Lori's thoughts

Last week our third through fifth grade kids who attend our children’s discipleship program called “Breakout” did chapel time at the Eugene Mission for homeless women and children.

They did a phenomenal job I might add! Were they uncomfortable? No! Were they intimidated? No! Were they nervous? No! On the contrary, they were delighted, excited, enthusiastic and incredibly effective in sharing their faith. They were totally competent, capable and willing! They’re demonstrating and practicing leadership skills. They need more opportunities like this in their lives.

This made me think about how the culture of churches today seem to believe that children and youth should not be expected to do any type of ministry service or outreach without adults leading and planning it. I think we are suppressing our children and youth through this distorted perception. Churches today should believe in and encourage our children and youth to take on leadership roles. How else will they learn to develop these skills and be effective leaders in the future?

Some of our families who believe in this attended the Rebelution's Do Hard Things Tour this past weekend in Portland. There is also a book called Do Hard Things. If you want to look at this in more detail, you can go to the website: http://www.therebelution.com/. The description is as follows and I would extend this not only for teens, but also for our children:

“Each conference is a challenging one-day event for teens by teens who believe that our generation is ready for a change. Ready for something that doesn't promise a whole new life if you'll just buy the right pair of jeans or use the right brand of deodorant.”

”We believe that our generation is ready to rethink what teens are capable of doing and becoming. And we've noticed that once wrong ideas are debunked and cleared away, our generation is quick to choose a better way, even if it's also more difficult. We describe that alternative path with three simple words: Do Hard Things.”

I wonder if the church is willing to break the habit of how we’ve always done things and choose to form a new way of thinking for the next generation. We will have to “do hard things,” but to me it is worth the effort.

In Children’s Ministries we hold several family functions at church. We have the Family Gingerbread House Contest Night in December; a Family Service over Labor Day weekend in September; and Family Jam’s over the summer months of June, July and August.

All of these events are fun and have the potential to produce family memories to cherish over the years. They also have the opportunity to invite and invest in other families who don’t attend church and may be interested in seeking God.

I have been thinking and praying about what is the end result of a Family Service? I am curious as to what other people may think about what is the “ideal” Family Service? Are there families who are interested in sharing a corporate worship service with their children? If there are, what should such a service look like?

One idea I have is to see it be a camp like experience that is targeted towards kids. We could have camp worship songs and have a message that relates to children at their level. Another idea I have is to hold a service that follows our children’s curriculum so parents can participate with them and do small group activities together.

Should the service be on a Sunday? Should it be on a Saturday? How often should it be? Should we hold a special Family Service once a month on a Saturday night for parents with children who would attend together instead of a Sunday morning separated?

I am curious as to your thoughts and am open to your feedback. All of us are smarter than one of us. I know you have great ideas to share for those of you interested and I would like to hear about them.

Has something ever bothered you in such away that you were willing to boycott an establishment, food item, movie, etc. because it conflicted with your religious or personal convictions? Or that it bothers you enough that you are willing to speak out against it to someone?

For instance, I’ve known a family who boycotted Carl’s Jr. because of a commercial that had sexual undertones associated with eating burgers. I’ve had someone who works at Valley River Center tell me there were naked people running around outside of the mall protesting stores that sold animal furs. I know of several movies based on books that have been controversial to people such as Harry Potter and the Golden Compass.

I think we are bombarded with issues daily that we choose to take a stand on or against. I know that sometimes it may depend on how much energy and time we want to take to address an issue. I think we will decide on what we are passionate about to defend and fight for. I think also the issue may depend upon culture relevance, such as the environment and personal convictions.

Some people may choose to never take a stand on anything, because they don’t think it will make a difference or because they don’t care – such as voting.

I think it all boils down to what is the basis of your convictions for right vs. wrong. For instance, I know that God has given parents the authority and responsibility to raise their children in the way they should go – meaning God’s ways from the Bible.

My children are all in high school. They read a weekly high school newspaper and I’ve noticed some of the ads in the paper. One of them has been Planned Parenthood ads that explicitly say “We’re here for you” when it comes to sex education and accessibility of contraceptives. Of course my blood pressure went up and I proceeded to address the issue to the editor about the fact I did not like the way the advertisement usurped my authority and responsibility as a parent. I am here for my children and I discuss sex education (since they were 8 years old) with them. This may not be true for several students, but I did not think it was an appropriate ad. I asked the editor and copied to the principal to remove the ad, because I was offended by it. I have not seen the ad for a few months.

