If you do not know, AWANA club is a Bible memorization program that many churches offer for children and teens. AWANA stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed. It is based on 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
A typical AWANA night is divided up into 4 parts. 1. Opening prayer and pledges to the American flag, the Bible, and the AWANA flag. (Parts 2-4 are in different orders for different age groups). 2. Counsel time, a time of instruction from the Bible that is geared towards the age group being taught. All of the children sit together and listen to a teacher. 3. Handbook time. The children are usually separated into smaller groups and each child has the opportunity to recite Bible verses that they have memorized from their handbooks to their group leader. They can earn awards for memorizing scriptures and for completing their handbooks. 4. Game time. All of the children in an age group (say K-2nd grade, or 3-5th grade) gather around the game circle and play games directed by an adult leader.
AWANA has programs for ages 2 through Highschool, although my observation is that around here most churches only have AWANA programs through 5th grade and then offer something different for older children.
When I was younger, I was in AWANA for a few years. I participated in the teen program and I helped as a leader in training with the younger groups. A couple of years I worked with Sparks, the program for K-2nd grade, and another year I worked with girls in the 3-5th grade group.
I have honestly forgotten many things about my experience with AWANA back then, like what years I participated! But that doesn't really matter. What matters is what I have never forgotten. I have never forgotten the scriptures I learned during that time. They have stayed with me all of these years. It has literally been about 20 years now, but those scriptures have been written on my heart. I cannot always quote every scripture I have learned at the drop of a hat, but they are there and the Lord has brought them to my memory at all of the right times.
Isaiah 55:11 says "So shall My Word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
God's Word is powerful. When we put it in our hearts through study and memorization it will always be there. We may or may not be able to quote the scriptures we have learned at a moments notice, but when we need them, the Holy Spirit will bring them to our remembrance and they will help guide us. His Word will always accomplish His will in our lives!
So now, to the parents who have their children in the AWANA program, and to the parents who are teaching your children scriptures. Don't lose heart! Don't give up! These scriptures that you are helping your children learn now will impact them for the rest of their lives! You may struggle teaching your children the scriptures (like I do!), but it will not be in vain. The Lord has a plan, He has sent out His Word, and it will accomplish His will in your child's life. Every moment spent working with your child on scripture memorization will be worth it.
Here are some practical tips for helping your child memorize.
~ Take their handbook with you in the car and have them practice while you drive around during the week.
~ Have your child's handbook next to the bed and make it part of the bedtime routine, working on verses for a few minutes every night before bed.
~ Keep your child's Bible and Handbook in a bag such as a canvas bag or back pack so you can keep track of it easily and so your child will be less likely to lose them on club night.
~ For longer verses, break them down and memorize only short parts of the verses at a time and then put them altogether.
~ If your child does not have a CD with the books of the Bible songs on them you can do a web search for "Books of the Bible song" on video.
~ Memorize the scriptures along with your child! Have your child test you to see if you have learned it correctly.
~ Write the scriptures out on index cards to carry around with you, or to post on the walls in your home. In front of the bathroom mirror is a good place.
~ Work on two or three sections of your child's book each week so that they can complete the book in 1 year.
~ Encourage your child! Tell them how important memorizing scripture is and show this to them by being interested in what they are learning and learn the scriptures yourself!
~ When you pick your child up from AWANA, take a look at their book to see which sections they were able to pass, and what you need to start working on next.
~ If you ever have any questions, don't hesitate to ask your child's AWANA leader!
~ Don't worry if your child memorizes "too quickly". The scriptures will be gone over again in review and if your child completes their whole book before the AWANA year is over, your child's leader can provide more material for them to learn.
~ Don't worry if your child memorizes "too slowly". My children have not always finished their books by the end of the year, but I know that what they did hide in their hearts will always be there.
~ Pray with your children. Ask the Lord to help them hide His Word in their hearts. Psalm 119:11 "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee."
This program offers such a wonderful opportunity for both you and your child. I hope and pray that you have been encouraged by this and that it will inspire you to be involved in what your child is learning in AWANA. God's Word is the most powerful tool in the life of the believer, what a wonderful thing to put in the hands and hearts of our children.
Monday, October 13, 2014
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Everyone can do something...
This is what I wrote last year, but I would really like to share it again. Seriously, everyone CAN do something.
What are you going to do?
Friday, September 5, 2014
We can't do nothing
Why do we continue to "go gold", spread the word, and raise funds for childhood cancer. After all, Silas isn't here anymore, we can't help him anymore.
Why? Because we can't do nothing! We know now, we know that children are being diagnosed every day with cancer. We know that the funding for childhood cancer research is pitiful. We know that more needs to be done to support families fighting cancer, more needs to be done to provide researchers with the resources they need to do their jobs, more needs to be done to find less toxic treatments.
More needs to be done.
We are not millionaires. We have a tight budget. But that doesn't mean we can't do something. We can't fund all childhood cancer research by ourselves, but we can do something. We can tell others about the need and maybe some of those others will be able to donate large amounts of money, or maybe if we tell enough people and each of them donates a little, it will add up to a lot.
