Cubbies - Appleseed Handbook

I know I have not been posting much lately... truth is, I've been busy, but I've been getting a lot of
stuff ready to post.  I just haven't been putting it up here!  Sorry about that.

This year, God led me to be the Awana Cubbies Director in our church.  I will be honest in that I was intimidated by the title alone.  I didn't think it was something I could do.  I have a very hard time getting anywhere on time, and having 4 kids to take to Awana early each week was something I wasn't sure I could do.  We usually start supper around the time Awana starts, and so on Wednesdays I attempt to get the kids to eat much earlier than usual in order to get to clubs on time.  Previous years have not been too successful in that.  But, since God tapped me on the shoulder and has been trying to get me to listen to him more and step out in faith, I decided I had better go ahead.  And you know what?  It has been a lot of fun!  Lots of work, too, and not without it's trials, but it is definitely an experience that shows how wonderfully God works in the lives of energetic 3 and 4 year olds! 

I've been learning from these little guys!  I pray each week that God is moving through Cubbies in a way that allows each child to learn something in the way that they learn best, and I am doing my best to maintain some energy and excitement in my own preparation for each week.  The start of Awana back in September was difficult for me.  I had no idea what I was doing. I didn't know the kids yet, and I was not comfortable with leading music, or lessons, or story, or listening to Bible verses... nothing.  As the weeks have gone on, I've learned that the kids are very happy with everything that is done special for them, and I have been having so much fun trying to think of ways to tell the stories, the songs, and of course the snacks, that will engage them and make it fun.  The program makes it simple as well.  Everything is outlined in the book, with options for crafts, snacks, songs, the lesson and lesson cards, games, all that I need to lead each week.  All I need to do is pick each thing, set up each week, and bring my energy (which God amply supplies, even on days where all I want to do is nap). 

I am hoping to post each week about the things we are learning in Cubbies.  I'll post pictures (if I remembered to take any) of the crafts or extra activities (or maybe a pinterest link, because I'm a pinterestaholic and I know it).  I don't always stick to the basic craft outlined in the Cubbies handbook, but I do have to make sure the chosen craft is simple for little ones to do themselves since we have a high Cubbie to leader ratio.  That means working with glue or paint is difficult as the leader also needs to be able to listen to memorized verses and cannot focus on helping each child with the craft as much as we might like to.  I am also hoping to do a post at some point about how I like to organize the Cubbies things, move from lesson time to handbook time, etc, and organizing materials that can be used on a regular basis (more on that later, when I have ample time to reorganize and clean the Cubby closet entirely, as I've been doing little by little as I find the time).

So... you will likely see a large number of posts from me over the next week regarding the first number of club meetings we've had.  I hope that anyone who is also looking into leading or directing Cubbies will maybe find some inspiration, just as I have from the various blogs and pinterest pins I've seen as well.  These are also great fun for preschoolers learning Biblical truths in the home!  My 2 year old loves doing these crafts, and my 5 and 7 year olds are always asking if there are leftover crafts or snacks that they can have as well.  :) 

Have fun, and may God bless all of us as we follow His leading in teaching His truths to His little ones.