Sometimes I think we need to take action and choose our battles that are most important to us. For me, it’s to stand firm on the things that are important to God. What are those things? It’s on the basis of an eternal perspective and values – people and God’s Word, for they are the only two things that will last forever.

I find it interesting that the news media – either TV and/or the local newspaper – highlights “good deeds” done in our community by banks, schools, businesses, but rarely about churches.

I am proud to announce that the people in our church are constantly wrapped up in giving of their time and resources each and everyday. It’s not just during the Christmas season, but year round. These “good deeds” may not get publicly broadcast, but I can guarantee you they do get “heavenly” broadcasted.

I started to think about all of the giving that’s going around and wanted to share with you some examples I’ve noticed. I’m hoping that it becomes contagious.

For instance, people of all ages are giving by:

•Bagging food items for food banks to hand out to those in need.
•Buying gifts for children whose parent is in prison or can’t afford presents.
•Wrapping gifts for these presents.
•Helping move furniture to a new apartment for a single parent.
•Paying for someone’s electric bill.
•Singing Christmas carols and handing out crafts to residents in a nursing home.
•Visiting someone in the hospital.
•Making and delivering meals to those in need.
•Putting together food baskets.
•Drawing pictures on a piece of paper with a special message to send to our military personnel overseas or missionaries.
•Purchasing a used car for a single mom to use.
•Praying for or with someone who has a specific request.
•Providing food, clothes and haircuts for the homeless under a bridge.
•Building or fixing an item in someone’s home.

This list is small in comparison to all that goes on around me in our church. It is one constant commotion of giving cheerfully and not under duty. It shows our faith and love for God and others in action. It’s an honored to know these people and a blessing to do it all for God. He receives all the applause.

“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:15-17

Our church is heading towards major transitions with our new building almost complete. Quite frankly, I don’t know what’s up ahead in the journey and adventure we face. I do know it is exciting, frustrating, overwhelming and encouraging all at the same time. I think that can be expected when we have to confront changes in our lives.

It is interesting that our emphasis theme for our children’s ministries staff this year is “Move On!” Actually it’s the topic God gave me this past summer through the following verse from the Bible:

“I have not yet received all of those things. I have not yet been made perfect. But I move on to take hold of what Christ Jesus took hold of me for. Brothers and sisters, I don’t consider that I have taken hold of it yet. But here is the one thing I do. I forget what is behind me. I push hard toward what is ahead of me. I move on toward the goal to win the prize. God has appointed me to win it. The heavenly prize is Jesus Christ Himself.” (Philippians 3:12-14, NIRV)

What God has been teaching me from this verse is that I can’t look behind me and be satisfied with what He’s accomplished through this ministry or through this church so far. If I did, I would be placed in a holding pattern, become lazy, undisciplined and miss out on the future that God has in store for this ministry and this church. I’m running a race. I’m fighting the good fight. I can’t quit or give up no matter what barriers or punches in life I get. I have to MOVE ON by looking ahead with the many changes I will face and keep my focus on the PRIZE at the end of it all.

None of us can do this alone. We all need to MOVE ON with God together and with the future He has in store for us. If we focus on how busy we are or how difficult the circumstances around us are, we will miss out on what God wants to do in our midst. He is still a God of miracles. We need to believe God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do.

So where are you currently at in moving on towards the PRIZE?

Are you looking behind?
Have you quit?
Are you waiting?
Are you getting ready?
Are you pushing hard towards what is ahead?

Brothers and sisters, God has appointed us to win it! Let’s decide to keep moving forward through the transitions of life. We need each other to accomplish this, because that’s the way God designed it.

I’ve always enjoyed Dr. Seuss books. My children especially liked it when I read his books to them when they were young. They never got tired of hearing the same ones over and over. One of my favorites is “Are You My Mother?”

It’s about a baby bird that gets knocked out of the nest and is trying to figure out who his mother is. He goes around to all kinds of interesting animals and things until he finally reunites with his “real” mother.

