"Gopher Buddies"

For those of you who don't know what a Gopher Buddy is, not to worry, we are learning all about them too. The short answer to "What is a Gopher Buddy?" is that the Gopher is the mascot for Word of Life's Pre-K ministry. Word of Life is the new ministry that we just started at Faith Mountain this week and actually it includes Gopher Buddies (Pre-K), Olympians (elementary age) and teen groups for middle school and high school students. It includes a daily quiet time book(that can be used in family devotions since parents are very much encouraged to participate with their children in this ministry), Scripture memory verses and fun weekly meetings to learn about God and His Word.
So, our little Gopher Buddy, has been extremely excited about the kickoff for this, and Sunday evening finally arrived. We started with all age groups assembling together and then dividing up into their classes.
Rachel and I headed downstairs, since the first meeting is Parents' Night. The smallest Gopher Buddy to be, Rebekah, got to go along as well. Rachel's leaders are Mrs. Michelle, Mrs. Linda and Mrs. Nancy.

Mrs. Michelle, Mrs. Linda and Mrs. Nancy helping the Gopher Buddies with Play-Doh time

Rachel and Rebekah

"Thumbs Up" for Gopher Buddies

Can you find the smallest Gopher Buddy?

The "prodigal" and her "parent" getting ready to act out the lesson

 Our lesson for the first night in Gopher Buddies was about the prodigal. Jesus tells a parable in Luke 15, about a son who wanted to have his inheritance and go out on his own. His father gave him what he asked and he went and spent all he was given. When he had nothing left, and even had begun to work feeding pigs, he decided he should return and seek his dad's forgiveness. His father welcomed him back with open arms!
We learned about how when we chose to go our own way, instead of God's, there can be consequences. We also learned God loves us without conditions and welcomes us back when we return to Him. Praise God for His mercy and grace!

The prodigal looking in her empty wallet and lunch box for her money and food

Mrs. Linda and Rebekah

Rachel enjoying her piggy cupcake

She was also given "mud" (chocolate pudding) to take home

The smallest Gopher Buddy entertaining herself

Brent chopping up the GIANT watermelon

Rachel enjoying her vanilla with sprinkles ice cream

Rebekah and Savanna enjoying watermelon and ice cream

Rachel working with Mrs. Michelle on her Scripture memory verse

Our first night of family devotions using our Gopher Buddies Quiet Time Book

We were talking about Gopher Buddies as we did our family devotion tonight (Monday) and Rachel looked at me and said "Mom, I love being a Gopher Buddy"
Most importantly, when I told her I was going to post about Gopher Buddies starting she said "Mom, don't forget to put my verse!"
So, here you go, Rachel:

                                             "Be doers of the Word and not hearers only,
                                                             deceiving yourselves"
                                                                      James 1:22