One of the things we have done this year, along with another family, is make bead bracelets with turtles and gold ribbon charms on them. We have been selling them to raise funds for childhood cancer research! The supplies for this are relatively inexpensive and I have bought them off and on over time rather than all at once. People seem to really like them and we have sold a dozen already this month! We have several events coming up and I hope to sell all the bracelets I have! (83 at last count but I plan on making more today)
Childhood cancer facts for today.
~The American Cancer Society donates only 1% of funds raised to childhood cancers.
~3 out of 5 children who survive cancer will suffer long term side effects from the cancer and treatment.
~Since the 1950's the overall cure rate for childhood cancers has gone from less than 10% to nearly 80% (although some childhood cancers the cure rate is still 0%).
Why? Because we can't do nothing! We know now, we know that children are being diagnosed every day with cancer. We know that the funding for childhood cancer research is pitiful. We know that more needs to be done to support families fighting cancer, more needs to be done to provide researchers with the resources they need to do their jobs, more needs to be done to find less toxic treatments.
More needs to be done.
We are not millionaires. We have a tight budget. But that doesn't mean we can't do something. We can't fund all childhood cancer research by ourselves, but we can do something. We can tell others about the need and maybe some of those others will be able to donate large amounts of money, or maybe if we tell enough people and each of them donates a little, it will add up to a lot.
One of the things we have done this year, along with another family, is make bead bracelets with turtles and gold ribbon charms on them. We have been selling them to raise funds for childhood cancer research! The supplies for this are relatively inexpensive and I have bought them off and on over time rather than all at once. People seem to really like them and we have sold a dozen already this month! We have several events coming up and I hope to sell all the bracelets I have! (83 at last count but I plan on making more today)
Childhood cancer facts for today.
~The American Cancer Society donates only 1% of funds raised to childhood cancers.
~3 out of 5 children who survive cancer will suffer long term side effects from the cancer and treatment.
~Since the 1950's the overall cure rate for childhood cancers has gone from less than 10% to nearly 80% (although some childhood cancers the cure rate is still 0%).
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Did you know?
If you are reading this, you probably already know that kids get cancer. If you know me, you know that kids get cancer. When Silas was first diagnosed we were told that on average 1 in 330 children would get cancer before the age of 20. That has changed however. This year there is a new statistic and it is not encouraging, now on average 1 in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20! Cancer among children is on the rise, but funding has not improved. Less than 4% of government funding for cancer research goes to childhood cancer research.
You can help fill the gap by making donations to reputable childhood cancer organizations that fund research. The following organizations do a tremendous work for kids fighting cancer and will handle your money wisely and use it to find a cure.
www.stbaldricks.org
www.curechildhoodcancer.org
www.alexslemonade.org
Check out these organizations for yourself! Make a donation, share information with your friends and family, participate in fundraisers.
Remember, every dollar counts! Even if you can only afford $1.
You can help fill the gap by making donations to reputable childhood cancer organizations that fund research. The following organizations do a tremendous work for kids fighting cancer and will handle your money wisely and use it to find a cure.
www.stbaldricks.org
www.curechildhoodcancer.org
www.alexslemonade.org
Check out these organizations for yourself! Make a donation, share information with your friends and family, participate in fundraisers.
Remember, every dollar counts! Even if you can only afford $1.
Monday, September 1, 2014
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month
Yep, kids get cancer too. Its hard to fathom that anyone would not know that, but I have met so many people now that don't know it I am not surprised any more.
Things are changing though, people are learning. This year more people than ever are "going gold" for kids with cancer! Many buildings, bridges, and monuments are shining gold lights this year in honor of kids with cancer. Even in our little community I have had people contact me asking about fundraisers this year for childhood cancer.
Today our family will start our "million mile run/walk/ride" for Childhood cancer. We will be walking. Our goal this year is 25 miles each for the month. We have a website set up for that fundraiser, if you would like to sponsor us please check it out! You are also welcome to join our team and run/walk/ride with us! http://www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/1118031
Join us. Spread the word. We will make a difference if we all do something, even if its only a little something.
Fact for the day: World wide, approximately 91,250 children die from cancer each year. That's 250 every day.
Things are changing though, people are learning. This year more people than ever are "going gold" for kids with cancer! Many buildings, bridges, and monuments are shining gold lights this year in honor of kids with cancer. Even in our little community I have had people contact me asking about fundraisers this year for childhood cancer.
Today our family will start our "million mile run/walk/ride" for Childhood cancer. We will be walking. Our goal this year is 25 miles each for the month. We have a website set up for that fundraiser, if you would like to sponsor us please check it out! You are also welcome to join our team and run/walk/ride with us! http://www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/1118031
Join us. Spread the word. We will make a difference if we all do something, even if its only a little something.
Fact for the day: World wide, approximately 91,250 children die from cancer each year. That's 250 every day.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Too many roosters...a chicken update
It is becoming apparent that we have too many roosters. There was a chance this would happen since we chose "straight run" chicks. Out of 14 chickens it looks like 7 may be roosters. From what I have heard 1 rooster per 6 or 7 hens is all you need. I know which rooster I want to keep, he is the only one of his kind that we have. He is a Partridge Plymouth Rock and his name is Survivor (as he was the only one of his siblings to survive the dog attack that killed the rest of them).
