KidStuf

Generosity - making someone's day, by giving something away!

2011-12-04T06:16:00.001-08:00

Courage

2011-03-06T06:39:00.001-08:00

Lonnie, Arnie and the whole gang are warming up. Come on and join them.

Determination

2011-01-16T13:07:00.000-08:00

Lonnie and Arnie are in training for a 5 K. Lonnie explains how important it is to eat the right foods.

And, donuts aren't on the list, but, Arnie can't resist the temptation. He didn't give in though.

Sam is in the need of a tutoring to learn about Thomas Alva Edison, and who else could fill the task other than Gordo.

Vinnie is helping out his friend Carmin by delivering pizza and decided the clubhouse would be a great RDB (regional delivery Base). So much for a quiet place to study.

Gordo tries to present to interesting facts about Thomas Edison and Sam fell asleep. Gordo didn't appreciate the gesture.

Shamus McFamus and MC Haggis doing what they do best

Fancy Grace grills Moses like no other can do.

Ms. Linda, our story teller

Vinnie explains that it takes determination to succeed at anything

Happy Birthday Heather! Thanks for your contributions to our children

Summer Fun

2010-06-13T18:54:00.000-07:00

What are you doing this summer? Check out the youth activities at RPUMC!! Or you can hang out with Gordo- he's in the middle of a paint gun war...
Don't forget- check out the fun activities at RollingPlains for children and youth and be sure to join us in September for our next adventure in the Clubhouse!!

May 9, 2010- Patience

2010-05-18T19:15:00.001-07:00

Ahh, May... the beautiful sight of flowering trees, greening grass and growing gardens- what a great time to develop that entrepreneurial spirit!! This month we are learning about patience- an attribute much needed when starting up a new business and, well, life in general!

This month's virtue is Patience- waiting until later for what you want now.

Our Bible Story was: JUST WAIT (Esau and the birthright) Genesis 25:24-34

Let's see what happened in the clubhouse....
Vinny had grandiose dreams of striking it big with his new summer venture of Whippy Dip Cream, the whipped ice cream that's dipped. He introduced his ideas to Mrs. F, and even had an investor lined up to help him start his business.

All he had to do was wait patiently for his secret ingredient to arrive, make his product and he'd be set. Marshall, his soon to be investor, even showed patience in saying he could come back later to give Vinny a chance to get his secret ingredient and make the product. But, he cautioned Vinny, it had better be ready soon!!
But when Sam showed up just moments later with front row tickets to the OLD DAY concert, all thoughts of patience went from his mind. With new tunes pumping through his head, his only thought became getting to the concert on time.
His impatience led him to raid Mrs. F's fridge, and after locating a large container of "cream" he started the Whippy Dip and left. Little did he realize, he had grabbed sour cream!!

Unsuspectingly, Vinny and Sam return to the clubhouse, still decked out from the concert.

Imagine the surprise and horror of Vinny's friends when they ate, not Whippy Dip, but slushy sour cream. Vinny's dreams ended before they'd had a chance to start.

He learned the hard way that not being patient can cost you dearly in the end.

Fancie Grace soon took over the stage, interviewing yet another young man whose impatience cost him a lot. Esau.
Esau came into the house after a long morning working out in the fields and was very hungry. His twin brother, Jacob, had made a mouth watering stew, and told Esau he would trade him his birthright for the stew, since Esau was too impatient to take the time to prepare his own meal.

Esau paid for his impatient act later when Jacob took the birthright traded for a bowl of soup in an unwise decision that affected him the rest of his life.

Sooo!! Are we ready to learn patience? Everyone was given a glow stick- to keep and not light up until the end of the month when we will have our very own ice cream party!!

Hope to see you all then!!

Back on track

2010-05-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

We've taken some time off in keeping up with our blog. You should see the changes we are making in the clubhouse. What an exciting time! Here is Gordo, playing dress up when he thought no one was looking :) We have discussed several virtues so far this year, including honesty and friendship.

Come join us this week as we learn more about Patience and how the lack of patience can ruin something very nice.

Wonder what Vinnie is up to now- he has been going around telling everyone about a new creation he has, wanting to start a business.... And I heard a rumor Fancy Grace will be back explaining how impatience cost one young man a lot.

See you Sunday, Mmmmmm I heard there is something about ice cream, too.....Count me in!

Bad Weather Blues

2010-01-08T16:44:00.000-08:00

Wow!! Where did all this snow come from? Grandpa Henry has been busy outside, shoveling snow, clearing sidewalks, and all the gang have been helping, too. Have you been able to stay warm inside?

I thought I heard Vinnie saying something about his dad being away this weekend. We will have to check in with him on Sunday and find out how everything is.

Hope to see you then- 9:45am at the KidStuf Clubhouse in Pebble Park!

December 13, 2009- Compassion

2010-01-05T12:31:00.000-08:00

This month we learned about:
Virtue: Compassion- caring enough to do something about someone else's need.
Bible Story: The Baby (Jesus is born) Luke 2:1-7
Bottom Line: God gave us the greatest gift. What will you give?

