Kaylea Hutson's Blog, page 28

Another Subway Art: Trust

Another subway art made featuring one of my favorite verses - Proverbs 3:5-6.
(I'm really loving this new style of art.....)

Not sure what's next.... hum.....now to print them out and figure out a way to display them!

My Words: Seeing Clearly Now

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” – Hebrews 4:16.

It started out like a migraine. As I drove home from a Sunday school party, I really thought a nap and pain meds would take care of the headache and funny “ink blob” floating in the bottom corner of my right eye.

Little did I know, less than 24 hours later, I would have emergency surgery to repair a “micro tear” in my retina. Suddenly my world began to spin out of my control.

Instead of focusing on a new job and organizing a cluttered apartment, I found myself spending the next week recovering at the home of a new-to-me co-worker. Unable to see, drive or even be by myself, I felt quite dependant on others. Not exactly a comfortable experience for a self-sufficient, type-A gal.

It was like looking through a Vaseline coated window. Nothing was in focus. I was terrified my vision would remain distorted. I cried. I begged. I prayed. It became clear that the peace I sought would come when I completely surrendered the entire situation to God.

Was it easy? No. I continually laid my worries and fears at the “throne of God” and then quickly picked them back up. But when I finally surrendered, God’s mercy and grace began to pour into my soul. Right when I needed it the most. Slowly, I began to see - not physically – but through the actions and care of new co-workers and acquaintances. God healed from the inside out.

Now months after the surgery, I am amazed at how God continues to work in my life. I’m constantly reminded when I drop my baggage, God is there to carry it for me. God’s grace and mercy is there when I need it most.

Action Step: Pick up a rock. Imagine it’s the situation you need to give to God. Squeeze it tight in your hand. Say a prayer, release your grip and put it down for good – along with your anxieties. If all else fails, go outside to a clear spot and toss the rock (and worries) away as far as you can throw it!

Editor's Note: I originally wrote this for the possible submission into a book of devos. It didn't "make" the cut, but I still wanted to share the thoughts behind it.

Finding Rest: Makin' Subway Art

It may seem strange, but I found a way to rest this weekend.....while being creative and working through the steps of the "self-directed" "Make Your Own Subway Art" class at Jessica Sprague's website.

I fell in love with Subway art a few years ago, when I saw some "wall sized" posters in a friend's loft apartment. I LOVED how she used them as focal points in her living room.

Flash forward to this weekend. I know, I know, I'm on the computer a lot for my job, but let's face it, it's more "business" related, than "creative."

So Sunday evening, after a fabulous service project with the tweens (see Sunday's post), I sat down and started watching the videos for the class. Finishing it up mid-evening last night, after a side trip to the water park.

Instead of using dates (like the class sample), I decided to use the verse that I've been repeating over and over again this spring with the MAD+ kids - Galatians 5:22-23.

I thought it would be cool to have a unique way to display the Fruits of the Spirit in my office - or at least in my living room.

In the class, Jessica warned that creating these things are a wee bit addicting.

Wow. she is right! Today, as I listened and/or read a variety of posts on Facebook, I realized a lot of people in my "circle of influence" are going through some tough times.


The verse from Philippians 4:6-7. kept running through my mind. I posted it on Facebook (Yes, I memorized this verse in King James... so that's how I copied it down). 

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

So tonight, as kind of an act of creative prayer, I created this sign. Maybe creating this - and eventually printing it out for my wall - will help me imprint this message into my brain.

I am really glad that I splurged on this class. It's a strange way to find rest - but that's truly what I did.

Creative Rest.

For that I'm grateful. This was a well spent $12.99.

Honoring Memorial Day

Photo Source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1285084Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. ~William Arthur Ward
Thank youto those who currently serveor have servedin the military.
I'm especially gratefulfor the men and womenI know who serve as military chaplains.
Thank you. 

