Quiet Time

Ask yourself honestly - Do you ever wake up and want to just pull the covers back over your head and let the day pass by? Don't kid yourself of course you do!
Sometimes life can weigh us down with all our appointments, meetings, school events, and just busy schedules. And often our reaction is to wake up and do the day - to - day just like we did yesterday. To get through it, to just obey, do, and do it all over again.

The problem is, this can carry into our areas of ministry where we serve. We can arrive on Sunday, check in kids, teach a lesson, do what we're asked, go home and leave little impact.

There's a simple principle that says "You can't give what you don't have." If someone really, desperately needs a car for transportation and you sincerely want to help them, wishing you could give them a car, but don't have a spare car you can't always go out a purchase a new one. It's just not that easy.
The same principle applies for our ministry. You can't give to children a relationship with Jesus if your relationship with Jesus isn't strong and kicking.

3. Show FRAMEWORK of a Christ follower     b.   Serve from the overflow of what God is doing in your personal life::Accountability:: 

Each month when you serve you have an opportunity to impact children in such a way that they build a life-long relationship with Jesus. Nothing in this world is more important than your relationship with Jesus.
Find time this week to create a nice quiet time for yourself. For you it may be in the morning when no one else is awake. Or it could be at night when you get a moment to yourself. Download a Bible app and spend time with God on your lunch break. We are accountable to the kids we serve in our relationship with Jesus.
Your quiet time doesn't have to be 30 minutes long and contain 8 passages a day. Adapt it to the way God speaks directly to you. If you get a fresh start in your day from spending 3 minutes reading His Word and telling Him how great He is…awesome! If you want to spend an hour worshiping Him to your favorite pray music…awesome! Whatever works for you is best. The idea is to create a time where you can give God your full attention. He gives you His all day long.

Serving from the overflow of what God is doing in your personal life will translate into Sunday mornings, the dinner table, work relationships, everywhere.
You can't give what you don't have.


Thanks for being intentional every Sunday you serve!
Ben & Ashley Kingdon

February -Winter Blockbuster Updates

Hello FLM Team!
We are so happy to add some new faces to our team this month!

 

Thank you for being flexible with us this coming month as we anticipate our little girl, Piper's birth! Please review the PDF attachment found in your e-mails or the FLM volunteer FB page. This attachment includes some important notes about Feb., updated Feb Sched., Ashley's maternity leave interim info, and a save the date for the FLM Winter Blockbuster Thank You get together!

 

Check it out and respond accordingly so we can confirm your Role/Service/Sunday so we can count on you for Feb.

 

Lastly, we want to know your favorite thing from the whole Winter Blockbuster! Got any funny stories or moments of impact from Dec. Jan. Feb. you can share? We'd love to read a few at our Thank You event! Type away!

 

Thank you for giving of yourselves to make a way for children to come to know Christ on the Space Coast! 

We love you,

Ashley & Ben Kingdon

Here's a pic of Ashley & Susan Zipperer her interim in case you haven't met her!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!
We are so excited to kick off 2014 with such an excellent, giving, and humble team for Family Life Ministries!

As a staff our year goal is "Go Higher". We are going to take every hour on Sunday, every extra event, every hug, video game,  cry, dirty diaper… as an opportunity to love more, give more, and impact the children God has placed under our care in this coming year!

Will you take the challenge to be on purpose and Go Higher with us in 2014?
We are expecting great things!

Check out your e-mails today for an updated version of the Winter schedule attached as a PDF. The schedule also has a couple important notes for January you need to be aware of as we are expecting our little girl due Feb. 9th!

Thank you all for your continued commitment to our Coastline kids and families through this Winter Blockbuster. We love you!
Ashley & Ben Kingdon

Christmas Thank You Cookies!

Hey Team!
We want to say thank you to those who serve with FLM ages 0-12 this holiday season.
THAT'S YOU!
We will have a box of handmade cookies for each serving family to give to you THIS Sunday! Look for the Cookie Box table outside in the circle drive between 9AM - 2PM.

Our Early Childhood Busy Bees Team have lovingly put together these boxes so make sure to say a thanks to Kate Bosch, Katie Casto, Melissa Cook, Yoest Beres, Stephanie Pair, Leslie Telesca, and Brittany Galloway for their hard work behind the scenes writing cards, tracking attendance, cutting papers,  cleaning toys, and more for the Busy Bees Team.

Notes for Christmas service:
-1PM service is just for this Sunday to accommodate all the extra families. the 29th we return to 3 services.
- ages 6-12 are invited to attend service with families but 0-5 will be running as regular!
-E.Childhood: Please make your way straight to our meeting and text if you're running late. The outside festivities will be happening all day long so you won't miss out :)
-E.Childhood: Our 1PM meeting time is for 11:30. Check in begins at 11:50.

Lastly,
Thanks again for serving in the Winter Blockbuster for 2013! Our whole staff is blessed by your response to God calling as we impact future generations.
Merry Christmas & Happy Birthday to our King!

Everyone Communicates, Few Connect

I read a book a few years ago by John Maxwell called "Everyone Communicates, Few Connect."
Everyone in the world communicates in some form or another, but not everyone actually connects on a deeper level with others.

It takes skill, patience, practice, and willingness to connect with people.
We've all had that teacher who just idly sat by, waiting for the next bell to ring and never left an impression on you. And hopefully you've also had a teacher who's impacted you because they CONNECTED with you. Maybe they spent extra time specifically with you, or they were simply more fun than other teachers. Maybe they were able to relate to where you are and not just helping you get a passing grade, and they chose to see you as someone who is valuable.

2. Impact with INTENT through training a.      Empower through training to be intentional.  //FLM Volunteer Vision

Each month YOU have the opportunity to not only communicate with kids who are curious about God, but you can connect with them and leave an impact that lasts a lifetime. 

Connecting with a child in your area of ministry can be the difference between them being dragged out of the house week to week, and them dragging their parents out of bed to get to church on time each week. 

In our experience with kids there have been three key points that have helped us to connect with them. 
1.) Words of Affirmation - A kid will light up if you give them encouraging words when they first walk into a room. Tell them their shirt is cool, their hair is nice, or compliment a toy they brought with them. They feel connected closer to you when they know you like the small details in their life. 

      2.) Memory - Memorize something about a specific kid and strike up a conversation about it. If they love LEGO's and you don't know a thing about them, ask them questions then tell them about your favorite toys when you were growing up. If they love American Girl Dolls ask them to tell you their favorite character and her story.  They love when you remember their favorite things and feel valued when you want to talk with them about it.

       3.) Physical Touch - Many kids don't always get a hug from their parents or their hand held when they cross the street. Appropriate physical touch is something kids strive for. A simple tap on the shoulder or a good high-five let's them know that your not just an adult, you can relate to their world. Get down on their level, look them in the eyes and ask for their best high-five this Sunday. I bet they smile right before they rear back and try to knock your hand into the sun. 

Do a combination of those three things or try all of them the next time you serve. You'll notice that you've started to connect with a kid, leaving a lasting impression for years. 

*Side Note: As we are in the winter season, we are praying for you & your families health! If you are feeling under the weather and showing symptoms please make sure to let us know prior to your Scheduled Sunday so we can find you a replacement. Thanks for helping us to keep our classrooms clean and safe for everyone!

Thanks for being intentional every Sunday you serve!
Ben & Ashley Kingdon