Monday, May 18, 2009

I am a child of God... and so are you, and you, and you, and...

My husband and I were recently in Topeka and visited the Brown vs. Board of Education National Historic Site. We decided we needed to have a bit of a follow through with a family home evening. As I was putting it together, I thought it could make for a simple, but powerful sharing time. Part of it came from Stand Up for Love from the September 1984 Ensign.

Make a list of different characteristics of the children. Eye color, hair color, hair length, whatever you want. The length of the list can vary, just adjust it to what you know would work best with your primary.

Give the instructions for all the children with blue eyes to go to this area, brown eyes go to that area, and so on. Do this for several characteristics. Have everyone go back to their seats.

An optional object-lesson could be included here. I used an egg in a glass of 1 cup of plain water. It represents someone who is not receiving love or acceptance from those around him/her. The egg sinks to the bottom and the "person" may feel sad, depressed, or unwanted. Remove the egg and stir in 1/4 c. of salt, one spoon full at a time. Each spoonful of salt represents the ways we love and help others. (Examples of following the Savior) This was out of a great book called "10 -minute life lessons for kids" by Jamie Miller.

Then, move into emotional needs. Ask everyone who likes to have fun stand up, everyone who likes to 'fill in the blank' and so on as you are inspired to do. End with 'all those who are a child of God, stand up. All those who are blessed by the atonement of the Savior, sit down. '

Explain that the most important things we need, we all have in common no matter what our hair, skin, or eye color is, what hobbies we like or foods we can't stand. God loves every one of his children, even the ones that have lost their way, and he wants us to love each other and treat others kindly. Add any other thoughts you are inspired to share and bare your testimony.

You could make this go as long or as short as you needed.

Paige

Inspirational Community Articles relating to children

Extending our understanding of our community and others who are succeeding despite challenges, lifts our spirits and can motivate us to serve more diligently.

Click on the links below to receive some inspiration.

Art Works--Drawing helps student with Tourette's realize dream


Children, seniors mix with Success

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

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Monday, May 4, 2009

New presidencies announced

Indian Creek experienced changes this past weekend--May 4, 2009.  After many years of faithful service, Susan Johnson was released. Her enthusiasm and love for life despite challenges was contagious to the primary children and workers. We honor her for leading the primary children in patience and love.

Welcome New Presidencies:

Indian Creek--Lori Mccallson---Trina Contreras---Carolyn Maddox--Sarah Wolf

OP 1st--Carol Valentine--Kamian Gille---Katie Wheeler--Christal Forred 
--see activity below thanking former OP 1 presidency!

Primarily prepared--OP 1 Quarterly Activity


On May 2, 2009, the OP 1 ward presented this activity for the primary children. Ironically, this was the last activity with Leanne Hansen, Ruth Campbell, and Lisa Larson serving in the presidency.

We thank these women for their dedicated service on behalf of our children. Richly blessed and thoroughly taught the primary-aged kids were during the tenure of this amazing group of women.

If you wish to obtain electronic copies for this activity, please contact:
sebishop@everestkc.net

Supplies needed:

Baggie with bandaid, alcohol wipe, FHE budgeting lesson, any materials needed for individual stations, 50 lunch bags, Spofford House donations, 60 items for children’s treats (which they will purchase with $1), stamps for banker to stamp children for making deposit, small candies for bishopric member is give as children hand in tithing, red, yellow, blue stickers to put on children, Bible Stories for Children, Vol. 3 videotape

10-10:15--Opening/Gathering Activity: (place stickers on children as they arrive. Red=Sunbeams and CTR 5, Yellow=CTR 6, 7 & 8, Blue=Valiant 9, 10, 11 & 12 Boys and Girls)

Watch the Parable of the Talents (Chapter 36, Bible Stories for Children, Vol. 3. Explain to the children that Heavenly Father and Jesus want us to take care of the things they have given us: our bodies, our money, our gifts. They also want us to share with others. People in our ward have shared these snacks. We are going to decorate some bags to put the snacks in, then we will give them to the children at Spofford House. The children at Spofford House don’t have families to take care of them. Heavenly Father and Jesus love those children, too. They will have snacks to eat while they study for their tests in school.

Decorate (50) bags for Spofford House for end-of-school year bags. These will be filled with granola bar, hard candy and fruit snacks, to be filled by older children or presidency later.

Opening Song—“The Family is of God”—

Opening Prayer

10:25—Stations—First Aid in font room(start Red Group), Budgeting Basics Nursery room near Bishop’s office (Start Yellow Group), Wants and Needs in Nursery room (Start Blue Group).

10:25-10:40—first rotation

10:42-10:57—second rotation

10:59-11:14—third rotation

11:15—Closing Activity--gather to Primary Room.

Closing song—“The Family is of God”

Closing prayer

Children pay $1 of their budgeted “spending” money for their treat at the Snack Store and pick up a Family Home Evening Packet to take home.