My grandmother celebrated her 90th birthday on Saturday. That’s pretty cool and amazing to me. We started this year with my grandfather’s 90th birthday and wrap up this year with my grandmother’s. They are a very fun couple. You will find my granddad out golfing, fishing, hunting, or working in his gardening about every day. There is no way to slow that man down. Just in the last couple of weeks he had a hugely successful quail hunt and a great fishing day. In the middle of winter! My grandmother is a wonderful woman, a great chef, and she has such a big love for others and life. They have been married to each other for almost 70 years. They raised two kids, have 9 grandkids, and 9 great grandchildren right now. In life there are always some people you think you would like to be like. We all wanted to be like Mike for a while. Role models come and go. I am so fortunate to have some pretty amazing role models in my family. They aren’t going anywhere. I will be lucky to make it to 90 some day. And I will always be able to think back to the example they have given me. And I aspire to be a role model for others, just like they are for me. I want to be like my grandparents.
It takes some intentionality to live a life like that. I have to stick with the choices I have made and consistently live who I want to be. It’s not about mistake free life. It’s about the consistency of who you are. Are you living the life of the role models you want your kids to have? How about your grandkids? Live to be the 90-year-old hero.
Daniel Carnahan
Central Kidz
It’s so easy for us to get caught up in the Christmas funk. When everything seems to be moving around you so fast with the holiday quickly approaching you have gifts to buy, your whole family is around taking up your whole house, holiday parties to go to, and traveling. It all just seems like too much to fit in one month! So you get into this funk… You know? Everything just seems to stress you out or irritate you, even those wonderful happy Christmas songs! And even with all the family and friends around you really just feel like your alone.
I think we all just lose focus on what the holidays are about. Its about our Savior being born! aka, the one who came to save you and I was born! Isn’t that something we should be happy about? So celebrate! Feel peace in your heart knowing that you are saved! That there is a God who love you so much that He sent His Son here to earth to die for you! Your not alone, because the perfect God of the universe loves you.
So this holiday season when you get stressed about all the craziness going on around you, don’t just let it slip by and hope for it to be over. Remember what this holiday is about and remember that you are love and saved!
Merry Christmas!
…Central will be hosting Christmas services!!!
You may be doing the math in your head right now, that means Christmas is only 16 days away! I’m sure, if you’re like me, you still have Christmas shopping, Christmas parties, Christmas cards, driving around to look at Christmas lights and Christmas baking. I’m sure I left something out, but all in all it is all things Christmas the next two weeks.
Every year as I go through the marathon of Christmas activities I’m throw a reminder moment of what Christmas is all about. Last year it was my oldest son, “Mom, Christmas is really just about Jesus’ birthday.” That small statement brought me back to the focus of the season.
Over the next two weeks take time to focus on a few things; when are you attending a Christmas service with your family (or friends), who are you inviting and when are you serving.
Embrace the next two weeks, busy as they may be, stay focused.
Andrea Kessler
CentralKidz
When people ask me about stepping into the leadership role within the Fun Factory, I have explained it as a journey coming full circle. My journey of coming to know who Jesus is and what it means to be a Christian started when I was in third grade at Central. Many years later, God has opened the door for me to serve and help lead the same ministry in which I began my journey. There are still many things I remember about the elementary ministry from when I was a kid; the lessons, worship songs, games, and the leaders. The impact has been significant and I know it was made possible through my parents.
The ministry for elementary kids starts with the parents. It is because of my parent’s willingness and encouragement that I started this foundation in my walk with God. Keep encouraging your kids to go to their specific ministry environment and interact with them after church to see what they have learned.
It has been a blessing to come back as a leader and there is nothing more exciting than hearing the kids jump and sing worship songs, answer questions within small groups, and learn about who Jesus is for their own foundation. Thank you parents for your commitment and dedication to bring your kids to church every weekend. What they learn at their specific ministry environments will stay with them for years to come. With your help, their journey will also produce full circles.
Tony Caniglia
Fun Factory 2-3 grade