As many of you know, I am an Awana girl. I love Awana. I think it's a fabulous program. I love serving the Lord through this venue. I generally teach in Sparkies which is K - 2nd graders. Love it, love it. So, the new Awana year is almost here and I was looking through my catalog to get my order ready. I knew they had changed some things and I would need to order some new materials. Did I mention I really like the way Awana has done things??? Okay, anyway, I was looking and looking and found everything I needed, but could not find the teaching materials. Every year I would teach The Green Meadowland Series and they went with the books the kids were working on. They had adorable characters and told a story about the fictional Sparky kids and then a Bible lesson. It had lots of visual flannel graph kind of things and again, I loved it. I could not find anything like that, so I called my friendly Awana operator. I asked if they had anything new for me to teach to go with the new book they came out with. She told me where it was and I looked. It is a little book and there are NO (sigh) visuals and no stories about Grumpella or Stephen. The woman on the phone told me that it is only Bible stories, but also has ideas for me. I explained to her that it is very hard to change. I did keep myself from screaming out that I didn't want them to change it and what in the world happened to Grumpella!!
After I got off the phone, I did the next logical thing. I called my sister and explained this terrible tragedy in my life (I am really exaggerating, but you get the point). She knows how I am about changing things and told me that this would be a perfect time for me to sit down and watch the new Charlotte's Web! I told her that I would never do that because the old one is so good and there was no reason for a new one. I am the same way with Willy Wonka. I do not want to watch the new one. Are you crazy? I asked my sister why people would need to change things when they are really perfectly fine and even excellent the way they are. My sister is not afraid of change and just explained to me that sometimes you need a change:) Oh, Jen!!
So, I have two choices. I can teach the old lessons or move on with the new lessons. Probably because I could vent to my sister, I will be able to move on and teach the new stuff and probably because Awana's materials are so excellent, it will probably be really good. For now, though, I am missing Grumpella.
12 comments:
I never got to know Grumpella very well, after all I was only in Sparkies for one short year, but I can relate very well to what you are saying. "If it ain't broke, don't fixit," right? I don't deal very well with change either, although I did watch the new Willy Wonka movie and actually enjoyed it... I suppose you could try the new curriculum and if you decide you don't like it, let the AWANA people know. Is there anyone out there with more Sparky experience than Heather? You've been in Sparks for over ten years!
"Oh good-bye my dear Grumpella! You will be, oh, so sorely missed!"
The New Charlotte's Web is good , but the new Willy Wonka isn't. Just FYI. :)
Hola ,somos del otro lado del oceano ,pero tenemos mucho en comun,sobre todo lo que respecta a nuestro hijos,yo tambien soy madre de un hijo con problemas de deficiencia ,lo hemos pasado muy mal pues al crecer y hacerse mayor tiene muchos problemas de conducta agresivas y aqui en españa ,sobre todo en Madrid no hay suficiente ayudas para las familias con este problema, estabamos indefensos y menos mal que hemos tenido muchisima suerte y nos lo han admitido en una residencia para personas con este problema grave, estamos felices y a la vez tristes ,muy contradictorio verdad? pero en definitava echamos mucho de menos a nuestro hijo de 20 años y le queremos tanto,que nos duele el corazon, os deseo mucha felicidad en vuestra vida ya se que cai no me vais a comprender lo que quiero deciros pero me da igual, un beso a todos.
carmen de Madrid,España....
Heather, thank you for stopping by my blog.
I enjoyed reading your post about Awana.... What a wonderful program. My grandchildren have been involved in it.
I hope you'll visit again!
:)Wanda
Speaking of change... Did you hear the one about how many Baptists it takes to change a light bulb?
CHANGE????!!!
thanks for coming by my blog, I cant wait until I have time to catch up on your blog and get to know another blogger friend
I have such wonderful memories of Awana, especially Sparkies b/c that is where our friendship really began! I really do miss Awana for so many reasons.
I am sorry for the bump in the road with the curriculm. I know you will do great no matter what you teach.
I don't know anything about Awana but I do like your new photo. Good luck!
Thank you so much for your comment on my blog.
AWANA is how I met my husband. He was the director of the children's games so of course AWANA has a special place in my heart...haha
I wish I could help you in making your decision. Change isn't always fun, but sometimes it is God's way of moving us out of our comfort zone. Pray about it and see what curriculum you feel God wants you to use. I am confident you will make the best decision for you and your Sparkies. All of you will be blessed by whatever decision you make. I am sure of it.
P.S. I really don't know why they have taken the visuals out, though. Is there a way they will allow you to view this curriculum before you buy it? Will they send you a sample? Not sure if they will do that, but you can always ask.
I feel so priveleged to be mentioned in your blog, even if you don't agree with me :)
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