As Tyler was practicing saying Merry Christmas in every language he could find, Gordo busts onto the scene, trying frantically to hide from his young cousin staying with them for the holidays.
Tyler soon convinces Gordo that he must be compassionate with his young cousin- maybe reinact the whole Christmas story for the boy so he would know what it is actually all about, instead of driving Gordo crazy with all the other "Stuff" that has seemed to replace the original story.

As we learned more about the greatest gift ever, it became evident that Tyler was on to something.

After reading and acting out the original Christmas Story, using animals, dolls, halos, bathrobes and flashlights, Gordo's young cousin is hit with the realization ofwhat we are truly celebrating.

Gordo summed it up well when he later said, "Jordan … Jordo … and I are getting along a lot better. But I don’t know who the Christmas story helped more, him or me. God’s compassion makes me want to show other people compassion."

May you all have a wonderful Compassion filled Christmas centered on the BEST GIFT EVER GIVEN!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! See you Next year at the club house!

Family visiting

2009-12-05T20:14:00.001-08:00

Hey everybody, this is Gordo. I am quite anxious about my cousin coming. He has this idea that he wants to be just like me. It is sooo annoying!!! And I hope he drops all the lame jokes!!

I really was copensetical about his eminent arrival, until Mom informed me today that he would be staying in my room with me while they are here. The whole time!!!

I may need a lot of prayers to see me through.

Come visit us at Pebble Park, next Sunday- Dec 13. I'll need all the moral support I can get!!

November 15, 2009- Cooperation

2009-12-05T20:09:00.000-08:00

On November 15, at 9:45 AM we met up with the gang at the club house again. Today we talked about:
Virtue: Cooperation - working together to do more than you can do alone.

Bible Story: Helping Hands (Joshua wins the battle over the Amalekites) - Exodus 17:8-13

Bottom Line: Look for ways to help somebody succeed.

In an effort to raise money for Operation Christmas Child, Grandpa Henry made up a cookbook he was trying to sell. As Cammie and Gordo settled in on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn to watch Grandpa on the Random Buying Network, Grandpa Henry bursts into the scene, right behind them, almost in tears.

He had grabbed a can of nuts he was allergic to, and with mere minutes to go before he previewed his cookbook on TV, his hands were too swollen to do anything. He was going to have to cancel. What would all the kids do if he couldn't complete his fundraiser?

In a moment of inspired insanity, Gordo offers the use of Cammie's hands and arms to Grandpa Henry. Using this month's virtue of COOPERATION, Cammie works with Grandpa Henry to help him succeed. We hope to get more pictures soon, but this one was sent from a person in the audience from their phone:

Here you see the milk pouring through the air with the greatest of ease, actually hitting the bowl.
Though the Pancakes ended up getting more all over the table than in the bowl, the fundraiser was a success.

Learning to work together to help each other succeed not only helped Grandpa get through his previous commitment, it inspired others to raise a lot of money for children all over the world by supporting Operation Christmas Child.

Join us next month as we celebrate the birth of Jesus- KidStuf Style....

Cooperation

2009-11-15T06:56:00.000-08:00

The sound here is amazing! I think the cooking show will be an amazing way to raise money for Operation Christmas Child. Grandpa Henry is an amazing cook, guess that is where my Mom get her knack for it! Can't wait to see what he is going cook for the show.

October 18, 2009 - Individuality

2009-10-19T18:28:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning we joined the gang in the clubhouse learning about:

Virtue: Individuality—discovering who you are meant to be so you can make a difference.

Bible Story: THE Dorcas (the story of Dorcas) • Acts 9:36-42

Bottom Line: When you use what you have to help others, you can make a difference.

Tyler, Gordo and Cammie made an amazing discovery this morning. They discovered that the indefatigable Mrs F. does have limits. They watched in fear and amazement as she fell asleep right in front of them- almost mid sentence. She had been doing non-stop for everyone all day long, and the kids came up with an idea- a way to thank Gordo's mom for being so nice to all of them- they came up with a spa day!!

The kids all realized that they are individually created, each has his or her own talents and they can use those talents to bless others. Tyler was very "nice" setting the mood for the spa. After a wonderful makeover by Cammie- freshening up Mrs F's colors and hair and a "karate massage" from Gordo, before he pulled a muscle in his hand, Mrs F declared it a day she would not soon forget!!

They all realized how much they love an appreicate each other and all the unique gifts God has given each of us that make us who we are.

We also had a guest appearance by none other than Sam Shovel. He was on the look out for a woman- what was her name again? His interview went well, and he learned about a wonderful woman, Dorcas, whose name he never could quite keep up with.

All in all, it was a great day at the clubhouse, one in which the kids were able to use their own individual talents to bless Mrs F and express how much she means to them.

Join us next month, as we meet with the gang once again......

