Oak Brook Christian School

Some of the children donned head gear to help Pastor Dan illustrate a verse from Colossians that tells us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  He talked about forgiving one another just as God forgives us.  The children learned that love makes all of these virtues work.  Just like putting a costume on to change our appearance, we can change our attitudes by “putting on” these attributes of God.

Farmer, Grandma, Pastor Dan, Cowgirl and Sheep

Our planned hayride was cancelled because of the rain this morning.  We are hopeful weather will be dryer tonight for Trunk or Treat.  The inflatables are lined up and ready to go on the east side of the parking lot and a couple of trunks are being set up a bit early.  The rain has stopped and the plan is a go, so perhaps the children that come tonight will have their chance to get the hayride in after all.

Thursday’s event was apple hunting.  Because of weather restraints the hunting was done indoors using a variety of areas.  One funny moment came when one of the maintenance crew stopped in Mrs. Maureen’s office with an arm load of apples he thought had been dropped by someone coming into the school.  After a good laugh the apples were re-hidden and the hunt began.  The kids were delighted with the big juicy red apples they found.

The children trailed through the building and grounds this morning to discover many familiar fall sights on their scavenger hunt.  There were table decorations just outside their classrooms, leaves on the stairs, gourds in the hallway and a scarecrow in the building.  Some noticed the bushel of apples at the entrance of the school when they arrived this morning and were prompt to discover them at the appropriate time during their hunt.  There were pine cones, pumpkins, Indian corn and even a giant spider’s web to locate.  We were grateful the weather cooperated for our event!  We are praying for good weather on Friday, so we can enjoy a hayride and the inflatables.  Don’t forget to be here on Friday evening for our Trunk or Treat event.  We will all have a great time then!

Today the children enjoyed a couple of short videos about the fall season.  One was full of interesting fall pictures accompanied by classical music.   It was a delight to the eyes and the ears.   The children seemed to enjoy that one and spontaneously reacted to the different scenes depicted with oohs and aahs and fits of laughter.  We look forward to a scavenger hunt tomorrow.

This week we are celebrating the wonders of the fall season with a special event each day.  Today the children were visited by a friendly scarecrow who read the book PUMPKIN PATCH PARABLE by Liz Curtis Higgs.  They story reminds us that God can make us full of joy and light in the world, just like the old farmer’s pumpkin.

I’m sitting in my office watching the children enjoy learning about fire safety.  “911″ is being shouted out to Officer Bob from the Oak Brook Fire Department as he asks the children to tell him what the emergency number is.  They are all getting a chance to practice dialing that number on a practice phone.  The kids in the kindergarten class were able to tell their own phone numbers also.  Now they are seeing and hearing a smoke detector and practicing how to crawl out of their homes to safety.  STOP DROP AND ROLL is the next technique they are practicing, so they will know what to do if their clothes catch on fire.  Officer Bob reminds them to cover their faces as they roll.  Sparky is covering his face too.  All the kids received a fire equipment pencil topper and a fire hat as a reminder of the visit.  We are grateful to the Oak Brook Fire Department for the training our children get each year.  This past summer the children had opportunity to try out a real hose on a fire target- board as we learned about bravery from some of Oak Brook’s bravest!

STOP DROP & ROLL

Sparky and Friends

Nature Nancy has come each morning this week, during opening time, to share with the children about how much God cares for us.  She carries a basket full of the wonders of nature to show and talk about.  On Tuesday, she found a country mouse in the basket and today her friend Birdie was there as she explained to the children how God cares for all his creatures and provides for all their needs.  Matthew 6:26 tells us that we are more valuable to God then the birds of the air, so we can trust Him to care and provide for us also.

Country Mouse peeks from the handle of Nature Nancy’s basket.