many of us want to teach our kids to think of others, but often during vacation it is hard not to think of ourselves. Many of us have those stories of great vacations gone bad when all that we have is perceived as not enough. Wouldn’t it be great to have one of those experiences that rise above the others? Then Vacationing with a Purpose is for you. We have had many families with kids down to the age of 7 join us in San Diego and then cross the border into Mexico to build a school for orphans. Imagine your kids getting to see what life is really like for most of the world and then for them to realize that they are doing something tangible for the sake of other kids. The way the trip works is that during the President’s Day mid-winter break, all the families meet at a hotel on Saturday and then we all load into vans and cross the border. We stay at the school site and work during the day on projects of all sorts. Some of the projects have included painting, staining, framing, plumbing, roofing, and even applying stucco. Sometimes we learn as we go. We return to San Diego on Thursday where families then head out to the rest of their vacations. Some head on up to Disneyland while others stay back for the San Diego Zoo or Sea World. We have had so much fun over the years that many families have made this a yearly event. Some of the kids have chosen this as their favorite trip. If you think that you might be interested as a family, the dates of the Ensenada part of your vacation are February 14-19. The cost last year was $250 per person which included one night in a hotel with a pool, all food and lodging while in Ensenada, transportation, tolls, and a banquet upon our return to enjoy each other before going our separate ways. It does not include your transportation to or from San Diego. For your viewing pleasure, we have a photo album from a previous trip located at the first kiosk behind the International Ministry display. If you would like to hear from those who have previously gone on this trip, email me at stevep@westminster.org.

More Advent resources

2008-12-01T15:12:00.000-08:00

There are many Advent resources online. Here are a few: Get a devotional e-mailed to you during the weekdays of the Advent season. Read and discuss Advent lessons each week with your children. Make a do it yourself advent calendar. Read an article about celebrating advent. This website is the collaboration of several churches called the Advent Conspiracy. It challenges believers to think about how we spend our money and time during the Christmas season. Look at this online Advent calendar that is updated each day.

Celebrating Advent by Mindy Lincicome

2008-11-26T11:52:00.000-08:00

We always looked forward to Thanksgiving weekend growing up. With lots of family nearby, Thanksgiving day was a festive event with lots of family and a meal full of traditional dishes and, often, some humorous anecdote that would join the dinner conversation for years to come. But Thanksgiving weekend also marked the beginning of the Christmas season. It seemed that the dishes were barely put away Thursday evening before the preparations for Christmas filled the rest of the weekend! The Advent season had many formal components…candle-lighting in church and at home, Christmas programs at school and church, and other special events that celebrated the season. In remembering Advent seasons from my childhood and talking to our kids about the memorable parts of the Christmas season for them, it’s not the big special events that have the most impact. It’s the changes to our daily lives and our ordinary routines that mark the specialness of the season. Many rooms in our house look different, with decorations and lights and colors that aren’t usually there. We still eat the same food at breakfast, lunch and dinner, but for the month of December our regular dishes are replaced with Christmas dishes that make each meal feel like a special occasion. We still get dressed each day, but there are Christmas sweatshirts and socks to brighten our choices. We still have reading time and play time, but the box of Christmas books and toys that come out for Advent each year give us reason to eagerly anticipate those times. In our car and home there is often music playing, but special Christmas music seems to capture our attention and focus more than the everyday “background noise” that usually plays. There are plenty of special occasions throughout the year that change our lives for a day or maybe a week, but Advent celebrates “the coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important”…so important that it’s worth shaking up our daily lives! Jesus’ “ordinary” arrival as a baby in humble surroundings was actually the extraordinary gift of Emmanuel, God with Us. So play a new song or read a new story at bedtime, tear loops off a paper Advent chain each day, or hang Christmas lights in your child’s bedroom window. There are many ways to celebrate God’s advent to us every day! How do you celebrate Advent?

Let's Give Thanks by Martha Clay

2008-11-18T14:19:00.000-08:00

What is your Thanksgiving tradition? Is it a huge feast? Do you watch a lot of football? Do you invite others over to your home? For my family, Thanksgiving was a day full of food. Since we did not have any family in the area, we would either invite those without a place to go to join us or go to another family’s home. After I got married, we would just juggle two feasts in the same day since both my husband’s parents and my parents are local. Thanksgiving actually became a stressful day of juggling two families. It is hard to be thankful. So how do I encourage my kids and myself to remember to be thankful? We have much for which to be thankful. We have a ton of stuff and by all outward appearances should be thankful. But I would not characterize us as being thankful. We always seem to want more – more toys, more books, more money, more vacations. So I thought that I would try this Thanksgiving to practice being thankful. In order to do that, I asked some of my friends about how they practice being thankful. One tradition I have heard about is to put three or four candies at each spot and then go around the table and list things that we are thankful for before we eat them. Another family I know collects things that they are thankful for in a box during the month of November and then reveals them at Thanksgiving. Last night, my mother-in-law asked us to share answers to prayer during dinner. For each answer to prayer, we put a couple of chocolate chips in a jar. When the jar is full, we will make a special cookie recipe with them. When we get together again at Thanksgiving, we are supposed to bring our answers to prayer so that we can again add chocolate chips to the jar. Hopefully the desire to make some cookies and some conscious thought will help my husband and I write down many answers to prayer in our family during the next week and a half. Maybe we will even start a new tradition! How do you remember to be thankful? How do you teach thanksgiving?

Welcome!

2008-11-11T13:26:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our blog! We hope to extend our Sunday morning community by providing a place for families in our church community to connect during the week. We want to encourage our families to incorporate “Sunday morning values” and to put them into practice during the week. This can be a place for “hallway conversations” and allow you to interact with other parents that you might not see on a Sunday morning. We want this to be a place for open discussion where parents can discuss topics that are crucial to parenting and to our culture. Our topics seek to answer the question “How do we live intentionally as Christian families in our culture?” In addition, since we minister to children we want to engage them with the blog as well. Periodically, we will have questions and topics that are specifically for your children. We at Westminster strive to be a grace filled community. Feel free to share, but please remember to extend grace in your comments. We look forward to hearing from you! Here's a question for you: Where do you rub shoulders with other Christian families?