We're doing something totally new and different in Kidsplace this Fall, and I'm here to tell you all about it!  Starting this Sunday, January 10th we are inviting our 5th Grade parents to experience Trinity Kidsplace with their children.  This Parent Sunday is specially made for 5th Grade parents.  If you are a parent of a 5th grader then you should have received an invitation much like the one you see below.  You probably got it in your mailbox, maybe it was handed to you by your child's Small Group Leader this past Sunday Morning, or maybe you're reading it now for the very first time.  No matter how you got invited, you are invited! 

Come Experience Kidsplace with your 5th Grader. 

Why are you doing this?

What a great question, and I am so glad that you asked.  We want you to see what your kid sees every Sunday Morning.  Have you ever heard about the things we do in the Lower Floor?  Well now is your turn to see it first-hand.  We have worked very hard to present for our parents what we do each and every Sunday Mornings.  There is no bait and switch.  What you will experience is what we experience every Sunday Morning.  With only one exception; your presence!

What will I have to do?

Another great question, you are on a roll!  We ask that you check-in at the Parent Registration table when you arrive in the lower floor.  We want to give you a name tag, and give you a small gift for you and your child (you read that correctly, we have gifts for the parents that attend!)  After checking in at the Parent Table, we want you to be with your kids.  Pick out a chair for the large group service, participate in worship time, listen intently during large group speaking, and get involved in your child's small group.  It's easy really, just hang out with your kid!

What's the catch?

There is no catch.  We will not be gathering phone numbers to ask you to work in Children's Ministry (although you could visit, http://volunteer.trinitykidsplace.com if you're interested in signing up to help!)  We will not have you working on anything but being with your child.  You will not be asked to control other kids, pass out papers, or be on stage for any reason.  We just want you to Experience Kidsplace with your child from their point-of-view.

Published on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 @ 2:45 PM CDT
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Attention Kidsplace Parents - We have a very special deal for you for ONE MONTH only!  During the month of January, you can register your child for Summer Camp at the super discounted rate of $269 per child - this is a potential $50 dollar savings.  This is a one month only rate that will end on January 31st, 2010.  We have limited spaces available for Summer Camp so act quickly to lock in this special New Year's Early, Early Bird Summer Camp rate.

We are only promoting it via the Trinity Kidsplace Parents Blog, Kidsplace Fan Page on Facebook, and through the special Parent Email List; and you will not hear about it anywhere else. 

For the month of January ONLY the rate for Summer Camp at Dry Gulch U.S.A. is only $269. 

We will close early registration on January 31st, and will open up regular camp registration on April 1st.  The rate in April will be $290 per camper for the normal Early Bird rate and then jumps to $320 per camper after May 1st. 

So what do you have to do to take advantage of this special rate?

It's easy.  Just fill out the registration form for your camper, and turn in the registration form with the full payment of $269 by January 31st.  Registration Forms can be downloaded and printed from HERE, or picked up in the Lower Floor on Sunday Mornings throughout the month of January.  Registration Forms and payment will be accepted on Sunday Mornings in the Lower Floor, or during normal office hours in the Children's Ministry Offices. 

When is Camp this year?

Another great question!  We are attending camp from Monday, June 21st through Friday June 25th.  This means we will leave early in the morning on Monday the 21st and return late in the evening on Friday the 25th.

What in included in my camp registration fee?

You're on a roll, three great questions in a row!  The registration fee gets admission to the best Summer Camp in America at Camp Dry Gulch U.S.A.  It also pays for transportation, meals, all activities at camp, and a camp T-Shirt that every camper gets on their last day.  The only additional monies needed may be spending money for your camper to buy snacks and/or souvenirs. 

Take the time to visit the Kidsplace Summer Camp Parents Blog from last Summer at http://camp.trinitykidsplace.com.  It's stuffed full of pictures, videos, and recaps from an awesome Summer Camp in 2009! If you have any questions please call the Children's Ministry office at 806.792.3363 x.300 or email us at kidsplace@trinitytoday.com.

Now what are you waiting for?  Get busy and sign up your kid for Summer Camp 2010 as soon as possible before this Super Early Early Bird rate expires! :)

Published on Friday, January 1, 2010 @ 9:59 AM CDT
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’Tis the season for Dad to drop the holiday ball, stress out as the money is being spent for presents, and miss yet another providential opportunity to lovingly lead his family. So, this blog is intended to help dads not fall into the same old rut of holiday humdrum, sitting on the couch watching football and eating carbs, but rather intentionally plan out the upcoming holiday season. Our children grow quickly and if we miss the sacred moments God opens up for us to connect with and bless our families, everyone suffers and we set in motion generations of missed opportunity.

