Day 1117 -- Awana

Tonight, I took my kids to Awana at First Baptist Church in Albion for the first time.

According to their website,

 Awana helps churches and parents work together to develop spiritually strong children and youth who faithfully follow Jesus Christ. Our programs offer a proven approach for evangelizing and discipling kids in the church and community.

 The kids learn verses and play games.  They are surrounded by caring adults who love Jesus.  They are immersed in God's love for them.  They are fed cupcakes (at least tonight, they were...but there is always some kind of a snack involved).

 I am so thankful that we took them to Awana tonight.  Dharia and AJ LOVED it.  When they saw all of the other kids sprinting around the gym before the official program started, their eyes lit up and they immediately jumped into the fray.  When it was time to go, they sobbed tears of desperation as they begged to stay.

 Breslin, was not quite as sold.  He never is.  He was skeptical of the loud, disorganized kids at the beginning.  While he enjoyed the quieter, more instructional periods of the program, he will need a few weeks to get used to game time, I believe.  I was so proud of him, however, for going outside of his comfort zone and trying something new.  It's definitely harder for him to be in new situations with people he doesn't know very well than it is for my girls.

 I participated in Awana throughout my childhood and that time is filled to bursting with happy memories -- healthy competition, serious discussion, and the love of dedicated adults in my church.  I am so thankful it is a part of First Baptist Church and grateful that my kids get to experience it for themselves.

 Thank God for Awana!

 Lord, thank you for Awana and for the fun my kids (at least two of them) had there tonight.  Thank you for the many loving adults at First Baptist who make it possible for Awana to happen.  I pray that you would help us to get our kids there regularly and that it would provide them with the guidance they need to become the people you desire them to be for your glory.  In your name I pray, Amen.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Love seeing you there and your sweet children!
Amber
February 3, 2014 at 5:42 AM
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