{Advent} Day 2- Crown

Karis and I did day two of Truth in the Tinsel today!  I know I said I wasn't doing every day, and I'm not.  But we had the supplies and the time so we did it!

Karis found the box with the #2 on the tree, opened it and found the "Crown" clue inside. We read Isaiah 9:2-7 again (same verse as Day 1), and talked about Jesus as King.

She wasn't as enthused as yesterday at first...

 

{Advent} Day 1- Candle

I know... I know it's Day 2 of Truth in the Tinsel and my title says Day 1. Well... life happened and we never got to doing our Day 1 Advent activity. In fact, I didn't even get to set up my Advent "calendar" till very late that night. At first I felt horrible. Then I came to my senses and realized. BIG DEAL! No one is monitoring me... it's not a test! The goal is to take time with Karis (2yrs) to learn/remember what we are truly celebrating this season. The birth of our Savior!

So, I had decided to do an alternate schedule with Truth in the Tinsel. My life is pretty busy with New Life Kids and being a mom to Karis and wife to Rick. So I decided to go easy on myself. ;) I never had the opportunity to purchase a full advent calendar so I printed some numbers online (see previous post: Getting Ready for Advent), and prepared my Advent days 1, 5, 9, 16, 19, 24.

Leftover favor boxes from my sisters wedding.... 6 years ago!

Getting Ready for Advent

Ok... I've downloaded my copy of Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands by Amanda White of Impress Your Kids. (Not sure what I'm talking about? See my previous post.) Now It's time to get ready to start Day 1 on December 1st!  I have decided to do one of the alternate schedules, "Just the Basics" since Karis is still pretty young and my schedule  has been pretty unpredictable lately ;).  "Just the Basics" includes, Day 1, Day 5, Day 9, Day 16, Day 19 and

{Rescources} New Advent E-book for Kids!

So, I have been following a blog for a little while now called Impress Your Kids. Amanda White, mom & blogger, created this blog to share ways that we can IMPRESS Gods word on our kids' lives and hearts. I started reading and found it so helpful. It's chock full of great ideas of things to do with your children.

{Leadership Lessons} Coaching

Yes, it's been a while. Sorry. Ok here goes...

On January 1st, 2011, I officially started my position as Children's Ministry Director at New Life Fellowship Church in Elmhurst, NY (a town in the burrow of Queens, NYC). I heard myself saying to myself "Uh... why did you say yes?! Do you not remember what vocational ministry is like... especially in Children's Ministry?! Run the other way!"

Previously, I had been employed at a church as a Creative Director for Children's Ministry. It was a very large church that I had grown up in as a teenager.  It was my church and I loved it there. I had

Drive 2011

So I'm getting ready to go to Drive 2011!  I'm so hype (definition- excited, thrilled) because (1) I will not have a toddler sleeping in the next room (ie. a full nights rest) Woo Hoo! (2) Northpoint Community Church, and their Children's Ministry, do so many things so well. I can't wait to learn what they've learned these last 15 years. Or at least what I'll be able to retain. :) (3) I can't wait to connect with other people across the country doing the same thing I'm doing... Children's Minsitry or as we like to call it #kidmin!

And what's funny is that I just did something quite embarrassing to make a "great" first impression.  An email was sent out to everyone attending one of the pre-conference sessions asking what we'd like to hear most about and sharing contact information.  I acidentally replied to all and sent everyone on the list my ramblings on some of the challenges I've been facing as a Children's Ministry Director.  I was mortified. Who wants to hear about a kidmin out in Elmhurst Queens, NYC and what her questions are. I hope people aren't too annoyed.  I sent a follow up "apology email" to everyone. I wanted to crawl under a rock.  I guess I'm mortified because this isn't the first time I've done this.  I've had this ditsy moment before.  I guess I just have to laugh, introduce my self to everyone and apologize in person. :)

So Drive 2011... Here I come!  My prayer is that I do get to meet other folks who minister to kids all across the country and that I will learn from them during those 3 days and beyond.

I'll share my experiences at Drive 2011 in another post coming soon...

I needed to See This...

Enjoy!

He is for me...

Those words are so hard for me to swallow some times.  Life is so challenging.  The decisions and situations we face are rarely black and white.  And our emotions surrounding them make them even more complicated.

So as I face "my giants" and myself.  I sing this song with tears in my eyes praying that God will burn those words in my heart and help me know them words as true...

...I know that you are for me...

And I pray, that you too will know that He is for YOU. Enjoy the song, written and sung by Kari Jobe.

Do you have any songs that have spoken straight to your heart and have blessed you?

Announcement: New Year... New Endeavors

So, there's a reason why I haven't blogged since October.... It's probably not a great reason but a reason nonetheless. :)  Things have been pretty busy for us with the holidays, parties, KARIS!  But that's not all.  There have been a lot of transitions happening for me.  As well as some big decisions that took a lot of courage for me to make.  But I did it, I took a leap of faith and am trusting in the Lord to complete the work he had begun in my heart one summer, a long time ago, at a VBS in Brooklyn, NY.

So, with that said... It's official! As of January 1st, 2011 I am the New Life Kids Director at New Life Fellowship!  I'm so excited to be joining a staff that truly desires to partner with families to reach the next generation.  And am even more excited to work with an amazing group of volunteers that love the children of New Life Fellowship.

Love this pic from our 1-3rd Grade Environment

So, as I move forward in the position God has placed me I ask of and covet your prayers.  And a "you can do it!" on my FB wall once in a while! ;)

Thanks!  Let's go!!! :)

Check out my bio here! (Scroll all the way down)