My family has been attending Timberlake for about 3.5 years, so I don't know many people yet. I have always been very involved in ministry at my church and in my community, so I was looking forward to finding ways to plug in at Timberlake. I started serving on the Worship Team and found a life group with the Empty Nesters, but something was missing. Erin put out a call for help in fall 2021 for the new BLAST program on Wednesdays for elementary-age children. God spoke loud and clear. I was a teacher until a few years ago, and I had served in various children's ministries at my former church my entire adult life. Once a teacher, always a teacher! I missed being with children. BLAST is the perfect fit! I love working with Erin on lessons and leading the kids in their mid-week bible study. I get to use my gifts again, and I'm getting to know the children of Timberlake and their families.
I think our biggest challenge within the confines of COVID has been to host a combined group of 3-11-year-olds in the family life center. We begin our time in one large group before breaking up into smaller age groups for bible study. When we're all together in organized chaos, that beginning time has shown me some very sweet moments. I'm watching the oldest children learn to look out for the younger children around them, I'm seeing the littlest ones look up to the oldest, and I'm seeing new friendships made between the children across the ages. I have watched children stop their fun to care for others as their awareness grows to outside themselves. God is also moving in my small group of 5 and 6-year-olds. Their faith is unfolding at an age when wonder and understanding intersect. It's beautiful and surprising and just what this old teacher needed. And hugs from the kids when my nest is empty. Well, there is nothing better!
