The Camel and the Eye Hole

I love teaching children!

Ok, so I just love teaching in general, but I REALLY love teaching children.  There is an open-ness of their hearts that is unparalleled in any other age group.  It's what I always imagine Jesus was thinking when he told us that we need to receive the Kingdom of God like a child.

It is also fitting that tonight, when I noticed this difference between adults and children so profoundly, we learned about the Rich Young Ruler, which is the very next story in the book of Luke.

God had tonight's plans already completed, but hadn't shared them with me.  In fact, I started my night with the kids frantically thinking and searching.  But like I said, God had it all taken care of.

We began the evening with our normal routine of reviewing the story video and practicing the Bible Verse and The Point, then went to snack.  I had found a 'game' outline online to try and got it ready, but I was concerned about how it would work out.

The idea behind this game was to have one child 'purchase' various boxes with labels attached, then put them in a backpack and try to get through a tiny space while wearing the backpack, illustrating the Camel and Needle concept.  Well, I didn't have play money AND I wanted to involve all the kids AND I didn't want to wrap all those boxes, so I switched it up a little -

I have 'Tribes' in my class - my group is divided into 4 tribes, each with a tribe leader.  The tribes are small groups.  They always stay the same, and the leaders (older students) are encouraged to get to know more about the kids and really bond with them.  So, each tribe came back from snack to find 5 gold coins in their space. (I use these coins in a variety of ways - they are common items for us)  They were instructed to work as a group to choose 5 items from the room that they would like to purchase or take home with them.  I was concerned about what they would choose and whether it would fill my backpack enough.

I shouldn't have worried.

God took over at this point.

The first item brought to the front of the class was the new 5ft. wooden cross.  The second item was the green butterfly chair.  The third item was our 4ft carnival tiger.  It was going to work out just fine.....  :)

We filled the backpack to the point of barely zipping, then the kids took turns putting it on and attempting to crawl under the chair I was sitting in.  (Actually, my daughter and I were BOTH in the chair to keep it on the floor as they struggled to get through!)

 There were some close calls - two children almost made it through - determined little stinkers!  LOL

But my favorite part was when a girl made the connection to the story before I ever went there through our talk time!  She was so excited about the connection when she got it!

We settled back down and I emptied the backpack and asked if they thought they could put it on and get through this time - of course they could!

"Like the camel and the eye hole!" one young guy blurted.  Yep!  That's exactly it!

There's a camel in the eye-hole, dear Liza, dear Liza
There's a camel in the eye-hole, dear Liza, a camel! - yes, I really sang it!  :)


We talked and we talked.  They stayed close and engaged as they lounged around among all the items they had 'purchased' earlier.  We talked about the things we own.  We talked about toys and video games and tv.

Then we talked about friends and family.

I challenged the kids to identify one item that they use too much and they could put aside so they would have more time to work on their personal relationships.

I even went as far as to talk about how God will let them know what that item is the next time they play with it!  Then we talked about what it 'feels' like when we get a whisper from God - and the kids already knew what it felt like for them, because they had heard from God before!  :)


I am so excited to hear about their weeks this Sunday!  I have some kids who are on fire and I get so psyched hearing about their interactions with God!


But what about you?

What do you have in your life that is getting in the way of building a deeper relationship with those in you family, friends, and neighborhood?  What could YOU put away for a while so that you could detox from it for a while?

I know that God will talk to you about it just like I know He will talk to the kids.

Are you ready to hear what He has to say today?

What a Wonderful World This Would Be!

It's late on Sunday night/ Monday morning.  I'm working on a project for Bethany's teacher for this week - it's a tough week in most classrooms.  Only a few days left - kids are all excited and worked-up for Christmas - parents are stressed, which puts the kids even more on edge....  so I am cutting and cutting and cutting to help out and do my share.

The other day on Facebook I had a friend make a comment about how busy my schedule is - how there is always something I am working on or responsible for...  That used to be very true, but things are a little slower these days - I'm not working in the schools 40 hours a week on top of everything else like I used to do!  :)  But we still stay pretty busy around here - it's what we do - it's how God made us.

