We're Going on a Field Trip! Part 2

This is part 2 of a previous blog about how we all need a field trip in our lives to break the routine and make things interesting.  Why not make it a field trip to serve others? The previous blog was the WHY we need a field trip.  This is the HOW.

Put Your Faith into Action

There are hundreds of ideas of ways to serve others.  Like the woman at the well (John 4:1-26), Jesus served as a lifestyle by meeting people right where they were, not planning big events.  You don’t have to plan a big event either.  Just start serving (regularly, throughout the year - not just during the holidays). 

Here are a few ideas to get you started . . .

• Serve a meal at a homeless shelter
• Read a book at a school
• Visit the elderly in a nursing home
•  Do crafts at an after school program
•  Deliver baked goods to a rescue station
•  Give clothes to a family in need
• Take magazines for those in the hospital
• Play outside with a child of a single mom
• Take a family a meal - just because
• Volunteer at a community event
• Invite a friend, neighbor, coworker  to church
• Give a bible to a someone that doesn’t have one
• Plant flowers for a neighbor or at a community agency
• Give a manicure to an elderly person and listen to their stories
•  Tutor a child after school
• Give travel size hygiene items to a homeless ministry
• Babysit for a single parent or foster family
• Wash a car for a family in need
• Sort items at a local food bank
•  Help with office work at a community agency
•  Give baby items to a local pregnancy center
• Send a thank you card to someone who has influenced you lately
• Mow the lawn of someone else 
• Sing a song to someone in the hospital

     

Ask God . . .

• "Where do you want me to go today Lord?”
•  “Who can be impacted by Your love today through me?” 

Then, GO.   You will be amazed how God will increase your excitement and reveal your purpose not just for you but those you are serving as well.    

How can I make a difference?  

How can serving change your family, your church, even your city? The common factor in all of these circles of people is YOU!  As you gain excitement because of something new, as you discover your purpose, as you begin to serve in your strengths, others will see this change.  They will begin to serve too. As more are serving, more needs will be met.  

As you (and others) serve and share the gospel of Jesus Christ, more people will be saved.  The act of one can turn into the acts of a city very quickly.  It is the fulfillment of the calling on each of our lives as believers of Jesus Christ (starting in your “Jerusalem” – your circle of influence). 

“You shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

We're Going on a Field Trip! Part 1

The following is from a published article by me in K ids Matter Magazine in September/October 2013.  It is written to children but is very relevant in leading my family to serve others and it was the inspiration for starting this blog.  Thought I would share it in a two-part blog. 

Pretend for a moment that you are back in elementary school.  Imagine where you sit. Visualize the teacher.  Feel the routine of going down the hall, walking through the door, opening your desk.  

Head Knowledge to Action

Do you ever feel you are in a rut going to school each day? Not much purpose in what you are doing? There is the routine of getting up at the same time every morning, eating the same cold cereal, finding the same seat on the bus, sitting in the same desk in each classroom, having lunch at the same table, knowing the bell is going to ring at the same time throughout the day, listening to the teachers teach the same subjects in the same order for days on end.  Do you ever ask,“Why do I ever need to need to know ___________? I will never use this in the real world.”

Do you look forward to those few days when you hear “We are going on a field trip next week!” Everyone goes into a frenzy for simply the thought of something different to do.  An uncontained buzz of excitement, high fives, and laughter fill the room.  There is so much excitement that you can’t even hear yourself think.  You even see a little smile emerge on the teacher’s face for the frenzy she just caused.  You don’t get to linger in this moment for very long, as the teach calls order back to the room.  You think, “Oh yeah, she hasn’t even told us where we are going” (although that doesn’t really matter, you are just ready to get out of school).  She announces where you are going and begins to explain the purpose behind the real life application of what you have been learning for weeks. You aren’t listening very much to what is being said as you have already begun “the field trip” in your mind.

Your attitude changes for the whole week in expectation of the field trip.  You rush home thrilled to tell your parents what was announced in school that day and to ask them to sign your permission slip.  You have conversations with friends on who will be who’s “buddy” that day.  You even begin to think about what your mom might pack for lunch that day.