2009-10-18T13:53:00.001-07:00

Sounds like the party is getting started. Head over through Pebble Park to the clubhouse. The gang is treating Mrs. F to a makeover. Check it out.

2009-10-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

Man! It's getting really close. It's almost Sunday and the noise from Arnie continues to get louder and louder. Lord only knows what he's up to. I hope all goes well. Plus... Sam is some new case. I think he's looking for somebody named Dennis that's going to Canada or something. I think I'll just show up Sunday at 9:45 in Pebble Park to find out exactly what happens. See ya there!

A New Case --- Sam Shovel

2009-10-04T07:10:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention --- I'll be reviewing this case with you on Sunday, October 18th at 9:45.

Sam Shovel
Private Detective

A New Case! ---- Sam Shovel

2009-10-04T07:03:00.000-07:00

I'm working to solve a new case! And this time it involves a woman's death in the city of Joppa ---- so it's serious stuff! Her name is Delores, or something like that, I'm not sure without my files. But I'll uncover how she died, who knew what, and when they knew it! Like the Canadian Mounties, I always get my man! And I never give up on a case until it is solved.

Sam Shovel
Private Detective

Arnie is worrying me!

2009-09-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

Arnie is back from his vacation but he's got me a little worried. I keep hearing banging, buzzing and the hum of what I think might be a sewing machine in the clubhouse. The occasional scream and the thud of something hitting the wall is beginning to scare me and we are out of band-aides too. I don't know, I've never heard this much screaming on Project Runway! We'll see what he is up to on Sunday I guess. See you guy soon!

Lonnie

Sunday, September 13- Wisdom

2009-09-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning, we joined Gordo, Tyler and Grandpa in the clubhouse as they learned about Wisdom. What a great time we had!

Virtue: Wisdom: Finding out what you should do and doing it

Memory Verse:
"A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it." Proverbs 22:3 NIV

Bible Story: The Word on Wisdom (benefits of wisdom)

Bottom Line: Wisdom is knowing AND doing.

After hearing something making a ruckus in the attic of the clubhouse, Grandpa Henry climbed up and began exploring. He discovered it was a furry little squirrel trying to make a home in the insulation. Nothing too exciting, one might think, right?

I mean, look at him- pretty tame little cute fuzzy squirrel....

Oh, but the adventure had just begun!

Grandpa Henry brought the scared squirrel down in a burlap sack and explained to Gordo and Tyler, who had been in the clubhouse trying to figure out what monster or magnetic fields were causing the noise in the attic, that he was going to go find the best place to set the squirrel free. He left with very clear instructions that Gordo and Tyler were NOT to touch the bag. Just keep an eye on it.

Unfortunately, as soon as Grandpa Henry left the clubhouse, Tyler and Gordo could not hold back any longer. Here is Tyler as he is getting ready to reach into the sack and pet the cute little fuzzy guy- just before he got attacked by the squirrel. Through trying to do what they wanted to do, instead of what they knew they should do, not only did the squirrel attach itself to Tyler's arm, but Gordo also got whacked over the head with a leaf rake a couple of times.
When Grandpa Henry returned, he was met with a couple of very repentant and sad little boys. He was able to talk to them about our virtue of the month: Wisdom, and the importance of not only knowing what to do, but also doing it. Well, Grandpa Henry summed it up pretty well when he closed with, "....Finding out what to do and doing it ALWAYS works out!"

Thanks for joining us at the clubhouse this month as we learned more about Wisdom!! We hope to see you next time, on October 18 at 9:45am in the Clubhouse as we discuss Individuality!

Wisdom: Grandpa Henry

2009-09-07T18:52:00.000-07:00

Howdy Folks!

This is Grandpa Henry. Yes, I am Daddy to my sweet little girl you all call Mrs. F, and Grandpa to our very own Gordo.

I'm right glad to have you all come on in and check out our club house. Gordo has done a fine job putting together a nice place, and we all love to see you come.

Well, I gotta go. Just wanted to pop in and say, "Hi!" to you all. Something has been making quite a racket upstairs in the attic, and I am bound and determined to find out what it is.

Hope to see you all Sunday at 9:45am in Pebble Park at Gordo's Clubhouse!

Welcome to KidStuf!

2009-08-29T18:24:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the club house!!

We are so glad you could stop by to get to know us a little better!!

As you can see in the picture to the right, Gordo had quite an adventure during our last KidStuf in August at the club house. Our lessons for the month were about love- and remember, God loves us, no matter what!!

After accidentally getting ketchup all over his Mom's new painting, Gordo thinks she can no longer love him and he must run away. He determines to come back and become the family gardener so he can at least be close to his Mom.

Imagine his surprise when he gets back and finds he is more important than a painting to his Mom!

Just like the prodigal son returning to his father, Gordo learned through his Mom's great example that God's love doesn't stop just because we do something wrong.

Stay tuned for more adventures in the club house- and maybe even some character interviews :)