Orion's 8th Birthday

Another year has flown by and now Orion is 8. Ironically, he seems to get sick every birthday. We planned to have a joint birthday party with Savannah and the night before he came down with a fever. I figured I'd just let Omega go and stay home with Orion but then miraculously he started acting normal, we took his temperature and he was fine. I figured God had answered our prayer and was giving him a merciful token of love. However, by that time I had already told David he could use the truck (he had to drive to Watsonville and pick up stuff with trailer) so Heather had to come pick us up. We ate lunch at the Kricks (Corn chowder and chicken noodle soup with tofu and gluten sandwiches, blueberry pie and jello) and then drove up to the snow at Shaver Lake.


He slid down the hill maybe twice and then sat in Julie's car the rest of the time. He didn't have the energy or motivation to keep trekking up the hills. I really hope no other kids get sick!

He is happy about his gifts. He got a Lego arctic snowmobile, two little stuffed animals (a giraffe and a panda), a board game, a birdhouse kit, $20.00, and some bubbles. Plus, I bought him new snow boots and gloves.

So, here are a few things about Orion to describe his 7th year:

1. Proud of - he can swallow capsules (Omega can't). He can do "tricks" on his scooter.

2. He's quite competitive. Likes to win, likes to be first,

3. Favorite food - breaded okra. Favorite breakfast is bagels and split pea soup.

4. Best friends - Savannah, Heidi, Daniel, Eden, and Myna

5. Favorite Games - "Dark-dark" (Someone is "it,"you turn out the light and try to find them, you tag them and say their name and if it's right then they become "it"), Sardines (one person hides, everyone else finds the one person), Doe and Cho (Two police named Doe and Cho, Big Homie and Fast Break are bad guys. The police are disguised as regular people in a park. They pretend the bad guys steal something and Doe and Cho arrest them and put them in jail.

6. Favorite toys - Legos, Kiwis

7. Favorite activities - Riding his scooter

8. Aspirations - Be a doctor. I asked him what kind and he said, "The easiest one."

9. Other observations - Colors very well (when he wants to). Still wants to bring his "bwankie" to church. He tries to talk like a baby quite a bit. Loves when Omega sleeps on the top bunk with him. Likes watching videos. Gets scared at night (thinks he hears bad guys outside his window) and wants the night light to be on bright.

I'll stop reading my bible then!

At Sabbath School, Janice taught the kids a song that says

“Read your Bible pray every day and you’ll grow…grow…grow.

And you’ll grow…grow…grow

And you’ll grow…grow…grow

Read your Bible, pray everyday and you’ll grow…grow…grow

November 25, 2011

(At the start of the song you are crouched down and then each time you say “grow” you stand up a little more.)

Then, you sing:

“Neglect your Bible, forget to pray…forget to pray…forget to pray..

Neglect your Bible, forget to pray and you’ll shrink…shrink…shrink….

(Then you start squatting back down).

The other night as I was putting the children to bed Orion and I got into a little power struggle. I forget what it was that caused a tantrum but I said to Orion, “You’re almost four. You’re a big boy now. You need to stop responding that way when you don’t get what you want.”  Then he says, “Then I’ll just stop reading the Bible”. I was thinking, “Where did that come from? I don’t get it.” Then he adds, “If I stop reading the Bible I’ll shrink.” I had to laugh at that. Such a simple mind. It was kind of hard to explain that the song means you’ll shrink spiritually. I told him, “Orion, when you stop reading the Bible you might be four but you’ll act like a two year old. Reading the Bible helps you act like how old you are. “

By partaking of this Word, our spiritual strength is increased; we grow in grace and in a knowledge of the truth. Habits of self-control are formed and strengthened. The infirmities of childhood–fretfulness, willfulness, selfishness, hasty words, passionate acts–disappear, and in their place are developed the graces of Christian manhood and womanhood.  {CG 505.3}

Identity

November 25, 2011

My kids love to pretend they are other people or animals. This morning Omega woke Orion up and said, "Orion, are you still Chucka-chone Chone-Chone?" (Chucka-chone is his first name, and Chone-Chone is his last name) Don't ask me how they came up with that. It's stuck around for the last year or so.  Other names they pretend to be are Amy and Charles,  Janna and Andy, or Janice and Byron (all members of the Smith family who my husband works for). At least now we've gotten them to adopt their correct gender. There was a time when Omega wanted Orion to be Esther and she would be Amber (kids of some friends of ours). David didn't like that. He'd says, "Omega, Esther is a girl. Orion is a boy. Why don't you let him be a boy?" Then Omega would say, "But he's a BOY Esther."