Tweens In Service

How did you spend part of your Memorial Day weekend? 
I spent part of Sunday serving with the tweens at Stone Soup, a weekly meal served out of Quapaw Quarter UMC for the homeless and working poor. 
We got there at 1 p.m. and prepped the food - getting everything ready to open "Stone Soup" right at 3 p.m.
We made Sloppy Joes and Three-Bean Salad (FYI that's a lot of beans). Dessert was pound cake, donated by a local store. Someone we didn't know brought in fresh bread at 3 p.m. - so we sliced it for people in line.
We expected at least 125 people to come through the line.
Within 18 minutes of opening the door we served more than 160 individuals,  including at least one young boy.
It went amazing, insanely fast.
We completely ran out of food within 20 minutes.
It was an interesting experience. One of the tweens was kinda shook up to see a boy approx. the same age come through the line. 
One of the things I loved about the project, is how tweens and adults worked side by side.
Ministering to people in need together.
I loved how this became an inter-generational project. 
I'm grateful for  DK and Rosemary("regulars" at Stone Soup)
who helped direct our project.
 I'm also thankful for the parents
(Annie, Martin and Blake)
Who came with their kids
to help them learn about being in ministry.
It was a good day. We learned a lot and knowa few things we'll do differently when we do this project again.
Something to think about
 The highest form of worship 
is the worship 
of unselfish Christian service. 
The greatest form of praise 
is the sound 
of consecrated feet 
seeking out the lost and helpless.- Billy Graham
FYI - photo collages made using http://www.picmonkey.com/My new favorite online photo editing site.(I totally love this site)

My Words: Gimme Me E!

I love this image. I stumbled across it online
and it truly represents TEAM to me.
Source of imagThis devo, written in honor of the support I've seen rally around a ministry colleague and friend, as she's battled cancer. May we all have this kind of support in our lives.

“So encourage each other and build each other up.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11a

I live and work in the midst of a fan-crazy football community. You know when game day is happening because everyone – ok, it seems like everyone - regardless of age or gender becomes part of event by wearing the school’s colors or flying its flags.

I may not be a sporty gal, but I can appreciate how this attitude not only unifies the fans, but provides a huge source of encouragement for the community, school and ultimately, the team.

Recently, I saw this same spirit of support surround a friend undergoing cancer treatment. Through notes, crazy care packages and the creation of a “Team Pat” bracelet, people rallied to provide her with encouragement during the many weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. It’s almost as if she was given her own pep squad to stand with her, cheering her on, championing her cause.

What I’ve learned from this outpouring of support, is how encouragement can and should be an ordinary part of daily life. Rather than wait for a special event, I challenge myself to look for ways to encourage or provide little “happies” to the people who cross my path.

Maybe it’s the store clerk who checks me out without grumbling, or the waitress tops off my ice tea with a smile – even as the people at the next table give her a hard time. Rather than breeze through to my next task, I challenge myself to remember to thank them for the service or action they’ve provided me. And for those who have gone above and beyond, I try to find a way to let someone know either verbally or in a short note, what a great employee they have on their staff.

I personally think my world would be a better place if I did a bit more encouraging and a wee bit less complaining.

Action Step: Stop right now and think of one person you can encourage – either in person, by email or thru social media. Why not thank them for something they’ve done to make a difference in your life.

Excitement

I'll admit it. This email arriving in my "inbox" today (Friday) caused me to have a reaction that can only be described as, well, by this image.....

A few weeks ago, a writing friend posted a note on her Facebook page, letting people know they were looking for a few devotions (devos) as I call them for a couple of upcoming books.

The catch - the first deadline was in just a few days.

I could have said "it's too late to try" and ignored the inner nudge.

Instead, I tried.

Flash forward a few late nights, and a couple of friends being "editing" soundboards (thank you!) I submitted three devos.

Five weeks later, I found out that while they didn't fit the first book's scope and sequence - there was a chance that one, Rest, was back in the "hopper" for the second book.

Five more weeks. It made it out of the consideration pile!

It will be included in the book, produced by Group Publishing.

While my head knows it's just one, out of many to be included in the book, my heart keeps doing the Snoopy Dance. Writing for the church is the main reason I went to Seminary. I fell - nudged by God - into children's and youth ministry along the way, but have never given up the desire for my writing to have a greater meaning.

I'm thankful for the nudge God gave me as I read my friend's Facebook post.

I guess I just need to be open to hearing more of them - and not letting fear keep me from trying something new.

Lessons from Kidlets

I love that my office at church is near the Learning Center.
In fact, I've joked that I've learned lots of preschool songs this year, because music class is across the hall.
Often I get into conversations with the kidlets who attend the school as I walk to my car (past the playground) and as they walk down the hall to their various classes.
I had a few "God moments" this week thanks to some of the kidlets in my life.

The first came thanks to a "playground" conversation. The little girl looked at me, and said "why don't we have chapel anymore?"

I (along with an occasional staff volunteer), lead a weekly 15 minute chapel service (think two songs, a scripture, story and prayer) for the 3's and 4's every Wednesday. We've stopped at the beginning of May, as we began to "wrap" up the school year - but will resume during the Summer session.


It melted my heart that she missed chapel - because she missed the songs and story.


The other came, as I was having a random conversation with a teacher, and these four popped their heads out of the room (think baby birds chirping at a nest...lol).

