A Day in the Life of the Orndorff's - Homeschool Blogger

Children's Ministry Philosophy

Thu, 23 Feb 2006 12:33:00 -0600

Okay, so I've been agonizing on what my philosophy of Children's Ministry is over the last two days (heavily) and for several months (lightly). More importantly what is God's philosophy of Children's Ministry.

Last night, hubby's two children's ministry friends and I debated for a couple of hours as I was determined to "figure" out what is "right". Yes, I was analyzing it to death.

Today, friend and I continued the conversation as I continued to seek some direction. Yes, I am seeking God on this as well.

I sat down to do my assignment for tonight's class at church (writing a mission statement for children's ministry). I struggled, because I wasn't sure if my idea of children's ministry matched up with the needs of the children in the church hubby and I will be going to this summer(which I am using to complete the assignment).

A few years ago, I truly believe God gave me vision and guidance for children's ministry in this church. This never took flight due to our moving here and other things. This vision has been resurfacing as I attempt to complete my assignments. I can't let go of the vision, yet I'm not sure it follows the direction of the church. It seems that families desire to adopt more of a "Homeschooling" approach and "Family Worship" instead of a seperate children's service during the worship service.

Anyway, it was time for me to personally take a stand on what my belief of children's ministry is in order to come up with anything. Frustrating to say the least.

I went to hubby. I am so amazed at his maturity in things like this. He told me to start pulling back and looking at the simpler picture, quit analyzing the areas that really aren't a major concern and look at children's ministry as a whole. It is a good thing.

The seperation that happens on Sunday morning is 1 hour - 2 1/2 hours out of an entire week. Is that really the cause for seperation of families? Should children learn that church is fun -- through there own age-related service, or should they learn that it is a time to be serious (perhaps it is reverance) and quiet at the appropriate times? (Sidebar: What do we teach kids about church without actually teaching them?) Is God fun? Would it be to the children's disadvantage to have a service where they were learning about God in a fun way, that they were excited about church because it was fun? So began my rethinking.

We all know how God will miraculously bring us out of our wandering. Tonight's topic in our class was everything I had been agonizing over. Without me bringing anything up, PM's teaching was over ALL of these things. Much teaching about the challenge churches face with the mixture of homeschool vs. public school families. She gave us two GREAT handouts, I expressed my personal struggle and God struck a chord with me at the very end that put all of my anxieties at ease.

It was about Vision. Then my focus became clear again. It's about the lost. He has given me a burden for the lost.

I couldn't understand why God would give me vision for a children's ministry for that church that would not reflect what the people may want. It is because "Vision is about seeing and perceiving. Vision sees beyond what is there!!!!" The vision God has given is to reach the community that has not been reached yet! There lies my passion and there lies what I see beyond what is there. The quoted sentences are from PM's handout, the rest is my interpretation of what God showed me tonight.

PM brought up Moses, the vision God gave him not for the NOW but for BEYOND. I haven't even told PM my vision or what side of the fence I was on, so she wasn't even trying to convince me one way or the other. It was all God and my agonizing is over. I know where I stand now, at least for today! :)

She also had us answer each of the following questions and then discuss:

What I believe about children

1. I believe the most cricial need of today's child is:

2. I believe the most effective way to attract today's child to God is:

3. I believe the most effective way to inspire today's child to a lifelong intimate relationship with God is:

What I believe about the family

1. I believe the most critical need of today's family is:

2. I believe today's parents are most afraid of:

3. I believe today's parents are most interested in:

4. I believe God wants to help today's family by:

5. I believe the best way to connect with today's family is through:

What I believe about the Church

1. I believe the most critical need of today's Church (universal body of believers) is:

2. I believe the most critical message that today's Church has to bring to the world is:

There are no right/wrong answers, but it is a great worksheet to complete to get your mind thinking about your own philosphy of children's ministry.

In the end, all kids/families/people need Jesus. Our philosophy MUST include "giving Jesus to families." The principles we need to teach children are the same whether homeschooled or not. Some children may be hearing repeated information on Sunday, for some it may be new. Regardless, all children (and adults for that matter) need to be taught the same principles of Jesus.

That's my musings about Children's Ministry.

Paper Airplanes

Thu, 23 Feb 2006 12:25:00 -0600

Weaver Unit 4, Chapter 5 Transportation

We found a great book on making paper airplanes at the library. Since we're not working on the hot air balloon, I thought we would give our hand at making complex paper airplanes. It was fun, a bit hard for my 3 year old but she still enjoyed having me do it for her---and of she loved flying it.

