Tuesday, July 30, 2013

The Journey to Kindergarten

We live about a mile from the elementary school where my daughter will begin kindergarten in less than...sigh...two weeks. Micayla (5), Luke (3) and I (along with 8 month old Timmy) have been practicing our means to get to school: biking vs. walking. I insist that it's healthy for us to transport ourselves to school sans a motorized vehicle.

Our journey is a comical one with comments like: "But I'm sweating!" and "You're doing great! Keep pumping your legs. Pedal, pedal!" and "Mommy! I didn't even crash my head on the fence this time [when I fell off my bike]!" and "My legs are tired..." and "We're almost there. Keep going!" and "We made it! I'm proud of you!" and "Can we go home now?"

I'm dripping sweat by the time we get to school. We stop at the back gate for a water, snack and story break before completing the second half of our roundtrip journey. It's a worthwhile endeavor, right?

It's teaching perseverance. Building endurance. Inspiring teamwork ("We need to stay together. Good job pedaling up the hill!"). Practicing listening skills and growing trust ("Stop at the stop sign."). All these important life skills just getting to kindergarten!

So, does this mean I can keep my baby girl home for another year? We will continue to bike or walk to school Monday-Friday, but I won't actually leave her there. Is that ok?

In less that two weeks, we will pass our daughter over to a teacher we do not yet know. Our firstborn will be entrusted to someone else's care for eight hours per day, five days a week. Our preparation for this is not merely walking or riding bikes to school, but spending that time praying for this teacher...and all the students, teachers and administrators at the school.

Because five years really has passed way too fast. Way. Too. Fast.

So, we will take our time getting to school, making memories as we go. Even if we are sweaty by the time we get there!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

VBS Thoughts

Vacation Bible School, or VBS, is often coupled with raised eyebrows and looks of panic as people remember the exhaustion associated with the loooong week. Are you smiling because you can relate? Yet, year after year, many of us continue to invest our time and energy into this endeavor.

I attended my first VBS during high school, where I helped kids with their daily crafts. At that time, I was brand-spanking-new to youth group. I did not know what "VBS" stood for and was too embarrassed to ask. I didn't attend church regularly as a child, so all the Bible stories were new to me...and I soaked them up like a sponge. VBS touched me for the first time when I was 16 years old. While VBS is not "planned" for teens, it certainly impacted my world. Not only did it introduce me to the story of Daniel in the Lions Den, it allowed me to experience people of all ages, men, women, teens, singles, marrieds, parents and grandparents...all working together. Countless moments of laughter, quiet helpfulness, endless love and sacrificial service. Yes, I thought, this VBS thing (whatever it stands for!) is pretty neat. I want to help with this again.

So I did!

I have been privileged to help with VBS for more than a decade. Yes, I did say privileged. That's honestly how I feel: I am lucky and honored to, perhaps, have a teeny-tiny part in the faith formation of children in my church and in my community. In fact, I venture to say that people who know Jesus should maintain that perspective every day! What?!? Did I just say we should have VBS year round?

Nah.

I'm just saying we should, daily, be a refection of Jesus' character. The Jesus who said, "Let the children come to me." The Jesus who walked day and night (He must have been exhausted!) to meet people's needs, who stopped what He was doing to heal a woman who believed only He could heal her. The Jesus who, above all else, remained mindful of people's needs and met those needs...all to provide opportunities for people to believe He truly was (and is) the Son of God.

For all these reasons, VBS is worth it! Fellow VBS servants, "stand strong!" That was our theme this year: God helps us stand strong. He does. Each year will be unique from all the others -- new kids, new volunteers, new curriculum, new snacks, new stories and new crafts. But, one consistent thread, year after year, remains: God knows every single person involved in VBS and He wants everyone to know Him personally.

Stay the course, VBS workers! Stand strong! Invite others to join in on the fun. Include coffee and chocolate in the kitchen for boosts of energy. Whatever you do, always know that it's worth it...so very, very worth it! You just never know who will be impacted...








Monday, July 22, 2013

Guest Blogger - Summer Fun!

Blogging is new to me. Or, more accurately, blog writing is new to me. I've enjoyed reading blogs for years, but my reads were always anonymous...I never left comments or "liked" any articles. I began this blog a couple years ago. I made one post. Then, well, I guess I just kinda forgot about it. Well, I am newly revived! This blog stuff is really fun! Recently, I got to write an article for a parenting blog. Check it out here:
I don't know how to comment, or if you need to login to do so, but if you're able to comment, have at it!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

To Photo Opp or Not

I recently heard a debate on whether Smartphones and pocket-size cameras, combined with social media, has caused us to live for the “perfect photo” instead of enjoy the moment, cherishing it for what it is. We have all been places where everyone around us – including us! – is holding our cellphone, snapping photos or videoing the moment. My daughter’s pre-k graduation and dance recital were prime examples. I sat in the front row at the PK graduation, proud as a blustering peacock (because my firstborn baby could not actually be wearing an adorable cap and gown, graduating PK and singing “We’re on our way to kindergarten…”!), iPhone in hand, videoing the entire production. The recital was much the same, but sweetness sang and danced to The Little Mermaid songs! I alternated between watching my daughter through the phone vs. actually looking directly at her. I am glad to have her first ever graduation and dance recital on video and snap shots to watch and reflect on in years to come, but did taking those videos cause me to sacrifice the moment? Cost me relishing her one and only PK graduation?

When have I been too preoccupied with the photo opp that I’ve missed the life opp?
 
I thoroughly engaged in both of those extraordinary occasions in my daughter's life. Truly, I did. BUT there have been times when I've missed out on the moment because I was too busy trying to document it. I don't want to miss out on today while trying to document for tomorrow. Just a few pictures is enough, then I'll put my phone away and, perhaps, take out a tissue to dab my eyes as a soft voice says, "Mommy, I'm ready for kindergarten." Oh my....!