This year we have 3600 eggs filled with candy and toys. We have a new basketball hoop, wavy balance beam, giant Lego’s and colorful nursery mat and blocks to add to our other items. When kids arrive to the Jamul Little League field they will filled with sunshine, color and fun. Preschool to sixth grade kids will be given a color coded name tag and parents will receive a corresponding tag to bring back during check out. After the children are checked out they will head to our two separate fields, one for preschool and kindergarten and the other for first to sixth grade, for an Easter egg hunt. But this is not all that kids will experience on this glorious day. They will also hear the truth of Jesus Christ. Many people have their own ideas of what truth is. We will present the truth claims that Jesus Christ gave us in the Bible. We will do this because without Jesus Christ in our lives all we have is temporary. One day we will not be alive to enjoy Easter eggs, bunnies, spring flowers, wonderful weather which is best here in San Diego, and being with our family. So bring your family this Easter to discover/be reminded of the truth of Jesus Christ and decide if you will believe.

This is an annual weekend camp experience offered at no charge and hosted by San Diego Hospice and will be held on June 11-13 2010. The camp is for children ages 6 to 17 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Camp Erin San Diego combines a traditional, high energy, fun camp with grief support and education. Camp Erin San Diego is staffed by volunteers. You can sign up a child or volunteer at http://www.sdhospice.org/camperin/

I just received my second issue of “Thriving Family’ by Focus on the Family. It is packed with great information for the entire family.I am finding it to be one of my best resources. There are four sections: family stages, family media, family faith and family life. Come to our next EPIC night or go here  to check it out. Here are two quotesamong many that stood out to me:

“Setting standards for respectful behavior early is important in a child’s life. If a child speaks to authority in a tone that’s less than respectful, and his behavior is excussed, the issue is being avoided. It may be called “age-appropriate behavior”, but it’s never appropriate.” Fromthe book ”Giving Your Child the Excellence Edge” by Vicki Caruana

“The primary goal for 9 – to 11- year-olds is to receive God’s grace. The majority of people who trust Christ as Savior do so before they are teens. Said another way, if your children do not come to faith in Christ by the time they are teens, the likelihood begins to quickly decrease that they will do so. That means you must do two things: First, make certain that your children fully understand the Gospel. Second, ask God to help you discern the authenticity of their decision. Countless kids “respond” to the Gospel outwardly because of pressure from a Sunday school teacher or parent, while in their hearts they remain reluctant to submit to Christ. To understand your children’s faith, ask questions: “Can you explain why Jesus died on the Cross?” “What does someone have to do to go to heaven?” “Why do you think you are a Christian?” Responses such as “I prayed a prayer” or “The teacher told me I was a Christian” may indicate they are trusting in the wrong thing.” From the article “Introducing you children to God” by Larry Fowler

On Sunday’s our first to fourth grade children are learning about Cooperation and Compassion. To practice caring for others in need and working together to provide for that need we are joining with Compassion International to buy mosquito nets for people in Africa. Please consider joining our first to fourth grade children as they donate their own money and ask other to donate as well. Visit www.biteback.net for more information. Our goal is to raise $1,000 to buy 100 nets by the end of December. So far we have raised $250. Together we can end Malaria!

Hillsong has some great worship music for kids, especially for older elementary kids. We use their DVD’s for the 5 & 6 grade class on Sunday’s, which you can buy from our online amazon store.

Have you ever thought “I don’t want to waste anymore time”. God gave us all a certain amount of time, so how are we using the time we have? I know that I have limited time until my end on earth comes and I know that when that time comes one of two things will happen to me. I will either live with God in eternity or will be sent away from Him for eternity. So what will I do with the time that I have left? Is it any different than if I knew I only had six months until my life on earth ended? When people know their time is short on earth they figure out what is most important to them and make sure they do everything they can to accomplish those things before it is too late. Being raised in American culture gives me the tendency to desire things like a house, cars, retirement, savings, vacations, comfort, safety, etc. Yet God calls us to give generously to those who cannot repay us, and to store up treasures in heaven. Should not my love for God be the most important thing on earth as it will be in heaven? And should I not also make sharing the news of the future with others a priority despite the cost? Whether I have six months left to live or 75 years my priorities and immediacy should be the same. But how do I let go of my natural tendencies of this world and replace it with what I know is important? The truth is if it is important enough then we just find a way to make it happen. So let’s make it happen! If you have any specific ideas or examples please let me know.

One idea is to serve children and families with us to leave a spiritual legacy that will last for eternity! What a wonderful way to not waste time but to create time.

I am so appreciative of all those who serve on Sunday’s! And I am also appreciative for those who are flexible to move around and be substitutes when needed. This Sunday we experienced a lot of both. Thank you Dwight for subbing in Galaxy, Suzanne for subbing in Creative Creation, Sarah Hom for subbing in Motion Ocean, Rebecca Cates for being flexible to move to Small Wonders, Mandy Howell for subbing in attendance, Lindsey Snyder for subbing in Small Wonders, Dottie Lofftis for subbing in Small Wonders at the last minute and Rosalie Button for serving in Small Wonders for the first time. As our first to fourth grade kids are learning about “Cooperation”, I am reminded how much cooperation it takes for our church to minister to children and families. I am blessed to have so many people to cooperate with!