When we took the planes outside for flight the learning continued.

From this project the kids learned: Basic parts of an airplane, uses of airplanes, aerodynamics, friction, wind effects...and probably other things I haven't thought of.

Kaden said, "This is the best homeschool ever!"

More Boats!

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 10:23:00 -0600

We are studying Transportation as part of The Weaver Curriculum, Chapter 5. I was having a hard time figuring out the Hot Air Balloon pattern given with the materials so I decided to just let him build whatever type of transportation he wanted. He decided to build a "party boat." This boat has been named, "Kaden's Cruise Ship." Notice the Teddy Bear Counters strapped in to Geoboards in the white tub. The white basket turned upside down is the dining room. The pool area is the clear "meat" container complete with a beach, diving board, and roaped off area of deeper water.

Evening Guests

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 10:13:00 -0600

The Tony & Sue Delacruz family were Thursday evening guests in the home of Aaron & Stacy Orndorff home (finally). In our 2 � years here, they are one of the first families we met and we are just now having them over for dinner. Tony just finished all of his testing, interviews, etc. and is officially �Reverend Tony Delacruz.� This is one of our first real friends that we made here that we have been able to see go through the whole process. It makes us even more anxious to be done!

Secrets of Succesful Homeschooling

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 10:10:00 -0600

Yes, I bought and read Secrets of Successful Homeschooling by Paul & Gena Suarez. I just couldn�t stand it any longer to feel that I might be missing out on a great homeschool tool. I was not disappointed. I have read so many books on homeschooling, I wasn�t sure if I would learn anything new. I was pleasantly surprised.

The book is divided into two parts. Part One is eight chapters of support and encouragement. Keep in mind, this e-book is a compilation of articles by various authors. The note in the beginning and possibly the introduction is the only actual writing by Paul & Gena Suarez. Personally, I like the variety of perspectives given by several homeschool families all in one book. There is a little bit for everyone no matter the circumstances of your homeschool family.

Again, Part One is compiled of several authors offering support and encouragement through their personal homeschool journey. I especially love the perspective of the �unsocialized� teenager. I believe this first part is key to introducing someone to homeschooling that is still unsure if it will work for their family. I plan to recommend this book to several of my friends who are still teetering. This book really lays out a basic foundation of homeschool information.

Part Two is titled �The Nuts and Bolts� and really gives great practical examples of how homeschooling can work in your home. I discovered that I am indeed an Eclectic Homeschooler. The quick summary of the different approaches to homeschooling was very helpful�I wish I had a quick reference like this a couple years ago, it would have saved a lot of research.

The �new� thing I learned was about the lapbooking. I had never even heard the term until now and I am excited to try it out. I think it will fit in perfectly with our way of �doing school.�

I recommend this book to any parent who is even remotely considering homeschooling their children, to families who already know they will homeschool, but still aren�t sure which direction to take, and to homeschool families that just need some encouragement or fresh ideas and direction.

To purchase your own copy of this book, you can click the link in the sidebar.

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Homeschool Shopping Survey

Sat, 18 Feb 2006 21:03:00 -0600

1. What time of year do you do most of your homeschool shopping?

I usually browse through catalogs and website during the summer months. I get pretty serious by August. I usually order mid-to late August. I also do quite a bit during December and January.

2. Do you typically do most of your homeschool shopping all at once or at various times throughout the year?

The bulk is done two times per year but I will pick up unique items throughout if it something the kids are interested in.

3. Do you mostly shop online, from catalogs, at conventions or at local stores?

Right now, I am so blessed to have a great Homeschool store within 20 minute drive time and a Christian Bookstore that carries some materials that is 10 minutes from my home. I am able to get most of our materials there. This year the best find was a Used Christian Bookstore that has used Homeschool Curriculum. I was able to get The Weaver Vol 1, Day by Day, and Wisdom Words for $75.00. Our first year I ordered everything from a catalog. I have also gotten some good materials on Ebay. I have never been to a convention--fearful that I will be overwhelmed with choices.

4. How do you learn about new homeschool products? (friend, magazine, see them in catalogs, etc..)

My main source for learning about new products are fellow homeschool friends. Otherwise it is in catalogs and internet search. Now that I am connected in this blogger, I am finding many new products from other bloggers.

5. Are there any areas where you'd like to see more products? (algebra, weather, grammar for boys, etc...)

I am always looking for "Character Building" books for boys and girls. The products I have seen for this are often secular in nature or WAY advanced with in depth Bible Study for tweens and teens.

