When we got the planning started for this summer's Bible Power Zone, we thought it would be really neat to have a "rotation day" where the kids could travel from town to town and see/learn other things about Paul's missionary journeys. After 2 months of planning, the day was perfect!!! All the teachers were outstanding and the kids learned more than we dreamed they would. God provided abundantly and we praise Him for a successful day!
Here's our journey... made with Blaine and Lauren. First stop, Corinth to Aquilla and Priscilla's tent. They taught us all about making tents and we got to touch real goat fur and skin. (HUGE hit!) Then the kids got to lace a tent!
Onto Jerusalem... in this tent we learned all about the life and times of Paul. She had a model of a house that they loved! We also got to eat Bible times food - dates, Fig Newtons, grapes, raisins, nuts and flatbread.
How did you know when to travel? GPop was our time keeper. He used his old coaching whistle and did a great job! Granna also came and travelled with us! What a treat!
Next stop...Athens! Here we learned about Paul the man and what he taught. The kids made a bag puppet of Paul and learned two songs about him. Then they told each other the gospel message Paul preached.
Next stop, Ephesus. We learned about how the people worshipped idols and when Paul taught them not to worship idols, the idol makers got mad! We took evil scrolls and threw them into the fire! SO FUN! Then we made scrolls with good words on them!
Next stop was Berea. We entered a lovely library and saw how the Bereans "examined" the scriptures. We got to use magnifying glasses to examine things from nature. Then we talked about how to examine scriptures. They loved making these headbands!
Next stop - Phillipi! We were welcomed into Lydia's home. She showed us such hospitality and even offered us delicious cookies! We learned how Paul came and taught Lydia and baptized her friends and family. Then we made welcome banners to hang in our rooms. AWESOME!
Last stop - Galatia. This was fun too! We read a book about Paul's life and then used a big huge map to walk his steps. Then we made a trail mix for our trip.
We can't wait for next year!
Rylan says Daddy makes the best shrimp in the whole wide world!
Aren't those 2 dozen roses from Popa beautiful?!??!
A yummy food basket from the Greer's and daisies from the Kelly's. We gave her some clothes and Mom made some beautiful cards.
Happy Birthday to a very special lady!
This came to an area church and we decided to go. It was wonderful!!! Now, I must confess, there was a request not to take photos to show your revernce, however, I did discretely snap a few...very few photos...to teach and remind the boys of our experience. When we arrived, we sat in the church foyer for about 20 minutes waiting to get headphones. The children's minister talked about the Tabernacle and how each part was specifically designed to teach the Israelites about God. Wish I had taken notes!!! Then we all got headphones to take the 45 minutes audio tour. It was the boys first time with earphones and they did really good.
Listening and learning SO much!
Before we entered the Holy Place, we learned about the gold boards and silver bases. There was real acacia wood to touch. It was about 100 degrees, so they had piped in AC to the tent, which we all appreciated! Entering the Holy Place took my breath away. In the Holy Place was a real-size lampstand, bread table and altar for incense. The lampstand was much bigger than I always pictured. To see all these pieces and hear the music/story, it was humbling. To think that only the priests got to see this... overwhelming.
Then we entered the Holy of Holies... I cried. To see the Ark of the Covenant... to think about the signifance for the Israelites... truly humbling and overwhelming.
We were all so hot and appreciated the old water bottles we got when we exited. It was one of those experiences we will talk about for years to come. Both of the boys favorite thing was the Ark of the Covenant. They kept thinking that each piece was the real one from 4000 years ago. If it comes near you, go!
After dumping out all 3 sets, the boys came up with a plan...army forts! (That was no surprise!)
Rylan started on a tall, tall tower.
Jacob was working on a long fort wall.
And here's the army fort village! No Cornucopias or Cobras will penetrate these forts!
Rylan got the microphones from BPZ to be the singer. HE rocked!
Our make-shift triangle...
And maracas! Made with paper, a pencil and some pennies. Hours of free fun!
Relaxed and hot mommas!
All the little darlings... age 14 to 2.
The three 4 year olds and let me say, they are three peas in a pod. At the house they played so well together. Makes me sad all over that they don't see each other weekly...
Big boy Reid teaching one of my little ones how to bat... sniff sniff!
The boys on the train - they stayed here most of the time... they are five peas in a pod!!!
Before the P's hit the road, they changed into Mavs gear to surprise their grandparents. So of course, mine had to change too! Go MAVS!
Onto Jerusalem... in this tent we learned all about the life and times of Paul. She had a model of a house that they loved! We also got to eat Bible times food - dates, Fig Newtons, grapes, raisins, nuts and flatbread.
How did you know when to travel? GPop was our time keeper. He used his old coaching whistle and did a great job! Granna also came and travelled with us! What a treat!
Next stop...Athens! Here we learned about Paul the man and what he taught. The kids made a bag puppet of Paul and learned two songs about him. Then they told each other the gospel message Paul preached.
Next stop - Phillipi! We were welcomed into Lydia's home. She showed us such hospitality and even offered us delicious cookies! We learned how Paul came and taught Lydia and baptized her friends and family. Then we made welcome banners to hang in our rooms. AWESOME!
Last stop - Galatia. This was fun too! We read a book about Paul's life and then used a big huge map to walk his steps. Then we made a trail mix for our trip.
We can't wait for next year!