I might keep one of the other roosters too. Just because they are so pretty! However, all of the extras need to be eaten. I plan to wait another couple of weeks to make certain which are roosters but we will have to have a butchering day where we kill and clean the extra roosters. I want the boys to know how to do this. I have never done it before but I have been doing research the last week, mostly watching youtube videos on how to kill and clean a chicken. It does not look like fun but I think I can do it. Especially if we make it a family event and all help out. I already know Archie doesn't want to participate in the killing part and I am pretty sure Jason won't want to either, but they will probably both be OK with the cleaning and eating part.
They are all turning out so pretty. I am really pleased. I should have some eggs any day now. I am starting to wonder if they have laid some eggs but we haven't found them yet. Since the chickens free range all day and only go in the coop at night, they really could be laying anywhere. I am hoping to get them to lay in the coop though. We need to get the laying boxes put in there. I have heard that if the chickens are kept in the coop for a few hours in the morning they are more likely to lay in there all the time. We'll see. If they aren't laying yet, they should be soon! I have heard of chickens laying as early as 18 weeks and as late as 26 weeks. Our chickens range from 18-22 weeks right now.
Monday, July 28, 2014
A prayer for my Daughters-in-law
I have all boys. I imagine the chances are pretty good that at least one, if not all 3 of the sons I am raising will get married one day. I have often prayed for my future daughter/s in law though not as often as I should. My prayers for them are sometimes short and sweet, and sometimes more detailed and longer. I think it would be great if I remembered to pray for them more often, maybe I should make a note to myself on my calendar!
Whoever my sons choose as wives, I am determined to be the best mother-in-law I can be. I want to do everything I can to get along with my daughters-in-law, to encourage them, to be there for them, and to bless them. I know that the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship is notoriously challenging, but I also know, that if I rely on the Lord for His help, I could have a very special relationship with my future daughters-in-law.
Father in Heaven, thank you for my boys. Thank you for the opportunity to raise them. I ask for your help to raise them to be godly men, husbands, and fathers. I pray that you would help guide Archie and I in raising each of them to reach their fullest potential. That they would love You more than anything else. That they would be wonderful husbands and that they would each find the wife that You have chosen for them. That they would be wonderful fathers and raise up wonderful children.
Father, I pray for my future daughters-in-law. I pray that You would bless them today. I ask that if they do not know you as their Lord and Savior, that you would place people in their lives that would lead them to You. That You would make Yourself known to them in a very real way today. I ask for Your protection over them. That in this evil world we live in, that You would keep them safe from harm, from the influences of this corrupt world, from Satan's schemes. I ask that You would work in their lives, even now as children, to make them good and godly women, wives, and mothers. That each of them would be exactly the kind of wife that each of my sons need. Father, I ask that you would equip them to be wise, strong, patient, determined, godly, self-controlled, peaceable, good communicators, quick to forgive, affectionate, and loving. Equip each of them to serve You in whatever way You have planned for them.
Father, bless my future daughters-in-law today. I pray that You would wrap Your arms around them and pour out abundant blessings upon them!
Oh Heavenly Father, help Archie and I to raise our sons well. I ask that You would give us wisdom in doing so. Thank you again for the blessings You have given us!
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.
Whoever my sons choose as wives, I am determined to be the best mother-in-law I can be. I want to do everything I can to get along with my daughters-in-law, to encourage them, to be there for them, and to bless them. I know that the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship is notoriously challenging, but I also know, that if I rely on the Lord for His help, I could have a very special relationship with my future daughters-in-law.
Father in Heaven, thank you for my boys. Thank you for the opportunity to raise them. I ask for your help to raise them to be godly men, husbands, and fathers. I pray that you would help guide Archie and I in raising each of them to reach their fullest potential. That they would love You more than anything else. That they would be wonderful husbands and that they would each find the wife that You have chosen for them. That they would be wonderful fathers and raise up wonderful children.
Father, I pray for my future daughters-in-law. I pray that You would bless them today. I ask that if they do not know you as their Lord and Savior, that you would place people in their lives that would lead them to You. That You would make Yourself known to them in a very real way today. I ask for Your protection over them. That in this evil world we live in, that You would keep them safe from harm, from the influences of this corrupt world, from Satan's schemes. I ask that You would work in their lives, even now as children, to make them good and godly women, wives, and mothers. That each of them would be exactly the kind of wife that each of my sons need. Father, I ask that you would equip them to be wise, strong, patient, determined, godly, self-controlled, peaceable, good communicators, quick to forgive, affectionate, and loving. Equip each of them to serve You in whatever way You have planned for them.
Father, bless my future daughters-in-law today. I pray that You would wrap Your arms around them and pour out abundant blessings upon them!
Oh Heavenly Father, help Archie and I to raise our sons well. I ask that You would give us wisdom in doing so. Thank you again for the blessings You have given us!
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.
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