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About CHAMPS
CHAMPS is about Winning Kids For Life! Each week your kids have a place to play,
learn, and grow. Whether your child is an infant, a toddler, or pre-teen, CHAMPS
has a game plan that will set them on the path to a winning streak designed to last
a lifetime!
For more about CHAMPS »
For more about Pastor Julie Sandeen »
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
LOVE LANGUAGES
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I recently was reading an article about the 5 love languages. I thought, wow, this is a great reminder to us as parents that our children have love languages and if we reminded ourselves (or for some of you this may be the first time hearing about it) to be sensitive to these, it could bring us a great return and cause our children to blossom in ways that we have been praying for them for some time.
As you read through this list, ask God to help you discern what your children's love languages are, so that you can minister to them in healthy ways!
THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES
Words of Affirmation
Mark Twain once said “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” Verbal appreciation speaks powerfully to persons whose primary Love Language is “Words of Affirmation.” Simple statements, such as, “You look great today,” or “You must be the best baker in the world! I love your oatmeal cookies,” are sometimes all a person needs to hear to feel loved.
Aside from verbal compliments, another way to communicate through “Words of Affirmation” is to offer encouragement. Here are some examples: reinforcing a difficult decision; calling attention to progress made on a current project; acknowledging a person’s unique perspective on an important topic. If a loved one listens for “Words of Affirmation,” offering encouragement will help him or her to overcome insecurities and develop greater confidence.
Quality Time
Quality time is more than mere proximity. It’s about focusing all your energy toward a person.
Quality conversation is very important in a healthy relationship. It involves sharing experiences, thoughts, feelings and desires in a friendly, uninterrupted context. A healthy person will not only listen, but offer advice and respond to assure the person they are truly listening. Most don’t expect you to solve their problems. They need a sympathetic listener.
Giving your child your undivided attention without distraction of others being around, the phone ringing, or TV in the background, can be one of the best "gifts" you can give.
Receiving Gifts
Some people respond well to visual symbols of love. If you speak this love language, you are more likely to treasure any gift as an expression of love. People who speak this love language often feel that a lack of gifts represents a lack of love. Luckily, this love language is one of the easiest to learn.
These gifts need not to come every day, or even every week. They don’t even need to cost a lot of money. A card, a candy bar, a note, , a little trinket, etc. is enough to speak to those we lead that they are being thought of and cared for.
Acts of Service
This could be a tough one to demonstrate to our children. I can think of a few things that may fall into this category. Perhaps it would be, helping them with a chore they have. Or telling them that you will clean their room for them. Ask God for insight on how you can put action to this love language.
Physical Touch
Hugging our children, giving them a kiss, holding them on our lap even though we want to be left alone, speaks volumes to them. Most kids can not get enough "touch" from us.&n
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Friday, January 25, 2008
"THE PIRATES WHO DON'T DO ANYTHING" The Movie
Thursday, January 24, 2008
To Sir(ve) with Love
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If anyone serves me, let him follow me and where I am there my servant will be also. If anyone serves me, he my father will honor. John 12:26
It’s all about being in the presence of the Lord. To me this means if He is foremost in my heart and thoughts then He is with me. I am in His presence and therefore my desire should be to willing serve Him. Serving Him means to serve others in the world around me. In thinking about my role of service at the Champs Welcome Center almost every Sunday, I must be frank. I am self employed and work Tuesday through Saturday and Saturdays can be very long and intense. Mondays are my official day off, but I often use the day to do the week’s paper work, errands, and other business related tasks--not much of a day off! So my flesh says, “OK, Sunday I need to take it easy, not get up at the crack of dawn so we can all get out the door in a timely manner for our duties at the WC.”
But God is so gracious because once we arrive and I start interacting with the numerous families, show the new kids to my photography studio (the Champs hallway!) and try to get these kids to think I’m funny or at least cool, it all becomes such a pleasurable opportunity to be Jesus to someone.
Before coming back to the Lord, my past was all about prestige and even being catered to. I was fully sold out to the world’s mindset which strives to get to a place of status in order to be served. In the secular climate people want to be privileged, honored and positioned above others. But the Father now calls me to serve others with Him in my heart so that the honor now comes to me from Him alone. Being available to serve in the Champs Welcome Center has taught me that it’s not about being the “first in line” but to be the first to serve those “in the line.”
Joseph Saenz
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Sunday, January 20, 2008
SNAP SHOTS FROM CAMP
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Enjoy some snap shots from camp! A DVD from camp will have all of the photos at the end of it. Be sure to view it with your kids when they arrive.
Amand getting ready to settle in.
The Entire Camp!
Anna getting ready to sled.
Chloe just happy to be there.
Snow Sculpting. Is that Jonah's hand in the mouth?
Our amazing Girls
Zach and Joseph
Team Work!