Oh, now I just overheard Omega said, "Orion, why don't you be a monkey."  They can switch pretty easily. Sometimes they can even be multiple people all at once! When I'm getting them out of the bathtub, sometimes they say, "watch the alligator get out of the bathtub," and then they slither out. Even when we are having worship and it's time to kneel on the floor and pray, Orion will say, "I'm a kangaroo going to pray." Then he'll jump down from the couch.

As I'm typing this I can hear them on their hands an knees whispering. I think they are trying to "sneak up" on me.....I just pretended to be surprised and scared. They said they were a kitty and a doggy. I pet them on their head and scratched their ears. Now they are going to go do it again because it was so much fun.

That's another thing about kids. Doing the same funny thing over and over and over and over is always just as funny as the first time.

My Business

November 25, 2011

I've kept a sporadic journal of the cute things my kids say and do. But, often I find myself saying "I really need to write more consistently and capture ALL of these moments." Everyone keeps telling me, "Enjoy it now. They grow up fast".  I've started reading some "mommy blogs" and I love seeing pictures and reading little moments that were captured in words. Then I think, "Why am I wasting my time reading about other people's lives. I should be chronicling my own family!" Omega asks me questions about when she was a baby and sadly I can't tell her a whole lot.

People sometimes call me and ask questions about potty training, throwing tantrums, and sleep irregularities. My memory is so fuzzy when it comes to some of those things. Either that, or I think I remember and wonder later if I'm over-generalizing or polarizing. "Boys are so much harder than girls" or "If only I were more consistent in the beginning...then I wouldn't be dealing with this now." I think that may be the case, but maybe I'm forgetting stuff or maybe my expectations are skewed and therefore my perceptions are not accurate.

I've been keeping a log of when my kids go to sleep and when they wake up. I think they get enough sleep, but I want to see if my perception matches with reality. There are other things too. I want to start keeping track of how often my kids fight and when they throw fits. I want to keep track of when I get snappy and arbitrary and how much time in the day I actually play with them.

I read a quote the other day in a book that I highly respect called Child Guidance which said, "The early training of children is a subject that all should carefully study. We need to make the education of our children a business, for their salvation depends largely upon the education given them in childhood" (Child Guidance, 27).

A business? When I think of business I think of being intentional, having a strategy, being organized, planning, executing and then evaluating. I think of research, skill, punctuality, management - all for one goal...profit. Now of course, the profit that comes from making the education of our children a business is not going to be monetary. The profit will be the good character that

they develop and seeing them in heaven.  One of my favorite quotes from Child Guidance, actually one in which I've made a song out of is....(Post later - I can't find it right now)

When the judgment shall sit, and the books shall be opened; when the "well done" of the great Judge is pronounced, and the crown of immortal glory is placed upon the brow of the victor, many will raise their crowns in sight of the assembled universe and, pointing to their mother, say, "She made me all I am through the grace of God. Her instruction, her prayers, have been blessed to my eternal salvation."  {CG 564.1}

So, I have always taken the education and training of my children seriously. But, I know there is room for improvement.  So, may God's grace be sufficient for me today as I seek to live up to all the light that I have in regards to being a good mommy.

Planted garlic

November 27, 2011

My husband and I really believe in growing our own food. I'm even nerdy enough to actually weigh everything we harvest and I have it on a spreadsheet and it calculates how much we would have spent buying it in the grocery store so that we can see how much money we've actually saved from gardening. Cucumbers alone were $506 worth! (181 lbs times 2.79 per lb) Not that I would have ever bought that many cucumbers in one summer, but  that's how many came from our garden! Now I have around 60 quarts of pickles...I don't know how we'll eat it all, but oh well. Spaghetti squash was also a whopping $309 worth! Yep, our pantry is FULL of spaghetti squash! Anyway, our total earnings, not including the four pallets of sweet potatoes that I have to weigh still is $1,716.

So, now that it's winter and all the grass hoppers are dead, we are beginning to plant some cold-hardy vegetables. First, a picture of a dead grasshopper.

Look at the gate and see if there's anything odd about it.....

Now take a closer look...

We had a plague of these little monsters right at the end of the season

So...back to the planting of garlic....