I find it an interesting parallel to God as our Creator. There are a lot of people who don’t know from a spiritual perspective where they came from, why they are on planet earth and who they belong to. They may or may not care. Some may be searching like the baby bird and pursue asking questions from other people to find out answers about their existence.

King David describes it beautifully from the perspective of God’s involvement in our existence and in His relationship with us as our Creator in Psalm 139 from the Bible:

“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. (verses 1-4)

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (verses 13-16)

I encourage you to read the entire Psalm if you haven’t for awhile or if you’ve never read it. I am thankful that, like the baby bird united with his mother, I am one of God’s children united with her Creator.

I just returned from our family’s annual camping trip at Cape Blanco along the Oregon coast. It was our tenth year in a row, but our vacation together turned out differently than I thought it would. We have such great memories there.

All of my sons will be attending high school next year and camping after one week became boring to them. So my husband packed them all up including the two dogs and hauled them back home while I stayed at the campground alone. We were going to have the last week all to ourselves and be able to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary alone. Sounds good, right? Well, it wasn’t easy for me at first.

While waiting for my husband to return to the campground that day, I tried to get some extra sleep (they all left at 6:00 a.m.), but couldn’t. I was restless and praying for their safety home. I tried to keep busy by putting extra sleeping bags away, camping chairs and other items around the campsite, but found myself anxious. I was going to ride my bike, but was overwhelmed with sadness. I took a long walk on the beach, but became extremely lonely. Believe it or not, there was no one else on the beach that day.

I began to have thoughts about what would I do if all of my family were taken from me suddenly and I was left by myself? How would I handle it? Could I handle it? What would I do? During this time, I kept my thoughts on God, trying to figure out why I was feeling this way as tears filled my eyes. I tried to sing praise songs to fill the void and gain some comfort.

There’s no way for me to prepare for a possible tragic event. No one can. I feared that my faith would not be strong enough or I would turn from God instead of to Him. Would I pass the test? I really don’t know. I do know I have a better chance with God than without Him. I don’t know how people survive their tragic events without Him.

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5-6a

By the way, everyone made it home safely and my husband returned to the campsite that afternoon. After the first day of mourning our unexpected “loss”, we had a great rest of the week. However, it wasn’t quite the same without the boys and dogs, but definitely less hassle!

I’m sure many of us this summer will be taking “road trips.” Along the way, depending on how far we have to go, we most likely will hit some road construction. This can be frustrating when we come to a line of cars that are completely stopped and we wonder how long we will have to wait.

We may have to take a detour following signs to get us back on track or follow a pilot car to lead us through the bumpy, winding road changes.

Life is kind of like that. Just when we think things are going fine, we encounter “detours” or “road blocks” that do not fit into our schedule or were unforeseen inconveniences or bumps that rock our already complex life.

This is when we may get stopped for a reason and there are questions we struggle with and the answers we find will determine major life choices, habits and beliefs for ourselves and especially for our children. Believe me, children are crying out for these answers more so than adults.

So when we come to a fork in the road, how will we answer the following questions for ourselves and especially for our children? The world we live in has already given some easy answers as to which direction to take in life. They are in parenthesis next to the questions:

Who am I? (It’s all about you. Be whoever you want to be.)
What’s true? (Whatever. Remember, it’s about you.)
Who really cares? (Nobody, really.)
Who believes in me? (Whoever can use you.)
Where do I fit in? (With people you can get to like you.)
Why am I here? (To get what you want.)

The answers we give to ourselves and to our children really are the road maps by which we live, but that won’t guarantee we avoid road construction and it won’t guarantee we end up at the right destination in life. It will guarantee opportunities for teachable moments with our children as we stop and have time to reflect.

For me, I like to think that God is my Pilot Car for life. He says “follow me” and promises to lead the way and provide me with answers through life’s questions, decisions, trials and difficulties. Whenever I follow a pilot car through a road construction zone, I remember to thank God that He will always be ahead of me showing me which way to go and allowing me to safely arrive at my final destination - heaven. How I get there is more important than when I get there.