Shepard and Kyle
Mr. Rose, one of our finest!
Moriah and Sydney
Emily
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Thursday, January 10, 2008
WINTER CAMP 2008
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Crazy isn't it? It's already time for another camp!
I'm asking for prayer for anyone who reads this for this weekend. Here are the details:
61 kids from our church are attending. 22 adults that make up cabin leaders, worship team and camp staff. 128 kids total from 7 churches for a total of 176 people at camp.
John Cox from Over the Top Ministries is our guest speaker.
Please pray for safety, fun and most of all Changed Lives!
I'll post picutres next week hopefully!
Pastor Julie
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Wednesday, January 09, 2008
KidsQuest!
"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression." ~Dr. Haim Ginott
"You are reaching a generation...before they need to be rescued" ~J12 movie caption
"Expect great things FROM God. Attempt great things FOR God." ~ Dr. William Carey
It may be hard to believe, but I read these three quotes within about 15 minutes of each other. (That is what happens when you let the mail pile up!) Each of these quotes was an “ah HA!” moment for me…and in combination they are a powerful description of what our purpose is at Kid’s Quest. (Kid’s Quest is our Wednesday night discipleship program for kids in pre-Kindergarten through second grade.)
I vividly remember my first visit to the Sanctuary Church several years ago. As my husband and I were checking our boys into the Lil’ Round Up Room, a poster caught my eye. The poster said something about 85% of children accept Christ into their heart before the age of 13. “ It struck me so deeply. I had always known that “capturing” children at an early age for Christ was crucial, but I had no idea how truly critical it could be.
That need to "capture" our children is why 20 adults give up one night each week to love on, connect with and disciple your children. (And we are not even counting the Break Out or U-Turn crew.) We do not want your children to “have to be rescued.” We deeply and desperately want to help your children reach the point where they are discipling another generation. We want them to be rock solid, on fire and fully armed!
If your family is not involved in our Wednesday night program, please consider it for next year. (I know it is not even Christmas yet; I don’t mean to fast forward your life…but there is no cause that is more worthy!) This world does not waste a single opportunity to actively pursue your child. Do not let a single opportunity go by to let us help you impress God’s truth onto your child’s life. As Pastor Julie says, “Sundays are about “knowing” God’s Word; Wednesdays are about “growing” in God’s Word.”
At the very least, please consider purchasing the books and completing them with your child this year. They offer foundational lessons that every child should be equipped with. (And I guarantee you will gain something as well.)
All of our Kid’s Quest leaders expect great things to happen this year. We will do our part in partnering with you; we know God is faithful to do His. Pray for us as we press into your children God’s truth and amazing ways so that they will be leaders in their generation. Come grow with us.
Kimberly Prezioso
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Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Restoration
Since the time my son was very young, he has always had a passion for things that move, offer thrills, and yes, even danger (from a mom’s perspective!) Things like bikes, scooters, roller coasters, and most especially skateboards have always captured his interest. Just the other day he decided he wanted to get back into scootering, so he pulled out his scooter from a dark, cob-webby corner of the garage. It seems that since he used it last a crucial bolt had fallen off, one wheel was gone (pirated no doubt for a different, urgent project) and the handle grips were gone. You get the picture. It had been used and abused, then shoved in a corner. With his renewed interest, he began to research how much it would be to “restore” his scooter not just to its former glory but to something that could be tricked out and cool enough for a 15 year old.
He continued to dream of his purchases well into the night and as we waited in a restaurant parking lot for my husband to arrive, a family came by on their various toys. After a moment my son started in, “Look, Mom, that kid has a scooter. So does that one! He’s only about 5 years old. I need those wheels more than he does! I bet he doesn’t even realize what he’s got! I bet he isn’t even thankful for those wheels, those handle bar grips…” He went on listing the parts of the scooter that he needed. The very parts that this little boy had and that my son was just sure he didn’t appreciate.
I resisted the urge to tell my son that if he had just been a better steward of his scooter, he too would have those things and he wouldn’t need to undertake a restoration project. Then God whispered to me. “What have you been given, Kelly, that you have used, abused and shoved in a corner? What don’t you appreciate fully? What needs to be restored?” It didn’t take me long to know the answers.
What do you have today that others look at and remark, “I bet they don’t even know what they have. I bet they don’t appreciate it! I sure wish I had (fill in your own blank).” On some days, the blank I could fill in would be my children. They are precious treasures from God himself. Yet on many days, my frustration outweighs my thankfulness. God reminded me in that parking lot moment that there are people who would love to have a child of their own to demand their attention while they were on the phone, to make the freshly cleaned house a mess or ask to be tucked into bed for the 5th time in 20 minutes, especially at Christmas time when we are reminded so poignantly that the ultimate gift came in the form of a child who can restore everything that is broken.
Kelly Saenz
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