Friday, August 20, 2010

Five Easy Steps to a clean bathroom floor

1. When the children ask, "Can we wash the ponies in the sink?" Say Yes.
2. Ignore all the laughing and splashing you hear for at least twenty minutes.
3. Pull the plug and give each child a rag for clean-up.
4. Let the oldest child use the mop.
5. Voila. Nice clean floor.

Possible side effects include:
1. Dry sets of clothes for each child.
2. At least 4 wet rags, one wet bath stool, one soaked bathmat, etc...

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Vacation (Have to get away) Bible School


My parents live on at least half an acre of wooded land near a lake in northern Michigan. It makes for a nice vacation for the kids and Mom. We can swim in the lake, ride in the paddleboat, build forts in the woods, and have a great time. In fact, we go every year for one very special week. It is special because my parents’ small country church hosts a huge Vacation Bible School event. Monday through Friday, 7-9 pm with music, games, craft, Bible story, true evangelism, and snack for preschoolers to pre-teens. The kindergarten-1st. grade class my boys were part of boasted 15-20 kids each night.

While I still envy those parents who simply drop off and pick up their children, I am glad I stayed each night. I hung out with the boys’ class and helped them line up, take turns, and deal with disappointment. Story time was the best. The pastor dressed up and had props. One night he was a drill sergeant hollering orders and told us the story of Naaman. One night he was a fisherman who followed Jesus. One night he was a doctor named Luke. It was so good to see those little hands raised when he asked if they wanted to give their hearts to Jesus.

My boys, five years olds each, and full of energy, imagination, and their own ideas, were two of almost 20 in their class. They pulled the horn of a snow plow, watched the lights of a firetruck, and washed hands with a real nurse. The boys made crosses with real construction workers, and quickly turned them upside down so they could be swords. They ran when they were supposed to be still, talked when shushed, pushed others when told to line up, flatly refused to color anything, cried when they didn’t get picked to do an activity and choose not to obey their mom….experienced time outs, discipline from Mom, and talkings to, but not all the time…they also listened to story time, learned how to be a HERO for God, learned Bible verses, asked questions, sat in a circle, played duck, duck, goose, ate snack, listened to others, and one night, both raised their hands to give their hearts to Jesus.

So while part of me still envies those drop off and pick up parents, part of me is eternally grateful for the opportunity to watch my boys grow and learn, especially about my savior, Jesus. Thank you, Dighton Wesleyan Church, for evangelizing children.