Creative Kids

I've often felt a twinge of guilt because I don't do more artsy stuff with my kids. I'd like to be, but am not the type of mom who has a whole art center with an unending supply of paper, pens, crayons, paint, glitter, glue, tape, stickers, pipe cleaner, and whatever other stuff is needed to make some amazing craft when inspiration hits. Even with my experience in teaching Sabbath school, doing a craft at the end of the lesson was never my strong point.

But, despite my inadequacies here, my kids are still learning to be creative and have avenues of self-expression. They never cease to amaze me with the things they come up with. As much as I may dislike their collection of "junk" I'm super proud of them for being able to see something of "no value" and turn it into something they prize highly.

Exhibit A: They created a "trailer" for their bikes using rope and boxes. They transport whatever they want now with ease, including taking out the trash for me! Instead of carrying their heavy roller skates to the tennis courts, now they can just load them in their trailer and bike over.

Exhibit B: They made these little "beds" out of a tire. I had to spoil their fun by explaining that their beloved blankets, pillows and stuffed animals would get filthy outside and stained black from the tires. Though I love their creativity, too often I spoil their fun :(

Exhibit C: The maintenance guy, who my kids affectionately call "Happy Jim" (he's always very chipper and friendly) gave them a board that has a road painted on it so they can drive their cars around. Instead, they turned it into a table with these construction cones as table legs. Now they have their very own tea party table. They dug these plates and cups out of the trash too. (Yes there's a big dumpster near by which they frequent). 

As much as they love store bought toys, they often tire of them within a few days and are on to creating their own inventions using common "junk". For example, they found some Mardi Gras beads and used them to make a strap for a purse (a plastic bag) so they can transport their "Kiwis"

 They found this dolly in the trash too and rescued it. Omega didn't like it's hair so she put a "sock cap" on it (in the Midwest where David is from, they call beanies sock caps). So, literally, she is wearing a sock on her head decorated with bows. The dolly, which Omega named Amber, is joining them for their picnic lunch.

 

I've been eager for our house to sell so I can officially start homeschooling. But, praise the Lord, at least my kids are still learning, despite any formal, structured teaching schedule. They may not be learning to print neatly yet, but they are learning to think, to create, to problem solve, to work as a team, to explore and dream.

I don't want my kids to collect clutter, but I do want them to experience the truthfulness of this quote:

 "Nothing that can be utilized should be thrown away. This will require wisdom, and forethought, and constant care. It has been presented to me that the inability to save, in little things, is one reason why so many families suffer for lack of the necessities of life." CG 135

Camping Easter weekend

We got to go camping at Bass Lake this past weekend. There were 16 people total, utilizing 3 sites. Friday afternoon, everyone set up their tents and ate a supper of hot dogs, tofu sandwich spread and sliced watermelon. As it became Sabbath, we sang songs and had worship on 1 Corinthians 15, seeing the importance of believing in the resurrection. 

On Sabbath morning, after a delicious breakfast of overnight oats (oats and nuts soaked in pineapple juice with cut fruit added in the morning) and muffins we began our "Sabbath School." I was in charge of planning the spiritual activities and wanted to do something that would be meaningful and enjoyable for the children. Too often my kids whisper to me in church asking, "Mom, when will he be done?" They sit quietly just waiting for it to be over. Though I know there are probably tidbits they hear and comprehend, overall, they don't seem to be getting much out of church yet.  So, after a good hunt on Pinterest I found an idea I thought would work. My mom gave me some Easter eggs and inside I put an object that represented Jesus' last days of life, his death and resurrection. David hid the 12 eggs around the campsites.

 I began by explaining that the Jews thought they had the truth. They were entrusted the "oracles of God" and assumed they had a correct understanding. Their arrogance became their snare.The disciples were overwhelmed with disappointment because they thought Jesus was going to deliver them from the Romans. In light of this, I encouraged that as they seek for the eggs, to think of how they need to continue seeking truth in God's word, not ever resting content in their understanding of things. As we learned in 1 Corinthians, 15:1-2 "Moreover brethren I declare unto you the gospel...By which also are ye saved, IF ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain." Its important to study and restudy things, especially the gospel. 

After all the eggs were found, the kids opened one at a time and everyone guessed what the item represented in the "Easter Story." Then, they put them in chronological order on top of the guitar. 

1. Donkey - Jesus riding into Jerusalem the Sunday before his resurrection.

2. Tortilla - The last supper (Thursday evening)

3. 3 dimes - 30 pieces of silver that Judas received from turning Jesus over to the Pharisees.

