Backyard Bible Clubs

Good Monday morning!

The Showcase Pic for the week is a picture of "Jr." Not being a huge NASCAR race fan, I'm not sure who Jr. is, but obviously he is BIG in the world of racing. Austin was very proud of this pic, and since I'm pretty sure he is famous, he gets the coveted Showcase spot this week.

The Gallery Pics are also courtesy of Austin. He took pictures at Talladega for me in my absence. Although there is not ONE SINGLE PICTURE of Mike, Austin, Josh, Kelci or Michael, he did pretty well, didn't he?

RANDOMNESS #1 - It has been an eventful morning. Mike was packed and ready to go to New Orleans for his second business trip in six days. Josh left for school. Roxie and I kissed Mikie good-bye. We left for school. I headed home. I pull in my driveway to meet the garage door people (I'M GETTING NEW GARAGE DOORS TODAY), and Austin runs out of the front door in his PJs.

There are several things wrong with this picture. Austin was sleeping in this morning. When Austin has plans to sleep in, NOTHING except an emergency changes those plans.

He was wildly waving his hands at me. Austin, if he does get up in the morning, is what is known as a "slow mover." Wildly waving hands and arms are not part of his morning routine.

I rolled down my car window. "Josh has had a wreck at Files. He is okay, but Dad says to get up there NOW because he's going to miss his plane!" Not only is Austin a "slow mover" in the morning, but he is also a "slow talker." Although he said Josh was fine, his actions were a little disturbing. I quickly turned the Big Gold Van around and headed the 1.2 miles to Files.

When I arrived, I immediately saw Mikie, Josh and the tow truck. Everyone was indeed okay. Josh had pulled out in front of a truck (larger than a dump truck, but a little smaller than an 18-wheeler), and it took off the front of his truck (grill, bumper, lights, etc.). The "what ifs" will drive you crazy when you see something like this. "What if" Josh had pulled out one second sooner? Would the truck have hit his door? "What if" the big truck had been going just ten miles per hour faster? Would it have spun Josh's truck around and caused more damage? "What if" other cars during heavy school traffic time had not been able to stop? Would other people have been involved or hurt?

That's when the book I'm reading kicked in... Calm My Anxious Heart. The facts, Belinda. Stick with the facts. No one was hurt. The bumper and grill can be replaced. Don't go to "What If Land." It does no good and it does not matter.

Two biscuits later, Josh was ready to go to school. Two extra "Josh is a Driving Teenager" pills, and I also was ready to go... back to bed... with the sheets pulled over my head.

But I have a truckload of things to thank God for this morning, so I need to get busy and take care of that first and foremost.

RANDOMNESS #2 - As I stated above, Mikie is on his way to New Orleans for a little three-day business conference. He didn't miss his flight, and it was good he was there for the wreck. I can "handle" these kinds of things fine, but Mike is so matter-of-fact and calm, I have to bow to his expertise in these areas.

RANDOMNESS #3 - For the record, rhubarb is almost as hard to find as parsnips. I'm planning on going to the store where I finally found parsnips tomorrow. Our little town is not parsnip OR rhubarb friendly. We'll have to change that, I think.

CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - Only a few more days until I pick six lucky winners for the Third Mystery Bag Party. The six names drawn from the bowl will be sent an invitation with specific instructions regarding the Party. I can't reveal the three places we will be visiting or other aspects of the party, but it will be FUN, FUN, FUN! That I do know.

If you haven't already entered, send your name along with the word "CONTEST" via e-mail, Facebook or the Comment Section of the blog. If you see me at Wal-Mart or church and say "CONTEST," that will count, too.

The drawing is scheduled for MAY 12 which is the day of my 400th post on A Simple Life. Enter today!

Q&A! Q&A! Q&A! - I will be having my first Question and Answer session on A Simple Life Monday, May 3. I have had several questions sent in, and I will answer them over a period of several days beginning Monday. Just like the contest, if you have any questions, send them via e-mail, Facebook or the Comment Section.