One asked what color my hair will be this summer. I said "probably orange."
(Last summer, I started at St. James on the first day of Vacation Bible School. My crazy, help them remember me idea was that if they raised "x" for missions, I would "color my hair blue" and eat brussel sprouts.)

I still have kids coming up to me to say "you had blue hair." .... while some have voted for "rainbow" hair this year, I think it will be orange - to match Ocho, the Octopus mascot for Cokesbury's VBS.

Another kidlet (not pictured) keeps asking me questions about my visit with Ronald McDonald. Come to find out, he saw this picture on a poster, talking about our 2012 school year tab collection for the Ronald McDonald House. (For the record, we've been collecting tabs since late fall - eight pounds on the collection date - and we've started again for the April 2013 collection date.)


I love interacting with kids. I love the questions they ask and the things they see. I love being part of their growing and amazing lives.

Frankly, the interaction I had with them this week, helps me remember why I love children's  ministry. - Just another "nudge" from God..

Wednesday Funny: Pool's open

This cartoon makes me laugh, every time I drive past the pool at my apartment complex and as I plan a couple of water park trips/swimming outings for the tweens this summer.

Just wanted to share the laugh!

Fyi - edited with http://www.picmonkey.com/ a fabulous new online photo editing program - if you liked http://www.picnik.com (which has closed), you'll really like this new site!

My Words: A Look At Destination: Mission

Editor's Note: This column, entitled "Grade Schoolers Ready, Eager For Mission Work." Appeared in the May 2012 issue of the Arkansas United Methodist Newspaper. You can see the original article online here, and download the pdf here.

Spring Break 2012 - Destination; Fort Smith's team.
Five years and six trips ago, I had an idea.

It was simple. Take older elementary and middle school students out of their “comfort zone” and help them explore what it means to serve God.

What started as a single-church project has grown into a ministry that has involved students from 10 churches within the Arkansas Conference. We call it Destination: Mission.

Destination: Mission trips have a simple rhythm, which includes two days of “kid-friendly” mission projects, such as working in a thrift store, preparing and/or serving a meal, sorting items at a food pantry or even doing yard work.

At each project, students have a chance to learn about the sponsoring ministry through a brief educational offering and a question-and-answer session.

The ultimate goal: Students will experience projects they can do not only on the trip, but in their home community as well.

Other activities during the four-day, three-night trip involve group building (especially as we’ve expanded to include multiple churches), worship and, of course, a lot of fun.

For people who question whether younger students—especially those in third, fourth and fifth grades—can benefit from this type of experience, I unequivocally say yes.

In the last five years, I’ve watched as students have had all kinds of amazing experiences while doing ordinary tasks.

One year, the project involved sorting cans of food at the Arkansas Rice Depot—simple, right? But thanks to a volunteer coordinator who went above and beyond to share the organization’s story and mission, those students still talk in amazement about what the Rice Depot does for people in need.

Some even returned to their home church and encouraged the congregation to take a deeper interest in this hunger ministry.

During this year’s spring break trip in Fort Smith, one third-grader listened intently to testimonies of how the Salvation Army ministry had been used to change lives.

The nine-year-old felt moved to do something. Without telling anyone, she quietly gave all of her allowance to the ministry.

Later, she had a chance to talk about her decision with her mom, who served as a chaperone on the trip. She said, “I will never look at things the same way again.”

How many adults can say that?

Honestly, I’ll never look at taking students on a mission trip the same way again.

To critics who say we should wait until students are older and at least in high school, I say “Why?”

Elementary students want to serve. They want to make a difference. They want help others. By providing them with opportunities to serve, we also help them grow as Christians.

I’ve watched as some of my first students “graduated” from the short trips to longer ones, and stepped into leadership roles with experiences like Ozark Mission Project, or returned to help on a Destination trip so younger students can have the same experiences they encountered.

I’ve also seen adults, unsure of what to expect, look on in amazement as their students dive into the mission projects without complaint or hesitation.

This summer will mark the fifth year—and seventh trip—for Destination: Mission. Our plans include staying at First UMC Pine Bluff and working with two local ministries: Neighbor 2 Neighbor and the Salvation Army.

The planning team has already begun making plans for 2013’s spring break and summer trips. We plan announce dates and locations for the two trips in late summer or early fall of 2012.

Want to keep up with our students during the summer trip to Pine Bluff? Follow our antics on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Destination.Mission.

Hutson serves as director of children’s ministries for St. James UMC Little Rock. For information on Destination: Mission trips in 2013, contact her at kaylea.hutson@gmail.com.