SWCS Impact Room

Thursday, December 1st

2011-12-01T16:49:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

Tuesday was story day. We were in 1 Samuel talking about David being annointed by Samuel as King. We talked about how God chose David even though he was only a shepherd boy and compared to his older stronger brothers, he was nothing special. God shows us the he looks at "matters of the heart" and not at outward appearance like man does. We talked about the difference between who we see as valuable (rich, famous, cool people) and who God sees as valuable (kind, generous, loving, God fearing people). We also talked about how you don't have to be great or rich or strong or important for God to use you!

Wednesday we took a break from rotations and had a fun popcorn and movie day!

Today we focused on our Outside The Bowl ministry. I had three students come up to the board and write what they eat in one day. We then compared that to the bowl of rice that the kids get that eat at outside the bowl. After realizing that we are a lot more fortunate than we think we are, we decided that we need to spend more time praying for the kids that are in circumstances we can't even imagine.

It is always so interesting to me how much I learn from the lessons I am trying to teach the kids. I was thinking of this week when I complained about being on a tight budget and having to eat at Carl's Jr. instead of Cheesecake Factory, or the many times I decide to eat out because I am "too tired" to cook, or when I think that I need a career that would allow me to move up and make more and more money. I have a job where I get to tell students about the love that Jesus, the Savior of the world, has for them. And that is more than enough for me! I also am filthy rich compared to the majority of the world that lives off a dollar a day. Maybe I should look more at my own life and be a real life example of someone who is content with what they have and spends their money with a kingdom minded focus and a Jesus centered heart. That may grab the student's attention more than me standing up and talking at them. I love when these kids put me in motion and allow me to grow more than I ever dreamed.

Let's be a generation of people who give more than they recieve.

-Mrs. Lotz

Monday, November 28th

2011-11-28T16:44:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone's break was wonderful!

Today was a worship day. It was so good to be back and hear these guys sing. Since the week before break was spent practicing for Chapel, we decided to go over why we worship.

We told the story of King David when he is caught dancing around in the streets singing to God because of how happy he is about his salvation and grace he recieved from God. We matched that passion up to ours and realized that we need to get a little more crazy about God and be unashamed at out love for our Lord.

Today, the kids let loose! The kindergarten-2nd graders especially loved the story and I had many kids say they wanted to be a little more crazy when it comes to loving Jesus!

Sorry parents...I guess you may be seeing more dancing and hearing more singing from now on!

Tomorrow is Story Day :)

Wednesday, November 16th

2011-11-16T13:16:00.000-08:00

Hey all!

Yesterday (Tuesday) we spent some time praying for one another. We sat in a circle with our eyes closed and quietly looked up to see someone across the circle from us. We would then pray for whoever we looked at. The kids are getting so good at remembering to pray for one another, it's crazy!

Today and tomorrow we will be practicing for Friday morning's worship!

Here is a list of the students who are on Worship Team for the month of November:

Lauren
Niala
Josafat
Sovial
Haven
Jada
Isaiah
Nia
Amy
Ayodele
Jami
Amara
Daniel
Rebekah
Emilee

Next week is break!!! If you want to work with kids at home, focus on thanking God for things He created and also praying for those people who do not have families to celebrate with over the Holidays or those who do not have food like we have on Thanksgiving. Who knows, maybe even invite a stranger into your home this Thanksgiving!

Can't wait to see you all Friday!

Thursday, November 10th 2011

2011-11-10T16:38:00.000-08:00

This week was dedicated to worship!

We held try outs for the worship team and are having so much fun practicing for next Friday's Chapel performance!

Please be there to support us Friday morning at 9:00am during Chapel!

Have an awesome break!

-Mrs. Lotz

October Raffle Winners!

2011-10-31T13:03:00.000-07:00

Our party on Friday was awesome!

We had a dance off between the Green Team & the Blue Team with the Red Team and Mr. Lotz being the judges! We used the dances and songs from the worship CD we use here in the IMPACT room.

The judges came to an agreement that it was a solid tie between the Green & Blue Team so everyone was a winner!

We shared cupcakes thanks to Ms. Terri Bernardo & her wonderfully delicious desserts! (you should check out Cupcake Mama's if you haven't already!)

We also had raffle winners!!!!! Here they are:

Kayla & David.... won one week in the comfy reclining chair that we keep here in the Impact Room!

Oluwatobi & Ayodele..... won one free dress coupon!!!

Daniel & Nia.... won the goody bag & two amazing cupcakes made by Ms. Bernardo!

Man, I love getting to spend time and just enjoy life with these students!!!
Thanks to all the students who made this month amazing and pleasing to God!

Thursday, October 27th 2011

2011-10-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

Sorry I missed yesterday's post!

Yesterday we continued to work on our "Encouragement Project". This morning all the of the teachers and staff at SWCS recieved letters will encouraging notes on them from all of the student in the Impact Room. We felt like they needed to have a reminder that they are appreciated, not only for being teachers, but for sharing their lives and devoting their time to each of us!!! So thank you thank you thank you from all of the students to all teachers & staff!

