Stuff That Matters in Life

The thought of a meeting on Saturday morning is not very appealing. However, today’s meeting was good! We ended on time! As it always happens, I felt I should’ve spoken up about an issue – but didn’t know what to say until AFTER the meeting. Oh well, it wasn’t a big thing and maybe if it comes up again, I’ll have my response ready.

Took a short walk with my husband on the Grand Avenue trail, our first time there. It went under Grand Avenue through a creepy tunnel. I would be scared to go there alone! I promised next time I’ll push myself a bit more to go further on the trail before turning  back. I hardly broke a sweat. But then, it usually takes quite a bit to make me sweat. A Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor diagnosed me with low qi and told me to exercise and sweat more. He’s right. I’ll try.

Came back to do Perspectives homework! This whole class of 15 weeks focusing on cross-cultural strategy has a lot of applications for children ministry. Working with children is like communicating with people with a different language, a different worldview, different value system! One section of this week’s reading about strategies to oral learners is particularly relevant. All children are oral learners! They are illiterate! It’s all about telling stories, but in a way that conveys truth, not a fairy tale.

Another encouraging Sunday: taught in Children Worship. Before I started to speak, one of the girls asked me, “How was your week, Auntie Katy?” So cute. Delivering the message in Children Worship is probably one of my favorite things. I now know how a pastor feels preaching to his congregation.

Was encouraged talking to Andrea about Good News Club. Her and her husband’s obedience to God’s call to serve is affirmation to me that God’s will done in God’s way is never short of God’s supply. I will seriously pray about Good News Club at Ybarra.

Got a quick lunch with my family – wow that’s a first! I usually never see them on Sunday at church. I’m usually busy in a meeting or catching up with people.

Post Perspectives dinner – ramen. I haven’t had that for a long time because I cut out wheat from my diet. But for the fellowship I went. I gave most of my noodles to one of the guys. Got to talk to our speaker, which was a big blessing.

I was expecting 40ish people at today’s children ministry training. More than 60 came out! I am so encouraged by their desire to grow and be equipped. I thank God for their partnership in the gospel. Their willingness to come out on a Saturday morning is a sign to me that God is at work in our church. “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.”

Went Goodwill hunting with my daughters. I didn’t buy anything, but Audrey found maternity pants. They were the 50% off tag on top of the price, perfect condition, good finds!

Face masks & Perspectives homework. Perspectives is taking over my life, but I will truly miss it when it’s over. But will also be glad that I can go back to reading the stack of books waiting next to my bed.

Delicious corn beef for dinner, so good! I look forward to this every year. Bought a second corn beef for later so I don’t have to wait for next March 17th for another delicious meal.

Another case of me not being a good planner with no mind for details: I planned a training for this Saturday many months ago. The most important part was getting the speaker and get the publicity going. I got that. Thought I was done. Then now, 4 days before the event, I haven’t arranged for the recording, I didn’t ask people to help with setting up the room, I haven’t thought of getting snacks, I didn’t ask for sign ups (I figured people can just come, but then I don’t know how much snacks to buy), I’m scrambling for childcare (though this is optional, it would be a nice service to those with babies). I want a team of people who would love to do this stuff. I promise, I’ll have that team ready for training set for next month! Keeping my fingers crossed that God will provide them.

An ADHD child today at church was a challenge. I have zero experience with special needs children.

In high school I considered being a Special Ed teacher. But after visiting a SPED school, I couldn’t handle facing their disabilities. It was too depressing.

At church now as God brings us a few children with special needs, I still don’t know the proper way to help them. My only concern with the boy with ADHD was to keep him safe, keep him from running out of the room, which was an impossible task. We are not professionals and we do not know how to handle him.  He doesn’t respond to reason, to authority, or any kind of urging. His mother did not know what to do either. There is only one way to help, that is to pray. I haven’t prayed enough for the children. I need more people to pray for the children.

When people ask me what help I need in Children Ministry, I used to say we need more Awana Leaders, or nursery helpers. Now I say I need people to pray. But people don’t take me seriously. They expect to help in a “practical” way. That’s how American Christians think. In Taiwan, Christians seem to take prayer more seriously.

Young married couples fellowship today was encouraging. I thank God for their encouragement to me even though I am suppose to be the mentor.