Before I could plant the garlic, I had to "shape the bed". We have raised beds but we've noticed that over the last year, our 5 foot wide bed has shrunk to around 3 1/2 feet. The sides are eroding. So, we needed some structure on the sides and started out using rocks that we hand-collected off a mountain close to our house but only got two beds done when some rancher secured the gate that we were going in and out of with barbed wire. So, we had to go with the alternative of wood.  My husband, the great researcher that he is, found a guy who had replaced the wood seats of some bleachers with metal and was selling the wood for really cheap. We bought it and used the table saw from the farm to cut them into 6 inch wide pieces. Then we hammered some re-bar into the ground to keep them in place.

So, here's the garlic

I made a 6 X 6 grid and Omega layed the garlic on every corner that she could reach.

Orion helped separate the cloves from the bulb

Of course, this is before we pushed them down into the dirt. I wanted to make sure I had straight rows :)

When we were all done they got to throw the paper/garlic into the air like confetti!

Not sure why they wanted to stick their tongue out. In the desert we get little snow...so maybe they were pretending it was snow.

Play

November 28, 2011 

Omega and Orion are playing "wedding." I'm not sure why Orion got a "dress" but....anyway. Here they are ceremoniously walking on the carefully smoothed out blankets.

Omega started twirling around and Orion is delighted in her enthusiasm.

Part of me groans inside knowing that I'll probably do most of the folding of these blankets. But, I have to not let my desire for a clean house or less work over-ride these opportunities to engage in the playful spirit of my children. I'll admit, David plays way more with them than me. I have a hard time being silly. I last about five minutes. But, the following quote encourages me to step out of my comfort zone and win their hearts.

"There is danger that both parents and teachers will command and dictate too much, while they fail to come sufficiently into social relation with their children or scholars. They often hold themselves too much reserved and exercise their authority in a cold, unsympathizing manner, which cannot win the hearts of their children and pupils. If they would gather the children close to them, and show that they love them, and would manifest an interest in all their efforts, and even in their sports, sometimes even being a child among them, they would make the children very happy and would gain their love and win their confidence. And the children would more quickly learn to respect and love the authority of their parents and teachers."  {CG 265.1}

Revelation

November 28, 2011 (I'm consolidating another blog I had to here)

I’ve been a converted Christian for 12 years now. In that time I’ve studied a lot of topics from a biblical standpoint. When I taught at Souls West (A two year Bible College in Prescott, AZ.) I had the privilege of teaching “Marriage and the Family” and “Discipleship”. If you asked me any question about courtship, marital strife, parenting, worry, guilt, fear, depression, conflict, self-esteem, knowing God’s will, biblical change, etc. I’d be able to give you wise counsel concerning those things. I also taught a class on the Hebrew Sanctuary, as well as the Philosophy of Christian Education. Having to put together 30 lesson plans on each of those topics makes one study intensely. However, when it came to the book of Revelation, if you were to ask me what anything meant I’d refer you to my husband. I never really saw the relevance of it. I knew what some of it was about but it didn’t seem relevant NOW. It’s all either historical or for the future. I like things that I can immediately apply to the issues I face currently.

But, I’ve been convicted to study the book of Revelation. My husband preached a sermon and made an appeal for the women to study this book because he’s noticed that usually men are the ones who really get into it. But the blessing is given to all who study, not just men (see Rev. 1:3). Several weeks later Byron (my husband’s boss and also elder at church) gave two motivational sermons about the importance and blessing of studying Revelation. Several points really stuck out to me. “When the books of Daniel and Revelation are better understood, believers will have an entirely different religious experience” (The Faith I Live By, 345). He brought out that this does not mean that our religious experience will improve…it will be entirely different. Why will it be so different? What will change? “They will be given such glimpses of the open gates of heaven that heart and mind will be impressed with the character that all must develop in order to realize the blessedness which is to be the reward of the pure in heart.” This really intrigues me. I’ve only seen it as a book that will “inform” me of what to expect in the last days. I’ve seen it as a book that you have to decode and find information about world powers. When I read through it just recently I was overwhelmed with the realization of how much God is sincerely and reverently worshipped. In every chapter it seemed that the 24 elders, the 4 beasts and all the thousands of angels were constantly exalting Jesus and praising Him. I was convicted with the shallowness of my own worship. Could I really stand around his throne day and night and proclaim how holy God is? “One thing will certainly be understood from the study of Revelation–that the connection between God and His people is close and decided” (ibid).  This book is primarily relational, not just informational. I’ve enjoyed studying things that relate to counseling because they seem so practical and immediately applicable. Now I’m beginning to see that the book of Revelation is that way too.