Today we had a journal day. We talked about the trinity (how God is 3 in 1) God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We focused on the Holy Spirit and talk about how after we accept God into our hearts and are baptized, God gives us His promised Hold Spirit to dwell inside of us!!! A lot of times we look over how amazing that really is and we cut God short of the amazing things He wants to do through us because we forget that we have Christ living inside of us! The students journaled for 20 minutes and got to write to God and tell him how thankful they are for how powerful He is and how He was willing to share that power with us who believe.

Prayer Requests

Noah Woodring: Please help the people of Haiti
Sovial Sonzeu: My sister's friend because she is getting married
Myl'z Walters: Help my ankle to heal fast
Ayodele Ogundeji: Help the people in Turkey because of the earthquake
James Hughes: Help my sister be safe in the woods while she is at camp

Updates

TOMORROW IS THE IMPACT ROOM END OF THE MONTH PARTY!!!

Tuesday, October 25th 2011

2011-10-25T16:55:00.000-07:00

Today we started on our first group project!

I have been trying to teach the kids what "encouragement" means and how they can encourage one another and the people in their lives! The bible talks a lot about believers in Jesus mutually encouraging one another. I want the kids to get in the habit of praising one another or even simply complimenting others! As we all know, hearing someone say somehting positive about you makes your day 10x better and this is just one more way we can be the light of the world to other people!

I can't explain exactly what our project is, simply because it is a surprise for some of the people who read this site!!! So you will just have to wait and see ;)

Prayer Requests

Jada Gibson: baby cousin is sick
Emilee Cameron: wants her dad to believe in God
Giselle Echeverria: wants her dad to have a safe trip back from Panama
Noah Gonzalez: wants his dad to believe in God
Gabriella Ayala: (praise) that God created music for us to sing!

Remember! PARTY IN THE IMPACT ROOM ON FRIDAY!

Monday, October 24th 2011

2011-10-24T16:50:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

Today was a worship day! The Blue Team (3-5) did amazing. We did all upbeat songs and talked about how God just loves to see us smile and sing and dance. At the beginning of the year, we had about half of the kids participating. Now, every single kid who walks through the door comes in shouting the name Jesus! I love one of our songs in particular. During the song "Happy Day", there is a part in it where you just yell "JESUUUUUUUSSSS" and man it makes my heart just leap hearing their mouths shout in unison to our Lord.

Then, The Green Team (K-2) are just a joy every day! Pretty much every day one of our students (a kindergartener), Oluwatobi comes in and drops to his knees and yells "Yay Jesus". I haven't quite found out why he does it but hey, if it's to the Lord, I am not going to stop him! All of the kids on the Green Team are so enthusiastic and so willing to learn. It has been beyond a blessing to my life!

Also, both teams today learned two new songs! One is called "Not To Us" and the lyrics talk about how all of the glory goes to God and not to us! The second song is called "No One Like You" talking about how there is never going to be anyone like our God :)

Prayer Requests
So I totally spaced asking them for prayer requests! Boo! So I will add some of the prayer requests that are up on the "Prayer Board" in the class room.

Amy Lee: wants her parents to come to know Jesus
Isaiah Williams: for his cousin to be healed of his cancer
Green Team: wants help putting other people first!
Mrs. Lotz: has a friend who is struggling with addiction, totally need God to set her free from those chains!

News:

Here is the first draft of those who signed up for the "Worship Team" to lead during Chapel!
Ayodele, Kayla, Cali, Amy, Josafat, Noah, Sovial, Myl'z, Niala, Nia
Jacqueline, David, Daniel, Amara, Emilee, Jada, Isaiah, Gabriella, Jami

Also, our end of the month PARTY is this Friday!!! Don't miss day care! This is your next chance to win our "good behavior" raffle!!!

Love you guys,
-Mrs. Lotz

Friday, October 21, 2011

2011-10-21T17:14:00.000-07:00

Today was amazing and refreshing!

We took a break (as we usually do on Fridays) and played a game of Jeopordy!!! We had board races, spelling challenges, and just plain funny relay races.

Next week we will be back on schedule and will be learning about Jericho for our story day!

Prayer Requests:

Jada Gibson: Isis broke her arm and needs healing, she also wants to know God more
Emilee Cameron: wants her dad to believe in God
Noah Gonzalez: wants his dad to believe in God
Jacqueline Riquer: her sister Arianna's ankle to be healed and for her not to be sick anymore
Amara Jackson: her grandma's knee surgery
David Cruz: want to be closer to Jesus
Daniel Baldaramos: wants to have help remembering to put others first

News
We are having sign ups the next two weeks for the Worship Team! Kids in afternoon daycare will get the chance to be a part of the worship team who will lead songs during Chapel once per month! These days will usually be on Spiritual T-shirt Days!!! The first date they will be performing is November 18th. I will have an official list of who signed up and will remind you when the date gets closer!

Tomorrow is FALL FESTIVAL! Can't wait to see you there!

-Mrs. Lotz

Thursday, October 20, 2011

2011-10-20T16:55:00.000-07:00

Hey friends!

In case you have not met me, my name is Amber Lotz. I am the main teacher in the Impact Room! This website is designed for Southwestern Christian School students, parents, staff, and friends to be able to check up on what our afternoon daycare kids are up to! It is also hopefully going to be another way for you to stay connected with upcoming events and prayer requests and also encourage you with all of the wonderful stories that come from our students growing closer to God!

Hope you enjoy the page! Thanks for checking it out!

Love you guys!

-Mrs. Lotz