On the day of the field trip your entire routine is thrown out the window and there is a carefreeness (I don’t think that is a word) about life, even if just for a day.  Your day starts the same with the alarm clock going off, but there is pep in your step.  You don’t eat the same breakfast; instead you opt for something warm.  You don’t sit on the same seat on the bus on the way to school, because you sit with who is going to be your “buddy” on the field trip.  Instead of hearing the same bells ringing, you hear the same energizing buzz (all day long) that you heard when the teacher announced the field trip.

And here comes the thing you were never anticipated to happen . . . you learn WHY you were being taught ________ and HOW it is used in the real world.  Minds are opened, lights come on, and purposes are found when you get out of the everyday routine.

A Fresh Wind

Do you need a field trip?  We all do!  Getting outside of your routine and going on a field trip in the “real world” will amazingly change your outlook on life.  School isn’t the only place we get into a “rut”.  Church and home are two other places to easily become internally focused.   Why not opt out of “church as usual” one week and instead go as a Sunday School group to serve those less fortunate?  Instead of watching tv or playing video games another afternoon or weekend, go do something for your neighborhood with your family. 

I think you can see above how a better attitude, joy and excitement come when you do something out of the ordinary.  But how can this help you find your purpose?  God knows each of us before we were ever born  . . .

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

He knows what we are going to do for Him, because all believers are called to be His hands and feet throughout the nations.  Through relationship with Him and with others, He reveals the purpose we were created for. 

Discovering your personality, learning your spiritual gifts, becoming aware of your abilities, connecting your passions, and reflecting on your experiences in life are all ways to find your purpose and how God uniquely designed you.  But the real confirmation comes when you actually start serving others in your strengths.  

Next Time

Jon me for Part 2 of "We're Going on a Field Trip" as I share how to plan a field trip to serve others and put your faith into action. 

5 Lessons We Can Learn from Children

Circle Time with another volunteer.

My boys were excited to serve in children's ministry last week at our church.  As part of our serving rotation to find their passion, this was second on our summer serving schedule.  Both my boys love to play with children younger than themselves.  It makes them feel big and like they have something to share  from the wisdom they have gained thus far. I like to watch them in this more mature role too. It gives me a glimpse at how they may be as fathers one day.

Giving Back

Tonya teaching a lesson at Table Time. 

The children's ministry at our church served us well when our boys were young and know we can give back by serving on a holiday weekend when they are typically short on their regular volunteers. As we lead the lessons and activities, our boys helped lead the line to large group, prepared the snack, handed out coloring sheets, and played with the children. This was yet another great opportunity for our boys to experience.  This was definitely a cooler experience of serving than the golf carts.

5 Lessons from the Little Ones

Lanson leading Coloring Time.

So even though we were 10 minutes late reporting for duty to serve the 4 year olds together, we were glad to serve wherever we were needed as we were sent to serve in two different classrooms (3 year olds and 5 year olds).  We all had a great time serving the next generation as we did short activities that involved coloring, singing, dancing, tossing bean bags, sharing in circle time, learning in large group, and playing.

The lesson for the day was "The Bible is worth more than gold". We talked and did activities around the fact that you can talk to God anywhere (in church, in the bath, at the grocery store, at a party, while brushing your teeth, etc.).

Here is what we learned while serving young children and teaching them the word of God as a foundation for their young live.

• Keep it Simple - no more than 7 words for a memory verse
• Make it Short - 5, 10 minute activities is all they can absorb in 75 minutes (include a snack)
• Get Moving - dancing, singing, and moving around get the energy out and their minds ready to learn
• Repeat, Repeat, Repeat - this is the key for them to remember.  In every different activity, the same words should be repeated like "The Bible is worth more than gold".
• Share - make the lesson personal to an experience they have had by asking them to share - you never know what a child will share 

Deason and Joe at Large Group. 

These are good points for me to remember as I engage my boys more in The Word of God.  Simply reading and talking about a bible verse is not enough.  I need to plan activities around our God time to help them remember. Maybe I need to do the same for me - I have the hardest time remembering scripture.

