A Lesson from Mary... Remember Who He is

We were on the flight home from vacation (when I couldn't help but overhear) as the passenger in the seat ahead of me sat explaining the in-flight movie to her grandson

Her words caught my ear...

"Jesus"
"God's son"
"Mary, His Mother"

and as I peaked over her shoulder

there was a cross
an angry mob
and Jesus

spilling Blood...

The actress playing the role of Mary was convincing
as she silently mouthed the words "my son"

and right there
in that moment

at 40,000 feet
traveling 550 mph

I learned
I realized
I finally understood

that the only way that she could have

stood there
watched
endured

that moment

was by remembering

who He was
the revealed plan and the purpose of His life

The only way that she survived that heart wrenching moment
was in remembering that

This was ordained by Him

Last week...

when we arrived home from work
we were met with an unbelievable sight

Water gushing
Exposed pipes
House destroyed

with our ceiling now on the floor

And its funny how in that moment I found my way back to Mary

as I stood on soggy carpet
looking at the gaping hole where the ceiling once was and telling myself...

"This was ordained by Him"

and then I really

learned
realized
finally understood

that the only way any of us can ever

stand
watch
endure

life's heart wrenching moments
is if we also remember...

who He really is

(click to see the rebuilding of our house)

What The Kids Are Up To... Marketing

If you're unfamiliar with

"What the Kids Are Up To This Summer"

start with...

The Introduction 

Session 1-

Brainstorming

Session 2-

Branding

Session 3-

Production

And as we began our next lesson...

I printed an article to share during

our weekly business partners' meeting

I brought in our box of small Legos and set them on the kitchen table

because this lesson was all about marketing

with special emphasis on how to first

-establish a base brand

-work together

-connect and build

Making this the perfect object lesson!

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SESSION 4

The focus:

Marketing

The lesson:

Learn about how to inform

others about the product being sold

The assignment:

Create a marketing plan and begin

implementing advertising/marketing strategies

which began by

-taking a closer look at their brand

-taking pictures of their products

-looking online for advertising materials and ideas

and then finally coming up with this!

--------------------------------

Color*full Creations
creating a life full of color

What the kids are up to next...

a full Product Launch!

What the Kids Are Up To... Production

Click any of the links below to follow

"What The Kids Are Up To This Summer"

 The Introduction 

 Session 1- Brainstorming

Session 2- Branding



Once the children were on
their entrepreneurial path,

I wanted to introduce examples of
other successful (craft) businesses...

so we started the week off with a
field trip to a local Craft Marketplace! 



---------------------------------------

SESSION 3

The focus:

Production/Testing/ Product Placement and Distribution

The lesson:

How to create a streamlined product, package it,

and successfully distribute it to the customer

The assignment:

-Organize business supplies and materials

-Create sample product

-Introduce samples to a "test group" for feedback

-Do a SWOT analysis

(to anticipate business strengths,

weaknesses, opportunities, and threats)

-----------------------------------

And once they ventured out with sample product in hand
we quickly found the strengths and weaknesses

as I realized that I had forgotten to

introduce the first rule of strategic planning...

"Structure Follows Strategy"

The reason we didn't have successful business structure
was because we hadn't discussed our business strategy!

But I've also learned that...

"Failure is Feedback"

and according to Child Development expert Ellen Galinsky 
there are seven essential life skills every child needs...

Focus/ Self-Control
Perspective Taking
Communication
Making Connections
Critical Thinking
Taking On Challenges
Self-directed/ Engaged Learning

So back to Session 1...

(because it's all about simultaneous instruction)

And their next assignment would prove helpful,

putting them back on track, while carefully
leading them toward the future success of...

Color*full Creations

creating a life full of color

What the kids are up to next...
Marketing