Let the Lord guide me

For the last few months DH and I have been struggling with our Middle School Sunday School class that we teach.  This year's group of kids has been frustrating most of the time and we have been seriously contemplating "retiring" as teachers.  They just wouldn't stay focused and the level of disrespect continued to escalate.  Many, many prayers have been sent up about what to do.

The planned, store-bought lessons that we had used the last 5 years weren't cutting it anymore.  I had tried planning our own lessons digging into the books of the Bible one by one.  We were becoming more and more frustrated and the kids were becoming more and more out-of-control.  For the month of December, we always take a break and watch a movie as part of their Christmas present from us.  This year we picked Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.  It was a good breather for all of us I think.  Even though we had watched it 2 years ago, the kids stayed interested and paid attention.  Maybe it's because we hinted that there may be questions dealing with the movie in the Bible trivia that we always play at the end of the Sunday School hour :)  That is the only time that everyone pays attention and contributes to class!  Perhaps it's because the winners always leave class with candy!

Last week was the first week back to regular class.  All week I had tried to prepare something as a lesson, but I just wasn't feeling that anything I came up with was going to work.  So I went with nothing, and I mean nothing prepared.  I was actually quite calm about it ~ no panic feeling about what were we going to do with 15 middle schoolers for an hour with nothing planned.  I had decided to turn it over to the Lord.  I would let Him show us what to do with these unruly middle schoolers.

I sat down, took out my Bible, and said nothing.  The questions started to fly ~ "What are we doing?"  "Are we going back to those boring lessons again?"  "Do we have to do anything?"  "Can't we just sit and talk?"

Out of my mouth can the answer ~ "We are going to split into 2 teams and play a game."  The kids went wild!  They couldn't believe that we were just going to play a game the whole hour.  So into 2 teams they split without any arguing or hassles.  I questioned them about the Gospels, had them find verses, threw in the occasional Narnia question ~ the hour flew by.  We even received a few thank yous for the candy as they left the room.  DH and I looked at each other ~ we couldn't believe how much info we pumped out to them and how much they sucked in!

So yesterday I did the same thing  ~ let the Lord guide me.  The same answer came again.  This time the questions dealt with salvation, verses about salvation, the Lamb's Book of Life ~ which lead to a terrific discussion about whether or not a person can lose their salvation.  The kids were so focused and involved ~ even the ones that are so shy we can't even get them to say hello to us.  We were overwhelmed when class ended. 

We are feeling better about continuing on as teachers.  We still feel that strong pull to be leaders for this age group in our church.  This is a critical time in these kids' lives.  They need strong Christians to show an interest in them ~ some that are willing to listen to their questions and help them find the answers.  Even though, we thought that we were seeking the Lord's guidance about how to handle the class, it took total surrender of it to Him.  DH and I feel like the kids are getting so much more out of class ~ we are enjoying it again.

It's just another reminder of how we need to totally surrender everything to the Lord.  I cannot be in control of things ~ He needs to be.  I need to seek what He wants from me, need to be quiet and listen for His voice in my life.  I can't wait to see what He has in store for next week ~ I think that the kids are excited as well.

Oh Me, Oh My!

Where has the time gone?!?  I can't believe that it is so far into January already and I haven't posted any makeovers yet!  Never fear ~ they are on their way!  With the holidays, get togethers, kids on Christmas break, I just haven't had time to finish any.  They are sitting here, looking at me just waiting.  I'll give you a sneak peek of what the weeks ahead will reveal ~

(You might recognize this one!)

Please hang in there with me ~  I enjoy having all of you as followers and appreciate all your input!  I promise, makeovers are on their way!

O Holy Night

On that holy night so long ago, God sent His only Son so that each of us may have eternal life ~
may each of us celebrate that new birth tonight!

Merry Christmas!

"Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord."  Luke 2:10-11

The Reason for the Season ~

JESUS

"...you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins."
Matthew 1:21

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel which means God with us."

Matthew 1:23

"Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you: He is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Luke 2:11-12

We Still BELIEVE!

Saint Nicholas

Yes ~ our kids believe in Santa.  We believe that it's part of the magic of Christmas.  They know that Santa was a real person , St. Nicholas, a wonderful man who loved and served Jesus faithfully.  He spent his great inheritance on helping the poor, especially children ~ he was known to frequently give gifts to children, sometimes even hanging socks filled with treats and presents. They know that he wanted all the glory to be given to God.

In our home, Jesus is the focus of Christmas ~ He came to earth to save us from our sins.  Santa is someone who obeyed Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor".  We take part in Operation Christmas Child every year that our church participates and the kids love to send off shoeboxes full of gifts for those that may never enjoyed receiving a Christmas present before.  DS and DD have said before that they are like Santa ~ helping spread the love of Jesus everywhere.

This is the decorating in our family room!

Santa and tree in the kids' bathroom

Christmas countdown tree that my mom made when my brothers and I were little ~ now my children use it!

We love this!  Santa uses the key to enter our home!  Both kids have one!

Linking this post up with Kelly at Kelly's Korner , The Nester, The Shabby Chic Cottage, and Hooked on Houses for their Christmas tour of homes.

Run, Run, As Fast As You Can ~ You Can't Catch Me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!

Apparently, I can catch the gingerbread man!  Just take a look at my kitchen!

My new gingerbread cookie jar!

Cookie jar from my grandma and new Scentsy warmer!

Yes ~ I even have a gingerbread man scissor!

Strainer my dad found for me!

Gingerbread boys and girls DS and DD have given me!

And my kitchen bathroom ~

Wreath I made last year

And my sitting room ~

DD made the Gingerbread Man book for me!

Gingerbread couple made by my mom!

This is what 13.5 years of collecting gingerbread looks like!  I hope you don't go into sugar shock after looking at all the photos!

Today I'm linking up with Kelly at Kelly's Korner, The Nester, The Shabby Chic Cottage, and Hooked on Houses for their Christmas tours of homes.  Look for another post or two with the rest of my Christmas decorating!