Dad needs…

1. a plan for the holidays to ensure his family is loved and memories are made. Dad, what’s your plan?

2. to check the local guides for what’s going on to make fun holiday plans for the family.

3. to carve out time for sacred events and experiences to build family traditions that are fun and point to Jesus. Dad, is your calendar ready for December?

4. to not let the stress of the holidays, including money, cause him to be grumpy with Mom or the kids. Dad, how’s your joy?

5. to give experiences and not just gifts. Dad, what special memories can you make this holiday season?

6. to manage the extended family and friends during the holidays. Dad, who or what do you need to say “no” to?

7. to ensure his family is giving generously during the holidays. Dad, who in need is your family going to adopt and bless?

8. to schedule a big Christmas daddy date with his daughter. Dad, what’s your big plan for the fancy daddy date?

9. to schedule guy time with his son. Dad, what are you and your son going to do that is active, outdoors, and fun?

10. to help Mom get the house decorated. Dad, are you really a big help to Mom with getting things ready?

11. to ensure some holiday smells and sounds. Dad, is Christmas music on the iPod, is the tree up, and can you smell cookies and cider in your house?

12. to snuggle up and watch some fun shows with the kids, especially the little ones. Dad, is the DVR set?

13. to take the family on a drive to see Christmas lights while listening to music and sipping cider. Dad, is it mapped out?

14. to help Mom get the kids’ rooms decorated. Dad, do the little kids get lights or a small tree in their room?

15. to read about Jesus and pray over his kids. Dad, how’s your pastoral work going with each of your kids?

16. to repent of being lazy, selfish, grumpy, or just dumping the holidays on Mom. Dad, are you a servant like Jesus to your family?

HT: Mark Driscoll | TheResurgence.

Published on Monday, December 14, 2009 @ 9:08 AM CDT
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I get asked often enough about Children's Bibles that I wanted to share with you about a special Children's Bible that my family and I have fallen in love with recently.  If your child is reading, I recommend the Hand's On Bible or the Adventure Bible.

These Bibles are wonderful (as are all Bibles...) but today I'd like to introduce you to the Jesus Story Book Bible.  This is the most fantastical, amazing Bible for reading to children from the youngest of ages.  It is truly a breathtaking experience to read it to my own children, and I know you'll love it to.  When you read it for yourself, you will know I'm not overstating this enough.  It is a wonderful tool for parents.  The words and the illustrations work perfectly on each and every page.  Your kids will love it!

A "Story Bible" is great for kids because it gets away from chapter and verse restrictions, and introduces your children to the great stories of scripture.  What makes The Jesus Storybook Bible so wonderful, is that it ties Jesus into each and every story.

The Jesus Storybook Bible tells the Story beneath all the stories in the Bible. From Noah to Moses to the great King David, every story points to a Child, every story whispers his name...

   “It’s like an adventure story about a young Hero who came from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It’s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne, everything to rescue the one he loves. It’s like the most wonderful of fairy tales that have come true in real life.

    You see, the best thing about this story is—it’s true.

    It takes the whole Bible to tell this story. And at the center of the Story there is a baby. Every story in the Bible whispers his name. He is like the missing piece in a  puzzle—the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together and suddenly you can see a beautiful picture.

    And this is no ordinary baby. This is the Child upon whom everything would depend. This is the baby that would one day—but wait, our story starts where all good stories start. Right at the very beginning...”

Watch the videos for a more few examples of the readings.  This particular reading is fun, because it's the Christmas story.  And with this book the Christmas Story is the answer!:

As a father who reads to his own children, I cannot more highly recommend this wonderful addition to your families library.  I know that my wife and I cried tears during the first few stories, and I know that you will too.

Enjoy!

Published on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 @ 4:32 PM CDT
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John Piper encourages parenting inside of a Gospel framework.  This is such a fascinating thought for us as parents, "Children must experience the sweetness of the forgiveness of all their sins."

For more John Piper resources visit http://www.desiringgod.org/

Published on Monday, November 30, 2009 @ 11:46 AM CDT
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