Our First Giveaway!

Listed on our list of resources both here on the blog and on the Wellsboro Vineyard website is the magazine Thriving Family.  It is published by Focus on the Family and is full of great ideas for families!  I don't know about you but I am a magazine junkie.  I LOVE 'em!  And this is one that I read and re-read each time it comes.  One of my goals is to get parenting resources into the hands of parents, and now I have this great opportunity!  I am thrilled to offer this month, a 1-year subscription to the magazine Thriving Family.

How do you enter?  I'm so glad you asked!  Just leave a comment below!  Be sure to include your name so I know who you are and can get in contact with you. :)

IF you have never left a comment on a blog before, click on the tab at the top of the page that says "How to leave a comment" and it will guide you!

You can also earn a SECOND entry by participating in a little virtual scavenger hunt!  C'mon, it'll be fun!  Here are the instructions:
1. Go to the Wellsboro Vineyard Website at www.wellsborovineyard.org
2. Once you are there, you must find the answer to this question: What special family fun idea is on the Vineyard Kids calendar for November 29th?
3. Once you have found the answer, email me at carolyn@wellsborovineyard.org with the answer!

You can earn a THIRD entry by completing the activity listed on the Vineyard Kids calendar for Monday, November 29th and then emailing me at carolyn@wellsborovineyard.org and telling me what you did and how it went!  I will trust your honesty. :)

Winner will be chosen at random from all entries and announced on Tuesday, November 30.  Giveaway entries CLOSE at midnight on Monday, November 29.

*Disclaimer: This offer is only available to parents who attend the Vineyard Church of Wellsboro.

Spiritual Parenting: The Trinity

Egghead...


Recently, my middle daughter (who just turned 4) asked me: "How can God be God, and Jesus be God?"  I stumbled and mumbled something that I can't remember and I'm sure wasn't very helpful to her, but it got me thinking that I need to be able to illuminate spiritual mysteries to my kids in a practical way.

I came across an article in the children's ministry magazine K! by Alan Root where he shared the following three illustrations that help to share the idea of the Trinity with children (and adults!).

Illustration #1: Mathematics. 1+1+1=3.  And 1x1x1=1.  So 3 ones can be either 3 or 1 depending on how you compile them.

Illustration #2: Physics. H20 exists as a gas, a liquid and a solid.  Vapor, water, and ice.  But it's all still H20.

Illustration #3: Biology. from Gallus Domesticus (the chicken).  A single egg has three parts: outside shell, egg white, and egg yolk.  3 parts--one egg.


The age of your child or children may determine which of these illustrations will be most useful to you right now...but remember that discussing the idea of the God-head shouldn't be a one-time conversation, so maybe those other examples will be useful later.  You can also share with your kids how they, in fact, are 3-in-1 as well...spirit, soul (mind, or brain) and body.  We are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made in His image.

Interestingly enough, the word "trinity" does not appear in the Bible, but the concept is clearly taught throughout Scripture.  Root also mentions that these illustrations are just that- illustrations, and they are not perfect in explaining the mystery of the Trinity.  Ultimately, the one-ness of Father God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is something our human brains cannot fully understand.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

In the midst of eating and watching the game and the parade and after-meal napping, 

How will you connect with the heart of your family this Thanksgiving?

Help!

Okay parents, (specifically Vineyard Parents, but anyone can weigh in!) I'm having trouble making a decision (a shocking realization for me :) and I want your help!  Since this blog is primarily for you, or for us, as a group, I want you to help me think of a name for this blog.  I think "Wellsboro Vineyard Kids" is too boring, and I want other parents out there in cyberspace to not feel excluded, if they have something valuable to offer.  Sooo...what do you think?  Right now I have it listed as "Parenting: It's a marathon, not a sprint."  Other ideas I've had are "Extreme Parenting," "Intentional Parenting." etc.  I want it to sound fun and exciting and not just educational, but I want it to be clear that it is about parenting. Share your thoughts on my ideas, share your own ideas...


What do you think???

Vineyard Kids News Update!

Click here for the latest Vineyard Kids News Update!

Thankfulness: Madame Blueberry

https://bigidea.com/products/shows/shows_content.aspx?pid=22

I find it amazing the things that I have learned from kids products...for myself!  One of those is the VeggieTales show Madame Blueberry. If you haven't seen this one, I highly recommend it.  The main tagline: "A thankful heart is a happy heart" has stuck with me and come to mind at times when I was discontented or complaining.  I think my daughter may have even reminded me of it a time or two.  Kids have an uncanny way of showing us our own weaknesses.  If we can let go of our pride, we can learn a lot from them. This is the last post (for now) devoted to our monthly theme of Thankfulness.  I'm SURE we'll revisit it at some point, but we're closing out this series for now. I hope it's been helpful and I would love to hear your feedback!

What kids products (or things your kids have said) have impacted YOUR spriritual walk?

Family Fun

Here are some Family Fun ideas for this weekend!  Spend some time playing with your kids! Appropriately, these two suggestions come from the Family Fun website!  Check it out here!

Pumpkin Bowling

Arrange a triangle of 10 empty plastic 1- or 2-liter bottles. Players take turns gently rolling a pumpkin into the pins, with three chances to knock them all down. 

Pumpkin Roll

Determine a starting line and a finish line. Set 2 pumpkins on their sides at the start and have the racers line up behind them. At "Go," each pair of challengers uses sturdy brooms to propel the pumpkins over the finish line.