Posted by Cindy on June 22, 2009
Gotcha, didn’t I? 
Our church took an “trip” to Rome during VBS this year. We used Group’s Rome: Paul and the Underground Church for a unique weekend VBS where we invited entire families to participate. I have to say that everything about this year’s VBS was a huge success! The material was awesome, the weekend format was appreciated by everyone, and having families go through VBS together has already produced lots of fruit!
Because of the family atmosphere, we needed lots of people to help who normally wouldn’t, which proved to be quite a good tool for pulling our church members together for a common cause. From young to old, everyone who was willing had a part to play. It’s amazing how great a church event can be when everyone works together!
Below are just a few pictures. If you’re interested, I’d love to talk more about how we set up a weekend VBS, how we included families and how we incorporated all ages in helping. Let me know if you’d like to hear more and I’ll write another post with more info.
Paul, who is under arrest and his guard
Leaders of the Underground Church in Rome
Roman game time
Visiting shops in the Marketplace – These are just a few of the seven Marketplace shops the children visited.
Making leather bracelets
Building
Calligraphy and wax seals
Comments:
Filed Under: Bible
Posted by Cindy on January 13, 2009
I don’t like to be cold. Let me rephrase that – I REALLY don’t like to be cold. My hands ache, my back tenses up, and my cheeks and lips take days to recover from severe dryness after being outside only a short time. Let’s put it another way – if I could figure out a way to stock up on everything I need from mid-December through the end of February, and if I could cancel all church/family/co-op obligations, I would happily stay at home in my jammies for two and a half months! You think I’m kidding?
That being said, I’ll make myself go out at least once for some good old-fashioned fun the snow. I also have plans for at least one snowy nature walk since I’ve got some fun ideas up my sleeve. And, I still encourage my children to love wintry days outdoors, even if their mom is a big sissy.
How am I continuing nature study every week considering my wintery predicament? Well, why in the world were windows invented if we weren’t supposed to use them? LOL Seriously, though, a lot of nature study time is happening right from a cozy, comfy seat in front of a window….
My children aren’t the best at drawing. In other words, it doesn’t come naturally, nor do they magically gain the ability after showing them drawing after drawing from wonderfully talented artists. I really don’t expect much, but I would like to be able to tell the difference between a tree and a flower in their nature journals!
Until now, I hadn’t even considered teaching them how to draw – for goodness sakes, have you seen my drawings?? But after letting Drawing with Children
sit on my shelf for two full years, I was inspired to pull it out after reading this, this and this.
I have put together eight lessons (just enough to get me through the cold spell) that will teach my children better drawing skills AND lead into a bit of nature study/drawing practice from a window or a nature book.
Last week, after some warm-up exercises, we learned how to draw a bird on a tree limb. The kids did some bird watching near our one lonely bird feeder as they practiced drawing bird after bird.
Caleb’s Bird
This week, again after some warm-up exercises, we learned how to draw one object behind another. To practice the new skill, they sat at the window observing winter trees in our fence line and drew what they saw using the new layering skill.
Mahayla’s Winter Treescape
Some of my nature-loving friends may tell me that not only am I a winter wimp, but my children and I are missing out on all the beauty and education that God provides in winter. I’m not disagreeing on either account. However, this seems to be a good middle ground for now.
Posted by Cindy on December 21, 2008
Great December Reading
Oh, and have you met God? Apparently Eli has! Every time he gets his busy little fingers on a Santa ornament he says, “God.” (Very reverently, I might add.) His innocent little eyes looking up at us with complete seriousness that he is holding God right in his chubby little hands.
Posted by Cindy on May 4, 2007
Today will be short and sweet. Give your children the chance to grow a garden.
Even if you can only spare a 2×2’ plot of land, it will be worth it to your children! Let them do the entire garden from start to finish. Tilling the land, choosing the seeds, planting, watering, weeding and harvesting. They will make mistakes that will be so valuable. They will also reap rewards that will be even more valuable. And you will have taught them a skill that will always come in handy. Not to mention the fresh air and exercise!
Don’t have any land? Buy a few big pots to place on the porch or even in the window.
For some reason, I never feel closer to the Lord than when I’m working in my garden. Silly? Maybe. I hope your children feel the same way!
Related Tags: gardening, children