4. A small teacup - In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed, "if it be possible let this cup pass from me"

5. Rope - the rope that Jesus was bound with as they arrested him.

6. Feather - the rooster that crowed after Peter denied Jesus 3 times.

7. Purple cloth - the robe the soldiers put on Jesus to mock him as "King of the Jews."

8. Nail - Jesus getting nailed to the cross.

9. Sponge - When the soldiers offered Jesus vinegar to numb his pain.

10. Sword - the spear they used to pierce Jesus to make sure he was dead. 

11. Rock and gauze - The stone they rolled in front of the tomb and the cloth they wrapped Jesus in

12. Empty egg - The empty tomb because he resurrected.

After that, we split into 4 groups and each group could pick one of the stories represented by an object and discuss the story, imagining what they would see, smell, taste, touch and hear if they were there. Then the group created their story using nature. I got this brilliant idea from my teacher at SOULS West (when I was a student). She is STILL full of brilliant ideas and is always doing fun things with her children. You can check out her blog here!

Here is the scene my group did. We chose to study the denial of Peter. After reading all four accounts in the gospels, we discussed it and created this "courtyard" out of stick and a fire pit out of rocks and pine needles. The "rooster" is a pine cone with a green feather sitting on the "wall" made out of bark.

Here A.J is recapping to the entire group what their small group discussed about the crucifixion of Christ.

This is their nature scene. If you look closely, you'll see a cross, a soldier offering vinegar on a sponge, people watching (sticks) and Satan (the hunched over spiky stick).

Omega and Heidi are showing the group their resurrection scene. They created a little hut that was the disciples house, then on the other side was a tomb made out of rocks and ferns.

Here is the "tomb"

After a short thought from David for "church" we at lunch (oat burgers or avocado sandwiches with all the fixin's) and then headed out for a nature walk at Lewis Creek.

I thought it was adorable that Savannah and Orion held hands along the hike. She has a gift for motivating.
















At the end we were rewarded with a beautiful waterfall.

 Though some preferred to enjoy the rocks above.

 Fittingly, at the end of our trail was this semi tomb-like rock. If there were just a little more of an overhang, it would have been perfect. :)

The water was cold, but refreshing!












When we got back to camp we ate supper (Option of taco salad or bread/muffins and spreads and fruit). While we ate we each shared one thing we saw in nature that reminded us of the death, burial and/or resurrection of Jesus. It was such a blessing to hear how God spoke through nature to each person differently. We sang some songs and prayed to close the Sabbath.

Then some of us roasted vegan marshmallows to make smores. The kids enjoyed playing with glow sticks and we all chatted around the fire until bedtime.

Sunday morning, after taking down our tents we had a short worship where those who wanted to could share a snippet of what they studied for their devotions, we sang and had a popcorn prayer. Then we ate granola with fruit, breads and spreads for breakfast.

On Saturday evening my kids begged me to wake them up when I woke up so they could spend more time with Savannah and Heidi who are earlier risers. I tried waking Orion up, but he just wouldn't wake up. Once he woke up and heard Omega playing with the Krick kids, he accusingly whined, "Mom! Why didn't you wake me up?!" I tried to explain it to him, but David invited him to snuggle and and get warm to comfort him in his distress. He stayed there for quite awhile actually, totally forgetting about playing with Savannah and Heidi. As fun as friends are, Daddy is still Orion's hero.

By the way, for my family reading this who are anticipating our June Family Reunion, these camp sites even have flushable toilets with sinks!

I'm not sure how the group felt about an Easter Egg hunt on Sabbath (maybe too Pagan?) but in light of the following quotes, I felt it was appropriate.

"I saw that our holidays should not be spent in patterning after the world, yet they should not be passed by unnoticed, for this will bring dissatisfaction to our children...We have tried earnestly to make the holidays as interesting as possible to the youth and children, while changing this order of things. Our object has been to keep them away from scenes of amusement among unbelievers...(472)

When you have a holiday, make it a pleasant and happy day for your children, and make it also a pleasant day for the poor and the afflicted. Do not let the day pass without bringing thanksgiving and thank offerings to Jesus. (AH 476)

Besides doing a communion service, does anyone have other ideas for future years to come on how to make "Easter" an interesting, pleasant day for children and the poor and afflicted? I'm interested in your opinions!

Glowing

One thing I really like about being in Fresno is the friendships my kids have the opportunity to develop. My kids get absolutely giddy at the thought of hanging out with Savannah and Heidi. 

This Sabbath after potluck we handed out Great Controversies at some apartments and then went to a parking lot and put GLOW tracks on the driver's side door handle. Omega LOVED it because she felt like she was being sneaky. 

This is a picture of the kids at the apartments, sorting  their GLOW into equal piles. 

Heidi has had more experience doing this because the Clovis church had a huge emphasis on handing out GLOW for about two years. She was a great coach to Omega, telling her to run faster and showing her how to hustle.

 This is what it looks like, in action.

And here is the "de-brief."