Crickets and Eggs…… August 25, 2009

So, today I spent 6 hours cleaning my office. 6 HOURS!! The remnants of summer programs had taken over my space and it was time to organize. I discovered a carton of raw eggs that somehow got into a box of tshirts after sports camp, I had a scary run in with a GIANT cricket that lives in the room next door and I found out that an iced cappuccino can provide a very substantial mid-afternoon burst of energy! All in all, I now have my space all organized and I feel like I am READY to tackle fall! I might even eat my lunch on the floor tomorrow…my office is that clean……

If you are reading this and you are NOT part of a Compass Point Kidz team, we’d love to have you! We have exciting things planned for this year. We have great campuses where you can serve and use your gifts! If we have not met, then please come and find me on a Sunday, or call me – and we can connect! I am always excited to meet new people!

If you are already serving, then I am so excited to have you back on our team. I promise a year of excellence – and that together we’ll work to make Compass Point Kidz a place of spiritual growth for our children. I feel this year that we need to really focus on the Word of God. Have our children value their Bibles, learn the books of their Bible so that they can navigate with confidence , and of course to memorize scripture so that God’s word is planted in their hearts. The Bible is our most important tool and we want our children to know that it has all the answers that they need for their life’s journey. It’s an important focus and I am excited about it!

So stay tuned for fab events, purposeful ministry and a year of continuing to follow Jesus in all that we do……it’s all about him!!

Shelly

Super Sports Camp!!! August 14, 2009

Well, Sports camp is done. I will admit that I entered this week with some fear and trepidation. I am not really sporty. Perhaps I should had a spa camp. Or a make-up camp. But SPORTS? But I decided to be brave – and I have to say that it was a REALLY great week of sports fun! I have to give a shout out to the 4 amazing teams (don’t ask about the names – you HAD to be there…) A big cheer to the 380 Sassy Elephants from Japan, The Killer Crocs, The Shining Rockets, and the Butterdogs (best name ever…) You were an amazing group of kids and your teamwork inspired me, and I was so sad to see camp end today. BUT I know that friends were made, fun was had – and you all learned to work together to RUN THE RACE TO WIN!

We had some exciting events as well. A visit from the Hamilton Ticats was a definite highlight. We also tested egg transport vechicles, torpedoed water balloons, made funky little fuzz heads and drank MANY bottles of water and had LOTS of popsicles!

Thanks to the great team serving this week – you were fantastic…I’ll miss the moose….

Anyway – I discovered that sports camp brings out the BEST in everyone!!

Still unsporty, (but at least excited about sports)

Shelly

Heritage August 3, 2009

I had a Sunday off this week  (thanks Jenelle!), so this morning, we thought it would be nice to visit our home church in Welland. It’s always nice to go home. I was feeling rather nostalgic today. I started attending that church when I was 13 and my family moved down to Southern Ontario from the Ottawa Valley. That church became a huge part of my life during my teen years. Today as I was sitting there with my family, I was remembering specific times in my life that I knew God really moved in my heart. I was recalling times that I prayed at that altar, and saw God do great things.  I remembered words that were spoken that impacted me. I also recalled experiences and opportunities that I was given that taught me how to serve, and that enouraged me in my desire for ministry and my calling. It was there that I was shown how to develop and grow. So many significant parts of my faith journey took place in those walls. That why it is like coming home – I grew so much in Jesus in that place. It was more that just a nice building,  it was life giving – in so many ways.

At lease once a week when I drive into Compass Point – any campus, I say out loud – I love my church. And I really do. It has become another life-giving place for me, even as I work there. But it’s not just the wonderful buildings and resources that I love.  I love seeing what God is doing all around me. As the one directing children’s ministry – My heart’s desire  is for our church to become real for our children. I pray that it will be a place where they can learn and grow. Where they feel acceptance and love. Where they know they are a priority. Where the word of God is spoken into their lives, and they see the transforming power of Jesus at work in them. That as they grow, their gifts are developed and they are given the chance to serve and be part of the body.  That they can experience the joy that Jesus offers them. These things are all so important in their faith journey – and I so want our church to be part of that – facilitating that in our children and families. Not for our own glory – but to bring glory to Jesus! I pray they will look back when they are adults, and say – that church helped transform my life!

It’s nice to have a Sunday off. And to go back from where you came from – and to remember the people and experiences that spoke into your life, and be inspired to make your life be the same to others. 

Shelly