From Jesus "I tell you the truth, unless you become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3

What pointers/tools do you have to share to engage your children in learning more about God?

Serving Blesses Others and Us Too!

Back in February, we had the opportunity to purchase and deliver new stuffed penguins to children in the local hospital on Valentine's Day.  Our intent was to brighten a child's day and leave a message of hope for the parents of a sick/injured child.  In our attempts to bless others, we have been blessed by their kind words of gratitude.

From the mouth of Jesus himself . . . "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35

This was a great personal project about giving that our children were able to experience. Thank you to Erica Stidham from Mary and Martha for the challenge and thank you to DeAnna Ingram for organizing this easy yet impactful project for our kiddos to experience with their friends.

Are there more ways you have serve with your family that you can share with us? Comment now!

3 Things We Learned on a Golf Cart

Whew!  This summer is well in full swing.  With our floor remodel, family in town, summer camps, birthdays, etc., time has gotten away from me with blogging.  I am a little behind with updates on our family serving experiences thus far.  

Current Service

It's not like we don't serve at all.  We have always served in many ways, but mostly, I take the lead in our family.  In this season, God has me on a quest to find what my boys like and let them do some leading in this area.  To empower them to have a leading role as little boys growing up to be Godly men.  

• We serve monthly as a LifeGroup as we prepare and serve hot meals to the homeless through Amazing Love Ministries in Ybor City, FL.  
• We serve weekly together as a family when we host our LifeGroup and welcome them into our home. 
• I serve monthly at our church teaching the "Discover" class that guides members in discovering their God-given personality, spiritual gifts, and passions.   

This summer we decided to serve in a variety of ways (both inside the church and outside in the community) to find a consistent way we can serve together - as a family.  Ways that build up our boys and encourage them to put their God-given talents to use.   

Because it's who we are . . .

We have followed our schedule (check out my previous blog 6 Family Summer Serving Activities) and have so far served in two ways at our church (parking and children's church). The boys have loved it! We have had meaningful conversations leading up to serving and following our experiences.  

When I asked "Why are we serving by driving people on golf carts into church?"  One of our sons answered "Because it is who we are - The Nichols!".  I loved that answer, that means that serving is more of their identity than I really thought as we live out our family purpose statement.

The Nichols Family Purpose

"Praise God, Serve Others, Love All"  

Our other son answered "to make it easier for people to get into church and meet God".  My heart just melted.  They are getting it!

3 Things We Learned on a Golf Cart 

Okay so they boys really had a blast riding on the golf carts as my husband and I drove around our church parking lot. I didn't think this would be much of a meaningful, Godly experience.  I mean, it's just driving carts.  However, I was surprised at what God showed us . . . 

1. Hospitality goes a long way - We were literally the "welcome wagon" for each family and individual attending church that day.  We met many first time guests, some that just moved into the area and knew no one.  We were able to introduce them to other attenders on the cart to have someone to sit with and point them in the right direction for service.  
2. Slow down and connect - We saw many friends that we haven't connected with in many months (some even years).  Because our church is so large,we never pass each other or we are in too big of a hurry going somewhere else and just wave across the lobby.  Riding for 4 minutes on a golf cart gave us time to catch up and reconnect with people. It also gave us time to connect with our boys.  Every other trip on the cart, the cart was empty.  This gave us time to actually talk with no distractions with our boys.  
   
3. Appreciate our servants - It is very hot in Florida in the summer. I am so use to being in air conditioning all the time, that being on a golf cart made me realize how hot it really is.  There was a little breeze when we were driving, but for the most part it was HOT.  We really made us appreciate our parkers and drivers. It was fun at the end when the church gave out free snow cones to all members (and we got one too to cool off).  Take the time to thank those that serve you each week (especially those that are in the heat, cold, rain, etc.).     

This was a great serving experience for our family to really see how such a seemingly small job can make a big difference (for us and for others).  It was a great lesson in living out our family motto.   

The Nichols Family Motto 

"Small Change Makes a Big Difference" 

(Get it? Nickels are small change and we are The Nichols.)