I have to admit that I need more laughter in my life. I crave it. It is such a good release. It is healthy. It is free. You know how good you feel after a good laugh. Your eyes have tears streaming down your face. Your side aches and you have to catch your breath. Then you start all over again. Anything and everything sets you off once you get on a good roll of laughter!

I am thankful to God for inventing laughter. What makes you laugh is in the eye of the beholder. Nothing brings on the chuckles in my life than listening to a baby or a child laugh. It is uninhibited, simple, innocent and just plain silly. I’m not quite sure why when we become all grown up we lose this spontaneous freedom. I guess we become overwhelmed with the serious side of life. I call it the solemn-not funny-adult syndrome.

So I would like to encourage you and myself to laugh more, lighten up and enjoy the humorous side of life. We might even live longer.

For a good laugh, click on the link below and follow the example of someone who simply enjoys life!

http://www.ziddio.com/oneVideo.zd?dispatch=fetch&artifactId=10759

“A good teacher is like a candle: it consumes itself to light the way for others.”
Anonymous

"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops. "
Henry Adams

“Teach the children so that it will not be necessary to teach the adults.”
Abraham Lincoln

In our children’s ministries called Grace Central Station we have over 100 people involved in serving our nursery through fifth grade children. We celebrate these awesome people year round through gifts, cards, encouragement, training’s and dinner’s. Without these wonderful people we wouldn’t exist. The classrooms would be empty and our children would have no where to go.

So let me ask you a question. How do you show your appreciation to those who are always willing and faithful to minister to our kids? We need to recognize teachers every time they do something noteworthy. Give them prayer, encouragement, help, and support. What do you think keep’s them going week after week?

We will hold a Sunday School Teacher Appreciation day on May 20 during our services to honor all the staff who sacrificially give of their time and hearts. It takes willful dedication and perseverance. These beautiful people are like you and I. They have families, jobs and a million other things to do during the week. They also didn’t choose to minister to children to fill a need. They are people of vision, strength and courage. They are obediently and humbly walking with God. They experience the joy and fulfillment that kids bring to their life. They truly are unique and special to God. They value kids in a world and possibly the church that has turned their back on the importance of taking the time to assist in diligently training them in the way they should go.

I’ve given a website below for you to go to if you need ideas of appreciation. Or if you would like to go the extra mile, how about nominating one of our teachers for Sunday School Teacher of the Year – 2007?

http://mysundayschoolteacher.com

http://mysundayschoolteacher.com/ideas.htm – Ideas for honoring your child’s Sunday School teachers.

http://mysundayschoolteacher.com/nominate.htm – Nominating one of your child’s teachers for Sunday School Teacher of the Year – 2007.

Let’s celebrate these heroes year round – not just on a special Sunday!

I’ve been writing blog topics for awhile now on different things and find that most of the time I don’t get any comments. I think this is true for the rest of the staff. I was told that people read them, but I guess don’t respond. I do give my opinions and thoughts, but are they doing any good? Is there a purpose in continuing? Are my blogs just drifting around out there lost in cyberspace?

If they are doing good and there is a purpose in continuing, I am wondering what sort of topics would elicit more responses? If they aren’t, then maybe I need to reconsider, “What’s it all about?”

So, this is really an evaluation topic. For those who read them (and it isn’t necessarily just mine) are they doing any good? Are they helpful? If they are, what blog topics would you like to see covered or talked about? If they aren’t, why? Do we stop or continue?

Thanks for your feedback, comments, suggestions, or whatever you want to call them. They will be helpful in improving at least my blogs.

It seems to me that I often here the saying that you "NEVER talk with anyone about politics and religion." The two don't mix. It may not even be "politically correct!" I find that statement to be an oxymoron. Why? Because a lot of political issues directly or indirectly are linked to a person's beliefs, i.e. religious.

"Like what?", you might ask. Well here's a few - abortion, war, capital punishment, homosexuality and assisted suicide. I know I could list more, but that should be enough for now to raise adrenaline levels.

I find it interesting that when politicians, or anyone (including myself)for that matter, are asked, "What do you THINK about...?", in essence you are asking or being asked "What do you BELIEVE about...?"

We can debate, discuss and argue until we are blue in the face, but the bottom line is that these are moral issues - not political ones. So actually you are mixing politics and religion on just about any topic you want to talk about and your answers will indeed reflect what you BELIEVE.

What you BELIEVE is at a much more personal level and is the very reason why discussions over these types of issues get heated and downright nasty. Our moral views also reflect WHO we trust.

I smile as I think about all the classic Christmas movies that show on TV during the holiday season. Some are animated and some are not. Some have songs written especially for them and some do not. New ones come out every year. Maybe you’ve heard of some of these and have a favorite one I left out:

Rudolf the Rednose Reindeer
Frosty the Snowman
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Miracle on 34th Street
It’s a Wonderful Life
A Christmas Story
Home Alone series
Santa Clause series
The Grinch that Stole Christmas
Christmas Vacation
Christmas Carole
Muppets Christmas Carole

1. After you watch one of these movies, what do you feel like?
a. They make me feel good and fuzzy all over.
b. They remind me of what is really important.
c. They bore me and I could care less.
d. None of the above – I don’t have time to watch movies!

2. What character do you relate to the most?
a. Rudolph or Frosty
b. George Bailey or Clarence the angel
c. the Grinch or Ebenezer Scrooge
d. Santa Clause

3. What do you really want for Christmas?
a. Peace on Earth
b. Lots of Gifts
c. Sleep
d. Nothing

4. What stresses or exhausts you the most during Christmas?
a. Spending money
b. Decorating the house
c. Cooking or Baking
d. Going to Company Christmas Parties

5. What’s the true meaning of Christmas to you?
a. Helping others in need
b. Spending time with family
c. Something about a baby Jesus
d. Time off from work or school

My favorite Christmas movie is “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” My favorite part of the movie is when Charlie Brown in frustration yells out, “Doesn’t anybody know what Christmas is all about?” Linus knows and proceeds to move center stage to tell us the real “Christmas Story.”

Some of you may be familiar with this song. Children like to sing it and believe it. “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

There’s more to the song, but this captures the essence of what God wants us to know and believe. I have heard it said that we are “all God’s children.” This simply isn’t so. To become children of God we must believe Christ died for our sins and rose again from the dead. We must accept God’s free gift of eternal life through His Son. Jesus paid our admission into heaven with his life. We can’t get to heaven by our own good works. This is the “gospel” (good news) in a nutshell.

I bring this up not to preach, but to know that there is such simplicity in God’s message to us that we try to make it complex through philosophical discussions that I think miss the main point. Jesus told us that we must have “childlike faith.”

What does childlike faith look like? It’s simple. Children know they can be bad or “sin.” They also know God forgives them. Children have an uncanny trust that God exists. They believe that God loves them and they want to give their love back to God. They understand the simplicity of the relationship before the world corrupts them, turns their world upside down and becomes so complex that confusion sets in. Children know that their heavenly Daddy has a world waiting for them where life is simple and know God loves them no matter what they do or don’t do.

So how do we know if we are children of God? We simply believe what Christ has done for us. We simply love God and allow him to love us. We simply trust that God will take care of us. We all have a simple choice.

Have you ever had a place that you can’t wait to return to? It’s the place that captures your heart, wakes your senses and fills your mind with lingering memories that you can touch and feel and experience. It’s the place you can’t stop talking or thinking about.

It’s the place where time stands still, where time doesn’t matter and where you are living in the moment continually. It’s the place where the presence of God is so real and close that beauty and peace surround you.

I have returned from such a place recently and I already long to go back. It’s my paradise on earth and there is no other place that gives rest to my soul as this one.

Next summer will be the tenth anniversary of my family’s annual camping trip to Cape Blanco along the Oregon coast and I can’t wait!

So where’s your paradise here on earth?

Do your kids get a break from school during the summer? I am curious, because I know some kids go to summer school, some are home schooled, some attend private school and some may even be on year round school.

My kids really do get a lot of free time during the summer. I think that sometimes it is almost too much time. I have to confess that I make my kids do school work over the summer. Before you call me an ogre, (which my children think I am), there are a lot of benefits I have seen over the years. This has helped them academically and it also keeps them disciplined to earn privileges. By no means has it ever been harmful to them.

I have them do a certain amount of work Monday through Thursday that takes a minimal amount of time out of their day. They get Friday through Sunday off, which I think is quite fair. They all play instruments, so they have to practice for 20 minutes each day during the week. They need to read at least one hour a day, which they can do in the evening before bed (since they stay up later). They need to read a chapter from the Bible too. They need to do some math tutorials on the computer, which is based on what level they will be entering in the fall. They also need to keep a journal by writing at least a page (in cursive writing) of what they did that day or create their own stories. I have them record everything they do and of course I have to check it.

Over the summer months I want my kids to learn the basics – reading, writing and arithmetic. Why the basics? Because I think that too much time is wasted during the school year and that the public schools have lowered their academic expectations since I went to school. As parents, we need to do whatever we can to build academic performance. This will only help our kids succeed in life.

I am impressed with those of you who are committed to home schooling your kids. I really do think they have the advantage. They can go at their own pace, pursue their interests and absorb a lot more experiences over the public school and in a lot less time! Do home schooled kids get the summer off? What do you do with your kids over summer break?

Oh – by the way – we take vacations so it’s not all work! We have FUN too!

Currently our "kid culture" revolves around media. Kids who are ages 8 to 18 have been given the name Generation M, or the Media Generation according to researchers.

"Media is one of the greatest agents of influence in kids' lives," says George Barna, author of Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions. Barna prioritizes what influences kids the most:

1. Parents and most forms of media are most influential.
2. School and friends are moderately influential.
3. Church groups and extended family are least influential.

So, is media use in the church appropriate and/or relevant in children's ministries to teach kids God's truth from the Bible? What do you think?

Also, do you agree or disagree with the following statements. Are they myths or truths and why?

"Kids sit passively in front of a big screen for long periods of time, being entertained with mind-numbing frivolity."
"Teachers' roles will be diminished."
"Teachers and parents will resist the idea of using media."
"Media distracts kids from real learning."

Let the debate begin!

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Parents are the number one spiritual leaders in their children's faith development and for raising them to become spiritual champions for God. As a church, we are here to assist parents in this process. Are the children having their needs met? If so, how? If not, why? Do we even know what our children need to develop their faith?

Does the church really value children? Do we think children are a vital and integral part of the church? If yes, how? If no, why? Do children think they are important and valuable to the church? We might not know the answer, because we never thought to ask them to be involved or how they feel about church. They may even think, why do I come to church? What is church about anyway?

They might think that church is about going to Sunday school or to another program or event or being taken care of by childcare workers. How can we effectively communicate to children what the Body of Christ is all about to help them build their faith and be an active part of the church?

I remember when I was a kid that I was expected to help out around the house. In fact, I remember when I was five years old that I started drying dishes. I was cooking meals and cleaning the house for my family by the time I was in seventh grade. I don't remember anyone teaching me how to clean, cook meals or bake cookies, but I must have caught on through observation, expectations and following recipes. My Mom and Dad owned some apartments they rented to tenants and I remember helping them clean and do yard work with my brother and two sisters. It all just seemed a natural part of life and I thought it was cool.

Kids today would think I came from another planet and era! I mean isn't life about video games, internet, cell phones and MP3 players? I mean shouldn't we make life easier, more convenient and comfortable for our kids? Kids are losing out on some precious life lessons when it comes to involving them in serving others than ever before. Yet if kids were allowed or given more opportunities to do so, they would reap several benefits when they serve. Such as responsibility, leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, self-respect, self-discipine, self motivation and tolerance.

According to Children for Children (www.children4children.org), when we teach a child to serve, we're also teaching that child to become a servant for life because children who serve become adults who serve. Consider these statistics from Engaging Youth in Lifelong Service: 1. Adults who volunteered as children give more money and volunteer more time than adults who began serving later in life. 2.Two-thirds of adult volunteers began serving as children. 3.Those who volunteer as children are twice as likely to volunteer as those who don't. 4.Across incomes and age groups, those who volunteered as children give and volunteer more than those who didn't. 5.Those who volunteered as youth and whose parents volunteered became the most generous adults when it comes to giving their time.

I hope by involving kids more in serving will bring them lifelong and fulfilling memories, so that when they are older they can say, "Do you remember when...?