Weekend Review

Our weekend was very good. Roxie and I enjoyed our Friday evening crop date. We got a lot done, and today I'm reserving two seats for the May crop at Jennifer's house. If you're interested in attending a very nice crop, let me know and I'll give you Jennifer's information. It was a very relaxing, laid-back atmosphere, and we had a lovely time.

The race on Sunday was a huge hit with my guys. They are hooked! I'm happy for them. Really, I am. And I hope they enjoy going to the race for years to come. Roxie and I will be enjoying other things every year when that times rolls around... I assure you.

Roxie and I loved going to Shades Mountain Baptist to see our little friend baptized. It was such a special time, and she and her family are so precious. It was the highlight of my weekend. Mike and I met, fell in love and married at Shades Mountain. Although the congregation now meets in a new sanctuary, there is a new pastor, a new music director and most of the faces are strangers to me, as soon as I walk in I feel at home. I was surprised, but Mike has said the same thing.

Please don't misunderstand. I love our church. It is where my children have grown up, and we have made wonderful memories here. I have learned so much under Bro. Steve's preaching, and now Pastor Kevin's. But home is home, and one day I hope Mike and I can be part of that congregation once again. Sunday was a wonderful day.

Backyard Bible Clubs

You may think of Backyard Bible Clubs in terms of something churches did many, many years ago. However, when the kids were small, and we had a yard full of children running back and forth all day long throughout the long summer months, I had a few of these on my back deck.

Over the next four weeks, I'll be sharing some fun and simple devotions, crafts, etc. you can do with the children in your own neighborhood over the next few months. (The kids are there anyway, right? Why not plant some seeds while they play?)

Today's post will introduce you to the idea, and give you some ideas about getting organized. The next four Mondays will have very specific devotions and activities you can implement in your own Backyard Bible Club. None of the devotions/activities will last longer than 30 minutes. They will all be held outside. The cost will be minimal.

1. Gather the neighborhood kids in your backyard or your back deck and tell them you will be hosting a Backyard Bible Club next ____________. Tell them what time they will need to be there. I fed my group pizzas (two Little Caesar's pizzas for a total of $10), and had a cooler on the back deck filled with bottled water. Explain to them there will be food, games and a SHORT Bible story. During this first initial meeting, have them come up with a name for the Club. You can use your street name (Watkins Way Warriors, etc.), but make it catchy and fun.

2. Make a little flyer one or two days before the actual Club meeting, and have your children deliver them to each of the homes which will be involved. (If you have a family who is a different denomination from your own, or you don't know them very well, be sure to talk with a parent and explain to them exactly what you will be doing. You can even tell them which Bible story you will be sharing, etc.)

3. When all the children have arrived, make sure you begin with prayer, keep everything moving quickly and on schedule, and end with FOOD. FOOD will be your "hook," especially for always active little boys. Talking during the prayer... "No food for you!" Being disruptive during the five-minute devotion... "No food for you!" In reality, after I explained the rules the first time, I never had to use the threat of "No food for you!" Kids understand pizza. It's their second language.

Okay. This your starting point. Come back next Monday for a step-by-step 30-minute Bible Club. There will be prayer, a REALLY fun game, a craft and a five-minute devotion... and, of course, food. Clean-up is minimal. If the weather is bad, have a back-up DATE in mind. When I say BACKYARD, I mean BACKYARD. Being outside takes a lot of pressure off you because you don't have to worry about 15 kids in the house on a rainy day for 30 minutes. (So much damage can be done in so little time! I've been there, and done that!)

Prayerfully consider this idea, and next week I'll help you get started!

Have a simply lovely Monday. I hope you get a lot done on your "To Do" list. Heck... I hope you finish that sucker! I have a wonderful recipe for you to try Tuesday. You must visit A Simple Life at least one more time.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda