StoryTelling and Hymns

What a fun class we had today.  Those of you who weren't able to come, you were missed and we hope to see you all again soon.  We welcomed three new girls to the class today!  Ava, Hannah, and Emma~Welcome!

We started off our meeting  with Kaitlyn talking about our first hymn study, It is Well with My Soul.  We went through the first stanza, line by line, talking about what it means and what a wonderful gift Christ has given us, he will never leave us.  No matter what life throws our way, It is Well with Our Souls! 

Kaitlyn shared with us what the author, Horatio Spafford, experienced that prompted him to write the hymn.  This is an amazing testimony to God's ability to work good to those that love the Lord!  Anna volunteered to present us with our story next week, about Jesus Loves Me.

Then we turned the class over again to our professional story teller, Mrs. Mary Gene Cotten.  She asked if anyone remembered the story of the tailor from last week.  We had two volunteers, Anna and Kaitlyn, to retell the story for us.  It was very interesting to see the two different interpretations as each girl used her imagination to made the story her own.
She then gave the girls some tips of successful story telling.  Each girl then got to pick out two stories.  One a folktale, and another a parable of Jesus.  They took some time to read over and become familiar with the story, then each girl read one of the stories to the class.  Their assignment for next week is to get to know one of the stories and tell it to the class next week.  She will be back each week in the beginning of each class for some more great advice and tips and we are looking forward to continuing to master this skill for the big performance at the end of the year when the girls will present a story at the graduation ceremony.

If you would like to earn the storytelling badge, here are the requirements to complete:

*Tell one story from the Bible
*Tell one parable of Jesus
*Tell one story about a lesson God taught you
*Tell one story which illustrates a character trait such as honesty or truthfulness.


These stories can be told to our group, or to your family.  Preferably, if you are telling your family, the whole family should be present.

Week 1-Our First Meeting and StoryTelling

Today, once everyone arrived, we talked about what Keepers of the Faith is, and that we would be starting a Keepers at Home Club.  I showed them a handbook and we reviewed what is in the handbooks, went over the Keepers purpose, goals, prayer and verse.  We did a quick overview of the handbook, pointing out the different skills areas.  We also discussed badges and the various types of badges that can be earned. 

Next, we went over our proposed schedule for this year.
After this introduction to what the club is, I explained that we would be focusing on two badges throughout the entire year:  Story Telling and Hymns.  Each week we will spend some time learning about a new hymn.  Each girl will have a chance to present information to the group about the author and the story behind the hymn.

Next we had our very own professional storyteller, Mary Gene Cotten, come and share some stories with us.  She explained to the girls the history behind storytelling, and why people tell stories.  She showed short clips of other children telling stories, and discussed different tips to hold peoples attention, and how to speak out loud and keep eye contact.   We learned all about imagination, and how each story teller will have a different way to tell the same story.  

Next we created a story picture box that would help the girls remember a certain story about a tailor.  They divided into pairs and took turns telling each other the story.  

Next week, Kaitlyn will be telling us the story behind the familiar hymn, It is Well with my Soul.  Looking forward to seeing you all next week.
It was a wonderful first day!!!

Membership Badge-
If your girl(s) would like to earn the Keepers Membership badge, have her memorize the Purpose, Goal, Verse, and Prayer of the Keepers Club.

Purpose: To learn to walk in the steps of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, day by day, moment by moment, in every situation.

Goal: To have a teachable spirit so that I can master the different crafts and skills which will enable me to become a competent, well-balanced Christian girl who loves God, and who will one day be a proper helpmeet and keeper at home.

Verse: 1 Peter 2:21, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in His steps”

Prayer:   Dear Lord,  Teach me the way to make each day a stepping stone as I learn to walk in your steps, and with your help I will make of my life a harmony of love, joy, and service to Thee, my family, and others.

Keepers at Home Club

If you would like more information about the Keepers Club, please visit:

http://www.keepersofthefaith.com/category/KeepersClubs

As it states in the handbook: Our daughters are only with us a few short years, and in these years, they have so much to learn about Jesus, about being a Christian woman, and about being prepared to be a wife, manage a home, and rear their own future children. In this group, the girls will have fun learning new skills while building character and good habits. Being a "keeper at home" is a very worthwhile job and an enjoyable one too. Do not let the list of skills intimidate you. If you do not know some of them, learn them along with your daughter(s)!

 I'm looking forward to an amazing great year as we learn new skills, grow closer as a group and deepen our relationship with Christ.


In our first meeting I handed out an informational sheet for parents.  
If you didn't get one, or have lost yours...please email me at kathrynwaters1@msn.com and I will send you a copy.  We have fun and exciting year ahead of us.  Here is the line up for the year!

We will be spending time in each class focusing on Storytelling and Hymns throughout the year.