There’s a popular song by Steve Fry called “I want to know you more” (I also like theversion by the Cadet Sisters who sang at my wedding). The chorus says,

“O, I want to know You more

Deep within my heart I want to know you

O I want to know You…”

If I wanted to know Jesus more, I’d think reading Matthew, Mark, Luke or John would be the best bet. Revelation would be last on my list of books to study. But, this is where he is more fully revealed because verse one says, “The revelation of Jesus Christ”! I’ve gotten to chapter 8 and I’ve really had some soul-stirring devotions.I’m understanding the heart of Jesus in a way that I have not seen before.

Imagination

This was an unpublished post from a while ago....

As I was reading one of my counseling books I realized another reason why we must be like children to enter into the kingdom of heaven. It is true that in Jesus' statement, he referred to the simplicity, the self-forgetfulness, and the confiding love of a little child that are the attributes Heaven values. But I found another one to add to the list. Imagination.

"People struggling with life in a fallen world often want explanations when what they really need is imagination. they want strategies, techniques, and principles because they simply want things to be better. But God offers much more. People need to look at their families, neighbors, friends, cities, jobs, history and churches and see the kingdom. They need imagination - the ability to see what is real but unseen. This is what Paul fixed his gaze on (2 Cor. 4). They need to look at a city and see the glorious company of the redeemed being gathered, amidst a brutal spiritual battle, to live in union with God. They need to look at their children and see a Redeemer pursuing their hearts for his own. They need to scan history and see God accomplishing His purpose." (Instruments in the Redeemers Hands, 7)

 If there's any one thing that I believe sets children apart from adults is imagination.

Several years ago Omega bonked her head and then she said "Jesus hurried out of my heart and went into my head and protected it so it wouldn't crack." 

Of course

 

Bravery

The second chapter in the book I'm reading, "Raising Real Men" talked about how boys need to be trained to use their God given desire for adventure, for testing their strength, and exercising their competitive nature (desire to conquer) in noble pursuits instead of reckless, presumptuous and selfish ones. It's one thing to risk your life like Aquila and Priscilla for the sake of the gospel (Romans 16:4) and another thing to risk your life bungee jumping so you can have a thrill.

Yesterday Orion hit Omega. We bought some clay so they can make furniture for their people houses (we are going to bake them and paint them!) and Orion was going to do something with it and Omega wanted to show him something. She kept following him around trying to get the box and saying, "Let me show you something, let me show you something." He felt like he already knew everything and didn't want to be instructed or slowed down by his sister so he wouldn't give it to her. Finally, annoyed at her trying to control him he hit her.

We have a no hitting policy (including no pinching, slapping, clawing, biting, punching, kicking, etc - and yes....we had to clarify that each hurtful action counted in the category of "hitting" because my daughter is very much like my husband and wants accurate definitions. Precision and specifics are very important. As you can imagine we had an incident where she pinched him and then said, "but you never said pinching would get a consequence!" Lol.

So anyway, as I was talking to Orion about his impulse to hit her I said, "The only time you are allowed to hit is when you are in danger. If there's a bad guy and he's hurting someone else like an old lady or a kid or even you, you have my permission to punch him really hard, and then bite him, pull out his hair, kick him and scream really loud. Will you do that then? It's really important in those situations to use your anger to fight enemies." I paused to watch him try to conceal a smile. "But Omega is not an enemy. Was your life in danger when she was following you around?"

When we were driving to town the road was blocked due to a cyclist getting hit. Auberry road is a very popular road for bikers. Thankfully, the person was still alive and from what we could tell, all would be well in the end. The kids started talking about career paths and Orion said, "I know I don't want to be a fireman or a soldier." I asked him why and he said, "Because they might die. And, firemen have to wear like 60 lbs of gear!" I said, "Yep, you certainly can't be a wimp if you are a fireman!" Though he says he doesn't want to do anything dangerous and heroic, his play fantasies say otherwise...

I'm eager to begin reading more stories of courage and adventure with my kids. I want them to truly believe there's honor  in self-sacrirfice. Ever since they were little they've been very adamant about self-preservation. If we watched a documentary about volcanoes, earthquakes, or hurricanes they'd say, "I never want to live there!"If we watched a documentary about poisonous creatures they'd say the same thing. They'd play games like, "Would you rather be a chicken or a snake." And they'd answer, "A snake because people eat chickens and then I'd die!" Of course they are kids and their minds are very selfish and hopefully with maturity they will begin to develop more compassion and a sense of honor. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they are cautious and are recognizing cause and effect relationships. I don't want them to put themselves in a needlessly dangerous situation, so I'm glad they are evaluating situations with safety being one of the criteria.