While I am working in the house, whether it is on the computer or cutting paper sacks, I like to have videos playing.  Mostly they are background noise - I pick videos I have seen before and use them more like a book on tape or an old-time radio show and listen more than watch.  I am currently into a series called 'Lie to Me'.  (Thanks, Corey....I love it!)  Tonight, while I was watching, the main character said, "You have to realize that your talent doesn't belong to you anymore!!!"  Wow.  I felt as if I had just been blown over - I really believe the Holy Spirit just 'WHOOSHED' right into me to make a point:

MY TALENTS DO NOT BELONG TO ME

I was created by God and given talents to use.  But these talents, these gifts, are not mine - they are God's gifts and talents.  He is just letting me use them..... FOR HIM!

I'm crafty.  I love to make and create.  How often do I use this talent to help someone find their way  back to God.

I tend to be insightful.  I can often 'tell' what a person is thinking or feeling even if their words are the opposite.  How often do I use this gift to help someone find their way back to God?

I have a lot of training for working with children with disabilities.  I have a lot of training for working with parents.  How often do I use this training to help someone find their way back to God?

Isn't that what we are supposed to be doing with the gifts and talents and opportunities God gives us?  We were created by God - we were all once with Him.  Finding our way back to Him is the most precious thing that can happen in our lives.  Are we sharing that goal, that journey, with those around us?  Are we helping others find THEIR way back to God?

I do a little - I like to help out at school because I am drawn to kids - because I have a better chance of finding out ways I can use my gifts and talents to help - because I can cheer and encourage the teachers and staff through small gifts and smiles.

What would it look like if we all used our gifts and talents this way?  What if I kept that goal at the FRONT of my thoughts instead of the back of my mind?  The line of a song is running through my head.... "What a wonderful world this would be...."

Protesting Republic

Interesting.  It is very interesting to read the latest reports about the Republic School District and all the commotion.  I see the correct words in the articles - "alleged" and the like - but the tone of the articles conveys the message that the accusers are correct, completely in the right, and fully truthful.

What makes me wonder about these allegations is the timing.

This summer, the Republic School Board voted to take a couple of books out of it's curriculum and libraries (Twenty Boy Summer and Slaughterhouse Five) after a complain from a parent.  Another book was also on the parent's list, Speak, but this book is still in the curriculum - in fact, my freshman son will be reading it in his English class this year.

When I was reading about the bans this summer, I learned that the district used the opportunity to create a process through which a book would go through for these type of decisions.  I do not know the process, but the idea is that it gives an approximation to what age level the book is appropriate.  If a book is considered to be appropriate for high school students in general, then it is left in the school.  If it is considered to be appropriate for college-aged or older, then it is taken out.  This doesn't mean that there aren't students who would be fine reading these books because they are mature or whatnot, only that IN GENERAL a book is geared to a basic age group.

When this system was applied to the books in question, two were taken out and one was left in.  This is a system that can be used over and over, no matter what leadership is in place.  It should be able to be used by teachers, parents, and administration alike, all coming to similar conclusions.  (I hope, anyway)

Now comes the girl.

Two years later.

Do we have all the facts here?  I have questions.  Why so long for a news story?  Why now?  Why didn't this family go to the news two years ago?  One year ago?  Why now?

Now comes the boy.

This one just came out today, I believe.

Another special education student.  More questions.  Again, I ask, "Why now?"

And I believe I know the answer.  I hate the answer.  Really - I hate it.  I hate that it's probably true and that these young, unsuspecting children and their families are being used, but I believe it's true.

It's the ACLU.

In an article I read this summer I read that the ACLU was gearing up for the charge.  I read that they were preparing.  I believe this is what they have dug up - are digging up - will continue to dig up.

They have had to dig deep.  They have had to resort to finding fragile families who may not realize what is happening.  They have not reported with documentation - they have reported with allegations.  They have not reported with fact, only libel.

Now don't get me wrong - I'm not standing up and stating that the Republic School District is perfect and free of all wrongdoing - these allegations may be totally true.  I just really believe that there is more behind the timing of the allegations that we are being led to believe.

Wait with me.

Watch with me.

Keep you mind open.

We will see.

And please do not use these allegations all over the news to taint your view or treatment of the staff in our schools.  Over all the years, with all the teachers, these are the two problems that have surfaced.  Teachers and staff do not work in schools for the money - they work for the love of the children.  Remember that, and support your child's teachers with enthusiasm.

The Republic School District has prepared a Public Statement.  You can find it here:  http://www.republicschools.org/home
In all fairness to this very serious situation in our schools, I pray that you will read and consider both sides.