I always love to see New Educational Games or Toys.

6. What will typically sway you to purchase from a particular company? (online sample lessons, helpful website, customer service, price, able to get most things there, free shipping, etc...)

I love to order from other homeschool families who have developed some of their own curriculum: www.doorpost.com ; www.love2learn.com ; just to support their home business. I rarely order without an online sample unless I have seen the book somewhere else already.

7. How could homeschool companies better serve you?

8. What subject would you say that you spend the most money on?

Probably Bible, because I just can't resist! I love Picture Books, Music, Devotionals, Activity Books, anything that will re-emphasize what we are learning about God.

9. Do you prefer things to be bundled together for convenience or seperated so that you can pick and choose?

I was actually going to comment on #7 that perhaps companies could bundle items together but I wasn't sure that would be the best way either. I do like to see what a company would put together for a particular Unit Study. I really like the website I visited the other day, (eek, I can't find it) that lumped together Activities & Lessons about a particular subject. (something like Sam's Science Kits...so sorry.. I will try to find and add later). I like to be able to buy seperate if I want, but to see what would be recommended in a bundle.

10. When you are looking for the extra products (games, learning kits, etc..) what is most important about them? (fun, hands on, simple, educational quality, easy to use, etc..)

All of the above combined. I don't buy something that is fun but with no educational quality, I don't buy something that has educational quality but is not easy to use. Hands on is important--flash cards are no fun.

Education Days with Rhea!

Sat, 18 Feb 2006 20:41:00 -0600

For anyone who did not call in Wednesday night to listen to Rhea Perry speak about her family and business, you missed out!

AND--I totally scored TWO FREE Tickets to her Education Days Conference in Nashville being held in 2 weeks (March 3-5).

The sad news is, I totally blew off that I have 9 guests coming to town for an early birthday celebration for my 3 (soon 4) year old. I was thinking that was the next weekend as her birthday is the 8th. That really crept up quick.

Good news for Cara and her hubby though--they are able to use the tickets (Rhea is awesome--Thank you Rhea!). I am excited to hear everything when they return. I'm still trying to get her to blog so I guess will have to blog for her when she returns.

I was really inspired by Rhea's enthusiasm for coupling Entrepreneurship with Home Schooling. You have to check out the line-up for this conference...it looks like the information you will receive will be invaluable.

FlyLady

Fri, 17 Feb 2006 23:34:00 -0600

Okay, I was inspired to write about Flylady after commenting on Lissa's blog about schedules.

Flylady was a tool God used to change my life in many needed areas. I started "Flying" about 2 years ago when my cousin recommended the website www.flylady.net. Having a whole week over Thanksgiving that year to read the material and get pumped-up to get my life in order, I headed home with plans of grandieur to declutter my home 15 minutes a day.

I will admit these "plans of grandieur" happen often in many different areas of my life, so I was hesitant going in that I was setting myself up for what I am just now calling, "Phase-Phailure."

Two years later, I am presently surprised that Flylady has stuck and the routines have actually become part of my life. Am I a slave to having a perfectly in order, clean home? No--that is the freedom of Flylady! The best result of implementing Flylady routines is that I now have much available time to spend with my God, my husband, and my children. I am not living in CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome).

She has helped me overcome the Perfectionism and the Materialism Monsters. I am enjoying living a simplified life and being able to bless others with our abundance from time to time because I don't have to hold on to stuff "just-in-case."

I am so excited to say--I'm not perfect and neither is my house--and that is okay (at least most of time).

My 2 cents about Oprah

Fri, 17 Feb 2006 23:16:00 -0600

After reading the Confessor's article, I was inspired to respond with the following:

I am embarrassed to admit that I actually saw the episode of her "beating-up" this author. I am certainly not a regular viewer of Oprah unless I am needing an adrenaline high because I always end up yelling at the TV which was the case during this episode.
I was outraged at her "self-righteous" attitude and the airing of all the pre-recorded comments from "friends of Oprah" that doted on her courage to stand up and admit her wrong. Isn't she just so brave?
In the last minute of the show, she mentioned the author's bravery for appearing on the show as she nervously mentioned that during the break he "joked" about shooting himself backstage afterward. Way to cover your tracks Oprah.
Here on Bible College Campus, Oprah is referred to the world's "high priestess." Her opinion is golden and her views are always quickly adopted by the world.
Okay, I'm done venting.

Trackbacks...

Wed, 15 Feb 2006 09:59:00 -0600

OK, I think I've got this now. Much thanks also to Dad's Corner!