Greetings everyone!  What a wonderful first week of AWANA in the Heights!  It was such an amazing night!  Full of energy and joy!  I usually refrain from teaching the lesson because there are so many other things going on but last night since it was the first night back I taught the council time, and I had a blast!  We did a science experiment that symbolizes how our lives are dirty and clouded with sin (water and blue food coloring).  And the problem is when we die we want to go to Heaven.  But Heaven is a perfect place and we can't be their with our sinfulness.  Then we watched what happens when we ask Jesus to enter our lives and wash us clean!  (adding some bleach)  WOAH!  It became clear!  It was such a blessing to be able to share with the kids that Jesus would love to come into their lives and wash them clean of all their sins.  And what a good reminder for adults too!  So if you get a chance to talk to your kids, or any of the kids that came to AWANA last night, ask them what they learned and if they have asked Jesus to come into their hearts and wash away their sin.

This last week I spent a lot of time reflecting on the Children's programs, specifically AWANA.  It is not a perfect program, no program is.  There are lots of things I want to tweak for the future.  But every week I am blessed by these kids.  My heart melts as I watch everyone from preschoolers to 5th graders learn and memorize God's word.  Yes they are at all different places.  Yes some of them will memorize a verse faster and retain it longer than others.  But God brought them all here and they are ALL getting something out of it.  I am so honored to be one of the many vessels He chose to work in their lives.  And I am so thankful for all of you that play a part in the night as well.  I know it is exhausting, but in the scheme of eternity, what's a little exhaustion?  ;o)  We have children that come from all different places in life but for this one night they are all together.  And that is truly beautiful.  Thank you for making it possible!