WHY, OH WHY??

We have our second homework assignment.  A recitation.

I know a lot of kids wonder why they need to do a recitation.  I know a lot of parents think it is because it is (hopefully) an easy piece to memorize and is just to get their kids comfortable being in front of people.

I want to challenge both sets of people with the following video.  It is a group recitation that the interns did as a small devotional.  It is powerful and impactful.

So, even if your kids are doing a cute, or funny, or SHORT recitation.....you never know who it might impact.    Keep them at it!!

The Lion's Den?? INDEED!

Ever feel like Daniel in the lion's den? I had a day like that yesterday. Or rather my son did.Yesterday, I had to miss my first chapter meeting as a chapter sponsor. I have shingles and I am quarantined. My kids, however, are fine and non-contagious so they were allowed to go. Good thing - one was giving a speech and the other was teaching! And then there was my 6 year old.Before I tell you Gecko's story, I should back up a couple of weeks to the Parent's Informational Meeting that I had. For those of you there, you may remember me implicitly saying, "If your SIX year old balks at coming to a conference or chapter, do not tell them they don't have to go! Encourage them in every way and take them. Don't back down. If they are a believer, they are called to give an answer for the hope that is within them. We want to help train them to do that effectively, in a non-intimidating, fun and exciting environment. Don't give them the out. You will be amazed at what your six or even your nervous 16 year old can do!" And I meant it! I have seen kids come through this all the time.Yesterday, I saw it happen in my own home!As Angi Rutkowski, our Assistant Chapter Sponsor, and our student leader team and member students got ready to leave my house for the meeting (Gecko, my SIX year old son's first meeting), Gecko began hysterics! I mean REAL hysterics. He screamed, he cried, he blubbered about how scared he was to go. I reassured him that ICC only wants to make it easy for kids to speak and so everything would be fun! I told him this was how we would learn to talk well about Jesus to others. I told him he needed to face his fear so he can go to the conference and see his sister while she is here. I told him he just needed to do it this one time and it would be easier after this. Nothing worked. My husband put him in the car, as my words to the parents at our info meeting went through my head...."Don't give them an out!".....As Angi backed out of my driveway, Gecko OPENED THE CAR DOOR so he could try to jump out of the MOVING vehicle! That is how frightened my son was to speak in front of ANYONE. I am a Chapter Sponsor, one of my daughters is the chair of our chapter, one daughter is almost done with YSG 1 at 12 years old, my last daughter is TOURING with ICC as an intern, for goodness sake....but here was my son, who would rather risk life and limb than have to speak in front of people. I had a choice. Keep him home, or throw him in the Lion's Den.Anyone who was at the meeting yesterday knows that I threw him in the den. You know what the beautiful thing about the Lion's Den is? God shows up. In BIG ways. He overcame my son's fear enough that he was willing to give OUT LOUD a try. As the rest of us prayed, God gave him courage to face one of his greatest fears. Public Speaking.As of today, Gecko STILL won't stop talking about the "TON of fun" he had yesterday! He is searching high and low for the perfect recitation piece to give at the next meeting....in front of people. And he is excited to share Jesus.I know that some of you may have felt like you were throwing your kids into the Lion's Den, too. But, trust me, with your encouragement and OUT LOUD's training and activities, God can really show up! Give your kids every chance to be strong and courageous! God will do the rest. Even in Public Speaking!

• Here is a slide show. When you watch it, you can see why my son...and your kids, too....come to enjoy Public Speaking!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!

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