For 4H we are doing a sewing project. They are learning to sew pillows cases. They can either keep the pillow case or give it to a child in a children's hospital. They didn't even debate the options. They wanted one for themselves. Sigh. But we did buy a pattern for making bears for the purpose of making them for others! Hopefully we can get it together in time for Christmas gifts!

Heroes

It's been over a year since I've posted anything here as you can tell. But I haven't stopped the process of cultivation with my kiddos. I've been plugging away with them, trying to not drop any stitches.

I do, however, miss keeping record of it. So here I am again, attempting to get back into the game with writing down my thoughts regarding my children's development and journaling the special moments in the day or week that are significant.

For my birthday my mom bought me a book and audio seminar called "Raising Real Men." I've wanted it ever since I attended a Homeschooling Convention in Phoenix several years ago. The speakers, Melanie and Hal Young raised 6 boys and they have 2 girls. They certainly had my respect as they told stories of their children. My heart resonated with their experience and I desperately wanted to raise Orion to be a real man.

I just finished the first chapter and it talked about having heroes. We do read a lot, but I need to step it up a notch. I just ordered Ben Carson's story, Gifted Hands. In one of the Amazon reviews it said it motivated their kids to want to read!! Just what I need :)

I noticed yesterday when we were talking about adjectives that my kid's need more to aspire to. I asked them to tell me adjectives about themselves. Here is what they came up with with a few of my suggestions thrown in there.

Yes, these are the traits about themselves that they are proud of. This year I hope to inspire them to want to describe themselves as compassionate, hard working, honest, courageous, merciful, diligent, etc. 

I know it comes with maturity. Seed are planted. It's only a matter of time for them to germinate and bear fruit. 

**Just a note about the one that says "sad - Savannah" - Omega is referring to the fact that Savannah is going to be a teenager in a few weeks and she won't be as "kid-ish" with them.

Father's Day 2014

Father’s Day Poem 2014

 I was his princess then...

And I'm still his princess...

Wake up Hopie Doodle

or the enzymes will die

Robotically I sit up

and then open one eye

He hands me a cold glass

of juiced carrot, apple and beet.

Sometimes with ginger

for a zingy hot treat.

With a burst of nutrition

I’m fully awake

To get ready for school,

my Father to thank.

Read this he says

                As he hands me a book

A devotional from Spurgeon

                I see as I look

A preacher of preachers

                He expounds on the Word

Can’t start the day

                Until the gospel I’ve heard

Now physically and spiritually

                I have a full tank

I’m ready for life

                My father to thank.

Do you need any money?

                He asks before I go.

“Well there is one thing I need…”

                I say rather slow.

“Ask and it shall be given

                He reminds me with love

Ever ready to give

                As he slips me a side hug

He reaches into his pocket

                And just like a bank

I’m ready for necessities

                My father to thank.

Bubbling with enthusiasm

                His face shows great pleasure

To see us, his kids

                His love is beyond measure

He brags about our names

                To every waitress and cashier

My worth to my father

                Has always been clear

To be valued, believed in,

                Supported and loved

Is an experience that mirrors

                Our Father above

How lucky I am

                It’s a treasure with no rank

I’m ready for heaven

                My Father to thank

Brave Kids

What is one of the hardest, scariest things you've ever done? If you are really honest, I bet saying you're sorry is somewhere in the top 5. Let's face it. Being humble is...well...humiliating. Admitting fault is never easy but stepping out of the comfort zone a little farther is apologizing to someone outside your immediate family.

A few days ago I had to go to the doctor. While we were waiting for my name to be called the kids were playing with their Kiwis. They started throwing them in the air a few inches and catching them. Harmless, I thought as I continued chatting with my friend who came with me. As kids are prone to do, they continued testing their abilities by throwing them higher. Before I could intervene and redirect their energies a kiwi accidentally went flying into the air and landed directly onto the head of an unsuspecting breastfeeding mother sitting on a nearby couch. My embarrassment matched her shock. I called my son over to me and I told him he needed to go apologize. With fear in his eyes and a quivering chin he asked if I would go with him. Like Deborah going with Barack I held his hand as we stepped onto the battlefield of pride. Once we got close he bravely uttered the magic words, "I'm sorry for hitting you with my stuffed animal will you forgive me?" The lady graciously accepted the apology and another observing woman commended Orion for his bravery. Meanwhile I made a mental note to bring coloring books or something else next time.

Though some may think an experience like that is inconsequential, taking responsibility for your actions is something I want to be an automatic response in my kids. I just hope and pray that as they grow older they will do it without being required to, just because it's the right thing to do.

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!